Another Dark Star

Chapter 37


Sadira cursed quietly to herself and waddled uncomfortably up to where Severus had told her Slughorn’s office was. Despite it being the middle of winter, she was dressed in a cap sleeved, blue velvet empire-line dress with silver embroidery that was cut to flatter her bump and her best black velvet cloak. She was still uncomfortably warm.
Uncomfortably large too; she was finding it difficult to walk.

She was almost wishing she hadn’t bothered coming but after three weeks on maternity leave she was desperate for company. Mrs Mistry only popped round occasionally, Tonks was working, and miserable company, and Nightshade had died in an accident with a car that week leaving Sadie distraught and the flat very empty. So, gathering her skirts she carried on, following the sound of loud music and soon came upon a large room done up like a Bedouin tent. She had to admit she was impressed.

She removed her cloak and set it on a chair with some others, revealing the low cut bodice pulled tight over her now enormous breasts and her ever-present Celtic cross. She was now 36 weeks and the baby was acting as a little furnace, some nights she actually had to open the window she was so hot!

Glancing around the room she noticed a few familiar faces; students she had taught the year before. Some were quite surprised to see her, but she thought that maybe they were only surprised to see how big she had gotten. However she couldn’t see Severus yet.

“Hello my dear Lady. Might I ask what brings you to my little soiree? I don’t believe we’ve met.” Said a large man who looked rather like a velvet walrus.

“Ah, you must be Professor Slughorn. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m looking for my husband.” She began.

Slughorn was about to ask who had the delightful honour of such a lovely wife when the dark forbidding form of Severus Snape appeared by her side.

“Sadira.” He greeted, almost smiling.

“Severus, I thought you were going to meet me at the gate?” she chided, but smiling offered him her arm to link.

Much as she longed to throw her arms around him and kiss him, she knew he would never allow such an intimate display in a public place such as this where students attended.

“I apologise my Dear, I was needed elsewhere.” He said quietly.

“Severus, this is your wife?” Slughorn asked in disbelief.

“Horace, may I introduce my wife, Sadira Snape; nee Prewett-Black.” Snape said.

“Prewett-Black?” Slughorn asked, his face lighting up at two well known names. “Oho, so that’s why Delilah Prewett never took her OWLs! Well, I can’t say I’m surprised; she was always getting up to mischief with Sirius. By the way how is your mother?”

“Dead.” She replied simply.

“Oh, sorry to hear that.” He replied, not very convincingly.

“So... the last pureblood Black scion eh? And Prewett’s strong powerful blood too. I expect you were a Gryffindor like your parents?” Slughorn asked. She snorted in reply.

“Hardly; Slytherin like the rest of the Blacks.” She told him.

“Excellent, all us Slytherins together. I was Severus’ Head of House back in the day when your parents were here too.” Slughorn reminisced.

He cocked his head at the last remark, seemingly calculating some new revelation.

“Exactly how old are you my dear?” He asked, glancing suspiciously at Severus who huffed in irritation.

“I’m twenty-two.” She sighed resignedly, accustomed to this reaction to their age difference.

“So how did you two meet then?” he asked.

“I’m sure you’ve worked out that if she is too young to be one of your students that I was her Head of House.” Snape snapped irritably.

“She was Head Girl and somewhat of a Potions prodigy. We became...friends... in her final year.” Snape admitted.

“Potions prodigy?” Slughorn repeated. “No wonder you liked her, eh Severus? You must have been pretty special to gain his friendship.”

“Well I did get Outstanding plus a distinction on my NEWT. In one session I successfully brewed; Hermaphromorpha Potion, Veritaserum, Draught of Living Death, Angel tears Potion, and the antidote to Liquid Agony poison.” She said smoothly.

“Blimey! Such talent. I imagine you were snapped up by some research company?” Slughorn asked, visibly impressed.

“Actually I’m an Auror, on leave at the moment though obviously.” She replied, gesturing to her belly.

“Yes, congratulations by the way. Severus keeps his private life so close to his chest; I barely even knew he was married.” Slughorn said.

“I’m surprised he even told you that.” She smiled.

“Actually he didn’t; I noticed the ring and Minerva told me. Incidentally I get the impression she doesn’t like you I’m afraid.” Slughorn replied.

“Oh, she likes me ok, she just doesn’t approve.” She told him, gesturing between herself and Snape, who had placed his arm surreptitiously around her so the students couldn’t see.

“It’s none of her business anyway.” Snape grumbled.

“Oh do cheer up Severus; this is supposed to be a party after all! How can you be miserable with your lovely young wife by your side?” Slughorn admonished. Snape merely glared at him as he retreated to mingle with the rest of his important guests.


“Sadie!” shrieked Ginny, dashing over.

“Ginny, how are you sweet?” Sadira beamed, hugging her little cousin.

“Cripes, you’re huge!” Ginny blurted out. Sadira laughed.

“Thank you for that insightful observation. I wondered where my toes had gone.” She smirked.

“You sound more like him every day.” Ginny remarked, gesturing to where Snape was stood.

“How’s everyone else; Hermione, Harry, Ron?” she asked.

“Don’t talk to me about Ronald! He’s been an absolute git. He upset Hermione and now he and his new girlfriend put on such a revolting display no-one can stand to be in the common room when they are there.” The fiery redhead vented.

“Ron got a girlfriend? For real this time?” Sadie asked, her eyebrows shooting to her hairline.

“Yes, a simpering idiot called Lavender. And he’s been absolutely foul to me and poor Hermione.” Ginny said vehemently.

“Well, Ronald Dearest always was an insensitive prig with no grasp on the finer points of human interaction.” Sadie drawled. Snape snorted at that last remark. Apparently, although he was facing the rest of the room looking out for trouble, he was still following their conversation with half an ear. At that moment, Filch burst in dragging Draco Malfoy in by his ear.

“I’ll be back shortly Love.” Snape whispered, kissing her briefly on the cheek and sweeping off to deal with Malfoy.

“That’s still weird.” Ginny snorted

“What is?” asked Sadira distractedly.

“Snape being nice.” She giggled.

“Oi, don’t you go badmouthing my husband. Or else!” defended Sadie with a threatening finger,

“Or else what, tubby?” Ginny teased. Sadira leaned as close as she could to Ginny, noting that in her flat slippers she was good few inches shorter than her now.

“Or I’ll snog him full-on in front of you when he gets back.” She threatened with a wicked glint in her eye. Ginny laughed.

“So... not long to go eh?” Ginny asked, changing the subject.

“About four weeks, maybe less even.” Sadie replied.

“Wow, a tiny Snape-let. Can I?” she asked reaching out.

“Of course.” Sadie replied, allowing Ginny to place a hand on her abdomen.

“Try here.” She suggested, moving the hand to the top of the bump where she was rewarded with a hard kick.

“Hermione, come here quick.” Ginny called to her friend who was still trying to evade Cormac McLaggen.

“Madam Snape, how are you?” Hermione asked, slightly surprised to see her.

“Fine Hermione. You can call me Sadira you know; I’m not your teacher anymore.”

“Hermione, feel this it’s amazing.” Ginny gushed, grabbing Hermione’s hand and placing it where hers had been. Hermione felt a firm kick. Moments later, Sadira’s jaw dropped and she gasped in agony, clutching her bump.

“Oh my, what’s wrong? Did I do something?” asked a worried Hermione.

“Nothing, it’s just, ow, contractions.” Sadie replied, gasping and panting. Both girls looked at each other in panic.

“I’ll go get Madam Pomfrey.” Said Hermione.

“No need, they’re just Braxton-Hicks’, they’ll pass.” Sadie said, moving to sit in a chair, rubbing her bump. “So what’s this I hear about our Ron being exceptionally stupid?” She asked Hermione.

“I.... Urgh, I don’t want to talk about that idiot.” Hermione spat vehemently.

“Ok, I’ll be sure to hex him anyway next time I see him.” Sadie said earning a small smile from the girl.


“Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, what’s going on here?” Snape asked upon finding his wife panting with tears in her eyes and two terrified Gryffindors at her side.

“She’s having contractions Sir.” Hermione supplied. A panicked look spread across his face.

“Just practice contractions Love, I’m fine.” She said, offering him her hand to help her rise. Instead, he knelt down to her level placing a hand on her bump.

“Are you sure?” he asked, concerned.

“Yes, positive. They’re easing off now.” She assured him.

“Ah, there you are Severus. I still say you were a bit hard on the boy.” Slughorn shouted. He had gotten quite tipsy and loud.

“You can never be too hard on a Malfoy.” Snape replied shortly.

“Are you quite alright Mrs Snape?” Slughorn asked.

“Fine Professor, thank you. Just had a few contractions, that’s all.” She sighed.

“Soon be all over, eh?” he said jovially.

“Yes, four weeks to go. I can’t wait, he’s getting too big now.” She replied.

“He? So you know it’s a boy?”

“Not for certain, just a feeling but I‘ve been calling it He.”

“So, are you all ready for the new arrival?” Slughorn asked conversationally.

“Nearly, although we’re still discussing names.” She replied.

“Well Severus, what are your thoughts?” Slughorn asked. Severus smirked wickedly at Sadira.

“Well I have always liked the name Septimus but it will have to wait its turn.” He replied.

“Seventh born? You’ve got to be kidding me.” She spluttered. Slughorn chuckled.

“And what about a girl’s name?” he asked.

“Octavia.” Snape deadpanned. Sadira glared at him

“No bloody chance mister. I am not a bloody brood mare.” She snarled. Snape laughed out loud, terrifying the few students that remained.

“Now Severus, you shouldn’t tease your poor wife, not while she’s suffering.” Slughorn admonished with a smile.

“Oh, don’t go yet, I want you to say hello to Professor Snape and his wife.” Slughorn called to someone who was about to leave and returned with a young wizard wearing designer robes, artfully torn.

“This is the Weird Sisters’ own...” began Slughorn but was cut off by the pop star.

“Sadira.” He growled, animosity radiating off him.

“Gideon.” She acknowledged coldly.

“I see you two know each other already.” Slughorn said redundantly.

“Mr Crumb was in Sadira’s year if memory serves.” Snape supplied, intrigued as to what might have caused a feud between them.

“Mrs Snape?! You married him? After the rumours, I never... bloody hell Sadie, Heathcote is worth more than that!” the young man snorted.

“I don’t care, Heath asked for everything he got. And I’ll have you know I’m perfectly happy in my marriage before you start.” She snapped.

“What is all this about?” Snape asked.

“Gideon here hates me because I dumped his guitarist just before they were due to go on tour so they had to cancel. Apparently, my no good half-arsed ex-boyfriend was so heartbroken. Personally I’m surprised he noticed I’d gone.” She replied

“You really are a bitch Sadie, you deserve him.” Gideon said, pointing at Snape in disgust before storming out.

“You dated a Weird Sister?” Slughorn asked amusedly.

“Briefly yes.” She replied airily.

“You left a rich and famous young pop star because you missed me?” Snape asked in surprise.

“Yep, aren’t you glad.” She smiled. Snape shook his head in disbelief at the revelation.

“Anymore skeletons in your closet I should know about?” he asked.

“Well, I used to date a woman.” She replied. Both wizards gaped at her.

“Obviously it didn’t work out, but after going out with Heathcote Barbary, any woman would be tempted to go gay.” She added.

“Ooh, I’m starving again.” She said out of the blue, snapping the men out of their shocked daze.

“There is an excellent buffet provided my dear lady, over there.” Slughorn managed to say once he recovered.

“Thank you. It seems like I’m constantly hungry these days but I can only manage a small amount at a time.” She said and went in search of a nice sandwich or pumpkin pasty.

Snape and Slughorn stood and stared as she waddled away like a great blue velvet penguin.

“Amazing! That’s quite a hellcat you have there, Severus.” Slughorn said finally.

“You have no idea.” Snape replied and followed his wife, leaving Slughorn smirking at them.


Snape caught up with Sadira as she finished her sandwiches.

“You seem to be having a bit of trouble walking.” He remarked.

“Yeah, my hips and back are getting achy now and I can’t walk far.” she told him.

“In that case, perhaps you should stay here tonight and floo home in the morning.” He suggested, putting his arms around her.

He folded his hands on top of her bump and pressing his chest against her back to support her and relieve some of the weight on her spine.

“Will that be ok with Dumbledore?” she asked, leaning against him.

“The Headmaster has told me you are welcome to stay here at the castle whenever you wish.” He replied.

“That’s nice of him. In that case I’d love to stay.” She said suppressing a yawn.

“I think you should go to bed now.” He admonished.

“Yes Sir.” She smiled sleepily.


They made their excuses and left the party, headed toward the dungeons, Sadie leaning heavily on him for support.

“You look lovely tonight by the way.” He said softly once they reached their rooms.

“Thank you, it’s hard to find something nice that fits over this bump.” She sighed, unzipping her dress and pulling out a nightdress from a drawer on her side of the bed. She groaned as she climbed into bed.

“Are you still in pain?” he asked.

“Just my back. It’s pretty much a constant ache these days.” She grumbled. He slid into the bed behind her.

“Let me help you with that.” He said, rubbing between her shoulder blades with his large hands.

“Oh, that’s nice. Just a bit lower, in the small of my back.” She suggested. He complied, raising the hem of her nightdress to reveal the serpent tattoo he loved.

Firmly but gently he rubbed circles on her lower back and hips, easing the aches the extra weight had caused, taking great care not to hurt her further.

“Better?” he asked after a while, smoothing her nightgown down again.

“Mmm, yeah.” She replied sleepily, rolling over with difficulty to face him and reward him for his efforts with a long soft kiss.

“Gods woman, you’re roasting!” he remarked, feeling the heat she generated as she cuddled up to him.

“I know. I’m all toasty and cuddly.” She babbled. He chuckled and held her close.

“I’ve missed this.” He told her but received no reply. She had already fallen asleep in his arms. He smiled to himself and kissed her head before putting out the lights.

“Goodnight Love.” He whispered to the darkness.