A Lily and a Rose Chapter 26, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter 26: The Rosamonds

"Oh Rose," Cora Rosamond simpered. "We just love your fiancé."

Rose stood in her parents' living room. Her father, brother, and sister had their backs turned to her.

"You picked a good one," Cora continued, "So handsome and friendly."

Rose stared at her mother with confusion. Rose loved Severus and she was extremely attracted to him, but she did not expect her mother to call him handsome and certainly not friendly.

Suddenly Severus appeared at Rose's side, looking cranky and forlorn. Rose instinctively reached for his hand.

"Who is this?" Cora said as she eyed Severus with a look of disgust.

"Mom," Rose said fiercely, noting the expression on her mother's face. "This is Severus."

"Who?" Cora asked.

"My fiancé," Rose said firmly, "Severus Snape."

"No, Rose," Cora told her daughter. "Your fiancé is here."

As if pulled a part like a curtain, Rose's father, brother, and sister stepped aside to reveal a tall, handsome man with white blond hair and steely eye.

"Tiberius," Rose mouthed in shock.

Rose jolted awake. She was shivering but she wasn't cold. She was in Severus's bed. Rose reached out for Severus, but her hand only found cold sheets. Rose sat up, holding the blankets up to her bare chest.

The light was on in the bathroom and the door was cracked slightly.

"Severus," she called out.

Severus emerged at once.

Rose smiled upon seeing him. He was wearing no mag clothing in preparation for the day. He had on black trousers, a white button down that rested high up his collar, and a black suit jacket that was slightly too large on him. The whole look was reminiscent of his usual wizarding wardrobe. Severus had also taken the time to pull his shoulder-length hair away from his face, not proficiently though, strands fell loose around his face.

"You look handsome," Rose told him.

The expression of concern Severus wore at her call to him morphed into a scowl as his hands automatically reached for his hair.

"Don't," Rose told him, getting from the bed and dragging the bedsheet with her, wrapping it around her naked body. She stood right in front of him and grabbed his hand. "I like it. You look nice."

"You don't have to pity me," Severus said roughly.

"I'm not," Rose lied. She couldn't help but patronize. She felt so guilty from her dream and the thought that her family would have preferred lively, handsome, and young Tiberius better. She did not mean to be thinking of Tiberius while being with Severus. Rose tried her very best to separate the two men in her life and her heart, though she knew it was impossible. To respect both men, Tiberius needed to stay out of bed with Rose and Severus. Likewise, Severus could not go in Tiberius's places.

Rose did not tell Severus when she had visited Tiberius's grave the night he had proposed to her. Rose knew how Severus would feel about her going to the Malfoy family crypt in the dead of night and without her mirror to call him. But she needed to be with Tiberius, just with him. Rose needed to know he would be okay. Besides, sneaking around in the dark was the only way Rose could visit Tiberius without being discovered by his family. Rose knelt on the hard-stone floor of the crypt, right beside the engraved letters spelling out Tiberius's name. "I probably won't be able to come and visit as often," Rose said, pressing her palm against his tomb. "But I will always love you."

As Rose looked at Severus now, thoughts of Tiberius were in the forefront of her mind. Despite trying to separate her feelings, Rose couldn't help but burn with the intense and glowing love she felt for both men.

"You look very handsome," Rose continued.

Severus gave her a look of disbelief.

Perhaps she 'was' being bias and patronizing. To be fair, Rose had noted changes in Severus's appearance and persona since they had first met. He seemed happier, or at least Rose thought so, and because of that his physical uptake had improved significantly. His hair was shorter and kempt, and his teeth less yellowed. He appeared healthier; he had been eating more, his face became less sallow and sunken and his body slightly fuller.

Rose craned her neck to kiss him. "I like the way you look," Rose told him. This statement was honest. She loved him and just the sight of him made her heart skip a beat. She had grown to feel this way once she knew the loyal, intelligent, and brave man Severus truly was. Rose was going to be so proud to say that Severus Snape was her husband.

Severus seemed to still not be sure if Rose was teasing him or not. His mouth formed a thin line. "It's good you're up," he said coldly. "The portkey leaves in an hour. Get dressed and I will make sure the boy is ready."

Severus walked away from her.

Rose shook her head after him. At least she knew Severus well enough to know how he acted when he was in situations that made him uncomfortable.

Rose quickly showered and dressed. She was nervous about today too and she changed her outfit several times before settling on a short burgundy dress with long sleeve, black stockings, and boots that went to her knees.

Severus brought Ephraim back to met Rose.

Ephraim had chosen his best pair of trousers which were the too large hand-me-downs of one of his foster parent's 'real' kids. Ephraim had to tighten the waist of his pants with an old belt. He wore a shirt and sweater that Rose had picked out for him for Christmas; that, at least, fit him perfectly.

Ephraim cradled Morgana in his arms and she meowed lightly in anticipation of a faraway trip.

Rose was still scrambling to get ready when Severus and Ephraim arrived.

"Rose," Severus called roughly. "We need to leave now."

Rose emerged from the other room. She smiled as she looked at Ephraim, yet the smiled did not quite touch her eyes. Severus examined her face. She was nervous, perhaps a little scared. Severus wondered what 'exactly' was causing these feelings in Rose. Rose had confided to Severus that she felt anxious about see her family after almost two years a part. So much had happened after all. Severus could not help but wonder if Rose worried about what her family would think of him.

This was going to be unpleasant, Severus knew. Luckily, he was used to doing unpleasant things.

"The cat is coming too apparently," Severus said drily.

Rose greeted Ephraim with a hug, careful not to squish the kitten.

"We couldn't leave Morgana behind," Ephraim shot back at Professor Snape. This was clearly not the first time this was being brought up.

"That's okay," Rose assured. "My family likes animals."

The kitten meowed in agreement.

Rose glanced distractedly around the room, trying to make sure she had everything. She repeatedly kept smoothing the front of her dress.

"You look lovely," Ephraim told her kindly, clearly picking up the same vibe off Rose as Severus had.

"Thank you," Rose replied.

"Yes," Severus said hurriedly, "Very nice, now can we please move along." He did not want to delay any long. He just wanted to get this over with. If they missed their portkey, the anxious anticipation would be maddening.

Rose gave Severus a scathing look before putting her hand on Ephraim's shoulder and marching out the door with him, leaving Severus to follow.

To get to America they would be traveling by portkey. Apparition between continents was a bit more difficult because it took longer. That unpleasant feeling of being squeezed through a tube was prolonged. Severus and Rose decided that it would be safer for Ephraim, who had never apparated or disapparated anywhere, if they traveled by portkey to the eastern coast of America. From there, they'd take Ephraim by side along apparition across the country. Because they were coming straight into muggle territory Severus, Rose, and Ephraim would need to apparate directly into Rose's parents' house, as rude as that was, Rose arrange the whole thing with her mother. Rose's family was expecting her in their living room at 11:00 am with her husband-to-be and their young friend.

Because of the holiday season, Hogsmeade was hosting a series of portkeys to various places. Severus, Rose, and Ephraim did not speak much on the walk into the village. All lost in their own thoughts. Severus was silently scowling, Rose looked pale and anxious, and Ephraim quietly observed his two adult companions. Once in Hogsmeade, the three attached themselves to an old shoe alongside a plump wizard and tall witch and her three children. The adults seemed to recognized Severus from the papers and eyed him suspiciously as he put a securing hand on Rose's shoulder. Rose held on to Ephraim and instructed him to make sure his finger was pressed against the portkey.

"And keep a firm hold on that cat," Severus said roughly.

Ephraim cradled Morgana tightly in his jacket.

Then in a swirl of color they were lifted off the ground, their fingers glued to the shoe that carried them across land and water.

Their feet hit concrete and the old shoe fell to the ground, now completely useless. They appeared to be in a back alley between two towering buildings. The commotion of New York City could be heard just beyond where they stood. Severus watched as the plum wizard sent him a nervous look before scurrying off and the tall witch collected her children quickly and stomped them away.

Severus chewed maliciously on the insides of his cheeks, making his face appear gaunt. Rose did not seem to notice the behavior of their traveling companions.

She knelt beside Ephraim and adjusted his coat and smoothed his hair gently. Ephraim looked a little shook up from the portkey. The only magical transportation he had used before now was floo powder once when traveling to a new caretaker's home. Floo powder was far less dizzying.

"How are you feeling?" Rose asked him kindly.

"I'm fine," Ephraim said a little dazed. He peered into his jacket to examine Morgana. She looked a bit shaken as well.

"Of course, he's fine," Severus said coarsely.

Rose looked up at him. "It feels strange the first time you travel by portkey," she reminded. "Let's catch our breaths for a moment before we try apparition."

Severus rolled his eyes, feeling rather annoyed about lingering in the cold by a dumpster. Though he would not admit it to himself, he was irritated that Rose was not giving him any notice. Between her own anxiety about seeing her family and her attention to Ephraim's comfort, she had neglected to notice Severus and his uneasiness about this whole situation. She did not see the mistrustful looks and fear from the witch and wizard. Rose was about to be his wife, yet she had not even spoken of their marriage today. It was all a rush to get to America. Rose had not even asked Severus how he felt about meeting her family, especially on the day they were supposed to be married. Didn't she care?

Severus was beginning to feel like this trip was a condition of their marriage, like a test of sorts. What would happen if he failed?

Ephraim eyed Professor Snape, clearly not oblivious to his frustration like Rose. "I'm okay," he told Rose, "Really. Let's continue."

Rose eyed Ephraim for a moment and then straightened herself. She held out both her hands to Ephraim and Severus. Ephraim held on to her at once. He was very nervous to apparate. Severus eased himself over to Rose and slowly interlocked his fingers with hers, silently willing her to meet his eyes. She did for only a split second and then looked down at Ephraim. Severus let out a heavy breath.

"Ready?" she said to Ephraim.

Ephraim nodded.

Severus grimaced.

Then with a loud pop the three were gone.

Severus, Rose, and Ephraim reappeared in a quiet warm place. A fire crackled in the heath, a comfy sofa and armchairs surrounded them. The whole back wall was taken up by a towering white bookcase, filled from top to bottom with books, knickknacks, and stationary muggle photographs. Wide windows filled the parallel wall. Outside there was no snow, but tall green pines, damp from winter rain. This was the back of the house. Rose's mother had instructed them to apparate there, so that the neighbors wouldn't see.

Rose let go of Severus's hand, turning all her focus to Ephraim again. Severus looked at the child too. He seemed a little shaky and green, perhaps they should have waited a little longer before attempting to disapparate. Rose sat Ephraim down in one of the armchairs near the fire and got on her knees beside him.

"You did so well," Rose told Ephraim. The boy tried to give her a reassuring smile, but it looked more like a nauseated grimace. Rose kissed Ephraim's forehead. "The first time I apparated," Rose continues, "I passed out because I was so nervous; I was holding my breath. You will get used to it."

Some of Ephraim's normal color began to return to his face. He took in a long draft of air and then looked up at Rose and gave her a shaky smile.

Morgana emerged from Ephraim's jacket and wedged herself between Ephraim's leg and the chair cushion, hiding in case there were more plans to travel in the near future.

Rose grinned. "Just sit for a moment but really you were incredible," she told him.

There was some movement from the other side of the door followed by muffled voices. Rose got to her feet at once, slightly losing her balance. Severus swiftly caught hold of her forearm to steady her. The knob turned, and the door swung ajar.

Several people peered into the room, then hesitantly they began to pile in.

"Rosie," a man said gently.

A grin spread across Rose's face. "Dad," she whispered her voice shaking slightly. A tall, thin man stepped forward and enveloped Rose into a tight hug. He was rather gangly and had soft and symmetrical features, hidden behind think rimmed spectacles. He did not appear handsome or very masculine. He was the type of man with gentle features that would create pretty daughter. He had the same dark hair as Rose, though streaked with gray and his eyes were the same shade of warm brown as Rose's.

Closely behind Rose's father was a woman that could only be her mother. She was stunning, just like Rose. She was blonde and statuesque with an hourglass figure. She stood closely behind her husband, impatiently waiting to get her turn with her daughter. Rose's father gently passed her into her mother's arms. Rose's mother smiled from ear to ear and her blue eyes filled up with tears as she looked at Rose.

Rose just looked stunned at being passed between her parents, as if she couldn't believe she was with them.

"Let me see my sister," a tall blond young man said. This man clearly took after his mother's side of the family with his light hair and blue eyes. He was muscular and bulky. His button-down shirt pulled with every movement, outlining his sculped body. He reached out for Rose and tucked her under an arm. Then a young woman with glasses, that looked very much like Rose, but with subtle differences, moved in too. The blond man brought her into the embrace too so that the three siblings were head to head. It was all too clear to see how close they were, and it was obvious to know how much it hurt to be a part for so long.

They all separated slightly misty eyed.

Rose continued to hold her sister's hand.

Then as if suddenly remembering they were there, Rose let go of her sister and moved over towards Severus and Ephraim.

In all the excitement to see Rose, her family had not taken a moment to notice the two wizards in the room.

"Everyone," Rose announced, taking up Severus's arm and resting her palm against Ephraim's shoulder. "This is Ephraim Fayden and this is my fiancé, Severus Snape." Rose's family's eyes moved over Ephraim and then to Severus. Rose's parents squinted slightly to see Severus, they were not by any means elderly, but they seemed to not trust their eye sight. Rose's brother frowned.

Only her sister looked to see Rose's response to her family's initial reaction to her fiancé. Rose moved in closer to Severus and laid a protective hand on his chest.

"And, these are my parents," Rose continued her introduction, trying to sound cheerful, "Matthew and Cora. And my brother, Ryan and my sister Rachel."

Matthew Rosamond instantly transfigured his face into a smile as if by magic. "Severus," he said, reaching out his hand. "It is very nice to meet you." Severus pulled away from Rose to shake hands with Mr. Rosamond. Then taking the que, the rest of the family filed forward to make Severus's and Ephraim's acquaintance.

Everyone was exceedingly warm and friendly with Ephraim; Rose had briefly told her mother about his past and the whole family clearly wanted to make him feel safe and welcome. No one, however, could muster as much genuine enthusiasm for Severus.

The fake smile that Matthew Rosamond gave Severus was very much like that of his daughter; it was the one Rose produced when she was trying to hide her true feelings and Severus always saw right through it. Cora Rosamond gave Severus a little half smile that was almost polite, but not quite. Rose's brother, Ryan, did not smile at all when shaking Severus's hand, but met his palm with a firm grip.

It was Rachel Rosamond who was the kindest. She glanced at her sister before taking Severus's hand and then told him gently that it was nice to meet him.

Severus had not said a word the whole while. He just nodded and tried his best to keep his face neutral. Severus magically produce a bottle of wine from his jacket pocket and handed it to Rose's mother. "For you," he offered.

Cora Rosamond took the wine with that same small smile. "Thank you, Severus," she said. "That was very thoughtful."

"Of course," Severus hissed. He did not know much, or anything, about meeting a woman's family, but he at least knew it was polite to not show up empty handed.

Rose grinned over at him, then back at her mother. "That's a good one," she informed. "Elf-made wine."

"Oh okay," Cora replied. Her daughter's statement meant little to her, never had she tasted anything made by elves.

The group stared awkwardly at each other for a moment, not entirely sure where to begin.

"So where are my nieces?" Rose asked.

"Home," Ryan told her. "They are recovering from a cold and Maggie decided to let them rest one more day. But they are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I hope you don't mind, but I told them that they could be the flower girls."

"Tomorrow?" Rose asked with confusion. "We were planning to…"

Cora Rosamond stepped forward, a cautious look on her face. "Darling, it was very short notice, you know, to pull a wedding together and your cousin, Jeremey has been so busy lately with the holiday season. We just thought that we could do it tomorrow. First thing," she added seeing the look on Rose's face. "Tomorrow all our family will be available to come as well. It would have been hard to gather everyone up the day right after Christmas. Besides this will give us time to get to know Severus better."

Rose's initial reaction was to panic. She couldn't wait any longer. Last time she waited… but then she looked around the room and saw the faces of her family looking at her expectantly. She loved them all so much. She couldn't pretend that staying longer wasn't a nice thought.

Severus's body stiffened beside her. Rose could almost hear the tension building within him. Severus clenched his teeth. He knew how anxious Rose was to be married. He waited for her to put an end to this nonsense.

"We didn't pack anything," was her response. Severus scowled.

Cora let out a sigh of relief. "We can find things for you to borrow."

Rose nodded once and then looked at Ephraim and Severus. "Are you okay with this," she was mainly looking at Ephraim.

Ephraim thought that Rose's family was extremely kind, like her, and he wouldn't mind at all. Then he looked at his professor, who appeared to mind a great deal. Severus wore a look of disgust that he did not even bother to mask. Ephraim's desire to please Rose won over the desire to avoid making Professor Snape angry. "That would be alright," Ephraim answered her.

Severus sent the boy a sharp glance from his peripherals.

Rose gave Severus a stern look, silently telling him to knock it off. Severus took in a deep breath and then let his face fall into something that was not by any means happy, but unreadable.

"Okay then," Rose announced, "I guess we are staying the night."

Cora moved forward and cupped Rose's face in her hands; she kissed her forehead before releasing her. "Rachel is also spending the night," Cora said. "I'm thinking that Rachel can take Ryan's old bedroom and Rose you can sleep in the guest room. Then Severus and Ephraim can sleep in yours and Rachel's old bedroom." There was a tone of finality in the way her mother stated these sleeping arrangements.

Rose opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. She gave her mother a tight-lipped smile. "Would it be okay if I show Severus and Ephraim around the house?" Rose asked. She knew that it would be best to get Severus away from her family so that they could regroup.

"Sure darling," Cora said picking up her daughter's predicament. "Don't be too long though. I know it's silly, but we saved our Christmas cookies to decorate today with you, just like we always did together."

Rose nodded to her mother and then took Severus by the hand. "Come on, Ephraim" she said, gesturing for him to follow as she pulled Severus from the room. Rose's family further scrutinized him as he passed.

Ephraim gathered up Morgana and trailed after Rose and Professor Snape

"I will show you Rachel's and my old room." Rose said trying to sound causal. Severus slipped his hand away, not wanting to be dragged along by her.

Rose gave him a quick raised brow look but decided not to comment.

Ephraim looked all around as they moved through the house. It was not necessarily a large house, but it was definitely that of a well-off family. Everything had an air of expensiveness, with shinnying wood floors and high ceiling and wide windows. The furniture all looked like it was picked out and placed by an interior designer. Large paintings filled tall white walls. Everything looked so clean and new. Nothing like where Severus had grown up or the places Ephraim had lived.

They passed a shiny grand piano. Severus imaged a younger Rose sitting down to practice.

Rose led them up a staircase. Stationary photographs lined the wall as they ascended. There were family photos and school pictures illustrating each child's journey through puberty. Severus noted that Ryan and Rachel looked very much the same as they did now. They were attractive children that became attractive adults. Rose's pictures, however, depicted a somewhat awkward youth with a round, shy face. As a teenager, she seemed to over use the black eye pencil and styled her hair so it hung in her face.

Rose noticed Severus eyeing the pictures. "I went through many interesting phases," she told him, "none of them particularly flattering."

Ephraim smirked at the photographs and then looked up at Professor Snape. He did not find anything amusing in this particular moment.

Rose sighed and climbed faster to reach the first door on the upstairs landing. She held it open for Ephraim and Severus. "Well gentlemen," Rose announced, "this both starts and concludes our tour, please come in."

Severus glanced at Rose through narrowed eyes as he passed her.

This was definitely a girls' room. Mr. and Mrs. Rosamond were clearly delighted to have daughters and insisted on everything being nauseatingly feminine. The walls were pale pick, the twin beds had floral pink bedding, and lacy white curtains hung from the windows.

Rose and Rachel had attempted to take things into their own hands however. There were posters completely covering one of the pink walls. None of the bands Severus recognized. They were all muggle and completely unmoving images. One of the girls, probably Rachel, had torn out pages from what looked like hundreds of magazines and pinned the images above her bed. Rose, with her interest in plants, had many handmade pencil drawings of flowers, herbs, and fungi fixed to the wall behind her bed. She wrote the name of each plant drawn and a couple facts about it. Nowhere did she indicate how each plant was used in potion making.

Severus scowled around Rose's childhood bedroom.

Rose watched him. "Is there something you want to say, Severus?" Rose said, with mild exasperation in her tone.

"I never would have guessed a witch grew up here," Severus remarked coldly.

Rose grinned slightly and walked over to one of the two closets. She opened the door closest to her old bed and revealed her secret childhood life. The inside of the door was plastered with moving posters and photographs and an Ilvermorny banner hung in her hiding place. Multiple elementary spell books were stacked on the closet floor.

Severus eyed this scene silently, his face unreadable.

"What is Ilvermorny?" Ephraim asked as he set the kitten down at his feet.

"It is the North American wizarding school," Severus informed Ephraim coldly, still staring at Rose's magical belongings.

"Yes," Rose told the child touching his shoulder. "I was a proud Pukwudgie."

Ephraim looked back at Rose with confusion.

"That was my house," she informed him. "As I understand it, it's kind of the Ilvermorny equivalent of being a Hufflepuff."

"Why is all of this hidden?" Severus asked in a sickeningly silken tone.

Rose's brows knit together. "Because I lived in a no mag household," she said this like it was obvious. "Only my immediate family knows I'm a witch. The rest of my family thought I was sent to boarding school for the academically inclined." Rose rolled her eyes as she stated this, trying to brush it off.

Severus's eyes flashed with anger. "They truly don't know you have magic?"

Rose nodded hesitantly. She had just said that.

"What do they think you do for a living?"

"They think I'm a doctor like my parents."

"You are a talented healer and skilled witch," Severus said fiercely.

"Severus," Rose began with a tone of reason. "We all have to follow the Statute of Secrecy."

"In your own home?" Severus pressed, his anger growing. "These muggles have you hidden away like their ashamed of you."

Rose looked at Severus with disbelief. "'These muggles' happen to be my family and they are not ashamed of me or my magic," she said firmly. Feeling the tension build, Ephraim stepped off to the side. "Severus the rest of my family are highly religious and me being a witch would just confuse and scare them."

"Is that what your parents told you?" Severus asked furiously. "How can anyone truly know you if they don't accept what you are."

"Perhaps they don't know witch Rose," Rose explained, "but they know 'muggle' Rose."

Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You are not a muggle, Rose," Severus told her sharply.

"Look," Rose said, losing some of her patience. "I have no problem having a closet full of spell books. If I'm not offended by it, then why are you?"

Severus looked up at her. "We can't stay here."

"Excuse me?" Rose returned.

"Need I be plainer?" Severus said.

"Well, leaving is not an option," Rose said firmly.

Severus moved in closer to her. "Not an option," Severus repeated menacingly. "Now we must be married so that your whole family, that doesn't even know you're a witch, can be present.

"Severus," Rose pleaded.

"And you were so anxious to be married as soon as possible," Severus threw back, "but suddenly now when your family is concerned, you are willing to postpone." Severus thought of the disapproving looks burned in the eyes of Rose's family. Would they make her reconsider marrying him?

"It's just one day," Rose sighed.

"And what about Ephraim," Severus pointed out.

Both Rose and Severus directed their attention toward Ephraim. He blushed at the sudden onset of attention. Rose moved to stand by the child and placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. Ephraim leaned into Rose slightly.

"We haven't any dreamless sleep potion," Severus said.

"We all just talked about this the other day," Rose replied. "You said yourself that Ephraim should try to sleep without taking the potion and Ephraim agreed. What better time than when he is with us. And if not tonight, we can go to an apothecary. It is possible to brew a potion in America." Rose was unimpressed by Severus's feeble argument.

"It's alright with me if we stay," Ephraim said, looking up are Rose.

Rose smiled down at him.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Ephraim will agree with everything you want just to please you."

"If only everyone could be that way," Rose mumbled.

Severus turned toward the window, keeping his back to the others, trying to release his anger. His fists were clenched, and his shoulders ridged.

Rose watched as slowly Severus's body began to untense.

She approached him cautiously, reminding herself that he was trying to control his temper. Granted, he could be trying a little harder, but Rose acknowledged the effort all the same. She moved to face him. He was scowling out the window, his eyes indicating that his thoughts were some place faraway.

"Just another day," Rose said, stroking his cheek gently. Despite his frustrations he couldn't help but be soothed by her loving touch. "And tomorrow we will be married."

Severus pressed his lips together and reluctantly nodded once.

Evidently, Rose knew this was as good as she was going to get.

"Good," She announced, "Let's go decorate gingerbread." Then she pressed her lips against his frowning mouth.

Back downstairs, Rose's family was waiting for them in the family-room, a conjoined sitting room that opened into the kitchen.

"Ephraim," Matthew Rosamond said upon seeing the boy. "Come sit over here and open your presents."

Ephraim threw a glance back at Rose, who shrugged and then smiled. Ephraim hesitantly took a seat on the sofa next to Rose's father. Morgana scampered off to rest in Ephraim's lap.

Rose's mother was standing at the kitchen counter. Rose's brother sat at the kitchen table halfway between his two parents. Her sister sat in an armchair near her father and Ephraim.

"Rose come help me make the icing," Cora told her daughter. Rose moved into the kitchen, brushing her hand against Severus's arm as she passed him.

Severus stood awkwardly alone for a moment before choosing a seat at the table, farthest away from Ryan Rosamond.

Ryan watched Severus from where he sat, a mixture of disapproval and disappointment in his eyes. Severus kept his face determinately blank.

Ephraim had a small pile of gifts laid before him. They were all the typical things one would buy a muggle eleven-year-old. A larger rattling box turned out to be a pretty impressive LEGO set. Ephraim also got the latest Disney film on VHS. The last present was a book.

"What book did you get, Ephraim?" Rose asked him, happy to see her family treating this child so well.

"It's called 'Sam, The Spy,'" Matthew answered. "I asked the lady at the bookstore what the kids are reading these days and she said this book is very popular."

"All children want to be spies at some point," Cora commented.

"Not this child," Severus hissed, getting up from his seat and moving toward where Ephraim sat. "Ephraim give the book back."

Ephraim went pale and handed the book back to Matthew Rosamond with his eyes cast down

Rose's face got hot as her family turned their confused eyes from Severus to her.

Rose quickly stood by Severus and placed her hand on his back. "It's just a children's book, Severus," Rose mumbled.

Severus turned to her, a look of disgust on his face. His expression clearly told Rose that she had no right to question him on this matter. She backed down at once.

"Thank you for the thought," Rose mumbled to her father. She stroked through Ephraim's hair once and gave him a little nod.

Severus returned to his seat at the table.

Ryan caught his sister's hand as she walked passed him. He looked at her with wide eyes as if to say, 'What the hell was that about.' Rose shook her head and pulled her hand away.

Rachel moved to sit closer to Ephraim. "Maybe we can build your LEGO set later," she said trying to distract from the awkwardness of what had just happened.

"Mom, where's the powdered sugar?" Rose asked to give herself something to say. She began ducking into cabinets looking for it.

"Aren't you a witch?" Severus said coldly.

Rose stared at him with hurt in her eyes. Why was he acting like this?

In one swift motion, Severus produced his wand. "Accio," he said, and the jar of sugar came floating out of a cupboard.

Rose snatched it out of the air. "Thanks," she told Severus roughly.

Everyone was silent for several minutes. Only the clanking of Rose's spoon against the mixing bowl could be heard as she made frosting.

"I forgot to say," Cora said, clearly excited to break to tension. "Rosie, we bought us all tickets to go to the theater tonight."

"Oh," Rose said distantly, fixed upon Severus's behavior towards her family.

"It's your favorite," Rachel chimed in, getting up to be near her sister. "Severus," Rachel said, trying to bring him into the conversation for her sister's sake, "Rose loves the theater, she and I would dress up and put on shows. We would even make Ryan do it too."

"Against my will," Ryan added with a smirk.

"We had play dress rehearsals and everything," Rachel told Severus.

Severus listened, his face stoic.

Rachel frowned slightly and quickly moved towards Rose. "We are going to see 'The Phantom of the Opera.' It's come to the theater downtown. It was like they knew you were coming to visit."

Rose tried to make herself smile. She was not as excited as she would have been in different circumstances. "Thank you," Rose told her family. She glanced at Severus, who looked miserable at the concept.

Ryan noticed him as well. "You might like it, Severus," Ryan said, "It's about a creepy man who tries to trick a beautiful young woman into falling in love with him."

Severus scowled deeply. Rose could see his hand tighten around his wand.

Rose shot Ryan a warning look.

"And let's decorate cookies," Cora suggested hurriedly. She put a plate of pre-prepared gingerbread men on the table. Rose set down bowls of icing and took a seat beside Severus.

The rest of Rose's family and Ephraim sat around the table too.

A naked gingerbread man was placed in front of Severus. He gave Rose a wary look.

"Decorate the damn cookie," She hissed at him.

Severus picked up a spoon of icing and let it drip onto the cookie.

"Severus," Cora sighed. She was sitting to his left. "You are going to get your sleeves in the frosting."

"It's fine," Severus told her, scowling down at his gingerbread man.

Cora reached out and grabbed Severus's left arm to roll up his sleeve. Severus instinctively yanked his arm away and stood abruptly.

Everyone around the table looked horrified and confused.

"Mom," Rose said sternly, "Severus said he was fine." Cora looked stunned and gave Rose a look of disbelief. Rose touched Severus's hand, completely unsurprised by his reaction. "Severus," Rose said gently, "sit down, it's okay."

Severus glared down at her and shook his head once. "Excuse me," Severus said roughly before walking out. Moments later they heard the front door open and close.

"What happened?" Cora asked angrily. "What was that? Why is he behaving like this?" She looked fearfully at Rose. "I don't understand how you could-" She cut herself off at the warning look on Rose's face.

"Well if 'you're' not going to say it, mom, I will," Ryan interjected. "Rose, you can't marry that man."

Rose's eyes flit to Ephraim and then set upon her brother angrily. "You don't even know, Severus," she said furiously.

"But Rose," Cora pleaded, "The way he behaves…"

"He was behaving horribly," Rose confirmed with a sigh. "He is not always like that."

Rose's mother and brother looked unconvinced.

"I'm sure Severus has many good qualities," Rachel defended her sister, "if Rose loves him."

"Well he's tall," Ryan said sarcastically.

Rose stood from her seat. "There is so much that you don't know," Rose told the room.

Rose's father just looked miserable; he felt like he couldn't win. If he spoke against Severus, he risked his daughter's anger or worse, he risked her leaving for years again. However, he could not see how Rose could ever be happy with Severus Snape.

"Help us to understand," Matthew spoke up.

"There is so much to tell," Rose said a bit overwhelmed. "Severus is loyal, intelligent, and brave. He has had many opportunities to prove himself to the wizarding world and to me."

"He is also moody, angry, and unattractive," Ryan pointed out. Cora nodded slightly.

"Rose, you are such a successful, kind, and beautiful woman," Cora said desperately. "Severus is not your equal."

"Your right," Rose told her mother. "He is much, much more than I deserve. There are valid reasons for the way he's acting, it doesn't make it right, but I understand him more than he knows. Severus has been put through more than anyone here could possibly comprehend."

"Rose," Cora began.

"No," Rose said. "I'm not completely oblivious, you all judged him before he even opened his mouth. I saw the looks on your faces." Everyone looked uncomfortably around the table. "I'm going to find Severus. We all just need to start over."

Rose began to walk way. Ephraim stood too and followed at Rose's side.

From the foyer window, Rose and Ephraim could see Severus standing just beyond the door. Rose knew he wouldn't have gone far, he wouldn't have left them.

Rose looked down at Ephraim and touched his cheek gently. "Sweetheart, give me a moment with Professor Snape."

Ephraim nodded. "I'll wait here."

"Thank you." Rose said and turned to open the door. "Severus." She stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

The winter air was crisp. Rose rubbed her palms against her arms to try to preserve her warmth.

Severus did not turn to look at her but continued to stare straight ahead.

"I think this is all going so well," Rose said mockingly.

Severus scowled. "Are you surprised?" he asked bitterly.

Rose moved so that she was facing him. She looked at Severus with raised brows.

"Has your family convinced you to call off the marriage yet?" Severus asked coldly.

Rose crossed her arms across her chest. "No, but they wondered why I would want to marry someone with such a bad attitude," she shot back.

"It would make no difference how I behave," Severus returned. "Nothing was going to erase those looks of disapproval etched across their faces the moment they saw me."

Rose's face softened, "Severus," she soothed. "You have to give them a chance to get to know you."

"Right," Severus hissed, "the reason we are postposing our marriage, so that they can 'get to know me better.' Those muggles are never going to accept me."

"'Those muggles,'" Rose repeated, massaging her temples. "You came into this with preconceived ideas of how things would go."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Severus snapped.

"It means," Rose said, "I wonder if you would be acting the same way if my family was magical."

Severus looked at her with angry disbelief. "Are you actually calling me prejudice?"

Rose opened her mouth to reply.

"Rose," a voice called out.

Severus and Rose turned their attention to the side. A young man, who appeared to be about Rose's age was doing a slow jog towards them. He stopped in front of Rose and Severus, yet he only focused on the former. The man had wavy brown hair and green eyes. He was lean, but the outline of muscles was visible through his thin gray t-shirt.

"James," Rose said a little flustered, knowing that this man's presence was not going to help matters.

The man, James, wrapped Rose into a bear hug. His touch was overly familiar. As soon as Rose was released, Severus pulled on her shoulder so that she was forced to step backwards, away from the man.

The young man's eyes bounced from Rose to Severus. Rose watched his gaze.

"James," she said quickly, "This is Severus, my fiancé."

James gave Severus a quick sweep with his gaze before producing a tight smile.

"Severus," Rose continued hesitantly, "This is James." Rose withheld more description of James and how they knew each other.

"Rose and I grew up on this street together," James said, trying to be helpful. He held out his hand to Severus. Severus, being an intelligent man, was able to put two and two together. That night he had asked Rose about the men she had been with before him, Rose had indicated a neighbor boy that she had liked for a long time.

Severus glared at James's outstretched hand with disgust. The brief moments he held it out seemed like lifetimes. Finally, James let his hand fall awkwardly.

To hide his embarrassment, James turned to Rose exclusively. "You look good," James commented. His eyes nervously flicked up to Severus. "You've been good?"

"Uh yeah," Rose said, glancing back at Severus too. "And you?"

"Yeah." James said, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "I was hoping to see you. I was spending Christmas with my family and it had been so long since…but you're getting married, wow."

Rose smiled at him pitifully. He really was a nice guy. "It was really good to see you, James," Rose said firmly.

James immediately took the hint. "You too," he said hurriedly. James automatically moved to hug Rose again, but he stopped himself, catching sight of Severus's face; instead he grabbed her hand and gave it a firm uncomfortable shake.

James took long strides to leave the scene.

Severus and Rose watched his back until he was out of ear shot.

"Perhaps your family would prefer you to marry that muggle," Severus said cuttingly.

"James," Rose corrected. Severus rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter what anyone prefers but you and me." Rose was becoming very frustrated. "And going back to preferences," Rose backtracked. "You would have preferred if I came from a magical family."

Severus's brows knit together, he suddenly had a panicked look in his eyes. "It makes no difference to me that you are muggle-born," Severus assured her at once.

Rose shook her head slightly. "I know you have no problem with me being muggle-born because I'm still a witch, but what if I wasn't. Could you have still loved me?"

"But you are a witch," Severus said. He did not like where this was going.

"That is only one part of who I am," Rose pointed out. She kept her voice calm. "Severus, I think you expect every no mag you meet to hate magic. I think you have a deep-set prejudice and tend to generalize for the worst."

"And healer," Severus sneered, "It that your diagnosis of me." His face distorted into a cold mask. "Am I chronically a deatheater."

Rose flinched. "Severus, I don't think that. It's just-" she cut herself off.

"Just what," Severus said through gritted teeth.

Rose stared at him for a moment, looking right through him. "It's just that not every no mag is your father." She spoke quickly as if this would make it any less unpleasant to hear.

At the mention of Tobias, Severus's face grew stony and drained. This man, who looked Lord Voldemort in the face for years, could not seem to stomach the thought of his own father.

Rose remained silent, letting all her words sink in. Severus was somewhere else completely, somewhere dark and cold. Traces of the terrorized child were visible in Severus's eyes. Rose's heart ached with regret, yet she knew it needed to be said.

Upon seeing his professor from the window, Ephraim came running outside without much thought. He did not know what was going on, but he wanted to help.

Rose turned to see Ephraim coming towards them. Severus was staring, without seeing, straight ahead.

"Professor Snape?" Ephraim asked bravely. Ephraim looked in the direction that young man had left, thinking that all this had something to do with him. "Are you alright, Sir?"

Severus was yanked back to the present. "Get back in the house," he snapped at the boy, "this has nothing to do with you."

Severus immediately regretted his sharp words.

Ephraim's face instantly went pale and his gaze fell as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. Ephraim turned towards the house again, but Rose caught him and brought him into her, wrapping her arms protectively across his chest.

"How dare you talk to Ephraim like that," Rose shot at Severus. Though a child, if anyone could understand Severus's past it was Ephraim.

"It's okay," Ephraim said, staring off to the side, trying to keep tears from escaping.

"No," Rose told him. "It's not okay, Ephraim." Rose knelt to the child's level and hugged him. She stared straight at Severus from over Ephraim's shoulder. "Professor Snape is upset about something completely unrelated to you and he is taking out his feelings on those who care about him."

Rose kissed the top of Ephraim's head. "Go back inside, sweetheart," she whispered in his ear.

Ephraim took off running back inside as soon as Rose released him.

Rose straightened, her arms tightly crossed her chest. She looked furious. "You make it so difficult sometimes, Severus Snape," Rose said under her breath.

Difficult? Difficult to love?

Severus took in several heavy breaths as if he had just been running.

Rose turned towards the house. Severus grabbed her by the wrist before she could step away.

Rose stared at her ensnared arm and then looked at Severus with raised brows.

Severus let her go at once. "You promised," Severus hissed, "that you would not leave when you're angry with me."

Rose let out a long sigh and stepped back to Severus. She shook her head and then reached out to touch his cheek. "This is not me leaving," she told him firmly, "this is me going back into the house with Ephraim. We will be waiting for you there when you're ready to join us." She lovingly brushed a strand of black hair away from his face before walking away.

Severus stared at her back as she went. He asked himself the question she had posed to him. What if she was a muggle? Would he still love her?

Severus liked that Rose was a witch. He was proud of her skill with potion making and her ability at preforming spells. They shared an interest in excelling at magic.

Then Severus thought of her soft touch on his face. He thought about how she so kindly cared for him when he couldn't care for himself. How she defended him, how she listened to him, how she loved him.

Of course, he would love her if she was not a witch. Nothing could stop him from loving her.

Severus's shoulders fell. He did not know how tense he was until he allowed himself to relax. He made his way back into the house.

The Rosamonds' and Ephraim's heads turned as they heard the front door open and then footsteps coming towards them.

The group was still seated at the table, the atmosphere was thick.

All eyes were on Severus, but there was only one set that he wanted to meet. He set his sight upon Rose, who was looking back at him curiously, unsure of how he would precede. Severus broke her gaze and then looked at Ephraim.

Ephraim determinately looked away when Severus's eyes turned to him. Ephraim pretended to be very interested in the cookie he was supposed to be decorating.

"Come here, Ephraim," Severus told the boy.

Ephraim shot a glance at Rose, who nodded.

Ephraim slowly made his way over to Professor Snape, who indicated that they should talk in the foyer.

The child looked timidly yet expectantly up at Severus once they were out of sight of the others.

"Ephraim," Severus began, "I shouldn't have…" he sighed. Severus took a seat on the steps leading upstairs and indicated that Ephraim should do the same. Ephraim sat a few steps up from Professor Snape so that they were at eye level. "I'm sorry, Ephraim," Severus breathed. He had never apologized to a student before.

Ephraim stared at Professor Snape blankly for a moment and then gave him a tight-lipped smile. "It's alright."

Severus shook his head slightly. "Rose was right," he admitted. "That had nothing to do with you, I shouldn't have yelled."

Ephraim looked off to the side and then back to Professor Snape. "What were you angry about?"

Severus frowned. He had not been expecting follow up questions.

"Was it that man who hugged Rose?" Ephraim continued

Severus rolled his eyes. "Among other things."

"Oh," Ephraim said with confusion.

"What do you think of Rose's family?" Severus posed instead.

Ephraim looked quizzically at his professor. "I think they're nice," he answered. "What do you think about them, Professor?"