On July 31st, 1980, in an invisible house in the British magical enclave of Godric's Hollow, a child was being born.
The child's parents, James and Lily Potter, two young magical prodigies, had experienced great difficulty in conceiving. Lily, a Charms and Potions Mistress, had fell victim to a cowardly Death Eater attack that had rendered her all but completely infertile. However, due to her and James considerable magical prowess, and the Potter family's collection of books filled with long-forgotten magics, a ritual was soon devised that would ensure the birth of a Potter heir. This ritual would draw upon the magics of three adult wizards and one witch to temporarily bypass the veil that separated the world of Gods, demons, and other supernatural entities. Further, it would invoke the presence and participation of two deities that would bless Lily with a child unlike any other. These deities had been the patrons of generations upon generations of Potters and Blacks, and any child of James' would be both.
Lily Potter sat upright in the middle of a triangle that dominated the room. The lines of the triangle, red and thick, were drawn in blood. Her blood. It had been a bit gruesome collecting all of it but it would be a necessary conduit for the magic that would occur. Moreover, it had the added bonus of trapping whatever entity that would come from beyond the veil within its confines with her... Despite this, Lily sat calmly waiting for the ritual to begin. She was confident. After all, she had played an integral role in its creation, and she knew that James would never allow her to come to harm.
"Lily flower, are you sure that you want to go through with this?", said a mildly concerned James Potter. An upturned eyebrow was all the response he received from his wife. Knowing her infamous temperament, James adjusted his glasses, gave a light shudder and then quickly nodded his head. He hurriedly assumed his position at the tip of the triangle. Sniggers resounded from his left, where his brother in all but blood (well there was a bit of that as well), Sirius Black lounged. "Oh shut up Padfoot, you git. Moony, you ready?" said James as he turned to his other best mate, Remus Lupin, who gave him a resolute nod in return.
"Well then let's begin." James grimly stated.
With these words, the house began to shake. Immediately, a tear in the very fabric of space became apparent and a trio of shining beings emerged. The tear quickly shut and the a barrier appeared in place over the triangle of blood.
"Three?! How is this possible? All the spells indicated that only deities that had been patrons of the family would appear!" a panicked Lily internally raged, She didn't outwardly show any signs of surprise. No, to do such a thing may have offended one of the extraordinarily powerful beings that were currently in her presence and Lily would never dream to do such a thing, not only because her magical senses were being bombarded by the sheer power that these three beings exuded, but also because such a thing would have appalled her late mother-in-law, Dorea Potter. who had been as poised as a Queen. Instead, Lily got to her feet and curtsied, while staring at her own feet.
"I thank you for gracing me with your presence. I am Lily Potter and I am unworthy of being in your presence. And yet I must risk your displeasure, for you see it has long been my deepest dream to be a mother. I am the wife of a magical Lord, the last of a long and historied line. I love him with all my life and wish to provide him with an heir. However, due to foul magics, my fertility has been stripped of me." Here Lily's impassioned speech ground to a halt as she burst into tears. She pushed past the emotion with difficulty." I vow to you that James and I, shall love any child that we are granted."
The being in the centre of the trio stepped forward. His form shifted in a flash of green, and suddenly where once was an amorphous blob, a spectacularly handsome man appeared. He had dark black hair, as black as a raven's feathers, sharp eyes that were a metallic green, and chiselled noble features. This man, whoever he was, was no doubt royalty. If his very presence didn't betray that, then no doubt his antlered crown would. "What an interesting ritual, but you know dear, you have completely ruined my entrance! I have a bit of a flair for the dramatic, or so my family tells me, so I'm accustomed to making the grand opening statements. I was just looking for a bit of fun, a trick to play, a plot to hatch, when I felt the portal summon me. Well, I'll have you know that I hadn't sensed a Potter powering this magic, you all would have been dead already. In any case, I'm rambling and I haven't even introduced myself yet! I am the Patron of the House of Potter, a Prince of the Houses of Odin and Laufey. I am God of Mischief, Magic and Fire. The one and only, LOKI!
Lily was stupefied. That Loki was the Patron of the Potter family was obvious, given James', and even Charlus', penchant for mischief, as well as their strong magic. She just hadn't expected a being quite so… enthused as Loki appeared to be. She hid her surprise well, or so she thought.
"Yes, I am quite enthusiastic aren't I? I am spectacular. Anyway, I would never allow the House of Potter to fail were it in my power to help. I have, after all, devoted millennia to ensuring its prestige. Therefore, I shall assist you. Your child will be gifted with two of my most coveted talents: my cunning; and my signature ability: shapeshifting. I am going now. No sense staying if there is no more fun to be had". Loki quickly made his departure but not before making a few "adjustments" to the lighting. He was a Mischief god after all!
"Ah Loki, he always was a bit of a prat. Great at parties, don't get me wrong, but a prat nonetheless." an ethereal voice whispered. Lily shuddered at the power in that voice. "Fret not, Lily. Your cause, and that of your husband, is dear to my heart. And how could it not be? After all, my son was the original Black" And with that a woman materialized.
Lily gasped. The woman in front of her was, without a doubt the progenitor of the Blacks. Pale white skin, long hair blacker than night, shrewd molten silver eyes, and a cloak made of crow feathers all came together to form the very picture of a dark beauty. The goddess in front of Lily approached her and clasped her hands. She then spoke in a rich deep baritone, "I am The Morrígan, Lady of the Crows, The Phantom Queen, and the Goddess of Death, War and Foresight. I shall grant you and James a child that shall possess my legendary prowess in battle. Also, be honoured, for I shall gift your child the freedom of the sky. He shall possess my ability of flight. Yet I must warn you however, my gift comes with risks: while your son may be free to roam the skies of these Isles, which fall under my jurisdiction, he must be on his guard elsewhere. Sky-gods guard their domain jealously."
Lily quickly nodded her head. Her son would be warned. She would ensure it! Seeing Lily's acknowledgement, The Morrígan flashed out of existence. The redhead turned to the mystery entity that none of them had foreseen.
"Young gods! Where is their respect for their elders? You would think that they would recognize their place. Especially when in the presence of one as ancient and renowned as I. I will see to it that they are suitably punished later. it would do no good got them to think that they could disrespect me again. Now, you must be wondering why I am here? Yes, well dear. It might come as a shock, but you see you aren't exactly as muggleborn as you think you are. You see -- Wait WHAT?-- dear, you are actually a descendent of a magical line that was thought extinct at the end of Grindelwald's War. Lily Evans, you are the heir of the magical ancient House of Shafiq. Therefore, as patron of that lineage, I am also your Patron and that of your unborn child.
Lily thought she had known herself. Hell, she had embraced her muggle heritage in a world that was determined to denigrate her for it. She had endured years of slander and attack and she had come out on top. She had been a veritable Charms prodigy, Head Girl, the brightest witch of her age and she had done it all while being a "no-good mudblood". To hear now that she was actually an heiress of a well known-family, and that she must be a descendent of a Shafiq squib, stung. It seemed to take away all her hard-work and tears and explain it away with her blood. This was exactly what she had raved for years and years about, the purity of blo…
"Now, now, dearie. No need for a mental breakdown. Everything will be alright! And look at the brightside, your child will be getting the blessing of one more Patron. She will have even greater protection than you had originally planned.
Yes, whoever this goddess was, was right! What did it matter of Lily wasn't a muggleborn if her son would be getting more protection.
"WAIT, SHE? But Lady Morrígan just said…"
"Well she was wrong dear. I shall grant you a daughter."
Lily was stumped. She had just wrapped her head around having a boy. She would name him Henry of course, so that she and James would have a little Harry Potter. They hadn't even thought of a girl because of the lack of female Potters in the past few centuries. Well, Lily would love a daughter just as much as any son she could have ever had. Now to find a name…
"You will get to that later, Lily. Now, I must introduce myself." said the voice as a flash of radiance illuminated the room. As Lily regained her bearings, she opened her eyes and gaped.
Lily Potter had often been complimented on her red hair and her green eyes. She was always told that she had striking features. Lily had basked in the compliments, she after all, knew she was pretty. Now, however, in the presence of this goddess, she couldn't help but feel that she was an ugly witch. She was basically a Bulstrode in comparison to the woman before her.
The goddess was dark-skinned. Her skin was a rich mocha colour. Her curly hair, which was restrained by a resplendent sun crown, was the deepest red that Lily had ever seen. She was garbed in a toga that was modestly cut but that simultaneously highlighted her feminine form. Underneath her outstretched arms, enormous shimmering wings, made up of multicolored interlocking feathers, fluttered. The goddess' eyes were an expressive emerald green with hints of gold. She was a rare beauty, and she was so graceful, it was obvious this woman could be nothing but a Queen.
Lily immediately dropped to her knees. She was certain that she knew who the goddess was, and did not want to risk any chance of upsetting her.
"Ah a mortal, who recognizes my power and position. I am reminded why I became the Patroness of the House of Shafiq millennia ago. Rise, Lily Potter. You are in the presence of Isis, Queen of Egypt, Mother of the Pharaoh, and Goddess of Marriage, Magic and Health. As a woman who has faced many trials to be a mother I hear your plea. Thus, I shall grant your daughter powerful magic, and the appearance and grace of one worthy to be blessed by me. She shall be a queen amongst women."
As soon as Isis gave her blessing, she walked over to Lily and touched her abdomen. "She is here", she crooned. With that, Isis disappeared.
Lily had done it! She and James would have a daughter, and she would be loved like no child before her. Lily ended the magic powering the ritual. Immediately, the barrier faded, and Lily saw her husband and his best-friends facing the after-effects of channeling so much magic. As they recovered, Lily thought back to Isis' words "She is here" and patted her stomach… which was strangely distended. Lily looked down in shock. Her baby was here! As if the universe heard her inner thoughts, Lily felt something trickle between her legs and immediately knew: her daughter was ready for the world.
"James! I AM PREGNANT! She's coming!", Lily screeched as she felt pain shoot through her abdomen.
James Potter, who had just seen his wife not ten minutes ago, enter a portal, the fittest woman in the world - if he didn't say so himself- , was stupefied to see her with a stomach that no doubt belonged a pregnant woman who was just about ready to give birth. Nevertheless, his auror training set in, and he immediately jumped to aid her. "Sirius. Remus. Let's go get my son!"
"Umm didn't he hear her? Lily said that a she was coming", Remus whispered to Sirius, while both channeled their magic into Lily, to assist in the birth. Sirius gave a wolfy grin in response and raised a single finger to his lips in response. Remus rolled his eyes. Trust Sirius to stir up a bit of chaos at a time like this.
Two hours later, James and Lily were proud parents.
"He is amazing love, I'm so proud of you, Lily flower!", James choked, overcome with emotion. Sniggers from Sirius and Remus in the background, and, James turned his head, Lily, as well, surprised him. "Well! What's so funny then? I would love to know the joke you all are sharing while I'm bonding with my son"
At this the other inhabitants of the room burst into laughter. " James, honey, we have a daughter!"
"Oh"
A daughter! James didn't even think that was possible anymore. At least not for a Potter. The last Potter to be born female was Beatrix Potter, who had been alive in the fourteenth century! James wasn't in the least bit prepared to be a father to a daughter. He had only ever imagined himself with a son. But that just proved how miraculous his daughter really was! She would be a trailblazer right from the start! A little mischief maker! She had already played a prank on the world and she didn't even know. She could only be his daughter! Looking into her eyes, he knew that he would love her with all his heart and that he would give his very life for hers, god forbid it ever came to that.
"What are you gonna name my god-daughter, Lils, Prongs?", asked Sirius Black, who for the first time in his life felt his attention captured by a baby.
Lily and James shared a look in which they deliberated the name of their child, through the power of legilimency. Potter tradition would have that the child be given a royal name, Evans tradition, that Lily realized was based in the more ancient Shafiq tradition, would be to give a daughter a floral name. In addition, both James and Lily wanted to honour the Black family that had given them Dorea and Sirius. Thus, they reached an agreement. The child would be called...
Morgan Asteria Potter.
She would be their little Aster