Chapter 602 - Reconciliations Ⅱ (1/2)
Losing himself to his internal turmoil, James does not hear the light footsteps approaching him. Barley registering that the footsteps came to a halt, a low female voice with a touch of undisguised concern asks, ”Are you alright, Potter? You seem rather ill.”
James's head snaps around so fast that a faint pop can be heard coming from his neck. Blinking in a rather bewildered fashion, he wonders, how in Merlin's name did his senses fail him so? Not even amid the worst of the war had he ever been caught so unaware except for that night.
”Prefect Prince, I am fine,” James stumbled to say, before taking a step back and feeling himself go quite weak. Instantly to his surprise, the tall, slender Slytherin girl catches him by the elbow. To his own surprise, he glimpses genuine concern and worry on her face before that quickly vanishes.
”Contrary to your statement, Potter, you do not seem to be all that well,” Rowan stoutly replied. ”Do you wish to see Madam Pomfrey, or do you wish to rest in the kitchens?”
”The kitchens, please,” James awkwardly replied as he fretfully runs a clammy hand through his hair. It was a terrible habit of his that he had not broken after all these years. A fleeting unknown emotion flashes through the Slytherin girl's face at his gesture that causes James to limply drop his hand at his side.
Rowan does not appear convinced by his statement but does not loosen her grip on his elbow. ”Come along then,” she said, gently tugging him further down the hall.
”I'm fine, really,” James protested feeling uncomfortable for some reason at being touched by the Slytherin Prefect.
”You are clammy and pale, Potter,” Rowan countered. ”I am already accommodating you as it is Potter by not taking you to see Madam Pomfrey, do not make me change my mind.”
”Er, thanks,” James mumbled under his breath before they came to a halt before the painting of a gigantic silver fruit bowl. It suddenly occurs to him just how did the Slytherin know how to get the kitchens?
However, before he can complete that thought the Slytherin stretched out her forefinger and tickled the huge green pair in the painting. It began to squirm, chuckle before a large green door handle appeared. In a fluid motion, she seized the handle and pulled the door open.
”I can walk perfectly well by myself,” James started to say before a sharply pointed glance by those pitch black, indigo colored eyes caused him to clamp his mouth shut. Not protesting anymore, the two of them step inside and all the while the Slytherin firmly steadies him by the elbow.
The door quickly closes behind him as James feeling a choking sensation in his throat at seeing the enormous, high-ceiling room that is as large as the Great Hall above it. The mounds of glittering brass pots and pans heaped around the stone walls begin to sway sickly as though he was on a ship. And even the great brick fireplace at the end is swirling and twirling.