Note: Fred and Mione are seduced. A wedding is ruined.

A long chapter.

August 1st 1997

The Burrow

6 p.m.

Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny were standing outside the great, white marquee in the orchard, awaiting the arrival of the wedding guests. Harry had taken a large dose of Polyjuice Potion and was now being introduced as 'cousin Barny Weasley'.

"When I get married," said Fred, tugging at the collar of his own robes, "I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. You can all wear whatever you like, and I'll put a full Body-Bind Curse on Mum until it's all over."

"She wasn't too bad this morning, considering," said George, "Cried a bit about Percy not being here, but who wants him?"

"Not that I'm thinking about getting married," added Fred, looking down at the ring on his finger.

George saw the look on his twin's face but didn't comment on it, for people were arriving, "Oh blimey, brace yourselves – here they come, look."

They all looked to the front yard, where guests were starting to appear.

"Wait," said Fred staring at a woman and a teenage girl that were walking toward them. "Is that..."

"Madam Delacour!" exclaimed George, looking at his twin with concern.

"Nick's mother," Fred gasped, "What's she doing here?" he looked around to see if he could find his ex-boyfriend.

Ginny looked at the guest list, "According to this, she's Fleur's cousin."

Harry/Barny looked at them, "Shouldn't we warn someone? She was Snape's girlfriend!"

Ginny rolled her eyes: "It's not like she's arriving with a party of death eaters on her heels, guys! She's never hurt any of us – quite the opposite actually, or you idiots have forgotten about how she helped us all go through Umbridge's detention?"

The redheaded girl fixed her dress and continued: "Today they're guests here – Fleur's family. I'll go help them; Mum told me to help the Delacours find their seats," and she walked toward Florence and Elizabeth, taking them to their table.

Fred watched the woman and the girl follow his sister; the mediwitch had politely greeted him as she walked by, looking at him with the same green eyes that haunted his dreams.

He sighed, the pain of breaking up with Nicholas flaring up, the constricting of his chest a common companion of his now; he missed his ex-boyfriend – and lately his body seemed to have gone crazy on him, making him wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat and even his own cum, still hard and needy, as if he were in some sort of heat – which, as he had recently found out, was a possibility.

"Why did I break up with him again?" Fred whispered to himself, feeling his skin growing hot at the mere thought of seeing Nick.

But George heard his murmuring and reminded him: "Because his father killed Dumbledore and he knew about it."

"Yeah, that," Fred exhaled softly, looking down at the ring on his finger again and thinking about Nick, his kisses, the feeling of having him deep inside his body – he shivered in pleasure at the memory of being under Nicholas.

But suddenly George grabbed his arm, bringing him back to reality.

"Fred! Look!" George whisper-shouted nervously, pointing at something to their left.

Fred looked up and his heart skipped a beat: as if his thoughts had summoned him, Nicholas was walking towards them dressed in the most scrumptious suit-and-tie that Fred had ever seen.

"Holy fuck! Looking that good should be illegal," he whispered, licking his lips.

Nicholas smiled at him and Fred found himself walking towards him, as if hypnotised. His thoughts of being taken by the dark-haired young man clouding his judgement.

Just need some kisses, just an orgasm or two. Fred thought, shaking his head in the next second, trying to focus, reminding himself that Nicholas was the son of Dumbledore's murderer. He lied to me, hid things from me... damn, are his shoulders broader? He wondered, mentally slapping himself almost immediately. Get yourself together, Fred!

Nicholas stopped in front of him, and Fred didn't wait for him to say anything, he gathered all his strength and demanded first: "What the fuck are you doing here?" trying to sound angry and not horny.

"My mother was invited, Fred. I'm here as a guest," Nick sounded calm and collected, the alluring tone of voice he had inherited from his father immediately eliciting a physical reaction on Fred – the sexy picture Nicholas painted in that black suit also didn't help him keep his cool – his knees going weak as a shiver of need ran up his spine.

"Enjoy the party then," Fred said, licking his lips and forcing himself to turn around to go back to his brother's side.

But Nicholas held his arm, "Is there a place we could talk?" his other hand lightly caressing Fred's waist.

"What could we possibly have talk about, Nicholas?" he struggled to keep his voice steady and not whimper in need, "Did or didn't your father kill Dumbledore?"

Nick didn't deny it: "He did. But..."

Fred shook his head, "So there's nothing for us to talk about!"

But Nicholas could see the desire and longing in Fred's eyes, so he used that to his advantage.

"Just a kiss then, Red," his voice low, purposely sensual, "I miss you so much, baby."

Fred closed his eyes, knowing he wasn't strong enough to resist that voice in a good day – much less on a day he felt like his blood was lava and he had spent nearly two months without being fucked by his lover. He looked at Nick, who was looking good enough to eat in that suit, his strong masculine presence so close to him, those green eyes burning in desire for him.

"Are you wearing perfume, Red?" Nick asked, smelling his neck, "I like it," he ran his tongue down the side of his ex-boyfriend's neck and groaned – his skin tasted as good as he smelled.

Fred couldn't get his throat to work, he should stop him, shout at him, push him away – but the only thing he had in his mind was Fuck me and, before he could stop him, Nick was pulling him towards the side of the house.

Fred felt his back hitting the wall and looked up into Nick's green eyes. His treacherous heart beating fast while his body begged to have his hands on him.

Nicholas could feel the need running through Fred's body matching him own, so he pushed him against the wall, looking into his face, admiring the freckles that ran down his nose.

"I know I said I'd talk," Nick whispered, "But I have to kiss you first, Red."

Fred wrapped his arms around him, finally giving in, "Let's take this upstairs," and he disapparated them both to his bedroom.

Nicholas immediately carried Fred to the bed, falling on top of him, trapping him between his larger body and the soft bed, "Fuck. How I missed you, Red."

And he took his lips desperately.

Meanwhile, at the wedding reception

"Where did Fred go?" asked George, looking towards the place he had last seen his brother.

"I saw a dark-haired guy dragging him away," said Ginny, smiling.

"Shit," cursed George, worried. But then Remus and Tonks arrived, forcing him to pay attention to them, "Hey, guys! Where do you want to sit?" he asked, ignoring the seating arrangements.

"Is Hagrid here already?" asked Remus.

"Yes, there he is!" pointed Ginny.

Remus looked at where she was pointing but then he saw Florence and Elizabeth.

"Why is Florence here?" he asked.

"Madam Delacour is Fleur's cousin," explained Ginny.

Remus nodded, "We'll sit with her then," and he took Tonks' hand, taking her towards Florence's table.

"Remus," said Tonks, frowning as she remembered something: "Were the rumours about Madam Delacour and Snape ever true?"

"Yes. They dated while in school and after school as well."

"Recently?" she insisted, sensing her boyfriend was withholding information.

Remus just nodded.

Tonks frowned when she looked at Elizabeth as they were getting closer to Florence's table, "And who's the girl?"

"I can't tell you," Remus replied after trying, "There's a secrecy spell in place."

Tonks' auror instincts were telling her something wasn't right.

"How much do you trust Delacour, Remus?"

He sighed before replying: "A lot. Apparently," Then they had reached the table, and he smiled at his friend: "Florence, mind if we join you?"

Florence looked up at him and smiled, "Hi, Remus! Of course not, join us, please! How are you?"

"Fine," answered Remus sitting down, looking at Liz – who he could see as she truly were while Tonks saw her appearance altered by the protection spell.

"Hi, Tonks," Florence greeted the auror, "This is Elizabeth," she pointed the girl, and then added: "My daughter."

Remus saw the moment the spell stopped working on Tonks and she saw Liz's true physical appearance.

Tonks gasped, "What the fuck? She's...!"

She couldn't say it, the spell forbidding her from continuing.

Remus pulled his girlfriend to a kiss, trying to calm her down.

"Yes, Dora," he said over her lips, "Just calm down."

"Calm down?" she whisper-shouted. "Look at that girl! She's... she's..." she huffed when she couldn't say the words.

"Yes," Florence confirmed, "She's his daughter. But you won't be able to speak about it, as you've just tried and failed."

The auror glared at her and then at Elizabeth – who smirked, clearly reminding her of someone else.

"Fucking hate that smirk," Tonks growled low.

Both Elizabeth and Florence laughed.

"Love your blue hair," Liz said, "I wish I could change mine."

"Thanks," Tonks grumbled.

Florence cast a silencing charm around their table and turned to the auror.

"He asked to die, Tonks. Dumbledore was cursed; I did my best to save him but... he had just a year of life left."

Tonks looked at her and then at Remus, who didn't look surprise to be hearing that.

"Did you know this?"

Remus nodded, "Yes. They told me that the day after he was killed."

"His hand..." whispered Tonks.

Florence nodded, "It's where the curse was contained. But it was going to spread – and it did. His whole arm was thin and burned by the time he died," she finished, removing the silencing spell to not arise suspicion.

"So there is a plan," said Tonks.

Florence and Remus nodded.

"Quick thinking," they heard a blond man say, as he sat beside Florence without asking, "For a Hufflepuff," and raised a hand to Florence's chin, tilting her face up and kissing her lips, surprising everyone at the table but her.

Tonks immediately realised who he was and stared at him in silence; inside her, anger mixed with the hope that not everything was as lost as she'd thought considering what she had just heard.

"So you're innocent?" she asked.

"Hardly," blond-Severus snorted, "But I'm not a cold-blooded murderer – if that's what you're asking."

For another uncomfortable moment, Tonks just looked at him.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a dark-haired young man.

"Hey, mum, Uncle Remus," said James, sitting beside his sister and hugging her tightly, "Hey, baby-sis!"

"Jamie!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she hugged him back, "Miss you, big bro. Where's Nick?"

"Hopefully fucking Fred," he winked at her.

Blond-Severus growled: "Language in front of your sister!"

Both teens just rolled their eyes similarly while Tonks still stared at the young man, frowning and open-mouthed – she couldn't believe her eyes, he looked exactly like his father, only sexier.

"Who the bloody hell are you?" she asked him, trying not to shout.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Tonks," he politely said, "I'm James, this nice couple's firstborn son," he motioned his parents.

It was Severus' turn to roll his eyes at his son's mocking politeness.

Florence smiled, sipping her wine, "Are you here to chat or to get your girlfriend back?" she asked James, "I believe Krum was invited to the party, I actually saw him dancing with her just now."

At the mention of Viktor's name, James dropped the playful act and immediately stood up, walking around the party looking for Hermione.

"Who's his girlfriend?" asked Tonks, trying to understand.

"Granger," answered Liz.

After a moment of shock, Tonks burst out laughing and looked at Snape.

"Your son is dating Hermione Granger?"

Blond-Severus glared at her.

"And," added Remus, not letting the moment go, "James's twin, Nick, is with Fred Weasley."

Then Tonks roared with laughter.

Why are you here, Severus? Florence asked him while the others at their table were distracted by their kids love-lives. You wouldn't come to a wedding party without either a wand to your head or a very good reason.

He smiled at how well she knew him.

The Ministry will fall tonight. Right now, a massive break out from Azkaban is under way.

Fuck. She replied. Lucius is out. Her thoughts going immediately to Draco and Narcissa.

Yes. And tomorrow afternoon you'll be nominated Minister. Better have your speech ready, love. He added, trying to lighten up the mood.

Shit.

In about an hour, Scrimgeour will be killed and the aurors taken for questioning. Then, it won't be long til the Snatchers get here.

Florence nodded, entwining her left hand with his right one.

As usual, Severus brought her hand to his lips and kissed her wedding ring. Love you, wife.

She smiled at him, kissing his lips, Together, Sev.

Always.

"Oh, mon Merlin, je n'en crois pas mes yeux!" exclaimed Elizabeth, all of a sudden, "Who are those people?" she was pointing at two people dressed in yellow clothes in the middle of the dance floor.

"Those are Luna and her father, Xeno Lovegood," said Tonks, "She's a very sweet girl."

"Ravenclaw," added Severus, "Very intelligent; even though hers could be the picture by the word eccentricity in the Dictionary."

"Intelligent? No way, dad," said Elizabeth, outraged, "Even a poorly gifted person would know that you can't wear a yellow dress with a yellow hair," she shook her head, "Je reste bouche bée."

"Ne sois pas si dramatique, Elizabeth," said Severus, rolling his eyes.

Tonks choked on her wine, "And he speaks bloody French?! Are you kidding me?"

And the others laughed at her astonishment.

James walked around the ballroom three times, getting increasingly anxious each time when he failed to find either Hermione or Krum. He feared he knew the reason they weren't around, having he himself played the disappearing act many a party before – hell, he was planning to do exactly that with her the moment he found her.

Hermione knows the Burrow well, she could've taken Krum to a hidden corner and-

Fuck. He ran a hand through his hair, taking a glass of champagne from a nearby floating tray and tossing it down, barely tasting it.

I'll kill him if he put his paws on my girl!

Then he saw him: Viktor was standing by himself near the ladies' room.

No signs of Hermione.

"Krum," James said, approaching him and not even trying to hide his displeasure.

"Peverell," Viktor replied, just as unhappy to be seeing him; after finishing school, Krum had found out he had nothing against Nicholas, but he couldn't stand James.

"Have you just arrived?" James asked.

"Yes. 'Ermi-ooh-nee vas showing me the garten."

James' eyes sparkled in anger, "And where is she now?"

"In the ladies'."

James nodded, "Thanks for keeping my girlfriend company until I arrived, you can fuck off now."

"Girrlfriend?" Krum frowned.

But before James could tell him to sod off again, Hermione walked out of the restroom.

"James?" they heard her surprised voice, "What are you doing here?" she stopped beside Krum, unable to stop herself from looking at him up and down, biting her bottom lip in reflex; Why does he have to look so good in a suit?

James didn't fail to notice her approving gaze, but his smile quickly vanished as he saw Krum lay a hand on her lower back and her take a step close to the Quidditch player – too close.

"I need to talk to you, Hermione," James said, adding: "Please."

She shook her head, glaring at him, "We have nothing to talk about, James. You shouldn't even be here!"

"There's an explanation, Mione. Just hear me out," James took a step towards her, touching her arm.

She looked up into his dark eyes, her anger giving place to desire; a shiver of pleasure running down her spine due to his proximity. She couldn't deny she missed him, her heart still called for him and her body craved his touches.

James smiled, seeing the desire as clear as day in her amber eyes and taking advantage of that: "Miss me, kitten?" he whispered in a velvety voice, moving his hand up her arm, stopping it under her chin.

"Oy, Peverell-" started Krum, but James moved his other hand, casting a wandless banishing charm that sent Krum away from them.

"What did you-" she gasped, trying to turn her head to see if the Bulgarian was hurt.

But James held her chin, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer; he smiled when he felt her melt against him and heard the soft whimper that got caught in her throat.

"I'm going to kiss you, kitten," he whispered.

But the touch of his nose against hers seemed to snap her out of the hypnotizing cloud lust fogging her brain, and she pushed her wand against his neck, discreetly.

"Let go of me," she demanded in a low voice.

"Now, love," James slowly raised his hands, "There's no need for that."

"Don't call me love or kitten!" she whispered angrily, still too close to him, knowing she should step away from him, but finding it impossible to do so, "What are you doing here?"

"Fleur is my mother's cousin, Miss Granger."

She lowered her wand, looking for strength to tell him to never get near her again.

But James took advantage of that moment and pulled her tight against his body, disapparating with her to the Weasleys' garage.

Meanwhile, on the Burrow's third floor

Two half-dressed young men were minutes away from shagging on a bed, their suits and shirts lying somewhere on the floor of the bedroom.

Fred was on top of Nicholas, his hands unzipping Nick's trousers, while Nick pulled him down and held his arse with both hands, grinding against him; their mouths fused in a long and wet kiss, tongues rubbing as desperately as their bodies.

"I missed you," Fred moaned between kisses, "Need you..."

"Missed you so much, Red," replied Nick, "Want you-" but he suddenly froze, and Fred opened his eyes to ask him what had happened and then he saw George standing by the bed, his wand on Nick's neck.

"Get away from my brother!" George ordered.

Fred knelt on the bed to allow Nicholas to get up.

"I wasn't doing anything he didn't want," Nick said between soft breaths, both hands up.

"Oh, I know," George growled, "But Fred can't think near you! And you know that! Get out of here before I hex you, Nicholas!"

Fred got up from the bed, wanting to shout at his brother to just stop that and get out! He wanted Nicholas' touches! He wanted to be taken by him!

Dammit! Fred sighed heavily, knowing George was right: he couldn't think clearly whenever his ex-boyfriend was around.

"You said we needed to talk, Nicholas," Fred said, "So talk."

Nick nodded, keeping his hands up, and starting: "Dumbledore was already dying. You two weren't in Hogwarts anymore, so I don't know if you saw he had-"

"A burned hand," said George, his wand still pointing at Nick, "Keep talking."

"That was the consequence of a curse. My mother managed to contain it to his hand, but she warned him he wouldn't have much longer to live," Nicholas sighed, "Listen, long story short: Dumbledore died to save Draco Malfoy's soul and to solidify my father's position with the Dark Lord."

"Dark Lord," repeated George, disgusted, "You even talk like a death eater."

Nicholas got exasperated: "It's just how I'm used to hearing my father call him, ok?" then he looked at Fred, "My father's not a traitor- we're not traitors. My parents followed Dumbledore's plan. All they want is to help the Order defeat the Dark Lord."

Fred was glad his brother was there, otherwise he'd have easily believed in that story. He scoffed: "You can't possibly think that-"

"Alright," said George, surprisingly lowering his wand.

"Wait!" shouted Fred, "You believe him?"

"Yeah. I do," George nodded, "Nick and James have had many chances to kill us, so I'm sure we'd already be dead if they were truly working for You-Know-Who."

"Thanks, George," Nicholas smiled, lowering his hands, relieved, "Now, you cannot tell any of this to anyone for a while. Apart from you, only Granger knows."

"James is..." started Fred.

"About to fuck her, if you need to know," Nicholas said, grimacing and quickly using occlumency to block his bond with his twin, "My mother will come to an Order meeting soon and explain everything to the others."

"Ok. No problem," agreed George.

Nicholas walked towards his beloved ex-boyfriend, hoping to be able to call him his again.

"Do you believe me, babe?"

Fred looked into the green eyes he missed so much.

"I want to believe you, Nicky," he whispered, touching his abs, and pulling him closer, needing to touch him.

"So believe me, love," he rubbed his lips on Fred's, "Be mine again."

"Aaand that's my cue to leave!" said George, locking the door on his way out.

Fred smiled and nodded, "Yes," he whispered, biting Nick's bottom lip, "I believe you."

"I love you, Fred. Please tell me you'll still marry me."

"Yes, Nicholas," Fred chuckled, "I love you and will marry you."

"Oh, thankgoodness," he whispered, pressing their foreheads together, before removing the ring he had on his finger, "Here, love, this is the ring I bought for you. I've been wearing it-"

Fred did the same, taking off the ring he had on his own finger and reaching it out to Nicholas.

"It seems we had the same idea, Nicky, for this is yours."

Nick held Fred's left hand and slid his ring on his finger, then Fred slid on Nick's finger the ring he had bought.

"Now, fiancée," said Fred, entwining their hands, "I believe we have to consumate our engagement."

"I believe you're right, Red," Nick smiled, kissing his lips hungrily, before pushing Fred on the bed again.

Not far from there, in the Weasley's garage

James pushed Hermione against the wall and caressed down her curves, grabbing her arse with both hands and lifting her up, watching her tremble.

"I missed you, kitten."

"Stop it, Jamie," Hermione moaned, trying to push him away, but closing her eyes at the delicious feeling of having his hands on her again.

"Not even if I could, love."

"I'll hex you-" she threatened, but her tone betrayed her words and her hands fisted on his hair.

"Don't make me tie you up, love," and the shiver he felt running down her body had him groaning, "You want me to do that?" he whispered, seeing in her eyes the words her lips refused to say.

Then he wandlessly tied her hands over her head, and she moaned softly.

"You're perfect, kitten," he whispered against her neck, kissing a path to her lips, but as he tried to suck on her bottom lip, she turned her head to the side.

He stopped touching her, "Tell me no, Hermione. Tell me to stop and I will," he looked into her eyes, "If you honestly don't want my kisses and touches, just tell me so and I'll stop, you know that."

She looked from his eyes to his wet lips, down his body – dressed in that sexy dark suit – between her legs; she would be lying if she told him 'no'.

James waited, but when Hermione didn't say anything, he groaned in need and bit the curve of her neck, kissing a path to her ear: "You know what you just did, kitten? You've just given yourself to me."

She whimpered, "Yes."

"And do you remember exactly how... generously... I repay that gift, don't you?" he caressed her face.

She let out a breathless: "Yes, Jamie."

He kissed her lips, and she didn't turn her head then, accepting his tongue into her mouth, kissing him back just as desperately.

"There's an explanation for what happened, trust me, kitten," he gasped, "I'll tell you all about it- afterwards," he touched down her curves, "I need you first- fuck, I can't even think straight-"

"Yes, Jamie, please," she pleaded.

And he vanished their clothes, making love to her against the wall.

Back at the party

"Hey, look," said Elizabeth, smiling, "Nick and Fred are finally here."

Florence looked at the two young men walking hand-in-hand and sighed in relief, "Aw, don't they look happy," she said with a smile.

Severus sarcastically added: "Great."

Florence slapped his arm and Tonks looked at her with sudden interest.

"I need to see you doing that again when he looks like himself. Please," begged the auror.

Florence laughed, "Of course, Tonks. It'll be my pleasure to hit him as you watch."

Remus blushed at her choice of words.

"Liz," Severus turned to his daughter, "Do you want to dance?"

"Of course, dad!"

And they went to the dancefloor.

"Oh, I see Madame Maxime, excuse me," said Florence, getting up and walking towards the female half-giant.

Tonks stared at Snape and Elizabeth with an incredulous expression.

"What's wrong, Dora?" asked Remus.

"Love, if I got up and told everybody that that man there, dancing with that beautiful girl, is Snape and that he has kids with her-" she pointed Florence who was talking animatedly to Madam Maxime at another table.

Remus chuckled, "Everybody would agree that you've drunk one too many, my love," he nodded, understanding her incredulity.

Back at the Weasleys' garage

James and Hermione shared a long sweet kiss, having already put their clothes back on.

"Kitten," he whispered when he broke the kiss, looking at her with a smile, expecting to see her smiling back at him - but she didn't; in fact, she looked like she was about to cry, "Hermione, have I hurt you, love?" he asked, worried.

She shook her head and closed her eyes briefly, making the tears fall out.

"Speak, James," she ordered quietly, "You said there's an explanation for what happened."

He nodded, "Uncle Albus was cursed and dying. Mum tried to save him but... not even she could do anything."

Hermione frowned, "His hand?"

"Yes. So they came up with a plan where my father would kill Dumbledore before the curse did-"

"Thus solidifying his position with You-Know-Who," she finished for him.

James nodded again, eyeing her apprehensively, for she looked angry.

"That's it?" Hermione asked, "Your father killed a dying man to make You-Know-Who believe he is fully committed to his cause?"

"Yes," James watched, in confusion, as she got even angrier.

"Then why, James," she said, raising her voice: "WHY THE FUCK didn't you tell me that two months ago?" she was shouting, shoving him with both hands, "Why wait all this time? Do you have any idea the HELL I've been through without YOU?"

"I do!" he desperately replied, "I do! I was suffering too, kitten!" he tried to pull her into his arms again.

"NO, YOU DON'T!" she shoved him again, "I HAD NO ONE! I watched them pack and leave and-" her voice broke from the memory of seeing her parents happily planning their new life without her.

James froze, realising what she meant: "Fuck, Hermione. You did it: you obliviated your parents."

"Yes!" she sobbed, "And you... you weren't by my side! You arsehole!" she pushed him again and again until he managed to hold her tightly in his arms, then she sobbed against his chest.

"I'm here now, love," he whispered, his heart breaking for her, "And I'm not going anywhere."

"Don't make me break up with you ever again, Jamie. Please," she begged against his neck.

He chuckled, "I won't love," he touched her hair, kissing her forehead, "You're it for me, Hermione," he admitted into her hair, his heart pounding in his chest, "I'm going to buy you a ring, Hermione."

She inhaled sharply, looking up at him, seeing he was serious. She raised a hand to his face, a tear of joy falling down her cheek.

"I'd love that, James," she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips, "But you'd better improve at your proposing skills," she added, "Leaving a ring for me to find, or putting it on my finger while I sleep, will just have me transfigurate it into a bludger and make it follow you."

He laughed and kissed her again, thinking to himself that he had to be crazy for he had missed even her threats.

Then he buried his nose in her hair again and sighed, allowing himself to relax at the feeling of having his arms filled by her once more.

Florence saw James and Hermione walk back into the party and go straight to the finger food table.

After eating and drink a little, James pulled Hermione to the dancefloor, and she giggled, looking up at him obviously drunk in love and recently shagged.

Tonks chuckled: "They could at least try to hide it."

"Stupid teenagers," said Severus, annoyed, "He might as well fuck her on the dancefloor."

"Well, dad," said Elizabeth, looking at her brother and Hermione with longing, "It doesn't look like she'd put up much of a fight if he really tried to fuck her right there," her eyes showing she was a little too interested on that idea for her father's comfort.

Florence laughed, It seems we finally found one thing I have in common with Elizabeth: public sex.

Severus looked at his wife, furious, before scolding his daughter:

"Elizabeth!" he hissed, "You shouldn't be having such thoughts!"

"Mum enjoys it," the girl shrugged, "I probably inherited a voyeuristic gene from her."

And her words had three out of the four adults around that table nearly choking on their drinks.

Nymphadora looked from the Snape couple to her boyfriend, confused by their reaction; then she mentally replayed what the girl had said and gasped as she realised why her boyfriend looked as embarrassed as the Snapes.

"Remus?" Tonks cleared her throat, "Can you tell me what's this all about?" she pointed at them.

He blushed as he glanced from Severus to Tonks, "I... I just watched them, Dora. He made me!"

Severus arched an eyebrow: "This again? You were never tied down!"

Florence looked at her daughter and they just laughed.

Tonks looked as amused as them – completely forgetting who she was sitting with.

But then something suddenly changed in Severus' demeanour, his playfulness giving place to seriousness.

"What is it, Sev?" Florence murmured.

"My Mark just burned. They'll be here soon. Once the protections are down, you two have to get out of here," he ordered his wife and daughter.

"But…"

"No 'buts', Florence!"

Then he added through their bond: You're the new Minister after tomorrow! And I don't want Liz in the middle of what's going to happen here. Prisoners will be taken! his tone brimming with meaning.

Florence nodded, understanding that tortures, rapes and deaths were about to ruin that beautiful party.

James was leading Hermione around the dancefloor, laughing as she glared at him every time his hands wandered down her curves.

"Stop it, James!"

"It's your fault," he whispered in her ear, "You're just too delicious, kitten," he kissed her neck, adding: "I want you again."

She trembled and replied with a whimper: "Let's get out of here, Jamie. Take me home."

He groaned low, seeing out of the corner of his eye that his father was no longer sitting beside his mother - and that she looked strangely concerned.

"Fuck," he cursed, "I can't take you home tonight, kitten. In fact, I need you to listen to me and not panic."

"Panic?" she frowned, "Why would I-"

"Listen, love," his voice carried a sudden tone of emergency, so she quieted down.

"The Ministry of Magic," James continued, still leading her around the dancefloor, "is under attack as we speak. Scrimgeour has probably been killed by now and they'll soon attack here."

"What?" she whispered, taken by surprise by the unexpected, and grave, war information.

"I don't have time to explain; I just need you grab Potter and leave. Find a safe place to hide and... no matter what happens next: remember that I love you," he looked at her, stopping dancing.

"What happens next?" she repeated, glaring at him, "What else are you hiding from me, James?"

"Can't say right now. But you'll know soon," he kissed her once more, "Don't forget: I'm getting you a ring. I love you."

Nick also saw his parents' sudden change in behaviour from where he sat with Fred, George and Charlie Weasley.

He had his arm draped behind Fred's chair, so he pulled his boyfriend towards him and spoke so that all three Weasleys could hear: "Listen, something bad is about to happen."

"What?" exclaimed George, confused by the out of place comment.

"The Ministry has fallen," continued Nicholas sombrely, "Don't ask me how I know that, but Death Eaters will be here soon, just get your family and leave."

"That can't be true!" said Charlie, dismissing his warning, "We'd know, through more reliable sources than you, if such a thing had happened."

But Fred and George knew how Nicholas' information was of the most reliable source: You-Know-Who's right-hand man: his father.

"When?" asked George.

"Any moment now," said Nick.

Fred pulled him into a desperate kiss, his hands running through his dark hair.

"Don't tell me you believe that, George," they heard Charlie scoff.

"Fred," Nick spoke just to his boyfriend: "No matter what happens next, remember that I love you, and you're marrying me," he brought Fred's left hand to his mouth and kissed the engagement ring he had put there, smiling, "I never understood why my father did that. Now I get it. I love you, Red."

Fred pulled him to another kiss and then there was a loud explosion followed by screams.

"They are here! Run, love! Disapparate!" Nick kissed him once more before disapparating himself.

Hours later

When the Death Eaters finally left, the Burrow was destroyed beyond repair.

A group of mostly red-headed people stood staring at the ruins of what had once been their beloved home.

Molly Weasley cried in her husband's arms, "What will we do now, Arthur?"

"I don't know, dear," he shook his head, crying alongside her.

"Where will we all go?" she cried.

"You can come to my house, Molly," said a slightly wounded Remus Lupin, "My parents left me a good house. It's not huge, but we can add enough rooms so that you'll all be comfortable."

"Oh! Thank you, Remus!" Molly hugged the werewolf, "I promise to take care of your home as if it were my own."

"You're more than welcome to take over, Molly," he smiled, "No one has cooked a full meal in that kitchen since my mum died."

"It'll be my pleasure, Remus. Thank you for your kindness."

Remus' house did need some adjustments but, within two days, everybody was comfortably settled.

His house became the Weasleys' new home, and the new Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.