Blunt Conversations

The trip home is quick since their grandfather apparated them directly to the grounds. The lawns are immaculate with wonderous gardens carefully tended to surround the magnificent, castle-like Prince Manor. Up the white granite steps, the grand front doors swing wide open to reveal those eagerly waiting for them inside.

There are silver and gold decorations accompanied by lavish carpets and enchanted portraits. Standing patiently at the front is a petite female house elf in a neat dress with a pure white apron. "Welcome home master," Dawn squeaked in greeting, "As well as the young master, and young mistress," while Laldey cutely chimed after his mother, his droopy little ears excitedly flapping.

Reginald pauses to nod his head in greeting to the house elves, before turning towards the study. "Rowan," he uttered a single word, before departing for the study. It was a command, not a request.

Rowan suppresses a sigh and bends over to tickle Laldey right under his chin earning a high-pitched squeal, before heading after her grandfather. Severus glances at the back of Rowan with a frown, before turning to greet the house elves.

"Thank you, Dawn, it is good to be back," Severus genuinely said, before pausing to copy Rowan and tickle Laldey, who happily giggled at being tickled.

Dawn flashes a pleased smile, "Please allow me to take your things, young master." Their school trunks and Owny's cage are levitated upstairs. She is closely followed by Laldey, who squeezes his little face in concentration trying to help his mum.

Suppressing a wide smile, Severus turns around when a dark-haired toddler barrels into him with a loud oof. Glancing down, Severus spots a pale, cherub little face. "Sev! I missed you!" The little boy happily shouted.

"Rodrigo," a fond smile appeared on Severus's face at the sight of the little boy.

Rodrigo had grown since the last time he saw him. The little boy's cheeks are sharp and his nose is long and straight much like Severus's and Rowan's. There is very much the Prince family resemblance except for the shoulders. They are already a little broad and will be broader than is the norm for the family.

A calm collected voice firmly, but gently calls out from further down the hall. "No, running in the halls, Rodrigo," Georgine reminded her son."

"Yes, mommie," Rodrigo quickly replied not looking very repentant at all.

Rodrigo paused to peer around Severus's knees. "No uncle?" The little boy inquired, before glancing around again with a furrow on his brow. "No Row?"

Severus suppresses a loud snort as he knows that Rowan disliked being called Row by anyone except for Petunia. "They are having a small chat in the study," Severus truthfully answered.

"Okay," Rodrigo cheerfully answered pulling Severus by the hand to come play with him.

Georgine trails at their side over Rodrigo's babbling, she says, "Your friends, Peter Pettigrew, and Quyen Crowley are here."

"Peter and Quyen?" Severus said in surprise nearly stumbling over the carpet. "Why are they here?!"

"Hmm," Georgine somberly studied Severus for a moment, before becoming convinced of his lack of knowledge. "I am not quite certain, but Rowan extended an invitation to them as formal guests of the Prince household."

"I am not astonished by Peter's invite," Severus confessed, "but Quyen Crowley?"

"And why is that?"

Severus shrugged slightly at the question. "Quyen and Rowan didn't really get along until this year. Even though they are on much friendlier terms, I wouldn't call the two them exactly close."

Georgine pursed her lips keeping her thoughts to herself. "Regardless behave yourself, they are our guests."

"Yes, Aunt Georgine," Severus barely refrained from rolling his eyes.

Rodrigo lets out a gleeful laugh at spotting the enchanted portrait showcasing a cottage and its surroundings. Inside the enchanted portrait, the grass is green, and the skies are blue as children play. Some fly kites, other children chase each other, while a mother hangs the laundry to dry, and a father fishes in a small rowboat in the fishing pond.

They pause to let the toddler enjoy the scenery. "Where are they currently, Aunt Georgine?" Severus asked after a moment.

"In the back parlor overlooking the gardens and maze," Georgine sniffed.

"I'll go and have a chat with them first," Severus said bending down to Rodrigo's level much to the little boy's delight. "Rodrigo, I have to have a small chat with our guests, before we can play. Can you be a good little boy and wait for me in the playroom?"

Rodrigo makes an unhappy face, "I am a big boy!" Causing Severus to grin and Georgine to hide her smile at the little boy's indignant protest.

"Please, Rodrigo?"

"Okay," Rodrigo pursed his lips in a very Georgine-like fashion. He unhappily released Severus's hand, before reaching over to take his mommie's hand. Georgine more than willingly accepts the grasp of her child's hand and allows herself to be led to the children's nursery.

Severus straightens and strides through the halls towards the back parlor room overlooking the gardens and enchanted maze. The gaze of a still portrait causes Severus to pause and gaze at the cold-hearted, dark-haired wizard that bore a strong resemblance to their grandfather and Aunt Georgine. The golden plaque directly under the portrait reads as Rancor Prince.

Severus knew that Rancor Prince is their great-grandfather, the father of their grandfather, and Aunt Georgine. What is strange is that the portrait of Rancor Prince is a still portrait rather than an enchanted moving portrait. Then again perchance the painter held a grudge, it wouldn't be the first time.

Further down the hall, Severus paused in the entrance of the parlor. Sitting together on a loveseat are the figures of Peter Pettigrew and Quyen Crowley. The light lightens the mousy brow hair of Peter showcasing hidden golden highlights. No longer the chubby boy at the start of their first year, Peter is slightly tanned and freckled, but rather muscular from playing quidditch. An attractive lad.

Quyen Crowley is much the same way. Her dark curls are no longer quite as curled but rather fall in much gentler waves. Her face appears much happier having lost the perpetual sour look that she once had. A change of attitude can do wonders to even make them appear attractive.

Yet everything about them screams that they are madly in love. The two lovebirds sit in the warm sunlight leaning against each other as they quietly read. There is something vastly intimate and private moment that Severus almost turns away.

Clearing his throat loudly Severus steps inside the parlor causing Peter and Quyen to flinch. Guilt flashes across Severus's face as he knew that Peter and Quyen had been down in Hogsmeade. No doubt, they are still suffering from flashbacks.

"Sorry," Severus apologized without prompt.

"It's alright, Severus, no harm down," Peter said turning to Quyen. "Right, love?"

Quyen arches her slightly thick eyebrows. "I suppose."

Peter presses a quick kiss to Quyen's causing her to delicately flush pink. Severus rolls his eyes at the evocative display. Taking a seat across from them, Severus carefully asks, "So exactly, what are the two of doing you here? Not that I am opposed, but I find it strange that Rowan would invite the two of you over without so much as a word."

Quyen stills and glances over at Peter, who straightens his back firmly. His chocolate-colored eyes firmly gaze at Severus. "Rowan granted us, Sanctuary because we requested it."

"I am confused," Severus furrowed his brow. "Why do the two of you need sanctuary?"

Peter glances at Quyen, who purses her lips at him. Quyen and Rowan might be on friendly terms, but that most certainly did not extend to Severus Prince! Sensing the intent of his sweetheart, Peter shakes his head at Severus. "That is not your business to know, Severus."

Severus is startled at the unexpected blunt response from Peter. A bit ruffled Severus rises and mumbles, "Fine then," before storming off in search of better company. At least, he knew he was wanted by Rodrigo!

"So childish," Quyen tsk-tsked.

"Quyen," Peter murmured wrapping an arm around her waist. "Behave yourself."

"That's what got us trouble in the first place!" pointedly Quyen quipped.

Peter blushed slightly in embarrassment but did not remove his hand. The two of them return to their reading. They knew this would be one of their last unworried moments together. In the near future, they would be permitted to remain together or forcibly be torn apart.