December 25th, 1997

Hogwarts' safe-house

During that Christmas day, Severus watched his wife hug and kiss their three younger kids, it was clear she missed them. She had long conversations with Liz, discussed charms and wand-woods with Chris and coloured with Sophie. Florence was doing a lot better than a month ago, she was healthy and the babies were developing as they should. But still he felt the need to be careful with her, never leaving her unattended; if he couldn't be near her, one of the twins were or Tiffany.

"Is she sick?" Eileen asked when she found her son alone in the kitchen.

"No," Severus replied, knowing his mother had noticed the way he was acting around Florence.

"So why are you, Tiffany, the twins and even Sam and Melody all hounding her?"

"She's pregnant."

Eileen gasped, "But I thought, after Sophie..."

"Well, this wasn't planned. And it's a high-risk pregnancy – twins on top of it. That's why one of us is always near her."

"Two more babies!" Eileen smiled, clapping her hands excitedly. But her son's worried expression had her smile faltering, "I read on the Prophet that she had stepped down from the Ministry, but they didn't give a reason."

"The Dark Lord doesn't want it to be public knowledge just yet."

Eileen immediately knew why he looked less than ecstatic, "Fuck. He knows?"

Severus nodded, "Yes. We had to tell him. She had to stop flooing daily."

Eileen could see how much that was weighing in her son's mind, "She'll be fine, Severus. She's young and healthy."

He shook his head, "I don't let myself believe anything else, mum. I can't..." his words got stuck in his throat, the fear of thinking Florence could die during childbirth was paralysing.

She hugged him tightly, "What are you naming them?"

"Lily-Rose and Stephen," he replied, knowing the names would make her happy.

Eileen smiled, "Aw, after my parents? That's lovely, Severus."

He looked at Florence who was on the sofa talking to Liz in hushed tones while Sophie played on the rug, "Flor is my priority now."

"Has she ever not been?" Eileen asked with an arched eyebrow.

And he chuckled, "No, she hasn't."

"It'll be alright, son," Eileen hugged him again, "She's strong."

"That she is, mum."

Florence glanced up and smiled at him, Talking about me, husband?

He smiled back, Love you.

"Ugh!" Elizabeth rolled her eyes: "Can't you two just stop?"

"Nope," said Severus, smirking as he walked to his wife with a glass of water; he sat beside Florence, giving her the water, and pulled her close to his side.

Sophie jumped onto his lap, saying in that impressed tone of toddlers: "Mummy said she has two babies in her tummy, daddy!"

"Yes, baby-girl," he replied, touching her hair, "Our family will have three more babies soon. Two from your mummy's and another one from Nick's fiancée's tummy."

"So I won't be the baby anymore?" Sophie frowned, tilting her head.

"You'll always be our baby, Sophie," Severus said, kissing her forehead, "Don't worry."

"I'm not worried, daddy. I'll be a beautiful grown up like mummy and Liz," and she jumped off his lap, going to play with her older brothers.

It was Severus' turn to frown, realising she was right: she'd be as beautiful as Florence when all grown up.

She'll want to have a boyfriend in ten years.

Florence rolled her eyes and laughed, Ten years, Sev! Relax!

"Hey mum?" they heard Chris ask as he walked out of the library, "Which House do you think I'd be sorted into?"

"I think you'd be a Ravenclaw, love."

"That's cool!" the boy beamed, "What about Liz?"

"Slytherin," both Severus and Florence replied.

"That's perfect," said Elizabeth, smiling, "That means I'll be very close to-"

"To whom, Liz?" Florence interrupted her, making the girl suddenly realise her mistake.

"To... ahm... to people like me, mum!" she feigned obviousness, "As much as I like Beauxbatons, I'm sure I'll find better friends in the Slytherin House."

"I'm sure you will," Florence replied, still narrowing her eyes at her - that had been a close-call, if Elizabeth'd mentioned Draco's name, explanations would have had to be given and the boy would likely be found dead before the New Year's.

"After the war," Florence continued, "it'll be great to have you two in Hogwarts."

"And when Chris finishes school," said Nick, "Sophie will be entering it, and then Lynne, Lily and Stephen."

"Hogwarts will never be without a Snape-child for the next twenty years!" laughed James.

"Don't let McGonagall hear you, she'll certainly retire if she does," said Severus, making his wife laugh.

First week of January, 1998

Holiday Break

Florence was having breakfast in the, mostly empty, Great Hall. She sat beside her husband, enjoying a slice of apple cake, when something pink caught her eye.

"What the fuck is she doing here?" she whispered in surprise, making Severus look up from his plate.

"Ah, yes," he said in an unconcerned tone, "Yaxley said she'd be coming here to deliver an invitation for tonight."

Florence glared at him, "And you didn't tell me that because?"

"Because I like seeing you jealous, wife," he winked.

Before Florence could reply, Umbridge had reached the high table:

"Good morning, Headmaster Snape," her voice a little too cheerful, her beady eyes looking at him greedily.

Florence felt her veela jumping to attention and she sneered at the woman in front of her: "You're still thirsting after my husband, Dolores? You already know you won't be the first to be hexed for it – but you might certainly be the first one to die," her eyes flashed a lighter shade of green, her veela refusing to let some woman's interest in her mate go unthreatened.

Severus chuckled at the fear that took over Umbridge's expression.

"I-I brought a-an invitation," stammered the short woman, her chubby hands holding a dark-green envelope.

Florence reached out her hand and waited for Umbridge to give it to her.

"If that's all," Florence said once the envelope was in her hand, seeing Umbridge give a step back.

"Y-yes."

"Get the fuck out of my sight!" Florence ordered.

Umbridge glanced at the other people on the table and bowed her head briefly before turning and leaving the Great Hall.

Florence opened the envelope and read the invitation.

An interrogation party? She asked Severus.

Yes. He confirmed, already aware of what that invitation was about. And he asked me to bring some Draught of Despair tonight.

Fuck. So interrogation is now synonym for tortures and rapes.

Severus neither confirmed nor denied; he didn't need to, they both knew the truth.

I'm bringing the Draught of Despair you helped me modify. He said. According to tests, the victims' bodies will still react to the tortures, but their minds will be protected and they'll have no memories of whatever was done to them... if they survive.

Florence nodded slowly, wondering: Why would father be inviting us for this? He's never done it before.

Another chance to show us off, I believe. He most certainly will want you to not hide your belly, and will announce you're expecting.

Florence touched a hand to her belly. She had reached 21 weeks and was finally showing a healthy five-month belly after a month of rest and Severus and Tiffany making sure she ate nutritious food every two hours and took her daily vitamins. The dizziness had gone away completely and so had the nausea. She was able to eat better, and Severus was able to breathe a little easier.

But now her father wanted to expose her pregnancy to his followers.

Severus touched her hand over her belly, sensing her nervousness. Together, my love.

She smiled at him, weakly, Always.

Little Hangleton

Later that same day

Florence and Severus flooed to her father's house as soon as the last class of the day ended and he could leave the school. Florence hoped the sooner they arrived, the sooner they could leave.

Even though it was early, there was already a small number of guests in the living room, all eyes turning to them as they walked out of the fireplace.

Florence exchanged a glance with her husband, both their minds shielded by occlumency, but he knew her well enough to be able to imagine the disgusted comment she'd have made if she could.

Then she stopped all of a sudden, for by the corner of her eye she saw Nagini crossing the corridor towards the training room; she hadn't seen her childhood friend since she had run from home.

"Hey, Gini!" Florence called in Parseltongue.

"Circe's tits, Florence!" Severus whisper-shouted, one hand on his chest, "You scared the shit out of me!" he said just for her to hear; no matter that he knew she was a Parselmouth, hehad never heard her speak it, so it had certainly surprised him.

He looked at her clearly angry, while she was laughing at him, "I'll give the potions I'm carrying to an elf and wait for you by the stairs, wife."

Florence nodded, controlling her laughter, and walked towards Nagini; the huge snake had stopped and raised her enormous head to look Florence in the eye.

"Dear Flor! I was hoping to see you here soon."

Florence wrapped her arms around Nagini's thick neck, and the snake rested her head on her shoulder, welcoming the hug.

Nagini was part of her father's evil plans, but Florence recalled her as a part of her childhood memories – happy ones, where they read and played together.

Florence touched the snake's face, finding comfort as her fingertips caressed the misleading softness of Nagini's skin, and her eyes filled up with tears – her pregnancy hormones making her more emotional.

"You're sad," said Nagini.

"I've recently found out you're a Maledictus," Florence said, looking at her large face, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Nagini moved in what looked like the snake equivalent of a shrug: "You were a nice friend, but you were a kid, there was no need to make you sad. I can see you're sad for me now – don't be, Flor. I've had a very good life, and I owe a lot of it to your father."

Florence nodded, understanding she didn't want to discuss her past.

"And why didn't you go looking for me, Gini? After father went missing?"

"You were plenty busy already, Florence. With your studies and work and your sons..."

"So you knew about the twins?"

Nagini nodded, "I learned about them after your father got hurt. But I knew he'd be back. So I went home and waited."

"I understand," Florence said, touching her silky-smooth neck affectionately – as weird as that was for those watching them, Florence felt at ease with the giant snake. It deeply saddened her to know that her snake-friend was a horcrux and would have to die.

Severus, as well as the guests in the living room, watched that scene in full shock and fear – if anyone there had any doubt Florence was the Dark Lord's daughter, right then she had proved to them all that she truly was.

As if that scene couldn't get any stranger, the door of the training room was opened and Voldemort walked out of it, saying in Parseltongue: "My two favourite girls," his face contorting in a smile as he saw Florence and Nagini talking in the corridor.

Florence smirked, still using Parseltongue: "Don't let Bella hear you, father."

He laughed softly and looked at her, his green eyes shining with pride, "You look radiant, my dear," he laid a hand on her lower belly, "Do not hide it tonight."

"As you wish, father," Florence looked from him to Nagini again, "It was great talking to you again, Gini."

"Lovely seeing you with child," Nagini said, "You're a truly beautiful woman. Severus is a lucky man," she raised her head to look at the man, "Hope he treats you well."

"He is," Florence chuckled, winking at him, "And he does."

"He'd be dead otherwise," said Voldemort, glancing at him too, before speaking again: "Your room has been readied for you, dear."

"Thanks, father. I'll go rest a minute before cleaning up for dinner then."

Voldemort kissed her forehead and Florence walked upstairs, being followed by her husband.

Florence entered the bedroom she had called hers for seven years of her life, immediately noticing it had been completely remodelled; her single bed had been transfigurated into a queen-size bed, the pink on the walls had been covered with white and there were no more toys around the room, the whole decor reflecting the fact that the kid that once lived there was now an adult – but a familiar picture on the nightstand called Florence's attention.

Severus locked the door, checked the room for Aucupet (eavesdropping charm) and then cast a silencing spell, exclaiming at last:

"What the FUCK was that?"

Florence stopped looking at the framed picture in her hands and laughed at his incredulous expression, "You know I'm a Parselmouth, love. And you know I like Nagini."

"That was the most bizarre thing I've ever seen in my life!" he wrapped his arms around Florence, gently pulling her chin up for a kiss, "I saw Nagini eat a whole person once, Florence. And you were bloody hugging her!"

"She was a friend. And I'm sad she has to die... I like her."

He shook his head, "Just for the record, wife: if she didn't have to die, she wouldn't be living with us. Nope. No bloody way!"

"I know, husband," she chuckled, kissing him, "I know."

He loosened his arms from around her waist, looking around the room, "So this used to be your bedroom here?"

"Yes. Only... it's a very different, it used to be pink and there were toys all over. That" she pointed at the framed picture, "is the only thing that looks the same."

Severus picked up the picture, watching a beautiful young woman with long white-blond hair and warm purple eyes hugging and kissing a little girl with long caramel wavy hair and emerald-green eyes. Florence couldn't have been more than five in that picture.

"Your mother was a gorgeous woman," said Severus, recognizing that blond woman from a picture they had home, taken a few days before Sophie Delacour died, "And our Sophie looks exactly like you when you were a kid."

"I know, right?" Florence smiled at the picture, "If mum were alive, she'd be an amazing grandma. She always wanted to have a lot of kids. She'd have wanted us to have at least ten babies."

"I always knew I'd like her," he winked at Florence, putting the picture back on the nightstand and wrapping his arms around his wife.

"She'd have adored you," she said.

He feigned a grimace, "Not sure that's a compliment considering she loved and married your father."

Florence laughed and pulled him towards a glassdoor.

"Come check the bathroom," she looked inside the other room, "Well, in here it all looks the same."

"Holy shit," he exclaimed, "I can't believe you left all of this behind to go to Hogwarts and spend summers at my mother's! You were truly raised like a princess."

"Hmm, in your mother's house there was a tall dark-haired young man I fancied, you know," she winked at him, "I'd rather have him than a marble bathroom."

"Oh, really?" Severus said, pulling her into his arms again, kissing her lips, "What about... we take advantage of this beautiful shower and try for triplets?"

She chuckled and soon they were under the hot water spray, Florence's hands braced against the tiled wall and her husband behind her, thrusting into her carefuly, not too deep, just taking them both to total bliss in a delicious unrushed pace.

Later, when Florence walked downstairs in a skin-tight ivory dress that stopped mid-thigh and showed her curves and round belly in all their glory, all eyes in the packed living room turned to her.

Severus walked beside her, keeping a hand on her back, possessively, as they moved towards her father.

"You look gorgeous, my dear," said Voldemort, caressing her rounded stomach, clearly letting all know he was very happy she was pregnant, "I can only imagine how proud you are, Severus."

"Very much so, my Lord," he bowed his head.

Florence forced a smile, deep down hating to be shown around like some prised broodmare.

"Sorry we missed dinner, father. We got carried away."

Voldemort's green eyes sparkled with malice as he replied: "I understand."

All of a sudden, a loud scream pierced the air and Florence realised the interrogations had begun in the training room.

She scanned the living room, looking for Narcissa, knowing her friend couldn't be happy for being there after the things Lucius had allowed other men to do to her; watching others being tortured had to be a trigger for her own nightmares.

"Narcissa and Draco are over there," said Severus, realising who she had been looking for.

"Excuse us, father," Florence said, walking away to go talk to her friend, feeling Severus right behind her.

"We won't stay long," he whispered in her ear, staying between her and a small stage that had been put in the middle of the living room, blocking her sight of whatever was about to happen there.

Narcissa looked at Florence and smiled, before hugging her, whispering an apparently out of place 'thank you'.

But Florence knew the reason of her gratitude: "Have you heard about Nott's death?" Florence asked, after hugging Draco.

"Yes, we have," said Draco with a smile, "A horrible accident with a thestral."

"Yes, horrible," agreed Florence for appearances' purposes, for the four of them knew it hadn't been an accident at all – an Imperiosed thestral had killed and eaten Tiberius Nott inside Hogwarts grounds.

"Excuse me, Draco," Florence said, touching a hand to his left cheek, where he had a large purple mark, and casting: "Contusus deleo."

"Thanks, Mrs Snape," he replied with a smile.

"Don't mention it, dear. How are things?" she smiled, watching him blush and knowing he was most certainly thinking of Elizabeth.

"Good," he cleared his throat, controlling his blush as he glanced at his godfather, "Just living one day at a time, ma'am. Surviving. Resting."

She nodded, knowing that he and Liz had been sharing dreams almost daily, and she was happy for them – and glad one couldn't get pregnant through shared dreams.

"Do you have any new names, Cissy?" Florence asked.

"No," the blue-eyed woman smiled, clearly relieved, "When news of Nott's death arrived, I let Lucius know it hadn't really been an accident and he hasn't invited any other man to our bed."

Florence nodded, looking at Draco, suddenly understanding the bruise he had sported until minutes ago, "So he's resorted to hitting you?"

"I can take it," the boy replied with a shrug.

Florence glanced at Severus and, by the tightness of his jaw, she could tell he was furious.

But then Rebastan Lestrange dragged a young woman to the small stage and Yaxley joined him, giving her a vial of the Draught of Despair.

Florence immediately gripped Severus' hand and he knew they should leave before they witnessed that woman being tortured and raped.

So they said their goodbyes to Draco and Narcissa and entered the fireplace, flooing to Hogwarts.

Headmaster's quarters

Florence walked from the living room to their bedroom and sat on the bed; Tiffany soon appeared, helping her remove her shoes and unzip her dress.

"We have to find a way to end this war, Sev," she whispered, her eyes closed, her hands on her temples, "I can't... I don't want to know of other parties like that ever happening again... it's barbaric, inhumane!"

"I know, love," Severus sat beside her, holding her left hand between his two, "We'll find a way... soon, I hope," he said, even though he truly didn't know how they were going to win that war.

She just silently nodded.

"Tonight," Severus continued, "Your father's goal was to put an end to the rumours that arose after you stepped down from the Minister's chair; by showing that you are healthy and pregnant, the Lord reaffirms the strength of his Regime and bloodline."

"And he uses tortures to celebrate," she said bitterly.

"Bloody twisted fucker, your father is."

Florence chuckled softly, kissing his lips and sighing, "Who's next on Cissy's list?" she asked, getting up slowly to put on the nightgown Tiffany had brought her.

"Rebastan."

"Good. How will he die?"

"James will take care of him."

Florence nodded, "I wish we could just end Lucius once and for all. Seeing Draco hurt tonight just fuelled my desire to watch that man bleed!"

"I agree, my love. But not yet," said Severus, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her lips.

"Soon though?" she asked.

"Yes, soon."

Last week of January 1998

24 weeks pregnant

Hogwarts Headmaster's quarters

"Evening, Tiff," said James as he walked into his father's private quarters.

"Good evening, Master James," the elf replied, smiling.

Then he heard noises coming from the bedroom and stopped dead on his tracks.

"What the hell...?" he whispered, taking a moment to realise that those were shouts of anger and not sexual ones, he let out a relieved breath and sat on the sofa, picking up the Daily Prophet to read while he waited for them to stop quarrelling.

"It's not like I'm burning the furniture because I think it's fun, husband!" James heard his mother growling.

One glance around the room and he noticed that one of the armchairs had a burnt hole on its side.

"And this is your fault!" his mother continued shouting, "You brewed the contraceptive potion! You put these babies in me!"

Then his father spoke and, even without seeing him, James could tell he was trying to placate her: "You knew about the chances of biological interference, Florence."

"You're the bloody Potions Master!" she said accusingly, and James could hear tears in her voice.

"Healers are just as knowledgeable in potions, love – as you like to constantly remind me."

And the silence that followed had James rolling his eyes; his parents had ended their aggressive flirting session, so they were probably snogging now.

"I'm already here!" he shouted from the sofa, before things got heated.

In the bedroom

Severus had seen the tears falling from Florence's eyes so he pulled her to his chest, gently kissing her lips.

But her hands fisted on his shirt and she tilted her head, deepening the kiss, her tongue rubbing against his hungrily.

"Lie on the bed, wife," he ordered in a low voice, "Spread your legs for-"

"I'm already here!" they suddenly heard James shouting from the living room.

And Florence laughed, "Guess we'd better not traumatise him any further."

"I wouldn't mind," replied Severus, running his hands down her body.

But Florence shoved his chest playfully and opened the door, walking out, going towards James and kissing his cheek, "Hey, baby."

"Hi, mum," he smiled at her, touching her large baby bump affectionately.

"Evening, son," greeted Severus, "How was your task?"

"Hey, dad. All done. Rebastan is becoming acromantula dinner right as we speak."

"Are you sure?" Severus asked, needing confirmation, "You saw them eat him?"

James made a face, "I saw his head being literally bitten off so... yeah, I'm sure he's dead."

Florence sat beside her son, holding his right hand in hers, "Where's Nick?"

"Where do you think, mum?" James asked with a smile, "Pampering Fred, of course. There was also an emergency meeting tonight. He said he'd come here as soon as it was over."

They saw Tiffany helping the kitchen elves set the table and James got up, reaching a hand to help his mother onto her feet as well.

"Thanks, baby," she hugged James, briefly, "Have you heard from Mione? Does Harry know already what the unknown Horcrux is?"

He shook his head, "No, mum. He's been trying to find out, but grandfather is keeping his thoughts very much closed."

"Shit," she looked at her husband, "Without having at least a clue of what that horcrux is, it won't be easy to find it."

"No, it won't," agreed Severus, "Hogwarts is too big, it's not like we can simply apparate Harry in here and let him look around trying to sense it."

She nodded, it could take weeks or even months to find something in the castle that they didn't even know what looked like.

They sat at the table and began having dinner in comfortable silence.

Until Nicholas unexpectedly walked out of the fireplace, looking worried.

"Hey, baby!" greeted Florence, quickly noticing he looked worried, "What happened?"

"What's wrong, son?" Severus asked.

Nick kissed his mother's forehead and smiled at the sight of her large belly, thinking of his own daughter inside his fiancée – who he had just spent an hour with.

"I have preposterous news..." Nick looked at his father.

"What is it?" Severus asked, concerned.

"Next week, on the 4th of February, there will be an attack on the death eaters who have been tailing some Order members... a group will lure them into a park after midnight and attack."

"A park?" exclaimed Florence, concerned, "As in the open? Risking having muggle witnesses?"

Nicholas nodded, "Yes, mum. They say they'll cast a notice-me-not before engaging but... the worst part is that Potter will be with them. He showed up at headquarters tonight and decided to stay till that day."

James immediately looked up at him. So Mione is at headquarters?

Yes.

James downed his glass of wine, stood up, kissed his mother's cheek and ran to the fireplace, shouting for Lupin's place and disappearing.

"Granger is there, I gather," Severus said.

Nick nodded, "Yes."

"And who had that fucked up idea of luring death eaters to a park?" asked Florence.

"Moody," Nick said.

"Stupid auror!" Growled Severus, "Should've let him die at the seven Potters mission! Then he wouldn't be coming up with that stupid plan."

"What will we do, dad?"

Severus sighed, very irritated, "Let them go ahead with that. I'll make sure I'm called to be there in case it all goes wrong."

Order Headquarters

James walked out of the fireplace and looked at the packed living room, greeting the members of the Order and searching for his fiancée.

"Hey, J-man!" shouted George, "Mione went upstairs!"

"Thank, G-dude!" and he took the stairs, reaching the third floor – an addition to the house since the Weasleys and the Order had all moved in – and walking towards the bedroom he knew his fiancée called hers there.

"I've told you, Ronald: I'm not interested!" James suddenly heard Hermione say rather angrily, so he walked a little faster, hearing her speak again: "I'll fucking hex you again if you don't leave me alone!"

"C'mon, Mione!" James heard a male voice as he stopped by her bedroom door, "You don't have to pretend with me! You're just making that engagement thing up! You're still a virgin and bought yourself that fake diamond ring to try and make me jealous!"

James frowned, taking advantage of the door being ajar and peeking inside; he could see the back of the youngest Weasley boy – No.6, as his father called him.

Hermione continued: "I don't have to prove anything to you, Ronald! I know what I am and I know my engagement is real. If you don't believe it – that's your problem. Now, leave! I don't remember having invited you in."

"Is that how you wanna play? I'm done playing, Mione! I'm here to get what I want. Now!" and he moved towards her.

"Locomotor mortis!" she cast, furious.

And James burst into the room at the same time, a burning rage taking over him.

"James!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised and a little concerned of his reaction upon seeing a man in her room – after all, she didn't know how long he'd been there and if he had heard their conversation.

But when he didn't look at her, she feared he had concluded the worst as she watched the way his furious gaze was fixed on the redhead sitting on the floor trying to get his legs to work again.

"So," James spoke, his voice slow and lethal, very similar to his father's before someone ended up in a gruesome detention, "You are here to get what you want?"

Ronald looked at him, trying to make him understand: "Yes! She's been fucking teasing me, man! For years!"

Hermione gasped indignantly, "How dare you?"

"And when exactly was she teasing you, Weasley?" James demanded, not believing him for a second.

"At school, she'd always smile and be helpful, arguing with me over the most stupid things–"

"I was your friend!" Hermione shouted, "I was helping you and being friendly! And any discussion with you is stupid, because you're dumb!"

But Ronald continued: "And while we were camping looking for the horcruxes, she cooked, tried to make the tent homey and was always bathing half-naked."

"Bathing half-naked?" James asked, jealousy flashing in his eyes.

"How else was I supposed to wash myself?" she exclaimed, her arms crossed over her chest.

"And then, out of nowhere," added Ronald, his voice heavy with mockery, "She showed up saying she was engaged, after the Malfoy Manor mess. And engaged to you, of all people!"

"Do you have a problem with me?" James asked.

"No! Of course not!" Ronald was quickly to answer, trying to hide the fear from his voice, "But you're not the kind of guy she needs; she's a nice girl, she needs love and kindness."

James barked a laugh, "Love and kindness? Like what you're doing here?" his smile slowly morphed from amusement to rage as he leaned forward and picked up Ronald from the floor, dragging him to the corridor and throwing him there – James's casual demonstration of strength making Hermione tingle in all the right places as she stopped by the door of her room to watch.

"I want to kill you, Weasley," James admitted venomously, staring at the redhead on the floor of the corridor, "Hermione can perfectly protect herself, but if she couldn't, you would try to rape her."

Some people had showed up in the corridor, on their way to their beds and stopped to watch that scene in shock.

"She'd have enjoyed!" shouted Ron.

Many gasps were heard, and James had his wand pointing at Ronald, silently casting: Sectumsempra! And the redhead screamed in pain as his face and chest started to bleed from several deep cuts.

"Don't ever get five feet near my fiancée again, Weasley," James ordered, "If you do, you're dead," then he turned, wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist and pulled her into her bedroom, slamming, locking and warding the door before looking at her, noticing that her amber eyes showed a mix of feelings: anger, sadness and fear.

James touched her face with both hands, "Don't be afraid, kitten. You defended yourself pretty well."

Hermione shook her head, "I'm not afraid of him. I'm afraid you're mad at me."

James frowned, "Why would I be mad at you?"

"I don't know..." she caressed his chest, "You walked in and didn't even look at me, then all those questions... I feared you believed him."

"No, kitten- never!" James kissed her lips and held her very close to his body, "I was just so angry, I couldn't look at you in anger. I wanted to kill him! Men like him think women owe them something, that they can just take whatever they want from a woman," he growled, looking at the door, considering if he shouldn't just go out there and kill him, "He doesn't deserve to live. I should cut his hands for trying to touch what's mine!"

Hermione felt a shiver of desire running up her spine, and for a moment she thought how indecent it was that she was creaming herself at his protectiveness and possessiveness.

She touched his chest, going to his neck and pulling him down to a kiss, her tongue invading his mouth and circling around his, the sensual feeling making her weak in desire.

James fisted a hand in her hair, controlling her movements and making her moan as he tugged her head back and trailed kisses down her neck, smelling her skin and revelling in the feel of her curvaceous body rubbing against his.

He touched a hand down her curves, grabbing her arse and grinding their crotches together.

"I want you, kitten," he groaned.

"You have me, Jamie," she gasped, "I'm yours!"

And he walked her to the double-bed, pushing her onto her back and taking what was his.

Note: The war is coming, readers. Brace yourselves.