December 22nd 1993
Florence woke up that morning a little after eight, and turned around on the bed, finding herself alone.
Severus probably went to Hogwarts to check on the students that stayed in the castle for the Holidays.
She knew Harry had stayed there, as usual, but she was glad to hear that Ron and Hermione had stayed with him – so he wasn't going to spend Christmas alone.
Florence had already given Severus their Christmas gift for the boy: a new broom, for his had been smashed by the Whomping Willow after the disastrous Quidditch match under heavy rain and dementors. Harry was going to find the Firebolt, sent by an anonymous person, under the Gryffindor Christmas tree.
She looked at the vaulted ceiling above her bed and smiled, remembering that her kids would be arriving home that day. Elizabeth was finishing her first four months at Beauxbatons and the twins had their O.W.L.s next year already.
Where did the time go? She constantly wondered as she thought about her kids and all Severus and she had gone through to get together.
She sighed heavily; thinking about the past always had her fearing about the future.
But before worry could take over her mind, Florence got up and dressed.
"Good morning, Tiff and Mel!" Florence exclaimed, walking towards the table that they were setting and sitting down to have breakfast. "Are you two excited to be seeing the kids today too?"
"Yes, Mistress!" They both replied with smiles.
"They'll all be home again." She picked up a strawberry and ate it, looking at the elves with a smile. "The boys are fifteen, can you believe that?"
Both elves shook their heads.
"Tiffany is still surprised of all the things Mistress Flor does. Seeing the little Masters grow amazes Tiffany. It feels like the Masters were born just yesterday." She sniffed, some tears running down her face.
"Yes, Tiff." Florence smiled tearfully too.
Then the sound of someone arriving through the fireplace made them stop talking and look at the living room, where Elizabeth was scourgifying her clothes as she walked out of the fireplace dressed in an ivory dress and a light blue fur coat that Florence had never seen before – but could tell it had to have been expensive.
"Oh, my sweet baby girl," Florence hugged her beautiful daughter tightly. "I'm so happy to see you, baby! I won't even ask where that fancy coat has come from – for I have a very good idea."
The girl laughed and hugged her mother back.
"It's good to be home too, mom! I missed you and I missed my room! Oh!" she dramatically exclaimed. "To have a room and a bathroom just for myself – I do miss that!"
Florence shook her head at Elizabeth's drama and watched her walk to the kitchen to say hello to the elves; then the fireplace turned green again.
"Good morning, love." It was Severus this time, he wrapped Florence in his arms and kissed her.
"Hello, Sev. Liz has just arrived. And I loved her coat, by the way." She arched an eyebrow at him.
Severus frowned, confused by her words, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't." She shook her head, confirming her suspicions that he'd been the one to give her that expensive coat. "You probably don't even know how much that cost."
Then he remembered: "All I know is that Liz and Nick went shopping before their classes began. I just paid for it at Hogwarts."
Florence rolled her eyes. "Liz and Nick shopping. I can imagine the small fortune they spent. That coat alone was over three hundred galleons."
"Dad!" Liz exclaimed running towards them to hug him.
And Severus looked at his daughter in shock.
Who's this girl? He asked Florence as Liz hugged him. Why the fuck did you have to make her so beautiful?
So that she has lots of boyfriends to make you angry. Florence replied with a smirk.
He shook his head.
Then the flames got green again, and Nicholas walked out of them, being followed by his brother.
Florence pulled them both to a hug. "My babies!"
"Hi, mom." They said in unison.
"How I missed you two." She tearfully said, kissing both their cheeks. "You're taller than me already!"
Elizabeth hugged the twins too.
"Hey, dad." Nicholas hugged his father, being followed by James.
Florence smiled at the sight of the three of them together. They looked so much alike.
Severus noticed her eyes tearing up and walked to her, wrapping an arm around her waist, while the twins went to sit in the living room.
What's it, love? He asked.
It always brings me memories when I see you and the boys together. I remember when they were little and cute... now they're tall and handsome – and cocky teenagers!
I know, love. When I look at Liz... I wonder where has my little girl gone?
They watched their kids talk.
Yes. Liz is so beautiful and is doing so well at school. Madam Maxime sent me a letter praising her abilities and politeness.
"How do you like Beauxbatons, Liz?" they heard James ask while throwing himself onto the large white sofa.
"I love it! The castle is beautiful! The food is wonderful. And there's this super fancy tea court where we have tea served every day for the afternoon break – it's amazing!"
"Cute boys?" asked Nicholas.
"Oohh, yes! Lots! Nick if you had gone there, you wouldn't believe your eyes! Of course not all of them know how to behave or dress properly. I even saw one sixth-year wearing flip-flops." She repeated to emphasize the absurdity: "Flip flops, guys! In a French Castle! It was outrageous! Thank goodness Madam Maxime doesn't take exceptions to the dress code."
Who birthed that girl? Florence asked her husband, shaking her head. I blew up the stupid tea court; I hated the blasted dress codes. And look at her: she loves it all!
But Severus wasn't listening; he was more worried about the kids' discussion of their potential love lives.
When did they grow up? He asked Florence.
But the three kept talking animatedly as if their parents weren't there.
"And how're things in Durmstrang?" Elizabeth asked. "New girlfriends? Boyfriends? Both?"
"Nah. Nothing labelled, sis. Just having fun." James replied with a smirk.
"Nothing for me either. Just glad there's a boys-only dormitory." Nicholas added with a wink, making his sister laugh.
"And I'm just glad this year we're not sharing a common room with the same people we were last term." sighed James, clearly relieved.
"No celebrities in the common room this year?" Liz asked, knowing who the boys had a problem with.
"No. But being a celebrity is not Krum's problem, Liz – the problem is he's dumb, but thinks he's the smartest cookie." Explained Nicholas. "Yeah, he's good-looking and plays for the Bulgarian national Quidditch team. But he's thick – and not in a pleasurable way."
Liz shouldn't be listening to that! Severus shouted in his wife's mind, before intervening: "Let's refrain from certain topics and expressions in front your eleven-year-old sister!"
James and Elizabeth rolled their eyes very similarly.
"Where's Chris?" Nicholas asked.
"Still sleeping." Said Florence. "But I'm sure he'll be happy if you three go wake him up."
And Severus and she watched the three of them running upstairs to go wake up their little brother.
"They're good kids, aren't they?" she whispered, feeling her husband's arms around her waist.
"Yes, they are." He kissed her neck. "They have an amazing mom."
She chuckled and turned to look at him. "And a very sexy father." She winked at him, before wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing his lips – a delicate kiss that soon turned heated and Severus hoisted her up, having her cross her legs behind his lower back as he sat her on the back of the sofa and pressed himself between her legs, never letting go of her mouth.
"ALREADY?" they heard James shouting from the stairs. "I'M NOT HOME FOR A FULL HOUR AND I'VE ALREADY CAUGHT YOU SNOGGING!"
Florence laughed. "I have to say I missed his awful timing." She whispered to her grumpy husband. "It's funny."
Severus arched an eyebrow at her, "Can we send him back already? It's nearly been an hour."
Florence just slapped his arm and walked to the table, calling everyone to get downstairs to have breakfast together.
"Are you two dressed?" James shouted.
"Of course, James!" she laughed.
However, Severus couldn't let the opportunity to annoy their kids pass: "But you'll be glad to know we've been working on making you lot a new sibling."
The three older kids groaned, predictably, and rolled their eyes on their way downstairs.
Meanwhile Christopher was very happy with the news: "Awesome! Hope they look like me. I'm tired of being the only kid around here with brown hair!"
Third week of January, 1994
Hogwarts
Severus walked into his private quarters after his last class and was surprised by two beautiful brown-haired green-eyed people waiting for him; Florence was sitting on his armchair by the fireplace, while Christopher painted on his desk.
"Dad!" Chris exclaimed and ran to hug his father.
"Hey, there, little man!" He hugged his son. "What are you two doing here?"
Florence walked to him with a smile and kissed his lips. "You mentioned you'd stay in the castle tonight, so I went home and we decided to come here to keep you company."
Chris is very upset that Liz and the twins went back to schooll yesterday. She told him.
Severus nodded. I'll do something to cheer him up.
"I have some essays to grade, Flor. You could do it for me, while I prepare some potions with my little assistant." He ruffled Chris's hair.
"Yes!" The six-year-old exclaimed.
"No problem. I'll start on them, Sev." Florence gave him another kiss and went to his desk to grade the papers for him.
As the hour passed, she graded the sixth-year essays on Dreamless Sleep Potion while listening to the calm voice of her husband teaching their son how to brew a Wiggenweld Potion. She smiled, wishing she could freeze time and make their happiness last forever.
It was dinner time, but Florence didn't want to take Christopher to the Great Hall, so she asked the kitchens for dinner for them and the three of them ate together in the potions master's living room.
A little after nine, Florence was enjoying some quiet moment with her husband in front of the fireplace, when someone knocked on Severus's door and she went to answer it.
"Remus!" she exclaimed with a smile.
"Flor? What a nice surprise!" he kissed her cheek, a hand caressing her waist.
She discreetly removed his hand and looked at him reproachfully, "C'mon in." She closed the door.
"Uncle Moony!" shouted Chris, running to throw himself onto the man's arms.
Remus caught him, smiling. "Hello, little guy! Severus didn't mention you two would be here tonight."
"And why would I tell you that my wife and child were coming here, Lupin?" Severus asked, glaring at him, wrapping an arm around Florence and pulling her towards his side.
She rolled her eyes at the gratuitous rudeness. "He didn't know we'd be coming here, Remus. It was a surprise."
"Wish I had that kind of surprise." Remus replied smiling. "I'd certainly be more grateful and less grumpy than some."
Florence chuckled but stopped suddenly when she felt her husband's anger through their bond and turned to see he had his wand in hand and was going towards Remus.
"Severus? What are you doing?" she asked.
I can see the way he looks at you. He replied through their connection. He acts too familiar to my liking.
Well, that's your fault. She pointed out. You're the one who more than once let him watch us fuck.
Severus stopped and looked at her. What does that's got to do with it?
She arched an eyebrow at him. You're the one to blame for his staring at me as if I were werewolf meat.
Severus lowered his wand and narrowed his eyes at the other man. "Never again." He said out loud.
Remus frowned at his words, "What are you talking about, Severus?"
"You're not watching us ever again."
"Oh, ok." Remus glanced at Florence and shrugged slightly. "Can't say I'm not disappointed, but I can accept that. Just let me point out that you're the one who made me watch."
"Were you tied down?" Severus growled.
"No. But what man would pass on the chance of..." he paused and glanced at Christopher, who was back to painting on Severus's desk. "Watching Flor being..." he mouthed the word: "fucked?" Then he added: "Not me."
"Not anymore." Severus growled.
"Alright." Remus raised his hands in defeat.
"I only did it because she enjoys it..." Severus tried justifying it.
But Remus scoffed, "Did you now? Or were you rubbing on my face the amazing witch you have?"
Severus had his wand in hand again and Florence put herself between them.
"That's enough! It's not happening again. We all got it." She looked from her angry husband to her amused friend. "Now, what brings you here, Remus? You didn't know I was here, so you came to speak to Severus."
"Yes, I was thinking about our next step regarding Sirius. We should try to find out if he is staying inside Hogwarts."
Severus smirked, his voice dripped with irony: "Did you reach that conclusion yourself? Genius."
"Yes. We should." Agreed Florence, ignoring her husband. "Do you have any idea of how we could find out? The castle is too big and filled with secret passageways that Sirius might be aware of and we aren't."
Remus nodded, "I thought about that and there's one thing that could help us: The Marauders Map."
Severus and Florence stared at him for a moment, surprised to hear him talking about that.
"Do you still have it?" she asked.
"Nope. Filch confiscated it from James on our seventh year."
"So Filch has it?" Severus asked.
"Not anymore. Students stole the map from him, five years ago."
"Five years ago." Severus murmured, thinking who could've taken that map. "The Weasleys. They entered Hogwarts five years ago. If anyone stole that map, it was them."
"I'll try to find out." Remus said.
"Mom, can you help me?" Chris called and Florence walked to the desk.
"What is it, baby?" the two men heard her say softly.
Severus watched as Remus kept his yes on her and growled. "Get out of here, wolf."
"At least you know the treasure you have."
"She's mine." He stopped very close to the other man, not in the least afraid of the werewolf.
Remus raised his hands. "I know, Severus. I've seen it. More than once." He looked at Florence again. "I'll be going now, Flor."
Florence went to him and gave him a hug. "If you find the map or a way to find out what Sirius wants... you know where I live."
Remus smiled at her and she returned to the table with her son, then he whispered just to spite Severus: "Well, I can still put my memories in a pensive and watch them all over again."
"Get the fuck out, Lupin!" Severus opened the door and pretty much shoved the man out.
Some Slytherin students that still hung around the corridors despite curfew saw their DADA teacher walking out of the dungeons.
"What do you think he was doing in Prof. Snape's quarters at this hour?" asked Blaise Zabini.
"Some are saying he is a new addition to the fuckfest between Snape and the mediwitch." Said Marcus Flint.
And then they were surprised to see a small brown-haired, green-eyed boy run out of their Head of House's rooms and hug Remus in the corridor.
"Bye, Remus!" the little boy exclaimed, hugging the man.
"Good night, sweetie." And he kissed he boy's forehead.
"He's so cute, Professor. Is he yours?" a female Slytherin prefect asked. "He looks like you."
Remus chuckled, shaking his head, but before he could say anything, Florence appeared, "Chris! You know you shouldn't run in the corridors!"
"I know, mommy. But I wanted to say bye!"
"Thanks for catching him, Remus." She said, holding the boy's hand and taking him back into her husband's quarters.
And the students looked at them and then at one another, believing they had just met their professor's son with the mediwitch.
March 1994
Snapes' family home
Severus woke up and stretched, feeling the weight of his wife's head on his chest. He looked down at the gorgeous witch asleep on top of him, naked, her long messy hair sprawled over his stomach and her back.
The room was lit by the weak sunlight that entered through the snow-dusted window of their room. He checked the time and relaxed, he still had two hours before his first class that Friday morning, he could enjoy the peacefulness and warmth of his bed and his wife a little longer.
Florence stirred against him and opened her beautiful emerald green eyes to look at him.
"Morning, Sev." She said, adding: "Menta spiritus." Before kissing him lovingly.
Severus held her close as they kissed in a dance of tongues that had them both swooning in lazy pleasure.
"Good morning, princess." He caressed down her body. "Are you going to the castle today?"
"No. I'll spend the day with Chris. He's so upset that none of his siblings are home."
"Hmm... we should work harder on making him a new sibling." He kissed her lips again, getting on top of her, between her legs.
Florence chuckled, "If we work any harder we'll be fucking 24/7."
"What will you do today?" he kissed down her neck, making her sigh.
"I'll take Chris for lunch at Diagon Alley; we'll meet your mother there."
"Good. I promised him he could have a new broom."
She looked at him with feigned surprise. "Don't say? You promised him an expensive gift? I'm utterly surprised."
"Stop it, wife." He slapped her buttcheek playfully.
"Hmm, if you do that again you'll end up getting late to class, professor."
"If I do what? This?" he slapped her butt again.
"Again." Florence gasped.
He did it, before touching a hand to her face, making her part her lips and delving his tongue into her mouth to meet hers passionately.
Florence had both hands in his hair, kissing him back as lustfully as he was kissing her, she wrapped her legs around his waist, her feet behind his ass, pulling him closer.
"Do you want something, princess?" he asked seductively.
"Yes. Fuck me."
He smirked and rubbed his dick against her entrance, slowly slipping between her drenched folds.
He watched her arch and part her lips in a silent 'oh' as he pressed the large head of his cock right at her cervix.
"You love this, don't you, princess?"
"Yes!" she gasped and whimpered: "You're so... fucking deep."
He pinned her arms on the bed and moved his cock halfway out only to slam into her, making her moan. He repeated that movement a few times, grinding against her at every in stroke.
"You're so fucking sexy, princess." He groaned, feeling her channel tightening around his cock.
He watched that beautiful witch writhing and moaning as he pounded into her. He pressed against her clit and she trembled, letting him know she was minutes away from exploding in pleasure under him.
"Harder, Sev." She begged, and he quickly let go of her arms and pulled her legs up to his shoulders. "Fuck!" she arched under him, feeling him hit deeper, pleasure spreading through her body, starting deep in her womb and making her toes curl.
"Fuck, Flor. Fucking tight pussy." He pistoned his hips as she moaned his name loudly, her pussy milking his cock.
He stopped deep inside of her and she hissed in pleasure at the feeling of his warm seed bathing her channel.
He loved seeing her shivering in delight as he spilled inside of her.
"Fucking love this, don't you?" he panted.
"Yes." She whispered, pulling his face down and kissing him slowly and wetly. "Love you, Sev."
"I'll never tire of hearing that." He smiled, kissing her once more, before rolling off of her and pulling her to his chest. "I love you, Flor." He caressed her back and she fell asleep listening to the sound of his heart, feeling his warmth surround her body.
After Severus had left, Florence got up, showered and dressed before going to her son's bedroom.
Christopher was still sleeping, so she just sat on his bed and looked at him for a while.
He was the first, and so far only, of their children to not have black hair; he had Florence's green eyes, her brown hair, and a sweet disposition that would make it impossible for anyone to guess he was truly the son of the anti-social Potions Master.
Chris was his mother's little male version – which made him look unnervingly a lot like his grandfather.
She touched his soft hair and sighed, the fear of her father's return was a recurring thought in her mind. She feared for her husband and she feared for their kids.
Florence had no way of knowing how her father would react when he learned about his grandkids – and she actually wondered if it wouldn't be better to just hide them and tell him they didn't exist.
She was nearly certain he'd take one look at Elizabeth's powers and beauty, the twins' magical abilities and intelligence and at Christopher – whose magic was already so balanced even at such a young age – and he'd want to train them, to use them to do his bidding.
She shook her head, trying to lay those thoughts to rest; her children were safe for now – in their schools and at home. They were all loved and had their hearts in the right place.
She sighed and leaned forward, kissing Chris' cheek, slowly waking up the boy.
The way he stirred and grunted before opening his eyes made her smile – he could look a lot physically like his grandfather, but the way he moved, walked and talked were exactly like his father's.
"Good morning, mommy." he said, smiling sleepily.
"Morning, love." she hugged him. "Let's get up and go downstairs to have breakfast. Soon we'll leave to meet your grandma at Diagon Alley, remember?"
The boy looked suddenly very awaken: "Yes! And will you give me a broom, mom? A Firebolt, like you sent Harry for Christmas?" the boy's green eyes sparkled in excitement. "Dad said I could have one."
"Yes. I know your dad promised you that. You can have a new broom, baby."
"I'm not a baby." Christopher complained, his frowny expression just like James's.
Florence chuckled and kissed his forehead. "You'll always be my baby, my love."
After Chris had changed his pyjamas for outside clothes, they walked downstairs and sat at the table to have breakfast.
The sight of that big empty table filled Florence with sadness – she missed her children and her husband a lot. She should have gotten used to the empty house already, but she hadn't. She wished she could have the crazy messy days back: when James, Nick and Liz were all under ten and at home, running, playing, arguing; and the living room was in constant disarray.
Florence was so focused on her memories that she didn't hear the doorbell ring.
Tiffany's voice brought her back to reality: "Mistress Florence? Mr. Lupin is at the door."
"Oh, sure. Let him in." she said, getting up to welcome her friend.
Remus walked into the house and Florence hugged him, knowing right away something wasn't right.
"Hey, Moony. What's wrong?"
"Can we go to the library?" he asked, waving at Christopher who had shouted: "Uncle Remus!" with his mouth full of cake.
"Sure we can. Mel, help Chris finish his breakfast. He can watch cartoons afterwards." She told her house-elf before taking her friend to the library.
"So... how are the Patronus classes with Harry going?"
"Great." Remus smiled. "He's already got a corporeal one once. It's a stag, just like his father's."
"That's so sweet. I'm glad he's learning."
Remus removed a large piece of parchment from his pocket and suddenly wasn't smiling anymore, "Flor, I want you to take a look at this." He went to the table and unfolded the parchment.
"Is that... the Marauders' Map?" she said, surprised, recognizing it. "You found it?"
"Yes. Severus caught Harry with this, but he doesn't know how to use it, and the map actually insulted him when he tried to..." He chuckled at the memory. "So he gave it to me. Take a look at it yourself."
She frowned at his request. "Can you at least tell me who am I looking for? Is it Sirius?"
He shook his head and pointed somewhere in the map; she looked more closely at the area he had pointed.
"What?" she gasped. "Could this be true? Or is the map lying?"
"No. The map never lies. Peter Pettigrew is alive, and in Hogwarts."
"'He's at Hogwarts'. Those were Sirius's words while in Azkaban!" she whispered, looking at the map. Then she frowned. "But how could Sirius, locked up in Azkaban, learn about Pettigrew being alive when we didn't?"
"I wondered about that myself, Flor. Sirius couldn't have visitors in Azkaban – we both know that for we tried many times to go there to see him. So the only way he could learn anything about the outside world was through newspapers. Kingsley told me the aurors usually gave Sirius the Prophet and the Quibbler and were very surprised to see that he could still read after all these years locked up.."
"But if any news about Pettigrew had been published in the newspaper, we would have known about it! Severus reads those everyday!"
"That's what I think too. But what if we let something pass? Sirius began murmuring 'He's in Hogwarts' about a month before he escaped."
"I believe I still have those newspapers. I keep them shrunk in storage to send to be recycled." She looked once more at the map and turned around, going to the garage.
They looked through the old newspapers for a while, using magic to filter them down to only those who mentioned Hogwarts – which were most of them.
Only the rustling sound of newspapers pages being turned filled the garage for a while, along with the sounds of "Engorgio" and "Diminuendo" being murmured.
Until Florence gasped: "Remus! I found it."
And he ran to her side, looking at the pictures she was showing him on the paper.
"'Grand Prize winner visits Egypt'." Remus read the headline from the Local News section, looking at the picture attentively. "Ronald Weasley's old pet rat – that's Peter!" he exclaimed, surprised.
Florence looked at him concerned, "He's been sleeping in Harry's dormitory for the past three years! He could have killed Harry countless times! That's why Sirius got desperate when he saw this article. Listen: 'The Weasley's younger son, Ronald, who's about to start his third-year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is best friends with none other than Harry Potter.'"
"That's how he knew Peter was in Hogwarts! He's actually trying to protect Harry! I'll strangle Sirius once we find him again!" growled Remus. "Why didn't he tell me?"
Florence sighed, folding the newspaper and handing it to Remus. "I'm just relieved Sirius's not crazy and trying to kill Harry."
"Yes. But he could've told Severus and I that day! We would've helped him!"
She shook her head. "We both know Sirius doesn't like Severus – it's not surprising he didn't say anything. He may have also feared you two would tell Dumbledore and wouldn't let him kill Pettigrew." She finished shrinking the other newspapers and looked at the one in Remus's hands with anger. "We must kill Peter, Moony. He deserves to die! Every breath he takes is an offense to James and Lily's memory."
"I wholeheartedly agree, Flor. I'll talk to Severus to come up with a plan to get him."
They quickly came up with a plan to capture and kill Pettigrew within twenty-four hours – but the rat had vanished.
According to Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger's cat killed it.
May 1994
Hogwarts
One evening, Florence was walking down the Marble staircase to go to the dungeons, when she saw Draco and two of his friends running into the Entrance Hall.
"Hey, what happened? Is there a basilisk chasing you?" she asked, frowning.
"No, Ma'am. We were minding our own business when Granger assaulted Draco!" Said Blaise Zabini, outraged.
"Oh, did she now?" She asked, knowing that that story certainly wasn't as black and white as he was telling it. "Come, Mr. Malfoy. Let's go to the infirmary to check that nose." She looked at Zabini and Goyle. "You two, move on, and stay away from dangerous Gryffindor girls."
The boys looked at her with anger but she arched an eyebrow and calmly said: "I can't dock points, but I know someone who can. He is also known to assign the worst detentions."
At that threat, the two Slytherins scurried down to the dungeons.
She smiled at Draco and motioned him to follow her, which he did, silently.
"Sit on that bed." Florence ordered as they walked into the hospital wing.
He obeyed and she passed her wand over his face.
"There's no trace of any spells on you, Draco. How did Hermione break your nose?"
"She punched me, like a barbarian!"
"And why did she do that?"
He hesitated, knowing the mediwitch wouldn't like to hear what he was about to say: "I was celebrating Buckbeak's death sentence."
"Ah. There it is. It was a well-deserved punch, then. If I could grant points, Gryffindor would be getting twenty."
He scowled: "That filthy mu..."
"Stop. Right. There!" Florence ordered and the boy quieted down immediately, looking at her with fear in his blue eyes. "Do not use that word anymore, Draco. That's your father talking – not you!"
He fell silent and she examined his nose, suddenly saying: "Episkey."
And the boy shouted in pain, putting both hands on his face, feeling that his nose had gone back to its normal size and shape.
"I'll tell my father about this." He growled. "Granger will be expelled!"
Florence sighed and looked at him: "Stop using your father as a shield, Draco. It's not you he's protecting, but his family name."
The boy looked at her with a frown and Florence couldn't avoid noticing how he suddenly had the same troubled eyes he'd had when he was six.
"I know." He finally whispered. "But it's all I have to hold on to."
"Is it? Really?" she paused with a reproachful gaze. "I told you a while ago to choose your friends and enemies wisely. You haven't listened to me."
"I can't be friends with certain people, Ma'am. I do what I have to do." He replied in a low tone of voice.
"Don't we all, dear?" she gave him a wet wipe to clean up the blood from his face. "Listen: Slytherins are known for being ambitious, resourceful and determined. Despite what others say, we are not murderers and we do not celebrate the killing of innocent beings."
Draco seemed to hesitate again and then he whispered: "I never wanted for Buckbeak to be sentenced to death. I just..." he failed to find the words to explain his feelings.
"You were jealous Harry rode the hippogriff and you didn't. Then you ignored Hagrid's warnings, got hurt and called your dad, who – as usual – made matters worse."
"Yes." He nodded, whispering as if he were telling her a secret: "Hippogriffs are my favourite animals."
"I know." She smiled. "Do you still have the stuffed one Severus gave you?"
He looked surprised that she knew that. "Yes. He gave me that for my fourth birthday, nine years ago. How do you know?"
"Severus and I go way back, Draco." She replied, winking at him.
He nodded again. "Father tried to burn it. But mother didn't let him."
"I'm sorry to hear that he tried to do such a horrible thing to a toy you love." She sighed. "I pity your mother, Cissy was a sweet friend of mine and..."
Draco shook his head and interrupted her: "Don't pity her, Ma'am. She's allowed father to do a lot of things. She may not agree to what he does, but she's never stopped him from hitting me."
Florence looked at him with concern and slowly pulled him into a hug. The boy tensed for a second but hugged her back after a while, silently crying against her shoulder. She just held him until he stopped crying and raised his head.
Then she looked at his tear-stained face and sighed in concern. "Stay the night in the infirmary, Draco, you don't want to go to the Slytherin common room looking like you've been crying after Granger hit you."
He just nodded and lay down on the bed.
She gave him a Calming Draught and he fell asleep within minutes – the emotional toll of talking about his father had visibly exhausted him.