Chapter 1: Birth of a Black

Remus Lupin is sitting in a chair in Sirius Black's living room reading a book. Meanwhile, in the same living room Sirius Black has been pacing for the past two hours. Remus finally looks up from his book that he has been reading and says, "Padfoot, you are going to ruin your carpet if you keep pacing like that. You have been going back and forth in the same pattern for the past two hours. I'm quite surprised that you haven't passed out from exhaustion. Please sit down you're making me dizzy."

Sirius turns to him and says with annoyance in his voice, "How can you just sit there like nothing is wrong, Moony? What do you care about the carpet? It's not like we can't fix it with magic. I can't help but be worried and anxious. Marlene is a month overdue and if she doesn't have the kid soon my child will be going to Hogwarts on September 1st in he or she's first year and someday that year will end up turning twelve. He or she will be the oldest in the class. It's already September 1st!"

Remus says, "I'm sure that when the child is ready it will come. You can't plan for everything, Sirius. Say do you want it to be a girl or a boy?"

Sirius flops down on one of the three couches, huffs, and says, "Ever since Regulus was born I've wanted a baby sister. However, my dear mother couldn't have one and I would never wish a girl to go through what I did with my mum. To answer your question, Moony, I want a baby girl. Marlene and I have already decided on names. If it is a boy he will be named Alphard Sirius Black II after my uncle who gave me money after I ran away and myself. If it is a girl she will be name Athena if she has grey eyes and Aphrodite if blue eyes but the rest of the name would be Elizabeth Lillian Andromeda Black."

Remus asks, "What if her eyes are green, hazel, or brown? What will you do then? And why Elizabeth Lillian Andromeda?"

Sirius responds, "I highly doubt that her eyes will be green, hazel, or brown seeing that I have grey eyes and Marlene has bright blue eyes. But if she does then Marlene and I will have to decide. Marlene really wanted Elizabeth and it is also her middle name so I allowed it. Marlene said that she wanted Lillian since both she and I are friends with Lily. And last but not least I choose Andromeda because Andromeda Black or now Tonks was and still is my favorite cousin."

Remus asks, "Why Athena or Aphrodite?"

Sirius responds, "I wanted to keep the family tradition going. Almost every Black has either a name that is a constellation or someone prominent from Greece in the Ancient times. However, none of them have been from the Greek Gods and Goddesses. I thought of Aphrodite because I believe that any daughter of Marlene will be beautiful and Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty and love. The child was conceived out of love also. I also thought of Athena because I'm hoping that she will get Marlene's brains and maybe even some of mine. Marlene liked it because she believes that if she had a daughter that she would be wise and that it is like naming her after Minerva McGonagall."

Remus says, "I'm glad to hear that you are trying to do good for your child. Do you want-."

Remus is cut off by something shattering on the kitchen floor. Remus and Sirius are both frozen and quiet.

Marlene yells from the kitchen, "SIRIUS! REMUS! GET YOUR LASY ARSES IN HERE! THE BABY IS COMING NOW! I NEED YOU AND REMUS TO GET ME TO ST. MUNGO'S! I CAN'T GIVE BIRTH HERE!"

Remus and Sirius both rush into the kitchen where a frightening scene of Marlene being on the floor clutching her stomach like it is her life line. In Hogwarts, Marlene McKinnon was always known for never backing down from a fight, tough, and almost impossible to hurt. So seeing the scene with Marlene obviously in great pain was a shock to both of them.

Marlene turns her head in the slightest and says, "Are you going to get me there or not? I for one do not want to deliver my child on a dirty kitchen floor." Sirius goes over to her and scoops her into his arms. Marlene says to Remus, "Go get Molly, Arthur, Lily, James, McGonagall, Dumbledore, my mother, and father. Please Remus. Tell them that we are at St. Mungo's and that I want them all to come."

A couple of seconds' later Remus apparate's out while Sirius goes to their fire place. Sirius grabs the Floo Powder. With Marlene in his arms he steps into the flames and shout while throwing the powder down, "St. Mungo's!" With that Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon disappear in a flash of green flames. Sirius steps out of one of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries fire places.

One of the many nurses running around see Sirius with Marlene in his arms comes over and says, "Come with me, sir. I'll take you to one of the healing wards that are for birthing and get a doctor for you right away." With that said she takes off towards the elevator while glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Sirius is following her. As soon as Sirius gets in the elevator she pushes a button for the fifth floor where the birthing ward is. She turns to Sirius and Marlene as the elevator starts up and asks, "Has her water broken yet? When did she first start feeling the contractions?"

Sirius looks at the nurse with wide eyes and mouth wide open not knowing what to say. Finally, he replies, "No her water hasn't broken yet. And I'm not sure when she started feeling the baby coming."

As Sirius is speaking the nurse is writing down everything he said on her clipboard that she has. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to either the nurse or Sirius, Marlene is listening to everything they are saying.

Marlene lifts her head a bit and says, "I can answer your question about when my contractions started if you would like to know."

The nurse says, "If you can that would be wonderful. However, if you don't feel up to it I understand also."

Marlene says, "I have more strength than most do. I started feeling the contractions about an hour ago. Sirius and a friend by the name of Remus Lupin only knew that I was in pain because of the contractions started to become more frequent and more painful and I ended up dropping one of the plates that I was trying to set the table with. I was hoping to avoid letting them know until after we had had dinner but it seems that my child had other ideas on that. I swear, Sirius, this child is going to be like you in the respect of now knowing when to wait. The child will be a handful that is for sure."

The nurse says, "I'm surprised not many first-time mothers are able to wait that long before coming in here for the pain. What are your professions?"

Sirius replies, "Both Marlene and myself are Aurors along with many of our friends. What can we call you?"

The nurse says, "My name is Senta Shafiq. Here I usually go by Nurse Senta or Nurse Shafiq. You can call me either. When were you due?"

Sirius replies, "She was due a month ago."

Senta says, "My lord! I guess the child was being very stubborn then. Can I have both of your full names?"

Sirius replies, "Yes. And I'm quite sure that the child having two Gryffindor parents probably added to that fact. I'm Sirius Orion Black III, pure-blood, and son of Orion and Walburga Black. And this is Marlene Elizabeth McKinnon, pure-blood, and daughter of Michael and Melissa McKinnon."

Senta says, "Okay. Do either of you know if you are expecting a girl or a boy?"

Marlene replies, "No, we don't. We refused to have them tell us ahead of time because we wanted it to be a surprise to everyone."

Senta says, "Okay. I have to ask this. Which last name will the child take since you both have different last names?"

Marlene says, "She will take Sirius's name. I have a feeling that the child will end up inheriting the infamous Black temper."

Sirius chuckles as that. The elevator dings and the door opens on the fifth floor. Senta quickly usurers Sirius out of the elevator and says, "This way. I'll take you to one of the birthing rooms." She stops at a room that has the number one on it. Senta says, "You guys are the only ones that are up here right now for a birth." She opens the door and says, "Mr. Black, you can set Ms. McKinnon on the bed there. Ms. McKinnon, I would suggest that you get as comfortable as you can for the next couple of hours will be hard on you. Mr. Black, is there anyone that you are expecting to come here?"

Sirius says, "Yes there is. And please call me Sirius. There are nine people that shall be coming."

Senta asks, "What are their names? That way I can tell the people at the desk where to send them when they get here."

Sirius says, "Their names are Molly and Arthur Weasley, Lily and James Potter, Michael and Melissa McKinnon, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, and Remus Lupin."

Senta says, "Okay. Would you like me to inform Mr. and Mrs. Black?"

Sirius tenses at the mention of his parents and says very cold and shortly, "No. I have been disowned by my parents since I turned seventeen. There is no need. After the child is born I will send a letter to them to let them know that they have a grandchild but not before then and I don't want them hearing about it from the hospital. Is that understood?"

Senta says, "Yes. I understand, Mr. Black. If you would calmly wait here I'll go grab the doctor and let the people at the front desk know which room you are in." Senta leaves without waiting for a reply from either Sirius or Marlene.

Marlene says, "Sirius, you didn't have to be so cruel to her. She was only trying to help. Judging by the look on her face when you said that you had been disowned she was very shocked. It wasn't her fault. I hope that you remember that when we are raising our own child because I guarantee that someday in his or her future the child will want to know why they know my mother and father but not yours."

Sirius looks at her and says, "I know. It just came as a shock with her asking about my parents. I know that I never want to do what my own parents did to me. I don't care if he or she ends up in Slytherin. I will always love our child no matter what."

Marlene says, "I don't doubt that you will, Sirius, but I think you should apologize to Nurse Senta. And don't give me attitude with your Black pride. I will already have to deal with your child who has been giving me trouble before even coming fully into this world."

Sirius says, "Fine, I'll apologize. But you know that you're not the only one that is going to have to deal with our child. I can't wait to see how McGonagall looks when our child gets into Hogwarts. If it turns out to be anything like me McGonagall is going to have her hands full. I know that I won't envy whoever our child's Head of House turns out to be. McGonagall already had to deal with me, James, Remus, and Peter all making trouble. James and Lily need to hurry up and have a child because I want our child and theirs to be in the same year and be friends like me and James and you and Lily. What do you think?"

Marlene says, "May Godric Gryffindor help Minerva if she is stuck being the Head of House of both yours and James's kids. Especially if Lil's kid gets some of her brains and if ours gets your mischief and pranking ability, my brains, and some nice looks. I remember how you had almost every girl at your heels at one point or another."

Sirius says, "Oh yes I agree with you on that. I also remember that no matter what I did you would never pay me any mind. You were like how Lily was to James but to me. Marlene, I want to ask Remus to be our kid's godfather. Is that okay with you?"

Marlene says, "Yeah that's fine but I have a condition for that to happen."

Sirius says, "Okay. Tell me what the condition is."

Marlene says, "I get to name the godmother."

Sirius quickly says, "Done."

Marlene says, "That isn't all, Sirius. I want our child to have two that way at least one of them will be available when Remus is having to deal with his 'furry little problem'."

Sirius says, "Okay. Who do you want to name?"

Marlene says, "One of them would be Lily and the other I want to be Minerva McGonagall."

Sirius says, "Merlin help Minnie. She is going to have her hands full. Okay I agree to those two."

Marlene says, "Great! Thanks, Sirius! I lo-." Marlene is cut off by a scream caused by a huge contraction that causes her water to break and her to be in a lot of pain. There is a knock at the door then.

Sirius says, "Come on in." At that Lily and James Potter, Remus Lupin, Molly and Arthur Weasley come in. Sirius says, "About time that some of you got here. Remus, do you know where McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Marlene's parents are? We sent you to get them also. Molly, would you mind go getting a nurse by the name of Senta? Marlene's water has just broken."

Molly says, "Yeah. I'll be back in a jiffy, Marlene. Don't worry I won't leave you stuck in here with these people that are ignorant to the child birthing process if I can help it. Oh, Sirius, you do know that since this child is your first born that you can't be in the room while it is happening, right?"

Sirius says, "Urgh! Stupid rules for first born children. Then I expect you, Arthur, and Remus to stay with her. When are you due, Molly?"

Molly says, "I'm due late April or early May. Arthur and I found out that we are having twins. It's too early for us to know if they are girls or boys or both since I'm only three months in. We have to wait two more months to find that out. I don't know how you two could stand not knowing if you're having a boy or a girl. I'm going to get the nurse. Lily, come with me and we can wait for Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Marlene's parents."

Lily says, "Okay. We'll be back soon, Marlene. Take care of her Sirius, Remus, and James." With that said Lily and Molly walk out to go get the nurse and wait for the other people that Marlene wanted to be there for her child's birth. On the way there Lily asks, "Molly, do you want you're twins to be girls or boys?"

Molly says, "I want them to be healthy. Arthur and I have agreed that we are going to keep having kids until we have two girls. As you already know we have three boys already them being, Bill, Charlie, and Percy. We have already picked out the names for the two girls we want. The names will be Rebecca Lucretia and Ginevra Molly. We don't know which we will name the oldest but those are the names that we want for them. I thought of Rebecca Lucretia and Arthur thought of Ginevra Molly. I don't think that Arthur was thinking that much when he wanted the name Ginevra, I think that we will end up just calling her Ginny."

Lily says, "How are you brothers doing?"

Molly says, "Oh, they're doing well. Even if they have their hands full at the moment. Do you know what happened?"

Lily says, "I don't think so. What happened?"

Molly says, "Both of them have a pregnant girlfriend also pregnant with twins."

Lily says, "Oh."

Molly stops one of the many nurses and asks, "Do you know where I can find Nurse Senta?"

The nurse turns to another nurse saying, "Senta Shafiq. These women here are asking for you."

Senta comes over and asks, "Who are you?"

Lily says, "I'm Lily Potter and this is Molly Weasley. We are friends of Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon."

Senta says, "Okay. What do you guys need then? I told the person at the front desk where their room is."

Molly says, "Yes, we have already gone to the room. Sirius asked me to come get you. Marlene's water has broken. Her child is coming."

Senta says, "Okay." She then turns to the person she was with and says, "Doctor Griffin, would you mind coming with me? The woman I was talking about by the name of Marlene McKinnon earlier water has now broken. She is in room number one. First time mother so it might be difficult. Also, the father of the child is Sirius Black but he says that he will notify his parents and for our sake's I hope he does because I don't want to have to deal with Walburga Black again. Her husband, Orion Black, is okay but she is horrible."

Doctor Griffin says, "Lead the way then, Senta. Ms. McKinnon is my only patient today so I can be there the entire time unlike usual where I have to leave then come back. Seeing that the father is a Black I'm glad that there aren't any other births going on."

Senta says, "Right this way. Are you coming, Mrs. Potter, and Mrs. Weasley?"

Molly says, "We'll be there in a little. Sirius wanted us to wait for a couple of the others."

Senta says, "Okay. Is there anyone in there that has children besides you, Mrs. Weasley?"

Molly says, "Yes. My husband, Arthur Weasley, is in there. He's the father of three sons at the moment and two more on the way. I have already told Sirius that when the child is born he can't be in there since the child is his first-born child."

Senta says, "Thank you then. I don't want to do anything more to make him angry at me. Can I count on your husband to help me with him?"

Molly says, "Yes, but you might want to use Lily's husband, James Potter, and his other friend, Remus Lupin. James, Remus, and Sirius are best mates. They met in Hogwarts and were inseparable and to some extent still are."

Senta says, "Thank you. I'll see you when you get back to the room." With that said Nurse Senta and Doctor Griffin left to go help Marlene in birth.

Molly says to Lily, "I feel sorry for that nurse. Sirius is stressed. He usually isn't this snappy. Sure, he does have the infamous Black temper but this is different."

Lily says, "You have to understand, Molly. Sirius didn't have a very good childhood and therefore he doesn't have any role models for parenting. He doesn't want to turn out like his mother and father. When he got sorted into Gryffindor his mother used the Cruciatus Curse on him. He had to run away to James's house when he turned seventeen. If he had stayed any longer he probably would have died. For his crappy childhood, I'm surprised that he turned out so well. No child no matter how bad deserves that. It's not like it's his fault for not being a Slytherin. Hell, if it wasn't for both Marlene and Sirius, James and I would have never started dating."

Molly says, "I know. My aunt, Lucretia, is Sirius's dad's sister and she told me how most Blacks are raised and it's horrible but no one can do anything about it. Lucky some of them turn out well."

As Lily and Molly were talking they were walking towards the waiting room. Next thing they know someone says, "Lily! Molly! Where are Marlene and Sirius?" Molly looks up and sees McGonagall coming toward them with Dumbledore, Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon. McGonagall says, "Well, are you going to take us there?"

Lily says, "Yes. Come on we'll take you to their room. A little while ago Marlene's water broke so when we get there the baby should be coming." Lily and Molly walk towards room one in the birthing ward with McGonagall, Dumbledore, Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon following them closely. When they get to the room James, Remus, and Sirius are outside of the room. James and Remus are sitting in some of the chairs that are out there while Sirius is pacing outside of the door like he's a guard from older times. Lily says, "Remus, James, why aren't you two in there with Marlene?"

James says, "The nurse kicked Sirius out but he wouldn't leave so Arthur had to help me drag him out here. Remus stayed inside but as soon as the baby started coming and Marlene started screaming Remus came running out here like there was someone on his tail."

Remus says, "You try having Marlene holding your hand and using it as something to squeeze like there is no tomorrow. Then see how you feel. Marlene was starting to turn my hand purple because her grip was so tight." They are all silent for a while. A couple of minutes later, Marlene lets out a bone rattling scream.

Molly quickly stands up and says, "I'm going in to see if I can help with anything. I know the pain she is going through. I'll let her squeeze my hand until its blue if she needs it."

McGonagall stands up and says, "I'll come with you, Molly. After all I'm most likely going to be teaching the little one when he or she goes to Hogwarts."

Dumbledore says, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Minerva, the child could still turn out to be a Squib."

Sirius turns to Dumbledore with his eyes blazing in anger and says, "Don't you dare even think that mine and Marlene's child as a Squib. If he or she can't do magic I don't care but until we know don't think like that." After he says that he turns right back to his pacing again.

Remus says quietly, "I hope that his child doesn't get his temper or we are going to have our hands full." With that Molly and McGonagall enter the room where Marlene was. Molly goes and sits by Marlene's right side. Molly takes Marlene's right hand.

Marlene asks, "Molly, what time is it?"

Molly checks her watch and replies, "It's 11:50 p.m. Is there anything I can do for you, right now?"

Marlene says, "No, just hold my ha-." Marlene lets out an ear-splitting scream.

Doctor Griffin says, "Okay. Only a couple more pushes and your baby will be out, Ms. McKinnon. I can see your child's head."