Snapes' family home
The twins stood in the living room, when they saw the front door opening and their mother walked in.
"Mum," they both said.
Florence cast a quick silencing spell and slammed the door shut, not wanting to wake up her younger children.
"Don't!" she angrily hissed, pointing a finger at them, "I don't want to hear one bloody word coming out of your mouths!" she walked towards them and stopped, her eyes falling on Severus's favourite armchair, its vacancy reminding her of where her husband was, bringing fresh tears to her eyes and making it hard to speak around the lump in her throat.
The twins stared at her, and then shared a puzzled look.
Something's not right with mum. Nicholas told his brother.
I can see that! Where's dad for starters?
They watched Florence sit on Severus' armchair and start to sob.
"Mum, what's happening?" James asked, kneeling in front of her, Nicholas doing the same beside him.
"Your father has been summoned," she whispered, "Voldemort is back. He killed a boy in the Tournament-"
"Harry?" both asked, worried.
Florence shook her head, "No. Cedric Diggory. He was an only child… I can't even begin to imagine the pain the Diggorys must be feeling right now," she cried harder and the twins hugged her, "Now, your father is probably with my-"
She stopped abruptly, realising that the kids didn't know who her father was.
"Your what, mum?" asked Nick, looking at her with a frown.
"Where is dad?" asked James, fear growing in his chest.
She looked at the twins for a few seconds, wondering what she should say; she already knew she wouldn't be able to protect them from her father, everybody knew about them.
Florence touched both their faces and whispered: "Severus is with my father," she paused and sniffled, whispering: "The Dark Lord is my father, boys."
The twins stared at her with equal disbelief expressions.
What the hell? James mentally asked his brother.
"WHAT?" they asked out loud in unison.
She glanced at the stairs, checking if Liz or Chris hadn't woken up.
"I've never told any of you that before," she continued, "But it's the truth – I'm the Dark Lord's daughter and he... he is back. He's summoned all his death eaters earlier tonight," she let out a heavy sigh, "So your father is, right at this moment, in a meeting with him. And-" she paused, taking a breath before sharing with them her biggest fear.
"What, mum?" asked Nicholas, sensing there was more to that story.
"Many years ago," Florence began explaining, "Before you two were even conceived, Sev and I broke up and my father threatened to kill him if I ever dated him again."
"Fuck. And now he's back, and you're married," whispered James, understanding her fear.
"Will he really kill dad?" Nick asked apprehensively.
"I don't know," she shook her head, her voice breaking.
Oh, no. Thought James, desperation taking over. No, Nicholas, no! This can't be happening!
We might never see dad again. Nick replied, his throat hurting as the tears came.
What will we do?
I don't know! I've never considered- Nicholas shook his head. I've never thought I'd see mum like that... and to think dad might be-
Don't say it! Barked James in his head, his breathing speeding up, signalling the beginning of a panic attack.
Stop it, James! Listen! If das dies tonight... nothing will be the same again! Mum will never be the same again.
No, it's worse than that. James looked at his brother, feeling cold as he remembered something: Grandma once said she feared mum wouldn't last long if dad died.
Nicholas gulped, seeing the fear and the pain he was feeling reflected in his brother's eyes.
What do we do, Nick? James continued.
We can only stay with her... maybe apologise for being at the pub tonight?
James nodded and said, out loud: "Mum… I-" he held her hands in his, "I'm sorry. We know you don't want us going to the Three Broomsticks…"
"I'll forget that happened," Florence said, shaking her head, "This time. But don't ever go back there!" she added firmly.
"We promise," they said in unison.
Florence took a deep shaky breath and kissed both her sons' cheeks, "I love you, boys."
Then a baby cry was heard.
"Sophie," she whispered, wiping her face and walking upstairs, meeting Eileen in the corridor, a crying baby in her arms, and Elizabeth beside her.
Eileen took one look at Florence and her eyes filled with tears.
Florence averted her eyes and moved to pick up Sophie.
"Flor, what's wrong?" Eileen whispered, fearing the answer, "What-?"
"Not now," Florence replied, not wanting to talk about that then, holding her baby daughter tightly against her chest, her heart clenching as her mind replayed the many times she'd seen Severus holding Sophie and all their other kids.
"Mum… were you crying?" Elizabeth's voice brought her back to reality.
"Yes, dear," she didn't deny, touching her older daughter's face, "But I'll tell you why later, now I have to feed your sister. Go back to bed, love."
"Grandma?" said Elizabeth after Florence had walked into the master bedroom, "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure, dear."
Then they heard James shouting from downstairs: "We have to do something!"
Eileen and Elizabeth walked towards his voice and found the twins in the living room, looking like they were discussing something very serious.
"Hey. What's happening, guys?" Elizabeth asked.
They stopped and looked at them, not knowing what to do.
Should we tell them? Asked James.
No. I don't think it's a good idea.
But grandma probably already knows.
But mum should tell Liz, not us!
"Boys, what's going on?" Eileen asked.
"Where's dad?" Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears and fear as she waited for them to tell her anything.
"Dad is with the Dark Lord," blurted James.
"Don't!" barked Nicholas.
"So he's back?" asked Eileen, knowing too well what that meant.
"Yes. Mum said he is. And-"
"James, stop!" growled Nicholas, "You shouldn't tell her!"
But trying to stop his brother was like trying to stop a hungry troll at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
"Tell me what?" pushed Liz, "What is it, James?"
"He's my father," they heard Florence say from the top of the stairs.
"What?" Liz exclaimed.
Florence sighed heavily and walked downstairs, "The Dark Lord is my father and years ago he threatened to kill Severus."
"What? What does that mean?" Elizabeth asked, her voice breaking as she whispered: "Will we see dad again?"
"I don't know," Florence honestly replied as she stopped near her godmother, "All I hope is that your father survives tonight," and she couldn't stop the tears that started falling again.
Eileen pulled her into a hug, whispering with a heavy heart: "This is like a horrible deja vu. To be living this nightmare once more..."
"Yes. But it's even worse now, godmother."
"No no," Elizabeth whispered, crying, "Dad has to come home. He has to!"
"He will, Liz," James put an arm around his sister, walking towards their mother and grandmother, pulling them into a group hug. Nicholas joined them.
"He has to come back," Liz whispered.
Florence couldn't agree more, but she was bracing herself for the worst, planning her next steps in case her husband never returned.
"We must rest," she said, breaking the group hug.
"What? I can't just go to bed!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"We must," repeated Florence wiping her face, "We don't know if the morning won't bring the war to our door, we'll need our energies if that happens."
The twins and Eileen nodded, but Elizabeth shook her head.
"No! How do you expect me to sleep?" the girl looked at her mother as if she had gone mad, nearly shouting next: "Dad might be under torture right this moment and-"
"Do you think I don't know that?" Florence snapped, glaring at her daughter, "Get your arse in bed, Elizabeth! Now!"
"Let's go, Liz," said Eileen, pulling the girl by the arm and taking her upstairs.
"We'll be fine-" started Nicholas.
"Don't," interrupted Florence, "Don't say it," she looked at them both, "Listen to me: if your father-" she couldn't force herself to say it, "If he doesn't come back, you two get your grandma and siblings and leave in the morning."
"Mum-"
"Promise me!" she demanded, "If come morning and your father isn't here, I'll go after him and you two will leave the country with the others."
"And go where?" asked James, terrified.
She shook her head, "Choose a place and don't tell me. It's best if I don't know."
In case she's tortured. Nicholas told his brother, understanding.
"Promise me!" Florence insisted.
And the twins nodded, saying in unison: "We promise, mum."
She pulled them into another hug and went upstairs.
Inside her bedroom, Florence avoided looking at the bed, knowing her husband's black bathrobe lay on top of the comforter.
She went straight to the bathroom and took a shower, keeping her eyes closed for most of the time, for every corner of that room reminded her of him.
After drying off and putting on some knickers, she wrapped his bathrobe around her body, his smell embracing her, sharpening her pain, but she would grab onto whatever she had to survive that horrible night.
She checked on baby Sophie's diaper before lying down on the bed, from where she stared at her daughter's crib, seeing her through the bars, her little chest moving up and down rhythmically.
If Severus didn't return, that would be the last night Florence would have near her kids, for the twins would take them far away come morning and she was going to hunt down her father's horcruxes and kill him.
Florence closed her eyes, trying to reach Severus through their bond but finding it still closed.
Will I feel if he dies?
Most certainly; she recalled sensing something was wrong when he got seriously injured many years ago.
She closed her eyes, trying to sleep, quickly finding out it was impossible.
The hours passed by agonisingly slow, it was almost like she could feel each minute that she lay awake in their bed, dressed in his robe, clutching his pillow, anxiously waiting to hear his voice calling her through their bond, to listen to his steps on the stairs, to see him opening their bedroom door.
Enough!
She couldn't stay in bed any longer!
Getting up, Florence left the bedroom and walked around the completely silent house, deciding to see her children.
If that was the last time they would all be under the same roof, she wanted to look at them one more time.
She entered Elizabeth's bedroom.
Her beautiful daughter had fallen asleep sitting up on the bed, a book on her lap, little Chris sleeping beside her.
Florence put the book on the nightstand and set her in a more comfortable position in bed beside Chris.
Then she kissed both her kids' heads and left the room.
Florence entered the twins' bedroom next.
There were two double beds in the room now, clothes and shoes on the floor, books on top of a long desk, two chairs, and the place smelled of teenage boys.
She smiled, remembering when there were just two toddler beds, toys on the floor, small shoes, and the smell of kid's perfume in the air.
She walked to the right first, approaching Nicholas, who slept with arms and legs spread out on the mattress, his duvet on the floor; she picked it up and covered him, kissing his forehead.
Then she went towards James' bed – who was completely covered, from head to toe, his arms around a pillow. She kissed his head and left the room.
But as she was closing the door, there was a sound on the stairs and her heart skipped a beat – someone was walking upstairs.
Florence raised her wand, slowly walking towards the staircase, not sure who it could be.
Was it her husband? The steps sounded a little slower than his usual ones.
Could it be her father going there to let her know he had killed Severus and it was time to murder the kids she'd had with him?
She barely blinked as she approached the stairs. But then... she gasped – and for a moment wondered if he could be a figment of her imagination.
When Severus reached the last step, he saw Florence running towards him and opened his arms just in time to catch her as she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
And he held her close, feeling her sobbing against his chest.
He just breathed, his arms around her, relieved to be holding her again.
"Are you all right?" Florence finally asked, touching his face, kissing his lips, trying to convince herself he was truly there – alive!
Severus smiled at her, "Apparently I am the only one not being tortured tonight," he held her against his side and they walked together to their bedroom, closing the door.
Severus pulled her into his arms again and Florence sobbed on his chest for a few more minutes.
He just held her, feeling her soft body shaking against his, letting her presence wash over him and take away the fear of never seeing her again.
She moved her hands all over his chest, rubbing against him, needing to feel him.
"I need to shower, love," he whispered, pulling her chin up gently and kissing her lips.
She silently nodded, and he wiped the tears from her cheeks, kissing her once more before walking to the bathroom.
Florence followed him, wanting to keep him on sight, needing to reassure herself he was home; he was fine – at least for that night.
"How was it there, Severus?" she asked, looking at his left arm once he removed his shirt, the Dark Mark was now completely visible, as dark and sharp as the day it had been given to him.
He inhaled and exhaled slowly, starting to remove his trousers, before speaking: "It was a long and awkward meeting. We were called to the Manor in Little Hangleton. And your father ordered us all into a large room to the right of the staircase," he walked under the shower spray, naked.
"The training room. That's how I used to call it," Florence said, frowning at the carved skull mask resting on top of his discarded clothes, "I've never seen this before," she whispered, picking it up and analysing it.
"I kept it at Hogwarts all these years," he explained, "I didn't want to risk the kids accidently finding it."
She nodded and put it inside a drawer, hiding it, not wanting to be able to see it any more.
Severus continued, as he washed his body: "So we all sat around a long table and he asked each of us questions. To me, he asked what I've been doing all these years and I told him that I've been where he had last ordered me to be: at Dumbledore's side in Hogwarts. And he was pleased with that. But what he really loved was the fact that I am now a member of the Order of The Phoenix – to which I've already informed him Dumbledore has started recruiting for again. So your father is ecstatic that I'll be able to tell him all about their plans."
"And about us?" she asked, apprehensively.
He sighed, rinsing himself, "I requested a private audience with him to discuss family business."
"You said that?" she was surprised, "And?"
"He obviously understood I meant you. So he looked at me for a few seconds. And I think he was pondering if he'd let me live or not."
Florence tensed up again, looking at him in silence, fear filling up her eyes once more, as he finished rinsing his hair and turned off the water.
He wrapped a fluffy white towel around his waist and resumed talking: "But, at last, he nodded and said he'll be calling me to discuss that as soon as he is done dealing with his unfaithful servants."
Florence walked towards him, wrapping her arms around his waist, letting his strong presence sooth her nerves.
You're here. You're fine. You're alive. She thought repeatedly.
Yes, I am, love. He replied, no longer blocking her with occlumency.
But she asked, in a small voice: "Do you think he might change his mind and…?"
"Kill me?" he finished for her, "No. Although he came back with one too many screws loose. He was crazy before, now he's completely deranged," Severus caressed her back, resting his chin on the top of her head. "But I'm useful to him, Flor, and he doesn't have that many followers now, he needs the few he still has," he paused, tilting her chin up and looking into her eyes, "But if something ever happens to me-"
"No!" Florence interrupted him by kissing his lips, "No! Don't say it. Don't even think about it. I've thought about that more than enough tonight," she kissed him again, both her hands on his face, "I've told you once, Sev: I don't know if I can live in this world if you're not in it."
"But the kids-"
"They'll survive. If my father kills you, I'll hunt him down. I'll do my best to end him, and I don't care if I die, as long as I kill him too."
Severus hugged her tight, knowing there was nothing he could say that would dissuade her from that idea – he knew he'd do the same if their roles were reversed. So he ended up just saying: "Let's go to bed, love."
Before lying down, Florence went to Sophie's crib to check her diaper once more and then she sat on their bed.
Severus put on a pair of dark-blue joggers, kissed Sophie's forehead and lay down on the bed with his wife.
"What happened in Hogwarts after I left?" he asked.
She blinked at him, surprised she had nearly forgotten about what had happened at the school right after he had answered the summoning.
"Oh, it was a shitshow," she said, shaking her head, "I went looking for Moody, apparated to Dumbledore's office-"
"You apparated?" he interrupted her, "Inside Hogwarts?"
"Yes. I found out I can do that," she nodded, continuing: "Then I heard screams in the DADA classroom, ran there, and, in the teacher's office, two aurors had Barty Crouch Jr at wand-point."
"What?" he couldn't have heard it correctly, "You said: Barty Crouch Jr?
"Yes. Moody wasn't Moody: he was Crouch Jr. He was the one stealing ingredients from your personal stores to brew Polyjuice."
"Bloody hell!" he whisper-shouted, "He was the one who manipulated the Goblet of Fire! He turned the TriWizard Cup into a portkey!"
"Right on both accounts. And the worst part is that I think Dumbledore already knew about it," said Florence, clearly upset, "He knew it and allowed a crazy person to teach his students!"
"As if Dumbledore could be called sane," Severus added.
Florence chuckled, laying her head on his chest, "Right," she whispered, entwining her hand on his, "I had a talk with Harry too. It was sweet. He looked so disturbed, Sev, I had to help him," she kissed his lips softly, "He asked if we were a thing. And I confirmed. I told him we played cupid for his parents. I tended to his wounds as we spoke... it was nice talking to him."
Severus didn't say anything, he knew how much Florence blamed herself for Harry's misfortunes.
"I also told the kids about my father," she whispered, rubbing her nose on his skin.
"Good. It's better that they know," he kissed her left hand, smiling as usual as he saw his family ring on her finger, "I love you, Flor," he said, kissing her lips again.
"And I love you, Sev," she whispered, holding on to him.
Then they fell asleep, both emotionally exhausted, but with their soul unscathed, for they still had each other.
The next morning
Florence sat in the Great Hall on her usual spot beside her husband at the high table – but nothing felt the same anymore.
The usually loud and boisterous students, eager to go home to enjoy their summer vacation, were not as loud not as boisterous as they were supposed to be.
Actually, they barely spoke at all.
Dumbledore stood up, beginning the expected end-of-the-term speech.
"The end," he said, looking at the students, "of another year."
His eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table – the saddest and palest faces in the Hall.
"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," continued Dumbledore, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."
And the sound of the benches scrapping the stone floor filled the air as everyone in the Hall stood, and raised their goblets, echoing, in one loud, rumbling voice, "Cedric Diggory."
Florence looked at the students, from the Hufflepuffs to Harry, passing by Miss Chang – Diggory's girlfriend – and resting on Draco at the Slytherin table; he seemed tense and nauseous.
Once everyone took a sip in Cedric's memory, the headmaster motioned for them to sit down again.
"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff House," Dumbledore continued, "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, and he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."
Harry raised his head and stared at Dumbledore, looking at Florence at the high table – who seemed as surprised as he.
Florence frowned, asking her husband: Is he going to tell them?
Yes, I'm afraid so.
She shook her head, Fudge will have his head if he does it.
And they all heard the Headmaster's angry voice: "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort!"
Florence and Severus winced and the students froze, staring at Dumbledore in disbelief, in horror. But he looked perfectly calm as he watched them mutter themselves into silence.
"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so – either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."
Stunned and frightened, every face in the Hall was turned toward Dumbledore now. . . or almost every face. Florence noticed Draco was leaning towards Crabbe, listening to whatever he was saying, and the blond boy faked a smile.
Oh, Draco. She thought to herself. Each one of his friends would certainly bend the knee and receive her father's Mark sometime in the upcoming years. I just hope you're strong enough not to break under pressure.
"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," Dumbledore went on, "Harry Potter managed to escape Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Voldemort, and for this, I honour him."
Dumbledore turned gravely to Harry and raised his goblet once more, saying his name before drinking to him. Most students stood up and did the same. But Florence's previous fearful thought was justified when many students at the Slytherin table remained defiantly in their seats, their goblets untouched.
Severus noticed her apprehension regarding his godson, so he said through their bond: If Draco had toasted to Harry, I'd have him sent to St. Mungus, Flor. Saviour or not, Harry and he are not friends. They hate each other.
She just nodded, hoping his hatred towards Harry was the only reason he hadn't toasted.
When everyone had once again resumed their seats, Dumbledore continued, "My biggest reason when I accepted to host the TriWizard Tournament's was to promote respect and understanding. In the light of what has happened – of Lord Voldemort's return – such ties are more important than ever before."
Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table.
And Karkaroff? Florence asked her husband. Was he there yesterday?
No. He ran. But he won't get far. Unfaithful servants are your father's main targets at the moment.
"Despite our differences," Dumbledore still spoke, "we coexisted more than just peacefully this past year. Many of us made friends for life. And I say to you all, once again – in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust."
Then his eyes fell on the Slytherin table, "It is my belief – and never have I so hoped that I am wrong – that we are all facing dark and difficult times ahead. Some of you in this Hall will suffer directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families will be threatened and destroyed."
He paused, the heavy cloak of silence covered the Hall.
"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, just because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
Florence looked at Draco Malfoy again, and his grey eyes met hers – he no longer smirked as he had before when looking at Crabbe; he seemed worried. She hoped he remembered that she said she'd be there for him if he ever needed help.
Next, Florence looked at Fred Weasley; such a sweet young man, his face wet from the tears he hadn't been able to contain as the Headmaster spoke.
Then her eyes met Hermione's – the most obvious one to be targeted out of the three of them. Potter's best friend. Muggleborn.
Breathe, love. Severus said in Florence's mind, sensing her sadness and worry.
The hearts of three of her children were in that Hall, as was her own – she glanced at Severus.
And they were all in danger.
Note: A lot of Dumbledore's speech came from the 4th book.
