Another Dark Star

A/N; What?? No reviews??? And after I gave you all that juicy smut???
Haha, oj. Although reviews make me happier than a fangirl in Hogwarts!! I can't believe this story is nearing the end.....*tear*. but not TOO near the end luckily and I am already besieged with ideas for new fics after this ;) still, the end of an era approaches!!


Chapter 47

It was a hot day in early August, not particularly noteworthy for most of the citizens of London. In one medium sized, one bedroom flat near Soho; a young mother was sat on the floor of her sitting room, watching her son crawl unsteadily over a fluffy white rug. A loud pop in her hallway heralded the arrival of her husband.

“We’re in here Severus.” She called.

The tall, dark figure of Severus Snape appeared in the doorway. His forbidding scowl looked so out of place in the familial scene, until he saw his son crawling and a small smile crept across his features. He stepped into the room and lifted Hadrian into his arms.

“Bad weekend Love?” Sadira asked.

“You have no idea.” He sighed.

Severus sat on the sofa with Hadrian on his lap and Sadira sat next to him, cuddling up to him and offering him silent support. He had been ‘away working’ all weekend and, to her credit, she never asked him what he was doing. She just reminded him subtly that she was there for him and trusted that if he wanted to talk about it, he would. This week however was a talking time.

“The Ministry has fallen Sadira, the Dark Lord is now in control of Wizarding Britain.” He informed her.

“What does that mean for us?” she asked.

“Well, for a start; I am to return to Hogwarts as Headmaster.” He told her. She sat open mouthed in shock for a moment.

“Well, normally I would offer congratulations, but I know how hard this will be for you.” She said sympathetically.

“Dumbledore predicted this would happen. He wanted me to protect the children and with me as Headmaster, the Carrows cannot cause as much harm.” He replied.
Hadrian had climbed up his father’s coat and was stood, bouncing happily, on Snape’s knees, holding onto his shoulders for support. He grinned happily at his dad, drooling into the formidable wizard’s lap contentedly.

“Still teething I see?” he asked wryly, cleaning himself up with his handkerchief while Sadie put their baby back on the rug to practice his crawling some more.

“Yes. Thanks for that balm recipe you sent me. He doesn’t seem to be in as much pain these days.” She replied, kissing him briefly on the cheek.

Their eyes met as she pulled away and she saw how much he had missed her. He reached out and brushed a stray curl from her pale face before leaning and kissing her softly. She sighed into their kiss and moved closer, lightly placing her arms on his shoulders, her fingers playing with the ends of his hair.

“I’ve missed you so much Severus. How much longer must we live like this?” she asked mournfully.

“Not another moment longer, if you so wish.” He replied.

“What do you mean?” she asked, puzzled and hardly daring to hope.

“The Death Eaters run the Ministry. I am no longer a wanted man. I have been officially named as Headmaster and the Prophet is being used to implicate Potter in Albus’ death. It is ‘safe’ for us to live together once more.” He informed her.

She looked as though she were going to say something in reply, but suddenly stood and bolted out of the room. After making sure Hadrian would be safe, Severus stood and followed her. He found her knees over the toilet, shaking. She had clearly just been sick and was trying to compose herself. She stood in front of the sink, splashing her face with water and rinsing out her mouth.

“Are you alright?” he asked her concernedly.

“Fine now, just morning sickness.” She replied dismissively.

“Morning sickness? At six in the evening?” he remarked. She shot him a withering look and he stiffened, offended at his young wife implying that he was a moron.

“I’ve been sick a lot lately, but I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I suppose this pregnancy is just affecting me differently to when I had Hadrian.” She said.

“Have you seen a mid-witch recently?” he asked. She looked shifty.

“Why not?” he snapped.

“I’d rather not walk into the Maternity ward of St Mungo’s and announce that Mrs Snape has an appointment with the Healer. I’m sure the Healers and Mid-Witches would be fine, but the other mothers would be mutinous.” She said sadly.

She hated to remind him of how his actions had affected his family. He placed his arms around her, resting his hands on her belly where his second child was growing, as yet unnoticeable.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered.

“It’s not your fault Sev. You had no choice.” She soothed.

“I’m concerned about you. Not only the sickness; I’m sure you were bigger than this at four months with Hadrian.” He pressed.

“I’m sure it’s nothing, really. But if it makes you feel any better, I’ll see a Muggle Midwife.” She compromised.

He looked horrified at the thought of his precious wife and child being subjected to the barbarism of Muggle health practices. As if she read his mind, she smiled and reassured him.

“Midwife, Severus, not a doctor. You know it was witches who taught the Muggles the craft of Midwifery.” She said.

“Very well. As it is either that or nothing I suppose it will have to do.” He sighed.

“Now, weren’t you saying something before I felt ill?” She asked; skilfully redirecting the conversation as they returned to the living room to check on Hadrian. He was sat up on the rug, chomping on the tail of a large plush dragon; a Welsh Green. A grin crept across Snape’s face.

“Ah yes. I was suggesting that now might be an excellent time for us to move back into Spinners End.” He said.

“Really?” she said, starting to get excited.

“Of course; I want you by my side. At the very least, you can protect me from those harridan aunts of yours.” He joked.

“Oh yes, Cissy and Bella. I have a bone to pick with them.” She growled with a murderous countenance.

“Sadira, you must keep up the act. You must pretend to be proud to have the Dark Lord’s right hand and Dumbledore’s killer for a husband.” He said earnestly. She looked at him long and hard as though trying to work him out.

“But my Love; I am proud of you. You played your part so well to gain such a position and no one save mental Aunt Bellatrix doubts your loyalty to the Dark Lord. You have fooled the most terrifying Dark wizard who ever lived. I could not be more proud.” She replied, holding him close.

He held her tightly, thankful that his wife was such an understanding witch.

“Are you still practicing Occlumency?” he asked her.

“Every night before bed.” She replied.

“Good girl. I pray you never need it but...”

“We can never be sure.” She finished for him. He nodded.

“Now, how soon can you be ready to move?” he asked.

“Tonight, if you help me.” She replied.

“Keen aren’t we?” he chuckled. Personally he didn’t see the appeal of his old home, but he knew she felt happy there.

“I want my husband in my bed at nights again.” She replied.

“And what of this apartment?” he asked.

“Well, I’d rather not sell it yet. You never know when we might need the place. Perhaps I could rent it out?” she mused.

“That would be acceptable I suppose.” He replied.

“An extra source of income too,” She pointed out. “And as only you know about my Muggle Bank account, the Ministry will remain in the dark.” Severus smiled proudly.

“You know my dear, you are so gentle and loving that sometimes I forget that there’s a devious little Slytherin underneath.” He remarked.

She chuckled, but the chuckle became a retch that she just managed to control. Severus looked at her critically and saw dark circles and her skin looked drawn and wan.

“Are you sure you’re alright? What have you been taking for the sickness?” he asked, his voice soft with concern.

“Just an infusion of lemon and ginger; very mild, with a bit of ginseng for the tiredness.” She replied.

He nodded his approval of her chosen remedy. After all, she was pregnant with one child and still breastfeeding another. She daren’t take anything too strong.

“Furniture; what are we keeping of yours and what of mine?” she asked. He snorted derisively.

“As if any of mine is worth keeping! No, your taste is much preferable.” He replied. “But my bookcases stay.” He added as an afterthought.

“Of course; I wouldn’t dream of touching the bookcases.” She assured him with a smile. Hadrian seemed to have tired himself out and looked like he was beginning to doze.

“Bedtime for you, little man.” Sadie said, picking him up and carrying him to the cot in their room. Severus picked up the slightly damp dragon and followed her, tucking both boy and toy in under a thin blanket when she laid him down to sleep.

“I am missing so much.” He sighed, gently stroking the boy’s fine black hair as he dozed.

“You’re here as often as you can be. That’s all either of us can ask.” She said, slipping her hand into his free one.

“This summer everything will be as it should be. But come September, how do I let you both go?” he asked rhetorically.

Sadira pulled him to the bed and made him lie down next to her, encircled in each other’s arms.

“Have I told you how I admire your strength Severus? I am frequently amazed at how you triumph despite the obstacles put in your path. You can do this. You will see the Dark Lord defeated and he will never know that his most faithful servant was the one who betrayed him.” She said.

“I wish I had your optimism Love.” He replied, stroking her hair.

He still found the flow of the silky strands through his fingers as soothing and relaxing as he had when she was a student in her 7th year. She had always been there through his difficult times, save that awful period when his own pride and jealousy parted her from him.

“I’m not optimistic, I just have faith in you.” She told him. He kissed her then; urgently, like a drowning man desperate for air.

“Every day, I am thankful to whatever gods brought you to me Sadira. I am ever grateful for your faith, understanding and most of all your love. In this dark and trying time, it is good to know there is one person who understands and believes in me.” He told her.

“Always my Love. I will always be here for you. Nothing will keep us apart again.” She vowed.

“Except the beginning of term.” He corrected her bitterly.

“We could come and stay with you. After all, no-one could countermand the Headmaster.” She suggested.

“Absolutely not!” he said furiously.

“Why not?” she asked.

“My darling Sadie; The school will be run by Death Eaters, the other staff will despise me and, with the exception of Slytherin, the students will be constantly terrified. That is not the atmosphere I want my wife and children subjected to.” He replied in his classroom voice. She had long since learned that this was his way of showing that he considered the matter closed.

“But I will come and visit you, I won’t leave you on your own.” She said defiantly. “Besides, I can drop in on Poppy and get her to check the baby.” She added.

He sighed wearily. He knew his wife could be a stubborn moo when she wanted to be and he hadn’t the heart to discourage her from seeing him. It was after all what he deeply desired also, selfish as it was. He knew he would need her presence at some point. It would give him the strength to cope with the Carrows’ scheming and Minerva’s accusing glares. Oh yes, and he had yet to deal with Dumbledore’s portrait.

“Fine, but you will owl me first.” He relented, holding her close and breathing in her familiar perfume; still honeysuckle and roses, a comforting constant. Perhaps moving house could wait till tomorrow.