The weeks dragged on until the end of the month arrived, there were a few days here and there with more autumn-like weather, beckoning the beginning of the next season and the commencement of a new school year.
Rose joined the other teachers at the Head Table, in preparation for the Welcoming Feast. This time, she sat on left of the Head Master's seat. She could see Minerva sitting on right of Severus. Before long, the students filed into the Great Hall and took seats according to their houses.
The first years were sorted into their houses while she looked down at the familiar faces she taught from their third year. There were a couple of them who still had battle scars on their faces. She felt sorry for all those who suffered.
Severus took up his position as Head Master and quietly welcomed the students back to Hogwarts for another year and announced the start of feast.
There were curious whispers all around in the Great Hall, along with crinkling of forks and knifes. 'Is that Professor Rose beside the Head Master?' 'Didn't she save him?' 'And also convinced Snape to be the Head Master. Either she has poor decision making skills or she's not sane.' 'Maybe they like each other. Or else why would she be given Potion's job.'
She felt a headache building up. She tried remaining calm by drowning her anger in pumpkin juice. Severus sat silent beside her, eating really less.
At last, when remaining of food and dessert disappeared from the plate, the new Head Master stood up again.
"And now, I have a few start-of-term notices to give you." He went on telling about the same rules which Rose had heard for last seven years. But the preceding one shocked her.
"And, from this year, Professor Rose will be the Head of Slytherin."
There was a loud roar of applause from the Slytherin table. Severus held out his hand and the hall fell silent. "You may return to your rooms."
All the student filed out the hall with the teachers behind them. Rose walked close to her father and caught his hand when other Professors strode away from their earshot. He returned her surprised look and before he could ask about it, she whispered, "Meet me in Astronomy Tower tonight."
Severus said nothing but nodded. He understood that something bothered her.
Following his daughter's instructions, he stood on the tower, watching the moon shining its light onto him. His eyes trailed a shadow as it flapped its wings and glided quietly.
There were footsteps behind him and he could tell it was Rose. "Why Dad?" she asked softly.
"You didn't want to be the Head?"
"Nothing like that but…" She skirted and stood beside him. "You could have thought about Horace."
"He wanted to retire again. He came to me when I wrote back to Ministry of Magic."
"What did you see in me?"
"You are fair, just and above all, you are a change." He said, stretching his arm.
Rose got confused first. Then there was a sudden flapping sound and a majestic phoenix landed on his extended arm. Fawkes.
"I don't know, dad." She murmured, stoking Fawkes' wings before he launched himself for another dive.
"Do you think I can do my work properly?" Her eyes following the phoenix.
"You haven't blown a cauldron or turned a student into animal. So I think you can."
Rose smiled at her father.
They stood there, enjoying moonlight falling onto them. There was silence between them, but not an awkward one. Each other's presence reminded them that they had someone to live for, after all.
"Can I ask you something dad?" She whispered, wrapping her arms around Severus's one and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Mmm…"
"If it wasn't in our fate to meet, would you have still remembered me?"
He took a deep breath. He never thought about it but he knew very well. Leaning close to face, he kissed her on her forehead and whispered a word straight into her heart: 'Always'.
The End