Through the Great Hall, Rowan steadfastly trotted forward with her fur-lined cloak swishing with her every stride. Pausing at the entrance of Hogwarts, she pointed her wand at her scarf and clothing. "Colovaria," she muttered chanting the color-changing charm to temporarily turn her cloak and scarf the color black.
Pulling her hood up, Rowan steps out onto the frost-covered, brightly colored fallen leaves that crunch loudly with her every footstep. The grounds were now frozen every morning as the trees had long since turned bright colors and had begun to lose their leaves. Some of them had lost a good deal of their leaves after a fierce wind accompanied by a storm and were left rather bare afterward.
The first of the carriages rolled up the hill pulled by a pair of reptilian-like skeleton horses, Thestral's to be precise. Not even waiting for the carriage to come to a complete halt, she pulls the carriage door open and hops in, before slamming the door shut behind her. "To Hogsmeade," Rowan loudly said as the Thestral's neighed, and resumed trotting forward.
The gray morning sky has a few birds flitting about on the chilly morning breezes, whilst most of the birds remain in their warm nests. As of a few nights ago the inky black lake had begun to freeze, but the ice would melt by mid-day. Still, a few intrepid souls had tried to walk on the outer frozen banks of the lake only for the thin ice to break.
Most of them were the older transfer students, who had to be hurriedly rescued usually by Hagrid, before being set off to the infirmary. As a result, not only were there large signs staked into the frozen ground by Hagrid warning all the students that the lake yet to freeze and was not suitable for any sorts of winter activities. But there was even some netting that Hagrid had staked into the frozen ground to deter the blasted idiots. So far, it had not yet worked, but the loss of points and detentions given afterward seemed to deter even the foolhardiest.
Although something was nudging at Rowan from the back of her mind. Hagrid had been a bit strange as of late and rather secretive always hurrying off into the Forbidden Forest. Knowing Hagrid, he probably was hiding something that he shouldn't possess much like Norbit's dragon egg or that of Aragog's, acromantulas egg. Still, it bore further checking into the next time she got a chance, (whenever that was).
Glancing at the time and ensuring that she had put enough distance between her and the castle, Rowan closes her eyes and teleports out of the carriage. Immediately the scent of goats overwhelms her senses, but she ignores the strong odor, before opening her eyes and hurrying forward. Knocking she was on the clock; she knocks loudly twice and waits. Aberforth should have received her letter and should be aware of her coming.
Loud footsteps are heard from behind the door before the door is wrenched open to reveal the figure of Aberforth Dumbledore. The long wiry, gray-haired wizard narrows his eyes deep blue eyes at her from behind mostly clean spectacles. His gray hair and beard remain neatly trimmed, and his clothes are in better shape than before including that of his apron.
Without a word, Aberforth drags Rowan's figure inside, before slamming the door behind her. "Reckless child," Aberforth hissed. "I told you that it was far too dangerous to come, and yet I still find you here at my doorstep!"
"We don't have much time," Rowan nonchalantly answered as she firmly removed his hand from her person.
Aberforth snorts, before reluctantly moving aside and allowing her up the staircase. The floorboards creak underneath their feet as they make their way to Alphard's personal alcove. A warm fire is blazing and shedding a gentle light upon the old bookshelf and the recently dusted old furniture. As usual, the frame of Ariana Dumbledore hanging on the mantelpiece is spotless. Her chest-length golden hair is neatly pulled back as her bright blue eyes stare straight ahead all the while cradling a book in her arms.
Aberforth closes the door behind him as he crosses his arms over his chest and says, "You know better than to come here, while the inn is still under watch."
"I am well aware of the risks and consequences, Aberforth," Rowan flatly murmured as she adjusted her hood, but did not pull it away from her face. "I have taken as many precautions as I can, but there is something that I must confirm and discuss with you."
Aberforth slowly uncrosses his arms as his deep blue eyes narrow even further. "Which is what exactly, child?"
"Crow has already confirmed Riddle's return, but what of the giants?" Rowan pointedly asked.
"The Gurg has yet to assemble the last of the giant clans," Aberforth truthfully answered. "However, it is merely a matter of time as he has the most persuasive methods to even change the most stubborn and laziest of giant minds. But if I was to hazard to guess by Spring at the latest."
"And the earliest?" Rowan pointedly inquired.
"With winter's onset," Aberforth drily stated. "The winter's storms are perfect covers for Giants to move around without being seen or better yet cross the English Channel and arrive at our shores."
"Mm," Rowan said, before raising her gaze to meet that of Aberforth, "I also require that which Alphard left it in your care."
Aberforth's deep blue eyes turn into icy pools, before he finally grumbles, "Child, do you honestly believe that you are ready to accept Alphard's last gift?"
"I cannot say for certain," Rowan honestly replied. "But time waits for no one, and we are running out of time. War comes, and the chessboard is being set for one last final match."
Aberforth turns to the portrait of Ariana. "If you will, Ari," he said calling his belated and beloved sister by her pet name.
The portrait of Ariana Dumbledore slowly blinks as if coming awake from a dream and sends a small smile in the direction of her beloved brother, Aberforth, before reaching into her pocket, and pulling out a glass-like orb. Holding the orb out, Aberforth murmurs a spell as the orb emerges from the painting, before carefully taking it in hand. The figure of Ariana turns away and disappears into the distance leaving Rowan and Aberforth staring after the empty portrait.
"Here," Aberforth curtly said as he all but dropped the orb.
Rowan managed to catch the orb in time, but not before sending Aberforth a dark look. Knowing she was short on time and not risking the orb being stolen or for any other mishap to occur on such a day, she ruthlessly crushes the orb in her hand. Thankfully the dragonhide leather gloves protect her fingers as the voice of Cassandra Trelawny begins to speak.
"Two stars have fallen, both equal in might…. Both filled with darkness and despair…. But neither can live for the Hydra hides in the shadows…. Long forgotten, long thought gone, but not all things that are forgotten are ever truly gone...The Hydra will consume them both….and the world shall finally perish and fall away into utter darkness..."
There is a pause as if Cassandra Trelawny is utterly bewildered. "-Yet life and death will clasp hands in solemn accord, the Hydra must perish..."
Aberforth is unable to completely hide his emotions at the prophecy as he studies the figure of the child. "Two fallen stars? Riddle-," Rowan mused quietly to herself out loud, "and perchance me."
However, Rowan is unable to voice the last part of the prophecy. "The Hydra will consume them both….and the world shall finally perish and fall away into utter darkness..." But in echoing contrast the words of a fictional character came to mind. "Fear not old prophesies. We defy them. We make our heaven and our hell." And even fate could be tweaked, and that would be sufficient for her needs.
The silver pocket watch with her pocket begins to vibrant snapping, Rowan at her thoughts. "Thank you, Aberforth, I am afraid I must now depart, my time is up." Pausing to only wave her wand and vanish the remnants of the orb, she hurries down the stairs, before teleporting away in the goat pens and back to the carriage that was rapidly nearing Hogsmeade.
Aberforth remained still and silent as he could loudly hear the dreadful words of Cassandra Trelawny clearly ringing in his ears. "The Hydra will consume them both….and the world shall finally perish and fall away into utter darkness..."
"Not all things are set in stone, Aberforth," the sweet voice of Ariana Dumbledore said having returned in time to hear the uttered prophecy.
Aberforth raises his deep blue eyes that are filled with a mix of emotions including despair. "Do not lose hope, Aberforth," Ariana whispered. "The child has changed much and even Albus moves in his own manner to counter the encroaching darkness. They need you."
Aberforth seemingly pulls himself up straighter and a brief gentle expression crosses his face, before he grumpily murmurs, "I best be tending to the bar," before departing from the room, while Ariana pensively returns to her usual position and stares into the distance. And what she thought and saw only she knew.