Chapter 4: Rose Evans, ALIVE!
Severus walked out of Dumbledore's office stunned. She was alive! he couldn't believe it! How in Merlin's name did Potter and Lily pull this off! How did they hide the trace?
He glided through the halls, heading deeper into the belly of Hogwarts towards his private quarters. He glared at all he passed out of confusion.
"Lily," he whispered and the door to his quarters opened. He closed the wards and grabbed a 25 year old bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey. He needed something strong to help him digest what had happened up there. He walked over to his black leather chair, sat and contemplated what he had seen earlier.
"Rose is alive," he whispered to himself. He stood up and went to his private labs, only to return a few moments later with an old album.
It was old and worn out. The pages had obviously been turned many times. It contained photographs, notes, poems, locks of hair and much more. Severus opened the book and began to slowly leaf through it, all the while talking to himself.
"I remember the first time I saw you, you'd followed your sister to the park. You'd both escaped from Petunia's babysitting. I was showing Lily how to make the petals of the flower dance and you ran straight to us. Lily tried to tell you that you probably couldn't do what we were doing but you yelled at her. When we didn't listen, you grabbed a rose and not only made the petals dance but you gave it legs and made it jig up and down your arms. You are such a strong witch!" Tears welled up in Severus' eyes as he turned each page slowly. Each little section was a memory of their past together. Each had a little bit of Lily in them.
Anger began to fill him. He should've known that it was all a ploy. Lily would never have let her little sister be in danger. She would've done everything in her power to protect her sister. But why send her away with Black? Didn't Lily know what he had done to Rose? Had Rose told anyone what had happened between the Marauders and her? Severus' blood began to boil as he remembered the night on the tower. Severus scowled at the fire as the memory made him rage.
He took another swig from the bottle of Ogden's and stood. He stalked out of his quarters. He needed to calm down and get some fresh air. His footsteps echoed through the empty halls.
"20 points from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor!" He yelled at a couple trying to hide behind the suit of armour. "Miss Weasley and Mr Finch-Fletchley, I suggest you take your amorous activities back to your common rooms and get to bed before you end up in detention with Filch!" He growled and continued on his way.
He couldn't get his mind off of the events of the evening. He walked blindly around a corner and right into the young witch and her nephew.
A gasp escaped her lips as she felt the full impact of his body. Startled she stepped back and lost balance. She quickly found herself on the floor stunned.
"Severus? Do you mind not bowling me over?" She said sassily.
"Watch where you are going witch and I won't," he snarled. Hurt filled her eyes.
"Watch how you speak to my aunt Snape!" Harry growled back.
"Harry! Don't you dare speak to your professor that way!" Rose interceded. "Severus, I don't know what bee got in your bonnet but don't you dare take it out on me!" Though her eyes were filled with hurt, she glared at the Snape and Harry, making it very clear that she was not impressed with their boyish antics. "Harry, walk me to my rooms and then you are going back to your dorm. Severus, you are coming to my rooms with me. You have some explaining to do!" Giving them one last seething look she stalked off towards her rooms.
"Better follow," Snape sighed in irritation. "I've seen that look before and she won't take no for an answer."