Note: This is a long chapter with one important surprise, it felt wrong to split it into two.
Two days later
Snapes' family home
Hermione sat on a sofa in the magically-screened backyard porch, reading a book on spell-making she'd found in the library. Her arm didn't hurt, and the scar was already minimal, it had been just two days and one could barely see the word 'mudblood' on her skin anymore.
She smiled as she saw a tray of tea and cookies floating into the room – Tiffany was spoiling her just as much as James.
"Thanks, Tiff!" Hermione shouted, picking up a chocolate chip cookie and sipping a marvellous spiced pear tea.
She closed the spells book and took a moment to look around the beautiful, snow-covered backyard, realising she felt safe and comfortable there – and that was nothing short of funny; for she, a muggleborn, was enjoying tea and cookies in the Dark Lord's daughter's house, sleeping in the arms of the Lord's firstborn grandson every night, and on her finger she had a diamond ring that represented her commitment to said young man.
A chuckle left her lips.
"What's so amusing, kitten?" she heard James asking from the door and turned to look at him.
Damn, he looked good; his tall strong frame leaning on the doorcase, his long dark hair falling on his shoulders in soft waves, giving him a bad-boy vibe.
She sighed – her heart beating faster at the sight of him.
"You can also touch, you know," James said with a smirk, loving the way she was ogling him.
Hermione bit her bottom lip and patted the sofa, "So come here."
James approached and sat beside her, pulling her close and rubbing his nose on the side of her neck.
"So?" he asked, softly biting her earlobe, "What made you laugh?"
"Mmm. It was- I just," she was having trouble focusing as he continued his touches down her neck, "I've just... realised the irony of my situation."
"How so?" he whispered, biting the curve of her shoulder.
"I'm a muggleborn recovering from- mmm- hunting pieces of her fiancée's grandfather's soul, while reading a, probably illegal, spells book on the sofa of the Dark Lord's daughter's house – who is married to a teacher I absolutely loathed till not too long ago."
James chuckled low and pulled her chin up for a kiss, "Sounds very absurd when you say it like that, kitten. But I wouldn't change a thing."
"Neither would I," she whispered, kissing him, feeling her whole body melt under his touches, "Fuck, Jamie, all you have to do is breathe near me and I'm suddenly burning for you!"
"It serves you well," said James, a hand caressing her thighs, "Just knowing you're in the house is enough to get me hard."
Hermione jumped on his lap, straddling him and kissing him with near desperation.
James's hands found their way under her jumper.
"I want to worship you for days, love," he whispered.
"Show me, Jamie."
And he did show her, right there on the porch.
Once they had redressed, Hermione sat sideways on his lap and James held her, staring at his beautiful girlfriend looking well-shagged, thinking she was the most precious thing he'd ever seen.
"You're amazing, kitten," he kissed her lips.
"Can I stay here forever, Jamie?" she whispered, sitting back on his lap after he put his dick back into his underwear and fastened his jeans, "Just being pampered by you, enjoying Tiff's delicious food, her tea and chocolate desserts, reading, making love in the middle of the day..." she laid her head on his shoulder, her nose against his neck as her hand played with his hair.
"If it was up to me, you'd never leave, love," James said, hugging her close, "But you'd rather go find horcruxes..."
She closed her eyes, "Don't remind me I'll be camping again soon," she groaned and shoved his chest playfully, "You've ruined me, James. I'm a spoiled brat, now! All I want is a soft bed, good food, a house elf and a sexy man to cuddle with!
He put a hand on his chest, feigning a shocked gasp: "A house elf, Granger? You've just admitted you want to enslave another creature?"
She slapped his arm and rolled her eyes.
"Don't be silly, James! I know now that the house elves actually like to help wizards. And I see the way your mother cares for Tiff – she is a very pampered elf. I'll still fight for elven rights in the future, but I'll take their wishes into consideration – the ones who wish to be free will be, the ones who wish to serve will have my help to find decent families."
"That sounds great, love. But if you think you're spoiled now, wait till the war is over. I'm not letting your feet touch the ground for months then. I'm actually thinking of taking you on a trip, anywhere you want."
Her smile turned a bit sad, "Can we go to Australia?"
James knew why she wanted to go there, "Of course, Mione. We'll go there and check on your parents. And... just so you know: I've been reading about ways to revert an Obliviate through potions."
She gaped and looked at him, feeling her love grow ever deeper for him.
"Thank you, Jamie," she suddenly threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, "Even if you don't find a way to reverse it, thank you for thinking of doing that for me. I love you."
"You're everything to me, kitten," he took her hand and kissed the ring he had put on her finger, "I'll do anything to make you happy."
She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder again and enjoying that peaceful moment together.
Later that night, Florence met Hermione in the living room.
"Ready to go back to Headquarters, Mione?" she asked.
"Yes. I better go before I forget how to cut my own food," she playfully glared at her fiancée.
"Does she really have to go, mum?" asked James, walking behind Hermione and wrapping his arms around her, pouting.
Florence looked at him reproachfully.
"You're spoiling her, James! Hermione still has a lot of work to do in the war – and so do you!" she pointed a finger at him, "Now, let her go!"
Hermione tried to move, but James didn't open his arms.
"C'mon, Jamie!" she said, laughing as she tried to pry his arms from around her waist.
"I've got used to sleeping around you, kitten," he murmured, kissing her shoulder, "If you leave, you'll be condemning me to a life of insomnia."
Florence rolled her eyes, "Let her go, James. No one likes a clingy boyfriend."
Hermione hesitated and James exclaimed: "See, mum, she likes it!" then he turned Hermione around and kissed her.
"Really, Mione?" said Florence, exasperated, "Not helping."
The girl stopped the kiss, "I really have to go, Jamie. We still have horcruxes to find."
"I know, love," he sighed, letting her go.
"I'll miss you," she said, kissing him once more.
James was about to wrap his arms around his fiancée again, but Florence cast: "Restringo!" and his hands were tied behind his back.
"Get into the fireplace, Hermione," Florence ordered, looking at her son who was glaring at her.
Hermione kissed him again and entered the fireplace calling for Lupin's house.
"C'mon, mum," complained James, not even trying Finite incantatem for he had learned long ago that such a simple counterspell didn't work on his mother's original spells.
"Soluto," said Florence and his hands were untied.
"She could have stayed a little longer here," James complained.
Florence sighed and sat on her husband's armchair for a moment, "No, son, she couldn't, and you know it. She's too important in our fight. Harry needs her help to find the horcruxes."
"Yeah, but I just wanted to take care of her a little more."
Florence snorted, "You mean spoil her? We already have one insufferable spoiled girl in this family. We don't need another!"
That had him narrowing his eyes: "Just one? Dad would kiss the floor you walk on if you asked him to."
"Yes, but he doesn't cut my food for me or chooses my outfits," she arched an eyebrow.
"It's a lifestyle, mother!" he defended himself.
"I know, and Hermione deserves all the ways you want to care for her, but we can't have her turning into Elizabeth before the war is over."
"Fine," James begrudgingly nodded, "How come you are not spoiled like Liz?"
"Necessity," Florence explained, "When my mother passed away, she left me a very large inheritance – but money ends if not properly spent and invested; so, after I left my father's house, I taught myself to live without superfluous things."
"But you've been married to dad for sixteen years, you two have more than tripled your fortune, and yet you're not spoiled-"
"Not spoiled?" they heard Severus ask as he walked into the house through the backdoor, "You mean not materialistic – because your mother is spoiled enough to always be ordering me to carry her around when she's too tired to walk," he stopped by her and leaned to kiss her briefly.
"It's just fair," Florence shrugged, "Since it's you who makes me too tired to walk, husband."
James rolled his eyes: "And that's not something I needed to hear. Why do you always have to do that?" he grumbled as he walked upstairs.
Severus chuckled and pulled Florence to her feet, wrapping her in his arms, "Granger left?"
"Yes. And I'm going to headquarters to check on Fred and Lynne. I might have dinner there."
Severus nodded, looking at her with a frown: "Yes, as weak as you've been lately, it won't do you good to use the floo twice without having something to eat in between."
She glared at him, "Don't start, Severus."
He sighed in defeat and kissed her before she entered the fireplace and flooed to Lupin's house.
Florence was welcomed by Remus, who was sitting on the sofa with Tonks and Hermione – the latter was proudly showing the purple-haired auror her engagement ring.
"Hey, Flor," Remus greeted her, getting up to give her a hug, "How are you today? Severus said you haven't been feeling well."
She rolled her eyes, "I already have three men bothering me, Remus, I don't need a fourth."
He raised his hands, "Alright. Won't mention it again. Are you here for Fred?"
"Yes. I'll go check on him and the baby. He's in his room?"
"Yes. Nick's there too."
She nodded and went upstairs.
Fred and Nick were on the bed, the redhead nearly falling asleep as his fiancée caressed his hair, when they heard knocks on the door.
"Come in," said Nick.
And Florence walked in, "Hello, sweet darlings, how are you and baby Lynne today?"
"Hey, mum," Nick stood up and hugged her tight.
"Hi, Florence. We've been worse," said Fred, sitting up on the bed and smiling, "No longer vomiting, but I haven't started to feel her yet. Is that normal?"
"You're just sixteen weeks, dear," She explained, "Lynne will only be big enough for you to feel her around the twenty-fourth week – give or take. Don't worry about it."
"See, baby," said Nicholas, sitting beside his fiancée, "There's no need to worry."
Florence smiled at them, her heart always warming up as she saw the way her son was so sweet with Fred.
"Now, let's see this little princess."
Fred laid on his back and Florence cast the Vide sacculum spell, her eyes filling up with tears as she looked at the moving baby.
"Everything looks great with her and with you, Fred," she stopped the spell, "Do you have anything you'd like to ask me, dear?"
"Not really. I had a few doubts, but I began reading the books you sent me and now I'm relieved to have learned a few things."
"Fred was worried about how Lynne was going to come out, mum."
"Oh," she understood, adding with a knowing smile: "You feared she'd come out of your backside?"
Fred nodded, embarrassed, "But now I know about the thing that's forming behind my belly button."
"Yes," Florence smiled, "The Partus tubarum. Yes, nature- and magic- made it possible for bearers to exist and they thought of everything. The tubarum connects the gestational sack to the bellybutton and the baby will come out through that and not your... nether regions."
"Will it be painful?" Fred worried.
"Absolutely," Florence didn't lie, "The painful part of birthing a baby is in the contractions – and you'll have them just as if you were having a vaginal birth."
Fred clearly didn't seem to be looking forward to it.
"Don't worry about the pain, though," Florence added, patting his hand, "There are potions you can take that will make it bearable. And believe me when I say that the moment you have little Lynne in your arms, you'll be asking yourself: 'What pain?'"
"I don't doubt you," Fred smiled sweetly.
"I miss... my babies," Florence whispered, looking at Nick for he knew who she missed: his siblings, Liz, Chris and Sophie – who would be three years old in three months.
Nicholas held her hand, whispering, "I know, mum. I know."
Florence wiped her face, "Oh, well... you and Lynne are doing great, Fred. I'll see you at dinner," and she left the room.
Dinner was delicious as usual. Molly Weasley was a truly blessed cook. Florence ate more than her usual fill and ended up falling asleep in the downstairs sofa after dessert.
But in the middle of the night, she woke up to find herself in a room upstairs – a note on the nightstand letting her know Remus had been the one to carry her there.
She sat up on the bed and felt a slight throbbing in her temple; adding that to the dryness in her mouth, she quickly deduced she was dehydrated, so she went downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of cold water.
However, when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw someone was still in the living room, sitting in front of the fire.
"Harry?" she whispered.
"Hi, Mrs Snape," the teen softly replied.
"Is something wrong, dear?" she asked, walking towards him.
"No."
And she chuckled: "You're as bad a liar as your dad was," sitting beside him on the rug, "Tell me: what's eating you?"
"I was just thinking," he shrugged, "wondering what life would be like if I were normal."
She chuckled, "But you are normal, Harry."
"You know what I mean…" he gave her a weak smile.
"Yes, I do," she sighed, giving him an understanding smile, "Harry, you have no idea how much you remind me of my husband."
"What? I'm nothing like Snape," he replied, making a face.
"Oh, but you are – you two think a lot alike," Florence stared at the flames in the fireplace, "Severus has asked himself that same question a million times in all these years we've been together. What would life be like if we were a normal family? How would it be if he didn't have the Dark Mark; if I weren't the Dark Lord's daughter?" she paused and looked at Harry, "The truth is, no one knows, dear. And it doesn't matter, because that's not our reality anyway."
Harry nodded but still didn't open up with her.
So Florence continued: "You know, Harry, I married a brave man, the bravest I know... Severus is out there, fighting, lying, scheming, risking his life every minute of every day just to make sure that our family- and so many others- have a safe future. He risks his life so that we may have a chance to defeat my father and live in peace. Just like you do."
Harry remained quiet for a little longer, slowly understanding what she was talking about.
"It's about love, isn't it?" he asked in a quiet voice.
Florence took a deep breath, "Yes. And I can't believe I'm about to quote Dumbledore but, here it goes: love is the strongest power in the world, Harry. Severus has loads of it and so do you, whereas my father completely dismisses it – and that will be his downfall."
Harry glanced at the fire again, murmuring with guilt: "I love Ginny, but I'm leaving her behind, once more..."
"And there's nothing wrong with that," Florence reassured him, "She knows your role in the war, and she loves you in spite of it."
"I know she does," he smiled at her, falling silent again.
"When will you leave?" she asked in a low voice.
"Tomorrow night, after everybody's asleep. Griphook will help us enter the Lestranges' vault in Gringotts."
"You really think there is a horcrux in there?"
He nodded, "Yes. Bellatrix was too nervous when we arrived at the Malfoy Manor with the sword of Gryffindor. She kept saying it was supposed to be in her vault and demanded to know what else we had taken from there – that's why she tortured Mione, to get that information."
"Who else knows you'll be going there?"
"Ron and Hermione will go with me- I mean, if she's well enough to travel."
"She is. Hermione is healed and healthy – albeit a little spoiled. James barely let her lift her own fork these past two days."
Harry smiled, "That's good; she deserves to be pampered. I'm glad he knows to treat her like a princess."
"That he does," she paused and exhaled, her headache reminding her she needed to drink some water soon, "I don't know if anyone's ever told you, Harry, but… I'm your godmother."
He looked at her, surprised.
"I didn't know."
"Well, now you do," she said, smiling at him and trying not to cry, "Also, I want you to know that I wanted to have raised you – I should have raised you! When Dumbledore said he was going to take you to the Dursleys, I was furious! Severus didn't agree with it either. I wanted to take you home and raise you by my twins. But I couldn't do that because of Lily's blood protection…"
Harry frowned, realising what that meant: "Wait! I would have been raised as Snape's child?" he looked at her, a bit shocked.
"Well, yes," Florence chuckled, "Believe me: I wanted you to be with us. But it wasn't possible," she paused, trying to stop her tears from falling.
Harry nodded, trying to digest that information; he looked at the fire again, and his heart was suddenly filled by a strange thought: maybe it wouldn't have been that bad if he had been raised as Snape's child – he'd have had brothers, loving parents and a home.
"You'd better go to bed now," Florence said, "And remember: whatever you need, you have Severus, the twins and me on your side; we'll help you."
"I'll remember that."
Then Florence went to the kitchen to get her water and walked back upstairs to the room she'd woken up in, falling asleep again almost immediately.
But four hours after she had slept like a rock, Florence woke up again: surprisingly starving. She tried to sleep anyway, but it was impossible, so she went back to the kitchen.
There she raided the fridge, putting together a large plate of roast turkey breast, homemade bread, sugared figs and cherry sauce. She found some cold ginger ale that, for some reason, the mere thought of drinking had her salivating.
She sat at the table, magically heating up the food, and ate all of what she had put on her plate, the generous amount of food leaving her feeling full and sleepy.
Florence cleaned up everything and walked back to bed carrying a glass of sweet ginger ale.
She sat on the bed and finished her glass, trying to decipher what Molly had added to that ginger ale to make it so freaking delicious.
Well, I guess I'll just have to ask her tomorrow. She thought as she lay down and closed her eyes, an old memory reaching her sleepy mind: The last time ginger ale tasted this good was when I was expecting Sophie.
She wiggled a little, getting comfortable on the bed and falling into a deep sleep.
Next day
Florence slowly opened her eyes and stretched, feeling like a completely new person. She had slept like a rock after all that delicious food and the three glasses of ginger ale. Even her moodiness of the last couple of months seemed to be gone!
She sat on the bed, yawned and checked the clock: 2 p.m.
"What?" she whisper-shouted, surprised. That can't be right!
She walked to the window and looked at the sky- it was indeed afternoon!
She laughed – it had been years since the last time she'd slept past noon!
Florence quickly penned a letter to Umbridge, letting her know she wouldn't be in the office for the day and that tomorrow she'd see to whatever problem that needed her attention – right then, she just wanted to ride that relaxing wave a little longer.
Knock. Knock.
Soft knocks on the door were followed by her name being called: "Florence?"
"Yes, come in," she said.
It was Tonks, "Hi. Just wanted to check if you aren't hurt or anything. Remus said it's not usual for you to sleep past noon."
"Oh, I'm fine! I was just exhausted. I think I reached my limit yesterday. Then Molly's food and some hours of sleep and I'm brand new!"
"Good. Are you hungry? Molly left some roast beef in the fridge for you."
"That's great, thanks. I'll be downstairs soon."
Florence fixed her hair, transfigurated her formal dress into something looser and more comfortable, and walked to the kitchen to find the roast beef Tonks had mentioned.
However, one look at the food and her whole afternoon took a turn for the worse; Florence ran to the bathroom and threw up.
I shouldn't have had so much cherry sauce in the middle of the night. She thought as she wiped her mouth, suddenly not hungry anymore; so she just went back to the kitchen for some ginger ale.
Molly was there, "Good afternoon, Florence."
"Hi, Molly," she said, pouring herself a glass and sitting on a chair at the table, "Tell me: what do you add to your ginger ale to make it so delicious?"
"Just ginger, lemon from a tree in the backyard and sugar, dear. Nothing else," she seemed confused.
Florence frowned, thinking that perhaps it was the lemon. She'd check on that tree before leaving.
After another two glasses of ginger ale, she decided to go to Hogwarts, her husband would certainly be a little worried by her absence.
Hogwarts
Florence apparated inside of the Headmaster's office, finding it empty.
Severus?
In the dungeons. He replied. Lupin told me you fell asleep after dinner. Are you alright?
Yes. Don't start.
She occluded to avoid hearing him telling her to go to Pomfrey and went to the circular stairs; but the sudden downwards movement of the staircase made her dizzy and she fell onto her bum.
Fuck.
She held onto the handrail and slowly stood up, feeling about to pass out.
Dammit. I think I'll have to talk to Pomfrey after all. She thought begrudgingly and walked to the first floor.
The hospital wing seemed empty when she arrived.
"Hello? Poppy?" she called.
"My dear Florence!" exclaimed the mediwitch, walking out of the storage room, "What brings you here?"
"I think I may be coming down with something," she admitted.
Pomfrey sighed, "Severus mentioned that you haven't been feeling well lately," she pointed to an empty bed, "You know how this goes, lie down there."
Florence obeyed, and Pomfrey kept on lecturing her: "You and Severus have been working too much! I know what you do is important for- us," she couldn't say the Order for safety reasons, "But all that stress and sleepless nights are not good for you!"
"I know, Poppy. I know..." Florence closed her eyes as a wave of nausea started, making her thankful she hadn't eaten anything for lunch, otherwise she'd be throwing up again.
Pomfrey frowned at her discomfort and pointed her wand at Florence, tensing up all of a sudden and worrying her patient.
"What is it, Poppy?"
Pomfrey didn't answer her, just passing her wand over her body again.
"Oh, my Merlin," she gasped as she confirmed her diagnostic.
Florence asked again: "What's wrong with me? You're scaring me."
Pomfrey pointed her wand to the room and cast: "Homenum revelio," when the spell showed they were alone, she added: "Muffliato," and looked back at Florence, "Tell me again what you've been feeling."
Florence sat up and frowned, "I've been dizzy, which I believe is due to lack of sleep; also, I'm constantly moody and angry. Last night, I had a very satisfying dinner but got hungry again in the middle on the night. So I got up and ate. And I drank a lot of ginger ale – Molly's was delicious! Today, I slept until two in the afternoon – which was glorious! But I couldn't eat Molly's roast beef, I vomited at the sight of it," Florence felt her heart pounding in concern, "What's happening to me, Poppy?"
But Pomfrey didn't reply, she just went into the storage room and walked back out with a couple of vials in her pocket.
Then she asked: "Have you been taking your contraceptive potion, Florence?"
"What?" she exclaimed, "Of course I have! I'm not insane to get pregnant in such times!"
Pomfrey looked at her with a serious expression, retrieving one vial from her pocket and showing it to her, "Give me your finger."
Florence shook her head, fear in her eyes as she recognised the white potion in the vial in front of her.
"You can't be serious! I have been careful, I..." Florence began to think of all the weird symptoms she'd been having for the past couple of months – she'd had all of them before.
"Oh, no..." Florence murmured, closing her eyes briefly and reaching her finger to Pomfrey, who quickly got a drop of her blood out, dripping it straight into the white liquid – which turned yellow.
Pomfrey spoke softly: "And here is the reason for all your symptoms."
"How, Poppy? I've never missed my contraceptive potion!" Florence was close to tears.
"Even the best brewed potion can have its effects altered by the emotional state of the person who's taking it, Florence. So: stress."
Pomfrey looked at her friend with compassion and a little hesitation for she hadn't forgotten how hard the last pregnancy had been on Florence's body.
"You will have to stop working, Florence- healers' orders. You can't keep flooing around. And you should avoid apparition, the risk of splinching when you're this weak is not worth it."
"Yes. I get it. I understand, Poppy," Florence looked at the windows, touching her belly; tears flooded her eyes as she feared for her baby.
"There's more," Pomfrey said.
Florence looked at her, worried, "What? Am I sick on top of being pregnant? Will it harm my baby?"
"No. Not sick. Just expecting twins, again," Poppy made a face between amused and concerned.
Florence stared at her with incredulity and grabbed her own wand, passing it over her belly, casting an image of her womb above her bellybutton.
And there they were: two little heartbeats, each onion-sized baby moving inside their own amniotic sack; she could identify their little limbs already.
"They are not identical, this time."
"Nope," Pomfrey whispered, "A boy and a girl."
Florence saw she was right and stopped the spell, sitting on the bed, thinking.
"I... I don't know what to do," she admitted after a while, tears falling from her eyes, "I miss the babies I already have; I haven't seen Sophie, Chris and Liz in nearly a month!" she was close to hyperventilating, "I can't put these little ones in danger!"
"As long as they are inside of you, they're safe, Flor," Pomfrey said, warning her next: "That's why you must be careful, or I'll put you on bed rest for the next five months."
"I said I understood, Pomfrey," Florence replied, clearly annoyed by the threat of bed rest, she knew her husband would agree with Pomfrey.
"Wait," Florence suddenly remembered something: "I'm seventeen weeks already. Shouldn't I be bigger? Specially it being two?"
Pomfrey nodded, looking serious, "That's another thing we need to talk about; you haven't been eating properly. Those two babies have been sucking every last nutrient from your body, you're very close to being anaemic. And you know how dangerous that can be in a pregnancy."
"Yes, I do. I'll eat better and stop working. I won't risk my babies."
"Also, considering how hard your last pregnancy was... I'd like to treat this one as high risk."
Florence nodded, "I understand. You're right to think like that," she paused, whispering next: "I'm terrified, Poppy... I can't raise my children near my father. I don't know how much longer the war will last."
"Florence," Pomfrey stopped her, touching her shoulder, "Through all these years that I've known you, I've watched you and Severus grow from an immature young couple to a strong beautiful family, and I know there's nothing you two can't overcome together. Especially when it comes to babies: you're great parents."
"Thanks, Poppy," she smiled tearfully.
Pomfrey put the cork back on the yellow test vial and gave it to Florence.
"Take this with you, for when you tell Severus. I'm sure he's going to jump in ecstasy. He was always talking about having as many kids as the Weasleys," she chuckled, but Florence didn't join her, seemingly lost in thought.
"Meanwhile," Pomfrey continued, getting another vial from her pocket, "Take this Vitamix potion daily and... maybe get Tiffany here to cook for you or start having your meals at home – she already knows what you can keep down when pregnant."
"Yes. Of course. I'll do that. Thank you, Poppy."
Florence walked back to her husband's office in a daze, her feelings all over the place.
She was extremely happy and terrified at the same time.
Two babies. She smiled. A little boy and a little girl.
She couldn't wait to tell Severus.
She knew the months ahead weren't going to be easy, but they would have two more little ones to love – and that was reason to celebrate.
However, when Florence reached the gargoyle and moved up the circular stairs, her happy thoughts were interrupted by a strange conversation coming through the door:
"Get the fuck out of here, Alecto!" Severus shouted, sounding furious.
"Come on, Headmaster, don't tell me you don't want it," the woman replied in a sultry voice.
"Get out!" he growled.
And Florence realised right then what the woman was offering her husband, so she used magic to slam the door open and stormed into his office, the scene in front of her eyes making her lose control over her veela.
Her husband was sitting behind his desk looking disgusted and furious while the female death eater was in front of the desk, wearing nothing but a short dark red nightgown.
They both turned to look at the door and Severus saw terror in Alecto's eyes when Florence transformed right in front of them: her skin starting to glow, her eyes turning light-green, and a sudden gale blew through the office.
Alecto shrieked, shocked: "Amycus said he saw her go into the hospital wing! What's she doing here?"
Florence raised her right hand towards the woman and Alecto fell to the floor onto her knees, terrified, her face and upper chest bleeding from a violent Sectumsempra as she clawed at her own throat, clearly suffocating.
"Florence!" Severus tried to call her, "Stop, love. Stop now if you don't want to kill her!"
"But I do!" she replied, smiling wickedly as she stared at the woman on the floor.
However, her mind brought forth what had happened the last time she strangled Alecto and Nick's voice asking her to stop.
Her son's voice: Mum, please, stop.
She had another son and a daughter inside of her to consider as well.
Florence blinked and lowered her hand; she didn't want to kill anyone the same day she had found out about the babies inside of her.
Severus walked to her while Alecto gasped, whimpered and wheezed on the floor in front of his desk.
"I'm glad to hear you went to see Poppy," he said, touching her face, "And I didn't have to drug you to take you there."
"No, you didn't," she smiled softly, caressing his chest, but then she caught Alecto eyeing Severus, and she pointed her wand at her, casting: "Imperio."
Alecto's eyes immediately got glossy and unfocused, then Florence spoke in a low, commanding voice: "You'll present yourself to the Dark Lord and tell him exactly how you've been trying to seduce his daughter's husband. You'll ask him to punish you, but if he refuses, you'll jump from the roof of his manor. Now, rise and go!"
Alecto left the room without another word.
"I'd have dealt with her, Flor," Severus gently pulled her chin up, kissing her lips.
"I know, Sev... but I wanted to watch her bleed. My veela needed to make her pay for trying to touch what's mine!"
He smiled, loving her possessiveness, "Did you find out why your veela has been so blood-thirsty and moody lately?"
"Yes," she drawled, holding his hand and pulling him towards the bedroom, "We better sit down for this, Severus."
He frowned, afraid of what could be happening to her that needed him to sit to listen. But he let her pull him into their bedroom; she sat on the bed and he joined her.
"Close your eyes," she said.
"Florence," he used his angry classroom voice, "Just tell me."
"Close your eyes, husband," she replied, copying his tone.
He sighed in annoyance and conceded, closing his eyes, "What now?" he grumbled.
"Open your right hand," she smiled, having fun with his irritation.
Severus did as she had asked and felt something cold being put on his palm, it felt like a glass vial.
"Open your eyes," she whispered.
And he did, looking down at the vial in his hand, his jaw going slack.
"Holy fucking shit- you're pregnant!" he shouted, letting the vial fall on the bed and bringing both her hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles and their wedding ring, "How, love? How are you pregnant?" he was looking at her with worry, fear and joy mixed in his eyes.
Florence smiled softly, "Five kids in and you still don't know, Mr Snape?"
He chuckled and pulled her to his lap, kissing her lips, "Smart-arse, you know what I mean. I thought you were taking a contraceptive potion."
"And I was," she caressed his face, brushing his hair off his face, "But... all the stress interfered with it and... here we are," she looked at him, admitting: "I'm terrified, Sev."
He exhaled, as fearful as she, but there was one thing weighting heavily in his heart: "How safe is this pregnancy, Florence?"
She averted her gaze, "Well, right now I'm nearly anaemic, for the babies are–"
"Wait. WHAT?" he shouted, "Babies?"
"Yes," she bit her bottom lip, smiling, knowing he would be extremely happy about that, "Twins... a boy and a girl."
He laughed but looked even more concerned, "Holy fuck! Two more babies!" he kissed her lips and repeated his question, looking at her: "How safe is this, love?"
"Not much," she replied honestly, "Pomfrey thinks it's better to think of this as high-risk pregnancy, and I agree with her. But what do you want me to do? Terminate it? The babies are developing fine, I'd never do that!"
He pulled her to a hug, "How far along are you?"
"Seventeen weeks."
"Fuck," he looked down her midsection, frowning, "You should be bigger by now, Florence!"
"I know. But the babies are fine."
"And you, love? I worry about you too," he touched her face, kissing her tenderly, "I haven't forgotten how weak you were while expecting Sophie. This time it'll probably be worse."
"I know," she whispered against his lips, "But these are our babies..." she put his hand on her not-yet-round belly.
Severus closed his eyes, the fear of losing her paralysing him.
"Aren't you happy about it?" Florence asked.
"Of course I am, Flor. I am truly happy. But I'm just as terrified. I don't want to lose you – none of you," he caressed her belly.
She closed her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder, just enjoying the peacefulness of having his arms around her.
Severus focused on sending his energy and his love to the babies, smiling, "I didn't think I'd get to do this again."
She looked at him, "You're happy with this, aren't you, Sev?"
"I am. I'm afraid as well, but I'm really happy that you'll grown round with our babies once more. What will we name them?"
"Well, we have a James so we might as well have a Lily. So I thought of Lily-Rose – we can give her your grandmother's middle name."
"And the boy can be Stephen," suggested Severus, "My grandfather's middle name."
Florence smiled, nodding, "I like those names."
"Lily and Stephen," said Severus, caressing her belly, "Hopefully they'll be nice kids like Nick and not stubborn like James."
"Yes. Please," she said, "We'll go mad if we have to deal with the war and two little babies like James. He was fourteen months when he began vanishing the water from the bathtub when he didn't want to take a bath."
Severus laughed, "I wish I had seen that."
She glared at him, "No you don't, trust me."
He kissed her, "We'll be parents and grandparents next year."
"Yes. And in eleven years they'll all be entering Hogwarts together. How crazy is that?"
He smiled again, "Well, can't say I'm upset about it. Three babies."
She looked at him with adoration, "You're just a big softy, Mr Death Eater."
He chuckled, never removing his hand from her belly, looking at her face, "It's good to have something positive to look for, for once."
"Yes. But... I don't want to work at the Ministry anymore," she whispered, "And Pomfrey said I should stop working."
"I agree," Severus nodded, "I don't want you out of my sight until these babies are born. I'll send a letter requesting a private audience with your father and I'll tell him that I don't want you working outside of the castle anymore," he kissed her left hand, "I'll have to tell him about the babies though."
"I know," she sighed.
There was a heavy silence, their thoughts echoing one another's fears and hopes.
Severus stood up with her in his arms and laid her on the bed, lying down beside her and wrapping both arms around her, holding her against his chest.
"I love you, Sev," Florence whispered.
"You're everything to me, Flor," he replied, caressing her hair until she fell asleep.
Severus kissed her head, breathing in the vanilla scent he loved, and got up, letting her nap before dinner.
Then he sent a Patronus to the twins. They had to be told about their siblings and the changes that were about to happen in their plans.
James apparated into his office nearly at the same time as Nicholas.
"Hi, dad, what happened?" asked James.
"Your mother finally talked to Poppy today," Severus said, unsmiling.
Both teenagers looked at him with concern.
"What's wrong with mum?" Nicholas asked, fear in his voice.
"She's pregnant. With twins."
They fell silent, Severus could see his sons thinking about all the repercussions of that news.
"How?" asked Nick, frowning.
"Don't ask him that!" James slapped his brother's shoulder, "He'll just get graphic and gross!"
Severus smirked and James glared at him.
"I meant," said Nick, looking from his father to his brother, "How did that happen? Wasn't she taking a contraceptive?"
"Yes, but it failed," said Severus.
It was James' turn to frown, "Wait wait wait. The contraceptive potion can fail?"
"Yes. Even if perfectly brewed," explained Severus, "For its effects depend on adverse biological factors. Your mother has been under great stress lately. So the potion's effect was compromised."
"NOW you tell me that?" James exclaimed, terrified, "My fiancée is under a lot of stress! Camping in the woods and hunting horcruxes!"
"That's why you should be wearing condoms," said Severus, arching an eyebrow.
"Why didn't you?" retorted James, "Mum wouldn't be pregnant if you had!"
Severus glared at him, "Are you upset you're getting siblings?"
"Of course not!" James exclaimed, "But I remember how sick mum was when expecting Sophie!"
"James has a point, dad," said Nicholas, "Is this pregnancy even safe?"
"No," Severus honestly replied, "That's why I called you here. Nick, you have to look after Fred and give us information about the Order. So I need you here, James, to help me keep an eye on your mother. I'm getting Tiffany here too."
James nodded, "Of course, dad. I'll help you look after mum."
Nicholas chuckled, "Our family will be getting three babies next year."
"Or four," murmured James, feeling the eyes of his brother and their father on him, "What? If the contraceptive can fail due to stress, it's not impossible! I'm not a pull-out kind of guy!"
Severus snorted, "Considering that your mum's pregnant and so is Fred – I have to conclude none of us is."
James groaned, "I already know an unhealthy amount of information about you and mum, dad. I didn't need to hear that!"
Nicholas smiled at their exchange, James' displeasure on hearing their father bedded their mother always amused him.
"After learning that dark hair is not the only thing we three have in common," said Nicholas, "I have to say that, despite the risk, I bet mum's happy."
"Yes," Severus smiled, "She's always loved being a mum."
"And she's a great mum," James said affectionately.
"Thanks, baby," they heard Florence say from the door that led to the bedroom.
She walked to her sons and hugged James, kissing his cheek, "Love you, Jamie."
Then she hugged Nicholas.
"We're very happy about our new siblings, mum," he said, "But we're worried about you."
"I know, baby," she kissed his cheek as well, "Love you, Nick."
She walked to her husband and he pulled up a chair for her to sit, receiving an angry stare from her.
"Sit, Florence. You know how this goes."
She sat, whispering: "And so it begins," knowing he'd be even more overprotective than when she was expecting Sophie.
"What are their names?" Nick asked.
"Stephen and Lily-Rose," said Florence.
"After dad's grandparents," recognised James, "That's nice."
Then Severus continued the more serious talk: "I'll have to tell your grandfather about the babies, for it's not safe for Flor to be flooing daily to and from the Ministry and I don't want her out of our sights."
"Also," added Florence, a little annoyed, "Taking my wishes into consideration: I don't want to work there anymore either."
Severus arched an eyebrow at her and James rolled his eyes, telling his brother:
"Let's get out before they begin to violently flirt in front of us."
And the boys disapparated.
Severus kneeled in front of her chair and kissed her belly.
"Promise you won't fight me on this, Florence," he said pleadingly, "until you give birth, I am going to make your comfort, your safety and your needs my priorities."
She groaned, fully aware of what that meant, but conceded: "Fine. But I'll complain."
He chuckled, "As long as you promise not to hex me in the next five months and obey me. You can complain all you want."
Her green eyes sparkled with interest, "Mm, so I must obey you?" she leaned forwards, "But you're the one kneeling before me... and you know I like it when you kneel."
And he knelt before her, pleasuring her with his lips and fingers, before carrying her to bed where Florence rode him until they were both satisfied.
Between long and sweet open-mouthed kisses, their breathing returned to their regular pace.
"Did I hurt you, love?" he asked, concerned, caressing her back as she still sat on his lap, both fully naked.
Florence leaned on him, gasping softly, kissing his lips slowly, "No, Sev. It was great," she yawned, "Just let me nap for an hour and get us some dinner."
He chuckled, caressing the curve of her waist, "And you dare say you're not spoiled."
She laughed, kissing him once more, "Love you," she said before lying on the bed and closing her eyes.
Severus lay on his back, both hands behind his head, looking at the ceiling above the bed and smiling.
Despite all the risks and fears, he was ecstatic.
Two more babies.
He had put two more babies in her.
Note: So many things happening now. Wow! The story is finally getting close to the end. I'll respect the canon date for the last battle, which is May 2nd 1998, so we're just a few chapters away from it.
Get ready for all the feels!
And I'm already dreaming of seeing Lynne, Lily and Stephen being sorted into Hogwarts houses! It'll be so cute!