Hi Everyone! I'm back, and this time, it isn't a oneshot! I intend to keep updating this fic for quite some time- the plot is actually quite well hashed out, I just have to make the real writing. Now, I know this is actually really short, but I daresay it's just a teaser for the real action... Next chapter has one of the main characters/ villains and Carina's young childhood being revealed. As of right now, I will be going pretty quickly through her early years and only really stopping to show her motivations behind her ambitions. The real action and meat of the plot should begin in another four or five chapters, I'm not sure yet. Hope you enjoy, and make sure you take special care of the prophecy. It's actually really important throughout the entire plot... - Dialux
In the Dark of the Twilight, 'midst the House of Night comes forth the Child of the Dweller of the Sea
In the Dark of the Twilight, 'midst the House of Night weeps a Child of Power shed by a Mother's Plea
In the Dark of the Twilight, 'midst the House of Night will the Death and Birth Herald a New Life
In the Dark of the Twilight, 'midst the House of Night will the Savior and Doom of the World arise
In the Dark of the Twilight, 'midst the House of Night will the Forgotten and the Remembered Join
In the Dark of the Twilight, 'midst the House of Night will the Fate of the World be decided once more!
- The Ancient Prophecy, Druid Lore
Orion Black stood outside his wife's room in St. Mungo's, waiting to hear the results of the labor she had been in for over ten hours. He'd heard the wailing of an infant four hours ago, but for some reason, no one had opened the door to see him.
It wasn't that he loved his wife enough to truly care what happened to her- no, he couldn't care less about his wife. But Walburga Black still carried his Heir, and as the next in line for the Headship of the Black family, Orion knew he needed an Heir, or the chances of Arcturus passing him over and going directly to Cygnus, who already had two children- even if they were girls- would be very, very high.
And finally, finally, the door opened, and a young woman with curly red hair- Mudblood, Orion thought disgustedly- emerged and told him he could come in to see his wife and children.
Wait. Orion, in the process of stepping foot into the room, froze. Children? As in more than one child? The only way that would- could- happen was if Walburga had…
And yes, his thought were confirmed when he saw the two bundles wrapped neatly beside their mother.
Twins.
Two of them- one a girl, one a boy. Thankfully, the boy was the elder, was his Heir, and so, as Orion stepped forward, he decided to christen him first.
The baby looked up at him, bright gray eyes flickering away, unable to truly focus, but somehow still beautiful in its intensity. Orion had thought he knew what he would name his son, but now, standing before him, his mind changed.
"You, my Heir, shall be named after my grandfather and his Head, Sirius. You, my boy, shall be the star of brightness, of the greatest potential, that drowns out all else in the night sky. May you flourish for it."
With a stiff nod, he turned to look at the girl. She was slightly thinner, her features more reminiscent of Orion's mother, Melania, than anything. Her eyes, however, were the same blue-gray that every Black Heir had. That a girl- a younger one, nonetheless, was endowed with it was quite rare. "And to you, my First Daughter, shall I name you Carina, the Keel of the Ship. As the first of your name," and here, Orion's voice dropped to a whisper, "may you be the guider and forger of you destiny."
He nodded once, decisively, and turned away from the children and the Mudblood Healer to look at his wife, still recuperating on the bed. "I shall send Tokix to you in the morning. Be ready for it."
Walburga's heavy face remained the cool, impassive mask it had been since he'd entered the room. Her only reaction to his words was a simple nod. Orion, tired and hungry, turned to leave the room when he heard her. "Wait!"
He glanced back, arching an eyebrow. Walburga was visibly struggling with herself, before she asked quietly, "What have you named our children?"
His eyes' narrowed. Walburga had been given freedom in her life- far more than a normal pureblooded female would be granted. But addressing the children as hers- implying that she was equal to him- was something even Orion would not tolerate. "My Heir is named after my grandfather. Sirius is a fine name for any boy."
She drooped, her body stilling into the submissive position of a wife, until she seemed to drag up the dregs of her courage to look her husband in the eye and ask him, voice quiet enough that he might pretend to dismiss it if he wasn't paying attention, "And ou- the girl?"
He pursed his lips, but finally Orion returned, "Carina. The Keel of the Ship."
Walburga recoiled. "Bu- But none have carried the name before! Sh-She will have a destiny- Orio- Orion! Please reconsider!" Her hands scrabbled over the bedspreads as she arched her body to try to change his mind.
His eyes narrowed back at her, hardly knowing why he said the words he did, only knowing he had to, before hissing simply, "Then she shall make it."
And without further ado, he left the hospital.
Orion Black would have no idea that his actions would change the World as he knew it forever.
