Chapter 60

### Escape from Danger Again

After the third month of pregnancy, my belly started to noticeably swell. My body felt heavier, and I grew lazier, often feeling lethargic, though my appetite remained strong. As winter approached, on sunny days, Molly and I would sit outside and chat, basking in the sun. Both of us were as big as balloons, and if we compared, we would find our bellies to be exceptionally large.

Her children were quite well-behaved, especially the older boys. Seeing their mother struggling with a large belly, they would take the initiative to look after five-year-old Charlie. They played with their toys and even took care of the toddler who was just learning to walk. Watching him take a few steps was one of our daily joys.

During Order of the Phoenix meetings, we would take the children upstairs to avoid hearing about the harsh realities of war.

Every night, my favorite routine was holding Severus's hand to feel my large belly. Together, we would enjoy the growth of our children. From the first time we felt the baby's heartbeat to the first kicks, Severus would talk to them. Even though he often didn't know what to say, I asked him to find a simple, interesting book to read aloud. He ended up reading from "One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi," which nearly put me to sleep, so I demanded a different book. He then spent quite some time researching books and ordered a few from a bookstore.

When the package arrived, I opened it to find titles like "Introduction to Potions," "Fun Learning: Playing and Learning Potions," and the slightly more normal "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." I was left speechless. Was Severus trying to groom potion masters from the womb? To avoid having a potion-illiterate like me, he wanted to immerse them from an early age?

Thus, I lived a life filled with both happiness and mild frustration. Each night, Severus's deep, calming voice would lull me to sleep with potion books, and I had to struggle to stay awake to support him. Such a wonderful life...

Molly and I were both due in April, with her due date a week before mine. We stayed at the Order headquarters, ready for childbirth, with Madam Pomfrey available via the Floo Network. If there were any delays, Molly's experience combined with my training as a healer would suffice.

On April 1st, about half a month early, Molly went into labor. Calmly, she lay down and asked me to notify Arthur. It happened to be a Saturday, so Arthur wasn't at work. He rushed to get Madam Pomfrey, fumbling around in a panic, unlike a man who had been through three childbirths.

I was initially kicked out of the delivery room to avoid being scared into early labor myself. The birth went smoothly. Hearing the good news from the next room, I felt relieved. The successful delivery of Molly's twins calmed my nerves.

The two tiny babies, wrapped in blankets embroidered with their names, were named Fred and George. Though their hair was a bit light, the fiery red marked them as Weasleys.

Watching the happy family, with Arthur hugging his exhausted wife and the babies beside her, I leaned into Severus. We had our happiness too.

Two weeks later, on April 16th, after much pain, I gave birth to twin girls. Both had black hair, and when they opened their eyes, I was delighted to see they had inherited Severus's dark eyes. We named them Roy and Joanna.

Our home now had two little angels. Though they sometimes fussed and cried, it was normal for babies. I happily overlooked my past annoyance with noisy children. Severus adored our daughters. Though he never said it, his actions showed his love—coming out of the potion lab first to see them, patiently soothing them at night while I often fell asleep first.

Being first-time parents of twins was chaotic. Thankfully, Molly's advice kept me from making too many mistakes. Roy, the elder by five minutes, was the more active one, often waking us at night. Joanna was usually woken by Roy's cries and would join in. During the day, Roy was livelier, while Joanna preferred to sleep.

Severus enjoyed reading potion books to Joanna, as Roy couldn't sit still for long and would get fussy. Joanna, however, would sit quietly in Severus's arms, eventually falling asleep to his soothing voice.

When the babies were a month old, we had a small celebration. Many Order members attended, and the twins were the stars, winning everyone's hearts. Fred, George, and Roy got along well, crawling around the carpet, creating a lively scene. Several young Order members, including James and his friends, entertained them, laughing heartily.

Joanna's quiet demeanor made the women fawn over her. Lily held her, joking about making her a daughter-in-law. I sipped my tea, telling her to have a son within three years or I wouldn't agree.

Watching Joanna being gently handled, her temperament reminded me of Severus but without his cold demeanor. Roy's liveliness seemed more like me, though I wasn't sure. In this second life, I had become more active to make up for lost time, and I wasn't sure which personality was truly mine.

Perhaps if Severus had grown up in a normal wizarding family, without the unfair treatment, he might have been a lively child. But that wouldn't be the Severus I knew, and we might not have met or been together. Life has no "ifs." It is made up of various coincidences and choices.

I spotted Severus in the distance, discussing something with Damocles, likely potions. Seeing him so spirited made me smile. Regardless of what-ifs, I cherished everything I had now.

We returned home after that, as it wasn't ideal to stay at headquarters indefinitely. Before leaving, we dismantled all defenses except for Muggle-repelling and Disillusionment Charms, making the house look abandoned. When we returned, the place was a mess, indicating someone had broken in and vented their frustration.

Hopefully, this ruse would fool any Death Eaters scouting the place. While cleaning up, Severus found a suspicious blank piece of parchment in our bedroom nightstand. Using a Revealing Charm, a line of text appeared:

"Severus, if you're reading this, I want to remind you: there's no need to leave resources for the enemy. Our great lord agrees. I assume you and your family have chosen sides. We serve different masters now. If we meet on the battlefield, I won't be surprised. Take care.

Your friend."

"It's Lucius's handwriting. It seems the Dark Lord's men have been here." Severus burned the note, and we watched it turn to ash.

"Does this mean it's safe here?" I asked. "Great, I really don't want to move. Let's start cleaning!" I cheerfully waved my wand, clearing the dust.

We cleaned the house together, and Tito prepared a nursery next to our bedroom, setting up monitoring charms to alert us of any baby movements. During my months of bed rest, I had completed my St. Mungo's training. I had another six months of internship before becoming a certified healer. With the twins, Severus and I decided I would continue the internship after they turned one. Severus would spend most of his time in the potion lab, with Tito caring for the babies and Severus checking in on them regularly.

In this year, we narrowly escaped the Dark Lord once again.

In October, while talking to Lily via the two-way mirror, she mentioned that she and James had just fought off Death Eaters. James was injured and couldn't move. Madam Pomfrey was busy at school, and since I was free, I offered to help. Severus insisted on coming with me, leaving his potion work behind. I told Tito to take the twins to the Order headquarters if anyone tried to break in.

When we arrived at the house in Hogsmeade, we found Caradoc Dearborn and a few Order members cleaning up after the battle. The Death Eaters had attacked Caradoc's family. His parents were already sent to St. Mungo's, having suffered greatly.

James lay on the couch, leaning on Lily. When he saw Severus and me, he straightened up, dropping his sickly act. I found their relationship amusing.

Severus was less polite, scoffing, "Our brave knight is resting in the princess's arms, how touching. If you're not seriously hurt, stop pretending. What's your injury? We don't have time to waste."

Lily laughed, "Severus, I missed your sharp sarcasm."

"My pleasure," Severus replied with a fake smile.

James looked annoyed, and I quickly intervened, "Where are you hurt?"

"It's not exactly an injury. I got hit with a curse that merged my foot with the floor." James pointed to his foot, which was stuck to the ground as if rooted. They had moved the couch over for him to rest on, explaining its odd angle.

"We tried cutting around the shoe, but it caused James pain, as if cutting part of his body," Lily explained, worried and distressed.

Severus and I examined it, concluding it might be a failed dark curse.

Before we could find a solution, there were explosions outside, followed by Caradoc's shout, "Death Eaters!" Chaos ensued as curses and spells flew everywhere. An Order member was forced inside, followed by several Death Eaters.

We were in trouble. James couldn't move, and we couldn't escape.

"Damn it! Potter! If we die because of you, you'll regret it!" Severus glared at James, then got ready for battle.

We fought side by side, Severus attacking while I defended. James and Lily couldn't move much, but James fought fiercely from his spot, and Lily protected him.

I spotted familiar faces—Katherine Macnair and Lucius Malfoy. Katherine's eyes were filled with hatred as she saw me.

"Caradoc Dearborn, you should feel honored that I'm personally dealing with you," a magnetic, menacing voice announced. It was the Dark Lord. I didn't see him, but he must be outside confronting Caradoc.

"Stay focused!" Severus's Shield Charm blocked a curse, pulling me back into the fight.

Lucius was dueling us, but he seemed to have an understanding with Severus. Their curses were showy but easy to block. Occasionally, they'd intentionally take a minor hit, making the fight manageable. I kept an eye on Lily, casting Shield Charms as needed.

But Merlin didn't want to make it easy for us. Katherine joined Lucius, her curses fueled by rage.

"Lucius, let me handle this woman!" she demanded, casting a Cruciatus Curse at me.

Lucius warned another man, "Macnair, control your wife! I can handle two children alone!"

Katherine angrily targeted me, her curses imprecise due to her emotions. I barely dodged.

Outside, I heard a chilling voice, "Avada Kedavra!" The green light illuminated the room, and I heard a body hit the ground. My heart sank. Caradoc…