Right after the attack
Severus knew it was Nicholas who had disapparated him from the battlefield and was carrying him through the Headquarters corridors.
He heard Lupin say Florence's name so he knew they were most likely taking him to her – which he'd have forbidden in any other circumstance, for she couldn't undergo any stress and seeing him bleeding would certainly stress her – but since he was very close to dying, he wouldn't want any other healer to care for him but her.
As soon as the pull of apparition ended, Severus heard many voices shouting around them, but the only sound he focused on was Nick's heart-breaking whispers of: "Hang in there, dad. You cannot die, please don't die, dad. Please."
Severus felt his back hit a soft mattress and he could tell he was about to lose consciousness; he heard Nicholas crying and talking to Remus and they said Florence's name again – but he was in too much pain to focus on the words being spoken.
His whole body was nothing but blinding pain.
And Severus wasn't a stranger to pain – no; there had been a time in his life when he would get hit by several Cruciatus in the evening and still got up for his classes the next morning.
But nothing he had ever lived had prepared him for what he felt in that moment. His neck and left shoulder burned; and it was like air was made of some sort of thick acid: it was difficult to breathe it in and it burned his lungs whenever he successfully inhaled it.
The room spun and, even though his eyes were closed and he knew he was lying down on a bed, he felt like in a freefall. His brain was also weird, he couldn't focus or think as fast as usual and he couldn't find the right muscles to speak.
He stopped fighting to stay awake and let unconsciousness claim him.
Severus knew the moment Florence walked into the room where he had been laid; he could smell her sweet vanilla scent - the smell so uniquely hers permeating his muddled brain and helping him relax a little.
He felt her hands on his chest and then something sharp pierced his arm; immediately his body stopped burning, he still felt weak, but the pain was only a tenth of what it had been seconds before.
"Don't do this to me, Sev," he heard her whisper.
I'm here, Flor. He desperately tried to send her, but it was clear she couldn't hear him.
He felt Florence lay her head on his chest, her perfume stronger now that she was near him; he wanted to comfort her, to wrap his arms around her – maybe for the last time, since he suspected he was half-dead – but he was unable to raise his arms or move any muscle. The combination of degenerative venom and blood loss was, expectedly, incapacitating.
Severus felt the sharp thing being removed from his arm and something cold was pushed against his lips. He drank it, before fainting again.
Severus slowly regained consciousness but had no idea how long he had been out.
He didn't have enough energy to open his eyes, or move – in fact, he could barely breathe. He wasn't even sure he was awake or if he was just hallucinating.
He could tell Florence wasn't no longer in the room, her perfume too faint for her to be around; but he wasn't alone, he recognised the voices of his mother and Pomfrey's.
"Do you think she'll survive?" he heard his mother ask, the sadness clear in her voice, and she was certainly crying, according to the occasional sniffling sounds he could hear.
"For a while, yes, she'll survive for the babies," said Pomfrey, worried, "After a year? No. All I've read so far about magical bonds makes me certain Flor won't last long."
"This is a nightmare, Poppy," He heard his mother's desperate voice, "I can't believe my son is lying on that bed, just waiting to die! He's such a strong man... he fought so hard to atone for his mistakes to just... die," her voice broke, "And his beautiful family..."
Severus felt his own tears falling down the corners of his closed eyes; he would've sobbed if he could, but air wasn't entering his lungs enough for that.
So, I'm dying. And Florence might only survive for a year... fucking hell, this truly is a nightmare.
He focused on assessing his situation: the pain was not as strong as before, but he noticed his heart was beating differently than usual – it seemed out of rhythm, weaker – and he couldn't take a full breath either, it was like his lungs had gotten shorter.
Yeah, it seems I'm dying.
And aware of my surroundings.
And unable to reach out to Florence.
Lovely. He finished bitterly.
He remembered hearing Pomfrey telling Nicholas and James that he'd either die or be in a coma for ever.
Please, let it be the first option. He begged the muggle Gods.
Not that he wanted to die – no, he didn't!
He wanted more time with his wife, more time with his family; he wanted to see the twins being born, he wanted to live after the war, to have his easy life back! The life they had led for years where their biggest concerns were the O.W.L.s, the N.E.W.T.s, and the next stupidity their kids were up to!
He wanted to see baby Lynne grow up, be called grandpa, see the twins getting married, terrorise Elizabeth's husband; he wanted to see the amazing things he was sure Chris would do in the future! He wanted to hold Sophie again, play with Stephen and Lily.
He wanted to live!
He wanted more time!
But he knew the venom that Nagini had injected into his veins had a degenerative effect, having he himself studied it more than once.
He also knew that if he didn't die, if he remained comatose, Florence would never let him go. She would never approve to euthanise him. She'd wither alongside him, watching him slowly die as she became a shell of herself.
Fuck!
He wanted to scream, to tell Florence to let him die and to live for the babies!
But, as already discussed: he couldn't.
Weakness suddenly took over him again, his bones seemingly too heavy for his muscles to move.
Well, apparently my wish will be granted, I'll die soon.
Before reaching unconsciousness, he distantly heard several steps entering his room and Florence's voice saying phoenix tears.
Phoenix tears? He thought, surprised. Where have they found that?
A vial was pushed between his lips and he lost consciousness once more.
A sudden state of alertness jolted Severus awake, making him strongly aware of his surroundings again, although still unable to open up his eyes.
I thought I had died already!
But no, not yet.
It seemed he was going to have to suffer a little longer.
He assessed his situation again: his chest was even tighter than before, each short breath a huge useless effort, for it did nothing to increase his oxygen levels and relieve his lightheadedness.
His whole body tingled as if he was being slightly electrocuted; his heart, however, was beating faster than the last time he'd been conscious – and going uncomfortably faster by the second.
[Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub.]
A heart attack. He concluded. I'm going to die of a bloody heart attack!
He tried not to freak out – even if he did, no one would notice for he couldn't communicate with anyone.
[Lub-dubLub-dubLub-dubLub-dub]
Make it quick. He said, as if he could tell Death how to take him.
His heart thumped faster, painfully; but Death still didn't come.
[lub-dub-lub-dub-lub-dub]
He mentally huffed, deciding to assess his situation – realising then that he wasn't alone in the bed; Florence's head was on his chest, her body against his left side, as usual.
Also, he felt small hands on his chest to his right – Sophie.
His heart skipped a beat, and he'd have shouted in acute pain if he could.
[lubdub-lub-lubdublub]
Fuck!
He pushed through the pain to focus on his surroundings; there was a hand around his right arm, bigger than Sophie's; Elizabeth.
There was another light weight of a head on his right leg – Christopher.
[lubdub-lubdub-lubdub-lubdub]
And he could hear snores, two different ones, close to the bed – Nick and Jamie.
They're all here.
His family was there, by his side, embracing him, staying close to him on those that were the last minutes of his life.
He wanted to cry; he wasn't alone, he would never be alone.
[lub-dub-dub-lub-]
His heart stopped.
Severus filled his mind with nothing but his love for his family and with a deep sigh he was ready to be taken by Death.
Wait.
A deep sigh?
He had sighed!
He could breathe!
His lungs no longer burned!
His heart was beating again, at a normal, non-painful, pace!
Severus tried to move his hands, but it still hurt. A groan died in his dry throat; his whole body hurt again, but it was different from before. This time, it felt like a huge cramp, as if all of his muscles were finally receiving enough blood and oxygen after hours of being denied the needed supply.
He finally managed to open his eyes and looked around the room, as far as he could without moving his head.
The simple bedroom was dimly lit, only the light coming through the curtains illuminated the space – and it seemed to be midday by the intensity of the light.
He could see the twins and his mother sitting by the bed on a comfortable-looking sofa and his three younger kids were indeed lying on the bed to his right.
He slowly turned his face an inch to the left, finding Florence's sleeping form – her expression pained even in her sleep.
He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, his now-paced heartbeat matching hers as he attempted to raise his hand to brush some hair strands off her face – but he gave up, his muscles hurt like hell.
Flor, love? Severus tried to wake her up. I'm here, princess.
He tried to move his hand again, but it was like it weighed a ton, pain and frustration making him grunt, or half-grunt, the sound rasping in his dry throat making it feel as if he'd swallowed sandpaper.
Florence dreamed hearing her husband's voice in her mind, telling her he was there.
Please, Severus, my love. Don't leave me. She replied, feeling his chest move up and down faster than before.
And she refused to open her eyes, afraid of watching him take his last breath.
No, Sev, please. She whispered in his mind, feeling the prickle of tears in her eyes – already sore from all the crying of the last hours.
Then she heard a strangled noise and forced herself to raise her head and look at him, praying to all muggle Gods that she wasn't about to witness him die.
Her red and teary green eyes met his dark, shining ones and she forgot how to breathe.
He was staring back at her.
"Severus?" Florence gasped, touching his face, needing to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
He kept staring at her, blinking slowly as his dry lips curved up in a smile.
Hello, love.
"You're awake," Florence gasped, a tear rolling down her cheek, "You're really awake!" she touched his chest, "And you're warm again-" she let out a broken sob, "Oh, my love, you were so cold for so long, I thought-" she broke off and caressed his cheek, not even moving for a whole minute, just staring at him, convincing herself that he was truly awake.
You're really awake? She asked quietly through their bond. I'm not dreaming?
Yes, my love. I'm here. Severus reassured her.
She smiled broadly, kissing him several times until she barked a teary laugh and shouted: "KIDS! Wake up! Wake up now!"
"Mum? Whatsit?" mumbled Elizabeth, sitting up on the bed, confused and terrified; and then she saw her father's eyes were open, "Dad?" and she threw herself on him, "DAD!" hugging him and crying on his chest, "You're awake! Oh, Merlin mercí!"
Severus grunted in pain but had a smile on his face.
Sophie and Christopher held onto him tightly, both kids crying.
"He's fine now, babies," said Florence, reassuring their younger kids.
"Dad'll be ok?" Chris asked in a small voice.
"Yes, he will," she said, wiping the tears from his face as one fell down her own.
"My son!" exclaimed Eileen, going near the bed, hugging him next.
James and Nicholas jumped from the sofa, terrified of what could've happened to have their grandmother shouting.
"What happened?" they both asked, looking at the bed.
Then their eyes met their father's.
"DAD!" they shouted in unison, throwing themselves on the bed and hugging him when their grandmother finally let him go.
"Don't fucking scare us like that again, dad," Said James, unable to hide the fear from his voice.
Severus just hummed in response.
Does it hurt? He heard Florence's voice in his head, her left hand entwined with his.
Yes, love. My throat is burning.
Florence picked up a glass of water from the nightstand, using magic to make it cold, and conjured a straw for him to sip it.
Drink this, slowly, for it will hurt before soothing.
Severus grimaced as the first drops of water hit his raw throat, but he felt better after a few more sips.
He kept his eyes on Florence, wanting to reassure her he was there, alive.
I'm not going anywhere. He said, watching her nod and smile.
He let the straw fall from his lips and she put the glass on the nightstand again, before looking at him and exhaling, her eyes closing for a second, a small smile on her lips as she touched her forehead to his.
I thought I had lost you, Sev.
Never. I'm here, love. He struggled but managed to wrap his arms around her, one hand resting on her round belly.
The others in the room watched the couple on the bed with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.
"He survived," Eileen whispered, holding James' hand, "Flor will be alright. We'll be alright."
"Yes," The kids replied, in collective relief.
"I'm never again complaining about them kissing," James said, "They can fuck in the living room for all I care," he immediately grimaced at his own words and his siblings and grandmother looked at him, each face with a similar expression of disbelief, "Well, maybe not till I move out," he mumbled, making them laugh.
Florence sat up and looked at them, wiping her face, "Nick, can you call Poppy here, please?"
"Of course, mum," and he left the room.
"Flor," said Eileen, "Now that he's awake, I'll take the kids to the other room and let you and Pomfrey talk about his treatment."
"Yes, that's a good idea, thanks godmother."
Sophie jumped on the bed to hug her parents once more before leaving with her siblings.
Once the door closed behind them, leaving the couple on the bed alone in the room, Florence looked at her husband and laughed, lying back down beside him and touching her nose to his.
"I never want to feel that fear again," she whispered.
He closed his eyes, sensing trough their bond her lingering anguish.
I'm here, Flor. He replied. I love you.
She smiled before kissing him softly and repeatedly, chuckling between kisses.
Neither of them noticed when the door was opened and the twins walked back in with Pomfrey.
"Now, that's a sound I thought I wouldn't be hearing again," said Poppy, referring to Florence's laughter.
Florence stood up and walked to the mediwitch, "He's alive Poppy!" she said, hugging her friend. "He survived!"
"I couldn't be happier for you, my dear."
Florence felt a hand on her back and turned to her sons, looking at their red-rimmed, puffed-up eyes and soft smiles.
"Oh, my babies," she whispered, hugging both of them, "Thank you for holding our family together while I was too concerned about your dad."
"It's ok, mum," said Nick, "Dad's fine, you're fine. Our family is complete."
She looked at James, noticing he was more affected than his brother.
He suddenly wrapped his arms around his mother and sighed, "I was terrified, mum."
"I can imagine, baby," she whispered, thinking that Pomfrey probably told him of his responsibilities if the worst were to happen to both Severus and her.
"I'll need a hand here, boys," they suddenly heard Pomfrey say as she stood beside the bed, "Help your father sit up, please."
Florence wiped James' face and he nodded, going towards the bed with his brother to help the mediwitch.
Florence stood beside Pomfrey, pointing her wand to her husband.
"There's some damage still to his throat. His heart and lungs seem to be almost fully healed – but not quite."
Pomfrey ran her own diagnosis spell and nodded, "I agree, dear. A couple more days of Dittany and it'll be as if he was never attacked."
Florence let out a relieved breath and smiled, then they heard knocks on the door.
"Excuse me," said Hermione, pushing the door open, "Can Fred and I come in?"
"Of course, dear," Florence smiled.
And Hermione walked in, going towards James, being followed by a visibly pregnant Fred, who walked to Nicholas.
Florence looked at the two couples and held her husband's hand tightly.
Severus chuckled, wincing at the pain that the muscle spasms caused. Three babies this year.
Yes. Florence replied, smiling. We have horcruxes to destroy, a war to win and three babies to bring into this world. We're mental!
Not mental. Just not pull-out guys.
Florence made a face and looked at him with a frown, I'm not asking how you can possibly know that about the twins.
It's obvious: pregnant Weasley. And we had a conversation about the possibility of Granger being next.
Florence shook her head, "I really don't want to hear about it."
"About what, mum?" asked James, standing behind Hermione with his hands around her.
"How you three reached the conclusion you're not pull-out guys," she said, purposely making the twins flinch and Fred and Hermione laugh.
"Nope, I don't want to hear about that either," said James, adding to Hermione: "Told you they could be mortifying."
"It's funny," she replied, pointing at Fred and Florence, "Especially considering the two of them are pregnant by accident."
James winced, "Don't make me think about how my father gets my mother pregnant, kitten!"
She rolled her eyes, "There are seven of you, James. It's clear that they–"
"Nope!" he kissed her lips, silencing her, "Let's get out before dad recovers his voice and starts being gross!"
And they all laughed as the two young couples left the room, closing the door.
Pomfrey watched their interaction with a smile, "Seeing you all laughing again warms my heart," she looked from Florence to Severus and sighed, "The last twelve hours were the absolute worst of my life."
"Same here," said Florence, touching Severus' hand on top of her belly.
"Now, about your voice…" Pomfrey began, passing her wand over his throat.
"I believe it needs a few days," said Florence, "His throat is still rather inflamed."
Pomfrey nodded, "I agree. No matter how much I'd love to say that you won't ever speak again," she looked at him with a mocking smile, "But, you will. Give yourself time to heal; after all, you had your throat nearly ripped out hours ago."
Then Severus noticed something shift in Pomfrey's eyes when she looked at Florence again, "Can you go get him something to eat, Flor? I believe he'll be able to swallow some of Molly's stew. Lukewarm."
It was clear she wanted Florence out of the room to talk to him, alone.
"Yes. Of course," Florence quickly replied, "I'll be right back, Sev," she kissed his lips, leaving the room without noticing Pomfrey's strange change in behaviour.
Downstairs
James had just sat in the living room with Hermione, Nick and Fred when Draco walked out of the kitchen with Elizabeth.
Nicholas, look at those two! There's definitely something going on there. Said James to his brother, glancing at their sister and Draco.
Nicholas nodded, Obviously, look at how she leans towards him.
"What are you two talking about?" Hermione asked, noticing her fiancée's face.
But instead of answering her, James called: "Hey, Malfoy!"
The way the blond boy suddenly stopped, as if someone had thrown cold water on him, told them all they needed to know.
Draco glanced at Liz, before replying: "James, what can I do for you?"
"Join us," James said, pointing to the empty armchair.
"We are going upstairs–" started Elizabeth.
"You can go upstairs, Elizabeth," said James, not taking his eyes off of Draco, "You can climb stairs on your own, can you not?"
Draco gulped, fearing he was about to get his arse kicked.
"Sit, Malfoy," Repeated James, getting angry.
Hermione looked from her once-despised classmate to her fiancée and realised what had James so angry.
She gaped slightly, fearing for Draco as she watched him sit on the empty armchair.
Elizabeth stood beside him, her arms crossed, eyeing her brother angrily.
"Stairs, Elizabeth," James ordered, looking at her.
"No," she replied, "I'm sure my name will be mentioned."
"Oh, really?" James asked in feigned surprise, "And why's that? Why would I mention your name when talking to Draco here?"
"Because you're worse than dad when it comes to being nosy!" she cheekily replied, "So let me tell you upfront that mum knows."
The five of them looked at her, four surprised eyes plus one pair of terrified grey ones.
Liz. Draco called her through their developing bond, concerned. Think of what you're going to tell them, love. I can't take another beating; I'm not fully recovered yet.
They already know, Dray.
"And what exactly does mum know?" asked Nick.
"That we are dating," Liz pointed from her to Draco, "We're bonded actually."
Draco ran his hands through the part of his hair that didn't have a bandage on and forced himself to look at Liz's older brothers.
"You and Malfoy are bonded?" asked James, incredulous, "Like mum and dad?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Holy shit!" exclaimed Nicholas, looking at his twin, "Dad will kill him when he hears it."
"How long has this shit been going on?" James demanded to know.
"Three years." Elizabeth answered.
"THREE YEARS?" James shouted, getting up, Nick standing beside him, "You were bloody TWELVE three years ago, Elizabeth!"
Draco stood up as well, he wasn't going to be beaten by Elizabeth's brothers without at least trying to fight back – even though he knew it was a suicidal move.
"Dad will skin you alive, Malfoy! I believe I can begin the job for him," growled James going towards the blond.
"James," Nicholas called, holding his arm, a little unsure about wanting to beat Draco, considering how hurt the boy already was, "You said mum knows, Liz?"
"Yes. Since the beginning."
James shook his head, looking at her, sceptical, "Mum would never have allowed you to date at that age!"
"But she did allow it because of the Enchantment!" shouted Liz.
"That's not reason enough!" James shouted back, yanking his arm free from his brother's grip and moving quickly towards Draco, looking very intimidating as he was taller and bigger than the blonde, "You were fourteen, Malfoy! She was twelve!"
Hermione moved just as quickly towards them, putting a hand on her fiancée's arm.
"James, stop!" she looked at Draco, "I can't believe I'm stopping someone from killing you."
"Thanks, Granger," Draco gave her a small smile.
Nicholas looked at Liz and Draco and then at his twin, "James, mum said they're blessed," he tried to placate him, "She's never wrong, bro."
James glared at Draco and pointed a finger at him, "You're a dead man, Malfoy. Wait till my father hears about this!"
Then Hermione and Fred snorted, making the twins look at them.
So she explained: "That's the first time someone uses Malfoy's signature phrase against him. I spent years hearing him say his father would hear about everything that happened at school."
James kept glaring at him but wrapped his arms around Hermione and let her lead him back to the sofa, while Draco sat back on the armchair, bravely pulling Elizabeth to his lap, receiving two angry and three surprised stares for his bold move.
"Well," Draco smirked, "If I'm a dead man, I'd better enjoy my last hours alive the best I can."
James jumped from the sofa again but a voice from the staircase stopped him:
"What's going on here?" it was Florence.
James silently pointed a finger at Draco and Liz; and the sight of them publicly showing they were a couple surprised her.
"Is it true?" James asked, angry, "You really allowed that to happen?"
Florence narrowed her eyes at her oldest son, clearly disapproving of his tone of voice, "Yes, I've allowed their relationship."
"Dad will be furious when he hears you hid that from him!"
"That, James," Florence said firmly, "is a problem between your father and me. And I expect you to keep your mouth shut until I deem it's time to tell him. Today, I just want to focus on the fact he's alive."
James looked really displeased.
Liz snorted: "Mum warned me that you couldn't keep a secret from dad – and she was right. You're dying to run upstairs and tell him!"
"I'm loyal to dad!" he justified.
Liz rolled her eyes, "You're a big tattletale, James."
"Enough!" Florence intervened again: "We're deep in dragon shit up to our ears right now, kids! We have to find a way to win a war with two large families living under one roof plus the Order members! Two pregnant people! Your father needs food and I need peace! Petty arguments are officially forbidden!" she pointed a finger at all of them.
James tried to speak but Florence just cut him off: "Zip it, James!" then she turned to Liz, "You'd better be checking on your ovulation patch every day and taking your contraceptive potion!"
"I am, mum," Liz nodded.
"Wait- WHAT?" shouted James, looking angrily at Draco, "No no no! He's not fu–" and he suddenly couldn't speak, for Florence had cast Langlock on him.
"That's enough, James!" Florence said, sighing, "Liz is dating Draco, your father doesn't know it yet – and you're not telling him!" she breathed before adding: "Since you're sitting on your arses, doing nothing, make yourselves useful and bring Tiffany, Sam and Melody here to help us."
Then she cast the counterspell: Langliber, adding out loud: "You're all family now, your kids will all be cousins, you'd better get along well, or else," and she went to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, upstairs
Once the door closed behind Florence, Pomfrey spoke:
"First of all, jokes aside, it's really good to have you back, Severus. I don't know what would be of Florence without you."
He nodded, concerned.
"Second," she continued, "We have to keep an eye on her. The phoenix tears brought you back from the doors of hell, but the only reason you didn't die ten hours ago is because she performed a blood transfusion," She saw his eyebrows move up on his forehead in surprise, "I can see she didn't tell you that."
He shook his head nearly imperceptibly, his eyes filled with worry.
Pomfrey continued: "You're a Potions Master, you have a good understanding of biology, enough to know pregnant people shouldn't be having blood taken out of them."
He nodded, fisting his hands in anger and fear.
Poppy sighed, "You have a few days of recovery ahead of you, and Florence will certainly be on her feet doing everything to make sure you're ok, but the moment you're better, I need you to make sure she rests as much as possible until those babies are born."
Severus nodded again.
"All the stress of watching you nearly die in front of our eyes is going to affect her, especially after giving you blood," Pomfrey hesitated, "She'll burn out soon."
He looked at Pomfrey with a deep frown, wanting to yell at her, to demand to know where the fuck she was when his pregnant wife was giving him blood at the risk of harming herself and their unborn babies. But he didn't dare try to speak, the prospect of enormous pain was certainly enough to keep him quiet.
"I can see you're angry," Pomfrey said, "And some of that sentiment is probably directed at me. But you weren't the only one hurt in the battle, Severus, I was tending to others when you arrived, and James brought Florence here within minutes of your arrival."
They heard the door being opened and she stopped talking.
Florence was back, with a tray of food in her hands.
"Flor, dear," Pomfrey said, changing the subject completely, "You'll have to massage his hands to improve the blood circulation. And probably by tomorrow he'll be able to walk a little. BUT…" she looked at him, "I don't want to see you out of this room for, at least, another day!"
"I'll make sure he stays here, Poppy. I'll tie him up if needed."
"And no sex for a week," Pomfrey said.
Severus glared at the mediwitch then.
"What?" Pomfrey asked, "So I can't make comments on your sex life now? Oh, please, Severus," she laughed.
"I'll keep an eye on him, Pomfrey. If I see him trying to get out of bed, I'll hex him," Florence said, sitting beside him and starting to help him eat.
Then Pomfrey left.
So, wife, Severus began, unable to contain his anger any longer. Give me more details about this blood transfusion Pomfrey told me you performed.
Florence glared at him, "Of course she told you about that. And, yes, I did do it. You had venom inside your body, my blood carries an antibody as you know, so I gave you some."
Some? How much is some, Florence?
"I don't know. I passed out before I could stop it."
Severus seemed about to blow.
"I wasn't going to let you die!" she exclaimed, "And you'd have died without that transfusion!"
He opened his mouth, trying to speak, needing to shout some sense into her, but she stuck a spoon into his mouth, forcing him to chew instead of screaming at her.
"You can't talk," she said, "Use the mind link or keep it to yourself."
He held her hand, making her look into his eyes. You know as well as I that what you did wasn't safe.
"The babies are fine. I'm fine!"
You have three more months of growing them, Florence! You gave me blood- blood that your body will have to work hard to replenish.
"I took two Blood-Replenishing potions."
And they certainly helped, but it's not the same! You know the babies only benefit from your blood, they can't use the potion to grow!
She pursed her lips, hating that he was right, "I wasn't going to let you die!" she shook her head, her eyes filling up with tears, "If you had had to lie beside me just waiting for me to die for twelve hours, you would've risked everything too..."
He sighed and nodded, touching a hand to her round belly, sending the babies his love.
I'm relieved to feel they're fine.
"They are. I've checked many times and so has Poppy," Florence said as she helped him eat the plate of stew, "Now that you're here, everything will be alright, Sev. We're together. Our family is all here, getting bigger and stronger. We'll find some miraculous way to defeat my father. Together."
He nodded, slowly raising a hand to her face and pulling her closer for a kiss.
Together, my love. He replied.
Later that night, in a room across the corridor, Draco walked out of his ensuite and stopped on his way to the bed, staring at the sinful scene on his bed: Elizabeth was lying there, dark tresses sprawled on his sheets, her body covered by the black shirt he had worn in the battle – which had been washed by Tiffany that evening.
"Liz, love, What are you doing here?" he asked, standing still.
"Well, Dray," she smiled sensually, "My father is no longer at risk of dying. My heart is light and happy. And my body is very much aware of your presence," her voice low and sultry.
Draco gulped, "Your parents are across the hallway, Elizabeth, literally a few metres away from us."
"Yes. And my brothers are also around, with their partners," she kneeled on his bed, "Aren't you tired of touching me only in shared dreams, Dray?" she ran her hands up her bare thighs, "Don't you want me?"
He let out a choked laugh, his hands itching to touch her, to feel her trembling under him.
"Want you, Liz? You have no idea... je m'enflamme pour toi." (I burn for you)
"Montez-moi." (Show me)
Draco hesitated for a second, before reaching for his wand to lock and silence the room.
"I must be mad," he whispered, putting his wand back on the nightstand and approaching the bed. "You'll get me killed, babe," he kneeled on the bed in front of her, one hand caressing her neck, "I must have a death wish, I'm about to shag you under the same roof of your father and brothers."
And shag her he did.
He caressed her dark wavy hair afterwards, feeling her pant against his chest, and closing his eyes; his last though before falling asleep was that if her father and brothers killed him the next day, at least he'd die a very happy man.
Note: If you speak French and wish to correct me 'cause I'm butchering your Language, feel free to do so. I'm trying my best here and I know not a single word in French.