Rose sat in the school's library, thumbing through a copy of Hogwarts, A History that Hermione had lent her. She smiled to herself as she remembered Hermione's earnest face as she told her this book would absolutely fascinate her. At another time, Rose thought she would be enthralled with the book, learning about a world she had never known; a world that was suddenly feeling more and more like home. But she was worried about Severus and Harry. Two people that she had come to care for that couldn't be more different from each other. Two people who hated each other, however unfairly…two people whose only common bond was Rose.

A small noise startled Rose and she looked up to see Severus standing in front of her swaying on his feet from exhaustion. His face was bruised and bloodied; his usually immaculate robes were dirty and torn and his face was a ghastly shade of grey.

"Severus!" Rose made a move as if to fling herself off the chair, but stopped herself as Severus looked down at her, holding up a hand to stop her.

"Please don't, Rose. I'm filthy, and I need to clean up, and see Dumbledore and…" he trailed off as if it were just too much effort to talk.

Rose got up slowly…taking Severus by the arm, she led him gently to the chair she had just occupied. Severus leaned his head back and closed his eyes. She sat down on the floor by his feet and picked up a bloodied and bruised hand.

"Oh Severus," she breathed. "I was so worried. When you said you had to answer Voldemort's summons, I was so afraid you wouldn't come back." She leaned her cheek into his hand, taking care not to jostle his hand, which she was sure had a least two broken fingers. "I'll go find Dumbledore for you, Severus," she said, swiftly wiping her eyes and getting to her feet. "I'll bring him to you…" Severus held out a hand to her.

"No, I've changed my mind," Severus said thickly. "I need to be with you, just for a moment. I need to feel clean again, and I need …I need…you."

Rose carefully climbed in the chair with Severus, laying her head against his chest, not caring about the dirt and blood he was getting on her. She could hear Severus' heart beating against her ear and felt him sigh deeply and wrap his cloak around her, pulling her in closer, making her feel secure and safe.

Suddenly, a loud BANG made Rose sit up and Severus grab for his wand. A cold chill went through Rose as she looked up and saw a tall figure standing by the open door of the library. He wore a voluminous cloak that covered him from head to toe and had a hood pulled down over his face, but Rose felt a frisson of terror run through her at the sight of him.

"So, Severus, this is what has made you sloppy and forgetful," a cold voice whispered, stepping closer. "I had expected more, but no matter," the figure moved closer and Rose caught a glimpse of a white, snakelike face.

"How did you get in here?" Severus whispered, his voice steady.

The cloaked figure let out a soft noise, barely resembling a laugh, but Rose supposed it must be.

"I followed you of course...it's so very helpful to have a faithful servant in an enemy's camp. Argus Filch has been more than helpful in allowing me access inside Hogwarts. And all YOU could think about was getting back here…to her…and as you well know Severus, love makes people weak and foolish. I had hoped you would be forgetful in placing your spells around yourself and the school to not allow me access to you. And you've behaved admirably. I think I shall thank you by killing you first, so that you won't have to suffer through her death." The figure raised his wand and Rose looked up to see gleaming red eyes under the hood. "Get up, so that you can die like a man!"

Rose gripped Severus' cloak. "No Severus, please…" but what she was pleading for she didn't know. Severus took her hand and loosed it from his cloak.

"I love you Rose," he whispered as he turned and faced Voldemort.

A red bolt shot from Severus's wand, but was quickly blocked by Voldemort, who shouted, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" his spell missing Severus as he hurled himself behind a solid oak library shelf.

"You can't hide from me, Severus," hissed Voldemort. "You've tried that before, so what makes you think it will work now?" He glided towards Rose and placing the tip of his wand under her chin, used it to pull her unwillingly from the chair.

Rose squirmed to get out of Voldemort's grip, "Let go of me you evil monster!"

"Let her go," Severus said calmly from behind Voldemort. Rose saw that he had his wand aimed at Voldemort's heart…or where it would be if he had one, Rose thought.

"You dare threaten me? I really don't think you're in any position to do that, my dear Severus," Voldemort turned, keeping Rose in front of him as a shield.

"Coward! You would use her to protect you? And I thought you were braver than that," Severus said calmly, his wand never wavering.

"Oh Severus, you really don't understand me at all. I am neither scared of you, or your puny threats. But I do know that while I have her, you will do whatever I tell you. You see, I know that you love her. Again, it is so helpful to have a spy in Hogwarts, and Argus has been so diligent in spying on you and allowing me access to you, and to her. So, I don't think you would do anything as foolish as trying to harm me while I have her."

"No, but I would!" a voice rang out from the other side of the library.

"Harry! I'm so glad you could join this family reunion," Voldemort's voice was almost cracking with excitement at the sight of Harry. "Now, whom do I kill first, hmmm?" the tip of Voldemort's wand tickled Rose's cheek, almost like a lover's caress, and Rose shuddered at the touch.

"Potter! Once again, your interference is neither necessary nor wanted," Severus growled. "Have you forgotten Priori Incantatem? You can not battle him with your wand, silly boy!"

Voldemort seemed to be enjoying the exchange between Harry and Severus, glancing back and forth between them as an excited spectator would at a tennis match. Rose felt his grip loosen and jerked sharply away from him and towards Severus.

"Rose, no!" Severus rushed to her as Voldemort raised his wand and shouted, "AVADA KEDRAVRA!" Rose fell in Severus' arms in a haze of green light.

"NO!" Harry screamed. Raising his wand, he pointed it at Voldemort with a shaking hand, but couldn't speak. He sank to his knees in despair; he heard a loud shriek of triumph from Voldemort as he pointed his wand at him. Dropping his head, he failed to see Professor Dumbledore behind him, raising his wand and shouting spells. He heard voices yelling, a scuffling sound and then a deathly silence. But he couldn't look up…he knew Voldemort had to be standing over him, ready to kill him too.