Rose Among The Thorns: The Third Evans Sister

By Jedi Blu, Lady at Large

Disclaimer: I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts…deedle-de-dee…. And that's about it.

Notice: I'm back and had a wonderful two weeks off. Enjoy what I have dubbed Filler Material. And don't worry, I plan on another update within the week.

'Denotes Thoughts'

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CHAPTER TEN: Filler Material

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James Potter was lounging on top of a Gargoyle outside the library, relaxed with a book propped before him, as he waited for Sirius to get out of detention. It was past curfew, but that didn't mean anything to him. James kept only rules which he agreed with - which were very few, if any. He was currently thinking of several choice rules to break, and his current scheme would actually have more to do with breaking wizarding law.

Peter Pettigrew was back in the dormitory, ready to cover for James if the need arose, and Remus Lupin, the only other boy in their year...he was gone again. He disappeared every few weeks, and came back looking tired and thin. He always refused to explain himself with anything more than 'family situation, mate.'

'Bah! Family situation indeed.' It wasn't to be tolerated - so of course Sirius and he had gone prying and it hadn't taken them long to figure things out. Remus Lupin, their good friend and fellow Gryffindor, was a creature that most wizards feared.

But not his friends; his friends could never be afraid of him.

They wanted to help him.

Madame Pince, the new librarian, had been quick to sentence Sirius to a detention under her care when he had 'carelessly' knocked over a few shelves with a stray wisp of magic. Some of the shelves knocked down and scattered had been in the restricted area.

So unfortunate!

Sirius naturally was made to re-shelve everything, with Pince looking on - the old vulture.

There was a noise, and James glanced down to see his friend emerging from the library. Sirius spotted him before he had even hopped to the ground. "This better be worth it, Potter," he whispered, pulling a book from inside his robes. "There's a screaming charm on it," he warned, handing it to the other boy.

"Of course." James was far too smart to be taken lightly - far too smart to be dissuaded by a simple charm. "Let's get out of here."

They hurried away into the shadows of Hogwarts, to the Requirement Room, to peruse the book titled simply 'Animangus.'

"'"'"'"'"

Rose sat in the common room, staring into the fire - someone had charmed it to be green again, after the latest Quidditch match had been won by the House of the Serpent, the charm had not yet faded - and wondered what time it was. It was late. Very late.

The portrait of Phineas Nigellus was over the fireplace, but it was empty at the moment. He wasn't around very often, and when he was...it was usually just to snap at the students for disgracing Slytherin or let them be sure to know he resented every one of them. He wasn't a very nice portrait at all.

Startled by a noise from behind, Rose nearly leapt out of her seat as she turned. It was Severus, entering the common room. He had dropped a small vile on his way in, but it hadn't broken.

Her sudden movement drew his attention to her, and she could just barely make out his face in the fading green light.

For several moments they merely stared at each other in silence, and then -

"Where've you been, Severus?" Rose asked, trying to keep her voice low. "I noticed you never came in from dinner."

Even in the dark she could make out his eyes narrowing, a glare that was more menacing in darkness than light was issued. "None of your business." He bent to pick up the vial, and stuffed it into his robes. "Go to sleep, Evans." And he vanished into the hall that lead to his dormitory.

Rose sighed, and rubbed her eyelids. She had been worried about him--wondering if he might get caught. The current caretaker, Apollyon Pringle, was known to try and sneak 'corporal punishment' pass the Headmaster. Headmaster Dumbledore had abolished such punishments and detentions, declaring them remnants of Darker Times, and instituted punishments that wouldn't cause physical pain.

As she slid between the sheets of her bed, trying to tune out the snores of Catalina Wilkes and Kleonike McCain, Rose found herself puzzling over her odd relationship with the older boy - yet again.

He was distant, rude, and only spoke to her of school work. Yet she had caught him verbally threatening any Slytherin who slighted her. Yesterday, for example, one of the second year boys had whispered a few choice words about her to some of his friends in the Common Room. Some of those words were "impure" and "mudblood." Rose had been standing near enough to hear - and it was intentional that she overheard - but had managed to bite her tongue and walk away. Apparently word had gotten around about that incident, because the next morning before breakfast Severus Snape was said to have cornered the second year and threatened him with a barrage of curses if he ever demeaned the 'Evans girl' again.

She just wasn't sure why he was bothering with her. He claimed it was because she was the only first year he had met who had any sense at all. Rose wasn't sure she believed that. She also wondered why everyone in Slytherin always acted so much older and superior than they were, then were childish enough to be the bullies of the school. But they did have ambition, and would do anything to get at what they wanted, which was why she had been put in, probably. Unless the Stupid Hat knew a secret no one else did. She doubted it. She was very much inclined to wish the Hat did not exist and that a written test would've been the means of determining Houses. She felt very out-of-place still.

Rose reminded herself that the Christmas Holiday was drawing near, and she would be able to go home for a time. A break! She could hardly wait!

"'"'"'"'"

Lily and Rose sat on the steps to the school and stared blankly at the letter addressed to the two of them. Their father had been called to Canada on business, and would be there from two days before their break till three days after. Petunia and their mother would be joining him, and it didn't seem possible to arrange the transcontinental flight for the other two daughters as well.

"So we're stuck here for Christmas," Rose said at last, sighing. "Wonderful."

Lily shrugged. "It's not all that bad. There's a Christmas Feast, and we'll have the school to ourselves, no classes." Smiling, she nudged her sister slightly, "And look on the bright side - the two of us will finally get some time together!"

Rose made a noncommittal sound, then shouldered her book bag and began walking back into the castle. "I still wish we were going home."

"I know. I miss it too - and Mum and Dad, and even Petunia."

Rose clicked her tongue at her sister. "Even Petunia? You sound as if we shouldn't be missing the Mundane Muggle!"

"It's not that - she is our sister. I just find her a little trying sometimes."

"What? The famous Lily Evans finds someone able to try her famous patience?" Rose gasped in mock-horror, and then smirked slightly. "I'm astounded, confounded, and befuddled."

Rolling her eyes, Lily stifled back a laugh. "Sure. The point is: staying here won't be all that bad."

"I suppose not. I'm not looking forward to sleeping all alone, though. I've gotten so used to Catalina's snoring that I doubt I can get to sleep without it."

Lily suppressed another laugh and waved goodbye as she turned a corner, on her way to class.

It was only a few hours later that Rose sat outside in the chill air, wearing a deep red turtle-neck and Levi's, reading a novel Petunia had sent her. It was a romance novel, and ever so often Rose could feel herself blushing. It seemed this was one of her older sister's favorite books and since Petunia was making an effort to do something nice Rose thought she had better read it to be polite. But honestly! Petunia was only twelve years old and reading such...such...

"Filth." She looked up to see Severus standing over her, a sneer in place. For a thirteen year old boy he had mastered such an adult expression with ease. "Why are you reading such absolute, Muggle filth?"

"Petunia sent it to me," she responded, glancing at the cover - a woman in 18th Century clothing stood with her dress half-off her shoulders and the man in the Red-Coat Uniform stood with his own chest bare and his strong arms grasping her waist. "The history in it is at least accurate, but I could do without all the...private interludes these two have." She tapped the picture on the cover. "What're wizarding romance novels like?"

Severus snorted and sat down next to her, bringing his own small book out of his robes. It was, of course, a school-assigned reading. "I haven't the faintest idea. I avoid trash like that."

She raised her eyebrows at him, then shrugged lightly. "What are you reading?"

"Defense of the Dark Arts: An Art In Itself," he responded, tilting the book slightly so she could see its cover. "Very interesting."

"I'm sure." Rose sighed and sat back against the tree, pulling her turtle-neck up slightly. "It's warm for December." Severus didn't respond. "You think there'd be snow all over by now." Again, no response. "I hope we have a white Christmas." A grimace. "Being stuck here at Hogwarts is bad enough, but no snow - "

His eyes flickered in her direction. "You're staying?"

"Yes. My parents are in Canada with no way to get Lily or me there." She smiled, glad she had been successful ferreting out a conversation. "What about you? What're you doing for the holidays?"

"Nothing." He turned back to his book with an expression that effectively closed off all other communication.

Rose sighed and stood up. "I'll see you later, Severus." It was only after she had made it back inside the castle that she realized how odd it was he had come out in the chill to sit and study before his next class. It was still rare he sought her out, and he usually had a reason to do so. There hadn't seemed to be a reason this time.

"'"'"'"'"

Rose checked the list in the Common Room, wondering who else would be staying for the holidays. There were only a very few who were. A couple of seventh years--boyfriend and girlfriend, gee, that wasn't suspicious. A fifth year whose father was in Azkaban for a short sentence associated with burglary. The only other person, besides herself, she had actually been wondering about. Severus Snape would not be going home for Christmas.

But why?

She knew very little about him - just scattered rumors and hear-say. He never spoke of himself unless it was in regards to school. What sort of a family life did he have? Any siblings? Mother, father, home?

Rumor had it, among some of the older students who didn't find Severus formidable, that the Snapes had once been a very wealthy pureblood family, but in recent generations had fallen low. It was also whispered that Severus' father, Sarpedon Snape, was an alcoholic and potions-abuser who didn't even wink at the thought of the illegal. Snape's mother was never spoken of. Had she died?

It took some force of will to keep from questioning Severus about his personal life, but she knew she would never get anywhere with him. She left it alone and wondered what Christmas would be like with Severus.

She woke up the first morning of Christmas holiday and found her dormitory oddly quiet. It made her uncomfortable and she hurried out to the Common Room. No one else was up yet it seemed. She had a few assignments due after break, she determined she may as well get started on them immediately to get them out of the way. When she returned to the Common Room with all of her books and such she was still the only one awake.

An hour or so later the fifth year came downstairs, looked blearily around once, then left Slytherin House. Rose ignored that and continued studying for a Transfiguration essay. Later still, both descending from the boys dormitory came the seventh year 'couple.' The boy headed out, while the girl - looking disheveled - went to her own dormitory (presumably to tidy up after a rough night...). At this Rose could only try to keep her stomach from becoming nauseated. Absolutely disgusting behavior was known to go on between the sexes of the upper classes.

Rose skipped her breakfast, and nearly lunch as well, but the fire in the hearth leaping to life with a face in it interrupted her study.

Lily's head was in the flames. "Rose, are you coming to lunch? I thought I'd check before I left. I've been in the library all morning, and I didn't see you at breakfast."

"Homework," Rose responded by way of an excuse. "Yes, I'm coming." She shut her book. "Race you there!"

"You're on!" Lily's face disappeared into the flames, and Rose was off like a shot as well. It had not escaped her attention, even though her hungry stomach had, that she had not yet seen Severus.

Nor would she.

Not exactly a cliffie, and not something that will be explained right away. Just wait. You'll see. ;-)

To My Readers:

Floria: Violet and not Rose?! How could it be?! ;-) I think everyone and their kitchen sink have had this plot bunny. I know I've seen it around; I'm just enjoying trying my hand at it. Nice to have you along for the ride, Floria!

Your Worshipfulness: Don't you just want to REALLY sock it to MWPP? You wonder how the whole thing between them and Snape began. I hesitate to write about it, though, 'cause anything could've caused it. Until then, I'll have to hope my Rose isn't becoming a Mary Sue.

Stonecoldfox: So, you've caught on to the slightly twisted relationship that's slowly brewing between our pre-Potions Master and Rose. Weird, isn't it? Why on earth IS Severus taking such an interest in our young lady? What could he possibly have to gain? Hm. I'll leave you to ponder that, as I all ready know the answer.

Jess: DON'T DIE! Simply take a peek at some of my favorite authors and stories – they will keep you situated until I update. Especially Rae Roberts's stuff. I honestly can't stop dropping her plugs. I love her work. Hope this update keeps you awake (and alive).

Loretta: Thanks for helping me with the little bugs I can never seem to catch on my own. Your observation has been noted. The Evans Sisters, as I love calling them, are forever growing on their own and as a unit. Their relationship will come in to play later on. Promise.

Elvesmagic010: Thank you! It's high praise indeed when someone admits to being a fan! I am also (munches) most grateful for the cookies. My Precioussssssssscomputer didn't suffer much in my absence, though the tree in my front yard was struck by lightning. Go figure. And yes, by all means, SAVE THE DRAGONS. Who has the memo about Dragon Awareness Week? I need to get my banners and t-shirts ready.

Loraliant Angelisa Snape: Quite a name you've got there. You've been having dreams about MY story? I would email you, but I think I've got a bug and I really don't need to transfer it. That is odd, though. I will admit to my curiosity being piqued. Too bad we can't use FF.N to send 'confidential' reviews or anything. Maybe I should suggest that feature….

Carebear11488: So you've taken a shining to Rose? Good. I'm very partial to her myself. Stay tuned for more!

SHAMELESS PLUG: Everyone needs to go read Gryffindor-Gal3's amazing fanfic story remix of Beauty and the Beast. I'm totally hooked on it and if I get more people to review her and pressure her to update she just might do it quicker. ;-) Honestly, though, she writes very well. She gives the Beast his just desserts – I've never seen his character so delved into before.

Again, thanks for reading!

Save the Dragons!

-JB-