Another Dark Star

Chapter 13

Severus Snape was looking over the grounds of Hogwarts from his vantage point which was one of his favourite thinking spots when he noticed a familiar silhouette walking up the path toward the front door from the gates. He swiftly strode down stairs and corridors to meet her at the main door.

“Sadira, what are you doing here?” he asked, puzzled

“No idea, Dumbledore just owled me asking me to get here as soon as poss. Perhaps you’d like to escort me?” she replied.

He led the way to the Headmaster’s office and she fell into step with him. As they both stormed through the corridors they were truly terrifying to behold. A few students saw them and apart from being curious as to the identity of the newcomer noted how, although younger and definitely better looking, she managed to instil the same chillingly stern aura as Snape.

In fact his trademark billowing robes were mirrored in her long full black skirt and travelling cloak, the bodice of her dress fitted to her curves and emphasised the difference between them although they wore the same look of grim determination on their faces as they tried to guess Dumbledore’s motives.

Snape recited the password, ‘Parma Violets,’ and they stepped onto the enchanted escalator. Suddenly she felt like a student again, called before the Headmaster for some infraction. She began to feel nervous. She brushed her hand against Severus’ for reassurance and he twitched the corners of his mouth in the tiniest briefest smile but it was enough. She knocked and upon being called to enter, stepped curiously in, Severus following close behind her.

“Ah, Miss Prewett-Black. How good of you to come, and promptly too. However I was not expecting a visit from you Severus. Is there a problem?” Dumbledore began.

“Not at all, Headmaster. I am merely curious as to what brings an Auror to Hogwarts.” He covered smoothly.

“That is precisely what we need to discuss, if Ms Prewett-Black doesn’t mind your presence at this meeting?” Dumbledore asked, observing the unspoken interaction between the two with interest.

“Not at all, please continue.” Sadira replied eagerly.

“As you know, the Ministry is forcing its authority and influence at Hogwarts. Now one of our staff has been suddenly been taken ill and they will waste no time replacing them with one of their own.”

“I see, but how does that concern me?” she replied.

“How would you like a few weeks work as a substitute teacher?” he asked, with a familiar twinkle in his china blue eyes.

“WHAT!?” Sadira and Severus exclaimed simultaneously.

“But I hate kids!” she said vehemently.

“So does Severus my dear, but he has been doing an excellent job for years.” Dumbledore replied amusedly.

“And what subject is a new Auror supposed to be qualified to teach?” inquired Snape, incensed.

“Ancient Runes. Professor Jeffries is in St Mungo’s and I am aware that you excelled in this subject and while in Auror training you specialised in codes and codexes did you not?” he twinkled again.

“Yes, but how am I to explain to Scrimgeour that I am taking an extended leave of absence to teach a class, as a favour to a man the Ministry is in dispute against?” she asked.

“Simple. It is they who are foisting you on me. Shacklebolt recommended you to Madam Umbridge and she was impressed by your track record. This is to be your next assignment as an Auror; gathering intelligence on me and Hogwarts for the Ministry.” Dumbledore replied, quite pleased with himself.

“So, I’m not just a teacher, I’m a double agent?” she asked, looking inquiringly at Snape, who was definitely not amused.

“You’re not going along with this nonsense are you?” he asked her incredulously.

“It doesn’t look like I have much choice.” She replied resignedly.

“Excellent! Welcome to the staff, Professor Prewett-Black. You start on Monday, and I’ll arrange for some of your things to be brought from your Father’s home. Minerva will show you your classroom, office and quarters. You will find her in the Staff room, the password is ‘perseverance’.” he said with an air of finality.

“How appropriate Headmaster. Good evening.” She replied drily and left for the staff room.


“This is not a good idea Headmaster...” Severus began but Dumbledore raised a hand and cut him off.

“Severus my boy, I have known you a very long time and your affection for this woman is obvious but you must not allow your feelings for her interfere with the Order’s objectives. I assume this attraction between you is the reason her father wrote to me in September with accusations of inappropriate conduct with a student?”

“HE WHAT?!” fumed Snape.

“I assume of course that these accusations are unfounded?” asked Dumbledore observing him over the top of his half-moon glasses. Snape didn’t say anything but started to turn an unsightly shade of puce.

“Oh dear.” said Dumbledore softly, shaking his head sadly.
Snape felt he owed the kindly old man an explanation. He hated disappointing Dumbledore, the only man who believed a Death Eater could change and redeem himself.

“Headmaster I apologise for my lack of judgement and betrayal of your trust. I count this deplorable transgression on a level with taking the Dark Mark and I have already apologised to her for any abuse of power and she has forgiven me. It was foolish and something I regret deeply. I should have waited till she left school. I assure you that what happened between Sadira and myself is the only time I have ever acted in such a despicable and unprofessional manner.” He confessed.

“I see. Well as wrong as it was for you to get intimately involved with a student, I understand that she was at least of age at the time and as she is no longer a student the matter ends here.” Dumbledore said with a sigh.

“That said; I realise that your feelings for her are more than reciprocated so I feel this was not some sordid affair, especially for those feelings to remain years after the fact. I know of no rules I can find prohibiting relationships between the staff and therefore I have no qualms about giving the two of you my blessing, so long as you are discreet. If anyone deserves someone to love them it is you my boy.” He finished.

Snape stood dumbstruck frowning in his confusion, unsure of what had just transpired. He surmised the meeting was over and left the office in no particular direction, but his feet were pulled where his mind had not realised it wanted to go.


He soon found himself outside Sadira’s classroom where she was looking over Professor Jeffries’s lesson plans and a few assignments that were due to be returned. She smiled at him when he entered the room and he wondered how many people ever smiled at the sight of him.

“I never thought I’d be back here again. I mean who’d ever have guessed I’d end up on this side of the desk?” she said in wonder. He tried to contain himself for her sake but his temper won out.

“Your blessed father has been interfering again.” He snapped.

“Why, what did he do now?” she asked wearily.

“He told Dumbledore about our relationship when you were Head Girl.” He spat furiously, venting his rage at the father upon the daughter.

“Oh gods, no! What happened? What did he say?” she asked, fearfully.

“Firstly I apologised profusely, and I assure you that is the most embarrassed I have been since my teens. Then Dumbledore basically said he was disappointed in me but as you are no longer a student it is too late to act on the complaint.” He said distastefully, beginning to pace.

“That’s good at least. I’m sorry you were made to feel disgraced because of me.” She said sadly.

“Oh, the best part is, the old goat had the audacity to tell me we are free to carry on as we choose with his blessing, can you believe it?” he ranted incredulously.

“Well, at least now I’m here we can spend a bit more time together.” she said hopefully, taking his hand.

“I doubt it.” he snorted derisively; but accepted her hand nonetheless, placing his other arm on her shoulder and absentmindedly playing with a curl.

“You’ll be too busy marking homework and covering detentions to have time for romantic interludes.” He warned her. She sighed.

“How do you cope with it? You know as well as everything else you do?” she asked in a whisper in case anyone should be listening. “I’m sure I’ll have gone certifiably insane by the end of my first week.” She groaned into his shoulder earning a dark chuckle from him.

“Be thankful you’re covering an elective. You’ll have smaller classes, no first or second years and even free periods on your timetables. I get every moron from their first day here and only get rid of about half of them for their final two years. No free periods either.” He complained.

“No rest for the wicked eh?” she teased with a saucy grin.

“Besides, you are already certifiably insane.” He smirked back.

“What?” she took a step back in mock offense. “Why?”

He grinned at her and pulled her back into his arms, whispering into her ear, “for loving me of course.”



The other teachers were all pleased to see her again, as she had been well known as a hardworking and able student who achieved top marks consistently. Some even remembered her reputation as Snape’s protégée and that added to the gossip circulating about insinuations there had been more than that between them.


When she appeared for dinner with the staff that night they watched them to see what reaction, if any, her presence had on him. They had however agreed it would be best to keep their romance a secret and act with professional courtesy and cordiality in public. Despite this they tried to schedule as much private time together as possible without arousing suspicion.

The students were quite surprised to see a new face on the staff table in Professor Jeffries’ seat. Some of the students had brothers and sisters older than her, and many of the older boys were quite transfixed by her.

In particular, a small group of Gryffindors were especially surprised to see her.

“What’s she doing here?” Harry asked Ron.

“I dunno, Mum never said anything. Suppose it must be Order stuff.” Ron replied between mouthfuls of mashed potato.

“Whoa, who’s the fit new teacher?” Seamus asked Dean.

“That’s Sadie the Sadist,” Fred cut in.

“Yeah, she’s brutal, you know her Dad’s the mass murderer Sirius Black.” added George.

“No way! The guy who broke into Hogwarts in third year?” He goggled.

“Yeah so don’t cross her or she’ll turn psychotic. Ever seen an angry Veela?” added Fred.

“Still, she’s well fit.” Seamus continued, nearly spilling pumpkin juice down himself.

“Don’t let Snape hear you say that or he’ll force feed you poison or boil you in his cauldron.” Harry warned nastily, glaring at the man in question.

“Why? What’s it to do with that greasy old git?” asked Seamus.

“Jealousy, that’s why. She’s his girlfriend.” Replied Harry.

“Bollocks! How do you know?” Seamus sneered.

“It’s true, she’s my cousin and they’re definitely together. If you don’t believe us ask the twins.” Said Ron, who was sick of Seamus doubting Harry. Everyone looked expectantly at the twins, waiting for some revelation.

“If you’re on about Christmas, Ron, we’re not repeating a word. We’re already traumatised without reliving it thanks.” said Fred.

“If that’s true she must be evil.” Replied Seamus, now eying Sadira warily, still unsure what to believe. “I’m glad I didn’t take Ancient Runes.”

“What’s this about Ancient Runes?” Asked Hermione, who had been talking to Ginny.

“Looks like Sadie’s your new teacher.” He said, pointing her out.

“Really? In that case you should call her Professor Prewett-Black.” She replied. “You know she’s alright when you get to know her.” She defended, remembering the trip to Paris.

Meanwhile at the Slytherin table, another group of students were discussing the new professor.

“Who’s that taking old Jeffries’ place Malfoy?” asked Blaise Zabini.

“I don’t sodding believe it. It’s Sadie!” the Blond gasped as his face lit up.

“Sadie who?” Pansy asked jealously.

“Prewett-Black, you know the Head Girl that looked out for us in First year. She was at our New Year’s party.” He reminded her.

A few people who had been there remembered her tattoo. However most of them had left or been sent to bed long before midnight and had missed their professors’ display.

“Prewett-Black? Is she a relative of yours then?” asked Theo Nott, wondering if the passably pretty woman was pure-blooded.

“Oh yes; second cousin, please don’t remind me.” He said despondently, remembering the rest of the party, and the morning after. He noticed the direction Sadira was looking in.

“Why, might be useful to be related to the staff.” Zabini pointed out.

“Because that particular cousin is screwing our Head of House.” He snapped. Conversations around them stopped.

“No! You’re having me on, she’s half his age!” grinned Nott, his gaze flitting to the staff table and back.

“I wish I was, believe me. They stayed over on New Year’s. According to Father, the old chap’s still quite vigorous, even if he is pushing forty.” Malfoy informed them distastefully.

“Urgh, not a mental image I wanted at the Dinner table mate.” Replied Nott, who continued to eye up Sadira nonetheless.

“So, are we going to make this term hell for Snape’s Whore?” asked Pansy spitefully, jealous of the attention Sadira was getting.

“She is not a whore and you will treat her with respect,” snapped Malfoy, scaring her. “She is my cousin; a pureblood and she looks out for me, so I return the favour.”

Pansy’s face dropped and she was quite put out to hear Draco defend anyone, let alone a pretty older witch.

“Her relationship remains a secret between us. At the very least the scandal could ruin the reputation of Slytherin House.” He ordered them and they knew better than to disobey.

“Besides, who knows how long this has been going on? After all, she’s only been out of school for four years.” He added, more to himself but the others were now regarding their two Professors with curiosity.