April 1995

Potions Class

Draco Malfoy was really testing his professor/godfather's patience that day; thirty minutes had passed since the beginning of the lesson and the boy had yet to lit his cauldron. His grey eyes focused on a piece of parchment that Severus would bet was a love letter.

During the whole explanation Draco hadn't shut up, and now that.

Severus sighed in irritation, for he couldn't take too many points from Slytherin, they couldn't really afford it at the moment, Hufflepuff was closing up on them – and with prospect of getting some expressive number of points in the near future due to Cedric Diggory doing well in the Tournament.

But the Potions Master had to do something about his godson's lack of respect.

"Mr Malfoy," he drawled, "Five points from Slytherin for not paying attention. Now you'd better put that letter in your bag and start working, if you don't want me to read it out loud for the class."

The blond boy looked at him with widened scared eyes and nodded, quickly putting the letter securely away.

Draco began preparing the ingredients to brew a Strengthening Solution, thinking that maybe later he could stop by his godfather's desk and tell him about his gorgeous, clever girlfriend. He'd certainly be happy for him.

But a few minutes later, he saw Hermione helping Neville Longbottom and he shouted at them.

"Detention, Mr Malfoy!" said Severus, angrily, "Be in my office tonight at seven o'clock. And, Miss Granger, if I see you helping Longbottom again, I'll be forced to give him, and you, a zero for today's work."

Draco smiled and the Slytherins chuckled.

"Silence!" Severus said.

And the class went on as one could predict: Draco didn't finish his potion and Hermione stopped trying to help Longbottom – whose cauldron melted, nearly burning the boy's feet.

7 p.m.

Potions Lab

Severus was grading some papers as he waited for his godson to arrive. He was using – and loving – the new special pen Elizabeth had given him for his birthday.

It was an amazing writing tool – its ink never ended and he could change its colour with a simple flick of his wand. And the pen itself was beautiful: dark emerald green with his initials engraved with silver. His daughter had expensive tastes – but they were always of the highest quality.

Then there were knocks on the door.

"Come in," he said.

"Good evening, godfather," Draco greeted him, walking in and closing the door, "I have some great news to share with you!"

Severus lowered his pen to the desk and looked at him sternly.

"I'm here as your teacher and Head of House, Mr Malfoy. Finish your detention and then we'll be able to speak as godfather and godson."

"Yes, sir," Draco stopped talking and lowered his head in respect, "What should I do, professor?"

"Quite simple: I left all the necessary ingredients over that table for you to prepare the potion you should have done in class earlier. You are to brew it according to the instructions in your textbook."

"Alright, professor, I'll begin right-" Draco stopped speaking; his eyes falling on the pen on his teacher's desk and he felt as if lightening had struck him.

That pen... That pen looks just like the one Liz bought for her father... and then truth hit him like a herd of offended hippogriffs: The dark hair and eyes. The strong personality. Holy shit!

Draco felt a wave of fear run down his spine, paralyzing his body.

My godfather is my girlfriend's father! Elizabeth is Severus Snape's daughter!

"Draco, are you feeling all right?" Severus asked with a concerned expression, "Come on, the Strengthening Solution is not that difficult. You'll be out of here in less than an hour."

"I-" Draco took a deep breath, trying to think past the shocking realisation he was one thought away from never leaving the dungeons again, "I'm fine, professor. I-I haven't had dinner y-yet, it-it must be it. I'll begin the solution now," he walked to the table where the ingredients were, keeping his head down.

"Ok. Finish the solution and then go to dinner," said Severus, wondering if something serious could've happened to the boy.

"Yes, professor." …or should I say father-in-law?

Severus picked up his pen and resumed working on grading the essays, his eyes going to Draco from time to time, trying to understand what was wrong with his godson.

Why does he look so nervous all of a sudden?

Draco finished the Strengthening Solution as quickly as possible and ran to the door without looking his professor in the eyes.

He knew Severus Snape was a great Legilimens, one look into his eyes and he'd know Draco had been snogging his twelve-year-old daughter.

"Wait, Draco," said Severus.

The blond boy froze and turned around slowly, focusing so hard in keeping his mental barriers up that he had a soft pant from the exertion.

"Yes, professor?"

"You said you had news to share with me. What is it?"

"Oh, yeah. Nah!" he shook his head, shrugging, "It's nothing. Really. Just... just something silly. I-I don't even remember now what it was. Have a good night, godfather," Draco opened the door and nearly ran to the Slytherin Common room, leaving behind his very concerned godfather.

Bloody hell! Draco thought as the door of the potions lab closed behind him. What the fuck will I do? He'll kill me! I'm dead! I'm so dead! He touched his forehead against the cold stone wall of the empty corridor and took deep breaths.

"Mr Malfoy? Are you ok?" a female voice suddenly asked him and he looked up to see the concerned expression of Florence Delacour.

Draco frowned at her and gasped.

She's her mother!

He tried to take two steps back, looking at her in shock, but he was already at the wall.

Florence walked closer to him, noticing his distraught state.

"Draco? What's happening? Do you need help?"

"N-no. I... I don't know," he shook his head, remembering: Elizabeth said her mother knows and approves of us.

"I'm scared, Madam Delacour," I'm dead. Godfather is going to kill me!

Florence eyebrows went up slowly, as she understood what was happening there: Draco had, somehow, learned the truth about his girlfriend's parents – despite the cloaking spell she had cast on Liz, Chris and Sophie – and he was having a panic attack.

"I see," Florence softly said, touching his arm, "Come with me to the hospital wing."

He just nodded and followed her.

"Sit down, Draco," Florence said as they reached Pomfrey's desk at the back of the infirmary.

Then she cast some spells and turned to him again, "We can speak freely now. Do you want to tell me about what you've just learned?"

He ran his hand through his hair, looking as terrified as he felt, "I-I've realised so-something about my... girlfriend."

"Yes," she nodded, speaking in a very understanding voice, "And what is it?"

"She's... your daughter," he whispered, "And... my godfather's. Ma'am," he looked at her, hoping that she'd just laugh at him and tell him he was wrong – he'd love to be wrong about that.

But Florence nodded again, pondering what she should do: obliviate him or let him keep that knowledge?

The fact that her cloaking spell hadn't stopped him from finding out the truth about Elizabeth confirmed her fears that Draco and her daughter were indeed an Enchanted couple.

Just like in Granger's case, Florence decided not to mess with the young man's mind – also she didn't think it would work on Draco's case anyway, because of the Enchantment.

"Draco," she looked at him with a very serious expression, "Do you realise the value of the information you've learned?"

"Yes, Ma'am," his eyes widened as he suddenly realised what she meant.

"If your father finds out about Liz, he might try to use that information to blackmail Severus in the future. He might even try to hurt her – if you know what I mean."

He gulped, he knew what she meant, "I know my father is disgusting and evil enough to hurt Liz."

Florence nodded slowly, her green eyes fixed on his grey and scared ones, "How good an occlument are you?"

"Good, but could be better, Ma'am," he admitted.

"So get better," she ordered, "Otherwise I'll have to obliviate you and you'll forget having ever met my daughter!" she threatened him, even though she knew obliviating him wouldn't work.

"I will improve, Ma'am," he nodded, "I'll do my mental exercises every day," he shivered under her hard gaze, "But I'm still terrified. He'll kill me if he finds out!"

"Yes, probably," she didn't even try to deny it for his sake, "So don't let him find out. No one but me knows about you two. And I'm not telling Severus."

Draco nodded, "I'll get better at occlumency, Ma'am. I-I love Liz," he nervously admitted.

Florence smiled, "I know, Draco. If I hadn't seen that the connection between you two is strong, I wouldn't be allowing my daughter to have a boyfriend at such young age."

"Thank you, Madam Delacour," he seemed to remember something: "Liz mentioned that her family doesn't follow the Dark Lord. But my godfather is..." he hesitated, wondering if she knew Snape had the Dark Mark.

She chuckled, "I know he's a death eater, Draco. I have seen him without a shirt on; I have kids with him, as you very well know. I only told Liz to say that to make it clear for you that we are very different families," she made up the excuse.

"Yes," he nodded, "I understand. You and my godfather are nothing like my parents."

Florence got closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Listen, Draco, I need you to know that, during the years, we wanted to bring you to our home many times, but your father wouldn't allow it and we feared you wouldn't be able to keep Liz a secret from him."

"I understand. Don't worry, Ma'am. Godfather has always been there for me, even though mostly through letters until I came to Hogwarts. I've never felt alone because of him."

"I'm glad to hear that. Severus cares a lot about you. He always worried that your father would hurt you."

"Which might save me, right, when he learns I'm dating Liz?" he asked, hopeful.

Florence laughed: "I wouldn't count on it."

Florence wrote to her daughter as soon as Draco left the infirmary.

Baby-girl,

Your boyfriend has found out the truth about your dad and I, so I had a chat with him. I've written to Madam Maxime, saying I want you home next weekend to spend some time with the new family member.

You can write to your boyfriend and set up a time for you two to meet here in the village on Saturday.

I love you.

Mum.

She was brief, avoiding using names or giving details, just in case her letter fell into the wrong hands.

Following Saturday afternoon

Hogsmeade

Elizabeth was waiting for her boyfriend inside the village's Florean Fortescue ice cream parlour.

She kept her eyes at the door, anxious to be seeing Draco again. The letters they had exchanged in the past three months had made their feelings for each other grow, despite the distance. But she missed him, she had a growing need to touch and kiss him.

The bells at the front door chimed as it was opened and Elizabeth held her breath – but a young family of three walked into the place.

She sighed and sipped her orange juice, fearing Draco might be too scared of her father to show up.

The door opened again and she looked up, her heart nearly stopping as she saw the tall blond and silver-eyed boy walk in. Three months she hadn't seen him and he looked even more handsome than she remembered.

Draco scanned the packed ice cream parlour, looking for his girlfriend and easily spotted her sitting alone in a corner booth – even from afar he could tell Elizabeth wasn't an ordinary girl, her beauty and elegance set her apart from everyone else around her.

The moment his eyes met hers, she became the only person in the room.

Elizabeth smiled at him and he walked to her table, her presence attracting him like a moth to a flame; for a moment, he couldn't even remember why he had gone there to talk to her, he just knew he needed to be at her side and hold her in his arms.

"Hello, my love," Draco said, sitting at the booth very close to her, casting a Notice-Me-Not spell to keep curious eyes away from them, and kissing her lips sweetly, savouring the feel and the taste of her soft lips against his.

"Hi, love," she replied, with a happy sigh.

He held her hand and looked into her eyes – the darkness in them suddenly reminding him of another pair of dark eyes and he froze in his seat.

Elizabeth noticed his sudden change and smiled nervously: "My mother told me you found out about my dad."

"Yes," Draco looked at her, touching her face lovingly, "And I'm so fucked," he murmured, making the girl laugh, "I love you, Liz, but I'm terrified."

She looked at him, they had already declared their love for each other on their letters (Liz being the first to write that she loved him) but they hadn't said the words out loud – until now.

Her smile was even sweeter and she kissed him, running her tongue tentatively over his lips, getting him to open his mouth and caress her tongue with his.

Draco had to stop himself from deepening the kiss any further – even though he wanted nothing but. Liz was two years younger than him – and he was a gentleman.

"So..." Liz said, still sighing after their kiss, "About my dad... he is more bark than bite, Draco."

He scoffed, "Not the man I know," he shook his head" "He's the most terrifying teacher in Hogwarts, Liz – and that's saying something when McGonagall works in the same place," he held her hand, playing with her flower-crown ring, "Aren't you afraid of him?"

"Afraid of him?" she repeated, finding that idea absurd, "Of course not! Dad's strict but he's nothing but loving."

"You're his daughter, Liz! He'll skin me alive if he finds out I'm putting my hands on you. And you're twelve for Merlin's sake!" Then he seemed to remember something that had him even more terrified: "Your brothers! You're James and Nick's sister!"

She smiled fondly, "Yes. They speak highly of you."

"Right," he snorted, "I doubt they'll still do so, once they find out about us," he ran his hand through his hair, mussing it up in his nervousness, "They'll probably hold me down while your father skins me alive."

She laughed: "Nah, don't worry, my mother is by our side, and she controls the three of them."

"Your mother, she's so nice," he smiled softly, "I talked to her about you; she told me to get better at occlumency. And I've been doing mental exercises nightly."

"Me too. Not only to hide our relationship from outsiders but... to hide it from my dad."

"Why all this secrecy around you though?" Draco asked, curious, "Everyone knows they are a couple."

"Yes. But no one knows they have a family together. Sure there are more than rumours about the twins being dad's sons and not Black's, but no one knows about the rest of us; there's actually a spell protecting us."

"A spell?" he frowned, "But, if that's so, how was I able to find out about you?"

"Probably because of the Enchantment – this magic that connects us. Mum tried hiding the twins with a spell when she was pregnant and it didn't affect dad because they're also blessed by it."

Draco nodded and touched her cheek, laying a soft kiss on her lips again.

"I won't tell a soul about your family, my love. You can trust me. I would never put you or my godfather's family in danger."

"I trust you. I love you, Draco."

"And I love you, Liz," he caressed her nose with his before pulling her to another sweet and wet kiss.

Meanwhile at the Snapes' family home

Florence was in the living room, watching TV as she breastfed her two-month-old baby daughter, when the flames in the fireplace turned green unexpectedly and her oldest son walked out of them.

"Jamie!" she looked at him with worry, he hadn't told her he'd be going home that weekend, "What happened, love?"

"Hi, mum," he kissed her cheek and smiled at baby Sophie, "Nothing happened, it's just-"

"What? Are you in trouble?" she nervously asked.

"No! No trouble, mum. I just have something to ask you," he sat on his father's armchair.

Florence could tell something was up with her firstborn, "What is it, James? You're making me nervous!"

"I want to buy a copy of The Burnt Stain: the path to political harmony after the Witch Hunts."

Florence stared at him, surprised and intrigued by his request.

A book? He had gone home on a Saturday just to ask her permission to buy an expensive book that they already owned?

Something was definitely up.

"Why buy it?" she asked, "You know we have that book here at home. You've read it."

"It's a present, mum," he looked suddenly uncomfortable.

"A present? For whom?" she narrowed her eyes.

Jamed exhaled dramatically, "C'mon, mum. Just let me buy it!"

"You're gifting someone a 200-galleon book about politics, and you don't want to tell me who they are?" she arched an eyebrow at him.

"Just- Ugh! Fine!" James exclaimed, clearly annoyed, "I've been exchanging letters with a girl for some time now."

Florence smiled knowingly, "Is that the same girl you took to Asterope's a couple of months ago?"

He seemed surprised, "How do you know about that?"

"We have a running tab there, James, I am warned anytime someone adds to it," she watched him squirm, realising that whoever that girl was, she had to be important, "Will you tell me her name?"

"Do I have to?" he deflected her question.

"Yes. I'd like to know her family name at least. And if you say Greengrass, Bulstrode or the likes, we might certainly have a problem," she narrowed her eyes at him.

"No! She's not from those kind of families..." he hesitated, "She's just a good friend."

Florence laughed, "You can't fool me, James! I can read that face of yours times three: you, your brother and your father have the same expression when you don't want to talk about something. This girl might be just a friend now, but you wouldn't be penpals with her if that was all you want. You want the book? You'll have to tell me her name."

He rolled his eyes in annoyance at his mother's bribery. So he replied: "Alright, mum! Geez! Stop drilling me! It's Granger."

She stared at him, mouth gaping, eyes widened – she had not seen that coming.

"As in Hermione Granger?" she asked.

"Yes."

She gasped, "You're the guy Hermione has been exchanging letters with?"

James nodded.

Then Florence laughed hard, startling baby Sophie who was still latched on her breast.

"Your father will completely lose it! Nick is dating a Weasley and if you date Granger..." she stopped talking, laughing again, "Wow. That'll be awesome! I adore Hermione. She's pretty and a brilliant young witch," she stopped laughing all of a sudden, realising something: "But she's younger than you by two years," she pointed a finger at him: "Don't break her heart! She's a great girl."

James raised his hands in surrender, "Nothing has happened yet, mum."

"You better act like a gentleman!" she added.

"I exchange letters with her!" he retorted, "I took her out for tea at Madam Asterope's! And I want to give her a book! If I acted any more gentlemanly, I'd be transferring to Hogwarts and bloody carrying her everywhere!" then he added begrudgingly: "I didn't see you telling Nick to be a gentleman."

"Nick has always been more polite and less impulsive than you; plus he and Fred are the same age."

"Whatever," replied James, rolling his eyes.

Florence continued: "You can buy Hermione that book. She'll love it. And a book given to her is an investment in the future of the wizarding world."

James smiled, "It sure is, mum. She's brilliant."

Florence looked at him and sighed, it was hard to believe he'd be seventeen in October.

"Oh, no," he huffed in annoyance, "You've got that look on your face – the kids grow fast look," he got up, "I'll go back to school before you start crying."

She chuckled and sighed softly, "I'll always miss my babies – even though you weren't an easy one, mister!"

James just gave her a smile and a kiss on the cheek, saying: "Love you, mum," and flooed back to Durmstrang.

Later that day

Florence walked out of her bathroom and stopped at the door, staring at the sweet scene in front of her: her tall dark-haired husband held a small pink bundle in his large hands; little baby Sophie cooed softly as she looked at him and lifted a tiny hand to his hair, pulling on it as he walked around the room with her, slowly.

"Hey, love," he whispered as he noticed his wife by the bathroom door.

"Hi," she walked towards them, "I thought she was going to sleep after feeding..."

"She likes looking at me," Severus continued in the same soft tone.

"I can relate to that," Florence replied just as softly, pulling his face down for a kiss.

"She looks exactly like you," he added, "She could be Christopher's twin."

"I know, right? And she's so cute," Florence laid her head on his arm, "I know I haven't yet fully recovered from her birth but... sometimes I stare at her in the middle of the night and I feel sad that she'll be our last baby."

"Yeah, I know. But it scared me how weak you looked during her birth. And for the whole pregnancy – you weren't yourself, love," he laid Sophie on his chest and soon the baby closed her eyes, falling asleep in the comfort of his arms.

"I know, Sev," she kissed her daughter's back and watched her husband put the baby in her crib.

"Talking about beautiful daughters, where was Liz this afternoon?"

"At the village," Florence touched his chest, not giving him any more details.

Severus took a deep breath and wrapped his arms around her waist, "She's got a boyfriend, hasn't she?" he whispered.

"Yes, she has," she decided not to lie, caressing his face, "He's a nice young man, so don't worry. If I had forbidden it, it would've been worse. You know your daughter."

He grimaced, "Yes, I do."

"They mostly just write to each other. It's pretty innocent."

"Good," he exhaled, "I'll gladly leave that to you."

"Hm. So you keep James under control and I take care of the others. How about that?" she said.

He grimaced again, making Florence laugh.

Note: I believe by now you all know for sure how happy the Snape family is right? Well, next chapter we have the Third Task, and we all know what happens then.