Another Dark Star

Chapter 46 – Auror Year

They woke late the next morning, the warm spring sun pouring in the window and disturbing their slumber. They had breakfast in bed; a lazy luxury that neither of them had time for on a daily basis. It was heavenly, being able to lay naked side by side, munching on fresh buttery croissants and drinking the bitter French coffee. Severus even tried to teach her to read the morning newspaper as a primer to her French lessons.

“I believe we should visit the wizarding part of the city first, then we will have more time to explore the muggle sites.” Severus decided. Ordinarily, they would never be able to see everything they had planned to in Paris in only one day, but when you can apparate directly from landmark to landmark, their itinerary became instantly more achievable.

They started on the Place des Magies; the French equivalent to Diagon Alley. They saw Beauxbatons students doing a bit of last minute shopping with their parents, topping up their school supplies.

They were both very tempted to go down l’Avenue de la Macabre; the French Knockturn Alley. However, this trip was meant to be romantic and shopping for Dark artefacts was hardly conducive to a romantic atmosphere, even for this odd couple. That and the fact that a trainee Auror and a former Death Eater would be in an awful lot of trouble if caught smuggling illegal items into Britain. That was NOT the way they wanted their relationship to be made public!

Eventually Sadira left him in Danté’s world-famous historic Apothecary and disappeared down the Rue de Laverne Montmorency. Named for the famous inventor of Love Potions, this street was packed with robes boutiques, lingerie and shoe shops, beauty salons, jewellers and little shops selling love and beautifying potions. It was a veritable girly paradise.

Despite being a trainee and on an apprentice’s wage, her mother had left her quite a few Galleons as well as Muggle money so she decided to treat herself, and Severus, to a little something from the lingerie shop. After convincing herself that she needed some sexy shoes to complete the seductive ensemble, and expending quite a few Galleons, she returned to the Place des Magies to rescue the French Apothecaries from her boyfriend.

Having prised him out of the Apothecary, she convinced him to step into the Muggle world. They Apparated directly to the Louvre, which was packed out. The famous gallery was full of tourists like themselves, both Muggle and Wizard. They marvelled at the old masterpieces and the Opulence of the former palace. Sadira joked with Severus that if only these portraits could talk like Wizarding ones, what stories could they tell?
Severus replied that he would be most curious to hear what the Mona Lisa was smirking about.

It was too beautiful a day to spend indoors so they left the gallery and went for a walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, which was close by. Severus learned that Sadira loved gardens. He watched with amusement and adoration as she delighted in the fragrances on the light breeze. They walked hand in hand through the leafy arbours, enjoying the warm weather and the opportunity to be close to one another. Other couples smiled and greeted them with polite nods and a brief ‘bonjour’ as they passed. To Severus this felt strange; to be greeted by complete strangers merely on the common basis of sharing a day out in the spring air with their beloved. Usually people avoided him when they saw him in the street. Either because he had taught them and they were afraid, or because they knew of his Death Eater past and were terrified.

Sadira watched him when she thought he wasn’t looking. Her heart soared to see him looking so happy and carefree and she felt proud that she had been at least part of the cause. She loved to see him smile as it happened so rarely and it made him look so much younger.

After a spot of lunch, they apparated to the Cathedrale de Notre Dame. Sadie loved the Gothic architecture of the ancient building and the sense of peace and serenity it radiated. It was as if the stones had soaked up centuries of devout worship and meditation and it was now palpable in the air. Stood in the church facing the altar, hand in hand with Severus felt so right and natural. She blushed when she realised exactly what she was thinking, but fortunately, he was distracted by the stained glass windows and didn’t notice her flight of fantasy.

They avoided the crowds on the Champs-Elysées but made but made sure to visit Versailles palace. Severus snorted that the interior design reminded him of Malfoy Manor; overdone and tacky. Sadie smiled at his grouchiness; she knew he often felt inferior due to how his so called friends had treated him at school. She told him that while fine palaces were ok to visit once in a while, she much preferred the cosy atmosphere of Spinners End. He clearly didn’t believe her, but was touched that she would say such a thing.

“Spinners End, cosy?” he scoffed.

“It is very cosy when there’s just you and me together on the sofa, cuddled up.” She replied, nestling her head against his chest as they walked around, following the guide, with their arms round each other.

As they had been touring the city, Severus had been teaching her little bits of French here and there and, thanks to a memory retention charm he knew, she was beginning to get the hang of it. Soon however, it began to get dark. They Apparated back to the hotel to get their luggage.

Before they left, they changed for dinner. Severus dressed in the same blue suit he had worn when celebrating her NEWTs results and Sadie wore a simple but elegant black dress, but with her new lingerie and shoes underneath. Severus was in for a surprise that night!


After shrinking their luggage and pocketing it, they had dinner at the same little cafe they had eaten at the night before. By the time they finished their meal, it had become dusk and they went to see the Arc de Triomphe all lit up.

“Shall we go up the Tower before we leave?” Severus suggested, pointing to the imposing structure of the Eiffel Tower, also lit up like a Christmas tree. She paused a moment before answering.

“Yes, I think it’ll be ok.” She replied nervously.

She gripped his hand very tightly as the lift brought them higher. He knew she was terrified of heights, but he also knew it would be worth facing her fear to experience this.

When they got to the top, he wrapped his arms protectively around her, reassuring her as he walked her to the edge of the balcony. She felt less afraid with his arms encircling her and his chest pressed against her back.

“See, wasn’t this worth it?” he whispered into her ear, his breath tickling her neck.

In front of her was the most spectacular view of Paris sprawled below them, lights twinkling like neon stars. She could see the crazy French drivers whizzing up and down the Champs – Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe below them, looking very small compared to when they were stood right by it. Off in the distance she could see the Moulin Rouge, and the Basilica du Sacre Coeur floodlit at the top of Montmartre.

“Severus, this is amazing. Thank you so much Love. I’ll never forget what a wonderful weekend this was.” She sighed, turning in his arms to kiss him softly.

Instead of replying he just pulled her closer, kissing her deeper and letting her know how she affected him. She gasped at how forward he was being in such a public place. It was so unusual for him. She smiled at his wicked grin and buried her hands in his hair as she was so fond of doing, kissing him again and arching her body against him, making him choke back a moan.

“Shall we go home now?” he asked huskily.

“I feel like I never want to leave Sev. But yes, we can go now I think.” She sighed.

He smiled and retrieved the silver comb from his pocket. There was no-one around so he quickly pulled out his wand and cast ‘Portus’ on it again. Another furtive glance around to make sure no Muggles spotted them and they touched the Portkey together.

Sadira was surprised when she realised that he had altered their destination to Spinners End.

“You said it was cosy.” He said tauntingly at her inquisitive look.

“Oh yes, very cosy.” She replied, dropping her luggage out of her coat pocket and slipping her jacket from her shoulders.

He smirked as he followed suit. As soon as his Muggle jacket hit the chair, she dove on him, clouding his mind with her hot, wet mouth on his, while her fingers scrambled to undo his buttons, sliding her hands over his bare chest before pushing the cotton shirt from his shoulders.

He stood there, dazed and powerless under the force of her passion while she trailed her mouth down his throat, leaving little marks. He would be glad of his stiff high collar come morning when he realised what she had done.

She bit his shoulder in her abandon and the sharp pain woke him from his trance. He lifted her up and carried her up the stairs, throwing her onto the bed. With a flick of his wand the room was bathed in soft candlelight.

His eyes fell on Sadira, looking up at him with such love and longing, glowing in the soft light like some dark angel. Oh how he loved her, how he wanted her! And how he dreaded saying goodbye to her tomorrow morning till gods knew when. He flicked his wand again, as though trying to remove a fly, and soft music began to play. Her smile grew wider and he returned it, sitting on the bed beside her and leaning in to kiss her gently.

“You know Severus; under that terrifying facade you hide behind, you are a hopeless romantic.” She teased.

“I am not!” he replied defensively.

“But you make me want to be.” He added softly.

He was too busy removing her dress to notice the tears of joy that welled before she swiftly blinked them away. That weekend had been more than an apology. It marked a change in their relationship. Although neither of them commented on it, they each knew something had changed between them. Neither of them wanted to go back to hiding and secrets after experiencing what it was like to be open about their love.

Severus’s eyes lit up when he noticed the black silk and lace confection she had purchased from the French boutique. He loved it when she surprised him by dressing up for him. She was one of very few people who could surprise him at all. He undressed quickly and returned to her, sliding his hands reverently over the soft fabric, sending tingles through her at his delicate touch. He smirked when he saw her nipples pebble under the flimsy teddy and he swirled his fingertips over them lightly, making them even harder.

She pressed her body against his and watched his eyes flutter closed in ecstasy as the soft fabric brushed against his erection, teasing him exquisitely. In seconds he had her laid bare before him, she didn’t even notice how. All she knew was that suddenly he was above her, around her, inside her; filling her senses with his essence.

As they made love that night their hearts felt full to bursting; an ache in their chests that was eased only by the closeness of their lover. They gazed deep into each other’s eyes, beyond into their souls; a closeness born of deepest love. When they reached their climax they could feel the connection deepen between them as they saw their pleasure reflected in each other’s faces.

Severus finally drifted off to sleep, watching Sadira breathing deeply in slumber as he held her close. He wondered what he had done, how he deserved to be so happy. He should have known it was destined not to last.