Rose wrote to her parents to say she was snowed under with work. They didn't reply, she assumed to make her feel guilty but it didn't work on her. She couldn't leave Hogwarts. Not incase Umbridge gave detention during the holidays, she was the only Hufflepuff who knew how to make essence of murtlap. She thought it unfair that Snape continued to risk his job to tend to the scars on people's hands, with no help. As a seventh year it was normal to find extra work being done, for potions if they really needed the grade. Snape didn't know about her making the essence until he walked in on her and she jumped, expecting Umbridge and being told off,
"So you're the reason I don't get as many casulties?" he asked.
"There's no point in you being so busy when someone else can make it also. You have enough on," replied Rose.
"You're putting yourself in quite a bit of danger from her. I heard music not too long ago I believe," said Snape.
Rose smiled slightly,
"Well someone had to wipe the smile from the Gryffindor's faces. Thinking they're so good for organizing the defence class. I'm twice the rebel they'll ever be," she said.
"Any particular reason you're still here over Christmas? Even Potter is elsewhere this year," said Snape smirking.
"Well I heard there was a man, who would be on his own this year. I thought maybe he needed some company. Especially at Christmas eve," added Rose.
"That is this evening," he said.
"I know and you've just caught me after hours," added Rose.
"You're leaving me no option," he said.
Rose smiled at him innocently,
"I can always go back to a deserted Hufflepuff tower..." she began.
"I hope you wouldn't go that far to disappoint me," said Snape.
"Would I do that to you?" she asked sarcastically.
"You tell me," he replied seriously.
Rose looked taken aback and concerned. She had just finished packing away. Snape didn't say anything or give her any indication that she could help him. Rose put her hand on his arm in a comforting manor,
"Severus..." she began.
"I am struggling Rose. I can't tell whether you love me or if I'm just part of some routine, or when the mood takes you," he added.
"I am not using you. Believe me my life would be so much quieter if all I did was revise and play quiddich. However it isn't like that. I do my work, I practice for the DA, I sing without permission, sneak around the dungeon to spend time with you...because I want to...I have to," she said.
Hufflepuff and Slytherin became close again. Rose began to realize how she had changed since summer. She didn't used to be so adventuous or outgoing. Now she was almost a bigger rebel as Harry Potter, a bigger threat to Umbridge and sleeping with her potions teacher. Rose often looked at the ring on her hand and wonder if things would be different, if Cedric had lived. Would she have already married him? Would it be him who she would spend the rest of her nights with? Would Snape ever have seen her the way he did? Rose doubted it all very much. She closed her eyes and saw Cedric shake his head at her in disappointment. Rose looked at him apologetically but he continued to shake his head. Snape held her hand and he shook his head more. She let go and he smiled and vanished, leaving her alone in the world. Her eyes snapped open and she turned into Snape's arms and held him tight, regardless of what her dream had told her. Rose glared at the ring and slowly took it off, deciding that it didn't belong anymore.
The next day, Rose had the best Christmas that she had ever had. She had no excuse to make up the next morning as Jasmine had left for the holidays and her parents' letter reached her to wish her a happy Christmas and not to work too hard, along with some money to get herself something. Jasmine had bought her a new hufflepuff scarf and a mysterious gift lay under the tree. It was a small box, with black wrapping paper and a silver bow around it. It had a note written on it and Rose smiled as she recognized the hand writting, 'To Rose, Love Severus'
Inside was a necklace. A silver locket shaped like a heart. Her heart melted as she began to realize she wasn't just a pupil he was sleeping with. He did love, which explained their talk the previous evening. Rose was in such a good mood that she didn't even wince when Umbridge wished her a Merry Christmas, instead she smiled and bowed her head slightly as at the time her mouth was full of mince pie. Dumbledore walked over to her and insisted that she and the other few people left behind, that she sat at the staff table with them. Rose found herself sat next to Snape, who smirked slightly as Rose prepared herself to be on teacher/pupil terms. However as only Slytherins remained, they left the room all together and refused to eat with them and even said something about Umbridge's office providing food. Dumbledore shook his head and Rose couldn't help but feel concerned for the old man and ever so sorry for him,
"They'll see in the end sir. He's bound to slip up sooner or later," she said.
"Unlike you Rose," he said smiling.
"Sir?" she asked.
"You and Severus have put on the best act I have seen in years, but you can't hide that little spark people have in their eyes, when they speak to those you love," replied Dumbledore.
Snape went to explain himself and Rose went scarlet. Dumbledore put up his hand to try and stop them worrying,
"Come now, we're all adults here. Like I said no complaints have been made. It won't be the first time I have turned a blind eye to something I shouldn't. But I've not seen you this happy, ever Severus. It is a change for the better and I won't stand in the way of that. Alas do take care, you know Voldemort is highly..." began Dumbledore.
"We have discussed this. We know the dangers," said Rose.
"Alright. Well let us not dwell on what might be...cracker?" he asked as McGonagall came in.
"Is this it?" she asked.
Snape pulled a cracker with Rose, who noticed something was missing from her hand for the first time, but didn't press the matter. The removal of the ring meant, he was no longer living in the shadow of Cedric Diggory. She had moved on. It made him feel better and proud of her for dealing with it all so well. However his fesitivites were caught short, when he suddenly got up and whispered to Dumbledore and left. Rose couldn't eat much after that, no matter how Dumbledore smiled at her warmly, it didn't feel right.
When dinner was over, Dumbledore steered her away into his office and sat her down. Rose didn't speak until she was spoken to,
"Harry is having visions of what Voldemort is up to," he said.
"Oh my..." began Rose.
"I want Severus to help him stop them, Voldemort will ask them to make them stronger if he is aware of the connection," added Dumbledore.
"Are you implying...?" began Rose.
"Would I dream of it Rose? Severus struggles with the boy. I would appreciate it if you informed me of any..." began Dumbledore.
"No. I can't do that for you. I'm sorry sir," replied Rose.
"Rose Hunter..." began Dumbledore.
"I can no more spy on Severus for you, than I can become a deatheater. I'm sorry but I just can't do that to him," said Rose.
"Don't make this all about him," said Dumbledore.
"How can I not? I have nothing against Harry and I certainly don't want him in danger from you-know-who, but I can't go behind Severus' back just because you have so little faith in him. I'm sorry if I have let you down..."started Rose.
Dumbledore shook his head and smiled at her,
"No. All you have done is made me more aware of your love for Severus. It is clearly stronger than I thought. You are worthy of your house Rose. The loyalty you just showed to Severus, he's never known and he won't be aware of. Don't worry about him. He knows what he is doing and how to stay alive," said Dumbledore.
Rose sighed. At last she had someone to confide in about Snape. Dumbledore gave her a look which made her instantly say what was on her mind,
"I didn't go home this year for him. I should have known something would have gone wrong. Couldn't organize a few rounds of drinks at the three broomsticks, even if I wanted to," she said.
"You've sacrificed a lot already for this war. For someone your age. I would have expected less than what you have done. Well done against Ravenclaw by the way," he said.
"Have to win at least one game before I leave," she said smiling.
"Ah well, with your budget you can't afford such brooms as the other teams. Your new seeker's father isn't quite as rich as Lucius Malfoy, or as sneaky," added Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore! Insulting a parent of a pupil!" gasped Rose with mocked shockness.
The old man chuckled and tapped her on the back lightly. Rose felt more light hearted about everything as she left the office, singing 'Good old Dumbles last looked out of the astronomy tower,' until Umbridge appeared, coming towards her,
"Did I hear you going against an educational decree?" asked Umbridge.
"Talking to myself? What number does that come under?" asked Rose.
"As it's Christmas, I shall give you one detention for your rudness," said Umbridge.
"Actually no you won't, because I'm on my holidays. Teachers aren't supposed to give detentions during holidays. It comes under the unwritten educational decrees," said Rose.
"I don't like your attitude Hunter!" snapped Umbridge.
Rose rolled her eyes at her and looked down as she was smaller than her in annoyance,
"My heart bleeds with sorrow and hurt," she said sarcastically.
"I'm warning you!" screamed Umbridge.
To Rose's horror she took out her wand. This time there was no coffee to arm herself with, so she took out her own wand. At McGonagall's gasp of horror and raving about both conducts, Rose lowered her wand and Umbridge hexed her to the ground.
When Rose woke up, it took her a while to recognize her surroundings and remember what had happened to her. She was in Snape's chambers again and she remembered the attack and thought on it for a moment. Umbridge must have been a Slytherin in her day to preform such an underhand attack on her as far as she was concerned. The door opened and Rose sat up as Snape came in shaking his head at her,
"I know. I shouldn't have baited her...actually I should have got in there first," she said.
"Indeed. As I expected Potter is a poor teacher," said Snape.
"Oh no, I'm just slow. He can't make me any quicker at the end of the day. Nobody's that good," said Rose.
"You mean your heart wasn't really in it?" he asked.
"If I attacked her, she'd have seen me out of Hogwarts in a flash. I haven't got long left. I need to make the most of it," replied Rose.
"I had a chat with the headmaster when I returned. He told me what you said to him. I had no idea you cared that much," he said.
"What do you mean?" asked Rose.
Snape sat on her bed and took her hand,
"You removed Diggory's ring and refused to spy on me as directed by Dumbledore. Not many people would do that, least of all for me," he said.
Rose didn't want to tell him about the dream of Cedric which caused her to take the ring off in the first place,
"I can't cling to the past forever. I don't need the ring to know that he loved me. I already knew and I'll remember that. But I'm sure he'd want me to move on and I have," she said.
"Will I do?" he asked.
"More than do..." she began.
When Umbirdge came in she thought that she had been caught having a relationship. However she simply glared at her,
"Is everything under control?" she asked.
"Apart from you," replied Rose.
"Miss Hunter, you are in enough trouble. She will live and there is no lasting damage. Of course she will stick to falling down the stairs if anyone has noticed her absence," said Snape.
Rose pretended to go back to the respectful Hufflepuff that she had always been with other teachers until Umbridge came along,
"Yes sir, if that is your will sir," she said.
"It is mine also Miss Hunter if you wish to continue your place here. For now all I can do is ban you from my classroom, you will still sit your NEWT however as I believe I have the right to do that," she said.
Rose bit her lip and shook her head. Snape looked at the situation with bias eyes and turned to Umbridge and said,
"If I might Madame...perhaps I could take Miss Hunter for defence lessons...if she cooperates, otherwise I assure you, she stands no chance,"