When the Roses Went Black: The Lost Lover of Sirius Black

XVII

It was now January 4th, 1978. All of Rose and Sirius's friends would be returning home from holiday, and they had made their way downstairs to meet them in the Great Hall. Rose spotted Lily first, and they ran up to each other, locking in tight embrace. They rocked around together as if they hadn't seen each other in years, despite it being only eleven days. Sirius walked around and hugged each of the guys. Rose pulled back and looked at Lily with a sigh. The past two weeks had been marvelous alone with Sirius, but Rose would be lying if she said she hadn't missed her best friend.

"Tell me all about your holiday when we get upstairs," she told Lily, bringing her in for another hug. Rose was then greeted by the boys, and she kissed each one on the cheek. "Thank you so much for the record Re, it's so tight," she told Remus warmly. He flushed a bit. "I'm so glad you liked it," said Remus with a shy smile. It felt so good to have the gang back together, and Rose surveyed her friends with pride. James poked her in the ribs.

"Oi Rosie, you and Pads have fun while we were gone?" he asked jovially, earning a "piss off" from Sirius, and an elbow jab from Rose. The friends walked toward the Gryffindor Common Room arm in arm, so happy to have each other's company again.

Rose pulled away once they passed a bathroom, explaining to Lily that she'd catch back up with them once she used the loo. As she turned to the bathroom door, a cold hand grabbed her wrist.

She turned around quickly to find Lucius Malfoy's icy blue eyes boring into her. Rose snatched her wrist away. "What is it Malfoy?" she spat. "Just a word Ferbreezeo," he replied with indifference as he looked her up and down. His lips were pressed into a thin line and his face was cold, not a trace of care in it. It was enough to chill anyone to the bone; he simply radiated cruelty.

Rose crossed her arms and gave Malfoy a bothered look. He seemed unaware of it, or he just chose to ignore it. "I'll be swift with my point," he began. "I can't help but notice how you're slightly... different... from your friends." Lucius's cold eyes narrowed at the mention of Rose's friends before he continued. "More cutthroat, more ambitious. I see desirable qualities in you, though your lineage is... less than desirable." He added the last part with a tone of disgust, as if recollecting something horrid he once ate. His chilling voice began again, now in a whisper: "I have a hunch about who bloodied up Bellatrix Rosie, and I believe the Dark Lord would find a useful place for you. A place where you belong, a place above the others." His cold hand began to trail up Rose's jean clad leg, and she shuddered, feeling the chill even through the denim. "What'll it be Rosie?" Lucius finished with a hiss and a cock of his eyebrow. Rose chuckled slightly and looked down. "You know Lucius I.." she stammered, before turning quickly and pinning Lucius face first against the wall. She held him in place by his head and back and kept her wand tightly pressed against his neck.

"Allow me to make myself inexplicably clear Malfoy," Rose said with a sneer, jabbing her wand deeper into the neck of a terrified looking Lucius. "I would rather be stood up at the Gates of Hell before I slum with you and the crazy bastards who worship that deranged son of a bitch. Whether you wish to spend your life as a pitiful lap dog for Riddle and wake up one day in the gutter will not cost me any sleep. However, I will not be a part of it." Rose felt Lucius grow hot as she used Riddle as opposed to Voldemort, and was suddenly met with an elbow in her ribs. She fell to the ground and Lucius stood over her, wand to her face, and eyes darkening.

"You filthy little halfblood. You will soon know your place-" Lucius rose his wand but was interrupted by a deep, monotone voice behind Rose. "Lucius," it droned. "Let the zebra be, we all know she could hex the arrogance out of your ignorant mind, The Dark Lord is unlucky to have such a pansy in his following. You simply are not worthy." The voice sounded extremely bored, but it held it's effect. Lucius looked back down at Rose, murder still in his eyes. Yet he turned, and with one last threatening glare, he walked away.

Rose moved to stand up when a thin, pale hand extended itself down to her. She looked up to see Severus Snape looking down at her, looking utterly ashamed. She took his hand and thanked him, though he quickly averted his eyes. "I'm very sorry Rose," he whispered, still with his head down. Rose never hated Severus, because she knew that even after abandoning the only real friend he had in Lily, she still cared for him. But not for who became. Both parties missed the other. Yet that was his own fault. "You're better than that Severus," she told him gently. He shook his head and looked up, his face emotionless once more. "You don't know me Ferbreezeo," he spat, attempting to look defiant. His eyes gave him away however, and Rose could see that Severus Snape was so longing to get out. She also knew one other thing he was longing for, as his constant glances at their table were no accident.

"You love her, don't you Severus?" Rose asked quietly. The pale boy brushed his greasy hair out of his eyes and gave Rose something that resembled a very small, sad smile. "Hopelessly," he whispered. Severus looked Rose once more in the face before nodding and walking off. She knew the reason why he helped her that day. One of them being he secretly hated the life of a Death Eater, and he held not the deep hate they did. But the true reason was that he knew Lily loved Rose, and she would be shattered to see her get hurt. Rose looked after the boy as he walked briskly away, her heart aching a little.