Rose Among the Thorns: The Third Evans Sister

By Jedi Blu, Lady at Large

Standard Disclaimer Found Here: I do not own anything that is not mine.

ITALICS: In this chapter, Italics are thoughts, emphasized words, or letters. Thank you!

This is for all you people asking when Snape was going to Paris. Now you'll have your answer. BWHAHAHAHA. I know, I'm so terrible. Read the author's notes at the end for more info.

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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Being Needed

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"What do you mean you can't come?" Rose demanded, glaring rather angrily up at Severus Snape. "You said you would, that you even wanted to, and now you wait until the day before we leave to tell me you've changed your mind?!" she shouted, looking considerably cross.

"Lower your voice," Severus hissed, glancing around the corridor they stood in with some measure of embarrassment. It was the last day of classes before Easter holiday, and both Slytherins were actually supposed to be in class. However, Rose had been sent on an errand and Severus had been out doing who-knew-what when she happened to walk by. "You'll get us in trouble."

Rose groaned and threw up her hands, her frustration very much apparent. "Fine! I'll shut-up!" she hissed right back at him, her eyes flaming green. She turned to storm away but was stopped by Severus laying a hand on her shoulder.

"You little idiot, won't you at least let me explain?" he growled into her ear, having bent down slightly towards her.

"What? Severus Snape… explain?" She had stiffened at his touch, and did not turn around. "This ought to be rich."

Severus grabbed her arm, more roughly than he intended, and dragged her behind a large statue of a gargoyle that rested in the corridor. Once they were both out of sight of anyone who could pass by he turned and glared down at her, running a hand through his limp hair. "Listen, you little twit, it's not my fault I'm not coming to Paris. I couldn't get my parents to sign a release form, all right? I sent a letter weeks ago and didn't get a reply until yesterday. I didn't say anything because I thought I would be able to go," he growled down at her, turning slightly away to hide the disappointment in his eyes. "It doesn't matter anyway."

The young girl softened with the explanation, somewhat at least. "Why can't you come? What reason did your parents give?" Her anger began to refocus itself, this time on a different Snape.

He shrugged, still not looking at her. "I just got a note back from my mother that said I couldn't go. No explanation."

"Your father had a hand in it," Rose said abruptly. "Oh, Severus, I'm sorry I thought you were just...well...standing me up after getting my hopes up."

Severus rolled his eyes. "That anonymous admirer has made you paranoid. Why would I turn down a free trip to France?" He attempted a smirk, but it was weak and lacking in the usual sarcasm. "I'll just stay at the school, like always."

"All right, Severus. I'll bring you back a souvenir." Rose started to come out from behind the statue, but changed her mind after only a step. She turned back around and sighed as she looked up at the dejected boy. "What exactly do you do when you're here all by yourself? I know you sneak out, but...?" She left the question hanging.

The Slytherin boy stared at her for a moment, his black eyes thoughtful instead of indifferent as they usually were when she asked such questions. But Severus had been much more open of late, smiling even, so she had chanced this particular question again. "Not much. Experiment with potions, practice Defense Against the Dark Arts, study."

"But you do it all out of bounds!" She was smiling with some degree of surprise. "Which is why no one ever sees you, which is how you get to be so good at that junk. I wish I could come and watch, or help. You want to be an auror, don't you?" she guessed, raising one eyebrow.

Severus smirked. "Not really an auror. There's a special division I'd like to get into—but they do a lot of background checks. I doubt I could pass." He shrugged. "But there are lots of things that a good Defense background, and Potion background, can get you into."

"I haven't really given much thought into things other than the mainstream occupations," she admitted. "Could I tag along with you when I get back? To wherever it is that you go?"

He shrugged, then glanced quickly at his pocket watch. "Shouldn't you be getting back to class?"

"You're evading my question, and class is out in ten minutes anyway." She stepped closer to him, raising her chin stubbornly. "So? Can I come with you to witness these experiments and practice sessions? I could help, Severus! Two heads are better than one, and you know that we work together very well." It was true. When the two of them tackled a problem or assignment, whether it be her third year work or his O.W.L. preparations, they always managed to come up with creative—and correct—answers. He had the logical, methodical way of thinking whereas Rose was creative enough to come up with alternatives. This had been becoming more and more obvious as the two had worked together to help Rose catch up in her school work and keep Severus on schedule.

Despite himself, Severus took a step back, placing his back against a wall. Still, he managed not to look as cornered as he was. "I take enough of a risk when I try to sneak out and around Hogwarts, I don't need to double that by trying to smuggle you everywhere with me."

Rose smirked, an expression she now borrowed from him quite often. "You know very well that I would only make things easier on you. You just don't want to include me, do you?" She was toe-to-toe with him, smirking up into his face and enjoying the discomfited expression on his face. Now she stood on tip-toe, bringing her eyes (which were normally level with his shoulder) to level with his chin. His height wasn't at all intimidating to her anymore; she knew size had nothing to do with anything.

Severus stood absolutely frozen, not even taking in a breath, as the young girl in front of him grew closer by the moment. She was being frustrating and wouldn't take his answer for the 'no' that it was. Not only that, but she was very much invading his personal space and he couldn't move unless he wanted to knock aside the corridor wall or the girl. He had the feeling that knocking the wall down would be easier than removing Rose Evans when she was set on something. That thought caused him to smirk.

"Now you're laughing at me," she decided, her own teasing expression turning into a glare. "You know what, Severus?"

"What, Evans?" he managed, wondering why he was having such a difficult time concentrating or maintaining his stoic, silent expression.

"You're darn lucky you're not ticklish, because I would certainly have you in a spot now." She demonstrated this by poking him in the ribs with two fingers.

To his everlasting horror, and his eternal shame, Severus Snape reacted to the touch. He didn't laugh, chuckle, and thank heavens he didn't emit a terrible giggle. But he twitched, reflexively, away from the fingers.

The light that dawned in Rose's eyes almost outshone the smile that appeared on her face. "You are ticklish!" Both of her hands came up to attack his ribs, he opened his mouth to protest even as his eyes widened in abject dismay, but neither discovered what would have happened if Rose had gone through with her plan, for just then—

"FIVE POINTS FROM SLYTHERIN FOR LOITERING AND TEN POINTS FOR CANOODLING!" a voice shouted, sending the two Slytherin students leaping away from each other and out from their shelter to find the Caretaker, Apollyon Pringle, grinning evilly at them. "And I will be informing Professor Bane of this situation immediately! Get to class!"

The two students glanced at each other, then back at the caretaker, before simultaneously bolting down the hall with grins splitting their faces as they hurried back to their respective classes.

Later, when the other Slytherin students were examining their hour glass at the end of the day and wondering why there was a fifteen point drop which no one would account for, Rose and Severus merely exchanged a knowing glance and turned back to their books.

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"I've never seen anyone so dejected when surrounded by so many incredible things," Lily was saying, casting a glance over her shoulder at her youngest sister.

Petunia shrugged carelessly. "She's just pouting for attention."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Rose doesn't do that, Petunia. She doesn't try to get attention."

"Maybe she's finally decided she wants some." Petunia was not at all interested in this conversation. "Now if you don't let me go Melinda will think I've abandoned her."

They were in the Louvre on the second day of their trip, and Lily had pulled Petunia aside and into the room housing the Mona Lisa. Melinda, Petunia's friend, and the two French girls that were friends of Lily's (pen pals from Lily's earlier days in muggle school) were wandering down the long galley of great works.

"Aren't you even the slightest bit concerned about Rose?" Lily asked, looking surprised.

"Not the slightest. Why should I care if she's moping about the loss of her boyfriend? She's not even supposed to date yet," Petunia sniffed, entirely missing the point, as always.

Rose suddenly appeared behind the two. "Oh, here you both are. The others sent me looking for you." She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at them. "What's going on? We've all ready seen the Mona Lisa."

"Nothing," the other two sisters said as one, with almost identical smiles cast in the direction of their younger sister.

"Sure." Rose rolled her eyes. "Well, we can't wait for you two forever." Then she walked away, but noticeably looking uninterested in the paintings and sculptures that surrounded her.

"Maybe you're right," Petunia said after a moment. "Normally she'd be eating this sort of thing up. Personally, I wish I was shopping. Paris has some lovely little shops."

Lily shook her head, wondering how on earth Petunia was able to be so self-centered so much of the time. Apparently nothing really mattered to the girl except her own desires. It stunned her how different she was from her sisters; they were as varied in personality as their namesakes were in color, scent, and sight.

It wasn't until that evening that Lily was able to find Rose alone in their hotel room while the rest of the family was enjoying a concert in the dining room. Lily had seen Rose leave directly after dinner, giving a weak excuse that she was tired and going to bed early. What Rose was actually doing, the oldest Evans girl discovered, was writing a letter. There need be no guessing as to who the girl was writing to.

"I'm sorry he couldn't come, Rose," Lily said quietly.

Rose looked up from the hotel stationary she was using and gave her sister a small shrug and smile. "Not as sorry as I am. Severus needs things like this in his life. I have the feeling he's only ever been in darkness and gloom. Sometimes he doesn't even know how to laugh or smile, and you can kind of see it in his eyes." She looked back down at the letter she was writing and sighed. "Am I stupid to want to help him, Lily?"

"You're not stupid for wanting to help anyone," Lily answered, pulling up a chair to sit at the small writing desk with her sister. "You're a very kind person, Rose. I just don't understand why you show all this kindness to someone like Severus Snape."

"And what's wrong with Severus Snape?" Rose asked, arching an eyebrow at her older sister. "He's as deserving of compassion as anyone else."

"He's not the innocent victim you seem to see him as," Lily replied, sighing. "He's just as guilty of hexing and cursing and fighting as any Gryffindor bully is."

"But more shame on them," Rose said, raising her voice slightly, "for being wealthy, for having families that care somewhat about them, for not being beaten as children, and still being nasty and mean. Think about it, Lily; when was the last time you saw Severus start a fight with James, Sirius, or anyone else?"

To this Lily could only shake her head and admit she hadn't seen such in a while. "He's still Severus Snape, though. You can't change him, Rose, nor can you change his background. He'll end up being just like his father, or worse. Think about everything that's going on in the magical world! You know current events as well as I do!"

It was true; Rose knew very well what was going on. Every day there were more attacks made on muggles, by wizards and witches. Rumor also had it that the Giants had come in contact with those who would do harm to mixed-bloods and muggles alike. It wasn't looking good at all. The Ministry of Magic was at their wits end, people were starting to become afraid. Rose and Lily did what they could to keep such news from their parents, and so rarely discussed such things.

But people were dying, and those rumored to be leaders in this strange gang of dark wizards were pure-bloods. Names were whispered around Hogwarts, especially in the House of Slytherin.

Dangerous times were no longer ahead, but pressing in at all sides.

"Don't you think someone like Severus Snape would be power-hungry enough to try something like joining a band of renegade killers?" Lily asked, true worry in her tone and eyes. "He could hurt you, Rose, and I don't want to see it happen."

"Severus Snape may be stubborn, obnoxious, and have a mean streak somewhere in him," Rose responded coolly, coming to her feet and stepping away from her sister. "But he would never murder someone, and he would never hurt me; I'm the only friend he's got. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a letter to post." She picked up her letter and went from the room, her expression and manner chilly towards her older sister.

Lily sat there, quite still, feeling as if she had lost something. It had been a mistake to question Rose so closely, and she wondered how long it would take to get back on her sister's good side. All they seemed to do of late was argue; Lily would try to make a point as she worried over her sister, but Rose would come back with chilly retorts and angry replies that Lily could even question her motives or her own actions. Rose was not the adoring baby-sister she had once been; she knew very well she was smart and could have any opinion she wanted. She didn't look up to Lily as much as she used to, but only because she didn't have to.

Rose left the hotel room feeling more mournful than anything. She hated fighting with Lily, but lately it seemed that was all she was capable of. But she couldn't bear to have Lily saying things about Severus, things she couldn't possibly understand. And Lily treated her like a baby, as if she was unable to make her own mind up about things.

Well, her mind was made up about Severus. He was a strong young wizard, and every teacher whispered of his potential. He was Rose's only real friend, and so she would stand by him despite what times lay ahead.

He needed her.

Author's Note: Thank you, thank you! You've all put up with my evil ways for some time, so I'll let you know what to expect in the next few chapters. In chapter twenty-two you're going to meet Sarpedon Snape…Severus's father. Ooooh, scary. In that chapter you will also learn how Severus first came to trust Albus Dumbledore. In the chapter after that you'll see that Sirius still hasn't given up the chase, and learn a bit more about why he's so enamored with Rose. And in chapter twenty-four…well, that chapter I have dubbed (I'm still working on this one) "Snape's Worst Memory." Thank ye for readin'!

To my reviewers:

Elvesmagic010: Sirius didn't reveal himself. Darn, and he so needed to, didn't he? Assuming it was him, of course. Don't worry, I do plan on writing the revelation in upcoming chapters. I may save it for a chapter in the 'present' though. Hope this chapter was fun for you. I'm so evil about these things, aren't I?

Lysaandi: Yup, James and Sirius still have a lot of growing up to do. Unfortunately for them, in my story they're still obnoxious and will be painted as such. The reason I wrote Remus's bit in there about 'the right girl' is because I'm planning, after this story, to write a story for my favorite werewolf. Just a look at what's up-and-coming. ;-)

Loraliant Angelisa Snape: I didn't say it was Sirius, but I didn't say it wasn't him either. Thanks for the review, m'dear, it's so lovely to hear from you. Stick around for the next few chapters. They ought to be fun.

Jade Anne Merlin: On the edge is the best place to keep readers. It hooks them. ;-) They have to wait around until I pull them back to safety. Anyway, thank you for the review. I so hope to hear more from you! Stick around, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Emprezz Andromeda: Bring them in by force. Hm. So I have to have an army to make an army, I suppose. Most intriguing. Maybe I'll stick with the Jedi thing. It's more fun to mind-control people and have a cool light-up sword than a tiara sometimes. No offense to you, of course, Your Imperial Highness. See ya around the World Domination circuit though.

Illume: Yeah, Sirius was stupid. But that's okay, we forgive him because he grows up to be a more understanding hottie in the end. I love the guy, actually. He may be deserving of his own story soon. Just keep in mind his age and that he's a bit jealous. He's used to getting everything he wants. Thanks so much for the review!

Nabenabe: Here's another gift for you, then. A frustrating chapter in which Severus Snape is gypped again. And don't ask me if that's spelled right. I like updating quickly, then I get more positive feedback because people aren't biting their nails waiting for me to continue. I've also never liked being kept hanging by fic authors, so I try to set a new standard for updates. Thanks for the compliments. Thanks for the reviews. See you next chapter!

Happycrazycute: Thanks for the first-time review! :::hands over stack of chocolate frogs::: I'm most grateful. Sirius is used to being a lady-killer, always getting the girl, et cetera. He's finally found someone that isn't charmed by him and it's obviously driving him crazy. It's 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence' syndrome. You'll see more of it. He's green with envy. And Severus is a good match for Rose. They compliment each other, and Rose seems to be the only one who can get a smile out of the boy. sighs.

Moriann: YES! Another reader mindlessly hooked into my story! BWHAHAHA! And over a bowl of cereal! Don't fret about the other chapters, though, I update pretty often. You could always join FF.N (it's free! And they don't send annoying junk mail) if you read a lot of stuff and put all your favorite authors on 'author alert' (me included!!!) and you'd get an email every time a story was updated. I strongly recommend this. It makes life easier and you waste less time. Seriously, though, I'm very happy to have you reading and I do hope to get another review from you soon. Thank you for enjoying my story. :-)

Vivian: Okay, now you can go to the bathroom. You sound like a most interesting individual, but I really hope you don't live anywhere near me. The whole firecrackers in the bus thing makes me nervous…. High School…scary. I've got some sibs going back to that evil institution this year and I'm grateful to have left it behind. :-) Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad to have all my readers along for this bumpy ride.

Stonecoldfox: You're not supposed to know who the admirer is and you obviously haven't found out in this chapter. I can safely say you may not find out until the story switches back to the 'present.' And I hate to tell you this, but I seem to be following a growing trend with fic authors. My story is alarmingly looking as if it may stretch to 40-50 chapters. I'm hoping to get some good closure for it by then, though. Then I'll start on my Remus Romance. I've always loved roses (grown a particularly interesting kind myself for a few years) so the symbology was easy to come by. And fun to do! Stick around, this show isn't over yet!

Whew. My author's notes just keep getting loooooooooooooonger and longer. Oh well, I like to talk to my reviewers. ;-) Then y'all are more apt to talk back. Anywho, thanks for the reviews! And to all those who read but DON'T review…even now I have my dragons on your trail, and it won't be pretty when they catch up with you. :-D

-JB-