Invitation from the Vernianc’s

The winter exams finally ended signaling the end of the winter term and the start of the winter holidays. Everyone was overjoyed to be going home. Before their departure on the Hogwarts Express, Rowan made sure to deliver her gifts. She was hugged and thanked much to her annoyance. Even Peter and Remus gave her a brief hug though she hexed Sirius and James to pry them away from her body.

Thankfully everyone else was much more gracious about it and gave Rowan gifts in return. Mostly books mixed in with the odd, boxes of sweets. Which was completely fine by her as she didn't require fancy gifts. Although, Xenos did gift her a book titled, Prophecies or Lies of Nostradamus, a 15th-century self-proclaimed oracle. In a surprising turn of events, the book turned out to be an interesting read if one could ignore all the conspiracy theories surrounding it.

As for Dirk, Barty, and Letitia, they all had received a large package of sweets. Regulus was the only one left out and felt rather sad and hurt at being excluded. In private, Rowan promised that Regulus's gift would be arriving separately over the break. Confident that would be the case, Regulus stopped pouting and instead kept trying to sneakily coax a hint or two from Rowan.

Rowan rather stoic maintained her silence though she had to admit Regulus's persistence certainly reminded her of Sirius's equally annoying tendency. The two brothers equally disliked being ignored as it only served to drive them mad and double their efforts in gaining a response from their target. For better or for worse…

Once Rowan would have sworn that Regulus and Sirius shared no common characteristics, but she had been proven wrong. The two brothers were more similar than she previously thought. Though if asked Sirius and Regulus would both vehemently protest and claim that they were nothing alike.

The departure from Hogwarts went smoothly on the Hogwarts Express. Nothing of note or unusual occurred. On a bright note, the return home showcased the hard-earned efforts of Rowan and Severus' minds and bodies. After a life-threatening drive, Severus only felt a hint of dizziness if at all, while Rowan had finally developed a stomach of steel. She only felt tired after the trip, a large improvement overall.

Emerging from the elegant vehicle, Rowan took the Owyn cage from Severus, so Severus could climb out of the car, before returning the cage to Severus. The poor Great Horned owl dozed fitfully inside his cage having also mastered the art of the mind and body. It was better than Owyn simply passing out in his cage.

Prince Manor is incredible as always as they climb up the front marble steps. The great front doors are covered in mistletoe and holly wreaths that are enchanted to periodically change into forms. They paused to admire Dawn's handy work before Rowan walked inside followed by Severus into the front hall.

Waiting eagerly inside is the petite house elf, Dawn wearing holiday livery and carrying her smiling baby, Laldey in her arms, who is warmly wrapped in an emerald blanket with the Prince family crest. Laldey happily flashes them a great gaping smile to reveal a single white tooth in his pink gums.

"Welcome home, young master and mistress!" Dawn happily squeaked as the mistletoe decorations in her hair shake from excitement.

"Thank you, Dawn," Rowan sincerely said as did Severus.

"Dawn will take the young master and mistresses' things to the bedrooms," Dawn proudly said as Rowan and Severus's school trunks were levitated into the manor. Severus released the cage of Owny which also floated over to join their belongings.

"Lady Sirsa and Miss Georgine are waiting for the young master and mistress in the parlor to be greeted," Dawn declared as instructed by the Lady of the Manor.

"We shall shortly do so," Rowan responded not before reaching over to gently pinch Laldey's soft cheek earning a squeak of delight from him. Flashing a warm smile, Dawn departs with a faint pop as Rowan and Severus head down the hall.

Fidel, the peacock strutted down the hall only to freeze in horror as a feather or two fell out in terror. It couldn't be that time of the year already! Shifting pedals in reverse fast enough to make a professional race car driver envious, Fidel screeches out of there as though his tailfeathers were on fire.

Already used to the antics of the peacock, Rowan, and Severus ignore the fleeing large bird. Though Severus paused to collect the fallen tail feathers and put them away to be made into quills. Fidel's feathers made for excellent quills and clear penmanship.

The two of them made their way down the festively filled halls. The halls have finely decorated Christmas trees and various Christmas and Yule decorations. Rowan paused to gaze at a familiar portrait that always changed according to the seasons. The warm glowing cottage in the portrait is covered by a white swirling snowstorm as the winter storm rages in the background.

Sensing Severus' impatience, Rowan moves along to their grandmother's parlor. The parlor is an elegantly furnished room in tasteful light blues and beige. The grand pianoforte is uncharacteristically silent as Aunt Georgine quietly reads a book while Sirsa knits a baby jumper for their new house elf, Laldey.

Glancing over the cover of her book, Georgine says, "Oh, good you're finally here." Staring them over once from the top to bottom she says, "Just what is Hogwarts feeding the children these days? Do the two of you have giant blood of some sort?"

Rowan and Severus glower at her as Sirsa says, "Georgine, behave yourself."

"Yes, dearest," Georgine sniffed, obediently glancing back down at her book.

Pursing her lips, Sirsa scowls at her younger sister-in-law before giving the twins a quick look over. Satisfied with what she saw, she said, "I've received reports on your grades, and they are most excellent. We are quite proud of the two of you."

"Thank you, grandmother," The twins said in unison.

"On that note, I have excellent news. We have all been invited to my cousins' festivities," Sirsa said earning surprised stares from the twins as they didn't believe they had any more family members as grandmother had been an only child.

"My grandmother was French and while most of my uncles and aunts choose to remain in France, a few cousins have homes in both countries. The Verninac family members including extended family members will all gather together to celebrate this Christmas Eve. I expect the both of you to comport yourselves properly."

"I do have a prior commitment the day before will that pose a problem?" Rowan interjected causing Severus to stare at her as if she was mad. What prior commitment was Rowan talking about?

To Severus's shock, their grandmother replies, "That will not pose as an imposition though do ensure that you discuss your commitment with your grandfather in more detail, Rowan."

"Yes, grandmother," Rowan dutifully replied.

"Good, I expect the both of you to be on your best behavior," Sirsa firmly emphasized as she stared her grandchildren in the eye.

"We won't bring shame to the Prince family name, grandmother," the twins steadily answered.

"Good, now off you go now," Sirsa dismissed them with a wave of her hand. "I'm sure you're hungry and tired after your journey."

Both Severus and Rowan nod, before leaving the parlor room. "What prior commitment?" Severus quickly asked out of earshot.

"None of your business," Rowan retorted back. "I didn't ask you for any details about your date with Lily, please extend me the same courtesy." Two bright red splotches appear on his pale cheeks as Severus stomps off in a huff muttering about annoying older sisters.

Making her way to her grandfather's study, Rowan finds her grandfather at his desk in the middle of writing a letter. Glancing up at her, Reginald puts down the silver-tipped quill and says, "Yes, Rowan?"

"Grandfather, I have a prior commitment the day before the family gathering," Rowan solemnly replied as she took the seat before him.

"And it is a matter of conflict of interests?" Reginald asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but I will be out rather late the evening prior," Rowan earnestly answered. "And such, accommodations have been made for me to sleep and rest until the following morning."

"And where exactly is your prior commitment?"

"I've been invited to the Goblin Auction, grandfather."

Reginald is silent for a long time as he scrutinizes his granddaughter. Detecting no signs of lies in her eyes, he firmly says, "May I see the invitation?"

Reaching into her pocket, Rowan pulls the invitation and hands it over. Reginald studies the Gringotts wax seal that has been broken on the envelope, before removing the invitation. Seeing the official enchanted letterhead, Reginald reads the invitation before handing it back. "And how did you merit such an invitation, Rowan?"

"Pure luck," Rowan half-truthfully replied. Because it was a matter of luck outliving the Basilisk.

"I presume that you have already accepted and that goblins have agreed to accommodate your needs given that you are still underage," Reginald said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yes, grandfather," Rowan candidly answered with the truth. For she was the guest of honor and as such the goblins were being most courteous to her given that she was going to earn them plenty of gold.

"Then, I shall not worry then as you will be in safe hands," Reginald frankly said. "The goblins may be many things, but they will never allow for a guest in their care to come to harm."

"Thank you, grandfather!" Rowan said with a pleased expression, before turning to leave.

"And Rowan, don't lie to me again," Reginald coldly said. "I do not care to be lied too."

"I did not lie, grandfather," Rowan steadily gazed back. "I merely omit certain details and nor can I make that promise either."

There is a long heavy stretch of pause until Reginald closes his eyes and says, "You are only a child, Rowan. Do not carry your burdens on your own."

"I will try, grandfather," Rowan said, neither promising nor vowing otherwise.

The door closes behind her as Reginald is left staring at the retreating back of his grandaughter. It was not that he did not trust in her, but rather it was the dormant power that would start to awaken within her and Severus. He could feel the binds on them loosen, but most especially on Rowan. The moment he'd met her at the platform, he could feel the signs of magic beginning to crackle around her.

And it was only Rowan's 3rd year, he greatly feared what would occur during her fifth year when most witches and wizards begin to truly come into their power. But most of all, he worried about their inheritance and what they may inherit. Their full inheritance would not be revealed until they came of age. And greater witches and wizards have fallen and succumbed. One should never underestimate the allure of darkness for even the purest of hearts falter.