August 1996

A week before classes began

Snapes' family home

Florence stood in the middle of her living room, staring at the half-empty walls – if heartbreak had a sound, she'd be hearing it right then – there were no more signs of Elizabeth, Chris or Sophie anywhere in the house; no pictures of them; no toys in a basket in the corner of the living room. She knew if she went upstairs and opened the doors to their rooms, they'd all be empty.

Anyone who walked into that house would never guess the twins weren't Severus and Florence's only children.

A second sniffing sound drew Florence's attention, and she turned to see Tiffany by the kitchen entrance, looking as heartbroken as her Mistress, tears falling from her green eyes.

"They're gone, Tiff," Florence whispered.

The elf shook her head, "Tiffany doesn't like it, Mistress. Tiffany understands, but... doesn't like it. No."

Florence nodded slowly and looked at the walls again, bringing her hands to her face and begining to sob.

Severus stood by the sofa, looking at Florence in silence, his heart just as broken as hers and guilt eating him up inside.

He took a moment to think about what their lives would be like from then on: there would be no more tantrums or doors-slamming every time Elizabeth left her room.

No more Christopher reading in the library or swimming in the pool. Severus wouldn't hear his many important questions about the interesting things he'd learned daily in the books.

And there would be no more of Sophie's sweet coos, cute giggles and delighted squeals anymore – who knew for how long.

No more family meals with all five kids around the long dining table talking at the same time, discussing school, spells, movies, boyfriends and girlfriends.

Severus closed his eyes for a second, missing them already.

Then he walked to Florence and wrapped his arms around her shaking frame, feeling her arms closing around his waist as she cried against his chest.

"They're gone, Sev," she whispered, "Completely gone from our lives."

"They're safe, love," he reassured her, "They're hidden and safe."

She shook her head, unwrapping her arms from his waist, looking angry, "We had to erase them from their own home! From our family home!" she glanced around the room, "We had laughter, happiness and baby's giggles. Now... nothing. Only silence."

Severus sighed, feeling his chest as heavy as hers, "We'll be able to focus on winning the war, love, knowing they're safe," he tried to reassure her, "We'll see them every other week; they're not gone forever," he touched her cheek.

"I know that!" she angrily replied, swatting his hand away, "But right now I don't fucking care about the war! I miss them! I want my babies with me!"

Severus had known she wouldn't react well to seeing the pictures gone, so he was ready to face her explosion.

"It's just temporary, Florence."

"Ha! Temporary!" she scoffed, "Keep telling yourself that, maybe you'll believe it! Because I don't! We have no idea how long we'll be away from them!"

"Do you want to tell your father about Liz?" Severus asked, dropping the clearly ineffective reassuring tone, being harsh instead.

"Of course not! And you know it!"

"So this is the only solution!"

"This is all your fault!" she shouted, pointing at him.

James and Nicholas walked downstairs right at that moment; they had been the ones who had taken everything away, following their father's orders, while their parents took their siblings and grandmother to a safe-house.

They stopped by the foot of the stairs, frowning at the scene in front of them.

This is new. Commented Nicholas through their twin-bond.

"Are you two... fighting?" James asked out loud.

"Yes!" shouted Florence, "You finally got your wish, James: we are not fucking: we're fighting! Happy?"

"Not really," he whispered.

Severus walked towards his angry wife, but Florence pushed him hard, "Let go of me!"

The twins winced.

But Severus took advantage of his physical strength and grabbed both her hands, holding them behind her back. She still resisted him, but he pulled her to his chest.

"I'll hex you!" she snarled.

"You know we had to do this!" he immobilised her and held her firmly against himself.

Florence suddenly stopped fighting him, sobbing again.

"They're safe, love," he whispered.

And she weakly replied: "I know," rubbing her nose to his chest as she struggled to take a deep breath through the pain of having to break their family in half, "They're safe," she repeated, reassuring herself.

Severus slowly let her hands go and caressed her back, feeling her arms around his waist again.

Then James asked: "Will you let us know why you took the others away?"

Should we tell them everything? Severus asked her.

No. The less they know the better.

Florence looked up at him and he kissed her lovingly.

Together, love. He whispered in her mind.

Yes. Together. She repeated their mantra. But that doesn't change the fact I'm mad at you.

He chuckled and she managed to take a deep breath before facing the twins.

"We took your siblings to a safe-house because my father only knows about you two – we didn't tell him about the others. And Eileen is there with Sam and Mel to look after them and to be safe as well."

"Too many people know about you two. No spell would be strong enough to hide you," added Severus, "And after the attempt on your life, James, we fear my mother could be my enemies' next target."

The twins nodded, not fully convinced though.

They're not telling us everything. Said James.

No, they aren't. But maybe they're doing so to protect us. We can't be tortured for information we don't have.

James nodded again, realising his brother was right. He himself had nearly died already, just for being the son of a death eater; they were part of the war, whether they wanted to or not.

And no matter which side their parents truly fought for, once word got out that they were grandsons to the Dark Lord, things would only get worse.

September 1996

Hogwarts, welcoming feast

Florence and Severus were walking from the dungeons to the Great Hall to attend the first dinner of the term, when they heard:

"Merlin's beard! Look who's here!"

And they turned to see Horace Slughorn walking down the Marble Staircase towards them, smiling.

"My two favourite students!" he exclaimed: "And I heard you two are a couple again!"

"Well, yes, professor," confirmed Florence.

"Ah, my dear! You are even more beautiful than I remembered!" he opened his arms but hesitated: "May I hug her, Severus? If I remember correctly, you were the jealous sort."

Florence laughed, "Now that shows how good a memory you have!"

"Go ahead, Professor," said Severus, rolling his eyes.

Slughorn hugged Florence tightly, affectionate as always, "I'm so happy to be seeing you two. The first war took most of the students from your year."

"Yes. That's the sad truth," Florence said.

"I'm glad to see you are here," he touched her husband's shoulder, "Lucky man, you are, Severus."

"Don't I know it, professor," he winked at her.

Florence smiled at him and looked at the aurors by the oaken doors that led to the Great Hall, recognising a purple head of hair, so she waved at Tonks.

The Ministry had send aurors to help with the security of the school.

Around the grounds, the teachers and staff had all cast protection charms and shields to safeguard the school from outside attacks as well.

"Can't believe this is happening again," said Slughorn as they walked into the Great Hall together, "Say whatever they want to say, but we know which students will suffer the most," he glanced at the Slytherin table.

"Yes," agreed Florence, "Either they agree or disagree with their parents – the Slytherins students will suffer any way," she looked at the snakes' table, noticing how Draco seemed to be a somewhat isolated from the other students.

Only Crabbe and Goyle were sitting near him, Zabini and Parkinson and his other friends – who had all been together in the Inquisitorial Squad just a couple of months ago – were sitting far away from the blond Slytherin.

At the Slytherin table

"How the fuck she keeps getting hotter every year?" said Crabbe.

"Prof. Snape is one lucky bastard," replied Goyle.

And Draco looked up, although he didn't have to do it to know who his friends were talking about: Madam Delacour. Elizabeth's mother.

He watched as she crossed the Great Hall, with Snape and a new teacher, towards the high table; she wore one of her customary long-sleeved dresses – no skin showing, yet anyone that looked at her had to agree she was bloody sexy.

Seeing her for the first time since he wrote a very bitter letter to her daughter reminded Draco of what he had lost – and of whom he missed so much it physically hurt.

He discreetly touched the necklace he was wearing under his clothes, a thin gold chain where he had hung Liz's flower ring.

The day he got that ring back was the worst day of his life – at least so far, for he knew even worse days were certainly ahead of him.

He had exchanged his father's punishments for a Dark Mark in his arm.

At least this way my mother is safe. Draco reminded himself.

No matter what he had to do in the future – that tattoo on his arm was keeping his mother safe.

Florence sat at the high table and watched Hermione and her ginger friend, Ronald, walk into the Great Hall – but Harry wasn't with them.

She caught Hermione's attention and discreetly turned both hands palm-up in front of herself, asking silently about Harry's whereabouts. The girl shook her head, letting her know she had no idea.

"Harry's not here," Florence whispered to her husband.

"If he doesn't show up soon, I'll go after him."

Florence nodded, glancing at the Slytherin table again.

Draco was still looking at her, and she could see the pain in his grey eyes; the once warm and happy silver was now cold and dull.

Draco is miserable. She told her husband.

He's a death eater now, Florence. The only person happy for being one is Bellatrix.

Florence shook her head, knowing that being Marked wasn't the only reason of his misery.

Why follow his father's steps? He hates his father.

The why is easy: Narcissa. Explained Severus. She's what some might call free-game, now that her husband is in disgrace.

What the fuck does that mean? she asked, fearing she knew the answer.

It means if Greyback wanted to fuck her, he would – no matter her opinion on the matter.

She looked at him, completely disgusted and horrified.

And Severus continued: So by becoming a death eater, Draco can protect his mother – at least a little. As long as he does what the Dark Lord orders, she'll be safe.

That's horrible! His options were to let his mother be gang-raped or become a death eater!

He touched her hand discreetly. No, no, don't paint him as a martyr, Florence. We, Slytherins, hardly ever do things without a reason. Draco could've come to us – but he didn't. So I believe a small part of him, unfortunately, still seeks Lucius' approval. And there's also Bellatrix poisoning his mind now...

Florence sighed heavily, remembering Draco had mentioned his aunt in the bitter letter he sent Elizabeth. Her husband was right: Draco could've come to them – at least to her! – but he chose not to.

"Telepathy, is it?" asked Slughorn, sitting beside Florence, looking from her to Severus.

"Excuse me?" she asked, a little surprised by his question.

"You two," said Slughorn, "You seem to be having the most troubled silent conversation. Is it a Telepathy Charm?"

"Oh. No, professor," she smiled, "We are bonded by an old magic, the Enchantment."

"Merlin's beard! That's lovely! I actually met one other couple who was blessed, but..." he hesitated, quickly regretting mentioning that, "The woman, she died and the man, he... uhm... well, he ended up going down a very dark path," Slughorn hid his uneasiness with a smile, "I'm happy for you two. And I believe the rumours about a certain set of twins are correct?"

"Yes, professor," confirmed Severus.

"Good. Good. Where do they study?"

"Durmstrang," Florence replied, "But they've finished it already. James is beginning his Potions studies, while Nick is interested in Charms and Transfiguration."

Slughorn nodded, "Both brilliant careers! I remember you had an aptitude for Charms, Florence. No wonder you're such an amazing healer. I've followed both your inventions, you know, and I'm truly amazed by your Golden Potion. Such a powerful and balanced concoction. Must be hell to brew it."

"Ooh, yes," she confirmed, "Takes a whole day from ingredients preparation to bottling," she looked at him, "But about the blessed couple you say you knew... were they students here?"

Severus looked at her, You think he meant...

She just nodded.

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Slughorn, visibly uncomfortable to be talking about that, "I mean, he was, but she was French, attended Beauxbatons. They met when they were adults."

Then Florence looked at her husband, having confirmation Slughorn was talking about her parents – and that he had kept in touch with her father after he left Hogwarts as well.

Harry is here. Severus said, a few minutes later, making Florence look at the Gryffindor table. And... he has blood on his shirt.

She frowned, looking at Harry and then at Draco – who was smirking as he watched Harry wipe his face.

Draco had something to do with that. Florence let her husband know as she arched an eyebrow at the blond boy and he just shrugged. She shook her head and Draco, at least, seemed a little uncomfortable by her disapproval.

Then Dumbledore walked into the Great Hall, after a few new students had all been through the House Selection, and all students quickly sat at the tables.

He glanced at the high table and smiled softly at Florence before going to the pulpit to begin his welcoming speech.

She didn't return his smile though – still angry at him for what she and her husband would have to do within the next ten months.

"Very best of evenings to you all," said Dumbledore to the students, "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff: Horace Slughorn. Prof. Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old posts as Head of Slytherin House and Potions Master."

The students seemed confused, looking at Snape at the high table and wondering what he was doing there if the newcomer was going to teach Potions.

"Meanwhile," continued Dumbledore, "The post of Defence Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Prof. Snape."

The Slytherin table erupted in applauses and cheers.

But Draco didn't join them. He looked at Snape and frowned, wondering if he hadn't asked to become the DADA teacher just to interfere on the task the Dark Lord had given him – just like his aunt Bella had warned him he might.

"As you know," Dumbledore was still speaking, his voice heavy with concern, "each and every one of you were searched upon your arrival here tonight. And you have the right to know why. Once, there was a young man."

Florence looked at her husband, Is he going to tell them my father's story now?

Probably.

And Dumbledore did: "Just like you, he sat in this very hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept under its roof. You see, to all the world, he was a student like any other. What was his name? Tom Riddle."

And there it is. Severus said.

Slughorn tensed up beside Florence, the mentioning of his ex-student's name making him nervous.

"Today, of course," they heard Dumbledore say, "He is known all over the wizarding world by another name. Which is why as I stand here looking out upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of a sobering fact: every day, every hour, this very minute, perhaps... dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon... is you,"

His eyes fell on the Slytherin table and not one student there didn't feel at least a little uncomfortable.

Then Dumbledore finished: "Just something for you to think about. Now, let the feast begin!"

"Hope you're not upset I took your place as Head of House, Severus," said Slughorn while they had dinner.

"No longer being responsible for those spoiled dunderheads could never upset me – it actually gives me nothing but joy, Prof. Slughorn."

Slughorn laughed, "You say that now! Can you believe I missed them? Yes, Severus! I missed the students! Retirement is not as marvellous as people claim it to be!"

Severus shook his head, "Missed them? Retirement must have damaged your memory of what's like to teach these little animals, professor."

Florence snorted, "As if you wouldn't miss teaching if you ever stopped."

"I have James to teach," he shrugged.

"Right," Florence snorted, "Cause that will be a walk in the park. Try calling him a dunderhead to see what you'll hear."

Severus sipped his wine to hide his smile.

"Did you miss St. Mungus when you left, Florence?" Slughorn asked her.

"Yes. But, surprisingly, I get to see a lot of action here at Hogwarts as well."

"Ah, that's what you get putting hundreds of untrained wizards under the same roof – a lot of work for healers," Slughorn smiled.

"Indeed, professor," she nodded, "I'm just glad our February will be calmer this term. Hopefully, you won't continue the tradition of brewing Amortentia and deliberately forgetting to lock the potions lab a week before Valentine's Day."

Slughorn nearly choked on his wine, coughing between laughs, "That's so wicked, Severus! I'll certainly be stealing that idea!"

"Oh, boy," Florence shook her head.

Not long after dessert had been served, Florence left the Great Hall to wait for a certain blond student in the Slytherin common room corridor.

Luckily, he was one of the first to show up and he was alone. But she saw him take one look at her and grimace – he could imagine why she was there.

He tried to ignore her and enter the common room, but Florence held his arm, "Mr Malfoy. A word, please."

He made her let go of him and turned his back on her, walking down the corridor without saying anything.

Florence sighed in irritation at his silly attempt to ignore her.

If he wasn't going to stop on his own, she'd make him stop.

Locomotor mortis.

And he fell face-first onto the stone floor, furiously shouting: "You have no right!", sitting up and pointing his wand to his own legs, "Finite incantatem!"

But his counter-spell didn't work.

Florence cast a couple of protection and privacy spells in the corridor as she walked towards him until she stopped in front of him.

"How have you been, Draco?" she asked as if he weren't sitting on the floor with his legs useless because she'd hexed him.

He looked at her through narrowed angry eyes, "Fine."

"Really?" she raised an eyebrow, "That's not what I heard."

And he growled at her: "That's none of your business!"

Florence smiled then, her voice low, "Oh, but it is. It certainly is. You see, your death would deeply affect my daughter. Actually, your stupid choices are already making her suffer. And that makes you my business, Draco."

He sneered at her: "You're a hypocrite! You made her break up with me while your husband is the Lord's most loyal-"

She interrupted him: "I know what my husband is, Draco. I married him with the Mark. And he has my full support," she paused, "However, you knew my daughter wouldn't support you on that decision. You could wonder why she doesn't want to be a death eater's wife, but since we both know how shitty life's been to your mother lately, you already know the answer. And yet you made that choice," she finished, accusingly.

"I had no choice!" he growled still trying to get his legs free from her spell.

"Didn't you?" she looked at him knowingly, "Or did you choose the path that would hurt you but grant you some glory, instead of a path that would keep you safe but unsung?"

The boy didn't reply.

Florence continued, her voice softening a little: "You are a child, Draco – acting as childishly as your age. You could've reached out to me, you could've sent a message through Liz. But you chose not to," she shook her head, getting closer to him and whispering: "Let me share with you a little secret now: you won't do it."

He seemed surprised she knew he had to do anything, but quickly realised it was obvious that Snape knew and told her.

"You think I can't do it?" he growled furiously.

"Draco, I haven't even considered imagining if you're capable or not to fulfil your task," she said, dismissively, "I'm just letting you know that you won't do it," she freed his legs and he stood up.

"I will finish my task! I will restore my family's glory!"

Florence just smiled at him, seeing how desperate and lost he was and getting less worried – he'd break soon.

"I'm still here, Draco," Florence reminded him she'd told him that before, "You were a little shit writing the words you did to my daughter. You broke her heart – hurting your own in the process. But I'm still here. Try to remember that before your next stupidity," and she left the corridor, not giving him the chance to reply.

Second week of classes

Severus was waiting for Florence near the Marble Staircase, so they could walk to lunch together, when Slughorn approached him.

"Ah, Severus! I must congratulate you! Granger and Potter are amazing students!"

He frowned as soon as he heard that, "Potter?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Slughorn, "I mean, he must have inherited Lily's natural talent for potions, of course. But you surely played a big part in honing his abilities."

Severus was looking at the professor in silent bewilderment when Florence walked downstairs towards them.

"You look very confused, Severus," she chuckled, touching his arm, "What happened?"

"Prof. Slughorn is telling me about his great students: Granger and Potter."

"Harry?" she frowned just as he had.

"Yes, my dear!" exclaimed Slughorn, "Granger is amazing, but Harry gets to be even better!"

Now Severus was really confused: "Better than Granger?" he looked at Florence: Something's not right here. Have we fallen into some sort of parallel universe?

She laughed and just conceded: "Maybe Harry did some studying during vacation, Severus."

He arched an eyebrow at her, "If anyone could learn to become a decent brewer during the length of summer vacation, I wouldn't be here teaching daily for nine out of twelve months, Florence."

She just returned his arched eyebrow and Slughorn laughed.

"What did he brew to have you so proud of him, professor?" she asked.

"Harry prepared a perfect Draught of Living Death, in an hour!"

"Perfect? In an hour? Harry?" Florence looked at her husband, agreeing with him: Something's truly up. I'll have to ask Hermione – she must be furious Harry is doing better than her.

Later, in the dungeons

Florence walked into her husband's private quarters and said, smiling: "It truly is your fault, you know?"

Severus looked at her with a frown: "What's my fault now?"

"Harry doing well in Potions."

He rolled his eyes, looking down at the parchment in front of him again, "We've already stablished I am not a miracle maker, Florence."

"No, you're not," she explained: "However... have you heard of the Half-blood Prince? Harry's got his Advanced Potions book," she sat on his desk, as usual.

Severus raised his head, looking at her in dawning understanding, "Now, that makes sense. He's using my notes-"

"Your notes?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Our notes," he corrected himself, smiling, "He's using our notes to get good grades and brew faster than his classmates," he crossed his arms, "How did you find out?"

"Hermione told me Harry got a book from the classroom cupboard and it's full of weird shortcuts."

"I completely forgot about that book."

Florence picked up one of the essays he was grading and started to mark it herself to help him, "Didn't you write some spells in that too?" she asked, "Langlock and Levicorpus?"

"Yes, I believe I did," Severus frowned, "I guess we'll just have to keep an even closer eye on Harry now," then his frown turned into a grimace.

"What is it, Sev?" Florence worried, "Are you being summoned?"

"No. But I think I wrote Sectumsempra in that book."

"Did you write what it does?" she looked at him with little apprehension.

"Nope. Just... for enemies."

Florence got off the desk, shaking her head, and sat on his lap, "These godsons of ours. Draco is playing the evil death eater and Harry is cheating on Potions and carrying potentially dangerous information about spells around..."

"Why do people have kids?" Severus whispered, kissing her lips.

And she laughed, "Asked the father-of-five that wanted to surpass the Weasleys."

He caressed her face, moving his hand behind her neck and pulling on her hair.

"Are you hungry, love?" he nipped on her jaw.

"No," she exhaled, loving the kisses down her neck and the tugging on her hair, "Let's have dinner afterwards."

"After what?" he pretended not to know what she meant.

Florence bit and sucked on his bottom lip, "After you make me scream your name a couple of times."

Severus stood up with her in his arms and carried her to their bedroom – making her scream his name more than just a couple of times.

Note: Dumbledore's speech was inspired in the 6th book/movie speech.