Chapter 3: As if you could kill time without injuring eternity
The first day after the students had left for the Christmas holidays, Rowena walked the darkening grounds, marveling at the energy the students had. The snowball fight had been going on for well over 5 hours. She was vaguely surprised that Albus wasn't down here as well.
A flock of black birds, startled out of the forested area past Hogsmeade, flew up into the cloud-filled sky. Odd, she thought, that type migrates out 2 months ago. I should know, they were brother's favorite... one landed tamely on her shoulder...like Sevi's Lumos, his old messenger bird always had...
"Of course," she breathed. She turned and raced back to the castle, not stopping until she reached Dumbledore's office. "Candy Canes," she panted, waiting until the stair was moving before stepping on.
"Rowena, what ever is the matter?" Dumbledore said, watching as she leaned heavily against the frame of the door.
Quickly, she told him of the birds she'd seen, how the normal ones had already migrated. "—and I know it sounds crazy, but I know that Severus summoned them, then sent them to me, and I have to go to the source of them, maybe he's there or left some note or sign, or message-"
"Rowena, I want you to stop." Albus came around the desk, watching as Rowena shifted from one foot to another.
"I want you to take at least 2 owls, a full case of parchment, bandages and--" He stopped, watching the dust settle after her disappearance. "Why bother? With you, I think that you can Disapparate in the castle."