PROLOGUE:

He held the small child in his arms; a grin playing across his face. She was less than the size

of a loaf of bread; yet he could tell that she would do great things. She had exactly his eyes, maybe

a brighter blue, and his dark curly hair; though hers was black. She carried her mothers facial structure

and that delicate pixie-like figure. To put it simply; she was a beautiful baby.

"Here, let me hold her", his wife whispered to him, so as not to wake their newborn. Sirius very

carefully passed her to her mother. Lilah held her daughter close to her, relishing this most perfect of

moments.

"I love her. I just love her."

"I know, darling. I love her, too. Just wait til James and Lily see her. It's too bad they couldn't

make it tonight . . .", Sirius trailed off; a tiny frown tugging at his thin mouth.

"They would have, you know it. Things are too tied up for them right now," Lilah assured him.

Sirius nodded, and then added, "She needs a name."

His wife stroked their baby's face, glancing up at him. "I thought you may enjoy that honor."

"No," Sirius murmured. "I could never be so responsible." He smirked at her. "I'm dangerous and

irrational, remember?"

Lilah giggled. She drew him closer to her, kissing him lightly on his cheek. There was stubble; shaving

had been an unnecessary task lately; but there was his warmth that she always, desperately craved. "Please.

It would mean so much to me."

He stood there, hunched over the two them, undecisive. He wanted to do this right; this was their

first child; their first daughter. "Together."

The couple held hands as they contemplated the wide expanse of names before them. It was Sirius who

spoke first.

"I don't want her named after anyone in my family. I want her name to be something she can be

proud of, something original. I don't want her in anyones' shadow." His voice was harsh as he spoke.

Lilah nodded. She, of course, understood his wish. He had been named for so many before him, and

had disappointed his family when he took a different, no, a better path. "What about Star? I like the idea

of her shining over everyone . . . Do you think it's too plain?" She bit her bottom lip, suddenly worried.

"No, it's lovely. But I do like Ally. Someone strong, and loyal." Sirius looked tenderly down at the

little one in Lilah's arms, gently sleeping.

The room was silent for a moment as they both thought this through.

"Then we combine them somehow." Lilah nudged him out of his reverie. "Er . . . how about Starly?"

Sirius broke out in bark-like laughter. He quickly muffled it at the sight of her stern, and violent, face.

"I liked it! I liked it! Reallly . . . I just think we could find one better suited."

"Well you come up with one then," Lilah cuddled the baby; hiding her heated cheeks.

"Allystar . . . Starla . . . Ally . . . Star . . ." He went on a bit longer, muttering and running his fingers

through his thick, brown hair. Suddenly, his face lit up. The blue eyes twinkled. He looked down at his daughter.

"Alistari."