Florence opened her eyes and walked out of the fireplace and into a beautiful hotel suite.

No ceiling lights were lit, just two sconces on the opposite wall and the fire in the fireplace filled the room with a warm inviting light.

There was a large round bed in the middle of the room, covered by a blood-red silk sheet, and she could see a big bathtub on the right corner – already filled up and with some leaves and petals floating in it. Close to the bed, there was a tall thin table with a crystal bowl and a silver knife resting on top of it.

"This is it," Florence whispered, looking at Severus with sparkling eyes.

"Yes," he nodded, removing his coat, "You're not leaving this room unmarried, Miss Peverell."

She just looked at him, finding it hard to put into words what she was feeling inside: happiness, relief, love, hope and a little fear.

He walked to her and helped her take off her coat, throwing it on an armchair in the corner with his.

Then he looked into her eyes, touching her face lovingly.

"I still remember the first time I kissed you."

Florence smiled, "Common Room. Right before the fifth-year Ball. And I nearly had to beg you to do it. I got close to you, tipped my head and waited..."

"I could barely believe you wanted to kiss me," he kissed her softly, "And now... we're here," he whispered, showing her he had a small box in his hand and slowly kneeling in front of her.

Florence felt her heart jump in her chest. "Severus…"

"Shh… don't say anything, love," he sounded nervous, "Let me speak," he took a deep breath and continued: "I love you, Florence, and having you back in my life these past two days has just confirmed what I already knew: that you're the woman I want to share my life with. And as if you weren't already perfect enough, you gave me those two amazing kids, you told them stories about me, even though I didn't know they were mine – you taught them to love me," he paused, trying hard not to cry, "We both know the war is not over yet, but I'm certain we'll find a way to win it. Together." he looked down and opened the jewellery box, "Florence Delacour Peverell, I want you by my side for the rest of our days. Will you marry me?"

Florence, unlike him, hadn't been able to stop the tears that flooded her eyes, so they rolled free down her cheeks.

"Yes," she said, her voice shaking by all the emotions inside of her, "You've always known my answer is yes!"

He took her left hand, kissed it, and slid the beautiful ring on her finger, then he stood up, pulling her to him, kissing her lips passionately, his hands going under her dress.

He kissed down her shoulder, unzipping her dress. "I'll get you into that bathtub now, where we'll bath on the special herbs and petals I've already added to it."

"Then you'll fuck me," she said breathlessly.

"No, I'm only fucking my wife tonight," he bit her shoulder.

"Tonight?" she asked in a louder voice.

"From this night on," he added, letting her dress fall to the carpeted floor.

After a quick dip in the bathtub, ("What the fuck did you put in this water, Severus?" Florence complained, "It's making me hornier than ever!), they walked, naked and dripping water, to the small table where the crystal bowl and the knife were.

Severus held the silver knife on his right hand and touched it to his left hand, cutting his own palm deeply and letting some of his blood drip into the bowl, forming a little pool.

Then Florence gave him her left hand and he did the same cut to her hand. When her blood touched his in the bowl, it magically simmered.

Severus opened up his bloodied hand and Florence put her equally bloodied one over his and he held it firmly.

"Everything that will be said from now on must be taken as a promise and fulfilled," he said, "This ritual is unbreakable. No forces on earth can undo it," he paused and she felt the air move around them, "Florence Delacour Peverell, I'll share with you everything that I have. My name, my possessions, my life."

And Florence felt their united hands getting warm, the simmering in the bowl intensifying.

He looked at her, it was her turn now.

"Severus Prince Snape," she began, "I'll always be by your side, no matter how hard our future might be."

And there it was again: the same warm feeling between their hands. And now they could also hear the sound of their hearts beating in unison.

He spoke: "I'll do anything and everything in my power to protect you and our children. With or without your permission."

"And I'll do the same," she said, smiling, "I also offer you my body, being it yours and nobody else's," she knew how those words were important to him.

"I'll respect you and cherish you," he said, "I'll never allow anyone to dishonour you."

The heat was getting stronger between their hands and the blood in the bowl was starting to boil.

"I give you my loyalty, my respect, my trust," she was trying not to cry.

"You have my loyalty, my trust and my love," he said, "I'll provide anything you and our children may need; you'll want for nothing."

Their hearts were beating louder. Their hands nearly too hot and the boiling in the bowl was intense.

"I'll always love you," she said, "I'll protect you, even from yourself."

"I'll die before I let anyone hurt you or our family," he finished.

They stared at each other in silence, feeling the strong connection they had always had been strengthened, the significance of what they had just done slowly hitting them.

They were married – magically bound to each other, forever.

Then the heat between their hands started to lessen, the boiling in the bowl stopped and the loud sound of their heartbeats faded.

Severus pulled her towards his body, their bloodied hands still united, and he kissed her deeply.

"Now, wife…" he said over her wet lips, "You know what happens," and he hoisted her up, carrying her to the red sheets.

After consummating their marriage...

"I can't... feel my legs," she whispered between breaths, "I don't think... I'll be able... to walk soon."

Severus laughed pulling her to his chest.

Florence rested her head on his chest, letting out a happy soft hum, finally taking a moment to look at her wedding ring, "Wait," she whispered, recognising the crest delicately engraved beside the beautiful solitaire princess-cut diamond, "This is from your mother's family."

"Yes. She asked you to give it to me the day of the Halloween party."

"I remember. I didn't want to do it, so she told me to throw it at your head," she chuckled at the memory.

"It belonged to my grandmother," Severus explained, "She was heartbroken when my mother married my father, not because he was a muggle, but because she could see he was a piece of shit. When grandma passed, she left her most precious jewellery to my mother – to be delivered only after Tobias' death."

"What was her name?"

"Silvie Rose Prince. She loved my grandfather so much that she died a week after he had gone. His name was Christopher Stephen Prince. They had a very happy and long marriage," he looked at her with a question: "Do you like it?"

"I love it, Sev. It's meaningful and beautiful," she kissed him, caressing his nose with hers afterwards, "We're finally married, aren't we?" she whispered.

"Yes. You're mine." he said, looking into her eyes; then he kissed her again, holding her tightly against his chest, "Now, rest, love; we have to be at the Italian Ministry at four."

"Hmm... hunting Bella on our honeymoon – nothing could be better."

Sunday

Fort dei Marmi

5 a.m.

Florence apparated Severus right inside the kitchen of Druella Black's beach house. They appeared with wands in hand, ready to engage in battle if necessary, but the place was dead silent.

I knew they wouldn't be here. Bella has never set foot in a kitchen in her life. Florence said through their bond.

Severus moved his hands in an intricate pattern in the air, breaking the spell that was stopping the aurors from locating the house. Then he looked through the window, signalling to them that they were ready to begin the capture.

Where do you think they are? He asked her.

They must be upstairs in one of the bedrooms.

Lead the way.

And they walked out of the kitchen, crossing a beautiful elegant dining room, and reaching the entrance hall, where the twelve-metre-high ceiling had an enormous crystal chandelier hanging from it. Severus noticed how Florence moved inside that place with ease, as if she was at home.

You've really spent summers here, haven't you?

Yes. She looked at him with an arched eyebrow. Still not believing it, Severus?

He shook his head. It's just strange to think I'm breaking into Cygnus Black's house with the Dark Lord's daughter.

So you'll be horrified to know that you married her.

He silently chuckled.

And Florence kept on moving upstairs, going from room to room on the second floor, checking for any signs of Bellatrix and her husband.

This used to be Cissy's and my room. She smiled before opening the door and walking into a pretty girly room, Severus following her. It's exactly like I remember it. She sighed.

Suddenly they heard a sound in the corridor and Severus touched a finger to his lips, going to the door to take a look.

It's a house elf.

She looked out the door and smiled. That's Gary. She walked out of the room before Severus could stop her.

What are you doing? He asked.

"Hey, Gary?" she whispered.

The elf jumped in terror before looking at who it was. He frowned and rubbed his eyes not believing who he was seeing, "Little Miss Peverell?" he whispered.

"Yes. I need your help, Gary. I need to find Bella."

The elf trembled, shaking his head and covering his mouth with both hands.

"You can't tell me? Ok," she turned to Severus. Bella must've forbidden the elves to speak about them being here.

"But could you show us, Gary?" he asked.

The elf thought for a second and nodded.

"Good. So point me to where Bella is, Gary. Please," Florence said.

And the elf raised his finger to the ceiling.

The master bedroom upstairs. She sent Severus. "Thank you, Gary."

Florence walked to the staircase but Severus stopped her by holding her arm.

Do you want to be thrown across a room again, husband? She asked, reminding him that holding her was exactly what he had done at the Potters' a little over a month ago.

Bellatrix is crazy, Florence.

And I was trained by the Dark Lord, husband. Trust me.

He frowned and let go of her arm, knowing he wouldn't be able to stop her. So he reluctantly nodded and followed her up another flight of stairs.

On the third floor, Florence pointed the door of the master bedroom and they walked towards it. However, the door was ajar and in seconds Florence's plan of quietly capturing the Lestrange couple went down the drain.

Rodolphus saw me. She said to her husband at the same time she cast: "Incarcerous!" and Rodolphus fell to the floor of the bedroom by the bathroom door.

"Diffindo!" They heard from someplace inside the room, "Who's there?" Bellatrix demanded.

She's on the bed. Opposite the bathroom door. Said Florence.

Shit.

There was no way they would be able to hit her from the door, for they couldn't see her. They'd have to go in.

Rodolphus had his wand – and something else – pointing at Florence.

"I want her, Bella. She's gorgeous," he said with blatant desire, caressing his naked dick.

"Lovely." Florence whispered sarcastically.

And Severus growled.

If you tell me you're jealous, I swear, Severus, I'll punch you!

You're mine! He shouldn't be looking at you!

"I've known you're here since you talked to Gary," said Bellatrix, still unable to see Florence, "Stupid thing came into the room to punish itself for helping you! Who are you? How did you get in here?" she shouted.

"She looks familiar," said Rodolphus, still eyeing Florence with hunger.

Florence didn't think twice, opening the door, she exposed herself.

What the fuck are you doing? Severus growled in her mind.

But she ignored him.

"Florence?" whispered Bella, frowning.

And they're both naked. Florence said to Severus, who was still standing in the corridor. Super lovely. She added, dryly.

"Florence Peverell," whispered Bella, certain that she had recognising her, "Of course you managed to get in here. I thought of my stupid cousin, but he's in jail; my parents and other relatives are gone. My sweet sister visited me and I know she wouldn't leave her perfect rich housewife life to help the aurors catch me. I worried about Andromeda, but I completely forgot about you."

The two women stared at each other for a moment, before Bella cast: "Avada..."

But Florence was faster, sensing Severus' surprise in her mind a second before she cast: "Crucio," and Bellatrix fell onto the bed screaming in agony.

The image of Frank and Alice lying on their hospitals beds at St. Mungus was all Florence thought about; she wanted to do to that crazy woman the same thing she'd done to the Longbottoms.

Rodolphus moved to defend his wife, but Severus attacked him: "Depulso!" and the naked death eater hit his head on the wall and fell to the floor unconscious.

While Bella kept on screaming in pain.

Severus put his hand on Florence's arm, "Flor, stop it. That's enough."

His voice was able to cut through the fog of rage that filled her mind and Florence lowered her wand.

Bellatrix just lay on the bed, whimpering in pain.

Are you alright? Severus asked Florence.

She nodded and was about to reply when they suddenly heard a maniacal laugh:

"Feel that?" asked Bellatrix, "The Dark Lord is returning soon! I can feel his presence," she looked at her Dark Mark, kissing it lovingly, "Don't you feel it, half-blood?" she asked Severus, eyeing him up hungrily.

Florence snorted but something had her frowning the next second, Severus, her Mark looks darker than yours.

Mine is no longer grey either, Florence. He replied, showing her his forearm, a hint of fear in his eyes.

She looked at him, just as worried: Can you feel his presence like she said she can?

He nodded. Faint but familiar, yes.

Florence was intrigued, for she couldn't feel anything, and she knew her father's magical signature.

"How is this possible?" she whispered.

"I don't know, but it's very similar to his presence," Severus replied, nervous.

"Similar?" she asked, realising what they must be sensing.

You're not feeling my father's presence, Severus. The Dark Mark is reacting to me, because I tortured Bella.

He looked at her with surprised concern.

Florence turned to Bellatrix again, deciding to use that in their advantage and think about what it meant later: "Yes, I think you're right, Bella. The Lord's returning and that's why we're here. We came to rescue you, to take you to him."

The naked death eater looked at them with so much hope in her soulless eyes that she looked like a reanimated corpse, a deranged Inferi, "I knew he'd come for me! My love wouldn't let me go to Azkaban!"

Her love? Florence asked her husband, in shock.

Meet your stepmother, Florence. Severus said, trying not to laugh.

Fuck. That's it!

"Carcer mentis," Florence cast, quickly moving her hands in a beautiful pattern, and Bellatrix fell onto the bed face down, unconscious.

"What's that?" Severus asked, surprised.

"It's a mind-trapping advanced healing spell," she explained, conjuring a dress to cover Bellatrix's body.

"You put her in a coma?" he walked close to the mad woman.

"Yes," Florence replied, sending Mad-Eye a Patronus next, letting him know they could get in there to take the prisoners.

Then she turned to Severus: "Is it true? My father was in a relationship with her?"

"I wouldn't call it a relationship, but everyone knew they fucked."

"And that's more than I needed to know," she groaned in disgust, glancing at Bellatrix and shaking her head.

Severus continued: "There was even talk that she was pregnant a while ago."

"What?" Florence exclaimed, going back towards Bellatrix, flipping her onto her back and casting: "Vide utero," then she let out a relieved sigh, "Not pregnant. Thankgoodness!"

"Why? Wouldn't you like siblings, love?" he asked with a smile, just to spite her.

"Shut it, Severus! Don't make me remind you she wanted into your pants."

He shivered in disgust and they heard the sounds of people apparating into the room.

"I never thought this day would come," said Mad-Eye Moody, looking at Bellatrix. Then he turned his mad-eye to Florence and Severus, "How were you two able to get in here and capture her?"

"None of your business," Florence replied.

"Maybe... I should take you in for questioning, Miss Delacour," Moody got closer to her, trying to intimidate her.

But she just looked at him, smiling, wanting him to try.

"Mad-Eye," warned Severus, "She just got you the Lestranges. I wouldn't push her."

Let him, husband. She said. I'd love to give him a mad-arm to go with that eye.

Severus had to fight the urge to laugh at that image.

Do not harm the head of the Aurors Department, Florence.

She just looked Moody up and down disdainfully and turned to leave, but Bella moaned on the bed and all aurors inhaled sharply in the room, even Mad-Eye looked at the unconscious woman on the bed with fear.

Florence chuckled: "All it takes is a woman to make the brave aurors shit their pants."

"That's not a woman. That's a monster," replied Moody.

She tilted her head, nodding: "Now I have to agree with you! Get her locked up for what she did to Frank and Alice," Florence looked at all the men in the room, "Do not let her escape! You have about forty-minutes to get her to Azkaban until my spell fades."

Then she left and Severus followed her.

Florence walked out of the house, going towards the beach she knew so well, without looking back.

Severus silently followed her, seeing her with brand new eyes; Florence had walked into that house to capture the most dangerous of all Death Eaters, someone who had killed and tortured many without a second thought, and yet Florence went after her fearlessly, torturing the crazy woman and putting her in a temporary coma with an advanced spell not even he knew how to cast.

He then thought to himself that his wife really wasn't someone he would like to have as an enemy.

He saw her suddenly stop and walk straight to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"It's too cold," Florence whispered, rubbing her face on his chest.

Severus held her tightly against his body, warming her up, one hand pulling her chin up for him to kiss her lips.

They shared a long and sweet kiss, touching tongues and lips slowly, getting lost in each other's scent, taste and presence.

Severus kept thinking of how amazing the woman in his arms was; she was strong, gorgeous, brilliant and his; he felt himself falling in love with her all over again.

Florence caressed his chest, smiling up at him, "I've just tortured a person and you're thinking of how much you love me. How fucked-up are you?"

"Correction, love: you tortured Bellatrix, not a person."

She chuckled, "True," and touched his hair, kissing his again, "Let's go home, husband?"

"Yes, let's go home, wife," he smiled.

And they disapparated.