March 1997
Hogwarts
Hospital wing
Florence was organizing the storage room in the infirmary, after checking on Katie Bell – who had finally woken up and seemed to have no permanent damage at all except from having no recollection of the day she was cursed – when, suddenly Harry and Slughorn interrupted her quiet afternoon.
"Madam Delacour!" Harry shouted, sounding terrified.
"Why are you shouting in the infirmary, Harry?" She asked, running out of the small storage room and looking at the scene in front of her: Slughorn was carrying an unconscious Ronald Weasley in his arms.
She helped him put the boy onto a clean bed. "What happened?"
"He was poisoned." Harry said, reaching out to her a bottle of aged mead.
"Poisoned?" She took the bottle from him and sniffed. "Baneberry." She quickly identified it, looking down at Ronald and checking his vital signs. "Thank goodness you gave him a bezoar, professor. The amount of poison I can find in his system is truly worrying."
"It... it wasn't I who g-gave Wemby the b-bezoar." Slughorn stuttered, very shook by that. "It was Harry."
She looked at the boy with a frown. "You did?"
"Yes. I remember Prof. Snape once talked about them." He lied.
"Sure." Florence replied, unconvinced, knowing he had certainly read about it on Severus' potions book. But she didn't say anything, she had a patient to look after.
So she went to the storage room, picked up some vials and returned to Ronald's side, opening one white vial right under the boy's nose and a white smoke entered his nostrils.
"Have you told Dumbledore, Prof. Slughorn?" Florence asked.
"Y-yes. I did. What is that you just gave him?"
"That's Dittany, but in aerosol form." She explained.
"It's used when one splinches." Said Harry.
"Yes." She looked at him, trying not to laugh at the boy's uncharacteristic need to demonstrate his knowledge. "In aerosol form, I can use it to repair lung and heart tissue, without needing to open the patient up. Severus and I developed it a couple of years ago."
"Yes!" Slughorn exclaimed. "I remember reading about it and thinking that it was a brilliant idea."
Then they heard steps in the corridor and Hermione Granger, followed by Ginny Weasley, walked into the hospital wing, Dumbledore and Severus right behind them.
"How is the boy, Madam Delacour?" the headmaster asked.
"He'll survive. Thanks to Harry giving him a bezoar just in time." She said, looking at her husband.
Thanks to my book. He said through their bond, clearly unimpressed.
"Quick thinking, Harry. You must be proud of your student, Horace." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Oh. Yes, yes. I am." Said the teacher.
"Harry's actions were no doubt heroic but we must wonder why were they necessary." Florence said, glancing at her husband. Was it Draco?
Severus just nodded, discreetly, confirming it had been another failed attempt of Draco's to kill Dumbledore.
"Yes." Said Dumbledore agreeing with her reasoning. "Who gave you this bottle, Horace?"
"Madam Rosmerta herself. I asked for an idea of Christmas gift to you, headmaster, and she gave me this. I forgot I had bought it until today."
"It would have been delicious." Dumbledore uncorked and sniffed the bottle's contents. "If it weren't for the foul smell of poison."
He passed it to Severus, who reached the same conclusion as Florence: "Baneberry."
She nodded.
Suddenly the door was opened once again and Lavender Brown ran inside the hospital wing.
"Where is he? Where is my Won-Won?" then she stopped by the foot of the bed, angry at the sight of Hermione. "What's she doing here?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at the girl's jealousy, "I'm his friend, you idiot! He's been poisoned! He could've died!"
"Don't make me laugh!" Shouted Lavender. "You came up with an imaginary boyfriend as soon as we started dating! You're jealous!"
"James is NOT imaginary!" shouted Hermione.
Florence chuckled, "I'd fear for your sanity, Hermione, if you had imagined up that wicked boy." she winked at Hermione and then looked at a confused Lavender. "Miss Granger is dating my son, Miss Brown, and he's certainly not imaginary."
The girl looked surprised. "I-I didn't know..."
"Now," continued Florence. "If you keep shouting in here, I'll have to make you leave."
The girl just nodded and sat quietly beside Ronald's bed, murmuring an apology to Hermione.
"We'll be going now." Said Dumbledore. "Mr. Weasley is well-looked after." And he left, being followed by Severus.
Ronald spent four days in the infirmary and returned to his classes with no permanent damages.
April 1997
Florence and Madam Pomfrey agreed that Katie Bell had lost enough classes already and they both assured Dumbledore that the girl could resume attending her classes as normal.
"Finally, our infirmary is empty once more!" celebrated Pomfrey, "Now that all that has ended, I can admit I worried about Miss Bell, Florence. If it weren't for you here, I don't think I'd have been able to save her by myself."
"We're lucky I'm a Parselmouth. If I weren't, she'd sure be dead, Poppy." Florence sighed, removing her white apron. "I'll be going, now. See you tomorrow!"
"See you, dear."
And Florence walked downstairs to the dungeons, suddenly feeling that something was wrong with her husband.
Severus? She called him through their bond
Come to my quarters quickly! He sounded worried.
So she ran.
Severus stood in his bedroom, beside his bed – where an unconscious Draco Malfoy lay on his back, his white shirt covered in dry blood stains.
Where are you, Flor? Severus asked, nervously.
"I'm here!" He heard her saying from the living room.
"In the bedroom!"
"I swear if you pretended to be dying to get me to come here to fuck..." She stopped as she reached the bedroom door and saw the bloodied boy on the bed. "What the fuck happened to him?" she shouted, shocked by the amount of blood on the boy's shirt, quickly going to his side and checking his vital signs.
He seemed stable; she ripped Draco's shirt apart and checked his injuries. He wasn't bleeding anymore, but the cuts needed cleaning and dressing. She frowned, checking that a spell had caused those wounds.
"Severus, are these...?"
"Sectumsempra injuries? Yes, they are." He nodded. "Harry's finally decided to test that on his enemy."
She shook her head. "Get me some pennywort ointment and, as soon as Draco wakes up, he'll need food and something strong for the pain. Do you have bromelain powder?"
"Yes. I'll prepare a high dosage for him, and ask the kitchens for food."
"Yeah, do that." She sighed, as Severus left the room.
Then she looked at Draco, touching his bright blond hair. Oh, my dear. She thought. You have to learn to ask for help.
Suddenly she noticed a thin necklace around Draco's neck and she pulled it from behind his back, gasping once she saw what he had been carrying around his neck.
Elizabeth's ring.
She touched the beautiful flower crown ring and her eyes filled with tears: the ring he had given her daughter two years ago and Liz had given back to him a few months ago – the sweet boy had been walking around with that on his chest ever since.
She quickly hid it back under the boy's neck, before her husband returned, for he could recognize that ring as their daughter's.
Severus walked into the room when she was finishing cleaning Draco's wounds.
"Here's the ointment." He said.
"Thanks, Sev." Florence picked it up and began to apply it on the cuts.
"Food will soon arrive. I asked for fish and chips. His favourite."
She smiled, her husband could be angry with the young Malfoy but he had a soft spot for the kid, it was undeniable.
Severus rolled his eyes, having sensed her thoughts. "Whatever, wife. I'll go to the living room to wait for the elves to serve it and then I'll bring him a plate." And he left the room again.
Draco slowly regained consciousness, feeling that there was someone rubbing something warm on his chest and belly – it wasn't uncomfortable or painful, but nice and soothing.
He blinked and tried to sit on the bed, wanting to see where he was and who was there with him; then his blue eyes fell on the woman beside the bed and he relaxed –although he quickly averted his gaze in shame.
"Good to see you're awake and have recognized me." Florence softly spoke, finishing applying the ointment on him. "Now, Draco, what do you think you're doing?"
"I-I'm doing what I have to do." He replied, not looking at her.
"Draco. Severus will not let you kill Dumbledore."
Then the boy looked at her, needing to know: "H-how did you find out?"
"We know everything, dear. And we'll help you, whether you like it or not." She paused. "I told you years ago that we were both here for you – and we still are."
Draco stared at her silently for a moment and Florence watched the walls the boy had put up, and hidden behind for the past ten months, slowly crumble as his facial expression turned into a pain-filled grimace and he started to cry.
Florence pulled him into a hug, feeling his pain, letting him rest his head on her shoulder and sob.
"It's ok, Draco. Let it all out, you're not alone."
"But I feel alone." He whispered, his blue eyes finding her green ones. "I've been trying to talk to her... in my dreams, I see her." He touched his necklace. "But she... she ignores me, she closes her mind as soon as she sees me." He blinked and more tears fell.
"I know. She's hurt, Draco. And that girl can be very stubborn." Florence touched his face. "Focus on your survival for now, she's not going anywhere. At least not until the war is over."
He nodded.
And then Severus appeared at the door with a vial in one hand and a plate on the other, and he approached the bed.
"Here. Drink this, Draco."
The boy took the vial from his hands, drinking it without even asking what it was, his blue eyes fixed on the delicious-smelling plate the man was carrying.
"That vial contained bromelain. It'll help with your pain." Explained Florence.
"I trust you two." Draco said, giving her the empty vial and looking at the man by her side. He knew Snape was waiting to give him the food as a form of torture.
"Is that... fish and chips?" He asked, licking his lips.
"Yes, I remember it's one of your favourites." Severus replied with a smile, still not making any movement to give Draco the plate. "Not that you've been deserving of getting it from me."
Draco grimaced. "You're right. I'm sorry, godfather. I-I've been nothing but a complete prat since the beginning of term..." he let out a shaky breath. "But I had to... my mom..." his sobs restarted, so violent, he struggled to let the words out as his body shook. "She would... she would be..."
"We know, Draco." Florence said, touching his hair as she would her own son's. "You'll eat now and sleep here."
He nodded and Severus handed him the plate, which he held as if it was the most precious thing, and started to eat, closing his eyes in delight.
"I'm starving." Draco admitted. "I've been too anxious and nauseated to eat anything..."
"I know." Florence smiled. "I scolded you for losing weight a couple of months ago, remember?"
"Yeah..." Draco hesitated for a moment. "There's something you should know... killing the headmaster is not the only thing I was tasked to do."
"We know you have to get death eaters into the castle," said Severus. "But that's impossible with all the protections and the aurors."
Draco was shaking his head as he ate, "I found a way... there's a vanishing cabinet in the room of requirement. It's twin cabinet is in Borgin and Burkes. They form a passage."
Both Severus and Florence were surprised. But Severus said: "That thing has sat unused for at least sixteen years, Draco."
"Does it work?" she asked.
Draco swallowed another piece of fish and replied: "It was broken but... I fixed it. I successfully tested it two days ago." Draco paused. "But I don't want to do that! I don't want death eaters coming into the school and killing the students and..."
"No, neither do we." said Florence, glancing at her husband.
"That's why," continued Draco, "I tried to curse and poison Dumbledore. I thought that if I killed him, I wouldn't have to let death eaters into the castle..."
Severus asked: "Do you already know when that's going to happen?"
Draco finished his dinner and nodded, "June second."
"Alright." Florence touched his hair again. "We'll find a way to protect the students. Thanks for letting us know, dear."
"We'll let you sleep now." Said Severus. "Go on with your plan as you wish, but remember what we said: you're not killing the Headmaster."
Draco let out a relieved breath and nodded, before lying down on his godfather's bed, closing his eyes and sleeping soundly, feeling safe – something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Florence closed the bedroom door and looked at her husband.
"You can't tell me you don't pity him, Severus."
"I do, Flor. But pity will do him no good now. He needs guidance and he has to accept to be guided."
"It seems he will now."
Severus nodded, wrapping an arm around her and walking to the table to eat.
"We need to tell Dumbledore about the date..." whispered Florence
"The date I'll kill him." Finished Severus, sitting in front of her.
She just nodded, feeling his sadness and frustration, but knowing that there was no way out – Severus had to finish Draco's task or die.
And he was sure as hell not dying.
June 2nd, 1997
Hogwarts Dungeons
Severus slowly opened his eyes, feeling the usual weight of his wife's head on his chest, and sighed.
That was the day – Dumbledore would be dead by dawn the next day, and he'd be the one to blame for his murder.
He moved Florence to a pillow and got up, putting on some sweatpants and going to the living room fireplace to ask the school's kitchens for breakfast for two.
"I thought we'd be eating with Dumbledore today." He heard Florence say from the bedroom door.
He looked towards her voice and smiled; the sight of his incredible wife dressed in one of his undershirts always had him smiling – even in a horrible day like that. Severus walked to where she was and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her in a tender embrace.
"We'll have lunch with Albus today." He said, after another kiss. "But I want to have breakfast just the two of us."
Florence could feel his anxiety and sadness, there was even a hint of anger coming from him. She touched both hands to his face and kissed his lips again.
"It's alright. I'm here for you, Severus."
He kissed her once more, holding her tightly against his body.
She touched down his strong back, comforting him.
"We'll find a way to get out of this hole we're getting into tonight, Sev. Together."
But he didn't say anything, just tightened his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair, needing her comfort.
Hospital Wing
At around ten that morning, Dobby apparated in the infirmary telling Florence that Dumbledore was calling her to his office.
She thanked the sweet elf and walked into the fireplace, flooing to the Headmaster's office.
"Florence!" Dumbledore exclaimed as soon as she walked out of the green flames.
"You called me, headmaster."
"Yes. Join me for tea, dear." He pointed at the tray on his desk.
In any other day she'd have declined and just asked him to go straight to the point – but not that day.
There wouldn't be any more calls for tea at strange hours after that night. So Florence nodded, "Of course, Dumbledore." and sat at the chair in front of his desk.
She poured two tea cups and sipped, finally looking into Dumbledore's eyes.
He smiled kindly, "You know that what I've asked from Severus I couldn't possibly ask from anyone else, don't you?"
"Yes. I know." Florence said, putting her cup on the table and staring at him, trying to change the subject: "Why are you taking Harry to get a Horcrux that you already know is fake?"
"To give him an idea of how hard it'll be to actually find and retrieve the still missing Horcruxes."
She silently nodded, understanding. "And will you tell him he's one?"
"No. Severus will, when he deems relevant."
She exhaled in irritation, realizing she couldn't stop herself from giving him a piece of her mind: "You're putting too much on him, you know. You'll be dead, but my husband will have to carry your death on his shoulders forever."
Dumbledore sighed, "I know, dear. Would you rather do it instead?" he offered.
She narrowed her sudden light-green eyes at him, "There's been many moments in all the years I've known you when I could have done it."
Dumbledore laughed. "I'm sure there were, my dear." He poured himself some more tea. "Will you miss me?"
Florence looked at him, clearly annoyed to admit: "You know I will." she paused, her eyes going to the tea tray on his desk. "Twenty-one years ago I came here, a terrified and confused teenager with no one to run to... and you listened to me and gave me a chance. You kept my secrets and never doubted me." She wiped a tear from her face.
"Yes. I remember that night very clearly; this was exactly how we first spoke: you sitting on that chair, me sitting over here, a tea tray between us." His blue eyes sparkled with emotion. "It's been an honour and a delight to watch that frightened teenager become the woman you are today."
Florence smiled softly. "Thanks."
"Watching you and Severus grow together and the beautiful family you two created have been the greatest of pleasures. I love your kids as my own grandkids, Florence, I hope you know that." He finished with a smile.
"Yes, I do. They love you too." She hesitated, realizing there was one thing she'd never asked him: "All those years ago, what did Severus tell you that made you believe he truly wished to leave my father's ranks?"
Dumbledore frowned, "Severus never told you?"
She snorted: "He fed me some sentimental excuse that it was because of me."
Dumbledore smiled. "And it was. But also because of your twins."
Florence looked at him, a little confused, for Severus didn't know the boys were his kids then.
"He came to me." explained Dumbledore. "After having seen the twins at his mother's house one night. He told me of his love for you and how he regretted all he had done to help your father. Then he opened his mind to me, fully – to an extent that I don't think even he realized. And I could feel his love, his dream of helping you raise the boys – even though at the time he believed they were Sirius's children." He paused. "You have heard me say this many many times, but I'll say it again: love is the most powerful weapon, my dear." he looked at her intently. "People underestimate it greatly, but that's the power that will defeat your father at the end. And when I felt all that love inside Severus' mind, I was certain he couldn't be lying about his motives."
Florence sniffed, emotionally moved by what he had just told her. "That's why you made me come here to help him after my father's downfall."
He nodded. "I knew you two belonged together. You are stronger together. And the fate of this war will rely heavily on you and him. Specially after I'm gone." He paused. "I'm deeply sorry your family is paying the price..."
"I know."
"And if things could be any different… if I hadn't got myself cursed..." he looked at his very thin and blackened hand.
Florence nodded again, wiping a few more tears. "I don't like the fact that my husband will become your murderer, but I don't want to watch you wither away because of the curse. It'd be an awful way to die."
Dumbledore stood up and Florence did the same, then he walked towards her, pulling her to an embrace.
"Thank you, my dear, for everything. A blessed day it was, when the Dark Lord's daughter fell asleep in my office." He said, tenderly, making her smile.
Severus was teaching a class that morning with fifth years Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs – which he decided not to cancel for it would help take his mind off of that night.
But the students were able to say that something wasn't right; their usually sarcastic and mean teacher was quiet and didn't walk around the room, checking if they were reading the right page of the book. He just gave them a quiz to be answered and sat behind his desk in front of the class, practically ignoring them for the next three hours.
Dumbledore, on the other hand, was really excited that day; it was as if he was getting ready to go on vacation to a very cool place. He walked around the castle all day, talking to everybody.
He ate everything he liked and told more than his usual amount of stupid jokes.
Meanwhile, Florence felt sad, anxious and, surprisingly, sentimental. She knew she couldn't cry in front of everybody, but that's what she felt like doing many times during that day; she had never imagined she would miss the manipulative old bastard so much.
The events of that evening had already been carefully discussed and planned between the headmaster, Florence, Severus and Draco.
Dumbledore would leave with Harry at around four that afternoon to get the fake horcrux.
Draco was going to get the Death Eaters inside the school through the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement at around eight o'clock.
By then, Dumbledore would have already returned with Harry and they would stay in the Astronomy Tower, where Draco would lead death eaters to, and Severus would meet them there and kill the Headmaster.
But it was still lunchtime, and the other teachers were very curious about Dumbledore's behaviour.
"What's it with you today, Albus?" asked McGonagall. "You're... happier than normal."
"Nothing exceptional, Minerva." The headmaster laughed. "I'm just happy. Last night, I took a moment to think about my life and I believe fate has been really kind to me. I never had a happy love life or a family to call my own. But when I thought that I'd never have any children, fate gave me two." he looked at Severus and Florence. "And I'm so proud of both of them, even though they're both Slytherins." the teachers at the high table chuckled.
But Severus didn't even look at him.
Florence just smiled at Dumbledore and spoke to her husband: He's glad he's dying, Sev. Don't be so grumpy, love.
Of course he is. He'll be dead. The whole war will no longer depend on him.
She gulped, thinking about what they had already concluded: the end of the war would depend heavily on them – Severus and her.
The Headmaster noticed her apprehension and guessed what she was worrying about. So he spoke again: "You can all be certain of one thing." his voice was serious now. "No one in this world would have done for me what Severus and Florence have already done. No one would do what they are going to do for me."
Nobody said a word, the enigmatic sentence hung in the air as they all finished eating in silence.
Dungeons
4 p.m.
Florence was with her husband in his private quarters, sitting on the armchair by the fireplace; she was on his lap, her head on his shoulder, their hands entwined as they silently waited for Dumbledore's signal that he had left the school with Harry.
They knew what that night would mean for their family: more risks, more danger, more enemies – everything would change for the worse.
And then the signal came: one single phoenix feather appeared in front of them and slowly fell onto the floor.
"They've left the castle." said Severus. "Harry and Dumbledore are no longer here."
Florence got up from his lap and walked to the table, opening the Marauders' Map that Remus had lent her.
"Draco is nowhere to be seen." she said. "He's probably in the Room of Requirement already. Neville, Ron and others are watching the seventh floor. Should we warn them?"
"No. Dumbledore is the target. Their plan is to get to the Astronomy Tower, because I told Draco that's where Dumbledore is going to be when he returns." He hugged her from behind. "They'll get there and Draco will stall as much as he can, waiting for me. The students are safe. For now."
And Florence nodded, her eyes still on the map.
A little after 8 p.m., they heard someone knocking on the door.
"It's Flitwick." Florence said, keeping her eyes on the death eaters who slowly made their way to the Astronomy Tower.
Severus got up and opened the door.
"Prof. Flitwick. What brings you down here?" he pretended not to know.
"Death Eaters!" Flitwick shouted. "Severus, you have to go there! The students are being attacked! Albus isn't here! Minerva has no idea where he is!"
"Sure, professor. We'll go up there." Florence said, discreetly stupefying the charms teacher.
Severus stopped him from hitting the floor hard and levitated him to the sofa.
"I'll go find the girls." Florence said, for it was part of their plan to get Ginny and Hermione away from the battle – they were both too precious for the Order, which increased their chances of ending up being captured if the Death eaters had the opportunity.
But she didn't move right away, she stood by the door looking at her husband, knowing that the next time she saw him he'd have killed Dumbledore. Then she suddenly walked to him, touching his face and kissing him again.
"Good luck, love. I'll be waiting for you at home."
Severus just nodded and lay a kiss on her left hand, next he watched as Florence ran down the corridors, turning left towards the Slytherin common room and disappearing.
Hermione was looking at the doors of the castle when she saw her future mother-in-law running towards her and Ginny.
"Hermione! Ginny!" Florence called them.
"Madam Delacour! What's happening?" Hermione asked, certain that if anyone knew what was going on it was Florence and her husband.
Ginny added: "Harry left with Dumbledore and Prof. McGonagall said there are death eaters here!"
"Yes, girls, it's true." Florence nodded. "We protected the castle, but they found a way in through a Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement."
Ginny gasped, "Malfoy! Harry has mentioned seeing Draco disappear in the seventh floor."
"Right. In the Marauders' Map." Florence tilted her head, quickly realizing that if Harry still had his map, that meant Remus had made a copy for himself. "Around five death eaters are inside the castle right now, one of them is deranged and another is a werewolf – so I don't think I have to tell you both to stay far away from them, right?"
"Yes, ma'am, but..."
"No 'buts', Hermione." She hesitated, looking at the girl who held her oldest son's heart in her hands, knowing she was hours away from breaking it. "Tonight won't be easy for any of us. But... this is not the first time the castle's been invaded and it won't be the last."
Hermione frowned, "Does this have anything to do with something that happened one night four months ago?"
Florence slowly nodded, reminding herself to be very careful with what she chose to tell the clever Gryffindor.
"Yes. James is not here tonight, but he... he's a part of all of this, Hermione – and that's something you've always known."
Hermione nodded, knowing there was more to be said, but she couldn't figure out what.
"Now," continued Florence, "Go to the dungeons, Prof. Flitwick is there, he passed out and Severus is there watching him – we all know he'll be of much better help up here than you two."
Both girls nodded and went to the dungeons as she had told them to.
The girls are on their way, Severus. She sent him, hoping he'd hear despite the distance.
Alright. Now you go home, Florence. He ordered.
She knew he didn't want her to watch him killing Dumbledore, she was well aware he'd have to go through a transformation that night. He'd murder his old friend and then lead the death eaters away from the school, back to Little Hangleton, to be received as the one who fixed the mess that that night could've turned into – where Draco would've failed and Bellatrix would've killed half the students and they'd all end up in Azkaban.
Yes, she heard her husband's annoyed voice in her head, dripping with irony: I'll be a big hero tonight. Now get the fuck home!
Florence just sighed, allowing his rudeness to go unanswered that night. She walked away from the castle, towards Hagrid's Hut, but then she heard Bellatrix shouting in the distance:
"Mosmordre!"
And she closed her eyes, hoping no one had actually been killed already.
She used occlumency to block her presence from her husband and decided to stay, instead of following Severus' order to go home and wait. She couldn't leave, not before she was certain her husband hadn't been captured. There were a lot of aurors in the castle, plus the members of the Order.
Florence hid behind a large rock, from where she could see the Astronomy Tower, and then she waited.
After long minutes, she saw Dumbledore and Harry arriving in the Tower. And less than two minutes later, Draco was in the Tower too, but she couldn't see if Harry was still there.
Then she saw Bellatrix's black untamed hair getting close to Draco and she could also see at least other two Death Eaters in the Tower.
For a moment, Florence thought that their plan had gone wrong, for Draco had his wand pointed at Dumbledore.
Where the fuck is Severus? She asked herself.
And then it all happened fast: Draco lowered his wand and turned to face someone who had appeared behind him – Florence couldn't see who it was, but she hoped it was her husband.
Dumbledore said something that she couldn't hear, for she was too far. And then she saw a bluish-green ray of light hit the headmaster on the chest and he fell off the Tower.
Florence felt her heart stop and held in a sob, watching the grey and white figure falling towards the ground as if in slow motion.
It was done.
Severus had done it.
Dumbledore was dead.
She sat on the grass, trying to calm herself down as her mind reminded her that the hardest part was about to begin: now they had a war to win – on their own.
Note: the night is not over yet, but this chapter reached 30 pages so I had to break it in the middle (to make reading it easier.)