Evermore Estates Solo

Black hair would suit him, Rowan had decided. That is what he would ask for when he arrived at his aunt’s estate. She had a muggle wife, so she knew what hair dye was. In fact, she dyed her own hair most often, if he remembered correctly from her owls. 

It had been only a little while on the knight bus but it was long enough to give him time to reflect on what just happened. On why he had left so suddenly.

“What is wrong with you, associating yourself with such a poor class?! You know our ranking. You know what image I- we- must uphold in order to have this place. What has gotten into you recently? First this- this street rat-“

“Her name is Elena. She had mom’s eyes. She saw the world like she did. Elena is an amazing person-"

“Do not compare your mother to a- a worthless nobody! Not only do you associate with her but you- you- publicly kiss this- this lower class male in full view of a number of pure bloods- but you allow him to assist you-“

“His name is Miko. He has her heart. He-“

“He is lower class! You will do well not to speak of your mother again, child!“

“He has a heart of gold! Better than the likes of you! He has treated me better than you have! Better than you treated mom! Who you were supposed to love, which you never did! She should have never settled for you-”

A hand came down across his cheek. He rubbed over the place where it still stung, even now that it was almost an hour after. Rings hurt, when they hit against bone. Especially Signet rings.

His father had been furious with him this time, though this attitude towards his own child wasn't new. He had been gone for a week or so now. It was supposed to be just medical leave. That's what he told everyone. That's what he expected. But it had come out to so much more than a simple doctor’s visit. The exchange didn’t last much longer. 

“You dare speak to me in that manor? I have already put up with your- your insubordination long enough, and- these injuries! I already live with a broken child, why must you make it so much worse by tarnishing my reputation further?”

His father soon realized his mistake in language, however Rowan was already packed by then. Aldrich ranted for a total of three minutes, before he realized his child was gone from the room. At first he assumed it was simply rebellious nature, or, what he considered rebellious nature... but he realized what he had said soon after. It took him another full minute to go over his words in his head. Time ticking away. Time for Rowan to pack. To be done living under this roof. 

“Rowan! Rowan, I apologise- I misspoke- I did not mean- You’re not br-“

His words were cut shut as he saw the grand oak doors of the manor shut with a low groan and a clang, a glimpse of white hair passing in front of the large bay windows as Rowan left quickly. All he could do was stand there in shock. Another six minutes gone. By the time he finally snapped out of it and ran to the entrance, there was no sign of his child, who was also gone, along with the time.

“Yer’ stop, Mr. Bane.”

Rowan was snapped out of his thoughts by the bus attendant speaking, as well as the squeal of the wheels. As he glanced out of the window, he was greeted with his aunt’s familiar Gothic style, that he knew well from when he was in his younger years, and he used to visit. Hopefully Jackie wasn’t home, as she would over react.

“Thank you. Is the luggage already off?”

“Yep.”

“Thank you.”

He made sure to tip generously before he got off, with assistance, of course. Afterwards... It didn’t take him long to arrive at the door of the grand building, where Sibyla was already waiting for him. He made sure he wasn’t quiet in his approach. And even if he was, the knight bus would have alerted her enough. He had given her fair warning. He didn’t see her other half at the door though, so he assumed there would be no Jackie tonight. Though she was more frivolous than her butch wife, so she could just be getting makeup on or something. 

“Rowan? What? You haven’t visited for... gods who knows how long... What happened? Where’s your father? Why are you in a wheelchair? You- it’s almost ten why are you out alone?”

“Long story. You know how he is. You dye your own hair, correct?”

“Well- yes- why does that matter? Here- let me help with that. You shouldn’t be out right now. Seriously. You said- Don’t tell me you..”

She took the trunk from his hands, holding the door open for him. A confused expression still lingered on her face, but it was slowly fading as she was processing his words. Between that and the unusual circumstances... well...

“I believe I would like to change this colour to black. I’m quite sorry for intruding like this.”

Sibyla had enough of a clue to know not to ask anymore. They had a way of simply not having to talk. They understood each other, as they had come from such similar situations, at one time. Minus the wheelchair of course, as Sibyla was still very much healthy and well. Terrible father figures, over bearing pure blood parents... And they both wanted to be nothing like them. After all, she had married a muggle.

She sighed softly before she spoke next. 

“Get yourself set up on the ground floor guest room. I’ll get the dyes out.”

Rowan made sure he got in a hug before she ran to go prep for the upcoming transformation. She at least wouldn't have to use bleach. 

“You’re lucky Jackie isn’t home! Otherwise she would smother you with food and shit and you know it! I don’t need to drop a thousand galleons on you right when you walk though the door!”

"Thank you Sibyla!"

The rest of his week was spent outside, working his aunt's garden. After all, he had to pull his weight one way or another. Though Rowan didn't find it a chore. If Jackie's terrible fashion choices, and this were the worst he had to deal with for now, it would be quite alright.