The next day was Sunday, Hermione had been in touch with work and had managed to have the weekend off but was due to go abroad on Monday for her biggest research project yet. She was expected to be gone around a month with hopefully a weekend home at some point during the trip.

The Sunday morning was spent with Severus looking into Rose's mind and duplicating memories for evidence. It was a long, hard morning for both of them, but Rose had done remarkably well.

'As hard as this has been and I know will probably continue to be in some ways, I feel like a weight has been lifted.' Rose told Severus.

'I'm happy to hear you say that, Rosie. Just take things one day at a time and know that I am always here when you need someone. I will never judge you, and I will always protect you love.' He said whilst hugging her.

Severus had gone to speak with Hermione while Rose went for a shower. He had not gone into detail about Rose's memories but had told Hermione the bits she needed to know.

'Severus, I'm going to have to cancel this research trip. I can't leave Rose now.'

'Mya, you've spoken of nothing else for months. It is a very important project, but I understand how you feel. Tell her you want to cancel first. She knows how important this is to you.'

Hermione agreed and then went to take Hugo out to dinner. She hadn't seen him since her arrival, but he knew she was in the castle. She would have to give him an explanation of what had been happening. Just as Severus sat down in front of the fire with a book, he heard Rose shouting.

'MUM! MUUUM!!' She sounded desperate.

He got up and headed towards the bathroom door.

'Rose, is everything ok? Your mum has gone to speak with Hugo for a while.' He told her.

'No, I'm bleeding.. a lot. It's on the floor.'

'How much is a lot? Do you have sanitary towels?' He asked, then realised she hadn't started her period, so she didn't really have anything to compare the quantity of blood to.

'Yes, but mum said she had bigger ones if I needed.' She told him.

'Right, hold on. I'll see if I can find them.' He was gone only two minutes.

'I'm going to crack open the door to hand them to you, OK?' He told her. She agreed and took the towels from him.

'Can you leave the blood so I can see how much there is?' He asked.

Rose sorted herself out and then opened the door. Severus looked at the floor where the blood was and realised it was quite a lot.

'Madam Pomfrey left a blood clotting potion in case this happened. You'll have to take that, then lay in bed until it settles, OK?'

'I was just going to head to bed with a book anyway.' She smiled at him.

'OK love, I think your mum wants to speak with you when she gets back.'

'I'll try to stay awake, I want to say bye to her before she goes on her research trip tomorrow anyway.'

'That's what she wants to speak about. She is going to cancel the trip.'

'What!? She can't, she's been so excited about it. It's very important to her.'

'Not as important as you, Rosie.' He said as he tucked her in.

'No, I won't let her. She has to go. Anyway, like you said, I've got you.' She smiled.

'Always.' He told her while kissing her head.

He went back to his book in front of the fire. When Hermione returned, her and Rose had a long emotional conversation, which had ended in Hermione deciding to go on the trip. Another long conversation with Severus and emotional goodbyes to them both, and she was gone. She had to go home to pack and then catch a portkey in the early hours. Severus knocked on Rose's door.

'Come in!' Rose shouted.

'I just came to tell you I've only got two classes tomorrow, so I'll be around most of the day if you need anything. Has the bleeding eased?' He asked.

She nodded her head, confirming yes.

'Goodnight Rosie, I love you.' He told her.

'Night night, Severus.' She smiled. Then, just before Severus shut the door, he heard.

'I love you too.'

The next day, Severus was up around 7 am to get some marking done before his first class with Slytherins and Gryffindors at 9am. He had been marking for an hour when Rose popped her head in the door.

'Why didn't you wake me? I'll end up being late for class.' Rose said, sounding stressed.

'Rose, you're not going to class today. Take a day to rest, and you can go back tomorrow if you're feeling up to it.' He told her.

'But they will wonder where I am, I've been gone all weekend. What if they find out.. I don't want anyone else to know.' She sounded like she was about to cry.

'Rose, calm down. Albus Potter and Jeniffer Knot have both asked about your absence over the weekend and have been told that your mum was here, so you were spending time with her. If anyone asks today, I will tell them you are not feeling well but should be back tomorrow. Is that OK?' He asked.

Rose nodded her head but looked subdued. She left and headed back to her bedroom. Severus went to go after her but thought better of it and gave her some space.The day passed much the same, Rose stayed in her bedroom most of the day. Severus had finished his classes and marking and was now making dinner for them. He went and knocked on Rose's door.

'I'm making dinner Rose, will you come sit at the table?' He asked.

'Yes, I'll be out in a minute.' Came her reply.

'Is everything ok?' Severus asked.

Her door opened, and she stood in front of him.

'No, I've made a mess of my sheets, and a cleaning spell isn't working. I didn't mean to, I just woke up, and I'd bled through my towel and pyjamas.' She said, embarrassed.

'It's OK Rosie, I'll sort it out. You go sit in the kitchen, I'll be right there.'

Severus did a simple spell, and the sheets were clean. He went and sat with Rose at the table, and they ate their dinner.

'Are you sure you want to go back to classes tomorrow? There's no rush.'

'Yes, I don't want anyone to find out what's been going on, so I'd rather go back.' Rose replied.

'Rose, I promise you no one will find out unless you tell them. The only people in the castle that know are Madam Pomfrey and the headmistress. They will keep the situation highly confidential.' He told her.

'I know you're right. It just makes me extremely nervous.'

Severus stood, took Rose's empty plate, and gave her hand a squeeze.

'Do you want to play some chess? Or just read by the fire?' Severus asked.

'I'm quite tired, but I'd like to sit with you and read for a little bit if that's OK?' She asked shyly.

'Of course Rosie, you go get yourself comfortable, and I'll get you a cup of tea.'

Severus came into the living room and smiled as he handed Rose her tea. She was sitting cuddled up in the corner of his armchair with his cloak that he had left over the armchair wrapped around her.

'I can get you a blanket if you'd like.'

'No thanks. This smells like you. It makes me feel calm.' She smiled at him.

Before long, Rose had fallen asleep. Severus tried to wake her, but she was having none of it, so he carried her to her bed. He tucked her in and kissed her forehead before heading for his own bed.