Severus and Flora had not done so much as talk after that fateful Friday. When Flora was in detention, she did her work diligently and then left when the hour was over. Flora still hurt because of her professor calling her Lily, that she lost her virginity to a man who was using her like a cock sleeve.
The following Wednesday, in Transfiguration, Flora was scribbling down notes as Professor McGonagall lectured. She and the rest of the class were interrupted by an unsolicited entrance. The class turned around to see Professor Umbridge waltzing into the room. She had a smug look on her face, the same smug look she had when she nearly got Professor Trelawney fired.
"Miss Winterstead, I have news for you. I require that you follow me." Professor Umbridge instructed. Flora looked down and started to collect her things.
"If you have anything to say to Miss Winterstead, you will say it in front of me and this class." Professor McGonagall said sharply.
"You're in no authority to speak, Minerva." Professor Umbridge sneered.
"Since Miss Winterstead is a student in my classroom, I have the authority, Dolores. Speak now, or leave and wait for Miss Winterstead to finish her lesson.
"Miss Winterstead. I would like you to know that under the direct orders of the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, your mother has been arrested for the crimes of trespassing on Ministry property, breaking the peace, and slander." Professor Umbridge told Flora. "There will be a trial tomorrow and you will be present and testifying." Professor Umbridge then turned around and walked out of the transfiguration classroom, Flora barely hearing Umbridge's little chuckle before the door shut behind her.
Flora kept still. She knew that all eyes were on her, but she had to maintain professionalism. She took her quill in hand and began to scribble down the few pieces of information she had left before Professor Umbridge came.
"Class will be dismissed." Professor McGonagall said. All of her students packed their things and made their way out the door. "Miss Winterstead, please stay behind."
Flora, who was almost out the door, walked back towards her professor and stood in front of her.
"I will be writing you a pass for you to spend the day at the hospital wing. Madam Promfrey, besides being a good nurse, is suitably trained in mental health as well." Professor McGonagall told her.
"That won't be necessary, Professor." Flora said.
"Your mother has been arrested, surely you are struggling with that." Professor McGonagall said.
"She deserved it." Flora said, knowing she would have to lie. Professor McGonagall's face went cold. "She broke the law, she will now see the consequences. I have no hard feelings towards the Ministry, I mean, it's silly that my mother insists that he who must not be named has returned, if it were true, the Ministry would have reported it as so."
"Flora, how can you say that about your own mother?" Professor McGonagall asked, amazed at the words she just heard come out of this girl's mouth.
"My mother is a fool who will believe anyone. She's a political extremist, banded with an illegal organization that is now taking the word of a boy over the word of the Ministry." Flora said.
"Get out of my classroom, Miss Winterstead." Professor McGonagall said sharply. "You're more your father than your mother, a Ministry coward. I had hoped you were more than the shortcomings of Carson Winterstead."
Flora turned around and walked out of the Transfiguration classroom, her face was hardened, she showed no expression. Her own mother was arrested and there was no way she could show anyone that she was in pain over it.
Later that night, Severus and Minerva were in Albus' office. He had called the both of them up for a meeting regarding the recent news of Helen Winterstead's arrest.
"Flora is in agreement with the Ministry over her mother's arrest. She said so herself. I do not wish to bring these thoughts to the table, but I must. Carson Winterstead reported his wife to the ministry, he did not use his influence to stop her arrest, and now that you mention that several sources have told you he and Lucius Malfoy have started to be in close contact outside of work are all pointing to how questionable Carson Winterstead's allegiances are. His daughter has supported the decision of her mother's arrest as if she had wanted it. Albus, I think it is time to consider that Flora and Carson Winterstead might be preparing to align with the Death Eaters." Minerva said.
"Carson Winterstead is a confusing man, but he is no Death Eater." Albus told Minerva.
"If I may interject, I must agree with Minerva on one thing. Carson Winterstead, the Head of the Ministry of Defense being in close contact with Lucius Malfoy is reasonably suspicious. However, Flora has no involvement. It would be ridiculous to think she would be siding with Death Eaters when she is hardly seen doing anything but studying in various areas of Hogwarts." Severus said.
"For her to agree with her mother's arrest is enough evidence for me that she is up to something." Minerva snapped.
"The High Inquisitor and a majority of students would make the girl's life miserable if she didn't wholly express her agreement with the Ministry's arrest of her mother. Flora is an incredibly talented liar, after almost seven years of having her as my student, I have learned she makes her way through life by lying about how she feels on issues that could put her in the spotlight if she chose the unpopular answer." Severus explained.
"I agree with Severus." Albus said. "She has become solemn since the Ministry has become even more involved in her life. I would not be surprised to see Flora reach her breaking point if her mother is to be sentenced to Azkaban."
"So what will we do if she reaches that breaking point?" Minerva asked.
"St. Mungo's is our best option. Flora, during her fourth year, proved more than capable at Gilderoy Lockhart's duelling club, with progress since, there would be more dire consequences should someone find themselves at the wrong end of her wand." Severus explained.
"If that is what must be done, it will be done. I cannot risk losing Helen Winterstead as part of the Order over not taking care of her daughter." Albus said. "Helen's abilities are nothing short of necessary while we are at such a small number."
"Perhaps you should let go of Helen's loyalties to her daughter and remind yourself Carson may be a Death Eater and Flora shows more of her father's traits than her mother. With Flora's mother out of the picture, Carson Winterstead will have more of an influence over his daughter than ever. It would be easy enough for Carson to make marriage bargains with fellow Death Eaters using his daughter to prove his loyalty."
"Carson Winterstead is a man of power and does not gamble with his power. Being Head of the Ministry of Defense and negotiating with Death Eaters is not in his character." Albus explained.
Severus watched blankly while thinking. It was his duty to escort Flora Winterstead to the Ministry and to bring her back. He knew tomorrow would not go well, and he had so little time to prepare for the worst.
The night was long, and the day would be hard.