Florence was woken suddenly by Severus shaking her away, 'W-what is going on? Have my waters broken?' she murmured groggily, she clutched her stomach, expecting to feel contractions.

'No no. Sirius Black broke into the castle. Stay here with Misty, Dumbledore wants me to help monitor the castle and he requested you would stay in the quarters.'

He kissed her cheek and quickly left, leaving Florence to attempt to go back to sleep. She struggled and buried her face into Misty's fur. Despite Severus believing she was safe in their quarters, she couldn't help but worry. What would happen if he wasn't found? Would Black try and kill Severus due to their mutual hatred? She groaned, and Misty put a paw on Florence's shoulder, 'I can't sleep. Shall we go down to the Hall?' Misty whined again, 'Good answer.'

She changed as quickly as she could manage, and the pair hurried to the Hall. Severus' eyes widened at the sight of Florence, and he excused himself from Dumbledore, 'what on earth are you doing here?' he whispered.

'I couldn't sleep. I feel better being here.' She replied, 'and at least I will know you're safe.'

He sighed, 'I was going to be fine, Florence,' Severus said soothingly, 'Please go back and get some sleep.'

She frowned, 'How would I know if I'm not here? There is a mass murderer wandering around the castle and you expect me to sleep?'

'Once the final search has been carried out and the all clear has been given, will you go back?'

She sighed defeated, 'Okay.' She rested her hands on her bump.

Much to Severus' disappointment, Sirius Black was not found so Florence stayed until more teachers arrived to take over watch, allowing Severus and Florence to go back to their quarters to sleep.

'You are incredibly stubborn, Florence.' Severus said as they got ready for bed.

She shrugged, 'As are you.'

She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled, 'I suppose you are not wrong.'

'Why would Black come to Hogwarts, especially with the Dementors around.'

Severus shrugged, a muscle twitched in his cheek, 'Most likely he wants to finish his task and kill Potter. He will be caught, and he will pay for his crimes. I do not care if he gets the Dementor's Kiss.'

/

Like clockwork, Quidditch season was back. The presence of the Dementors was quite clear as there were extra wizards present as security.

'Do you think the weather is too bad?' Florence asked as she wrapped a second scarf around her neck and buttoned up Severus' coat (it was the only one that fit her).

Severus chuckled, 'Nothing stops the Quidditch games. Not even a storm.'

She jumped as a flash of lighting struck a broomstick. The medical team hurried onto the pitch and carried off the injured player. She settled down again, trying to concentrate on the game, rather than worrying about the safety of the players. She narrowed her eyes and pointed up at the clouds, 'Isn't that a Dementor following Harry Potter?'

Minerva and Dumbledore stood up and Minerva gasped, 'I thought they were not allowed too close to the school?'

'It seems the temptation was too much for them.' Dumbledore said angrily, 'Minerva, send an owl to the Minister about the poor behaviour of the Azkaban guards.'

Minerva nodded, nervously glancing up. As she turned to leave Florence let out a scream, 'Albus!' She pointed at the falling form of Harry.

The staff ran to the pitch and Dumbledore managed to slow Harry down enough so they could soften his landing, 'Poppy take Harry to the medical Wing. Myself and Minerva will pay the Minister a visit.'

Dumbledore disbanded the match, crushing the Hufflepuff team's opportunity to celebrate.

Florence noticed a few of Harry's friends attempting to collect the remains of Harry's broomstick, 'I'll be back in a moment,' She said to Severus, patting her side so Misty would follow her.

He frowned but after a moment he nodded, 'I hope you remember the Patronus charm.'

She nodded and smiled, 'Don't worry, I do.'

She walked as quickly as she could over, 'Have you managed to get to get all the pieces?'

The group looked up and Hermione sighed, 'We've tried to, a few are too close to the Whomping Willow.'

Florence frowned, she got out her wand and silently waved it, a few of the remaining pieces flow over, 'That should be all of them.' She looked down at the broken pieces wrapped in the Gryffindor scarf, 'I doubt there is any sort of spell that could put the broom back together. But we could give it a go.'

The group brightened up a bit, 'Where should we go?' Ron asked.

'Anywhere with a seat and I'll be happy.' She rubbed her back and winced slightly.

'How long do you have left?' Hermione asked curiously as they walked back to the castle.

'Just over a month.'

'Are you looking forward to the baby?' Hermione asked.

Florence nodded, 'Not going to lie, I'm very nervous but I'm excited.'

'Do you know if the baby is a boy or a girl?' Neville asked.

'I haven't thought about finding out. But I have a feeling I know what the baby will be.'

'Why do you think the Dementors keep going for Harry?' George asked.

Florence hummed, 'They typically are attracted to people with dark memories and they suck the happiness out of the person, leaving them with the worst memories. That is why they are attracted to Harry, he has one of the most memories a person can have, witnessing the death of his parents. It's why he reacts so badly to them.'

Unfortunately, Florence was right about there being no way to fix the broomstick. Rolanda told them a broomstick's core could not be repaired, 'Tell Potter I'm sorry.' Rolanda said as sympathetically as she could.

Florence went with the group to the hospital wing, 'Do you reckon Harry will be okay?' George Weasley asked.

'Without a doubt, there is nothing Madam Pomfrey cannot fix or heal.' Florence said reassuringly. When they arrived, Harry was just coming around, 'See, Madam Pomfrey works miracles.'

'Florence could I have a word with you, please?' Poppy asked when she saw the group standing around, 'Oh, I would appreciate the lot of you keep the noise down.' She said to Harry's well-wishers.

'What's wrong Poppy?' Florence asked when they reached Poppy's office.

'Seeing as your due date is fast approaching, I was wondering what your birthing plan is.'

'Oh. Ermm I hadn't thought about it. What would you suggest?'

'I will be staying over the Christmas holidays and I am trained in midwifery.'

'I suppose you would prefer to be there in case anything was to happen.'

Poppy smiled, 'It would put me at ease. It is your first child, so you do not know what to expect.'

Florence hugged the mediwitch, 'And it would make me feel better about it too.'

As she left, she saw Harry was awake and talking with his friends. She went over to see how he was doing, 'Feeling better at all?'

'A little, Professor. Thanks for trying to fix my broom.' He said, rubbing his head.

'Not to worry. If you need a broom to borrow for a match, I have a Nimbus 2000. I'll be happy to lend it to you. Though please try not to break it,' she winked and smiled.

The group laughed, 'Thank you Professor. It would be better than the spare broomsticks in lost and found.'

/

'I finished it!' Florence yelled out, causing Severus to jump and knock over his pot of ink. She turned to look at him, 'My second book is finished!'

He applauded, 'Congratulations! And just as the holiday season starts.'

She grinned and tapped on the stack of paper, causing it to vanish, 'Just in time for Christmas sales,' she joked, winking, 'Getting it done is just a massive relief. Hopefully my publisher will be satisfied with it.'

'I wouldn't see why he wouldn't be. It is a rather interesting read.' Severus said, vanishing the ink stain, he got up and moved to sit on Florence's desk, 'I am sure your fan group at Hogwarts will enjoy it too.'

Florence laughed, shaking her head, 'I think they might do. There's a little bit of potions in there so perhaps they'll appreciate your lessons more.'

Severus snorted, 'Perhaps. I will not hold my breath.'

Florence leant forward and kissed him, 'I hope they do.' She smiled contently.

'Do you have your eye on any new projects?' Severus asked.

'Not yet. I guess I won't have a lot of time to start anything any time soon.' She sighed, 'I do enjoy the research projects and it's a little sad I won't be able to do anything for a few years.'

Severus put an arm around her, 'There is always the holidays. It would be a shame for you to stop writing. But you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself.' He kissed the top of her head.

'I'll try not to. I have a lot I want to accomplish, and I guess the family bit comes first.'

'But you shouldn't give up on your dreams. A balance of both is what you need and I'll help you find that balance.'

Florence smiled up at Severus, 'I'm glad I have you by my side.'