324 Tents

With a flick of his wand, Reginald set up the tent. Abruptly a large white tent popped up on the grassy field. With the morning mist and the fact that it was still dark, Reginald wasn't too worried about Mr. Roberts noticing a thing. Though the Ministry employees would have their work cut when daylight hit. All those rather visible tents were a dead giveaway of magic. Mr. Roberts might be oblivated quite a bit in the end.

Seeing that the tent was safely set up with a pleased expression, Reginald motioned for his family to enter. With some expectations in mind, Rowan entered the tent. Her eyes widen at the opulence of the tent.

The tent entrance led to the main living room which would not have looked out of place in Prince Manor. The only thing missing really was the fireplace. Further exploration revealed an entrance to a kitchen and a large dining room. The dining room even had crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling! Thankfully the kitchen was much simpler with a sink, a multitude of cupboards housing dishes, and silverware along with food.

Seeing identical wide-eyed expressions on the faces of the twins, Georgine proudly says, "The cupboards are enchanted to remain cold or hot. Dawn packed the food in an appropriate cupboard. The hot side will house warm food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While the cool side contains cold drinks and chilled desserts. The rest of the cupboards the silverware and such."

Rowan and Severus numbly nodded their heads in understanding as they weren't even surprised by the explanation anymore. Of course, the tent would come with silverware! Why not at this point? After all, what is silverware in comparison to hanging chandeliers?!

The tent expanded even further revealing a hallway that hosted six bedrooms. Each bedroom had a large bed with just enough decorations to not be overly lavish, but not to be simply furnished either. But best of all, there was a washroom and toilet connected to each bedroom. However, according to Georgine, there was a limited amount of water stored. There was sufficient water to wash their faces in the sink at night or in the morning, but there was only enough water for a single bath or shower. So, they must wisely choose when to bathe.

After Rowan and Severus had each chosen a room and they dropped their bags on the beds, not even bothering to unpack before plopping down onto the bed to rest for a bit. Having her sleep disturbed, Georgine pointedly shut the door and went to rest. Once done unpacking Reginald retired to the main sitting room and pulled a book from the bookshelf. He sat down in a comfortable velvet chair and began to read under the light of the chandelier.

Having recovered their strength Rowan and Severus joined their grandfather in the living room. Rowan peered intently at the bookshelf trying to find something to read. Not interested in reading and feeling rather restless, Severus glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room.

"Grandfather, the sun is up now. Would it be alright if Rowan and I wandered around to find our friends?" Severus asked after having hesitated for some time.

"Go on then," Reginald replied after having checked the time to verify that it is a reasonable hour. "Though do try to not disturb those that are still sleeping."

"Thank you!" Severus chirped, before dragging Rowan out of the tent, who hadn't even had time to protest!

With the sun rising over the horizon, the mist began to lift revealing hundreds of tents in countless rows stretching in every direction. They are not the only ones up as many of the tents began to show movement both inside and outside. Those already scampering outside the tents are the little ones. A tiny wizard tot, no more than two happily stood outside a large Greek temple-shaped tent and poked a spider in the grass with an adult's wand which was rapidly swelling slowly to the size of a dinner plate.

Rowan shivered with dread as the mother ran out in desperation and shouted, "Norman, how many times must I tell you? Don't TOUCH DADDY's wand!" The mother suddenly let out a loud scream as the giant spider swarmed towards the mother. Screaming, the mother killed the giant spider with her wand as the little boy burst into tears and said, "You smush spidey! You smush spidey!"

Further ahead, two little witches, barely older than Norman were riding toy broomsticks that rose only high enough for the girl's toes to skim above the dewy grass. "Dear Merlin, in broad daylight!" Shrieked a Ministry wizard that hurried toward the little girls and shouted loudly into the tent for the parents to wake up.

Here and there adult wizards and witches were emerging from their tents and starting to cook breakfast. Some with furtive looks glancing around them before conjuring fires with their wands; others were striking matches with dubious looks on their faces as though certain that the matches wouldn't work.

Several Asian wizards sat in a circle engaged in a serious conversation. Their ancient robes indicate their nationality as Chinese. Burning on the flames, they roast for breakfast what looked like a giant quail over the firepit. Intrigued Rowan almost stopped to listen in only to forcefully be dragged away by Severus. Alas, a missed opportunity.

Further down there was a group of young-looking American witches who were gossiping about the former muggle president Nixon and the newly appointed muggle American President, Gerald Ford. Hanging from their tent opening was a star-spangled banner that read: THE SALEM WITCHES INSTITUTE.

Rowan almost stopped to have a discussion with the witches to ask what they thought about the war in Vietnam to only be dragged away by Severus again. It was a shame that Severus knew nothing of American politics and had no interest in them. But then again unless the topic was directly related to Lily (or potions), Severus's interests were minimal at best.

At one point, they even spotted a man wearing a woman's sleeping gown to only be chased down by a ministry official who is nearly in tears from sheer frustration. At this juncture in time, Severus wisely decides its time to head back. Tragically much to Rowan's dismay, the American witches were gone as well as the Chinese wizards. They must be resting inside their tents or out exploring much like they are.

Thankfully their mission was not an entire failure. They had spotted two well-known acquaintances, Pandora Ravine and Xenophilius Lovegood. The couple in question had been strolling past the tents holding hands. Rowan and Severus didn't even attempt to greet them or gain attention as the two lovebirds were obviously lost in each other's eyes.

On that note, Rowan with some interest spots several attractive youths walking around. Slightly tan with dark or light hair with a mix of dark and bright eyes, Brazilians were rather nice to look at. Severus must have noticed her leering gaze because he most forcefully dragged her quickly past them.

Rowan sighed in disappointment and said, "I regret not having applied to transfer to Castelobruxo. What lovely delights there reside in the depths of an exotic paradise.""

"Castel-what?" Severus said with a frown not at all pleased with Rowan's previous comment.

"Castelobruxo," Rowan rolled her eyes. "It's nearly as old as Hogwarts and that subject is still actually up for debate. Nevertheless, as I was saying, there is an active exchange program between Hogwarts and Ilvermorny. Hogwarts and Castelobruxo once had an exchange student program but that is in the past. It is said to be a wonderful place to study with a primary emphasis on careers in Magizoology or Herbology. Potions is a close third considering the immense number of exotic plants found in that region of the world."

"Hmm," Severus muttered sounding rather intrigued by the idea. Shaking his head as if to clear away the temptation, he weakly says, "I am sure that it is not better than Hogwarts," not looking all that convinced by his own words.

"Only because Lily's at Hogwarts," Rowan muttered under her breath causing Severus to scowl at her, while Rowan innocently gazes back.

Not rising to the moment, Severus huffs under his breath and hurries forward. He would only end up as the loser if he engaged his sister. And besides he didn't want to start this day on the wrong foot that is all!