Chapter 894 - Pyre Ⅲ (1/2)
On the morning after the attack, James and his father, Fleamont Potter had departed early from the manor. Rowan nor Severus had not much time to speak prior to his departure except to say goodbye. However, they had all sensed that something was off as Fleamont and Reginald had spoken to each other in a civil manner without any hidden barbs. Far more concerning was the fact that Fleamont Potter slept in the same clothes that he had been wearing the previous night before. It was an ill omen.
Rowan and Severus frowned together and shared a glance at seeing the rushed departure of James with his dad, Fleamont Potter. ”That's strange,” Severus drily remarked.
”Yes, it is,” Rowan frowned further in agreement.
Before the two of them can discuss the subject even further, Aunt Georgine descends upon them wearing a bright red festive gown with golden tassels and embroidered wyverns. The robes were styled in fashion from the East with a high neck collar. Rowan and Severus both instinctively take a step back at seeing their aunt in such a bright color, (Gryffindor colors, really).
”Oh, good the pests are finally gone,” Georgine said with a pleased smile.
”Aren't you up early Aunt Georgine,” Rowan warily remarked.
”There are plenty of things to get done,” Georgine pointedly said and motioned for them to follow her. Rowan and Severus warily glanced at each other until Georgine shouted at them, ”Well, hurry up! I don't have time to dawdle all day!
”Says the women who sleeps in until late afternoon,” Severus huffed under his breath, but both he and Rowan quickly moved forward to catch up with their aunt.
Georgine led her great-niece and nephew to the family parlor. A great large freshly cut pine tree is waiting for them inside. She deeply breathes in the scent of the pine, before sighing in contemned. ”Brother was gracious enough to chop down a tree this morning.” She pointed at the freshly cut tree. ”He's rather busy this morning, but the three of us are going to decorate the tree together.”
”The three of us?!” Rowan and Severus squawked in shock.
”Of course,” Georgine arched her brow at the twins. ”We are family.”
Rowan and Severus nearly start choking out loud but are saved by the timely arrival of Tadbey with boxes of ornaments. ”Here,” he curtly said, before vanishing away rather grumpily.
Georgine's lips twitch in a satisfied smirk, before moving her wand to open a box. Ornaments begin to fly out from the box and hang themselves onto the tree. ”Hurry up with the Tinsel!” She snapped.
Rowan and Severus both refrain from sighing and do as they are told. It took them a better part of the morning to complete decorating the Christmas Tree to Aunt Georgine's satisfaction. Though Sir Prince Knight did waltz into the parlor at some point and participated by offering compliments and positive criticism. Not that Georgine appreciated the feedback as at one point she had lobbed several decorations at the family ghost, and which passed harmlessly through Sir Prince Knight's ghostly body.
Then the day only got stranger as they were roped into making homemade gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses. Never mind the fact that they had never been allowed to cook at Prince Manor. After all these years Rowan and Severus's cooking skills were largely rusted. Yet that is exactly what they did. If Rowan didn't know any better, she would say that Aunt Georgine was attempting to keep them occupied or rather distracted all day long. Although poor Dawn was severely distressed by the time, they finished baking in the kitchen especially since Aunt Georgine couldn't seem to tell the difference between salt and sugar…
By the time, they were done with family activities that had all been enforced by Aunt Georgine, the day had ended. Taking a hint from the day before on the morning of Christmas Eve, Rowan and Severus made certain to sleep in late. They lazily ate brunch later that morning, before having a rousing snowball fight on the grounds. It had been a rare jovial display as they laughed, shouted, and pushed each other. It was not that they were not concerned about the giant attacks (especially Rowan), but sometimes it was nice to simply act their age without any worry or concern. Why even Tadbey had joined in once little Ladley decided to play with them. A bright moment amid all the stark gray of winter.
It was past noon by the time, they retreated inside half-frozen, but with ruddy cheeks. After removing their wet clothes and changing into warm comfortable clothes, Rowan and Severus lazily spread out before the fireplace to read. They munched on tasty snacks and sipped hot drinks enjoying the rare moment of peace they had not had since becoming the Slytherin Prefects.
It was late in the afternoon when their relaxing Christmas Eve is interrupted by Tadbey. ”The Master requires the presence of the young master and young mistress,” the house elf solemnly stated.
Rowan and Severus look up from their books and reflexively glance at the time, before glancing at each other. They both silently converse with each other with their eyes. ”Did you do anything?”
”No, I didn't.”
”And you?”
”Nope.”