Another Dark Star

Chapter 62

“What happened?” Severus croaked, his throat sore from disuse, and pain from his neck. ‘That damn snake,’ he thought.

“The pendant worked.” Sadira replied, wiping her tears on her sleeve. “I felt the burn and brought you here. We won Severus! Everything you worked so hard for; the war is over.”

He closed his eyes in relief. He had not failed, the Order had not failed. Potter finally managed to get something right. He allowed himself a slight smile. Voldemort was dead, and he was not. With great difficulty, he raised his arm to Sadie’s shoulder, resting it there heavily but allowing his fingers to slowly stroke her reassuringly. She leaned down to kiss him gently; her hands stroking his bare skin caused him to shiver.

“Why?” he choked, his throat refusing to obey him further. Sadie looked at him puzzled, and shouted for Winky.

“You’ve been unconscious for weeks, Love. I had to bathe you while you were out cold. It’s June twenty-fifth, and eleven thirty-ish in the morning. I’ve just given you some breakfast. It’s become my routine you see; breakfast then bath for the children, then the same for you.” She informed him. His voice had completely failed him, but his eyes spoke volumes; love, gratitude, and a little guilt at being a burden on her.

Winky appeared then, wringing out her dress.

“Apologies Mistress, but Master Hadrian is being very naughty with his juice this morning.”

“Quite alright Winky. Could you please bring Severus an infusion of honey, lemon and ginger.” Sadie asked.

“Master is awake? Oh Winky is so happy, Winky brings it right away.” the diminutive elf squeaked, and disappeared with a flash.

Sadie’s relief increased as Severus managed to weakly lift his right hand and lay it in hers. She lifted it to her lips and softly kissed the knuckles, caressing the fingers with hers. He gripped her hand as hard as he could, but it was barely stronger than a child’s. His frustration had to take second place to his exhaustion. He didn’t understand how he could feel so tired when he had only just awoken.

Winky returned immediately with a large china mug of the warm infusion, tears gleaming in her eyes. Sadira took it and gently assisted her husband to sit and sip slowly of the healing liquid.

“Thank you.” He said scratchily, but now without pain. “Now, tell me what I have missed.”


It had been a difficult few months for Minerva. Funeral after funeral of friends, colleagues, students. It had been harrowing to clear the fallen from her beloved school and mark their passing each with a hero’s send off. To her had also fallen the task of reorganising the Wizengamot after the war, as well as finally assuming her rightful place as Headmistress. All in all, she was looking forward to the beginning of term. By then, she would have solved all her staffing issues and seeing the school once again filled with youthful faces, no longer in fear, would make the hard work worthwhile.

Now she was sat in Albus’ office. It didn’t feel like her office yet, and had never felt like Snape’s. She sighed. Poor Severus. She should have known, she felt, should have trusted that the poor boy was only doing what he had been told. She still felt terrible that his body had not yet been found; Merlin alone knew what might have happened if one of the Death Eaters had found it first. They may never find him, she knew, and hadn’t yet found the time to even write to the poor widow. Not that she knew where to write to, of course. She would need more strength than she felt for that day. No, for now Minerva needed to rest, dry her tears and take her mind off the horrors they had been through. Clearing out Albus’ office would be a bittersweet chore, but needed doing. By Circe, that man could NOT organise a desk!


“So the Wizarding world thinks I am dead?” Severus asked yet again.

“Yes, you are still technically wanted for murder, and there is no way I want to tell Kingsley he can come and arrest you in THAT state!” Sadie sighed irritably.

“I still cannot believe they made Kingsley Minister for Magic!” Severus grumbled.

“Can you think of anyone better for the position?” Sadie asked softly.

“Honestly? No. I just cannot believe the Wizarding world made a smart choice for a change.” He replied cynically.

Sadie snorted amusedly; glad that his dry humour had returned. She watched him sip on the infusion for his throat. He would have to take it for at least a few more days before his beautifully silky voice would return to normal. He still looked desperately ill, and was as weak as a kitten physically, but at least he was alive and safe.

Severus heard her sigh of contentment turn into a yawn. Lying back against the pillows, he observed her carefully. She looked so worn out; there were bags under her eyes and her skin was almost as pale and thin as his. She also had a white streak that he had never seen before and she hadn’t mentioned anything about that either. He was amazed and humbled how hard she had worked and all she had done to keep the family together. He was determined to get well as soon as possible, to share the load as a husband should. No longer would she have to soldier on alone.

“Come here Sadie.” He said, trying to move his arm in invitation. He still had little control over it, but she came anyway; laying beside him, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling softly into his chest. Just like old times. She was asleep within moments, and he felt he had no choice but to join her.

Minerva was slightly amused, but also a little annoyed. Just how many copies of Knitting World did Albus have stashed away? She had incinerated a large cache of magazines that dated back to 1946, although in hindsight she thought she perhaps ought to have sent them on to Molly Weasley. With her children beginning to marry off, she could have done with all those baby patterns. Opening another cupboard, she noticed a small wooden box, with some parchments sticking out haphazardly.

Unlike the rest of Albus’ things this was barely dusty at all, and seemed to have been thrown in there in great haste. Taking the box to the great desk, she opened the box to find dozens of letters. Curious, she opened the first on the pile.

‘Dearest Severus, I was so happy to receive a reply so promptly. I miss you so much, but having your letters reminds me that I am still in your thoughts, though we are miles apart...’

She gasped, realising what she had found. She opened the next one, in a different, but more familiar script.

‘My Darling Sadira, words cannot express how much I miss you at this trying time and though I know I must continue this charade, I dearly wish we could go back to the way things used to be...’

“Oh Severus, Sadie, you poor, poor dears!” She sobbed, tears streaking past her glasses and down her wrinkled face. She could not take this anymore; she needed company, a friendly face, someone who would understand. She left the box of love notes on the desk and headed toward the Hogs Head.

Sadie woke with a crick in her neck and a fuzzy head. She had really needed that sleep, but she knew it had been a bad idea to nod off before lunchtime. She ran her hand softly across Severus’ chest with a smile. It was good to have him back again. He was watching her in silence with a small smile on his face. She returned the smile and leaned forward to kiss him softly.

“Have we slept long?” she asked. Severus tried to speak, but croaked once again in pain, instead he pointed to the small bedside clock, which showed 2 o’clock.

“Time for your potions then. I daren’t give you much in the way of solid food yet, your stomach won’t handle it after so long. I’ll bring you something for the pain too, then we’ll see how you get on with a bit of bread and soup, eh?” She smiled at him. He felt slightly annoyed at her babying of him, but it was much better than Poppy’s idea of bedside manner at least.

She assisted him into a sitting position, then bounded downstairs to check on Winky and the kids before descending further to the cellar to collect her husband’s medication. The nap had done her the world of good, as had seeing Severus awake again. Most of the worry was off her shoulders now and for the first time in too long, she had confidence in a better future.

Severus was impressed with her diligence and efficiency. He remembered suggesting Healing to her as a career once upon a time, and was quite sure she would have done well in that field. The potions for nutrition, nerve regeneration and painkilling worked well, even if they were disgusting. Thinking how to improve the taste would give him something to occupy his mind whilst an invalid at least. Sadie then went downstairs to feed herself and the children, promising to bring him a small bowl of something too.

Their bedroom had hardly changed in the past 3 years, apart from the slow steady increase in feminine influence. The windows were wide open, letting a light summer breeze and soft light into his parents’ old room through delicate lace curtains. Before Sadira had moved in, the house had been a dark depressing monument to a miserable childhood. Now there was light, laughter and a real family. He would never dare to treat her or the children the way Tobias had with his wife and son. And she was as far as could be from Eileen’s nagging, self pity and apathy. The old house at the end, 56 Spinners End, had been home to three generations of Snape, now the fourth was home to stay. This generation would get it right. Finally, the house of Snape was at peace.

When Sadie returned, she brought with her something far better than the promised bowl of broth. In her arms was a chubby little girl barely recognisable as his Isabella in a light cotton sundress; short, fine brown curls crowning her head. Behind her was Hadrian, much taller than before, but still with the same serious but inquisitive expression. His throat again felt choked, but no potion could help this time. His beloved children, how much had he missed? Hadrian seemed too shy to step forward, looking anxiously at his mother for approval.

“Hadrian?” he managed to whisper, and suddenly the boy’s face broke into a grin.

“Daddy!” he shouted clearly, running up to the bed and clambering onto it, leaping on top of his father.

“Carefully Hadrian, please! Daddy’s still poorly.” Sadie warned, perching herself on the side of the bed nearest him and sitting Izzy next to her, supported by her mother’s arm.

“Missed you Daddy.” Hadrian said, hugging his father and resting his little dark head on his father’s shoulder, causing him to wince.

“I have missed you too Hadrian.” Severus said quietly. “Can that really be Isabella? She’s huge!” he remarked. Izzy rewarded her father with a big dribbly grin, displaying two tiny gleaming white teeth.

“They both are!” Sadie smiled, while Hadrian bounced on the bed, shouting “Me big! Me big!”

Feeling stronger after having taken his painkillers, Severus gathered his children into his arms.

“It’s good to be home.” He sighed. Sadie kissed his cheek fondly, her eyes glistening.

“It’s good to have you home.” She replied.