Celebrate Midsummer at Stonehenge! Well, some people are. I've been at school and glued to the computer to produce this for you!
See, didn't I tell you I'd write them more quickly? Less than a week as well! Wow! I'm impressed with myself. But please, tell me if the chapter's any good?
This covers a fairly large area of time – January to June 1987. Most of it is various scenes or overviews of that time.
Umm, answers to various questions at the end.
Enjoy!
Chapter 40: Pregnancies and births
January 1987:
When Moody had heard the news that three of his top Aurors were pregnant he had not been best pleased.
"DON'T ANY OF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE CONTRACEPTIVES!" He had yelled.
Kathryn and Sirius had both noted with surprise that since her pregnancy, neither had suffered flashbacks or nightmares to their captivity.
"You think he's showing magic already?" Sirius asked his wife.
"Maybe she is, but it could equally be something to do with the pregnancy anyway – helping soothe us and help us so we're alright when he or she is born." Kat suggested. Despite the fact she knew they were going to have a little girl, she had not told Sirius, and they used 'he' or 'she' interchangeably.
None of the women had been pleased to hear that from three months on they'd be unable to go out into the field.
Moody had explained it.
"There's too many Death Eaters out there who'd love to give any one of you a miscarriage." He informed them. "A witch's natural magic prevents that from happening until three months – usually – but after that, it's your magic alone. Babies cannot perform magic from the womb. Furthermore, if your husbands know you're out there, in danger, carrying their child, they're not going to be able to do their jobs properly. You'll be on paperwork, light cases and Ministry work. Kathryn, the Department of Mysteries will have more access to you in your capacity as a semi-Unspeakable."
Despite their anger, they all knew he'd been talking sense, and submitted after several cross remarks.
Moody had put the men together in a group, making sure they knew to speak to the women (who were in their own group whilst pregnant) about the missions as contacts and for advice. He didn't know about Lily and Kathryn's telepathic abilities with James and Sirius, but this made even more sense.
Kathryn spent a lot of January on Unspeakable duty. They had her speaking to Damion as her contact, and in the month she could still go out in the field, they had her do several retrieval sessions, including one that needed a pregnant witch to do it.
Morning sickness faded as they reached their third month of pregnancy.
After a week without it, Kathryn was extremely relieved, having suffered it the worst.
"No more sickness." She had told Sirius happily.
He'd grinned at her. "That is good news indeed."
He just wondered when the cravings and serious mood swings started.
XXXXX
5th February 1987:
Kathryn walked through the Spell Damage Ward, her movements slow and lethargic. Part of her hated doing this. Visiting her brother. Deciding her best friend's future. What right did she have to do that? She wondered. Just visions the gods sent to torment her.
As she entered the room that had once been hers and now belonged to Radella, she observed the glamour she had placed over Radella's stomach as soon as she had started showing. Only Healer Rafal and one or two others could see through it in order to keep an eye on the woman's pregnancy.
"Hey, 'Della." Kathryn entered, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Hear me at all?"
The catatonic woman made no response. Kathryn had not expected one, but still tried every time.
"Well, you know now that all of the Enchanted are pregnant. I'd like a picture, but I don't know about telling Lily. And we're not really showing yet, either. We'll need another month or so at least." She gave a wan smile. "Well, you're six months along now. Twins, remember, so they might come early. Impatient, I guess. Like their mummy."
She sighed.
"Remus doesn't know. He's depressed, 'Della. Sworn to help you anyway he can. Something about that worries me. Does it mean what I think it might? Do you know, Radella? Is that why they worry that he might be a traitor?" She smoothed her friend's hair. "Remus loves you more than life itself, but I know he'd never betray James and Sirius. They're his brothers."
"Kathryn?" A voice spoke from the doorway.
She turned and smiled. "Kendra. How is she?"
"Well. Her condition's not changed much, but at least it has not deteriorated. Her body's giving all of the usual responses to her pregnancy, though without the cravings. We've been making sure we help her exercise in preparation for the birth."
"She's due in May, right?"
"Yes, but it could be any time from seven months on. Twins tend to be delivered early." Kendra Rafal explained. "We've got a constant monitor on her."
"The babies?" Kathryn asked.
"They're healthy. One girl and one boy. Have you told Alura?"
Kathryn nodded. "A while ago. I felt she ought to know early on. Damion knows as well – that's how we declared it a protective custody case. He's an Unspeakable. He can probably convince the department to let him adopt them in order for study of them as children."
Kendra nodded. "It makes sense. So, how are you?"
"Morning sickness has stopped." Kathryn gave a smile. "Sirius has been very good about it, but I know he's going to do something stupid soon. Lily's already kicked James out twice – her hormones and empathy are working at cross-purposes, and she's projecting what she thinks he's feeling onto him and then apparently feeling it. Poor bloke."
Kendra laughed. "And I thought normal pregnancies were bad."
"Still, it helps Remus somewhat. He keeps his spare room made up for them, and James and Sirius keep giving him presents for helping them out. It's one of the few ways we can get him to accept anything."
Kendra nodded in agreement. "Most werewolves are the same – they despise charity. Luckily, Remus hasn't turned feral."
"Feral?" Kathryn looked worry.
"Some werewolves will turn to their wolf instincts and go completely feral. It can be very dangerous. Others will live in packs in secluded woods." Kendra explained.
"Oh. I never knew that. Remus doesn't like to discuss it." Kathryn explained.
"I can imagine."
"Well, I'll see you in a few weeks. Is there any chance I could bring Lily at some point?" Kathryn asked. "It's silly, but I'd like a picture of the four of us whilst we're all pregnant."
Kendra laughed. "You can charm the camera to not detect the glamour, if you want, whilst maintaining it while Lily's here. Just tell her you want a picture of you all together."
Kathryn nodded. "I'm not sure she'll fall for it…"
"Do it. Any pictures you can, Kathryn. You never know when you might need them." Kendra advised.
Kathryn sighed, nodding, before leaving the room.
XXXXX
17th February 1987:
Kathryn woke up suddenly, horror flooding her mind.
The vision came back to her.
Pregnant Molly … Attack on the Burrow … Death Eaters … Torture, Cruciatus … The Dark Mark … Gravestones … Molly Weasley, Beloved Mother … Ronald Weasley, Never Had The Chance To Shine …
She flung herself from the bed and started throwing on clothes. Sirius was on a mission with James, Frank and Moody, none of them could hear her calls.
Absently, she telepathically called Lily.
Lily, She called.
Wha…! Ugh, Kat?
Lily, call my Dad. There's an attack on the Burrow.
Why don't you…
I'm going.
Kat, you won't be protected!
Molly's eight months pregnant, Lily!
That silenced her friend.
I'll call him. Don't do anything stupid.
Get the Prewetts there. They're Molly's younger brothers, worship the ground she walks on.
I know. They'll do anything to protect those kids.
Kathryn cut her friend off, and, calling on her Elemental alter ego Fire Star, disappeared from her home in a flash of bright fire.
She found something close to devastation in her wake.
The Prewetts were already there, fighting about five Death Eaters in tandem. Arthur was engaging another, desperately trying to draw them away from Molly, who stood in front of her children in the living room like a mother wolf protecting her cubs. She had her wand out, and she was consistently incanting a shield, one hand on her protuberant belly.
There was a Death Eater coming from another angle.
"That child shall not be born!" It hissed.
Kathryn's eyes widened. What on Earth would be so important about Ron that Voldemort would order them to prevent his birth?
Her wand forgotten, flames raced from the fire elemental's hands in twisting ropes. Just as the hidden Death Eater incanted the Killing Curse, the rope yanked his wand up, shooting a hole in the ceiling. Molly turned, shocked, but grateful as she saw the familiar young woman.
Fiery ropes bound the Death Eater hand and foot, and she left him floating in the air. They did not burn him, though they were unpleasantly warm. However, should anyone else touch the ropes…
Kathryn slipped through Molly's shield to stand beside her.
"The other's will handle themselves." She murmured. "Protecting you and your children is my top priority."
Molly nodded. "Thank you."
Kathryn waved her off. "We pregnant women have to stick together, don't we?"
Molly looked shocked, then smiled. "Congratulations. How far are you?"
As Kathryn set up a protective shield along with a few glamours (trying to hide them from view), she replied. "About three and a half months."
Molly nodded. Her young friend had lingering protection from the pregnancy, but very little – most of it dissipated around twelve weeks with the loss of morning sickness.
"Activate." Kathryn hissed, calling the shield and glamour up.
Instantly the Death Eaters who had been heading towards them looked confused. The group had apparently Disapparated.
Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief as the Death Eaters changed direction and the Aurors responded to the scene. She was just lucky none of the Death Eaters had spotted her when she went to help Molly. If they had…
Ten minutes later, Arthur ran in. "Molly! Molly, where are you?" He called, frantic.
Kathryn, taking the sign that the skirmish had ended, nullified her glamour and shield.
Arthur breathed a sigh of relief as he ran to hug his wife and then the three small boys who had been huddled together behind her.
"I'm fine, Arthur, really. Kathryn here saved my life." Molly informed him.
Kathryn looked down. "Well, anyone would. I didn't know what curse he was casting…"
"It was the Killing Curse, and you know full well." Molly gave her a patented 'you will tell me the truth' look that Kathryn guessed was what was so effective on her sons.
The younger woman changed tack. "Alright, I did know, and I stopped him. I'm just that good."
The older adults laughed.
There was a tug on her trouser leg and she looked down to see the wide, solemn eyes of a nearly two-year-old Fred or George.
"Yes?" She asked. She couldn't help smiling – he was just so adorable.
"T'ank 'oo." The boy said.
Kathryn's smile brightened. "You're welcome. Are you Fred?"
He shook his head. "No, George!" He pointed at himself.
"Well, then, George, you and your brothers were very brave." Kathryn told him.
The boy gave her a magnificent smile, hugged her around the leg and trotted off to join his twin in grabbing their twin uncles' attention.
Kathryn shook her head slightly. "They're so cute when they're small."
Molly nodded. "And then they turn into boys who want to play with dragons or hunt dangerous tombs for a living." She gave Kathryn a pointed stare.
"It's not my fault Bill spent too much time with Paul! Paul worships Joe and Joe!" Kathryn complained.
"Yes, well, apparently his big sister was busy with other things." Molly raised a brow as she saw Kathryn colour.
"He had two other big sisters to play with." She gave a sigh. "I've not spent nearly as much time with Paul as I'd've liked. But first I was at Hogwarts, then the Academy, and then he was at Hogwarts, and we only really had the summers."
Molly nodded. "It can be difficult, being so far apart."
Kathryn nodded. "I guess. I mean, Bill's, what, thirteen?"
"Twelve." Molly corrected. "He's not thirteen until June."
Suddenly the colour drained from Kathryn's face.
"KATHRYN FARRAH BLACK! YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE FIELD! ON MOODY'S ORDERS!" Her father roared.
"Daddy, Daddy, please." She began shaking. "I had to… A vision… I had to get here… If I didn't… The future… The Weasleys are so important… That baby…" She gestured to Molly's stomach. "Daddy, he's important! His loyalty shall never waver but once. The winds and the air shall celebrate his birth. Daddy, I couldn't let them die. Not after what I saw!"
Olden's anger faded with his daughter's words. He grabbed hold of her and hugged her tightly.
"Don't you ever do that again, Kit. When Lily said you'd gone in, you terrified me. Pregnancy for Aurors is dangerous! There are spells you can't use, and others that can damage you irreparably… Merlin's beard, Kathryn, do you know how much Voldemort would honour the Death Eater to cause you to miscarry?"
Kathryn nodded, tears pricking her eyes. Guilt was eating away at her. She had put her baby in harm's way. They'd been keeping the pregnancies as quiet as possible, but if anyone discovered the truth…
"Just don't do it again." Olden ordered her. "I can't lose you again, Kat. Your kidnapping was bad enough."
"I promise, Daddy." Kathryn murmured.
"Go home. Don't suppose you can change his ropes?" He asked, gesturing to the Death Eater Kathryn had bound.
A few hand-flicks and she was done. "He's the one who tried to kill Molly. Avada Kedavra."
Her father nodded.
As Kathryn was about to go, Molly caught her arm.
"Kathryn, I want to thank you again. But be careful. Losing a child…" Molly's face was torn. "It hurts more than anything."
Kathryn looked confused.
"I lost my baby at my fifth month of pregnancy due to a spell from a Death Eater, Kathryn." Molly explained. "Two years after Charlie. I was caught in an attack on Diagon Alley. No one should have to go through that, least of all someone who does your job. I didn't have Percy until four years later. The pain was so terrible. Some curses can hurt you enough that you will no longer conceive. Look up some spells to protect yourself, Kathryn." The older woman assured her.
Kathryn nodded. She now understood why there was such a large gap (six and a half years) between Charlie and Percy. Molly was sharing something very personal with her, and Kathryn hugged her firmly.
"Thank you, Molly. And for my sake and yours, I will never put my baby in harm's way again."
"That is all I ever ask."
"You have such a big heart, Molly." Kathryn looked at the woman wonderingly. "You never lose love for anyone. You just make more room. I wish the wizarding world had more people like you."
Molly blushed, pleased by the compliment.
Kathryn gave her a smile, and Apparated home.
XXXXX
Kathryn found out Sirius' views on her 'heroics' the next evening when he got back from the mission.
"You did what?" He had demanded in a voice so cold it made her shiver.
Kathryn repeated herself.
"What the hell were you thinking? Were you even thinking at all?" Sirius yelled. "You went into the field – in the midst of a battle no less – in your condition?"
"I'm pregnant, Sirius!" Kathryn yelled, her ire getting up. "Not an invalid! I don't need you to make decisions for me!"
"Are you sure? Because you seem to be making rather lousy ones by yourself!" Sirius yelled in response.
"Molly could have died!"
"SO COULD YOU! YOU HAVE OUR CHILD INSIDE YOU, AND YOU SPARED NO THOUGHT FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY!" Sirius roared. "ARE YOU TRULY THAT FOOLISH?"
"Sirius, I had to… My visions –"
"WILL GET YOU KILLED! KATHRYN, I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU, YET YOU SEEM TO ALWAYS GET IN TROUBLE! YOU NEVER THINK ABOUT YOURSELF, ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU LEAVE US, WHAT YOU'LL LEAVE BEHIND!"
"I CAN'T JUST SIT HERE AND TWIDDLE MY THUMBS WHILE I WAIT TO HEAR IF MY LOVED ONES ARE DEAD OR NOT!" Kathryn yelled in response.
"DO YOU EVEN CARE!"
As soon as he said it, Sirius hated himself. His skin paled, and the anger drained from his face.
"Kathryn, I…"
"Get out."
"Kat…"
"Get out, get out, GET OUT!" Kathryn screamed, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry."
Sirius Disapparated.
Kathryn was left to cry into her pillow.
XXXXX
Sirius reappeared at Remus' flat.
"I think I have just said the stupidest thing in my life, ever."
XXXXX
The next morning, Sirius Apparated to their home and knocked on the front door, fully expecting it to be flung in his face as soon as it was opened.
However, it wasn't opened.
Concerned, Sirius bypassed the wards and entered. He'd been intending on being polite enough to stand on the doorstep and apologise, but fear gripped him now.
Had his stupid comment hurt Kathryn more than he could imagine?
He ran through each room, desperately searching for his wife.
He found her in their bedroom.
She was on the bed, wrapped in one of his shirts, hugging one of his sweaters. The pillow and sweater were wet with tears, as was her face. She was still sobbing.
"Merlin, Kathryn, I'm sorry." Sirius moaned.
She didn't respond, still crying into the sweater.
Sirius moved over to the bed and took her in his arms. All thoughts of fancy apology went out of the window.
He gave a barking, humourless laugh. "Seems I always say stupid things when I'm angry." He recalled. "Stupidest things of my life. Telling Snape to visit Moony. And then questioning your feelings. It's always your safety that can get me like that though. I never meant to hurt you. I'm just so terrified I'll lose you again. And it'll be my fault again. Just like I chased you into the forest. Then if carrying my child gets you killed, I'll never forgive myself…"
Kathryn looked up at Sirius. She pulled herself away from him and promptly punched him solidly on the jaw.
"Now listen to me, Mr Black. It was not your fault I was in that forest, and it will not be your fault if I'm stupid enough to go out in a fight whilst I'm pregnant. I know I shouldn't have, but you weren't here, and my instincts took over. But don't ever doubt my feelings. I love you, and I love this baby I'm carrying. Nothing can change that."
She broke down into tears again.
Sirius just held her close, dropping kisses in her hair, apologising over and over again.
"I'm sorry, I love you, I'm sorry."
XXXXX
10th March 1987:
"C'mon you two, we haven't got all day." Kathryn chivvied her two friends up the floors of the hospital.
"But why, Kathryn?" Lily asked her friend, confused.
"I told you, I want a picture."
Alura fixed Kathryn with a beady stare. She knew what the other woman was doing.
Finally, they entered Radella's room, only to find Healer Rafal there.
Kendra smiled. "Good morning, ladies. What can I do for you?"
Kathryn held up the camera. "Picture."
In a flash, Kendra whipped out her wand to lock the door while Kathryn used one or two Unspeakable only privacy charms.
Lily frowned. "What's going on?"
"Lily, we've decided to let you in on the truth. You are the final member of Enchanted, and our best friend, not to mention Radella's. It's only right you should know." Alura explained.
"However, you cannot tell anyone else. Not James, not Sirius, not Dumbledore. Most importantly, you cannot tell Remus." Kathryn explained.
"Tell them what?" Lily asked. "What's so important? You're all wound so tight it's giving me a headache." But a little extra boost to her empathy, and she could tell that this was vital.
"I promise. I won't tell anyone about whatever this is."
Kendra looked at Kathryn and nodded.
Kathryn swept a hand over Lily's eyes.
Lily looked at her, confused, before she returned her attention to Radella. Her eyes bulged as she noticed the rather large bump on the woman's stomach.
"What?"
"She was turned into a werewolf and spent a month as one, however unknowingly, with Remus. She was impregnated during that time." Kendra explained. "The few studies we do have suggest that should werewolves have children together, they are remarkably fertile, another gift from the wolf."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Lily asked. "What about Remus, doesn't he have a right to know?"
"And how is he going to care for them, Lily?" Kathryn challenged. "Think about it, truly. He's got very little money coming in and he's depressed as it is. The only times I've seen him smile in the past few months are Christmas and when Sirius and James recount highly exaggerated tales of our pregnancies. If Radella were alright, they'd be fine, but without her, Remus is barely caring for himself, let alone children."
Alura took up the explanation. "We know it's cruel, and we hate it, but we had to do something. When they're born, the babies will stay with Radella for a month or so. Mother's milk is highly important for the first month – it transfers certain immunities and magical protection. After I've had my baby, Damion will choose to adopt them as an Unspeakable. This has become a matter for them now."
Lily looked shocked. "The Unspeakables?"
Kathryn nodded. "I've been working more with them recently, you know that. To protect them, Damion and I called in a few favours to make Radella's pregnancy a Department of Mysteries secret. You're being told because we trust you. The Department accepted it as we'll be studying the children's genetics and magic. Rarely do werewolves have children that live in the wizarding world. Damion, in looking after them and rearing them, will also look at them from a scientific and magical point of view. They won't be guinea pigs," Kathryn informed her friend, seeing Lily's look of dismay, "they'll live happy and normal lives. The Department just want to see the effect of parental lycanthropy on their offspring. The children won't be true werewolves as such – they can't pass the ailment on and the moon doesn't govern the transformation. But they will have lupine instincts, and they want to see what that means."
"The Department of Mysteries studies genetics?" Lily asked.
"Oh yeah, ever since the purebloods found that their numbers were decreasing." Alura smirked, as did Kathryn. "Of course, any dog-breeder could tell them why."
"Inbreeding. Yuck." Kathryn stuck out a tongue. "Especially among the darker families. They don't find it fashionable to have more than one or two children, generally. And they reject foreign blood. The Potters, in that instance, do not have entirely British blood. It's from all around the Isles – particularly Scotland, actually – and Europe. Paige's parents were Dutch. They have French, German, Swedish and even Italian connections. Not to mention the odd magical creature."
"How do you know James' bloodline?" Lily asked.
"It's one of the things they have me study. And it doesn't matter my telling you, because James is your husband. The Potters are a classic example of how to survive as a pureblood family, but they don't even try to. They just happen to fall in love with people who tend to have a good three or so generations of magic."
"Magical creatures?" Lily asked.
"James' great-grandma on his paternal, maternal side was an Irish nymph." Kathryn explained. "His line also holds places for a Sidhe, a Mediterranean mermaid in human form, and three Amazons."
Lily nodded – she had known about it.
"Don't you hope that Harry doesn't happen to reveal one of those magical abilities?" Kathryn teased with a wicked grin.
Lily rolled her eyes. "James has already displayed the mermaid genes." She remarked, observing his power for water.
"Hmm, maybe that's why the element chose him." Kathryn mused.
"So, why did you really bring me here?" Lily asked.
Kathryn looked at her, smiling brightly. "I was telling the truth. I wanted a photo. Just think – all four Enchanted are pregnant at the same time. And as we're just about showing – especially me – I thought it would be nice to take a picture to keep this in our memories forever."
Lily looked at her, and laughed. "That is a nice thought. And yes, you are showing more than me."
At four and a half months, Kathryn looked five and she knew it. All the same, she couldn't complain. Her bust had grown a size bigger, and her curves more pronounced, something her husband revelled in, claiming it gave her a true 'beautiful mother' appearance. She wasn't sure what he meant by that. Lily had shown similar changes, but she was only just showing, and her slighter frame meant it wasn't as obvious.
Kendra smiled at them all. "I think you all look wonderful. Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful periods of a witch's life. Although, I'd also say when your child reaches about four or five months is also a wonderful time."
"Why?" Kathryn asked.
"You can finally sleep through the night, and you trust yourself to place your baby in another room." She gained a wicked look. "And you can get back to other nighttime pursuits."
Alura groaned. "How do you think I ended up in this condition? It was getting back to those nighttime pursuits three months after giving birth."
The others laughed.
"Well, there's the advantage of having your husband wait on you hand and foot." Lily mused.
"When he's calmed down." Kathryn muttered. It had taken a while for Sirius and her to get back to normal after their argument. However, since then, Sirius had been doubly attentive, while she had made sure she kept her side of the deal (and didn't get in danger).
Alura grinned. "What have you had him fetch?"
Lily shrugged slightly. "I've had the weirdest cravings. Italian foods, mainly. And apples. Lots and lots of apples."
Kathryn nodded. "Sirius just stops at the shop on his way back from work every night to pick up more chocolate. I'm eating even more than usual."
"I didn't think that was possible." Alura looked shocked.
On instinct, Kathryn turned to look at Radella. While she remained still and stoic, there was the slightest hint of a smile on the woman's face.
"Keep it light." Kathryn whispered. "I think 'Della's smiling."
Kendra noticed, and quickly went to her patient's side. "Her pulse has dropped to a relaxed state for the first time since we brought her in."
"Happy place. We need to help her to her happy place." Kathryn grinned.
Lily agreed. "There's less pain coming from her."
Alura looked at the woman, shocked. "You can sense her?"
"Yes, of course, why?"
"Then can't you influence her? Help her get back to her normal state of mind?" Alura asked, somewhat excited.
Kathryn and Kendra looked floored that they hadn't considered it.
Lily, however, looked sad. "I tried to help her once. The magical backlash was terrible. I guess my presence was too much like another Cruciatus or something similar."
"Maybe your powers will develop again." Kathryn suggested hopefully.
"At this late stage?" Lily asked.
"Wizards and witches don't fully mature until they hit their thirties at least." Kendra explained. "It's because we have a much longer lifespan, and the magical maturation can often take a lot longer. The longer it takes, the more powerful you end up."
Kathryn nodded – it made sense.
"Well, I guess we ought to do what we came for." Alura rubbed her hands together.
"Picture, yes, of course." Kathryn looked around for her camera. "Kendra, if you'll do the honours?"
"Of course."
The three women gathered around Radella's bed, where the catatonic woman was propped up in the bed. She still held a trace of a smile, which was good for the picture. Alura sat on the bed beside her friend, while Kathryn and Lily leant over at each side. With large smiles, the photo was snapped. A few shots later, Kendra returned the camera to its owner.
"I'll make sure you each get a copy of these." Kathryn promised. "Lily, keep it in your diary, where James can't get at it."
Lily smirked evilly. "Last time he tried to read it, he spent the day in nothing but very tight swimming trunks with polka-dot skin. Not to mention the blast against the wall. Still, when I removed the skin colouration, I got my reward." She gave a dreamy look.
"I really don't want to know." Kathryn informed her. "James is like my brother, though Zeus knows I have enough of those."
"How are the twins?"
"Pains in the backside, I tell you. They pop 'round every week demanding to know if their niece or nephew has appeared yet."
"Despite the fact that they know you're not due 'til the end of July?"
"Despite the fact they know I'm not due 'til the end of July. Idiots, the both of them."
"Aren't all brothers?" Kendra groaned. "Now, visiting hours are over, you three, so you'd better go. Kathryn, I'll call you when she goes into labour."
"She's not due until May though." Kathryn pointed out.
"Twins are often delivered early. She's over seven months now, so they should be safe. We've had indications that it could be soon."
Kathryn nodded, and looked at Lily. "I'll tell you when it happens, but you'll have to be careful. James and the others can't know anything."
"None of the Marauders?" Lily asked.
"None of them. Especially Remus and Peter."
Lily looked startled. "Peter? Why Peter?"
Kathryn shrugged. She wasn't sure when Peter began spying. She knew it was for a year before Lily and James died, but was it longer? "He's easy enough to ply with alcohol to get him to blab a secret. Even easier to get one out of him than Hagrid. Only secrets he's kept are Remus' condition and the boys' secret."
It was a believable enough excuse, but Lily knew Kathryn disliked Peter anyway. She was just careful enough not to make it too obvious to him or the other boys, though Sirius had an inkling.
Kathryn smiled at Kendra. "I'll give you a copy for Radella. This room needs more personality. I mean, I woke up to find it bare. Not pleasant."
"Your family always insisted that you wouldn't stay there long, even after years." Kendra explained.
Kathryn nodded. "I'll see you soon."
She just didn't know how soon soon would be.
XXXXX
16th March 1987:
"Kathryn!" A voice yelled from the Floo.
Kathryn got up from her place on the sofa (it was her day off, but Sirius was working) and walked over to the Floo.
"Kendra?" She asked, surprised.
"Kathryn, Radella's gone into labour."
"I'll call Damion and Alura."
XXXXX
Kathryn had been sent out of Radella's room as they delivered the babies by a Caesarean section. Part of her was wondering if the reason Radella was so weak was the previous night's full moon. She looked at Alura and Damion and sighed.
"So, you have any ideas from Radella on names?" She asked them.
"Yeah. I found her diary." Alura smirked. "I was the only person allowed in it, ever. In it, she had some scraps of paper with names on them. I think she'd been feeling somewhat broody for a while."
Kathryn raised a brow. "Oh?"
"Well, she loves Robbie to bits, doesn't she?" Alura pointed out, making Radella's affections for her son very much in the present tense. To speak in the past tense made them feel as though Radella had died, and she was very much alive. Just trapped in her own mind.
"So?"
"For a boy, she had the names Conall and Galen, and for a girl, she had Tala and Amena."
Kathryn gave an ironic smile. "Appropriate really."
"Why?" Alura asked, curious.
"Tala is a Native American name meaning wolf. Conall is Celtic, and either means high, mighty, or strong as a wolf." Kathryn explained. "Appropriate names for the children of wolves."
"Any idea what twins they are?" Damion asked.
They shook their heads. "No. But it wouldn't surprise me to find fraternal."
"Me neither."
"Well then, if she has a boy and girl, we'll honour her wishes and name them Conall Galen and Tala Amena respectively."
XXXXX
It was an hour later when they were permitted back into Radella's room.
The mother was sleeping, no sign of the Caesarean section in the room. In two cribs laid a pair of tiny children.
"Oh, they're beautiful." Alura whispered.
"Is Radella all right?" She asked Kendra.
The Healer nodded. "It went smoothly. The babies will probably cry soon, so they can be fed. Only hospital staff, you three and Lily will be able to see the cribs. There are silencing charms all around the room and the cribs."
Kathryn nodded. "Good."
"You're the godparents?" Kendra asked Alura and Damion.
They nodded.
"Good. In a month, we'll perform the Blessing, unless your wife goes into labour early again." She gave a smirk.
Alura just rolled her eyes.
"What are their names?"
"What are they?" Kathryn asked – both babies were swathed in blankets.
"A boy and a girl. Both five pounds seven ounces. Very healthy for babies this age. The boy was born at seven minutes past nine, the girl at eleven minutes past nine."
Kathryn smiled at the baby girl, now realising the significance of the blue and pink blankets. "So you're going to have a big brother, eh, little one?"
"Conall Galen Lupin and Tala Amena Lupin." Alura stated. "They're what Radella wanted."
"Lupin?"
"Yes. You can't tell Remus, but the least we can do if give them his name officially. When we take them, they'll have the surname White." Damion explained. "If you wish, we can get you a report…"
"That would be helpful." Rafal stated.
Kathryn looked at the two born werewolves and gave a smile. "Sleep well, little cubs."
XXXXX
March 1987:
The rest of the month passed fairly smoothly. Kathryn spent more time with her mother as her work in the Department of Mysteries began taking precedence over her work as an Auror. Her knowledge of genetics – a subject she had found fascinating in her coma as well as real life – had put her doing a lot of work gaining DNA samples from various families. In some cases, they were easy to come by. In other cases… well, that's why they needed an Auror attached to the Department.
She also spent a great deal of time working with those in charge of the Hall of Prophecies. She had read about them a great deal, knowing Harry would some day be the focus of one. She also knew a great deal about interpreting them – something her skill of clairvoyance had to aid. She had mentioned that getting her mother in would be a good idea once or twice, since her mother had actually made one or two genuine prophecies in her time, as well as her visions (which were somewhat weaker than Kathryn's, but her time spent in a permanent vision in her coma had meant that the visions were stronger with her). The Department disagreed, however.
She had also discovered that her mother had also had an extra craving for chocolate when she'd been pregnant with her.
"Mark my words, Sirius," she had told her son-in-law. "That child your wife is carrying is a chocoholic girl."
Kat had rolled her eyes. "Mother! Besides, how would you know that?"
"I had the same cravings when I was pregnant with you. Any chocolate would do. Bars, milkshakes, mousses, ice creams – anything. I knew I was having a girl, because with your Jack I craved yoghurt and apples, and the twins made me want pizza."
"Typical Joe 'n' Joe. Unhealthy." Kathryn had smirked.
"And you, my dear?"
Kathryn had no answer to that.
XXXXX
14th May 1987:
The twins' first full moon happened the day before they were due to be Blessed. It was surprising in that they grew stronger and healthier as the day approached.
However, they had been unable to remove them from Radella's room due to a sudden burst of magic from the woman herself. As she transformed into the wolf, she circled the children dangerously, before licking them both. They both promptly turned into baby wolves, suckling on their mother and playing delightedly.
XXXXX
17th April 1987:
Radella's twins' blessing had been put on hold for Alura, who went into labour a month early (again!) and stayed in labour for two days. It was early morning on the seventeenth, when Damion came out to announce he had a baby girl.
"Halimeda Rhea Jackson." Damion announced proudly, holding his daughter in his arms.
She had her father's colouring – golden blonde hair and fair skin with rosy cheeks. Her eyes were blue, but they'd darken in the next few days, just as her brother's had. Her brother had his mother's colouring with dark hair and olive-tinted skin, but it was too early to tell who he'd look more like facially.
"She's gorgeous." Remus smiled as Damion handed her to him.
"Your goddaughter, Remus. She'll expect presents every Christmas and birthday!" Damion clapped him on the back. Only Kathryn detected the hint of guilt in his eyes.
"She going to be a Hallie or a Meda?" Kevin Pierson (Robbie's godfather) asked, holding Robbie up.
"I don't know. Might be a Meda, just to be different." Damion grinned, accepting his son from his friend.
"The name Halimeda's different enough, I'd say!" Kathryn teased.
Damion ignored her, in order to show Robbie (who'd only been one for about a week) his sister. "Is that your sister?" He asked him. "Is it? You're going to have to protect her, you know. Because she's going to be as gorgeous as her mummy, and she'll need her big brother to protect her from all those wicked, wicked boys."
"Oh, really, Damion, do you have to instil the protectiveness in him from such an early age? Merlin knows I'd've killed Joe 'n' Joe if they'd tried anything on Sirius." Kathryn growled.
"Ah, but he's different. Sirius got on with your brothers, and he wasn't going to be put off by them. If a boy's good enough for my Meda, he'll have to be brave enough to stand up to her brother first. Can't be scared off by a few idle threats you know."
Remus laughed. "You're already preparing for her dating?"
Kathryn smiled at seeing the happiness on Remus' face.
Damion nodded. "Of course. One can never be too prepared for these things, you know."
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "Whatever. C'mon, Lily, we'll go and see 'Lura."
XXXXX
A few days later, Kathryn, Kendra, Alura and Damion performed the Blessing for the babies. Lily was out running ground control. As in, she had made sure Sirius and James went out for the evening together while she and Kathryn had a 'girly night in'. Kathryn would be returning shortly.
"In the eyes of the Gods, I pronounce you the parents in friendship and magic, if not in blood, of Conall Galen Lupin and Tala Amena Lupin. May you protect them with your lives until such a time as they need no protection or are protected by their true parents." Kathryn finished the Blessing.
A blue light filled the room, swirling around the cut hands of Alura, Damion and Radella and then the blood marked on the twins' foreheads. The traditional magical Blessing was one of the few acceptable Blood Rituals permitted.
Kathryn nodded as the spell finished, then walked to Radella. She healed the cut, and placed a kiss on her friend's forehead. "Thank you, Radella." Somewhere, deep inside of her, she'd been granted permission by Radella to perform the ceremony. She knew that now.
She just prayed some day Radella would be able to look on her children with sane and proud eyes, Remus at her side.
XXXXX
May 1987:
May passed relatively quietly except for Alura and Damion's apparent 'adoption' of two children, Conall and Tala White. The others had been told they were orphans left from an attack in France with some significant magic about them, meaning they had been entrusted to an Unspeakable.
A spell to prevent Remus smelling any similarities to himself or Radella was placed almost instantly, and renewed every week. All the same, Remus doted on the new twins as much as his new goddaughter (whose Blessing happened on the seventeenth). It was only seeing Remus alone in his own home that stopped them from telling him the truth. Remus was not up to parenting at all. Kathryn and Lily (alright, Sirius and Lily, since Kathryn couldn't cook) insisted on feeding him every time he visited. His clothes got shabbier as each day went by, and, despite his friends' assistance, the full moons were harder with the knowledge that his beloved was forced into the same thing.
Lily, Kathryn and Alice were all ordered onto maternity leave at the end of the month – even doing work in the Auror offices could occasionally be taxing. Kathryn kept in contact with the Department of Mysteries, though. Their studies on pureblood intermarrying were becoming more and more interesting.
For example, the Malfoys had a one in four chance of producing a Squib. Sirius had snickered at that. He was pleased with himself for marrying someone who's only relation to his family was extremely distantly through marriage. The Orendas actually had closer ties with the Potters. However, Narcissa Malfoy had delivered a boy – Draco, of course – in February. Kathryn knew that he was, unfortunately, completely magical.
Studies of the Potters and the Weasleys had shown that marriage with magical creatures gave a boost to the family magic, depending entirely on the magic practised. In two such the light families, the light magic of creatures such as nymphs, Amazons and elves (this depended entirely on breed – Light, Dark or Dusky Elves, and many weren't humanoid enough to mate with humans) maintained a high magical stream in the family, and in some cases boosted fertility. The Weasleys' ancestral home, the Burrow, was also on a magical sinkhole, and this was tied to the family itself, aiding a family so rich in love and life with equal magic.
Ronald Bilius Weasley had been born on 1st of March, and Kathryn was very nearly named his godmother. All the same, Molly now insisted that her children call Kathryn 'Auntie', though she seemed a little disapproving of Sirius' rather famous recklessness. Sirius' main problem was an explosive temper. The problem with it was that it had a habit of exploding at entirely the wrong times.
Voldemort attacked the magical port in Liverpool at the beginning of the month, but no one knew what he had been after, or if he'd found it.
XXXXX
June 1987:
While the girls felt frustrated over their lack of work, their husbands were pushed to the hilt, as Moody tried to get as much work out of them as he could now. They'd all have time off when their children were born. Family was very important to the wizarding world, and they always seemed to celebrate it.
It was in the middle of the month when Damion and Alura seemingly disappeared overnight. A few letters and inquiries explained that Damion had been switched to the American branch of the Department of Mysteries in order to study something no one would disclose. Even to Kathryn. She sighed, knowing that at least they and the children were now safe. Voldemort was concentrating his efforts on Europe and the USA was keeping his attempts at bay, mainly because nearly the entire magical population had non-pureblood. Some had old blood, but the old families were of mixed blood now. Kathryn thought it was nice. Voldemort hated it, since it meant he lost one of the largest magical populations as supporters.
Eventually July dawned, and Alice, Kathryn and Lily had much more important things to worry about than Voldemort.
Preparing the nurseries.
Little did Kathryn remember, but Albus Dumbledore was about to conduct a fateful interview.
XXXXX
A/N:
So, what did you think? Huh, huh? I decided to make a few comments about wizard genetics – it's the kind of thing Kat would say and be studying (we only saw some of the rooms in the Department of Mysteries – who's to say there isn't one for ancestry/blood/genetics?).
I also hope the whole thing with Radella worked. I was going to have the twins born on 15th March, until I realised that was the date of the full moon. I tend to use the real dates for full moons – it makes it easier and somewhat more accurate. 15th March is also, of course, the chosen date for Remus' birthday in Living With Danger and Living Without Danger by whydoyouneedtoknow. This was going to be in honour, but, alas, it is not meant to be! Still, it's a very good story, so read them!
Zenkintha, I found out the meaning for Cho on a name website – I have nearly a dozen of them bookmarked. This one was 'The Etymology of Names' if I remember correctly. It's got loads of names, including a name randomiser if you're really stuck for ideas for a new character. Also, Cho was a Chinese name, but if it's Korean, it's hardly that surprising since the countries are pretty close… Kathryn says 'him' because she's keeping Sirius guessing. They don't want to know the gender. Kathryn just happens to.
Rubber-duckies, James, Lily, Sirius and Kathryn are the Elemental Guardians, not the Elemental Warriors. There's a difference. Besides, look at the title!
SunflowerLynx, I'm glad you liked the photo idea – I hope this one was good enough. Radella will not be sane for the Order of the Phoenix photo, and, as you can see, Alura and Damion won't be there to be in it. It will take place in the next couple of chapters, after Kathryn suffers a loss… Looks at earlier visions Hmm, wonder what that could be. As for when Jack/Radella/the Longbottoms (ha, did you think I wouldn't include them?) become sane again… Well, you'll have to wait for the sequel, though there could be one or two hints here.
SarahtheBardess, you got the Elemental Warriors right! Have a cookie! As for healing, hmm… See above answer! I'm glad you liked how I incorporated godparents. If you think about it the only Christian seeming things in the wizarding world are Christmas, Easter and godparents. I tried to create a reason for this in making it non-Christian with explanations for these elements. Blessings, for example, are the magical equivalent of a Christening/Baptism/Bar Mitsvah, etc. Yep, Magic's Haven has wings. It was mentioned, but that was a long time ago. I won't make you read it again.
Clifton, I am extremely honoured that you've read my story so many times. Thank you!
magicgirl45852, I did? Oops. I'm forever changing things. Originally, there were only going to be four Elemental Warriors but I changed my mind! Yep, Harry's lightning, but lightning generally comes with a storm with wind and rain, so that's how I excuse that one! If you know which chapter I said it in, I would be grateful for the help so I can modify it. Eventually I'll get around to re-writing this properly with the whole plot in mind – not to mention the sequel!
Well, I'm glad you liked the announcement – I wanted something reasonably original for Kathryn and Sirius, because they're like that.
The answer to last chapter's really hard question:
In which novel is there a reference to a woman looking like 'a Sister dipped in blood', and who is the author?
Clue – female Canadian Author!
Was: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I studied it for my AS-level exam. Memorising quotes is not fun!
The answer to Who are the Elemental Warriors? Was correct by SarahtheBardess! You get a cookie. The answer is, of course, Harry, Selene (Sirius and Kat's kid), Ron, Ginny, Neville and Hermione.
By popular demand, the photo with the Order will go ahead! I might mention Regulas (or is it Regulus?), but it will be in the past tense.
Happy Midsummer Solstice!
Lol, Tanydwr