Snape's Saviour- rewrite.
Chapter One
A/N: I decided to re-write this, from the idea that I had now over 6 years ago. It has finally blossomed into a story line that I would like to share with you readers. I hope you like it, please let me know what you think of it so far and feel free to critique my writing. I don't own anything except my own OCs.
He wasn't sure when things changed. She had been his student for over six years now. However, at some point in the first term of her seventh year at Hogwarts, it happened. He saw her differently; her fiery red curls, flawless ivory skin, soft red lips and dark blue eyes. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, more so even than he remembered Lily had been.
His finger traced the rim of the tumbler holding fire whiskey in his hand, as he reclined back into his armchair by the fire in his private rooms. His brow furrowed as he thought of her, and how she would never be his. He was not an attractive man, he knew. The war had only made him less so, his face more worn and his skin scarred. The defeat of Voldemort had unfortunately garnered him unwanted celebrity in the wizarding world. The story of how he had worked as a double agent for the Order had become common knowledge, and this 'fame' had titles him as a sort after bachelor. Nevertheless, she could never desire him the way he did her, he was old enough to be her father, unattractive and had a reputation for being cold and mean as a professor. He had nothing that could be wanted by a beautiful young witch.
She was one of his best students, as well. Her skill in potions was more than deserving of the Exceeds Expectations grade he had given her in her OWLS, and he had no doubt that she would earn the same grade in her NEWTS at the end of the year. Since she had caught his interest in the previous months, he had watched her closely. She could be mistaken for being shy, however, he could tell she was confident in herself, just reserved and quiet. She had a few friends in her own house, Ravenclaw, but he had seen her studying on multiple occasions with Hermione Granger, who had returned to Hogwarts to complete her seventh year, along with Potter and Weasley. The students who were taking their NEWTS during his reluctant role as headmaster were given automatic passes so as not to be disadvantaged by having to remain an extra year.
He was infatuated with her, that he could not deny. She had become something of an obsession to him. He wondered over her whereabouts and safety throughout the day, and spent his evenings thinking of her in his place by the fire.
Finishing his drink in one last gulp, he set down the glass and sighed, getting up and heading to his bedroom to endure another sleepless night.
...
Rosalin Greene collapsed onto the plush blue armchair in the Ravenclaw common room, exhausted. She had spent her entire Saturday helping Hermione tutor first years for extra credit and found that teaching was easily the most difficult thing she had ever attempted. Any dreams she may previously have had about becoming a professor were quickly banished after the tenth time explaining the ingredients required for a basic sleeping draught to a first year named Robert. She had considered becoming a professor as a potential career choice, after completing her mastery in potions, but her main dream was to open a small apothecary in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.
Her first step after completing her NEWTS was to gain an apprenticeship with a potions master. She wanted to ask Professor Snape but was sure he would sneer and turn her away immediately. He was the best potions master there was, as far as she was concerned. He was the one who had ignited her passion for potions in her first year as a Hogwarts student. Yes, he was strict and some might say cruel, but he demanded perfection from his students and she had strived from that very first class to meet those expectations. She was pleased with her previous grades, not only in potions but in all of her classes. She had a talent for absorbing information like a sponge and was skilled at discussing and critiquing theories. She was in Ravenclaw for a reason, after all. As well as potions, she loved transfiguration and herbology. The nature of change and the ability to nurture plant life both held an appeal for her. The only class she had previously received below Exceeds Expectations in, was divination. She agreed with Hermione that divination was often likely to be based on chance and luck, rather than psychic power.
With a sigh, she realized it was past curfew and although tomorrow was a Sunday, she should get some sleep as she had a paper to write for charms class, that is due in on Monday. She was a Ravenclaw, but her ability to procrastinate was unmatched by anyone else in her house.
In her rooms, she said goodnight to the two other girls that were still awake, Hannah Binns and Michelle Castar, and fell onto her bed, asleep before her head hit the pillow.
...
Monday at breakfast was the next time he saw her. She had been absent from meals in the Great Hall since Saturday lunchtime. He had found it near impossible not to worry about her and wonder where she was.
She skipped into the Great Hall with three other girls from her house, listening to their animated conversation, but rarely adding her own input. His lip twitched at this, gossip and mindless chatter were beneath her anyway. He tried not to stare, so he sneered while his eyes swept the hall. When he looked back to her once more, their eyes locked in an intense gaze and momentarily, he forgot to breathe.
She watched him from her table, as he glared across the hall, his gaze moving across the hall as if to catch a student doing something they shouldn't be. Before she looked away, his eyes locked onto her own and she was shocked at the intensity in their depths. She found him striking, his dark hair fell straight to his shoulders and his black eyes pierced her own. He was tall and his pose demanded attention and obedience. She had had a crush on him as long as she could remember, but she had never felt the strong sense of anticipation that built in her stomach as he looked at her now. It scared her. Before more than a few seconds had passed, he broke the spell and looked away from her. It had felt like minutes, and her reaction shocked her. He was her teacher! He was old enough to be her father, and he would never be interested in a fickle girl like her. Her face was flushed and as she stared at her plate following the encounter, she was nudged by Hannah.
"Are you okay? You don't look well, Rosa." Hannah asked her, brow furrowed in concern.
Rosa smiled, "Of course, I'm fine. I just didn't sleep very well, that's all." She lied smoothly. Hannah seemed convinced and placated by her response, shrugging her shoulders and turning away. From the corner of her eye, Rosa noticed Professor Snape leaving the Great Hall, but didn't dare to look at him again.
...
Rosa didn't dare to look up at the Professor's table during lunch or dinner that day. Instead, she focused intently on the conversations around her and ate quietly. She dreaded bumping into him in the halls between classes and tried to stay in the common room as much as possible during her free time. She felt ashamed by her feelings. Before, she had always thought she had a harmless crush on the Professor, but after returning to Hogwarts following the war, something changed. She saw him for more than his intelligence and grace. She saw something deeper, but she had no idea what it was.
By Tuesday morning, she had pulled herself together. She was being irrational, and she was a Ravenclaw. She was nothing if not logical. Logically, nothing would happen between herself and Snape. She was his student, and he was her teacher. Problem solved, she thought. This gathering of her wits had come just in time, as after lunch she had double potions. She dismissed any anxiety she felt at this thought and made her way to Transfiguration.
She sat in her usual seat, next to Hermione with Harry on her other side. Ron hadn't made it into NEWT level transfiguration. Her house shared this class with the Gryffindors, and it was how she had met Hermione at the start of the year.
"Hello, Rosa. How are you doing? Sorry for dragging you with me last weekend, I was expecting tutoring to be a lot easier than it turned out to be" Hermione said bashfully. Rosa grinned at her, pushing a stray curl back away from her face and replied, "Hi Guys! Oh, don't worry, I didn't expect it to be that bad either if I'm honest." Hermione laughed at that, as Harry gave her a smile and a quick "Hello".
The rest of the class went by quickly, with the three of them easily transfiguring their appearances. Harry had found it hilarious when she had turned Hermione's bushy hair an alarmingly neon shade of pink. She walked down to lunch with the two of them, waving goodbye when it came time to head to her own table in the Great Hall. As she ate, she mused over her friendship with the golden trio, specifically Hermione. She had found that they both enjoyed quiet study and she frequently found herself discussing topics related to magical theory and potion creation with the brunette at their usual spot in the library.
After finishing her paper on Sunday, she had met with Hermione in the library to study. They had talked about how she wanted to pursue a potions apprenticeship, and Hermione had been of the unexpected opinion that she should just ask Professor Snape to make her his apprentice at the end of the year, "He is not so scary as he might seem, you know. And you are one of his best students, if not the best, he will probably want to take credit for your mastery when you get it." She had said.
That conversation has been playing on Rosa's mind since then. After her embarrassing discovery of her change in feelings towards the professor the morning before, she had ruled out asking him altogether. However, maybe Hermione was right. If she had a chance to learn from him to achieve her mastery then surely, she should take it. What is the worst that could happen after all? He would say no and she would thank him for his time and leave. That wasn't such a bad outcome after all.
Her mind set, she decided to stay behind after potions class that afternoon and ask him. If he said no then was wouldn't lose anything, and if he said yes then she would be on her way to achieving her academic dream.