Chapter 13: Supposed to Be Friends

Severus's senses were immediately overwhelmed. Music blasted at full volume, making the floor shake. The air was thick with a mixture of tobacco, stale alcohol, and sweat. Strobe lights cut through the dark making every vision seem choppy and discombobulated.

So, no one could tell that a man in black wizard's robes just appeared out of thin air. No one heard the loud pop of apparition.

Severus scowled deeply. He was in a bloody nightclub, surrounded by drunk, sweaty muggles.

Severus had apparated with no knowledge of where he would end up. Usually with apparition a witch or wizard had to visualize a location. However, in this case, the golden orb helped Severus visualize a person. Severus experienced Rose so vividly, even more so than if she was standing in front of him. Severus felt Rose's feelings. It was an experience that did not come in any tangible form. Severus did not see visions or hear words like in legilimency, but what he did experience was unmistakably Rose in everyway.

He knew that she must be here somewhere.

Then, just as he thought it, Severus's eyes fell upon her.

Fury instantly began to boil within him.

She was wearing a very short dress, that left almost nothing to the imagination. She was dancing with a tall, muscular man, who held her by the waist, too tightly, too intimately.

Severus thought of all those weeks he would hold onto her for support, but nothing like how that man was touching her. He had a strange sense of being a child and having someone play with his toy the wrong way.

Rose had no rhythm, but the man touching her did not seem to care in the slightest, nor did the other men staring at her.

Rose smiled as the man pulled her in closer, yet the smile did not quite touch her eyes. Severus had seen Rose use that fake smile before if she was actually upset and didn't want anyone to know.

Severus couldn't stand it a moment longer, he pushed his way through the crowd, a few people looked after him in his strange attire. Eventually he made it over to Rose.

She didn't notice him at first. She was trying her best to focus on the man in front of her. He was very handsome, had a great body, and had already bought her two drinks. She even considered going home with him. At least she would not be alone in her flat again.

As this stranger ran his hands all over her, Rose contemplated if she was ready to be with another man. She had not slept with anyone since Tiberius. She hadn't had the desire to sleep with anyone, well until-

She suddenly felt a third hand grab her shoulder somewhat forcefully. She jumped in surprise and then turned away from her dance partner.

Severus Snape was before her.

He had a tight grip on her and he stared down at her, a repugnant look on his face.

"Severus," she said in shock, though her voice could not be heard over the music.

The man in front of Rose shouted something at Severus with his hands up in the air.

Severus ignored the man. "Let's go," Severus mouthed at Rose. He pulled on her shoulder slightly to usher her along.

Rose glared at him before forcefully shrugging off his hand from her, then walking towards the exit without looking back.

Severus followed her lead and stepped out of the noisy club and into the soothing quiet of the night. The sounds from inside hummed behind them but were easy to ignore.

They stood in a parking lot, with flickering street lights. A line of people stood at the door waiting to get into the commotion.

Neither of them spoke at first, both basked in the other's presence in disbelieve that they were face to face again.

"What are you doing here, Severus," Rose said. She sounded so exhausted.

Severus did not even know were to begin. He figured he should not lead with a little ball of light touching his heart. "What are you doing here?" he threw back at her. "You look ridiculous."

Rose blinked once as if Severus had slapped her. "It's none of your business where I go or what I look like when I'm there," Rose retorted.

A few people in line were watching them.

Severus's eyes flit to the onlookers. "Can we go somewhere private to speak?" he asked, trying to pull some of the anger from his tone.

Rose was about to say no. She took a couple steps backwards and stumbled slightly.

Severus gripped her at her forearms. "And you have been drinking while strange men grope at you," he scolded. "Very intelligent," Severus added with irony.

Rose opened her mouth, hoping that some witty and hurtful would roll out, but she had nothing. With Severus's hands on her, she seemed to wilt slightly. "We can go sit in my car," she muttered back, dropping her gaze.

She pulled away from Severus but beckoned him to follow her.

She unlocked the doors of a small blue hatchback.

She climbed in the driver's seat and Severus in the passenger's, his long legs pressed tightly against the dashboard. They both slammed their doors shut.

Questions buzzed around in Rose's brain. She wondered how and why Severus had found her. "I assume there is a reason for you being here," Rose began coldly, "Or did you just come to scold me."

Severus opened his mouth to reply with something about her needing to be told off for her poor decision-making skills, but before he could, he truly took in Rose beside him.

She looked worn down, not just tired; she looked as though something was constantly eating at her, picking away at that lively girl Severus once knew. Rose became much thinner; her soft cheeks had a hallow appearance about them now and her collarbone perturbed more than before.

Rose hesitantly lifted her gentle brown eyes to Severus. His face softened.

"Well?" Rose pushed trying to sound annoyed but just sounded expectant.

Severus continued to shamelessly stare at her, Rose squirmed slightly in her seat. She could feel Severus's mind racing.

"I don't want to see anything bad happen to you," Severus finally said slowly.

Rose let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She brought a hand to massage her temple. "The feeling is mutual," she told Severus quietly. She paused then looked at him again. "I thought we were supposed to be friends."

Severus's pressed his lips into a fine line and his brows knit together. Cautiously and uncertainly, Severus reached out and took Rose's hand in his.

She stared down at their touching flesh with a furrowed brow.

Severus waited for her to yank her hand away, but she didn't.

Rose blinked several times and looked out the window so that her face was turned away from Severus. She turned her hand over so that their palms met and their fingers interlocked.

"I'm sorry," Severus whispered. It was easier to say when her eyes were turned away for him.

Rose sniffed once but did not face Severus. She did not want him to see her crying, even though she knew it was obvious.

"Rose?"

"Just for the record," she said in a shaky voice. "You are a huge jerk."

The corners of Severus's mouth twitched slightly. "Noted," he replied drily. He gently pulled his hand back and Rose turned towards him again, worried he would disapparate.

Tears streamed silently down her cheeks. Rose quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Severus sighed. He didn't know what else he could say. It seemed imprudent to remark upon her patronus because, quite frankly, he wouldn't even know what to say on that subject. The thought of it still made his head spin.

"There is this awful event happening tomorrow," Severus heard himself say.

Rose looked at him with confusion.

"The Ministry of Magic is hosting a ball at Hogwarts for those who fought in the final battle." Severus had received his invitation several weeks ago. Over the last week, ministry witches and wizards had become a regular fixture in the Great Hall, planning out the event. "It sounds horrible, really," Severus added. He had already planned on not attending.

"I can hardly picture you at a ball," Rose muttered.

"Right," Severus confirmed. "Perhaps if you accompanied me, it might almost be bearable."

Rose tilted her head slightly. "Are you trying to bribe me into forgiving you by inviting me to some lavish party at Hogwarts?"

"That is exactly what I am doing," Severus admitted.

For just a moment he thought he saw that familiar glint return to Rose's eyes.

Rose thought Severus would be completely out of place at a ball and that he would hate every second he had to be surrounded by loud crowds of people. This made it mean even more that he was asking her.

"So, I should get a dress then," she said. Severus's heart began to pound. He had expected her to refuse him. "And you," Rose continued, "should wash your hair." Severus grimaced. "Clearly, if I don't do it for you, it doesn't get done."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "I almost forgot how irritating you are," he said.

A grin sped across Rose's face. "Look at the pot calling the kettle black," she mused.

Severus's eyes bore into hers. Rose's returning liveliness was contagious.

"I will be waiting for you just inside the front entrance at six o'clock," Severus told her. "They are lifting the spells on the grounds, so you can apparate in."

"Okay, Severus," she agreed.

"Okay," he said back. He suddenly appeared years younger, lines of worry and anger were momentarily washed away. Then he shook his head once and his grave air returned. "Don't drive home," he told her sternly, "apparate and come get your car later. You are in no position."

"Yes, sir," Rose replied with mock seriousness.

Severus raised his brows at her.

"I will apparate home," Rose told him earnestly.

"Good," Severus hissed and then with a quick pop, he was gone.

Rose stared thoughtfully at the place where Severus had just been. She had no idea what to feel or what to make of what just happened. But despite everything, she was excited at the prospect of seeing Severus Snape tomorrow.

DEAR READERS,

What do you think should happen next? I am open to suggestions. Please Review. I am always so excited to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Thora Jane