Chapter 651 - Patrolling Ⅲ (1/2)
The moon was high in the sky when Rowan trod down the stone corridors, while the torches flicker and cast a moving light. With care, she began to make her way down through the castle to return to the dungeons. She would have teleported, but she wanted to take some time for herself to unwind before going to bed after the abrupt meeting with James in the Astronomy Tower. She found that a quiet walk tended to give her body and mind a respite from her thoughts and concerns.
The sound of footsteps caused Rowan to pause as a dust-colored, scrawny cat with bulging yellow, lamp-like eyes emerges from the corridor first, Mrs. Norris. A faint smile appears on Rowan's face as she leans down to pet the cat, while the footsteps become louder to reveal the hunched figure of the Hogwarts Caretaker, Argus Filch. His face was still horribly pasty as ever with bulging pale eyes and sunken cheeks. His thin grey hair, however, is neatly swept back and he wears a newer dark-colored suit with trousers that cover his thin ankles. Courtesy of the higher pay raise, he had been given.
”Ah, it's you, Prince,” Argus Filch said as eyes softened upon seeing Rowan gently petting the purring figure of Mrs. Norris. ”I thought I had caught one of those brats about.”
”Most certainly not,” Rowan countered as she gave Mrs. Norris one last gentle scratch behind the ears, before rising and straightening up. ”However, this year especially, we seem to have quite the number of nighttime wanders.” Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click #%E2%85%B2_51537694228005450 for visiting.
”Nosey brats the whole lot of them,” Argus grumbled darkly. ”Though the Petersen brothers have quelled them right along nicely,” he murmured with a great deal of satisfaction. As not even the Gryffindor's were brave, (stupid), enough to pull pranks on the two large, muscular new caretakers of Hogwarts.
”Well, I best be off now, Filch,” Rowan said as she felt a cold breeze wisp across her neck and cause her to shiver as she pulled her cloak closer around herself. ”It is late, and I have class in the morning.”
”Er, a moment, Prince,” Argus said as he nervously shuffled on his toes.
Rowan patiently waits for the caretaker to speak, when Argus clears this throat and says, ”My younger brother wrote to me, and he is aware of you and your brother's existence. He is awfully sorry about his past ignorance, but he was wondering if during the Winter Holiday's you and Severus would be willing to join the Filch family for a family dinner. Naturally, it would be my brother and I and his family-.”
Argus's voice dies off as Rowan is noticeably quiet and still as one of Argus's hands' fiddle with the buttons on his coat sleeve. ”I cannot presume to answer at this time, Filch,” Rowan earnestly answered. ”However, I shall solemnly consider the invitation, and relay the message to my twin brother to consult on the matter.”
”Of course, of course!” Argus said in relief. ”And neither of you need an answer at this time. It may wait until the Presentation ceremony, where my brother and his wife will be present in attendance.”
Rowan's eyes widen and narrow in a split of a second before any trace of her emotions vanished from her face. ”Well, in that case, I will wait until that time to answer in person.”
”Right, you are, Prince,” Argus sighed in relief, before nodding briskly and turning away.
Argus had begun to hurry away with Mrs. Norris leading the way when Rowan loudly called after him. ”And can we expect that the school's librarian, Miss Pince will be your date, Filch?”
Rowan's words cause Argus nearly to stumble, but he did not answer back. Frankly, he could not get away fast enough. He had no idea, why he had agreed to be his younger brother's messenger. But he most vehemently regretted it now! Never again!