I don't own Harry Potter just my Oc.

Chapter 14

"He seemed different."Luna spoke up looking through the dresses in a rack of a clothing store.

"Different?" Rose ask "Wasn't he always like that? He did teach you and Hermione."

"He wasn't that nice." Luna said "Even though it was hard, with the war."

"So he was different?" Rose asked

"A year ago, he help stop the man from killing off muggleborns. He didn't have much time to have friends or to socialize much so he just isolated himself into the teacher that we knew. But now he's different." Hermione said

'He never said anything to me about it.'Rose thought looking in the dresses. 'Maybe it's still painful for him...'

"Rose look! I think this dress is perfect for you!" Hermione exclaimed holding the hanger.

"Oh! That's beautiful!" Rose said her eyes widen looking at the dress.

It was a black dress with a sweetheart neckline. It shows a cut-out beaded on the neckline and a silver beaded waistline continuing round to the back, it's also a floor length with a pleated design to give it more texture look. The dress looked elegant and classic, just the kind of dress Rose was looking for. She immediately tried it on and it was a perfect fit, the girl's left the store with smiles. They stopped by Rose's place to pick out a few things to complete the look.

"We'll even help you with your hair and makeup." Luna said

Hours passed and Rose was ready for the party, she stood nervously she checked her small purse to see she had everything, she had her wand, some mints (Hermione told her to keep some a just in case scenario.) a few coins in case they stop by someplace after the party and the keys to her place. She heard a knock on her door.

Once she opened the door Severus's breath was nearly stolen away by how beautiful she was. Her hair, her gorgeous red hair, she left it long with a few curls and her face, he saw that makeup only enhanced her natural beauty. Her green eyes just popped with the help of eyeliner, he stared at her rosy lips that had a touch of gloss. A stunningly bright smile spread across her face as she looked happily at him. She was genuinely happy to see him, he felt butterflies in his stomach.

Rose looked at Severus and thought that he looked attractive tonight wearing black dress robes. His hair also had the clean shine left over after a wash. His exterior was calm, but Rose could see a slight hint of unease in his face. She figured he was just anxious about the party.

"You look nice tonight." Rose said

"You my dear...you look stunning." He said

Rose felt butterflies in her stomach and felt her cheeks warm, she gave him a smile and looked away as if she felt embarrassed by his complement.

On the way they made small talk about anything, It took a while for the two of them to notice that they arrived to the destination. The party already started and Rose saw people chatting and dancing. Everywhere you turned, you were faced with a smile, some nervous, some giddy. But there was an air of joy in that night.

Rose recognized a few familiar faces, Ginny,Hermione,Luna with their dates, Harry,Ron and Neville. She went to greet them while Severus went to get refreshments for them.

"Rose, you look great!" Hermione complemented

"Thanks, you too."Rose said

"She is right you look nice Rose." A voice said Rose turn and smiled at the person. "Remus! It's so good to see you! I haven't seen you in weeks! How's little teddy?"

"He's fine, his grandmother is taking good care of him."Remus said "Would you like to dance? It's a slow song." Rose nodded.

Severus watched a few people dancing. His attention were drawn back to one couple. He watched as Rose, guided by Remus.

But that's when Severus felt a deep sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"This is nice."Rose said

"It is isn't it?" Remus said casually.

"May I cut in?" Severus said

Rose and Remus stopped dancing. Looking at the dark haired wizard, Rose could've sworn she saw something in Severus. "Yes, go ahead."Remus said with that Severus took Rose and continued the dance. Being this close to him, Rose smelled a faint familiar scent of earthiness and spices.

"It's nice."Rose said Severus looked in her eyes as she smiled at him. "Your cologne it smells nice, I like it."

'Of course you do, you picked it out.' He thought staring at the young woman. He knew he had to be presentable to her, although he feared that she would figure out it was him by the cologne but every man wears cologne so he had nothing to hide just by wearing it.

"Is it Cinnamon?" Rose whispered getting a bit close to Severus. He felt his heart beat fast at how close Rose was to him. So close that he smelled her perfume, the sweet strawberry fragrance from her.

The music ended and played another song. As they walked back toward their table. But just before she sat down, she looked up and met Snape's eyes. she threw him a warm and beautiful smile. The corners of his mouth twitched up into a small, subtle smile, though not obvious enough for others to notice only to her. Rose beamed as she sat down, Severus was glad to see Rose so happy. After that they walked back after a fun night.

It wasn't until they reached in front of her door that Severus found the courage to say something.

"Rose," he said "I..."

"Oh...Severus you want to come inside? It's a bit chilly out." Rose said

"Of course." He said wanting to stay with her awhile longer.

Once they went inside, Rose made a pot of tea to warm them up. When she handed Severus his cup he finally noticed the bracelet that he'd given her.

"Rose, where did you get this?" Severus said with a feign expression.

"Oh it was a gift." Rose said her cheeks flushing a light pink. Severus saw this and smirked at her.

"That is from that secret admirer of yours. Am I right?" He asked

Rose shook her head to herself. "He sent his owl to my apartment, My friends told me that it's the type of thing men would do to someone they fancy." She said "Truth is I was going to send it back."

Severus swallowed. He was afraid that she would say that. "But what stopped you?"

"Maybe because he put a lot of thought to it and I've never gotten things like that before...so he made me really happy." Rose said blushing and smiling.

Severus looked down that was when He realized that this admirer meant more to Rose.

"Did he ever revealed himself to you?" He asked

Rose sighed slightly. "No, he didn't."

"You sound disappointed," Severus commented.

"I'm curious on who he is." Rose said "I'm hoping I'll get another letter from him soon."

'Oh, you'll get one soon,' Severus thought to himself. He thought with delight that he might have to spend what was left of his night writing that letter.

Rose picked up their tea cups and left it on the sink. She walked Severus out the door.

"Good night, Severus." Rose said

"Good night, Rose." He said

Rose closed the door, and Severus waited a few minutes. He let out a sigh. Inside Rose almost forgot to give Severus his Christmas present when she placed her hand on the knob she heard something, his voice.

"My Rose..." He said but saw the door flung open facing Severus.

Her eyes widen at Severus words. "Did...did I just hear you say 'My Rose' ?" Rose repeated

"Rose, I can explain…" Severus tried to say, but Rose jumped right on his attempts to defend himself.

"No one calls me that only..…" she stopped

Rose snap her head up to Snape. "You're..…"

"Rose –,"

"All this time you've been sending me the letters, the gifts. It's no wonder that cologne smelled so familiar!" Rose said nervously.

"Rose, just let me explain," Severus pleaded, speaking through the knot forming in his throat. Rose relaxed a little.

"I just don't understand," she said. "Why would you do something like that? Why Severus?"

"Because I thought you deserved it," he said. That was all he could say he couldn't hide anymore now that it was out in the open.

Rose couldn't speak she felt her heart beating fast and just looked at Severus.

"I'm sorry for doing this to you," he said . "I just could not fight the feelings I held for you. But I was frightened at the same time. I'm sorry if I hurt you Rose. "

He saw no reaction towards her, she just stared at his dark eyes.

"I understand if you want nothing more to do with me. " he said " All I can say is that Every word of those letter are still true..."

Severus waited for Rose's response. Rose continued to stare at him for what seemed like hours, frozen where she stood, hands relaxed at her side, keeping an even breath. But Rose carefully crept closer to him, not taking her eyes off of him. Finally, she stood in front of him, looking up into those deep, dark eyes.

Rose grabbed his shoulder, pulled herself up, and pressed her lips against his.

Severus's hands came up from his side, but he was unable to do much else with them. He couldn't even think of doing anything but to close his eyes. It's not real...it's not real, I must be dreaming he thought But he felt Rose's lips on him that it was real, and that he really was feeling her warm touch."

The kiss lasted a few long seconds before Rose pulled away and let go of Severus. She stopped to take a few panting breaths. But then, the face that held nothing but shock and fear.

"I...I'm sorry!" Rose panicked "I shouldn't have done that!"

"Rose-"

"No, I mean it! That kiss was never supposed to happen. You were never supposed to think of me like that, i just cause trouble and get in the way! You were never supposed to care for me like I cared for you, we were just supposed to be friends! I...I'm sorry!" Rose said shaking.

Suddenly, Severus reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Rose!"

"What?!"

Severus took the sides of Rose's face in his hands and brought her closer to capture her mouth in a deeper kiss. Rose's hands touched his wrists, and Severus felt her lips beginning to part. She let him lead and Rose's hand came up further to cup the back of Severus's head. Her fingers ran through his black hair. And Severus wrapped an arm around her body to hold her close.

Both panted for breath after they finally parted. And they both were shaky with their rush of intimate adrenaline. It was Severus who first found the courage to speak, his throat dry with passion. "Did that really just happen? Did we just do that?"

Rose answered his question with another kiss. So it was the most memorable Christmas night that they have.

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