All Board!

It was cold and gray with the threat of a large snowfall hanging overhead. Still, bright and early Rowan and Severus arose to ensure that they had everything for their return to Hogwarts. Time had passed far too quickly and all too soon they found themselves returning to Hogwarts with their emotions still not fully prepared.

Despite the early hour, Aunt Georgine is awake cradling the sleepy figure of Rodrigo. Too sleepy to understand the early morning's ongoings, Rodrigo sleepily waved goodbye to them before snuggling into his mother's chest and falling quickly back asleep. Alas, the poor tyke would be in utters tears later in the day when he was unable to find neither Severus nor Rowan.

In a prompt fashion, Rowan and Severus arrived at platform nine and three-quarters. On the railroad tracks the Hogwarts Express, a scarlet steam engine gleamed and puffed out great big clouds of steam. The frozen platform is largely empty at the early hour except for the families of the other prefect's or that of the Head Boy and Head Girl. Those present all shiver at the cold as tiny icy little flakes descend from the heavens announcing the heavy snowfall that is not far off.

Unlike all the times before Reginald does not hug them and instead says, "With your sixteenth birthday mere days away, I will treat you like the near adults that you are. I expect the two of you to properly comport yourselves, especially you, Severus."

Severus his mouth to protest, but Reginald continues to speak. "If you can comport yourself properly, Severus, during the upcoming summer, I will visit with the Evans family and request the permission for an official courtship to be established between you and Lily Evans."

Severus shuts his mouth with a loud snap and flushes light pink. "Er, yes, grandfather," he meekly answered causing Rowan to roll her eyes at the unmistakable eagerness in his voice.

Satisfied Reginald turns his dark eyes towards his granddaughter. "Rowan, I expect to be kept properly informed this time," he sternly warned. "And I need not remind you that you and James Potter are bound in a marital alliance."

"And that reminds me," Reginald abruptly said, before reaching into his pocket. "The official betrothal ring with the Potter crest arrived only just yesterday. James Potter will sport a matching betrothal ring with the engraved Prince crest. The two of you are expected to wear your betrothal rings at all times," he pointedly emphasized holding out the small ring box for her to take.

Rowan's face becomes carefully blank as she accepts the velvet box. With stiff fingers, she opened the velvet box to reveal a golden ring engraved with the Potter family crest that of a knight with and a small seahorse hanging overhead representing their origin from Linfred of Stinchcombe, a creator of apothecary and potions. The engraved seahorse is formed from tiny rubies adding a trace of color to the ring.

The ring feels unexpectedly in Rowan's hand. Yet when she slips the ring onto her fourth finger on the left hand the ring seems to weigh nothing. It was done in tradition to the Ancient Roman wizards, who believed that a vein ran from that finger ran directly to the heart, "Vena Amoris," (the vein of love). And yet, she had a feeling that an unseen shackle placed had been placed on her person by an unseen presence.

Severus is noticeably quiet with solemn onyx eyes fixated on the ring that is on his twin's left hand. He opens his mouth to speak and then closes it unable to find any words. There was nothing he could say to lighten the mood that would not sound needlessly awkward. And neither did he desire for Rowan to punch him in the face out of anger and frustration. He knew better than anyone that Rowan hid a rather nasty, violent streak.

Reginald gestures at them to depart and they do with their trunks floating behind them including Owny's cage, (Owny who has his head tucked under his wings to nap). They quickly board the train and head towards the front of the Hogwarts Express towards the Prefect compartment. The Prefect compartment unlike the rest of the train compartments is rather large to fit the Head Boy and Head girl including eight other Prefect's along with their trunks, various owl cages, cat carriers, and one small frog aquarium belonging to the Head Girl Matilda Madley.

Rowan and Severus were the last to arrive at the Prefect compartment. The Hufflepuff Prefect, Olympia Branston narrows her light-colored eyes at them. Her light brown hair is in an updo with neatly trimmed bangs around her face. She snorts impatiently at them and folds her arms over her chest. (Olympia looked a bit like the yet unborn Eleanor Branstone, the future Hufflepuff, most likely her paternal aunt or relative.)

Unlike Olympia Branstone, David Goldstein's light brown eyes flicker warmly towards Rowan and Severus. The Ravenclaw Prefect had straight blond hair and was both handsome and intelligent. (He was likely the father or close paternal relative of the yet unborn Anthony Goldstein. He certainly looked like it.)

A trio of Rowan and Severus's friends stand together. The female Ravenclaw Prefect is Pandora Ravine a blond with aqua-colored eyes. She had a healthy tan from her trip to South America with her beau, Xenophilius Lovegood. She looked like she had plenty of stories to tell.

Over the break, their friend, a Hufflepuff Prefect, Andrew Abbott had grown a bit taller to his great delight. He was simply delighted as he wanted to be a little taller for his girlfriend, Petunia Evans. Not that she minded his height and not that Andrew minded being shorter than his girlfriend. It's just that it was dreadfully inconvenient at times to kiss since he had to tilt his head upward and she had to bend her neck downward.

However, Remus Lupin, a Gryffindor Prefect looked rather bright-eyed. With a bit of peach fuzz starting to appear on his face. He still looked, thin and delicate with russet-colored hair. However, Rowan for a moment was visibly startled as she could see signs of the Remus Lupin of Potter's time. Her friends noticed her absent look, but they thought it might be nerves thanks to the new glistening engagement ring on her left hand.

Rowan pulled herself away to glance at the other Gryffindor Prefect, Lily Evans. Lily's crimson hair shone neatly, and her emerald eyes sparkled as she gazed at Severus. Severus typically blushed when he met Lily's gaze, but this time, he was a bit more subdued in his joy. He still flashed Lily a faint, but genuine smile, before they turned towards the Head Boy and Head Girl.

Scholarly looking with pink lips, pale skin, and lightly tossed chocolate-colored hair. The Head Boy Darcy Travers was certainly pleasing to the eye. Though Rowan and he still had a hard time communicating without a feeling of awkwardness.

Standing next at his side is the Head Girl, Matilda Madley. She was a curved beauty with glossy russet hair and big doe eyes. She tended to instantly attract the attention of the student male portion of the population. The past year had especially been tiring for her since plenty of idiots had attempted to get into trouble to garner her attention. This only served to irritate her that much more and dock more house points than ever and assign longer detentions.

Head Boy Travers signals at them for their attention and says, "I am glad for the effort you have all put in as Prefect's during the past semester. As usual, patrols will continue the same upon our return at Hogwarts and I expect all of you to keep maintaining your responsibilities. The patrols of the Hogwarts Express should be much smoother this time but be on the lookout for students with banned contraband contrary to Caretaker Argus Filch. They tend to reappear around this time of the year."

Head Boy Travers paused to permit Head Girl Madley to speak. She solemnly says, "With the giant attacks and possible giant attacks to continue, the Head of Houses have asked that we keep an eye out on the children of any deceased or those who have family members serving as Auror's or have active positions on the frontlines."

Head Girl Madley pulled out a list from her pocket and carefully unfurls the list. The parchment list is rather long. She takes a deep breath and says, "I will commence reading out loud the names of students, who lost a parent or relative in the giant attack or have immediate family members active in the frontlines."

Head Girl Madley continued for some time, but Rowan only heard the name, "Hufflepuff, Lorcan D'Eath-," the rest of the list went and on and on, but she was unable to concentrate. It was with great relief that she heard the Head Girl's following words.

"A copy of the list will be given to all of you, and I expect all of you to do your best for these students. They are in mourning and are far from home," Head Girl Madley strongly emphasized.

Severus and Rowan's faces are especially blank as they receive the rolls of parchments. Lily opens her mouth to speak, but Pandora firmly touches her on the shoulder. Pandora shakes her head at Lily and motions at Lily not to ask. Lily looks mutinous for a moment but keeps silent. It was a hard lesson, but Lily had finally learned not to pry but rather to give those she cared for the space and time to breathe especially Petunia Evans.