Another Dark Star

Chapter 29

Sadira had stayed in Severus’ rooms all that week. He had owled Kingsley on her behalf explaining that she would need some compassionate leave. She had hardly left their rooms except when he insisted she accompany him for meals at the staff table. There was an empty seat there now as Umbridge was gone.

He wanted to make sure she was getting a little fresh air and exercise as the dungeons was no place to keep a pregnant woman locked away. He seated her beside him so he could keep an eye on her and make sure she was eating. Poppy insisted on sitting on her other side for the same reason.

“You must start eating properly.” Pomfrey chided, noticing that Sadira had been pushing her mashed potatoes around her plate.

“It’s not good for you to be starving yourself, especially in your condition.” She added, a little too loudly.

“What’s wrong with the poor girl?” Professor Sprout who was on Poppy’s other side piped up.

“Nothing, as long as she starts eating properly.” Pomfrey covered smoothly, glaring pointedly at Sadira and her plate.

“No, what do you mean ‘in her condition’?” Pomona pushed.

Poppy looked alarmed for a moment and glanced across to Snape and Sadira. He gave her the merest of nods to convey that she was free to divulge their secret.

“I think that’s for Sadira to say.” Poppy replied. Sprout looked at her expectantly.

“I’m pregnant.” She replied simply.

Pomona squealed loudly, attracting the attention of students as well as staff.

“Oh congratulations, that is good news! How far along are you?”

“Three months now, I’m due in early January.” Sadira replied, finally eating now the desserts had arrived, helping herself to chocolate cheesecake.

“I agree with Poppy, you really ought to be eating properly.” Sprout admonished.

“What’s this? Congratulations for what?” asked Flitwick, turning from his conversation with Hagrid.

“Sadira’s pregnant!” Sprout gushed.

“Well Severus, congratulations indeed! Well done old chap!” Flitwick said, clearly amused at Snape’s irritation at once again being the focus of faculty gossip.

“I do not want this announced Albus. This is private business and nothing to do with the students.” He warned.

“Of course Severus, I wouldn’t dream of it.” The Headmaster said with a smile.



The day before the students all left the castle Harry, Hermione, Ron and the Weasleys, Remus, Tonks, Sadira and Severus all gathered at the lakeside where Dumbledore and McGonagall were going to conduct the memorial and give the eulogy. Minerva gave a speech on how brave and loyal Sirius was, about his love for Harry and Sadira, and how proud she was to have called him one of her Gryffindors, a shining example of the House of Godric. She was quite teary eyed by the end.

Dumbledore took over then, saying how Sirius’ sense of duty kept him strong through his incarceration and up to his tragic end he never stopped fighting for what he believed in and how they were all richer for having known him. He finished by saying that Sirius would not have wanted them to be sad over his passing but rejoice in the memory of happier times and the good-natured man he was.

He then announced that they would play a few of Sirius’ favourite songs. When they started the first one, Sadira almost stopped breathing. It was Ozzy and Kelly Osborne’s ‘Changes’.

She began to tremble with the effort of holding her tears back, a battle she was losing. Salt water trickled down her pale cheeks. Severus turned her around and led her away from the assembled mourners as they looked on. Everyone present remembered the Boxing Day duet and how happy the Blacks had been. The women were all weeping now and the boys were red-faced with the effort of not joining them.

Severus didn’t say anything as he led Sadira away from the gaze of the congregation. When they were far enough out of sight, he pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her and let her weep into his shoulder, stroking her hair as he had done all those years ago when her mother died.

“All I wanted was a proper family, is that so much to ask?” she sobbed.

“We will be a proper family, I promise.” He soothed.

“I just... I’ve lost him twice you know. And he was looking forward to being a grandfather. Our baby won’t have any grandparents.” She sniffled.

“Not true grandparents, no. But I’m sure Molly and Arthur would be proud to take on that role. After all, they have been more of a mother and father to you than anyone else has.” He replied.

She brushed away her tears and sniffed, composing herself. She looked up at him with determination.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. Look at me, falling to pieces when I should be strong.” She chided herself.

“Not at all, Sadie you are allowed to grieve. I merely wished to offer you some comfort. I know this is a difficult time for you, I buried two parents myself. I understand what you are going through.” He reassured, linking her arm. “Now, do you feel ready to return to the rest of the congregation?”

“Yes, I feel a bit better now I’ve got that off my chest. I suppose having a cry really does help sometimes. It’s just something I never really indulged in before.” She replied as they rejoined the group.

“Are you alright dear?” Molly asked, wrapping her in a motherly hug.

“Yes, I’m ok. How’s he?” she asked, looking over to where Harry was staring out over the lake.

“Not good. He’ll be ok eventually but he needs time. Poor boy just lost the last remnant of loving family he had.” Molly said sadly.

“Not quite. He’s still got us; you and me.” She replied.

Molly smiled proudly, watching her niece walk over to where Harry was stood. She’d come a long way from the quiet, shy, frightened little girl Molly once knew.

“Are you ok Harry?” she asked, then cringed; mentally battering herself for asking such a stupid question. He must have understood because he smiled sadly and shook his head.

“It’s not fair. I was going to move into Grimmauld Place with him like a real family. I can’t even have that now. Why does everyone who cares end up leaving me?” he railed.

“Oh Harry, that’s not true. We’ll all miss Dad so much, but you’ll still have Molly, Arthur, Remus and me. We all care about you and none of us are going anywhere soon.” She reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You... I thought you didn’t like me?” he asked.

“No, not at all. I just take a long time to warm to people. I don’t trust people easily that’s all. I think you’re a good kid and I meant what I said at the Ministry. I will be the big sister you need me to be. If you can handle having a Snape in the family.” She said with a wry smile.

“I don’t know... a Snape eh?” he replied with a slight grin. She beamed at him and offered him her arm as she led him back to the castle where the others were.

“Speaking of the Ministry, what did you mean about Sirius being a grandad?” he asked thoughtfully. She blushed and stopped walking. People were looking at them now.

“You may as well know now. I told him a few weeks ago I’m pregnant. He would have been a grandfather in January.” She whispered. The poor boy was in a state of shock.

“You mean you and him... a baby? Wow! I suppose congratulations are in order then.” He said dumbfounded.

“Molly and Arthur know. So do Tonks, Remus, Minerva and Albus. We decided the students shouldn’t know but the twins have left now mind you, and you’re family. How does ‘Uncle Harry’ sound?” she teased.

He looked up at her smile, then down at her tummy, which was a tiny bit rounder if it wasn’t his imagination, and smiled back.

“Sounds good, we can have one bit of good news on a bad day.” He replied. She beamed even wider if possible on the way back to the school.

“What have you been talking to my wife about Potter?” Snape asked with as little venom as he could manage.

“Oh, um congratulations Sir.” Harry said, smiling at the look of consternation on his teacher’s face.

“So, you told him?” was all he had to say.

“I thought it might cheer him up; a nephew or niece on the way. We could all do with a bit of happy news today.” She replied brightly.

“I take it you will want to make an announcement then?” he asked, sounding irritated.

“I wasn’t going to but maybe we should.” She mused.

“Or perhaps we should allow Potter and his friends to do it for us.” he grumbled.

“Excellent idea! Harry, you tell Hermione and I’ll tell Molly to spread the word to the Weasleys.” She grinned, and before Snape could complain Sadie and Harry darted off.


Hermione thought it was wonderful news and the Weasleys were stunned. They knew how vehemently Sadie had said she was never going to have children. Then Fred and George reminded everyone how Sadie used to babysit Ginny and change her nappies and wipe her botty, making Ginny’s face as red as her hair.

The girls cooed over the prospect of a tiny little baby with tiny fingers and toes, to play with and fawn over, squealing among themselves. The boys meanwhile pondered the strange and uncomfortable notion of Snape as a father. Would he be as strict with his own child as he was with his students? Or would he let it get away with murder like he did his precious Slytherins?