Lunar New Year Ⅱ

The rest of the day passed in a blur of events and the only sole consolation to Rowan is that tomorrow would be Saturday. Rowan in particular appeared very drained when they arrived at the headmaster's office for their Mermish class. On the other hand, Severus had gotten a second wind from Merlin knows where. Still, Rowan did begin to relax under the quiet whirling of the whistling silver instruments in the background. Many of the Headmaster and Headmistress portraits doze quietly, while a few of the half-awake portrait's peek at them from underneath their eyelashes.

Both Rowan and Severus wince slightly at seeing Dumbledore in bright red robes with golden embroidery of moon and stars.

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's childlike blue eyes twinkle from behind his half-moon spectacles that hung on his long-crooked nose. Taking pity upon his apprentices, Albus Dumbledore decides to only verbally test with a conversation. The three of them chat for some time before Dumbledore is satisfied.

"I can proudly declare that the two of you are fluent in Mermish," Dumbledore confessed with a cheerful gleam. "I shall give the two of you the option of continuing your studies in Mermish or attempting to pass the N.E.W.T. Mermish fluency exam. It is your choice."

Rowan and Severus's faces both dramatically darken at the thought of having to take one more N.E.W.T. exam. Still, if they were able to successfully pass the exam, they could drop the class for next year. Silently communicating the only way that twins can, Rowan and Severus turned to Professor Dumbledore and said, "We will take the N.E.W.T. exam."

"I am certain that Barty Crouch will be absolutely delighted to perform the exam again!" Dumbledore cheerfully said as he tugged on his long silver beard with one hand.

Rowan and Severus both make a face causing Albus to let out a chuckle at the expression on his apprentice's faces. The red and golden puffball that is Fawkes lets out an adorable chirp of agreement from his golden perch. Rowan's expression immediately softens and so does Severus at the sight of the fluffy phoenix chick.

"I expect the two of you to properly study and prepare for the Mermish N.E.W.T. exam," Dumbledore firmly declared. "We shall begin preparations for the exam as of next week and review everything that has been learned."

Rowan and Severus barely stifle groans of dismay at the announcement. They already had piles of Homework and one more pile threatened to overwhelm them. It truly looked like they would be burning the candle on both ends.

Glancing up at the time, Albus Dumbledore rises to his feet and tucks his long silver beard into his belt. "Well, Dinner, shall commence soon and I am certain that you are both thrilled to participate in the celebration of the Lunar New Year!"

Rowan and Severus's faces dramatically darkened at the mention of the upcoming festivities. Earlier in the day, the Prefects had all been summoned to help decorate the Great Hall for the evening's event. The upcoming Lunar New Year would be the year of the Dragon. Beyond traditional lanterns in red and gold, small dragons made of sugar would be made. As it turns out, even sugar creations are capable of spitting fire and to make matters worse kept lighting the paper lanterns on fire! After several fires, in a unanimous decision, it was firmly determined that the dragon sugar creations would not be enchanted to move nor much less spew fire!

Albus Dumbledore chuckled loudly at the dark faces of Rowan and Severus, before moving to Fawkes, who chirped happily and climbed up Albus's extended hand. The fluffy phoenix chick excitedly fluttered crimson, golden wings, before tucking itself into the crook of Dumbledore's shoulder and singe a portion of Dumbledore's long white beard as nesting material.

Rowan and Severus barely refrained from snorting at the sight, while Albus widely grinned. "Now off the two you go, I will be down shortly," Albus knowingly said knowing full well his apprentices needed to shepherd the younger Slytherins to the Great Hall. All children no matter what house they belonged to are naturally curious and lively, it is simply a fact of life.

Down countless winding staircases into the frigid dungeons, Rowan and Severus shepherded the last of younger Slytherins into the Great Hall. Tired and a bit frazzled, Rowan and Severus all but slump into a seat next to their friends. Bethanie quickly casts a refreshing charm on Rowan and Severus, while Sylvia, Tiffany, and Terry cast charms to remove the ashes from their robes from the various "FIRE" incidents during the decoration of the Great Hall.

The younger Slytherins much like the other house youngling gawked at the magnificent decorations. Even some of the older years did as it was a never-before-seen festivity. There were hundreds of hanging red and golden paper lanterns with burning candles glowing vibrantly while floating in mid-air. The paper lanterns had intricate carvings upon them some traditional and others not so much showing a quidditch seeker on their broom reaching for the golden snitch, or the crests of the four Hogwarts houses, and many more.

(Thankfully, the paper lanterns had been enchanted not to catch on fire from the burning wax candles. Rowan had no desire to live through the burning of Hogwarts unlike Nero did with Rome. Though she was still unhappy about the burning hazards that would hang overhead… Hogwarts was an actuary's worst nightmare!)

There was an impressive conjured traditional archway with large red pillars at the entrance of the Great Hall. Carefully carved runes are written into the wooden pillar wishing good fortune upon all that pass beneath the archway. Hanging on the wall are gorgeous silk fans with sealed red packets containing a knut, sickle, or a galleon for every student at Hogwarts Furthermore, in each of the Great Hall corners are large green plants such as bamboo, cherry blossom tree, kumquat tree, plum blossoms, peach blossoms, etc. The blooming flowers symbolized the coming of spring and wishes for a prosperous new year.

And not to mention the numerous realistic sugar dragons sitting at the house table to be eaten later by the students. Although a few hungry students had already begun to eye the gleaming sugar creations. At this rate, the sugar creations wouldn't even make it until the start of the Lunar New Year Feast!

The Great Hall is filled with the eager whispers of students discussing tonight's events. There were rumors there would be a dragon dance performed by a troupe from the East. Others whispered it would be an enchanted dragon gone dance by one of the few permitted necromancers in the world. But lastly, magical fireworks at midnight signal the Lunar New Year!