July 27, 2007

"Now where could that silly little girl be," Jack Granger was walking through the living room of his house, smiling at his wife, Katherine. "I can't seem to be able to find Cassiopeia anywhere. Have you seen her?" He held his finger up to his lips.

She gave her husband a knowing smile, "I don't know, Pap Pap. Maybe she went home."

They heard a little giggle from across the room. She had been staying with her grandparents for the last day and a half. Hermione had called her parents to let them know she was being induced on the morning of the 27th and needed someone to watch Cass. Andy volunteered but they needed her to be able to apparate The Grangers to St. Mungos when the time came. Jack and Katherine never overlooked an opportunity to spoil their granddaughter. Their first born was about to become a sibling and they wanted to soak up all the extra snuggle time as possible. Now 17 months old, Cassiopeia proved to be a little handful. She was mischievous in the best way but still required a certain amount of cuddles. They had been getting ready for Andy to pick them up for the hospital when Cass decided to have an impromptu game of hide and go seek. Another little giggle erupted from over by the television set.

"You have to be right. She must have gone home," another giggle came. "What a shame. I was just about ready to get out the ice lollies. You know the blue ones Cass loves so much."

After a fifth little giggle there was a knock at the door, "it must be Andromeda," Katherine quickly answered the door. "Is the baby here?!"

"No hello?" Andy clutched her chest in a feigned heart ache. "Hermione had Bella kick all of us out of the room. But I'm almost positive baby number 2 has arrived."

"I guess it's just going to be me and Katherine joining you, Andy. Seems Cassiopeia went home."

"Don't let Bella know. She will rip your heart right out," she responded before she picked up on the jovial tone. He shook his head and pointed over to the small white door of the cabinet that was under the television. "You say you can't find Cass anywhere?" She walked over towards the cabinet, loudly pretending to look for the girl when another little giggle was heard. "I guess I'll just have to take back this new stuffed dragon I got for her," Andy said, pulling the stuffed animal out of her pocket and enlarging it. The giggling stopped at the mention of a new toy, "and her mummy was so looking forward to showing her the new baby."

"Baby?" The door swung open, banging off of the cabinet. "Me see mummy, now."

"Cass," Jack pretended to be startled, "we thought you went home. You were hiding in there all along?"

Cass giggled and ran over to her granddad, wrapping her arms around his legs, "mummy?" She looked up at him with the biggest eyes she could muster.

"Yes," he smiled and picked her up, "let's go see mummy."

"This girl has everyone wrapped around her little finger," Andy laughed, pinching Cass's cheek, handing her the stuffed dragon. "Me included. Ready to meet the baby?" She kissed her niece on the forehead.

"No," she scowled, "me see mummy."

"Mum mum is having the baby and all she cares about is mummy," Andy rolled her eyes. "Bella has infiltrated this kid," she tickled Cass's chin.

"She was asking for Hermione as well this morning," Katherine assured Andy. "She really missed her morning time with Bella. Pap Pap Jack just didn't cut it with story time."

"Oh I've peeked in on story time. Bella does all the voices."

"I tried my best but my big bad wolf just wasn't up to par with Bella," Jack laughed. "Shall we?"

"Any news on the name?" Katherine asked as they were leaving, walking around back to the cloaked apparition point.

"They aren't naming the baby Andromeda so I lost interest in that whole ordeal. I don't think they've said but if it isn't a girl, Bella will be pitching a tantrum so prepare yourself."

Hermione was laying in the hospital bed, nursing a little bundle wrapped up in a receiving blanket. Bella had pulled a chair up to the head of the bed and watched with intention as the new little baby latched on for nourishment. "Not even 20 minutes old and requiring a meal," Bella chuckled, "already taking after Andy."

"Oh stop," Hermione smiled up at her wife, finally taking her eyes off of their new baby girl. "I can't believe she's finally here. We practically had to kick her out."

"41 weeks," Bella laughed. "She's well done." She started playing with the baby's little ear, taking in all of her small features. "It's so weird to see her here, outside of you and not immediately hooked up to life saving machines. Don't tell Cass. She will be very jealous." The new baby made little noises while eating, "also I'm sharing those with you for only a short while. Don't get too used to them."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "could you not talk about my breasts like they are a tool for bartering?"

"Those are on loan, kid." Bella cackled. "Also, maybe don't mention to your sister that she wasn't breast fed. I don't think she'll take the news well."

"Your sister," she looked down at her baby. "She sure is a whirlwind but you are going to love her so much."

Bella chuckled, "I did miss Cass last night."

Hermione agreed but they had to be at the hospital in the middle of the night and didn't want to throw off Cass's routine so Bella dropped her off in the previous afternoon. Cass loved going to sleep over at her grandparents house because they always spoiled her with muggle treats they didn't have at the manor, "the doctor said we might only be here a day or two before we can leave. So she'll have to spend at least another night with them."

"If Jack has the ice lollies, I'm sure she'll go willingly."

"He will lure her with McDonalds and sweeties," Hermione laughed. The baby had fallen asleep while feeding and a small dribble of milk was running down her little chin. Bella wiped it off with a burp cloth. "I can't believe we are a family of four now. It seems like only yesterday McGonagall came to my house and asked me to come back to Hogwarts. If someone told me then that I'd be married to Bellatrix Black and we had two children together, I'd have called them certifiable."

"Life has a funny way of working itself out, doesn't it?" Bella often had the same thoughts. She was sure she would wake up one day and all of this would have just been a dream but here she was living the best life she never knew she always wanted. Though, something did feel a little off to the dark witch. An evil smile started to appear, "I'm going to have to lodge a formal complaint here."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "what now?"

"You had the perfect pregnancy. Your labor and delivery were flawless and easy while I suffered with sickness and almost died. Something about all of this seems rather unfair," she pouted until Hermione held out the baby for her to take. "All is forgive," when she sunk into her chair, holding the new baby for the first time. "The Black genes are strong," she noted the similarities in her and Cass. "But she had your eyes, pet," she noted when the baby blinked her eyes open a few times. "Gorgeous just like your mother. I think she's going to have your hair as well," she smiled up at her wife. "Two little heartbreakers we've made."

On that note, the sound of little feet were heard running through the halls outside, "speaking of the heartbreaker," Hermione laughed when there was a knock on their door. "Come in."

Katherine pushed the door open and Cass came running in, "mummy! Mummy!!" She skidded to a stop when she got to the chair Bella was sitting in and realized her lap was occupied. She scowled when she couldn't immediately climb up in her lap. "My mummy," Cass stomped her foot and threw down the stuffed animal she was holding onto.

The proud grandparents walked over to see the new baby but Cass didn't let Jack get too close, she threw her arms around his legs and demanded to be picked up still scowling at her mother.

"Now sweetheart," Katherine spoke quietly to her granddaughter, "that's your new baby…"

"Sister," Hermione chimed in and her parents repeated the word. "Mummy is just holding her for a minute but we are both very excited to see you, darling."

"Mum mum!!" She reached out for Hermione who gladly took her from her dad. She snuggled her face into Hermione's neck and held on tight. Cass loved snuggling into both of her mothers' necks. It seemed to calm her down quickly and provide comfort whenever she was upset.

"Mum mum missed you too, little one." She kissed the top of Cass's head. How her mother managed to wrestle up her wild curls into a little bun is amazing to her. She barely sat still long enough for either of them to do her hair. They were lucky they could use magic. It must have been the special grandmother touch.

Jack leaned down to look at his new granddaughter, "she's perfect, buttercup."

"Bella," Hermione broached the subject tentatively, "maybe one of her grandparents would like to hold the baby."

Bella looked down at her baby then up at Jack and rolled her eyes, "fine. Five minutes tops for the two of you combined then I want her back." She reluctantly stood, giving Katherine the seat and passing the baby to her. Jack pulled up a rolling chair so he could start his five minutes of baby time. Bella noticed the discarded red dragon on the ground, "did her auntie Andy give this to her?" Jack nodded yes, not taking his eyes from the new baby. "Where is my darling sister? I can't imagine her missing an opportunity to imprint on the new baby," she cackled.

"Well," Katherine passed the baby over to her husband, "we thought it would be best for Cass to get acclimated to the new bundle if there were less people in the room. She said she'd be along later with your sister and Aviya."

"Oh good. My day wouldn't be complete with a visit from Ms. Hart."

"I believe now it's, Mrs. Hart-Black," Katherine suppressed a laugh.

"Don't remind me," she dramatically rolled her eyes. She looked at the little dragon and smiled. Andy sure did love her little niece. The pair took to each other so well. Andy often said she reminded her of Dora when she was young. Bella walked over towards her wife with the little toy in her hand and used it to tap her daughter on the shoulder.

"There's my kitten," Bella bent down to look at her daughter who was still snuggled into Hermione's neck refusing to look at her. "Now now. None of that," Bella chuckled, reaching out, tickling under her daughter's chin. "Mummy missed you, kitten. Can I have a hug?" Cass looked up with big eyes before smiling and launching herself into her mother's arms. "There's mummy's girl." She started spinning her around the room. Cass's laughter was music to her ears. "One more night at Pap Pap and Nana's house and the whole family will be back together." She saw a tear in Cass's eye though she hardly felt the girl understood her. "Plus, I heard Pap say something about McDonalds later."

"If there was ever a reason for McDonalds it would be celebrating this little one's birth," he laughed.

"Baby?" Cass pointed to the bundle that was now back in Katherine's arms. "Mum mum baby?" She tried to lean down and point to Hermione's belly.

"Mum mum's baby came out of her tummy. That's her over there," Bella tried to explain.

Cass looked from Hermione to Bella to the baby trying to piece everything together, "mum mum baby," she looked again at Bella who smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm dying to know," Katherine looked up from the baby, "what's her name?"

"Well," Bella started the conversation, "she wouldn't let me call her Bella. That was vetoed before I even suggested it. Hermione Jr was also a no. Then I brilliantly suggested Jack Black and she shot that down, too. It's like I couldn't win."

"Well you did say when you were pregnant that if I carried the baby I would get to pick the name."

"I said that in a moment of weakness," Bella shook her head, "I didn't think you'd hold me to that."

"It took months to agree on a name."

"Well what is it? Though I will admit, I am partial to Jack." Her father laughed.

"I tried Jack. I tried my hardest and she said no. We both had a feeling all along that she was going to be a girl so we focused on girl names. You tell them, pet."

"Mom, Dad," she smiled, "say hello to Minerva Katherine Black."

Both of her parents smiled and looked down at the baby. "It's perfect," Katherine kissed her forehead.

"We wanted to name her after two strong women who have shown us unconditional love and support throughout our lives. We are going to call her Minnie."

"Minnie," Jack tried out the nickname. "It's brilliant. Little Minnie."

"She is indeed," Bella had a prideful smile. "Two gorgeous daughters."

"You must be over the moon," Jack walked over to give Hermione a hug.

"Now," Bella gave her wife a cheesy smile. "The introduction we've all been waiting for. Are you ready to meet the baby, kitten?" She rested her forehead on Cass's as if she were waiting for a response. "Your little sister has been waiting to meet you." She handed Cass the little dragon when she saw her eyeing it. "Now are you ready?"

Cass looked at the dragon then at her mummy, "baby."

Bella walked her daughter over to the chair that Katherine stood up from and sat with Cass on her right leg. She waited for her mother in law to place the new bundle in her left arm, cradling her against her body. "Cass," she looked at her curly haired daughter who looked less than amused. "This is your sister, Minnie." Cass leaned over so her face was inches from the baby and stared at her. "Minnie, this is Cass." Everybody watched with bated breath as Cassiopeia got a good look at her new sister for the first time.

After what seemed like a long stare down, Cass poked Minnie on the cheek, "my baby."

A release of relieved sighs were let out when Cass seemed pleased with the introduction before she turned her attention back to her toy. Bella looked at the littlest Black, "and we will all pray to Salazar that the two of you don't kill each other."

Author's note:

I hope everyone enjoyed part 3 of the Shades of Grey story.

What is coming next? That will be an interlude called Black Family One Shots and it'll be as it says a series of one shot from the 15 years between parts 3 and 4.

We will then pick up with part four of the story right as Cass is going into her seventh year at Hogwarts and Minnie is going into her sixth year.

I hope everyone sticks around! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment and support my story.

Until the next time