August 1994

Quidditch World Cup

The huge hilled site chosen for the Quidditch World Cup was covered by thousands of tents of all sizes and colours.

Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were walking through the camps carrying water back to their tent, looking at the odd and excited people that had gone there to watch the final Quidditch match between Ireland and Bulgaria.

"Is it my eyes or everything turned green?" Ronald asked.

Hermione laughed, "It ain't your eyes, Ron. This is the Irish camping site."

Then Harry exclaimed: "Hey, look over there! It's Seamus!"

"Harry! Ron! Hermione!" their fire-prone classmate was shouting.

Right then, the Snape twins were walking through the Irish camping site and heard the boy calling the names of the famous Gryffindor trio.

"Hey, Nick. Look, Harry is there," James said.

"So we finally get to talk to the Boy-who-was-almost-our-brother! Let's go there!"

But James grabbed a hold of his brother's arm, stopping him, "Do you really think that's a good idea? He might run off screaming."

"Why?" asked Nicholas, confused.

James arched an eyebrow, copying their father's signature stare and then his brother understood:

"Damn, you're right."

"C'mon, let's keep looking for the guys who are placing bets. The redheaded twins Headmaster Karkaroff told us about."

After a long chat with Seamus Finnigan, the Gryffindor Trio was walking back to their camp, the boys struggling to carry one bucket of water each as they finally got within sight of their tent.

"Our firepit isn't lit yet," noticed Hermione.

"Dad's probably trying to use the matches agai-"

"Holy shit!" the girl gasped, as she looked at Fred and George and the other two boys talking to them, "They look just like Prof. Snape!" she said out loud.

"What? Who? Where?" asked Ron looking around, scared.

"Over there, near our tent!" she said, "Talking to your brothers, Ron!"

"Oh my Merlin!" Ronald sounded terrified, "Two more Snapes? Kill me now!"

"Where do you think they're from?" Harry asked, looking at the dark-haired twins with a frown, being filled by the same sense of familiarity he felt near Mediwitch Delacour.

"They surely study at Durmstrang," Hermione said, "We would have noticed if two copies of Prof. Snape were walking through Hogwarts."

"Do you think they're related to him?" asked Ron.

Hermione snorted, "Kind of impossible not to. They look too much like him, only…" more handsome. She added that last part to herself, staring at the taller of the two dark-haired twins and feeling something move in her stomach.

The trio reached the tent and Ronald quickly entered it, trying to put distance between himself and the dark-haired twins.

"If Neville were here, he'd be screaming," Harry murmured to Hermione.

The girl laughed, glancing at the twins and seeing the taller dark-haired one was looking at her with a smile. She was hit by that strange fluttering in her stomach again; with a surely flushed face, she averted her eyes.

"Oy, Harry, what took you so long?" George asked.

"The buckets were heavy," he replied, walking towards them, being followed by Hermione.

"Why didn't you use magic?" asked Fred, as if it was the obvious thing to do, "The Ministry wouldn't know it was you who cast a simple hover charm in a place so full of wizards."

Harry looked at him dumbfounded, realising that he was right, "We... we didn't think of that."

George shook his head, before introducing him to the other set of twins: "These are Nicholas and James. We've just met them!"

Fred quickly hid the piece of paper where he was writing all the bets he and his brother were making, and glanced at the green-eyed twin in front of him, trying to be discreet as he checked him out.

Nicholas caught him looking and winked, making the redheaded twin blush.

"This is Harry Potter," continued George, unaware of the flirting between his brother and the dark-haired twin.

"We know," replied the Snape twins in unison.

"Why isn't the firepit lit yet?" asked Harry.

"Dad is having fun with the matches…" said George pointing at his father.

They all looked at Mr Weasley, who was kneeling on the ground, surrounded by burnt matches and looking like the happiest man alive.

"For goodness' sake!" huffed Hermione, rolling her eyes and walking to him. She kneeled beside the man and showed him how to properly light the matchsticks.

James stared at her, surprised to see how she had no qualms on ordering a grown man like Mr Weasley around.

After the fire was lit, Hermione stood up and glanced at James again, blushing furiously as she found his dark eyes on her once more. She murmured an excuse that she had to go find Ginny and quickly entered the tent.

"Hello," greeted Mr Weasley, "And who are you?"

The Snape twins shook his hand as they introduced themselves: "I'm James Peverell, sir."

"Nicholas Peverell, sir."

"You know, you two look a lot like-" Mr Weasley began.

"A certain Prof. Snape from Hogwarts," James interrupted, smiling, "We've heard that a lot since we got here."

"Ah, I imagine you have," Mr Weasley nodded, looking at the boys closely, remembering some rumours he had heard about Severus Snape having illegitimate children; if he had to bet, he'd say for sure those were his sons, "And are you here by yourselves?"

"No, sir. We came with our school, but got a separate tent not far from here," said Nicholas.

"Good! So, boys, Ireland or Bulgaria?" asked Mr Weasley.

"Ireland," they answered together.

"Excellent!"

"And where do you study?" Fred asked, looking at Nicholas, his hand brushing his in pretended accident.

"Durmstrang," Nicholas replied, looking at him with a smile and returning the discreet touch.

"Oh!" Exclaimed Mr Weasley, oblivious to the blatant flirting happening right in front of him, "And will you participate in that thing that'll happen this year that I can't talk about?"

"No," James answered, understanding that he was talking about the TriWizard Tournament.

"Our parents haven't allowed us to participate," said Nicholas.

"Oh, well, they must have their reasons…" said Mr Weasley.

"Yes, they do," James said, not hiding he was unhappy about not being able to participate.

"So, boys, you two can stay here and have dinner with us, can't you?" asked Mr Weasley.

The Snape twins looked at each other.

I want to stay. Said Nicholas to his brother through their bond.

Of course you do. That redhead is about to combust and all you did was wink at him.

Right. Cause the curly-haired girl I saw running into the tent is not hiding because of you.

James just smirked.

"So," asked Mr Weasley, "Are you staying?"

"Yes, we are," they replied.

During all the time James was around, Hermione was hiding somewhere inside the tent; and when they sat at the table to have dinner, every time their eyes met, she would blush furiously and look away.

Luckily for Nick, Fred was nowhere nearly as shy as her, so they spent a good deal of time talking and brushing arms, knees and hands.

After dinner

The two girls, Hermione and Ginny, didn't join the boys around the firepit, choosing to stay inside the tent instead.

"Well, I'm off to bed, boys," said Mr Weasley, yawning, "Ron, Harry. You two stay a little longer and then get inside."

"Alright, dad," agreed Ron, receiving a puzzled look from Harry, so he explained in a whisper: "Dad's going to fall asleep soon and we won't have to go to bed early."

"True," said the Weasley twins.

"Who's the girl?" asked James, once Mr Weasley wasn't around anymore.

"Ginny?" asked Ron, frowning.

"No," James, snorted, "By your face, I assume that's the redheaded one, and she's your sister. No. I mean the other one."

"That's Hermione Granger," said George.

Nicholas looked at James. That's the know-it-all who brewed Polyjuice Potion on her second year. She's just fourteen, man.

James grimaced and cursed: Fuck.

"She's brilliant. But a bit bossy," said George.

"A bit?" asked Ron, making the others laugh.

Nick took advantage of the collective laughter and touched his hand on Fred's lower back, calling his attention before saying: "Well, I think I'm gonna go for a walk," and he stood up, looking at the redhead.

"I'll walk with you," Fred said, getting up from the floor too.

"Right," James snorted, looking at them walking away, "As if we don't know where they're going."

"Your tent is not far, you said?" asked George.

"Nope. Just two minutes away."

"What are they going to do in your tent?" asked Ron, "Pick something up?"

George and James looked at each other and grimaced.

"I'd rather not talk about what they're going to be doing there," said James.

"Me neither," agreed George.

Nick unlocked the tent with his wand and let Fred walk inside in front of him.

"Wow. This place is even bigger than the one we're in!" Fred exclaimed, looking around the comfortable, tastefully furnished, living room. "And fancier too!"

Nick locked the tent with a spell and walked to Fred, smiling, "I'm glad you like it. Have a seat. I'll see what we have to drink."

"I take wine," Fred replied.

"So I'll open a bottle and get us something to eat with it," Nick smiled, glad his father had allowed them to take some wine bottles from their cellar, "Make yourself at home."

Fred sat on the dark-blue velvet sofa and watched Nicholas go to what looked like a liquor cabinet and open a small fridge.

The dark-haired teen picked up a wine bottle and opened it, letting it breathe as he cut some cold meat and cheese on a stone cutting board and made it float to the coffee table in front of Fred.

Then Nick poured the wine into two goblets, feeling the other young man's eyes on him, he glanced at him and winked, carrying the two goblets and the bottle to the sofa where Fred was sitting.

As he approached, Fred realised that it was impossible to deny the similarities between his potions professor and the sexy young man in front of him; the long dark hair, the lips, the way he moved – even the voice was somewhat similar.

"This is nice," the redhead said, eating a slice of the meat and taking one of the goblets from Nick's hand, "Usually I have crisps and cheap wine in plastic cups when I'm out with friends. Not... whatever that meat is... and wine in a crystal goblet."

Nick blushed a little, "That's Iberian ham."

"No idea what that is. Sounds expensive though."

"I wouldn't know," Nick honestly replied, "But maybe I'm trying to be a little more than just a friend. Is that ok?"

Fred smiled, "It's more than ok," and then he sipped the wine, humming in appreciation, "Bloody hell! What's this, Nicholas?" he looked at his goblet in surprise.

"Is that bad?" Nicholas asked, frowning and sniffing his goblet.

"No, it's really really good!" Fred finished his and looked at the young and sexy man beside him; Nicholas looked sophisticated, he was dressed nicely, surrounded by expensive things, serving good wine and fancy cold cuts – and yet he seemed oblivious to any of it. Fred sighed, wondering if maybe he should just go.

Nicholas noticed the way Fred suddenly looked at him with uncertainty, as if he wanted to leave.

"Look, if you're not into me, I won't be upset, you can go. I'm sorry if I misunderstood..."

"No. No!" Fred exclaimed, "It's not that. I... I don't want to leave. I just realised you're used to crystal goblets, fancy cold cuts, nice furniture, and we made you have dinner earlier with your hands on a picnic table."

"Nah, don't worry," he smiled, "My parents are fancy. I'm not."

"Ok," Fred nodded and sat closer to Nick, "So, Mr Not Fancy, you said you're rooting for Ireland, but you study in Durmstrang. How's that?"

"Let's just say James and I have a problem with the Bulgarian seeker," Nick said, filling up Fred's goblet again.

"Krum? Wait, he goes to Durmstrang as well. Are you classmates with Viktor Krum?" he was impressed.

"Not exactly. He's a year older than us, but we have shared a common room in the past."

"Wow. But do you have school houses in Durmstrang?" asked Fred, curious, "How are things there?"

"No Houses. The castle only has four floors. First floor has our Great Hall, the Headmaster's office and some classrooms. Second floor has classrooms, third floor is for the staff quarters; and the fourth is where the students stay, divided into three common rooms – one for the first, second and third years; another one for the fourth and fifth years; and a third common room for the sixth and seventh years."

"Hm. So you know Krum, but you don't like him. Is he too much of a celebrity?"

"Not really. The truth is he's dumb," Nick chuckled, "They only keep him at the school because his family is loaded and very influential with the Bulgarian Ministry."

"Ah, they're your Malfoys then," nodded Fred.

Nick tilted his head, "Why do you say that? Draco's not dumb."

"Wait. You know the Malfoys?" asked Fred, surprised, "You've got fancy parents, study at a dark-arts school and know the Malfoys- am I having a drink with the dark side here?" he asked playfully.

"Maybe," Nicholas whispered, seductively, "But I promise not to hurt you... much," he winked.

Fred laughed and put his crystal goblet on the table, taking Nick's cup from his hands and putting it beside his. Then he scooted closer to Nick, looking into his green eyes, tilting his head to the side.

Nicholas waited patiently for Fred to kiss him; but when the redheaded moved only halfway, he couldn't take that teasing anymore, so he put a hand behind Fred's head and closed the gap between their lips, touching his lips to his.

Fred fisted a hand in his hair and the other touched his chest, while Nicholas pulled him closer and deepened the kiss, loving how kissing him was different than any other kiss he had ever had; it was sensual and arousing. While the kisses he had shared so far at Durmstrang were hurried and messy, and his most recent partners seemed to be always in a hurry to get to the sex part.

Then Nick touched his tongue to Fred's lips, waiting for him to part his lips – which he did and they shared a wine-flavoured open-mouthed kiss that went on for minutes and left them both panting and wanting for more.

Nick moved his hands, caressing from the nape of Fred's neck to his lower back.

Then Fred surprised him by suddenly straddling his hips and smirking as he looked at his face, both his hands on Nicholas' long hair.

"Like what you see?" Nick whispered.

"I sure do," Fred whispered, loving the softness of his hair and the hint of cinnamon he could smell coming from it. He touched his lips to Nick's again, kissing him slowly.

But Nick wanted more, so he fisted a hand in Fred's long red hair, invading his mouth with his tongue, feeling Fred move his hips, his hard cock rubbing against Nick's.

Fred sucked on his bottom lip, alternating between kissing him breathlessly and just teasing his mouth.

"Fuck, Nick," Fred gasped, "You smell like cinnamon..."

"Is that good?" he whispered, caressing down the other boy's back and grabbing his arse.

"Hell yeah! I love cinnamon!" and Fred was moving his hips on his lap faster, making them both groan, "I need to feel you," he gasped, running his hands down Nick's belly and working on unfastening his jeans, at the same time he felt Nicholas hands on his trousers zip and soon a hand was pulling his cock out of his pants and wanking him off, "Fuck, Nick. I'm about to blow already."

"Me too," he helped Fred get his dick out and he fisted both cocks in his hand, wandlessly casting a lubricating spell and soon their cocks were gliding against each other's, making them gasp and groan.

Fred fisted his hand on the other side of their cocks, helping Nick wank them off, and soon they both climaxed, spurting their cums all over themselves.

"Fuck," gasped Nick, "We made a mess."

"Yes, let me clean you up," said Fred.

And Nicholas thought he was talking about casting a cleaning spell, but then the redhead kneeled on the floor between his legs and licked his cock.

"Holy fuck!" he nearly shouted, unable to take his eyes off of the scene in front of him.

Fred licked him clean and smiled, closing his lips around his cock and sucking him into his warm mouth, and it didn't take long for Nick to lose himself again.

"I want to clean you up too," he gasped, pulling Fred onto the sofa and working on making him climax again.

James stopped in front of the tent he was sharing with his brother and undid the spell Nick had placed on the door - immediately regretting all life-decisions that had taken him there as he walked in and was surprised by a porn scene on the sofa.

"C'mon, guys!" he exclaimed, closing his eyes to stop seeing his brother and Fred rubbing against each other, half-naked; by the smell of the living room they had been doing that for a while, "You've got your own room here, Nicholas!"

Nick laughed: "You have the worst timing ever, James!" then he stood up with Fred's slender frame in his arms and carried him to his bedroom.

Next day

The match

The stairs that gave access to the huge stadium where the final match of the Quidditch World Cup would take place were covered with a purple carpet.

Florence and Severus walked side-be-side upstairs to the Minister's box with Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.

"It's been so long since we last talked, Flor," said Narcissa, "I am so happy to see you're dating Severus again! Next time he comes for dinner, I want you to go with him! I miss you!" she hooked her arm on Florence's.

"Of course, Cissy. Just send us a date and we'll be there."

"Minister!" shouted Malfoy, shaking Cornelius Fudge's hand when they reached the box.

Next, the Minister turned to Severus, shaking his hand enthusiastically, "How are things in Hogwarts for the Tournament?"

"All is set, Minister," Severus replied courteously.

"Good. Good," Fudge's eyes fell on Florence and he didn't hide he liked what he saw, despite the hint of fear in his eyes, "Madam Delacour," he said, taking her hand and kissing it, "Always a pleasure seeing you."

"Minister," she greeted him gracefully, playing her part.

The man looked from her to Severus, "A beautiful and brilliant woman, my friend. What a dangerous combination!" he looked her up and down, openly ogling her body.

Severus nodded, controlling the urge to punch the Minister of Magic; he just touched a hand to his wife's lower back, "Let's find a seat, Florence."

She smiled and let him take her away from the disgusting man.

"Thank you. I was about to lose my breakfast," she whispered.

I was about to punch him. Growled Severus, kissing her lips as soon as they had sat in the first row. By the way, did you have to come with that skirt?

You told me to dress sexy for we have a role to play here today. I dressed sexy. She shrugged.

Too sexy. Fudge won't stop staring at your legs. And Lucius was eye-fucking you.

She leaned on his shoulder, whispering in his ear: "Why do you care so much who stares at my legs when you know you're the one who'll be between them later?"

His dark eyes sparkled mischievously at her. If there weren't students in this box, no one would be paying attention to the game, for I'd have you over this padded seat, with my cock up your cunt.

"Fuck, that'd be awesome," she whispered, just imagining how hot it would be to be fucked in front of all those people.

How was your talk with Narcissa? Severus said, interrupting her daydreaming.

All went as planned: Cissy will certainly spread to all the Wizarding World that we are a couple. And once my father returns... She sighed, feeling a little nauseous at that thought.

I'll tell him how I managed to make you see the truth and the honour of his plans. Severus completed, sarcastically. Then he pulled her chin up, frowning. Are you ok, love?

She nodded slowly. Just nausea. But go on.

He caressed her face, continuing to remind her of their plan: I'll tell your father how I've domesticated his wild muggle-loving daughter. He rubbed his lips on hers, giving the others a show, feeding the gossip.

Florence smiled. I'm not sure about 'muggle-loving', but a half-blood thick cock was all it took to convince me of converting to the Dark Side. She touched his thigh, kissing his lips.

Severus chuckled and they were interrupted by Draco sitting beside him.

The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione entered the Minister's box a few minutes later.

"Isn't that Madam Delacour?" Harry murmured, pointing to the woman talking to Narcissa Malfoy.

"Yes, it's her," Hermione answered.

"Holy shit!" whisper-shouted Ronald, "She's Snape's something and she also knows the Malfoys? She can't be a good person."

"She's his something alright," said George, seeing how she leaned towards the dark-haired man, "She's fucking hot!"

"Language, George!" said Mr Weasley, glancing at Severus and remembering something: "Where are the twins we met yesterday?"

"They're at the Durmstrang box," said Fred, blushing as he thought of Nick.

George was about to make fun of his brother, but Lucius Malfoy walked towards them.

"Arthur, by Merlin, what did you have to sell to buy seats in the Minister's box? Certainly your house wouldn't worth that much."

"I invited them myself, Lucius," said the Minister, before greeting Mr Weasley and the others.

Florence saw Hermione and waved at her; the girl waved back.

And the sound of the cheerleaders entering the field let everyone know that the game was about to begin.

The game ended with Ireland as the winner by ten points, even though Krum had captured the Golden Snitch.

After the game

As everybody was leaving the stadium, Florence found her sons amongst the crowd.

"Jamie, Nick!" she called and they went towards her, "You have four hours. Enjoy the parties and Apparate home, ok?"

"Ok," they answered together.

"That skirt is beautiful, mum," Nicholas said, smiling, "Dad must have been furious."

"Well, he wasn't happy." she smiled. "Four hours, boys."

They nodded and she walked away.

Florence found Severus and Narcissa near the stadium doors. But Lucius was not with them.

"Have you seen Lucius?" Severus asked her as she got near.

"No, I haven't," Florence drawled, looking at Narcissa, "Is he really going to…?"

"I don't know!" Narcissa sounded nervous, "But I- I think so."

Severus looked at Florence and she nodded; they had a plan ready in case Lucius really went through with his crazy idea.

She sent a Patronus to their sons ordering them to go home immediately and then she went looking for Harry.

Hell descended on the Quidditch World Cup.

Tents were being exploded and people were screaming, running away from the group of Death Eaters that walked in the centre of the pandemonium – torturing muggle-borns and muggles. Two victims were hovering above the masked group, tied up and unconscious.

"Harry, grab your coat and go! To the portkey all of you!" shouted Mr Weasley.

They all obeyed, running out of the tent, going towards the woods. But it wasn't easy, for too many people were running around, completely terrified, trying to get away from the horror behind them.

Some tents were on fire and things were exploding, so Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys ran faster.

But their group got separated as they entered the woods, the Trio and Ginny got lost from Mr Weasley and the others.

Then they heard Ron shouting in pain.

"What happened?" asked Hermione, pointing her lit wand around, looking for her friend.

"I fell down! I tripped on something," Ron said, already getting up.

"Well, with feet that big it is difficult not to fall," they heard Draco Malfoy say and saw him walk towards them.

"Screw you, Malfoy!" Ron growled.

"Watch it, Weasel," Draco said, "Shouldn't you be running? You don't want them to find your little friend here, do you?" he pointed at Hermione.

"What do you mean by that?" the girl asked.

"Granger, they're hunting muggles," Draco smirked, "If you think they can't smell you a mile away, then stay right where you are."

"Hermione is a witch!" Harry shouted.

"Do as you wish," Draco shrugged.

"Draco! There you are!" Severus suddenly showed up and grabbed the boy by his arm.

He turned around to keep running when he saw the others there, "What are you waiting for?" he shouted at them, "Take Granger away from here!"

Something exploded really close to where they were standing.

"Follow me!" Severus ordered and they walked deeper into the woods.

After a few minutes, they met a group of students in pyjamas and one of the girls came towards them, asking:

"Ou est Madame Maxime? Nous l'avons perdue..."

"Elle aide dans le combat," Severus replied in French, making the Gryffindor Trio look at him, shocked.

"Vous devez transplaner," he told the girls to disapparate.

The French girl nodded and ran to her friends explaining to them what they had to do.

Severus kept on leading them away from the screams and explosions.

"Those girls are from Beauxbatons," Hermione said.

"Yes," said Severus.

"Oh, no," Harry murmured patting his pockets.

"What happened?" asked Hermione.

"I lost my wand!" said Harry.

Draco started laughing, "Of course! Only you would lose your wand during a dangerous situation, Potter. You're really stupid!"

"Maybe you've left it in the tent," said Ron.

"No, I had it just a minute ago," said Harry.

More explosions were heard.

"You keep walking!" Severus ordered. "I'll go back there. Draco you stay with them," and he left.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and now Draco, kept walking into the woods until they reached a clearing; from there, they could barely hear anything.

"Maybe it's ended," Hermione whispered.

"Maybe," the others replied.

Suddenly they could hear footsteps getting closer, but the sound stopped as quickly as it had begun.

"Hello?" Harry called.

No one answered.

"Who is there?" Draco asked, sounding scared.

Then they heard:

"MORSMORDRE!"

And something huge, smoky and green appeared in the sky.

"No," Draco said, really frightened this time, "Holy fuck!"

"What is that thing?" Harry asked.

It was a big green foggy skull, its mouth was open and from it a huge snake was moving out like a sick imitation of a tongue.

People were screaming again, louder than before.

"We must get out of here. Run!" Draco urged them before running into the woods.

And they all ran again.

Florence stared at the Dark Mark in the sky and knew that Lucius' prank had gone too far – one of his crazy friends was there to kill.

She fought against the fear trying to paralyze her, letting her veela's heightened senses guide her.

She was running back into the woods to look for Harry, when someone grabbed her arm.

She not even saw who it was, quickly attacking them and the person flew a few metres away, hitting a tree.

"It's me!" Severus shouted as he was getting up, "Ouch! That fucking hurt!" he complained.

"What's wrong with you?" Florence shouted, trying not to laugh, "How do you expect me to react when someone grabs me by the arm in the middle of the woods while the Dark Mark shines in the sky?!" she lowered her voice, walking towards him, "Did you feel it burn?" she glanced at his left forearm.

"No, I didn't feel it burn," he stopped in front of her, "But what are you still doing here? You should be home already! You are pregnant!"

Florence glared at him, "Tell me something I don't know! I have to find Harry…"

"I've seen him. He's fine. He's out of danger."

And she sighed in relief.

"Who was the lunatic that conjured that?" she pointed to the skull in the sky.

"No idea. But I know for sure that wasn't in Lucius' plans," Severus took a deep breath, "Let's go home, love. The aurors are getting here already. Let the Ministry handle this mess."

And they Disapparated.

Snapes' family home

As Florence and Severus walked into their house, they could hear their children's voices:

"I can't believe I missed all the fun!" Elizabeth complained to the twins.

"And what fun are you talking about, Elizabeth?" Severus asked, closing the backyard door.

"Death eaters in the World Cup!" the girl said as if it was obvious, "You were all there, fighting, while I was here with grandma, babysitting Chris!"

No one said a word.

Florence and Severus just looked at their daughter with pity and concern; Elizabeth had never had to face a battlefield, in her innocent ignorance she was wishing for things she had no true idea the harsh reality of.

Severus just looked at his daughter for a moment and said in a low voice: "You go to your room now, and never again I want to hear you saying such foolishness."

"Why do you train us if we can't fight when it's needed?" Elizabeth screamed.

"Go, Elizabeth!" Severus repeated, "And I don't want to see your face out of your room until tomorrow morning."

The girl froze, tears falling down her face – her beloved father said that he didn't want to see her until the next day. She began to sob and tried to apologise.

"Dad..."

"Not a word," Severus said, keeping the coldness in his voice: "I can understand that you don't know what you're talking about, but if you are under the impression that such behaviour will be tolerated, you are widely mistaken."

Elizabeth looked at her mother and Florence shook her head, "Go to your room, Elizabeth. We'll talk tomorrow."

Elizabeth dropped her head to her chest and walked upstairs, shoulders shaking as she cried.

"Are you two hurt?" asked Florence, walking to the twins.

"No. We're fine, mum." Said James.

"We disapparated as soon and the explosions began," said Nick, looking at his father: "Was that for real?"

"No," Severus said, going to the liquor cabinet, "The real thing would be way scarier and bloodier."

"That was scary enough," said Nicholas, shivering.

James looked at his brother: "Did you talk to your boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?" Florence and Severus asked.

"You're dating and didn't tell me!?" asked Florence.

"I met him yesterday, mum!" said Nick, defensively.

"Who is he? Is he cute?" she asked, smiling.

"Yeah," Nick blushed, "His name is Fred Weasley-"

"WHAT?" Severus nearly choked on his firewhisky, "No no no, you didn't just say Fred Weasley!"

Florence laughed at her husband's reaction, "Stop it, Severus! Fred's cute. Good taste, Nick," she smiled at him.

"He's a menace!" added Severus, sitting on his armchair.

"I like him," Florence shrugged, sighing heavily as she sat on the sofa and removed her shoes.

You look tired, love. Severus said.

My feet and lower back are killing me. She replied.

"Come here, Flor," Severus called her out loud.

And she moved from the sofa to his lap.

"Aaand we're out," said James with an eye roll, walking upstairs, being followed by Nicholas.

Severus removed the illusion spell and caressed her slightly round belly, "How are you feeling, love?"

"I'm tired, but Sophie is fine," she paused before adding: "Today was surprising," her brows drawn together in thoughtful consideration.

"What do you mean?"

"Despite all my fears of my father's return, I was more angry than afraid when I saw the Dark Mark in the sky. If I weren't pregnant, I would've gone after Lucius and made him pay."

He smiled, touching her face, "You're a fighter, love. Yes, you're sweet and feminine," he kissed her lips, "And loves to be taken and controlled sexually," he forcefully held her chin, making her sigh in pleasure, "But you're also a hell of a fighter; you're skilled, persistent, and resilient. You're amazing, Florence."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, "Thanks, Sev. I needed to hear that," she laid her head on his chest and watched him sip his firewhisky.

Then he spoke the words that had been weighing on her mind: "When your father returns, life won't be easy for us. And I wouldn't want anyone else fighting beside me but you."

She closed her eyes, tears falling down her face, "I love you," she said, before kissing him slowly, touching his chest.

But their sweet moment was interrupted: "GAAH! Please stop before you two give me diabetes!"

Florence laughed, "What are you doing down here again, James?"

"I'm hungry, just want to check what Tiffany has in the refrigerator. And also... Nick is talking to Fred in the fireplace in our room. Ugh. As disgustingly sweet as you two."

"I have already plotted my revenge, James," said Severus, "Wait til you have a girlfriend."

James rolled his eyes and replied: "I'll have some respect and not fuck her in the living room."

Severus arched an eyebrow at him, "I've never fucked your mother in the living room."

And his son grimaced: "UGH, DAD! Just refrain from mentioning mum and fuck in the same sentence, please," then he walked into the kitchen.

Florence laughed at their silly argument, "I think it's time to go to bed. Carry me upstairs, husband," she ordered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

And he, of course, obeyed.