Another Dark Star

Chapter 34

The sun came up bright on the last day of August and crept lightly into the room of soft apple green through curtains of buttery cream. The warming ray caressed the skin of the young woman who stirred in her sleep and tried to turn onto her stomach to escape it, then realised with a groan that it was far too uncomfortable.

She sat up and stretched, rubbing her swollen abdomen to relieve the discomfort. She turned to gaze upon the sleeping form of her husband and smiled contentedly while she ran her fingers through his stringy black hair, brushing it from his face. If his students thought his hair was greasy after a day in the dungeons, they should see it first thing in the morning! He scowled as the gentle motion woke him from his slumber but allowed his expression to soften when his sleep-addled brain realised who had awoken him.

“Good morning Severus.” She whispered brightly, kissing him on his generously sized nose.

“What’s so good about it?” he groused but sat up to kiss her cheek.

“Fine! Grumpy git! I’ll get you your coffee, then we can be civilised.” She teased, wrapping herself in her light silk robe and padding in the direction of the kitchen.

“What time is it?” he asked, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed.

“Seven.” She called over her shoulder.

“You never get up this early on your day off.” He commented.

“Yes, well, your progeny decided its mother needed a new routine and apparently, sleep doesn’t come into it. I kept waking up last night and now I’m starving and Snape Junior keeps kicking me in the ribs.” She grumbled.

He smirked at the thought of his child tormenting its mother so cruelly.

“Rather you than me!” he teased.

He followed her into the kitchen to help her make breakfast and caught her just as she stumbled backwards into a chair.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his face and voice full of concern.

“Winded, that’s all,” She gasped.

“Here.” She took his hand and placed it just under her ribcage just as the baby aimed a kick under his hand.

He looked at her with a curious, unreadable expression. ‘My... our child.’ Somehow it all felt more... real. Feeling it squirm in her womb, a living thing, tangible. Before it had been impossible to believe but now, the concept felt more solid. In a few months he and his wife, (and even that term was still new to him) would have a tiny human life made of both of them combined, to depend upon them.

The usually emotionless man was confused by a constant blend of pride, joy and fear at his new responsibility. While at first, the revelation had filled him with trepidation, he had now gotten used to the idea. He found himself at quiet moments imagining sitting at the staff table, watching his son or daughter being sorted, hopefully Slytherin. Perhaps they would become a Prefect, maybe Head student?

Sadira noticed him lost in his reverie and smiled even wider. Marriage and children had come sooner for her than she had planned, but despite the dangerous time in which they lived she couldn’t be happier.

He knelt before her and kissed the bump which was now most definitely becoming noticeable.

“I am going to miss you.” He whispered in a rare moment of melancholy.

“I’ll miss you too, Love. I’ll try and visit you as much as I can though.”

“Have you heard from your adopted brother, the ‘Chosen Berk’?” he sneered.

“Sev! Harry’s not all that bad, considering what he’s been through. And yes, I have had one note from him. I’m worried though. It was brief and quite succinct. I don’t think he’s grieving well at all. He’s probably bottling it all up and not dealing with it. Possibly projecting his pain outward, I don’t know. Ron doesn’t write to me anymore and Ginny wouldn’t break his confidence. Somehow, I don’t believe he knows how to cope with bereavement and no-one’s talking to him about it. It isn’t good for him.”

“You seem to be taking it in your stride.”

“Come on Severus, you know me better than that. Life goes on, so we have to put on a brave face. The only reason I’m not a wailing, useless lump of flesh is because I have a job to do, a husband to look after and a baby to prepare for. Besides, I’ve been through this before with Mum. I don’t think Harry’s ever lost anyone important to him before.” She said.

Severus raised a brow at this.

“Yes, I know but he didn’t know his parents and was too young when he lost them. It doesn’t count.”

Severus put the things she had already prepared on the table and began to fix breakfast for them both.

“I’m not an invalid, I can still make my own breakfast in my own kitchen!” she huffed irritably.

“I realise that, however I thought you might appreciate being taken care of by your thoughtful husband before I must leave you to fend for yourself.” He snapped.

She gaped, a little ashamed for dismissing his efforts.

“I’m sorry Sev; I do appreciate everything you do for me.” She replied in a small voice.

He turned with a half-smile and began to dish up her meal.

“It’s just that everyone else keeps treating me like I’m made of glass now and it’s starting to grate on my last nerve.” She explained.

He placed in front of her a plate of brown toast and scrambled egg, a bowl of fruit salad and a glass of milk.

“Eat it all. I know full well you never eat properly and as this is the last day I can keep an eye on you, you will get the nourishment you and the baby need.” He ordered in a tone that would make even the hardiest sixth year gulp with fear.

“Of course Darling.” she replied sarcastically, grinning falsely before glaring at the enormous breakfast in front of her. He however sat opposite her with just a cup of coffee and some toast.

“And where’s the healthy breakfast for the expectant father?” She asked petulantly.

“I do not have to provide the nutrients for our child’s growth. Besides, Poppy and the Headmaster will make sure I eat well enough once I return to the castle.”

“I know. Did they say who would be taking over your old position?” she asked.

“Yes, my old Head of House; Slughorn. I know you pretended to be happy for me and congratulated me, but I know you are not happy I finally got the position I wanted.” He sighed wearily, flinging the newspaper into a corner in irritation at the drivel it was spewing that morning.

“I am happy for you, really I am. I know you’ll be great; I’m just concerned about the jinx on the job. I had six defence teachers in seven years! I don’t want you to be in any more danger than you already are.”

“I already explained; I probably won’t be at Hogwarts next year. I have my orders. I only wish I didn’t have to let you worry and shoulder the burden my actions will cause.” He replied.

She crossed the table and held his head in her hands.

“No more of this. I made a Vow to remain devoted to you no matter what. Nothing you could ever say or do could convince me to leave your side now.” She assured him, pressing his head to her chest and kissing the top of his head.

“I don’t deserve you.” He whispered mournfully into her cleavage.

“You deserve so much more.” She replied tearfully, running her hands to his bare shoulders under his dressing gown. “Now, are you getting in the shower first or am I?”

“Perhaps you would care to join me?” he asked hopefully.

“Sorry Love but I’m getting too big for that now.” She chuckled, rubbing her belly. “I just about fit in there on my own!”

“Ah well. A man can live in hope.” He replied with a rakish grin she found so hard to resist.

“I suppose we could go back to bed for a bit first. After all, we don’t have anywhere to go today.” She hinted.

“No, I don’t technically have to be at the castle until dinner tonight.” He replied, backing her into the bedroom again.


Much later; both sated, showered and dressed, they exited her flat to spend some time together before the new term separated them. She planned on a walk in Hyde Park, with a picnic, but they were interrupted before a lilting Indian voice calling her name.

“Sadira?”

“Yes Mrs. Mistry?” she replied brightly, turning to greet a middle aged woman of medium height and build wearing a heavily embroidered and beaded sari of henna green. The woman eyed Snape warily, mistrust of the tall dark stranger evident in on her face.

“Allow me to introduce my husband; Severus Snape. Severus, this is my neighbour Nimisha Mistry. She looks out for me and keeps an eye on the flat and Nightshade when I have to work away.” Sadie explained.

“How do you do madam?” He said charmingly, bowing over her hand with old-fashioned gentility. He sensed a Muggle version of Molly Weasley behind the bright bangles and sharp brown eyes. She seemed surprised, both by his appearance and his impeccable manners.

“I have heard much about you Mr Snape. I hope you will be taking good care of her now she is continuing your family, as is your duty. I confess I was quite disappointed to find her in a pregnant state with her husband so far away and no family to take care of her.” The well meaning woman chided.

“As you are no doubt aware already, my employment keeps me far from her for the majority of the year. I teach in a private boarding school in Scotland and must soon return for the duration of the year. However, I intend on spending a great deal more time with my family, as soon as I can arrange it in fact.” he assured her. The woman nodded in appreciation and, bidding them good-day, returned to her own door.

“Thank you for being so polite and forthcoming. I know you must have been itching to tell her to get lost, but she’s a good, kind woman. She has been looking out for me ever since I moved here.” Sadira said, linking her arm with his as they descended the stairs of the building.

“If her concern for you had not been so obvious, I would have ignored her completely. I am somewhat reassured to know there are those in your community who will be watching over you in my absence.”

“Come on, let’s get this picnic underway before we’re delayed any further and you have to go back.”


Some time later, Severus and Sadira were sat on a blanket under a tree, shaded from a rare spot of late summer sun with the remains of a thoroughly demolished packed lunch. If any passers-by thought they made an odd couple, they certainly couldn’t have denied they were a happy one.

She was leaning against his chest, absently playing with a lock of her hair while he sprawled out, allowing the breeze to play with the pages of the book he wasn’t really reading anyway. His mind was not only miles, but years away; remembering summers spent in a similar way with Lily, albeit in platonic manner. He wondered if she would have liked Sadie. Would she be happy for him now he had a family of his own? Would she forgive him, knowing everything he had done to help her son? He sighed deeply.

Sadira heard, and raised her head with a questioning and concerned expression. He gazed deep into those bright green eyes, darker than Lily’s and filled with a love hers had never held for him. He realised it didn’t matter. He would always love Lily, she was his first love, but in a different way.

He finally had a chance of happiness and a wonderful woman who returned his love. Now if only despot Dark Lords and twinkly eyed Headmasters could stop running his life, he might actually get the chance to enjoy it. If he lived that long.

He smiled down at her, but he knew she wasn’t fooled. Master Occlumens as he was, this woman knew his every mood and could read him like a book. Perhaps it was something to do with their bond. Perhaps it was the amulet she had made for him. He found he didn’t mind. If only one person in the world could see through him, he was glad it was her.

“It’s getting late. We should pack up.” He said finally.

“You’re right. I suppose you’ll have a lot to do before the horrors, I mean future of the Wizarding world, arrive.” She replied.

There, two more good reasons why he loved her; her sense of humour and ability to not ask awkward questions.


They avoided distressing topics as they walked back to the flat, neither wanting to ruin what had turned out to be a pleasant day. Once they returned and Sadie put away the things from their lunch, she turned sombre.

“How soon will I be able to see you again?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. I will have to ask Albus. If it happens that you are safer at Hogwarts than in London, I will speak to him about you moving back into my quarters, however under the current climate, you are safer here. Take your leave as early as possible. I believe the Ministry is a target as well.” He warned her.

“Alright, I will. The earliest I can take Maternity leave is November. Perhaps if it’s not too dangerous, I could spend the Holidays with you?” she asked hopefully. He looked at her, loath to give her false hope or to bring her down.

“We shall have to see. Your safety is paramount.” He sighed.