Thursday, December 3rd 1981
After breakfast that morning, Florence went down to the dungeons as soon as Eileen had left with the twins.
She opened the door of the potions lab slowly, seeing that she had arrived before Severus and letting out a relieved sigh.
She wasn't sure how she'd feel seeing him after her conversation with Eileen the night before.
She had forgiven him, yes, but that didn't bring neither their baby nor their relationship back; the conclusion she had reached was that she was going to have to learn to live on with that pain.
She loved Severus with all her heart, but she still wondered what exactly did it mean to move forward where he was concerned?
Did it mean to keep away from him as before and just shag him occasionally or did it mean finally saying 'Yes' and telling him the truth about her and the twins?
Florence sighed; she had a lot to think about.
Putting up her mental barriers by the means of occlumency, just in case Severus arrived, she started organising the worktable to begin brewing potions for the Order of the Phoenix that day.
After an hour, she had to wait another forty minutes before adding the next ingredient to the Wiggenweld Potion. So she stretched her arms, moved her head to one side and then the other, trying to relax her tense shoulders.
That was when she noticed that the door to Severus' private quarters was open.
He must've forgotten to lock it before going to the hospital wing with two broken ribs yesterday. She thought, going there to close it, but something sparkly on the small table by the armchair caught her eye.
Florence walked into his living room, going towards the table and gasping as she realised what it was: the jade necklace.
My necklace.
She picked it up, touching it to her chest and closing her eyes; she loved that necklace so much.
She remembered how Severus had given it to her, how they had flirted through their bond inside a packed Honeydukes and how they had made love for hours in her bedroom.
She looked at it through the tears, wishing she could have not just the necklace back, but how she'd felt then.
"Florence."
She startled when she heard Severus call her name from the door.
She turned to look at him, putting the necklace back where she'd found it.
He seemed hesitant, not a hint of the disdain or anger of the last days in his eyes or stance, his frown and stillness let her know he was unsure of where they stood.
"I see you're better," she decided to break the ice, smiling a little, trying to show that she wasn't angry like the day before.
"I know a good Mediwitch," he replied, reciprocating her smile and walking slowly into his living room, "She has saved my life a couple of times already."
Then Florence added: "And she will not mend your sorry-ass anymore, if you go around fighting werewolves for a third time."
"Duly noted," he stopped near her and picked up the necklace from the table, looking at it and then at her, "It's yours, you know. It'll always be yours," he whispered, unclasping it and slowly reaching it out to put it on her.
But Florence shook her head, and touched his hands, stopping him, "It doesn't feel like it is. At least not for now."
Severus looked at her in surprise and lowered his hands, "Not for now," he repeated, hope filling up his heart, "So I haven't fucked up as much as I thought."
"Oh, no, you have," she said with a snort, "You've fucked up so much you deserve an Order of Merlin, Fuckup class."
He chuckled at her silly joke.
"But-" she continued, looking at him and feeling her heart syncing with his, "I love you."
"Still?" he whispered, his voice soft and hopeful.
"Always."
Then he took a step towards her, but she stopped him again.
"Don't. If we kiss, we both know what's going to happen and I- I don't think we should," she shook her head, "We're not there yet. We need to talk and you- you have to do something about your jealousy, Severus."
He sighed heavily, touching a hand to her face, which she allowed, his thumb brushing her bottom lip.
"I understand," he whispered, "I hate it though," his eyes fixed on his thumb caressing her lips, "I'm burning, Florence. I can barely think!" he lowered his face to her neck, inhaling and groaning: "Fucking sweet smell," he kissed below her ear, "I just want to have you right now, on the floor, on my bed, against that wall, anywhere," he looked into her eyes, his dark ones troubled and filled with desire.
Florence swallowed, her throat suddenly dry, "Stop it, Severus. We shouldn't-"
"I understand," he whispered, "I hate it, but I understand," he kept looking at her, his desire clear in his pained expression, "Where is that damn veela of yours when I need her to take control of your body?"
Florence smiled, "She's very well leashed. After the other night, I can't trust her around you."
He sighed, eye-fucking her before looking at the necklace in his left hand, needing to walk away from her to calm down his body, "I'll take this to my room."
She nodded, "And I'll work on the potions for the order."
Then she left his living room, closing her eyes once she reached the lab, taking some deep breaths.
Veela or no veela magic, Florence still wanted him, but she knew they had reached a delicate moment in their relationship – they needed to talk and she had to decide what she was going to tell him.
After a while, Florence saw Severus walk into the lab and smiled, feeling glad that they had both found a way to move forward from the horrible place they had been just the day before.
He sat at his desk to grade essays then, after a few minutes working in comfortable silence, he said: "I never asked you: how did you recover from..."
"From losing the baby?" she finished for him.
He nodded.
"Well, physically I was better after a week; mentally..." she stopped stirring the cauldron and looked at him, "I think I hadn't recovered until you apologised yesterday. But, emotionally..." she sighed, "I just learned last night that I might never fully recover, that I have to learn to-"
"Move forward with it," he finished for her, nodding, "You talked to my mother."
"Yes. She told me about Elizabeth," she looked at him, seeing him wince as he heard that name; it was clear he was still saddened by what happened.
"I remember my mother's pain when we lost Liz," he said, not looking at her, writing something on a student's paper.
Florence didn't miss how he had said 'we lost', "Were you happy that you were going to have a sister?"
"I was. I had already met Lily by then, so I knew girls could be cool friends," he grabbed another paper, "We had planned to teach her a lot of things, Lily and I."
Florence wiped a tear that had fallen down her face, feeling the pain in his voice, "I'm sorry about your sister."
"She was... properly avenged," he drawled.
Florence nodded, tears still insisting on flooding her eyes as she thought about his childhood and the girl that had been his best friend.
"I miss Lily," she said, "And James. And Sirius. And I wish baby Harry was with me."
He raised his head then, looking at her, wishing he could just go there and hold her in his arms, but he didn't move.
"I guess the last Halloween night will always stay with all of us," he spoke in a low, emotionally-heavy, voice, averting his eyes, "I don't think I will ever forgive myself."
Florence looked at him with a frown, "I don't blame you, Severus. I know I said I did but I don't."
"I do."
And Florence didn't know what to say to him, so she just kept on working, thinking that moving forward wasn't as easy as it seemed.
Later that morning, Florence was working alone in the lab, since Severus hadn't returned from his morning class yet, when her stomach let her know it was time for lunch.
Not feeling like going to the Great Hall, she just got up and walked to the fireplace to ask the elves in the kitchens to send her food to the dungeons.
"Are you going to ask for lunch?" she suddenly heard Severus ask as he walked into the lab.
"Yes. Do you want to stay here as well?"
"Of course. Let's eat in my quarters," he invited her.
Florence nodded and asked the kitchens for both their lunches, before following him into his living room, sitting at a small table he had there, and waiting for their food.
"Wine?" Severus asked from his liquor cabinet.
"Yes, white please."
He picked up a wine bottle and took it to the table right as their food arrived, sitting in front of her.
She briefly smiled at him and he couldn't take his eyes off of her; each time she brought the goblet of wine or the fork to her lips, he wanted to push the food off the table and have her for lunch instead.
"Stop staring at me," she complained, but only half-heartedly.
"You have no idea what you're doing to me, Florence."
She slowly raised her eyes to look at him, and shook her head, "We have too much to talk about, Severus," she sipped her wine before adding: "If we want to move beyond the occasional sex and marry, we must talk first."
That had his full attention - she was truly considering marrying him!
She continued: "Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"
"Yes," he immediately replied, "But you can go first. My new rule is to listen to you, to commit to memory each word you say and not be an idiot again."
She laughed, softly, "Good rule, I like it. Well, what I want to know is: why were you such a dick these past two days?"
"Self-preservation. I thought you hated me," he admitted, taking a big sip of his wine, "I blame myself for all that happened that Halloween night, and I thought you did too. I feared if I was nice, you'd just tell me to sod off. And if I tried go approach you romantically, I was certain that you'd laugh at my face and tell me you're dating Lupin now," he paused, letting out a small sigh, "It's not as if something like that has never happened before."
"I wouldn't have done neither. I came here to talk to you. And I almost gave up, to be honest."
"I'm sorry for the past two days, Florence. I'm a miserable sod who doesn't know what to do. And I'm so irritated, all the time... my whole body hurts at the touch of my clothes-"
She interrupted him, clearly annoyed: "Again with the sad story about how your dick might fall off because it's so hard? Don't start it, Severus," she rolled her eyes.
"It's not a story. My whole body is irritated! My clothes make my skin hurt. My hand is like sandpaper."
"That's just sexual frustration. I know how the feeling," she whispered, drinking her wine.
"Right," he replied bitterly, "I hardly believe that. You were dating Black and fucking me on the side; I doubt you've ever gone a week without sex."
"Well, you'd be surprised to hear I've gone months without it. Sirius cheated on me, remember?"
He frowned then, nodding slowly. But before he could've asked her why she had gone months without sex, the door of his quarters was opened and Dumbledore walked in without knocking, looking worried. Then his eyes fell on the couple at the table and he smiled.
"I'm sorry for barging in," he said, "But Pomfrey just mentioned that she had let you out of the hospital wing, Severus, and I thought I'd find one of you dead when neither showed up at the Great Hall for lunch. There is even a bet amongst the students – and I'm sorry to say it, Severus, but according to most students, she killed you. 30 to 1."
Florence looked at the headmaster and just chuckled.
"No one's dead, as you can see," said Severus.
"Yes. Alright. I'll be going now," said Dumbledore, "You'll return to classes only on Monday, Severus. Rest for the next four days," and he closed the door.
"Four days off," Severus said, surprised, "Must tell Remus to break my ribs more often."
Florence just glared at him.
"Just kidding, love," the endearment leaving his lips with ease. Then he realised he shouldn't have said it: "I'm sorry, Flor, I just-"
"It's ok. It's not like I didn't say that I love you this morning."
Then they continued having lunch in a comfortable silence.
I wonder if this is still working.
Severus tried to speak into Florence's mind, but she seemed not to hear him and he let out a sad sigh.
"What happened, Sev? You look suddenly disappointed," she asked.
"I tried to use our..." he moved a finger to his temple, "But you didn't hear me."
"Oh. That's because I'm using occlumency. I just have a lot on my mind right now. But let me try," she looked into his eyes, sending him though their bond: I first told you that I loved you...
"In Prof. Page's class," he finished with a smile, "And James saved us from getting detention by throwing snowballs at us. I remember being so shocked that you loved me."
"I remember your face," she smiled back.
"I still am surprised actually. After everything I did... you still love me."
Her eyes softened and she touched his face, leaning towards him over the small table and touching her nose to his, breathing in his air, fighting the desire to kiss him.
Then she whispered: "I'd better go now."
"Yes. You'd better," his voice heavy with obvious desire.
And Florence walked out of his living quarters, going to the lab to finish the three potions she was brewing.
She was focused on stirring a Blood-replenishing potion, when she got a Patronus message, the silver wolf crossing the room and stopping beside her.
Remus.
"Can I pick up the boys again today?" asked the Patronus, "Hagrid has a new pet that I'm sure they'll love!"
She quickly replied with her own Patronus: "Of course! Have fun! I'll meet you at Hagrid's by five."
Then Severus walked in, "I heard Lupin?"
"Yep. He's taking the boys to Hagrid's. It seems he has a new pet."
"Yes. It's a baby dragon."
"What?" she asked him, suddenly concerned, "I can't believe I just agreed to Remus taking my kids to see an illegal, potentially dangerous, baby dragon."
Severus chuckled, "It's a baby hippogriff. I was kidding. Buckbeak is its name," then he added: "But you should be re-thinking your upbringing technique anyway: you have a werewolf for a nanny."
Florence gasped: "That's so mean, Severus! Remus is not a nanny, he's a friend. And the boys miss Sirius. Moony has been a blessing actually."
"They miss their father," said Severus, nodding, his lips pressed in a thin line of displeasure.
"That they do," she whispered, and he had no idea how true that was.
After working the afternoon mostly alone in the lab - but listening to his voice coming from the open door of the Potions classroom as he taught third-years about Wolfsbane Potion and then sixth-years about Draught of Living Dead - Florence walked down to Hagrid's at five, like she had told Remus she would.
She knocked on Hagrid's door and he quickly answered.
"Hey there! Come in, Florence!" greeted the half-giant, "It's very cold ou' there. Do ya want some tea?"
"Yes, please," she said, sitting on a big armchair, the twins running to sit by her side, "Hello, my loves," she kissed their heads.
"Mummy, you look happy!" said Nicholas, touching her face.
"That's because I am!" she replied, smiling.
"Is it because of dad?" asked James, his dark eyes glimmering with hope.
She glanced at Hagrid and he said: "They told me 'bout their dad. Not that I couldn't guess, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know," Florence sighed, "But still, they shouldn't have," she looked at the twins reproachfully.
"We know, mum, but…" started James.
"...Hagrid was looking at us and the question was written on his face," continued Nicholas.
"So we told him," finished James.
"Ok. Ok," she conceded, "No harm done. Now, tell me, what did you two do this afternoon?" she asked them.
"We had lunch at McDonald's," began Nicholas.
"Then we bought lots of sweets at Honeyducks," said James.
"Honeydukes, Jamie," Florence corrected him, chuckling.
"We went to Zonko's too!" exclaimed Nicholas.
"That store is awesome!" said his twin excitedly.
"They love that place…" Remus shook his head, "They wanted everything, but I didn't let them get anything. You two are still too young for most of those jokes anyway."
"Then we came here and played with Buckbeak!" said Nicholas as excited as his brother.
"I heard about this baby hippogriff," Florence looked at Hagrid.
"Yeah yeah," he replied, smiling, "He's just a harmless baby. I keep 'im close to the house, so I can look after 'im. I fear the centaurs might hurt 'im, ya know?"
"Yes, centaurs are strong territorial creatures, they may not like him," then Florence looked at the twins, "I see you two have had enough fun for the day."
"No!" they both complained.
"I want to play more with Beaky!"
"Of course you do, Jamie," said Florence in an understanding tone, "And you will, but not today. It's getting really cold and dark outside. We must return to the castle," she stood up and Nicholas followed her.
But James crossed his arms over his chest and put on a grumpy face, as he usually did when he was told 'no'.
"Come on, James. You know I don't like when you are stubborn," Florence said.
"I want to stay and play with Beaky!" the boy said.
"But you won't," Florence said firmly.
James neither got up nor uncrossed his arms.
Florence sighed and took him in her arms.
"Sorry about that, Hagrid," she said.
"Don' worry 'bout that," Hagrid was trying hard not to laugh.
"Now we have to find a way to get into the castle without Severus seeing them," said Remus.
Florence was thinking just that. She hadn't decided yet how she was going to proceed regarding telling Severus the truth, but if he saw James and his grumpy face, she wouldn't have to tell him anything for he'd know right then and there that she had been lying about the boys' father.
They walked to the castle as quickly as the snow allowed.
Luckily, they didn't meet anyone on their way up to the third floor.
Florence walked into her living room and put grumpy James on the sofa; then she sat beside him.
"Don't do this to me, Jamie," she said, touching his hair, "You'll play with Buckbeak tomorrow. You know soon it will be too cold outside. Stop being so stubborn, love."
The little boy looked at his mother and then hugged her, tears falling down his face.
"Sorry for upsetting you, mummy," he murmured, "You were so happy."
"It's ok, honey," she kissed his black hair, hugging him back.
Soon Nicholas joined their hug and it didn't take long for James to stop crying.
"I'm still happy, for I have you two," she whispered.
Later
Florence and Remus were walking to the Great Hall to have dinner.
She hardly ever had dinner with the others for she had to look after the twins at night, but Prof. McGonagall had offered to look after them that day.
"You do look happy, you know?" Remus said.
"And I truly am!" Florence sighed with a smile, "Severus apologised yesterday evening and he and I talked today."
"That's great," Remus said, but his excitement didn't reach his eyes.
"Moony-" she held his arm, making him stop and look at her.
"Don't worry about me, Flor," he interrupted her, "I brought this onto myself."
"I'm sorry if I-"
"No, it's not your fault, Flor," he gave her a sweet smile, "I'll be alright," he touched her face and then they resumed walking to the Marble Staircase, "You know, we could go to Hogsmeade after dinner."
"Oh, that would be lovely! A night out without the kids. Like grown ups!" she said with an exaggerated dreamy expression.
"Right?" he laughed, "It must be a long time for you."
"It sure does," she sighed, "Yes, let's do it!"
"And what, may I ask," they heard Severus' voice, as he walked towards them, coming from the dungeons, "are you two going to do?"
"We are going to Hogsmeade after dinner," said Remus, knowing the other man wouldn't like that.
Severus frowned, "No, you're not."
"Yes, we are," Florence replied.
"Then so am I," Severus said.
"No, you're not," she said, pointing a finger at him, "You have to rest your recently mended ribs! Remus and I will just take a walk and share a drink," she touched a hand to his arm, "No more irrational jealousy, Severus. Stop it."
Remus watched in astonishment the way she touched the man and talked to him: "You can be sure your name will be mentioned, Severus. For I need to know how this..." he pointed at them both standing close and talking in such civilised manner, "...came to happen."
Florence smiled and hooked her left arm on Remus's right arm, "I'll tell you everything, my friend," then she walked into the Great Hall with him; Severus glaring behind them.
"Where have I seen that grumpy face today already?" whispered Remus.
And Florence laughed.
10 p.m.
Florence's private quarters
Florence had just finished changing to go out with Remus when she heard knocks on the door of her living room.
She opened it and found a very unhappy Severus on the other side.
"Hi," she smiled, closing the door behind her and walking into the corridor to talk to him, "What brings you here?" she touched his chest, needing to put her hands on him.
He looked down at her body, noticing that she was wearing warm boots and a long white wool trench coat, her long, vanilla-scented, caramel-coloured waves were loose, falling freely down her shoulders.
"You're too beautiful to go out with the wolf," he said, touching her face, his thumb grazing her lips, letting her know he was jealous but trying to deal with it.
Florence smiled, feeling giddy that she was touching him and that he was touching her, telling her how he was feeling instead of simply growling and insulting her.
"I'm just going out for drinks with Remus, Sev," she ran her hands down his chest, sighing, "I haven't been this happy in so long."
"Why are you so happy? Going out with him makes you this happy?" he grumbled.
Florence smiled, touching down his stomach; just knowing she could touch him, and thinking that they would soon be together – even though in what way she hadn't decided yet – made her giddy with joy.
"You make me happy, Sev; this... touching you makes me happy," she touched up his chest again, feeling his right hand go to her neck and she knew what he was going to do.
His thumb pushed her chin up and she looked into his eyes.
"I'm going to kiss you, Florence," Severus whispered.
She just nodded and he pushed her against the wall, making her gasp at the feeling of his body tightly against hers. And he took advantage of her parted lips, invading her mouth with his tongue.
All Severus could think was that that was the right taste! Florence lowered her hands down his chest and his body sang in desire. Her tongue against his was heaven. She whimpered and moaned softly and he heard his inner voice shouting that those were the right sounds!
Remus walked into the corridor and stopped at the scene in front of him: Severus had Florence moaning against the wall; his kisses and touches making her arch her back and rub against him as he devoured her lips and played her body like a well-known instrument.
"Fuck, you have to let me watch someday," he groaned.
Florence moved her head, making Severus let go of her lips, looking at her friend. But the dark-haired man began kissing down her neck.
"Stop it, Severus," she said, but he pressed his thigh between her legs, taking her lips again, nearly violently.
She melted against him, nearly losing all coherent thoughts, her hands threading into his hair, "We have to stop," she gasped.
"No."
"Severus!" she laughed, pushing him away with magic to get him to let her go.
You're mine, Florence. He sent her, and his assertiveness had her shivering; she looked into his eyes and could see how much his body burned for her.
The sound of a throat being cleared interrupted them, "Are you ready to go?" Remus asked.
Florence glanced at him and nodded, looking at Severus once more and smiling, sending through their bond: I love you. Before walking into her private quarters with Remus to use the Floo Network.
After getting to the Three Broomsticks by Floo, Remus and Florence quickly left the pub to go for a walk; Hogsmeade was really beautiful, all covered in white, the Christmas lights sparkling magically around windows, doors, on trees, everywhere.
"I'm really glad to see you two are on your way to getting together, finally," Remus said.
"Me too," Florence couldn't stop her smile, "I haven't felt this happy in months!" she sighed, the cold night helping to cool down the fire Severus had ignited in her body, "Now I'm deciding what do to about the kids... How do I tell him about the twins? Will he hate me? Will he believe me?"
"Will he drag you to the nearest church and make you marry him?" added Remus.
"Yeah," she bit her lip, adding in a whisper: "And that fills me up with fear."
"I'd be terrified to marry him too!"
She threw a snowball at him, laughing: "You know what I mean! To marry him is too dangerous. When my father returns-"
"Stop it, Florence! The wizarding world doesn't fear your father anymore, you shouldn't either."
"I know you're right, Moony! I'm trying. I swear."
"It's starting to snow," he said, looking up. "Let's go back to the Three Broomsticks."
"Let's," she nodded.
Remus and Florence walked back into the pub and she immediately saw Severus sitting in the corner.
"Look who's here," she said shaking her head.
"Do you want to sit with him?" asked Remus.
"No. He came to keep an eye on us."
You just had to come and see. She sent him.
I'm sorry, love. But I'll just sit here and look at you.
"What will you have, Flor?" asked Remus once they sat at a table.
"White wine, Moony. Thanks," then she looked at Severus again: You have to trust me, Sev. We are connected by the Enchantment, my veela only wants you and you still don't trust me.
He made a discontent face, Maybe I should read about this enchantment thing, to try to better understand it.
That caught her attention: You've never looked it up?
That would explain how he continued to believe that Sirius was the boys' dad.
No. I knew what I felt and that has always been enough for me. He shrugged.
Maybe you'd better leave it at that. She said, sipping from the wine glass Remus had handed her.
Severus frowned, realising: You don't want me to read about it. Now I'm reading about it first thing tomorrow morning.
Florence just smiled and turned to Remus, who was looking at her with sadness in his green eyes.
"Moony-"
"Don't, Flor. I knew I should've stopped myself from falling for you."
"You're my best friend, Moony," she touched his hand.
"I know, Flor. I know," he drank his firewhisky, and suddenly pointed at something for her to look.
She looked at where he had pointed and frowned, jealousy taking over her – Rosmerta was walking straight to Severus's table.
Severus felt her jealousy and looked at where she was looking, smiling and telling her: So you were saying something about trust? He arched an eyebrow.
She angrily replied: I've never fucked Remus.
Severus laughed at her jealousy.
"Now, this is my lucky night," said Rosmerta, sitting on his lap without an invitation, "Severus," she touched his chest, speaking seductively: "What brings you here at this hour? All alone..."
Don't let her rub on you! Florence warned him.
He nodded, understanding that she was talking about what had happened the other night.
"Cassie," he softly spoke, "I was in the hospital wing until this morning, so..."
"Oh! Of course, honey," she got up from his lap and sat beside him.
Remus saw when Rosmerta sat on Severus's lap.
"Are you ok, Flor?" he asked, "Or should we leave?"
"No. I've told him to not let her rub on him."
"You've told him...?" he frowned for a second, then remembered: "Ah! Through your bond. It still works?"
"Yes," she smiled and got up, "I'm going to the ladies," she removed her white coat and instantly felt Severus' eyes on her – and many others' as well.
What the fuck are you wearing? Severus demanded, looking at her and at the long-sleeved midi red velvet dress that stuck to her body showing off every curve without showing any skin above her knees.
"Bloody hell!" whispered Remus, eyeing her up and down, "You knew he was coming here."
"Of course I did," she replied, walking towards the ladies' room.
"Severus." Rosmerta called his name noticing that something other than her had caught his attention. So she looked at where he was staring, "Delacour," she said the name as if it was a curse, "What is she doing here at this hour?"
"She's here with Remus," replied Severus, looking at the other man once Florence had walked into the restroom.
"She's dating him?"
"No. They're just friends," he struggled to hold in his jealousy.
Florence left the restroom and walked towards their table.
"Good evening, Prof. Snape. Cassie," she used the nickname, letting him know she had heard him use it.
"It's a good evening, indeed," answered Rosmerta, smiling, touching his arm possessively, "How are your children?"
"Great, thanks for asking. They turned three already, last October. We had a small party at McDonald's," Florence looked at the way Rosmerta's hand caressed Severus's arm, and did her best to hide her fury behind a hefty dose of passive-aggressiveness: "But if you'll excuse me, I must go back to my date, shouldn't keep him waiting," and she walked back to the table where Remus waited for her.
Your date? Severus asked, narrowing his eyes at her, I'll make you pay for that.
Florence winked at him when she sat beside Remus and entwined her hand with his, "Do you mind helping me?" she whispered close to his ear.
He immediately noticed what she was doing and reached out his arms behind her chair, "Absolutely. Let's make a man mad, shall we?" he whispered in her ear, "You're bloody gorgeous in that dress, there's not a man in here tonight that won't envy me," his hand caressing the nape of her neck.
And it worked instantly: Tell the wolf to keep his hands to himself! Severus demanded.
"He's telling you to stop," she said with a chuckle.
"Remind him I can break his ribs," Remus stared right at Severus and ran his nose down her shoulder.
Florence laughed and sent the message.
You wouldn't let him. Replied Severus.
Florence glared at him: If Cassie doesn't disappear, I might break them myself.
Severus quickly got up, saying good night to a pouting Rosmerta, and walked to the fireplace.
Florence got up too.
"I'll stay. If you don't mind," Remus sighed.
"Thank you for coming here with me and helping me make him mad," she touched his arm, "I hate to see you sad, Moony."
"It's my own fault," he kissed her hand, "Look... I'll keep my distance for a while. If things don't work out with Severus, you know you can call me," he winked at her.
She nodded and smiled, taking her coat from the chair, "Bye, Moony."
"Bye, Flor."
And he watched her walk away from him towards the fireplace.
"Darned lucky Snivellus," he groaned low and drank the rest of his firewhisky all at once.
Hogwarts
Florence's private quarters
Florence walked out of the fireplace and saw Prof. McGonagall alone in the living room, reading.
"Hello, my dear. Did you have fun?" asked McGonagall.
"I did, professor. How was everything here?"
"Perfect! Those boys of yours are a delight! So clever and polite!" she got up, "I'll let you rest now. Call me anytime you need a sitter!"
"I will. Thanks, professor," Florence opened the door, feeling a little disappointed when she didn't see Severus in the corridor.
"Good night," said McGonagall, leaving.
"'Night, professor," Florence was closing the door, when something on the other side stopped it from being closed and she smiled, opening it wide again.
"So... how was your date?" Severus drawled, walking into the living room and closing the door.
"It was amazing!" Florence said, feeling her body warming up by his presence, her veela trying to escape her mental lead, "Remus is such a gentleman. He didn't even kiss me!" she teased him.
"He'd better not have!" he growled, throwing a book he had in his hands onto the sofa.
"What's that?" she pointed at it.
"A book about magical bonds."
"I thought you were joking about reading about it," she frowned.
"No. I'll read it," he fixed his eyes on her, "Tomorrow morning."
"And why did you bring it here, if you'll only read it tomorrow?" she asked, taking her boots off, already knowing the answer.
His dark eyes glinted dangerously as he looked down her body in that skin tight red dress.
She felt sexy and desirable, her heart pounding for he was there with her - and she knew exactly what was minutes away from happening.
After making love, as nothing but the sound of their rasping breaths filled the bedroom, Severus held Florence in his arms, feeling that his body had gone back to normal - nothing hurt, and he wasn't filled by anger or sexual frustration anymore.
She lifted her face from his chest and kissed his lips slowly.
Then he reached for something on the bedside table and opened up his hand in front of her, the jade necklace resting on his palm.
Florence smiled, touching the place where it used to rest above her breasts,
"I miss it," she whispered.
"It's yours," he said.
She bit her bottom lip and nodded, sitting up and holding her hair to the side so that he could clasp it behind her neck, using magic to do so.
He kissed her shoulder and she turned to kiss his lips.
When their lips separated, she opened her eyes and staring at him with love, whispering: "Love you."
He caressed her face, "And I love you, Florence."
They lay down on the bed, her head on his chest, their legs entwined, and sleep soon claimed the two lovers.