The holidays started a lot cheerier than Florence had anticipated. Severus had suggested they go to her cottage in Cornwall, after she was still paying rent for it. Despite the attempt to create normality through the family holiday, there was still the loaming presence of Lord Voldemort, with Severus continuously being summoned to meetings late at night.

They had enjoyed a long week alongside the beach, with Misty rolling in the sand and running into the sea, 'She loved doing this as a puppy. I remember one time she went so far out I had to swim out and rescue her when she got caught under a big wave. Poor thing was so scared she refused to step in puddles for months afterwards.'

Severus couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the massive dog being frightened, 'Eileen is growing in confidence as well.' They watched Eileen attempt to chase the hyperactive dog, sitting back on the bench.

'I know. It's amazing how much she's grown over the last year,' they laughed as Eileen caught onto Misty's tail causing the dog to trip over and Eileen to tumble on top, 'Is it crazy I've been thinking about a second child? Especially with all that's happened in the past couple months.'

Severus hummed, fiddling with his sleeve, 'It is not crazy. I must admit I had thoughts too. I suppose we can see where the next few months takes us, and if all is as well as it can be, I can't see why we can't try.'

Florence beamed, 'We get to think about names again. Design a new nursey,' she sat back on the bench, her hands automatically cradled her stomach.

Severus put his arm around her, watching as their daughter attempted to build a sandcastle and Misty ran through it, 'She's going to cry,' Severus said.

'Without a doubt,' they both got up and ran over, trying to fix the crushed castle. Florence conjured a stick and threw it to distract Misty. They sat down, Severus picking Eileen up and placing her on his lap.

'I haven't built a sandcastle in years,' Severus said, trying to figure out how to make it taller.

Florence smiled, 'Muggles normally use a bucket and spade. I think we'll just cheat and use a spell,' she looked around to check for any muggles, she waved a hand the sand flew up to create a basic castle. Enough, however, to make Eileen clap and look at awe at her own sand castle.

Severus chuckled, conjuring a small green and blue flag. He gently took Eileen's hand and helped her place the flag at the top of the castle, 'Princess Eileen's castle.' He said softly. Eileen looked up at her father, smiling.

Eileen, afterwards, demanded to have her own sand castle inside the cottage causing Florence and Severus to create a spell to keep the castle standing and away from Misty's reach, 'I have no idea why she is so obsessed over the castle. It's like the bumblebee all over again,' Severus said.

'Flag!' Eileen chirped, pointing at the small flag, 'Dadda made,' she added.

Severus couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love as his daughter looked at him adoration and pride. She didn't know about his past or what he was doing now. All she saw was the man he wanted to be. He took a tea towel and waved his hand, causing it to turn into a larger replica of the flag, 'We can hang this in your room,' Eileen clapped her hands, pleased to have a more permanent version.

Severus wished he didn't have to leave that evening to go to Voldemort's meeting. He would have preferred making sandcastles.

/

The lazy days in Cornwall reached an end when Dumbledore sent the Order members letters stating they were to go to 12 Grimmauld Place, London promptly.

Florence had failed in finding a babysitter, leading to them bringing both Eileen and Misty to the meeting. Severus hoped that Sirius Black's skin would crawl in jealousy at Severus' success. He knew if the roles were reversed, he would be green with envy.

The majority of the Order members were in the dining room, some were seated, and others were standing, catching up with old school acquaintances.

'Severus! Who is this lovely woman you have with you?' Severus vaguely remembered the man as being Kingsley Shacklebolt.

'Kingsley, this is my wife, Florence Mountfield, and our daughter Eileen,' Severus said proudly, Florence shook hands with the man and exchanged pleasantries before being pulled away by Mrs Weasley.

When she returned, she looked relieved and she no longer had Eileen's bag, 'Hermione will be looking after Eileen during the meeting. Turns out her parents' friends have lots of kids and she babysits them during the holidays.'

'I suppose that will make the meetings easier. They can get quite heated,' Florence followed his gaze which was firmly planted on Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.

'Severus, you two shook hands! The hostility is over, as Dumbledore said.'

Severus scoffed, 'The man is impossible to get along with. You watch this meeting go down in flames because of his stubbornness.'

Florence rolled her eyes, 'You both are incredibly stubborn.'

Severus chose to ignore her comment and turned his attention to the noise in the entrance.

'I'm so sorry! I've always been this clumsy. I'm perfectly fine, Molly,' a familiar voice said.

'That's Tonks!' Florence said, rushing out, leaving Severus standing on his own.

'How are you doing, Severus?' Remus said politely.

Severus poured himself a drink and felt obligated to go talk to Remus, despite Sirius Black, 'I'm fine, thank you. How are you?'

'Things have been difficult due to obvious reasons, but it is nice to see the old crowd again, isn't it?'

Sirius Black snorted, 'Severus was in a different group the first time round, a darker group.'

Severus raised an eyebrow, 'Do you think that is a wise thing to say?'

'It's true, is it not?' Sirius said, he watched closely, seeing Severus' face harden slightly, 'Does your lady friend not know?' he gave a little smirk as Severus gripped the chair tightly.

'Sirius…' Remus said,

'Florence is well aware of everything. There is nothing you can say that will surprise her. It seems staying cooped up in this dump has ruined whatever social etiquette you had,' Severus took a sip, watching Sirius' face harden, 'Oh, she happens to be my wife.'

Sirius' face fell slightly, just as he was about to retort, Florence appeared with Tonks, 'I was just showing Tonks Eileen,' she glanced between the men, sensing the animosity amongst the pair, 'Anyway, Dumbledore is due to arrive so I think we should sit down,' she led Severus further down the table, away from Sirius and Remus, 'What on earth were you doing? I thought you were going to keep your distance from them?'

'Things cannot be helped. Besides, no harm was done,' Severus said calmly.

Florence sighed, 'You have to keep calm, even if he provokes you.'

Severus hummed, 'I won that argument,' he said, smirking slightly.

Florence rolled her eyes, 'Congratulations.'

The meeting, once Dumbledore arrived, seemed to be a catch up on the progress of each member on their individual tasks. After hearing how everyone, besides Sirius Black, had managed to find out sufficient information about the Minister's reaction and what suspected Death Eaters were doing, Florence was relieved to say she'd heard about money being stored for later use by one suspected Death Eater. He had even approached her to ask about investing in a secret project he was planning in the upcoming year.

'I know it's not a lot, but hopefully it's something,' Florence said nervously, fiddling with her wedding ring.

'It fits well with the rest of the information we're gathering,' Dumbledore said, pacing slightly, 'and it proves they are up to something, but are holding back whilst Fudge is denying You-Know-Who's return. He's played it right into their hands,' he paused, before clapping his hands together, 'Onto more pressing matters, we will be bringing Harry to Grimmauld Place after the Dementor attack that took place a couple days ago. Thankfully, Remus teaching Harry the Patronus Charm ensured Harry's, and his cousin's, safety.

'Naturally the Ministry is denying such events, but it means he is no longer safe at his aunt's house for now. Who would like to volunteer to help bring Harry, safely, to our headquarters?'

'I should go,' Sirius said firmly.

Dumbledore smiled sadly, 'Unfortunately Sirius, you are wanted in the Muggle world and it would not be wise for you to risk your safety.'

Sirius shook his head, defeated, 'Is there anything I can do?'

'In due course, Sirius,' Dumbledore said calmly, he looked at those raising their hands to volunteer, 'Tonks, Remus, Alastor, Kingsley, you will all do finely. Does anyone have anything else to add to this meeting?' a silence fell upon the group, besides Sirius tapping his glass in agitation, 'I shall see you all this Saturday, after Harry is brought here.'

/

That week Severus was called to Voldemort's more frequently than either him or Florence could've predicted. The number of meetings seemed to correspond with the number of unexplainable incidents that occurred in both the Muggle and wizarding world. Each incident and attack the Ministry put down to the 'evil and malicious actions of Sirius Black'.

Despite the fact Severus and Sirius did not get along, Florence couldn't help but feel bad for Sirius' situation. She decided at the next meeting to make a conscious effort to be nicer to Sirius, even if it was for her own peace of mind.

The recent events meant Harry's arrival to Grimmauld Place was moved forward three days and the meeting was pushed forward. There were a few members missing, Florence guessed they were taking part in the event. Florence and Severus followed Molly Weasley to the kitchen as she bustled around preparing dinner and pouring out drinks.

'How is the little one?' she asked,

'She's gone back to chasing bees and riding Misty. It's a relief because maintaining sandcastles is a lot harder than you would think, especially with a curious dog around,' Florence said, 'It also means Misty can keep her occupied whilst I try and start my new research.'

'A new book?' Hermione's face lit up, 'What will it be about?'

'The use of the press in medieval to early modern wizarding propaganda. My publisher wants it to be less controversial, so the focus is going to be about witch and magical creature rights.'

Hermione looked triumphantly at Ron, 'See? Creature rights are important.

Ron rolled his eyes, 'I doubt the book is going to be called SPEW.'

'It's S.P.E.W and will there be stuff about elves, Professor?'

Florence hummed, 'Perhaps. Elves are the least rebellious magical creature. However, after speaking to the elf who I pay to look after Eileen occasionally, there has been a recent movement amongst the Hogwarts elves to get better working conditions and pay, for those who want it.'

'You could end the book with that. To show that magical creature rights are poorly covered in the modern society,' Hermione said.

Florence sipped her tea, 'It is a possibility. I'd have to talk to my publisher. I can't tread on too many toes with this book.'

The sound of locks being opened and the loud clatter of an umbrella stand falling alerted everyone to the presence of Harry and the remainder of the Order members arrival.

'We should go into the meeting room,' Severus said, leading Florence out of the kitchen, 'Dumbledore will be here any minute. I take it Molly will be looking after Eileen?'

Florence nodded, 'Yes, she only wants to sit in when the discussion turns to Harry.'

Almost on cue, Dumbledore too entered, ignoring Harry's call and closed the door behind him.

'Arthur, you can start,' Dumbledore said, smiling to the group.

Arthur cleared his throat, 'Just the rumours of a Ministry official taking the role as Defence professor. Fudge is concerned about the students' defence lessons being too centred around using magic. He believes you are training them against the Ministry.'

Minerva gasped, 'That is outrageous!'

'The likes of Lucius Malfoy and Goyle are building up this fear quite successfully. The name Umbridge has been thrown around.'

Tonks pulled a face, 'She is a stickler for rules. It wouldn't surprise me if it is her cos she'll do anything for Fudge.' There was a murmur of agreement.

'Thank you, Arthur. Now, Severus, any updates?' Dumbledore asked.

Severus nodded, 'The recent incidents were the work of low-level Death Eaters, the type who are unknown to the press. He has sent them to Muggle towns in which they have blended in well and go about unsuspectingly. Representatives have been sent to the giants in order to make deals with them. There is also a rumour that the vampires and the werewolves have been contacted. Groups that the ministry have openly disregarded and can easily be manipulated.'

'Hagrid has been notified and him and Madam Maxine have been sent to make peace offerings on our behalf,' Dumbledore.

'After the last meeting Arthur mentioned some officials acting out of character. This is part of a test to see if the Ministry would notice if higher level officials were put under the Imperious Curse.'

'Have you heard any names being mentioned?' Minerva asked.

Severus shook his head, 'Not that I am aware of.'

Sirius snorted, 'How helpful. You've either confirmed the actions of the Death Eaters or warning us of potential action with vague information.'

Florence started chewing her lip, nervous to Severus' reaction, 'I cannot press the Dark Lord too much otherwise he would grow suspicious.' She let out a breath of relief.

'But isn't that your job? To give us information?' Sirius said, smirking.

Severus raised an eyebrow, 'And what is your job? To live in your mother's house and maintain the same level of dust from fifty years ago? Retell old stories from your Hogwarts heyday?'

Sirius' face reddened in anger as he was about to launch himself at Severus, there was a loud yell from outside the room, 'I should go see if that was the twins, you know what they are like,' Arthur said nervously.

'I think that draws the meeting to a close, unless anyone has anything else to add?' there was a silence, 'I shall send you all a letter when our next meeting is.'