A/N: Whew, took a while...

This is probably my longest chapter.

Chapter 10: Realization

"Wha...What are you doing here?"

In his usual casual manner, Severus spoke, "I was merely saving your life. Or wasn't it obvious when she had you lying vulnerable on the ground?"

Wiping away the stinging filth from her eyes, she retorted, "Even in dire situations you still have to be such a prick." She grabbed her wand that she dropped when she was blinded. Looking up into the sky; she noticed something.

The sky was changing from its midnight hue to a misty morning gray; everyone would be waking up soon.

Rosina and Severus made their way to Bellatrix. Looking down at her body wrapped up in rope, she looked somewhat peaceful. Rosina knew they had to get her off the grounds before anyone else saw her. "We've got to get her out of here immediately."

Severus spoke the words for the levitating charm and with his wand commanded her body forward. He glared at Rosina, "Shall we?"

Rosina walked over to where Bella dropped her wand, picked up and nodded to Snape, "Let's go".

In the background, they could hear a faint howling.

Luckily, Dumbledore had arrived earlier that night. In fact, he was still in his sleeping garments when Severus and Rosina, accompanied by Madam McGonagall, met up with him at the Hospital Wing.

"Good Morning" he said sternly as he walked in to Hospital Wing. Snape and Rosina had taken Bellatrix to a private chamber in the Hospital Wing and placed her on the bed. She was still unconscious and still restrained.

Rosina's mind was racing, her heart beating, her guilt weighing heavily on her shoulders as they stood before her. There was proof of her failure. She had let her guard down; she had let an enemy enter. She failed as an Auror.

"She is getting the only peace she has ever received since selling her soul to the darkness." Professor McGonagall spoke with a sense of pity for the wretched creature before them.

"What shall we do, Albus?"

Over his half-moon spectacles Dumbledore peered over to them. "For now, we can let her rest under strict supervision. But as we all know, she must not stay any longer in Hogwarts within such close a reach to the students. Tonight, she will be sent off to Azkaban by Ministry Officials as soon as I inform them."

The discussion among the four of them was kept quite short; Dumbledore had asked to see Rosina alone in his office when she was done with her duties. Unfortunately for her, it would be a long day today; she had to review the administering of the O.W.L.S.

"You have always been an exceptional student, Rosina. I've never had to worry about you or your capabilities."

This assurance on Dumbledore's part put her mind at ease for the moment. "Headmaster, I..."

He lifted his hand and nodded with the sympathy that he always seemed to exude. "Please, Rosina, you have to know that you have been a great asset to us, and protecting both you and those within Hogwarts has been very important to me."

"I just... I feel I've already done enough here."

The Headmaster walked over to Fawkes and stroked his feathers softly.

"You must do what you feel is right. But understand that you will always have a place here and help will come if you need it."

A million thoughts were running through her head. Inside, she fought with herself to figure what must be done. There could only be one true solution, and she knew it. She started to take a few steps back; but turned back to say one more thing to the Headmaster, he responded with a nod and a smile.

Remus lifted the loose boards on the floor of the Shrieking Shack and found the box which held a pair of his shoes and a robe. It had been a while since last he needed to use it. The previous night went off well; the sleeping potion Madam Pomfrey made was potent enough to knock him unconscious for the remainder of his transformation, allowing him to be as harmless as if he had drunken the Wolfsbane Potion. As he got dressed, he anticipated the morning greeting by Rosina, she had assured him she would be there. He made his way out of the Shrieking Shack via the passage underground and stood underneath the gap that opened when activated. As the sun appeared through the opening, to his surprise he saw Madam Pomfrey standing there with a basket of food. "Morning Remus, I hope you had a good evening despite the lack of Wolfsbane. Did my sleeping potion help?"

Still adapting to the sudden burst of light, he greeted her as he climbed out of the trench underneath the Willow. "Good morning to you as well... yes, I managed the transformation well enough thanks to your help."

"Oh good! It wasn't the Wolfsbane, but I knew it would be effective. Now, Remus dear, have a bite to eat."

He leaned over to her basket and reached for a small bread loaf. "I was expecting Rosina, you wouldn't know where she is, would you?"

"The Headmaster asked to speak with her, but you can meet up with her later. Now, go up to your room and get some rest. We've got O.W.Ls this afternoon."

Remus wanted to question her more, but the morning after his transformations always left him in a weakened state, so he could not protest further. Instead, he made his way to the Hogwarts entrance beside the nurse, nibbling at his loaf, and filled with curiosity.

"Expecto... Patronum! "

The tip spouted out this grand illumination it could have lit up all of Hogsmeade. Then, a mighty horn formed; then another, it was a great beast. The head formed and for an instant one could see its grand grey eyes; but as suddenly as it appeared it galloped forward, ducking its head and charging. Its mighty hooves echoed through the hall as it came towards the Judges who flew off their chairs, quickly ducking out of its way. But, before any damage could be done, the great creature diminished into thin air.

Applause rang out. Rosina stood clapping in the corner.

Even Severus had shone a slight hint of impression. "Well, Mr.Hawking, if you were as dedicated to your Potions as you are your Patronus,you would be receiving top marks in my class."

The creator of the patronus was a small Hufflepuff boy with spiky blonde hair and large eyes as grey as that of his Bull Patronus. "Yes sir" he responded with a slight quiver and left the Hall.

The other Judges had consisted of a few teachers and there was a Ministry Official among them; he was an Auror. He sat there beside the other judges; he wore a long Navy overcoat and was watching the testing intently. His blond hair was very cut up in jagged layers and hung over his grey eyes. Rosina knew him; he had worked the field with her on many occasions. It was Kale Rodrick.

Rodrick's appearance at the O.W.L.s was most likely a reason to get to Hogwarts and see Lestrange.

As Rosina stood watching the students during their examinations, she had seen him make eye contact with her and mouth the words; "Meet me outside" and point towards the doors.

She nodded and waited for the right time.

"I received news from Dumbledore... have you really got her?"

"Yes, she's being detained."

Rodrick looked around as he stood in the corridor to make sure their conversation was private. "Are you certain you want to do this?"

"Yes, there's no other way."

"Alright then, I'll give you your deadline. Meet it, or don't even bother."

"I'll meet it, just be there."

Rodrick saluted her the way he always did when she was leaving, "By the way, Soler, good seeing you again."

Rosina made it towards Remus' door; it creaked as she opened it. "Remus? Remus..?" It was dark, and from the sounds of her echoing calls; it was empty as well.

"No, dear, I brought him over in the morning and he said he would go rest in his room." Madam Pomfrey was in the back room of the Hospital Wing folding some bed sheets.

Rosina's brow wrinkled in thought "That's funny, because I was just in there and I didn't see him."

"Perhaps he's gone to look for you. He did say he expected you this morning."

"Yes, I ... couldn't make it...". Even though she couldn't see Remus as she had promised because of the attack, she felt guilt for not finding him sooner.

"You know, dear, the way he is about you is just so extraordinary. I've never seen him so happy since his days he spent with his friends here in Hogwarts. It's very special, isn't it?" Madam Pomfrey sighed, perhaps nostalgic for the days when her heart was filled with the same emotion Remus and Rosina had beating in their bodies.

She grabbed the pile of folded sheets and went over to make the beds.

"Very special, indeed" whispered Rosina.

She let her feet lead her to her room in the Slytherin Wing. "Illuminati" as soon as her lips spoke this, all the green and grey candles lit up. After removing her robe and putting down her clipboard and quill she wandered towards her bedroom.

Near the bed was her vanity with all her parchments of her work. She sat down in the chair stretched her neck, as she did this she saw an image in the mirror before her.

"I missed you this morning."

"Remus!" she turned around and saw him standing near the door.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you at the Willow...I..." she searched desperately for the right words...

Remus closed the door behind him and went over to Rosina embracing her tightly. "I heard about Lestrange. I could have lost you last night."

Rosina pulled back from the embrace "Who told you about it?"

"Snape. When I crossed paths with him earlier and I had asked if he'd seen you he told me what happened. He rather enjoyed boasting about his heroics."

"Doesn't he always..."

The pressure around her arms tightened. "Rosina, I hate not being there for you. Damn this affliction... damn my lycanthropy... you could have been killed."

Rosina shook her head repeatedly. "Remus, I'm a trained Auror, I can handle myself." She let out a heavy sigh, "Things have changed so much for you and Hogwarts...I should never have..." she didn't finish her words.

Remus looked at her "You should never have what?"

"... I... Nothing, nothing..." she forced a smile. "I'm glad you're here with me."

She buried her face into his chest, into his warmth, his scent... She would keep a mental memory of him this way...

Remus was rarely granted a full night of blissful sleep. But last night was spent cherishing every bit of his love. He lay on his chest under the warm covers. The light hit his face like every morning; rousing him. As he drowsily sat up he turned to his side and felt an empty space next to him. He looked around frantically. As he got up he noticed the trunk wasn't in its usual place, the vanity was cleaned of its pile of parchment; except for one piece. It read 'Remus'. He picked it up and opened it.

Remus,

I've always tried to believe myself when I said that everything would be fine; but the truth is it can never be fine with me there attracting danger. I care too much for you to put you into any more harm, and especially the students. I realized what I had to do, and I feel it is for the best. It pains me to leave you and Hogwarts, one of the only places I ever considered home. Please understand how much I care for you, and I don't want to see you hurt.

I love you,
Rosina

A/N: gasp Could this be ... the end?

Check my user profile to find out....