Chapter 65

"Goodnight."

Sawyer seemed to want to say something more, but she obediently fell asleep. I squeezed her hand tightly, gently kissed her forehead, and watched her settle into a peaceful sleep.

Sawyer's breathing gradually became steady and long, allowing me to relax as well.

Enhancing the alert spell would ensure that I was immediately notified if any creature approached our house within a ten-foot radius. I could then rest and recover my energy.

Reflecting on the conversation from a few minutes ago, I revisited the details, trying to find anything I might have overlooked at the time.

"Albus, did you bring me here just to smile foolishly at me?"

"Of course not, Severus. I am here to extend an invitation. Would you be willing to come to Hogwarts to teach Potions?" The old wizard smiled kindly.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning a smile. "It seems I saw that job posting in the Daily Prophet a year ago. Is the position really that unpopular?"

"Regrettably, we haven't found a suitable successor. Horace has been filing for retirement for three consecutive years and plans to leave directly at the end of the next academic year." Dumbledore's smile turned somewhat helpless as he conjured two armchairs.

"In fact, at the beginning of this year, a young person with good potion skills applied for the position. But I had reason to believe he was sent by Voldemort, so I refused him. Recently, that young man approached me again, stating that his only relative had been tortured to death by Voldemort for failing a mission. His hatred for Voldemort drove him to volunteer as a double agent for me. Although I cannot fully trust him yet, I want to give him a chance. If you accept the position of Potions Master, I will arrange for him to be your teaching assistant, and I believe the situation will be under our control."

This Death Eater wanting to betray Voldemort must be a Slytherin, possibly someone I know. Allowing an untrusted Death Eater into Hogwarts? Is that really a wise decision?

Seeming to take my silence as acquiescence, Dumbledore continued, "The salary is negotiable. Besides that, we can provide a high-standard potion laboratory, all necessary materials for teaching will be reimbursed, and a private dormitory. Oh, almost forgot," Dumbledore winked, his blue eyes full of amusement, "as a professor, you can openly explore the Forbidden Forest without worrying about losing house points. The magical plants there will certainly enhance your personal collection."

Was he implying that I used to sneak into the Forbidden Forest during my school days? Sawyer and I went there several times, more often alone. I thought we were discreet enough.

'Does this old man know everything?' I thought angrily.

Clearing my throat to dissolve the awkwardness of being caught, I stubbornly changed the topic.

"If it's a private dormitory, can I bring my family?" Even with uncertainty, Hogwarts is safer than the outside.

Dumbledore gave me a sympathetic but apologetic look. "I'm sorry, the Board of Governors stipulates that non-school personnel are not allowed into Hogwarts without special approval. I can try to apply for an exception, but it is unlikely to be approved."

"In that case, Albus, you should know my answer," I said coldly. Leaving Sawyer and the children in danger while hiding in a safe fortress is something I could never do.

The old wizard sighed softly. "If it truly doesn't work out, I may have to let that young man take the Potions position. But don't rush to refuse. We have time until next September. Perhaps we can reach a consensus and find a perfect solution. You should know there's no place safer than Hogwarts."

Indeed, Hogwarts, safer than Gringotts, home to the one person Voldemort fears—the old fox standing before me.

A voice in my head reminded me, 'It would be a pity to pass up this opportunity. Ignoring the prospect of teaching a bunch of disguised trolls, watching them destroy cauldron after cauldron of potions, if we could be under Hogwarts' protection, I believe the war would only need a few more years. Defeating Voldemort and saving the world would have many people ready for the task.'

After much consideration, I spoke, "Suppose Sawyer could find a job at Hogwarts. Surely, there's space for three infants?"

"In theory, yes. Minor children of staff members are allowed to reside at the school without other guardians. They can stay in the staff's private quarters until they receive their Hogwarts letter at age eleven," Dumbledore explained gently. "Currently, there is one potential teaching position that Sawyer could qualify for. Although it is currently filled, it will likely be vacant again next year."

I had a premonition about what position it was.

"Yes, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Though you may not believe it, I must dutifully say that the rumored curse does not exist. The past incidents were merely coincidental," Dumbledore stated formally, sounding unconvincing, as if he didn't believe it himself.

I couldn't help but twitch my mouth. He shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's necessary to say this to prevent some from being scared off. Even so, some have been frightened by the rumor. I remember one year, the new professor was so stressed that he choked on his breakfast egg and passed out. Had he not isolated himself in his room, he would have received timely help. After recovering, he resigned and left with a phobia of eggs."

"Although it's a ridiculous rumor, I won't let Sawyer take even the slightest risk. I am, however, interested in breaking this rumor." I am confident in my defense against the dark arts abilities.

"I believe Sawyer would say the same," Dumbledore said smoothly. "And you can teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Sawyer cannot teach Potions."

I was speechless. This might be worse than me teaching a bunch of disguised trolls.

"Are any other professors or staff planning to retire?" I persisted, looking for a reason for Sawyer to stay at Hogwarts. "Muggle Studies, Arithmancy—Sawyer was good at those in school. Or library management? Madam Pince could use help managing the troublesome students. Why not hire someone to assist her?"

"Professor Ramoore is not retiring anytime soon; Professor Victor, who teaches Arithmancy, just started a couple of years ago and shows no signs of leaving; Madam Pince is not ready to give up her passion for disciplining noisy students; and the medical wing has always had only one healer," Dumbledore's apologetic gaze met mine, blocking any further arguments.

"Promise me you'll consider it, my boy. Don't rush to decide. We will find a way that works for both. You know there's no safer place than Hogwarts," he said, his blue eyes twinkling, coaxing like he was talking to a child.

"You seemed to forget to tell me about that Death Eater spy," I frowned, ignoring the strange comfort I felt. Such a fatherly gaze had never appeared in my memories.

"Andrew Kent, a Slytherin a year below you, if I recall correctly, once received help from Sawyer. I think Sawyer will remember her first healed patient with a spell."

It seemed to be from our second year. "I remember that boy, solitary and silent, not very social."

"Yes, somewhat like someone else," Dumbledore hinted, making me glare at him.

The old wizard quickly changed his tone, "Haha, he is different from you, of course. His life lacked Sawyer and Lily; he only had an elder brother, Edgar Kent—a Voldemort devotee. After graduation, he followed his brother into the Death Eaters. His potion skills are quite good, and Voldemort seems to value him."

"If he's a double agent, how can you be sure he's loyal to you?"

"I believe in people's hearts. Perhaps I can't be certain, but I want to give him a chance to prove himself," Dumbledore smiled wearily. "He also brought news that Voldemort has placed the Potter, Longbottom, and Snape families at the top of the Death Eater's hit list. Given recent events, this information seems credible."

I felt a wave of helplessness and frustration. How did we get involved in this mess?

"What's the reason for targeting them?"

"Sorry, I can't tell you more. It involves three boys born at the end of July. Protect young Evan."

I fell silent, trying to calm my agitated emotions. After a while, I dryly changed the subject.

"If I am correct, fewer people knowing about a double agent is better."

"Indeed, what I told you today must remain confidential. If Voldemort and his followers find out, Kent will be in great danger. Even Sawyer doesn't need to know."

"Then why tell me?" I asked defensively. "Once he's at Hogwarts, you can keep him under control. He could handle the Potions position alone without needing another supervisor."

"Because I know you can be trusted, Severus."

His gentle, unquestionable gaze held me in place. Such overwhelming trust, solid but not suffocating.

Reflecting on the conversation, I realized Dumbledore had controlled my emotions throughout. Damn it, he went the fatherly route, and I was touched—can I deny it?

Dumbledore is undoubtedly an expert manipulator.

I told Sawyer everything except for Kent's identity. As expected, she was very supportive of me accepting the Potions Master position. But without ensuring the safety of Sawyer and the children, I couldn't agree to hide in Hogwarts.

After much argument, we couldn't convince each other. Just then, an alarm spell alerted us to danger, and we quickly left with the children.

The next period was one of constant hiding.

 We stayed in the Muggle world, moving across various towns and cities in Britain, erasing any possible traces at each stop.

With Tito by our side, daily life wasn't too hard. It felt more like traveling than fleeing. Sawyer even bought a Muggle camera and a pile of film, taking many photos along the way. She mostly took pictures of me and the children, or selfies with me, capturing moments we couldn't escape. She said she'd develop the moving pictures once our ordeal was over.

The only challenge was the children being so young. A stable home was more suitable for them.

We lost contact with almost everyone, except for Sawyer occasionally using the two-way mirror to talk to Lily. Lily told us their situation was similar to ours, though they often had direct confrontations with pursuers because James couldn't stand provocations. Fortunately, James remembered his family and kept them from real danger.

We spent that Christmas in a small Scottish town.

One family seemed to have gone to a relative's for the holidays, leaving their tidy house empty. We used a few small spells and moved into the empty house.

Outside, we set up wards to hide the lights and surrounded ourselves with various defensive and alarm spells.

This Christmas was filled with unusual laughter.

After the weather warmed, we wrote to Dumbledore, accepting his proposal and stating our intention to return to Hogwarts in July. The letter was sent via Muggle post, knowing Dumbledore would find a way to receive it.

As Dumbledore said, we found a solution that worked for both. The Fidelius Charm, with me as the Secret Keeper, would protect Sawyer and the three children. We'd implement the plan once Hogwarts closed for summer.

Then we abandoned magic, returning to London in a purely Muggle way. Instead of entering the city, we rented a house in the suburbs, waiting for August.

For over two months, we avoided using magic to prevent detection by magic traces. This also meant I couldn't work on potions, which was quite frustrating.

Magical items weren't affected, so Sawyer and Lily kept in touch using the two-way mirror.

Lily's family also planned to use the Fidelius Charm, but she and James disagreed on the Secret Keeper. Sawyer and I suggested I be the Secret Keeper, adding just three more people. For Lily's sake, I could reluctantly include James.

But someone wasn't appreciative. If he was willing to take this risk himself, I'd respect him more. Yet, James preferred one of his friends as the Secret Keeper to show their complete trust.

I sneered at such 'great friendship.' When it comes to the lives of loved ones and children, only oneself can be fully trusted.