PLEASE WELCOME TO THIS WORLD: A NEW BLACK
Revised: September 19th, 2013 (happy birthday Hermione!)
Remus stared at Helena through disbelieving eyes for a moment. "The- the baby's coming?" he choked.
"Yes! Yes it is! My water just broke! Remus-my water just broke!" she screamed at him.
"Um- o-okay, um, let's get going then huh? Right, um, crap, okay, do- do you have your bag packed?" he hurried.
She nodded.
"Okay, I'll take that"- he went over and picked up a bag packed with things Helena was going to take with her at her stay in St. Mungo's. "Okay, got the bag, what else do we need? Right, let's drive over- wait, I need to tell Sirius- wait! I need to inform Harry! Crap, I have to fire-call the Weasleys; everyone might be in bed already! Oh Merlin, damn, what do I do? Um- I'll get Dumbledore to get help and- no, he has nothing to do with this! Sirius! Yes- I need to get Sirius"- Remus panicked, going all about the room trying to think straight.
Helena was watching him with wide eyes, breathing hard.
"Right- let me get Sirius- I'll be right back!" Remus finally decided on and ran out of the room. He burst into his friend's room and shook him awake. "Sirius! Sirius! Wake up right now!" he shouted in his ear.
"Bloody hell Remus, what's your problem?" Sirius grumbled rubbing his eyes.
"Sirius, we have to leave now! Helena is having the baby!" Remus cried.
"Wait- what?"
"The baby! The baby is coming Sirius! Hurry up and get ready!"
"It is? Her baby is coming?" Sirius repeated.
"Yes damnit! Get up- put on some shoes and stay with her, I need to tell Harry he needs to come home now!" Sirius thankfully seemed to understand the severity of the problem at hand and did what Remus told him to do.
Remus allowed himself to catch his breath and regain a tiny bit of composer before using the floo and contacting the Weasleys. "Hello? Hello? Is anyone awake? Hello?!" he yelled in the flames, looking at the dark downstairs sitting room. He had to wait a couple frantic minutes before he heard feet pounding on the stairs and Molly Weasley hurrying over.
"Remus! I heard your shouts, what is it?" she asked looking upset.
"Molly, Helena's going into labor!" Remus said.
"She is? Now? Oh my goodness!" Molly cried.
"Molly- tell Harry that he has to come over now! No one knows how long a baby is going to take to arrive so Harry needs to come home immediately."
"Yes- yes of course." Molly nodded and went off out of sight again. She arrived not a minute later with a pajama clad Harry, who was tripping over his slippers as Molly pulled at his arm over to the fire.
"Remus, what is it?" Harry asked sleepily to his uncle. "Mrs. Weasley just told me I had to come down right this minute and I"-
"Harry," Remus cut across the boy. "You have to come home right now. Helena has gone into labor."
"What? N-now? How on earth could she've gone into labor now?"
"I don't know Harry, but you have to come home!"
"But the baby's not due until August sixth…"Harry trailed.
"I know that Harry, we all know that but no one can ever predict when a baby is going to come. In some cases like now- it's before the due date but we can't do anything about that but come HOME!" Remus was getting very impatient and worried at that moment.
"Er- okay, let me go pack"- Harry said wearily.
"You don't have time to pack. Just bring a jacket and shoes and come home now."
Harry nodded and ran upstairs. His mind was racing as he dug frantically through his bag for his jacket.
"Harry? What is it?" Ron asked tiredly, looking at the boy in the dark of his bedroom.
"I have to go home Ron, Remus just fire-called and told me Helena's gone into labor," Harry said shortly, still looking for a jacket.
"She what?" Ron gasped.
"I know. Shit, where is it? A-ha!" Harry found his favorite blue and gray jacket and pulled it on, the put on his black trainers and hurried across the room.
"Hey Harry!" Ron called.
"What?" Harry said impatiently.
"Good luck."
Harry smiled. "Thanks." And he went back downstairs again.
Molly was smiling as Harry returned downstairs. Since floo access had been cut off for Number thirty-one for safty reasons, Molly side-Apparated with Harry in front of the house's front steps.
"You'll be okay, won't you dear?" Molly said fondly, taking a hold of his arms.
Harry drew in a deep breath. "I dunno but I'll try to make the best of it."
"Just remember, everyone still loves you dear."
Harry looked at his feet and nodded. Molly kissed his cheek. "Good boy. Keep in touch, we want to know how everything goes." With that she disappeared on the spot back home.
Harry threw open the front door and ran as fast as his still healing ankle would allow up the stairs where he could already hear the commotion that was going on. Remus was more than grateful when he turned his back and found Harry standing there.
"Harry! Oh goodness, you're here. Right, we have to take Helena to St. Mungo's now," Remus said firmly.
"I figured that," Sirius commented.
"How're we going to get there?" Harry asked.
Remus rubbed his neck in nerves. "I suppose the safest way is to drive. I don't have a license but I know enough to start the car. And Helena's has been tampered by magic, correct?"
Helena took in a deep breath and nodded. "I trust you. If- if you start to swerve it will bring itself right again."
With that in mind everyone went outside and Sirius helped Helena in the back seat so she could have more room and he took the front seat. Harry held his uncle up before they went into the car as well.
"Remus?"
"What Harry?" the man said absentmindedly, not looking at him.
"Do you think it's safe to, you know, bring Sirius along?"
"If he'll be safe anywhere it's a wizard hospital, with Healers who know what spell he is under and will not be alarmed if they have to stop him from doing anything."
Harry shrugged. Remus made a move to get into the driver's seat but stopped when he saw that Harry was not following him. "What is it cub?"
Harry shrugged. "It doesn't matter; the baby can be coming any minute now."
Remus frowned and went back to him. "No, tell me, what is it?"
Harry sighed and looked at his shoes. "It's just odd, that's all."
"What? The baby's coming now?"
"Yeah. I mean, next time Helena comes home, she'll be holding a new baby."
Remus sighed and placed his strong hands on the child's shoulders. "Listen to me Harry, I know a lot will be changing now that there's a new baby in this little family but I want you to know that nothing will change for the worse, you hear? I know it's a lot to grasp at one moment but all anyone around you can do is hope that you will eventually enjoy the new addition. No one is asking you to do it on day one, but they want you to do it in your own time."
"I know, I know."
"I'm certain we'll have plenty more time to talk at the hospital so let's get going all right?"
Harry nodded and went into the back seat to support Helena on the drive to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. It was thankfully not busy when Sirius, Helena, Remus, and Harry arrived at the hospital, (then again, it was midnight). Remus hurried off and found the nearest Healer who was just about to turn a corner down a corridor.
"Excuse me! Hey! Excuse me! My friend here is about to have a baby!" Remus chased down the man.
"Oh my goodness, let me conjure up a wheelchair right away!" the man cried when he saw Helena breathing deeply, Sirius with one arm around her, the other for her to squeeze. The man waved his wand and a wheelchair came floating on by and he pushed Helena into it and was just about to disappear down the hall with another Healer when he turned to Remus and said quickly, "We'll inform you on anything as soon as we can," and disappeared.
Remus turned to Sirius and Harry. "Well, nothing we can do but wait."
The three occupied three seats against a wall, Harry in the middle of the two men. Harry let out a great yawn. "How long do you reckon it's gonna take Moony?" he asked tiredly.
"I don't know cub, it can take five minutes from now or twenty hours from now."
"Twenty hours? Merlin…" Harry shook his head and rubbed his eyes.
"Why don't you rest your head on my shoulder for now, try to get in a cat nap," Remus offered the boy.
Harry was too tired to argue so he placed his head on his uncle's shoulder and tried to shut his eyes and brain for a small while. Harry had his eyes shut for around a half hour when he felt himself being shook. He opened his eyes blearily.
"Hey there cub, the Healer who took Helena in told me she's doing fine right now but the baby won't be coming for a while so he told me you can lie down if you want," Remus said softly.
"Huh? Wha-?"
Remus smiled. "Here, lie down over here." He indicated a six foot long cushioned bench to the left of him.
"What? But what if someone needs it?" Harry asked.
"Don't worry, the place is dead inside. Go on, lie down, here, the Healer gave me this for you…" he held up a thin but sufficient blanket in his hand. Harry didn't protest and went down on his right side on the bench and allowed Remus to cover him with the hospital blanket. Harry barely felt the man take off his glasses and before he knew it, he was asleep.
Harry had only been asleep for around two hours before he was woken up again, this time by what sounded like a very loud bell. He sat up, very startled and fell off the bench. Remus, who was now in the chair next to Harry, dozing off and on looked at the boy on the floor. He helped him up.
"What 'as 'at?" Harry said thickly.
"What?" Remus said.
"I wha- I mean, what was 'hat?" Harry yawned.
Remus sighed looking sorry. "A man just walked in- I believe someone put a spell on him to make him sound like a bell. I'm sorry cub."
"No, no, it's okay…." Harry rubbed his heavy eyes, trying to get rid of the sleep in them. "What time's it?"
Remus frowned at the clock settled above the welcome witch's desk. "It's…2:45."
"2:45? A.M.?"
"A.M.," Remus nodded
"Ugghh…"
"I know you're tired, why don't you try and get another couple hours of sleep all right? You can visit Helena after."
"How's she?" Harry said frowning that he could not get his words out right from his extreme exhaustion.
"She's doing okay for now. The baby still has a long way to go until he comes here."
Harry nodded, his head felt as if it were filled with bricks. Remus ushered him down again and Harry was out like a lamp. All the while Sirius was snoozing away in a seat not far from them. Remus knew he would know if his friend did anything irrational so it didn't bother him he was around fifteen feet away. His tiredness along with everyone else's took effect anyway so he wasn't dangerous at the moment. Harry was able to sleep in until around 5:30 and he felt it was enough for him- at least for now. Remus had once again shaken him awake and Harry took his head off his makeshift pillow on the bench. (Remus' cloak).
"What time'sit?" Harry yawned.
"5:30," Remus answered.
"Mmmnnn, why'd you wake me up?"
"Someone needs the bench you're lying on that's why," Remus said with a small smile.
Harry looked up and gasped as he saw a giant man apparently waiting to sit down where Harry was. "Sorry sir," Harry said and took the seat next to his uncle.
"Are you still tired or do you feel you got a good enough sleep for now?"
Harry gave off a great yawn. "I'm okay for now."
Remus nodded.
"Where's, you know, Sirius?"
"Still asleep in the same spot. It's a good thing to let him sleep for as long as possible, it's less stressful for him and everyone else because he won't have such a higher chance to well, act out like he usually does."
Harry nodded. "How's Helena?"
"Well the Healer who's looking after her now- Healer Arpin told me how she was holding up around thirty minutes ago."
"And?"
"She's in and out of sleep. Her contractions are a bit uncomfortable and she's really full of nerves."
Harry nodded. "When is her family coming by?"
Remus bit his lip. "Well, I'll talk to her about that. They're Muggles see- except for her sister Karen so it might be a bit tricky getting them to come over here. Especially since, well, her parents aren't all that accepting to magic."
"Right. That's a bit sad then huh?"
"It is, but I'm sure they'll want to come over to our house when she brings the baby home."
Harry nodded. He was looking very tense.
"Something up cub?"
"You should know what," Harry said bluntly, rubbing the last remainder of sleepiness from his eyes.
"Well I do but I don't know what exactly is bothering you about it," Remus said candidly.
"To tell you the truth, I dunno much myself," Harry admitted.
Remus gave a small smile. "Care to venture a guess?"
Harry shrugged. "It's one of those things I might want to talk about later but not so much now. You said the baby won't be coming for a while so, maybe hours from now when I'm more awake and rested then I'll tell you."
Remus nodded. "Well I'll be holding that against you then Har."
The two of them waited around for another hour, sitting and staring at the walls when they were told by Hr. Arpin they could finally visit Helena. Sirius was already charging down the hall after they were told which room she was in, Harry limping on his cane after him. Helena smiled brightly when her new family walked in her room.
"There you three are," she said and gave each man a kiss.
"How are you holding up 'Lena?" Remus asked with a swift smile.
She sighed. "Okay for now. The Healers told me I still have a way to go, no surprise. Quick births aren't common in my family. I'm just anxious, I can't wait to see his sweet innocent face!"
"'Sweet innocent face?'" Harry repeated. "You do know who his father is, right?"
"Hey!" Sirius glared.
Harry shook his head with a smile. "Are you in any pain?"
"I'm doing okay for now, thanks for asking dear," Helena smiled.
"When is this kid going to come?" Sirius demanded.
Helena frowned. "I'm afraid not for another several hours."
Sirius sighed impatiently. "Well it better be soon, I'm getting fed up waiting around with nothing to do."
Harry's stomach suddenly growled. Helena smiled. "I take it someone's hungry?"
"Huh? Oh no, I can wait."
"Well I can't," Remus suddenly said and looked at the clock in the room. "It's 7:20, time for breakfast."
"Well you three can have breakfast in the cafeteria in the hospital, and I'm sure it'll be free to because I work here and you know me. But just in case…" she waved her wand and her bag floated to her. She dug into it and pulled out a yellow card. "Here, just show this to the man guarding the cafeteria and it will allow you to come and go as you please. It's my pass I have to use whenever I eat there."
Remus took the card. "Thank-you. Well I'd love to sit around but I'm hungry and I know Harry's hungry and Sirius"-
"He's always hungry," Harry couldn't help but joke. If Sirius were in his right mind he would've said the same thing.
Luckily Sirius seemed to understand what was going on and he smiled and even ruffled Harry's hair, causing a lump to form in the boy's throat. "Got that right kiddo."
Harry's heart constricted even more- he hadn't heard Sirius call him kiddo for months.
Remus bit his lip. "Er- well let's get some food. We'll be back soon."
Harry was about to go into the buffet line for food once they reached the staff cafeteria but Remus sat him down at a nearby table. "Just tell me what you want Har, I'll get it for you."
"Why?"
"Your leg."
"It's okay," Harry shrugged.
Remus smiled slightly. "But it could be better. C'mon, you know it's not a problem for me to get it for you. What do you want?"
"Um, waffles."
"What kind of fruit with it?"
"None, just syrup."
"Harry…"
Harry sighed. "Fine, blueberries- oh! And apple juice."
Remus nodded and went off to get food with Sirius. They came back five minutes later. A plate of three plain waffles with a small cup of blueberries, a small cup of syrup, and a glass of apple juice was placed in front of Harry.
Remus was about to start on his bacon but then gasped. "Oh! I have to run back to the house, I need to get your potions," he said to Harry.
"Oh right. But wouldn't it be at the Weasleys instead?"
Remus cursed under his breath. "I have to go, I'll be back. Just stay here until I get back."
Harry cast a nervous gaze at his godfather. "Remus," he said softly.
"Not now Harry, I have to go." With that, Remus hurried off.
Harry looked at his plate, his mind racing. All right, don't get ahead of yourself Potter, you're in a hospital. You're surrounded by people who are trained to deal with looking after wizards in this sort of situation. Don't get ahead of yourself…
"So, do you know what the baby's name is going to be?" Sirius asked Harry casually.
"Er- he's gonna have four names isn't he?" Harry said uncertainly, poking at his waffle.
"He is," Sirius nodded. An evil grin pulled at his lips suddenly. "Do you know which name I picked out?"
"Er, what?"
"Jarvis, Something Jarvis Something Black," he said smugly. "I get to give the kid two names."
"Well, that's nice."
Sirius frowned. "Do you get to name the kid too?"
Harry fiddled with his fingers. "Er- yeah."
"Well good for you Harry!" Sirius said proudly.
Harry was now starting to feel slightly nauseous, due to the lack of his meds. He clutched the table top and steadied his breathing until Remus returned. Sirius didn't seem to either know or care for he was now digging into his fried eggs again. When Remus came back five minutes later Harry let out a thankful breath.
"Here you go cub, sorry I took so long, I was bombarded by Weasleys demanding to know the latest," Remus said with a slight smile and handed over Harry's nutrient and calcium supplements. "Oh, here, I stopped by the house and got this for you in case you get bored waiting around here today." Remus handed Harry a book called Jack To Me that he received as a gift last Christmas.
"Oh thanks," Harry smiled.
"I know you were talking about wanting to read it next."
Harry nodded. "I did thanks."
"Do you want to go back to Helena?"
Harry nodded. "We told her we'd meet up with her after breakfast."
"Should've known you were going to say that, let's go," Remus said, patting Harry's shoulder.
The three of them sat around and talked with Helena for around thirty minutes but had to leave when her healer came in and told them to leave because she had to examine her. Helena looked bothered being ordered around by a Healer who wasn't her own. (Hr. Marrenson couldn't stop by because she was out of town and 'couldn't' be bothered).
Harry sat around in his pajamas in the waiting room with his guardians and began to read. After reading the first three chapters Harry got a bit bored with the book so he sat around and looked at the walls and at the witches and wizards who passed by- Healers, patients, and visitors. It was after lunch that Harry's stomach began to feel very mobile and flip-flopped. He was getting more and more anxious as each hour passed for he knew he was one hour closer to the birth of Helena and Sirius' baby. He also wanted to talk about his last worries with Remus before it happened. At 3:30, Harry sighed and looked up at his uncle.
"Er- Moony?"
"Yes cub?" Remus said turning to look at him.
"Um, I- I sort of think I want to talk to you about, about my last minute worries before- before the baby comes..." Harry turned a bit pink.
Remus however smiled. "Well I'm here to listen, talk away."
Harry nodded. "Um, how different are things going to be? After he comes home?"
"I can't really say anything about that Harry. Every baby is different. Some might scream their lungs out all day, others are very calm."
"Is anyone going to expect me to do anything? I mean- how involved in this do I have to be?"
Remus sighed. "I know you don't want to be real involved and I'm not asking you to be, but I do know that if Helena is having troubles and for whatever reason Sirius or myself can't help her out, I know it's only your instinct to take over. But no one is asking you to change his nappies or bathe him or feed him or any of that. But since you are going to legally be his brother, somewhere along the lines I do hope that you well, for lack of a better term, act like it. And not because you should hands tied, no questions asked, but because I know you will want to. I know you have a huge heart and I know I told you this a while agi, kids do amazing things to a person. They open their hearts in ways you can't even imagine." Remus smiled. "I know you made Sirius and I better people, as you did to your parents when they were still around."
Harry sighed and looked at his hands. Remus put his arm around him.
"I know that this baby is a huge thing for all of us to take in and it will be a bit surreal at first, but I already know I'm going to love him and I hope you will sometime too. You are going to live in the same house as the baby for a couple years so he's going to naturally look up to you, which is a good thing. I know you will be the perfect role model for him."
"You're just saying that…" Harry had to mumble.
"No I'm not. You really will be a great role model. You don't drink or smoke or pick fights with people."
Harry made a funny noise.
Remus chuckled. "Well you don't do it intentionally."
Harry frowned. "But this is such a horrible time for anyone to have a baby. What with Voldemort out there."
"I know, but I also know at the first sign of danger the baby will be safe. We will put up all measures we can to make sure no one can get to him that shouldn't."
Harry shifted.
"Listen Harry, I know this is a big thing to take on and again, one of those things you didn't ask for but I know- again, that you will pull through and act as if it's no big deal. I know you're going to love having a brother, I know it."
Tears were stinging Harry's eyes.
"You could teach him all you know. You could get him into the same music as you; tell him why Cloak and Daggers and Green Day are so terrific. Why Gryffindors are great and Slytherins aren't. What the true meaning of love is," he added with a wink.
Harry grew hot in the face.
"You can tell him why the absolute greatest Quidditch team in the world is the Kenmare Kestrels. Why there is no greater feeling of control than flying. You can be that one person who he'll come running to for advice or comfort because you're his older brother. When he doesn't want to talk to his parents or any other adult you'll be there. You can calm his fears down if he's afraid of something because out of anyone, you have been through so much so you'll know if he truly needs to be afraid of something or not. (sigh) The thing is, you can be as involved as you want but if I know you as much as I think I do, you will enjoy being there for Helena, Sirius, and their son," Remus explained, arm around Harry.
Harry put his face into Remus' shirt with a grin and hugged him. "Thanks, I needed that."
"Just doing my job."
Harry smiled. The hours went by still, just as slowly as ever. Harry was now mindlessly looking into leaflets in a rack near the chair he was sitting in. Wow, I must be really bored if I'm reading about how a girl develops into a woman, Harry thought widely, looking at a leaflet called The Teenage Witch. At six P.M. Harry went to have dinner with Sirius and Remus in the cafeteria. But as soon as the three of them left the room after their meal they were hounded by a nurse who was looking after Helena.
"Thank goodness I found you! Helena is having the baby!" the nurse cried.
"What?" they said in unison.
"Yes! She's fully dilated and will be pushing now. Hr. Arpin told me to find you three."
"Can we see?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"Only the father is allowed I'm afraid," the nurse said.
Sirius' eyes grew a bit wide. "M-me?"
"Are you the father?"
"I am."
"Then come on, you two will wait outside until you are allowed in. I promise you that you will be able to come in as soon as the baby is born."
Harry and Remus nodded and stood outside the room where Helena was now in to deliver the baby.
Meanwhile, Sirius was happily coaching Helena through the arrival of their new baby. At that moment he seemed to realize he was indeed going to be this child's father for the rest of his life and wanted to savor every moment of it.
"C'mon Hella! You can do it! Push little Jarvis out of there!" he cried, holding her hand which she was squeezing back tightly.
"I'm trying!" Helena shrieked back.
"You're doing fine so fare Ms. Delmhar, but let's wait a few minutes and try again all right?" Hr. Arpin said.
Helena nodded. Sirius wiped her sweaty face with a hand towel. "You're doing fine so far Hella."
Helena had tears in her eyes at the given nickname from her boyfriend. The urge to push came again minutes later. She tried with all her might and suddenly they all heard a blissful sound- a baby's cry.
"Is he- is he here?" Helena gasped looking frantically.
"Yes he is! It's a boy! Do you want to sever the cord new Daddy?" Hr. Arpin told Sirius with a smile.
The Healers in the room knew Sirius was not right in the mind but with supervision, he was able to point Hr. Arpin's wand at the crying baby's umbilical cord and said, "Sverritus." The cord was cut.
The healer quickly cleaned off the baby and placed him on Helena's chest. At that moment the older woman left for a moment to tell Remus and Harry they were allowed in. Harry couldn't help but feel extremely happy at that moment as he watched Helena and Sirius kiss the child's head several times before a nurse took him away to clean him off more, clear his airway, weigh him, measure him, and place ink on his hands and feet for prints on his birth certificate.
"Congratulations," Remus whispered to Helena and kissed her cheek.
"Thank-you two so much for being here," Helena hiccupped, hugging Harry.
"No problem," Harry smiled.
"He is five pounds, twelve ounces and seventeen inches, ten centimeters long," announced one of the nurses.
"Ohh, he's so tiny," Helena said.
"He'll grow up nice and manly like me, don't worry," Sirius smiled.
The two shared their real first kiss in weeks. Helena broke down finally. "S-sorry," she told him.
Sirius just smiled. The baby was given back to his mother and was wrapped in a warm yellow blanket. Everyone was now able to take a good look at him, plus he was calming down. The baby looked around with ocean blue eyes and kept flexing his fingers. His head was covered in a thin layer of brown thin hair that almost reached his eyebrows.
"Ohh, you're so pretty sweetie, you're so pretty," Helena said to the baby, kissing his plump cheek. "Say hello to everyone sweetie, this is your daddy, your uncle Remus, and your brother Harry. I know you're going to love all of them so much, they're the best relatives you could ask for," she told the baby.
A nurse then placed a cap over the baby's head to keep it warm. "I'll give you five a moment," she said and went to the back of the room.
All four of them did not take their eyes off the baby for what felt like an hour.
Finally Harry spoke up. "It kinda looks like he has your nose Helena," he said with a smile.
Helena sniffed. "You think so? It's still so small and dot-like."
"Yeah but it sorta slopes down like yours."
Helena looked at her baby. "You're right; it does look a little like mine."
"What does he have that's mine?" Sirius frowned. "We both have dark hair and blue eyes so what's mine that's his?"
"I don't know Sirius, it's too soon to tell, he's still so pink and frumpy," Helena giggled.
"You're right." He smiled at his girlfriend. "He truly is beautiful isn't he?"
"He is."
Sirius stroked the baby's apple cheeks with a long finger. Nurse Sherfi held up a quill to the birth certificate. "Do you have a name for him yet?"
Helena, Sirius, Remus, and Harry looked around at each other. Helena spoke up. "Well he's going to have four names so I guess we should go around with each other and say what his name is. Sirius, since you already know yours you go first."
"Well his second name will be Jarvis and his last, Black," he said proudly.
The nurse wrote this down.
Helena drew in a breath. "His third name is going to be Daighre."
"D-A-R-R-Y?" asked the nurse.
"No, D-A-I-R-G-H-E," Helena corrected .
The nurse looked at her questionably.
"I know it sounds unusual but it's Irish, it means flame," Helena explained.
The nurse wrote the name down. "And his first?"
Everyone looked at Harry now. Harry drew in a breath. "Um, if- if you don't mind Helena, I was kind of kicking around the idea of- of Cayden for the first name."
Helena sucked in a breath and covered her mouth.
"Do- do you like it?" Harry asked worried.
Helena nodded through her tears. "Oh, oh sweetie, it's beautiful, I love it."
"You really think so?"
She nodded. "It's perfect. Cayden Black, I love it." She touched her son's cheek. "Out of all the names in that book, I was hoping it would be that one."
"See? You already knew what it was. I told you it was a really obvious name from the War of Fiona. Sir Cayden Bekkerde, who falls for Fiona in the end."
"So the first name is-?" the nurse asked with a poised quill.
"Cayden," Helena said. "C-A-Y-D-E-N."
The nurse wrote this down and said to the child with a smile, "As of today, July 24th, 1996, happy birthday Cayden Jarvis Daighre Black."
"Thank-you Harry," Helena whispered.
"Of course."
The nurse allowed them a few more minutes with the baby before she had to take him away. "We're going to take him down to the nursery to give him a complete examination okay Ms. Delmhar?"
Helena nodded, tears still brimming her eyes. "Can I- can I just say goodbye to him first?"
"Certainly."
After the goodbyes Hr. Arpin stepped forward. "Right, all of you, you have to leave for now so I can check Helena out and clean up everything. Go on, you'll be able to come by again around 8 PM."
Harry, Sirius, and Remus all hugged Helena good-bye, congratulating her again, with Remus promising her he'd tell loved ones she had given birth and went into the waiting room. The moment Harry sat down he let out a long breath. Remus stood in front of him. "Hey, do you want to head home for a while? I have to make phone-calls and contact everyone anyway."
"Yeah, sure."
Remus was on the phone with Helena's mother first when they arrived back at Number 31 and from the distance Harry was at he could tell the conversation wasn't going well. Remus kept biting his lip and frowning as the woman's voice rang over the other end. He finally hung up with her.
"What was all that about?" Harry asked.
"Her mother; Merlin I now know why Helena says it's a pain to talk to her," he said shaking his head.
"Why?"
"After I told her Helena gave birth she was highly angry with me that I didn't tell her earlier. She told me she had to be the first person to find out. Which she is after us but she still didn't hear me out. Anyway, I have to call her sisters now."
It didn't take as long to call Karen and Jane before Harry told Remus he wanted to tell Hermione himself. He didn't have to wait long for her to pick up the phone.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hermione! You'll never guess what just happened!" Harry cried.
"Harry? Is that you?"
"Yes! Guess what?"
"I don't know, what?" she smiled.
"Helena just gave birth to the baby!"
He heard the sound of what must've been the phone falling from her hand. "She did?" she said sounding excited.
"Yes! Just now! Or around a half hour ago!"
"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! That's terrific! But doesn't that make him a little premature?"
"I suppose but the healers are checking him out. He's pretty cute. He has these pretty blue eyes and thin brown hair that I know is going to be trimmed already months from now. He's really small, he was five pounds and he's pink and wrinkly and everything." Harry couldn't help but beam as he said these things.
"Really? Ohh, I want to see him!" Hermione chirped.
"I know, I'll have to see when it's okay. The healer told us we can't see her again until eight tonight but thought you'd be happy to know she had the baby."
"I really hope I'll be able to see him soon!"
"Don't worry, I'm sure you will soon, Helena knows who you are, she likes you."
Hermione smiled. "Well call me back as soon as you can- I mean it Potter! I want to see them!"
"Don't worry, you have my word."
They shared a few last words before hanging up. "Hermione really wants to see the baby," he smiled at Remus.
"Can't blame her. Don't worry; I'm sure her as well as her parents will be able to see Helena and Cayden tonight. Until then, I think it's best to tell Dumbledore, he'd like to know what's been going on as well."
Harry stiffened at the mention of the headmaster's name. Ever since he had ignored him all year long he didn't feel he wanted to be a part of anything as of yet. Harry relaxed on the sofa next to a warn Sirius who kept shaking his head.
"Wow, that kid is going to be pretty lucky with that woman, shame his father isn't around," Sirius sighed.
Harry's heart constricted. He knew Sirius had been holding up magnificently all day long but now seemed to be the time all the fresh memories were to be replaced by fake ones. Around 8 PM that night the three of them went back to St. Mungo's for one last look at baby Cayden and Helena. When they entered the recovery room Helena was sitting up with a smile on her face, cradling her tiny son to her who was dressed in a standard blue hospital gown that looked like a blanket for it went way past his legs and wearing the same cap the nurse put on him earlier; a mobile magic incubator-sized baby bed was by Helena's own.
"Hello," Helena greeted as everyone walked inside.
"Hello," Remus smiled back and gripped her shoulder. "How are you two?"
"I'm fine," Helena said heavily. "But little Cayden is having a bit of trouble breathing so he's going to be looked after all day tomorrow. If he's okay at the end of the day we'll be able to go home on the 26th."
"Oh, well it's always better to be safe than sorry. Oh buy the way, I told everyone you had the baby," Remus said.
"And?"
"Well your mother was a bit upset she wasn't informed earlier but her along with your sisters are coming by tomorrow, as are the Grangers if you want."
"Well I do want. Besides, all your friends are becoming mine too and now that I live with you, I don't have much of a choice do I?" she grinned.
Remus smiled back. Meanwhile, Harry was looking at the baby, pure disbelief still etched on his face. After a couple hours since the birth of the child it seemed to slowly begin to sink into Harry's mind just how different his life was going to be for the rest of his life, however involved he wanted to be in the baby's life or not. He didn't necessarily know how to feel at that moment: happy, angry, upset, resentful? What? All he knew was this pink child in front of him was going to impact the lives of everyone and it was an odd thought. As usual, Harry's expressions did not go unnoticed, this time by Helena.
"Harry?" she called.
"Huh? Yes?" he spun around.
Helena gave Remus a smile then smiled at Harry. "Harry dear, would you come to me for a minute?"
"Okay…"
Helena looked at him, a teary smile on her face. "I want to thank you for your support when I was pregnant."
"But- but I've been an arse the past nine months."
"Well that doesn't matter. What matters is you have been very helpful and willing to be there for me since you came home this summer despite not being very physically able to. Now I know how different your life is going to be and how important it is to be a good role model to Cayden if you want to so I wanted to tell you this: even though I have my own baby I still love you as if you were my own."
"You've told me that before," Harry mumbled.
"And I'm going to keep telling you that until I know you believe me." Harry shifted. "Now I know how difficult it might be to be almost sixteen with a newborn baby in the house, you're a teenager, you have a lot on your mind, hormones and problems and everything coming at you; it seems hard for parents to show their older children they love them when they have another kid who is so much younger so…Remus, could you hand me my bag?" Helena asked the werewolf.
Remus bent down and handed Helena her bag that was in a shelf on the bedside table. She rummaged around it until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a flat box with gold paper wrapped around it. She handed it out to Harry who looked confused. "Take it dear."
Puzzled Harry took the box and stood there with it in his hands.
"Well open it silly," the woman smiled.
Still a bit lost as to what was happening Harry tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside was the new August edition of Quidditch Views magazine. Harry smiled. "You bought me a magazine?"
"That's not all I did, I also subscribed to the magazine for a full year," Helena said with a smile.
"You- you did? You really did?" Harry said excitedly.
Helena nodded.
"But why?"
Helena shrugged. "It's something many families do. They give the older children a gift so they know that they are still loved even though a new baby has just entered their world."
Harry had tears in his eyes. "But I'm not seven, I don't need attention…"
"I know you're past that stage sweetie but I also know how you might feel about this. I want you to know I love you even if you aren't my son. I would have never imagined a year ago that I would care so much about you when I was placed in charge of your health. But I'm so happy now that you're a part of my life."
Harry's heart was beating rapidly. Sometimes it took a lot out of him whenever someone really and truly showed they loved him because everyone who did was not related to him. Thoughts of feeling alone and unwanted when he was younger came flooding into Harry's mind at that moment. Helena held out an arm and Harry allowed it to be wrapped over his back.
"Thanks 'Lena," the boy mumbled.
"It's no problem. I just don't want you to ever feel second best to little Cayden."
Harry nodded and they let go. Soon it was time for them to go home which Harry was grateful to do. He missed his great queen bed and many blankets, pillows, and two cats purring on him. he flipped through the pages of his new magazine, thinking that it would be best to get one last night of quiet sleep for he knew no matter what anyone said, his new brother would be keeping everyone up. Anticipating the next couple of days, Harry fell asleep, his last thoughts on one Cayden Jarvis Daighre Black.
The moment we have been waiting for, surely! There is nothing quite like the birth of a new child in the midst of the chaos in the world. Cayden is very important to me, of any OC characters in any other story I wrote, he is one of the most real. I hope you like him just as much as I do.
Magical love: Rose