Another Dark Star

Chapter 26

“Ah, Mr and Mrs Snape. I have the results to your tests. I believe we have the answers to your mystery illness.” Healer Lampwick said brightly.

“Mystery illness?” Snape repeated, glaring accusingly at his wife. “Why didn’t you tell me you were ill?”

“It wasn’t important Severus, shush!” she replied. “Please continue Healer.”

“Don’t you shush me woman!” he grumbled, but looked to the Healer for answers.

“Congratulations, it appears you are going to be parents!” the Healer told them happily.

“WHAT?!” they gasped.

“No, that’s not possible.” Sadira stammered.

“It is irrefutable; you are definitely pregnant Mrs Snape.” The young Healer assured her.

“No. No, see I’ve been taking the contraceptive potion regular as clockwork every month. I never miss, by even an hour.” Sadira assured her.

“These things aren’t always 100% effective.” Healer Lampwick explained kindly.

“I made it myself every time and I am one of the best Potions Masters in Britain!” Snape said fiercely.

“Well, I’m sorry if this wasn’t the news you were expecting but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt you are 7 weeks gone, due sometime in early January.” She told them.

“7 weeks?” Sadira repeated, then did the mental arithmetic. “Oh shit, the party!” she gasped, realisation dawning.

Snape turned to her, awaiting an explanation.

“My hen night! Tonks kept buying me drinks; Absinthe Sev.” She told him guiltily.

“Alcohol should not affect the potion.” He dismissed, pacing.

“No, but the Wormwood in it would.” She affirmed.

“Shit.” He swore, realising the truth of her assumption. “So you are pregnant?”

“It seems so Love.” She sighed. He stood stock still for a moment, then stormed out of the ward.

“I’m sorry; if I’d known you were so against the idea of parenthood I would have broken the news more tactfully. Still, he shouldn’t have abandoned you like that. It’s his responsibility too.” The Healer said.

“No, he’ll be fine, trust me. He just needs some time alone to take it all in.” Sadira assured her, hoping her assumption was true.


Meanwhile, Severus was storming around the hospital, pacing off his temper and trying to get as far away as possible from everyone to think in peace.

‘Pregnant? Shit, a baby. What do I know about parenting? I deal with kids every day and rarely find one of the little shits I don’t want to throttle on a daily basis. I don’t deserve the chance to be a father after everything I’ve done anyway. What if it turns out like me? Maybe it’ll be like Sadie. Shit, what must she be thinking? I just left her there on her own. She wasn’t ready for this either. She needs me with her now.’ He thought to himself, and turned around to go back to Ward 9.


When he arrived back at her cubicle, she was lying on the bed with her legs crossed at the ankle and arms crossed behind her head, staring up at the ceiling.

“I’m so sorry. I should be here with you.” He said softly, sitting beside her on the bed.

“It’s ok. You had a shock, we both did. Do you feel better now?” she asked, turning to him and taking his hand.

“I don’t know. How are you?” he asked, stroking her fingers absently.

“I... um, I was being sick and fainting but the midwitch was in here earlier and told me that’s all normal.” She admitted.

He felt a bit guilty, both that he hadn’t known she was suffering and that he missed the midwitch and the opportunity to ask questions.

“Can I have a hug? I was a bit shaken up before when that filth Midden touched me up.” She said.

“Of course you can.” He said, pulling her close. “Wait, what do you mean ’touched you up’?”

“He... tried to rape me Sev; after kicking me in the ribs and belly that is. I’m surprised the baby’s still ok.” She admitted.

He couldn’t believe his ears. His beautiful wife was attacked and molested by that heaving glob of pond slime Midden, and despite her ordeal both she and the child in her womb were both unscathed.

“I won’t let you down again. Either of you.” He whispered, squeezing her. “Are you ready to leave yet?”

“Nearly, I just need my discharge notes and a sick note for work.” She replied.


Healer Bancroft passed by on his way to another patient.

“Healer, can I have my notes and go please.” Sadie called.

“Certainly. I’m glad to see you better so soon.” He said brightly, pulling out a clipboard and scribbling on the parchment.

“Can you add a recommendation to those notes?” Snape asked.

“What are you playing at?” she asked sharply but he ignored her and addressed the Healer.

“I want her put on desk duty until she is ready to take maternity leave. I don’t want her or the baby at risk.” He said firmly.

“Of course Mr Snape; a wise decision. I must say I agree wholeheartedly.” The Healer said, signing the notes and handing them to him.

“WHAT THE FUCK? DESK DUTY?!!” she spluttered furiously.

“I want you safe and healthy.” He said in a voice that implied he would brook no argument from her on this matter.

“Fine, on one condition; we both go to my Dad’s together and tell him first that he’s going to be a granddad. I don’t want a repeat of last time.”

“If that’s what it takes. We were neither of us prepared for this, but I want our child to be protected. I will do my best to be a good father and that starts now.” He said, kissing her forehead.

“You will be a good dad Sev, I know it. I’m glad you’ve come to terms with this so quickly.” She replied, kissing him softly and drawing looks from the welcome witch as they left.



They Apparated to Grimmauld place and slipped in quietly. Sadira checked the parlour, the kitchen and the library before she found her dad in his mother’s room, feeding Buckbeak.

“Hi Dad, are you ok?” she asked quietly.

“Sadie! I’m fine, lonely as hell though. How come you’re not in work?”

“Sick day. Is Molly here?” she asked casually.

“No, why is something the matter?”

“No, can you just Floo her and meet us in the kitchen?” she asked him.


Molly popped through the Floo and met them in the kitchen. If either of them were surprised to see Snape there too, they didn’t show it.

“What’s going on?” Molly asked her.

“Sit down please, both of you. Severus and I have some news for you.” Sadira said seriously.

“You’re getting a divorce?” Sirius asked hopefully, crossing his fingers in front of him.

“No Dad, don’t be horrible! Besides you know that’s impossible.” She chided before Snape could open his mouth to reply. He satisfied himself by giving Sirius a look that could crack stone instead.

“No, we wanted you two to be the first to know as again this is not yet to be common knowledge. I’m pregnant!” she informed them. Sirius’ mouth bobbed like a landed fish.

“Congratulations, when’s the baby due?” Molly gushed, coming round the table to hug first Sadie, then a shocked Snape.

“January 10th, the day after Sev’s birthday!” Sadie told her. “You know she’s going to be knitting booties starting today!” she told Snape in a stage whisper.

“Oh this is good news, a real family for the both of you.” Molly said proudly. “Who am I allowed to tell?” Sadira looked at Severus for confirmation, but he said nothing.

“Well obviously I don’t expect you to keep it from Arthur, and Bill and Charlie can be trusted, but none of the younger ones. We don’t want them saying anything at school. I’m going to tell Tonks when I see her. I imagine Severus will tell the other staff, or at least Minerva and Albus. I don’t suppose it would hurt to tell Remus either. But they must all know it’s a secret. I’m not 3 months yet and it’s bad luck remember.” She told them.

“I didn’t think you were silly enough to believe in superstition.” Severus sneered.

“I’m not, but it’s a nicer way of saying I could easily lose the baby before that time and I wouldn’t want to tell everyone that if they all knew.” He looked surprised, and a little chagrined.

“Well, congratulations Black. You’re to be a grandfather.” Severus said.

“Bloody hell! A dad and a grandad in the space of a year.” He replied, too shocked to hold any animosity against his old enemy.

“Well, that’s all I wanted to say really. I have to get this hospital note to work, or the administrators will have my guts. I just really wanted to be honest with you, I felt bad about not telling you about the wedding.” Sadira told them.

“Of course Dear, thank you. I’m so happy for the both of you. Good luck, you know Arthur and I are always there if you need help or advice.” Molly assured them.

“Thank you Molly, we appreciate it.” Severus said, shocking them.



Once they were on the front step, Severus turned to her.

“You aren’t going to finish your shift are you?” he asked her.

“No, I’m not even going back to work till tomorrow. I just thought we could celebrate our good news together at mine.” She said with a smile.

“Very well.” He agreed and they Apparated straight to her flat.

“What did you have in mind? You cannot drink anymore, you realise?” he asked.

“This.” She said kissing him passionately, while her fingers worked his buttons.

“Sadie, we can’t... the baby.” He said between her kisses.

“Yes we can; right up to the third trimester. I checked!” she said with a wicked grin, tugging his shirt out of his pants.

“If you’re sure. But carefully, you had quite an ordeal today.” He said, allowing himself to return her affections.

“Please Sev; I want you to make love to me. Make me forget about today.” She pleaded. He took her to their room and slowly, gently made love to her, affirming his love for her and driving the horrors of her attack from her memory.

When they were both satisfied, he lay beside her stroking her belly fondly.

“I know, I’m gonna get fat.” She moaned miserably. “I’m going to be hideously, monstrously huge and need a barrow to get around.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You will always be beautiful; I just cannot believe you are carrying my child.” He said in wonder.

“I know. They can’t tell me what it is yet but in my Divination exam, I predicted I would have a boy that looked like his dad, then a girl that looked like me. If it comes true, I will be writing to the examination board to have my marks adjusted.” She joked.

“God help it if it looks like me.” He said sadly.

“I hope it is a boy. Besides, why shouldn’t he look like you? You’re a handsome man Severus.” She defended.

He snorted at her words but kissed her gently.

“I thought women were supposed to want girls to dress up in pink and frills and such.” He asked.

“Severus my Darling; if we have a girl, she will never be dressed in pink. Ever!” she said vehemently.

“Just another reason why I married you; your impeccable good taste.” He smirked.

“Of course I have good taste. That’s why I married you.” She smiled back, kissing him again.