Chapter 632 - Dumbledore’s Office Ⅱ (1/2)
Finally, after a good length of silence with Rowan and Severus staring at James finally answered, ”I need to see Professor Dumbledore, it's regarding a private matter.”
Rowan gestures at Severus to go, who rather reluctantly does so. Severus stiffly brushes past them, but not before flashing James a warning glare. Seeing the protective nature of Severus towards his twin sister, James blinked a bit in surprise. He had never noticed that Severus had ever been that protective of Lily. But then again, he had not spent enough much time paying attention to Snivellus-.
James blanches with shamefaced as he blinks out of his past memories and the terrible name he had once called the person he was coming to like as a truly good friend, Severus Prince. He liked the dry witty humor of the Slytherin, and despite Severus's gruff nature; he was a sincere friend always willing to go above and beyond for his friends.
It was these little personality ticks that caused James to feel sick to his stomach. The memories of his past and the present were at times in fierce and constant contradiction. And the habits formed over a lifetime were not that easy to change, but he was sincerely trying for he had much to recompense for. Even if a part desperately wished he could return to his own world, he would not return as the same person.
He was not the same James that had died that day that much was clear after all these few months. His eyes had been forced open, and he found that he could not close his eyes against the blaring truth. He couldn't back even if he wanted to. He just couldn't.
James is snapped out of his thoughts by Rowan loudly instructing him. ”Come this way, Potter,” before closely following after the tall, slender raven-haired figure of Rowan.
Out of the corner of his eye, James studies Rowan Prince. As usual, she was still taller than him and matched her twin brother in height for the moment. She seemed to be rather calm and collected. And those midnight black, indigo eyes of her seemed to peer into his very soul.
It was a rather disconcerting feeling to be perfectly honest especially when he caught her gaze in the library. And he could not help but wonder why he'd ever become friends with such a cold person and especially a Slytherin. Yet he had found traces of said friendship among his personal belongings that were cherished gifts and the journal accounts that suggested otherwise.
It was mostly the journal accounts that pulled gave him pause. Rowan Prince seemed to be everywhere, but above all, she seemed to be a genuine friend to the James that had written in the journals with youthful handwriting. A minder at times, but a true friend, who always seemed to come through when it truly counted.
James glanced up as they came to a stop before an ugly gargoyle. Rowan eyes him carefully and says, ”It is none of my business, Potter. But if you are feeling unwell, it would be a wise idea to see Madam Pomphrey again.”
”Poppy?” James blurted out, before realizing his faux pas. Most students did not call the infirmary matron, Madam Pomphrey, Poppy.
Rowan does not visibly react beyond her eyes seeming to become darker than usual. Instead, she says, ”Yes, our resident matron. If you are feeling unwell, I suggest seeing her as you have been instructed to do, Potter, after the mishap that occurred in the kitchens.”
Not giving him time to respond, she turns to the gargoyle, and Rowan says, ”Sherbet Lemon.”
With a rumble, the wall splits in two to reveal a spiral moving case. Rowan gestures to the moving staircase and says, ”The staircase will take you to the top of the tower. Knock, before you enter, Potter.”
Without another word nor waiting for thanks, Rowan brushed past James. James decides to remain silent and instead climbed the moving staircase frowning in thought, he wonders, when did he first develop blinders when it came to Slytherin's. He had realized in his growing friendship with Severus and Terry that he truly been prejudiced against the Slytherins from the very start. He now wondered if could he have possibly even become friends with Severus Snape, if not for that ill-fated first conversation on the Hogwarts Express?
Any further contemplation is interrupted as the stairs come to a thundering halt at the stone entrance. A gleaming oak door with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin is before him. His former Auror habits kick in as James hides his thoughts behind mind shields. Knocking once on the door, he waits and hears the headmaster's voice say, ”Enter.”