Pondering

As the weeks went by the school term picked up. During that entire duration, Rowan received only a single discrete letter from Moody with only three words, "Confirmed. Eyes. Succor." The letter bore no seal or name, but she knew the letter could have only come from him.

It had taken Rowan a moment to decipher the message. The first word implied that Moody was able to confirm her words. The second reported Moody is being watched. It could easily be a Death Eater, but at the same time, Moody had made many enemies as an Auror. It was impossible to be certain unless the spy is caught.

The entire situation frustrated Rowan to no end, but the matter is that everything is out of her hands. No matter, how much she wanted to help, she is still just a child and needed to rely on Alastor Moody to fulfill his part. Yet she was most surprised by the fact Moody had found himself a helper if not more. The last word in the letter confirmed that much.

Then again Moody was not yet an EXTREMELY paranoid wizard. He is most certainly paranoid, but he had not reached the levels of the future. At this time, he still retained some measure of trust in others and the Auror Corps. Although, she was curious to learn, who Moody had elected to put his trust in.

With a sigh, Rowan stretches her neck and begins to numbly eat the food in front of her. "What not to your liking poppet?" Prefect Wilkes cheerfully interjected from his seat.

Rowan almost reflexively dismisses Wilkes, before a brilliant idea comes to mind. "Say Wilkes did anyone attend of your family attend Hogwarts in the 1940s?" Rowan innocently asked.

"Yes, why?" Wilkes asked with some measure of curiosity.

"Because Rowan is strange and particular about the strangest things," Severus remarked with a mouth full of food.

"What he said," Rowan chimed in agreement causing Severus to choke. Rowan none too gently pounds Severus on the back to help him breathe again. Of course, she was only saving Severus's life!

Wilkes wrinkles his brows in thought. "Well, I am the oldest child of my parents. If my math is right, they roughly attended Hogwarts back in 1947 and 48, before graduating in the '50s." He falls silent lost in thought.

Rowan's eyes flicker at the response with a resigned expression to suddenly shudder and think, "Ick gross." It was quite a nasty shock to realize the large age difference between Tom Riddle and Bellatrix. In the wizarding world, it wasn't that all that strange, but still, EW!

Wilkes's face brightens at remembering something. "Other than my dad, Uncle Roger did. Well, he is dad's first cousin really, but my brother and I call him Uncle Roger. Uncle Roger attended Hogwarts from 1938 to 1945." He paused with a gleam in his eye. "But why the sudden interest, little snakeling?"

"I've developed an avid interest in the past members of the Slug Club," Rowan admitted as it was no lie. "I have been interested in following up on the endeavors of past members."

"Well good luck with that," Wilkes commented rising from his seat. "I have stacks of homework to complete," he shuddered before heading to the study halls.

"Just what are you planning?" Severus suspiciously asked once Prefect Wilkes had departed.

"Can't I just be curious about our past seniors?" Rowan innocently replied.

"No," Severus flatly stated.

"Shows what you know," Rowan huffed pushing her plate having lost her appetite.

"We better get going, we wouldn't want to be late," Severus rose from his seat.

Rowan clicks her tongue against her mouth and gets up to follow him. The two of them head to Charms where she is distracted and lost in her thoughts for a good portion of the class period. Afterward, Professor Flitwick gently asks that Rowan stay behind after class. Severus worriedly glances over at his twin who gestures to him to save her a seat in Professor Strives's classroom.

Once Severus and the last of the class depart Professor Flitwick asks, "Is anything troubling you, Miss Prince? I noticed that you seemed rather absentminded today, unlike your usual self."

Rowan grimly answers, "Thank you for your sincere concern, Professor, but I'm just stuck on a tricky puzzle that I can't seem to solve."

"Oh, then why not explain what the problem is, perhaps, an attentive ear can be of aid," Professor Flitwick suggested.

Rowan purses her lips, before hesitatingly replying, "I am wondering how an ordinary wizard without a teaching position could gain access to children of pureblood families especially if he wasn't in their school year nor attending Hogwarts during any of their formative years?"

Professor Flitwick sagely frowns as if concerned by the question. "Well, if I were to suppose, it would make sense if it was someone of their year or within their stay at Hogwarts. However if not, there is a possibility of another member of staff such as Professor Slughorn making the introduction."

Professor Flitwick cautioned, "However, I am confident Professor Slughorn would never violate the oath of a professor at Hogwarts and introduce a graduate student to a student still attending Hogwarts until said student graduated."

"A distinct possibility," Rowan acknowledged out loud.

Yet Slytherin had already begun turning dark by this time. In another timeline, Severus had been recruited while still at Hogwarts. It made sense for the older students to indoctrinate the younger ones. And more so, if their fathers and relatives are Death Eaters.

Then there is Professor Slughorn to consider. Slughorn had on more than one occasion betrayed his own morals for a clever student. The best example is Riddle's question on the topic of Horcruxes and Slughorn being stupid enough to answer in the first place.

"Of course, you could also be looking at someone in higher circles who took a liking to said individual and extended an introduction to their social circle," Professor Flitwick pursed his lips at the suggestion.

This only served to fuel Rowan's personal theory on a mastermind hiding in the shadows. The puppeteer could have easily influenced past, present, and future generations to come. Still, it did little to explain the connection to Tom Riddle.

Riddle is known as a bright, charming, orphan, as so vividly recalled by Headmaster Armando Dippet, the Headmaster of Hogwarts during Riddle's time. Riddle is many things, clever and sly, but he does not trust others. He has followers, who obey him, but that does not equate to trust.

One logical explanation is that in some manner said puppeteer would have to have been a student at Hogwarts. The mastermind could have been a student in the same year as Riddle or an older student which would certainly explain the introductions made to purebloods, and the reason why Riddle might also seek to cultivate a beneficial relationship.

Considering all the factors, it is unlikely for the puppeteer to be younger than Riddle. Then again, it could also be a former professor or an acquaintance of Professor Slughorn in attendance at his many Slug Club parties. At present, nothing can be entirely ruled out for now.

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick, for sharing your thoughts," Rowan sincerely said. Their conversation had proved beneficial in allowing her to formulate her thoughts.

"Always a pleasure, Miss Prince," Professor Flitwick warmly said. "But Miss Prince, should you ever be in trouble, please don't hesitate to call upon one of the Professors for help."

"I will, Professor," Rowan earnestly answered, before departing from the classroom.

Lost in thought, Rowan suddenly slams into someone and roughly falls back against the cold stone wall. "Blimey, watch where you're going," She snapped.

"Sorry, Rowan," Mary MacDonald anxiously said as she scrambled to gather her fallen things from the floor.

Feeling guilty, Rowan knelt on the cold stone floor to help Mary gather her things off from the floor. "Sorry, it was my fault, really, I wasn't paying attention as I should have," Rowan apologized as Mary shyly smiles in acceptance of the apology.

Making small talk, Rowan remarked, "Mary, aren't you supposed to be in Transfiguration?"

"Mm, I accidentally left one of my books in the girl's dorm and had to go back to get it," Mary sighed in resignation as she stood back onto her feet.

Rowan brushes the dust off her pants as she stands up. "Alright, well, we better hurry up or we're going to be really late to class."

"Thanks for your help," Mary gratefully said, before running down the hall.

Heading toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom Rowan suddenly sniffs cat hair. "Ah, crap," she thought. She would be in trouble if she was caught by Mrs. Norris.

Sprinting down the corridor, Rowan prays that she doesn't crash into anyone else. From behind her, the faint figure of a cat with dust-colored fur and bulging yellow lamp-like eyes can be seen as its scrawny figure hurriedly paced down the hallway. Mrs. Norris sensed a pesky student close by.

Out of breath and slightly sweating, Rowan gasped as she pulls around the corner and hurries inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Professor Strives doesn't even notice Rowan is late as he continues to read in a monotone voice from the textbook. The other students dully gaze at Rowan as she slides into the seat Severus saved for her.

"What took you so long?" Severus whispered under his breath.

"My conversation with Professor Flitwick ran longer than I intended," Rowan muttered back.

"Next time don't be late!" Severus warningly whispered.

"That's what I have you for," Rowan shamelessly whispered back.

Severus rolls his eyes and makes a rude gesture back at Rowan in reply. Rowan doesn't react as she may have deserved that just a tiny bit. By the end of the classroom period, Rowan had already finished her homework as the cogs in her mind begin to churn.