Chapter Forty Eight
Tonks screams filled Malfoy Manor as Lucius sat at the dinning room table, his hand shaking as he drank his coffee.
Lily had suggested a large glass of Firewhisky, with little sympathy for his struggling nerves but Lucius had insisted he would wait until the child was with them to wet it's head.
He'd been with Narcissa every time she'd had pains, and all too often they were followed by a deeper pain, her screams of loss haunting his dreams.
Remus and Tonks wouldn't have that though. Tonks had had three scans at a muggle hospital during her pregnancy, and all showed the baby to be growing well. There should be no complications as their little one entered the world.
Ted Tonks couldn't sit down and was pacing back and forth behind Lucius. Both of them doing nothing for the other's nerves.
Lily and Andromeda knew what they were doing though, they just had to trust them and that Tonks had the strength to get through this.
Nikka sat behind her best friend, holding tightly to one hand that was busy crushing her fingers while Remus sat squashed against her holding the other hand, his fingers being equally squished. Tonks was long past apologising for hurting them, she was just very glad to have them both there with her.
"You're doing so well." Lily praised, "We can see the top of his head!"
Tonks let out another pain filled puff of air, "It hurts… is it meant to hurt this much?"
"They're coming quickly that's all." Andromeda said, not letting herself get sucked into her daughter's pain that was ripping her heart in two, "It wont be long now."
"How could you do this to me?!" Tonks demanded of Remus.
"I don't remember you complaining at the time." Remus pointed out, earning him glares from all the women in the room, although Nikka was smirking slightly as well, "It'll be over soon."
"I told ya Tonks; should of made a girl pact with me." Nikka laughed, leaning her head against her friends, trying to pass her every ounce of strength she could.
"Where… where's Danica?" Tonks breathed, "I don't want her… her hearing… this…"
"She's out with the horses, getting a riding lesson with the house elves." Lily said calmly, "It's just Lucius and Ted who are suffering down stairs."
"Good." Tonks said, flopping her head against Remus.
Remus leant down and gave Tonks little kisses on her forehead.
"Ok, we need little pushes." Andromeda said, "Not too fast."
Tonks forced herself to push only a little, something that wasn't easy when her body was screaming for this to just be over as quickly as possible.
"I know it stings but pushing will help." Lily said, grabbing a pile of towels from the radiator.
"The heads out!" Andromeda declared as her voice cracked.
"Can… can I feel?" Tonks asked, reaching her hand down.
Andromeda guided her hand to the solid little head, with a mass of black curls.
"He has hair!" Tonks said, half laughing half sobbing.
"One last push my darling." Andromeda said, her eyes leaking tears so she could hardly see, "Just one more big push with the next contraction and they will be here."
"I'll take over." Lily said, gently, helping Andromeda up, "You just watch and revel in it."
Tonks summoned the last of her strength and pushed as hard as she could, feeling a rush of relief as the pressure was lifted and she knew her baby was born.
Lily wrapped the wrinkled, mucky child in a warm, soft towel before passing it to Tonks, "Well the scan was right, you have a son."
"A boy?" Remus said, tears streaming down his cheeks, "I have a son? My own son?"
"And no one will ever take him from you." Lily promised.
Tonks sat oblivious to Lily delivering the after birth, staring into the changing eyes of her son who was crying softly, reaching for her skin.
"He's so perfect." Tonks whispered, "I didn't think he'd be so perfect."
"The prettiest baby even to be born for sure." Nikka smiled, giving him her finger to hold in his strong little grasp.
"I'll need to take him to be weighed and cleaned up in a minute." Lily said with a smile, "Remus, I suggest you go and tell those waiting downstairs that mother and baby are healthy and well. I'm sure they're waiting for news."
"And I have a baby! A boy!" Remus beamed, "You did so well." he gave Tonks a large kiss.
Tonks smiled, "I feel like I could sleep for a year."
"Well you didn't tear, minimal trauma so you should be up and about in no time." Lily said happily, very proud of how well she and Andromeda had managed.
"Says you!" Tonks laughed, causing a fresh wave of tears.
Tonks reluctantly handed the sweet little bundle, who's hair was now blond and straight, over to Lily while Nikka and Remus went to deliver the happy news.
"It's a boy!" Remus said, bursting into the dinning room, "He's beautiful! Completely amazing!"
"Both Tonks and the baby are doing very well, so we're told." Nikka told them.
Ted jumped in the air and rushed off up the stairs, taking them three at a time until he slipped half way up and bashed his knee, causing him to take the rest at a more steady pace.
Lucius lowered his cup and smiled tightly at Nikka, "They are both truly doing all right?"
Nikka smiled kindly and nodded, "They really are. He's healthy, and strong and crying his lungs out. Lily says that Tonks will be up and about before we know it."
"I am very glad." Lucius said, nodding, "There's not been enough of such news in this house."
Nikka went over and took his hand, "Come on, I think it would do you good to see him."
"Oh I…" Lucius said quickly.
"Come on." Nikka laughed, pulling him to his feet.
She left him at the base of the stairs.
"Are you not coming up?" Lucius asked.
"Tell them I'll be up in just a second." Nikka said, forcing a smile, "I think I should tell… should tell Sirius."
Lucius nodded understandingly and walked up the stairs alone.
Nikka made her way to the room off the library were Sirius lay. He'd not gotten any better really, but he'd not gotten worse either. Instead he just lay there, still looking as though he were asleep.
It had to be said the constant attention from the house elves was much better care than the rushed healers and mediwizards at St Mungo's had been able to provide. He was now losing muscle at a much slower rate and his cheeks always had a faint, pink flush.
"Missy Nikka… how is…?" the house elf asked, looking at her with big eyes.
"Both Tonks and her little boy are doing very well." Nikka smiled.
The elf clapped their hands together happily, "Oh that is the bestest of news!"
Nikka lowered herself into the seat on the other side of Sirius's bed and took his hand, "Remus has a son. He's so tiny, but really perfect. I knew you'd want me to tell you as soon as possible."
Sirius didn't answer, he never did.
"I hope you get to meet him soon." Nikka said, wiping the tears from her eyes, "You'll like him, and we have so much mischief to teach him. I have to go now, I need to write to my family, and Daphne's parents so they can write to her. We don't know how to get hold of Harry but he's going to be so excited when we do, maybe we could put it in the Quibbler so something. I'll see you soon my love."
She kissed his forehead softly before turning and leaving the room.
Tonks watched her overjoyed husband and best friend leave the room and flopped back against the pillows as her mother wiped the sweat from her face.
"We'll have to get you all cleaned up for pictures soon." Lily smiled, weighing the baby, "A very respectable seven pounds, two ounces."
"Really?" Tonks asked, "He seems so small."
"You should of seen Danica." Lily smiled, "She was full term but apparently 'all Snapes are small babies'. She was only five, thirteen!"
"All babies are tiny." Andromeda sighed happily, perching on her daughter's bed, "You forget how small they are."
"Well I took a blond and am giving you back a red head but I promise it's the same baby." Lily laughed, handing back the much cleaner child.
Andromeda smiled, "He's like you! You changed hair colour five times within the first hour. I always liked to think it was because you were happy to finally meet us."
Tonks smiled, leaning against her mother, drawing much needed strength from her warmth, "I like that idea. We're certainly happy to meet you sweetheart."
She took the baby back from Lily, letting him shuffle to her breast and start drinking.
Lily laughed, "Well I was going to suggest trying that, it's meant to be difficult!"
"Well at least he knows what to do." Tonks smiled, marvelling in the feeling, "Good job one of us does, hey little one?"
It wasn't long before her father burst into the room, bursting into sobs at the sight of his first grandchild, Remus guiding him towards the bed.
"Oh he's so perfect!" Ted sobbed, moving over to stand next to his wife, "You've done well girl."
"Thanks Dad." Tonks beamed.
"Do you have a name idea yet?" Lily asked, flopping wearily into a nearby chair; she'd been up for nearly two days and could really do with some sleep.
Tonks nodded, "I want to wait until everyone is here though."
Lucius knocked politely on the door and came in, trying not to make a show of himself as the familiar smells made him feel sick and unbelievably sad. He tried to focus on when Draco had been born, but Draco had been so ill when he'd arrived it didn't help much.
"Would you like to hold him?" Tonks asked, "He's just finished feeding… pretty sure anyway."
She knew there were others that should come first in the queue to have a cuddle with the new baby, but he needed this, she could see it the second he'd walked into the room.
Ted carried his grandson over to Lucius and laid him careful in his arms. He'd never forgotten what it was like to hold a baby in his arms. This one was so warm and alive, moving slightly with every breath, just like Danica had been.
"I am so very happy for you… for you both." Lucius said, letting tears drop onto the soft blanket, "He really is beautiful."
"Thank you." Tonks smiled.
"I know she's not here, but Narcissa would have loved to have been." Lucius said, composing himself, "And she will be overjoyed with your happy news, even if she cannot show it for a while."
"We know." Tonks said, "And when all of this is over, we will celebrate properly, all of us together again."
"CAN I COME IN?!" Danica asked, her voice echoing down the hall, as she failed to wait for an answer, crashing through the doors.
"Yes." Tonks laughed, "Come sit here!"
Remus helped Danica jump onto the bed, telling Tonks off for reaching to help.
"Can I hold it?" Danica asked.
"It's a boy." Remus grinned, "And yes you can."
Lucius handed over the baby, helping Danica to hold his head correctly.
"I don't care." Danica whispered, "If you're a boy or a girl or a duck." which caused a ripple of laughter from the adults in the room, "I'll always help look after you."
"Couldn't of put it better myself." Remus agreed.
Tonks cleared her throat, "Now everyone is here, should we tell them his name?"
Remus nodded, "Yes. It fits him perfectly, my wife is so clever!"
Tonks smiled, "His name is Luca James Daniel Tonks-Lupin. Luca, for Lucius who has kept him safe, quite literally by spilling his blood, everyday, for months, so we wouldn't have to live in fear. James for James, and for Harry, who both fought, and are fighting so he can grow up in a better world. Daniel for Danica, his 'Lupus Anita', who we hope will teach him to be as brave as she is. We couldn't decide between Tonks and Lupin, so he'll have both. He's never going to have to choice which family he belongs with. He'll be part of so many amazing, strong and loving families… he will never be alone."
"No." Lily said firmly, "He will never be alone."
A little over a week later, Daphne smacked the breakfast table in happiness reading the letter from her mother.
"What on earth are you so excited about?" Gemini sniffed.
Daphne broke out of her happiness, looking at Gemini as though she was insane, "Oh… the new puppy my parents got has arrived." she grinned.
"You are so over dramatic. It's just a puppy for goodness sakes!" Gemini huffed.
Daphne was too happy to bother with a Lestrange right now though, she could of cried for the happiness bubbling up inside her. She saw Thomas and Matthew just leaving the Hall, knowing they would be heading to Neville in the Come and Go room.
"Oy! Longbottom!" Daphne yelled, not caring who's attention she gained as it would still look less suspicious that her running out of the Hall after them, this way everyone would know exactly what she said, and Neville would want to know as soon as possible, "My new puppy arrived, Mama just wrote to tell me."
"Oh?" Thomas said, turning to face her.
Daphne nodded, "Yes. A perfect, wonderful little boy. Who's fur changes in the light."
Thomas beamed, "Well tell your mum congratulations!"
"I will!" Daphne laughed, "In fact I better go and write to her now, before class."
Thomas laughed and nodded, leading Matthew from the Hall.
"That was rather a display of yourself you made there." Snape said, striding over to Daphne, who was shoving the letter into her bag.
"Was it Professor?" Daphne asked breathlessly, "I am sorry."
"Why would Longbottom need to know about your parents' new puppy?" Snape enquired.
"Oh… I'd bet him it would be a boy." Daphne shrugged, "I suspect he's gone to go and get my three Galleons."
"Gambling is a most unladylike past time." Snape told her.
"I shall bear that in mind sir." Daphne said seriously, "If there is nothing else Professor, I really must write to my mother."
"Run along, and don't be late for class." Snape told her with a nod.
Daphne dashed from the Hall and into her dorm, quickly locking the door behind her and calling Harry, Draco and Hermione on the mirror.
"What are you doing still asleep?" Daphne laughed.
"Not all of us have to be up for lessons." Harry mumbled, running a hand through his messy hair, "What's up?"
"It's a boy!" Daphne gushed, "Tonks and Remus have had their baby, and it's a perfect little boy!"
"A boy?" Harry and Draco said together, the shock washing over them.
"Yes." Daphne laughed again, "Harry you have a God son!"
"I have a God son!" Harry repeated, "I have a God son!"
"Yes you do!" Daphne smiled, "I thought you'd want to know as soon as possible."
"I did." Harry nodded, "Yes, thank you. Wow!"
"Do you think you'll get to meet him soon?" Daphne asked, checking for the sound of footsteps outside her door.
Harry shook his head, "No… not till after we've finished… everything."
"You could go back to the Manor." Daphne said softly, "You'd be safer and…"
"It wouldn't be safer." Draco said sadly, "This is not the first time we've had this conversation but… there's just too much foot traffic around there; it would be the first place they'd think we'd run back to. We'd put everyone in danger."
"We'll make sure you get to see him." Daphne promised.
"I know." Harry said, nodding and forcing a smile.
"I have to go I'm sorry…" Daphne said, checking her watch, "They're checking all our mail in and out and I need to write to Mama."
Harry put the mirror down and hugged Draco tightly, waking up Hermione and hugging her as well. They spent the rest of the day celebrating and training, basking in the joy of the new life in their lives.