Another Dark Star

Chapter 61


Winky had laid out a marvellous breakfast for Sadira, despite it being nearly 11 o’clock and almost too late to be classed as such. The loyal Elf seemed to have decided to continue as usual, despite the odd occurrence last night; boiled egg and toast set out in the usual Sunday best china with the violets, the teapot and cup and saucer in the same, laid on the best tablecloth with the lace trim and the monogrammed napkins that Narcissa had given the couple as a belated wedding gift. Even the Sunday Prophet was neatly folded as usual.

Sadie was relieved despite her surprise; the familiar was good, routine was reassuring after the last few weeks. The headline on the Prophet proclaimed, “Boy-Who-Lived-Twice triumphs over the Dark Lord.” Sadie breathed a huge sigh of relief as she poured a cup of refreshing Earl Grey. Harry had won after all. She had been concerned that the battle may not have won the war, but there it was, in black and white. Voldemort gone. Dipping a toast ‘soldier’ into her egg absently and chewing it, she scanned the pages of the paper for more news and hints on what had happened in her absence.

There was a sketchy description of the night’s events taken from various eyewitness accounts, followed by lists. The first list was names of those involved in the dark regime who were to be on trial for war crimes. Sadie recognised the names of many Death Eaters, and was gratified to see that Dolores Umbridge was among them. Although she had not been a Death Eater, he was to be tried for a great many other crimes and was sure to spend a very long time in Azkaban.

The second list was a list of the deceased. This list was split into two; first was the Order and the students who chose to stand with them, after which was a list of Death Eaters who fell at the school. Severus was listed among the dead also, but there was contention between witnesses as to what side he belonged on. Sadie was shocked to discover that Harry was one of the people on her husband’s side.

Sadie was heartbroken to read of the death of her dear cousin Fred, whose sense of humour and easy smile had often brightened her days. She felt a huge rush of sympathy for George who must feel so lost without his twin. Dora Lupin was listed among the fallen too, and Sadie wept for her dearest friend, the one who had always been there it seemed, and always had a friendly word for anyone. Sadie knew Dora and Remus had a child, and wondered who would look after the baby now.

Sadness gripped her and suddenly she dropped the paper and went to the floor where Hadrian was playing with his bricks and swept him into her arms, clutching him to her. The reassuring feel of his little warm body in her arms and his familiar baby-bath scent did little to ease her heartache, but filled her with relief that at least she had her babies, and they had her.

After checking on Isabella in her swing, and holding her for a long while also, she left the children under the capable care of Winky and retreated upstairs to shower. It felt good to let the steaming water run over her; warming her aching muscles and soothing her mind. Washing her hair was a trial after having slept in such tangles all night, but the hot water and the movement of her fingers on her scalp was therapeutic and she spent longer on the task than usual.

After dressing in simple linen trousers and a loose tunic, she sat at the dressing table, brushing out her wet hair. It would dry quickly in the early summer air, but she was more concerned with her surprising colour addition. It was still there, the streak of silver; about two inches square, and no different in length or texture to the rest of her hair. Sadie had always prided herself on being a rather intelligent and logical witch, but she was without the slightest clue what on earth had happened to her to cause such a symptom. She resolved to find out as soon as time allowed. At that moment however, she had more important tasks at hand.

After neatly tying her hair away from her face, she padded silently to her bed. Severus was still deathly pale and still not moving, but he was breathing at least. She checked his vital signs with a basic spell she had learned during First Aid training at Auror School. She desperately wished she had taken further Healing training, but there had been no time. Severus had a few books on healing potions which she had read a few times, but she was never going to be as good as St Mungo’s. From what she could determine his vital signs were good, but there was damage to some of the nerves in his shoulder and back, and he was still suffering the effects of blood loss.

Summoning her potion bottles, she dosed him once more with Blood Replenisher, and with Nourishment Potion to replace the meals he would be unable to eat while unconscious. She also gave him another dose of the strange healing brew she had invented, and the antivenin, just in case. She had nothing on hand to aid his nerve regeneration and she knew she would have to spend a lot of time in the lab over the next couple of days to prepare something.

She removed the rest of his clothes using magic, and put him in clean pyjamas the same way. A quick Scourgify would have to suffice for the time being as far as hygiene went, but she vowed to bathe him properly when she had more time, for the sake of his dignity. Scourgify was a handy charm, but nowhere near as good as a proper bath. When she was satisfied that he had enough medication, and was clean and comfortable, she turned back the now pristine sheets and blanket, and slipped into bed beside him again, wrapping her warm body around his cold unresponsive one; holding him to her and listening to the reassuring sound of his heart beating softly and slowly.

For weeks Sadira followed the same routine; brewing medication, administering medication, bathing Severus and checking his progress, spending time with the children playing, trying to teach Hadrian to speak in full sentences and to feed himself, weaning Izzy onto solid food. She barely took time for herself, but she was unconcerned with her own gaunt appearance. She was becoming worried that, although Severus was making biological improvement, he had still not woken, or moved. She had tried Legilimency, but it was impossible while his eyes were closed, and experiments while holding his lids open had proved ineffective.

She had at least made a little leeway in her research into what had happened on that night, in different ways. In the Prophet, Harry hero-of-the-hour Potter had been giving a few interviews. Severus was still classed as presumed dead, even though the body had gone missing; however Potter was on a mission to have the good name of Snape restored. He had already told the world how Severus had been protecting him all these years, and about some memories that apparently proved that Snape had been on Dumbledore’s side after all. Some people still remained unconvinced, but Minerva insisted on having a portrait commissioned, as was his right as former Headmaster. The tough old witch was certain to have little opposition in anything she decided to do now, especially as she had now accepted the Headship permanently.

As for the strange experience with their Bond, Sadira had found a few scraps of information that proved illuminating. From what she could gather, their souls had still been bonded, as his had not fully left the physical plane, and therefore she was able to use the tie to hold his soul within his body. However, that involved a huge expenditure of magic, which she had felt, and also a sacrifice. She had no idea what kind of sacrifice, as the books she had access to were not as helpful as she hoped, but she assumed it had something to do with her very fetching new streak.

Winky was becoming concerned for her Mistress. She was not eating, and was spending too much time in the cellar, or by the Master’s bedside. She still spent time with her children, and was still as loving with them as before, but Winky could tell that there were many times when her mind seemed to be distant. Mistress didn’t know that Winky was putting potions in her tea, or that she used Elf magic to send her to sleep when she cried at night. Winky felt very bad for lying to Mistress, but she knew it was for Mistress’ own good, and for the good of the little ones. Winky was loyal elf, after all.

May became June with no improvement in Snape’s condition. Soon it would be July and Sadira wondered if she should continue like this or just come clean and admit him to St Mungo’s. However every time she thought of giving him up, and no longer having him lay in bed beside her each night, it felt like betrayal. Even if he never woke, it was comforting in a bittersweet way to have him near. She was considering her options once again as she bathed him in their bed. She had turned down the light sheets to his knees and removed his pyjama shirt in order to wash him with a sponge and bowl of water. She did this every morning after his ‘breakfast’ of nutritive potions; bathing him and shaving him as though he was just too tired to do so himself.

As she patted the rivulets of foamy water off his skin she ran her finger gently over the scar on his shoulder. The fang marks were beginning to fade from raw and angry red to a paler, more healthy looking pink. The Dark Mark was going the same way, as his master’s evil magic ebbed out of it now it was no longer bound to earth. She stroked the hand over the scars and up his neck to rub a few strands of his sable hair between her fingers. It was getting greasier again and she would have to wash it later that night, as it was a tricky job, and she refused to leave any aspect of caring for him to Winky.

She was too concentrated on his hair to notice the shiver that passed through his skin at the contact, but she could not fail to notice the slight shifting of his head as sooty lashed fluttered and obsidian eyes peered blurrily at her once more. The shock froze her in place; she dare not believe her eyes. Hope shone blatantly from her expression as her eyes darted over his face, willing the vision to be true. His lips parted, but no voice could be heard. His adam’s apple bobbed but all she could hear was a raspy croak and she rushed to fetch him a glass of water, tears slipping unheeded from her eyes in sheer relief.

“Here, sip it slowly.” She whispered, holding the glass to his lips and he obeyed.

“Sadie.” He managed to wheeze, before a coughing fit interrupted.

“Severus, oh thank Merlin! I was so... I thought... Oh Severus, you’re okay.” She blurted, crying in earnest now as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.

He rested his head on her shoulder and breathed in her scent. The last thing he remembered was bleeding to death on the filthy floor of the Shrieking Shack, and Potter taking the vial of memories. He was sensible enough to understand that he had survived, but how? What had happened after he had passed out? He could not speak, so he must have been sleeping for quite a while, and his limbs felt too heavy to lift. But his Sadie was here, holding him. He could feel her warmth and smell her familiar scent and for now, that was enough.