Severus' Daughter: Year One

Chapter 8: Rosalie's Birthday

Rosalie woke up on the morning of her birthday to the sound of her bedroom door opening and the smell of pancakes wafting into the room. She blinked her eyes open to find her father smiling down at her.

"Happy birthday, Rosie," he said, smiling brighter than she had ever seen him smile as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Morning, daddy," she grinned back at him, not quite believing that she was living with people who actually wanted to celebrate her birthday.

"Get ready and come on downstairs. Breakfast will be ready soon and we have some surprises for you."

"Okay."

Severus left the room as Rosalie climbed out of her bed and started getting ready for the day. She decided to wear some light blue skinny jeans and a light grey t-shirt. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and left her room, walking down the stairs nervously. She had always wanted someone to care about her birthday and to celebrate it with her. But now that she had it, she didn't know what to expect.

She entered the kitchen to find her family sitting around the table, waiting for her. In the centre of the table was a platter with huge stacks of chocolate chip pancakes. But those weren't the things that got her to stop by the door with her mouth open in shock.

There, sitting in between her grandmother and Remus, was her best friend, Lee Jordan. Lee spotted her and grinned as he rushed over to her and embraced her as gently as he always did.

"Rose, it is so good to see you again. I was so worried about you when I left for Hogwarts, then again when you didn't turn up to our meeting spot. I can't believe Professor Snape is your dad, and Professor McGonagall is your grandma! I am so glad you are out of that horrible house! Happy birthday!" Lee exclaimed as the two friends hugged.

"It's good to see you, too, Lee!" She replied, just as enthusiastic as her friend.

Someone cleared their throat and the two friends parted, blushing slightly. They sat at the table and everyone dug into the warm pancakes, chatting about Hogwarts, the summer and other casual things. It was obvious that Lee felt awkward in the presence of two of his sternest professors, but he didn't let that stop him from enjoying his time with his friend.

After breakfast they led Rosalie to the living room where she again stopped in the doorway with her mouth open in shock. She had never seen a pile of presents that big in her life. Not even for Dudley. But certainly not for herself.

She didn't notice that she was crying until she felt warm hands cupping her cheeks and thumbs removing the tears from them. She looked up to find her father standing in front of her with a face full of concern.

"Are you okay, Rosie?"

"I… Why? Why so many presents? I don't deserve them. You didn't have to spend that much on me. I don't need them. I… Why?" She was confused. She had never been more confused in her life.

"It's your birthday, Rosie. You deserve these presents. We know we didn't have to spend this much, but we wanted to because we love you, and you deserve them, and we have missed out on far too many of your birthdays, so we need to make up for them. You deserve these presents, Rosie," Severus told her, he was smiling sadly.

"Come on, Rose, let's sit on the floor and you can open them!" Lee exclaimed, trying and succeeding to cheer up his friend with his enthusiasm.

Lee took her hand in his and led her to the floor in front of the huge pile of presents. He flopped down and she sat gently down next to him. Still a bit overwhelmed by it all.

The adults all sat on the sofas and chair around the room, watching with sad smiles on their faces.

"So, which present do you want to open first?" Lee asked his friend with a grin on his face, trying to remain cheerful, even though he knew his friend was going through a tough time.

"I… I don't know," She was too overwhelmed. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't used to this.

"Well, do you want me to pick for you?" He suggested, hoping it would help her.

Rosalie nodded in reply, not knowing what else to do.

Lee handed her the presents, one at a time, giving her time to take everything in between each one so as to not overwhelm her even more than she already was.

The first thing she opened was a box which held a small black kitten in it with bright blue eyes, the box was spelled to have an oxygen supply so that the cat could breathe. Rosalie was shocked as she cuddled the cat to her chest and thanked them all. She then opened five chocolate frogs, some fizzing whizbees, some exploding bonbons, and other Honeydukes chocolates. Then was a paint set, followed by a set of paintbrushes, followed by colouring pencils, normal pencils, chalks, a sketchbook, and other arty stuff. Then came some clothes, both robes which would adjust to her size, and muggle clothes. Then she was greeted with an acoustic guitar along with a song book. Then she was gifted with books upon books, muggle books and wizarding books. Then she was given a beautiful snowy owl, along with everything she would need for her, including a stand and owl treats. Lee and his parents gave her some of the cupcakes she liked which Lee's mum made, along with some muggle chocolate she liked, a notebook so she could write the songs she thought of, a pair of her favourite type of shoes, and a small dark green snake.

She was too overwhelmed. She thanked them profusely for everything. It was too much, though. She knew that none of what she received came cheap. She knew that she didn't deserve all of this. She knew that she didn't need all of this. She loved it all. But she didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to handle this. She didn't know how to cope. She could feel herself losing control of her emotions. She didn't care though.

This was too much.

All of it.

It was all too much.

She broke down into sobs that she couldn't control. It wasn't long before she felt arms around her. Comforting her. She heard them all talking to her. Telling her she deserved this. That they wanted to get her all of this. That they loved her. That it wasn't too much. That they didn't spend too much. That they loved her.

That they loved her.

She couldn't believe that this was her life now. Filled with people who loved her. People who wanted to spend too much money on her. People who wanted to hold her and comfort her instead of hurting her.

It was too much.

She heard them talking to her still. Telling her they loved her. Telling her she deserved this. Telling her she was wanted. Telling her they wanted to buy all those presents. But it just wouldn't sink in. It couldn't sink in.

She was too used to being unloved. To not having anything spent on her. To not being comforted and held. To being hurt and abused.

This was too new.

Too much.

Too overwhelming.

Too different.

She didn't know how to feel. What to do. Or how to stop crying.

She heard someone singing to her. The song felt vaguely familiar, but she was too emotional to remember where she had heard it. Too tired.

Too tired.

…

Rosalie woke up to find herself lying on the biggest sofa in the living room, a fleece blanket covering her. Her new kitten was resting on her belly and her snake was by her head. She saw the pile of unopened presents lying in the middle of the room. Her own was on the perch in the corner, though, watching her happily. The room was empty, but she could smell the food being cooked in the kitchen.

Her father entered the room with a sad smile on his face. He walked over to her and sat on the floor next to the sofa, moving his hand to gently stroke her head.

"How are you feeling, Rosie?" He asked gently.

"Better. Sorry I ruined the day. I didn't mean to be ungrateful. I love all the presents. I…"

"Rosie, you weren't ungrateful. You thanked us more times than I could count. You didn't ruin the day. We understand. You have never had this before. It is new to you. It was overwhelming. We understand. And we love you. And we're here for you. Always. You have no reason to be sorry,"

"Is Lee still here?"

"Yes, he didn't want to leave until he knew you were okay."

Rosalie smiled at the thought of her friend staying, even though he felt awkward around his teachers.

"Dinner is nearly done. Everyone else is in the kitchen if you are ready to come and join us."

"No one is mad at me?" She worried.

"No one is mad at you, I promise. We love you. You have done nothing wrong."

"Okay."

Severus gently took the kitten from her stomach and placed her in the bed next to the sofa. Rosalie stood up and took her dad's hand, letting him lead her to the kitchen. They entered to find Lee, Remus and Sirius discussing pranks.

"Merlin, I can't believe I am talking to two of THE Marauders. The twins would be so jealous. We have been fans since we found your map in our first year. You have to teach us some pranks. Please!" Lee said, more excited than Rosalie had ever seen him.

"Oh, please don't teach them more than they already know. I can't deal with more of their pranks!" Severus groaned as he went to help Minerva finish dinner.

Rosalie grinned as she took a seat next to her friend.

"Please Uncle Moony and Uncle Padfoot. Please teach us some pranks!" Rosalie said, not neglecting to use puppy dog eyes.

"Of course we shall, Snakelette. We must teach the new band of Marauders the best pranks we know." Sirius grinned as Severus groaned, causing everyone to laugh.

"Don't complain Severus, you were just as bad as the Marauders when it came to pranking, in fact, you became one of them. You can teach them pranks too." Minerva smiled as Severus groaned again, making everyone laugh even more.

They ate dinner talking and laughing about pranks. Even Severus taught them some of his pranks. After dinner Severus brought out the birthday cake that him and Minerva had made for Rosalie, and they all sang 'Happy Birthday' to her. She blew out her candles with a smile on her face, wishing for more days like this but for the strength to get through it without crying herself to sleep.

They spent the few hours before Lee had to go home playing games and talking about Hogwarts and pranks some more.

Rosalie thanked all of them profusely throughout the night. Still having trouble believing the life that she had now. Still a bit overwhelmed. But she knew that she would get used to it. She would get used to being loved. And cared for. And spoiled.

She would get used to this.

Eventually.