July 31,1980
It was James's turn to be a nervous wreck. Lily had been rushed through the doors of St Mangoes and James was meant to be following her but he had stopped short and stared after his wife feeling quite lost. The sounds of several loud cracks rang around him. And he barely registered his friends excited chatter behind him.
"Hey, mate," Sirius's for once quiet voice still rang quite loudly in his ear. "You know you can go in with her, don't you? Or did Lily kick you out?"
That got James to snort. "Not yet. It's just, Padfoot, it's my kid, he's coming today."
"I know," Sirius said. He held his own daughter tightly to his hip. "Today's going to bring you a new memory for the patronus charm, prongs, whatever one you have now won't be good enough. Believe me, it was like I couldn't cast the charm again until I realized that it wasn't the right memory."
"Well, she is a cute one, Lily's concerned our kid won't get enough attention with the way we all fawn over her." James chuckled nervously and ran a hand through his already frantically tossled hair.
"What can I say?" Sirius said, throwing Procyon in the air and catching her while she let out a sweet little giggle. "She is her father's daughter after all."
"It's not just that," James said, still messing with his hair. "You remember what I said, what Dumbledore told us. If the baby is born today. We're at risk of becoming a target. We've already faced him twice, Pads, twice. One more and—"
"And nothing." Sirius said. "It's a baby, don't be ridiculous. And even if what Dumbledore said is true, look around."
He turned James around to see all their friends sitting in the waiting area talking excitedly. Waiting for them to bring out the newest baby.
"Look at everyone here for the kid," Sirius said. He handed his daughter James. "And look at my kid. She's safe, she's healthy, all because of you and all these people. You can do it mate. You better get going before Lily loses it."
"James Potter if you don't get your arse in here right now I'm getting a divorce!" A shriek came from down the hallway.
"Right looks like she already has," James said sheepishly, handing Procyon back to her dad and taking off down the corridor before calling over his shoulder. "Thanks, mate!"
10 hours later at 10:31 pm a baby boy was born. James had excitedly rushed out of the delivery room to his waiting friends. A healer had offered to give the news but James wanted to be the first.
"He's here!" He said as he ran. "He's here!"
The room erupted in cheers even from those not of their party. It was rare to get good news these days. But the sudden loud noise elicited a cry from little 10 month old Procyon who had been woken up.
"Oh I'm sorry little Procy." James whispered. "Just a little excited that your baby cousin is born, you'll get to meet him soon."
He looked up at his friends.
"Same rules as we did with her." He said, pointing at Sirius's daughter. "Only a couple at a time."
Dorcas reached over and gently pulled a slightly still fussy baby girl out of her mother's arms. "You and Sirius first then. We've got this one."
"Oh perhaps you should go, I need to get her back to sleep." Jane tried to argue.
"Nonsense your family," Remus said, "Meadowe's is right. You and Sirius first."
"So are you—"
"Oh for Merlin's sakes, Black, your husband's left without you, go on." Marlene said pointing to where Sirius was trying to drag James away without Jane. "We know we're all family but you're practically the last of James's blood, go."
Sirius still beat James and Jane to Lily's room but he had the conscious sense to stop outside the door just enough to wait for James to peek in and make sure Lily and the baby were ready for visitors.
"Hi!" Lily said tiredly with a baby all bundled up in her arms. Jane cooed and pulled out a camera to take a photo.
"How long have you had that on you?" James asked incredulously.
"Oh don't worry, James, you'll start carrying a camera with you wherever you go from now on too," Jane reassured him.
"Anyways, Sirius, Jane," James said. "It's time for you to meet, Harry James Potter."
Jane couldn't help but coo again. "Aww Harry James what a handsome name."
"Would you like to hold him?" Lily asked Sirius who had crept next to her bed and was staring down at the child.
"Oh. Oh I don't know," Sirius said. "What if I drop him?"
"Sirius you have a child, you hold her so much you're probably the most experienced out of all of us," James pointed out.
"Yeah but it's my child, I can risk messing her up as much as I want." He argued.
"Excuse me?" Jane said.
"Nothing," he grinned and gently snatched up the newest member of their family. "Oh it looks like Procyon has some competition."
"Well it's definitely the Potter genes that make the cute ones for sure then." James smirked and slung an arm around his cousin, Jane.
"Oi!" Lily and Sirius cried out together.
"But in all seriousness," Lily said, "and we've got to ask now before I pass out."
"Right," James said. He took Harry out of Sirius's reluctant to let go arms for a second. "Sirius, will you be his Godfather?"
It was a good thing that James had taken his child back because Sirius was convinced he would have dropped him in shock.
"And Jane," Lily said. "Godmother?"
"Oh, oh of course," Jane gushed. And rushed over to pick up her new godson.
"Really, mate?" Sirius said.
"Well it's only fair that we returned the favor," he said as he was Procyon's godfather.
"I don't know, mate, Moony and Wormtail might feel left out." Sirius said.
"They'll get over it. Besides as much as I love him, Wormy hates children. I've seen him with Jazlyn, far too uncomfortable. And While I know Remus would be excellent, it just feels right, going with you," James said. "Besides, you've done such a great job with your own kid, who better to trust?"
"What do you say, Padfoot?" Lily said.
"She called me Padfoot," Sirius exclaimed. "Well I can't say no after that."
James and Lily laughed and Sirius snatched Harry up out of Jane's arms.
"Don't worry little guy, whatever it takes, you'll be safe with me."
AN: Happy Birthday Sirius!
