Chapter 22: Not Too Late for Them to Know

Frost spread over the grounds as November quickly turned into December. One afternoon, a few days before holiday break, Minerva approached Severus in the corridor. "Ah Severus," she called, catching sight of him.

Severus stopped his quick strides and waited as the headmistress moved towards him. "Minerva," he greeted passively.

"Severus," she began, "I have been meaning to ask if you would be expecting a guest for the Christmas holiday." She eyed him with raised brows.

Severus looked at the headmistress for a moment, his face unreadable, and then he gave her a slow nod.

"Good," McGonagall said curtly. Amusement danced behind the headmistress's eyes though her face remained stoic. "And will she be needing a room? Or will she be sleeping in your quarters?"

Severus felt his neck grow hot and he scowled slightly. "She will not be needing a room," Severus said shortly before walking away without another word.

Rose had been spending the night weekly since term began. Severus had never drawn much attention to this fact nor did he asked permission before he brought Rose to stay in the school. Of course, in a castle full of students, ghost, and talking portraits, things did not go unnoticed. Severus was certain that McGonagall knew all about Rose and her sleeping arrangements; she just wanted to hear him say it.

Severus was convinced that everyone one in the school knew that a pretty, young healer was sharing his bed. In fact, it was the main topic of gossip. Especially now that Rose was seen on the grounds, in broad daylight, spending time with Ephraim Fayden.

One student even claimed that he saw her kissing Professor Snape behind the statue of the one-eyed witch.

"I don't believe it," another student proclaimed. "I've seen 'her,' and I've seen Snape. She was his healer, that's what it says in Rita Skeeter's book. Snape practically got his head bit off by You-Know-Who's snake. She is probably here a lot to check up on his wounds."

"His wounds are healed."

"How do you know? Have you seen them?"

"I'm telling you, I saw them snogging. If you would have actually read Rita Skeeter's book, you would know that that girl is more than his healer." The student's voice got really low. "It says in the book that Snape slipped her a love potion."

"Well that could explain it then," the other student rationalized. "But wait, wasn't Snape supposed to be in love with Harry Potter's mum."

Severus would occasionally catch sections of similar conversations. He wouldn't say anything about it but would deduct points from the student in question's house for things like writing too loudly or having an untied shoe lace.

Severus would act sour until Rose made him tell her what was going on. Rose would scuffle along with Severus and then brush it off with a few well-timed jokes.

Rose did not tell Severus that she was getting similar comments at work. Luckily, Rose's healer peers had enough sense to know that Rose was not under the influence of a love potions. That did not stop the gossip though. It baffled everyone who knew Rose, that she would want to be with an older, cranky, ex-deatheater who was allegedly in love with another woman. Especially, since no one knew about her relationship with Tiberius. For all everyone did see, Rose had never showed any inclination in dating any man before. So why now Severus Snape.

The remarks grew old very quickly, but it was the whispers about Severus's lingering feelings for Lily that bothered Rose the most, even though she knew Severus loved her. She guessed that she never would stop feeling self-conscious where Lily Potter was concerned.

One afternoon, Rose's supervisor pulled her aside and asked it there was any concern about unsavory conduct amongst a healer and patient. Rose blushed profusely and explained that she only started seeing Severus once he was out of her care. Though the supervisor stated she was satisfied, Rose felt furious that she had to explain herself at all.

Rose completely lost it when William Sinclair brought Severus up. "I'm going to stop you right there, Will," Rose said loudly, catching the attention of several people in the hospital dining hall. Rose looked around her quickly and lowered her voice. "I love Severus Snape," she told him fiercely, "there was no trickery or potions involved at either end. So please just mind your own business!" She stormed away from him.

That night, Severus was planning to visit her flat. This was not the norm because he could not stay over and neglect his responsibility for the Slytherin students. Rose was not planning on seeing Severus until the following night when she would come to stay with him at Hogwarts for the holiday break. But Severus had asked Rose if he could meet her. His tone made Rose think there was something wrong. He was cold towards her and distant as they spoke through the mirror. Rose felt anxious all day long, wondering what was in store.

Lately, Severus had been acting a bit more on edge. He attributed it to being busy at work and sharply told her to not concern herself. Rose worried that Severus resented her for the ongoing gossip. It really didn't show either of them in a flattering light, he, the villainous trickster and she, the clueless damsel.

Shortly before Severus was expected to arrive, Rose's phone rang. She let it go to voicemail, but it immediately began to ring again.

"Yes," Rose signed into the receive.

"Oh, hello stranger," an exasperated voice replied.

"Hi mom," Rose answered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sorry."

"Hard day?" Cora Rosamond asked her daughter.

"I don't know," Rose replied flatly, thinking about the comments at work and her anxiety about Severus's moodiness. "I'm fine, I guess." Rose lied. "Just tired."

"Alright," Cora said unconvinced. A few years ago, she would have pried deeper to learn what was bothering her daughter, but Rose had become so distant. Cora never really knew what to say to her anymore. The last time Cora had seen Rose, she was distracted and flighty. She had packed up her whole life to move to England. Cora had suspected that Rose was in love, but it was strange. Rose sometimes seemed so, incredibly happy that she might burst. Other times she could barely conceal the tears in her eyes. The few times she had spoken to Rose in the last year, Rose had sounded like a completely different person. Her voice was flat and her answers short and generic. Cora did not truly know her daughter anymore.

However, Cora did note a transformation in Rose lately. The first clue was that Rose was actually taking her calls. Cora could almost hear hints of her little girl coming back to her.

"How is everyone over there?" Rose asked. She did not know what to say to her mother either.

Her family never knew about Tiberius and now they never would. Therefore, they could not ever really know Rose. But oh, she missed her family so much.

"Everyone is doing well," Cora told her daughter. "Everyone is pretty much the same since you left, except for the girls." She meant Rose's nieces. "They are growing up so fast."

"I miss them," Rose said. It was easiest to say she missed the girls than to admit how much she missed her parents and siblings and how much she missed herself, the way she was back then. It was only when she was with Severus did she feel like a whole person, taped together perhaps, but all the pieces were accounted for.

"We all miss you, Rose," Cora simpered, hearing her daughter's silent longing. "We were all wondering if you would be coming home for Christmas this year."

Rose was silent for a moment; the idea was tempting but she would feel like an outcast. She sometimes wanted to tell her family about Tiberius, but she could never bring herself to do it, fearing that they would not understand or somehow judge or blame him. "I can't mom."

"Why not?" Cora said, frustration creeping into her voice. "Rose we haven't seen you in nearly 2 years. What has possibly been happening over there?" Being no mag and having very little contact with Rose, her family remained blissfully unaware of the wizarding war being fought in the U.K. Rose had once told them about Voldemort and his followers. Rose told her family about the horrible things deatheater inflicted. Rose vaguely wondered what her parents and siblings would say if they knew that Rose had fallen in love with two of Lord Voldemort's followers.

"I have to work," Rose lied again.

"Okay, Rose," her mother sighed deeply.

There was a loud pop as Severus appeared in Rose's flat. His eyes immediately fell upon Rose, she was frowning and looked distressed.

"What was that sound?" Cora asked her daughter.

"Apparition," Rosa said simply. "I have to go, mom." Rose watched Severus. He was standing feet away, he did not approach, but gave her space to finish her conversation.

"I love you, Rose," Cora said firmly.

Rose shut her eyes briefly. "Love you, too," she said in a tight voice before putting down the receiver. Rose hung her head slightly, staring at the phone, her head swimming with unsaid words.

Severus swiftly walked towards her. She looked up at him and immediately wrapped herself around him, burying her face in his chest. She breathed in his scent and let it fill her with warmth.

Severus protectively held her, his palms pressed against her head and her back.

They just stood like this for several minutes as Rose tried to find herself again. The thoughts of everything she lost caught up with her. It was only Severus who could fill that looming void that had been threatening to consume her since Tiberius's death.

Rose finally gathered herself and tilted her head up to meet Severus's eyes. He gazed down at her questioningly. He remained silent though. They both knew that when the other got lost in thoughts of the past, it was best to just patiently wait for them to find their way back. A light smile formed on her mouth. Severus understood her in a way that no one else could and he loved her for who she was now and the girl from her past that Rose struggled to cling to.

"Hi," Rose hummed.

A smile smirk formed on Severus's face. "Hello," he returned, a playful look behind his black eyes.

"It's been a while since you've been in my flat," Rose said, leading Severus by the hand to sit beside her on the sofa. "What do I owe the pleasure, Professor Snape."

Severus's body tensed, all manners of easy erased from him as he again focused on his purpose.

"What is it, Severus?" Rose asked with concern.

Severus sat stiffly and stared straight ahead, thinking feverously. He seemed to convince himself of something and then turned his face towards Rose again. "Nothing," he answered her.

Rose looked at Severus through narrowed eyes. "It just seems that you have had a lot on your mind lately and I know it doesn't have to do with work," Rose told him. "Have I done something wrong?"

Severus let out a sharp breath. "No," he assured her. "Of course not."

"I just don't understand what's been-"

Severus stood abruptly, making Rose jump slightly. He took a few steps away, keeping his back to her. Rose just continued to watch him from where she sat. "I have been giving something a great deal of thought lately." Severus said more to himself than to Rose.

"Okay," Rose pressed.

"There is something I would like to suggest to you," Severus said. He finally turned towards her again.

"Okay," Rose said again.

"You must understand that no matter how you relay," Severus told her, "it will not in anyway lessen how I feel about you. It is a mere proposal, just one option of many. I do not expect you to give me an immediate answer. In fact, I would prefer that you think it through thoroughly.

Rose felt nervous and confused. "What is it that you're proposing, Severus?" Rose asked, ready for him to get to the point and not let her continue in suspense.

His dark eyes bore into hers. "Marriage," he told her in a straight tone.

Rose looked back at him blankly. "Who's marriage?"

Severus grimaced. "Our marriage," he replied.

Rose looked off to the side thoughtfully. Severus 'had' told her that he didn't want her to give him an answer right away, but he did not anticipate how painful her silence would be.

Rose was having a very hard time wrapping her head around what was happening. "Severus, you are asking me to marry you?" She puzzled.

"Yes," Severus said rather impatiently. Was the idea really that ridiculous to her that she could not grasp the concept?

Rose stood from her seat and moved to stand in front of Severus. She rested her hand against his chest. "Is that really what you want?" she asked. She had never heard of a marriage proposal sounding more like a suggested business agreement.

"I wouldn't have asked if-" Severus cut himself off, seemingly realizing what he was doing wrong. He placed his hand over hers, pressing her palm closer to his pounding heart. "It doesn't matter what I want," Severus told her, "not to me." He looked into her eyes, her pupils two eclipsing moons, drawing him into their gravitational pull. "My only concern is what will make you happy." He paused to gently squeeze her fingers. "If you decide it's what you want, I promise to spend the rest of my life endeavoring to deserve you."

Rose felt warms seep over her as Severus's words began to take on full meaning. He was asking her to be his wife. Rose was not even 26 years old yet and she had two men propose to her, both in incredibly different ways. Everything in her relationship with Tiberius was intense and powerful. His proposal to her mirrored that. Rose's love for Severus came on quietly. She did not even realize it had happened until she was completely consumed. Tears glistened in her eyes. "Of course, I will marry you," she told him sincerely.

Slowly a smile formed on Severus's lips, it grew broader as Rose's words fully sunk in. "I told you to think about it," he protested, still grinning.

Rose let out a sound that was half laugh and half weep. "I don't have to think about it," she said. "I love you."

"And you don't anticipate ever changing your mind?" Severus questioned seriously, some of the happiness fading from his face. "Are you sure you don't want someone younger, with a less complicated past."

"Are you trying to talk me out of it?" Rose exclaimed. "Because my answer is not going to change."

Some of the brightness returned to Severus's face making him appear much younger. "I just want you to be completely sure."

"I am sure," Rose assured him.

Severus believed her. His face suddenly broke, a mixture of overwhelming happiness and the pain of what had been. He pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair, he clung to her tightly. Rose shook with sobs into his chest. Severus remained more composed, yet silent tears fell from his eyes and dripped from the end of his hooked nose.

"We mustn't wait," Rose cried.

Severus clenched his eyes closed momentarily, thinking that the last time Rose had said yes to a marriage proposal, she had never made it to her wedding day. "No," Severus agreed, "we won't wait long."

Rose tilted her head to look at him, tears free flowing down her soft cheeks. "When?" Rose asked desperately.

Severus's eyes also welled but he kept his feelings at bay. He stroked her cheek lightly. "As soon as we can get everything arranged."

"What needs to be arranged?" Rose urged. "Severus let's just go somewhere right now and do it."

Severus gave Rose a sad look, he could clearly see right through her, her fears and past trauma evident in her eyes. "Rose," he said in a rational tone. "We need to get someone to marry us and we need a place to live."

"What about your house?" Rose pleaded.

"No," Severus said firmly. He refused to bring a wife back to Spinner's End, where ghost of horrific memories awaited behind every corner. "We will find somewhere else."

Rose opened her mouth to argue, but Severus cut her off.

"And I will not have us living in separate places. I expect us to live as husband and wife," Severus interjected. "Perhaps we can live in Hogsmead, if you think you would like that."

Rose paused to think about the prospect. Her expression still looked concerned.

"Rose," Severus pleaded with her.

Rose hugged him tightly.

"Rose," Severus continued, "I can't stay."

Rose looked up with wide eyes. "You just asked me to be your wife and you have to leave?" she said outraged.

Severus looked just as miserable at the prospect as Rose did. "I have to go back to Hogwarts," he told her. "I have to check on Ephraim and give him his potion."

Rose let him go, the thought of Ephraim's needs outweighed her own. She sighed deeply, tears still spilling silently down her checks.

Severus pressed his lips against her forehead. "I will see you tomorrow evening," he whispered, trying to assure her.

Rose nodded.

"I love you," Severus told her firmly.

Rose nodded again, pressing her lips together. She breathed in sharply, composing herself. "I love you too, Severus."

His eyes were locked upon her until the moment he disapparated.

Rose swallowed hard and stared at the place where Severus had just been standing. Her head was spinning. She almost felt drunk. Severus's proposal was so unexpected, but she knew that she wanted to be his wife. However, part of her would not accept any of this to be real until it actually happened.

Rose told herself that Severus was strong and constant. He said they would be married and they would be. This brave and selfless man was going to be her husband. She was going to be Rose Snape.

Severus held Rose together. She finally felt safe to hope and be happy. It was Severus who brought her back. Now he would truly be hers.

Rose picked up the phone, her fingers dialed quickly.

The phone only rang once.

"Hello?" came Cora's voice.

Her family would never know the parts of her that loved Tiberius Malfoy, but it was not too late for them to know the Rose who loved Severus Snape.

"Mom," Rose answered back. "I need to tell you something."

DEAR READERS,

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Thora Jane