The rest of the Winter break seemed to pass infinitely slow as the days seemed impossibly long and gray. Yet even amid their long winter gray days, there were bright sunny patches of light. Similar in age, Rodrigo had latched to Laldey as a playmate. The squeals and laughter of the two children regularly could be heard throughout the entire house.
It was not unusual for the Prince's house elf's child to be raised alongside the children of the residence, but it was unusual for them to be playmates. However, frankly, Georgine needed some much-needed alone time to herself. She had vastly underestimated the boundless amounts of energy the tiny body that her son possessed.
On the other hand, with great delight, Georgine had Dawn pack up her belongings from her Professor quarters at Hogwarts. It had thrilled Georgine to no end to have Dawn deliver the notice to Professor Dumbledore tendering her immediate resignation as professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts! She could just imagine the shocks and disappointment in the old coot's eyes! Served him right since his eyes always nefariously twinkled at her!
With Georgine resting in the privacy of her personal quarters, Rowan and Severus attempted to read while keeping one eye on the two children in the nursery. With the arrival of Rodrigo, the closed nursery of the Prince household had hastily been cleaned and had been reopened. Since Rowan and Severus had been eleven years upon their arrival at Prince Manor, the nursey had not been reopened. At that, the two of them had never actually seen the nursey room nor had been curious enough to explore the area.
In retrospect, Severus and Rowan slightly regretted not having done so. The nursey is filled with moving backgrounds across the walls such as a sunny lawn with cool shaded trees, a beautiful forest, a flower field, the beach, etc. The nursery scenery changed each day, but the background scenery was always a smoothing one. The floor is covered in rich, perfectly soft carpet that even Rowan and Severus had taken to lying down on the cloud-like carpet to rest. Furthermore, all the entire nursery is covered in cushioning charms in the case that should any children trip they would land safely without being hurt.
The nursery is filled with countless toys such as small enchanted toy brooms for small children hanged neatly against the wall just out of the reach of toddlers. (The brooms could only be taken down by older children, who could safely ride the brooms on their own or by adults. Although that was not a guaranteed safety measure since children's magic tended to act out all on their own.)
There are giant stuffed animals such that of dragons, who roars and flap their wings. The flying type of enchanted stuffed animals, who are even able to fly in the nursery with children on their backs just a few inches off the ground. There are prancing unicorns that gallop, stomp, and prance, and can be ridden by children. There are countless mounds of perfectly soft pillows for a quiet nap or to make a great pillow fort. A shelf that is full of enchanted books that when opened the books will read themselves out loud for the audience. Magical blooks that move where directed too to create enormous towering castles and forts including magical tin soldier battalions to wage war upon each other's forts. A closet full of costumes to play pretend and even more countless magical toys that could never be played with all of them.
It was a magical place that Rowan and Severus would have loved as children had they had the opportunity to enjoy and experience it. They had not, but they still enjoyed the cheer the two toddlers excluded before them. It was a naïve innocence that they had not possessed for long, but one they could still recall from nearly forgotten memories.
"Look, Sev!" Rodrigo cried out eagerly running up to Severus. "Pretty ball!" The little boy proudly said showing off an enchanted, sparkly, round ball that changed colors every few minutes.
"Yes, it is very nice," Severus politely answered knowing full well that if he didn't acknowledge Rodrigo's words, he'd be constantly pestered by the toddler, his cousin.
"For you," Rodrigo happily said offering the ball to the older, pale boy.
"Thank you," Severus drily accepted the sparkling, color-changing ball.
Rodrigo proudly puffs out his chest and says, "Welcom-m," before scampering off to play with Laldey.
Severus carefully sets the sparkling ball at his side to only catch Rowan's eye. "What?!" He self-consciously snapped.
"Nothing at all," Rowan replied hiding a smirk. She instead turns her gaze towards the two playing children. Rodrigo and Laldey had instantly bounded but far stranger in fact is that Rodrigo took an instant liking to Severus. The little boy, no, their cousin actively sought out Severus all day long.
It wasn't that Rowan was jealous, but rather that she was surprised. On the other hand, Rodrigo was much more reserved with Rowan's presence. That is not to say he disliked her or was uneasy in her presence it was just that Rodrigo preferred Severus that much more. It was a good thing for surely one day Rodrigo would remember the past that of his father Roderic Filch and Eileen. And when that day came, it would be better if Severus and Rowan could speak to Rodrigo about Eileen without any rancor.
Reaching into her pocket, Rowan removes a delicate silver detailed pocket watch, a precious gift from their grandfather. The time shows that it is five o'clock in the late afternoon. It was evening really considering that the sky darkened incredibly early during the winter months.
Putting the pocket watch away, Rowan rises to her feet. "I best be heading downstairs," she said, "Grandfather said that he wished to discuss a personal matter of relevance with me."
"Well, that's not odd at all," Severus warily commented.
"Why is that?" Rowan asked in genuine surprise glancing over at her twin. "Why do you know something?"
"Well, it might not be anything really," Severus trailed off, "But I did overhear, Dawn speaking to grandfather that she would prepare a formal dinner tonight despite it being New Year's Eve."
Rowan furrows her brow and frowns. "That is rather odd," she admitted. Usually, they spent the night up until midnight eating and feasting, but they had never had a formal dinner on New Year's Eve. Moreover, Rodrigo had already been formally presented to the family only just five days ago on Christmas Day. Then again, it could mean nothing at all.
Still, Rowan departs from the nursey abandoning Severus to the whims of the two toddlers. Through the halls, she passed through the main foyer only to halt abruptly in surprise. Sitting down in one of the chairs is the pale form of James Potter. His long hair is pulled back with a simple hair tie. Despite the shadows under his eyes, he still looks better than when Rowan found him at Hogwarts.
Behind the thin, round silver spectacles, James's hazel eyes are full of sorrow and grief. Yet he looked rather handsome and heroic in his dark blue robes. It was sad to say, but James made an excellent grieving hero.
"James," Rowan carefully approached him, "I am sorry about your mother, neither Severus nor I were not able to attend the funeral." And they truly couldn't have since their grandfather had hidden the Daily Prophet from them including any funeral invitations from known friends and associates.
James's hazel eyes that once would have filled with moisture are barebone dry. It was not that he did not wish to cry, but he simply could not weep. His tears seemed to seemingly have dried up. He thought that his mother dying the first time from Dragon Pox was painful, but as it turns out it is far more painful to have her abruptly taken away without so much as a goodbye.
"Thank you, Rowan, your condolences are appreciated," James hoarsely said. He had received various letters from friends including Remus, Peter, Sirius, and even Lily, all expressing their heartfelt worries. Yet he hadn't the strength to reply to them. It didn't matter, really, they would all speak in person once the winter holidays were over. He would have ample time to prepare himself for the inevitable questions.
Changing the subject, Rowan says, "That being said, why are you here, James? Not that I mind your visit, but it is rather abrupt." And he really was wearing some rather nice robes.
"My father had a pressing matter to discuss with your grandfather," James replied, before pausing to study Rowan's face. "Why do you ask?"
"I am sure it is nothing," Rowan said shaking her head. "Would you like a pot of tea or some hot cider to drink?"
"I am fine, thank you," James politely declined. He hadn't had any appetite whatsoever these last few days, but he had been all but forced by his father to feet. His father had lost his wife, but he wasn't about to lose his only son. And James really couldn't deny his father's simple request when he put it that way. They were all that each other had left.