Ok so Chapter 2's a bit shorter. Set pretty much 40 weeks after the events of chapter 1. On with the show. Review please I need to know what you think so I can improve.

Chapter 2

Yet another electric strip light was on the blink in the social care department of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Frankly they were driving Audrey Edwards mad. After a full hour of waiting reading the adoption leaflets she couldn't bear another minute of reading the procedural information and legal mumbo jumbo. Turning to her husband Jack she was completely unsurprised to see that the PE teacher was fast asleep in the waiting room chair next to her. She smiled despite her irritation before sharply digging her elbow into her husband's side. Exhaling sharply and staring wildly about his eyes fell upon his grinning wife and was about to berate her for attacking him when he noticed the way her smile did not reach her eyes.

"What is it honey. And by the way ow!"

"Sorry Jack but well you were snoring very loudly, it was disturbing some of the social workers."

Ignoring her teasing Jack could tell that she was genuinely upset about something. "Well I'm not snoring anymore so want to tell me why you really woke me?"

"Jack…"

"Audrey?"

"What next." Tears were springing to her eyes and her voice was tinged with a hysterical wobble. "I'm so tired of this Jack." Turning to face her husband's grave face she continued into the speech that had been running through her head for the last two years. "We've had four chances and they've all gone wrong. We've been doing this for three years and no one has chosen us Jack. Why? Seriously why can't we have a baby?"

"Audrey you know none of those were our fault love. It'll happen we just have to be patient. You will be a mum Audrey."

"I can't do this anymore if this one falls through I want to stop. Let's just go back to the way things were when it was just you and me in love with each other Jack! I've always wanted to be a parent but I can't stand this worry and heart ache every time I think we're finally going to have a child only to have it taken away."

Cradling his wife to his chest Jack slowly rocked her and whispered in his best attempt to soothe the now openly weeping woman. "Alright love shush it's ok we'll work it out."

Hiccupping and rubbing the tears from her face Audrey saw the door to the social workers office open and a woman who was clearly approaching retirement with steel grey hair in a bun and a severe expression walk out of the office and head straight towards them.

"Mr and Mrs Edwards I presume?" She spoke with a strong Scottish accent but there was a softness to her voice as she surveyed the emotional couple before her. "If you'd care to come with me and we can have a conversation about your situation."

After being led into the office and taking a seat around the desk, the social worker offered them tea, sat back in her leather chair and surveyed the couple before her. Glancing through the file again she turned her eye upon each in turn. Audrey felt incredibly intimidated by the piercing gaze and was gripped by the odd feeling that her soul was being taken out examined and measured by the older woman in front of her. After painfully long silence finally the woman spoke. "My name is Ms McGonagall and I have asked you here to discuss your application to adopt a child. I see that you have been at the front of the queue for nearly three years and have had four previous possibilities fall through." Looking up from the file again she continued. "The paperwork I have in front of me suggests that none of those situations were as a result of any perceived unsuitability on your part which leaves me in the happy position to offer you a…" She glanced again at the paperwork. "fifth chance to be parents." McGonagall smiled softly at the surprised looks on the faces of the couple in front of her.

"What? Really?" Audrey spoke first, the surprise evident in her disbelieving expression. Frankly she had given up hope that anyone would choose them to adopt their child.

"Well yes Mrs Edwards." She handed over a piece of paper with the child's information. "This case is somewhat unusual it must be said as unlike the previous four 'Baby Girl twenty-fifth of the seventh, eighty' has already been born. She was delivered by caesarean section and taken into care immediately has her young mother was pronounced dead shortly after going into labour." She paused following the gasp from the younger woman, "She was experiencing breathing difficulties at first and has been kept under observation for the five days. Her pediatrician has advised that she be kept for a further week at least, which if you did offer her foster care on a trial period would give you ample time to prepare."

Audrey suddenly worried that this chance would be taken from her too jumped in immediately that's not necessary! We have been prepared for three years. As of last month I am out of work as I was preparing to transfer to a new school closer to home but that means that I wouldn't have to sort out maternity leave." Jack winced at that thinking of the problems of trying to support a family with only him working. Still if it meant he'd finally be a father he could afford to tighten his belt. Maybe he'd take that assistant boarding house master post at school but it would mean more time away from home…"

McGonagall exercising a little casual occlumency was pleased with what she had seen from their surface thoughts. Audrey Edwards desperately wanted a child; she had a deep lingering guilt that she could not conceive. She acknowledged that this was irrational and did believe Jack when he argued he didn't blame her or love her less she was still desperate to become a mother and have a family. Yes Audrey would make a fine mother. There would be no lack of love or care from that department. The perspective father Jack it turned out was just as good a prospect. He appeared completely selfless with regard to the well-being and desires of his wife and their prospective child. McGonagall still had her concerns however. The two teachers both in their late thirties would make fine parents for any normal child. But the little girl whose fate they were deciding today was not a normal child. She is going to be exceptionally magically powerful. She already has a detectable magical core! I've only heard of one other infant under three years old in my life. Furthermore she's a half-blooded Veela for Merlin's sake! It's a good thing this woman's hair is blonde but still, this little girl is going to very quickly realise she isn't a normal muggle and how are muggle's supposed to cope with an infant who can levitate her toys or set fire to her dummy. Unnoticed to the couple in front of her Minerva glanced towards where Dumbledore was disillusioned to her left with a frown. He would signal her if he thought they were an inappropriate family and she had received no word to the contrary so she decided to trust his judgement. And maybe inform her friend in the DMLE to keep an eye on the situation in case obliviators were called for.

"Well that's excellent news first I'll take you to see her and then we can get the paperwork all sorted out." McGonagall stood and beckoned the Edwards's to follow her from the office.

"Good morning Mr Black."

"Morning Karen, I'm not late am I?"

"No Sir the Wizengamot is not in session for another three minutes." The receptionist smiled at the young head of house black as he strode beside her. Dressed in smart black velvet robes which matched his flowing hair and goatee he looked particularly dashing she thought this morning and self-consciously smoothed her skirt as she walked with him in her high heels leading him to the council chambers.

"You alright their Karen?" Sirius asked with a smirk, noticing the glances that the pretty assistant had given him. She was a good five or so years older than the young wizard but Sirius was never one to hold that against someone. It would be rude to ignore the advances of a pretty girl because she was a little older.

"Fine thankyou Sir, I'll see you outside afterwards maybe?"

"Perhaps you will." He nodded as he turned into the corridor leading to the council chamber. He stopped short abruptly finding his way blocked by several familiar faces. "Oh I do declare if isn't half the Slytherin Quidditch team. You guys cannot be serious. Oh wait that's me… No but seriously Lucius, Avery, Macnair, Crabbe, Goyle and Lestrange wasn't it? You guys cannot still be mad about losing the cup to us five years in a row I mean that was over two years ago now guys you need to move on deal with your mediocrity."

The men in the hallway looked at each other with slightly amused expressions. "I must say I am very glad that we will be able to kill you soon Black. Not only are you a blood traitor and a disgrace to the name of wizard, but frankly you're an arrogant bastard who deserves to be taken down a few pegs." Lucius sneered. "All though it seems being a disgrace to wizard kind runs in the family. First Sirius then dear cousin Andromeda and now would you believe it poor little Reggie."

"What nonsense are you spouting now Malfoy I do not have time for games today, I will however be happy to hex you into oblivion in a more public setting later on when everyone can see you for the joke you and your bum chums are."

"Ah Sirius you were always one to let your mouth write cheque's your wand can't cash. But do not worry you'll be with your dear traitor brother soon. Or you would be if we'd found anything left of him." Lucius' Cheshire cat impression was impressive.

"How fitting that before you die we will have the pleasure of witnessing you betray your friends only to die in vain anyhow." Rodolphus Lestrange smirked at the shocked light wizard in front of them.

"And with that we will take our leave of you Mr Black, good day be seeing you soon, very soon." Lucius swaggered down the hall away from Sirius who was struck dumb with a sudden cold dread.

As the last death eaters turned to leave Sirius swayed and wanted to use every profanity under the sun in several languages. However he settled for a loud "FUCK!" which was followed by a confused looking security guard poking his head out of his booth round the corner.

Sirius forgetting all about the Wizengamot session turned and raced from the ministry, his thoughts a whirlwind focused on one crucial point. We need to recast the fidelius, they know I'm the secret keeper. For god's sake it was obvious, who's stupid idea was it to make me the secret keeper, oh right I did. That's why Remus and Prongs were the brains of the marauders. Remus would be better than me he's less obvious, but he's a werewolf so the dark lord will already be on the lookout for him to recruit. Who is loyal and we can trust with the lives of Lily, Harry and James but is not so obvious that the death eaters will immediately start chasing him. It was the day before Halloween and Sirius had been invited to dinner at the Potters but he resolved to go over tonight anyway and to take Peter with him they had to solve this before he could be captured by death eaters and forced to reveal their location.

McGonagall and the maternity matron led the Edwards's down the ward to a room with rows of incubators. Glancing at the charts as they passed the Matron directed them to one in the corner with in Audrey's opinion the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. Curled on her side still slightly wrinkled and puffy was a tiny baby. Curled on its side with a few wisps of golden hair it was sucking a finger and wriggling slightly in the hospital blue romper suit.

Overcome by emotion and fighting back a sob, Audrey grasped Jack's arm tightly conveying her desperate longing to be the small child's mother. Turning to the nurse Jack asked her something quiet enough that his wife wouldn't hear, knowing she might be disappointed if she wasn't allowed to. "Would it be alright to take her out and hold her for a while? I understand she is apparently breathing normally now."

"Yes that should be fine." Turning to open the incubator, she showed the painstakingly careful man how to pick up the sleeping baby and support the head. After staring for a few seconds into the scrunched up tiny face he turned and agonizingly carefully gave her to his openly crying wife.

Audrey in that moment before her husband handed her the precious bundle was gripped by terror. She had waited for this for so long. Longed for it for so much of her recent life that she was not sure what would be left when the girl was cradled in her arms. Waiting for a child had become her purpose for living she realised in that moment, how could she possibly accept that her deepest desire was going to become a reality. And then she was there. She was heavier than she was expecting and warm and soft and alive! It just clicked like gravity had shifted. The earth ceased to orbit the sun with Audrey standing on it. Everything in her universe was tethered to the tiny creature cradled in her arms. Staring intently at the face before her she almost screamed in excitement as the tiny girl yawned and began to open her eyes. Audrey stopped stock still and stared in wonder at the beautiful creature in her arms. Her eyes were great dark pools surrounded by a dark blue iris almost violet in appearance. They were breathtakingly beautiful and Audrey found her own eyes welling up with tears all over again. She had known that if they ever did manage to have a child she would love it, but she was not prepared for the fierce depth of feeling she felt when the girl looked at her. She loved her husband dearly, he was her best friend, her truest companion and confidant. But now she found something possibly more important than her love for him. She loved the girl in her arms more than anything ever, she knew in that instant when she opened her eyes that she would kill for her or die for her. Her happiness and safety were her new purpose in life. Gently Audrey rocked and cooed to the infant. "Hello baby, My name is Audrey, I'm going to be your mummy." Her heart soared at the little gurgle the infant made in response it was the single most beautiful sound in all of creation. Jack did not regularly give in to his emotions. Sure he got a bit teary eyed at the end of The Deer Hunter but who doesn't? The sight of his wife holding the baby their eyes locked on each other was too perfect he couldn't hold back the tears that were threatening to break through.

All too soon it was time for the baby to be placed back and Audrey sobbed as Jack slowly led her away from her reason for existence. The taxi ride home from the hospital where they had said goodbye to McGonagall, was a surreal experience for the Edwards's. Audrey had curled up in Jack's lap instead of taking the seat next to him. She was feeling incredibly drained and needed the physical comfort. Jack's mind was in an entirely different place, more specifically the post natal care ward. "What are we going to call her Jack?" His wife's soft whisper finally penetrated his clouded thoughts.

"Huh what?"

"What are we going to call her. I know we agreed if we got a girl we'd call her Melissa, but that just seems wrong now."

"Yeah she's not a Millie" His wife slapped his arm at that remark.

"Promise me you wouldn't have called her that if we had."

"Of course I wouldn't have darling" He wisely denied it. Audrey looked at him sceptically before rolling her eyes and gazing out of the window. As the taxi took them past the Royal Albert Hall the history teacher considered various royal names discounting each as they flitted across her mind until one stuck in her head and would not go.

"Catherine" she whispered so quietly that only the man inches from her face heard her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I think her name is Catherine." She turned to look into her husband's eyes with a smile. "Catherine Sophia Edwards".

"Sophia. After my mum?"

"I just thought It's a good way to remember her." Audrey suddenly anxious, worried she had misjudged the moment.

"It's perfect."

Six days later Audrey and Jack Edwards welcomed Catherine Sophia Edwards into their lives.