Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

Chapter 20 - Halloween Treats

September turned quickly into October and she still hadn't told her kids about their dad. Quiddich practice was held three nights a week in preparation for their first match again Ravenclaw. No one knew of the new brooms and the only practice was seen on their old ones; Harry his Firebolt, Ron and Ginny, their Cleansweeps.

Rowan looked up from the staff table to see Neville, Dean, Seamus and Mason walk in. She smiled. Mason moved away from his new friends to move toward the staff table. He walked around it and reached his long arms out to give his mom a quick hug. Laughing, he said "Uhm, mom, I think I grew again." And he had - he had to be six feet two or more at this point. His shoulders were more broad that those of his dad, he looked like her brothers. His waist was trim and honestly, with the long blonde hair, he was a very good looking kid.

Soon the Great Hall was filling up as the rest of Gryffindor filed in. The new brooms were proudly carried by their owners. Each with a Racing broom Firey 2005.

She turned when she heard her daughter's voice. Madison saw Mason and came to the back of the Staff Table as well. Her hair was blonde streaked and loose rather than the usual pony tail. It was longer, almost down to her waist. She whispered that Draco had been talking to her. With a knowing look and a quick hug, they left her to join their new friends.

Rowan took her seat between Severus and Hagrid, when she heard a sniff. Hagrid was wiping a tear from his shaggy mane of hair. She leaned around Remus and touched his arm. "S'rry Row'n. I just ain't n'vr seen nuthin' like tha' b'fore. Two t'nagers huggin' their mum in public? It's amaz'in."

She blushed and thanked him for noticing. Returning to her regular position, she blushed again as she realized that both Severus and Remus were watching the exchange.

After breakfast, she joined her children and the quartet at the rear of the hall. Harry and Mason fell easily into conversation, Ron joining when he heard the word Quiddich. Madison was talking with the girls when Draco walked up behind Rowan. She watched as Madison connected eyes with Draco, a very loud BOOM was followed by a brief flash of light which hit the seven kids. The castle shook to its very foundation.

As Dumbledore strolled into the Great Hall, he looked over to the group of students standing. His eyes ever twinkling, he grinned at Rowan. As their eyes met, she was allowed to see that the first step in the something very big had just happened. He continued his stroll to the head table and made his presence known. He told them that it was nothing to worry about and to just relax. He also said that they needed to make their way to the pitch if there were to be a game today.

The quartet and Mason left the hall together. Rowan saw Arthur waiting for her. She leaned over to him asking, "Is Molly coming?" Before he could answer, Molly walked in the front doors and smiled at them.

Madison walked with Draco towards the pitch, as Mason and Rowan hung back a little. Mason leaned in, "Mom? What happened back there?"

"Don't worry, if the old man says it's cool - then it's cool." But somehow it didn't seem cool to Mason, it seemed much bigger.

Ahead, Madison seemed to be in a disagreement with Draco. Mason heard something about "I'm going to sit with my mom. What's the big deal?" When he got closer, he saw Draco's hand on her arm, preventing her from moving. He narrowed his eyes as he watched the blond boy pull her back.

"Slytherins do NOT sit with Gryffindors, Miss Madison. You said you would sit with me. We sit with the Slytherins - period."

She pulled her arm out of his grasp, "I do what I please, Sir Malfoy. You are the Head Boy, why can't you sit with the Head Girl? Get a life Drake, and do me a HUGE favor, do not tell me what I can and cannot do." And with that request, she turned and walked about ten feet before she rounded and met his eyes, "Get a clue Draco, I am worth it..." Before she turned again and walked round the pitch and into the Gryffindor stands.

Mason stood still for a moment; his feet shoulder width apart, his arms crossed in front of him, watching the blonde boy scowl. Their eyes met for a moment before Draco turned away and left the area to sit with the rest of the Slytherins.

The Quiddich match started as they always do. Captains shake hands, teams enter the pitch, flight takes off, announcer makes comments… but today was different. Gryffindor wore new robes. Three of the seven players rode new brooms. And there was a confidence that did not extend to the other team. Rowan sat next to Mason and Madison, who sat next to Hermione and Mrs. and Mr. Weasley. Rowan looked down to see Madison's hand on her brother's arm. They were each quickly moving their heads following identical items. When Rowan touched Mason's hand, she too saw it. Madison reached over and touched Hermione's arm. Hermione's head immediately began to follow it as well.

It happened in a matter of fifteen minutes into the match. Harry looked to Rowan and her kids. He saw them watching something. He turned to look at what they were seeing. He reached his hand out and snatched the snitch out of the air. The crowd was on their feet in an instant. Harry looked to the American children sitting beside their mom. Coming out of what ever had happened; they joined the screaming fans as Harry flew over to see them. He handed the snitch to Mason. "Thanks" was all he said. Mason pocketed the flying demon.

They sat in the stands until the teams were showered. The other three of the group flew up to meet them. Ron, landing lazily beside Hermione asked if she wanted to fly, which she eagerly accepted and sat in front of Ron, his arms tight around her as they took off. Ginny and Harry flew up as well. "Wanna go?" Mason got behind Ginny's while Madison joined Harry.

Draco watched this from across the stands. His anger boiling as he saw Madison holding on to Harry and laughing. He did not understand it what he was feeling, but as soon as they were on the ground again, Draco left the pitch.

Rowan laughed with the Weasleys as they watched their children slowly make their way around the pitch. The adults joined the kids on the ground some twenty minutes later. Ginny taking Harry's hand as they swung their brooms over their shoulders. Ron walked close to Hermione ahead of them, followed by Molly and Arthur, who were going to use the floo to go back to the estate.

Mason and Madison hung back with their mom. Rowan laughed as the kids tried to talk at once. She took a detour around the massive castle to the lake. It was already a bit chilly, but Madison had not had a chance to see the squid her mom had written about. She took off her shoes and socks, turned to look at her mom and brother and looked around. She beckoned Mason to play with her. She held his arm and thought about the squid coming to play. With a great SPLASH the squid surfaced, looking around to see who had called him. Madison squealed as the giant made its way as close as its massive form to the beach. It extended a tentacle to her. Madison reached out to touch it, Mason grinning broadly as he too petted the squid.

Madison couldn't resist begging her brother to "come on, please Mase."

He tossed them to his mom and with Madison holding his hand they jumped toward the squid. Rowan laughed as they were suddenly surrounded by tentacles. The squid just wanted to play. The ground shook a bit, when Rowan turned to look behind her, Hagrid came into view. He laughed at the kids in the water, and spotting Rowan galumphed over to her.

"Hello Hagrid, I'm so glad you're here." Hagrid sat down on the beach. Watching with an amused delight as the laughter rang through the air. "Hagrid", Rowan said as she sat next to him, "Madison called the squid to her. Is that possible?"

Hagrid thought for a few moments. "Nope, don't reckon it is. But tell me the rest of it and maybe we c'n figger it out."

She told him of the way Madison was excited, walked to the beach and finally beckoned Mason to him. Hagrid interrupted her and asked "The same way she saw the snitch and then showed 'Mione?" Rowan nodded as Hagrid continued, "I'd figger you oughta like to get them checked out to see if they have a special magic…I mean, well… I know of some fasinatin' creatures that are okay alone, but when combined with another creature, their talent is just amazin'."

Rowan continued to watch the squid throwing her children around for another half hour, reflecting on what Hagrid had said. She knew they had strong magic separate, but wondered about the combined effect. Finally, he pulled out a small flute, much like the one he gave Harry in his first year, and began to play. The squid, hearing the music, brought the children back to the beach and gently set them on the ground.

As they made their way up to the castle, Mason asked Hagrid about the flute. "It weren't nut'in special. Just that music can sooth almost any type of beast." He casually handed it to Mason, saying he would make another one. Mason thanked him as he veered off to his cabin. Rowan was lost in thought and did not even realize what he said.

They made their way, dripping water through the front doors and to her quarters on the second floor. They were soon joined by the four Gryffindors as Rowan's two showered and changed. Harry, followed by the rest, entered the common room a few moments later and asked why they were wet.

Rowan laughed, telling them about the lake and Madison playing with the squid. The four teenagers gawked openly at her. "How did they get it to come?" Hermione finally asked, "It's so shallow where you stand on the beach, it wouldn't fit."

"You'll have to ask Madison that one. She's the one who asked it to play."

About that time, Madison stuck her head out of the door, "What did I do now?" The conversation carried as Mason joined them. It was getting close to time to meet with Dumbledore and then a trip into Hogsmeade. She excused herself and went to the headmaster's office.

"Sir?" She entered quietly.

Dumbledore looked up and smiled. "Do come in Rowan. Would you like a toffee?"

"Uh, no sir, thank you. The kids are waiting in my quarters talking about Madison playing with the squid."

"The Squid?" his eyes positively dancing behind the half moon spectacles. Rowan explained about Madison calling the squid but was unable to accomplish anything until Mason joined her. Taking a steadying breath, she plunged on and told him about the Snitch as well. Dumbledore seemed to absorb the information with glee. "Do you not see it Rowan?"

She sat quietly for a few moments. "The prophesy," she stated simply, "we will need to unbind their powers soon." Their eyes met for a moment, "How do I tell them about Sirius?" He did not have an answer for her.

Author's Note -- Throw me a bone here... I know there are people reading it... what do you think?