The Healer Of Shadows

Astrea Cassiopeia Black was born to be everything a Black woman should be-beautiful, poised, powerful, and above all, proper.

Unfortunately, Astrea has never had much interest in being proper.

At twenty-four, after six years spent abroad mastering advanced magic, healing, and potions, the youngest Black returns to London under Narcissa Malfoy's watchful eye. The expectation is simple: take her place in society, uphold the family name, find a suitable husband, and finally behave like the woman she was raised to be.

Astrea has other plans.

Accepting a position alongside Madam Pomfrey at Hogwarts was supposed to buy her freedom. She hadn't accounted for an escaped brother she believed guilty of murder, a castle full of secrets, or Severus Snape-the bitter, brilliant Potions Master who seems determined to dislike everything about her.

The feeling is entirely mutual.

At first.

Because Severus Snape may be the only man Astrea has ever met who isn't afraid of her sharp tongue, and Astrea Black may be the first person in years stubborn enough to see the man underneath his.

And neither of them is prepared for what happens when irritation becomes friendship, friendship becomes something far more dangerous, and Sirius Black comes crashing back into both their lives.