The following day found Pansy and her uncle in Severus Snape's living room for afternoon tea. As Severus came in from the dining room with the tea service he took one look at Pansy holding a single long stem white rose and froze; the tray crashing to the floor.

Severus pointed a shaking finger at Pansy's hand. "Why do you have that?"

"It's from the gardens at the manor... I wanted to convey..." She looked at the rose in her hands. "I'm not sure actually...understanding? Sympathy?"

"May I?" He asked reaching for the rose.

"Yes, of course!" She handed it over.

Reed repaired the tea service and busied himself in Severus's kitchen as Severus beckoned for Pansy to sit on the small leather sofa across from him. He inspected the rose from the end of the stem to each individual petal.

"Congratulations and condolences on your new position, Ms. Parkinson. I have complete faith that you'll be exceptional. Severus said with his eyes still trained on the rose. Looking up he said, "I'm sure you'll want to discuss my position in the pack."

"Yes that does need doing but first I want to know about that." She pointed to rose now laid across his lap.

Reed came back into the living room and set the tea out on the coffee table before sitting by his niece's side and Severus nodded his thanks.

"Do you know the significance of this for me?" Severus asked.

"I assume it has something to do with my sister and the pact you made to keep her safe." Pansy answered. "Given your reaction to it."

Severus closed his eyes, nodded and took a deep breath. "So you know."

"It's the most anyone can tell me."

Severus leaned forward and covered his face with his hands.

"None of us think poorly of you my old friend." Reed offered.

"It's true, Professor. I'd trade my soul now to have her back."

Severus's head snapped up. "No! You must never say those words! Promise me Pansy!"

Shocked, Pansy could only nod. "I promise."

Severus seemed to sigh in relief.

"So? Will you tell me about the rose?"

"When I made that deal, the condition was that I could never speak of her. I could never look for her. Not until he gave me permission."

"And since you're speaking to us now, I'm assuming you now have that permission?"

Severus nodded. "I was told to look for a sign. Then I would know that it was almost time to be reunited."

"The rose is the sign?" Reed asked.

"Yes. But I confess to not understanding. This is the sign, I'm sure of it. But I can't find any clues.. it's just a rose." Severus sighed in frustration.

"Tell me about her. We need to work together to find her."

"There's not much to say, I'm afraid. Lucifer saw to her adoption personally. I was given no details and everyone was obliviated after. Her appearance was changed and she was taken. Only he knows who or where she is."

"Well that certainly hinders the search." pansy sighed and looked to her uncle. "What now?"

"I'll contact my master tonight and ask him what the next steps are. I'll owl you with any new information I find." Severus answered.

"Thank you Severus. I can't imagine the pain you've had to carry all these years. Hopefully that will end soon."

"Thank you Miss. And now for other business. What would you have me do? Where is my place now?" He asked.

"Find your daughter first. Our pack needs two leaders, and I want my sister. Once she's safe with us, then we can figure out your place, Professor."

"Thank you again, Miss. And please, call me Severus outside of class."

Pansy smiled and finished her tea before she and her uncle left the potions professor in peace.