Another Dark Star

Chapter 48

Within a week of Severus’ announcement, the Snape family were all packed and moved to Spinner’s End. An Estate Agent was also found to let out the flat on their behalf. Sadira had enjoyed redecorating Severus’ old room, making it light blue and yellow for Hadrian. No longer would the little box room remind him of his miserable childhood. Instead it would know the sound of a child’s laughter now his son was sleeping and playing there.

Downstairs, Sadira had warded the bookcases heavily now that Hadrian was mobile so that the lower shelves could only be accessed by an adult. This prevented the tot from destroying his father’s precious volumes and also from climbing up and hurting himself.

Aside from the rare occasion when Snape was called to advise Voldemort, the small family was happy. Hadrian loved exploring his new home, Sadira was happy to be able to spend more time with her husband and Severus felt a lot more comfortable being able to make love to his wife now their son no longer shared their room.

Her morning sickness still remained however, and she became very tired and ill. She tried to get out and about with Hadrian as much as possible, taking him to the shops, the park and the library. She had even managed to befriend another young mum, a Muggle by the name of Lucy Springer and her daughter Amelia. In the current war situation, living as a Muggle had its benefits.

However when her appointment came around, the Muggle Midwife was less than pleased with Sadie’s state of health. She had managed to convince her husband to accompany her to the hospital to see an Obstetrician. At first he had been vehemently against the idea, but when he saw his wife in such an awful state of health and steadily declining, he grudgingly agreed. She had blood tests, urine tests and all kinds of physical examinations few of which made any sense to Snape. They weighed her and asked her all sorts of questions about her medical history and the previous pregnancy.

Hadrian seemed unfazed by the strange clinical environment. He was such a happy child; chomping gummily on his concerned father’s fingers while they waited to see yet another practitioner. Once Snape got over the initial Mugglishness of the Ante-natal department, his curiosity took over and he found himself fascinated by the multitude of devices and the practices involved.

When he heard his second child’s heartbeat, amplified by a small machine, he decided that perhaps the Muggle way wasn’t so bad. He became very excited, for Snape, when they were called into the Sonograph room. He had seen Hadrian in his mother’s womb thanks to a useful charm the Mid-witches used to check his progress; however they had never been able to take a picture home with them. When asked if they wanted to know the sex of their unborn child, they decided to keep it a surprise this time too.

The results of the tests were far from reassuring however. The baby wasn’t growing at the correct rate and the sickness had depleted Sadira’s vital nutrient reserves. The baby was fine, but depriving the mother by leeching from her. The doctors wanted to admit her to hospital but she was adamant that she wanted to stay at home. She was terrified that Severus would be called away and there would be no-one to care for Hadrian. Technically he could put the boy in an enchanted sleep safely while he was away, but she felt sickened at the thought of using such methods on her son. There was also the very real threat that one day Severus might not come back at all to wake him.

Instead they used a Confundus charm to convince the doctor that she would be fine at home under the care of a private physician. Snape slipped the photo of his unborn son or daughter into his pocket and took his wife and son home.

“I will see to this.” He told her when they were settled in Spinners End again.

“How?” she asked.

“With the aid of these.” He replied, holding aloft copies of her medical notes which he had taken.

“You crafty devil.” She replied with a fond smile.

He disappeared into the cellar; his private workroom, to prepare something to ease his wife’s suffering. He returned a few hours later with an altered version of a strengthening solution and a renutritive draught laced with anti-emetic potion. He had tweaked the recipes so as to be able to combine them safely and not to be too strong for a convalescing pregnant witch. Now he had an accurate diagnosis of her exact condition, he knew exactly what he could give her. She choked down the bitter tasting brews slowly, grateful for his efforts and thanking whatever gods exist that she had a Potions Master for a husband.

Under his tender care her condition improved somewhat. He doted on his wife and son, grateful for the opportunity he had been awarded to experience a taste of normality before he had to return to the war. Although neither of them mentioned it, they both knew this was just the calm before the storm.


One week before term began, Severus was called to Malfoy Manor again. When he returned that evening he seemed somewhat agitated.

“What happened Love?” Sadira asked.

“Nothing yet.” He replied, helping himself to a glass of whisky from the decanter and settling himself into the brown leather wing chair. He was glad she had brought those with her as he had grown rather fond of having ‘his’ chair to retreat to and she didn’t seem to mind the loss of one of her pieces of furniture to him.

“Well, what does He want?” she asked.

“The Death Eaters and their families are invited to a fete in honour of the Dark Lord’s ascent to power. Non-attendance would not be prudent.” He said heavily.

“So we have to go to a stuffy Pureblood party, so what? We’ve done that before.” She said dismissively.

“I have been named the Dark Lord’s Lieutenant. You will be on display before all the Death Eaters and their wives, our every action scrutinised. Not to mention that the Dark Lord is most anxious to meet you and our son; the Pureblood Slytherin bride and the future of the Death Eaters.” He told her. Now she understood his apprehension.

“I believe the reason he is calling the families to him is to push home the message that service to the Dark Lord is a family business and loyalty is required from ALL of us. He wishes to inspect the next generation; the future of his Pureblood vision. Because of my loyalty in service, my blood status is to be ignored; that plus your admirable pedigree my dear, and our children will be considered nobility under the Dark Lord’s rule.” He continued.

“I can do this, for you. If I have to present my baby boy to that hideous monster and pretend it’s the best day of my life, then that’s what I will do. If you believe I can, then I can. It’s the least I can do for you.” She replied. He gave her a strained smile.

“Thank you. I believe we must. I will test your Occlumency later but right now I just need you.” He sighed. She climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing small kisses to his lips and cheeks.

“You have me Love; whenever you need me.” She assured him as his lips trailed down her throat and his hands undid her robes.