A/N: Things are starting to get exciting! Also, Alfred is a character I'd hoped to develop more but never found the right time or place to. Pretty upsetting, really.

MaddieRose: AH THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm so happy to hear that you've enjoyed it. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I hate the Mary-Sue trope, so I am thrilled that you find that Rowan doesn't fall into that. Thank you, thank you so much for the fantastically kind review!

As for the Marauders, they've all turned or will be turning 21 in the next few chapters. I fucked up the timeline somewhere along the way - Harry should have been born a year ago in the story, but I somehow shifted a year in there while setting my outline... It really bothers me, but I've come too far now to go back and change it all.

As for the character analogies to actors, I'm a little unusual in that it's very rare for me to relate characters in literature to celebrities. I find it difficult to put a famous face to a character I've developed a bond with, even if there is a movie based on the book - something about it is too intimate to me for some reason. I don't know how to better explain it. I can definitely see why fans would find Andrew Garfield as a compelling medium, but I personally think he's too short and pretty to be Remus. I imagine him as someone taller and lankier and not so classically good-looking.

SMGF1: Haaaa you're getting ahead of yourself. Not ready to give any spoilers yet! Things will become clear soon!

misslak: Ah, I love writing about the Weasley kids, so I'm glad you enjoy reading them! And yes, poor Freddie :( I think I cried more during that scene in the book than when Dumbledore died. But as for your previous review, yes! Certain things will definitely be different for Remus from canon heh. Thanks for the reviews, as always!

nessafly: Hahaha thank you! I'm so glad you like the idea and can kinda see where I'm going with this! I still haven't figured out a way to work that out, but maybe you can give me some ideas...? ^^

WalkingInAWinterWonderlandxx: Hahaha thank you! Things are starting to get exciting! I'm freaking out too!

Lady Syndra: Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy this one!

WRITE ME A REVIEW PLEEEEASE!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Chapter 54: Of Strength in Numbers

Spring crept into London slowly, and March passed into April with little event, much to the relief of the Order. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Aurors remained busy, especially with Barty Crouch Jr.'s continued missing status, but the number of reported murders had actually decreased slightly. The young Aurors were grateful for the slight reprieve, though Moody insisted that it was much too good to be true - trouble would be coming soon.

With Barty's disappearance also came a halt in the murders of the captive Death Eaters. It all seemed very obvious now that he was, in fact, the murderer they'd been pursuing, though the Ministry was doing a decent job in keeping the story from the public. They all suspected that Barty Crouch Sr. wanted to smother it before it hurt his chances at Minister of Magic.

Remus had returned to work at the I.C.E. about a month and a half before, and the regular schedule seemed to be proving well for him. Rowan had also returned to her research, spending long hours in Delacroix Manor's basement. As Isaac D'Este had promised, he'd supplied her with as much funding and lycanthropic mice as she'd needed. Her current permutations were very close to what she and Belby had been working on before his death, and she was confident that she'd be able to publish by the end of the year. The very idea was electrifying.

The notes that she had found in Belby's flat in February held a certain weight in her mind, however. The strange obsession she'd had over the Bakony Lunar Flowers from her master's memories was not unfounded - one look at his old notes was enough to confirm that.

She'd returned back to his flat once more before Remus' return and found some old journals of Belby's from all those years ago - journals filled with endless notes and research about various uses of these flowers. She scoured every library and book for more information about them but found that his research was unique. Why hadn't he published this information? There was much more to these flowers than a key to a lycanthropic cure. Each part of the flower - every oil and fiber extracted - seemed to hold a potential use. He had been incredibly thorough in studying every part of the plant, from root to petal to seed. Had Marie's death really been so traumatizing that he hadn't even considered publishing what he'd found?

But even with his detailed research, Rowan needed samples. She needed to see these flowers, to experiment with them with her own hands. But they were endemic to Hungary - she wouldn't be able to access them anywhere else. Could she really leave to go find this field of flowers?

She was a heavy participant in this war now, whether she liked it or not. She had obligations to not only the Order but also to her friends and family. She was going to be a godmother. She had Remus and her mother and Alfred. There were so many obstacles and reasons not to go, but the temptation of running away and leaving the war behind was seductive. She still hadn't mentioned her discoveries to Remus, but in those dark nights when he'd wake in fits of fear, the idea would creep forward - they could go. They could leave all of this behind - just the two of them. Wouldn't it be a happier life than continuing like this?

She shook herself. There was no use in thinking about all of this now. She first needed to publish her treatment before considering her next steps. Until then, she would continue fighting. She would stay.

It was a seemingly normal April evening, but Rowan was a fit of nerves. She was hurrying around her lab, arranging files and test tubes and beakers and then rearranging them again. She needed everything to be absolutely perfect - Isaac D'Este was coming today.

She'd finally reached a point where she felt confident enough to begin testing on humans. But it was still terrifying. She'd never tested on anything larger than a mouse, and this was no low risk potion. Each subject was a human, someone with fears and pain. If she made even the slightest mistake, she would be endangering them both. Every time the thought emerged, she'd be filled with heated nausea and the impulse to move or shift something. She couldn't sit still.

The full moon wasn't to arrive for another three weeks, but D'Este had thought it prudent to come and acquaint himself and his colleagues from the I.C.E. further with her and her space before then, which Rowan found logical. It also seemed right for him to meet Alfred and her mother, as they would be in their space as well. It was all very nerve-rattling.

"Whoa!"

Rowan shrieked as she smashed into a tall form and the rack of test tubes she was carrying flew from her hands. She yelped and grabbed after them, but they bounced and flipped and fell to the ground, shattering loudly. Glass exploded around her.

"Merlin, what has gotten into you?"

Rowan looked up to see Alfred glaring down at her with an exasperated expression. He pulled his wand out quickly and muttered, "Reparo," at the broken test tubes. The glass fragments pulled back together with a slight clink like a puzzle. Rowan grimaced.

"Sorry, I'm a fucking mess right now," she admitted sullenly. She stooped down to pick the tubes back up.

"Yes, I can see that," Alfred said, eyeing her warily as she set the tubes back down on her counter. "It's not like you're preparing for another exam, you know. I thought this was just an introductory meeting."

Rowan nodded and sat down tiredly on her lab stool and sighed. "I know. I'm just so nervous. After everything that's happened, I need this to go well. I've already lost so much time," she said.

Alfred nodded sympathetically. "You're going to be fine. All of your other experiments have been going smoothly. Your new subject is just a little bigger this time."

Rowan nodded. "I know," she said quietly.

She looked back up at Alfred. He had sat down at her desk and was gazing around the lab quietly. She noted the peppery tone of his hair, the tired lines beneath his eyes. He had just turned forty-one in January. She frowned.

"Do you think you'll always work for my mum?" she asked quietly.

Alfred looked at her and frowned. "I don't know," he said thoughtfully. "Why do you ask?"

Rowan shrugged. "I don't know. It just doesn't seem like a job that really utilizes your talents. And it's not like you have to look after me anymore," she said. Alfred's frown deepened, and Rowan panicked. "Sorry, I don't mean that I want you to go! I mean... I just think that if there are other things you want to pursue, you shouldn't stay here just out of moral obligation to me and my mum, you know? You should do what you want!" she explained awkwardly.

Alfred looked hard at her, frown still remaining. "I've thought about it," he admitted. "Honestly, I thought this was going to be a temporary thing when I first started - didn't think I'd stay for more than a couple of years, but then I just stuck around anyway. I don't know what I'd do now even if I did leave though." His expression darkened a bit.

Rowan watched him thoughtfully. Alfred was certainly a talented wizard. He'd been a Gryffindor - her father wouldn't have wanted anyone else helping to raise her - and one of the top students in his year. His family had fallen on hard times after he had graduated, and he'd taken up this job, despite it seeming below his skill set, due to its comfortable pay and hours. She'd often wondered why he remained when Carole no longer needed his assistance in chasing after her and he no longer had anyone to support - she'd long grown out of her chaotic habits from childhood, and his parents had passed away several years ago. She supposed that he now felt attached to her mother and obligated to help her, especially now that Richard was gone. But shouldn't he pursue something more? Didn't he deserve it?

"You could easily find something else. You're definitely talented enough," she said encouragingly. "What did you want to do when you were in school?"

Alfred tapped his chin and thought for a moment. "I had wanted to be a teacher, honestly," he said. "Charms - I'd wanted to teach Charms."

Rowan smiled fondly. He'd always had a great talent for the subject. He'd often taught her flashy, fancy tricks and advanced spells during the summers when she was younger and home for the holidays. She would come back to Hogwarts and show off her new skills to Professor Flitwick. The tiny instructor had always been delighted.

"You don't want to do that still?" she asked.

Alfred sighed. "It's a little late now. I would've had to do some extensive research to acquire such a job, especially one at Hogwarts," he explained. He gave her a quiet smile. "Besides, I'm happy with where I am. I have a comfortable job, a new family. I have you."

Rowan's chest tightened painfully. She smiled back at Alfred. He was her family's butler, yes, but he was more than that. He was her uncle, her big brother, and her confidant all wrapped in one. She was very fortunate indeed.

But their warm moment was interrupted by the doorbell - that would be D'Este. Alfred shot to his feet.

"Shit!" he cursed, running for the stairs. Rowan's stomach seized, and she chased after him.

When they reached the door, Carole had already let in their guests. Lanky Isaac D'Este stood at the front with his wispy strawberry blonde hair and stoic face. His pale eyes scanned over the grand entrance of her house calmly. Behind him was a group of three, one of whom Rowan was pleasantly surprised to see.

"Fabian!" Rowan greeted happily. The stout redhead hopped up, peering over Isaac, to see her. His face broke out into a broad grin, brown eyes twinkling.

"Hello, girlie! Fancy seeing you here, eh?" he joked. He reached forward and pulled Rowan into a tight hug. Rowan gasped as her breath left her momentarily in his vicegrip. When he released her, she coughed slightly but grinned at the older man.

"I was unaware that you two were already acquainted," D'Este said, looking between them. Rowan looked at him nervously and then back to Fabian. She couldn't admit that they had met through the Order.

"Her boyfriend is one of my researchers. Sharp fellow he is - almost as sharp as this one here," he said, patting Rowan on the head affectionately. Rowan smiled with some mild embarrassment and relief.

D'Este nodded and looked at them thoughtfully once more but didn't say anything. He then turned towards his other two companions. They stepped forward to shake her hand.

The first was a small, curvaceous women with sleek, dark hair pulled back tightly into a large, high bun. Her robes were a deep green, long and flowing gracefully about her. Her eyes were large, round pools of ink, set into a handsome heart-shaped face with wide, dark crimson lips. She smiled warmly at Rowan, revealing a bright white smile that seemed to light the entire room. Rowan couldn't help but beam as she shook the woman's hand.

"This is Amrit Kohli, a very accomplished researcher at the Druid University of London. I am sure you have read her research on lycanthropic transformations," D'Este introduced. Rowan's eyes widened as she placed the face to the literature. She had indeed read all of Amrit Kohli's work. In fact, the first reports she had read while at Hogwarts had been by this woman. She was struck with awe.

"Professor Kohli, it's an honor," she said humbly.

"Please, just call me Amrit," the older woman said. Her voice was deep and smooth. Rowan felt even more in awe for some reason. "I've heard great things from Isaac about your work. I'm very impressed and excited to be working with you." Rowan nearly choked on her own spit. She couldn't believe that such a renowned researcher was complimenting her.

The second stepped forward, garbed in pale gray. He was a muscular, broad man with a shiny bald head, bushy dark eyebrows, and a long, masculine face. He loomed over her intimidatingly. He must have been almost seven feet tall! Rowan nearly recoiled as his shadow covered her, but then he smiled. Like Amrit's, his smile was wide and nearly blinding. She was reminded suddenly of the Hogwarts Groundskeeper Hagrid.

"Lecso Farago," he boomed, taking her small hand in both of his mammoth palms. Her entire hand disappeared into his grasp as he shook it firmly. She felt like she could get swept away at any moment. "Healer-in-Charge of the Dangerous Dai Llewellyn Ward for Creature-Induced Injuries. Thrilled to meet ya!"

Farago's voice was gruff and rumbling. When he introduced his name, he spoke with an unidentifiable accent of rolling tongues, but the rest of his speech was unaccented. Rowan gazed up at him with poorly concealed wonder. This man was a healer! She couldn't imagine having this giant man caring for her in the hospital.

"Healer Farago is an expert on lycanthropic infection and bite treatment. He has made some interesting discoveries on the mechanisms of infection and transmission," D'Este explained evenly. Rowan's eyes widened once again in understanding and looked back up at the healer. She remembered seeing his name in some of the reports that she'd read over the years. It was hard to picture such a behemoth of a person hunched over quietly in a lab.

The soft clearing of a throat was heard from behind Rowan, snapping her from her reverie. She cringed slightly.

"I'm sorry. I'm being terribly rude. This is my mother Carole and her assistant Alfred Burke," she said, gesturing to her mother and Alfred. Carole stepped forward gracefully and shook hands with all individuals. Rowan grimaced slightly inwardly - she wasn't sure if she would ever be able to achieve her mother's level of refinement.

But Alfred stood back slightly. Rowan turned to look at him only to see that his expression was tight and awkward. She had to keep her face from screwing up with confusion. She had never seen him looking so uncomfortable before. Alfred was smooth, sociable and charming at all times, no matter what the audience. Why was he being so strange now?

She then looked back to their guests to see Isaac staring back at Alfred with an equally puzzled look. His expression wasn't awkward or strained, but there was that thoughtful, assessing look with which he had gazed at Rowan when she had first met him in his office in January. She glanced as discreetly as possible between them, but no words were exchanged.

"Well," she said awkwardly, "I can show all of you down to my lab where we can begin discussing the experimentation process," she said stiffly, gesturing farther into the house. The three researchers all nodded and looked to her to lead the way. Isaac nodded vaguely but kept his gaze on Alfred, who looked strangely green.

"I'll bring you some tea in a few minutes," Carole said graciously. The party all thanked her before heading down to the lab with Rowan. Rowan took a deep breath.

Here goes nothing.

"... So we will begin next week at Amrit's laboratory. Provided that initial analyses go well, we can begin treatment testing the following week," said D'Este calmly.

Rowan nodded and skimmed over the notes she had written throughout their meeting. After presenting her findings and a summary of her work with Belby, the group had fallen into an intense discussion of their next steps. All four of the other researchers had their primary professions to consider, so any work they did together would have to be conducted in the evenings and on weekends. Amrit had invited Rowan to work in her laboratory for reasons of cohesion and consolidation, and Rowan had agreed readily. The opportunity to work with a researcher of her stature was one that she couldn't pass up. She was eager to think of her as a new sort of mentor. She would begin moving her work the next day.

The plan was to conduct a series of analyses on the potions that she had developed the following week with Amrit and Lecso. Both were experts in different aspects of the lycanthropic condition and were interested in the relationships between Rowan's chemical research and their studies in the transformation process and pathology. Next, Rowan would begin injecting D'Este and whatever other subjects he could find with small doses each night for the week approaching the full moon. Fabian would then provide the extensive protective measures to allow them to observe D'Este during transformation. It was a very complicated, dangerous process. Rowan's stomach was tight with anxiety.

But she marveled at how easily she got on with this immensely impressive group of researchers. She already felt more than comfortable with Fabian - it was hard to not be fond of him, regardless of familiarity. Amrit was a calm, constant voice of reason, yet unabashed and tactfully forward with her opinions. Rowan was again in awe of the strength of her voice and could easily understand how such a relatively young woman could hold such a high position in a male-dominated field at the competitive Druid University. Lecso's large, domineering presence was strangely contrasted to his unexpected quiet involvement in the conversation. He spoke confidently with his large voice when necessary, but otherwise, he was surprisingly introverted, choosing to generally defer to Amrit's decisions. D'Este was, as expected, a quiet, even presence, but like Amrit, he was unafraid to voice his opinions. His staccato diction grasped Rowan's attention effortlessly, efficiently. She wondered if he was like that even in the privacy of his home.

"What is your ideal timeline, Rowan?" asked Amrit.

Rowan thought for a moment carefully. "If everything goes according to plan," she began carefully, "I was hoping to publish within the year. All of my tests with the lycanthropic mice have been very successful, so assuming that we transition smoothly to the human subjects, I think January would be realistic." It felt strange, yet thrilling, to say so out loud. She had been considering it for months now, but she hadn't been able to admit it to any of her friends or family - she was scared she might jinx herself. She looked around at all of them hesitantly.

Fabian was looking at her with fierce pride, excitement blatantly stretched across his features. Lecso looked thoughtful, as did D'Este, and Amrit was smiling warmly. Rowan's hands gripped her knees tightly. Heat pooled in her face.

"How do you plan to distribute?" D'Este asked.

Rowan blinked. "Distribute?" she echoed before stopping to think for a moment. "I suppose I'd want to reopen the apothecary," she said slowly. "It hasn't seemed timely to reconstruct it while in the middle of research - I wouldn't be able to keep it running properly - but once I finish the treatment, I'd like to offer free treatment. Having my own apothecary seems like the most logical base for that."

Lecso spoke this time: "Free?" he asked with some mild shock. "You wouldn't patent it?"

Rowan shook her head firmly. "No, I definitely want it to be free," she said fiercely. "I don't need to make a profit from this. Most of our potential patients are already struggling enough. I don't want them to have to pay. And if offering the information as public domain can present a greater chance of further research, then I'm all for it, even if someone else finds a cure first." She thought for a moment before her face heated again with panic. "But of course I would want to compensate all of you for your help! It may take me some time, but I definitely wouldn't expect you to just do all of this for free!"

She gazed around at all of them with her face burning and chest tight, but they all just smiled at her. Lecso leaned back in his chair with a soft approving smirk. He nodded his head as if impressed but said nothing.

"I don't think any of us expected compensation for this. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we would like to be acknowledged for our contributions when you publish, but beyond that, this is certainly your work," Amrit said kindly. Rowan smiled shyly, but nodded in fierce agreement.

"Of course! I will definitely be sure to give all of you credit for your help! I still can't believe that you're willing to help me at all!" she blurted ungracefully. She then took a deep breath, face straightening. "I know this will be difficult logistically, but I really don't want to patent it. I have enough inheritance to support myself until I can make a profit margin from the apothecary. And I have the insurance money still from the fire to fund the reconstruction. I just don't know where to start."

"I will help you with that."

Rowan looked up to see D'Este gazing at her evenly. "I will find a law official through the Ministry to assist you in the legal matters regarding the apothecary. For now, you need not concern yourself with anything beyond your research."

Rowan's hands tightened on her knees again. "Thank you," she said quietly. D'Este nodded in that robotic way and then turned back to scratch down his notes without another word. Rowan decided she would pay a great deal of gold to be able to read his thoughts. She then perked up as she remembered something else.

"There is one more thing - after I finish the treatment," she continued. "I'd obviously like to continue my research to find a real cure. I already have a few theories and research leads, which I plan to follow once I have published... But I would need to go abroad."

This caught the team's attention. Rowan took in a deep breath. "Belby left me a very extensive collection of research that he had done many years ago on a plant called the Bakony Lunar Flower," she said. Lecso frowned slightly but said nothing. "It's very rare and endemic to a region in the Transdanubian Mountains in Hungary. Master Belby abandoned the research after his wife passed away, but I'm convinced that this flower holds a critical role in this cure. The problem is that I would need to go there to study and take samples of this flower... and I would need someone to remain here to distribute the treatment while I am away."

She gazed around at them. They all seemed lost in thought, eyes fixed on her. It was unnerving, to say the least.

"I know it's a ways off, but I just wanted to declare my intent before we continue in the case that you have any connections in Hungary who can assist me or friends within the Potion making community who can continue my treatment while I am away," she said.

They continued to be lost in thought. Rowan's hands tightened again. Perhaps she shouldn't have said anything yet.

"I may be able to help you," Lecso said finally. The group turned to look at their large colleague. His hand was stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Let me think about it. Like you said, we have a good amount of time until then. I will approach the subject with you again before the end of the year."

Rowan smiled in relief and nodded. "Thank you. I really appreciate it," she said genuinely. He nodded and smiled softly but said nothing else.

Maybe, just maybe, she thought, things are falling into place. She allowed herself to really hope.

After a couple of hours, D'Este and company left together in a flurry of warm goodbyes and excited chatter. She noted that D'Este took one last glance around the foyer before stepping out, as if looking for something. She wondered if he was looking for Alfred. As Rowan shook their hands goodbye - Lecso's twice - she closed the door quietly and nearly collapsed against it. A very deep breath escaped from her lungs. With it seemed to slip all of the anxiety that she'd been holding for the past week. She could probably vomit in relief.

She made her way back to the kitchen tiredly. Rowan looked around to see her mother seated at the table, but Alfred was nowhere to be seen. Carole looked up over her small reading glasses as Rowan appeared in the doorway and set her papers down, a concerned expression on her face.

"You look like hell," she commented dryly.

Rowan rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Mum," she said dully.

"Did everything go okay?" Carole asked.

Rowan nodded her head tiredly. "Yeah, it all went fine. I'm just really tired now," she said.

Carole nodded. "So what's the plan?" she asked.

Rowan sat down at the table with an ungraceful plop. "We're going to begin testing next week. I'll be going to Professor Kohli's laboratory at Druid Uni starting tomorrow. We're hoping to publish within the year," she said tiredly. She thought quietly for a moment. "How much gold did Dad leave me?" she asked.

Carole looked up at Rowan with a frown. "More than you could possibly ever need, really. Why do you ask?"

Rowan looked down hard at her hands. Her nails were getting a little long for her liking. They felt dirty. She should cut them as soon as she got home. "I want to start rebuilding the apothecary. I have enough money from the insurance payment, but I'd like to add onto it I think. I just wanted to know how large my budget is before I began planning. Isaac says he's going to help me work through the logistics."

Her mother looked at her thoughtfully before nodding and turning back down to the files in her hands. Rowan assessed her for a moment.

"Would you want to partial partnership in the apothecary?" she asked carefully.

Carole's head jerked up slightly to look at Rowan with some quiet consternation. "Do you need help with it?" she asked warily.

Rowan shook her head. "It's not really about the help. I mean, yes, I will need some help with it, but I figured you'd just be a business partner and could take on whatever other roles you want. Obviously I know you can handle everything that would come with the territory, so I thought maybe you'd be interested," she explained awkwardly. She didn't know why she felt so stiff - this was her mother - and yet it felt like a strange proposal. She shifted uneasily.

Carole looked at her hard for a few more minutes before shaking her head and turning back to her papers. "No, I don't think I'm interested in that," she said simply.

Rowan's mouth twisted with confusion. She waited for a further explanation but none came. "That's it?" asked incredulously.

Carole simply shrugged but didn't look back up. "That's it," she said.

Rowan glared at her mother, who didn't seem to notice, and then sighed, propping her chin up against her hand on the table. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, but such a hard "no" seemed strange. She reached forward and took an apple slice from a small plate on the table, then scanned over her mother's silvery hair and small glasses and the numerous files on the table with a hard look.

"What're those?" she asked, mouth full of apple.

"Just some property forms for the house. I've been looking to do some renovations – it's just so stuffy here," Carole said over the papers. "I was always trying to get your father to do some work on the house, but we never got around to it."

Rowan nodded and thought of the darker corners of the upper floors. It certainly was an old house. She decided that it could probably do some good with a few renovations; maybe some added windows or a couple of walls taken out to open up the space. She thought of how clean and light the Lupin household felt – she wondered if her home could ever feel that way.

"What were you thinking?" Rowan asked thoughtfully.

"I'm not sure yet. I was going to consult an architect next week about it," she responded.

Rowan nodded. "Do you need me to be there?" she asked.

Carole shook her head but continued to read. "No, it's okay. Alfred will be with me. You have better things to do anyway," she said. Rowan nodded vaguely, resting her head tiredly on her hand as she chewed the apple slice slowly. She thought of said butler with some confusion. She hadn't seen him since that awkward introduction in the foyer earlier. She wanted to ask him what the hell that was, but it seemed that he was busy doing something else. She groped blindly for another slice of apple from the plate in front of her and then bit into it lazily.

"Well, I guess I'm going to head home then," she said tiredly, glancing up at the clock - it read 8 p.m. "Remus is probably wondering where I am."

Carole nodded vaguely again but didn't look up. Rowan looked at her with furrowed brows - was the paperwork really so interesting? She shook her head. It was unimportant.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Say good night to Alfred for me."

Carole hummed in affirmation and waved Rowan off. As Rowan walked through the foyer, she gazed around as D'Este had before he'd left. What had that strange exchange between him and Alfred been about? She thought about it again. They were close in age. Perhaps they had been old friends at Hogwarts. But no, old friends wouldn't have reacted so awkwardly to each other. Maybe they'd been rivals, or even worse - enemies. Rowan grimaced. They probably wouldn't see much of each other, despite their connections to her, right? As she stepped out into the cool spring air, she wondered if Alfred would take her words from earlier to heart. She wasn't sure how she felt about it.