Chapter 55

When I woke up the next morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten. The dull ache in my back and waist made me raise my head, coming face to face with a sleeping Severus.

He was lying on his side facing me, one arm defensively wrapped around me. My movement must have disturbed him slightly as he shifted closer. I observed his relaxed face, still marked by a faint frown line between his brows, his prominent Roman nose, and thin, lightly pursed lips. The sharp lines of his face made him appear very dependable, a perception likely influenced by my own feelings.

I snuggled closer; this was my husband.

Severus stirred. "Hmm... Sawyer?" His early morning voice, slightly hoarse, was very sexy.

"Good morning, Severus!" I kissed the corner of his mouth and smiled broadly before nestling back against his chest. His open pajama collar tempted me to leave marks on his skin, so I did just that.

"Mmm... you're on fire, Sawyer." Severus's voice, with a hint of restraint, came from above my head, but he didn't stop me.

"Then let it burn..." I reached to unbutton his pajamas.

With a swift movement, Severus flipped over and pinned me down, his hands joining mine in undoing the buttons. "Is your body okay?"

He was still fighting his last bit of rationality.

"Just be gentle, I'll get used to it eventually." Those buttons were so annoying; from now on, I decided to switch to tie-front robes.

We kicked off all the clothes and blankets; it was just dawn.

"See you tonight, Severus." I kissed his cheek and stepped into the green flames in the fireplace.

"St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

Stepping into St. Mungo's again, I headed straight to the fifth floor to find my training mentor. The so-called training was essentially just filling in gaps in my knowledge, with a senior healer from St. Mungo's assessing my healing spells and providing individual tutoring during free time. This ensured I was qualified as a healer, as this was more than just a job; it was about others' health and lives.

Today was my first report day, and my mentor was Burns Capello, the primary healer for my parents two years ago. According to Dumbledore, he was a member of the Order of the Phoenix and my protector during my time at St. Mungo's. This arrangement couldn't be better.

Capello, originally from Italy, appeared to be in his sixties, a bit plump, and very good-natured. He remembered me and cheerfully asked about my parents' recovery.

We discussed my future class schedule, allocating half a day each weekday for lessons and resting on weekends. It was a relaxed pace, providing ample time to digest the material, which explained the six-month training period.

By the time I returned home in the evening, Severus was in the potions lab. Tito informed me that dinner had been sent in, so I didn't disturb him. I read a book for a while and then had a somewhat boring chat with Lily for an hour.

Lily and James had set their wedding date for the end of next month and had enrolled in Auror training, starting in September. I couldn't help but find it amusing; they seemed to plan on honeymooning during training. Lily explained that because training would be busy, they wanted to get married beforehand.

Around ten, Severus finally emerged.

"Severus, is the potion shop really that busy? You've been working for several days now." I looked at Severus's slightly sallow face with concern. He must have been cooped up in the lab all day, possibly just grabbing quick meals if it weren't for Tito's prepared dinners.

"Yes, it's been quite busy." Severus rubbed his eyes. "Dam took leave to relax with Remus after testing and improving the Wolfsbane Potion. They've been working hard for over a month, so they deserve a good celebration."

"Sigh, I can't help with potions, but I can be a supportive wife!" I said, stepping forward to massage his shoulders.

"Just take care of yourself and stay safe. Even at St. Mungo's, don't let your guard down. If there are Order members there, the Dark Lord might have sent people in too."

"Yes, sir, my dear husband."

Severus had a point; being cautious in these turbulent times was always wise.

A month had passed since my lessons with Burns began. I went to St. Mungo's every morning or afternoon, directly using the Floo Network to the internal staff-only fireplace, which was very convenient.

I recently learned that the room Professor McGonagall took us to via Floo in fifth year was an internal staff-only area at St. Mungo's. Staff could Apparate or use the Floo Network for quick access, while regular visitors had to enter through the main entrance in a shopping mall in central London. After one visit, I was quite impressed by the wizards' ability to blend in. It was indeed a case of "the great hiding in plain sight."

On the stairs, I ran into Katherine Dolohov again, a junior healer in the Potions and Plant Poisoning Department. We had almost collided at the stairway corner a week ago, and since then, we frequently ran into each other, either in the morning or when I was leaving in the afternoon.

Katherine, knowing I was undergoing training, enthusiastically shared her experiences with me. Though it was just a few minutes on the stairs each day, she always talked while I listened, her enthusiasm leaving me somewhat overwhelmed. This sudden approach from a stranger was suspicious, and I remained cautious around her.

Today's lesson was on the use of potions. Burns spent over an hour testing my knowledge of potion ingredients, and the material I had memorized proved useful, leading to satisfactory results.

Next, we focused on the accurate and rapid identification of potions. Burns took me to the potion storage room, selecting various potions for me to identify.

The first bottle's stopper had barely been removed when I smelled something akin to vomit, making my stomach churn.

"Ugh..." I covered my mouth and jumped back, apologizing to the startled Burns. "Sorry, that's a cell regeneration potion, commonly used for internal organ repair... excuse me, I need to visit the restroom!"

Leaning over the sink, with water running, my throat made unpleasant sounds.

"Ugh..."

This was dreadful. I knew potions could smell bad, but this was extreme, almost murderous to my stomach.

After soothing my stomach, I washed my face, pondering the overreaction.

Oh, Merlin, could it be...

I counted the days and... yes, it was very likely.

I was pregnant. I was pregnant!

Seeing my shocked face in the mirror, I composed myself and decided to confirm it.

Finding Burns back in his office, he looked concerned.

"Are you alright, Sawyer?"

"I'm fine, but I need to confirm something. Can you help?"

After a professional healer's examination, I confirmed I was over six weeks pregnant.

Burns cheerfully congratulated me and shared his wife's pregnancy experiences. The rest of the morning turned into a pregnancy care lesson.

At the usual end of class time, I bade Burns farewell, quickly finding a secluded corner to call Severus with our matching mirrors.

"Sawyer, what's up?" The background in the mirror showed Severus at Dam's house. They were finishing the final steps of the Felix Felicis potion.

"Nothing urgent. I have good news to share later! When can you come home?"

"About half an hour."

"Great, I'll be waiting!"

Feeling elated, I walked briskly but slowed down, remembering to be cautious in the first trimester.

On the first floor, I ran into Katherine, who was in casual attire and about to leave.

"Hi, why are you off so early today? I thought you worked afternoons." I asked, feeling unusually chatty.

"I took the day off! It's my wedding anniversary, and we need some private time." She smiled shyly.

"Oh, congratulations!" I found her much more agreeable now. Such a loving couple; I almost wished them a quick addition to their family!

Carrying the joyous mood, I arrived at the ground floor, grinning all the way.

In the room with the fireplace, no one else was present as it wasn't a peak time. Katherine rummaged through her handbag, and suddenly, something fell at my feet with a crisp 'ding.'

"Ah! Sorry! That's my brooch—"

I picked up the silver flower-shaped brooch and handed it to her. "No problem..."

As soon as Katherine touched the brooch, I saw a glint of triumph in her eyes, and an invisible force pulled me from my navel, lifting me off the ground.

Worrying about the tiny embryo inside me, I was filled with regret. I had been careless!