AN: This seems well received, I am glad I decided to rededicate some time to it. I wonder how long that will last. I'm curiose as to which story people are finding more entrancing, Rose or Narcissa? Originally I started writing it for Narcissa but I'm loving playing around with Rose's family life. Thoughts?

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Rose had almost finished packing by the time her father called her down into the kitchen. Strange, normally her mother called them to dinner. She grabbed the diary and started to make her way downstairs once more. Her brother was already in the kitchen when she arrived and she could hear the microwave buzzing. Her mother was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is mom?" She asked. Her father seemed to freeze up for a moment before the microwave pinged, demanded attention. They was a silence as she sat down and watched her father fluster around the kitchen, finding plates and cutlery. He was unused to cooking and looked out of place clattering about.
"Your mother is spending some time with a friend today, she'll be back soon" Rose frowned. This had never happened before, her parents always made up after their arguments and went back to being lovely quickly. Her father produced the jacket potatoes onto separate plates, finding some cheese and continuing to clatter. "Where is the blasted grater" He growled.

"Which friend? Uncle Harry?" Hugo prodded. His big brown eyes filled with questions. Rose stood up, walking over to one of the draws and retrieved the grater.

"Thank you Rose, and no, Harry said she wasn't with him"

"Do you not know where mother is?" Rose asked, his phrasing suddenly clicking in her mind.

"Your mother is strong, she will be fine and come home soon enough. She knows better than this" Rose continued to frown but remained silent. She felt the concern grow, where would her mother go if not Uncle Harry's? The three of them started an uneasy meal and Rose found herself reading between bites, almost desperate to escape into the mind of Narcissa.

-x-
The meeting went well. We got some work done, but we actually just talked a whole bunch. Severus is surprisingly lovely. He wanted to work in an alcove in the dungeons, the common room is too noisy and busy. I can understand his logic on that so I followed him to a hidden alcove, I think it was the same one that I met him at when I returned the book. He seems to have a good knowledge of the dungeons, better than mine. We made a plan for the essay, he says he will finish it in his own time and then we just talked. He doesn't want to have to do the presentation himself, so I said if he wrote it I would present, I am confident in my own talking skills, I am not bothered by crowds in the same way he is. We spoke about lessons, the weather, normal conversation topics. At first it felt strange but after a while it became easy to talk to him. We talked about his friend, Lily, a bit. The redhead he hangs around with. Apparently she wants him to get to know me more, something about interacting with more people. I can understand her thoughts on that, he is very isolated from the rest of the house. Even though I have seen him interact with Lucius and his lot it is very rarely, and not for long. He always seems out of place around people. Even as I spoke to him it took a while for him to stop being so nervous. It is obvious in his stance that he does not like interacting with others very much, he holds himself as if he is protecting himself from harm, always geared to defend himself. I wonder if that is a result of James? Severus spoke very fondly of Lily, even blushing a bit when he spoke of her. I teased him for this a bit, it was amusing watching him react. He is not used to talking to people about her, I guess he did not expect his crush to be so obvious. I promised I would not tell her about his feelings. Although I am kind of tempted to break that promise. It would be for his own good of course, not out of malice. She might react positively to it, judging from the way he talks about their interactions. However I don't know her terribly well, if I was her friend I might consider is closing it more seriously, for now I shall keep his secret.

I did not get any information about Lucius yet, but we have made another meeting plan tomorrow evening. I guess I kind of forgot, like I said once he stops being quiet so cold he is easy to talk to. I shall have to be more focused tomorrow.

-x-

"Rose!" Rose jumped at the shouting from her father and looked up. "Will you put that stupid book away and pay attention to your family" He growled angrily and she felt herself shrinking away, slowly closing the book. "Well?" He snapped impatiently "Aren't you going to apologise?"

"S…sorry" She muttered, looking down at her half eaten food.

"Just like your mother" It sounded like a curse from his lips and she kept her attention on the food in front of her.

"Can you not spend one moment without shouting?" Her mother's irritated voice called from the doorway and Rose glanced up, feeling a smile etch itself onto her lips. Her mother stood, hands on hips in the doorway. A shy looking Draco standing behind her in a neatly pressed black suit.

"Why did you bring him into our house, Hermione" Rose's father growled, standing up. He was glaring daggers into Draco who was nervously attempting to maintain a smile.

"Children, would you please do as Uncle Draco tells you. I need to discuss with your father" Her mother's voice was level but tinged with malice. She stepped forwards slightly so as not to be blocking the doorway. Hugo ignored her instruction and rushed to hug her gleefully. "It's okay Hugo, please follow Draco's instructions" Their mother spoke softly now and Hugo nodded before stepping to follow Draco. Rose followed, stopping to grab her book and momentarily hug her mother. Draco closed the door behind them but their father;'s voice still rang through it.

"Please go collect your things, you'll be staying at mine for a few weeks" Draco leant on one knee to be closer to them. He spot quietly, occasionally glancing at the kitchen door.

"A few weeks?" Rose questioned with a gulp. Draco nodded. Rose felt a dullness in her stomach, she wanted to throw up. What was happening? Her mother's voice could be heard now, battling to be heard over their father. They were arguing about Draco again.
"Anything of value, I shall help Hugo" Draco repeated, ushering Rose up the stairs. Hugo looked confused and started to cling onto Draco's trouser leg for comfort. Rose was the first one up the stairs, but she saw Hugo being carried behind her. Rose was soon in her room, her heart thudding in her ears. Anything of value? She glanced around her room. Most of her belongings clothes were packed but the room was still brimmed full of books. How much could she take? Was the rest of it safe? She gulped, not wanting to think about that question. She started tearing through the piles, desperately looking for a few books she remembered desperately. It became harder as tears started to well in her eyes and eventually she sat down, defeated by the tears. She sat on the ground and cried as her parents argued beneath her.