Chapter 586 - Finally, it is Friday. (1/2)
By the weekend, Rowan was almost weeping in relief as Friday finally arrived. Severus looked no better than she did as they somehow managed to make it through their day including Mermish. Tragically, her week had worsened by the fact that the gossip mill churning about her and James being rumored soul mates. However, that had quickly died down as even the gossipmongers were too exhausted with the first week of school that even they did not have enough energy to fuel the fiery flames for the time being.
Somehow, Rowan and Severus found themselves in the familiar Headmaster's office at the end of their exceptionally long day. The whistling silver instruments whirl softly in the background as some of the half-awake portraits stare at them. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore blue eyes twinkle faintly as in remembrance of the good old days. Why he had been a Prefect himself, and it had been just as exhausting even in those days.
Blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles, Albus Dumbledore stares down his crooked nose at them, before taking pity upon them an assigning them a simple Mermish Translation essay for the evening. The two of them gratefully get to work until he clears his throat and says, ”Well, the two of you have indeed improved over the summer on your vocabulary. And I have finished upgrading your assignments and reports. I am must say I am both astonished and impressed at the versatile directions both of your minds took on the assigned subjects.”
Glancing up from their Mermish translation essay, Rowan and Severus said in unison, ”Thank you, Dumbledore.”
A teenage Fawkes sitting in the corner of the office on a golden perch lets out a happy chirp causing his scarlet and gold feathers to flash. He looked quite adorable and awkward really. Even glorious phoenixes suffered through that awkward adolescent phase too.
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore sends the graded essays and theoretical research papers back to them. Rowan and Severus each study their own pile intently reading the comments and grades. While they look through their essays, Dumbledore gives them a moment before speaking.
”Professor McGonagall had expressed her disbelief that the both of you have had some difficulty vanishing a kitten,” Dumbledore slowly said as he carefully watched their faces.
The twin's face's become stiff as they both glanced away and stared at his shoulder not quite meeting the Headmaster's gaze. ”Well, that being said would either of you please explain the issue?” Dumbledore asked.
Rowan merely presses her lips together tightly as Severus bites his lip. Neither of them desires to speak further on the subject. Seeing their stubbornness, Dumbledore wryly nods his silvery head and says, ”Very well, I shan't pry. But if this continues, we shall have a discussion whether either of you wishes to discuss the subject or not.”
Rowan and Severus both frown but nod their heads stiffly in acknowledgment. They would do better next time around in Transfiguration. They had too. They had no other choice.
Seeing that the subject was closed and final, Dumbledore says, ”That being said, please make sure to rest when you can. I understand that neither of you desired the Prefect position much less expected it in your fifth year given that you are taken O.W.L's and various N.E.W.T's in the same year.”
Seeing the identical glares from the twins, Dumbledore chuckles and says, ”I know that the both of you desire to poison me or see me dead in a ditch somewhere, but I can assure you that it was done with serious thought and consideration.”
Rowan and Severus both speculatively eye him as Dumbledore continues, ”With all the present ongoings in the world, I wanted to make it clear that the wizarding world has nothing to fear from the Slytherin heirs. I am well aware that the two of you are Gryffindor and Hufflepuff heirs as well, but more often than not you will both be seen as Slytherins. I am a Gryffindor myself and I cannot begin to comprehend the complete mentality of a Slytherin. But what I do know is that the Slytherins will follow your lead.”