Chapter 61

### Another Narrow Escape

With ease, the woman outside was taken down. "She was supposed to be one of your Phoenix heavy hitters? Haha, wake up and see the situation!" one of the Death Eaters shouted arrogantly, his hood up, but his voice sounded somewhat familiar.

"Haha! Yes, a great person indeed, such a proud achievement!" James laughed angrily, sending a powerful silent curse at the target, knocking him far back into a wall and down to the ground.

I noticed all this from the corner of my eye, marveling at James's strength. If not for his limited movement and his Seeker's agility, dealing with him would have been difficult.

Katherine attacked me, coming close to hitting me several times.

"Seems like we have an unexpected catch today," Voldemort's voice echoed not far away. I whipped my head around to see his predatory gaze fixed on me and Severus.

"Katherine, Lucius, stop. How can you be so rude to our friends?" With a light glance, Lucius put away his wand and retreated respectfully. Katherine looked reluctant but dared not argue. The other Death Eaters also stopped, waiting for their master to speak. Our side backed away warily. I noticed someone near the window subtly casting a Patronus Charm. Go find Dumbledore! I cursed myself for not thinking of it sooner.

"Dear Severus, our last unpleasant parting was due to my foolish servants. How could they think to threaten a Slytherin? I'm also surprised by your wife, Severus. It seems that Sawyer is a wise Gryffindor who knows when to bow to power. I appreciate that." Voldemort elegantly summoned three chairs. "If we sit down and talk, we might reach an agreement, make a beneficial deal."

Seeing Voldemort leisurely sitting, exuding immense pressure, made me shiver. Where is Dumbledore? How fast can a Patronus travel? We're quite a distance from the school; I hope he gets the message soon.

Severus pulled me to sit, his wand still firmly in his hand.

"Very well. To show my sincerity, I promise you greater power. Though you'll never surpass me, it will be enough for you to stand among the great wizards. When my kingdom is established, you will be heroes, holding esteemed positions. Your mixed-blood status will no longer matter, and no one will dare look down on you."

The perfect image of a devil, enticing one to tread the dark path. If not for my ties with our children, Severus would never have joined the Order of the Phoenix; he might have sought power with Voldemort. But it wouldn't have been easy—dealing with Voldemort's capricious nature and the punishments for failure. At least the old white wizard wouldn't harm us; he'd only squeeze us dry.

Severus and I had planned to stay safely in the background, and running into such a situation today was just bad luck.

"Indeed tempting. But what must I give in return? Making a deal with the devil usually requires one's soul as a sacrifice. What do I need to trade for what you offer?" Severus spoke slowly, dragging out his aristocratic accent and buying us time.

"You must pledge your loyalty to me and bear my Dark Mark." He gestured to a hooded Death Eater, who rolled up his left sleeve to reveal a black tattoo-like mark—a skull and serpent, the snake seemingly alive.

I controlled my urge to show disgust. It was ugly. I'd seen the Dark Mark hovering over attack sites—ugly but intimidating. On an arm, it was just uglier.

Severus didn't answer immediately. Voldemort, growing impatient, began toying with his wand.

I, close to Severus, noticed sweat beading on his forehead. We couldn't stall much longer. Dumbledore, if you don't get here soon, I'll have Roy and the Weasley twins cut your beard off!

Almost immediately, a burst of flames appeared in the room, and Fawkes, holding Dumbledore's hand, emerged.

Voldemort seemed to understand instantly that Severus had been stalling for rescue, and his fierce glare at Severus made me worry.

"Dear Tom, why didn't you inform me of your visit to Hogsmeade? I could have invited you for tea," Dumbledore smiled benignly, his blue eyes twinkling dangerously behind his half-moon glasses. "Also, I heard some unpleasant news. A loyal friend and former student of mine has fallen. She died at the hands of another who once called me professor. What do you think, Tom?"

As soon as Dumbledore appeared, Severus and I quickly retreated to James and Lily, seizing the moment to break James's curse.

"Dumbledore, I believe you're getting senile. My name is Voldemort," he hissed, the room's pressure dropping even more.

Facing Dumbledore, Voldemort didn't make a move. The two of them seemed to be having a polite conversation, as if old friends catching up.

Though temporarily safe, we needed to escape this situation quickly. We couldn't burden Dumbledore. Our allies stood guard in front of us, keeping an eye on the surroundings.

We managed to free James's foot before the two leaders started their duel. With Dumbledore and Voldemort focused on each other, the six of us from the Order faced four Death Eaters. Despite their experience, our fresh skills and superior numbers quickly turned the tide.

Voldemort's power was equal to Dumbledore's, but the old wizard's experience and composure gave him an edge. Though unable to defeat Voldemort, Dumbledore kept him in check. Frustrated, Voldemort finally let out an angry roar and Disapparated with his followers, not forgetting to take the incapacitated Crabbe with him.

Though victorious, we felt no joy. We couldn't forget the one who had died at Voldemort's wand.

During wartime, danger lurks constantly. A companion laughing with you today might be gone tomorrow. Dorcas's death happened right beside us, and we couldn't stop it. Benjy Fenwick, who once drove us to the Order headquarters, had been missing for a week, likely dead.

Frontline fighters like Lily and James were always in danger. Severus and I constantly worried about them, feeling relieved when they were merely injured, as it wasn't worse news. At least their Auror training reduced their exposure to dangerous missions.

Severus and I carefully avoided danger. Twice now, trouble had found us. Call it cowardice if you will; we simply cherished our happiness too much.

In April, I began my internship at St. Mungo's. My badge read: Trainee Healer, Sawyer Hill Snape. I was back with Burns in the Spell Damage Ward on the fifth floor.

This time, I was more vigilant. After that incident, we adjusted the ring's activation method. Now, even if petrified, I could use the Portkey with a silent spell.

I never saw Katherine at St. Mungo's again. Perhaps she was only there for a mission. She didn't seem suited for a healer's job, with her aggressive nature. She'd make a better warrior.

Half a year of internship flew by, and I smoothly earned my certification, becoming an official healer at St. Mungo's in late September. Working there had regular hours, weekend shifts, holidays, and decent pay. It was a great job.

One of my early patients was a man hit by a mixed curse, his head swollen like a balloon, twice its normal size. Examination, diagnosis, treatment—it went smoother than I expected.

After a month on the job, I discovered I was pregnant again.

"Severus, I bet it's a boy this time!" I lay in Severus's arms, dreaming of a boy to complete our family.

"What if it's another girl?" Severus probably recalled the Weasleys' perseverance, fearing I'd say, "Next one will be a boy."

"If it's not a boy, we're done. Three kids are enough." I pouted, Severus always shattering my fantasies.

He chuckled, "Three daughters are fine too. As long as they're our children, I'll love them."

"Me too!" I nuzzled against my human pillow, feeling sleepy.

"Get some rest. Remember to take leave tomorrow," Severus patted my back.

"Yes, sir. I don't really want to, though. I've only been working for a month." I muttered.

"No, you must. We can't risk another incident like before. Home is safer. I'll stay with you."

"Fine, nagging Severus." I made a face, just saying it for the sake of it.

While resting at home, I contacted Lily via the two-way mirror, proudly sharing my pregnancy news. It was the weekend, and she was free, so she came over via Floo.

"You guys are too efficient! I can't keep up!" Lily complained, "I'm in Auror training. How will I…"

"Finish training after having the baby. Everyone will understand. With low birth rates and high infant mortality, especially in wartime, new lives bring hope. You can't plan when you'll have a child. Maybe you're already pregnant."

"During such turmoil, it's even more dangerous. Unless you can protect it, don't have a child lightly."

Lily pondered my words, then resolutely said, "If a child chooses now to join us, James and I will protect it with our lives. War be damned; no one will harm our child."

I laughed at Lily's boldness.

"Let me check. Maybe you are pregnant," I joked, casting a detection spell on her abdomen. The results made my jaw drop.

"Lily, life is full of drama… Congratulations, you're going to be a mom."