Out of the Blue:
Chapter Seven: Someone to Talk to:
Severus let her go early that day, with a promise that he made to all his Slytherin students, most of whom were mistreated at home. That he was always there to listen to them and give advice, or even comfort, in the most dire situations.
Rose walked away fighting the feeling of security he was giving her. He would turn out just like the others, she told herself. You'll see.
She stayed quiet for a long while afterwards, provoking many questions from the few of her peers that noticed her existence at this point. She shook them off, feeling an overwhelming need for peace and quiet. By the middle of the week, she sat huddled over her cauldron all through Potions, unable to focus with so many thoughts in her head that she was trying so hard not to think.
After their session, she felt angry with herself for not expecting him to notice; of course he would. He called her out after class and asked her to stay for a minute, and she knew her cover was blown.
He waited in silence until the last students rushed out of the classroom and began shuffling around the papers they had turned in, as though ignoring her.
After a few minutes of silence, Rose began wondering if she had misheard him. "Sir?" she asked awkwardly. The Potions professor glanced up and studied her for a moment, then shook his head.
"Come with me, please." So he doesn't want anyone to overhear? What is he going to say? Why does he care? Yes, he said he had a responsibility to his students, but I'm not even in Slytherin! Shouldn't McGonagall be the counselor for Gryffindor?
They finally reached his office and he closed the door, motioning for her to sit in here this time, rather than going through to his private quarters. He sat across from her and got straight to the point. "What happened?"
You're invading my private bubble. Intrusions are not welcome here.
"You're waiting to see if you can trust me."
Can he read minds? Rose fought the urge to fidget, but something in his expression told her she didn't need to, he already knew the answer.
Severus sighed. At least nothing had gone any more wrong than it already was. At least she was considering trusting someone again.
"I can promise you as many times as it takes that you can, and you would likely still not believe me." he stated quietly. "So you are welcome to test me in any way you must." Rose's head snapped up, shock spreading across her delicate features.
How?...
"Unless anything in particular is bothering you at the present time?"
Rose shook her head silently. Why do I have this feeling there will be a lot of meetings where my voice is the only one heard? Severus wondered.
"You may go." he said aloud, and she left just as quietly as she had come.
I guess now we wait and see. The professor sighed again and moved his stack of papers closer, mentally preparing himself for a long night of grading idiotic essays.
Maybe...he could be...just...someone to talk to...