By the last week of August, 1997, Voldemort's control over the British Wizarding society was absolute and unwavering; with Severus in Hogwarts and Florence at the Ministry, he had only to worry about finding Harry Potter and ending the already weakened Order of the Phoenix.

Hogwarts

Headmaster's office

Florence walked out of the fireplace one evening, and was greeted by the cheerful voice of Albus Dumbledore's painting, as usual:

"Good evening, my dear."

She looked at him and whispered: "Incendio." And, as usual, his painting caught fire for a few seconds but returned to this original unharmed state in a blink of an eye.

Severus was leaving the bathroom when Florence entered their bedroom.

"Did you set Albus on fire again?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her, noticing she didn't seem well.

"Yes. Right as I walked by him." Florence said, resting her head on his chest, exhaling. "Today I signed a decree that turns Hogwarts attendance mandatory." her voice was soft and tired. "Soon you'll receive instructions on how to satisfactory verify the students' blood-status upon arrival on September 1st. And, of course, all those identified as Muggleborn must be expelled, or have their enrolment denied, in case of first years."

"Lovely." He whispered ironically, pulling her chin up for a kiss.

"Also..." she continued after another sigh. "I've just declared Harry Potter the Undesirable No. 1."

Severus chuckled. "On what charges?"

"He's wanted for questioning about his involvement on Dumbledore's death, with a ten-thousand-galleon reward on his head. And Her Pinkness has made an anti-Muggle pamphlet this afternoon so sadistic that even Yaxley was shocked when he read one, he called them tyrannous. Do you get what I'm saying, Severus? Yaxley disapproves of the level of bigotry she is enforcing!"

He could easily understand her distress, they were realizing keeping the murders and the violence under control wasn't going to be as easy as they thought.

Severus lowered his hands down her curves, feeling how tense she was. "Let's get you under a hot shower, Flor. And I'll work on your back, help you relax."

Florence just nodded and let him lead her to the bathroom – not crazy to refuse a massage from her husband's very capable hands.

Later, in the Great Hall

When the Snape couple walked into the Hall, they noticed that most teachers had already arrived to prepare their classes for the beginning of the term in a couple of days.

McGonagall was the only one who still smiled at Florence, her usually steely eyes looked at her with pity and concern. However, the Head of Gryffindor House barely spoke to Severus – which worked perfectly for him, for if McGonagall didn't dare to speak to him, the others didn't even think of trying.

Florence sat on her new usual place: to the right of the Headmaster's chair, and they all ate in considerable, and rather uncomfortable, silence.

"Lost something on my husband's chest, Alecto?" Florence suddenly growled at the female death eater.

"No, Mrs. Snape." whispered the woman, quickly averting her gaze.

Jealous, wife? Severus asked, clearly amused.

I'll kill her if she keeps looking at you as if you were a delicious popsicle she wants to suck! Florence sounded very angry.

Severus felt his amusement suddenly go away, giving place to a concerned frown – the state of things at the Ministry were surely affecting his wife more than he thought they would.

He held her left hand and brought it to his lips. I'll help get your mind off of things later.

Florence turned to him and kissed him right there in front of all staff. You're mine.

Completely, princess.

She just smiled and they finished eating in silence.

Two nights before the start of term

After yet another dinner in the studentless Great Hall, Severus and Florence walked into the remodelled Headmaster's quarters.

"I just want to fall on our bed and sleep for a week." She said, sitting on the bed and removing her shoes, thanking the Gods that she had already showered before dinner, for she certainly would've skipped it if she hadn't. She was exhausted, the constant need of keeping her mind shielded by occlumency was taking its toll on her mind and body.

Severus kneeled on the floor between her legs and caressed her feet, making her moan.

"Fucking love your hands, Sev." Florence lay back on the mattress and closed her eyes, feeling her dress suddenly be divestoed off her body as her husband kissed up her thighs, his hands grabbing the sides of her knickers and pulling them down her legs.

She smiled when he made her open her legs wider and his strong hands held her hips in place, while his thumbs opened the outer lips of her centre and his tongue touched her entrance.

"Fuck, yes." She gasped, grabbing his hair with one hand.

He pleasured her slowly, loving the feel of her hips moving against his face, trying to get his tongue deeper into her pussy.

Florence felt two long fingers entering her and pressing right on her g-spot, making her moan louder, then he sucked on her clit and she was cumming on his mouth.

Severus kissed up her body, removing her bra, "I'll have to love on you, wife."

"Oh, no." She panted. "Just fuck me into oblivion, husband. No loving."

He chuckled, "But I will, love. Touch and fuck you slowly..." he silently divestoed his own clothes and pressed his hard cock into her warm and welcoming body.

Florence arched under him as he leisurely took her to another mind-melting climax.

Afterwards, she fell asleep as soon as he left her body, and Severus pulled her to his chest, letting the steady sound of her breathing lull him to sleep.

Next morning

Severus sat on their bed, all dressed and ready to leave for breakfast, and watched his wife getting dressed for work. A beautiful red dress hugging her curves, her long hair going up in an office-appropriate bun and high heeled black shoes encasing her delicate feet.

"Delicate feet?" Florence laughed. "Don't tell me you're developing a foot fetish, Severus. I'm ticklish and I'll hate it."

He laughed alongside her and got up, helping her zip up her dress and kissing her shoulder.

"I have something to tell you, love." He said. "I didn't say anything last night because I saw how tired you were."

Florence sighed, dejectedly, knowing it couldn't be anything good, "What is it, Sev?"

"Your father wants to reveal you're his daughter at a dinner party – tonight."

Severus felt her body tense up for a moment.

"It's ok." Florence exhaled, after a moment. "We knew he'd do that soon, but... that will certainly be enough to get me kicked out of the Order – at least until I have the chance to go there and explain everything to them." She turned to face him.

"We can only hope that the Weasley do not break up with Nick again. Since Granger is Merlin knows where with Potter and the Weasley No.6."

"I sure hope not, Nick is so happy... they're talking marriage already."

Severus grimaced, but didn't make any comment about that.

"Talking about the twins... your father wants to show them off tonight as well." He added.

Florence looked at him with worry in her emerald eyes. "I get that he wants to show all of us off like some perfect powerful family, but... what if he decides to turn that into a Marking Ceremony?"

Severus sighed, he had thought about that, but hoped it wouldn't get that far.

"That." he said. "Is something we need to discuss with the boys here." then he sent them a Patronus message.

Florence's concern quickly turned into anger: "No! They have no say in the matter! I'll not allow them to make that decision!"

"What decision?" asked James as he and his brother apparated in the room.

"Your grandfather." began Severus. "Wants to reveal Florence is his daughter and also... he wants you two to come to the party."

James put on a brave face, as usual, "Sure. It can't be worse than having dinner with him at our home."

His unknowledgeable confidence angered Florence.

"And will you be that brave when he orders you two to kneel and take his Dark Mark?" she looked at her oldest son through narrowed eyes.

Severus intervened: "We don't know if that's really going to happen, Florence!"

"Is it unheard of, Severus?' She quickly retorted. "Has my father never made the kids of his followers' bend the knee and take his Mark just to further prove their commitment?"

He hesitated, his sons looking at him with apprehension. Then he shook his head, "No. It's not impossible – but very unlikely. He knows how you feel about the boys working for him. If he were planning to do that, he'd discuss it with me beforehand, I'm certain."

Florence sneered: "He's insane, Severus! The British wizarding society fell on its knees before him in a matter of months – that power has certainly gone to his head! We can't be sure of what he'll do tonight!"

The twins looked from their mother to their father, seeing how the latter fell silent.

Fuck. Said James. Dad doesn't know what to say.

Mom's always right, James. If she fears grandfather will want us to take his Mark...

It could happen. James finished, with a nod.

"What shall we do if he orders us to take the Mark, mom?" asked Nicholas.

"Nothing. I'll stop it." She replied with conviction.

Severus shook his head, "You can't, Florence!"

She looked at him again, furious. "I won't sit back and sip champagne with Narcissa Malfoy as my sons are Marked by my father! No, I won't allow it!"

"I don't want them to be Marked either, but..."

"I don't care!" She interrupted him, her light-green eyes fixed on his dark ones. "You can come up with any stupid reason you think of – but I don't care!" she was right on his face now, her anger making her shorter and smaller frame seem irrelevant.

The twins watched their parents staring-match with apprehension.

"What could happen, dad?" asked James. "If grandfather orders us to take the Mark and mom intervenes, what could happen then?"

"Anything." Severus replied, not taking his eyes off his wife, trying to make her understand that what she was planning to do was too risky. "We could all just enjoy the rest of the party and go home; then he might order you to go back a few days later, without telling your mother or me. Or... we could all be labelled traitors and murdered right there at the party."

The twins looked terrified then.

And Florence shook her head. "I won't let that happen. My sons will not be Marked!" she shouted, a lone tear falling down her face.

Severus wrapped his arms around her, and she let him, crying against his chest.

"I'm sorry, Flor." He whispered.

She didn't say anything.

Nicholas looked at his brother. What will we do if...?

"We'll take it." James replied out loud. "I want it as much as mom wants it for us, but... You've fought this far; we cannot let all your efforts go to waste just because we would rather not get an ugly tattoo."

"It's more than just a tattoo, Jamie." Said Florence, turning to look at her sons. "He'll control you. Torture you." She shook her head again, feeling faint at the thought of sitting back and watching them be made her father's pawns.

Severus noticed the moment her legs gave out and he quickly held her. "Florence!"

The twins rushed to their parents' side, worrying just as much as their father.

"Mom?" James touched her face.

Florence blinked and seemed to slowly remember what they had been discussing – the reason why she had been so angry that her tired mind nearly shut down.

"You're not taking his Mark." She said, standing up on her own two feet and looking at the three dark-haired men around her. "One man in this family being Marked is more than enough." She glared at her husband.

Severus unwillingly conceded, "Alright. If he forces the boys to take the Mark, we fight."

"Yes. We fight." She nodded.

The four of them just looked at one another for a moment, before Florence kissed her husband's lips and her sons' cheeks and left to go to the Ministry.

Later that night

Little Hangleton

Severus, Florence and their twin sons apparated together to the gates of the Dark Lord's manor.

Since their talk that morning, they had all spoken very little out loud, talking more in their bonds than speaking amongst themselves. But Florence had yet to tell her husband what she had found out about Fred Weasley that evening – she knew that would only add to her his worry, so she decided to wait until after the party.

"So this is where you used to live, mom?" asked James, dressed just like his brother in a beautiful elegant black vest and pants, with a white shirt underneath.

"Yes. From eight to fifteen, this was home to me." she sounded a little more cutting than necessary, but she wasn't feeling chatty, she just wanted that night to be over – so that they could plan their next step.

Severus touched a hand down her back; her long black dress showed no cleavage at the front but left her whole back exposed, right to the upper curve of her ass.

She turned to look at him and took a moment to admire how sexy he was in that black double-buttoned vest, with a black shirt underneath and black pants.

"I love you." She whispered before kissing him.

Then she looked at the twins. "And I love you, my babies." She pointed a finger at them, turning suddenly from loving-mother to angry-warlord: "Stick to the plan. If you allow yourselves to get Marked tonight, being summoned by my father will be the smallest of your problems."

The two teens looked scared and nodded, then the four of them walked towards the gates, which Severus touched with his wand and they opened for them.

They walked into the huge house and found the first floor packed – it was clear that her father wasn't kidding when he said he wanted to show them off.

Florence could see at least one member of every important follower's family there; she also recognized a photographer and two Daily Prophet reporters.

The photographer rushed towards them as soon as they entered, greeting her politely and taking a picture of the four of them together.

As if in sync, everyone at the party turned to look at them, some guests showed surprise at the sight of the twins while others, like Lucius Malfoy, sneered and looked at them with contempt.

Florence put on her loveliest smile and walked through the crowd, politely greeting Avery, Nott and others she recognized on her way to her father. She knew her sons and husband were following her, for she could hear the male guests patting Severus' shoulder and congratulating him as they eye-fucked her shamelessly.

Voldemort smiled as he heard the frantic hushed talking that suddenly took over the room.

"Excuse me, gentlemen." He said to the men gathered around him and turned to the commotion, knowing he'd certainly see his daughter, her husband and the twins walking towards him.

Florence was the first to reach him, smiling charmingly, and he hugged her – surprising everyone in the room.

Then Voldemort turned to the twins, "No need to kneel, my boys." He said, so the boys only bowed their heads. Next, his green eyes fell on his son-in-law who had respectfully kneeled, "Rise, Severus."

All guests seemed to be holding their breaths, nervous and confused at why the Minister hadn't kneeled nor bowed to their Dark Lord – being instead hugged by him.

Then Voldemort held Florence's hand and turned to face the crowd, with her by his side. "My friends and followers, let me to introduce you Florence Peverell Snape – my daughter."

And the moment he uttered those words, both the secrecy spell and the curse around speaking of her as his daughter were lifted.

Everybody in the room went still, looking from Voldemort to Florence with shocked expressions.

Some shook their heads as if they had just remembered they already knew that she was the Lord's daughter, but they had never been able to talk about it before.

"Now you see how strong we are." Continued Voldemort. "My daughter sits at the Ministry's most powerful chair, while my son-in-law," he pointed at Severus. "Is Hogwarts Headmaster." Then he walked behind the twins, laying his hands on their shoulders. "These, I'm proud to announce, are James and Nicholas Snape – my grandsons." He looked straight at Lucius Malfoy.

Severus smirked at the look of terror that suddenly took over Lucius' face.

"Now, my powerful grandsons." He looked at the twins as they turned to face him. "I'm very glad you two came." Voldemort glanced at Florence, waiting to see her reaction at his next words: "Have you two the wish to serve me, my boys?"

"It would be an honour, grandfather." replied James, remembering what his father had said, his twin silently nodding across from him.

Severus struggled to keep his face neutral and his mind closed – the need to tell his wife to not do anything was nearly overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Voldemort smiled at his daughter, noticing her anger. "Do you have anything to say, Florence?"

The room went dead silent.

"Yes, father." she spoke, feeling her husband's heavy gaze and ignoring him. "I told you once before: they're not your pawns, they're my sons. And I won't step aside and watch you torture them for every stupidity they do. They are yours by blood, they don't need to carry your Mark."

The guests barely breathed as they still struggled to comprehend how those people were Voldemort's family – and how Severus Snape was his son-in-law!

For a few seconds, Voldemort didn't say anything, his eyes fixed on his daughter's, perusing her mind after any sign of deceit.

"Well-said, Florence." He spoke, after finding nothing in her mind. "Blood comes first." He paused. "Severus, I'll leave it to you to decide what chores to delegate to these two young men." He patted the twins' shoulders. "Now, enjoy the party!"

Florence nodded her head and turned around, her sons and husband following her.

"You three stay here. I'll go talk to Cissy and Draco." She ordered, coldly.

And they just watched her as she walked away, all eyes turning to her as she crossed the room towards Narcissa Malfoy.

"How could you let her come dressed like that, dad?" asked James, grimacing at the lascivious looks his mother was receiving as she crossed the ballroom.

Severus sighed, "I think you two know by now that I don't control your mother. She looks incredible, let them look. I'd like to see one of them try to touch." He smirked, taking a glass of firewhisky from a tray and telling his sons to do the same.

James took a glass for himself, but Nicholas refused it, his eyes following his mother, worried.

"She is more than capable of protecting herself, Nick." Severus reassured him before sipping from his glass. "Trust me. She would have two thirds of this room dead before anyone successfully stopped her."

The twins nodded, not doubting their father.

Narcissa hugged Florence tightly, whispering in her ear: "Thank you for looking after my son." Then she spoke out loud: "My dear Florence! I would have never imagined it: you're our Dark Lord's daughter!"

"Yes, Cissy." Florence smiled, noticing how her friend looked thinner and was wearing heavy make up – certainly to hide bruises. "A well-kept secret for so many years. I'm glad it's finally out there. How have you been?"

"We're great!" Narcissa answered, too excitedly. "Now that Lucius is back home, things are... marvellous!" she sounded happy, but her haunted eyes betrayed her giddiness.

"And you, Draco?" Florence asked, also expecting a depressing answer from him; however, she could tell that the boy didn't look as miserable as he had been a few months ago. "Are you glad your dad's home again?" she tilted her head, showing her confusion.

He smiled at her, replying her question with another one: "Would you like to dance, Mrs. Snape?"

Florence found his happiness and evasion too suspicious. "Of course, Mr. Malfoy."

Severus was watching Draco take Florence to the dancefloor when he heard:

"And to think I almost got to her before you, my friend." It was Lucius Malfoy, his small pale hand patting Severus on the shoulder – in a clear attempt of publicly showing he wasn't hostile to the Dark Lord's family.

The three dark-haired Snapes looked at him with equal hatred in their eyes.

"Then," Nicholas venomously replied. "She'd be the one with an ex-con idiot for a husband instead of Narcissa."

Severus smirked at his son's quick wit, while the blond man looked surprised, having not expected to receive such hostile reply from a teenager.

"We're not friends, Lucius." Severus spoke dangerously softly right at Lucius' face. "Do you realize that you tried to murder the Dark Lord's firstborn grandson?"

Lucius shivered in fear, glancing at Voldemort and seeing he wasn't looking their way – so he dropped the friendly act, getting closer to James and whispering venomously: "So you're the one that didn't die."

James took a step towards him, glaring, "And you're as good as dead, Malfoy."

But before his son could punch or hex the blond man, Severus held James' shoulder and spoke: "It might interest you to know that the Lord has been aware of your and Bella's attempted poisoning since it's happened." Severus' voice was soft and uninterested. "Just in case you're wondering why so many things have gone wrong in your life lately."

Lucius pursed his lips, realizing he had dug himself into a very deep hole.

Severus put his empty glass on a tray and a slow song began to play.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have my beautiful wife to rescue from your stupid son." And he walked towards Florence, being followed by the twins.

"What's going on, Draco?" Florence asked in the boy's ear, noticing he was as tall as her now. "You look too happy for someone who's being tortured twice a week."

He smiled as he replied: "We've been dreaming together."

Florence immediately understood what he meant – and she was actually surprised her daughter had finally taken her advice.

"And has she been behaving?"

He chuckled: "No. But I have, ma'am." He hesitated before adding. "However... she'll be fifteen in two weeks."

"I know." Florence nodded, understanding what the teen was trying to tell her, "Are you asking my permission to make love to my daughter in a shared dream, Draco?"

She watched him blush and gulp nervously.

"So you are." She whispered. "Look... we both know Liz is mentally older than her age... and one can't get pregnant in the dreamland – otherwise Merlin knows I'd have gotten." She kissed his cheek. "You have my blessing. Now... change the subject, you don't want her father knowing your plans for his baby-girl."

"No, ma'am, I sure don't!" He shook his head, smiling.

"May I have my wife back?" asked an unsmiling Severus.

"Of course, sir." Draco said, bowing his head, respectfully.

Severus wrapped his left arm around Florence's waist and led her with his right one, keeping her very close to his body; one of his legs quickly finding its way between hers and rubbing on her centre at every change of direction.

She looked up into his eyes, receiving a hungry gaze, before having her lips taken as they danced, his tongue circling hers, sensually.

"Severus." She whispered over his lips. "Are you trying to make a scene like we did in front of the Carrows?"

"Not quite." He softly spoke. "Just give them a taste."

"Just so you know," she sucked on his bottom lip, looking into his eyes. "I wouldn't be completely against it. However, I do believe James has had enough traumatizing experiences regarding us kissing – he doesn't have to watch us fuck."

"Nope. He doesn't." He chuckled, keeping her very close to him. "Draco seems happy." He said in a strangely reproachful tone.

"He's learning to deal with the bad hand he was given ." She quickly dodged the subject. "Now, regarding Cissy... she's not doing well."

"Not at all." He shook his head. "Lucius has been buying favours and paying debts – and she's the currency he's been using."

She gasped: "What?"

He swirled her around the dancefloor, keeping the dance sexy, but not traumatizingly so.

"We have to do something!" She whispered.

"No. Right now, there's nothing we can do." He replied, kissing her again.

"Fuck." She cursed, looking at him, noticing he was too happy for someone who hated parties. "You're enjoying parading me around, aren't you?" she saw his lip quirk up, "How many congratulations have you received from your fellow death eaters?"

Severus chuckled, pulling her even more tightly towards his body.

"All of them are dying from jealousy and blue balls." He lowered one hand to the curve of her back, his long fingers at the swell of her ass as his nose teased the side of her neck. "Lucius even tried to tell me he almost got to you first."

"That fucker's audacity!" she replied in disgust. "He was hitting on me when he was already engaged to Cissy. Remember?"

"Yes. I'll never forget the way you handed him his ass at the Slytherin table." He sucked her bottom lip. "I almost fell in love with you right then."

"No, you didn't." She chuckled, shaking her head. "You were rude to me the next morning."

"I was not looking for a girlfriend then! You and your stunning smiles were a dangerous distraction to my plans."

Her smile turned sad, "I wish I had been an even bigger distraction. Perhaps then we wouldn't be here." She whispered over his lips.

And he didn't reply.

A couple of songs later, they said their goodbyes and apparated home, crossing their beautiful backyard.

James and Nicholas fell onto the outdoor couch, exhausted.

"How do you do it?" Asked Nicholas. "How do you keep your mind protected for freaking hours and not get drained?"

"Years and years of practice." Explained Severus. "Self-preservation is the best of teachers. I will be killed on the spot – if I'm lucky – the day the Dark Lord access all of my memories."

"It helps if you don't lie, just bend the truth." Florence said.

"Bend the truth." Said James. "Ok. I'll try that next time. Fuck, I need to sleep for at least two days." he closed his eyes, feeling a head ache starting.

"Come on boys. Let's get inside." Said Florence, leading the way into their house.

They walked in, but Severus stayed at the backyard porch for a few more minutes, checking on all their usual protections before going to the living room.

Florence was still downstairs when he entered, so he stopped to admire how beautiful she looked, dressed in that sinful black dress, but now barefoot; Tiffany was by her side, handing her a cup of tea as she looked through the large window at the quiet village.

"Where are the boys?" he asked.

"Upstairs. They were really tired. We can talk to them tomorrow."

"They did well, tonight." He unbuttoned his vest.

"Yes. They did." She replied, taking a sip of the tea.

Severus could feel something wasn't right with his wife. "Are you ok, Flor?" he asked.

"No." she whispered, still not looking at him. Then, after a long silence, she spoke: "Look around you, Severus. This house used to be full of laughter and happiness. We used to have all our kids playing together on the rug. And now... now we can't even have pictures of them on the walls, for they are not supposed to exist."

"It's just temporary, Flor."

"Temporary?" she laughed sarcastically. "Right. We are not even close to putting an end on this war! We are all lost without Dumbledore to guide us! And our family is in even more danger than before. The four of us stood before my father tonight as a nuclear family. What do you think will happen to us if he finds out we were lying?"

"What's your point, Florence?" He asked, angrily.

"No point. I'm just tired, Severus." She blinked, some tears falling down. "Every day I see what they are doing to muggleborns at the Ministry: stripping them of their wands and jobs, throwing them in Azkaban or reducing them to street beggars! I have Snatchers hunting Tonks' parents; I signed an order to put the Weasley family under surveillance!" Her voice broke then. "And you know what I was told just this evening?" she chuckled. "You'd better sit down for this: Fred Weasley is a bearer, like his uncle was."

Severus froze, looking at her in shock. "You don't mean..."

"Oh, yes, I mean! That stupid son of ours has knocked him up!" she whisper-shouted, pointing upstairs and shaking her head. "I always thought James would be the idiot to do that!"

"Does Nick know?"

"No. I don't think so." She shook her head.

"We need to protect Fred, Florence."

The urgency in his voice had her looking at him and smiling, "You're a big softy for babies, aren't you, husband?"

"It's our grandkid!" Severus exclaimed. "If anyone finds out..."

She nodded, finishing his sentence: "Fred will be taken and murdered. I know. But they are safe, for now."

He looked at her in silence for a moment, before whispering: "I'll be a grandpa."

She laughed, walking towards him. "Yes. Grandpa Sev." She touched his face, "I still can't believe it..."

They heard a sound on the stairs and looked up. It was James.

"What's happening?" he asked, suspicious. "You two seem suddenly too happy for someone who just got back from a meeting with Lord grandpa."

We should tell Nick. Severus said.

"Is Nick up?" Florence asked.

"Yes." James replied, suspicion clear on his face. Get here, Nicholas. Something's up with mom and dad.

After a few seconds, Nicholas showed up and the twins walked downstairs.

"Have you talked to Fred since the wedding?" Florence asked her green-eyed son.

"Yes." Confirmed Nicholas, frowning at the strangeness of that question at that hour. "And I'm planning on calling him tomorrow, to check on how he received the news about grandpa."

Then Severus dropped the most important question: "Did you know your Weasley is a bearer?"

The way Nicholas froze and looked at them told them everything they needed to know – he had no idea.

"Holy fuck." James whispered.

Nick tried to make sense of what his parents were saying: "So he can carry our kids?"

"Yes." Explained Florence. "Being a bearer means he can gestate, but they have very long cycles; just twice a year generally, for a week, they go into something called heat."

That was when Nicholas blurted: "He tasted different.", making his brother and parents grimace.

"I'm not asking how nor where he tasted different." Said Severus, uncomfortable. "When did you last talk to him?"

"About two weeks ago."

"He probably didn't know then." continued Severus, looking at Florence. "It was too early."

"Kn-now what? Too early for what?" asked Nick, although somehow he knew the answer for those questions.

"I had to put the Weasleys under surveillance this afternoon." Explained Florence. "As they are pure-bloods, they're not under any immediate threat. However, Fred passed out a couple of times two days ago, so they took him to St. Mungus for some tests yesterday." She paused, adding next: "And he's expecting."

"Expecting?" Nick's voice sounded strangled.

"Holy fuck!" Repeated James, louder.

All of a sudden, Nicholas stood up and went to the fireplace, taking floo powder.

And right then they all shouted at the same time:

Florence: "No! Nicholas! DON'T!"

James: "Nick you can't!"

Severus: "STOP, Nicholas!"

But the green-eyed twin called: "Lupin's place." and disappeared amongst the green flames.

The three people in the living room stood staring at the empty hearth for a moment, shocked and quickly pondering what they should do next.

"We have to go after him." Said Florence, thinking of all that things that could go wrong if they all appeared at the Order Headquarters in the same night it was revealed they were the Dark Lord's family.

But before any plans could be discussed, James was entering the fireplace and calling the same place his brother had.

"We're all going to die." Severus said, shaking his head.

"So we die together." Florence said, transfigurating her fancy dress into something more battle-appropriate and following her sons.

Severus went in right behind her.