Chapter 697: Halloween Arrangements Ⅳ

After having spoken the password to the Slytherin common room the stone wall swings open to reveal an inner passageway. Stepping inside she enters an area of rough stone walls and ceiling that is lit by elegant green glowing lanterns. A roaring fire burns in the elaborately carved mantelpiece trying valiantly to keep the common room warm with shadows flickering across the snake skulls sitting on top of the mantelpiece. Various chattering students sit in the elegant sitting area filled with luxury leather chairs and sofas, and luxury carved tables with marble gob stone boards for playing or simply for studying are skillfully placed throughout the common area for the student's usage.

A few chattering students glance at Rowan as she gestures towards the common room entrance. Still chattering the students begin to shuffle out of the common room as those playing board games halt their games. With care, they memorize the current gameplay, before promptly putting away the board games in the Stylish common room cupboards that hold quills and other useful items. Quickly they shuffle away, while others hurry up the stairs to grab friends and dormmates, before heading out to the Great Hall.

With the large surge of students this year, several more cats had been added to the Slytherin common room, but none dared to challenge the rulers of the Slytherin quarters. In a corner of the room, the overwrought fifth and seventh years take a break by worshipping the two rulers of the Slytherin common room, Alchemy, and Brahms. Alchemy, a Norwegian Forest longhaired cat in shades of brown, gray, white, and black proudly oversees his worshipers with large, greenish-yellow eyes. His fluffy white paws are pristine as he licks his paws to groom his face to perfection.

Seated at Alchemy's side is his second-in-command, Brahms, a fluffy white long-haired Turkish Angora with blue round colored eyes. Brahms was at times the bane of the boy's existence as the fluffy cat enjoyed warm baths and regularly sneaked into bathtubs to the fright of those bathing in the evening. The screaming from the boy's bathrooms had become a commonplace thing that everyone knew exactly, who was responsible for the unexpected ghastly fright. Despite all these commotions, the two cats had a devoted following with the belief that all those who sincerely devoted themselves to the two cats would successfully pass their O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams.

Rowan loudly coughs and taps her foot impatiently against the ground to usher away the devoted worshippers of Alchemy and Brahms. The cultists give the two cats one last worshipfully bow before scurrying away under Rowan's stern glare. Alchemy lets out a pointed meow, before leaping from his chair with his tail held high and marching up to the dorms. Brahms also lets out an unhappy meow at Rowan and proudly does the same leaving Rowan to roll her eyes.

With the common room largely emptied, Rowan decides to give their housemates five minutes more, before darting up the girl's staircase to begin shooing the girls down. A flicker in the green windows causes her to peek at the lake waters, but she spots nothing in the outside, cold lake waters. And reminded her just why she hated sitting at times in front of the windows.

Forcefully tearing her gaze away, Rowan's eyes come to a halt upon one of the grand tapestries that hang as decorations and demonstrating valiant, ancient Medieval Slytherins in action. Though if one were to ask Rowan the Medieval Slytherins were simply being Slytherins by catching their foes unaware and exploiting their weaknesses. In fact, one tapestry even showed a Medieval Slytherin proudly poisoning their foe…. Cunning was a virtue that Slytherins prized above all else. Because in the end, it was the survivor, who had the last laugh. What good is to be a hero if one is dead and unable to enjoy the glory?!

Rowan purses her lips in agreement with a faint sneer on her lips. She rather agreed with the sentiments, but she could not deny that she did not always act very Slytherin at times. In fact, she was rather Gryffindorish at times. She lay all the blame upon their ancestor Godric Gryffindor, his magical genes were simply too strong to be easily overcome. It was a curse.

The crisp familiar gait of footsteps causes Rowan to turn away from the medieval tapestries. Swiftly emerging from the boy's staircase is the figure of her twin brother, Severus. With his hair lightly pulled back with a tie, Severus's sharp features were further sharpened causing his onyx eyes to glitter like gems. A glimmer of approval appears on Rowan's face as she opens her mouth to give her brother the bought of good news. However, her twin brother's action causes her to pause as he solemnly gazes at her.

Severus makes a face at his sister and sighs, self-consciously tucking some loose hairs behind his ear. "I've been thinking."

Hearing that tone of voice, Rowan knows exactly what subject he is referring to. "About Lily?"

Severus makes a wry expression, before sighing again with regret. "I'm not sure I can go back to being best friends, but I would like to remain as friends. She's still someone important to me from our childhood."

"Are you sure of your decision, Sev?" Rowan rather concerned said. "Can you truly live without Lily in your life like that?"

A bitter laugh escapes from Severus's chest as he offers Rowan such a bittersweet smile. "I might as well get used to it now rather than later," Severus firmly said without a trace of anger. "And I would like to believe that I can still grow and fall in love again. And though Lily may always be my first love, I would not like her to be my last."

Rowan bites her lip in concern. Did she truly do the right thing in telling Severus to confess? She did not know anymore. But what she did now is that if she had not Severus would have lost the opportunity to do so. And yet, she could not be certain that her meddling was truly warranted, and she hated feeling thusly so especially now that that Lily wished to speak in private with him. Bullocks, she would have to fix the mess she had caused if this did not end well.

Gently reaching over to cradle his cheek, Rowan watches as Severus leans into her touch with his eyes closed. "I will always be on your side, Severus," Rowan promised, "No matter what happens. I will always gladly choose you over Lily any day."

Severus opens his opal eyes that gleam like the darkest pools of water. "I know," Severus sincerely replied. "But you don't have to nor give Petunia up. She has always been a good friend to you. And the fact that she frightens me. Knowing her she'd probably find a way to send a Howler," with an added shiver running down his back.

"Mm, as if I would," Rowan aloofly sniffed, before drawing her hand back. "However, might I suggest that this very important conversation with Lily wait until after the Feast."

"I am not that foolish," Severus scorned, and before further could be added footsteps distinctly making their way down both staircases can be heard. Recalling their duties, they nod at each other, before each makes their way to one of the ends of the common room to begin counting their fellow snakes, and snakelings. The sneak lots tended to get into mischief, Merlin, knows what they would get to with everyone away!