Next morning
Florence woke up to the sound of soft-spoken words nearby.
"Severus?" she smiled, as she recognised her husband's voice.
He had laid his head near her belly and was talking to their unborn babies.
"Your throat doesn't hurt anymore?" she asked, touching his hair.
"Hey, princess. Not as much as yesterday," Severus said, casting Menta spiritus and kissing a path from her round belly to her lips, lying beside her.
Florence sighed and caressed his face, looking into his eyes with love and relief, "I love you, Sev. I don't ever want to feel like I'm about to lose you again."
"I'm here, my love," he kissed her lips once more, "I'm alive."
"Yes, thankgoodness," her green eyes shining as she looked at him, "I bet father will be furious when he hears you didn't die."
"No doubt about it. He won't be happy. Which makes him very very dangerous."
Florence nodded, intertwining her left hand with his right one on her chest.
"What will we do now?" she asked.
He shook his head, looking at their hands, "I don't know," he whispered honestly, "For the first time in my life I have no idea what we should do next," he kissed her wedding ring, "Perhaps we shall let others think about the war for a while," and he looked into her eyes, "I am nearly fully healed, but I have to focus on you now."
She frowned, "On me? Why? I'm perfectly fine," her green eyes sparkled in annoyance, daring him to say otherwise.
Severus fixed her with a knowingly look, "Playing dumb doesn't befit you, wife."
Florence rolled her eyes, "I'm not sick, husband."
"No, you're not. But you need to rest; you have to stop doing everything. You're growing two babies inside you, Florence; and yet in the past thirty-six hours you've given me blood, healed me, and dealt with the kids – which I bet have found a way to get in trouble here already."
"Oh, you have no idea," she muttered.
He kissed her left hand, "Let me take care of you, love."
She grimaced, knowing that if she said 'yes' he'd be shoving food in her face and watching her every move for the next three months; but her sensible medical-trained mind knew he was right to worry – she was threading a very thin line when it came to having a healthy and safe twin-pregnancy.
"Fine," she finally conceded, "I'll let you be a controlling little shit, lording over me from now on."
Severus chuckled and added: "And you won't hex me?"
"No," she grumbled, "But I'll complain!"
Severus laughed before kissing her lips, and she rolled her eyes again.
Then they heard the door opening, and Elizabeth's voice: "Are you two decent?"
Florence laughed, "Yes, Liz!"
"Good!" she said, entering the room, "Good morning, mum and dad!"
And she was followed by Christopher, Sophie and Tiffany.
"Tiffany brought breakfast!" declared the elf, "Only soft fruits and warm tea for Master Severus and eggs and bacon for Mistress Flor."
The couple sat up on the bed, smiling.
"Thank you, Tiff," Severus whispered, pulling Sophie onto his lap.
Florence sighed as she caressed the soft brown curls of their youngest daughter; out of all their kids, Sophie had been the one Florence had spent less time with in the toddler years.
Don't be upset, love. Severus said, sensing her trouble. Sophie is fine. She loves us, she knows we love her.
Florence just nodded, laying a kiss on Sophie's head before pulling Christopher into a hug, looking at Liz with judgemental eyes – she didn't have to ask to know where her daughter had spent the night, the purple mark near her left ear was all the answer she needed.
After breakfast, Severus fell asleep and Florence took that as an opportunity to leave the room to go find her eldest daughter and have a serious talk to her about her boyfriend's safety – especially now that Severus was well on his way to be fully recovered and would soon be out of the room.
She had just closed their bedroom door when she met a friend in the corridor.
"Moony!" she smiled.
"Flor, I thought I'd never see you smile again," he replied, hugging her tightly.
"I know," she exhaled, "But Severus has been recovering fast. Thankgoodness."
"And thanks to Dumbledore," added, Remus.
"Yes," Florence had to begrudingly agree, "Thanks to that infuriating man," she shook her head, "And how are things, Remus?" she looked at him with concern.
"Not good, Flor," he sighed, "As you know, your father has five times the number of followers willing to fight for him than we do."
"Yes, I know. And when is the Order's next meeting?"
"Tomorrow night."
She nodded, "Severus and I will be there. We'll need to think strategically from now on if we are to win this war."
Remus silently agreed, opening his mouth and closing, clearly trying to find a way to ask her something.
"What is it, Remus?" she asked.
"Elizabeth is dating Draco Malfoy?"
Shit. She grimaced, "Is that common knowledge now?"
"I'm afraid so," he made a face while trying not to smile, "They're snogging in the back porch as we speak."
"Bloody stupid teenagers! She'll get Draco killed."
Remus raised both his eyebrows, eyes bulging as he realised what she meant: "Severus doesn't know."
"Of course not!" she whisper-shouted, "He'd have murdered Draco if he even imagined something like that was happening!"
"Well, if you two are attending tomorrow night's meeting, you'd better tell him before he hears it from someone else. Or worse: catches them in flagrante."
Florence nodded, her green eyes flashing in anger as she turned to go downstairs, looking for her reckless daughter.
Elizabeth was in the small backyard porch, sitting on Draco's lap; her lips rubbing against his provocatively, and her hands caressing his blond locks.
Tiffany was standing by the glass door looking at them reproachfully.
Florence stopped beside her elf and Tiffany said: "Master Severus won't approve of that."
"No, he won't," Florence agreed, "But you understand why I allowed their relationship, don't you, Tiff?"
Tiffany nodded slowly, hissing angrily: "That bloody Enchantment again."
Florence chuckled, "It's not that bad."
"Tiffany hates it! It threw Mistress Sophie into the arms of a monster, it made Mistress Flor suffer, and now Mistress Liz..."
Florence nodded, understanding the elf's feelings of hatred towards it, "I'm more concerned about Draco now, Tiff. Severus is his godfather, but once he learns that the boy has been hiding that relationship from him..." she shook her head, not wanting to think about what could ensue.
"Mistress Flor has been hiding it too," Tiffany looked at her with a frown.
"Yeah, but I can handle my husband. Draco can't."
Tiffany silently agreed.
And Florence sighed, "I'll go talk some sense into them," she pushed the glass door open, walking into the porch, purposely interrupting the young couple's sweet moment, "So, you've decided to commit suicide by Severus, Draco?"
The couple jumped from the sofa, Elizabeth sitting beside her boyfriend and looking at her mother in annoyance, while the boy seemed nervous.
"Well, Mrs Snape, actually I-I was thinking of talking to my godfather. Man to man."
Florence laughed out loud, and reached out her arms, showing him the door of the house, "Be my guest, Draco! Severus will have your balls in his bloody fists within seconds after you tell him you've been dating his daughter since she was twelve."
He gulped and looked from Florence to Elizabeth.
"We're already in need of fighters, Draco. We can't afford your death," Florence's green eyes moved from him to Liz, "What the fuck were you thinking? Letting everybody know about you two? Sleeping together under the same roof as your brothers and your father, Elizabeth? If one of them had heard a thing, no wards in the world would protect Draco from them!"
"This is all James' fault!" Elizabeth shouted, "He was the one who tried to intimidate Draco-"
"You could've denied!" Florence said as if it was obvious, "And most importantly: you could've slept in your own bedroom last night! You've got a hickey for fuck's sake!" she glared at both of them before setting her eyes on her daughter again, "You know James won't keep this from your father for long."
"I'll ask godfather for Liz's hand," blurted Draco, "I don't need to tell him we've been together for three years. Asking for her hand will let him see that my intentions are honourable."
Florence narrowed her eyes at him, "And when he asks you how exactly do you know Liz well-enough to ask her to marry you, what will you tell him then?" she looked at him intently, "Severus is a smart man, Draco, he'll see through you in seconds."
The teenagers seemed to finally understand how big was the hole they had dug for themselves.
Elizabeth held Draco's hand and looked at her with apprehension, "What do you suggest we do, mum?"
Florence sighed, "Elizabeth, I'm pregnant, your dad nearly died in the last eighteen hours and we're fugitives while having to fight in a war with one fifth of the supporters we actually need!" she looked from one to the other: "You two made that bed – now lie on it," and she turned to enter the house again.
After she closed the door of the porch, Florence stopped in the empty living room, massaging her temples and trying to not think about her daughter's teenage drama – she had the war to think about, no matter that she had told Severus she'd rest and let him take care of her – the Order was in deep trouble and something needed to be done.
"Mum?" she heard someone call her.
"Hey, Nick," she looked at him with a soft smile.
"Are you ok?" he pulled her to a hug.
"Yes, love," she laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes, enjoying the comfort of his embrace, "I'm just trying to come up with ideas to share at the meeting tomorrow."
"But are you feeling alright?" he worried, receiving a glare from her.
"Don't start, Nicholas. I'm a bit tired, yes, and worried about your father and about these babies," she caressed her belly, "But I'm fine. How are Lynne and Fred? I haven't had time to properly check on them yet."
"They're fine. Fred's resting most of the time, reading books and buying baby stuff through some sort of enchanted magazine," he paused, touching her belly and smiling, "Shouldn't you be resting too, mum? You performed that blood transfusion and..."
"Nicholas," she shot him another glare, "Your father has already made me promise I won't hex him, I won't extend that courtesy to you."
Nicholas just sighed and kissed her cheek, murmuring: "Love you, mum," then watched her walk upstairs without another word.
Meanwhile, in a room upstairs
"Oh, Jamie, you really can't control yourself, can you?" chuckled Hermione, watching her fiancée pacing the room, "You're dying to tell your father about Malfoy and Elizabeth."
"I can't keep hiding that from him!" James exclaimed.
Hermione shook her head, "I'm the last person to have any reason to defend Draco Malfoy, James. But he and your sister are the ones who should tell him."
"I'm her oldest brother, Mione! I have to tell my dad that Malfoy has compromised Liz!"
Hermione snorted: "Compromised her? The wizarding society might be retrograde in its laws but this isn't the Regency Era," she rolled her eyes, "Elizabeth isn't compromised! If she's fucking Malfoy–"
"NO!" James shouted, stopping pacing and putting his hands over his ears, "I don't want to hear it!" he moved fast towards the door, "I'm putting an end to that right now!" he opened the door wide just to be stopped by someone in the corridor.
"Going somewhere?" Florence asked, glaring at him.
Hermione stifled a laugh as she saw the way her tall and strong fiancée recoiled under the angry green eyes of the shorter pregnant woman at the door.
"Well, mother," his choice of words and tone granting him an arched eyebrow from Florence, "I'm going to dad's room right now to tell him what Draco's been doing to Liz!"
"No, you aren't!" Florence pushed him backwards with a hand on his chest and walked in, slamming the door shut, "First of all: they're blessed by the damn Enchantment. And second: if anyone is to blame for Draco to be putting his dick in your sister that person is Liz herself!"
James groaned, "Ugh, I don't want to hear about that, mum!"
"Look," Florence exhaled, "Elizabeth is used to getting what she wants – as you very well know, James. Since the moment they found out they were soulmates, Draco has been nothing but respectful, to the point where Liz even accused him of being a prude."
James seemed disgusted by that, "No nonono! I don't want to hear that my sister is a pervert! Is there anyone in this family who isn't a sex deviant?"
Hermione laughed.
Florence snorted: "Things are still uncertain about Chris and Sophie for they're too young but... as things go, probably not."
James sat on the bed with a huff, arms crossed.
"Sulk all you want, James," continued Florence, "We already have more than enough problems," she looked at Hermione, "James told me about the obliviating of your parents, dear, and about his research to develop a reversing draught – I believe it's quite promising."
Hermione sat beside him, her smile faltering, "Yes, I had to do it to protect them. I'll help James finish that draught once the war is over."
"We'll all help, Mione," assured Florence, "As soon as we win the war, we'll all join our knowledges and work on restoring your parents' memories."
James frowned, "Do you think we can still win?"
Florence sighed, "We'll need to outsmart my father, which won't be easy – but it's not impossible," she touched James' shoulder and pointed a finger at him, "Now, you keep your mouth shut. I've already told Liz and Draco to solve this situation. Let them own up their mistakes, James."
He rolled his eyes, "Fine."
Hermione chuckled, "I'll make sure he stays away from his father until Elizabeth and Malfoy have talked to Prof. Snape."
"Thank you, dear," Florence smiled at her and left the room, but not before sending another warning glare at her son.
As soon as the door closed, James had Hermione pinned on the mattress, her hands above her head.
"So," he smirked, "You'll make sure I stay in this room, kitten?"
"Yes," Hermione arched as he kissed down her neck, his hands playing with the waistband of her jeans, "I have just the thing that will keep your mind off everything else. Sir."
He smirked, "I see that you really do, kitten," and he divestoed them both.
Florence returned to her room and closed the door, stopping a moment to look at her husband still asleep on the bed.
A long relieved sigh left her lips, her heart filling up with love as she watched his chest moving up and down.
She moved quietly to the small ensuite bathroom and took a shower – something she hadn't done since arriving in that house.
After a few minutes, she walked back into the room with nothing but a towel covering her body.
She looked at the bed and stopped, for it was empty, "Severus?" she called, worried.
"I'm here, princess," he whispered in her ear, his body flush against her back, while his hands unwrapped the towel from around her body and caressed her quickly hardening nipples.
"What're you doing, Sev?" Florence asked, trying not to moan as he held her hips and his nose caressed the side of her neck, "Remember what Poppy said: no sex for a week."
"That's impossible, Florence," he said, the voice rougher than usual due to not being fully recovered yet, "You know we have the tradition of fucking every time you save me from near death. We did that when aurors attacked me. Then again when I had a concussion," he softly bit her shoulder, his hands roaming her curvaceous body, making her sigh.
"I wouldn't call it a tradition, love. It speaks more of our lack of control than anything else," she turned around, looking into the dark eyes she loved with all her being, and kissed his lips, "I'm not willing to risk it this time, Severus."
"I'm alive, Flor," he kissed down her neck, fisting a hand in her hair and tugging her head back, pressing a leg between hers, making her tremble in desire.
"Ooh, fuck!" she moaned, "Don't make me hex you, Severus," she gasped, her hands in his hair, as he kissed further down, going to her breasts, "We can't..."
But he wasn't listening, and soon neither was she.
Afterwards, as Severus collapsed on the bed, gasping loudly as if fighting for breath, Florence shouted, terrified: "Severus! What's wrong, love? Please, tell me!"
"I'm... fuck," Severus panted, "It feels like... I ran a marathon," he took a few breaths, "I fucking get it now… no sex for a week," he murmured, his eyes closing.
"Don't sleep!" she punched his shoulder, terrified.
"Ouch, Florence!" he complained, touching his shoulder.
"Tell me what you're feeling!" she demanded, "Is it your heart? Your lungs? What?"
"Nothing hurts, Flor," he said smiling softly, "I'm just tired, love," he pulled her head to his chest, caressing her still damp hair, "Don't worry."
Florence conjured some clothes for both of them and stared at his face, watching him closely as his breathing returned to its normal rate.
"I can't not worry about you, Sev," she touched his face and kissed his lips, "I watched you nearly die hours ago! I love you…" she had tears in her eyes and some of them rolled down her face, "I don't know what I'd have done if..."
"Don't think of it, Flor. I'm here," he wiped away her tears with his thumb and kissed her lips and she lay her head on his chest again, falling asleep with his hands in her hair.
A couple of hours later, Severus woke up before Florence and decided to take advantage of her sleeping state to leave the room for a while – he couldn't stand staying in there anymore, oblivious to how bad things had gotten since the battle.
He closed the door as quietly as he could and started to walk down the corridor, when a giggle had him stopping. He recognised that giggle – it was Elizabeth's giggle.
He paused, the giggle had suddenly morphed into a soft moan and his blood ran cold. Without thinking, Severus barged into the closest room only to find a lot more than he was looking for.
Draco Malfoy was sitting up on a double-bed, shirtless, and on top of him, straddling his lap, was Elizabeth, her dress bunched on her waist, and the blond boy's hands were...
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?" Severus bellowed.
And Liz jumped out of the bed, Draco kicked the covers and stood up on the other side of the room, as far as possible from the angry man at the door, his grey eyes huge on his face.
I'm fucked, Liz! Draco sent his girlfriend, sounding desperate. Holy fuck, he's going to kill me!
Elizabeth looked at her father and tried to think of something to say but nothing came to her mind. He looked really angry – she had never seen him that furious before. And she knew his temporary silence was the worst thing that could happen – it meant he was about to explode.
Severus took two large steps into the room, his wand in hand, pointing at Draco.
"Dad! No!" Elizabeth shouted, putting herself between her father and her boyfriend, "Stop!"
"Get out of here, Elizabeth," Severus said in a soft dangerous voice, "I'll talk to you later. Now I need to..." kill he thought, " talk to Mr Malfoy here."
"No! I won't let you hurt him!" she said, teary-eyed, not knowing what to do.
"I promise you I won't touch a single strand of his filthy pureblood little head," Severus said, a bizarre smile on his face.
"No, dad! Please!" Elizabeth was desperate; she needed her mother there with her to help calm her father down, "Don't hurt him! It was me! I-I made him–"
"Enough, Elizabeth!" Severus hissed angrily, "You're already under home arrest for the next ten years!" Severus never took his eyes from the terrified blonde in the corner, "Leave, Elizabeth. Don't make me ask again."
She looked at her boyfriend; Draco would turn transparent if he got any paler.
"Dad, please…" she tried again.
"If Mr Malfoy is man enough to... touch you the way he was touching before, I believe he must be man enough to have a talk with your father."
"Dad, I love him, please!"
"AND I FORBID IT!" shouted Severus, "He is not good enough for you! He's not safe for you!"
"You were never good or safe for mum but she chose you anyway!" Elizabeth shouted, tears rolling down her face.
Severus looked at her. He knew that that day would come – that one fateful day he'd find his precious daughter in the arms of some stupid hormonal teenager!
But out of all stupid teenagers, did it have to be that stupid hormonal teenager? No! He wouldn't accept it! Not him ! Not Draco-bloody-Malfoy!
He shook his head, looking at the face of his sweet daughter – the first child he had been there for from the very beginning, the first one he saw being born. And a stupid Malfoy had put his dirty hands on her! He growled as he looked at Draco again.
"Please, dad," Elizabeth begged, crying, "Don't kill him."
Severus took a couple of deep breaths and lowered his wand; he was never strong enough to see her cry and do nothing. He pulled her to a hug and kissed her head.
"I promise you I won't kill him," he conceded, at last.
Elizabeth nodded and glanced at Draco.
I'll go after my mum, Dray. Stall him. I love you.
The boy gulped. If I never see you again, know that you're everything to me, Liz.
She nodded and left the room.
The door closed behind Elizabeth and Severus' dark eyes were on Draco, unblinking.
The blond boy didn't dare move from his spot against the wall, feeling as if he had been locked in a cage with a very hungry, very furious, manticore and any movement would make it attack him.
Severus started pacing inside the room, and every time he walked towards him, Draco flinched.
"At least you have the decency of being afraid," Severus growled, "You fear me because you know what you did was wrong."
"Godfather..." Draco tried to speak.
"Shut up!" Severus barked, looking at the half-naked young wizard in front of him with disdain – wanting to rip out each one of the fingers from those filthy hands that had dared touch his precious daughter!
"Don't make me break the promise I made Liz, Draco. I want to kill you. I want to see you writhing in pain!" he stopped pacing and stared at the young man, "Since when has this been happening?"
Draco closed his eyes, that was the worst question he could ask, but he answered truthfully: "F-for about three years."
Severus froze in place, "Three years? " he growled, after a quick math that had him even more furious.
"Y-yes. I first s-saw Elizabeth in the Triwizard Tournament. A-after that I-I wr-wrote to her and... Mrs Snape, she helped us whenever w-we wanted to meet."
"Florence helped you?" Severus repeated, in disbelief, "And you've always known whose daughter Liz is? Did you do this to spite me, Draco?"
"NO!" the blond boy quickly shouted, needing to make himself clear, "No! When I met her, I didn't know Liz was your daughter. I didn't know she was Madam Delacour's daughter! I t-thought they were sisters!" he took a breath and continued: "One night, you put me in detention, and I saw the pen your were using. That was when I knew. I was with Liz when she bought you that; she'd told me it was a present for her father. So when I saw the pen, I freaked out! I never meant to anger you, godfather, I just... I fell in love with Elizabeth and..."
Severus remembered that night, how weird Draco had acted for no apparent reason, "And why, Draco, why didn't you come talk to me once you found out she was my daughter? Are you that disloyal?"
"I was scared!" Draco nearly shouted, "I talked to Madam Delacour and she told me not to tell anyone!" he paused to breathe, "And my loyalty may have been faulty in the past, but now I'm on your side; not the Order's or the Lord's – yours."
Severus made a disgusted face and sneered: "Your family has no idea what loyalty means," he pointed his wand at Draco again.
Severus! He suddenly heard Florence's voice in his head. Don't do anything stupid!
He lowered his wand, to Draco's surprise, but his eyes still promised him death.
"You'll stay away from Liz," Severus ordered, "You won't even look my daughter's way again!"
"N-no!" said Draco, his voice trembling, "I won't stay away from her, godfather. I love her!"
"I don't want you near her!" Severus bellowed.
A few minutes before
When Elizabeth left Draco's room, she ran to her mother's, finding her asleep on the bed.
"Mum!" she called, crying, "Please, mum, wake up!"
Florence slowly opened her eyes, trying to understand why she was hearing her daughter crying.
"Liz?" Florence sat up with difficulty due to her belly and hugged her daughter. "What happened, love?"
"He found out, mum!" she sounded desperate, "You need to help Draco!"
Florence shook her head, trying to make sense of what she was saying: "Who found out what, dear?"
"Dad!" the girl cried, "He caught Draco and I on the bed and..."
Florence gasped, "Oh, no! Elizabeth!" she took her wand from the bedside table, telling her husband through their bond: Severus! Don't do anything stupid!
"Where are they, Liz?"
"Across the hallway."
Florence walked to the door with Liz beside her and, the moment she stepped into the corridor, they could hear Severus shouting: "I don't want you near her!"
They crossed the corridor and entered Draco's room, where Florence wasted no time, saying: "Stop this, Severus; they are blessed, like us."
"I don't care!" he growled loudly, before stopping pacing and looking at his wife, realising what she had just said: "What?"
"You heard me. They are blessed by the Enchantment. Like us."
Severus shook his head, "No nonono... they can't be! My daughter and a bloody Malfoy?" he was outraged, "NO!"
"That's why I've allowed it," Florence whispered, wincing slightly as a weak Braxton-Hicks contraction on her lower belly reminded her she had walked a little faster than she should have.
"You knew about it and didn't tell me!" Severus said, accusingly.
Florence shook her head, "Not true; I told you that Liz had a boyfriend and you were the one who said you didn't want to hear about it."
Severus narrowed his eyes at her, unsurprised that she was putting the blame on him. He was about to shout at her again when he noticed the way she leaned on the wall and touched her belly, exhaling loudly.
"You shouldn't be out of bed, Florence!" he growled instead, going to her and wrapping his arms around her.
"Let them snog in peace, Sev," Florence said, smiling up to him, "Help me go back to bed, will you?"
He took her up in his arms, feeling her wrap hers around his neck, and looked at Elizabeth who had run to Draco's side.
"Is that what you want, Elizabeth?" Severus asked her, as if Draco wasn't a person but a disgusting mold-flavoured Bertie-Bean stuck to the carpet.
"Yes, dad," she answered, "I love Draco."
Severus growled.
Sev, stop. Florence whispered in his mind, pulling his face towards her.
So he said: "I'm keeping an eye on you, Malfoy. Blessed or cursed, hurt her and I'll rip your guts out and make you watch as the Thestrals eat them."
Draco just nodded.
And Severus left the room with his wife in his arms.
Don't think I'm not angry with you, wife.
Oh, I'm so scared. Florence mocked him.
He walked into their room and put her on the bed, turning around and pacing as he tried to control his anger.
"Come on, Sev," Florence said, knowing he needed to vent or he'd turn into his insufferable-git mode, "Better out then in. Let me hear it before it makes you sick."
He stopped pacing and glared at her: "How could you hide this from me?" he nearly shouted.
"How did you want me to tell you?" she replied, "We already had enough problems for you to worry about your daughter's boyfriend. And I only allowed it because I was aware of the Enchantment acting between them."
"He's a Malfoy!" Severus shouted.
"I know. And she's the Dark Lord's granddaughter. Honestly, if we're comparing which is worse-"
He grimaced, "His father would love to know that his son is fucking my daughter!"
Florence rolled her eyes, "Don't start spewing sexisms on me now, Severus! Liz isn't our property!"
"I know that Florence," he stopped near her, "Just tell me that Lucius doesn't know about it."
She almost thought about lying just to watch him squirm, but decided to be honest: "No, he doesn't. Narcissa does though."
And he was about to explode again.
"Please, Severus, that's enough," Florence said, looking up at him from the bed where she sat, "I hid their relationship from you thinking it was for the best. Draco has never been anything but a gentleman with Liz – your daughter was the problem, actually, if you'd like to know."
He made a disgusted face and shook his head, "No. I wouldn't like to know," he remembered the many months when Liz refused to talk to her mother and realised it had to have something to do with that.
"Hey, Sev," Florence spoke softly, hooking her fingers in the waistband of his joggers and pulling him closer, between her legs, "Don't be mad at me."
He glared at her but didn't shout; he just sat beside her on the bed, one arm going behind her back.
Then he finally spoke: "I'm not mad at you."
She snorted, seeing through his lie: "Yes, you are."
"Of course I am," he admitted, "How could you hide that my daughter was dating Malfoy? That bloody tosser touching her and... and doing Merlin-knows-what to her!
"In my defence, the Merlin-knows-what part is pretty recent."
Severus glared at her again, making her chuckle.
"Sev, you know if I had forbidden it, it'd have been worse. You always gave that little princess everything her expensive greedy heart desired-"
He scoffed: "So now it's my fault?"
"It's life, Severus! You've known this day would come since before she was born!"
"Yes. And I was right to fear it! But why him? A sodding Malfoy! And Draco is older than her! She's too young!"
"She's fifteen, Severus," Florence sighed, "And you should be happy, after all, we know Draco and at least his mother is decent."
"I don't care; he's still a bloody Malfoy."
"But he's dead scared of you," Florence chuckled.
Severus sighed and brought her left hand to his mouth, nipping on her fingertips, "I'll punish you for this, wife. As soon as you're recovered from birth, you'll be punished for hiding that from me," he bit her thumb, watching her green eyes going lighter in desire, her veela humming in their minds.
"Promises. Promises," she murmured, touching her nose to his neck, "Can't wait to be shown how bad I've been."
Severus smirked and pulled her to a kiss, "I guess it could be worse," he whispered.
"What could be worse?"
"Liz could be in love with Longbottom," Severus shivered in disgust.
Florence laughed, "Now that would be amazing! He'd have to gather all his Gryffindor courage – and some – to get close to our daughter. And I doubt he'd ever ask you for her hand," she smiled, "But he's a nice boy."
"On second thought it wouldn't be worse, he's more decent than Malfoy."
They just sat in silence, enjoying each other's company.
"Look at us," Severus broke the silence with a soft voice: "Fighting a prejudiced system, aiming to kill a mad blood-purist, meanwhile two of our kids are marrying into the Sacred 28," he shook his head.
"Well, in a way they're helping us end that. After all, our grandkids won't be purebloods."
"Grandkids," Severus grimaced: "Draco will put babies in my daughter," he shivered in anger and disgust, "Please make me forget how babies are made."
And Florence laughed.
Later that day, at noon
Tiffany was setting the table with Melody when Florence walked into the living room, seeing Molly on the sofa with her eyes closed.
"I don't think I've ever seen you sitting down, Molly," she commented.
"Oh, Florence, dear. Your elves have grounded me. Tiffany threatened to glue my bum to this sofa if I didn't sit down willingly."
"And you'd better believe that she would have," said Florence, laughing.
Then Fred, Nicholas, Harry and Ginny walked into the house from the backyard porch and Florence walked to them, kissing her son's cheek, quickly noticing the way Harry glanced at that with longing, so she asked: "Can I hug you, Harry?" she asked.
"If you want to," he shrugged, trying to convey nonchalance.
Florence smiled and embraced him, kissing his cheek, but Harry frowned, whispering: "He thinks you shouldn't be smiling."
Florence looked at him with a confused expression, "What?"
"Your father," explained Harry, "He... he saw through my eyes that you're happy and he is... confused. He thinks you shouldn't be happy."
She smiled and looked into Harry's eyes, "My husband is very much alive, I have no reason to not be happy."
The boy knew right then she wasn't speaking to him.
"And we are close to finding the last you-know-whats," she whispered, keeping her green eyes on his, "Very very close."
Harry gripped her arm, gasping: "He heard you! And he's furious! I–" then he shouted, trying to jump on her all of a sudden, being held back by Nicholas and Ginny.
"Carcer mentis!" Florence cast quickly and the boy went limp in Nick's arms, "Put him on the sofa," she ordered and looked at Ginny, "Don't worry about him. Harry's fine. I just put him in a temporary coma."
You'll have to start teaching Harry occlumency again. She said to her husband.
Why? She heard him groan. What happened?
I was able to send father a message through him just now. And Harry confirmed me father heard it.
Fuck!
After taking a breath, Florence turned to look at Fred: "Hi, dear," she said, hugging him, "How's baby Lynne today?"
"She's fine," he replied, seeming a little nervous by what they had just witnessed, "She's misbehaving a little," he gave her smile, "Kicking my stomach and my ribs. I can't imagine how much worse it is when it's two," he looked at Molly, "I'm truly sorry for every kick and punch I ever gave your organs, mum."
Molly snorted, "Once they're born is way worse, Freddie."
"Ain't that the truth!" agreed Florence.
And as if confirming their words, they saw Draco walking downstairs hand-in-hand with Liz.
"So, dad knows now?" asked Nick, standing beside Fred again.
"Yes, he does," Florence replied and looked at the younger couple, speaking more loudly: "Elizabeth, just because your father knows about you two, that doesn't mean it's safe to flaunt it around him."
"He'll have to accept it, mum!" the girl retorted.
Then they heard Severus' voice from the stairs: "Is that so?"
Draco quickly raised his hands and took a step away from Elizabeth, making everybody laugh at his terrified face.
In that afternoon
The Weasleys and the three older Snapes were in the backyard training the younger Order members – minus Harry who was in the basement with Severus building up his mental barriers for that night's meeting.
Remus and Tonks were supervising the teens' training session, while Florence sat on the back porch's sofa with Fred to watch them, being around in case anyone got seriously hurt.
Tiffany brought them tea and cookies and Florence called Remus and Tonks to come have some.
"The kids are doing so well," said Remus, impressed, "James and Nick are amazing teachers."
"Yes. They are so patient," added Fred with a smile, "Nick will be an amazing dad."
"That's true, Fred," agreed Remus, "I never thought James had a calm bone in him though. I'm honestly surprised."
Florence nodded, "Who could imagine that, right? That wicked boy. But they have always been nice and thoughtful with their younger siblings. And they're used to helping and looking after younger kids."
"And I'm really impressed by the kids' skills," said Tonks, "Your Elizabeth is ruthless. Ginny is so fast! Hermione knows a huge number of spells. And Luna is such a sweet-looking kid but she's incredibly fierce and a skilled duellist too!"
"Yes," agreed Remus, "I was really surprised by Luna. She looks so sweet and harmless."
Florence chuckled: "So do you, Moony. And yet you can rip a man apart without breaking a sweat certain nights."
Tonks laughed, "True, Florence. He's definitely not as sweet as he looks," she winked, kissing him briefly.
"I bet he isn't," Florence snorted and winked at Tonks, "I've studied enough about lycanthropy to know that some animalistic traits do seep into their lovemaking preferences."
Remus blushed a deep red, "Enough of this, you two."
Florence hugged him, "Since we've mentioned your condition, once this is all over, will you take our research seriously again?"
"Yes," Remus exhaled, "I promise. Once the war is behind us, I'll be a good guinea-wolf again."
"What research?" asked Tonks.
"Untill '92 we were working on perfecting the Wolfsbane Potion – aiming to find a cure," Florence explained, "But Remus stopped taking it for some reasons," she glared at him, "And then the war restarted..."
"A cure?" whispered Tonks, "That's amazing, Remus!"
"Not only for his health; if we actually do it, Remus won't have to worry about working a day for the rest of his life – and some."
"It's your research, Florence."
"Don't start it, Remus," she glared at him.
"So you'll be a healthy wealthy man in the future?" said Tonks, jokingly; then she looked at Florence: "Is there a way to make sure he won't lose his licking obsession?"
And Florence laughed hard while Remus blushed profusely.
Later that evening
Downstairs in the living room
Florence looked around the room where around thirty people – Weasleys, Snapes, Harry, Luna, Draco, Hermione, McGonagall, and a few others – were standing, waiting for the meeting to begin.
"Who's presiding this?" Florence asked Remus.
"Well, we thought you two would."
Florence seemed surprised, "We? Why?"
"No one knows You-Know-Who better than you and Severus."
She nodded, glancing at her husband who leaned against the wall to her right, arms crossed, looking as unapproachable as ever.
I guess that's true. He told her.
She cleared her throat then and turned to the others, "Good evening, everyone. I must start by being honest and saying that our chances of victory are very small right now – however, not all is lost. Despite our low numbers, we have never been so close from defeating my father – once and for all," she saw some people frowning as she called the Dark Lord her father, "Prof. McGonagall, what's happened in the castle since I left?"
"Your father went there in person this morning. I told him that for all I knew, Severus' death was a matter of hours. He named Amycus Carrow the new Headmaster and... threatened to kill me."
"No surprises there," Florence said, "Well, if you're ever in a position where you fear for your life, professor, send Nick or James a Patronus and they'll go rescue you. We can apparate inside the grounds."
"I know," McGonagall nodded, "You disapparated in front of Umbridge when I was in the infirmary. I asked Albus about it and he said he had granted you a special permission."
"Well, he had to lie to keep my secret safe. But we can apparate there because we're Slytherin's descendants."
"Harry," Severus called then, "Why don't you share with them what you got from the Lord's mind after Florence's message."
"Yes, sir," the boy replied, looking at Florence, "After you told your father that your husband has survived," he motioned Severus, "And that we are close to find the remaining horcruxes, I got glimpses of a ghost from his thoughts – a female ghost."
"A ghost?" Fleur asked, "I remember zere were ghosts all over 'Ogwarts."
"Yes," Harry nodded, "But this one is tall, with waist-length brown hair; she wears a floor-length coat that seems blue. She's quite young and beautiful for a ghost, actually."
"The Grey Lady," they all heard the dreamy voice of Luna Lovegood.
"That's who I thought of too, Luna," said Florence, "But why would my father be thinking of her?"
"Well," this time Hermione spoke, "He turned Slytherins's locket into a Horcrux, and Hufflepuff's cup... maybe he also got his hands in some Ravenclaw heirloom."
"Yes, you could be right; I remember something about a tiara," Florence said, looking at McGonagall, "Wasn't there a story about that?"
"Yes," nodded the professor, "Ravenclaw's lost diadem is sought by the students for it's believed to have powers that would help the one who finds it to achieve great knowledge with minimal effort."
"But it's said to be lost," said Tonks, "For centuries."
"I don't know if what I'm looking for is a diadem," said Harry, "But I'm certain it has something to do with that ghost."
"So you'd have to talk to The Grey Lady," concluded Florence.
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"That won't be easy," said Charlie Weasley, "The Grey Lady only talks to Ravenclaws."
"I can help you with that, Harry," offered Luna, "She's a good friend of mine."
"That's great, Luna," Florence smiled at the girl, "Now to our most pressing matter: numbers. For even if we find the horcrux and destroy it... we can't afford a final battle as of now."
"No, we can't," agreed Remus, "We need to increase our numbers before doing something that would engage the death eaters."
"How do you suggest we do that?" asked Bill, "We've been trying for months but everyone is afraid of showing they are against You-Know-Who."
There was a pregnant silence, broken by Florence: "Ideas? Anyone?"
"I was thinking..." said Tonks, "Not everyone has heard Mad-Eye died. I believe if the aurors learned Bellatrix killed him, they'd want to help us avenge him."
"That's a good idea, Tonks!" praised Florence, "Also, while we work on upping our numbers, we should retreat," everyone looked at her, "We must schedule training sessions for the unexperienced new recruits and, for that, we'll need our best duellers here and not engaging death eaters and risking their lives."
Everyone agreed.
Next Severus spoke: "Once we have enough numbers to feel comfortable launching an attack, we'll move forward with the plan of getting Harry into the castle to find the ghost and the horcrux."
"Where else could we start looking for new members beside the aurors?" asked Remus.
"Where could we find people that never supported my father?" Florence asked, looking around the room, until her eyes fell on the dreamy blue ones of a blond girl, "The Quibbler!" she suddenly exclaimed, "The Quibbler subscription list!"
"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed, being the first to realise what she was talking about, "No follower of your father's would ever subscribe to the Quibbler, that's for sure!"
"Luna, could you get us that list?" Florence asked.
"Yes, of course, ma'am! Dad must have it. I'll send him a Patronus requesting it."
Remus touched Florence's shoulder and smiled, "I'm really glad to have you here, Flor."
But suddenly he removed his hand as if he had been burned.
"Hands off, wolf," Severus growled, wrapping an arm around Florence.
And she laughed, turning to face her husband, touching a hand to his chest.
"Stop it, Sev."
George looked at Harry and mouthed: "Sev?" arching an eyebrow in surprise.
"Oy, you two!" shouted James, "We're in the middle of a meeting – take a few steps away from each other!"
Hermione slapped his arm, "Stop it, James! They're not doing anything."
"For now, they aren't! Believe me, kitten – not even the prospect of having witnesses is enough to stop those two – in fact, I fear it would actually encourage them!"
Most people in the room turned to look at the Snape couple with renewed interest, as if assessing how interesting it'd be to watch those two fuck; their interested expressions making James, Nick and Elizabeth groan in disgust.