Chapter 46

In mid-February, the first snow of the winter fell, covering everything in a bright white blanket. The kids ran out of the castle after class to play in it, while I cozied up in our warm base, with the fireplace blazing.

"Hey Sawyer, have you thought about what you want to do after graduation?" Lily pushed her homework aside, looking thoughtful.

"I've already decided. I want to be a healer," I said, tossing my essay aside as well. I didn't want it ruining my good mood.

"I know you want to be a healer. I mean, have you thought about whether you want to work at St. Mungo's or try to stay at Hogwarts? Some wealthy families hire personal healers, though I don't think you'd like that job much. But the pay is apparently quite good. Pure-bloods are really afraid of dying," Lily teased.

"Being afraid of death isn't a bad thing. I'm afraid of dying because I'd lose all of you—Isaya, Hughes, you, and Severus. If I died, you'd all be devastated!" I joked about death lightly, but it was how I truly felt.

"Of course, we'd be devastated. We can't live without you!" Lily said in an exaggeratedly sweet voice, then burst into laughter.

"The one who leaves first will have regrets, and the one who stays behind will suffer. Lily, if you had to choose, which would you prefer?" I suddenly wondered.

"Hmm, I'd choose to leave first. Regret is better than suffering," Lily said, laughing. "But ideally, I'd go with my love, so we could be together in life and death!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "You silly girl, always taking the easy way out. If it were me, I'd rather bear the pain and live on. But yes, with my love by my side."

Lily laughed, climbed over to shake my hand, and then lay back down.

"Weren't we talking about work?" I noticed the conversation had taken a strange turn.

"You were the one who changed the subject," Lily said, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, back to the topic. You mentioned St. Mungo's and Hogwarts? I'd probably choose St. Mungo's. The hospital wing doesn't have many positions, and Madam Pomfrey isn't retiring anytime soon. Plus, the headmaster would need to create a new position for me," I said.

"True. St. Mungo's would have higher requirements, and they definitely need good potion grades!" Lily sat up suddenly. "Your potion grades have always been just passable, right? That's not nearly enough!"

I groaned and buried my head in the pile of books, my voice muffled. "Don't bring up potions, Lily. You're ruining my afternoon."

Lily seemed to get even more excited. "We have to talk about it! Let Severus tutor you. You could study together and have romantic dates at the same time!"

I looked at Lily's excited expression, finding the teasing and schadenfreude in it.

"Lily, you're jealous. You're doing this on purpose!" I accused.

"Well, you two have been ignoring me for ages," Lily complained, her green eyes wide. "You've left me to deal with prefect duties alone!"

I laughed at her childish behavior. But she had a point. Over the past few months, the three of us had spent less time together. Besides being busy, Severus and I enjoyed our alone time, sometimes avoiding Lily. Maybe she felt left out. It's tough being the third wheel when two friends become a couple.

"I'm sorry, Lily. We didn't consider your feelings," I said softly. "But we haven't abandoned you. You're our best friend. This is still our base, isn't it?"

Lily looked a bit uncomfortable with my tone, squirming slightly before lifting her chin. "Alright, I forgive you."

I exaggerated a sigh of relief, then we both burst out laughing.

We laughed freely and heartily, letting go of any past grievances.

At that moment, the door to the potions room opened, and Severus's tired voice called out, "What's so funny?"

Lily and I exchanged a knowing glance and giggled.

"Nothing important, just some silly stuff," I said casually. "Severus, you look tired. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Severus said, rubbing his eyes.

I patted the spot beside me on the sofa. "Lie down, I'll give you a massage."

Severus obediently rested his head on my lap, letting me gently massage his temples.

I looked up to see Lily watching us with a smile. I stuck my tongue out at her playfully.

"We were just talking about post-graduation plans. St. Mungo's requires good potion grades. Severus, I need your help with potions," I grumbled.

Severus chuckled softly. "Of course, you do."

I pouted. It was true, after all.

"Lily, what about you? What do you want to do after graduation?"

Lily lazily used her wand to organize the rolls of parchment on the table. "I'm not sure yet. I'd like to join the Ministry of Magic, maybe become an Auror."

"Being a female cop is cool, and a female Auror would be even cooler," I said, watching my essay roll fight with Lily's for space on the table. Her roll was slightly winning. "But being an Auror is dangerous. You should think it through."

Lily shrugged. "I have time. I'll prepare for both, and then I'll have options."

"Good plan…"

"Severus, what about you?"

"Potions master," Severus murmured, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

"Figures," Lily said, as if she'd known all along. "Looks like you two can work at St. Mungo's together as a couple."

"That would be perfect!" I imagined us working together, sometimes staying late, living a simple and happy life.

Suddenly, a large bird flew in through the window, breaking my reverie.

The bird flew over to the sofa and landed on the backrest, raising one leg towards Severus. After he took the scroll from its leg, the bird immediately flew out the window, as if it couldn't wait to leave.

"Quite a character, that bird," I remarked, looking out the window, but it was already gone.

Severus quickly read the scroll, then handed it to me with a smile. "Eileen is coming home for Christmas," he said, pausing awkwardly before adding, "with her boyfriend."

---Christmas at Home---

When we arrived home, Eileen was already waiting outside with my parents, standing next to a serious-looking man with bronze skin. This must be her boyfriend.

These were my first impressions of the man: serious and bronze-skinned. Later, I occasionally saw him looking at Eileen with tender eyes and feeding that big bird, which turned out to be his pet. My opinion of him improved. He was a man who loved Eileen and birds.

His name was Murtagh MacArthur, originally from Scotland and a graduate of Durmstrang Institute. Eileen mentioned they met in a bird-filled forest in Romania, where he was studying birds as an ornithologist.

It sounded like the beginning of a romantic love story. I was curious and tried to get more details from Eileen, but she just smiled and stayed quiet. I didn't dare ask Murtagh. He seemed like a stern man, except when he was with Eileen or his beloved birds.

From the moment Severus met Murtagh, he scrutinized him closely. Murtagh returned his gaze calmly. By the next day, Severus seemed to have accepted Murtagh as his stepfather.

Curious, I asked Severus about it. He simply replied, "Murtagh is a man I can respect. I trust him with Eileen."

I was even more impressed with Murtagh for winning Severus over in a day.

We had separate family dinners on Christmas Eve. Severus's family was now complete, and we each enjoyed our family time.

The next day, Eileen took me to Prince Manor via Apparition, giving me a taste of being compressed into a tin can. It wasn't pleasant.

We arrived at what looked like a ruin, with overgrown weeds and a rusty old iron gate.

Eileen led me through the dilapidated gate into what seemed like a courtyard. She waved her wand a few times, probably adjusting some defensive spells.

After a few twists and turns, we reached a fairly large house. It looked a bit rundown but still showed traces of its former grandeur.

Instead of going through what appeared to be the main entrance, Eileen led me to a side door.

Entering through the side door, I felt like it was actually the main entrance. The hallway was clean and tidy, with minimal decoration, giving it a simple and elegant feel.

A house-elf appeared, offering its services eagerly.

Eileen introduced me to various parts of the house, except for the potion-related areas like the storage room, lab, and small library, and the Dark Arts practice room. The rest of the place seemed more like a display.

I was speechless looking at the spotless kitchen. The house-elves kept the place in excellent condition, ready for someone to move in and even restore the whole estate to its former glory.

However, Eileen didn't have such plans. The overgrown exterior was partly her doing, creating the illusion of neglect. This place was more of a secret lab for potion and Dark Arts research.

Before we left the manor, Eileen took my hand and said, "You can come here freely, just like Severus. You can use the fireplace in our home to get here. The manor's defenses recognize you now."

She then summoned three house-elves and told them, "This is Miss Sawyer Hill. She is your future mistress."

Even I, who was usually thick-skinned, blushed. Especially when the three house-elves bowed respectfully, calling me "mistress" with their big eyes wide open.