Chapter 842 - Prepping Ⅳ (2/2)
James turned to eye Rowan for a moment, before clearing his throat as if embarrassed. ”You look rather lovely this evening, Rowan.”
”You don't need to lie to pacify me, James,” Rowan said with a shrug. ”I'm fairly certain that if I didn't look nice tonight then I probably never will.”
”I'm not lying, Rowan,” James retorted with a frown at Rowan's obvious dismissal of his praise. ”You look beautiful in fact,” he firmly reiterated. ”I have the feeling that I am going to have fight droves of suitors tonight.”
Rowan stares blankly at James before her ears turn a shade pinker than the previous time. Ignoring her embarrassment at the sincere praise from James, she is not able to hide the slight tilt of her lips upward revealing her slight pŀėȧsurė at the praise. Changing the subject, she says, ”Will you be returning home later tonight, James?”
”Mm, Dad said it would be late, but he didn't want to leave mum alone for too long,” James warmly answered. ”I think he's just worried since mum wasn't able to come because she wasn't feeling well. And well, it's the most they've ever been apart at least since I was born.”
”Well, that's understandable,” Rowan murmured in sincere understanding as neither she nor Severus had ever been apart since their birth. It actually hurt and almost seemed frightening to imagine the day when they would no longer be together. Unfortunately, that day loomed on the horizon creeping nearer and nearer the older they grew. Inevitably, the day would come when they would separate, but not yet.
Observing a trace of sadness and uncertainty flash across Rowan's face, James carefully interjects, ”Speaking of which, I don't think my father likes your grandfather nor Professor Prince or rather I have the distinct impression that that feeling of dislike is mutual is it not?”
”Oh, the feelings of dislike are very much mutual,” Rowan drily answered. ”Apparently, grandfather is offended your father, Fleamont acted weak before others simply because he was a Gryffindor. Never mind the fact my grandfather was only a 1st year at that time while your father was a 7th year. And as for Aunt Georgine, I perfectly don't know the reason as for her dislike except that Aunt Georgine tends to follow grandfather's lead for the most part.”
James' lips twitch ruefully and shakes his head. ”Well, at least we don't have to worry about ever being forcefully engaged.”
Rowan's face carefully remains poker-faced at James's innocent remark. Technically, it could still happen since the Potter household still had a marriage debt owed to the Prince family via the maternal Peverell family line. She would rather not reveal that fact lest James thinks otherwise.
Before they can further converse, the sound of voices can be heard down the hall. James stiffens at hearing the musical timbre of Lily's voice echoing down the hall. Seeing the rigid form of James, Rowan reaches with only slight hesitation, before her gloved hand takes his gloved hand. She firmly squeezes his hand in reassurance before withdrawing it.
James is startled to find Rowan holding his hand before she just as quickly withdrew it. For a moment he feels wildly embarrassed at being seen so vulnerable and yet he finds himself growing calmer. He did not know where that unknown confidence came from, but he knew everything would be alright as long as Rowan was at his side. It was a bizarre feeling that did not naturally belong to him, but rather he attributed it to his body. Because for some reason, a part of him simply trusted Rowan and he found that he couldn't argue with that sentiment.
Gathering courage, James offers Rowan his arm which she gently accepts wrapping her fingers around his forearm. Taking a deep breath, he straightens his back and walks forward. He would present a calm collected face to the world despite any emotional turmoil he might feel. He had a duty to fulfill as an escort and he would at least succeed in that endeavor.. He would not fail Rowan in that aspect nor anyone else.