Saturday, October 31st 1981

Delacour Manor

On that cold afternoon, Florence stood by the balcony door in her bedroom, sipping the ginger tea that Tiffany had prepared for her and watching people walk up and down Hogsmeade's streets.

She glanced inside her bedroom, her gaze drifting a little further, into her bathroom, and she smiled at the small yellow vial that she could see on the sink.

Here we go again. She thought, touching her flat lower belly. Moving away from Hogsmeade is inevitable now.

She knew she wouldn't be able to lie to Severus again about a baby, he was a clever man and would soon realise that the baby she was expecting was his, and not long afterwards he would learn the truth about the twins and then they'd all be at risk.

She closed her eyes and moved away from the door, walking to her bed. She'd hate to leave her home, but for the safety of her kids, and of Severus she would do it in a heartbeat.

After finishing her tea, Florence went downstairs to see if the twins hadn't turned Melody insane yet.

Eileen would soon be there to look after them, for Florence was going to help with security during the Hogwarts Halloween party that night.

James and Lily were going to be there, it would be their first time out of their safe-house in over a year and, for that reason, many members of the Order of the Phoenix were going to be at the castle to ensure their security.

Florence reached the last step of the stairs in time to see Eileen walking out of the fireplace, shouting: "Where are my boys?"

"Grandma!" the twins screamed, running towards her and getting wrapped in her arms.

"Thanks for coming, godmother," said Florence, smiling at the boys' happiness, "Lily is going to leave baby Harry here later; I've added protections to the outside, so do not even try to open doors or windows for they're all magically sealed. She'll bring Harry by Floo and then go to the castle the same way."

"I understand, dear."

"And, please, don't give the boys too much sweets," Florence said, putting on her coat.

"Ok, ok... no sweets," Eileen said, winking at the twins. She took a small box from her purse, "Can you take this package to Severus, please?"

Florence glared at her, "I don't think that's a good idea," She'd been avoiding all possible contact with him for the past month, for it seemed like her father had new followers everywhere, and she was afraid of being seen with Severus by someone that could inadvertently tell her father.

"Oh, please, Florence, just give him the damn package! You don't even have to talk to him! Just throw it at his head!"

"Fine," Florence took the box from Eileen's hands, unable to not laugh at the image of her throwing the small package at a befuddled Severus.

She shook her head and kissed her sons goodbye before entering the fireplace and going to the castle.

Hogwarts

Headmaster's Office

"Florence, my dear!" greeted Dumbledore as she was leaving his fireplace, "Minerva has been waiting for you!"

"Hello, Florence," said Severus, getting up from the chair in front of the desk.

"Hi, Severus," She controlled her urge to smile at the sight of him and just handed him the package that was in her hands, "Your mother asked me to give this to you."

"Thank you. Is she at your house?" he asked, putting the little box in his coat pocket.

"Yes, she's looking after the twins for me; and Lily will leave Harry there before coming here. Protections are in place as we have previously discussed."

Dumbledore watched them, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously, "Severus, would you please walk Florence to the Great Hall? Minerva is there waiting for her."

"Of course, Headmaster," Severus walked to the door and opened it, "Florence."

She glanced at Dumbledore, wondering if he somehow could tell that she was pregnant. But she shook her head at that thought, it wasn't possible, she hadn't even talked to Pomfrey yet.

She just walked out the door and Severus closed it behind them, going down the spiral staircase and towards the Great Hall with her.

"You've been avoiding me more than usual, Florence," he said, an unmistakable hint of resentment in his voice, "Is it part of the things that I'll only be able to learn the reason to one day?"

She looked at him and the desire to tell him everything was nearly uncontrollable. But she kept her mental barriers in place and just nodded: "Yes."

"So you won't marry me, can't be seen with me in public, and is now avoiding being near me at all. And all of that for a reason that you can't tell me?"

"Yes, Severus," she frowned at him, "We've talked about this, why are you so angry?"

"I've seen you all around Hogsmeade..." he sounded accusatory, "Arm-in-arm with the wolf, having dinner with him at your place, drinking wine together and doing who knows what else."

"You're jealous? Of Remus?" she was surprised.

He suddenly stopped her from walking and pushed her against the wall, kissing her deeply, not giving her a second to protest.

Florence didn't even try to resist him, she wrapped her arms around him and moaned, her body instantly responding to his touches, eager for more.

"You're mine, Florence!" he growled, kissing down her neck.

"Severus, look at me," she held his face in her hands, and looked into his eyes, "I love you. I told you as much as I can for now. You know there's a reason for us not being together. How can you think, even for a moment, that I'd fuck Remus behind your back?"

"He's always around," he grumbled angrily.

"He's my friend and I've been helping him with his condition," she smiled, "I really can't wait to share my progress with you; I think together we can find a cure for lycanthropy," she touched his hair, kissing his lips again, "I love you, you jealous man."

Severus didn't reply, he just pulled her closer and kissed her, slowly, sensually, his hands running down her body; minutes passed as they snogged against the wall like a couple of teenagers.

We have to go, Sev. She said, after a while, through their bond. Before a student catches us.

He sighed, taking a step away from her, and looking into her eyes – but she had her mind closed shut by occlumency, which just made his naturally jealous self even more wary.

7 p.m.

After her snogging session with Severus in the corridor, Florence helped McGonagall with the decorations in the Great Hall and finished organising the security rounds.

Then she went to an unoccupied teacher's quarters on the third floor, to get ready for the party. She had chosen a comfortable long dark green velvet half-sleeved dress, which fitted her beautifully, and some flat peep-toes.

She looked at herself in the mirror; it was too early to have a pretty baby bump, but she couldn't wait to start showing – she loved seeing her belly grow with her and Severus's child.

After a few minutes dreaming about her baby, Florence braided her hair and finished putting on her make up, before leaving the room.

10 p.m.

Great Hall

The Halloween party was really good, dinner had been delicious as always and the students were having a blast – but Florence was worried, for the Potters had yet to arrive.

Sirius and Remus had arrived a couple of hours ago, but Florence avoided getting close to Sirius – he had drunk a little before getting there and kept trying to hug her every time she got within arm's reach.

Severus, standing on the other side of the Great Hall, was having a hard time hiding his jealousy.

"Where could they be?" Florence asked Remus.

"You know how James is, Flor. They'll probably arrive late just to scare us," he replied, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her to his side in a sideways hug.

"I don't know. I'm worried," she said.

"What could possibly go wrong, Florence?" said Remus in her ear, "Sirius is here. He's the secret-keeper. Everything is fine. Maybe baby Harry was not feeling well."

"Yes, maybe you're right," she gave him a weak smile.

"Let's dance?" Remus offered her his arm.

"Yes, of course!" she replied, smiling.

Severus watched Lupin closely; very much awareof how the man was always near Florence; touching her, smiling at her, whispering in her ear.

He had had to control himself to not cross the Great Hall and punch the stupid wolf when he saw him wrapping an arm around her waist.

And now they danced, Florence laughing at something Lupin had whispered in her ear, her body close to his with near familiarity.

Severus fisted his hands in anger; she had had dinner with Lupin about two months ago, dinner with wine; not to mention that breakfast he caught the wolf going to with her – and Severus knew they did that often.

Florence said she loved him, but Severus' jealous mind reminded him that loving her hadn't stopped him from fucking Rosmerta whenever he wanted.

11:30 p.m.

"Something is not right, Dumbledore," murmured Florence.

"My dear, calm down. If something had happened, we would have known already," he looked at Severus who was standing a few metres away from them, glaring at the students.

"Yes, Severus would know if any attacks had happened but... it's just so strange that they're not here yet," she said, unable to shake off the ominous feeling.

Then Severus walked towards them.

"Is everything alright, Severus?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, Headmaster."

"See, Flor," continued Dumbledore, "Everything's fine. Maybe baby Harry fell sick this evening."

Florence let out a breath, trying to relax a little, "Alright," she whispered in reply, ignoring the dread she felt inside. Then she turned to Severus, trying to engage him in conversation: "During the Holiday Break, can I send you my notes on the Wolfsbane for you to read?"

"Of course."

"I think I'm close to something really big, but I'm all out of ideas on what the next step is. I need your help."

"You'll always have it," he replied softly.

Florence couldn't stop her smile.

I miss this. She sent him. Talking to you about anything.

So do I.

"Severus," called Dumbledore, as some slow romantic song began to play, "Why don't you take Florence to the dance floor? This is such a beautiful song..."

"It wouldn't be appropriate," she replied quickly, looking at Dumbledore, angrily.

Severus and she shouldn't be seen slow-dancing – there were kids there whose parents were followers of her father's, they could say something at home and all her years protecting Severus and her kids would have been for nothing.

"Ha!" exclaimed Dumbledore, clearly not accepting her refusal, "Don't try to fool me, Florence! It's not like dancing is the most inappropriate thing you two have ever done inside this castle."

They both looked at Dumbledore, shocked and surprised by his comment; but they had nothing to say to him – he wasn't wrong.

"The point is: we shouldn't be seen dancing in public," she spoke between her teeth, trying to make him think of the consequences.

"Come on, Severus!" continued the Headmaster, completely ignoring her, "Take her hand and go to the dance floor. Don't make me call Sirius here, I'm sure he wouldn't mind dancing with her."

Severus sighed, it was clear that Florence didn't want to dance with him, "Maybe call Lupin," he mumbled.

Florence rolled her eyes at him.

Really, Severus? Can't you drop the teenager jealously act already?

"Ok. I will find Remus!" said Dumbledore, looking around the ballroom, trying to find the mentioned man.

Florence glared at Severus, whispering: "This crazy jealousy I don't miss! Stop it!"

He looked at her, trying to ignore the little voice in his head that said that she had no problem with being seen dancing with the wolf, but he said instead: "Florence, would you like to dance?" he held out his hand for her.

She hesitated, aware they shouldn't be seen together but also thinking that if she refused, Severus would be even worse in his jealousy, and she just wanted to enjoy a pleasant night with her friends. So she silently conceded, putting her hand in his and walking with him to the dance floor – which was packed full of couples dancing very close to each other.

Some students stopped dancing when they saw Snape on the dancefloor with that beautiful woman.

Florence looked at the students, worried, but there was no point walking out of the dancefloor anymore, the kids had seen them, and they would talk.

Severus's left hand rested on her lower back, his right one held her left hand, and Florence put her right hand on his chest, over his heart; then she looked up at him.

They were so close; she could feel her veela purring in her mind, her body answering to his proximity, answering to his hard body – which she missed so much.

And he began leading her around the dancefloor, as the song went:

Holding you
A feeling I never outgrew
Though each and every part of me has tried
Only you can fill that space inside

Fucking stupid song. Severus thought, angrily. The lyrics sounding so true, putting into words exactly what he was feeling inside.

He wished he could hold Florence close to him forever, he wanted to drag her to a corner and make love to her right then and there – reminding her of all the things only he could make her feel.

So there's no sense pretending
My heart it's not mending

Just when I thought I was over you
And just when I thought I could stand on my own
Oh baby, those memories come crashing through
And I just can't
Go on without you

Florence licked her lips, sensing his thoughts. She wished he would act on them, pull her to a dark corner and just have his way with her; against the wall or on the high table – she didn't care, she wished she could just feel him.

Severus didn't miss the movement of her pink tongue on her soft lips, now wet. He looked into her eyes, noticing the lighter green shade starting to take over the emerald, and he pulled her slightly closer to his body slowly, almost touching his nose to hers. They were lost in each other's eyes.

On my own
I've tried to make the best of it alone
I've done everything I can to ease the pain
But only you can stop the rain

I just can't live without you
I miss everything about you

Severus found it impossible to look away from her, he had caught a glimpse in her mind of them fucking on the high table and he was suddenly uncomfortably hard.

I can feel your body warming up in my arms, Florence. And I can hear her. He whispered in her mind.

I know. Two months away from you was too much.

Fifty-eight days too much.

She smiled and touched her nose to his in a soft caress, their hearts beating so fast she could feel his thudding under the hand she'd rested on his chest.

Just when I thought I was over you
And just when I thought I could stand on my own
Oh baby, those memories come crashing through
And I just can't
Go on without
Go on without
It's just no good without
You

The lyrics were so true, Severus couldn't ignore them. There was no pretending: he needed Florence, he couldn't go on without her.

Forget any reasons you have not to marry me, love. Just be mine.

I am yours. But it's not that simple, Sev. She replied, closing up her mind again, before she ended up allowing him to learn about the baby inside of her and the twins.

His nose rubbed on hers, and they were breathing in each other's air.

You're mine. That was all he could think while holding her so close, being surrounded by her perfume, feeling her body responding to his, even though she'd blocked her mind.

He knew she was hiding something big, something that had to do with the war and ice cream, and that also made it impossible for her to marry him – he just had to put the pieces together.

But the song came to an end and Florence took a step away from him, avoiding his eyes, avoiding him again.

Severus let her go, walking two steps behind her as she returned to the table where Dumbledore, Remus and Sirius were.

Florence was clearly shaken, her body was begging for Severus's touches, her heart was beating madly in her chest.

She sat on the chair beside Remus and drank a whole glass of cold water.

Sirius, who was sitting in front of her, glared at Severus with his arms crossed, clearly angry because of their dancing.

And then Severus's Dark Mark burned.

Note: The song they danced is called Here I Am by Air Suply.