Rain thundered on the windows that day and Rose sat bored. She desperately wanted to throw herself back into the hidden diary but her brother tailed her like a lost puppy dog, never giving her a moment's peace. The rain how confined both of them to the house and this displeased Hugo greatly. Her mother had spent most of the day hand cleaning and was in the process of mopping the kitchen.

"Is something wrong, Rose?" She asked, pausing to adjust the mess of brown hair and retie the loose ponytail that threatened to escape at any moment. She smile softly at her daughter but the edge of concern in her voice was obvious. Rose smiled back, attempting to feign normality.

"No, nothing is wrong…" She hesitated, remembering that her mother new of this Severus, perhaps she would be able to gather some answers now? "I was just thinking….Do you remember when Uncle Harry used to talk about some old potions professor?" Her mother looked puzzled but placed the mop down in order to sit next to her.

"Why do you ask?"

"It's just…." Rose contemplated admitting to the diary before her sharp wit sprung into action, covering for her question "Uncle Draco mentioned him and… I wondered what he was like…" She was undeniably like her mother in many ways.

"well..His name was Severus, Professor Snape. He taught us potions, but more important he was a double agent for the ministry and was crucial in the war against…" Rose felt guilt as her mother seemed to freeze up slightly, the war was long over by the tendrils of its effect were still evident on those who had lived through it "Voldermort"
"What was he like as a person?" Rose pressed onwards, this was all information she knew, and none of it mentioned Lucius or Narcissa.

"Well… I can't say I knew him very well as a person, he seemed mean and bitter but we learnt that was because he suffered a lot in his time. I wish I'd have known him better when he was alive but he kept to himself. He loved your Uncle Harry's mother and tried to protect her, and Uncle Harry…" Her words seemed to drift off as she stared into the ceiling. Regret showed on her brown eyes and Rose hugged her. It was foolish to bring it up, her mother always got upset when talk turned to the war.

"Thank you, Mom" Rose whispered, letting her go. The smile had returned to her mother's face and she returned to her cleaning, this time gently humming to herself. Rose took this as an opportunity to slip away, keeping an eye out for her brother who had disappeared. She was thankful once she managed to slip into her room and shut the door. Her room was sparsely decorated but piles of books mounted in every drop of space. These she ignored, instead starting to search under her pillows until she felt leather brushing against her fingers. She smiled as she pulled the diary up, running her fingers over the engraving. How was she going to keep reading it without people noticing? The title was obvious and the book itself leant itself to curiosity. For a few moments she pondered this, before starting to turn the pages to find another entry.

-x-

I found the boy, he was in the library with books piled around him. I could not get near him for books so instead I settled myself on another table. In truth I was too concerned to say anything to him. How was I ever going to approach the topic with some stranger?

I had not been seated long before James Potter wandered into the library, him and his friends seemed to bear down immediately into Severus. I did not hear much of their exchange, it seemed harsh and charged but soon broke out into a fight. The smallest of the group back away, while Sirius attempted to throw in a few punches while Severus was not looking. The majority of the fight was between Severus and James though, the fight was bitter and both of them seemed to fight hard against the other. James is a fighter, being on the quidditch team. Severus however could fight, despite his size he kept pace in the fight and both of them limped off with minor injuries. Severus had abandoned a book he had been writing in, and when the chaos cleared I moved over to collect it, I could return it to him. Perhaps that would help me initiate a conversation. It seems silly now of course, he would have probably gone back to collect it. I flicked through it a bit, it is a potion book but his handwriting is scribbled in almost every margin, corrections. He has lovely neat handwriting.

-x-

Rose jumped as a thud sounded outside her door. She scrabbled to hide the book, jamming it between her pillows. For a moment she considered correcting it, her mind worried that the pages would be bent or somehow her moment would damage the lovely book and ruin its secrets but the door opened before she had time. Hugo darted through the door, he was clutching a box of chocolates and shovelling them into his mouth. That could only mean one thing and Rose had collected herself to rush out the room before Hugo could speak. The house was small and she was quick, skidding to a halt at the bottom of the stairs. She glanced in the mirror, readjusting her hair and steadying the ribbon which tied it into a braid. She frowned at how messy it was and cursed herself for not taking better care of it. Her movements became slower, not wanting to appear overly eager. In the living room sat a tall blond and in his hands was a book, it was small but had a green ribbon tied around it. Rose quickly scanned the room, her mother was in another chair with a cup of tea and aside from that the room normal.

"Hello, Draco, Sir" She muttered, feeling shyness start to ebb into her movements. She looked down at the ground after she spoke and twisted her arms behind her back.

"Evening, Madam. A gift, if the lady will accept it?" He held out the book and she nodded, taking it from his hands.

"Thank you" She looked up into his blue eyes for a moment before starting to inspect the book. It was an expensive looking book on bird species. She heard the door opening and her brother stepping into the room. He settled himself down into one of the corners and Rose moved to sit besides him, careful to keep her new book from his chocolate covered hands. She did not share his love of sweet things and appreciated her gift much more. Every few pages was decorated in beautiful pictures of graceful birds in different poses.

"So how is your wife?" Hermione queried once the children had settled.
"Bored, as always. I suggested she acquire a job to occupy her, you should have heard her yell" Draco snorted as he ran his fingers through the long blond hair. Rose looked at him for a moment, considering his words. It wasn't the first time he had heard similar complains about his wife. She frowned, trying to remember what she looked like. She vaguely remembered the brown haired woman she had once been introduced too but she was very rarely around. 'Your husband?' Draco continued before taking another sip from his drink.

"Working, as always. I'm sure your wife's shouting will have nothing on his when he finds you've visited" Hermione laughed and Draco looked concerned for a moment. Rose never understood why her father disliked Draco, he was always kind and generous and good company to keep. The conversation continuing, drifting away from Rose's attention as she started to read about the wings of different birds. Her reading speed was impressive and it was not long before she had read the entire book and gazed through the detailed drawings. At some point Draco and her mother had swapped to wine and she could smell the sweet drink filling the air as they laughed and spoke. His visits seemed to put her mother in good spirits. In the time Hugo had gotten bored and began to whine for their mother's attention. She excused herself, pulling Hugo into a different room.

"Is it a good book?" Draco asked and Rose almost jumped at the sudden attention. His voice was slightly slurred but carried the same eloquence as it always did.

"Oh, yes. It is very interesting and beautiful" She chimed. "You have good taste in books"

"I think it is more that you are like your mother, and find interest in all things" Draco chuckled, placing his glass on the small side table besides him. Rose followed the movement, her eyes resting on the red wine. "Do you want a sip?" Draco queried, his blue eyes formed questions as they looked at her.

"Oh, I don't think I would be allowed" She mumbled, blushing slightly. Her mother rarely drank and had never offered any to Rose or her brother. Draco lifted the glass again, extending it towards her.

"A sip will not do any harm" Rose nodded at his certainty and stood up, approaching the glass. It tasted bitter and she pulled a face in disgust at the sudden taste. She heard Draco chuckling and blushed, feeling foolish as he retrieved the glass. As Rose turned to return to her seat she heard the door opened and her Mother stood looking distressed. "Perhaps I should take my leave" Draco was a good judge of situation and Hermione simply nodded.

"It was nice to see you, and the children appreciate their presents" Hermione stated as Draco approached the fireplace, taking a handful of powder.
"Thank you for the company" Draco bowed before stepping into the fireplace.