Another Dark Star

Chapter 43

It was late, very late. In fact, if Sadira hadn’t just been up settling Hadrian back to sleep, she wouldn’t have heard the knocking at the door. Tired and bleary-eyed, she shuffled to the door in her satin nightdress and robe.

“Taylor, Mason? What the hell do you want so late?” she snapped in tired confusion. They were probably the last people she expected.

“Mrs Snape, may we come in?” Taylor said in his most serious tone.

“Ok.” She replied, gesturing to her living room. She was beginning to worry, both from the serious looks on the boys’ faces and their formal method of address.

“What’s this about boys? I assume this is business?” she asked, putting on her professional mask to hide her fear.

“Sadira, there’s been an incident at Hogwarts tonight.” Mason began gently.

“Sweet Circe! Severus; is he ok?” she asked, dropping all pretence of calm. Taylor snorted derisively.

“No idea, the filthy coward.” He spat.

“What? How dare you?” she snarled.

“Perhaps I should do the talking mate?” Mason suggested firmly. “Stay objective.” He whispered sharply to Taylor.

Taylor made a face of distaste and turned away. His eyes roamed the room and took in his surroundings.

“Sadira, tonight, a group of Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts.” Mason began. The pale woman whitened further. “Your husband was seen among them and was observed leaving with them when they fled the castle.”

“No.” Sadira said, shaking her head.

“What’s worse is an eyewitness claims he killed Headmaster Dumbledore.” He continued.

“Albus is dead?” she gasped, her hands beginning to tremble.

“I’m afraid so and the only person present who wasn’t a Death Eater claims your husband is responsible.” He said gently.

“No, I don’t believe it. Severus and Albus were dear friends, he would never harm him.” She defended. “What makes you so sure this witness isn’t lying for their own reasons?”

“Because it’s Harry Potter.” Taylor snapped.

“Harry? But Harry hates Severus!” Sadie said

“That may be so, but he’s our only witness and he seemed pretty certain. I don’t think the boy is the type to make this sort of thing up.” Taylor countered.

“Oh, like you didn’t think him capable of fabricating the return of the Dark Lord??” she snapped sarcastically and Taylor glowered. He hadn’t been as trusting at that time and everyone knew it.

“Mrs Snape, have you seen your husband or spoken to him in the last 24 hours?” Taylor asked.

“No, I haven’t even had an owl since last weekend.” She replied.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to check your home for evidence of Dark activity Sadie.” Mason said, sounding truly sorry for having to disturb her.

“What? At two in the morning?” she spluttered indignantly.

“I’m sorry, it’s procedure... as well you know.” He replied firmly.

“Fine, but keep the noise down. My son is asleep.” She snapped.

“You don’t have to watch us if it makes you uncomfortable.” Mason suggested.

“I’m going to check on my son. I will be joining you later.” She said snippily as she left her parlour.

“I don’t know why you’re being so nice to her; she married the greasy murdering bastard.” Taylor growled.

“Because, as far as we know she’s completely innocent. I don’t think she knew he was still a Death Eater, and I hardly think he wrote home with his homicidal plans, do you?” Mason replied drily.

They moved through the living room, checking shelves, cupboards and furniture; first with wands and then physically.

“Looks a bit... normal for the great Bat of the Dungeons, this place.” Taylor commented.

“Well Sadira probably decorated. What do you expect; skulls?” Mason replied.

“You were saying?” Taylor said; holding up a skull shaped candle holder.

Mason just shook his head. As it happened, said skull had been a joke Christmas present to Sadira from Fred and George one year and she had loved it.

Mason was looking wistfully at the high backed comfortable wing chair pride of place by the fireplace. Opposite it was a small, squashy armchair with a chenille throw-over. Next to the wing chair was a small side table with a very advanced Potions book marked about half-way through, a crystal decanter of whisky and matching tumbler.

“Master of the house, eh?” Mason commented quietly to himself.

He stomped down the niggling feelings of jealousy of Sadira’s husband, for having her as his wife and for how loyally she served and loved him. He began to flick through the book for anything useful. It was full of scribbled notes in a cramped hand that he assumed must be Snape’s. They seemed to be all annotations and corrections to the text; nothing incriminating, merely further evidence of the man’s genius.

“Oi, James. Come see this. Have you ever seen the evil git smile?” Taylor shouted.

He pointed to a large photo in an antique silver frame; their wedding photo pride of place on the mantelpiece, next to a small silver box which turned out to be full of floo powder. Snape looked genuinely happy, the first time either of them had seen him so, holding Sadira’s hand. He was dressed in very dark green dress robes, a rare change from his usual black, and he was looking down at Sadira with a look of such love, pride and devotion. He was unrecognisable from the wanted criminal they were hunting as he bent to kiss his blushing bride.

Sadira herself also looked very different from the hardnosed Auror they knew. She looked tiny without her usual boots; her husband towered over her. Her hair was left loose in an abundance of dark curls and she was wearing a green gown that was not revealing, but hugged her frame nicely. James Mason thought she looked like an earth sprite or nymph. They seemed to be such a happy couple. It made what they had to do so much harder.


Sadira walked into her kitchen just as they started checking her cupboards and drawers.

“Quietly! I only just got him off to sleep.” She hissed at them, putting soundproofing charms on her bedroom wall and door. “My neighbours are all Muggles. I don’t need them coming round complaining about the noise.” She added.

“Weird that; the pureblood Slytherin wife of a Death Eater being concerned about mere Muggles.” Taylor snipped under his breath. Mason inspected a cauldron on the stove, bubbling with a dark, purplish-grey viscous potion.

“What’s this?” he asked suspiciously.

“For Hadrian; pain relieving potion for his teeth.” She replied.

“Oh.” He said, quite redundantly.

Again, the young men noticed how normal the house was; scrubbed pine table with a highchair among the mismatched chairs, pristine work surfaces, comforting looking Aga, and tidy cupboards. Not scary or gothic in the slightest. There was even a Muggle Fridge-freezer instead of a charmed cold cupboard common in wizarding homes.

Inside the fridge were some plastic jars full of a creamy coloured liquid. Taylor opened one and sniffed warily.

“Breast milk.” Sadira snapped and he almost dropped it in his eagerness to be rid of it.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to check your bedroom as well.” Mason said while Taylor was checking the larder full of Potions ingredients for anything illegal or potentially harmful. She sighed and hung her head in resignation.

“Fine, if you must. Please be quiet.” She said quietly, pulling her satin robe around herself tighter and once again hiding the cleavage that had been revealed by her nightgown when it worked free.


She stood and watched them, fiddling nervously with the silver chain around her neck as they rifled through her and Severus’ things, in drawers and wardrobes. She stood proud, if a little pink cheeked, while they rummaged through the drawer containing her raciest lingerie and nightwear, some of it gifts from or for her husband. At least she had the satisfaction that the boys had redder faces, particularly when they came across the riding crop and handcuffs!

Severus left very little in the flat anyway. Just changes of clothes and a few books. He was rarely away from Hogwarts enough to need anything else. They even looked through the drawers containing little Hadrian’s clothes, and his changing station.

“Satisfied now?” she hissed in barely controlled fury. She was particularly stung by the implication that she or her husband would allow anything dangerous to be concealed among her son’s things.

Mason popped his head over the cot, looking at the sleeping boy within, with his fine black hair and dressed in blue pyjamas.

“I never got the chance to congratulate you properly.” He said quietly.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but now is neither the time nor the place.” She replied stiffly.

‘Poor kid.’ Mason thought. ‘Dad’s a murderer; what’s your life gonna be like?’ He felt a rush of pity for Sadira. Most likely she would have to raise the kid alone, with her husband on the run or in Azkaban. Wasn’t that what her real father had been like anyway?
Now she was going to have the stigma of the Snape name, she’d have a hard time trying to return to the Ministry.

“That your kid then?” Taylor asked. She glared at him for asking such a stupidly obvious question. “He looks like his dad, poor bastard.” He said.

“OUT!” she snapped, at the end of her tether. Hadrian stirred at the sound, waking with a whimper. “Now look what you made me do.” She sighed, at breaking point.

“Come here babba.” She lifted the boy into her arms and cuddling him. “Mummy’s got you.” She whispered, handing him his little bear.

He seemed unconcerned about having been woken and having Aurors in his room. He reached out to them, expecting to be lifted up, thinking they were just more visitors for him.

“No Darling, they don’t want to pick you up.” She said softly to the happily babbling child.

“I know it’s inappropriate but I wouldn’t mind you know.” Mason said.

Sadira looked at him warily and remembered how well he’d treated her during training. Finally she relented, handing the precious bundle to her friend.

“He’s cute,” he said smiling back at the dribbling boy with piercing black eyes. “Drew was right you know. He does look like his dad.”

“I know.” She replied, smiling faintly.

“You really love Snape, don’t you?” he asked in wonder.

“Yes, I really do. I don’t care what anyone says, he’s my husband and I love him and I miss him.” She replied, on the brink of tears.

“I’m sorry we have to do this Sadira. I’ll be even sorrier if I’m the one who has to bring him in. He won’t escape Azkaban this time.” He said.

“I know, but you’ll never catch him if he doesn’t want to be found.” She told him. “I still think he’s innocent.”

“I hope for both of your sakes you’re right.” He said, putting the boy back in his cot and covering him up, longing for the domestic scene to belong to him. Sadie tapped his night light with her wand and it began playing Brahms’ lullaby while stars and moons played on the ceiling.

“Why don’t you go sit down with a drink, settle your nerves while we go through the bathroom. Andrew can’t do much damage in there.” Mason suggested, joining his partner. Taylor was inspecting the labels on the potions in her bathroom cabinet.

“The whole house is clean. If he had anything dodgy, he didn’t keep it here.” Taylor commented.

“I don’t think she had any idea what her husband was up to.” Mason sighed wistfully as Taylor began rummaging through the bin.

“Shit James, look at this!” Taylor called suddenly.

“What? Poisons? Dark artefacts?” Mason replied sarcastically.

“No, look!” Taylor held out a Muggle pregnancy test. It said positive.

“Oh shit, poor Sadira.” Mason gasped.

“Oh great! More devil spawn.” Taylor said nastily

“Look mate, I know you hate the man, and yes we’re investigating him on suspicion of murder, but Sadira’s our mate. It’s not the kiddies’ fault who their dad is. And for that matter, the only thing we know for sure is that he left with the Death Eaters.” Mason defended on Sadie’s behalf.

“Sorry Jay, but I have a hard time believing she had no idea what he was like. He was a bastard when he taught us. He broke the law when he fucked her in school; I don’t care what anyone says, I know he did. He was a Death Eater for fuck sake. Even if it turns out he’s innocent now, he certainly had to have done some shady shit back in the first time You-know-who was around.” Taylor said vehemently.

“Let’s go ask her then.” Mason said once and for all.


They found her in the front room again, sat in the small chair with a small brandy in her hands.

“For my nerves.” She said.

“Sadira, I know it’s late and you’re tired, but we still have a few more questions.” Mason said.

“Hurry up then; the sooner this is over, the sooner I can go back to bed.” She
complained.

“When was the last time you heard from your husband?” Mason asked.

“Last weekend, I got an owl from him as usual. During term time we write weekly, even if we see each other in between.” She explained.

“What did he say in the letter?” Mason asked again.

“Just the usual; Gryffindors are driving him mental, he wishes he could come home. Nothing out of the ordinary.” She said dismissively.

“Did he mention Dumbledore or a boy by the name of Draco Malfoy?”Mason asked.

“Briefly. Malfoy’s a Slytherin Prefect and also my cousin. He said that Draco’s getting cheeky and disrespectful, but he’s 17. We were all like that at that age.” She replied.

“We believe Malfoy may have taken the Dark Mark.” Mason said delicately.

“It wouldn’t surprise me.” She replied bluntly. Mason took a deep breath in preparation.

“Sadira, did you know your husband had returned to You-know-who’s service?” he asked firmly. She looked at her hands, twirling her wedding ring nervously.

“Yes, Dumbledore asked him to pretend to go back in order to tell him what the Dark Lord was doing.” She confessed. The Aurors were shocked at the revelation. They were also suspicious; that was the second time she had referred to him as ‘the Dark Lord’, an appellation only his followers used.

“Sadira, show me your left arm.” Mason said imperiously.

“WHAT! You think I’m capable? Fuck James, I thought you knew me better than that.” She ranted, yanking up a lace-cuffed sleeve to reveal a flawless alabaster arm, marred only by a silvery scar all around her wrist.

“What’s that?” Taylor asked.

“My Handfasting scar. It’s from when we got married; we had a Binding ceremony.” She explained.

“I’ve never heard of that.” Taylor said, fascinated.

“They’re quite rare these days. It’s like an Unbreakable Vow. We bound together our bodies, hearts and souls in an ancient ritual.” She clarified.

“Why did you marry him?” Taylor asked.

“Because I love him.” She replied exasperatedly, on the verge of tears once more.

“Yeah, but you knew all about what he’d done as a Death Eater. How could you justify that?” Taylor continued, uncaring.

“He repented. He was very young and angry at the world. The years he spent working for Dumbledore saved people’s lives. I think that counts for something.” She defended.

“Does Snape know you’re pregnant?” Taylor asked finally.

“What? How do you know?” she gasped.

“We found the test in your bathroom.” Mason explained.

“No, I only just found out myself.” She said. “I wanted to tell him in person.” She added softly.

“How far along are you?” Mason asked.

“Almost three months.” She replied.

“So when was the last time you...” he asked, leaving the uncomfortable part of his question unsaid.

“Our first Wedding Anniversary. I took Hadrian up to the school. Minerva and Albus agreed to be godparents.” She said hoarsely.

“I see. Well, we’ve done all we needed to tonight. Sadira if he comes here you have to tell us. We need to speak to him. At the minute all we have is Potter’s word against his, but the longer he hides, the worse it looks for him. After all he was seen running from the scene of the crime.” They said as they left.


As soon as the boys left the building, Severus Apparated straight into the living room looking shaken up and worse for wear. His sleeve was shredded and his arm was bloody and his hair was damp with sweat.

“Severus!” Sadira almost shrieked in shock. “Are you ok? There were Aurors here looking for you and...”

“I know.” He cut her off. “I was watching.”

“Is it true, Albus is dead?” she asked. He nodded.

“It was you?” she asked. He dropped into a chair and nodded, looking tired and defeated.

“This is what you and he planned, what Draco was to do?”

“Yes,” he choked. “He was already dying; cursed.” He looked and sounded as though he were holding back tears.

“Oh Severus!” she whispered, dropping to her knees in front of him and pulling him to her in a comforting embrace.

He clung to her like a life raft, letting go the intense emotions he’d had to control.
Finally he wept; hot tears of frustration, anger and soul-wrenching misery. Sadira pressed him to her as he cried.

“I’m sorry.” He choked.

“Oh Severus, I’m sorry too. I love you.” She whispered soothingly stroking his damp hair. He looked at her, still wracked with guilt and remorse.

“How can you, after this?” he asked bitterly.

“I’m your wife; I know you. I will always love you.” She replied.

“What happened to your arm?” she asked as she fully noticed the slashed robe and dried blood.

“Bloody Hippogriff. It’s fine now.” He said dismissively. Sadira kissed him then and it was like summer rain cleansing his soul. He needed her now more than ever as his only oasis of goodness in the world of evil in which he must now immerse himself.

“Come on, you look like you could do with a wash and some sleep.” She insisted.


He allowed himself to be led to the bathroom and undressed. In his current state he barely noticed his wife drop her nightdress to the floor and push him under the warm spray of the shower, washing him gently and tenderly, cleansing him of more than just the grime of the day.

She shut off the water and towelled him off quickly, drying both their hair with a quick charm. He looked ill, as though he’d been on the receiving end of a few Cruciatus. She wondered fearfully how true that comparison might be.

She led him into the bedroom by the hand and wrapped him in the bed with her. It was a warm June night but he was cold. She wrapped her arms around him to warm him and it seemed to wake him from his trance. He looked at his wife as though for the first time that night.

“Thank you.” He whispered, holding her close and burying his face in her hair.

Her skin against his felt so good, so right. He needed her so much. He pulled her beneath him and kissed her deeply. He made love to her slowly but desperately, as though trying to bury himself and his thoughts in this wonderful woman who believed in him and loved him unconditionally. He clung to her for comfort and refuge, all the while murmuring, “I’m sorry,” and “I love you.”

She responded just as gently, looking into his eyes the whole time, letting him know she loved him and wanted him to stay with her always, whispering assurances of love.

Next morning, Severus awoke in Sadira’s arms. He had planned to sneak away while she was asleep but she was already awake and watching him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked quietly.

“I didn’t want you to worry.” He replied.

“Was... the Dark Lord angry with you? It was Draco’s task after all.” she asked tentatively.

“At first he was angry, but only at Draco. I think he intended for me to do it all along. He was more pleased that Dumbledore was actually dead.” He replied. “It seems I am actually elevated in the inner circle because of it. The Dark Lord’s right hand man.” He laughed bitterly.

“Just as Albus planned.” Sadira wondered aloud.

She was angry at Dumbledore for not telling her, and for forcing Severus to tread further into the dark. She knew how hard Severus found it to resist the pull of the Dark Arts.

Hadrian began to cry so she got up to change and feed him. When she had changed his nappy and clothes, she handed him to his father while she readied his breakfast.

“Good morning, my wonderful boy.” Snape smiled, holding his son under his arms and letting him stand, bouncing his legs. He reached out and grabbed his father’s nose, making him laugh.

“Take a good look at your Daddy, Hadrian, you might not get another chance,” he said sadly and pulled the child closer, tucking his head under his chin and hugging him tightly.

“I would have liked to see you grow up, watch you learn to walk, see you perform magic for the first time, see your sorting. Your mother is a strong woman; she’ll be there for you. I want you to be there for her too. She’ll need you to be very good.”

He couldn’t continue anymore. Choked with emotion, he just held his son tightly. He’d grown so quickly; it wouldn’t be long till his First birthday. Severus hoped he would be able to see it. Sadira returned with a warm bottle.

“Do you want to feed him or should I?” she asked

“You. I need to get up.” He replied. She sat back on the bed and took Hadrian back, giving him his bottle.


By the time Severus came out of the bathroom, back into the bedroom to dress, they were gone. He found them in the kitchen. Sadira was trying to feed Hadrian porridge, and he was trying to paint the room in it. There was a pot of tea and a rack of toast on the table. The scene seemed so strange, so normal; like a scene from another man’s life. To watch his wife and son in such domestic bliss; a murderer had no place here.

“Sadie, love, I have to go. I don’t want the Aurors to find me here.” He said.

“Wait! Just a little longer, please Severus.” She begged. “Have something to eat at least.”

He relented, seeing the longing in her eyes. He had missed her as much as she missed him, but he didn’t want to compromise her position just because he got sentimental. He let her serve him some tea and toast and he picked at it the best he could. He pushed his pain and guilt away once more, briefly wondering how long Occlumency could be used to control one’s emotional state before it became harmful.

“Where will you go?” she asked.

“Back to Spinner’s End. When we married I registered my address as here, everyone assumed I sold the old house. The Aurors haven’t been anywhere near the place. I checked the wards last night.” He told her.

“I want to come with you, as soon as possible.” She told him. He blinked at her.

“Impossible; it’s not safe.” He said flatly.

“Severus, I need to be near you. Besides, we need the extra bedroom. Hadrian needs his own room.” She reasoned.

“Hadrian will be fine in his cot in your room for another year at least.” he dismissed. She moved to sit near him.

“Actually Severus, I’m going to need the cot a lot sooner than that.” She said with a nervous smile.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“Sev, I’m pregnant again.” She told him.

“What! When?” he gaped.

“Our Anniversary, remember?” she said encouragingly.

“Pregnant.” He repeated, dazed. After everything that had happened over the last week, this news really knocked him for six.

He pulled his wife onto his knee and kissed her soundly, crushing her to him.

“My wonderful wife, I cannot believe we have been blessed again. I love you so much” he told her.

“I love you too. You are a good man Severus. Remember us when you doubt yourself. You merely shortened a life that was due to end anyway. You lessened his pain, it was merciful. You have created life as well as taken it. All things in this world have balance.” She said, stroking his hair and kissing his face.

“As soon as it is safe, I will make arrangements for the two of you to join me in Spinner’s End. Stay indoors as much as possible and above all avoid the Ministry. The Death Eater’s are planning a coup d’etat.” He warned her.

“I’ll take care Severus, I promise. Just make sure you do the same.” She said.

“I’ll do my best as always.” He replied, kissing her again before disapparating.