The Birth of a Special Child

It was the 31st of July 1980 and Lily Potter was giving birth to a baby on a stormy night at St Mungo's Hospital. It was truly the worst of possible weather conditions. There was heavy rain, thunder, lightning and a continued strong gale that blew insistently every few seconds. Lily was sitting in the hospital's birthing chair, her legs outstretched and feet firmly placed on the holders. She was trying her best to push hard but she was getting tired quickly, and pain was overwhelming her. Lily had been in labor for three hours now and she didn't know how long she could continue for. Next to the tired woman was her husband, James Potter. He had been looking forward to this day; he really wanted to see his beautiful little baby in this world. He promised the world at large, silent oath though it was, that he would love this child no matter what. James was currently holding his wife's hand. She was squeezing his hand quite tightly but he didn't mind. Anything for his Lily-flower, he would say. Subtly, he flexed his hand in her iron-clasp grip.

Doctor Fleming was birthing their child. He sat on a stool waiting for the baby to make an appearance. The nurse was standing next to him, with a towel across her arms, waiting for him to pass the baby. Her eyes were sharp and assessing, and she flashed the Potters a brief smile as Lily cried out.

"Just a few more pushes, Mrs Potter! I can see the baby crowning!" exclaimed Doctor Fleming, leaning forward.

"Okay, Doctor" – Lily panted – "I c-can do this," she replied, determined to greet her child. Lily pushed her hardest, teeth clenching and nostrils flaring, her red hair a sweaty veil on the headrest. James squeezed her hand, his crooked glasses glinting in the white lights of the room. Continually, he whispered to his wife – reassurances and encouragement and nonsensical outpourings of nervousness – "There, Lily-flower, nearly there – "

"Just ooone more push," the doctor announced, the nurse at his side peering over, ready to assist.

There was a pregnant pause. And suddenly the room was filled with the sound of a squalling baby.

"Congratulations!'' said the doctor happily. "It's a little girl!"

James immediately kissed Lily, his lips crashing down on hers giddily. They were both smiling; the kiss was awkward and sloppy and oh-so-sincere; they were obviously overjoyed with the new addition to their family.

"Mr Potter, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?"

"Is that even a question?" James did a quick jog to his daughter, taking a moment to just admire the sight of her, then removed his wand and sliced the cord with a simple Cutting spell, more carefully cast than any other spell he'd done.

The doctor's spindly, gloved hands transferred the baby to the nurse and she cleaned the child by hand (as was always best for youngsters), then ran a skilled eye over the newborn in search of any possible problems while simultaneously casting a standard Diagnostic charm. A drop of the little girl's blood was thereafter to be carefully extracted and tested for magical ability, using the ready-made potion. Meanwhile, the doctor did a spell to clear the mess of the birth as well as the umbilical cord. James reluctantly tore his eyes from his child and hurried over to his wife to give her a big kiss.

"We did it, flower," he whispered. "We actually have a baby."

"Our little girl is finally here." Lily lifted her head from its slumped position to watch the nurse with hawk eyes.

James grinned at her knowingly. "She's fine, Lily. Perfect, actually." He grasped his wife's hands, his tan where hers were pale and blotchy from exertion. "We're a family now, my sweet Lily." James rubbed his chin on the top of her head, mussing her hair even more. She laughed and batted at him, her smile wide. His eyes glinted mischievously – "I can't wait to show her my famous pranks!"

As quick as ever, Lily scowled. "Oi! Our daughter is not going to be a prankster," she sniffed. "She'll study hard like her mommy." Anxious eyes again traced the nurse, who was watching the potion for signs of transition while continually casting Diagnostic charms for certainty's sake. Nurse Gale, Lily knew, was the best St Mungo's had to offer. She would ensure her work was triple-checked, and Lily leaned back, calming a little.

"Whatever floats your boat, my Lily-flower." James, ever oblivious, was prattling on, imagining a spitfire of a daughter clearly following in his footsteps.

"I will murder you, James Potter," Lily threatened half-heartedly.

"Nah, you won't," he said, puffing with self-assurance.

"I hate you, Potter."

"You love me."

"I really do."

They kissed like they were teenagers back at school, like no time of passage would ever ravage them.

They were interrupted by Doctor Fleming, who was grinning at their flushed cheeks. "Mrs Potter" – he began – "I am going to levitate you onto the bed now. It will be far more comfortable." He lifted his wand in indication.

Lily's relief was palpable. "Thank you, Doctor Fleming; my legs are killing me. I'm never going to stretch them again," she moaned.

"You didn't complain about stretching in bed …" said James cheekily.

"James!" Lily slapped him on the arm.

The doctor levitated the tired woman to the waiting bed and James was at her side immediately. "Our daughter?" he asked, and beamed, because those words were sweeter than Lily's lips.

Lily was sitting up in bed, eyes lidded heavily. She was tucked in with her arms sticking out. James was softly stroking his wife's hand and prattling quietly into her ear.

Nurse Gale approached, a tight-lipped smile on her face. The pink bundle in her hands gave a cry. "Here you go, Mrs Potter, Mr Potter: your baby girl." The nurse handed the baby to Lily, ensuring the child's head had constant support.

Lily and James could not stop staring at their daughter. She was the most beautiful newborn they had ever seen. Her eyes were closed tightly, her face a terrible pink, her mouth a red straggly line – and she was utterly gorgeous to her parent's wide eyes.

"James, she's beautiful!''

"I know," he said smugly. "My baby girl is stunning, just like her mother."

"Oh, James." Lily gave her husband a playful glare. "Not everything is about me," she joked. Her eyes drew back to her daughter and her arms tightened protectively.

James just chuckled in response and gently stroked his daughter's cheek. After a while of simple admiration, they started discussing possible baby names.

The doctor came over to the bed where the nurse was quietly watching the new parents with soft eyes. He had just finished cleaning up the room ("My birthing room, my mess, my responsibility," he would say), vanishing the birthing chair and the empty vials of Pain Relief potion. He quietly inquired Nurse Gale as to the results of the Diagnostic tests and the magical-ability-discerning-Potion.

"Nurse …" he trailed off. "Would you prefer I told the parents?" the doctor whispered to his colleague.

"You may tell them, Doctor Fleming," Nurse Gale replied with a regal nod. "I promised Doctor Martha that I would help in the clinic tonight,'' the nursed explained.

"Alright, Nurse; I shall see you later then."

"Of course, Doctor." She promptly left after saying goodbye to James and Lily, her shoes click-click-clicking away.

The doctor walked up to the edge of the bed, formally clasping his hands.

"Mrs and Mr Potter, would you like to hear the results tonight or tomorrow morning, after some rest?"

"Tonight would be great. I am too excited to wait for tomorrow," replied James and Lily agreed with her husband, her fingertips resting lightly on her child's cheek.

"Ah, alright." The doctor chuckled softly. "The results of her Diagnostic tests were perfect. Your girl is positively healthy."

Lily and James traded pleased looks. "And is she magical?" the mother questioned.

The doctor looked at them for a moment, his lips pulling to one side, and smiled sadly. "Your daughter is … a squib."

For a moment, there was silence as they absorbed the fact that their little girl would never feel a spark of magic running through her, twisting into a spell as it burst into existence. Then, abruptly, the new parents smiled. It didn't matter. They didn't care that she wasn't magical. James and Lily wanted a child whom they could love and care for. Most importantly, they wanted to be a loving family.

"We love her anyways," replied Lily fiercely.

James readily agreed. "She will always be my little girl. Lily and I will cherish her like the little star she is."

The doctor was very clearly relieved. "I am so glad that she has loving parents like you two. I have been working in this hospital for 12 years and I've never seen such accepting parents."

"My parents taught me to always be accepting towards people." James grinned somewhat cockily. "That's why I fell in love with the most beautiful woman on this planet, despite her initial displeasure with me. I accepted what she couldn't – we're perfect for each other."

Lily snorted softly but her hand found his.

The doctor smiled. "What is the little girl's name, for the record?"

James responded immediately: "Luna Elenora Orion Potter, named after the moon and Lily's mother and Padfoot."

"That is a beautiful name, Mr Potter." The doctor made a note of the name on his breast-pocket notebook, the spelling of which would be checked later.

"Indeed it is, Doctor – my husband has a way with words."

They were interrupted by another nurse who burst into the room, voice urgent. "Doctor Fleming! There's an emergency! A woman is in labor and she's giving birth to quadruplets!"

The doctor's face lit with anticipation. Merlin, he loved his job. "If you will excuse me, Mr and Mrs Potter. I have four babies to deliver."

The two medical staff left at a run.

It has been three hours since the birth. Lily Potter was sleeping soundly after all her effort. She'd had enough energy to breastfeed and burp her child, but after that she'd dozed off. James was gently holding his little Luna who was awake, though just barely. He looked at his daughter with wonder and examined every feature on her little face. James hoped her eyes would turn from the normal newborn blue to emerald green eyes, just like her mother. She also had small wisps of dark brown hair. James hoped that she wouldn't be cursed with the Potter genes of unruly hair.

"Luna," he whispered. "You have your mother's nose and my ears."

James kissed her forehead. "I will always love you and protect you."

James was interrupted by the room door opening. It was Remus Lupin, one of James's best friends and Luna's soon-to-be-godfather. Remus immediately walked up to James and greeted him.

"Hey Prongs, sorry for coming so late. Got stuck at work." He looked grey and worn but his eyes were bright as he gazed at James's daughter.

"It's alright, mate," James responded. "Would you like to hold little Luna?"

"I promise I won't drop her," the werewolf said sincerely.

"You better not, otherwise I will kick you in the arse," James warned as he handed the baby over. Remus carefully held her in his arms.

"She's gorgeous, James." Remus was fascinated at the sight of her. "She has your ears and … Lily's nose?" the werewolf noted, flicking his sharp gaze to Lily's slumbering form as he compared the two.

"Yes – I just hope she won't have my hair." (James would later find out that he had indeed passed on the gene and Luna would have a hard time getting ready in the morning because she would be too busy brushing her untamable hair.)

"I just wish Sirius was here to see Luna," Remus sighed, gently rocking the little girl.

"Me too, Moony."

"I cannot believe that you can produce such a beautiful child, what with you having such an ugly face." Remus smirked with Marauder grace.

"Hey! At least I'm not Scarface," he cried in mock outrage, pointedly eyeing Remus's scarred face.

Remus raised an eyebrow and rebutted: "At least I'm not stupid like you."

"At least I can fly a broom."

"Arse."

"Bitch Wolf."

The pair giggled like school-children. At that very moment Severus Snape walked through the door. The pair stopped giggling and beckoned him to come over. Severus shook his head slightly at their conspicuousness and then approached. His black robes flared behind him, making it seem like he had a cape. He'd become friends with Remus, James and Sirius in their first year after he had protected them against a spell from a Slytherin, who had cast the hex in the Great Hall at breakfast only to have its effect ruined when its caster's arm was given a simple push by Snape, circumventing the path of the spell. Thus, their friendship was born.

"Hello, Batman," greeted James and Remus simultaneously, Lily's Muggleborn influence clearly at work.

"Very funny, you two," Severus drawled.

"How have you been, Sev? I'm sure the children at Hogwarts must be taking away all your energy," asked James politely.

"I've been good." The Professor tipped his chin down considerately, his eyes lidding as he eyed the newborn, asleep in Lupin's arms and face all but covered by a pink blanket. "I made the best decision by going to Hogwarts … However, there are a few brats that try my patience," the sentence ended with a hiss.

Remus and James chuckled. "Children will be children, Sevvy. I mean … when we were in school, the famous Marauders caused havoc upon almost everyone," James boasted.

Remus nodded sagely. "James was hated by most of the Ravenclaws."

"The Ravenclaw House hated me because of you," responded Severus with a strong grimace. "Living in the Ravenclaw dormitory was hellish – everybody gave me death glares."

"Well, you had us as friends," James said proudly.

"I could've had better." Severus's lips pulled back to reveal his teeth.

"At least I'm not Captain Hook." James eyed Snape's long black hair and high cheekbones.

"How dare you, James Potter!"

"Hey, you have a big nose." James shrugged unrepentantly.

"I'm getting it fixed, alright?" The Ravenclaw's scowl intensified, then released with good humour.

The pair chuckled. Severus again eyed the baby, his curiosity easily controlled.

Yet Remus had always been able to read Severus. "Sevvy, would you like to hold her?"

"Indeed," the Ravenclaw murmured.

Severus held baby Luna as gently as a vial of Explosive draft. He couldn't believe that his best friends had a daughter. He was so proud of James and Lily. He just wished that Sirius could see Luna. He would've spoilt her rotten. He thinks about Sirius sometimes. He can't believe that he's actually gone. Sirius died from a brain tumor; he was diagnosed when was just 18 years old. The doctor had told him that he had a single year to live. There were some things that not even magic could cure. ("At least, not yet," Sirius's doctor had said, her voice low with compassion.) They had all made sure that they spent enough time with him. And then he was gone. It had been a tough time but they got through it. And now they had a new little addition to their Marauder family.

Severus eyed the baby keenly, recognizing familiar features. "Prongs" – he began – "her health?" He was ever the more practical of his friends.

"Wonderful," James replied steadily.

"As to her magic?"

"She's a Squib," the father answered as he straightened his shoulders and warned, "but that doesn't matter. We will always love her."

Remus nodded affirmatively.

"I couldn't agree more," Severus said lowly. No child should suffer for lack of magic … or for its presence.

He knew this better than most.

Editor: Shadowed Violin