Disclaimer: I have like a dollar in my bank account. If I owned Harry Potter like JK Rowling, then I would have a lot more than a dollar in there.
A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated! Never fear though, the semester is almost over so I'll have more time to devote to writing. I would really appreciate any feedback you guys can give me...ahem. ::innocent smile::
The entire room went silent. When Rosemarie and Severus had their fight in the Potions Dungeon, word had spread quickly that a fight between Professors Bacall and Snape was worth seeing. No one, regardless of how distinguished they were, wanted to miss what was about to come.
Rosemarie felt the sting. Oh yes, it was clear Severus still had the power to hurt her, but she was determined not to let the pain show. Rosemarie arched an eyebrow, and gave him a cool look. "Really, Severus. I would have expected something much more original from you. You really have gotten soft in your old age."
Snape's expression became even angrier. "It didn't take long for you to shove your tongue down someone else's throat. I should have given you to Malfoy when I had the chance."
"Given me to Malfoy? Given me to Malfoy? I was unaware I was just some object that could be traded and bartered with. Tell me Severus, what would you have gotten for me? Another whore I hope, since clearly that's all I ever was to you."
"When will you ever learn, woman?" He shouted at her. "What is your obsession with accusing me of never loving you? How many times do I have to tell you? Do I need to tell you again, considering you're so incredibly dense? Fine." He grabbed her by the shoulders. "I have been in love with you since the first time you called me an arrogant prat. Do you have any idea what the last twelve years have been like for me? Loving you, and knowing you didn't want me? The only thing that's worse is having you here, and knowing I can't have you."
"Yes, I know what that's like." Rosemarie was unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice. "It wasn't exactly the happiest time of my life either." The entire room was watching with bated breath, and she suddenly became aware that the two of them had quickly become the center of attention. "Would it be possible for us to continue this conversation later when we don't have such a rapt audience?" She muttered under her breath.
"Typical Bacall avoidance tactics. Are you afraid people will discover something unsavory about you?"
"Oh this is getting bloody ridiculous. I refuse to discuss this with everyone staring at us. When you decide to grow up, Severus, you can come find me." Rosemarie shut her eyes in exasperation, and stumbled out of the room.
Rosemarie heard later that after she had left the room, Severus had stared blankly at the door for a minute, before turning and smashing his fist into Lupin's face.
All Rosemarie wanted to do was curl up in the fetal position on her bed, and just sleep. She wanted to sleep forever, and never wake up to deal with the burdens hanging over her head-particularly the one dealing with Severus saying he still loved her. Rosemarie didn't even want to think about it. Who really cared that it was Christmas Eve-Rosemarie just wanted to be alone.
Her evening of solitude and quiet was not to be. Just half an hour after she crawled miserably into bed, there was a sharp knock on Rosemarie's door. Professor McGonagall was standing on the other side, and agitated expression on her face. "Albus needs to see you, my dear. It's urgent."
Rosemarie felt her heart turn over in her chest. "Is it the children? Is something wrong?"
"No, no, nothing like that," McGonagall hesitated. "I think it has something to do with The Cause."
This time, Rosemarie's heart jumped with excitement, not fear. "I'll be right there."
Half an hour later, she was sitting in Dumbledore's office, an expression of disbelief on her face. "Professor, I know I said I wanted to help, but I honestly cannot do this."
The Headmaster's expression was benevolent. "I have faith in you Rosemarie. I am sure you and Severus will be able to execute the plan perfectly."
That was the problem right there: Severus. "Perhaps Remus or Sirius would like to go instead." Her voice was pleading now.
"I need people with skill who will be able to move undetected through areas controlled by Voldemort's supporters. If I sent Sirius and Remus, they would draw too much attention. Severus is still recognized by the Death Eaters as one of them, and you have been out of the game long enough not to be immediately noticed. Both of you have the skills and precision necessary for this job."
Rosemarie was at a loss. There was no way she could refuse Dumbledore-she owed him too much for all he had done for her and the children. She sighed resignedly. "What time do we leave?"
"As early as possible tomorrow morning. Severus made it clear the earlier in the day the two of you reach the Highlands the better."
"The Highlands?" Rosemarie's voice was pitched much higher than normal.
"Yes, I'm sending the two of you to Scotland."
It was still dark out, when Rosemarie made her way downstairs to meet Severus. He was pacing back and forth at the foot of the main staircase. "It bloody well took you long enough." He snapped, before heading for the castle doors.
"Well excuse me for only having three hours to gather my supplies, and prepare myself for the journey."
Snape rolled his eyes. "The trip should take us about an hour. I trust that pitiful excuse for a broom will make it all the way?"
Rosemarie glared at him. "It may be a little beaten up, but it's still a Nimbus 2000. It's Helen's." She replied defensively.
"Just make sure you can keep up," was all he said before impatiently mounting his broom and taking off gracefully from the ground.
Rosemarie was nearly frozen by the time she and Severus landed. In her hurry to leave, she had forgotten to place a warming charm on her cloak and mittens. She and Severus were standing in front of a dilapidated cabin right where a forest and meadow met. The scenery was beautiful, but Rosemarie was less than enthusiastic about the cabin. Bad enough she had to spend a week in Scotland with Severus, but now she had to live in a rat-infested cabin as well. She turned to admire the meadow, and felt her breath catch in her chest at its simple beauty. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, its rays glinting on the ice and snow. Gods, it was beautiful here. It would have been the perfect spot for...
No, she wouldn't think about that now. There was work that needed to get done. "Rosemarie, are you going to come in, or are you just going to stand there like a imbecile all day?"
Rosemarie let out an irritated sigh. She may as well get it over with. "I can deal with the fact that I have to spend a week in the middle of nowhere with you, but this cabin is just adding insult to injury."
His mouth twitched into the beginnings of a grin. "Why Rosemarie, what kind of wizard do you take me for?"
The inside of the cabin looked like a scene out of a Muggle home-decorating catalogue. The main room boasted overstuffed couches and chairs, and the largest fireplace Rosemarie had ever seen. There was a small round table in the corner, which was flanked by two chairs. Three open doors were spaced evenly along the left side of the cabin. Rosemarie peeked into the first room, which was clearly the master bedroom. The bedroom had a queen-size bed, as well as its own bathroom. "The other two rooms are the kitchen and another bedroom." Severus said from behind her.
Rosemarie jumped. "I didn't hear you come in. This cabin is beautiful. Is it Dumbledore's or is it the home of someone involved in The Cause."
He looked at her, and unreadable expression in his eyes. "It's mine. Been in my family for years. Come on, we had better look over the lists and see what we need to gather."
"It's yours? Been in your family for years?" Rosemarie's voice rose an octave. "Why didn't you ever tell me about it?"
"Because not everything was your business, Rosemarie," He turned to face her. "You kept things from me. That happens sometimes in a relationship. Especially a relationship that was as dysfunctional as ours. Now, are you willing to get to work, or do you want to sit here for another hour pouting and fuming?"
Rosemarie couldn't think of a single smart retort. She was suddenly overcome by images of her and Severus lying in that massive queen-size bed together. Oh, Gods, this was the last thing she needed now. Without saying a word, she pushed past him into the main room.
It was the fresh air; that was only reasonable explanation. The entire time Rosemarie was getting ready for bed she kept looking towards the closed bedroom door, waiting for Severus to come in and ravish her. Blessed Lady, she wanted him to come in and ravish her. Sighing in defeat, Rosemarie pulled on her flannel nightgown and crawled in between the chilly sheets. She had Severus had spent nearly the entire day poring over endless lists of supplies, dividing them into categories, then subdividing them again by the region in which they were located. To keep from going stark staring mad, Rosemarie had tried to start up various conversations-most of which ended up dwindling into uncomfortable silence. "I wasn't aware Voldemort had holdings and followers as far north as Scotland," she had said at one point.
He looked up from his list, and gave her a wry smile. "Voldemort has followers everywhere, especially in Scotland. Many of the rare plants that are needed for potions can be found here, particularly those associated with the dark arts. But then you should know that, considering you do teach the defenses," there was a trace of bitterness in his voice, and Rosemarie decided to leave well enough alone. She suspected that Severus' past connection to Voldemort had something to do with Dumbledore's reluctance to give him the position. Perhaps it was more to protect Severus than to prevent him from returning to the Dark Lord's fold.
And now here she was, cold and lonely, in a queen-size bed in Scotland. Rosemarie and Helen had spent countless summers here with their maternal Grandmother. The two of them had been allowed to run free for the most part during the day, and then at night, Granny would give them astronomy lessons. One night, when the planets had been in certain crucial locations, Granny had told her and Helen their futures. One at a time, she had taken them up to the roof and revealed the secrets of the night sky. "Now Dolly, you see where Venus is? That means a great love for you. Leo-the lion- dominates the sky tonight. There will be pain and great battles for you to fight as well," Granny had paused then, a strange look on her face. "That's odd. Gemini is plain view. It should have long since passed. The twins-twins with opposite personalities-represent Gemini. Can you see them over to the left, Dolly? Yes, there will be a great deal of love in your life, but you must be patient my dear. Come now, its Helen's turn to hear her future."
What Granny had predicted for Helen, Rosemarie never found out. "I don't believe in all that divination nonsense anyway," Helen had muttered when she came to bed. "Wolfman indeed!"
Rosemarie sighed, and rolled over onto her stomach. She and Severus had a full day tomorrow. They were leaving early to gather Fir Berries, and if the task was anything like the way Rosemarie remembered, it was going to be a miserable morning.
A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated! Never fear though, the semester is almost over so I'll have more time to devote to writing. I would really appreciate any feedback you guys can give me...ahem. ::innocent smile::
The entire room went silent. When Rosemarie and Severus had their fight in the Potions Dungeon, word had spread quickly that a fight between Professors Bacall and Snape was worth seeing. No one, regardless of how distinguished they were, wanted to miss what was about to come.
Rosemarie felt the sting. Oh yes, it was clear Severus still had the power to hurt her, but she was determined not to let the pain show. Rosemarie arched an eyebrow, and gave him a cool look. "Really, Severus. I would have expected something much more original from you. You really have gotten soft in your old age."
Snape's expression became even angrier. "It didn't take long for you to shove your tongue down someone else's throat. I should have given you to Malfoy when I had the chance."
"Given me to Malfoy? Given me to Malfoy? I was unaware I was just some object that could be traded and bartered with. Tell me Severus, what would you have gotten for me? Another whore I hope, since clearly that's all I ever was to you."
"When will you ever learn, woman?" He shouted at her. "What is your obsession with accusing me of never loving you? How many times do I have to tell you? Do I need to tell you again, considering you're so incredibly dense? Fine." He grabbed her by the shoulders. "I have been in love with you since the first time you called me an arrogant prat. Do you have any idea what the last twelve years have been like for me? Loving you, and knowing you didn't want me? The only thing that's worse is having you here, and knowing I can't have you."
"Yes, I know what that's like." Rosemarie was unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice. "It wasn't exactly the happiest time of my life either." The entire room was watching with bated breath, and she suddenly became aware that the two of them had quickly become the center of attention. "Would it be possible for us to continue this conversation later when we don't have such a rapt audience?" She muttered under her breath.
"Typical Bacall avoidance tactics. Are you afraid people will discover something unsavory about you?"
"Oh this is getting bloody ridiculous. I refuse to discuss this with everyone staring at us. When you decide to grow up, Severus, you can come find me." Rosemarie shut her eyes in exasperation, and stumbled out of the room.
Rosemarie heard later that after she had left the room, Severus had stared blankly at the door for a minute, before turning and smashing his fist into Lupin's face.
All Rosemarie wanted to do was curl up in the fetal position on her bed, and just sleep. She wanted to sleep forever, and never wake up to deal with the burdens hanging over her head-particularly the one dealing with Severus saying he still loved her. Rosemarie didn't even want to think about it. Who really cared that it was Christmas Eve-Rosemarie just wanted to be alone.
Her evening of solitude and quiet was not to be. Just half an hour after she crawled miserably into bed, there was a sharp knock on Rosemarie's door. Professor McGonagall was standing on the other side, and agitated expression on her face. "Albus needs to see you, my dear. It's urgent."
Rosemarie felt her heart turn over in her chest. "Is it the children? Is something wrong?"
"No, no, nothing like that," McGonagall hesitated. "I think it has something to do with The Cause."
This time, Rosemarie's heart jumped with excitement, not fear. "I'll be right there."
Half an hour later, she was sitting in Dumbledore's office, an expression of disbelief on her face. "Professor, I know I said I wanted to help, but I honestly cannot do this."
The Headmaster's expression was benevolent. "I have faith in you Rosemarie. I am sure you and Severus will be able to execute the plan perfectly."
That was the problem right there: Severus. "Perhaps Remus or Sirius would like to go instead." Her voice was pleading now.
"I need people with skill who will be able to move undetected through areas controlled by Voldemort's supporters. If I sent Sirius and Remus, they would draw too much attention. Severus is still recognized by the Death Eaters as one of them, and you have been out of the game long enough not to be immediately noticed. Both of you have the skills and precision necessary for this job."
Rosemarie was at a loss. There was no way she could refuse Dumbledore-she owed him too much for all he had done for her and the children. She sighed resignedly. "What time do we leave?"
"As early as possible tomorrow morning. Severus made it clear the earlier in the day the two of you reach the Highlands the better."
"The Highlands?" Rosemarie's voice was pitched much higher than normal.
"Yes, I'm sending the two of you to Scotland."
It was still dark out, when Rosemarie made her way downstairs to meet Severus. He was pacing back and forth at the foot of the main staircase. "It bloody well took you long enough." He snapped, before heading for the castle doors.
"Well excuse me for only having three hours to gather my supplies, and prepare myself for the journey."
Snape rolled his eyes. "The trip should take us about an hour. I trust that pitiful excuse for a broom will make it all the way?"
Rosemarie glared at him. "It may be a little beaten up, but it's still a Nimbus 2000. It's Helen's." She replied defensively.
"Just make sure you can keep up," was all he said before impatiently mounting his broom and taking off gracefully from the ground.
Rosemarie was nearly frozen by the time she and Severus landed. In her hurry to leave, she had forgotten to place a warming charm on her cloak and mittens. She and Severus were standing in front of a dilapidated cabin right where a forest and meadow met. The scenery was beautiful, but Rosemarie was less than enthusiastic about the cabin. Bad enough she had to spend a week in Scotland with Severus, but now she had to live in a rat-infested cabin as well. She turned to admire the meadow, and felt her breath catch in her chest at its simple beauty. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, its rays glinting on the ice and snow. Gods, it was beautiful here. It would have been the perfect spot for...
No, she wouldn't think about that now. There was work that needed to get done. "Rosemarie, are you going to come in, or are you just going to stand there like a imbecile all day?"
Rosemarie let out an irritated sigh. She may as well get it over with. "I can deal with the fact that I have to spend a week in the middle of nowhere with you, but this cabin is just adding insult to injury."
His mouth twitched into the beginnings of a grin. "Why Rosemarie, what kind of wizard do you take me for?"
The inside of the cabin looked like a scene out of a Muggle home-decorating catalogue. The main room boasted overstuffed couches and chairs, and the largest fireplace Rosemarie had ever seen. There was a small round table in the corner, which was flanked by two chairs. Three open doors were spaced evenly along the left side of the cabin. Rosemarie peeked into the first room, which was clearly the master bedroom. The bedroom had a queen-size bed, as well as its own bathroom. "The other two rooms are the kitchen and another bedroom." Severus said from behind her.
Rosemarie jumped. "I didn't hear you come in. This cabin is beautiful. Is it Dumbledore's or is it the home of someone involved in The Cause."
He looked at her, and unreadable expression in his eyes. "It's mine. Been in my family for years. Come on, we had better look over the lists and see what we need to gather."
"It's yours? Been in your family for years?" Rosemarie's voice rose an octave. "Why didn't you ever tell me about it?"
"Because not everything was your business, Rosemarie," He turned to face her. "You kept things from me. That happens sometimes in a relationship. Especially a relationship that was as dysfunctional as ours. Now, are you willing to get to work, or do you want to sit here for another hour pouting and fuming?"
Rosemarie couldn't think of a single smart retort. She was suddenly overcome by images of her and Severus lying in that massive queen-size bed together. Oh, Gods, this was the last thing she needed now. Without saying a word, she pushed past him into the main room.
It was the fresh air; that was only reasonable explanation. The entire time Rosemarie was getting ready for bed she kept looking towards the closed bedroom door, waiting for Severus to come in and ravish her. Blessed Lady, she wanted him to come in and ravish her. Sighing in defeat, Rosemarie pulled on her flannel nightgown and crawled in between the chilly sheets. She had Severus had spent nearly the entire day poring over endless lists of supplies, dividing them into categories, then subdividing them again by the region in which they were located. To keep from going stark staring mad, Rosemarie had tried to start up various conversations-most of which ended up dwindling into uncomfortable silence. "I wasn't aware Voldemort had holdings and followers as far north as Scotland," she had said at one point.
He looked up from his list, and gave her a wry smile. "Voldemort has followers everywhere, especially in Scotland. Many of the rare plants that are needed for potions can be found here, particularly those associated with the dark arts. But then you should know that, considering you do teach the defenses," there was a trace of bitterness in his voice, and Rosemarie decided to leave well enough alone. She suspected that Severus' past connection to Voldemort had something to do with Dumbledore's reluctance to give him the position. Perhaps it was more to protect Severus than to prevent him from returning to the Dark Lord's fold.
And now here she was, cold and lonely, in a queen-size bed in Scotland. Rosemarie and Helen had spent countless summers here with their maternal Grandmother. The two of them had been allowed to run free for the most part during the day, and then at night, Granny would give them astronomy lessons. One night, when the planets had been in certain crucial locations, Granny had told her and Helen their futures. One at a time, she had taken them up to the roof and revealed the secrets of the night sky. "Now Dolly, you see where Venus is? That means a great love for you. Leo-the lion- dominates the sky tonight. There will be pain and great battles for you to fight as well," Granny had paused then, a strange look on her face. "That's odd. Gemini is plain view. It should have long since passed. The twins-twins with opposite personalities-represent Gemini. Can you see them over to the left, Dolly? Yes, there will be a great deal of love in your life, but you must be patient my dear. Come now, its Helen's turn to hear her future."
What Granny had predicted for Helen, Rosemarie never found out. "I don't believe in all that divination nonsense anyway," Helen had muttered when she came to bed. "Wolfman indeed!"
Rosemarie sighed, and rolled over onto her stomach. She and Severus had a full day tomorrow. They were leaving early to gather Fir Berries, and if the task was anything like the way Rosemarie remembered, it was going to be a miserable morning.
