Rose Among the Thorns: The Third Evans Sister

By Jedi Blu, Lady at Large

Standard Disclaimer Found In Previous Chapters

Italics are thoughts, emphasized words, or letters.

WARNING: Fluffiness.

. : ; ' " j e d i b l u " ' ; : .'

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: The Proposal, Retold

. : ; ' " j e d i b l u " ' ; : .

Severus Snape had little trouble boarding the Hogwarts Express, thanks to being recognized as a former student and stating that he wanted to surprise a recent graduate. He was allowed to sit in their old compartment, and as he settled himself in for the ride to the school he marveled at the stupidity of those controlling the train. In these hard times, when no one was to be trusted, why did they allow him to be on a train that would soon be full of their precious children?

It had taken him some time to determine his course of action, but as Rose's seventh year had wound down to a close (an early close, the school was being shut down for a time so graduation took place in mid-March) he had come to a decision of what needed to be done.

Rose Evans no longer had parents and both of her sisters were married. One was a staunch magic-hater and the other.... He sneered at the thought of Lily Potter, who in his mind was struggling for a cause that was hopeless and idle. He had thought she would be smarter than that; how could she stand up to the power that one such as the Dark Lord wielded? It was stupidity to even try.

This left the youngest Evans sister with few options. He knew she desired to work in medical potions, and that she was very good at what she did. This meant she was a valuable asset, to either side of the war that raged on in the silence of night. Of course, with his connections and his own personal experience with potions Severus knew he could secure a well-paying position for her...one that would be on the right side of things. His side of things.

As much as he tried to assure himself that winning her to his side would be easy, he couldn't help but feel nervous as he watched the landscape, cold and wet, race past the window of his train compartment.

He held the box in his hands, twirling it absently, watching it spin. Inside the little box was his mother's ring, which he had kept in the bottom of his old school trunk until a week previous. For one month he had planned this day and those that would follow, and everything was going well so far. All he needed now was Rose to wear his mother's Mythril ring, the engagement and wedding ring that had been past down for many years until it had come into his hands.

When Sarpedon Snape had hurled the ring at him, Severus had kept it only because it belonged to his mother. He had never intended to use it; he had never thought he would need it as anything but an heirloom to remember Evelina Snape by. But he had taken it out, polished it carefully, had it magicked so it would fit Rose's finger, and now held it only to give it away.

It was important to him, despite the indifference he planned to show Rose, that she wear his mother's ring. At first he had been reluctant to give it to her and had even gone looking at other pieces of jewelry that were just as beautiful.... In time, Severus realized that nothing could or would suit Rose Evans short of the black diamond ring. She deserved it; the ring belonged on her hand just as much as Rose belonged to him.

If she would belong to him.

But she would say yes when he asked her, he told himself. Severus knew that Rose considered him her only true friend, and he would open a world of possibilities to her. They worked well together, they got along, no one knew him better than she, and no one knew her better than he. Severus, though he had not seen her in nearly two years, could still remember how incredibly attracted to her he had been. Since they last parted he had met other women, he had even been with a few—

He cut that thought off, not liking the feeling of guilt that made him go pale when he thought of those women and then thought of Rose. He and Rose had never had an understanding, but he had left Hogwarts knowing that Rose would never even look at another man. That had made Severus feel smug, feel as if he had some control and power over her.

But waking up every morning, whether he was alone or with a woman, the first person he thought of was always Rose. He wondered how she was doing, what she was doing, who she was with.... Part of the reason he had never written to her was because he wasn't sure how to tell her what was going on in his life. He would leave gaps, he knew, about the people he was with—not just the women—and his special jobs. He only allowed himself to respond when she wrote, keeping to the subjects she wrote of.

It had been hard.

Houses began to dot the landscape outside his window, and Severus watched as roads became more abundant. They were nearing the station.... The journey seemed so much shorter than it had when he was a student. But then, he spent most of it lost in thought.

The train came to a stop, and Severus looked out the small window of the compartment to see the crush of students pressed underneath the cover of the platform, trying to stay dry in the rain.

Except for one student. One small student in a dark red cloak, standing near the edge of the platform. Once the train had completely stopped, she boarded without preamble.

Severus did not doubt the identity of the figure was Rose.

He stood, facing the door, standing erect and trying to appear proud. He had sent her a letter, urging her to watch for him, but he doubted she would be expecting him so soon.

The door to their old compartment was pushed open and Rose entered, her head down beneath the hood as her hand tugged ineffectively at the clasp of her cloak. She hadn't even glanced up to see him yet.

Severus was impatient to see her, wondering if she looked exactly as he remembered. He schooled his features, then came forward to undo the clasp for her.

Rose's head jerked up, obviously surprised that someone was in her compartment, and their eyes met.

Her dazzling emerald green eyes came up, clashing with the cold black of his, and he saw the surprise in them. He kept his eyes locked with hers, finding himself unable to look elsewhere, and undid the troubling clasp quickly. A wave of possessiveness washed over him—here stood the only woman he felt he had ever desired and understood—and he raised his hands to push back her hood and take off the cloak, exposing the rest of her to him.

He folded the cloak now in his hands, watching her still. Her surprise had drained away, and now she only stared at him mutely and without expression. Her hair, despite having been under the cloak, was damp and pulled back into a braid. As always, a few auburn ringlets had escaped to curl at the nape of her neck and frame her delicate face. He fought to keep his own expression cold as he took her in, because she was not as he had remembered her; she was better.

She was still the same height, which brought the top of her head to just under his chin, but her proportions had finished changing so that she was slender but with the slight curves it took to make his blood go hot with desire. Her eyes were perfect, as always, and her pale skin looked flawless. Her heart-shaped face, with the delicate nose and stubborn chin he remembered well, was captivating.

Severus hoped that she was as pleased by his appearance as he was with hers. He had broader shoulders, this he knew, though he was still thin and tall. His hair was longer, clean and pulled back, and the clothing he wore was well-tailored and new.

He was impatient to speak with her, and quickly motioned for her to take a seat. He sat across from her, after shutting the door to the compartment, and tried to relax. It was impossible, though. "You seem surprised," he said at last, keeping his voice low. "I told you to look for me."

"Severus," she murmured softly, and her voice was low-pitched, warm...stirring. It was the voice of a woman, not the voice of the girl he had left behind so long ago. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon, or on the Express for that matter."

He found himself smiling slightly at this, remembering an expression he had admonished her with in the past. "Expect the unexpected, Rose." She started to smile back, and he realized if he was not careful he would avoid saying what he had come to say. He grew serious again. "I have come to ask of you something. You are on your way to your sister's home, are you not?"

"Lily invited me to stay, yes," she said, appearing to consider her answer. "But she is hoping to give me a 'change of scenery,' and of mind. I have no wish to go to her so that she can manipulate me. I was going to go to Petunia, but she has recently married a Muggle—" her nose wrinkled with her distaste "—who can't stand magic, and so I was going to return to the home of my parents long enough to gather things and strike out on my own. The house has been kept locked up since…since I left for school last year." There was a pain in her eyes as she said it, and Severus knew she still grieved over the loss of her parents. They had been kind, even to him when he was worthless in the eyes of many.

He nodded, his thoughts turned inward. He had to phrase things right...he had to make it agreeable to her. "I would like to ask you to reconsider your plans. Come with me," he invited, and he lowered his voice, softening it. "I have need of your talents...you and I used to work quite well together."

To his surprise, she barely paused before nodding, giving herself over to him easily. "You'll explain what you have in mind for us to work on later, of course."

"Of course." He leaned back, his arms spreading across the back of his seat, he was trying to appear confident at ease with the situation...his heart was beating quickly and he wondered if he looked nervous. "I will tell you this much now, I believe it's safe enough to reveal here." Something inside of him was alight, happy even. He put a hand in a pocket of his robes, withdrew the box, and tossed it onto her lap. "You're expected to wear it." It was a statement, not a question. She would be his.

Rose arched one of her delicate eyebrows at him, appearing slightly suspicious, and began to open the box. His heart flew up into his throat; he found it hard to breath. She looked shocked when she saw what was inside, her eyes widened, her expression then darkened. She studied the ring, not moving to touch it or remove it, and the compartment fell silent except for the sound of rain hitting the window as the train raced down the tracks.

Perhaps she didn't like it? Perhaps she would refuse. But...she couldn't refuse. He couldn't let her. Severus felt his nervousness growing and knew he could stand it no longer. He cleared his throat—she looked up, a strange expression molding her features. "If you don't like it I'll get you another." But she had to like it...it was so important that she wear his mother's ring, and he hadn't realized until now just how important it was.

Slowly, as if shaking herself from a dream, Rose shook her head. She took the ring from the box and slipped it on her left-hand ring finger. She knew what the ring was, he wouldn't have to explain that, thank Merlin. "I like it. Another wouldn't ever do," she said, admiring it before turning her eyes again to his.

At last he could relax, and a smile crept onto his face. "Good. We will have much to discuss when we leave this train." He leaned forward, heart beating quickly, trying to keep his expression calm.

Rose smiled, coolly, delicately, back and leaned closer as well. "I can tell," she whispered, her voice lower still, almost caressing the air with the sound.

He kissed her, and she kissed back. It was cold and chaste at first; they had not touched in a very long time. But slowly the heat came, melting away the awkwardness, and the two gave way momentarily to passion and desire.

Severus threaded his fingers through her braid, wrapped an arm possessively around her waist, and bruised her lips in an effort to make up for lost time. Rose responded, sighing with pleasure, placing her arms around his shoulders and neck to pull him closer still. Their lips sought each other, again and again, fiercely, for several long moments.

Finally Severus pulled himself away from her, trying to regulate his ragged breathing. But then he caught up her hands and pulled her to sit in his lap. He placed his back against the window, stretching his legs out on the seat, and held her against his chest.

She was his now, and Rose Evans would be his for always.

SNEAK PREVIEW: Chapter Thirty-Four is titled 'Mawwiage, Mawwiage Is What Bwings Us Togever...Today', and it should be fun considering you will be permitted to observe the first day of marriage the Snapes enjoy. Er…sort of. And Chapter Thirty-Five is Sisterly Advice, so called because Mrs. Lily Potter has an interesting talk with Mrs. Rose Snape. And the last teaser I shall give you is for chapter Thirty-Six…entitled 'The Honeymoon.' I'm still struggling with how to give this one to y'all and I've actually written two versions…cut and uncut. :-D Enjoy!

To My Reviewers:

Lysaandi: I do hope you enjoyed this chapter, a retelling of our fun-filled proposal. Next chapter is longer and more interesting…come back for more!

Rinny Z.: Confusion…blessed confusion! I do hope it's a pleasant confusion and not an irritating one, but if I can help to unmuddle anything let me know.

Loraliant Angelisa Snape: Why did you change your name in the first place? I was perplexed by that. Anywho, Rae's story is wonderful, isn't it? When I find a great author I try to spread the word!

Illume: Ah, but Snape will be Snape, and no matter how hard I try I can't make him act contrary to his character. Yes, the accident referred to in the previous chapter was the accident that took the lives of the Evans parents. May they rest in peace.

Evil Duckie of the Black Lagoon: Still loving your name. It's fun to type. I know this update wasn't quick enough, but maybe you'll forgive me and enjoy it anyway. Sorry it's so short!

ParvisSira: Dearie, the wedge isn't there yet! But soon enough the Evans sisters will be forced apart. But…what will Rose think of this Death Eater business? I thank you for the compliments!

Lydia: Ah, but remember that the Shrieking Shack drove apart Dumbledore and Severus for a time! We all know that Snape eventually comes back…but what drives him to it? I like your views on Snape. I too believe he's going to shock all of us with his personal history. He's very clever, and brave enough to be a double spy, and he's fighting for SOMETHING isn't he? But what? If we know Snape it isn't just for what's right but for what he wants. He's a selfish individual, and I can say that 'cause I love him. Interesting.

Elvesmagic010: I was beginning to miss you. I know what you mean about school, though. I'll forgive your lack of reviews if you'll forgive my slow posting of late. School. Erg.

Love y'all! See you next chapter!

-JB-