An:A prequel to On the Black Family Side and a sequel to Start of a war. I'm not good at technology and don Know how to link them here…but you can go to my profile to find them.
Likely many of these scenes will show up when I get to that point in the First Wizarding War series. But that won't be for a while. But since it's Halloween. I figured I would post this for the special occasion.
September 1 1979
It came as a surprise to everyone that Sirius Black was the first of the infamous marauders to have a child. It was also a surprise to everyone (except for those who knew him well) that he absolutely adored her.
She had tufts of blonde hair. A pair of light grey eyes blinked up at the brand new father. She was wrapped tightly in a soft yellow blanket. Sirius Black stared in awe at the little girl in her arms. Her name was Procyon Jazlyn Black. Procyon because he insisted that she would be his little star and Procyon came from the name of the little Dog Star.
The baby had been fussy up until the father had taken her into his shaky and nervous arm. The new mother, finally getting some rest on the hospital bed next to them. Sirius began to lightly pace the room while bouncing little Procyon in his arms.
That is how James Potter found his best mate when he had returned to the hospital room after giving the family some time alone together.
"Hey, Padfoot," James Potter said, putting an arm on his best mate's shoulder.
Sirius flinched, slightly shocked, and pulled out his wand while still holding the little new born in the other. He had been so focused on his new daughter he hadn't noticed anyone coming in.
"Relax mate," James said. "We won't let anything happen to her. Ever."
"You can't— We can't promise that," Sirius whispered back. His eyes never leaving Procyon's. "Jane, she lost so much already. She didn't have her parents, and sure she had yours—but that's not the same. And I-well you know my family. They aren't exactly good role models for parenting. There's a bloody war going on mate. Voldemort will want her… she's the daughter of two of the most powerful wizarding families. I can't let anything happen to her."
James looked down at the little girl in Sirius's arms. She was so small and fragile. He may not be the little girl's Father but he felt he understood the worry. She looked so precious and sweet. Her little eyes blinking confusedly and curiously at him. He wondered if she could even see him.
"You aren't alone, mate," James said. He carefully took the baby from Sirius and held her gently. She gave a little yawn. "You have me, Moony, Wormtail, the girls, Frank. Merlin the whole order will be in love with her when they see her. She'll be surrounded by so many of us by the time she goes to Hogwarts she'll be sick of us."
"I never wanted a kid," Sirius said. He put his head in his hands and slumped into a nearby chair. "I always thought I'd ruin one. Prongs, you know me. I know I was excited when Jane told me but— I don't know how to be a father. I don't want to hurt her. I don't want anything to happen to her. What if she hates me?"
"She won't," James said confidently. "And I do know you mate. And I know you'll be the best dad this little princess could ever have."
"What if something happens to me? To Jane?" Sirius said. "What then?"
This wasn't something new parents, especially at only the age of 19 should have to worry about. But they did. With the war on every street they walked on. No family had been left unaffected.
"We won't let anything happen to you–"
"You can't promise that!" Sirius shouted. He startled Procyon and she let out a cry. He quickly took Her back and began to rock her and whisper quietly apologizing to her to and soothing her to calm her down.
"I know," James said once the child had calmed down. "I know. But she'll never be alone. We're all here for her. I'll make sure of it."
Sirius swallowed and handed the baby back to his friend.
"You promise, Prongs?" He said earnestly. "You swear it?"
"Marauder's honor, Padfoot," James said. "She'll be safe with me."
October 1979
"Where is she?" Marlene Mckinnon exclaimed excitedly after she burst into the small Black family's London flat. She turned to her friend, who noticeably did not have a child in her arms. "Oh don't tell me you've already put her down! I wanted to meet her!"
"Sirius has her. Why don't you clean up a bit first?" Jane laughed at her friend. "How was the mission?"
Marlene pointed her wand at her robes and the dust and grime disappeared. She followed the new mother into the living room.
"It was bullocks! We could've really used Sirius or James out there." Marlene grumbled. "But I suppose it's alright that they were with you."
"Was anyone hurt?" Jane asked.
"No," Marlene said. "It's just those little snakes got away."
Jane and Sirius knew having a child in the middle of an all out war was a bad idea. Of course it wasn't exactly something they had planned. They weren't married and they were only 19.
"There she is!" Marlene exclaimed.
They entered the living room and found Sirius Black sitting in an armchair by the fireplace. A little bundle in his lap. James Potter sat on his knees on the floor in front of the father and daughter. He made small soft plushies, a dog, stag, wolf, and a rat, float in the air around the baby's head. In the adjacent kitchen was Remus Lupin and Mary Macdonald. Pouring drinks and preparing some food for everyone.
"Oh can I hold her?" Marlene didn't wait for a response and reached for the baby in Sirius's arm.
"Whoa, hold it Mckinnon," Sirius said, wrapping the little girl closer to him. "You can't go around grabbing other people's babies."
"Don't take it personally," Jane sighed. "He won't even let me hold her. And I'm her mother."
"We've all already tried," Lily Evans (soon to be Potter) called out when she came into the room. She was flanked by Alice Longbottom, Dorcas Meadows, and Emmeline Vance.
"Where's Frank?" Alice said, looking for her husband. She had expected him to arrive with Marlene.
"At the office," Marlene said. "He was kind enough to fill out tonight's report. Where have you lot been?"
"Upstairs," Dorcas Meadows replayed. She threw herself on one of the couches. "Last minute wedding preparations."
"Ah yes, the Potter wedding." Marlene said. "You know if you told me in fifth year that these two were going to be married I would've thought you'd gone mad."
"I think we all would've agreed with you," Emmeline laughed.
"Oi!" James protested. "We weren't that bad!"
"Yes you were," everyone said together. They all laughed at James's pout.
"Is everyone here?" Lily asked. "Where's Peter?"
"He can't make it tonight," Sirius replied. "Said his Mum needed help with something."
"A shame. Now, give me the baby, Black," Marlene said, turning and lunging for Sirius. He quickly got up and danced away from her.
"I told you it won't work, watch this," Jane said and turned to Sirius. "Come on, Sirius, she needs to eat. I need to feed her. That's not exactly something you can do."
"My dear Jane, we could use what you've already pumped out in the fridge, like we do at night when you're sleeping," Sirius replied.
"You're going to have to put her down at some point," Marlene sang. "Moody wants you back next week."
Sirius sobered up. He looked at his little girl again.
"What if something happens to me?" Sirius said quietly. It was said so intimately it came as a surprise to some of the girls m.
But not to James and Remus who had heard this a million and one times since the child was born.
"Don't be stupid, Pads," James said.
"What do you think we'd do?" Remus said. He went behind him and snatched the baby into his arms. She let out a little giggle as he did. "Let her starve?"
He handed Procyon off to an excited Marlene.
"Yeah come on, Black," she said. "She's safe with me."
