Chapter 586 - Finally, it is Friday.

By the weekend, Rowan was almost weeping in relief as Friday finally arrived. Severus looked no better than she did as they somehow managed to make it through their day including Mermish. Tragically, her week had worsened by the fact that the gossip mill churning about her and James being rumored soul mates. However, that had quickly died down as even the gossipmongers were too exhausted with the first week of school that even they did not have enough energy to fuel the fiery flames for the time being.

Somehow, Rowan and Severus found themselves in the familiar Headmaster's office at the end of their exceptionally long day. The whistling silver instruments whirl softly in the background as some of the half-awake portraits stare at them. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore blue eyes twinkle faintly as in remembrance of the good old days. Why he had been a Prefect himself, and it had been just as exhausting even in those days.

Blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles, Albus Dumbledore stares down his crooked nose at them, before taking pity upon them an assigning them a simple Mermish Translation essay for the evening. The two of them gratefully get to work until he clears his throat and says, "Well, the two of you have indeed improved over the summer on your vocabulary. And I have finished upgrading your assignments and reports. I am must say I am both astonished and impressed at the versatile directions both of your minds took on the assigned subjects."

Glancing up from their Mermish translation essay, Rowan and Severus said in unison, "Thank you, Dumbledore."

A teenage Fawkes sitting in the corner of the office on a golden perch lets out a happy chirp causing his scarlet and gold feathers to flash. He looked quite adorable and awkward really. Even glorious phoenixes suffered through that awkward adolescent phase too.

With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore sends the graded essays and theoretical research papers back to them. Rowan and Severus each study their own pile intently reading the comments and grades. While they look through their essays, Dumbledore gives them a moment before speaking.

"Professor McGonagall had expressed her disbelief that the both of you have had some difficulty vanishing a kitten," Dumbledore slowly said as he carefully watched their faces.

The twin's face's become stiff as they both glanced away and stared at his shoulder not quite meeting the Headmaster's gaze. "Well, that being said would either of you please explain the issue?" Dumbledore asked.

Rowan merely presses her lips together tightly as Severus bites his lip. Neither of them desires to speak further on the subject. Seeing their stubbornness, Dumbledore wryly nods his silvery head and says, "Very well, I shan't pry. But if this continues, we shall have a discussion whether either of you wishes to discuss the subject or not."

Rowan and Severus both frown but nod their heads stiffly in acknowledgment. They would do better next time around in Transfiguration. They had too. They had no other choice.

Seeing that the subject was closed and final, Dumbledore says, "That being said, please make sure to rest when you can. I understand that neither of you desired the Prefect position much less expected it in your fifth year given that you are taken O.W.L's and various N.E.W.T's in the same year."

Seeing the identical glares from the twins, Dumbledore chuckles and says, "I know that the both of you desire to poison me or see me dead in a ditch somewhere, but I can assure you that it was done with serious thought and consideration."

Rowan and Severus both speculatively eye him as Dumbledore continues, "With all the present ongoings in the world, I wanted to make it clear that the wizarding world has nothing to fear from the Slytherin heirs. I am well aware that the two of you are Gryffindor and Hufflepuff heirs as well, but more often than not you will both be seen as Slytherins. I am a Gryffindor myself and I cannot begin to comprehend the complete mentality of a Slytherin. But what I do know is that the Slytherins will follow your lead."

Dumbledore leaned back in his seat and crossed his hands in front of him. "Since both of you have started Hogwarts, I have seen the school interhouse relationsh.i.p.s slowly change. In your first year here, friendsh.i.p.s began to be tentatively formed between Slytherin and other houses. By the second year, they had increased even further, and since then the numbers have been steadily grown with each passing year.

With this year being the first year in which, there are now more friendsh.i.p.s between Slytherin, and Gryffindor than any other house, which has not been seen since the very founding of Hogwarts. More than you can possibly know has been changed simply because both of you refused to let go of the friendsh.i.p.s which were forged in your first year.

For the first time in many centuries, I do believe there is hope in closing the gaps between the four houses. And though there will certainly continue to be differences and divides between the four houses, it will be nothing like before."

Rowan and Severus slowly nodded their heads a bit uncomfortable with the praise. Seeing the obvious discomfort on their faces, Dumbledore hides a smile. "That being said, Severus, please be aware that your twin sister, Rowan will be taking one more N.E.W.T. than you at the end of this year. I trust that both of you will do your best to balance your personal life with your duties."

Rowan and Severus, both darkly stare at Dumbledore again at the last part. Dumbledore hastily beats a steady retreat and changes the subject. "Now, let us discuss what is expected of your sixth and seventh years."

Seeing their puzzled glances, Dumbledore explains, "I expect both of you to maintain, Charms, Transfiguration, and DADA for your sixth year. However, depending on your final O.W.L. results, we will then decide over the course of the summer which courses to continue or accept the C.S.A.E. exam marks as the final alternate grade to represent the N.E.W.T. scores."

Rowan and Severus's faces go pale at his words causing Dumbledore to chuckle as he goes on, "Do not worry as that is not until next year. I merely wish to see your full potential optimized while the two of you are students at Hogwarts as we have masters in their respective fields that are ready and available to the two of you. I also expect that the two of you will wish to drop a course for the following year?"

Severus dully mutters, "Care of Magical Creatures," while Rowan a bit sadly adds, "Advanced Arithmancy."

Dumbledore nods his head in understanding at both of their choices. "Though excellent courses, they will not serve you much further in your respective fields of study. Now on to discuss your future courses, Professor Salah has been rather gracious and has agreed to continue to teach both of you journeyman level Ancient Studies as it will prove fruitful in your studies.

Rowan and Severus's faces become further pale at his words causing Dumbledore to chuckle again with mirth. "However, neither of you will of course be required to present a journeymen project in said class. I do not expect either of you to work on your apprenticeship project proposals but only to consider one or two at least to begin to work on in your sixth year. Once the proposals are agreed upon the both of you will begin your journeymen portion of the apprenticeship. Said completion of any said project proposal shall earn you both your masteries.

As such, I suggest neither of you attempts to be overly ambitious. You are certainly permitted to propose more than one proposal and work on several projects at a time, but no more than three. Furthermore, regarding Potions, Severus, you will begin working with Professor Slughorn, and Professor Mortimer. And will continue with Alchemy working in conjunction with myself, and Professor Boas, who will supervise your journeymen mastery project."

Dumbledore paused to pointedly glance at Rowan as well, "And regarding your side specialty of Alchemy in Sypragic, Rowan, I expect you to work with Professor Sprout in unison with Professor Boas, and myself as needed. Naturally, you will solely be working with me on Spell Crafting. Are there any further questions at this time?"

"No, Dumbledore," The twins said in unison. Severus looked much more excited at the prospect than Rowan. She frankly did not think she would even have enough time to study much less sleep. She did not have the time to worry about next year when it still had not even arrived yet. The better question would be if she would survive until the end of this year?