Another Dark Star

A/N: Thanks to the one or two people who still review, but to everyone else: Please Review! Let me know that people are reading and enjoying, and most importantly WHY!


Chapter 56


On the morning of January 8th, the Headmaster’s office of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was filled with a very odd sound; a woman singing.
Sadira was in a very chirpy mood and had dressed accordingly in a traditional corset dress of peacock blue velvet with gold satin inlays. Her long dark curls were kept back from her face in a half braid and she was busy piling many different coloured packages in a prominent position in the lounge area of the Headmaster’s Quarters.

“Do you mind keeping it down? I am trying to work.” Severus grumbled, coming up the spiral stairs.

She shot him a sorrowful look; wand still poised erecting a banner that said ‘Happy Birthday 1 today’ in bright colours.

Severus instantly felt guilty. She had been looking forward to Hadrian’s party for ages. How was it that with one look she could make him feel like he’d shot her puppy and fucked her mum?

“Whatever it is, surely it can wait for a few days?” she complained.

“I know Hadrian’s birthday is important, but why bother with a party? It’s not as if it’s the height of the social scene in here. No-one is coming!” he replied. She pouted prettily.

“It matters to me.” She retorted.

Severus sighed. There was no arguing with her when she got like this. She was almost as bad as Narcissa, and he’d been a fly on the wall of enough arguments in that household to know that the best way to deal with this was to let her have her own way on the matter and then ignore it.

“Fine. Where is the birthday boy?” he asked.

“Hadrian!” she called. The toddler stomped in, in shiny new boots, smart black trousers, white shirt and blue and red tie.

“That won’t last.” Snape chuckled, gesturing to the smart ensemble.

“Oh hush you big grump! Quit putting a downer on everything!” Sadie snapped.

Severus looked at her oddly. He was only teasing, surely she knew that! She understood him better than anyone. He stepped closer, scrutinising her. Behind the makeup and smiles she looked tired. The stress was beginning to get to her. Inwardly he sighed. He took so much of her strength and what she did for granted. She clearly wasn’t coping well with the situation, on top of dealing with a newborn. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head.

“I’m sorry Love. You enjoy your little party.” He said softly, apologetically. “You look lovely by the way.” He added, lifting her mood.

“Thank you.” She sighed, snuggling into his embrace.

She felt so tired lately, and a huge weight sat on her heart all the time. She tried to ignore it; it was surely just the stress of the war and getting used to having two children to look after. Severus didn’t need the stress of her complaining. He certainly didn’t need to know that she had stayed awake for hours each night, crying and worrying about her children. No; throwing herself into the happy occasions ahead of her was the best way to handle this.

“And Isabella, is she sleeping?” he asked.

“Yes Love. She was up quite a bit last night.” She replied, stifling a yawn.

“Come then, let’s get this over with.” Severus sighed, lowering himself to the ground near the pile of gifts.

“Happy Birthday Son.” He said with feeling, pulling him to sit on his knee and handing him a gift.

He could barely believe this was happening to him. Last year he had been unsure if he would live long enough to see his son’s first birthday. Longer still before that, he had been so sure he was destined to live alone and miserable. Now he had a beautiful and loving wife and two wonderful children. If such things could happen to him then there was hope for them all yet.

The first few gifts were toys and clothes from his parents. Sadie had even put Isabella’s name on the tags, despite Hadrian being too young to read it and Isabella being too young to understand. The Malfoys had sent a rather expensive silver breakfast set and money box. There was also a lovely hand-knitted cable jumper from the Weasleys, and some chocolate frogs from Ginny. Sadira was heartened by the fact that both sides of her family had made an effort. Severus was secretly pleased that the Weasleys had remembered, as being separated from them was becoming hard on Sadie.

Hadrian was having fun destroying the wrapping paper and ignoring the gifts when Isabella awoke. Sadie was lightly dozing so Severus went into the bedroom to fetch her. A lovely powder blue dress with cream lace trim and petticoats was laid out for her already, with cream tights and little blue crib shoes, so he changed her into them and carried her through to the lounge.

“Winky.” He called, and the diminutive creature materialised before him at once.

“Yes Master?” she asked obediently.

“Bring Isabella’s feed would you?” he asked good-naturedly.

Having the opportunity to spend time with his daughter had put him in a better mood already. Incredulous as it may have seemed; being sat in an armchair with his son on his lap and his daughter in his arm, sucking quietly on her bottle, was the happiest Snape could be. He adored his children. They were a reminder of just what he was fighting for; to prevent them from having to grow up in a world where servitude to a genocidal megalomaniac was the only option.

He wanted his children to grow up happy and free to make their own choices. Maybe they would grow up to be Healers or Quidditch players, possibly even professors like their father or work in the Ministry like their mother. One day. One sad day, far off in the future when they flew the nest. But right now, with their poor exhausted mother asleep in the chaise opposite, they were safe in their father’s arms.

Sadira stirred and groaned as she ran a hand over her face.

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.

“Not long, about an hour.” Snape replied.

“Urgh! I have to be at Minerva’s office in half an hour.” She said, standing and brushing down the skirts of her gown.

Since moving into the castle she had been careful to only wear Wizarding clothes and left her Muggle fashions at home. Her Wizard wear was very elegant, and hid her baby weight well, but sometimes she longed for the comfort and practicality of a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

“Why are you going to Minerva’s?” Snape asked, puzzled.

“The birthday boy is having tea with his Godmum!” Sadie said brightly.

“But Minerva detests me!” Snape exclaimed.

“Apparently she doesn’t hold your actions against Hadrian. She seems to have learned that he isn’t you.” Sadie replied.

“Well, that is something at least.” Snape accepted.


Sadie collected her children and walked down the tower to McGonagall’s office, knocking anxiously on the great oaken door. Minerva opened the door with a small smile and ushered her into the office and through to her parlour. It was neat and unfussy, apart from the odd feminine touch here and there, and held comfy armchairs in Black-watch tartan; one of which was occupied by an unexpected guest.

“Poppy!” Sadie exclaimed.

“Yes, I hope you don’t mind but I wanted to see the children again.” Madam Pomfrey said fondly.

“Not at all.” Sadie said, pleasantly surprised.

Minerva took Hadrian and Poppy took Isabella.

“Isn’t she darling, like a little porcelain doll!” Poppy gushed, fluffing out the petticoats on the baby’s dress.

“Nana!” Hadrian said, pulling on Minerva’s spectacles, which were hanging round her neck on a gold chain.

“No Hadrian; Minerva.” Sadie corrected gently, blushing.

“What did he just say?” asked Poppy. A moist-eyed Minerva smiled at her godson weakly.

“Nana. He just called me Nana.” She said in wonder.

“I’m sorry Minerva, he must have got it from one of his story books.” Sadie said sheepishly.

“Whisht! Not at all child; if the boy wants to call me Nana you won’t hear any complaints from me!” she said softly.

Poppy smiled knowingly at her old friend holding the headmaster’s child as though he were really her grandson. Poppy herself was quite enjoying dandling the tiny baby on her arm while Sadie poured them all tea from a fine silver service. Ginger Newts and good Scottish Shortbread Fingers were arranged neatly on a little plate nearby. In fact the whole scene was quite quaint and darling. Apart from the tension due to the situation in the school, it was a moment for the family album.

“The young man has presents to open I believe?” Poppy reminded Minerva.

“Yes, of course, in my drawer. One moment.” Minerva said, disappearing into her bedroom.

Hadrian, now freed from his Godmother’s arms went straight for the tea things. Sadie caught him at the last minute, distracting him with a shortbread biscuit and pouring him some milk into a teacup, making him feel included.

Minerva returned with a small box which she gazed at wistfully before handing it to Hadrian. Sadie helped him open it. Inside was a tin soldier, lovingly hand-painted in bright shades of red, black and white.

“He’s enchanted of course.” Minerva said softly. She pointed at the soldier and said “March” commandingly.

The soldier shouldered his little bayonet and began marching up and down the floor in front of them. Minerva held her hand up and called “Stop” and the soldier stopped still once more. Hadrian clapped excitedly.

“A little too old for him, but he’ll grow into it I’m sure.” Minerva said awkwardly.

“It’s beautiful Minerva, thank you so much.” Sadie gushed.

She got the feeling that the little toy held some great meaning for Minerva and although she didn’t know what, she gathered that it meant something significant that she was giving it to Hadrian.

“Time for my present!” Poppy said, breaking the heavy atmosphere that had descended.

She pulled a box out from under her chair that contained lovely wooden building blocks, with Wizarding animals and scenes that moved. Hadrian loved them almost as much as the soldier. To Sadie, she gave a small aluminium tin containing a strong smelling paste.

“Bruise ointment. Lads of his age are always needing it and he’ll be no different.” Poppy said knowingly. Sadie chuckled her thanks and pocketed it.

“Have you decided on Godparents for the little one yet?” Minerva asked conversationally, sipping her tea.

“Yes, I wrote and asked Lucius and Narcissa last week and they accepted. I know what you’re going to say Minerva, but this was a tactical decision. They are my family and Severus’s oldest friends. They would expect to be invited and need to have those two on my side.” Sadie argued.

“But why?” Minerva asked.

“Because Aunt Cissy is the only person other than the Dark Lord who can exercise any control over Bellatrix, whom I seem to have fallen on the bad side of.” Sadie explained.

“Did that girl ever have a good side?” Poppy wondered aloud.

“What about the second godmother?” Minerva asked.

“I’m considering asking Ginny. I haven’t had the chance to speak to her in person yet. Sev can’t refuse me on this one, she’s family.” Sadie smiled.

“Miss Weasley? An unusual choice, but a good one I think. She’s a fairly sensible girl and, as you said, there is the blood relation to take into consideration.” Minerva said thoughtfully.


By the time Sadie got the kids back to the Headmaster’s quarters, it was late and they were all three quite tired.

Severus had finished going through the acquisition forms, requisition requests, achievement tables, policies and letters that has built up over Christmas and was now free to indulge in whatever celebrations Sadie had planned for them. But Isabella was already asleep and Hadrian seemed ready for bed also.

“What have you been up to?” Snape asked curiously.

“Playing with Nana Minn” Sadie said.

“Nana?!” Severus asked incredulously.

“Hadrian’s words, not mine.” Sadie explained, carrying her infant daughter upstairs and laying her in the crib, tucking Hadrian into his little bed in his room next door.

When Sadie came back down into the office, Severus was putting the last scrolls back in his desk drawer.

“I’m finished for the night Love.” He informed her with a smile, which she returned.

Sadie insinuated herself into his lap; sliding her arms around his shoulders and kissing him lovingly. She was enjoying the chance to just sit and be with her husband, kissing and being kissed softly, deeply, without the kids interrupting or having to worry about work that had to be done.

The portraits kept silent. They had learned by now that the merest noise would alert the pair to their audience and would spoil the show. After decades of an aged, celibate, eccentric Headmaster, the portraits were grateful for a bit of interesting action to watch from the amorous young couple below. They were disappointed when the married pair, who had been carrying on like a pair of oversexed teens, were disturbed by a soft but persistent knock on the door.

“Who is it?” barked Snape, unimpressed at being interrupted.

“Draco Sir.” A less than confident voice replied. Severus sighed.

“Come in then.” He relented.

The young man entered the office and stopped uncomfortably when he noticed that the Headmaster (and his superior Death Eater) was sat behind his desk with his wife perched on his lap; her arms on his shoulders and his hands on her waist. Clearly he had just interrupted a romantic moment.

“I, ah, came to see Hadrian on his birthday.” Draco explained.

“Oh! He’s asleep pet.” Sadie said, apologetically. “But how have you been?” she added; hopping off Snape’s lap, who seemed disappointed at the loss, and wrapping her young cousin in a hug.

“I’m well thank you Sadira, Mrs Snape I mean.” He corrected, aware that he was in a formal situation; in the Head’s office and speaking to the head’s wife.

“Sadie. You know me better than that.” She corrected him, ruffling his short platinum locks affectionately.

“So did Hadrian have a good birthday?” he asked.

“Oh yes! He tired himself out playing with his new toys.” Sadie smiled. “Here, have a look.” She said, fetching a small pile of photos.

She had found, via Arthur’s contacts years ago, a Muggle instamatic camera that had been tinkered with to produce Wizard photos. The first one was Hadrian in his smart clothes, showing his father a toy hippogriff. Snape had Isabella in his arms, looking very pretty, and he appeared to be talking to the boy with a smile.

Draco couldn’t remember his father ever being like that with him. His mother had cosseted and fussed over him, but his father had always been distant, had always demanded more. Neither had ever taken the time to really talk to him, had never taken him seriously. That was why he enjoyed spending time with the Snapes. They were how he wished his parents could have been and; with them being cousins they treated him like a part of the family and he could sometimes pretend to himself that he was their son and imagine how that would be.

He had always had a lot of respect and esteem for the Professor, and Sadie had been the first person at Hogwarts to care about him. He would have liked a little brother or sister like Hadrian or Isabella. Babies were quite cute really, and then the pressure of upholding the Malfoy name wouldn’t fall solely on his shoulders.

Draco chatted with the Snapes until well past curfew, but as a Slytherin Prefect who also bore the Mark he would escape any punishment. Besides, he had been with a teacher. By the time he left it was nearly midnight.

“Why did you keep encouraging the boy? You know we could have been here hours ago.” Severus asked of Sadira grumpily, once Isabella had been fed and they climbed into bed.

“Because he has no-one else to talk to, poor troubled soul.” Sadie said sadly.

“Neither did you, and you turned out fine.” He argued.

“I had you Love, and I wasn’t a Death Eater.” She countered, kissing him softly as the clock on her bedside quietly chimed twelve tinnily.

“Happy birthday Love!” she smiled up at him, stroking his chest enticingly.

“And what do you have for me?” he asked.

“Oh no! You have to wait till morning for your gifts.” She said teasingly.

“But I do intend on celebrating with a bang!” she added, moving her body on top of his and kissing him passionately.

While his tongue moved against hers deftly, his hands slid up her soft, smooth legs to her backside; pressing her hard against him. She wriggled her hips teasingly against his growing arousal, eliciting a groan from him.

“I love you Severus, I love you so much.” She purred, kissing his lips, his face, his chest. One of his hands stroked her breast and the other gently guided his member to her entrance, sliding it teasingly along her damp slit.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” he asked breathlessly.

“Mhmm” she moaned, placing her hands on his chest and pushing back, impaling herself on his length and groaning in pleasure as he filled her.

“Gods Sadie!” he gasped, loving the feeling of her tight sleeve clamped around his hardness.

He looked up at her; sat on his cock, bouncing and grinding against his hips needily, her body bathed in the soft candlelight. She was beautiful. He reached up and palmed her breasts, stroking them, teasing them as she arched her back and her head fell back in pleasure. Severus was reminded of a night like this, a moment just like this, nearly 3 years ago when he and Sadie had first reunited. That one night after he had helped her on her mission, when they had returned to her flat and she had ridden him just like this. He had known then that she was his, and he would never want another.

He leaned forward, pulling her to him in a hungry kiss. Two and a half years of this woman’s love meant so much. He gripped her hips and thrust upwards, hitting her inner pleasure zones in ways she had missed so much while carrying his child. He had no need to be careful anymore and she preferred it when he was a bit rough. He rolled her onto her back, caressing her body tenderly but thrusting into her fiercely; a beautiful contradiction.

“I love you Sadie, you’re my world.” He whispered, crushing her to him.

“Oh Sev!” she panted, her heart full to bursting.

She knew how much he loved her, but it meant a lot to hear him say it. She knew he had trouble voicing his feelings. She cupped his face in her hand, gazing deep into his eyes as he pushed himself over the edge into orgasmic oblivion. She cradled his exhausted form in her arms gently, kissing him softly as he rolled onto his side, pulling her with him.

“Happy birthday Severus!” she said again, smiling at him adoringly.

“Thank you.” He sighed, cuddling her to him protectively.

The world outside was a horrible place, but cocooned in one tower of Hogwarts, Severus Snape’s whole world was perfect for one shining moment.