Thanks to everyone who has been reading and favoriting and putting this on their alert lists. You guys are great and I won't complain about having you do so. However I do wish that someone, anyone, would leave me a little something telling me that they're still reading. That they like it, that they love it. Anything really. I know a lot of you are really busy and have just enough time to read the chapter before you rush off onto the next thing on your to do list, and I thank you for that but I really wish you would just take a few extra seconds to type something in the box at the bottom even if you don't leave a name. Anyway onto the chapter.

Chapter 32: A Baby

Monday passed and soon Tuesday arrived. As N.E.W.T.S were growing ever closer most teachers had gone heavy on reviewing for them, springing quizzes and papers and tests on them. Jason was only a little different. He didn't assign any papers or quizzes instead he just reviewed things in class. Tuesday morning he decided to take his class in a different direction. "I know that all of you have gotten used to practical classes but from time to time you need the informational classes for what is covered on your written exams. So today we're going to talk about something we've already discussed. I know, I know, not what you wanted to hear," Jason said when people groaned, "but revision is good for you. So who, aside from Miss Evans and Mr. Lupin can tell me about defending the home from unwanted guests?"

Mandy tuned the rest of the talk out as she stared down at her Herbology book in her lap. She wasn't so much studying as focusing on her breathing to will away the pain. Every few minutes or so, pain would rip across her stomach. She figured whatever she had just had for breakfast wasn't agreeing with her, forgetting that it had never caused spasms of pain before. Occasionally she could feel James staring at her but she didn't turn around to check.

"Now the important thing to remember with this spell is—" Jason stopped what he was talking about and narrowed his eyes at his sister. He moved off his desk and walked to her side. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine, just disagreeing with my breakfast," Mandy nodded. Jason didn't believe his sister for a second.

"What's it feel like?" He had seen the pain written clearly on her face thanks to his days as an Auror.

Mandy gave him a plain look, noticing that her class mates were staring but he held his ground staring her down. "Like someone's doing this," Mandy said opening and closing her fist in a squeezing motion.

Jason took a deep breath then looked around his class. "I want you all to continue to revisit your notes and work on—"

Mandy whimpered as a particularly strong wave of pain had hit her overriding Jason's instructions, at least in her very own ears.

"Class dismissed. Miss Hunter, Mr. Black, please follow me." Jason opened his classroom door and slowly the class filed out. James, the last one in line stopped in the doorway and stared at Mandy. He glanced at Sirius who nodded and then he turned and left. Jason pulled his sister up out of her chair then led the pair out of the classroom and up to the hospital wing. The rest of the class headed for their common rooms. Though everyone was curious they all knew that Jason was an Auror and didn't want to cross him.

"Jason, I'm fine." Mandy said. "I told you, my breakfast is just disagreeing with my stomach."

Jason grabbed the handle to the wing and looked back at his sister for a moment before glancing up and down the hall. "I may not be able to have a child, nor have I been around pregnant women at their due date but it sounds more like contractions than an upset stomach. If Poppy says it's an upset stomach then I will apologize and give you five house points but if I'm right and you're going into labor—"

"She is and you're right," Sirius interrupted. Both Hunters had forgotten he was even standing there. "Mandy, you um—" Sirius paused looking for the right word. "Your water just broke and I can see the bump." Sirius motioned from the puddle on the floor to her stomach.

Mandy looked down and sure enough the concealment charm had been removed and she couldn't see past her belly. Jason vanished the puddle at her feet then pulled open the door as Mandy stared at the bump in shock. "No, it's not time yet."

"In," Jason said motioning to the open door. Mandy swallowed but went inside. Jason and Sirius followed and the three were almost immediately met by Madame Pomfrey. "It's time," Jason said.

"Time?" Pomfrey asked. Then she looked at Mandy and her eyes went wide. "You're two months early."

"Yes, ma'am, but my water has already broken and from what I've read that means you can't—Ahh!" Mandy screamed.

"Contractions?" Pomfrey asked as Mandy grabbed her stomach. Mandy nodded. "How far apart?"

"Three, four minutes," Jason answered.

"Would you like me to owl anyone?" Pomfrey asked, leading the girl to what looked like an expanded storage cupboard. Perhaps this was Madame Pomfrey's and the school's way of giving her a private place to have her child. How they knew she'd need it this soon was beyond her.

Suddenly she realized Pomfrey had asked her something and she should answer. "Owl? No, thank you. Everyone I want here is right here." Mandy said.

"Do you have anything to dull the pain?" Sirius asked, looking at the matron.

"Pain? I turn into a tiger once a month the pain—" She stopped short when Sirius took her right hand and subtly ran his thumb over her wrist. Suddenly it hit her. James. Though he somehow managed to withstand the pain from her transformations, she shouldn't subject him to the full pain of birth. "On second thought that's exactly why I want something to dull the pain. I've had too much pain."

"Of course." Pomfrey answered. Soon Mandy was set up and ready to give birth.

Meanwhile James was pacing the Gryffindor Common Room anxiously. "Why do you think Professor Hunter cancelled class like that?" James asked.

"None of us know, James. I'm sure Mandy will tell us when she comes back from the hospital," Remus said looking up from his defense book.

"Hospital? What do you mean?" James asked nervously.

"Didn't you hear him? She told him her stomach was disagreeing with her breakfast and that it felt like something was squeezing her insides. He told her and Sirius to follow him. He thinks that can only mean one thing."

James stared at the lycanthrope for a moment then raced up to his dorm. He shoved all the clothes off his trunk not knowing or caring whether or not they were clean and searched through the trunk looking for the book. Months ago, after he had come to terms with Mandy's pregnancy, he had gone through the library looking for any book on pregnancy he could find. He finally found one that covered all 40 weeks and had ordered a copy from a book store in London. He pulled the book from his trunk and flipped through the pages finally coming across the chapter on labor and delivery. He had felt her symptoms all morning long and was worried about her. James confirmed his suspicions that Mandy was definitely in labor and how dangerous it could be for her and the baby, especially since the baby wasn't due for two more months. Then he wondered if he'd feel any pain. The second that thought hit him he instantly felt guilty. His best friend was giving birth; he should be there for her not worrying about what he was going to feel as a side effect of their bond. He made his way back downstairs and Lily caught his hand.

"I know you want to go, but you have to stay. We have classes and what she's going through could take all night. Sirius will come get us when we can see her," Lily whispered as she pulled him close. "I know, James."

"I have to," James answered just as softly. She was his best friend. He should be there for her.

"James, would Mandy really want you to standing around staring at her? Plus we have a class this afternoon."

"I guess you're right. I'm just worried about her."

"And we both love that about you. You're a wonderful man and Mandy knows you're thinking about her." James sighed but admitted Lily had a point.

Pain. Excruciating pain. That's what filled the next two hours of Mandy's life. Even with the pain potion the matron had given her Mandy still felt pain. She just hoped it was minor enough that James didn't feel it. Finally after a lot of pushing and heavy breathing and cursing every last inch of Sirius and some more minor pain, Mandy finally gave birth. One of the healers from St. Mungo's, there were two in the room to assist Pomfrey with the delivery, took the baby and checked it over as Mandy rested back on the pillows. He had also been the one to assure Sirius that Mandy's cursing was normal and just a side effect of the pain she was experiencing.

"Mandy?" Sirius asked concerned, once she was resting.

She held up her hand trying to figure out just how she felt and whether or not she needed his help. Deciding that she was ok and there was nothing he could help with she waved off his concern.

"Give her a few moments to catch her breath," the other healer warned.

Once she caught her breath and could think properly she looked up at her boyfriend. "Go find James," Mandy whispered so only Sirius could hear her. "Please." Sirius nodded and left the room, not at all upset at her asking for James. She was worried how the delivery affected him and wanted to make sure he was okay. At least that's what Sirius hoped she was feeling. He respected that and wanted to help her the best he could. If getting James was the best way to do that then that's what he'd do even if he wanted to be there more and wished she'd rely on him more. For now he'd accept it and do everything in his power to make sure she knew she could trust him just as much as she trusted James. Sirius found James just coming back from lunch.

"Mr. Potter—" Madame Pomfrey said when they entered the room.

"Madame Pomfrey, if you make him leave I will scream and I won't stop until he comes back," Mandy warned.

"Poppy, I think what my sister means," Jason glared at his sister for a moment, "is that she could really use some comfort right now. It wouldn't hurt to let them comfort her, would it?" Jason asked cautiously.

"You've known all along, haven't you?" Pomfrey asked, looking at James. James nodded, partially feeling ashamed, but not quite knowing why.

"Miss Hunter, would you like to hold your son?" the healer asked. The baby was now wrapped in a soft blue blanket with a small cap perched on his head.

"Son?" James, Sirius, and Jason asked in unison.

"Uh, sure." The healer helped her cradle her infant son and the boy let out an earsplitting cry. Mandy looked panicked but the healer just shifted the boy closer to her and he settled down. His eyes opened at that moment and his bright blue eyes met those of his mother. Mandy swallowed. He was handsome. Bright blue eyes, a small tuft of dark brown hair, and a smile that instantly reminded Mandy of Sirius.

"Have you decided on a name?" the healer asked.

"We uh—" Mandy stopped, realizing just how hard it was going to be to give up the boy. It had been all over for her the moment he had looked up at her. It was like he instantly trusted her and knew she'd do everything to protect him. Mandy tilted her head to the side wondering why the other was suddenly so quiet. Certainly the tiger would have something to say on this matter but no matter how hard she tried to reach out the tiger wouldn't answer.

"We're giving him up for adoption." Sirius answered the healer.

"I see," the healer answered.

Mandy looked up from her son at the matron. "Speaking of: It's only May. What's going to happen to him?" The adopters hadn't been expecting a child until July since that was Mandy's due date. She hoped they would still be open to taking him even if it was a little soon.

"I will send them an owl and let them know. Hopefully they can come pick him up later today," Pomfrey answered.

Sirius and Mandy had finally decided on which couple they wanted to adopt their son. The Weavers were a nice couple from just outside Dartford. They were in their late 30's and had finally decided to slow their lives down to have a child. Unfortunately Mr. Weaver had been devastated to learn that as a child Mrs. Weaver had had a terrible accident and was left incapable of having a child so they had agreed adoption was the next best option. There was just something about their application that spoke to Mandy and Sirius when they had read it. Something that felt right.

"Miss Hunter," Pomfrey said, drawing the girl out of her thoughts, "Even if the Weavers do show up tomorrow with their own name for the baby the Ministry requires a name for the baby within an hour of its birth."

As Mandy thought about it Sirius looked down at her. "Didn't you once tell me that your great-great grandfather was named Jeffery?" he asked.

"Jeffery Johnson. My mum's great grandfather. Never met him but according to my mother he was a financial advisor to the royal family."

"It's a good name," Sirius said.

"Leo. Leonis Jeffery Black."

"You do realize that the brightest star in the Leo constellation is—" Sirius started.

Mandy cut him off knowing exactly where his mind was going. The brightest star in the Leo constellation was Regulus. She knew Sirius would worry about what that meant so she had to explain why she wanted to name him Leonis. "Yes, I know, but Leonis also means lion's strength in German. You once told me your entire family was named after stars or constellations—"

"I said my family has a tradition of doing that. In fact over half are named after Greeks and not astronomy."

James saw an opportunity there to stop the fighting and compliment Sirius as well hoping Mandy would take it well and agree with him. Of course Mandy was never big on that. "Well, one thing is true Padfoot. Your son is just as handsome as—" James started.

"Mandy? I know."

"I said handsome, Pads."

"Aw thanks, Prongsie," Sirius answered swooning a bit.

"Yeah, thanks, Prongsie," Mandy spat.

"He's a cute as both of you." James rolled his eyes knowing she wasn't really mad at him.

"Thanks but get out," Mandy said. All three men stopped and looked at her. She stopped and thought for a moment then nodded. "Yeah, I want to be alone for a while." James and Sirius left the room and Jason perched on the edge of her bed.

"I wish I could help take care of this little one, but—"

"Adoption really is the best option for him."

"Yeah." He didn't sound too convinced though.

"It really is. Now don't you have an afternoon class?"

"I should head back down. You get yourself some rest." Jason lifted the baby from her arms and put him in the cot by the bed. As he stared down at his nephew—well technically his second cousin—Jason couldn't help but feel bad for the little boy. He was born under such difficult circumstances and Mandy was going to be devastated when she had to give him up. Then again, like Mandy said, this was the best thing for the babe. A family that could properly take care of him and protect him from what Jason knew was coming, that's what he should want for all the babies born in the next coming years until the war was over. Mandy's voice drew him out of his thoughts.

"Jay, what's your girlfriend's name?" Her voice was soft and almost a whisper but still curious like a little kitten. It was a tone Jason hadn't heard his sister use in years but Jason knew he couldn't tell Mandy yet. Not without talking to his girlfriend. There were things Jason didn't think Mandy was ready to understand about his relationship and why he was at Hogwarts.

"I'll tell you later, I promise, just get some sleep." After he talked to his girlfriend then he could tell her and not a minute before.

Mandy nodded then settled down to sleep. Jason kissed his sister's forehead then went down to his next class.

"Wait, you have a kid my age?" George asked bringing her out of her story.

Mandy looked at him and nodded. "Remember how I told you I was old enough to be your mother? My oldest son is just over a month and a half younger than you and your brother."

"How come you never talk about him? How come we've never met him?" George asked.

"We'll get to that point but the short version is that he wanted nothing to do with me or the rest of us. He wasn't happy to find out he was adopted and when he came to terms with it, he said that he understood why we put him up for adoption and that he was grateful, but it was best if he continued on being who he was and that building a relationship with me and his sister wasn't a good idea. Especially not if it put him on the forefront of the war that was building. I understood. He wasn't a fighter the way we were. I didn't fault him for that and bringing him up hurts."

"I'm sorry," George said, lowering his head. Meg clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright, George. Things happen, things you can't control," Mandy said, not blaming the young redhead any. He was curious and she knew all about that.

Thanks to all of you for reading this chapter. Again I love that some people are reading it. Wish you'd review too, like I said above but whatever. I wonder if anyone saw what I did with the chapter title. Probably not.