Chapter 822 - Start of Winter Holidays Ⅱ (2/2)
”Georgine is still at Hogwarts grading the last of the essays and exams,” Reginald truthfully answered. ”She will directly join us at Verniac Chateau once she is finished.”
Severus frowns in puzzlement at seeing their grandfather seemingly ignore Rowan, and his twin sister not comment on the edgy situation. He turns to glance between the two of them, before thinking it better not to ask. He had enough on his plate as it was.
The return home was unusually silent as the car pulled into the Prince's driveway. Having gained stomachs of steel, Severus and Rowan stepped out of the vehicle without any dizziness or nausea. Poor Owny as usual had passed out in his cage early on during the trip and lay on his side with his beak open and weakly gasping for air.
It is never tiring to see Prince manor for it is breathtaking as always. The front door of the manor is covered in mistletoe and holly wreaths enchanted to form wondrous shapes every couple of minutes. After momentarily pausing to admire Dawn's work, they step into the hallway where Dawn greets them in holiday livery. Little Laldey proudly stands next to his mouthers in a crisp white buŧŧon shirt and adorable holiday overalls with the prince crest embroidered on them.
”Welcome home, young master and mistress!” Dawn happily squeaked as the mistletoe decorations in her hair shake from excitement. Laldey quickly chimes after his mother to copy her, ”Welcome home, young master and mistress!
”Thank you, Dawn,” Rowan and Severus said in greeting before a faint smile crosses both of their faces. ”And to you as well, Laldey.”
Laldey beams with pride and puffs out his nonexistent ċhėst in answer. Dawn giggles with pride and says, ”Dawn will take the young master and mistresses' things to the bedrooms, and shortly return with refreshments.” Dawn easily levitates the trunks and Owny's cage with Laldey cheerfully toddling after his mother.
As usual, the return of Rowan and Severus came as a surprise as Fidel, the peacock of Aunt Georgine froze mid-way through the hallway. He lets out a shrill squawk in horror before shifting pedals in reverse. He had forgotten today is the day that the fiends are to return! Fidel whirls about as if tailfeathers were on fire and vanishes back the way he came.
Severus frowns at the peacock's departing form. ”Really that seems like an overaction. I haven't pulled out any of his tail feathers since before the summer before our third year. That was well over two years ago.”
Rowan lets out a snort and turns to study the fest-filled halls of Prince Manor. The halls as usual are decorated with trees, Christmas decorations, and the scents of holiday incense. Even the portraits are up for the holidays as one of the portraits that hang in the hall changes with the seasons. It is that of a cottage that at present is warm and glowing with light amid a fierce snowstorm that roars outside of the cozy cottage.
Severus opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by the front door loudly opening and closing shut. Their grandfather, Reginald merely pauses in the hall and coolly says, ”Rowan,” before striding down the hallway with heavy footsteps.
Severus glances at Rowan and their grandfather's retreating form, before whispering, ”What did you do, Rowan? I don't think I've ever seen grandfather this furious.”
”It's more like what I didn't do,” Rowan drily answered, before swiftly moving to follow her grandfather.
Severus stares at his twin sister's retreating form with a perplexed expression on his face. ”Was it because Rowan did not invite anyone to be her escort to our presentation ball?” He mused privately, before concluding that must be it. He did not ponder for much longer before Dawn promptly arrived with sweets. He was hungry and was still a growing boy. Teenage boys tend to be never-ending pit holes that are always seemingly hungry. It is simple fact of life.