A/N Rosie belongs to me; all else is JKR's.

Chapter 7

Rosie awoke the next morning well rested. After a few diagnostic tests, Madam Pomfrey felt comfortable in releasing her from the wing with strict orders from Professor Dumbledore to stay within the castle grounds.

She retrieved her wool cloak from her chambers and began her path around the Black Lake. She reached a small, snow covered peninsula projecting into the ice and saw Severus sitting on the ground on the shore. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Hello Severus, I thought you had left for holiday," she inquired to his frozen form.

"No, I never leave for holiday," he replied, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Oh. May I, ask you something?"

"If you must."

"What were you doing in Framlingham?"

She watched him as his breath caught in his throat, his back straightened awkwardly. He stood up slowly and faced her.

"I don't know what you mean," he answered coolly, "I have no business there."

"Then how did you find me, at my father's house?" she asked, not backing down from him.

"I didn't."

"You did. I heard you speaking with Dumbledore. Answer me, Severus."

She grabbed his hands lightly in her own, expecting him to pull away instantly, but his hands remained still, his eyes locking with hers. He said nothing, his face remaining stern; she sighed in disappointment.

"Why won't you talk to me?" she asked, anguish dripping in her voice.

"I have nothing to say," he responded.

She looked deep into his eyes and saw the mask he so desperately kept in place. Their black showed no emotion, two black onyx stone staring back at her.

"Severus, please, show me who you are. Let down your wall, if only for a moment," she pleaded, squeezing his hands tighter.

"This is who I am," he seethed, anger lines forming in his face.

"It can't be."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Professor, now if you'll excuse me."

He pulled his hands from hers and began to walk away. She turned to face the black, fathomless ice, tears starting to fall. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Severus' arms wrapped protectively around her, knocking her to the ground, his body landing on top of her. She peered around his body and saw a forest troll stalking towards them, she tried to scream but no sound came out.

Severus stood up pulling her with him. He grabbed her hand and took off running, dragging her terrified body along. She could barely keep up with his long strides, her legs threatening to give out with each step. He yanked her into the forest, throwing her back against the trunk of a large sycamore, standing in front of her, placing his arms behind him, guarding her on all sides.

"Ssshhhh," he sounded, keeping his eyes locked ahead.

Rosie stifled a whimper and bit her lip, evening out her erratic breathing. Moments later the troll came crashing into the forest, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. She buried her head between Severus' shoulder blades as she wrapped her arms around his waist. The warmth from his body was comforting, a faint odor of smoke from a fire evident on his thick wool cloak. His body was tense; she could feel the firmness of the muscles of his back through the layers.

After what seemed like an eternity, his body relaxed. He eased his protective stance and turned to face her, she kept her arms firmly wrapped around his midsection. His eyes were filled with concern, his thick black brows furrowing together. He placed a hand softly on her cheek.

"Are you, all right?" he asked softly.

Rosie nodded, enjoying the feeling of his warm hand blocking the icy wind. She leaned her cheek into his palm, wishing this moment would never end.

"Thank you," she whispered, covering his hand with her own.

Before she had time to think, his lips were softly covering hers. They were soft, and molded perfectly with hers. She eagerly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck. Their lips danced slowly together, lingering with each touch. She wrapped a hand in his sleek, black hair and was pleasantly surprised by it's softness, he responded by wrapping his free arm around her waist, his hand landing on the small of her back. She pulled herself closer to him, increasing the pace of her lips on his. Her increase in tempo led to each kiss becoming hungrier, deeper; soon his tongue was running along her bottom lip, begging for entry. She fervently allowed him access, her tongue greeting his with a feverish enthusiasm. His hand slid from her cheek to the side of her head, grabbing a handful of loose dark brown curls, pulling her closer to him. Their mouths moved with incessant need for one another, months of built up lust releasing with each touch. She moaned quietly into his mouth, lighting a fire to his pent up longing. He pinned her up against the tree with his body, moving his hand from her back to her hip, exploring the length of her ribcage. Their mouths continued their dance, slowing their pace, lingering longer after each touch. Soon they stood still, noses touching, breathing heavily.

"I'm sorry," he gasped, "That was, inappropriate."

"No!" she yelled out quickly, wanting to make her desire for him clear, "Come upstairs with me, please."

Rosie stood up onto her toes and began trailing kisses along his jaw, causing him to close his eyes in bliss. His hands found hers and he gripped them tightly.

"Will you come?" she breathed into his ear, squeezing his hands.

"No," he answered, his voice shaking.

She brushed his hair out of his face, looking into his eyes; they were filled with fear and regret. She smiled at him, pulling his lips to hers once more, locking him in a kiss. She felt his face contorting against hers before his lips were reciprocating her movements with ferocity. Moments later he pulled away, holding her by her upper arms pushing her away from him.

"Rosie, no," he pleaded, all evidence of emotion on his face slowly washing away.

"What are you so afraid of!?" she yelled, fighting against his restraining hands.

He stared at her; his eyes reverted back to their stone-like appearance. He scowled at her as he released her arms. She stayed frozen with her back against the tree, her mind flooded with questions. Before she could speak, he turned and stalked off toward the castle, leaving her cold, alone and confused.

She ran after him, the cold air burning her lungs, she could hear the crunch of the frosted ground as her feet pounded against it, her eyes watering from the wind. She finally reached him in the corridor of the dungeons. She grabbed his arm to stop him, he responded by whipping her around and pinning her against the stone wall, holding her wrists in his hands against the cold rock.

"What, are, you doing here?" he spat through his teeth, his face only inches from hers.

"You don't fool me," she whimpered, fearful of his next words.

"Is that so?"

"I can see right through you and your mask. You're scared to death to feel emotion. You block it out with a stone barricade. But I know what you desire."

"You, don't, know, anything."

"You want love. You crave it, but you're too afraid to seek it out, or accept it."

"Quiet."

She fought against his hands holding her back but he held steady, his hands beginning to tremble.

"Let me give you what you desire," she offered, pleading at him with her eyes.

"I desire, you, out of my presence, immediately," he answered, releasing her wrists and moving to the opposite wall of the corridor.

She looked at him sadly, shaking her head. Severus glared at her, gesturing his arm out towards the exit of his dungeons.

"You'll see in time, I am right," she promised as she turned in the direction of the stairs.

"Don't count on it," he responded under his breath as he retreated back to his chambers.