章 286: Evans Family

Two days later after the funeral, Rowan couldn't quite believe her eyes. She was standing in Cokeworth again. Albeit it was the nicer part of town, but still it was a place she had never thought she would ever stop foot again. Even more peculiar ending up in the company of her, Aunt Georgine in Cokeworth! If someone had told her this last year, she would have openly scoffed at them.

"Step lively, Rowan! Hurry along!" Georgine cried out as she led them towards the Evans home. Severus eagerly scrambled ahead carrying his valise in his hand. According to their grandfather, they needed some fresh air. And as such they had been sent to spend a few days with the Evans couple, who graciously accepted the request considering the abrupt circumstances.

Down the side of the streets, there are brick homes with a small front yard in front of each flat. The front garden is filled with flowers, mostly roses and the like. Mr. Evans worked as a plant supervisor at one of the factories in the area. He earned a pretty penny and enough to move them to a nicer part of town. He also could have moved to an even better nearby town, but Mr. Evans was content with his lot as was his wife, Mrs. Evans, who was a stay-at-home mother that enjoyed teaching piano lessons for a bit of money.

Rowan watched some of the children ride their bikes down the street, while a pair of little girls played hopscotch. Sighing at the sweltering heat emitted, she unhappily continued forward. Until at long last Georgine paused in front of the red brick house with petunias and lilies growing in the front yard. Marching up the cement steps, she knocks twice and waits for the door to be answered.

Mrs. Evans answers the door and blinks at seeing a rather tall, pale, slender woman with raven-like winged hair to the side of her head. "Mrs. Evans?" Georgine plainly inquired gazing down at the muggle woman.

Mrs. Evans felt rather flustered and underdressed. She paused to glance at her clothing which is merely a simple floral dress with flats and stockings. Flustered, she hastily patted her light-colored hair back in place. "Ah, why yes!" she stuttered in a late response.

"We have not had the pleasure, so permit me to introduce myself, Madam. I am Georgine Prince," Georgine politely said. "I do believe my brother did write to you and your husband, and that you did indeed assent to take the children for a few days for which we are most grateful."

"Yes, yes, of course!" Mrs. Evans hastily replied.

"Excellent," Georgine Prince smiled in satisfaction, before pulling out a thick folded wad of cash held carefully together by a golden clip. Without even blinking at the amount, she shoved the money at Mrs. Evans, who numbly caught the thick bundle of money. Mrs. Evan's eyes bulge at the amount of money unable to comprehend the events that have transpired.

"I'm certain that you and your husband will want to take the children out to eat and enjoy other activities," Georgine nonchalantly gestured with a wave of her hand. "Please understand that my brother and I sincerely appreciate it. It is no trouble at all to cover the costs since you and your husband have generously done us a great favor on such short notice."

Mrs. Evans drags her eyes away from the roll of money. She gripped the money wad tighter in hesitation. "Mr. Prince wrote to us most kindly, and we are sad to hear of his loss, please do convey our most sincere condolences to him."

"I will, thank you," Georgine earnestly answered, before turning around to face the children. Severus looks unusually cheerful, while Rowan looks rather dower.

Georgine's gaze lingers on Severus for a second as if disturbed by her great-nephew's unusual demeanor. "Children, I expect the two of you to properly behave yourselves and not give the Evans family any trouble of sorts." Severus bobs his head up and down in quick agreement, while Rowan pointedly doesn't promise anything.

Flashing her great-niece, a pointed glance, Georgine says, "Well, I really ought to be going, mind your manners, children." She briskly excused herself and walked down the street at a steady pace. She would apparate a few blocks away in an empty alley. Until then she enjoyed the sun and the sound of children's laughter, not that she would ever admit it if asked.

With their aunt gone, Rowan and Severus turn to expectantly gaze at Mrs. Evans, who is still stunned for a moment, before hurriedly shoving the wad of money into her apron pocket. If the neighbors were about, it may cause unnecessary gossip. It is best if she invites the children inside and out of the sun.

"Please come in, dears," Mrs. Evan invited them inside the Evans home.

Severus happily enters the small home that could easily fit in their bedroom. At least, the floor of course. Rowan happily entered the Evans home and sighed in relief as the heat began to dissipate. Thankfully, the house had cool air conditioning. They wouldn't die from the stifling heat.

The small living room held a television, a couch, and two armchairs. There was a bookcase against one of the walls with an open half wall connected to the kitchen. There were two other doors on the first floor, one that led to a small guest bedroom with a tiny water closet, and another that led to a very small laundry room.

"Lily!" Mrs. Evans called out. "Rowan and Severus are here!"

A loud squeal could be heard from upstairs followed by the pounding of footsteps. Lily rushes out of her bedroom and appears at the top of the banister. "You're here!" Lily excitedly said as Severus grinned up at her. Lily rushed down the steps and immediately pulled Severus into a hug causing Severus to turn bright red. Unfortunately, Rowan is hugged right after by Lily. Rowan permitted it since it would be quicker to give in to Lily than dealing with Lily afterward.

"C'mon, I'll show you to your room, Severus!" Lily enthusiastically said as she tugged Severus after her. She shoved Severus into the small guest room next to the laundry room. From the doorway, Lily cried out, "You're bunking with me, Rowan," before hurrying inside to help Severus settle down.

"Just great," Rowan muttered under her breath. Sensing the gaze of Mrs. Evans, she keeps a polite expression on her face. "Where is Lily's room if I might ask?"

"It'll be the first room down the hallway, dear," Mrs. Evans promptly replied. "Lily's room is right from Petunia's, while our bedroom is at the end of the hallway."

"Thank you," Rowan courteously thanked Mrs. Evans, before climbing up the stairs. She passed a lavatory, before arriving at the open bedroom of Lily. Rowan paused in the doorway simply flabbergasted. It is the 70s and well the décor leaves much to be desired for. There is floral wallpaper and blossom-colored bed sheets with ruffled ends. The carpet isn't overly thought, but it is still shaggy. And if it wasn't overly obvious this is a teenager's room, the wall covered in posters is a clue.

Snickering, Rowan put down her case on the bed and says out loud the names of those she immediately recognizes. "Cristopher K. from the Brady-B. Brady W. from the Brady-B. Huh looks like Lily's got a thing for the Brady-B. David C. from the Partridge-Fam. I mean, if she's going for hot guys, why not Robert Redford? He's a total hunk right now."

Rowan sighed over Lily's taste in men, before studying the rest of Lily's room. There is a wardrobe and closet. A white bookcase, a small study desk, and an old dollhouse in the corner of the bedroom. Walking over to the bookcase, she frowns at not finding anything she would want to read. Harlequin, ick. Clearly, they had different tastes. Hopefully, the bookcase downstairs had something better to offer.