Finally after many years here I am attempting to finish this story which is so special to me.
That night Rose barely slept a wink. A mixture of elation, anxiety, passion and fear wracked her brain as she tossed and turned, tangled up in the bed sheets. Each time she remembered what had transpired between her and her dark haired protector, she flushed as her heart fluttered and beat wildly in her chest.
Somehow she finally managed to dose off and before she knew it morning had come as she woke up to the sound of a steady rapping at her door, and Snape calling out for her to hurry up. As Rose sat groggily in bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she noticed that the sky outside was still dark. With a sigh, and much dragging of her feet, she grabbed a change of clothes and headed toward the bathroom. As she showered, she went through the stuff she had packed in her mind in order to ascertain herself that she had forgotten nothing.
She usually took her time, but today she rushed her morning routine, as she would otherwise surely be late to Snape's dismay. As she dried off and dressed, she recalled last night's kiss and a silly smile was plastered over her face as she emerged from the room. On turning toward her own bedroom, she caught sight of Snape leaving his own. As their eyes met she smiled at him fondly and called out 'good morning'.
Snape nodded his head toward her, the look of indifference in place, and asked her whether all was ready for their departure.
"Yes Severus, all's ready. I just have a few toiletries to pack, other than that, all is packed" answered Rose dismayed at his coolness. When she was close enough she reached for his hand but he stepped away from her, toward the staircase.
"When you are ready, meet me downstairs. I have prepared a portkey for us."
With that he turned and hurried down the staircase. She felt frustrated at how quickly his mood changed, suddenly he's affectionate, next minute he's stony. As she let out a sigh she turned toward her door in order to pack her shampoo, night things and tooth brush. Securing her trunk, she levitated it and navigated it carefully in front of her as she gave one last look back at what had been her room the past few days before she descended the stairs and met Snape at the cabin door. With a flick of his wand her trunk disappeared.
"Put on your invisibility cloak and take this. Once at the gates follow me closely and do not make a sound, not a whisper."
As he spoke he pointed toward a glass orb which she assumed to be the portkey. She nodded in agreement as she draped the cape on her shoulders, fastening it in place and lifted it to cover her head until she was completely invisible to her professor's gaze. She then proceeded to pick up the orb. Before she knew it she was standing, feeling slight dizzy and nauseous, in front of the gates at Hogwarts. As she looked up she did not feel the customary feeling of warmth or joy at being back. She felt something sinister and dark was lurking around every corner, a lack of security which the formidable building had offered when Albus Dumbledore still roamed its halls. Her heart ached when she remembered that she would not be joining her friends in lessons, eating jovial feasts in the great hall nor playing Quidditch with her team. She was to be a fugitive, hiding in the school.
As she stood there absorbed in her thoughts, Snape appeared by her side. Quietly he whispered: 'Follow me'.
With that he started his ascent towards to school's main door as Rose followed closely behind, careful not to make a sound. She looked around and noticed that there was an eerie silence, not even birdsong could be heard, nor the occasional splash of the giant squid from the lake. It seemed as though all life had been sucked out of Hogwarts similar to how a dementor sucks one's soul with its lethal kiss.