Not again!

In the following days, neither Rowan nor Severus mentioned the events of that ill-fated day. Much like Severus never asked questions about Rowan's nightmares, neither did Rowan ask Severus about his feelings again. They both respected each other boundaries and treaded carefully around them. The most Rowan would do is sit with Severus in silence and give him a hug. And for them that was more than enough for it was what they had always done.

That and Rowan was basically his punching bag when dueling, and Severus apparently had a lot of pent up rage. In fact, Reginald was so impressed that he ceased to prod Severus to take his twin sister serious but rather on how to use his bloodthirst to overwhelm his opponent. Though she would rather have not been Severus's emotional outlet.

On a warm afternoon, Rowan walked down the hallway towards Severus's bedroom. She had convinced their grandfather to allow the two of them to visit Diagon Alley for their school supplies. She was a tad worried about her twin brother and wanted to at least get him out of the house for a bit.

Reginald must have been concerned about Severus's recently depressed state that he had permitted the excursion with the promise that the two of them would cast a glamor of disguise. Not wanting to be mobbed by reporters, Rowan happily agreed to the condition and left the study in search of Severus.

Rowan almost spoke as she came to a halt at the entrance of Severus's bedroom. However, the words died in her mouth as she stared at Severus from beyond his open bedroom door. A pained expression could be seen on his face as he cradled the precious vial filled a with molten gold liquid that had tiny droplets leaping about inside merrily in dance.

Closing his eyes with regret, Severus's grip almost seems to want to crush the tightly held vial in his grasp. With a bone-weary sigh, he opened his eyes and carefully put the vial of Felix Felicis away inside his trunk. Maybe, if he had drunk the vial before confessing to Lily, she would have said yes.

But Severus also knew that he would forever have wondered if Lily had only accepted his feelings because of a luck potion. Or worse yet, what if even with all the luck in the world she would have still said, no? He did not think, he'd ever able to live down the loss. In the end, it was better this way.

Hearing loud footsteps coming down the hall, Severus straightens back up to see Rowan appear in his doorway. "What?" Severus huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "I told you that I'm fine."

Rowan pretended that she had not seen his previous actions and instead crisply says, "Grandfather said, since we are Prefect's, it would be fine if we went to Diagon Alley within the next two days for our school supplies."

"Really? "Grandfather said it was fine, if the two of us went all alone?" Severus suspiciously said. "I find that hard to believe. You didn't say anything did you, Rowan?"

"I didn't so much speak a word on the subject," Rowan truthfully said. "Scout's honor."

"You've never been a boy scout," Severus grumbled.

Rowan shrugged. "Does it really matter?" Severus's expression clearly stated otherwise.

"Either way, grandfather's only condition is that we wear a glamor or transfiguration for a disguise," Rowan matter-of-factly stated.

Severus's face slightly brightens up at those words. He was able to fully completely transform now if he wanted too. However, such a complete magical transformation severely taxed his strength, and he could not do so for more than an hour. It was better to do a partial transformation and he would be able to withstand the magical drain for almost a whole day's time.

"Fine, we'll go out early tomorrow," Severus said not noticing Rowan's face slightly pale. She really did not want to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Lily would be there with James and Sirius.

Deciding to not ruin Severus's rare, good mood, Rowan kept quiet on the subject and instead busied herself with reading. Hopefully as long as they kept on task everything would be fine in the end. However, she knew that she was probably hoping in vain. Murphy's law always seemed to appear in these types of situations, "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."

Early the next morning, Severus and Rowan set out for Diagon Alley. Severus had easily transfigured his features with his wand, now, a blond with sea-green eyes. While Rowan cast an illusion glamor upon herself to give herself mousy brown hair and freckles.

Rowan was rather envious of Severus's transfiguration abilities. But she acknowledged her limitations when it came to Transfiguration much like with Potions. There were simply some things she could not do nor possessed a skill and talent for, and that was a fact of life for everyone including herself.

Their shopping went by rather uneventful though Madam Malkin had grinned at seeing their appearances when they gave quietly gave their names. She quickly hid her smile and took their measurements, before hustling them out of the shop with their new robes. She knew that the reporters were just lying in wait to catch a glimpse of them. And she would not have those nasty, nosy buggers make a mess of her shop!

With the last of their supplies gathered, they stopped for an ice cream at Florean Fortescue Ice-Cream Parlor. It was mid-morning and it was already a tad warm. They happily ordered their ice cream and sat down at a loveseat table to enjoy the sweet, cool ice cream.

Rowan may have tactfully ensured that Severus had some ice cream on their trip to Diagon Alley. Ice Cream was one of the best comfort foods for a broken heart. There was no scientific reason why it worked so well, but it just simply did.

Rowan hid a smile at seeing Severus licking his chocolate flavored ice cream with delight, while she indulged in Dulce de Leche ice cream. It was sweet, tangy, a delicious combination of flavors on the palette. (And a flavor that she was certain Florean Fortescue had come up thanks to a house elves new acquired cuisine.)

The two were silent as they ate until Rowan coincidentally glanced up and froze. Quickly masking her surprised expressions, she tries to subtly peek over Severus's shoulder at the view that lay behind him. There in the distance are the familiar figures of a red headed girl, Lily, with two dark haired boys, James and Sirius.

Trying to decide if there is a chance that the three of them will make their way over to them, Rowan instantly decides, yes. Why? To put it so colloquial, "Sh*t happens." And she would rather avoid a scene enacted out of a tragic Shakespearian play. Because there was no doubt in her mind that the three of them would easily recognize Rowan and Severus even with their partial disguises.

Rowan hurriedly stuffs the remaining ice cream into her mouth and swallows. Wincing in pain at the sharp agony of a brain freeze, she says, "Sev, I forgot to buy a quill."

"Okay, I'll just wait for you here," Severus firmly said not intending to leave his seat.

"It's an ice cream cone, Severus," Rowan growled in frustration. "Eat it on our way there."

"No," Severus fearless said.

Seeing that Severus refused to cooperate, Rowan decided to switch tactics. "I'll buy you the quill that you wanted."

Severus suspiciously narrowed his eyes and says, "You have the same amount of allowance as I have. How in Merlin's name can you even afford it?"

Rowan innocently blinked at him and lied with a straight face, "I've been saving up."

Somewhat perturbed by his twin sister's sudden generosity, Severus suspiciously eyes her, but not one to pass up a bribe, Severus rose to his feet. "Fine then, but I want a pot of the color changing ink I wanted."

"Deal," Rowan instantly said, leaving Severus to wonder, if he should not have asked for more?

Without any shame, Rowan drags Severus behind her and hurries to the ink shop. If it all worked out, she would be able to safely get Severus out of Diagon Alley without being spotted. That was IF.