Ties to the Past

[Rowena Jones]

Leaving the lawyer's office, Rowena rubbed her hands together for warmth before rolling her eyes as she remembered that she was, in fact a witch. A quick, discreet warming spell later, she let out a deep satisfied breath that turned to white fog as warm hit cold frigid air. She turned towards Nottingham's main square, impatience hurrying her along the cobbled passageways. She knew this town well, and even though the morning had been unpleasant, spent sorting out details to do with the Wollaton Estate now that her father was away in America, this afternoon promised to be much more exciting. Michael had been teasing her about this surprise all week and finally she was going to get an answer.

Rowena finally emerged into the Square, glancing up at the historical council house, before scanning the crowd. People moved around in small shuffling groups, heads ducked against the bitter October wind, hurrying to get into the next shop and back into some measure of warmth. The witch looked up at the dark grey clouds that hovered ominously above, wincing as she felt the first large rain drop fall on her cheek. One very quickly turned into several and before she knew it, it was pouring down. The warming charm did little to protect her against the unpleasantness of damp jeans and she resumed her search for her friend with renewed determination.

Finally she saw him waving at her from under the archways that lined the shop fronts by the fountain and she rushed over, cursing her stupidity in not bringing an umbrella. She should have known better, going into Muggle towns without the proper preparation... but with her parents gone, she'd been spending less and less time in non-magical company. It just hadn't occurred to her.

She slowed to a stop as she reached shelter, laughing in Michael's direction as her hair dripped water down her face. She pushed it out of her eyes impatiently before she caught sight of the woman next to him and her mouth fell open.

"Oh my god! Is it really you?" she exclaimed, looking between them for confirmation.

[Rowena Jones]

She'd been begging Michael to arrange a meeting between them for days, but he'd always been infuriating and now, even at 34, was no different. Just because he was two minutes older than her... But finally, she'd broken him down and gotten him to agree to Friday, after she'd finished working on her latest project. Good thing too or she'd have just gone and surprised the other woman by herself, Michael be damned. He'd insisted this way was better though, for the plan, so she'd let him have his way.

So it was on a typical cold Friday afternoon, that Rosalie stood next to her brother, watching a familiar face run towards them through the pouring rain. They'd been watching Rowena from afar since they'd returned on Alyson's orders, but close up was a little different. Rosalie took advantage of the seconds before Rowena realised who was standing next to Michael to observe the younger witch. She could see the girl she'd known in those big expressive amber eyes but the rest of the face had matured, losing the roundness of childhood. She could understand Michael's infatuation even if she didn't approve. The girl was still just fodder for their Lady.

And then she was being recognised and the mask fell truly into place. The Warcombes, and she still was very much one despite her married name, were true born spies. The smile that lit up her face was genuine as she fell into character.

"Oh my god! Is it really you?"

Rosie nodded. "Hey Rowie. Long time no see," she joked, reaching for a hug. "Look at you, all grown up. Gosh, you must be breaking all the hearts,"

[Rowena Jones]

Michael coughed to get the attention back on himself as the girls fawned over each other. "I see you like the surprise then Rowie," he said smugly. "But we should probably find somewhere dry to catch up and get you dry." The wizard looked pointedly at Rowena's drenched state before turning on his heel and leading them toward several backroads before finally turning into a small unassuming building.

As the group entered, they were greeted by a small house elf who offered to take their coats before showing them the way to a small table near the bar where a warlock and a hag sat in deep conversation. To the left several witches and wizards were laughing loudly around a table as they played cards and a few pixies flew overhead, darting inbetween floating lanterns.

"You haven't been here before have you Rowie? Welcome to the Happy Harpy, one of Nottingham's few Wizarding establishments. I'll go get us some drinks."

[Rowena Jones]

"Hey Rowie. Long time no see," Rosalie joked, reaching for a hug. "Look at you, all grown up. Gosh, you must be breaking all the hearts,"

Rowena flushed as she pulled back from the hug. "I wouldn't say that," she said shaking her head, before grinning at her old friend. "I can't believe Michael kept you to himself all this time! I thought you were in Italy? Michael mentioned you were married?" She peered at Rosie's hand but saw no ring. 

Before she could say much more, Michael inserted himself into their reunion. "I see you like the surprise then Rowie," he said smugly. "But we should probably find somewhere dry to catch up and get you dry."

She felt a pang of annoyance at the interruption but it quickly melted away. Of course they shouldn't linger here. She must look a fright and if Michael hadn't had the good sense to intervene, they could have talked for hours as women were wont to do. Much better to follow him. They ducked out from their shelter and hurried down a few alleyways. Rowena frowned, not quite sure where Michael was taking them, but before she could question him, they paused outside a plain, slightly run down building. Here? She glanced at Rosie but was only met with an encouraging smile and so she entered and was met with a slightly smoky if not cozy looking pub. 

"You haven't been here before have you Rowie? Welcome to the Happy Harpy, one of Nottingham's few Wizarding establishments. I'll go get us some drinks."

Rowena shook her head as he departed. She supposed she shouldn't be too surprised to not have known about this place. Her time in Nottingham had always been Muggle time. Dinners with family, hospital work...etc. She looked around with renewed interest, before turning back to Rosie. 

"So not married? What have you been up to? How long have you been back in the UK?" she asked, her questions coming out in a torrent of curiosity. 

[Rowena Jones]

There was little time to catch up before Michael interrupted them and Rosie sent him an annoyed glare, rolling her eyes as he brushed her off. A few minutes older and he really thought that he always knew best. Didn't seem to matter that she regularly proved him wrong, but this was his mission, so for now, Rosemary held her tongue. The group quickly moved through the English drizzle and she sighed as she realised the direction in which they were headed. The Happy Harpy? Really? It was always filled with such riffraff, a thought proven as they sat near a Hag and a Warlock. Rosie wrinkled her nose at the smell before Rowena drew her attention once more.

"So not married? What have you been up to? How long have you been back in the UK?" Rowena asked quickly, not leaving Rosie much chance to answer at all. She giggled at her friend, seizing the second Rowena paused for breath to answer her questions.

"I was married. Now divorced. And I'm working for the family business. Acquiring new goods and partners and such. Boring stuff really. I've been living her again since the beginning of Summer? It's been busy though. Not that that excuses how long it took Michael to get us together. I swear that twin of mine just wanted to keep you all to himself. Though looking at you, I can see why..." Rosie grinned slyly in Rowena's direction. "I heard you two had dinner at Momenti the other day. That's a pretty romantic place... is there anything I should know Rowie darling?"