Another Dark Star

Chapter 27


Over the next few weeks, slowly but surely, Snape and Sadira began to come to terms with impending parenthood. Of course it was easier for her; the hormones helped her by making her all broody. Severus however surprised himself with how much he was beginning to look forward to being a father. Not the puking and screaming stage of course, but when the child was old enough to take instructions. He would teach his son or daughter everything, someone who would listen and not foul everything up but work diligently; an apprentice of sorts from an early age.

Perhaps they would be in his own house, a Prefect or even Head Boy or Girl, like its mother. It was strange to him the immense feeling of pride the thought gave him. He vowed not to make the same mistakes his parents made. Sadira was the best part of his life, he loved her completely. Their child would grow up knowing how much they loved each other, and him or her. This child would be free from fear and safe from harm, no matter what it took.

Sadira’s hormones and instincts had kicked in with a vengeance and her moods were becoming worse. Luckily for Severus it was Tonks, not he, that had to deal with them. He would rather face a class full of Neville Longbottoms than an angry, teary, hormonal Sadira. Tonks had gone all girly when Sadie told her the news. She offered to help shop and to babysit when baby came.

Remus had been surprised, but congratulated them warmly. Blast it, the damned werewolf was making it hard to continue hating him; especially after he took Severus to one side and apologised for not discouraging Black and Potter’s antics in school. There was an uneasy truce between them now, if not a friendship as such.


Sadira’s small flat was filling up with supplies for the baby; nappies, blankets, tiny clothes, toiletries, Moses basket. The place looked like a nursery shop. She was almost certain the baby would be a boy; but to avoid tempting fate she bought everything white, intending to transfigure the colour later.

The news of her pregnancy had been leaked in the Auror office and had spread quickly. Kingsley was surprised, but pleased for them. Mason and Taylor had been teasing her mercilessly and Scrimgeour was loath to give her anything more exciting than requisition forms to work on, lest she suddenly go into labour on Ministry premises. She was thoroughly bored, and upset that the respect she worked so hard for seemed to be diminishing.

She made sure Scrimgeour knew she was intending to continue working after the baby was born. He seemed to let up on her, and allowed her to continue in the planning and codes department, as she was still desk bound. He told her he was proud of how far she had come in the short two years she had been working there and how disappointed he was that she would be taking a break. She felt better, knowing her superiors still respected. They had even invited her to a Ministry function, (plus one of course) to show off the young prodigy to the other Department Heads.



Meanwhile at Hogwarts, Severus was steeling himself for a meeting with the Deputy Headmistress.

“Yes Severus? I am rather busy.” She asked brusquely as he stood in her doorway. He shut the door firmly behind him and strode determinedly to her desk.

“This is quite important Minerva. Sadira wanted me to tell you, and Albus of course were he here, some news of a... personal nature.” He began uncomfortably.

“Really Severus? Do continue.” She said, regarding him curiously. He rarely volunteered personal information and she gave him her undivided attention, intrigued.

“She... I...” he sighed, unsure how to phrase the news. “We are going to have a baby.” He said, eyes shut awaiting a reaction.

“Severus, that is wonderful news. Congratulations to you both.” The Gryffindor head beamed happily. “I wish your family every happiness.” She said kindly.

“Thank you Minerva. Sadira insisted you and Albus be told first. Of course I would rather have told him in person, but it seems I shall have to write to tell him. We don’t want anyone else to know yet though.” He said.

“Well, do pass on my regards to her when you see her.”

“I will tonight. She has been invited to some event at the Ministry. I admit I wasn’t paying much attention, but it seems she is pretty much obliged to attend and she begged me to come with her. You know she abhors parties almost as much as I do. I agreed, given that I should keep a close watch on her in her... condition.”

“Yes, well. Do try and enjoy yourselves. Both of you.” Minerva chuckled at his displeased visage.



When he arrived at her flat he was surprised at how much she had accumulated. ‘Surely one doesn’t require so much paraphernalia for one tiny child?’ he thought to himself, picking up a soft brown bear on top of a pile of blankets.

“How do I look?” Sadira asked, stepping out of her room.

She was wearing the green velvet corset dress she bought in Paris. The skirt was plain A-line that reached to the floor, but the corset part of the top was embellished with embroidery of flowers and vines in gold and silver, with tiny cut glass beads that shimmered like diamonds. Her long dark curls were set in shiny ringlets pinned back at the crown and cascading down her back. She looked like some mythical Irish princess in Kelly green, with her colleen curls and fair complexion.

“Beautiful my love, simply beautiful.” He replied honestly, and a blush crept up her pale cheeks. She pinned her best cloak over her shoulders and stepped into his arms.

“Ready? She asked.

“As I’ll ever be.” He sighed, walking to her fireplace and throwing the floo powder into the flames. “Ladies first.”

She stepped into the flames and called clearly, “Ministry of Magic; Atrium.”


A few moments after she stepped out of the ornate fireplace he followed behind her, brushing ash off his black dress robes, the same ones he wore to Malfoy’s New Year’s party.

“Come on, let’s get this over with.” She sighed, linking her arm with his and heading to the lift. Snape hated the Ministry, especially as being there only served to remind him of his trial some 16 years previous. Of course he was acquitted on Dumbledore’s evidence, but as far as most people were concerned that was one spot that would never come off.

“At least you will know people here.” He grumbled.

“So will you; Kingsley, Percy, you just don’t like them.” She replied blithely as they passed floors. “Oh yes, and Lucius, he’ll probably be about.” He looked at her sharply.

“And you only think to mention this now?” he snapped.

“Well I would have assumed it would have been obvious to a man of your intelligence; Lucius is always at the Ministry lately.” She bit back.

He seethed at her, but said nothing.

“Come on, let’s not fight now. Solidarity in the face of adversity and all that.” She smiled at him. He granted her a brief, weak smile in return and clasped her hand on his arm with his other hand.

They soon found their way to a large but plain room packed with Ministry employees and important guests.

“Will your uncle be attending?” Snape asked, his gaze scanning the room by habit, checking out who and where everyone was.

“No, he isn’t ‘important’ enough to warrant an invite. Fudge has never respected Arthur because of his fondness for Muggles.” She explained.

“Pity, he’s one of the few people I can actually stand among the Ministry.” He griped.

She smiled at this. She had always loved her uncle Arthur and she was glad her anti-social spouse all but admitted liking him. Tolerance was as close as most people could get to Severus Snape.

“I think the only reason I got an invite is because of my success rate with missions and my high pass score when I qualified. You know Scrimgeour actually said he was disappointed that I got pregnant!” she told him distastefully, but quickly plastered on a fake smile as one of the Unspeakables from the Department of Mysteries greeted her.


For a full half an hour, Sadira and Severus ran the gamut of small talk and inane pleasantries expected of them as they waited for enough time to have passed for them to be able to escape without seeming rude. Severus did in fact know a few people there, many had been in his year at Hogwarts, or the few above him, but he had no desire to talk to any of them.

Scrimgeour himself kept them talking for quite a while, going on about how proud he was to have her on his team and how sad he was to see a bright young thing like her putting her career on hold to settle down so early in life. Snape had to occlude his mind just to stay calm enough not to punch the pompous windbag; the cheek of him, trying to berate a man for impregnating his own wife! They both breathed easier when he moved on to some delegates from the Italian Ministry.

Suddenly Sadira’s blood ran cold as she heard a grating voice she had never wished to hear again.

“Sadira Prewett? What are you doing here?” She turned to see a tall skinny woman with shoulder length straight black hair and a sharp bird-like face.

“Victoria Chadwick, I heard you died.” Sadira greeted in a lazy drawl, slipping into her superior act like a comfortable old shoe.

“No, silly. I’m here aren’t I?” she chirruped.

“Oh, wishful thinking on my part then.” Sadira replied under her breath so only Snape could hear her, making him smirk. He remembered how much the spoiled bitch had tormented Sadira in school.

“What was that?” she asked.

“Nothing. I’m an Auror now, that’s why I’m here. What about you, did you get an internship into the Ministry?”

“Merlin, no! I married Godalbert Bristow, the Head of the Magical Records Department.” She boasted, as though she had won some sort of prize.

Mr Bristow was a very rich and influential wizard, but he was 60 if he was a day, and rather tubby with a receding hairline. Sadira suspected that Mr and Mrs Chadwick may have been instrumental in the match.

“So, here you are, still stood with Snape. I suppose some things never change.” She shot a dig at Sadie but she was ready for her.

“Well, we are married now.” She replied calmly. You could have knocked the stick-like girl down with a feather.

“Well, we all knew you were teacher’s pet, but really!” she replied in disgust.

“Perhaps those Gryffindors were on to something after all.” She pondered aloud as her own husband waddled over to them.

“Who is your little friend Vicky?” he asked condescendingly.

Sadira smirked. Clearly there was no equality in their marriage. She decided to play on that. The bitch had rubbed her money and influence in Sadie’s face so often over 7 years; she was up for a little jealousy payback tonight.

“Sadira Snape, sir, Auror.” She replied, offering him her hand. “This is my husband, Severus; Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts.” She added as Bristow shook his hand enthusiastically.

“Good, good. I was a Slytherin myself back in the day. So you’re the prodigy Rufus has been boasting about? Were you two in the same class then?” he asked his young wife.

“Yes, we shared a dorm until Sadira got the Headship and her own room. She was a Prewett then though.” Vicky replied.

“Prewett? Any relation to Fabian and Gideon?” Bristow asked, remembering the twin firebrand Aurors; martyrs of the fight against Voldemort.

“Yes, they were my mother’s cousins. They were good men.” She replied sadly. Sadira was 6 when her fun loving uncles were killed by Death Eaters.

“Yes, before she got to Sixth year she was quite unpopular. A bastard child you see.” Vicky said snidely.

Snape gave her a look that would have made her wet herself had she still been in school but Sadira remained calm, a victorious smile creeping onto her face.

“Yes, up until last year when new information came to light about my family and inheritance.” She replied.

“In... Inheritance?” she asked, glancing up at Snape who was now wearing a nasty smile.

“Oh yes, you see it turns out my father is actually the famous Sirius Black. Up until my marriage I was the last to bear the name Black. Although he is a wanted criminal, he is also the last of the male line and upon his death I stand to inherit the entire Black estate.” She gloated.

Of course Sadie loved her father and didn’t care about her inheritance, but this was just the ammunition she needed to cut the snobby cow down to size.

“Really? The Black family is indeed a fine pedigree.” Bristow said thoughtfully, eyeing Sadira and Snape as though she were a rare antique and he were the man who had outbid him at auction. Severus caught the gesture and wrapped an arm possessively around Sadira’s small waist, smirking smugly.

“So how did you two actually get together?” Vicky asked. “As if we didn’t know.” She added under her breath.

“Well, we kept in touch after I left and we found we had a lot in common on a personal level and from friendship, things just progressed from there. We’re very close.” She replied, smiling up at her husband lovingly.

She noted with a hint of satisfaction that she had managed to make the girl jealous of their interaction; little touches and gestures that broadcast how intimate they were. It was clear the former bully had little in common with her Sugar Daddy and probably couldn’t stand to have him touch her.


“Severus, my old friend. How good to see you, and our little Sadira.” They both turned to see a tall man with long blond hair and very expensive robes striding towards them.

“Lucius.” Snape intoned politely, inclining his head in greeting. “And Narcissa, lovely as always.”

“Uncle Lucius, it is good to see you again.” Sadira greeted with a smile, holding her arms out to him.

“Sadira, your aunt and I were most disappointed not to receive an invite to the wedding.” He admonished gently while embracing her briefly in greeting. The Bristows looked on; indignant at being ignored by the rich, influential couple in favour of a couple of ‘nobodies’.

“Now Lucius; Severus and I wanted a quiet ceremony. Surely Draco informed you, it was kept a secret from absolutely everyone.” She defended lightly.

It seemed like a friendly family reunion, rather than the tactical discussion it really was. Malfoy hated being kept out of the loop, especially where it concerned the spy. She allowed him to kiss her cheek, then went to air-kiss Narcissa.

“I only wish you could have seen my gown Aunt Cissy, I know you would have loved it.” She gushed.

“No matter dear, perhaps you could show me the photographs sometime.” She said, feigning interest. All the while she was secretly seething with fury at Snape; not only for snatching her niece for himself despite her hopes for an influential match, but also proving her wrong when she had vehemently assured Sadie that he would never marry her.

“Where are my manners? Lucius, Narcissa; May I introduce Mr and Mrs Bristow. Godalbert, Victoria; my cousins, Mr and Mrs Malfoy.” Sadie said to break the tension.

“Charmed.” Lucius drawled then promptly ignored them.

“Severus, might I trouble you for a moment of your time, in private?” he asked, and promptly drew him away from the crowd.

To be honest, Severus seemed to welcome the distraction. He was sure that whatever Lucius had to say had to be better than mindless chit-chat with the boring snobs.

“Well, your husband seems well in with the Malfoys. Very influential family they are. I’m sure as your family they were pleased with your match?” Mr Bristow continued.

“Actually Mrs Malfoy, my cousin on my father’s side, was none too pleased. However Lucius is an old friend of Severus’ and was delighted. They were at school together, and of course their son, Draco is in Slytherin House currently. I always was fond of my little cousin.” She replied.

“Do excuse us, we must mingle.” Victoria said sharply, steering her husband toward where Scrimgeour was stood talking to his Italian counterpart. She was most irritated to see her favourite victim had grown up and outshone her.

“Very well, good to see you again.” Sadira replied with an evil smirk.


She ended up chatting to a friend of Percy’s from the Dept. of International Magical Co-operation who had graduated the year before Percy. He was explaining to her about how he was supposed to be looking after the Italian delegates, but they had other ideas about where they wanted to go on their tour. It was mildly amusing in that way of finding relief in other people’s work complaints.

The young man fled when Snape returned with Lucius still following. The poor boy had been a Gryffindor and Snape smirked to see he could still intimidate students long after they left.

“Are you ready to go, my Love?” he asked quietly.

“Definitely.” She agreed.

“Now Severus, the pair of you must come to the Manor again soon. I’m sure Draco would love to see his old friend again.” Lucius said genially, then stopped, looking Sadira up and down calculatingly.

“Why I never noticed how radiant you are this evening my dear, positively glowing.” He smirked. She blushed.

“Really? Thank you Lucius.” She said quietly.

“Yes, perhaps it has something to do with your new healthy lifestyle. After all, I haven’t seen you touch a drop of drink all evening. Most admirable, all too often the juniors and interns take advantage of the open bar.” He said knowingly. Severus was on edge immediately. Lucius knew something, or thought he did.

“Well I have to be back in the office first thing and I wouldn’t want a headache.” She explained.

“Oh but would Severus not provide you with something to help?” he pressed.

“You must be joking! He’d let me suffer as a lesson in sobriety, you know he would.” She joked. He laughed with her but still regarded her shrewdly.

“Surely just the one wouldn’t hurt.” He suggested, offering her a flute of champagne from a silver tray that hovered past.

“Enough Lucius, we all know you’ve worked it out. Now stop being so facetious.” Severus snapped.

“Really, I’d rather hear it direct from you.” Lucius grinned victoriously.

“You are right, Sadira is with child. Now can we cease with the puerile games. We were not telling people yet as she is not very far along and; well, remember Narcissa’s problem?” he said quietly.

“My congratulations Severus, it’s about time you produced an heir. You are hardly getting any younger.” Lucius replied equally quietly and went to retrieve Narcissa who was holding forth with one of her gossipy pals, leaving Snape fuming.


They decided they had been there long enough and snuck out of the party room.

“What’s that old Muggle saying about choosing your friends but not being able to choose family?” Sadie said wistfully.

“This whole thing has been tedious, and it is your fault I’m here.” He griped.

“We can go now. Thank you for coming with me, I appreciate it. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” She whispered. He cheered up slightly.

“Really? And how do you intend to do that?” he asked.

“Oh, you’ll see.” She replied saucily, kissing him ardently once they were alone in the lift.