Another Dark Star

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Chapter 54

By the time Snape returned to his office it was late Saturday afternoon. He was tired and frazzled, and his nerves were fraught. He just wanted to check on Hadrian and then sleep for a couple of hours. Unfortunately he was once again reminded that life actually hates him, as he believed, because he came face to face with Minerva McGonagall’s disapproving frown.

“So nice of you to finally return Severus.” She snipped sarcastically.

“What?” he snapped.

“You were away from the castle all night with no note and no word as to when you would return and the Carrows have been scheming among themselves all day, which does not bode well. I do hope you had fun. It must be nice to be able to just swan off whenever you feel like it.” She griped in annoyance.

“Fun?! Oh yes Minerva, sitting up all night in St Mungo’s while my wife is bleeding near to death is ever so much fun. Not nearly as enjoyable, however, as finally hearing that my wife and our daughter are only temporarily stabilised and could still die at any minute. Do enjoy that happy piece of news won’t you?” he roared, near breaking point.

McGonagall’s face drew into an expression of shock and dismay. She had not been informed that her colleague’s wife had been injured and, despite many instances to give her reason not to be, she was rather fond of Sadira. Molly had hinted to her in brief that she was in positive contact with her cousin and had gathered that it had been she whom had been passing on intelligence to the Order still. Minerva hoped she hadn’t fallen foul of Death Eaters for that.

“I apologise Severus! I wish Sadira no harm certainly. I hope she and the child get well soon.” She insisted, genuinely fearful for the poor girl.

“Just leave me Minerva. I wish to see my son.” He growled wearily.

She was surprised to be able to see beyond his carefully constructed walls to the genuine fear and love for his wife and child. Clearly he had allowed himself to become lax in his exhaustion. She found herself wondering if she were altogether sure of her former student’s motives. Could a man as evil as he appeared contain that much love and devotion in a heart tainted by Dark Arts? She left his office in a sombre mood, but was interrupted from her musings by his calling down the spiral staircase from above.

“Oh, by the way; Have Alecto Carrow come see me.”


Hadrian was happy to see his father again and seemed to have suffered no harm at being under Winky’s care. As Snape understood it, Winky had experience as a nanny but that was quite some time ago. After all, Bartemius Junior had been only a couple of years below Severus in Hogwarts. The happily bonded Elf provided the boy with everything his little heart desired. ‘Hmm, he would have to watch that the boy didn’t get spoiled.’

“Dada.” He squealed happily.

Snape lifted him into his arms easily, holding him close for comfort and relief that at least one person he cared about was safe.

“Congratulations Son; you’re a big brother now.” He said softly, sadly. Winky hovered nearby.

“The Mistress has had the baby now?” she asked quietly.

“Yes Winky, a girl child.” He informed her.

“Not good, oh no! Not good at all. Missus was not to have the baby for four weeks.” Winky said fearfully.

“Correct Winky. The birth was induced by an accident. My wife and daughter are in the hospital and will be for some time, so you will have to look after Hadrian for me while I work.” He told her.

“Winky looks after Master Hadrian, yes. Winky loves her little Master, does good job.” She gushed subserviently.

“Of course Winky. Do try not to overindulge the child however, it does him no good to always get his own way.” He insisted.

“Yes Headmaster Sir.” She replied meekly.

On Sunday afternoon, Snape returned to St Mungo’s to check up on Sadie and their daughter. He ignored any odd looks he got, scaring off half the staff and parents present with his trademark scowl as he strode purposefully to her private room.

He shut the door softly behind him. Sadie was still asleep. She looked a tad better than she had last night but was still clearly ill. He walked over to where his daughter lay in the heavily warded cot. Her medical chart showed that she had been given some very strong potions to keep her alive and was being tube fed Wizarding Baby Milk, a more natural alternative to Breast milk than Muggle alternatives as it was a potion and hardly different than the real thing. Sadira would have been dismayed, but she was in no fit state to express, let alone feed the child herself.

He placed his hand into the cot warily, feeling the tingle of the Decontaminant Charm as his flesh passed the barrier. He stroked her tiny arm, no bigger than a potion vial, and was startled when her wizened, frail fingers curled around his reflexively. He smiled, encouraged by this movement as he felt a tightening in his heart. Perhaps there was hope for her yet; his little fighter.

He stood there for what felt like an age; in awe of the precious little form in front of him, guarding her crib protectively, when Sadira stirred with a groan of agony. He disentangled himself from his darling daughter and rushed to his wife’s side.

“Sadira? Are you alright? Can I get you anything?” he asked softly, with no little concern.

“Severus? Is that you?” she asked deliriously.

“Yes Love, I’m here.” He replied, relief clear in his voice.

She tried to sit up, but found herself in far too much pain to move.

“Don’t push yourself too far. You are still recovering.” He chided.

“Water please.” She croaked. He went to her cabinet, put some of her painkilling potion in a glass and poured in water from a charmed-cold carafe. She drank slowly and sloppily, still too weak to hold the glass straight. Severus covered her hands with his to steady them and did not remove them when she set down the glass.

“I nearly lost you again My Love.” He admonished softly. She smiled slightly.

“No, not lost; just misplaced.” She countered, drawing her arms in and pulling his hands towards her. He leaned forward to kiss her gently, softly, as though she were truly as fragile as she looked.

“You almost died Sadira. I have never been so terrified in my life.” He reiterated.

“I’m sorry I caused you so much pain and worry. How is the baby?” she asked. His slight smile at her recovery disappeared.

“I do not know. She is in an Intensive Care Crib, under observation.” He said gravely.

“She?” Sadira repeated. His smile returned briefly.

“Yes; a beautiful daughter. She is tiny, but perfect.” He told her warmly.

Sadira couldn’t quite see into the crib from where she lay and was in too much pain to move. She knew that her baby could not be removed from the crib if she was truly ill also and that thought saddened her.

“I want to hold her so much.” She said, heart-wrenchingly mournful.

“As do I.” Severus agreed. She sighed, trying to hold back the wave of misery and the tears it brought.

“How is Hadrian?” she asked, missing her son dreadfully also.

“He is fine; getting spoiled rotten by our new Elf.” He said.

“And how are you bearing up?” she asked tenderly. He sighed deeply.

“As well as can be expected. I have missed you greatly, even for only one night. I feared it may have been our last.” he admitted.

“What happened to Carrow?” she asked edgily.

“She has been dealt with.” He growled fiercely, frightening her for a moment. She remembered at that point that her husband had voluntarily taken the mark all those years ago, and had revelled in the tasks appointed him once.

“What happened?” she asked cautiously.

“Do not concern yourself. Carrow will survive.” He said dismissively.

“No, to me; what happened to me.” She clarified. He registered brief shock at the change of subject, but remembered with relief his wife’s proclivity for not asking uncomfortable questions.

“It seems that, upon spying your cousin, you were inspired to a Gryffindor-worthy act of foolish bravery; stepping in the way of a Cruciatus curse. The resultant seizure caused your placenta to rupture, resulting in premature labour and massive blood loss. I was also told that the baby was put undue undue stress and became entangled in the umbilical cord during delivery.” he informed her in a detached, clinical manner.

“You’re angry with me.” She surmised quickly from his tone.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair nervously as he often did when stressed. No wonder his hair was always in such a state.

“I was very angry, but not with you. Never with you.” He assured her.

“I didn’t know she was about to cast. I was trying to talk her down but I moved too fast for her to stop.” She defended.

“Hush, don’t get worked up about it now. You need your rest.” He soothed, stroking her arm and hand; spinning her wedding ring on her finger.

“Lie down with me a while.” She pleaded.

He looked as though he were about to refuse; standing and straightening his frock coat, but he merely removed his wand and set a strong locking charm on the door to ensure they would not be disturbed. He kicked off his boots and lay beside her, wrapping his arms around her possessively. She snuggled into his embrace, wincing at the twinges this caused to her injured body.

“Thank you Sev.” She whispered.

“Hush Love.” He said, placating and stroking her hair fondly until, soon enough, they were both asleep.

Over the next few days, Sadira gained strength and her injuries began to heal. She could get out of bed and touch her daughter finally, feeling that something that was missing was now whole again. The baby however progressed slowly and Sadira was still not up to walking far unaided or lifting anything heavier than a water glass. Severus was going frantic between his Headmaster duties, keeping an eye on Potter and visiting the hospital daily. Eventually he decided that it would be best to discharge his wife and daughter from St Mungo’s and have them moved to Hogwarts’ Infirmary under the care of Madam Pomfrey and a private Healer. At least then they would be close by.

Cradling her tiny daughter in her arms, Sadira braved the Floo back to the castle; relieved when she arrived back in the familiar ward.

“Welcome back Sadira.” Pomfrey whispered. “Glad you’re ok girl.”

Pleasantly surprised, Sadira made her way to the bed in the far corner, curtained off and far from the rest of the beds. She placed the baby carefully in the freshly prepared Intensive Care Crib and sat wearily on her bed. The short walk across two wards had tired her already and her abdomen was twingeing again.

Severus was going to bring Hadrian to see her soon and she wanted to get a brief nap before they arrived so she wouldn’t be too tired. She was surprised therefore when McGonagall arrived at the foot of her bed a few minutes later.

“Poppy told me you were coming back today.” She said by way of explanation and greeting.

“Gods, I wasn’t expecting you to drop by, I must admit!” Sadira countered with a rueful smile. Minerva frowned.

“Sadira I do not forgive Severus, and I cannot understand your decision to abide by him after all he has done, but I assure you I bear you no ill will. On the contrary, I was most aggrieved to hear that you had been almost fatally injured.” She defended heatedly.

“I wanted to tell you personally how relieved we all are that you are safe and to congratulate you on the birth of your daughter.” She added in a more friendly tone.

“Thank you, Minerva, both for the congratulations and your concern.” Sadira said, effectively putting to rest any residual enmity between them. McGonagall moved to peer into the crib

“Och! Such a tiny wee thing!” she exclaimed sadly.

“They say that four weeks premature is a lot in growth and development terms. And given the difficulties I experienced during labour, I’m lucky to have her at all.” Sadira explained.

“So precious! What have you named her?” She asked.

“Isabella. There’ll be an announcement in the Prophet so I’m told.” Sadie replied with distaste.

“Really?” Minerva gasped.

“Yes, apparently the first baby born to a Hogwarts Headmaster in a hundred years is worthy of an announcement in the papers. Page six I believe.” She said drily.

“Well, Isabella is a lovely name and she’s a gorgeous bairn. Good luck to you both.” McGonagall said, excusing herself.


When Severus arrived he had Hadrian sat in one arm, and the paper in the other.

“Mumum!” Hadrian called, wriggling to reach his mother.

“Little man! Oh Mummy’s missed you!” Sadie replied in relief.

“Careful with your mother now.” Snape warned, fearful of her injuries.

Hadrian climbed into her lap and gingerly hugged her, pleased when she wrapped her arms around him and began stroking his fine black hair. Severus sat very close to her on the bed and kissed her briefly but warmly in greeting.

“He has become most anxious of late, asking for you frequently.” He told her wearily.

“Oh you poor love, did you miss Mummy?” she asked sympathetically, kissing the tot on his forehead.

“The Evening Prophet has the announcement already, although it is likely to be repeated in the morning edition.” Snape informed her.

“Well, let’s have a look then.” she said, shifting Hadrian in her lap and taking the paper from him. She flicked past the propaganda till she found the page with a small article that caught her eye.


‘First Hogwarts Baby in 100 Years!
Congratulations to Headmaster Severus Tobias Snape and his wife Sadira Jezebel Snape (formerly Prewett-Black) on the birth of their daughter Isabella Rebecca Snape; sister to Hadrian Danté.
This 2Lb 3oz, 15 in faerie is the first baby to be born to a Hogwarts Headmaster since Arcturus Black was born to Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black in 1884. Incidentally, Mrs Snape is Headmaster Black’s great, great, great-granddaughter. Yet another example of a fine Wizarding family carrying on our proud traditions; Headmaster Snape being the first Slytherin Headmaster since his wife’s famous ancestor.’


Sadira couldn’t stand to read anymore, fearful of having her family being associated with yet another Pureblood diatribe.

“They aren’t going to want pictures are they?” she asked.

“No, fear not; this is the sum of your fame my Dear.” He assured her. Hadrian was beginning to get restless.

“Do you want to see your sister Hadrian?” she asked, pointing at the crib. Snape lifted the boy so he could see into the glass cot.

“Baba.” He pronounced, pointing.

“Well done Love; Baby. That’s your new little sister. You have to be a big boy and look after her, don’t you?” Sadira encouraged. He looked at Isabella with an expression of bewilderment, making his mother smile.

“Had’en baba?” he asked.

“Yes Son, our new baby. She’s your sister.” Snape reiterated.

The boy turned and stared at his infant sister for a few moments with a serious look, but whatever he was thinking no-one knew as he soon lost interest in his new sibling and became distracted once more.