The Wand Makers Apprentice

Chapter 6

Rosie ran into the entrance hall. She had been to wound up in chatting with Lena before getting onto the carriages because she could see this strange dead looking horses that she'd forgot about the sorting.

Lena was now in the hospital wing after a panic attack and Rosie hoped that she could get into the great hall without drawing too much attention to herself.

She reached out to enter the great hall, preparing herself for massive embarrassment, when she heard a deep scream coming from the dungeons.

She glanced from the door handle to the direction of the dungeons.

"What the hell..." She said, shrugging her shoulder and darting off in the direction if the screams.

As she clambered down the dungeon stairs, her long brown pony tail trailing behind her as she held her hat firmly on her head. She had to double back on herself slightly as she was running so fast as she nearly charged straight into Severus' office door.

She listened for the scream, screwing up her eyes in concentration. For a split second she thought it was coming from Snape's study.... but it was.

She knocked on the door but immediately opened it o find Severus curled up in a small ball and leant against his desk. Rosie rushed forwards, knocking the bin over as she went, and flung herself onto her potions master as she rocked him back and forward in her arms, trying to charm and comfort him.

As he relaxed and wiped away his final tears Rosie pulled himself up onto his chair and sat on the desk facing him.

"Sev..?" Rosie murmured, still grasping his hand.

He began to cry again, Rosie jumped down and began to shush him and rub his back slowly. She had never seen anyone like this and she lived with her Aunty Louisa for the first five years of her life as she was only ten years older than Rosie herself.

"Sev," Rosie repeated. "What's the matter?"

"Oh Rosetta." Severus said, burying his face in his arms on the desk. "I'm scared."

"Why should you be scared?" Rosie said in a semi-panicked, semi-calm tone, even though her eyes hummed a pale blue to show her fear in a teacher who has such a rough exterior to be breaking down before her eyes. "There's nothing to be scared off. Hogwarts is the safest place in the country, maybe even the world."

"The thing that I'm scared of is coming to Hogwarts Rosetta." Severus said, lifting his head and staring straight into Rosie's eyes. "And nothing I can do can stop it."

"Speak to Professor Dumbledore, Severus!" Rosie pleaded, her eyes growing wide. "If it's something that'll upset you he won't allow it."

"You don't understand Rosa!" Severus shouted, making her jump out if her skin. "It's more complicated than that."

"What's coming Sev?" Rosie asked, putting a hand on his face and forcing him to look into her piercing gaze.

"Harry Potter." Severus whispered. "He will be the one who ends all, good and bad."

"What do you mean..?" Rosie croaked, becoming more worried as she removed her hands from him and took a step back.

"You will find out soon Roz, I promise." Severus said, standing up now and pacing the study, rubbing his hands along his face. "Now get to your dorm before anyone notices your absence."

"But..." Rosie protested.

"Go." Severus demanded. "I will not ask again."

They stared at each other for a long minute before Rosie stormed out of the room.