Title: To Name a Black
Characters/Pairings: Cygnus Black/Druella Black

Forum: The Golden Snitch
Challenge: Adopt a Reindeer
School/House: Mahoutokoro, House Mizu

Prompts: Write about how a character got their name
Points: 10 points

World: Pre-Hogwarts
Word Count: 1,016

A/N: It's always been strange to me that Narcissa doesn't have a constellation name. What would've driven Cygnus and Druella to deviate from the Black family tradition? I imagined it was some concession on Cygnus's part, and this is where I ended up.

Also, the narcissus plant is another name for daffodil. I like that etymology for Narcissa much more than the Greek myth (though JKR has indicated the myth is the inspiration for her name).

XXXX

"Push!" cried the Healer.

Druella Black screamed in a most unlady-like manner. Dark spots danced in the corner of her eyes, and despite the bone-crushing pain between her thighs she felt feather-light-as if once this baby was out she would simply float away forever.

Labor hadn't been like this with Bellatrix or Andromeda. No, those girls had come easily into the world, though they had been anything but easy as children.

However, from its start this pregnancy had been different: all-day morning sickness, shooting back pains, and, near the end, constant bed rest. The contractions, when they started, had increased in intensity so quickly that she'd barely announced she was in labor before she was screaming at her husband to be taken to St. Mungo's.

Safe in the arms of her Healer, Cygnus had disappeared into the waiting room. She wished he would have stayed, though she knew he would not; it wasn't the done thing for men to be present for the birth of their children.

Still, this felt different, and she needed the support of her husband-of anyone, really.

Well, anyone but Walburga. That shrew might scare the baby back into her, and Druella was ready to be done with this pregnancy.

With one last push, drawing on the last vestiges of her strength and magic, Druella brought her baby into the world.

The Healer took the crying newborn, covered in the effluvium of birth, and held it up for Druella to see. "Congratulations, Mrs. Black. You have another daughter."

Had she been conscious for the pronouncement, Druella would have cried in both disappointment and joy-another daughter. However, upon the birth of her daughter, Druella Black had passed out.

It would be a full day-with enough healing spells to write a textbook on birth-specific spellcrafting and more blood replenishing potions than were recommended-before Mrs. Black was stable enough to be Renneverated.

XXXX

"We've done everything we can," the Healer explained to a stoic Cygnus Black. Behind him, Cygnus's brother Orion listened in as his sister (and sister-in-law), Walburga, cooed at the newest addition to the Black family.

"Will she live?" asked Cygnus. Five years ago, when they had married, he had had no love for his wife. She had simply been the woman his parents had told him to marry. There had been mutual understanding, and a modicum of respect, but nothing resembling affection or emotion for either of them.

But now, after two beautiful daughters and more tender moments than Cygnus had ever thought possible, the notion that he had almost lost his wife had hit Cygnus harder than a Cruicio from Tom.

"Yes," said the Healer. "But her health will always be very fragile. And…" He hesitated.

"Out with it," snapped Orion from behind his brother.

The Healer jolted, and then looked at Cygnus with sympathy. "I'm sorry Mr. Black, but your wife will never have any more children."

XXXX

"Lyra," offered Orion. "It lies near Cygnus."

"Vesta," said Walburga. "We have not yet had a Vesta."

"Druella shall name her," said Cygnus, "when she wakes."

He would give his wife anything, he would give her the whole world, if she would just wake up.

XXXX

Two days later, when she was well enough for an extended visit, Cygnus arrived with a bouquet of daffodils, a set of silk pajamas, and her favorite afghan to help speed along her recovery.

Intent on finding the perfect name for their last child, the two read through the entire list of constellations. Their youngest didn't look like a Carina, and Druella resolutely refused to name one of her children after her husband's aunt Cassiopeia.

"She'll end up alone with a hundred Kneazles," muttered Druella. "Just like your aunt."

Cygnus snorted.

Delphinia wouldn't work-she pointed out their daughters' initials would spell BAD-and she thought Vulpecula sounded like a foot tonic.

"She looks just like you," said Cygnus, as he watched his wife feed their yet-unnamed daughter.

"Mmm, it's about time. There's no Rosier in Bellatrix or Andromeda. Those girls are all Black. In looks and temper." She looked long at her husband, but there was a playful twinkle in her eye.

"But this one will be the spitting image of her lovely, sweet mother," said Cygnus, leaning down to kiss his wife's head.

XXXX

"What's her name?" asked Bellatrix, peering at her new sister.

"We haven't given her one yet, Bella." Druella smiled down at her daughter. She was still exhausted from the traumatic birth. No matter how many potions she took, she still felt as though a strong wind would blow her over. "What do you think we should name her?"

Bella thought hard. "Licorice!"

Walburga tsked. "She's a Black, Bellatrix. All Blacks are named after the heavens, and there are no stars or constellations named 'licorice.'"

Andromeda, who wasn't quite yet two, struggled out of her aunt's hold, reaching for her mother.

"Mummy!"

"Not now, 'dromeda, Mummy is holding Licorice." Bellatrix lifted her chin, and Druella was horrified to realize her daughter's actions made her look like a miniature Walburga.

"Hmph," snorted Walburga. "This is what happens when you can't pick a proper name, Druella. For Merlin's sake, if you don't name her soon Licorice may very well stick!"

XXXX

"Columba," offered Cygnus.

Druella frowned.

"Alcyone?" he asked.

His heart leaped when Druella did not immediately dismiss the name.

Druella frowned. "Perhaps…" She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. "Perhaps as a middle name."

Cygnus sighed in relief. "So she shall be No Name Alcyone Black?"

"Narcissa?" Druella asked, eyeing the bright yellow flowers on her windowsill-her favorite since she was a small girl. She turned and looked up, hopeful, at her husband. "Narcissa Alcyone Black?"

Cygnus's eyes were wide. There hadn't been a Black named after anything but constellations in as long as he could remember… but at this point he didn't care. He was thankful his wife was alive and well. He was thankful they'd been able to have a third child.

He was thankful for a name that wasn't Licorice.

"Hello, Narcissa," said Cygnus, smiling down at his youngest daughter.