Sirius Black huddled against the cold stone wall of the collapsed dungeon, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The flickering torchlight barely illuminated the shadowy corners of the chamber where he lay, trapped beneath a pile of rubble. Nine months pregnant, his body was consumed by relentless contractions that surged in waves of excruciating pain. The stress and fear of the situation only amplified the discomfort, making it feel as though the birth was imminent, even though there were still weeks to go.
Panic surged through Sirius as his breath caught, clutching his swollen belly. The oppressive darkness seemed to press in on him, tightening his chest and clouding his mind. Thoughts of his partner, James Potter, surely frantically trying to find him, mingled with the throbbing agony.
Just then, the distant sound of voices cut through the haze. Regulus, his younger brother, was leading a group of Slytherins—Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape among them—who were working feverishly to clear the debris. Their voices, though muffled, carried a reassuring calm.
"Sirius, hang in there," Regulus's voice broke through the pain. His tone was soothing, but firm. "We're almost there. I'm right here with you. You're doing great."
Sirius focused on Regulus's words, trying to find some anchor in the midst of the agony. His brother's presence brought a measure of comfort, and Regulus's hand gently brushed against Sirius's forehead, a touch that seemed to push back some of the fear swirling in his chest.
Lucius knelt beside him, his usual composure faltering slightly as concern creased his brow. "Breathe deeply, Sirius. We're getting you out. You need to stay calm for the baby," he instructed, his voice filled with a mixture of urgency and compassion.
Severus, his face a blend of focus and sympathy, joined Lucius in clearing the debris. "You're stronger than you think," Severus said softly, offering a small but reassuring smile. "Focus on your breath and listen to Regulus. We'll have you out soon."
Another contraction seized Sirius, the pain so sharp it made him gasp. Regulus's hand tightened around his, grounding him. "You've got this, Sirius. I'm here. We're all here."
The distant voices grew louder, and Sirius's heart raced, a mix of relief and anxiety swirling inside him. Finally, James Potter's worried face emerged through the debris. His eyes widened with panic as he knelt beside Sirius, his hands trembling as he gently brushed Sirius's sweaty hair from his forehead.
"Sirius!" James's voice cracked with emotion. "Oh, Sirius, I was so worried. Are you okay? How's the baby?"
Sirius managed a weak smile, despite the overwhelming pain. "James… it's been rough. But I'm… I'm okay. The baby…"
James's expression softened, his eyes brimming with concern and love. "You're doing amazing, Sirius. Just stay with me. We're going to get through this. I need you both to be okay."
Regulus's gaze met James's, an unspoken understanding passing between them. James's presence was a comfort Sirius hadn't realized he needed, and the combined efforts of the Slytherins, along with James's unwavering support, made all the difference.
As another contraction gripped him, James took Sirius's hand, squeezing it gently. "Breathe with me, Sirius. We're almost there. You're so strong, and I'm right here."
With a final push and a cry of pain, the rubble was cleared away, and James's concerned face was the first thing Sirius saw as the light of hope broke through. Regulus's voice remained a steady background hum of reassurance, while James's presence brought him an overwhelming sense of relief and love.
"You did it, Sirius," James whispered, tears of pride and relief shining in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you. And the baby… the baby's coming."
Sirius felt a profound sense of love and gratitude as he welcomed new life into the world. With James, Regulus, and the Slytherins by his side, the ordeal came to an end, leaving behind the overwhelming weight of relief and the joy of new beginnings.