A/N All you recognize is JKR's Thank you to missastoria for being such a wonderful reader/reviewer!

Chapter 8

It was early February and classes were back in full swing at Hogwarts. Severus had been avoiding Rosie like a plague; every time she attempted to make eye contact with him he quickly looked away and marched off. She had not resumed helping him with lunar mappings, and he had not asked her to.

She constantly thought back to that day in December by the Lake, trying to make sense of what she had felt being with him in that way. It electrified her, every part of her being felt alive. Just the thought of him was enough to create a stir in her lower abdomen, remembering how his lips felt on her own, his hands roaming her body. She found herself daydreaming of the possibilities if he had agreed to come upstairs with her. And that was the thought that always ruined it. Every time she thought of being with Severus, Lysander crept back into her mind, like a parasite. She needed to be rid of him; regardless of Severus' feelings towards her she couldn't possibly continue a relationship with Lysander if she desired another man. He was due to arrive that weekend and Rosie had began to devise a plan.

She began to wind her up to her chambers to prepare for the evenings classes when she came face to face with Severus as he was descending the narrow stairwell. They both froze, staying three stairs away from one of another, his face panic stricken.

"Good evening Professor," she said sweetly, giving him a small smile.

"Good evening," he replied smugly, curling his lips together in a scowl.

"Are you well?"

"Yes. And yourself?"

"I've been better."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. What brings you to this end of the castle?"

"You."

"Me? What about me?"

"I require your assistance."

"With?"

"If you are still willing, your lunar mapping."

"Ah, yes, I can help you. Why don't you come up and see if I have something that will suit your needs for now."

He eyed her cautiously before nodding once and giving her room to pass. She brushed her body against his as she squeezed past him and she smiled to herself as she felt him clench his fists in resistance.

They rounded the corner to her chambers and saw that her door was slightly ajar; she looked over at him and saw anger etched in every line of his face. He put his arm across her chest, blocking her from going ahead of him.

"Stay here," he ordered looking back at her, his eyes fierce.

She nodded once and watched him stealthily creep his way to her door, opening it with a quick flick of his wand and peer inside. She watched from afar as he entered slowly, wand raised and ready. Not long after he had gone into the room, there was a sudden crashing, the sound of spells ricocheting off of objects. Rosie ran towards her door, fearful for Severus' safety, but when she looked inside she saw him standing amidst the ruined remains of her bedroom, hair strewn widely across his face, his wand pointed at a man lying motionless on the floor. She stared up at him in horror.

"What is going on?" she whimpered, barely able to form the words.

"Go to Dumbledore's office," Severus ordered, keeping his eyes focused on the man before him, "Now!"

She jumped at his raised voice. She had never once heard him sway from his cool, collected baritone, so this sudden change startled her. She nodded and took off running towards the Headmaster's office.

Rosie sat quietly outside of Dumbledore's office with Professor McGonagall at her side. She was trying her best to hear the conversation behind the door that was going on between Severus and the Headmaster but only a soft murmuring was audible. Minerva had fawned over her for a few moments, giving up after receiving no response from Rosie. Time was dragging; Rosie could practically hear the seconds ticking by. She wanted answers but no one would even look at her, never mind speak to her. Severus had come bustling in what seemed like hours ago, resulting in Rosie being condemned to the hallway where Minerva was ordered to keep a watchful eye on her.

The door finally opened at both men exited slowly, keeping their eyes locked on Rosie,

"Rosie, are you all right?" Albus asked softly, his blue eyes glinting in the dim light of the hallway.

"Yes, but what is going on? Someone please tell me something!" Rosie answered, her voice rising.

""You'll know something when we do."

"How can you know nothing? Who was that man in my room? How did he get in?'

"All in good time Rosie, all in good time. I do insist however, that someone stay with you for a while, to keep a watchful eye on you. Severus here will be staying with you this evening."

Rosie looked over at Severus, her mouth hanging open in awe. His face gave away no emotion as he stared at the wall behind her, refusing to lower his eyes to her. She looked back at Dumbledore, shocked, but he paid it no attention. She nodded once, acknowledging she had no choice in the matter and bade everyone good night. After a deep breath she turned and made her way back to her chambers.

When she reached her quarters she noticed all of her belongings had been repaired and put back in place. She sighed, sitting down on her bed, afraid of what the future was going to bring. She reminisced about the past, when life was normal, both her parents were alive, now, one was dead and the other missing. Her life had become a pile of ruins before her eyes and there was nothing she could do to change it. A small rapping on the door shook her out of her thoughts, knowing who it was she got up quickly to let him inside.

Severus was standing in the doorway of her room looking as brooding as ever. His dark eyes stared into hers with a certain degree of disdain that made her uneasy.

"Well, come in and, make yourself at home," she told him, gesturing her hand inside the room.

He brushed past her quickly, giving the room a once over before turning around to face her.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I am the here this evening?" he stated, pursing his lips.

"Yes," she answered sharply, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I am the one who found you at your father's cottage-"

"I know."

"Let, me, finish. I know there are people after you, what I don't know is why."

"And you want me to tell you."

"Yes."

"Sorry to disappoint you Professor, but I won't."

With a few long strides he came to stand in front of her, his large, looming form adding to the intimidation of his piercing stare. She took a deep breath, doing her best to hold her ground but he was so close to her, and she just wanted to jump up and kiss him. She shook the thoughts from her mind quickly, erasing the emotion from her face as she looked up at him.

"I cannot help you if you do not give me the information I need," he spoke through his teeth, upset at her secrecy.

"Why do you want to help me? You loathe me. My very presence lights a fire of rage inside you," she replied coldly, "Why not just let them do what they wish to me?"

His face softened at her words into what looked almost like sadness. His dark brows furrowed together as he averted his gaze to the ground.

"You are still a Professor at this school and it is my duty, with all the other staff, to protect our own," he replied after a few moments.

He looked back at her, his expression back to his normal sullen appearance. She sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. Turning away from him she walked over to her bed and sat down.

"I suppose the couch is where you can stay tonight," she told him as she lied down, her back facing him.

She heard him walk over and sit down, lighting a fire in the hearth before him. This was going to be a long night she thought to herself with a sigh, a very long night indeed.