Chapter 63

There had been a spy within the Phoenix base, and in the past few months, several instances of information leaks had occurred. However, the people in the Phoenix base did not hold very high positions, and the leaked information had been relatively minor, though troublesome.

Some suspected Severus, given that he was a Slytherin. When we were attacked due to our address being leaked, the suspicion naturally diminished.

Dumbledore's members had been scrutinized, and no one seemed suspicious. If there wasn't an embedded spy, the scope wasn't small since the Phoenix base included core members, frontline fighters, and their families, totaling about thirty or forty people. Those not counted were not necessarily good at keeping secrets. Therefore, anyone could be the traitor.

This matter wasn't easy to clarify by investigating everyone one by one. Dumbledore apologized to Severus for the suspicion from others, stating he trusted Severus, who wouldn't like the Death Eaters and wouldn't be coerced. Severus conveyed this to me with an annoyed expression. I believed he disliked Dumbledore's penchant for guessing people's thoughts and always being right.

Dumbledore wanted Severus to join the core team of the Phoenix base, to participate in combat secrets and decision-making. Despite his reluctance, Severus accepted. Working with the Gryffindors must have been painful for him, but we all wanted to do something to end this war. Besides his personal achievements in potions, recognition and status within the Phoenix base were what Severus and our family needed.

James was the only one from the group of four to enter the core team. He and Lily were both frontline fighters. I thought Dumbledore was grooming him as a young leader. He and Severus seemed to tolerate each other, maybe for official matters or for Lily and me. They could nod and smile politely, restraining from sarcastic remarks, which I found miraculous.

Of course, I didn't expect them to become brotherly close.

Severus roughly inspected our house in Spinner's End, which had almost become a ruin. Though magic repair was quick, we couldn't live there under the current circumstances.

Dumbledore welcomed us to stay at the headquarters, but Severus refused. He didn't trust placing us in a place with a hidden traitor.

Lily suggested we move to Godric's Hollow. The Potters had lived there for generations, with James being the only remaining descendant. James was born late to the elder Potter couple, who passed away within a few years after his graduation and marriage. Now, it was just him and Lily living there. Lily wanted us to move nearby for mutual care.

Severus twitched his lips, "Though I would love to be Lily's neighbor, I can't stand having a Potter around. Occasionally meeting at the Phoenix base can be polite, but it doesn't mean we can be good neighbors."

A few days later, Severus found a new residence. This time, we didn't intend to tell anyone except Dumbledore. This was to show trust and to have someone confirm we hadn't gone missing.

The new place was in a Muggle town not far from London. We were the only wizarding family there. It was a somewhat secluded cottage, simple, but I liked its atmosphere.

The day before moving, I encountered a gloomy Sirius at the headquarters.

He was unusually silent, sitting quietly aside. Curious, I pulled James aside to ask.

"We encountered Regulus in a conflict yesterday, their first meeting on the battlefield. Regulus's mask fell off during the fight, and Sirius recognized him. Their duel was intense, and no one could intervene. One cursed and attacked mercilessly, the other attacked silently but fiercely, showing no sign of brotherhood."

James sighed, "When the Death Eaters retreated, I saw Regulus look at Sirius with complicated eyes, and that look seemed to affect Sirius, making him sullen since yesterday."

Sirius had left home in his fifth year, and since then, they had been estranged, ignoring each other even in school. I had always been friends with Regulus, occasionally chatting. He complained about Sirius's actions angering Mrs. Black, increasing pressure on him. But after Sirius left, Regulus never mentioned him again.

We knew Regulus joined the Death Eaters after graduation. Sirius cursed a few times but never brought it up again. This was their first battlefield encounter, at least face-to-face as enemies. Sirius's reaction indicated he might still care about his brother, and Regulus's look conveyed some emotion that touched Sirius.

What kind of emotion made the usually carefree Sirius so abnormal? I was curious and worried about Regulus. Sibling rivalry in war was cruel, and Regulus must be suffering too.

After graduation, I exchanged a few letters with Regulus. Though he couldn't attend my wedding, he sent gifts and blessings. After joining the Death Eaters, we cut off contact due to different stances. But I still believed we were friends.

After moving to the cottage, I hesitated for a few days before writing to Regulus, expressing concern and subtly mentioning Sirius's unusual behavior. I signed off as S.H.S., my post-marriage signature.

A few days later, when I thought he wouldn't reply, I received a hurriedly written note:

"Thank you for your concern, my friend. Please protect yourself. Also, tell my brother: Live well and carry on the Black family line. R.A.B"

Frowning, I felt an ominous vibe from the latter part. As the heir, why would he ask Sirius to continue the family line? Was he in danger? Though young Death Eaters valued him, and the Black family was proud of him.

Feeling uneasy, I quickly wrote a few words and sent the note to Sirius through James.

That night, Sirius wrote back, asking for details. I told him all I knew, but it wasn't much more than he knew.

Afterward, I didn't hear from Regulus, nor did Sirius find out anything. Until we heard that Regulus betrayed the Dark Lord and was killed.

We were shocked, and Sirius didn't believe it, thinking the steadfast Regulus couldn't betray their highly supported Dark Lord.

I believed Sirius couldn't accept his brother's death. Despite deep conflicts, they were blood relatives.

Regulus's body was never found, and no one knew his true fate.

On July 30th, my third child was born. We named him Evan Severus Snape. Evan, in Hebrew, means 'gift of God.'

Hearing his healthy cries, I barely thanked Madam Pomfrey before falling asleep.

Waking up in the evening, Severus was by my side, holding our son.

Like his sisters, little Evan inherited Severus's black hair and eyes. His white face and gem-like black eyes were beautiful.

The other two children were quietly watching from their crib. Severus must have taught them not to disturb my rest. Their eyes showed they wanted to interact with the new baby.

"Roy, Joanna, this is your brother Evan!" Bringing them to the bed, little Evan waved his hands in the air, looking excited.

The two heads crowded in front of me, staring at the smaller head in my arms. The one on the left hesitated before kissing the little guy, followed by the right one, leaving a slobbery mark on Evan's other cheek.

Evan laughed, expressing his joy with a scream-like sound.

After playing, Evan got tired, drank milk, and slept. The two older kids were sent to play in their room. I was starving, having eaten nothing all day, and devoured the food on my bed.

"Longbottom's boy was born at noon, I heard it went well, and the baby is healthy," Severus watched me eat, making me belatedly self-conscious about my ravenous eating.

"So, it's just Lily left. Wonder how long she'll take, I guess in the next few days."

There had been many new lives recently. In June, Lucius's son was born, a boy, reported by the papers as the new heir of the Malfoy family.

Severus anonymously sent the best child nutritional supplement with a note: "Gift to my friend Lucius."

I believed they could recognize Severus's handwriting from the hidden S.P.S on the bottle.

It didn't take long; the next day, Lily gave birth. She showed me her baby boy through the two-way mirror. He had James's messy black hair and Lily's green eyes, inheriting his parents' iconic traits. I had to admit, this combination was cute, though not as adorable as my Evan.

During the children's full moon celebration, we gathered at the headquarters and met the Longbottom boy. Alice's son was named Neville, chubby and cute.

The three moms compared whose baby was the best, cutest. None could convince the others.

Back home that night, Severus carefully placed Evan in his crib, then hugged me solemnly.

"Thank you, Sawyer." His breath tickled my ear.

"Thank me for what, giving you a son?" I said lightly.

"Thank you for giving me a complete family." Severus released me, looking into my eyes. The deep, restrained love and tenderness in his black eyes intoxicated me.

I kissed his lips gently, whispering, "My pleasure."