Chapter 501 - Swimming Pool

As it turned out it all worked well in the end, Petunia arrived safely at the Abbott home and nothing went wrong. Since everything went so well, the three of them were allowed to wander about all day and even late into the evening provided they were all together. Petunia loved it because she was treated like an a.d.u.l.t. And Andrew loved it, because he got to spend so much time with the girl of his dreams.

And as for Rowan, she just enjoyed having a nice leisurely vacation for once. She had destroyed a Horcrux and the Resurrection Stone and survived the encounter. She figured that just this once she had earned herself at least a few days without any worries. She would have plenty to think on later on but for now, it would be nice to act like the fourteen-year-old she actually was.

The days swiftly went by until it was the second last day of Rowan's two-week visit. She would be leaving the day after tomorrow and returning back to Prince Manor. And much like Rowan, Lily finally returned from her own two-week vacation. Once she arrived home, Lily was happily told that Rowan was in town. Only pausing to change into her bathing suit, Lily had her dad drop her off at the town pool.

Lily eagerly made her way inside and across the hot pavement to find most of the pool full except for one corner of the pool. There floating on a round dive is a raven-haired young woman with her hair pulled into a braid wrapped around her neck to be kept out of her water. But that was the least of it.

A giggle escaped Lily at seeing that Rowan wearing a full-length long diving suit that covered her entire body to her ankles except for the open back. Not only did Rowan have a pair of silver shades on her face but was even holding a black umbrella to shade herself from the sun.

"What's the point of tanning if you're wearing a full body swimsuit and holding an umbrella?" Lily asked as she slid into the pool with them.

"I'm not planning to tan," Rowan replied. "I'm just enjoying the cool water."

"Fine. But what's Andrew doing here?" Lily asked as she spotted the round-faced boy whispering into Petunia's ear a short distance away.

"His uncle is Mr. Abbot and he's staying with him over the summer. And Petunia is now his official girlfriend, so I would suggest that you get used to him if I were you," Rowan drily remarked.

"Andrew and Tuney?" Lily gawked. "But she's a year older than him and taller too boot!"

Rowan raises her eyebrows and removes her silver shades. Her midnight indigo black eyes simply stare at Lily causing her to flush in mortification. "Lily Evans, I never thought you were ever one to judge based solely on appearances," Rowan said as she put on her sunglasses back on.

Lily flushed bright pink as Rowan slowly said, "But then again, I've been wrong before. And besides, a year is nothing in wizarding years."

"I know, it's just that Tuney hate's magic!" Lily whispered as she glanced at the two of them.

"Not really," Rowan replied. "She just always misunderstood it. Petunia and I have been corresponding ever since last year and we have cleared up a lot of things which she was wrong about. She is actually rather curious about magic and just never had the guts to ask before. Why we even took her to Diagon Alley just this last week. She rather enjoyed the trip might I add."

"What?! The three of you went to Diagon Alley!" Lily loudly exclaimed.

"London actually," Rowan said with great relish. "But we stopped by Diagon Alley on the last day of our trip on the way back."

"Mum and Dad let Petunia go to London with the two of you?!"

"Yes, we had a rather fun time overall. Why Petunia even helped me pick up this swimming suit and the one's she's presently wearing."

"Why wasn't I invited?" Lily asked sounding rather hurt. As of late, she had been feeling the friendship between Rowan and her was becoming more and distant. It wasn't like they suddenly stopped talking, but they just didn't spend as much time together as before.

"You were over at a friend's house," Rowan arched her brow. "What was I supposed to do? Steal you away when I tend to see you during the entire school year?"

Lily is somewhat mollified by Rowan's reply and says, "Well, just next time invite me along as well." And she truthfully did mean it, she just wanted to reconnect with Rowan again. She missed those times like the summer before their second year, when they spent time together.

"Yes, yes, we'll make it a girl trip all three of us," Rowan said reaching over for her lemonade being held in a thermo. Typically used to keep things warm, but it worked on cold things too.

Lily shyly peeked at Rowan and said, "So James invited me to go shopping to Diagon Alley with him and his family. Do you think I should accept?"

Feigning innocence, Rowan says, "Why ever not? He is our friend. And Severus is grounded until school starts. You might as well go with him."

Lily blinks and sheepish grins, "You're right. And how's Severus doing? His letters are the usual, but I get the feeling he's a bit down."

"I suppose that is true enough," Rowan slowly said with a glint in her eye. "But ever since his growth spurt and his new look, he's been given a lot of admiring looks from the girls."

Lily blinks and asked in confusion, "Girls? What girls? I thought you said that he was stuck at the Prince Manor the whole time."

"Oh, he is," Rowan slowly lied. "But various guests of grandfather bring their granddaughter's by given that Severus is quite the eligible bachelor. He is rathe popular too. But it is such a shame, really, he's not interested in any of them. Maybe, you can convince him otherwise?"

"I don't know, Rowan," Lily uneasily said. "I don't think, Severus would like that very much."

"Nonsense, Lily," Rowan practically purred. "He's your best friend. I'm sure you only want the best for him."

"I guess I can say something to him once school starts," Lily quietly said not noticing that she was biting her lip as if somewhat distressed.

"Interesting," Rowan thought to herself. "So, there is something there after all."

Quickly changing the subject, Rowan says, "Any who, Aunt Georgine has been rather busy all summer long packing and sending her things over to Hogwarts. Though I warn you, she is a bit blunt. I'd be ready for her come the start of the school year."

"Your aunt isn't that bad, Rowan," Lily huffed with a roll of her eyes. "And besides, I think she's rather impressive really."

Rowan merely sniffs as Lily gets a mischievous glint in her eyes and begins to splash the sputtering Rowan. Quickly Petunia and Andrew join in the traitors the whole lot of them! Soaking wet and unhappy, Rowan climbs out of the pool and finds a nice spot in which to dry in. She would have her revenge one way or another.