Time jump: No POV

I had managed to send a letter to Hermione, telling her not to worry. Of course, it didn't mention anything about what happened. I really didn't need to hear any lectures from her at the moment. She can yell at me all she wants once this was all over.

The rest of the winter break was spent training with Aaron and Eva. Aaron had for some reason raised our training sessions. We focused a lot on hand-to-hand combat. He no longer held back his punches. I was thankful he avoided my stomach. But that wasn't all that was different. He went to impossible lengths in avoiding me outside our training sessions. But he wasn't the only acting different.

Voldemort had been popping in more frequently to the training sessions. Changing what he didn't like and adding what he thought I was missing. He never spoke to me directly, unless it was a cruel remark. But there were moments when I would catch him watching from a far. He held the same kind of look David did multiple times.

As for Snape, he kept his distance from me. Anytime I walked into a room and he was there, he'd walk out. Whenever Voldemort gave me a task, he made sure not to interfere. And for once I was actually able to breath. Not having him shadow my every move was freeing in a way. I would catch him from time to time checking up on me, but as long as he did it from afar, I couldn't care any less.

Ever since the incident at Molly's home, I hadn't been back. Voldemort prohibited any contact with them to stop. His order being that until my task was done, he wasn't going to risk it being ruined. I learned it was best not to argue with him. The man didn't have the best of tempers.

I woke to the gentle patter of rain on the roof and thunder rumbling from far away. Pushing the blankets off, immediately feeling the warmth of sleep begin to slip away. I swung my feet over the side of the bed and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My belly was in full view at the moment. I stood up, my bare feet pressing softly against the soft carpet, and walked towards the window.

The glass was splattered with rain drops, as even more came down. The clouds swirled lightly above the house, their pale grey color suggesting a long, mild storm. A stream of water came pouring from Eva's gutter, towards the soaked grass below. Before even getting dressed, I knew a shower was in need. I needed to get this chill out of my body.

I stepped into the shower, toes flinching as they touched the chilled ceramic floor. I turned the dial, old and metallic, releasing thousands of lukewarm drops, darkening my hair and trickled down my back. My eyes fell closed over and over. Water dripped down harshly past my shoulders, through flaxen hair, and continuing over my large stomach. It expanded out to prove that another being resided within me. Two heartbeats within one stout body. My back ached as my entire weight relied upon it. I looked down at the stretched skin with red vein-like tendrils seeping across the sides, reminding me of an eyeball. Soft white skin, red lines drawn along it. Our heart bangs loudly against my chest, the water from the head of the shower screaming louder, trying to overpower all other noise.

Just then a pain shot through my body, nearly dropping me to my knees. My fear began to rise, I didn't know what was happening. 'What is this? Why am I in pa-' Then it clicked. Pushing past the pain barrier, I focused on my senses. My water had broken. 'Holy shit! My baby is coming!' As I tried to step out of the tub, another wave hit me. "Fuck...Eva!" I wasn't even halfway through my scream, when Eva came bursting through the bathroom door.

"Athena, what's wrong?!" Eva reached for a towel, wrapping it around me. "What is it?"

"B-baby is ready." I gasped.

"About time." Eva chuckled, getting a weak slap on the shoulder. "Come let's get ready. Aaron has the cabin ready to go." Eva quickly helped me dress in sweats and a sweater. Grabbing the planned go-bag and an extra blanket, she dashed us out the door. "The good news is everyone is out at the moment. Aaron is in his room, we will leave from there."

Sneaking around every corner the turned, Eva sneaked us into Aaron's room. "C-can we get this moving please!"

"Can you not yell?" Aaron hushed me.

"Oh, excuse me." I gritted my teeth. "It's not like I am in any pain right now!"

Aaron cringed. "Right, sorry." Gathering me in his arms, he waited for Eva to grabbed his arm and evaporated to the small cabin. "Eva lay her down in the room. I will get the towels and water ready."

"Get S-sirius!" I yelled.

Eva chuckled. "I'll send an owl right now. Anyone else?"

"M-molly pl-fuck-please." The moment I laid on the bed, the contractions hit me. Arching my back off the bed, I held in the moan. "Oh god!"

"Athena?!"

"Sirius?!" I raised my head off the already soaked pillow to see my husband rush into the room. Molly only steps behind him. As Sirius came to a stop at the side of the bed, Molly took over as midwife. As another contraction hit me, I gripped my husbands hand. "Have I told you how much I hate you right now!"

Sirius chuckled with huff. "Feeling it right now." He groaned at the pain shooting up his arm. "Bloody hell that hurts."

"That hurts?!" I yelled. "Trying pushing your damn child out!"

"Sorry, wrong set of words." Sirius clenched his jaw preparing for the next wave of pain.

When the labour began the pain was much more intense, than anything I had ever imagined. Nothing could be more brutal, not whips or chains. The room consisted of a bed and four walls, the others melting into the background as if they weren't even there. Is there anything more isolating than intense pain? Doesn't pain lock us in as effectively as any prison? The pain of labor was a prison for my mind. In that jail cell of fear and confusion, time passed without me being able to keep track. My stomach tighten, causing my entire body to go rigid. With each contraction came a pain that dominated my entire being. In those moments, for those seconds that stretched into infinity, there was nothing else. When the pain passed it was only for a minute or so and I breathed with closed eyes, unwilling to re-engaed with life outside of my own body. The room might as well have been empty for all the awareness I had, and when they did talk, touch, to gain my attention, I found it so hard. To reply I had to find myself from the deepest recess of my own mind and drag myself forward, to use my voice and open my eyes. Molly was telling me that it was time, time to push. With a guttural grunt I did so and was told to stop, one was enough. I felt my baby crowning, the hot stretching of flesh and I held her breath. Without any further effort the baby slid into the waiting hands of Molly. When my child was born, it was as if only sunshine existed in the world, as if all the earth was ushered into harmony. Falling back into the bed, trying to regain control over my breathing and heart beat, Molly handed me, my baby girl. Holding her gently in my arms, I grinned. I looked into those new eyes, new consciousness, perfect and reaching out for her love. In that instant I knew I would do anything to protect this child, that my love was as vast as the universe yet solid as rock. I was her mother and would always be.

"What will you name her?" Molly asked.

I ran my hand gently over her head. She already had a full set of hair, soft and short. "Adhara, I will name her Adhara Black."

Sirius glanced down at his daughter, a soft smile on his lips. "Adhara?"

"Named after one of the brightest stars in the sky." I couldn't stop gazing into her wide eyes. "Same as yours."

Sirius chuckled. "You searched up my name?"

"No, I always knew what it meant. Want to hold her?" I spotted the slight fear pass through his eyes. "You won't hurt her."

"Alright."

Molly quickly moved to his side, helping him adjust our daughter in his arms. "Keep the head steady." She moved his elbow. "Not to high, you'll smother her." She lowered his elbow a bit. "Watch her ha-"

"I got it." Sirius mumbled. "See she's smiling."

Molly scoffed. "Gas."

"Why don't you go get the bags you brought." Sirius snapped. "We need to change her."

"Yeah, yeah."

Laying my head back, I stared at the two. Who knew you could love someone so much. Someone you didn't even know, yet would give your life for them. Adhara raised her hand, wrapping it around Sirius finger.

Crap, she was going to be a daddy's girl.

Sirius:

"Athe-" Seeing her asleep, he slowly moved to closer to the window. Hearing Adhara coo, he hushed her softly. "Your mother's sleeping." Looking into the deep dark eyes of his daughter, he was captivated. They darker than his. They reminded him of a starry night. "I know you can't understand me, but I am going to say it anyways. I don't know how to be a father. My family wasn't the most idea to grow up in. You have many insane cousins. The only uncle I would have liked for you to meet, has passed. But that doesn't mean we will not love you." He took a seat on the window seal, holding her up in front of him. "You have a wonderful mother, who has done so much to keep you safe. I can't promise I won't make mistakes along the way, but I will always be by your side. I won't allow the same childhood we had be the same for you."

Athena:

Adhara grunted as she gave a big yawn. "Boring you already."

"She was just born." I whispered. "All she wants is to sleep."

"Hey, I thought you were asleep." Walking over to me, he laid Adhara beside me. Leaning down Sirius gave me a sweet kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired, sore, but mainly tired." I mumbled. "And hungry."

"Get some sleep." He ordered. "I'll get you something to eat in a bit."

Just as he moved away, I reached for his hand. "Before you go, please play nice with Aaron and Eva. They are risking their lives helping me."

Sirius sighed. "They are still-"

"You don't know their story." I reminded him. "You will be surprised how many don't wish to be there."

"Okay, I won't promise anything." He grinned. "But I will try my best."

Sirius:

Stepping into the living room, he was surprised to find the rest of the others there. "What are you all doing here?"

"We got word your child was born." Dumbledore exclaimed loudly.

"My daughter." Sirius wasn't to happy with them here, but at the same time he couldn't tell them to leave. "Adhara Black."

Remus jumped to his feet, pulling him into a tight hug. "Congratulations Sirius. A little girl."

"How is Athena?" Tonks asked.

"She is doing well. Sleeping at the moment." He knew he was being rude, but he couldn't help it. He was never a people person and right now, he didn't want anyone near his wife or daughter. "I hate to do this, but would you all come back later? Athena will need the rest and-"

"We understand." Tonks cut him off. "Let us know when she is awake." Giving him a wink, she ushered everyone out of the house.

Sirius fell into the couch with a loud exhale. "Molly, Athena was hungry earlier. Could you make her something?"

"Of course." She went off mumbling to herself what to cook.

"I am going to help her." Eva whispered to Aaron.

"Okay." Aaron glanced back towards the wizard. He knew what he was about to do, was probably going to kill him, but he needed help. He couldn't betray her like that. He couldn't obey the order give to him. "We need to talk."

Sirius raised a brow, but gave him a nod. "About?"

"The dark lord has given new orders in regards to Athena." Aaron began. "Ever since their new pact, he-"

"New pact?" Sirius sat up. "What new pact?"

"She has given her freedom and free will to Voldemort. In return her family and friends are given immunity. No harm is to come from Bellatrix or the others." Aaron flinched at the glass cup shattered against the wall.

"What is with that woman?!" He growled. "She doesn't know when to bloody quit!"

"She cares for you too much." Aaron chuckled. "Which brings me to this. Voldemort wants me to erase all memories of you and the others. Gives him a the clear way to her. I don't understand why he is so obsessed with her."

"Sick bastard." Sirius stalked towards the bar grabbing another drink. "When does he want it to happen?"

"Now." Aaron replied. "He wants it done before the task he gave Malfoy and her is completed. The problem is I have to do it. If I don't I die and he will just move on to the next. I know this isn't something you wanted to hear, especially with the birth of your daughter. Athena had until the end of break to sort everything out. I just wanted her to enjoy these moment first. But you and I know that the spell cannot be reversed."

Sirius shook his head. "No. Use a charm spell."

"What?"

"Connect it to the blood pact." Sirius ordered. "When the spell breaks so will the charm. Knowing my dear cousin, the pact won't last too long. She won't remember much about us, so it should be enough for Voldemort to be satisfied."

"And what do I tell Athena?" Aaron asked. "Or should we not say anything?"

Sirius stared at the golden liquid in his hand. He wasn't sure what to do. If he tells her, she will most likely refuse the circumstances. But if he didn't than she will definitely kill him when all is out in the open. "I will speak with her."

"Just know that she had already agreed to have all your memories of her gone." Aaron blurted out. "Athena should have never spoken to the others and told them the truth. She realized it placed you all in even more danger. After the birth of her child, I was to conduct the spell."

Adhara laid sound asleep beside me, her tiny had wrapped around pinky. Had I been told this would happened at this point in my life, I would have laughed. But I don't regret it. I had a beautiful daughter. Hearing the door open, I glanced up just as Sirius walked in.

"Hey." Seeing the weary look on his face, I frowned. "What's the matter?"

He walked over to me, grabbing my arm and began unwrapping my arm. "Bloodpact?"

"Aaron told you?" He nodded. "Sirius I had to. After what Bellatrix did, I couldn't let anything else happen to my family. This way you are all safe. You can all keep Harry safe." I grimaced at the slight sense of burn coming off the mark.

"You can't keep doing this." He grabbed a wet rag off the night stand, placing it over my arm. "You are not the only one in this. We can look out for ourselves and each other. What you did for me was enough. Stop digging yourself into a deeper hole. There will come a time you won't be able to jump out."

"I will be fine." Cupping his jaw, I ran my thumb over his stubble. "We will all be fine."

"I know." Leaning forward he planted a lingering kiss on my forehead. "Get some sleep, I'll place Adhara in the crib." Picking the baby up, he walked towards the other side of the bed. Glancing back he made sure Athena was asleep. "This will only be for a while." Pulling his wand out, he aimed it at her and whispered. Pulling his daughter closer into his arms, he walked out of the room.