August 1980
One week later
In the middle of the night, in a beautiful manor in Little Hangleton, a group of nine men stood inside a large room lit by a huge crystal chandelier.
There was a long table with chairs to the left, but no one dared to ask to sit down.
In front of a big empty fireplace was a tall elegant man, whom the other eight seemed to be waiting for; each man only walked forward when their name was called, then they'd kneel in front of the tall figure, talk to him with respect, rising only when ordered.
"Severus," the man by the fireplace called.
And Severus walked forward, approaching the Dark Lord, stopping in front of him and going down on one knee, keeping his head down until he was spoken to.
"Rise, Severus. I've thought about your plan, my faithful servant," Voldemort said, looking at the man in front of him, thinking as usual what a formidable wizard Severus Snape was; if only he were pure-blooded, he'd be perfect to father the Dark Lord's grandkids.
Severus felt really uncomfortable under the Lord's strange silent stare, but he waited quietly for the man to continue.
After nearly a minute, Voldemort spoke again: "I think it would be very useful to have someone infiltrated in Hogwarts – after all, a teacher is always a figure of influence in young minds. You can make sure that they grow up following the right beliefs," he paused, frowning, "However, I can't afford to send you there just to get killed. I admit that I prize your abilities too much to risk that happening, Severus. So have you thought about what you're going to tell Dumbledore? How do you plan on making him accept you in the school?"
"Yes. I've thought about it, my Lord. I'll tell him I feel guilty for all that I've done and witnessed... I'll tell him I wish to help the Order win the war because I feel I've done too much damage already..."
"Regret," Voldemort murmured, "Ha!" he suddenly shouted, "The old man will believe your every word! He's so stupid; once you tell him you feel guilty, he'll probably cry!" Voldemort smiled, "Go, Severus. Go now! You have my permission to become a teacher at Hogwarts."
September 1st, 1980
Hogwarts
Florence was walking down the Marble Staircase towards the Great Hall with Headmaster Dumbledore when she recognized someone.
"Severus?" she whispered, her heart skipping a beat.
No, it can't be him.
"Oh, yes. He's my new Potions Master," said Dumbledore.
"He's what?" Florence exclaimed, but then they had reached the last step of the stairs and Severus was right in front of her.
"Florence," he smiled at her incredulous face, "Prof. Dumbledore mentioned you'd be here tonight."
"Since when is this a thing?" she asked, confused by his presence there, but at the same time looking at his face, trying to see if he was hurt again.
"I was hired just last week," Severus replied, then he took a step closer to her, whispering: "And I'm fine, Florence. You're a great healer," he raised a hand to her shoulder, caressing down her arm, until his hand brushed hers.
And she looked into his dark eyes, her heart as usual beating faster, making her quickly realise she had to step away from him or she'd kiss him, so she turned to Dumbledore, who watched their interaction with open interest.
"You!" she whisper-shouted, "How could you hire a Death Eater to teach your students, Dumbledore? Have you completely lost your mind?"
"I would say I'm a former-Death Eater," whispered Severus.
"What?" Florence scoffed, "You want me to believe you simply left the Dark Lord's ranks and he let you walk away with your life?"
"You wish he had ended it?" Severus calmly asked.
"Of course, Severus," she replied sarcastically, looking at him with anger in her emerald eyes, "That's why I saved your sorry ass a couple of weeks ago: because I want you dead!"
"Florence," Dumbledore said with an amused smile on his face, "You two can talk later, now we must go into the Great Hall, I can hear Minerva arriving with the first years."
Florence fisted her hands on either side of her body, still looking angrily at Severus. Even though her heart was relieved to know that he was safe inside the Castle's walls, her mind added that it was not possible that her father had just let him walk away with no punishments; and her brain also pointed out that it wasn't such a good idea to have him that close – point proven by the way her veela stirred in her mind, just waiting for a chance to make Florence horny enough to jump the hot body of their mate.
Florence sighed.
That would be a long dinner.
Great Hall
After the first-year students had been sorted and the feast begun, Severus enjoyed the delicious food while glancing at the beautiful woman beside him.
Florence was using occlumency to block her thoughts from him, as usual, but he could look at her; the way she had tied her hair up in a bun at the top of her head, exposing the sexy curve of her neck had him wanting to lean over and bite the soft skin of her shoulder.
He could scent the vanilla perfume of her body that always had him salivating.
"Stop it, Severus," he heard her whisper, "Whatever it is you're thinking, just stop it. I can't see what it is but it has her all worked up," she meant her veela.
"Her," he softly replied, "I like Her," his mind bringing forth memories of Florence's light green eyes – her veela eyes – the way that magical creature filled her body with such a strong need of him that he'd have to fuck her for hours until she was fully satisfied.
Florence glared at him and was about to tell him again to stop it, when Pomfrey, sitting two chairs down from Severus, asked her: "So, my dear Florence, tell me, how are things at the hospital?"
So she gave Severus one last hard glare and exhaled, putting on a smile before replying: "Very busy, Madam Pomfrey. Being a healer is not an easy job, like you warned me, but I definitely chose the right profession."
"That's wonderful, dear! Prof. Smethwyck has nothing but great things to say about you. He says he wishes he could clone you and have a Florence on each floor of St. Mungus!" said Pomfrey with a big smile.
"There's hardly a bigger compliment than that, Florence," said Dumbledore, "I've been friends with Hippocrates Smethwyck for decades and he's very particular about giving compliments."
"I know," said Florence, with a smile, "Actually, he told me he is probably going to grant me my title of Mediwitch by the end of next year."
"Wow. You'll get your title with just three years of studying! That's impressive!" said Dumbledore, "Congratulations, dear."
"Thanks, Headmaster."
Severus touched her thigh under the table, making her look at him instantly, then he said: "That's truly amazing. Congratulations, Florence."
"Thanks," she replied, putting her hand over his and removing it from her thigh.
"And your kids, how are they?" Pomfrey asked without realising some people at that table didn't know about the twins, "It must be hard to look after them and study all day."
"Kids?" asked McGonagall, looking at Florence in shock, "You have kids?"
"Yes. Sirius and I had twins a couple of years ago," Florence quickly explained, turning back to Pomfrey, "And they are great, Poppy, thanks for asking. It hasn't been easy to balance school and motherhood, but I have my godmother and Sirius to help me."
"Why have you never brought them here with you?" asked McGonagall, sounding almost offended, "I'd love to see them!"
"They are just too full of energy, Prof. McGonagall. I can't even imagine the mess they would make if I brought them to a place as big and interesting as Hogwarts," Florence chuckled.
"Twins..." whispered McGonagall, "Can you tell them apart?"
"Yes," Florence smiled, "They have very different personalities. Nicholas is calm and focused; James, on the other hand, is stubborn and gets angry with his own shadow if it stays on the wrong side- don't ask me what side is the wrong one..."
People laughed and Severus watched closely how Florence's whole face changed when she talked about her sons.
Motherhood has made her even more beautiful.
He remembered the two little boys he'd seen a while ago and smiled.
"They are really incredible kids," commented Dumbledore.
"Yes, they are," agreed Severus.
Florence almost choked on her white wine, looking at him, shocked. But before she could ask him anything, Dumbledore was asking her: "Do you wish for more children, Florence?"
"I- I'd love to," she stuttered, still surprised by Severus' reply, "But I can't afford to have anymore babies now. Maybe in a few years, after I'm no longer working at St. Mungus," Then she added: "Also, Sirius is working as an auror now and we all know how busy the aurors have been lately."
Severus glanced at her, feeling his body being taken by anger at the thought of her having more kids with Sirius Black.
After the feast, the students all left to their Common Rooms and the Great Hall became gradually empty.
Florence was talking to Pomfrey when she yawned, "I'm sorry, Poppy. It's just... I woke up so early today."
"Don't, worry, dear. Go home and rest. Do you want to use the Infirmary fireplace?"
"No, actually, I think I'll walk. The night is so beautiful, and soon it'll be too cold to walk to Hogsmeade at night."
Dumbledore had heard her plans for a night walk, so he said: "Severus can walk with you, Florence."
"No, it's not necessary," she looked at the headmaster, seeing clearly what he was doing, "I can walk home by myself, thanks."
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Dumbledore, "It's a beautiful night outside. No one should walk alone in such a beautiful night! What do you say, Severus?"
"I'll walk with you, Florence," Severus replied, wanting to spend more time with her, "No problem."
She looked at him, knowing exactly why he wanted to walk home with her.
But she ended up nodding, thinking that maybe that way she would be able to find out more about how he got his new job as a teacher in Hogwarts.
All she had to do was keep her distance from him.
The night was still warm enough that Florence didn't feel the need for a coat to walk outside.
She looked up at the beautiful night sky, seeing that the moon was one day away from being full and there were a lot of stars in the sky. It was a very nice early autumn's night.
She glanced at the man walking beside her down the long path from the castle to the gates.
Severus. she sighed.
One of them had yet to say a word since they had stepped outside; but neither knew how to begin a conversation after their last encounter.
So she decided to address that: "Look, I didn't want to kick you out of my house that day... I just... I couldn't have you there any longer."
Severus looked at her, "I know, Florence. But I won't pretend I understand it."
"What don't you understand?" she frowned.
He sighed, "You saved my life, we love each other, we fall into bed at every chance we have, and yet you-"
"We don't fall into bed at every chance we have," she interrupted, blushing.
He arched an eyebrow at her, "Right, sometimes there isn't a bed involved."
She didn't reply, glancing into the night in silence.
He continued: "My point is, Flor: you refuse to marry me. You are even upset that I'm at Hogwarts now!"
"I refuse to marry a Death Eater. You've always known that," she replied, rudely.
"Well, I'm not one anymore!" he nearly shouted.
"But now I have my kids to think about, Severus!" she used occlumency and came up with that excuse, "Being with you might endanger them," And get you killed.
"Your kids. Still can't believe you have kids with Black," he muttered, angrily. And when Florence didn't say anything, he added: "Do you know he cheats on you? Every week he's seen with a different woman."
"No, of course I didn't know!" she lied, trying to show surprise, "But it's not like I can demand anything from him."
"Of course you can!" Severus sounded outraged, "He's disrespecting you!"
"And I haven't cheated on him, Severus?" she looked at him, "You said it yourself: we're constantly falling into bed. Every time I have sex with you, I'm cheating on Sirius. And you're cheating on Cassiopeia. Neither one of us can demand anything from our current partners."
He didn't reply.
They walked in silence for a few more minutes, crossing the castle gates and soon passing by Hogsmeade train station.
Then Florence remembered his comment earlier about her kids, "How do you know my sons?"
"I met them at my mother's last month, when you were helping Lily."
She just nodded, thinking if Eileen had told the twins not to mention anything to her.
"It must be great to have kids..." Severus continued.
"Yes. It's awesome," she smiled, "I can see a little of myself and of... their father in them," she grimaced, she shouldn't be talking to him about the twins.
"I've been thinking about it," he added.
"About what?" Florence turned to him, frowning, fearing what he was about to say.
"Kids."
She stared at him. You've got to be kidding me!
"And who would you have kids with?" she asked, "Cassiopeia?"
"NO. Never!" he exclaimed, looking at her with a frown, "I'd never have kids with her, she's... just no," he shook his head.
"Who then?"
"You," he answered, looking intently at her.
"Don't start, Severus," Florence replied, rolling her eyes at him.
He ignored her annoyance and continued: "But I'm not sure I would be a good father... I didn't have a good example of one, as you know."
"You would be great. You're not your father," she said softly.
They fell into silence as they walked the last metres up the main road and reached her house in a few minutes.
"Thanks for walking with me," Florence said, stopping in the porch.
"It was a pleasure," Severus looked at her, not hiding his wish to be asked inside.
She walked to the door, but stopped, needing to know: "How did you do it? How did you convince Dumbledore about your change of heart? And what did you tell the Dark Lord?"
"Can I answer inside?" he cocked his head to the side, "It's not safe out here," it was clear he was using that as an excuse to be alone with her.
Florence looked at him, knowing pretty well why he wanted to get into her house.
"Alright," she conceded, thinking she'd just have to be strong and not fall into his arms, for she really wanted to know how he'd done it.
Florence opened the front door and they walked inside, "Let's talk in the library."
Severus looked around her house as she led him to the library; he hadn't paid much attention to her living room the last time he had been there; the room was tastefully decorated, cosy, with a large fireplace to the right – certainly linked to the Floo Network. There was a comfortable-looking white sofa opposite to it and a big TV on the wall, between the fireplace and the floor-to-ceiling window; there were also two armchairs, one on either side of the sofa, and all around the room there were pictures of the twins; in some pictures the boys were alone, in others they were with Eileen, Florence and Black. Even the Potters, Remus, Dumbledore and Pomfrey were in a few of those.
Florence opened the door to the library and he followed her in.
She closed the door and they were alone.
Then she motioned him to sit down on the sofa by a small fireplace, and sat beside him, facing him.
"You can speak now," she said after she had cast a Silencing Spell.
Severus went straight to the point, wishing to get over that conversation to try and get her under him soon.
"The Dark Lord believes I'm in Hogwarts to provide him information about Dumbledore's plans. He thinks I'm spying on the Headmaster for him – which is not true. I'm actually spying on the Dark Lord and telling Dumbledore his next steps."
"But how did you convince Dumbledore?" Florence asked, "I know you better than him, and I have to say I'm having a hard time fully believing you."
He frowned, "Really? Why?"
"Severus," she sighed in mild exasperation, "I spent years asking you not to join the Death Eaters and you did it anyway – that tells me you are loyal to them, at least to some extent. That's why I want to know: how did you convince Dumbledore?" she firmly asked.
He sighed, stretching one arm along the back of the sofa, nearly touching her shoulder, before replying: "I told him the truth, that I regret my past choices and want to do something to redeem myself. I also gave him access to some memories..."
She frowned, "Memories of what?"
He grimaced and she could tell that it hurt him to think about whatever he had shown Dumbledore.
"Attacks... things I've had to do and witness," he murmured, moving the hand that rested on the back of the sofa to her shoulder, touching her neck slowly, "Being Dumbledore's spy has the potential of saving me from going to Azkaban. You and I know that when Igor Karkaroff goes on trial, he will say my name and I'll be investigated."
"True."
"Also, now that I'm spying for Dumbledore, playing the double-agent, I have enemies on both sides... increasing my chances of ending up bleeding on your doorstep again," he caressed her face.
Florence looked at him angrily, "You'd better be joking. I don't ever want to see you like that again."
He smiled, caressing down her neck, and continuing: "However, I might be going to prison anyway for killing Black."
She frowned, looking at him, confused, "Sirius? Why would you kill him?"
"For touching you. For disrespecting you," he leaned forward, "I don't see how a man who can have you in his bed could possibly justify fucking around," he lifted her chin, getting close to her.
But before he could kiss her, Florence got up and opened the library door, knowing what would happen next if she didn't make him leave. Her veela was already fighting the mental lead she had put on her.
"You'd better go, Severus. Now."
He got up and walked to the door, but he didn't leave the room as she'd ordered. Instead, he quickly slammed the door shut and pushed her against it; and, before she could utter any word of protest, he kissed her.
The moment his tongue invaded her mouth, Florence felt her control snap and she couldn't stop the need that took over her body; she moaned in his mouth, her hands trying to unfasten his many buttons, while his caressed her thighs under her dress.
"You look gorgeous in this dress. It's a pity I'll have to rip it," he said before pulling on the fabric, making the delicate pearl buttons of her dress fly everywhere.
Then he had her only in her bra and knickers.
"Look at you," he said, eye-fucking her, "So fucking delicious, Florence," he still stared at her body, loving all her curves, "Let your hair down for me, love," he ordered, looking into the light-green eyes filled with passion that he obsessed about.
Florence moved her hands to her head, letting her hair loose, the long waves falling messily down her shoulders and back.
Severus groaned at the sight of that sexy witch in front of him, and grabbed a fistful of her hair, pulling her head back, exposing her neck. He trailed kisses down from her lips, going to her shoulder and then biting at the curve of her neck.
Next he moved between her breasts and with one hand, and a bit of magic, he unhooked her bra and filled his mouth with one hard nipple, giving the other one some attention too, loving to see them red from all his biting and sucking.
Florence was burning for him, moaning and trying to focus on getting him out of his clothes. She rubbed her hands on his chest and, through wandless magic, had all his buttons unfastened, then she quickly pulled his undershirt from inside his trousers.
"Take it off," she ordered needily.
He obeyed, removing his waistcoat and undershirt within seconds, pushing her against the wall again, pulling one of her legs up around his waist, bringing their bodies closer.
His right hand went down between her legs, pulling her panties to the side and penetrating one long finger into her body.
"All this for me, Flor? All this dripping, hot and tight cunt is for me?"
"Yes," she gasped, needing more.
He pulled her towards the sofa, bending her over the back of it, then he slid her knickers down her legs and took a moment to admire the curve of her ass and the sight of her pussy lips between her legs, "You're so fucking sexy, love."
"Touch me, Sev, do something!"
Then his fingers were teasing her pussy again and two fingers penetrated her slowly, touching her g-spot, making her moan.
"So fucking wet for me," he groaned, removing his fingers from her channel.
"No! Don't stop!"
He leaned forward, whispering in her ear: "I'm going to lick all that cream now. Do you want that, love? My tongue and fingers up your cunt, driving you crazy?"
"Yes! Yes, please, Sev..." she was lost in her need to have him.
He kneeled behind her, ordering: "Spread your legs."
She obeyed.
And he speared his tongue into her, touching her special spot and having more cream drip from her channel.
She moved her hips against his face and he rammed two fingers into her cunt, while his lips closed around her clit and he sucked. And she was screaming, cumming hard.
"Fucking delicious, I could eat you for hours," he licked her again.
"I need you..." she gasped, "Fucking me."
But he ignored her, his tongue working on her entrance for a few more minutes, until he suddenly stopped and she felt the head of his cock pressing against her.
"This is perfect," he groaned, "Your tight pussy being forced open by my cock, just clenching and sucking me in," he hissed as he impaled her to the balls, making her arch her back and moan.
He ran his hands down her sides, her sexy hourglass figure always making him even hotter for her.
"Tell me..." he leaned over her, groaning in her ear, grinding his hips against her, making her feel him deep inside, "Tell me who is in here... who is fucking you, making you lose control..." and he took all of his cock out just to impale her again.
"Severus... ah!... Sev..." she just moaned, pushing her ass back, not wanting him to put out, "Fuck me... don't stop," she begged.
"Not stopping, love. I'm fucking you until you pass out, with my seed dripping down your legs," he began to move his hips faster, going deeper inside her.
Florence screamed his name, her body being taken by a second orgasm.
He took that moment to pull her up straight and made her walk to the front of the sofa. Then he pushed her there on her back, kneeling between her legs and slamming his dick back into her pussy.
She arched, moaning his name.
He ran his hands up her belly, grabbing her breasts and pinching her nipples as he moved slowly in and out of her.
She rolled her hips, her pussy clenching around his cock.
"Stop that, Flor!" he cursed, holding her hips down and thrusting deeper, "Fucking going to make me cum if you keep doing that!" then he leaned over her and closed his lips around one of her pebbled nipples, hearing her moans get louder; her nails leaving marks on his back and one of her hands fisting in his hair.
"Spread your legs wider for me, love. Let me get deep into this pussy."
She whimpered and obeyed, opening her legs wider and he fucked her as she loved to be fucked: hard and deep, pressing against her cervix, showing her how deep into her body he was.
Florence felt her climax spread over her body; her third orgasm so strong she nearly lost consciousness.
"Fuck! Tight cunt milking my cock," he groaned, "Sucking the cum from me," and he couldn't stop his own climax, while she moaned under him, he shot his seed deep inside her warm body.
Then he laid his head between her breasts and she caressed his hair lazily.
Severus didn't move, just enjoying the feeling of having her body under his and her hands in his hair.
After a while his dick slipped from her body and he noticed her breathing had changed, so he looked up.
"Why are you crying, my love?" he touched her face.
Florence shook her head, feeling vulnerable after their intense love-making; she caressed his face and pulled him down towards her, touching her lips to his, kissing him with all her heart.
"Seeing you hurt that night... it nearly broke me. And I know it's very possible that it'll happen again..." she whispered, looking into his eyes, tears rolling down her face.
"Marry me, Florence," he said suddenly, sounding almost like an order.
She closed her eyes, and more tears fell. All she wanted to do was to say 'Yes.', to have him in her bed every night, to tell him the truth about the twins; but it wasn't possible. She knew marrying him would be like signing his death sentence, and she feared for her kids as well.
"No, Severus. Please. Stop asking. I've already told you, my answer is no," then she pushed him off of her and got up, fixing her dress and putting it back on.
Severus sighed, knowing that wasn't what she really wanted to say; he stood up as well and got dressed. "I don't get it, Flor. I love you. You love me. Let's..." he tried again.
"That's enough, Severus!" she was angry.
"Is it because of your children?"
"Yes... you said it yourself: you have enemies on both sides. I can't risk them."
"So marry me," he held her in his arms, "I'll protect them!"
"How will you protect them when you can hardly protect yourself, Sev?" she touched his face and softly kissed his lips again, "Forget about me, please. And don't do anything stupid," she looked into his eyes, "I couldn't stand to live in this world if you died," she kissed him once more, before opening the library door and walking to the front door.
Severus followed her and stopped her from opening the front door; he pulled her to him, kissing her with all the love he had for her.
"Do you really want me to forget about you?" he asked, softly, touching her face, rubbing his lips against hers.
"No," she admitted in a small voice, "But this is how it has to be."
He looked at her once more, before leaving her house and disapparating from the street.
Florence closed the door, losing the battle against the tears.
She wanted to drag him to her bedroom and scream that yes! she'd marry him; tell him the twins were his sons and see how happy he'd be. Then he would make love to her and be understanding and not hate her for lying to him.
She snorted at her silly dream – that was never going to happen.
But her thoughts were interrupted by Eileen, exclaiming from the top of the stairs: "What was that!?"
"It was nothing," Florence said, wiping her face and walking upstairs.
"I saw that kiss, Florence! Tell me he has finally left the death eaters and is now working with the Order. Please, tell me you two are back together!" Eileen said, following her down the corridor.
"Yes and no. He is, now, working for Dumbledore, but we're not back together," Florence entered her bedroom, Eileen right behind her, "You know I can't be with him, godmother... my father would kill him and the boys..."
"I know," murmured Eileen sadly.
Florence sat on her own bed, looking heartbroken, a sad smile on her face: "He asked me to marry him. Again," she whispered, feeling a few more tears fall.
"And you said no. Again," Eileen said.
Florence nodded, "He's teaching Potions at Hogwarts now..."
Eileen sighed, "It makes me so angry to see you both suffering like this," Florence was going to reply something but Eileen continued: "But I understand. I don't want to put neither my grandsons nor my son in danger... I just think that Severus has the right to know that those amazing boys are his..."
"I've been lying about the kids for years, Eileen, I fear he'd hate me if I told him the truth now," murmured Florence.
Eileen didn't answer, she knew her son and she was certain he'd be really angry at Florence, however she didn't think Severus would hate her, but she kept quiet, bid her goddaughter good night and left the room.