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 portrait, as usual:
"Good evening, my dear."
She looked at him and whispered: "Incendio," setting him on fire – as usual – on her way to Severus' private quarters.
Severus was leaving the bathroom with just a towel around his hips when Florence entered their bedroom.
"Hey, love," he greeted her, opening his arms to catch her as she walked straight to him, clearly unwell.
Florence buried her face on his chest, her arms around his waist.
"Did you set Albus on fire again?" Severus asked, holding her tightly, purposely avoiding asking her what was wrong.
"Yes. Right as I walked by him," Florence said, rubbing her nose on his naked chest.
Severus waited for her to continue, knowing that the stress of being Minister during her father's Regime was deeply affecting her; some days her mood swings would catch him unaware, and he'd end up pissing her off and she'd go sleep at home – which only made both of them miserable.
So he waited.
"Today," Florence finally spoke, with a heavy sigh, "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 the first of September. And, of course, all those identified as Muggleborn must be expelled if already enrolled, or have their enrollment denied, in case of first years."
"Lovely," he whispered sarcastically, slowly pulling her chin up for a kiss.
"And..." 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 it; he called them tyrannous," she looked at him with troubled eyes, "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 quickly beginning to realise that keeping murders and violence to a minimum wasn't going to be as easy as they'd thought.
Severus lowered his hands down her body, feeling how tense she was, "Let's get you under a hot shower, love. And I'll work on your back, help you relax."
Florence just nodded and let him lead her to the bathroom – not stupid 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 from the staff that still smiled at Florence; the professor's usually stern eyes looked at her with pity and concern. On the other hand, the Head of Gryffindor House barely looked at Severus – which worked perfectly for him, for if McGonagall didn't dare speak to him, then others wouldn'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, amused.
I'll kill her if she keeps looking at you as if you were a sugar quill she wants to suck! Florence replied, glaring at him.
Severus felt his amusement slowly go away, giving place to a concerned frown – Florence wasn't one for such open displays of angry jealousy; her usual modus operandi was to toy and ridicule women that showed interest on him.
He held her left hand and brought it to his lips. I'll remind you after dinner that I'm all yours and you're mine, princess.
Florence turned to him and pulled his face for a kiss, right there in front of all the staff.
You're mine. She sent him.
Completely, princess.
He held her chin up and kissed her again.
Then she smiled at him and they finished eating in silence.
A week later, two nights before the start of term
After yet another uncomfortable dinner in the studentless Great Hall, Severus and Florence walked into the remodelled Headmaster's quarters.
"I just want to fall in 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 during the day 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," she whispered, lying back on the mattress and closing her eyes, enjoying the delicious massage on her swollen calves.
After a while, he kissed up her body, removing her knickers and bra, "I'll have to love on you, wife."
"Oh, no," she moaned in complaint, "Just fuck me into oblivion, husband. No loving."
He chuckled, "But I will, love. Touch and fuck you slowly..." he silently divestoed himself and pressed into her warm and welcoming body.
Florence arched under him as he leisurely took her to a mind-melting climax.
Afterwards, she fell asleep as soon as he lay down beside her.
Severus pulled her to his chest, letting the steady sound of her breathing lull him to sleep.
Next morning
Severus sat on their bed, fully dressed and ready to leave for breakfast, watching his wife getting dressed for work.
A beautiful burgundy dress hugged her curves, her long hair going up in an office-appropriate bun and high-heeled, red-soled, black stilettos encasing her delicate feet.
"Delicate feet?" Florence echoed his thoughts, "Don't tell me you're developing a foot fetish, Severus. I'm ticklish and I'll hate it."
He laughed alongside her and stood up, helping her zip up her dress and kissing the side of her neck.
"I have something to tell you, love," he said, "I didn't say anything last night because I saw how tired you were."
Florence looked at him with a frown, 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."
He felt her body tense up on his arms.
"Okay," Florence exhaled, "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. Then we'll still have our in into the Order; since Granger is Merlin-knows-where with Potter and the Weasley No.6, we cannot count on her for this."
"I really hope Fred doesn't break up with Nick again, he is so happy. They're even talking marriage."
Severus grimaced, but didn't make any comment about that.
"Talking about the twins," he continued, "Your father wants to show them off tonight as well."
Florence looked at him with renewed 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 party into a Marking Ceremony?"
Severus pressed his lips into a thin line, he had hoped she wouldn't ask him that, for he had thought about it himself – and the odds weren't favourable.
"That," he said cautiously, "Is something we need to discuss with the boys here," then he sent them a Patronus message.
"What?" Florence exclaimed, her concern quickly turning into anger: "No! They have no say in this matter! I'll not allow them to make that decision!"
"What decision?" asked James, as he and his brother apparated into the room.
"Your grandfather," explained Severus, "is throwing a party tonight, where he will reveal Florence is his daughter, and he wants you two to be there as well."
James shrugged and put on a brave face, as usual, "Sure. It can't be worse than having dinner with him at our home."
His overconfidence angered Florence: "And will you be that nonchalant 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 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.
Fuck. He shook his head, knowing he wouldn't be able to lie to her convincingly.
"No. He has demanded so in the past... it's not impossible – but it's very unlikely," he added, "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.
This is bad, Nick. Said James. Dad doesn't know what to say.
Mum's always right. 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, mum?" 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 while 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 all the stupid reasons you can possibly think of, Severus – 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 a hint of fear.
"What could happen, dad?" asked James, "If grandfather orders us to take the Mark and mum 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.
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 didn't push him away, letting him hug her and 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 mum 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," Florence said, turning to look at her sons, "He'll be able to control you- torture you," she shook her head again, feeling faint at the thought of sitting back and watching them be turned into her father's pawns.
Severus saw the moment her eyes fluttered shut and her legs gave out, "Florence!" he called with fear, quickly holding her, "Florence! Fuck," he cursed, picking her up in his arms.
The twins rushed to their parents' side, worrying just as much as their father.
"Mum?" James touched her face.
"Should I get Pomfrey here?" asked Nick.
But, after only seconds, Florence was blinking and smiling at them.
"Put me down, Severus," she requested softly, and he begrudgingly obeyed.
She felt her shoe-clad feet touch the floor but kept a hand on her husband's arm, unsure her legs weren't about to collapse under her again.
She looked at the twins, remembering what they had been discussing – the reason why she had been so angry that her tired mind had shut down.
"You're not taking his Mark," she declared, removing her hand from Severus' arm and standing up firmly on her own two feet, "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'll fight."
"Yes. We'll fight," she nodded.
The four of them just looked at one another for a moment; then Florence kissed her husband's lips and her sons' cheeks, before flooing 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.
However, there was one thing Florence had yet to tell her husband, something she had found out about Fred Weasley that evening. But she had decided it could wait until after the party, for she knew that it would only add to his worry.
"So this is where you used to live, mum?" asked James, walking beside his parents and his brother – both teenagers looking very handsome in their elegant three-piece black suits, white shirts underneath the waistcoats.
"Yes," Florence replied, walking arm-in-arm with her husband, "From eight to fifteen, this was home to me," she sounded a little colder 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 briefly let go of her arm and ran 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 arse.
She turned to look at him and took a moment to admire how sexy he looked in a fancy three-piece suit, all black, with a black shirt underneath and black dragonhide shoes.
"I love you," she whispered before kissing him and turning to the twins, "And I love you, my babies," pointing a finger at them next, changing 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."
"Yes, mum," the two teens replied in unison, seeming properly scared.
Then the four of them resumed walking to the door, which Severus touched with his wand and it opened for them.
They entered the huge house, right into a packed living room – 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 relevant follower's family there; she also recognised a photographer and two Daily Prophet reporters.
The photographer rushed towards them as soon as they arrived, 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 recognised, 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 – to the surprise of everyone in the room.
Then Voldemort turned to the twins, "No need to kneel, my boys," he said, and James and Nicholas only bowed their heads.
Next, Voldemort's 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 – having instead been hugged by him.
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 finally lifted.
A collective gasp was heard and some guests 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," continued Voldemort, "you see how strong we are. My daughter sits on the Ministry's most powerful chair, while my son-in-law," he looked at Severus, "is Hogwarts Headmaster," then he walked behind the twins, laying both 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 pure terror that immediately took over Lucius' face.
"Now, my powerful grandsons," Voldemort looked at the twins as they turned to face him, "I'm very glad you two came," he glanced at Florence, waiting to see her reaction at his next words: "Do you 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.
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 on her but ignoring him, "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 that those four were part of Voldemort's family – and that Severus Snape was his son-in-law!
For a few seconds, not one sound was heard amongst the guests; the Dark Lord's eyes were fixed on his daughter's, perusing her mind after any sign of deceit.
"Well-said, my dear," he finally spoke, after finding nothing suspicious in her mind, "Blood comes first," he nodded, turning to look at her husband, "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 once, respectfully, and turned around, her sons and husband following her again.
"You three stay here," she ordered, "I'll go talk to Cissy and Draco."
And they just watched her walk away, noticing all eyes turned to her as she crossed the packed living 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.
Severus sighed, "I think you two know by now that I don't control your mother. She looks incredible and sexy; let them look. I'd like to see one of them try to touch," he smirked, taking a glass of firewhisky from a floating nearby tray and motioning his sons to do the same.
James quickly took a glass for himself, but Nicholas refused it, his eyes still following his mother.
"Stop worrying, Nicholas. She is more than capable of protecting herself," Severus reassured him before sipping from his glass, "Trust me. Florence would have two thirds of this room dead before anyone successfully stopped her."
The twins nodded, not doubting their father.
"Narcissa."
"Oh, my dear, Florence!" replied the blond woman, hugging Florence tightly and whispering in her ear: "Thank you for looking after my son, he told me how you healed him after a nasty encounter with Potter."
"Don't mention it," dismissed Florence with a soft smile.
"So you're our Lord's daughter!" Narcissa continued out loud, "I would have never imagined it!"
"Yes, Cissy," Florence nodded, no longer smiling, for she could see that her friend looked tired and thinner than usual. Also... was that a glamour on her neck and shoulders?
Fuck. Florence grimaced. It does look like a glamour.
Narcissa was using a spell to hide bruises round her neck and shoulders.
Shit.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"Oh, we're absolutely great!" Narcissa answered, too excitedly, "Now that Lucius is back home, things are just... marvellous!" she sounded happy, but her haunted eyes betrayed her voice.
"And you, Draco?" Florence asked, also expecting a fake answer from him.
"I'm fine, Madam Snape." he replied with a soft smile.
Florence frowned; she could tell that the boy wasn't lying nor looked as miserable as his mother.
"Are you happy your dad's home again?" she tilted her head, discreetly showing her confusion.
Draco smiled at her, replying to her question with another one: "Would you like to dance, Mrs Snape?"
Florence nodded, finding his happiness and evasion too suspicious, "Of course, Mr Malfoy."
Severus stood stiil, his eyes fixed on Draco Malfoy taking Florence to the dancefloor, when he heard:
"And to think I almost got to her before you, my friend," it was Lucius Malfoy, his large pale hand patting Severus on the shoulder – in a clear attempt of publicly showing he wasn't hostile to the Dark Lord's family.
But the three Snapes looked at him with nothing but hatred in their eyes.
"If so," 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 taken aback, having not expected to receive such hostile reply from a teenager.
"We're not friends, Lucius." Severus spoke dangerously softly right at Lucius' face, "Have you realised 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 either punch or hex the blond man, Severus held James' shoulder and spoke: "It might interest you to know that the Lord has been informed of your and Bella's attempted poisoning since it's happened," Severus' voice was dangerously nonchalant, "Just in case you're wondering why so many things have gone wrong in your life lately."
Lucius pursed his lips, realising 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."
"Ah," she immediately understood what he meant, "I'm happily surprised to hear it. And has she been behaving?"
He chuckled: "No. But I have, ma'am," he hesitated, leading her around the dancefloor, and then added: "However... she'll be fifteen in two weeks."
"I know," Florence nodded, understanding what the teen was trying to say, "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, looking around the room and noticing her husband walking towards them, "Well, Draco, 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 smiled at him, briefly kissing 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.
"Mr Malfoy," said Severus, stopping beside them, unsmiling, "May I have my wife back?"
"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 replied, "Just... give them a taste."
"Well, you know," she sucked on his bottom lip, looking into his eyes, "I wouldn't be 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 added in a 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."
Florence gasped: "What?"
He swirled her around the dancefloor, keeping the dance sexy, but not traumatizingly so.
"We have to do something!" she urged.
"No. Right now, there's nothing we can do," Severus 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, husband?"
He chuckled, pulling her even more tightly towards his body.
"All of them are dying of jealousy and blue balls," he lowered one hand to the curve of her back, his long fingers at the swell of her arse as his nose teased the side of her neck, "Lucius even dared 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 arse at the Slytherin table," he sucked on her bottom lip, "I almost fell in love with you right then."
"No, you didn't," Florence chuckled, shaking her head, "You were rude to me the next morning."
He shrugged, "I was not looking for a girlfriend then! You and your stunning smiles were a dangerous distraction to my plans."
Her smile turned sad then, "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, the four Snapes said their goodbyes and apparated home, crossing the beautiful backyard towards the back door.
James and Nicholas slumped into the patio sofa, exhausted.
"How do you do it?" asked Nicholas, "How do you keep your mind protected for bloody 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 added.
"Bend the truth," echoed James, "Ok. I'll try that next time. Fucking hell- I need to sleep for at least two days," he closed his eyes, feeling a headache 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 for a few more minutes, checking on all their usual protections before going to the living room.
Florence was still downstairs when he entered the house; he paused to admire how beautiful she looked, dressed in that sinful black dress, now barefoot.
Tiffany was by her side, handing her a cup of tea as she stared through the large window at the quiet village.
"Where are the boys?" he asked, approaching her.
"Upstairs. They were really tired. We can talk to them tomorrow."
"They did well, tonight," he removed his jacket and started unbuttoning his waistcoat.
"Yes. They did," she drawled, taking a sip of the tea.
Severus could feel something wasn't right, "Are you ok, love?" he asked, stopping beside her, touching her bare back.
"No," she said, still not looking at him.
He couldn't tell whether she was about to cry or bite his head off.
"Don't you miss them, Severus?" she whispered.
"Of course I do, love," he replied, kissing her shoulder, knowing she meant their kids that were at the safe-house.
"This house used to be full of laughter and happiness," she continued, "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," he kept his voice soft, but he could tell she wasn't far from snapping at him.
She scoffed, "So you're insisting on calling this situation temporary?" followed by sarcastic laughter: "Right. We are nowhere close to putting an end to this war!" she finally snapped, vanishing her cup to the kitchen, "We are all lost without Dumbledore to guide us! And our family is in even more danger than before!"
He frowned at that, so she explained: "The four of us stood before my father tonight as a nuclear family, Severus. What do you think will happen to us if he finds out we were lying?"
"What's your point, Florence?" he asked, as angry as her now.
"No point! I'm just tired, Severus," her voice broke, and tears escaped her eyes, "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' father; I signed an order to put the Weasley family under surveillance!"
She sighed heavily then, having reached the moment where she needed to share with him what she had found out that day: "And... you'd better sit down for this: this evening, just before I left my office, a folder arrived on my desk. Fred Weasley's profile. And... he is a bearer, like his late Uncle Fabian was."
Severus froze, looking at her in shock, "You don't mean-"
"Oh, yes, I mean!" she chuckled nervously, "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 previous anger melting away; she looked at him and smiled, "You're a big softy for babies, aren't you, husband?"
"It's our grandkid!" he exclaimed, "If anyone finds out-"
Florence nodded, finishing his sentence: "Fred might be taken and murdered, either by death eaters who don't like you or Order members. I know. But he is safe, for now. The Weasleys are purebloods."
Severus looked at her in silence for a moment, before whispering: "I'll be a grandpa."
She laughed, closing the gap between them, touching his face, "Yes. Grandpa Sev," she kissed him, "I still can't believe it."
"Oh, no," they heard someone say from the stairs and looked up to find James there, "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.
Florence nodded, "Is Nick still up?"
"Yes," James drawled, suspicion clear on his face. Get down here, Nicholas. Something's up with mum and dad.
After a few seconds, Nicholas showed up and the twins walked downstairs.
"What's wrong now?" Nick asked.
"Have you spoken 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's received the news about the Lord being my grandfather-"
He has no idea. Said Florence, looking at her husband. Maybe we shouldn't-
But Severus ignored her, asking point-blank: "Did you know your Weasley is a bearer?"
"What?" Nicholas gasped, tensing-up and staring at his parents in shock.
"Holy fuck," James whispered.
"Does that mean," Nick tried to make sense of what they were saying: "that he can carry my baby?"
"Yes," explained Florence, "Being a bearer means he can gestate," the three men stared at her, seeming to wait for more explanation, so she went on: "Bearers have very long cycles, being fertile usually just once or twice a year; also, since the male body is not used to those hormones, their fertile periods are marked by increased sexual appetite and pheromones-"
"He tasted different," Nick blurted, making his brother and parents grimace.
"I'm not asking how nor where he tasted different," said Severus, very uncomfortable, "When did you last talk to him?"
"About two weeks ago," said Nick.
"He probably didn't know then," continued Severus, looking at Florence, "It was too early."
"Kn-now what? Too early for what?" asked Nicholas, although a part of him already 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, due to nervousness and shock.
"Bloody hell!" exclaimed James.
"Yes," continued Florence, "According to the hospital records he's-"
She didn't finish, for Nicholas suddenly ran to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder.
"No," Florence gasped, shouting next: "No! Nicholas! DON'T-"
"Fuck, Nick-" added James.
And Severus ordered: "STOP, Nicholas!"
But the green-eyed teen ignored them all and called: "Lupin's place!" disappearing amongst the green flames.
As the crackling of the flames died, the three remaining people in the living room stood staring at the empty hearth in shocked silence, 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 simply showed up at the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters in the same night it was revealed they were the Dark Lord's family.
Taking matters into his own hands, James grabbed the floo powder and entered the fireplace, calling the same place his brother had.
"No!" Florence and Severus shouted, but he was gone.
"Stupid teenagers," said Severus, pinching the bridge of his nose, "We're all going to die."
"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.