On the last weekend of October, Rowan awoke and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast feeling out of sorts. For the last few weeks, S.R. Wilkes paramour had taken to flouncing her romantic relationship with Wilkes in the Slytherin common room and throughout Hogwarts much to the annoyance of everyone else. To be honest Rowan wouldn't have cared that much if not for the unsightly display she and everyone else kept seeing EVERYWHERE.
In a fix of exasperation (after multiple warnings, detentions, and points being docked) the Slytherin Prefects had reported the couple to Professor Slughorn. Professor Slughorn was even treated to such a view and as a result, he had given the overly romantic couple a stern lecture on proper decorum and propriety. Not that had helped as the two continued out of sight of the Prefects and Professor Slughorn's view. But the 5th year and 7th years were starting to get awfully twitchy with their wands when those two were around. It was only a matter of time until one of them finally snapped and attacked the thoughtless couple.
Thankfully this time no one's eyes were assaulted at breakfast. Having arrived to avoid such a case, Rowan finished first and left before anyone else. Dressed rather warmly, she set out of the Great Hall to the front entrance where the first carriages were rolling up the steep cobbled path to Hogwarts. Stepping out onto cold frozen leaves that loudly crunched under her feet. The grounds were frozen every morning as the trees had long since turned bright colors and had begun to lose their leaves. Some of the trees had lost many of their leaves after the recent rain storm a few days ago and were rather bare.
Though the sky is downcast it didn't seem as though it was going to rain this afternoon. Rowan reflexively tucked the warm scarf her grandmother had knit for her, a replacement for losing the previous scarf during the last school year. Making sure she had her gloves in her pockets, she watched her breath transform into misty clouds in the cool morning air.
"You're here rather early," a chipper voice could be heard from behind her causing her to glance back.
Rather rosy cheeked in the early morning chill, James Potter lazily grinned at her causing Rowan's own lips to twitch into a faint smile. "Well, I thought it would be easiest to avoid the morning rush to get to Hogsmeade if I got there first."
"Same," James flashed her a grin as the two watched the first of the carriages roll up to a halt before them.
"Ladies first," James gallantly offered as Rowan soundlessly brushes past him and climbed into the musty carriage. James glanced back and at not seeing anyone else quickly climbed in.
The carriage quickly set off at a steady trot as James murmured, "I've always wondered what kind of invisible steeds carry the carriages."
"Thestrals," Rowan murmured in reply as she stared out at the quiet morning scenery.
Even the birds weren't about yet still cuddling in their warm nests. The inky black lake had already begun to freeze but wasn't anywhere near to being completely frozen to skate on and to stay away from the frozen edges. As such there were large signs stuck into the frozen ground by Hagrid warning all the students that the lake had yet to freeze and was not suitable for any sort of winter activities. Not that ever stopped anyone…
Clearing his throat rather loudly, Rowan arches her brow at James. Flashing her an awkward grin, James says, "Er, sorry, we've been busy with Quidditch that we haven't had much time to talk."
Seeming Rowan's unmoved face James quickly adds, "First off, thanks for having Remus join Terry and Severus, when we're not around. I had gotten the distinct feeling Remy was feeling a bit lonely at times."
"It is of no matter," Rowan dismissively gestured with her hand. "Terry has been on good terms with Remus ever since last year. I would hazard to say, they're rather good friends at this point."
"That's true enough," James thoughtfully acknowledged. "Anyway, onto the most important matter how to go about becoming Animagus-."
Rowan pointedly cut James off. "Have you managed to convince Severus yet?"
"No," James sullenly responded as he carefully eyed Rowan. "But couldn't you lend a willing hand?"
"No, I only agreed to help you with the process itself," Rowan grumbled as she knew it was partially her fault. "Moreover, I refuse to become an animagus nor craft the potion." Though she technically could try to brew the potion as the potion didn't require any living ingredients. Not that she was ever going to tell them that!
"Fine, we'll keep at it," James huffed, before awkwardly saying, "About the train ride-, er, I didn't mean anything by that! I mean, not that you're not okay for a girl! I mean, -!"
"James!" Rowan loudly said as James blinked once and fell silent. "I know it was an accident. And though I never imagined you'd be my first kiss; it is what it is."
James appears a bit guilty at that remark as he moves his mouth to speak, but Rowan doesn't let him. "And as for this changing our friendship it hasn't. I don't like you in that manner and I have a distinct feeling that the sentiment is returned."
James sheepishly smiles and ducks his head. "Sorry, I mean, yeah, you're right."
"Good, then please stop awkwardly prancing around me all the time," Rowan rolled her eyes. "It's not like you took my maidenly virtue and now have to marry me."
James chokes as he sees the mirth in Rowan's eyes. "You've gotten a kick out of it, haven't you?" James said through narrowed eyes as Rowan innocently shrugged.
"Girls," James darkly grumbled under his breath as Rowan let out a low chuckle in reply.
Before Rowan can say anything else, James bolts up and stares in awe at the town appearing just below the ridge. The picturesque cottages had smoke trailing from their chimneys as Halloween decorations were out and about the village. Carved pumpkins for the children, hung lanterns in black and orange, and many other decorations.
Turning to Rowan as though Christmas had come early, James eagerly says, "Let's go to Honeydukes first and then Zonko's."
Much to James' surprise, Rowan accepts, "That's fine."
James must have been rather startled by Rowan so easily agreeing as he slowly says, "Are you sure about Zonko's?"
"I'm interested in a costume of sorts," Rowan frankly replied as the carriage steadily rolled down the slope and came to a halt on the side of the road just a bit of a distance away from the town.
James eagerly climbed out, but not before remembering his mostly unused manners and offering his hand for Rowan to take. Feeling in a generous mood, Rowan accepted his offered hand and jumped down. The instant the carriage door closed the carriage made a U-Turn and trotted back up the slope the way it had come.
Walking on the frozen dirt road, James says, "Do you think they're even open at this hour?"
Rowan doesn't even have time to respond as all at the same time the shop doors opened and removed the sign that said closed. "I think that answers your question," Rowan drily said as suddenly Hogsmeade residents burst out onto the streets as if about to sing a choreographed musical.
"Well at least there's no singing," Rowan was clearly heard muttering under her breath.
James stared at her rather strangely. Why by Helga's rear would there be singing?