Severus POV 4

I woke up groggily, feeling the bandages on my injured leg and the dizziness from blood loss. As I opened my eyes, I saw Madam Pomfrey cleaning the bloodstains in the living room.

"Sawyer?" I called out, accidentally pulling at my wounds and gasping in pain.

Pomfrey waved her wand and rushed over, forcing me to lie back down. I scanned the room, but Sawyer wasn't there.

"Sawyer is upstairs. She needs plenty of rest," she said. Pulling back the blanket, she inspected my injuries. I noticed I was only wearing undergarments, and quickly grabbed my pajamas lying beside me.

"You're recovering well. Sawyer did an excellent job with the first aid. But how could you let Sawyer get into such danger? Do you realize that if you had been even half an hour later, you might have lost her and the baby? I can't imagine what you two went through to end up like this!" Pomfrey's barrage of questions hit me hard. The mention of Sawyer's danger made my heart clench.

"How is she?!" I couldn't wait for her answer. I needed to see Sawyer with my own eyes.

"Lie down!" Pomfrey's shout was nearly a roar. "They are both fine now, but need absolute rest. You need to deal with the remaining issues. I've informed Albus, he'll be here soon. You should talk to him about what happened."

"They?" Did I miss something while I was unconscious? Who else was there?

"Of course, they!" She looked at me reproachfully. "Though it's just an embryo, it's your child. You'd better get used to having another member in your family!"

Had I just heard correctly? A child?

"You didn't know?!" Pomfrey's exclamation made me realize I had spoken my thoughts out loud. She looked wide-eyed before mumbling, "Maybe I wrongly accused you. Why hasn't Sawyer told you? This should be something for her to tell, but you need to understand the situation… In short, Sawyer is over a month pregnant. To be precise, forty-seven days. You're going to be a father."

Pomfrey ended with a smile. I guessed my expression was stupidly blank as I stared at her.

'Sawyer, what's wrong?'

'Nothing, I have good news to tell you later! When can you come home?'

Was this the good news she wanted to share? I recalled her excited tone. She must have been so happy she let her guard down, and got captured, along with our child.

What had she endured this afternoon? When I found her, bound and tear-streaked, I loathed myself. I knew she could be targeted by maniacs, I knew there were dangers everywhere, yet I let her go to St. Mungo's alone. If I had come home earlier, realized she was missing sooner…

"Severus!" Pomfrey's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Stop blaming yourself. You did all you could under the circumstances. Now that they are both safe, you should be glad."

I silently got up again. This time, Pomfrey didn't stop me. She sighed, "I suppose you won't rest until you see her. Be careful, don't strain yourself. Your wounds are still fresh."

She levitated me to the second floor, into our bedroom. I saw Sawyer lying on the bed, her breathing steady and calm. Gently, I kissed her forehead and left the room.

I summoned Tito, who was fortunately at my in-laws' house, and quickly prepared some food. Just after finishing, Dumbledore arrived.

"Severus, can you tell me exactly what happened?" Dumbledore looked unusually serious.

I nodded and recounted the events.

After receiving Sawyer's mirror call, I continued with the final steps of the Felix Felicis potion as planned. It should have taken another half an hour, but I couldn't wait, so I left it to Dam and hurried home. When I found Sawyer missing, I had a bad feeling. Unable to contact her, I feared the worst and activated the Portkey.

The moment I landed, I was attacked. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Crabbe, and the Dark Lord himself were there. The oppressive atmosphere made it clear who he was. Engaged in a fierce battle against three Death Eaters, I didn't have a moment to speak.

Fearing they'd use Sawyer against me, I was relieved when she freed herself and took the initiative. The Dark Lord observed without intervening, seemingly intrigued.

Ultimately, it was Sawyer's unexpected actions and the Dark Lord's arrogance that allowed us to escape. This undoubtedly angered him—escaping right under his nose was a significant slight.

Dumbledore was surprised at my handling of three dark wizards. Madam Pomfrey mentioned my injuries—a broken rib and other minor wounds, and the Splinching caused by interrupted Apparition. Dumbledore nodded, understanding our disheveled state. I didn't need to mention that I'd nearly incapacitated Rodolphus's right hand permanently.

I couldn't be sure why Sawyer was captured; only she could explain once she awoke.

When Dumbledore finished his questions, it was my turn. I angrily asked about the so-called protection, pointing out that Sawyer had been taken before returning home, as there were no signs of intrusion.

The thought terrified me—Sawyer enduring the Cruciatus Curse, prolonged binding, and possibly other attacks… Such dangers for a pregnant woman! I could have lost our child, even her…

"I'm deeply sorry, Severus. We overlooked something. She was taken before she could use the Floo from St. Mungo's." Dumbledore's regret seemed genuine, but I wasn't ready to let this deadly oversight slide.

"I want to take Sawyer away from the UK until the baby is born." I demanded.

"The Order needs you both. The cause of light and justice needs you!" Predictably, he refused to let us go.

I wanted to shout that light and justice meant nothing to me. Snakes thrive in darkness. For our child, Sawyer would agree to leave. No sense of justice could overpower a mother's love for her child.

"For potions, Damocles will suffice. I can close the shop; he only needs to brew for the Order, which isn't too demanding. With Remus around, there's no conflict of interest."

"You can hide, Severus, without leaving the UK. We'll ensure Sawyer's safety during her pregnancy. I've spoken to her mentor at St. Mungo's. He's willing to continue her lessons at your home. I don't think Sawyer wants to give up her dreams!" The great white wizard was bargaining, using Sawyer's well-being as leverage.

I remained stone-faced, not responding.

"We can provide a secure location, protected by the Fidelius Charm, with me as Secret Keeper. How about that?" Dumbledore blinked, smiling slyly.

I had to admit, the offer tempted me.

Leaving the country wasn't ideal. Long travel would strain Sawyer's body; Portkeys and Apparition were risky during pregnancy. I suggested leaving only to negotiate better terms. Dumbledore's offer was perfect. Finding a secure hideout on our own wasn't too hard, but this ensured greater safety.

"Think it over. You'd only need to continue brewing potions and occasionally attend Order meetings. Can we now disclose your allegiance? Since you've already..." He gestured meaningfully.

Yes, since we had openly defied the Dark Lord, we had no choice but to side with Dumbledore. The realization left me irritated but powerless to change it.

"Deal, Professor Dumbledore." I forced a smile.

"Oh, I'm no longer your professor. Call me Albus, Severus." The white-bearded wizard's warm, friendly demeanor returned.