Rowthan Re-Write: Chapter Three
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it is not mine. No copyright or trademark infringement is meant, I have the utmost respect for the true intellectual owner of Harry Potter. This is meant to be nothing more than a means for my own creative process to thrive.
Secondary Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Note: This is done in an attempt to finish Rowthan. Also, I did not realize just how close I wanted this to be to Canon, like the names of James's parents and uncle. Everything else, I have altered/changed in some way.
CHAPTER THREE
After the teen fell asleep, Severus went about his own business for the next couple of hours before he too went to bed.
Then next morning, he was awake well before the post came – hopefully with a letter from Potion's Mistress Mariana Wagner who was but five years his senior and took his venture as seriously as he did. Alas, being a full time Potions Mistress paid few bills (unless one owned and operated an apothecary) as most of it was research and expensive brewing, so Mistress Wagner had a full-time position within the Healing Field but agreed that this was exciting and agreed to offer him an outsider's point of view whenever he got stuck on a theory. Mistress Wagner was one of the leading Potioneers in Eastern Europe and her advice was priceless. There were times that having a fellow Potioneer who didn't merely dabble and could offer constructive criticism and advice about a project, as a sounding board was invaluable.
He got out his notes, over the past few days he was reluctant to admit that he'd been forced to subdue his own eagerness for the project while he corrected his erroneous behavior and aided the teen. He could immediately see how "falling down the rabbit hole" had affected his work. Some of his notes had some good points but he could clearly see a couple of pages of notes that he would have to change the color of the ink to note that he was disregarding those notes. He did not want to destroy the notes entirely because he might find a paragraph or two enlightening.
Soon, he was absorbed in his work.
HJRP
It was early afternoon the next time Harrison awoke. He craned his neck, looking for the Potion's Master before swinging his legs over the side of the couch and cautiously stood. Somehow he got the feeling that if Master Snape found him out of bed (per se) twice and risking his recovery… the man would be just as harsh as Iason.
Iason Amin was the Healer at Durmstrang, the wizard started there after becoming a Healer the year before Harrison began Durmstrang. After the both of them lost track of how many times the Rowthan heir spent some quality time in the infirmary (most of the time unconscious); Iason asked Harry to call him by his first name.
He cautiously stood; supporting the healing wound with his right hand and quickly found the kitchen and got something to drink. His stomach was growling loudly and he itched to cook something simple for himself and the Potion's Master.
He spent a full minute cleaning his hands, scrubbing them until they were pink, if only for the reason that he was a little OCD about his cooking and cleanliness while doing so.
He gave himself a moment to glance at the reflection of himself in the mirror like window. He looked like he'd been stabbed. He was pale, even more than the porcelain tone that remained from the Northern Winter. Fortunately, he'd gain back the healthy tan he always developed in the summer. He had bags under his eyes and looked utterly exhausted.
He sighed as he conjured a white T-shirt, a little loose and was able to put it on without too much difficulty and went over to the pantry. He found an apron and got together the means to make a simple meal, simple if one were to consider that Harrison had been taught how to cook by a chef who'd been trained in Italy and France.
Severus had been working for several hours when a scent permeated through his basement laboratory and when he reached a stopping point he went upstairs.
He found Rowthan pulling a light and fluffy quiche out of the oven and putting it down on a warming pad on the island. It looked delicious and smelled even better.
"Mr. Rowthan?"
Harry looked up, "Master Snape."
"What are you doing?"
Harry grinned sheepishly, "I… required sustenance."
Severus looked at the frozen berry mousse, the quiche and the plate of crispy bacon, "I would have to ask you how much you intended to consume had I not already surmised that you did not cook only for yourself."
Harrison bowed his head, Snape was definitely a teacher if he could make Harry feel like he'd been complimented and insulted at the same time. "Yes sir."
"Allow me to wash up." Severus requested and stepped out of the room while Harry went to the kitchen sink and scrubbed up.
The both of them sat down and enjoyed the meal, even though Severus ate a larger amount than the teenager.
Harrison finished eating and yawned widely.
"Go and rest, I can surmise that you will continue with your recovery should you do not over extend yourself." He said before handing Harrison a phial of his next dose of Curar Lento.
Harry nodded his head at Snape's logic, "I think I will. Thank you, sir." He said before he swallowed the contents of the phial. Curar Lento was proving to be quite powerful but it still remained that it sapped his energy greatly.
Severus looked around his kitchen, normally he would be annoyed by anyone who would have dared to use his kitchen but Rowthan had used his kitchen efficiently and had even washed the preparing dishes while he'd waited for the quiche to cook. The two plates, and utensils were hardly a bother to clean as the containers that held the food were still quite full and went into his refrigerator.
'Besides.' Severus thought to himself as he looked at the ½ full pie pan of quiche and the ¾ bowl full of mousse. 'He did make one hell of a quiche.'
HJRP
Severus went back to his lab for the rest of the afternoon, occasionally going to the fridge to sneak a spoonful of mousse – what did Rowthan put in that?- and by evening the quiche was gone and Rowthan was still asleep on the couch.
That evening, after the second standard 1 size cauldron of modified Wolfsbane Potion blew up in his face; Severus called it quits for the day, cleaned up and retired to the living room to read The Evening Prophet.
He read the news, Fudge finally permitted Madam Bones to expand Auror recruiting by 50% and while that might seem like a lot the result would only be an additional 10 cadets.
'He should have doubled the recruits. Or at least allow the Dragon Division to have those recruits.' Severus thought, thinking of the division. Lord Edmund Rowthan created the Dragon Division when the wizard was Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the early 1940s. The Earl of Radnor had realized that while the Aurors were good as police, they were no army. All of the best Aurors since had been Dragons at one point or another in their careers- unfortunately that number included James Potter – and most (if not all) were willing to serve again should the situation call for it.
Then as a moment of curiosity, he looked over the advertisements just before the Sport's section. He was somewhat surprised to see an ad for the Dragons.
Only a few will ever be able to hear the Dragon Roar and answer it's call. Will you answer back?
He smirked, Fudge might have cut the Auror Division but it appeared that Bagnold made the Dragons almost separate from the Aurors.
'Someone got smart before she left office.' He thought as he turned to the sports section and would have skipped it had a name not caught his eye.
He read the full caption: BULGARIA CONFIRMS POSITION IN QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP! Pictured – Captain Levski with teammates: Seeker Krum, Keeper Zograf, Beater Vulchanovf, Beater Volkov, Chaser Ivanova and Chaser Rowthan.
'A Quidditch Player.' Severus mused as he put down the paper thoughtfully.
Then he heard a tap…tap…tap on the window. He frowned when he saw a snowy owl at the window.
Frowing, as he didn't know anyone with a snowy owl, he flicked his wand and opened the window. The owl swooped in, dropped the letter on the kitchen table and glared at him with a look that said 'Open it!'
'Bloody Owl.' He thought as he stalked over to the table, barely hesitating when the letter was addressed to Harrison Rowthan and opened it up.
Harrison,
Dmitri had a fit when you didn't show up for the game. It was fortunate that I had received a letter from Kaite asking about you and your condition. Uncle Dmitri was a bit more understanding after I told him you are in St. Mungo's. You are, aren't you?
To focus on the game I know you will ask about, Victor caught the snitch in a near record time and the game was over before Levski approached the goal posts. I forget who they were playing. You know I only go to the matches because you play.
Write me soon,
Katarzyna Dmitrova
Severus quirked an eyebrow at the young lady's words before he summoned some parchment, a quill and some ink (onyx black) before he sat down at the kitchen table, taking care with his words when he put pen to paper.
To: Miss Katarzyna Dmitrova
Re: Harrison Rowthan
Miss Dmitrova,
I am Potion's Master Severus Snape. On the night of 2 July 1994, Mr. Rowthan appeared on my doorstep after an incident involving a Miss Kaite and some ruffians.
He has requested me not to force his presence on St. Mungo's. I have agreed if only for the reason that his would was not life threatening and easily cured with Curar Lento, he should be completely healed in a couple of days. Should you have any further questions feel free to ask.
With Utmost Respect,
Severus Snape, Potion's Master
5 July 1994
He allowed the ink to dry before folding the letter, putting it into an envelope and magically sealed it before giving it to the owl who promptly took off.
HJRP
Katarzyna sat in the Sun Room in the family house in Denmark. She was waiting anxiously for word from Harrison – hopefully that he was recovering at St. Mungo's and would be alright.
She sighed as she smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle in her chocolate brown knit trousers.
"Katarzyna?" her fair cousin Jakob Liev Vulchinovich called out as he ducked his head into the room.
"Jakob." She said as she looked over at her maternal cousin as he stepped further into the room to reveal a snowy white owl on his shoulder. "Hedwig!" she exclaimed with a smile.
Hedwig leapt off of Jakob's shoulder and flew to Katarzyna's outstretched arm. "Hello you beautiful girl." She praised the owl before she noticed the letter.
Hedwig squawked as she was all but thrown off of her perch in Katarzyna's anticipation.
"It is not from Harry." She said in disappointment.
"Then who is it from?" Jakob asked, even as Hedwig went back to his shoulder.
"Potion's Master Severus Snape, he is treating Harry with Curar Lento."
Jakob nodded, "I have heard of it." He said softly, Quidditch Heir or no, Jakob Vulchinovich had all O's in his classes at Durmstrang. Although he would not be a member of the group that would take part in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, due to his young age, he was a class Delegate for his year and did not fault Headmaster Karkaroff for not choosing two Dmitrovs to go to Hogwarts.
"He will be fine in a few days."
"That is good news. If your friend was to be believed, Harrison was on his death bed." Jakob said, knowing how his cousin had worried for her beau.
"Da. Thank you Jakob." She said as she hugged him.
HJRP
Harrison didn't awake again until dawn the next morning, took out his wand and expanded his trunk in a safe place. He then got out his set of keys and unlocked his trunk before removing a change of clothes as well as his bag of toiletries and the monogrammed 'HJR' towels a friend at school had given him for the past Yule.
Severus came downstairs to see Rowthan's things in a neat pile on top of his expanded trunk. "Would you like to freshen up?"
Harrison grinned sheepishly, "If only by doing so I am not offending or intruding, sir. I plan to water-proof the bandage."
Severus nodded, "Be sure to allow me to change the bandage afterwards."
"Yes sir." He said before he gathered his things, water-proofed the bandage before he went to the bathroom and hot a ten-minute hot shower before washing his face, brushing his teeth and shaving off the light stubble that had developed in the past few days. He dressed in his boxers, jeans and black Oxford that he left unbuttoned and untucked to make it easier for Master Snape to change the bandage.
Severus had everything ready for the teen when he came out of the bathroom. The teen's hair was still wet but he looked a lot better than he had before his shower.
Severus deftly began to change the bandage before he remembered the letter. "While you were asleep a letter arrived for you from a Miss Dmitrova concerning her Uncle Dmitri and a Quidditch Match. The bloody owl wouldn't leave so I read it and sent a short missive in return."
Harry summoned the letter and read it while Severus finished up, "Thank you for sending a reply sir. I would hate for Katarzyna to worry unnecessarily."
"Oh?"
Harry nodded as Severus moved to a near armchair and sat down. "Katarzyna is the only girl out of the entire family – they tend to be a bit protective."
"Obviously. How are you feeling?"
"A little sore, but better." He said as he stretched lightly. "I am a bit regretful that I missed the match against Romania with the Cup being in less than a month."
"Really?"
"Yes sir." He said, letting the subject drop.
HJRP
A few days later Harry was fully healed and was putting the last of his shrunken items into his pockets. The night before he'd gone into Snape's garage and enlarged his motorbike and spent the next two hours wiping it down and checking it to make sure that everything was in working order.
As a "thank you" to Snape, he'd given him one of the Top Box seats he reserved. The other one he gave to Katarzyna, he thought that even though both persons did not care for Quidditch they might value each other's conversation. After all, Katarzyna was studying to get her Healer's License as well as her Potion's Mastery which would give her plenty to talk about with Master Snape.
He got on his motorbike, Snape giving him a nod goodbye and a firm handshake, and drove to London – to Rowthan House.
Lady Elizabeth Rowthan, a wonderful elderly witch who'd aged gracefully and still stood straight and tall at her height of 5' 6 ½", sat at the window seat in the informal sitting room in the eight-bedroom Rowthan House waiting for her heir to arrive.
Lady Elizabeth wore her hair and her clothing in a style that was reminiscent of the early 20th century. Her long white hair was up in an elegant bun and her long blue dress only further illustrated that she had been raised at the turn of the last century.
She smiled when she heard the rumbling of the motorbike that James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin had given him for his last birthday.
"Josephine?" she called out.
Josephine, or Jo as she preferred, came into the room wearing her uniform of a white long sleeved button up tucked into a blue knee length pencil skirt covered with a matching blue tunic length blazer that she wore with white flats today (they were allowed to wear whatever shoes they wanted, Jo like to alternate between her blue loafers and her black 1" heels and the flats). "Yes ma'am?"
"Do tell Harrison that I will be waiting for him with Healer Guilford in the Blue Room." She said as she stood and moved to the fireplace.
Jo nodded her head, "Yes milady." She said before Lady Rowthan flooed to the Blue Room that was clear across the manor.
She found Harrison parking his motorbike in the carriage house. "Sir Harrison?"
Harrison turned and grinned when he saw the petite young lady who was working for the Countess while she learned a few languages that would help her when she and her husband moved to Italy next spring. "Hey Jo. Did the Countess send you?"
"Yes sir, she waits for you in the Blue Room." She said as she adjusted her blazer.
"Alright. See you Jo." He said and walked off to the house.
"With Healer Guilford!" she called out after him, a little too pleasantly.
Harrison stepped into the Blue Room to see Healer Guilford in his white Healer Robes and Lady Rowthan sitting near the window. He bowed slightly, "Lady Rowthan, Healer Guilford."
Elizabeth smiled when she saw him, he certainly looked well. "Hello Harrison. Healer Guilford is here to look you over." She said in a tone that did not call for refusal.
"Milady, I assure that Master Snape's potions were superb. He even gave me an extra dosage of Curar Lento to take tonight with dinner to ensure my health." He said, slightly beseeching in his tone and even got out the phial of the potion as proof.
She glanced at it but did not retract her statement – not that he'd expected her to.
The black haired teen sighed and allowed the healer to look him over, not even noticing when Lady Rowthan left for about fifteen minutes before she returned near the end of the examination.
"Well, you certainly are in good health. Master Snape deserves to be commended." The late 20s wizard – who'd taken over his grandfather's practice a few years before, said as he put his wand into its arm holster.
"One of the finest, I assure you." Lady Rowthan said to the Healer. "Thank you for looking Harrison over. I cannot begin to explain how worried I have been."
Merrick Guilford nodded his head while Harrison faintly blushed. "Yes milady." He said before he gathered his things and flooed out.
Elizabeth turned to her tall heir, "Are you really alright?"
Harrison nodded, "I'm fine. Master Snape left me with extra doses just in case." He reminded her.
"Good. Good."
"I'm fine Aunt Lizzie." He said, using the nickname he'd started calling her when he was small, standing up and moving across the room to hug her.
She leaned her head against his shoulder, "Do be more careful, I don't know what I should do without you."
Harry grinned, "I love you Aunt Lizzie."
"And I love you too, my dear."
