A/N: Holy cow, it's been so long! I'm so sorry. Much thanks to Nightshadekiller, Nithusa, twinkletin24, , SocietyKilledMe-WickedDaphne, salazarsgoddess, GreekPrincesss143, hannabananananana, angelvoice15, Black Rabbit-san, & roni2010-tealyellow!
Chapter XXIX
Sirius fought not to gape at Severus Snape. They were sitting in Grimmauld Place with Dumbledore, who had just informed him that Snape had lost his marbles.
"If you're taking the piss-"
"I assure you, Sirius. Severus, much as he would like to deny it, has spoken in your favor himself."
Severus sneered. "It is simply a matter of convenience. You are allowed to while away your time here, and the baby . . . must also be hidden away."
"Well of course I'll take the baby! But-"
"Sirius. Do you trust me?" asked Albus solemnly.
"Of course I do."
"Then please, let it be. Severus, prepare the girl. It won't be easy."
"She is aware of the possibility. She's . . . She will make it through."
It was one of the closest comments to a compliment Sirius had ever heard Severus mutter.
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As the days passed, Madison grew larger and larger. She started to feel better in some ways, and odder in others, and there were days she slept through every single lesson scheduled. (Narcissa, of course, made her keep up the pace and make up this time on the days she was wired for hours.)
Still, she didn't get to see Draco or even Blaise. She wrote letters to Harry and Blaise that felt empty, because she couldn't tell Harry he was to be an uncle, or mention the baby with more than tiny hints to Blaise.
Madison had discovered that Adhara was the name of a star in Canis Major, the same constellation as Sirius, the Dog Star. She didn't explain this to anyone, but readily pushed the name – and, of course, with her and Narcissa on the same side, the baby's name was to be Adhara.
Draco hadn't made it home yet when Madison began to have labor pains. Narcissa sent off for Severus, who arrived shorty thereafter with both young men. Madison did not care at the time who was there, as long as the tiny person inside of her got the hell out.
The boys each held one of her hands, and though they would regret it later, they would be happy to hear that it meant everything to her.
Adhara was platinum blonde already. Madison speculated later that there must be something in the Malfoy blood, because she should have been a brunette. She loved the blonde hair on the child, though, and kissed her baby's tiny forehead repeatedly before she handed her over to Severus.
Severus and Narcissa exchanged a glance before walking out with the baby, leaving Blaise, Draco, and Madison to say goodbye. Draco leaned down and laid a kiss on his ex-fiancé's forehead, hovering over her for a moment. When he pulled away and looked down at her, she was already asleep. He looked at Blaise, and his friend was wearing a similar grim smile to his own.
When Madison woke, she was alone.
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Sirius had been hard at work in the bedroom next door to his. He'd gotten it set up as best he could, but had finally reached the point where he needed help. From Molly.
He let out a heavy sigh. Time to tell the Order they were about to have a new member. Dumbledore and Snape had left it to him to explain, the sadistic bastards. First, he needed to tell Harry, so he'd know who the baby was. No one else could know – at least not yet.
When Harry saw the nursery, he stared at Sirius like he'd lost it. Sirius just laughed.
"I know what this must look like. But . . . Something's happened."
Harry looked more puzzled and concerned, but said nothing.
"Your sister's in trouble." Before Harry could do something rash, Sirius held out a hand so he could continue. "She'll be fine, if we handle it well. She's pregnant. I've agreed to take the baby."
"She . . . You . . . I don't understand."
"It's complicated. But we have a man on the inside, and he's going to bring me the baby when she has it. Voldemort doesn't know about the baby yet; she'll have to be hidden. The best way is here, with me."
Harry blinked, processing the information. Then he asked, "Whose is it?"
Sirius grimaced. "Draco Malfoy's."
Harry shuddered and asked, "When's she having it?"
"Any day now. I wanted you to know the truth, but I'm about to have to tell everyone else. Dumbledore knows, of course, but we're not to explain the whole thing to anyone – that includes Ron and Hermione. At least for now."
"Okay."
They sat in silence for a few minutes before heading back downstairs. Everyone was shocked, of course, but Molly sprang into action as soon as she knew the baby still needed things in her room.
When Adhara arrived a few days later, things were cozy and waiting for her.
