Another Dark Star

Chapter 14

Sadira’s first morning of teaching went fairly well; Third years, double lesson.

“Good morning class, my name is Professor Prewett-Black and I will be taking you for Ancient Runes until such time as Professor Jeffries is fit to return. I believe you were about to begin covering the Norse Elder Futhark of runes. Therefore we shall begin with the first Aett which consists of Fehu, Uruz, THurizaz, Ansuz, Raido, Kenaz, Gebo and Wunjo.”

She flicked her wand at the board and her name, the rune symbols, and their names appeared on the board in a loopy, flowing script that was similar to her own only much neater. She smiled to herself when she remembered one frustrated professor describing her handwriting as ‘like you dropped a spider into your ink bottle and let it run across the page.’

“If you would please turn to page forty in your textbooks and copy down the runes on the board and their names, meanings and transliterations. We shall then discuss their relevance and uses if we have time.”

The third year class was a mix of all four houses, but they still seemed to segregate themselves into their well known groups. ‘I may have to do something about that’ she thought to herself. All of them looked quite nervous.

She seated herself behind her desk and began rifling through the fifth year essays in preparation for next lesson, reacquainting herself with where they were up to and the standards to expect, praying to learn a few names while she was at it. She was never any good at remembering names.

Every once in a while, she would glance up at the class to check on their progress but they worked diligently and didn’t make a peep. She was shocked. She didn’t know Hogwarts students could behave so well. They certainly hadn’t when she was in school. The class was still scribbling quietly when the lesson finished.

“Very well class, anyone who hasn’t yet finished today’s task will complete it for homework so next lesson we can have that discussion on their practical applications. Class dismissed.”

Some students seemed anxious to leave but a few, a couple of Gryffindors and one Slytherin, hovered near the door looking like they wanted to ask something but didn’t know if they dared. She put on her best authoritative scowl and they fled in panic, leaving her chucking to herself in the empty classroom.

She wiped the board and cleared her desk, preparing to go to lunch. Fifth years next, beginning Egyptian Heiroglyphics and Hermione was in that class. She was looking forward to that.

When she sat at the staff table for lunch she was greeted in a friendly manner by Professor Sprout, whom she sat next to.

“How was your first morning dear? Not too bad I hope, those third years can get a little boisterous sometimes.”

“Actually Pomona, they were good as gold. I don’t understand it myself but I hope it continues.” She replied to the bemused faces of the rest of the staff except one.

“That would be because a certain pair of red-headed Gryffindors have been circulating rumours about you, telling all and sundry you are the daughter of a well known murderer and have inherited his bad temper. They are all terrified of you.” Snape informed her.

“Really? And I didn’t have to bribe them or anything.” She remarked amusedly to the shocked countenances of her colleagues.

Minerva frowned at her disapprovingly but didn’t say anything. After all, Severus was the next youngest teacher and a fearsome reputation had always worked to ensure discipline in his class and house.

“Yes, I think the nickname they have coined is Sadie the Sadist!” remarked Flitwick, recalling a conversation he overheard earlier.

“Oh, they have no idea!” she agreed, cackling evilly like some fairytale hag, causing a few students to look up at the staff table, wide-eyed.

“You Slytherins are just too scary some times.”Madam Hooch remarked.

“Why thank you,” Sadira and Snape replied smoothly, in unison.

“Creepy!” Hooch whispered under her breath as Minerva and Albus exchanged knowing looks with regard to the two gothic professors.

After lunch, she walked down the corridor back to her class but stopped when she heard someone call her first name. She turned to see Draco coming towards her.

“Hello Draco, are you ok? Oh, you’re a Prefect! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m so proud.” She said, ruffling his hair affectionately as people stared in wonder.

“Yes, but you never told me you were teaching here this term.” He replied, smoothing his hair again.

“Yes, I just got transferred from the Aurors office on Ministry orders. Only temporary, Honey.” She replied evasively.

“Are you sure it had nothing to do with a certain House Master?” he whispered conspiratorially.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean!” she replied, but with a smirk.

“I hope you’re not expecting to use the fact we’re related to your advantage.” She teased him.

“Perish the thought!” he grinned, and they shared a laugh as Ron passed by with a look of disgust with Hermione headed to Sadira’s class.

“Suck-up Malfoy.” He grumbled.

“Mind your own business, Weasel-bee.” Malfoy snapped back.

“Ronald Weasley, come here!” Sadira called imperiously. He had no choice but to obey, stomping over.

“Now you two; you are both my cousins, therefore each other’s cousins and family is important, so make up.” She ordered.

Both boys looked at her like she was crazy, but she pulled them both into a crushing hug as a small crowd watched.

“Now, friends!” she told them as she released them.

They looked like they had been force-fed Doxy venom as they left in opposite directions. Hermione shook her head as Sadira chuckled evilly to herself and entered her classroom.

Sadira found her new job tiring but satisfying. She stuck to the Ministry approved syllabus, which wasn’t all that different from the Hogwarts one, and Umbridge didn’t have a problem with her.

Marking tests and essays was a pain in the bum, but not all that different from checking reports and filling in paperwork at the Auror office and at least she had the bonus of spending time with Severus more often. She was expected for ‘tea’ every evening after Dinner, and it had become a comfortable routine for both of them, even just sitting together and marking work in relative silence.

“I swear, a retarded monkey with a quill between its teeth could write better essays than some of these kids. I mean where did they learn to spell?” she raved one day, sitting on the sofa next to him in his rooms.

“I warned you, they are numbskulls.” He said, not looking up from his work.

“Yes, but as you also pointed out, you teach a core subject. I am covering an elective. Why choose a subject that you have no intention of paying attention in? I refuse to allow it to become a rest period like Divination or History.” She snapped.

“Are you...? I do believe you are actually beginning to care!” he replied amusedly, setting down the first year’s homework and regarding her with a smirk.

“So what if I do care?” she grumbled petulantly.

“Ah my Dear, it’s very sweet. Quite noble of you really, but the moment you begin to care is when you lose the battle. Because you see, those miserable brats don’t care.” He replied fondly.

“With the possible exception of Granger.” He added as an afterthought as she snuggled up close to him with a sigh.

“It’s been nice being able to spend time with you again like this, we haven’t had so much time together since I was at school” she told him.

“Yes, I will miss it when you leave,” he admitted.

“Remember the time we christened your desk?” she asked saucily, looking up at him.

“I’m afraid you will have to remind me Love.” He replied suggestively.

“Oh, I intend to.” She assured him, pulling him to his feet and leading him to his office.



Whatever was wrong with Professor Jeffries appeared to be serious, as Sadira’s tenure was increased from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. By her third week, her cousins tongues had loosened, and tales of an affair between Professors Snape and Prewett-Black were circulating the Hogwarts rumour mill, however less than half of them believed it. The twins had also told the Gryffindors how Charlie and the Gryffindor Quidditch team had protected her from bullies when she was young.

When she found out who had started it, she pulled the twins out of the Great Hall by their ears at lunch, threw them into a disused classroom nearby and tore them a new one before physically kicking them back into the Hall looking terrified and ashamed. Snape smirked at the sight of them getting what they deserve and she returned the gesture, catching his eye. This little exchange causes more students to believe the rumours but seeing what happened to the twins they were all so frightened of her the talk died down, in public at least.

In revenge, the twins told the Gryffindors about catching the teachers in bed together, but the tale was so disgusting no one dared repeat it. Sadira sent a furious owl to Charlie in Romania about the Quidditch tale and was mercilessly cruel to all the Weasleys after that. As far as the Gryffindors were concerned, she was ‘the Other Snape.’ The Slytherins lost a little respect for her; no Slytherin should need help from a Gryffindor after all, but behaved better for fear of repercussions from their Head of House.


However, Umbridge soon caught wind of the gossip and began watching the two like a hawk when she wasn’t making Potter’s life difficult. After weeks of pleasurable evenings together they were both furious and frustrated with going back to maintaining distance and cordiality.

This new development gave Severus plenty of time to think, alone while the school spent Valentine’s weekend in Hogsmeade. They had been back together for five months now and it felt like they had never been parted. It was strange for him to long for another’s company as he did for hers.

She was more than just a pretty face, a warm body, a pleasant distraction. Her intelligence and sense of humour were a match for his. Their arguments were almost as enjoyable as their amorous conversations, being more than simply a barrage of harsh words and insults but real debates, a battle of wits. She was a worthy opponent, as well as a comforting and loving partner. She also knew how to deal with his legendary temper, merely allowing him to rage at her till he calmed, then soothing his ego with platitudes.

He felt like a sap, placing so much power over his life and happiness in a woman, and yet there hadn’t been all that much happiness to speak of till she appeared in his life. She gave herself so freely to him, asking so little in return. He realised exactly how much he would miss her when she was gone.

‘What if he messed it up again? What if she met someone else, younger and better looking? No, she would not be swayed, would she? She had already admitted that the brief affairs she had since they parted had not fulfilled her and her heart had always belonged to him.’

He felt reassured by the memory of her confession of devotion. She had proved her loyalty; earned his trust at last and now it was time for him to return the favour.

Snape came across her in her classroom a few days later, while she was sorting through the essays that had just been handed in by the sixth years, with a couple of stragglers at the back of class.

“May I have a word with you in my office Professor Prewett-Black? After Dinner.” He inquired.

He glared at the Ravenclaw boys who had the audacity to ogle his girlfriend. Today she was wearing a short skirt with knee length boots, opaque black tights and a v-neck fine knit jumper instead of her usual long skirted corset dresses. The boys made a hurried retreat as she answered him.

“Of course Professor Snape.” She replied formally, but with a cheeky smile and a wink. “Am I in trouble?” she asked flirtily.

“You will just have to wait and see.” He replied with a smirk, sweeping out of the classroom.


Later that night she knocked on his door waiting for him to call her in anxiously. She crept in slowly, closing the door softly behind her.

“Am I in detention sir?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him playfully.

“No, I just wanted to talk to you.” He replied, putting down the parchment he had been working on.

“Oh, that’s a shame, because I remember some very enjoyable ‘detentions’ with you!” she replied with a lustful look.

“Sadira, I didn’t drag you all the way down here just for sex. I want to talk.” He warned her.

She mumbled something that sounded like ‘makes a change’ under her breath but he chose to ignore it, motioning for her to sit in the chair before his desk.

“I want to talk about this relationship of ours” he said seriously.

He came round to lean on the front of his desk to put no barriers between them, sitting on his hands. She looked up at him with a panicked look, misinterpreting the look of determination on his face.

“Are you finishing me?” she asked with a shaky voice.

“No, no; quite the contrary in fact!” He assured her, stepping forward and taking her hands in his, kissing her softly.

“You frightened me for a minute there; you never want to talk about feelings.” She said.

“Well I have good reason to today. I have been thinking about you frequently lately. I care for you a great deal and this past few months has made me realise I will miss you when we are not together.” He admitted.

“I know, I will miss you too,” she said, standing to kiss his cheek and pulling him close.

“I love you Sadira.” He confessed and she held him tighter.

“I love you too Sev.” He pulled away from her and held her chin, allowing him to look into her eyes as he recited the speech he had been going over in his head all day.

“My life was cold and empty before I had you. My life is fraught with dangers every day and having you to return to makes my role in this dreadful war more bearable. I know the risks my choices have placed me in and I have no right to ask you to put yourself through the heartache that comes from loving someone like me but you have made that choice without being asked. Therefore I have only one further request to ask of you. Will you marry me?” he said, bracing himself for her answer.

She nearly fainted away in shock and blinked at him before it sank in and she recovered.

“Yes! Oh gods Severus, yes. Nothing could make me happier.” She gushed; beaming with joy and pulling him close once more.

He returned her embrace as much from relief at her acceptance as from happiness. She leaned up to him for a kiss that began slowly but rapidly became more heated. He pulled away before it went any further.

“Given the circumstances, I believe it would be wise that this remain a secret.” He told her reluctantly, knowing she had always hated hiding their relationship.

“I know; Toad-face would have a field day with this if it got out.” She agreed,”but I believe Dumbledore would be ecstatic at the news, if he doesn’t know already.”

“No! No-one should know, not even your family.” He warned.

“You have no idea how cruel it is to expect me to keep the happiest news of my life to myself,” she moaned.

“But I suppose I trust your judgement. Dumbledore will have to be told once we fix a date or we won’t be able to get away. Unless you want to have the wedding in the Great Hall, with all the students there?” She finished.

“Certainly not!” he protested. Then he remembered Lily saying something about little girls dreaming about fairytale weddings, once when they were very young.

“What did you have in mind for your wedding?” he asked cautiously.

“Oh I don’t know; something small and intimate probably. I hate being the centre of attention.” She told him.

He breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn’t one of those obsessive women who wanted a massive cake and ridiculously expensive gown. He really didn’t want a big fuss, with Dumbledore twinkling at him and dozens of people who he hated and hated him pretending to wish him well.

“Just what I was thinking.” he agreed.

“Maybe we could just run away together.” She joked.

“That’s not such a bad idea, but Molly would probably kill me for denying her the opportunity to make a fuss of her adopted daughter on her big day.”

“You tell Aunt Molly there’s a wedding and a hundred Weasleys and Prewetts will descend on us. Then we’ll have to invite the Malfoys and the Tonkses and I can see that going down well.” She warned him.

“Quiet elopement it is then!” he remarked, only half joking.