Another chapter! Bit different to what I expected – I didn't really write the labour as I expected. More before and after stuff. Hope you enjoy it. I'm going to try and get the rest written soon – we've got rain on the way, so I'll be inside more often and the room the computer's in won't be nearly so hot.
Enjoy then!
Chapter 41: Children
5th July 1987:
Kathryn laughed as Sirius performed a highly exaggerated version of their changing one of the guest rooms into a nursery for their upcoming child. They had chosen the room on their floor so as to be close, and set up the cradle in their room for the first few weeks.
It had been a struggle trying to decide how to decorate. Kathryn, despite knowing she was going to have a daughter, had not told Sirius and so had to maintain indecision on how to decorate it. They had chosen a simple decorating scheme – white with a simple border. It was very classically a baby's room. A larger cot stood on one side with a table beside it. A bookcase in one corner, filled with both Muggle and magical books. Two squashy armchairs. A chest full of toys. A magical mobile above the cot, decorated with Quidditch paraphernalia (Kat had wanted birds or planets, but unwisely let Sirius choose). A chest of drawers and wardrobe sat to one side. They had yet to get anything for the child above bibs, nappies and such. They hadn't wanted to get clothes too soon before the birth. The linens for both cot and cradle were white with a symbol Kathryn had once doodled at the end of an exam. A diamond shape, quartered, each quarter holding a separate symbol. A flame, a cyclone, a crystal (earth) and a wave of water.
They were currently in Diagon Alley, preparing for the final stages and getting their final things.
Baby clothes.
"So, Kat, d'you think it's a little boy or a little girl?" Lily asked her friend.
Kathryn shrugged, but held a secret smile. "I don't know. According to Sirius, the Blacks always have at least one direct male heir, and since he's the last Black left, he thinks it's fairly certain. However, I pointed out the propensity I inherited from my mother."
"What would that be?" Alice asked, curious.
"To have a daughter who looks a lot like me with identical eyes and my Seer ability." Kathryn answered. "So it's pretty difficult to decide."
Lily frowned. "Doesn't Sirius have a brother? Regulas?"
Kat's eyes widened and she hushed her friend. "Regulas joined the Death Eaters when he left school. From the sounds of things, he didn't like what he was doing and was killed by Voldemort. Or on his orders. Sirius doesn't think he was important enough to have been killed by him directly. We got the news when you and James were AWOL."
Lily looked shocked. "Oh."
'Oh, indeed,' Kat thought. Though he'd never admit it, Regulas' death had hurt Sirius more than he was willing to admit. His younger brother had been less than a year out of school, and Sirius had still held some brotherly love for him. After that, however, the only family members he still loved were Andromeda and Ted Tonks, along with their daughter Nymphadora. She and Sirius had baby-sat for them on occasion, and Kathryn had had fun changing forms with the small Metamorphmagus. Of course, Kathryn merely had a talent for shape-shifting, but it was near enough.
Actually, they had been informed by the young lady that she would be coming to see the 'pretty baby' as soon as Kathryn told her it was born. 'Dora', as the only Light Black family called her, was eight in October and remarkably stubborn.
"So, Alice, Frank," Sirius changed the subject, "what names are you thinking of?"
"Well, we've decided on Neville David if it's a boy." Alice grinned. "David was Frank's father's name."
"Mum will be thrilled." Frank grinned.
"And if it's a girl, she'll be Edith Maria Longbottom. Maria was my grandmother's name." Alice added, smiling.
"Those are lovely." Lily sighed. "We never really had many options with Harry, did we?" She grinned at her husband.
"Come on, do you really think 'Gregory Potter' has the same ring?" Kathryn asked. "Besides, the Goyles just had a son called Gregory."
The Potters gave her an odd look. "We'd never name our son Gregory."
"Oh good."
"Besides, how can we know your feelings on names if we don't know your choices?" James teased.
"If we have a little girl, she'll be Selene Rhiannon Black. If it's a boy, he'll be Orion Coel Black." Kathryn responded. For some reason, she had felt it important to know what Sirius would have wanted to call their son. "We decided to make the Black family tradition of naming children after celestial bodies or constellations our own."
"Why Selene then?" Alice asked.
"Why, it means moon of course." Kathryn grinned. "We could have chosen 'Luna', but that'll be taken within the next year anyway."
"I hate it when you do that." James groaned.
"I know." Kathryn beamed happily, sighing with contentment. She may be the size of a hippopotamus, but the non-hormone driven parts of pregnancy were lovely. "Besides, Selene was a Greek goddess of the moon. She was a Titan, and drove it across the skies in her chariot. Artemis was the actual goddess of the moon, but Selene did the work. She was also supposed to be very beautiful."
"And Rhiannon?"
"It's Welsh." Kathryn responded as though that answered everything. "I have Welsh roots – Magic's Haven is in Wales. Avia's Welsh. Funny how I always address her in Latin though." She had a thoughtful look. "Hmm."
"As for Orion Coel, well, I always liked the story of Orion, and it seemed appropriate for the son of an Auror to be named after a famous hunter." Sirius laughed. "Coel is also Welsh and it means trust. We want our son to be trustworthy."
James raised a brow. "The son of Sirius Black and Kathryn Orenda trustworthy?"
"Hey!"
"What's Rhiannon mean?" Lily asked.
"Witch – nymph – goddess." Kathryn laughed. "Rather appropriate, though I don't believe we have any nymph or divine blood in the family."
"Isn't your grandmother named for one?" James teased.
"Coventina – water goddess." Kathryn laughed again. "I'd not thought of that."
"Nymphs feature in several pureblood families." Sirius shrugged. "Not the Blacks, though. They tend to be attracted to nature-loving and light families."
"And with your family living in Wales on the edge of a forest…" Frank left it open.
Kathryn shrugged. "I'm not bothered, really."
Lily let out a sudden coo. "Oh, aren't they beautiful!"
The others turned to look at what she'd spotted.
In the window of a shop named Enfants de Magie sat several amazingly cute baby-sized robes. Next to them were a number of the magnificent Blessing robes worn by magical children. Some families had traditional ones, but for Muggle-borns or those who were the second or third child (they were usually handed down to the eldest son or daughter), the robes were a godsend.
"Those are beautiful." Sirius agreed. "How about it, Kat?"
Kathryn shook her head. "Mum promised me the robes I was Blessed in. She had separate ones for the boys and the girls. The male one is still promised to Jack. She won't give in. We got the cradle because we gave her her first grandchild."
"Well, we need some." Lily stated.
"What?" Sirius and Frank looked surprised.
James blushed. "The Potter Blessing robe was caught in a fire a few years ago. I promised Mum and Dad we'd get a new one, and this place will personalise them." He pointed to a sign.
"Then, pray thee, enter." Kathryn stated dramatically. "We should be looking for some clothes anyway. We've none yet. The problem is gender."
"Get some of each." Alice suggested. "Then those that you don't need you can almost guarantee one of the rest of us will. I can't imagine we'll have all boys."
Kathryn smiled mischievously. "That would be awkward!"
Lily gave a sigh. "I wish Alura were here. She'd've loved this."
"So would Radella." Kathryn thought sombrely. The look Kat and Lily exchanged was significant and was noted by their husbands.
"Don't let Remus hear you say that." James advised. "He misses Alura and Damion's kids already. He thought they were wonderful, taking in twins with two young kids of their own, even if it was part of the job. He thought the twins were amazing."
Now he knew something was up as Lily suddenly absorbed herself in some Quidditch-influenced baby-grows and a guilty look sparkled in Kat's eyes as she looked down and stroked her stomach. He stored it away for later – he wasn't going to ruin the day now.
"Are we going to get Quidditch ones?" James asked his wife. "I'm sure he's planning on taking after his daddy and mummy."
"Not until he's at least eight, James." Lily informed her husband tartly. "But I think we'll get one or two baby-grows with Quidditch on them."
"Good choice." Kathryn sparkled.
"Why?"
"Let's just say Harry's going to be small, slight and speedy." She smirked.
"A Seeker! I knew it!"
"You do not know it. Besides, we both played Chaser as well. He could just as easily be one of those." Lily scolded.
Sirius smirked as Lily and James bickered good-naturedly about their son. He slipped his arms around his wife's waist from behind, resting his hands on 'Baby Black' as their child was affectionately known.
"How's our baby doing right now?" He asked his wife, kissing her cheek softly.
"Our baby is doing very well. She has just taken a particularly good kick at Mummy's kidneys." Kathryn winced.
"Oh dear."
"Yeah, this one's going to be as violent as you."
"I'm not violent!"
"Yes you are. How many times have we got in trouble because you used your fists instead of magic?"
"Well…"
"Exactly."
It was at that moment the shopkeeper decided to appear, looking elated at the sight of three pregnant women in her shop.
"My dears! Oh, my, you muzt all be fairly well along now!" She beamed, looking at them with amazement. Her voice was faintly accented.
If there was something Kathryn had learnt over the past eight months, it was that the wizarding world loved babies.
Lily nodded. "We're all due at the end of the month."
"You are friends also! It must be wonderful to have friends to share this time with." She smiled. "I'm Madam Levant, but you may call me Françoise."
"You're French?" Kathryn asked.
The woman nodded. "My accent is very faint now, I fear, but I regain it, when I go home to the motherland. My husband is also French."
"Ah." Kathryn smiled. "Well, we're all Aurors. We didn't want to buy clothes too soon, see. Especially as Alice and I are not sure of our children's genders. We didn't want to know."
"Oh, of course. That does not matter though. You are perfectly welcome to buy clothes for both genders and return those you don't need in exchange for other things you do." Madam Levant replied. "Others 'ave swapped clothes with friends. Sometimes it is good to trust a friend's judgement."
Alice nodded. "We thought so too. We can't all have boys. I'm positive either Kat or I have a girl."
"Oh, you know what you are having?" She looked at Lily, who had not been gestured to.
Lily and James nodded. "A friend of ours yelled it when we were in Sixth-year."
The woman looked startled.
Kathryn rolled her eyes at her friends. "I have something of the Sight. You may have heard of me. I'm Kathryn Black, formerly Kathryn Orenda?"
Madam Levant looked startled, then took the girl in a hug. "Oh, my dear, I remember your mother bringing you in! She was buying your Blessing robe. You looked so beautiful in it!"
Kathryn gave a smile. "Thank you. During my coma, I had a few flashes of the future. One of which held James' son. So, when we caught them finally snogging on the train home, to break them up, I informed the entire train that Lily was going to be the child's mother. They laughed at me, and I refused to tell them if I was serious, but, as you can see, I was right." She had a wicked grin by the end of it.
"Your son will have the most beautiful eyes." Madam Levant looked at Lily.
"What?"
"I have a small amount of Sight, mostly pertaining to children and newborns, hence my shop. Your son is going to have your eyes. But your husband's need for glasses." Madam Levant explained.
James laughed. "I told you, Lily! Didn't I tell you? Every Potter's the same. Looks a lot like his Dad, and usually has his Mum's eyes. Our Harry's going to be a handsome little fellow."
Kathryn and Sirius laughed at his antics as he whirled his wife around the shop.
"We need a new Blessing robe." James finally stated as the others began having a better look at the wizarding world's version of Mothercare. "We had a fire a few years ago that was unfortunately in the part of the house where we held such things. Mum informed me that I would have the privilege of getting a new one for my first child, and it was to be kept in the family vault otherwise."
"Of course. We have a large range of styles, and we can have one made up to your specifications if you wish."
"Yes please. And I think emerald green accents will be perfect."
"James!"
"What? Redheads look good in green, and brunettes aren't bad in it either." He gave a wicked grin. "You can almost guarantee our Harry'll marry a redhead."
"Oh?"
"What's your hair colour?"
"Red."
"My mum's?"
"Red."
"And guess what my grandma's was."
"Red?"
"Yep. The Potters have married redheads for the past six or seven generations."
"Wow, that must do wonders for your genetics."
"Very funny. It just seems that only redheads can handle a Potter male."
"Probably because they managed to inherit their mother's redheaded temper without the hair colour."
James winced, having been on the receiving end of his usually mild-tempered mother's rage several times. "Yes, that could be it."
"That would explain a lot…" Kathryn's voice wandered through to them.
"Such as?" Lily raised a brow.
"Nothing!"
Lily glowered. "Remind me to shoot her after she's delivered my godchild, alright?"
James gave a smile, used to the sudden change of mood. "Anything you say, love. Anything you say."
XXXXX
16th July 1987:
"Kathryn?" A feminine voice called out loudly.
"In the living room!" Kathryn called back. She was parked on the living room sofa, watching films and eating ice cream, wearing her pyjamas.
Her parents and sisters appeared, her mother grinning from ear to ear.
"Double chocolate chip?" Elise asked her daughter.
"You know it." Kat replied with a grin.
"You've definitely got a little chocoholic daughter growing in there." Elise gave a smile.
"How do you know I'm not eating this for me?"
"Sirius informed me that the amount of chocolate you eat has tripled during your pregnancy. That's cravings if nothing is."
Kathryn shrugged. "Maybe. God, I love Sirius. I couldn't go through this without him."
"So, when's she coming?" Olden asked – he had a day off.
"Any day now. Well, my estimate is at the end of the month. The little one's going to be the youngest." Kathryn rubbed her bump lovingly.
"How do you know that?" Adalia asked her sister.
Kathryn tapped her temple. "Feelings, visions. Plus I know Harry's birthdate, but I didn't tell Lily and James for fear of changing it."
Elise looked at her strangely. "Changing it? How could you do that?"
"Anything could." Kathryn answered cryptically. "Plus there's something Dumbledore heard last month that he has yet to reveal in wondering to whom it could apply."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing but that two couples have yet to defy Voldemort a third time."
XXXXX
30th July 1987:
"Are you really sure you three should be out here?" Frank asked the women sitting at the table in Florean's. "What if a Death Eater spots you? It could be dangerous."
"Frank, you worry too much." Kathryn informed him flippantly, despite knowing that something was going to happen. "Besides, are you going to deny three pregnant women their desire for the best ice cream in the wizarding world?"
"Why thank you, my dear." Florean grinned at Kathryn as he placed her sundae (entirely chocolate) in front of her.
"I only speak the truth. And what else could it be with such a generous man too?" She asked. Florean was well known for his generosity, especially to children (rumour had it he had an especial soft spot for the Weasley brood).
Florean gave a broad smile. He liked the group – had always liked the Marauders – and they made wonderful Aurors. They got into the thick of things, and they weren't afraid to speak their minds. Not to mention have kids. They set a good example for the rest of the magical world.
It was at that moment that Kat's father and Moody Apparated into the alley.
Kat looked shocked. "Dad, what're you doing here?"
He whipped around, his eyes filled with fear. He ran over to them, grabbing Kat's arm. "Get out of here, now!" He ordered. "There's going to be an attack."
James' glass shattered, Kat's ice cream fell to the floor, and darkness filled the skies.
"What?" Kathryn gasped.
"Kat – my time's drawing close." Olden looked at her. Kathryn stared at him, her eyes filled with terror.
"Daddy, no! You're going to live! You'll see your grandchild!"
Olden shook his head. "Kat, I don't know when, but I need you to make sure of something for me. Make sure Magic's Haven is protected. Ensure it stays out of Voldemort's hands. It will be unprotected because Jack cannot make the connection as first-born because he's insane, and it cannot be passed onto another. It is entrusted to you to protect until such a time as your brother comes back to us."
"Daddy…"
"Now go! All of you!"
The three male Aurors had jumped to their feet and looked at their wives fearfully. Unable to use Apparition or Floo powder at this late stage of their pregnancies, their best bet was walking or a portkey.
That became impossible as Death Eaters swarmed the alley.
The three women screamed as a curse flew their way, ducking instinctively behind a table, upturning it.
Kathryn wrenched her bag open, frantically searching through it.
"Now is no time to have lost your wand!" Lily shrieked, flinging a curse at a nearby Death Eater.
"I haven't, I'm looking for a moonstone!"
"Why?"
"Because it should protect our babies!"
Finally Kat's eyes fell on the small stone that she'd flung into her beg on a whim that morning, unaware that she'd need it that day.
"What are you doing?"
"It should amplify my spell."
"What spell is it?"
"Old one, now shut up and grab my knees."
Lily and Alice both placed a hand on Kat's knees as she prayed her daughter's earth side would amplify the spell. She didn't know what element the other two would be. She knew her daughter's would be fire, but a vision had informed her of six Elemental Warriors. If she remembered rightly, earth was Hermione, and that served them no help now.
"I call to thee, Earth Mother,
Help thy son's wife protect
Thy son's daughter, thy son's godson,
And thy son's wife's godson.
With this stone, I call thee,
Protect us!
Aegis nostri liberierum ab hic lapillus!"
Kathryn hoped and prayed fuelling the heat of lava and the heat soaked up from the sun into the jewel, imploring the Earth Mother to protect them.
Her efforts were not in vain.
A brilliant purple-white light shone from the shimmering white moonstone and struck each woman on the belly. Instantly, they could feel the protection – Mother Earth would protect their children until such a time as they no longer needed it.
Lily and Alice breathed sighs of relief as they felt the magic sink into their skin.
Kathryn leapt up as she saw a spell shot at Florean.
"Averto!" She cried, averting the spell's course.
Florean nodded to her, before sending a freezing charm at the Death Eater in question. Kathryn noted this with some satisfaction. Surely it had to be one of the ice cream maker's best charms.
Curses were flung left and right, and in the fray, Kathryn lost sight of her friends, father and husband.
XXXXX
"Lily! What are you doing here?" James demanded.
"Helping you!" Lily informed him, ducking under a spell as she cast a healing charm on a child. "I may be on maternity leave, but I physically can't leave now!" She informed him.
"But… you're in danger…"
"Kat cast some sort of spell, imploring Mother Earth to protect our children. I can feel it, James, right now, Harry is safer than we are!"
Meanwhile, Frank was having similar issues with Alice.
"I am not going without you, Frank." Alice informed him sharply. "Our baby needs a father, and you will be there in the maternity ward for me to swear at whilst I'm in labour. And if you try and send me back now, I'll break your hand on purpose!"
Frank stepped back from his furious wife.
"Okay then."
The Death Eaters and Aurors (and innocents) traded spells for nigh on an hour, neither side gaining an advantage, people falling each minute, some only to get back up again, others never.
A crack of black electricity brought Lord Voldemort to the darkened and war-torn Diagon Alley.
"So, this is the famous wizarding community. Full of Mudbloods and half-bloods too weak to defend it."
"But a half-blood is able to destroy it, eh, Voldie?" A scornful voice laughed.
Voldemort turned to identify the owner.
"Mrs Black, you would do well to blunt your tongue if you care for it to remain in your mouth. Maybe I should have had it removed when you were one of my guests a few months ago."
Silence. A short gasp. Air, sweet air. Kathryn blinked back tears and gulped back saliva that formed at the memories.
Sirius, on the other hand, had no such compulsion.
"Don't you dare speak to her like that!"
Voldemort stared at him and gave a high-pitched laugh that would become part of his nemesis' most painful nightmares. Hairs raised at the sound, chills brought goosebumps and fear crept up spines.
"What do you want, Voldemort? Surely, you're not here to gloat. If you want to fight, fight us!" Olden yelled.
"What I want are the three pregnant Aurors hiding behind their husbands. Feel like giving them to me?"
The outrage was palpable and the battle began again.
Voldemort faced Kathryn first. She gave him a brazen smile.
"You don't want me, Voldemort. My child will not be born in this month. We have yet to defy you three times."
Voldemort's eyes widened. "You know…"
"Of course I know. I'm the Seer, the Prophetess. In my veins runs Mystique's blood and the blood of Pythea. But yet I only know as much as you. But what child has the power to vanquish you? What child is equal? What blood has defied you?"
Voldemort flung out a black spell, striking her stomach and bouncing off harmlessly.
"A pentacle may repel you! The lightning bolt will destroy you!" Kathryn prophesied.
But she was careless, and Voldemort struck her with a Stunner. Still, a smile lay on her face. Despite the terrible things that were to happen, she had ensured that they happen correctly. Only the lightning child could destroy Voldemort, with the love of a lover, parents, sisters, brothers and friends.
And they would be there when Voldemort fell.
And they would celebrate his demise.
XXXXX
Alice and Frank were fighting furiously, Frank covering his pregnant wife as much as possible. Fear gripped his heart firmly – what if something happened to her or the baby? It wasn't that he didn't trust Kathryn's spells, but… Oh Merlin, he was terrified.
How could he get into his normal stride, knowing his wife was there beside him, his child in her belly? He couldn't let her be hurt.
"Ah, the Longbottoms." A voice hissed.
Frank turned, wand out, to peer into the red, snake-like eyes of the self-styled Lord Voldemort.
"Voldemort." Frank hissed back, his voice venomous. He inched back, covering his wife.
"How disgusting, the husband protects his wife and child, unaware that in a few moments they will be dead."
"Glaciare!" Frank yelled, flinging icicles at the evil wizard.
Voldemort tossed them aside with a flick of his wand.
"Your child shall not be born, Longbottom." He snarled. "Mori filius!"
Alice screamed, throwing up a shield, only to find the dark spell passing through it. But she was safe. Kat's spell stopped it. But not without a cost.
Alice felt herself get damp, and knew she hadn't controlled it. Her eyes widened.
"Fulmen!" Frank's barely legal Electrocution Curse struck Voldemort dead on, and the wizard dissipated from them, going to harm another.
Frank rushed to his wife's side, seeing fear in her eyes.
"Alice, what is it?"
"My water just broke."
XXXXX
"Potter."
James whipped around, automatically covering his wife. "Malfoy."
Lucius laughed behind his mask. "Now, how could you know that? You see no face."
"I'd know that sneer anywhere."
Lucius stiffened. "Crucio!"
"Averto!" Another voice hissed. Voldemort seemed to materialise next to his minion, his face dark. "I told you that none was to touch the Potters but me."
"I was merely subduing them until your arrival, Master." Lucius crawled.
Lily gave a snort.
"Go." Voldemort ordered. Lucius obeyed. The dark lord turned to the defiant man and woman before him. "You are a troublesome pair, near as much as your friends. Your beloved sister has already been dealt with."
Through the crowds, James caught sight of Kathryn's prone body and Sirius desperately fighting to get to her.
"Kathryn!"
"She's not dead, one such as she is too valuable to waste. No, she is… incapacitated." Voldemort gave something akin to a dark chuckle.
"You bastard!" Lily snarled. "You've hurt her enough!"
"Would you prefer I turn her hurt to you, Mudblood? I assure you, there are spells and rituals that need women in your situation where your purity of blood is no issue at all." Voldemort snarled.
Bullets of ice formed in the air and a wave of James' hand flung them towards Voldemort. Unfortunately, a Warming Spell melted them to nothing.
"You think I'll fall for the same thing twice, Potter?"
"Well, considering your IQ, yep, probably." James responded with a cocky grin.
"James, don't." Lily warned.
"Listen to your beloved wife, Potter. Do you truly think I am beyond killing her?"
James' face twisted into a mask of fury.
"You bastard!"
Voldemort laughed again. "Words do little without the magic behind them." He pointed his wand at Lily's stomach. "Destructa!"
The spell was not only stopped, but rebounded directly at Voldemort. Almost concurrently, there was a wave of power that flew from Lily, her baby at the epicentre. Lightning cracked in the sky, where clouds built up darkly, and almost seemed to rain fire as flames scorched the Alley.
With Voldemort as their cue, the Death Eaters retreated.
Then Lily faltered, feeling something inside her break.
"James!" She shrieked. "I'm going into labour!"
XXXXX
It was three hours later when Kathryn appeared on the Maternity Ward, pronounced 'completely healthy' by the Emergency Healers.
"How're they doing?" She asked.
James was sat out there. "Lily's fine, the contractions are still very far apart. The Healers expect a long labour. Frank told us Alice is expected to deliver within the next few hours. Hers is a lot faster."
"Poor Lily."
"She should've expected it." A cool voice commented.
They all turned to see Agnes Longbottom (Frank's mother), James' parents and Kathryn's parents stood there.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"It took me about thirty-six hours to deliver James."
Kathryn gave a low whistle.
"Potter men showing stubbornness again?" Sirius smirked.
Paige Potter nodded. "It seems so."
"Well, it'll be a while yet, anyway." Kathryn stated. "Harry's not born until sometime tomorrow."
"How do you know that?" Harold asked her.
"Visions ring a bell? In my coma, they told us the date of his birthday about a billion times."
"They?"
"The author of the books."
"Oh."
Sirius slipped his hands around his wife's waist. "Are you sure you should be up? Lord knows that you'll be delivering soon as well."
"Oh, how do you know that?" Kathryn asked.
"Common sense." Elise answered for him. "Your little one's going to be out soon, if only in sympathy with the others."
"Thanks, Mum." Kat rolled her eyes.
"You're welcome dear."
"I'M NEVER, EVER SLEEPING WITH YOU AGAIN!" A voice howled from a nearby room.
Paige gave a laugh. "Every woman threatens that, none of them keep to it. Looks like Alice is having a perfectly normal labour."
Agnes nodded. "I should go in. Frank's never been wonderful with these things, and the poor girl's mother is unable to be here. Such a shame, that."
A 'shame' was putting it mildly. Alice's parents had been killed when she was in training during a freak sandstorm whilst they were holidaying in Egypt.
"Why aren't you in there with Lily?" Paige asked her son.
"She sent me out why the Healers were doing a check. Actually, I was supposed to get her some ice cream. Cheerio!" James grinned and whipped away, up the stairs to the tearoom.
"He's mad." Sirius shook his head.
"Just imagine how he's going to act when Harry's born."
XXXXX
It was at twenty-one minutes past eleven in the evening when Alice Longbottom delivered a healthy baby boy, which Frank promptly went to show off to his colleagues.
"Say hello to Neville David Longbottom." Frank informed them, revealing a tiny boy with a sweet, round face and tufts of his father's warm brown hair who was fast asleep.
"Oh, Frank he's beautiful." Kathryn praised.
"Congratulations." The Orendas beamed.
"A fine lad, just like his dad, he'll be." Sirius promised him. "Stalwart and true, with his mum's fondness for plants."
Kat felt a little dizzy. "Yet life will be hard for Fate's alternate, for until sixteen cycles have passed, he shall know nothing of his true power."
Sirius caught his wife as she fell into his arms. "You okay?"
She just frowned at him, shrugging. "I – what?"
"Healer!" Sirius called.
"Sirius, I'm fine."
"You need a bed."
Healer Barak appeared. "Yes, Mr Black?"
"I think we ought to put Kat in a bed. She just fainted."
Barak nodded. "Your baby will be coming soon anyway. May as well get you comfortable now."
"What?" Kathryn asked.
Sirius looked at Frank. "Show James and Lily then get that little tyke back to Alice and your mum. I'll take care of Kat."
Frank nodded.
"C'mon, sweetheart, you need to sleep."
XXXXX
Kathryn woke up at forty-seven minute past five the next morning to soggy sheets and a kick in her kidneys.
"Mum!" She yelled.
Elise was up in an instant, as were her husband and son-in-law. "Kat, what is it?"
"My water broke."
Sirius groaned as they heard a groan from next door with several muttered expletives. "It's going to be a long day."
XXXXX
Both Lily and Kathryn spent the day in labour, normal conversations often halting as one or other of them went through a contraction. Kathryn had already threatened Sirius' manhood (twice) and sworn at him for getting her pregnant in the first place.
When Lily's contractions had got closer as it passed eleven in the evening, the curtains had been shut and the Silencing Charm put up.
Only for two Healers to be yanked through by Sirius as Kat did the same thing minutes afterwards.
It was fifty-seven minutes past eleven on 31st July 1987 when Harry James Potter was born.
'Born as the seventh month dies…'And it was four minutes past midnight on 1st August 1987 when Selene Rhiannon Black graced the world.
'Born with the eighth month's rise…'No one noticed the strange feelings that rose from water, lightning and fire on those three days.
And little did they realise but a year later a seventh child born in the midst of Leo would complete a series of births destined to change the wizarding world.
XXXXX
1st August 1987:
"She's beautiful, Kathryn." Sirius murmured wonderingly over his daughter. "I mean, Merlin, look what we did! We made her. Our daughter. Our little girl."
Kathryn merely nodded, tiredly. She'd had a nap after the birth, but giving birth took a lot out of you, even for witches, who sprang back from birth much more quickly than their Muggle counterparts (hence Alura's second pregnancy so soon).
Sirius came and sat beside his wife, carefully depositing the tiny bundle in her arms. She couldn't help but smile over her. Her daughter. Her child.
Unable to contain his excitement, Sirius ripped open the curtains between them and James and Lily.
James looked like he'd been about to do exactly the same thing.
"Prongs!"
"Padfoot!"
"Oh, Prongs, she's so beautiful!"
"A little girl then?" Lily asked tiredly, holding her own child in her arms.
"Of course. After Frank and Alice had Neville, we had to have a daughter." Sirius informed them as though he'd arranged their child being a girl by himself.
"Selene?" Lily asked Kathryn.
"Yes, Selene Rhiannon Black." Kathryn smiled at her friend and then her mother. "Mum? Want to show Lily her goddaughter and hold your granddaughter?"
Elise nodded, and took Selene gently.
"She's got our eyes!" She gasped, startled.
Kathryn nodded. "I guess in the magical world, you're not always born with blue eyes."
"You weren't."
"I know."
"Oh, she's so precious." Elise smiled.
Olden grinned. "That she is. And she's going to have a daddy she can wrap around her little finger."
Sirius gave his barking laughter. "If she's anything like her mother, she will do that easily."
"A Daddy's girl." Kathryn agreed. "I can see it now."
As Elise sat gently on the side of Lily's bed, she showed her precious bundle to her daughter's best friend.
"She looks like you, Kat." Lily stated, noting the child's dark gold curls and fair skin.
Kat nodded. "She was always going to. With my luck, she's got Sirius' sense of humour."
"No, I'd say she has his pout." Lily smirked.
Sirius's eyes widened. "For that, fairest flower, hand my godson to his grandma and let my wife see the child, since she is being so generous with ours."
Lily laughed, but accepted it. With a little reluctance, she handed Harry to Paige, who cuddled him gently, and proceeded to take him to Kat.
"Oh, he's so precious!" Kat gushed. "Just like his daddy, with his mummy's eyes."
A description that would stick with Harry for most of his life. His father's copy, with his mother's eyes.
It would be sixteen years before he met another with a similar 'problem'.
"Just wait until you get them into work." Olden sighed. "Suddenly all the big tough Aurors will be putty in those tiny little hands."
Kathryn gave an evil grin. "Wait until I hand Selene to Moody."
The other laughed, sharing their happiness in times so dark.
XXXXX
A/N:
The attack on Liverpool in the previous chapter didn't really have any major significance.
Only three or so chapters to go! But they should be reasonable in length – I don't want to completely skip the kids' first year. Expect sadness, fluffiness and other such things, along with the darkness of the Order being near decimated. After all, there's a spy in the ranks now – how else does Voldemort know how to search for these people?
Zekintha, Cho may be Korean, but I found the meaning on a site that had it as Chinese in origin. It may be one of these names that has several different origins. (E.g. Cara when Celtic means 'friend' and when Italian means 'dearest one'.)
Liz (anonymous), great to have you on board! I'm glad you think my fic's that good. And from a British point of view, my spelling and grammar is exceptional! (At least it is when I remember to read through the chapter before posting up.) I also have sunburn – I was on a Biology field trip yesterday up a hill. We'll put it this way. I was out in the sun between half twelve and two o'clock, five days after the longest day of the year, with a clean, northerly breeze. It was about the time of the year you're most likely to catch sunburn on. I just collapsed when I got home – dehydration, I swear.
Whydoyouneedtoknow, worship the great author! You like me! You like me! (To quote you!) Thank you lots and lots. You can use the idea of a feral werewolf – I think I picked it from someone else as well. Lots of dads are scary when they're angry. My dad rarely is (Mum's the firepower), but when he does get angry… Argh! Mum's quicker to temper, but less scary to be honest because it doesn't always last long. When Dad's angry… we know! Yeah, I like thinking about the genetics – we do enough of it in Biology! Erm, Kat may have been told about the twins. This is what happens when you don't always re-read your previous chapters. As for Ron's godmother… Well, it might just make Kat too Mary-Sueish (of which she's been repeatedly accused). Besides, she's godmothering two other kids (one of which is obvious and so should the other, really). Remus, well, there's going to be some interesting facts with the Remus-has-kids plotline (Kat's guilt, for instance).
Rubber-duckiesofdoom, ugh! Frustrated sigh. The Elemental Guardians do just that – they guard. They are protectors. The Warriors, on the other hand, fight. There are lots of clues as to who they are. 'Voldemort's mistakes' alludes to the fact that he was supremely stupid not to kill Kat when he had the chance and the numerous mistakes he makes throughout the fic. They are always on the good side, because they come at times when the balance of magic and nature is in danger. That help?
Everyone else, thanks for the reviews!
Yes, I am sunburnt. I have also applied liberal amounts of my sister's moisturiser because it has no scent and Mum paid for it anyway.
No questions – I need to write more!
Lol, Tanydwr