January 2nd, 1995
Before going back to France, Elizabeth convinced her mother to let her meet Draco once more.
The young couple decided to spend an afternoon on Diagon Alley, for Severus was home that day so the village wasn't safe enough.
"You'll take my credit card with you." Florence said, noticing Liz's eyes sparkle. "Do not make me regret this, Elizabeth." She handed her daughter the black plastic card she had enchanted to work in connection to her Gringotts account.
"Thanks, mom. I'll just get some books for myself and a birthday present for dad."
"Ok." She looked at her warningly. "You can spend. But do not overspend."
Then they waited for Severus to take Christopher to the playground and Elizabeth flooed to the Leaky Cauldron to spend a few hours with her boyfriend.
The couple met in front of the Magical Menagerie pet store and walked around the Alley, hand-in-hand, kissing and talking about their New Years celebrations.
"We spent at home, as usual." Said Liz. "My parents are not the kind of people that love big parties. They're very private."
"That sounds heavenly." Said Draco. "My parents, on the other hand, love to throw huge parties; at new year's eve there were about two hundred people at the manor. Most of them from the Ministry, some athletes, celebrities and, of course, Rita Skeeter – to make sure the party would end up in the Daily Prophet." He rolled his eyes. "I hate those gatherings. I wish I could leave the house on those days..."
"Why didn't you stay at school if you knew that was going to happen?"
He shook his head. "I would if I could choose. I only stay there when they allow. They firmly believe in showing to the world we are a very happy family, when the truth is far from it."
Liz nodded in understanding, "They care about other people's opinions."
"As if it were more important than anything. My mom actually only agrees to me coming to see you because you study at Beauxbatons – which is an expensive and socially relevant school."
"She sounds like a clever witch." Liz winked at him. "Although a little snobbish."
Draco brought her hand to his lips, "A little? She'll adore you."
Liz smiled charmingly. "What about your father? You never talk about him."
"I'd rather talk about my godfather than my father." Draco replied, looking sad for a moment.
His words took her by surprise, and she pretended not to know anything: "And who's he?"
"Severus Snape. He's a teacher at Hogwarts. He's always been there for me – even though my father forbids me to go out with him. Otherwise, I could go to his house – I don't even know where he lives."
"And why is that?" she truly wanted to know, her parents had never mentioned the reason the twins stopped playing with Draco.
"For the most ridiculous reason: my godfather used to take me to play with some kids in Hogsmeade." Then Draco seemed to realize something: "Actually he used to take me to play with your sister's sons: Nicholas and James! You must know them!" he smiled at her.
"Yes. I'm staying with them, actually." she replied, maintaining the pretense she lived in France.
"Well, their father, Sirius Black, apparently never registered them so they are, in my father's view, little bastards. For that reason, he forbade my godfather to take me to play with them. Also... father thinks godfather coddles me too much."
"I'm sorry to say this, but your father sounds like a horrible person, Draco." She caressed his arm, comfortingly.
He shook his head. "Don't worry, you're right: he is horrible. Your sister has helped me see that he cares more about the family name than about his son."
Elizabeth caressed his face, feeling sorry for him. Every time he talked about his parents he sounded bitter and sad.
"I have my problems with my parents but... they're awesome." she said softly. "I wish I had some horrible story to share about them, but... the worst thing they do is snog on the sofa." She grimaced slightly. "Also they didn't let me go to the Quidditch World Cup."
"If you had gone, I'd have seen you there. Your sister is actually dating my godfather. I was in the Minister's box with them."
Elizabeth wanted him to stop mentioning his godfather, so she pulled him to a kiss and in seconds he wasn't thinking about anything other than her once more.
Before the afternoon was over, Liz walked into a shop named Scribulous Writing Instruments and bought a beautiful self-refilling emerald pen; she asked the clerk to engrave 'S.S.' on it in silver when Draco wasn't looking. She took the wrapped present and they walked to Flourish Blotts.
"Who are you buying that pen for?" asked Draco.
"My dad. I won't be home for his birthday, so I'll ask mom to give it to him."
"Is he a writer or something?"
"Or something. It's just that he doesn't have a lot of patience for regular quills, he likes to throw them into the fireplace when they annoy him. "
"The quills annoy him?" Draco asked amused.
"Yes." She chuckled.
"He sounds like an interesting man."
"Oh, yes, he is very interesting." said Elizabeth, chuckling.
4 p.m.
The young couple decided to end their afternoon enjoying some tea at Madam Asterope's Tea House; they sat side-by-side, their chairs very close to one another's, for they both felt a need to be close and touching all the time – and due to the magical nature of their relationship, such proximity helped to straighten their blessed bond.
"When are you going back to school?" Draco asked, touching her back after he had finished his tea; the softness of her sweater letting him know whatever fabric she was wearing, it wasn't cheap.
"Tomorrow after lunch." She tilted her head, and rested it on his shoulder, looking into his eyes with a smile, then she softly admitted: "I'll miss you..."
Draco kissed her tenderly.
"I'lI write to you every week, Liz. Maybe more than once."
"I'll anxiously wait for your letters, Dray." She replied, pulling him to another kiss.
At five-thirty, the sweet young couple said their goodbyes and Elizabeth went home by Floo.
February 1995
Hogwarts
Two days before the second task
Florence walked out of the fireplace and into her husband's private quarters in the castle and moved to the bedroom, following the sound of the shower.
She stopped by the door, watching the powerful male body under the shower head: water and soap suds running down his muscles, making her sigh in desire.
"I wish I wasn't the size of a house, so I could just walk in there and show you how fucking sexy you are."
Severus looked at her and smiled, "I think you look absolutely beautiful, princess. I love seeing you like that."
"Oh, well, enjoy the view because Sophie is coming out any day now and I don't think I'll be popping babies ever again."
"Ain't that unfortunate?" Severus whispered. "We won't surpass the Weasleys." He turned off the shower and walked out of the stall with a towel on his hands, drying his body.
She gasped: "Surpass? Getting even would be insanity enough. Now you're talking about 8 kids! Nope. Not happening!"
"I know. I know." He put on a pair of sweatpants and wrapped Florence in his arms, a bit awkwardly due to her large belly. "I must say that the way this pregnancy has fragilized you scares me and I can't wait for Sophie to come out and you get your energy and powers back to normal."
"I just want to be able to be fucked through the mattress." She said, pulling his face down for a kiss. "I miss you, husband. And I hate to be treated as a delicate being unable to withstand a hard pounding."
He chuckled. "Right now you are a delicate being, love. But the moment you're recovered..." he fisted a hand in her hair and tugged her head back gently, raising her chin up. "I'll pound you through the bed, the wall, the floor, the table." he bit her lower lip. "I still have a scene to plan for you, remember?"
She shivered in anticipation. "Fuck, yeah. I can't wait." She closed her eyes, imagining him fucking her hard as Sirius watched.
Severus walked her to the bedroom and made her sit on the bed.
But Florence held the waistband of his pants, stopping him from walking away from her, "I can sense you're worried about something, Sev. What happened?"
He sat beside her, "Some ingredients have been missing from my personal stores." He exhaled. "Important and expensive ingredients. I think someone is brewing Polyjuice Potion."
"That's serious." She frowned. "Do you have any idea who might be doing that and why?"
"No. I confronted Harry, but it's not him."
Florence chuckled. "At least this time it's not him."
"Yes. They think I don't know about their second year..." he shook his head, holding one of her hands in his.
Both of them looked at his Dark Mark – it was nearly fully visible, still not sharp, but too black for comfort.
But their moment was interrupted by a loud screeching noise echoing through the dungeons.
"What was that?" Florence asked, worried.
"I better go check." said Severus, getting up and going to put on a sweater.
"I'll go with you." she said, performing an illusion spell to hide her pregnant belly.
"Are you sure?" he asked with worry. "Do you feel strong enough to walk upstairs?"
She rolled her eyes, "If I faint, I know a very strong wizard who will carry me to the infirmary."
"He sure will." He smiled softly.
And they left his quarters.
When they reached the second floor, they found Argus Filch with a golden egg on his arms.
"Filch. What's going on here?" asked Severus.
"It's Peeves, professor! He just threw this egg down the stairs!" Filch looked at Florence. "Good evening, Madam Delacour."
Florence just nodded back at him and petted Mrs. Norris when the cat came near her.
"Peeves?" Severus asked in a low voice, looking at the egg. "That explains the noise, but... it couldn't have been Peeves who went into my office earlier and…" he glanced at Florence, checking if she was fine.
"This egg was in your office, professor?" asked Filch, surprised.
"What? Of course not!" Severus exclaimed. "But I went to my office after dinner and the lights were on and the doors were open. Someone went there without my permission!"
"But Peeves couldn't…"
"I know he couldn't, Filch! My office is locked by a couple of spells. Only a wizard could undo them."
Severus looked at the top of the staircase that lead to the third floor, seeing the part of a sneaker on a step. And then he focused on sending his thoughts to Florence: Harry is there on the top of the stairs.
Florence looked at the stairs and saw the partial sneaker. He was probably in the prefects' bathroom listening to the merpeople's song from the egg. Get Filch away from here and I'll talk to Harry.
"I want you to help me look for the intruder, Filch." Severus said all of a sudden.
"I… of course, professor. But, we must do something about Peeves! I think this egg belongs to one of the Champions and…"
"Filch, I don't give a fuck about the stupid poltergeist! My office is much more important!"
Toc. Toc. Toc.
And Severus stopped speaking out loud and told Florence: Fuck. That's Moody.
Then at the top of the stairs that led down to the first floor stood Mad-Eye Moody. The auror walked towards them with an ugly smile on his face.
"Is this a pyjama party?" his prosthetic eye stopped on Florence. "And Miss Delacour! What a surprise seeing you here. And with Prof. Snape. That's a huge surprise indeed!" his voice dripped with irony.
She frowned at his innuendo-filled comment; Moody was more than used to seeing them together, he knew they worked together – they had captured the Lestranges for him years ago, for Merlin's sake!
Is he suffering from memory loss now? She asked her husband.
"We heard a loud noise, professor." said Filch. "Peeves is stealing from students and throwing things around the castle! And Prof. Snape said someone has been into his office…"
"Shut up!" Severus snapped.
Moody looked at where Harry was and then at Severus.
"So, someone has been going into your office, eh?"
"It's not important." Severus said between gritted teeth.
"Oh, but it is very important. What are you hiding in there that someone would want to break in to get it?"
Florence fought the urge to smile. Severus was furious with the eccentric auror.
"You know I haven't been hiding anything in there, Moody." Severus replied in a soft, deadly voice. "For you've searched my office at least three times already."
"Auror's privilege, Snape. Dumbledore told me to keep an eye out for anything unusual."
"Dumbledore trusts me." growled Severus.
"Of course he does. He's a good man, isn't he? He believes in second chances and all that. But I say one thing: some traces never change, Snape. Do you get what I mean?"
Severus fisted his left hand.
Should've let me give him that mad-arm all those years ago. Said Florence.
Should've killed him myself. Severus angrily replied.
"You go back to bed, Snape." said Moody before looking at Florence with a smirk. "Maybe you should accompany him."
Florence moved her wand quickly, casting silently: Sectumsempra. And the auror's right cheek began to bleed.
Moody growled at her, cleaning his face with the palm of his hand.
"I don't know who you think you are, Mad-Eye." Florence said, putting her wand back into her coat. "But I'm a employee here in this castle, and you have no authority to tell me to go anywhere." she stared at him coldly.
Moody stared at her for a moment, as if recognizing something in her.
Florence frowned as she saw his tongue darting out quickly. She'd never heard of him having such a nervous tic. But before she could try to see something in his mind, he was turning his back on her and taking a large sip from his flask.
The Marauders' Map is on the floor. She heard Severus' voice in her mind and quickly looked at the floor to try and get it.
But before either of them could pick it up, Moody summoned it and said: "This is mine. I must have dropped it earlier today."
Fucker is lying. Said Severus. Could he know about the map?
Maybe Remus told him. I could get it from him.
No, not in front of Filch! He's the biggest tattler in this castle. Whatever we do here tonight, everyone will know tomorrow.
"So, it seems everything is settled." Severus said. "I better go back to bed."
"Yes. That's the best idea you've had all day." Moody said and then looked at Florence, frowning.
"There's something wrong with him." Florence said when they reached Severus's private quarters.
"With Moody? What isn't wrong with him?"
"I don't know, but... It's the same feeling I had about Quirrell." She bit her bottom lip in apprehension.
Severus looked at her with concern. "Are you sure, Flor?"
"Yes. He's so strange."
"He's always been strange, love." Severus held her close. "When I hunted Death Eaters with him, he was no less weird than he is today."
She sighed, resting her forehead on his chest. "Maybe I'm just overworrying."
"Maybe. But either way, I'll talk to Dumbledore." He gently pulled her chin up, kissing her lips.
She nodded, remembering something: "Wait! If Harry managed to learn about the second task only today, we'll have to help him! He hasn't learned yet any of the spells that could help him breathe underwater!"
"Don't worry, love. I'll tell Dobby to get him some gillyweed."
She frowned. "Will it work for an hour in fresh water as it does in salt water?"
"Yes." but then he added: "Maybe a little less. But I'll stay in the underwater box, keeping an eye on him."
"Alright." She whispered, kissing him sweetly.
"Are you tired, love?"
"Hm-hm." She murmured affirmatively.
So he picked her up, carrying her to bed.
The second task
Florence didn't walk to the lake to watch the second task, she wasn't feeling too good when the task started. But Severus had told her that Krum would have to save Hermione Granger from the depths of the Black Lake, so she asked Dobby to leave a message on Hermione's bed, inviting her for a walk in the evening – once she had recovered from spending an hour in the cold water.
Meanwhile, Florence was in the hospital wing, under the watchful eyes of Poppy Pomfrey.
Later that evening
Hermione met Florence at the Entrance Hall and they walked slowly around the Entrance Courtyard and the nearby corridors.
The girl stared at Florence warily, "I'm sorry to say this but... you don't look so good. Are you feeling well-enough to continue walking, Madam Delacour?"
"Not really. But Sophie is due any moment now, Hermione. I'd love if she came today – and walking can make that happen. These last days are the worst. I can't sleep, I can't eat, my hips hurt." Sighed heavily. "Husband is an even bigger pain hovering around me, pissing me off."
Hermione chuckled. "An even bigger pain? Don't really think that's possible. But if you feel anything..."
"I'll let you know and you can call him. It's ok. Don't worry. I've been through this three times already. I'm a trained healer. Everything's fine."
Hermione smiled at her, "I should be calming you down. I'm not the one about to pop a child out at any moment."
Florence chuckled.
"Now, tell me about your relationship with Mr. Krum!" Florence requested. "How come you're a special person in his life?"
Hermione blushed. "Well, I went to the Ball with him and... we dated for a couple of weeks but then I met someone." She stopped talking, blocking her mind so that Florence couldn't see she meant James.
"Using occlumency on me now, Mione?" Florence commented with a smile. "It's ok. I'll respect your privacy and won't probe." She used some energy to test the girl's mental-barriers. "Your defences are good, however if I pushed a little I could break them. But it's good you're trying to learn that."
"Yeah, so about Viktor... I broke up with him as soon as I realized he wasn't the man for me. I could stay with him for fun but... it turns out my idea of fun is equal parts intellectual and physical."
Florence nodded in understanding. "Considering his nickname is Dumb-Krum, I believe he fell short at the intellectual part "
"Yes. Very."
"And this young man you don't want me to know about? Does he check both boxes?"
"Oh, yes." She blushed. "He absolutely does. We've been writing to each other." Then Hermione cleared her throat, changing the subject: "Harry did very well in the lake, didn't he?"
"Not really, dear. If Severus hadn't told Dobby to get the gillyweed from his stores and give it to Harry, he wouldn't have been able to participate at all." said Florence, taking a deep breath.
"True. For months he didn't care about that egg and then on the last week he wanted to solve it desperately and three days before the task he just had no idea what to do!" Hermione sounded exasperated. "He's a procrastinator of the worst calibre!"
"His father was like that too…" Florence smiled. "Harry is a lot like Lily, but his talent for getting into trouble is all from James." she stopped a moment, feeling faint.
"You said you knew his parents... were they nice people?"
"Well, Lily was. But James Potter was the kind of boy who was just too cool to be nice, you know? He was brilliant and a great friend – but he was trouble. We were huge friends. He and Lily were my firstborn's godparents."
Hermione blushed as she asked: "Who's the oldest? James or Nicholas?"
"James is, but..." Florence frowned at the way she asked using their names. "How do you know them?"
"The Quidditch World Cup. They had dinner with us in our tent." She avoided thinking of the day James went after her on Diagon Alley, just in case Florence probed her mind.
"Right!" Florence suddenly remembered. "That's how Nick met Fred!"
"Yes. They're still dating?"
"As steady as a Firebolt." Florence stopped again, putting a hand on her belly.
Hermione touched her arm. "Are you ok?"
"Yes. Just some Braxton-Hicks, dear. False contractions." she took a deep breath.
The girl still looked at her apprehensively but kept talking: "They make a very interesting couple. Nicholas and Fred. Both identical twins. Both good looking."
"Well, Fred and George are identical. Nick and James have different eye colours."
"Yes. And if it weren't for that, it'd be impossible to tell them apart."
"With time you learn. Even in their sleep we know exactly who is who." Florence had to stop again, a strong contraction taking over her body; she was starting to consider that maybe those weren't as fake as she'd thought them to be.
"Mrs. Weasley still has a hard time knowing Fred from George." Hermione said, continuing the conversation even though she kept an eye on the witch beside her – who clearly wasn't feeling well.
"That's because they're both trouble-makers." Florence paused, breathing. "James is the bad-boy. Nick's the good son." Florence stopped walking, feeling dizzy and putting a hand on the wall to hold herself up, the other hand on her hidden belly.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked worried.
"No, dear. I'm a bit dizzy and… oh!" Florence felt something wet run down her legs. "Help me get to Severus's quarters, Hermione, please."
"What's going on?"
"I got my wish: I'm in labour, dear." Florence took a deep breath again and held in a moan. Hermione's eyes got huge with fear. "Don't worry. The contractions have just started, we still have time."
Hermione helped her get to the Potions Professor's living room and Florence just stood by an armchair near the fireplace.
"Don't you want to sit down?" the girl asked.
"No, dear. Sitting is the worst thing right now. Just call Severus and Pomfrey here, will you?"
"Sure." and the girl ran as quickly as possible to the hospital wing and then towards the Great Hall where the teachers were discussing the lake task.
Severus was talking to Dumbledore, McGonagall and the Tournament judges, when he felt something wasn't right and he knew it had to do with his wife.
As he tried to think of an excuse to run to his quarters, he saw Hermione Granger hurrying into the Hall towards him.
"Prof. Snape, I'd like your help, sir."
"Yes, Miss Granger. I must say I've been waiting for you to come pester me about the last essay." he pretended to be annoyed with the girl. "Let's go to my office and I'll take a look at your work." he looked at Dumbledore and the others. "Excuse me."
Hermione followed his billowing long robes towards the dungeons. He walked fast in front of her. And once they reached his classroom, he closed the door and turned to face her.
"What happened?"
"She's in labour. Pomfrey is in your quarters already." She blurted.
"Thank you, Miss Granger." and Severus went quickly to his personal stores, walking out with some vials, before going to his private quarters, making fast work of removing his black robes and his thousand-button vest, as he hurried to the bedroom in his pants and white undershirt .
In his haste, he left the door open, so Hermione walked into the living room, hearing voices from the bedroom, but she hesitated on going in – she didn't know she'd be welcome, but at the same time she wanted to make sure that Florence was going to be alright.
So she approached her professor's bedroom and stood by the door, watching what was happening inside.
Florence was standing just on her underwear near the foot of the large four-poster bed, sweating and looking a little paler than usual. She had one hand on her very large belly and the other on one of the bed columns, using it to hold herself up.
Severus ran to his wife's side, seeing, just like Hermione had, that Florence didn't look well. "How are you, love?" he asked her as he passed Pomfrey the vials he had taken with him.
"I'm fine… been better though." she panted.
Severus frowned, glancing at Pomfrey and not liking the concern he could see in the mediwitch's eyes. So he walked to the corner of the room, being followed by Pomfrey.
"What's going on, Poppy? She looks weak. She's not trying to bite my head off." He remembered how angry Florence was at Elizabeth's birth. "Tell me the truth. Is she ok?"
"No, Severus. This pregnancy has taken its toll on her body. She's progressing well, I believe Sophie will be here in a couple more hours but... you should consider this your last baby."
He nodded. "We've already talked about it." Then he looked at his wife. "She's been under a lot of stress lately, worrying about the war, you know."
Pomfrey nodded. "I know. But stress and pregnancy do not match!"
Florence leaned forward, holding herself on the bed and moaning painfully.
And Pomfrey quickly grabbed a vial from the nightstand, uncorking it and giving it to her. "Drink this, dear. It'll help you relax."
Florence drank the potion, recognizing it as the special Calming Draught Severus had invented for her, safe enough to be used during labour.
"Help me stay up, Sev." she murmured, her eyes closing as a strong contraction took over her body. "I don't feel so good."
"Of course, my princess." He ran to her side, holding her firmly while she whimpered in pain and trembled.
Hermione was watching Severus Snape's full transformation from the door, and she was completely shocked – that man in there was not her horrible Potions Professor! He was a caring and concerned husband, a father.
"Hermione." Pomfrey was in front of her, calling her name. "You look about to pass out, my dear girl."
'I'm just... who's he?" she whispered.
"I know, right?" Pomfrey chuckled. "I got used to it after years of seeing them together, but the first time I saw him this sweet, I couldn't believe it either." Pomfrey looked at her. "You can go now."
"Can't I stay and help?"
"Well, yes, but it's not a clean thing like in the movies, dear." Pomfrey said. "But if you want to help, you can stay here near me and help me."
Hermione walked into the bedroom and stood beside Pomfrey handing her anything she asked for, from potions to towels, while her professor held his wailing wife as she suffered to birth their daughter.
Two hours later, in the 18th of February, little baby Sophie came into the world.
Pomfrey lay the baby-girl onto Florence's stomach and she held her with Severus's help, crying as much as their daughter.
After a few minutes, Pomfrey finished doing whatever she was doing on the woman's private parts and took the screaming baby to be cleaned and weighed, while Hermione just stared at the tiny kicking person. Pomfrey gave the baby to Severus after she had dressed her and he kissed the little one's forehead.
Hermione cried at the incredibly emotional scene – a new life had been born right in front of her.
James's baby sister! She seemed to realize then. I must write to him tonight!
Severus gave Sophie to a still crying Florence and she touched all of their daughter's toes and fingers, caressing the baby's face and the soft sparse brown hair strands on her head.
He helped Florence open up her bra and soon Sophiewas latching on her mother's breast, calmly feeding.
"She's in great health. As were all the others." Pomfrey said as she finished cleaning up everything. "I'll send you the papers later and... remember what we talked, Severus."
He just nodded.
"Thank you, Poppy." Florence murmured, a tired happy smile on her face.
Pomfrey left the room. But Hermione stood there just watching the family scene in front of her.
Once Sophie stopped eating and fell asleep in her mother's arms, Severus transfigurated a small chair into a pretty white crib and put the baby in it, kissing her face once more.
"Miss Granger." he said. "Thank you for helping my wife and daughter."
She was suddenly taken aback by his soft voice and his words – she never imagined she'd once hear him thanking her for anything, and that was the second time he had done it in one day.
"Y-you don't need to thank me, professor. I like Florence very much." she looked at Florence. "I-I better go now." she murmured and almost ran out of the room.
Then Sophie began fussing in her crib and Severus passed the baby girl to her mother once more. The little girl stopped being agitated as soon as her head touched Florence's chest.
He kissed the baby's forehead, whispering: "It's good to lie with your mommy, isn't it, baby-girl? You're as gorgeous as her."
Florence chuckled, "And just like me, all it took was one look at you for her to love you." Florence murmured.
He smiled and kissed her lips, "You scared me, love. I never want to see you that weak again." He looked into her green eyes, sparkling with happiness.
She nodded and he sat beside Florence on the bed, wrapping his arms around her and the baby and pulling them to him chest, holding them both and watching them sleep; keeping his wife and their newborn daughter safe in his arms.
Note: oh, this was so sweet! But Voldemort's returning and all this happiness will be crushed.
We have one more happy chapter and then we'll be at war!
Ah! The corridor scene with Moody and Filch I adapted from the book.