Sorry I haven't updated in a while :/
Dreams
"I would like a full account of the history of flying for travel," Rowena began, resisting the urge to rub the side of her belly where the baby had delivered a particularly sharp kick, "by Friday," she added, as the baby kicked her painfully again.
There was a general noise of assent and understanding from the students, and slowly they filtered out of Rowena's classroom. Only once the last student had left did Rowena allow herself to collapse in her chair. She could not remember feeling more tired or more uncomfortable than she was feeling today.
The baby rolled again, and this time Rowena winced and pressed a hand to her side. Her robes had managed to conceal most of her pregnancy, yet soon she was sure that some of the most perceptive students would begin to notice. Already her change in demeanour had raised suspicions.
Rowena closed her eyes just as the door to her classroom opened once more. Instantly, she sat up and tried to appear more alert.
"Good morning, Helga," she said, pulling some parchment towards her.
Helga entered the classroom. "Good morning, Rowena, dear," she replied, coming to take a seat. "How were your Ravenclaws this morning?"
Rowena pursed her lips. "Perfectly well," she said, her eyes carefully watching her friend.
Helga shifted in her seat looking as though she wanted to say something but was holding back.
Rowena sighed. "I wish you would not hold this against me anymore," she said tiredly. "It was not my idea alone that led to us—"
"—divide students?"
"Group them," Rowena corrected haughtily. "The students seem perfectly content in their Houses which, I believe, is all that should matter."
Helga pursed her lips slightly - an expression she did not adopt frequently. "I still disagree," she said eventually, though not accusingly. She paused for a moment and considered the paleness of her friend's skin and the dark rings around her eyes. "You are still having those visions at night, are you not?"
Rowena appeared to hesitate. "They are mere dreams," she finally said, shrugging off the concern.
Helga did not appear convinced.
Rowena tutted. "It is nothing, Helga," she said, waving her hand dismissively, "please do let it go."
Seer
"We always believed that she might be," whispered Godric quietly to Helga.
Their eyes flicked towards Rowena; Godric's in undisguised interest but Helga's in concern. Rowena meanwhile was bent over the small diadem she had been prodding incessantly for the last few weeks. She had told the other that she was making progress, though neither Salazar, Godric, nor Helga could determine what 'progress' meant.
Suddenly Rowena stood up - more slowly than usual as a result of her pregnancy, but still quick enough for Godric and Helga to realise something had changed.
"What is it?" Helga called across the room.
Rowena smiled, a rare occurrence recently, and placed the diadem on her head. "It is finished," was all she said. She then gathered her belongings and swiftly left the staffroom.
Godric returned his attention to Helga to continue their previous conversation. "Even if Rowena does not wish to treat her visions as such, perhaps it would be wise to discover what it is that she is Seeing."
Helga's expression darkened. "I would not assume that Rowena is unaware that her dreams may in fact be true predictions," she said, with the air of someone who knew more than they were letting on. "She is very private, as you know."
Godric narrowed his eyes at his friend. "She has told you already, has she not?"
Helga sighed and stood up. "Perhaps."
Godric leaned forwards. "What has she Seen?"
"It could be nothing," Helga replied, worried now that Rowena would be displeased with her for giving away too much.
"It could be important, Helga," Godric insisted. "What has Rowena Seen?"
Helga made an irritated noise with her mouth. "An argument, and a great betrayal of some sorts." She pursed her lips and picked up her books. "Perhaps you and Salazar should think about ironing out your differences once and for all. Then Rowena might be allowed one good night's rest."
Friendship
The door the staffroom opened, and Rowena was aware of someone coming in.
"You seem tired," Salazar said, nodding at Rowena who had her chin in her palm and was trying to read a manuscript with detailed notes on controversial transfiguration theories.
Rowena raised her eyes. "Perhaps that is because I am tired," she replied.
"Then perhaps you should take the night off and go to bed," Salazar said. "It is late, after all."
Rowena sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Sleep is escaping me," she said, simply.
Indeed despite it being the summer holidays, Rowena had been unable to relax properly. The last few weeks of her pregnancy had become rather strenuous and Rowena was impatient for it all to be over and done with. Until then, she surmised she would not be able to enjoy many restful days.
"What are you doing up at this hour?" she asked.
Salazar shrugged. "Might I keep you company?"
Rowena smiled slightly. "You may, if you so wish. Though I will have you know that I will not be the most exciting company," she added. "I would like to finish this text."
"For a lesson plan or just for your own enjoyment?" Salazar asked.
"My own enjoyment," Rowena admitted. "But also to pass the time until I feel tired enough to sleep."
Salazar smiled, a rare occurrence recently. "How far have you got?"
"You are very distracting, Salazar," Rowena said without answering his question. Despite this, a small hint of a smile graced her lips.
Amused, Salazar kissed her on the cheek, then sat opposite her and retrieved his own book from his cloak pocket.
"Apologies, Rowena," he said.
"Apology accepted."
