Barnaby Lee x Reader - Year 6

Remembering Rowan

The next morning, Barnaby woke up to find Lana still clinging to his figure. He smiled sadly to himself as he thought about what had happened in the past 24 hours. He missed Rowan. She tutored him when he needed it and helped him understand big words. Even though they had a rocky start to their friendship, they became quite close, and he would remember everything she'd done for everyone.

Lana had agreed to meet Charlie in the corridor so that he could tell her about why he though Rowan was in the forest that night. Her heart ached for her dear friend, but she had to find answers no matter how low she was feeling.

"So you told Rowan everything you knew about Rakepick and 'R'..." Lana said after Charlie had told her.

"I know you wanted to keep 'R' a secret from anyone who wasn't in the buried vault."

"Only for their protection."

"I know. And as I explained to Rowan that I was only talking about 'R' so she could understand what you're facing." Charlie said guiltily.

"And did it help her to understand why I'd been so preoccupied?" Lana asked.

"Yes, but it also made Rowan want to protect you the way you're always protecting us. So she'd been secretly following you from a distance."

"Ever since she left the DADA classroom with you and Barnaby?"

"When Barnaby had gone, she told me that was her plan. It would explain why she was in the forest last night."

"I was so focused on what we were doing, I had no idea Rowan was following me, watching over me." Lana said sadly.

"If I hadn't told her about 'R', then what happened wouldn't have happened..." Charlie sighed.

"You can't blame yourself, Charlie." Lana told him kindly.

"But who else is there to blame but me?" he groaned, burying his face in his hands, elbows on his knees.

"Rowan's death wasn't my fault or yours, Charlie. Rakepick is responsible." Lana said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Rakepick killed Rowan like it was nothing. We couldn't have done anything to stop her."

"Rakepick was always so powerful. Poor Rowan..." Charlie mumbled, sitting up again, "I hope it wasn't a mistake, telling you all of this."

"You've only told the truth. Now at least I know why Rowan was there last night." Lana said, "She was being the best friend she'd been to me from the start, looking out for me last time..." she sniffled.

"I don't mean to interrupt." Tonks said as she approached them, "I mean, I know I'm interrupting...you may have even heard already."

"It's ok. What is it, Tonks?" Lana asked her.

"Everyone's to report to their common rooms for an important announcement."

"About Rowan?"

"I'm not sure. I'm not sure about anything anymore. Especially with you, Lana..." Tonks said quietly, "Do we talk about it? Do you even wanna talk about it?"

"Rowan is your friend, too, Tonks. I mean, was your friend...our friend..."

"Yes...but not in the same way she was your friend."

"It's true. Everyone knows, it's always been you and Rowan, from our first days at school..." Charlie added.

"From my very first day at Hogwarts." Lana said sadly.

"I suppose we should go to our common rooms, hear this announcement thing..." Tonks said, breaking the silence that fell upon them.

Lana and Charlie headed to the Gryffindor common room and found their whole house gathered in the main room. People were crying still, gathered in small friend groups and talking amongst themselves.