Chapter Text
In the borough of Islington, hidden away on the elusive Grimmauld Street in London, stands a residence that escapes the notice of most. Nestled between numbers 11 and 13, this dwelling shelters the members of one of the noblest and most ancient bloodlines. Here, amidst the constellations and stars that grace the night sky, resides a family—a father, a mother, a one-year-old baby boy, and an ever-eager-to-please house elf.
It's half past one on a stormy November night, and the Grimmauld Place residents have abandoned any notion of sleep. Their anticipation and excitement grow as they prepare to welcome a new addition to their already distinguished household. Even the baby seems to sense the significance of the moment, as he resists sleep well past his bedtime, much to the chagrin of the determined house elf.
"Young Master Sirius must sleep," croaked Kreacher from the side of the crib. "Mistress insists. Kreacher must put the young master to sleep before new young master arrives."
Sirius, standing beside the crib, responded by blowing the most boisterous raspberry a one-year-old could muster, much to Kreacher's irritation. The resulting laughter from the baby was so infectious that it triggered his first accidental display of magic, turning his emerald blanket a brilliant shade of red. Kreacher's eyes widened in astonishment before he left the room, muttering to himself, "Young master just performed magic, indeed! Kreacher must inform his master and mistress; they will be immensely proud. Young master is proper heir of House Black!"
Back in the other room, the healer spoke, “Two more pushes, madam, just two more pushes, and your baby will be out.” Lady Black had been in active labour for nearly 18 hours, but it seemed the new addition was determined to arrive on its own terms.
“WHAT IS IT WITH THIS BOY?! SIRIUS DID NOT TAKE NEARLY AS LONG TO COME OUT!!” screeched Walburga.
“Calm down, Walburga. The child will come when it's ready. You're doing great,” Orion tried to soothe his exhausted wife. The healer, Anna, spoke again, “Okay, one more push, the body is almost out.”
Finally, at 1:40 in the early morning on Wednesday, the 23rd, Walburga and Orion Black became parents once again, and Sirius became an older brother. It seemed as if even the magic within the house and the skies were celebrating. As soon as the baby emerged, the lights in the house flickered, and the stormy sky cleared.
“Here you go, madam, a healthy baby girl. Congratulations!”Anna said, smiling down at the baby girl, who cuddled up to her as she was cradled and cleaned.
“About time the brat decides to come—wait—DID YOU SAY GIRL?!” Walburga looked at the healer, scowling.
"What's got you screeching now? The baby is not even five minutes old, and you’ve already found something to yell about?" questioned Orion, walking back into the room with a smiling Sirius in his arms.
"I believe the madam was under the impression the baby would be male," replied Anna.
"Oh, I see… Well, there is nothing we can do. Thank you, Anna. Now hand me my daughter. I'd like for my son to meet his sister now," said Orion, setting Sirius down on the bed.
Anna passed the baby into the father's waiting arms. Orion smiled down at the baby, saying, "Hello, darling. Welcome to the world. I am your father, and I already adore you very much." The baby smiled, and the lights flickered.
"Did you see that, Walburga? Not even an hour old, and she's already showing signs of accidental magic! Sirius also showed magic today, and he's only a year old! We truly have gifted children. Only the best for the House of Black, of course!" declared Orion.
"She's the very first case I've seen that has shown signs of magic so early on," spoke a flabbergasted Anna. The parents in the room were shocked. Then Walburga composed herself, "Yes, well, like my husband said, only the best for the House of Black."
Moments later, Anna excused herself, and Orion had the baby brought over to where Sirius sat on the bed. As he stared at his baby sister for the first time, Sirius could feel nothing but happiness. It was an odd sight for the parents, seeing their normally hyperactive son just sitting there and watching his sister adoringly.
Then, suddenly, the baby opened her eyes, revealing an identical set of grey eyes to the ones staring down at her, and smiled once again. Sirius grabbed his sister's hand carefully (or as careful as a one-year-old can be) and squealed happily, babbling something like "my baby" unknowingly creating a rare magical familial bond when his magic felt and accepted hers, and vice versa.
After a couple of minutes, exhaustion finally caught up with Sirius, and his eyes started drooping. Orion ordered Kreacher to take Sirius to bed. Finally, it was time for Walburga to bond with her new daughter. However, when the baby was placed in her arms, it would have seemed as if all hell had broken loose.
The baby started crying loudly, which startled Sirius in the other room from his sleep-like state, causing him to start crying as well, the lights flashing as their magic reacted. The room grew colder, and the rain and thunder outside intensified with the baby's cries. Then, one by one, crows hit the window in the room, dying on impact. Suddenly, Orion took the baby from her arms, and the chaos stopped, leaving them all bewildered. When he looked back down at the baby, her normally raven-dark hair now held a white streak running through the front.
"YOU BEST GET RID OF THAT VILE THING NOW, ORION! I WILL NOT HAVE SUCH AN ABOMINATION LIVING IN MY HOUSE, CREATING A STAIN IN THE LEGACY OF MY ANCESTORS!" yelled Walburga, moving as far from the baby as she could.
"Don't be ridiculous, Walburga. What do you mean get rid of it? IT'S OUR DAUGHTER! She cannot help it if her magic reacts a certain way. In fact, you should be proud she’s displaying such powerful magic this early on!" argued Orion.
"REACTS A CERTAIN WAY?? DID YOU SEE WHAT IT DID WITH THE BIRDS? THAT IS NOT NORMAL MAGIC! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, AND I DON'T WANT IT HERE LONG ENOUGH TO FIND OUT!"
"I don't understand the way you're going about this," frowned Orion. "She is a daughter of the House of Black. What would you have me do with her?"
Walburga scowled, standing up to level with her husband. "Listen and listen well, Orion. I do not know what you plan on doing with her or how you plan on getting rid of her. Slit her throat for all I care! But I do know this: if that thing is not gone by the time I wake up tomorrow, and I have to be forced to get rid of it myself, I will not stop there. I will walk into that nursery and rid you of your only heir as well."
"I will never understand the attachment you have to him or her for that matter, considering it's only been a few short hours. But I also will not hesitate to use him against you if I have to. Do you understand me? So you decide if you're willing to lose your only son and heir—which I will remind you is your duty to bring to this house—all because you could not get rid of the girl. And as for my duty to this house, do not worry; I will give birth to another child. Only next time, I will succeed and ensure it's a male. Are we in agreement?' she finished.
"Yes, I understand what I must do," answered Orion. "I will get rid of her, and tomorrow, we will announce that the baby died during birth." With that, Orion left the room with the baby in his arms.
As soon as he was out of Walburga's room, Orion made his way to the library, where he began researching concealment charms and protective spells. He was not going to let the vile woman he was forced to call a wife pose any danger to any of his children, even if it meant saying goodbye to one of them so that they could live. He thought up a plan and, after researching the darkest parts of his ancient library, he sat down and wrote a letter to the only people he felt he could trust with his daughter.
Finally, in the early hours of the morning, he called forth Kreacher. "Master calls for Kreacher?" popped in the elf.
"Yes, Kreacher, I have a very important job for you, and you must never tell anyone of this, EVER. Do you understand?"
"Yes, master, whatever master needs," said the elf.
"I need you to find the head healer who was here today; her name is Anna Kingsman. I need you to deliver a letter to her and her husband, Robert. It is of the utmost importance that they respond by tonight. If they accept, you will come back here and take the baby and me to them. Do you understand?"
The elf nodded and glanced at the books and parchments on the desk. Hesitating, he said, "Kreacher would like to help the young miss and hide her away."
"How do you mean?" asked Orion curiously.
"Kreacher can use elf magic, an ancient type like master's spells," he pointed to the books. "Kreacher can add extra protection and make sure the young miss is always safe and sound. Kreacher would be alerted if she is not," the elf finished.
Stunned, Orion replied, "Yes, yes, that would be great. Thank you, Kreacher!" The elf waved him off. "The young miss is a gift. Kreacher can tell she will be strong and do great things for the House of Black. Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black."
Once Kreacher left, Orion worked on the easier spells, charming, adding repelling, and notice-me-not spells in the family tapestry to make the blank space where his daughter would appear remain blank. Knowing he had only a little time before the elf returned, he gathered the materials and ingredients he would need to complete the more strenuous spells in the Kingsman's home.
Right after gathering the last of the supplies, Kreacher popped in, signalling that the Kingsmans had agreed, and it was time to say goodbye to his daughter.