Rose couldn't wait to escape so when the bell rang she legged it. She loved Severus like a dad but she didn't or couldn't tell anyone what was going on. She felt embarrassed and ashamed. Her classmates had never really cared for her, she was into books and studying and they weren't. She did love quidditch and had made the team last year as a chaser so she had some friends from the team and Albus had always looked out for her but lately even they didn't have much time for her.
She didn't much like quidditch anymore because of what had been happening to her. It was all because of Xander Bulstrode, he was a beater on the team and two years older than Rose. She was scared to be near him after what happened in the locker room and everything else since but she couldn't tell anyone or he'd hurt her.
Rose had Arithmancy next but she couldn't face it so she headed for the common room, cuddled up in her bed and began to cry. She wasn't sure how she had any tears left but they still flowed.
Severus had a free period so was sat in his office marking and thinking what he would do about Rose. He had to get her somewhere private to have a chat. Just as he was finishing his marking the floo started and professor Vectors head popped through.
'Septima, how can I help?' He asked.
'Severus is Rose Weasley with you?'
'No, she left my class about 20 minutes ago, has she not arrived?'
'No Severus and this isn't the first time she's missed my class' she said annoyed.
'OK, thanks for letting me know. I'll deal with it' He said.
Just as the floo ended the bloody baron floated into Severus' office.
'Are you looking for a certain Weasley? She was headed for the common room about 15 minutes ago' He said as he floated from the room.
Severus got up from his chair and headed for the common room. He walked up to the girls dormitory, found Rose's bedroom and knocked.
'I hope you have a good explanation for missing Arithmancy young lady.' He said it a stern voice although he didn't really mean it.
No reply came from the room so he slowly opened the door and peeked inside. There was Rose hudled up in her bed sleeping, her face all blotchy and wet from crying. He sat beside her and had a proper look at her. He could see a bruise on her neck and another that was just visible on her chest that travelled beneath her blouse. He really was concerned now so he began to rouse her.
Rose was woken by someone gently shaking her, she instantly thought it was Xander so jumped up and scrambled back hitting her head on the headboard. As she came to herself she realised Severus was stood back with his hands held up. She burst into tears.
Severus didn't know what to think, she had never acted like this with him before. As he stood back to give her space she seemed to come to herself and realise it was him, then the floodgates opened. She sat on her bed with her head in her hands, shoulders shaking and sobbing.
'Rosie it's just me' he said, then sat on the bed next to her and started rubbing circles on her back. She turned and looked at him with her big tearful eyes and he opened his arms to her. She cuddled into him, he put his arms around her and began stroking her hair.
'Rosie, what's happened? What's been going on?' He asked as gently as he could.
Rose just shook her head. He sat with her like that until her tears stopped and her breathing returned to normal.
'Come with me to my quarters and we can sort this out?' He asked
Rose just nodded and followed him to his quarters.