Written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Psychology - Melancholic: loyal, careful, family traditions (naming), persistent, patient.

A Star is Born

Sirius and Hermione wait for the arrival of their child.

Hermione hunched over on the edge of the bed, mask in hand as the doctor prodded at her back. As the contraction hit, she pulled the mask to her mouth and sucked in a deep breathe of gas and air. Her body shook.

"You need to stay still," the doctor scolded, as the tube was inserted into her back. "If you move, this may not go in right."

"I'm trying," she muttered crossly. Of course he didn't get it. He was a man. He didn't understand how bloody painful the contractions even were. Pain was ripping through her body and he thought she was moving for the fun of it, she supposed.

She glared at Sirius who was standing on the other side of the bed, as she couldn't see the doctor behind her.

Another contraction hit and she froze completely still, trying not to let it take over. "Lean down more," the doctor complained. Hermione hunched over more, allowing the process to continue. Her back was feeling strange now. There was an odd feeling that she couldn't describe. Her skin felt speckly, though she was getting high on the gas and air, which could also explain why she couldn't think of a word.

She felt a hand push her back down more into an almost uncomfortable pose. She tried to maintain it, though the next contraction had her moving slightly again. She huffed. How anyone could stay still during a contraction was beyond her. She breathed in the gas and air and decided to ignore the rude doctor. Maybe if he turned up two hours before like he was supposed to and did the epidural then, he'd have managed better. After all, the contractions weren't very painful or close together two hours ago.

"Doing well, love," Sirius said cheerfully. Hermione couldn't move to see him anymore, but she wanted to slap him. She was sitting there in agony having a tube shoved in her back. She'd like to see him do better.

"I am going to kill you," she hissed. "If you say anything like that again, I will make your life hell. You think prison was bad, well, that's nothing compared to what you'll have at home. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal," Sirius said, sounding scared, though his voice held an edge of amusement. Hermione knew he was smiling and if only she could reach out and wipe that bloody smile off his face, she was sure that she'd be happier coping with the pain.

"Okay," the midwife said, smiling as she walked over. The doctor walked away and Hermione straightened up, her back aching and the tube feeling weird. "You can't get up now you've had that in."

Hermione glared at the floor, but the midwife paid her look no mind. "Now, I need to check how much you're dilated. Lay back again please, Mrs. Black."

Hermione let out a small sob as she carefully moved back onto the bed and lay down. Her back felt uncomfortable.

As the woman began to check, Hermione pulled the gas and air to her mouth once more.

"Not too much of that," the midwife insisted, with a large smile that Hermione hated. Why was everyone so happy? She took another pull of the gas and air just to spite her, shooting her husband with a glare at the same time, daring him to say something.

"Oh dear. He's not moved at all," the midwife said. "I have to consider the fact that you have a narrow birth canal and that we may have to move you to surgery."

"Surgery?" Hermione whispered, the mask removed from her face. She looked at Sirius in a panic. "Sirius?"

"It's alright, love." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "You'll be fine, I promise."

"But… but they'll cut me open… and the baby… will he be fine? Why is this happening?"

"There's nothing wrong with the baby, sweetheart," Sirius promised, glancing up at the midwife just to make sure. "It's just that he's too settled in there."

"We're almost at the twenty-four hour mark since your waters broke. After that time, there's a risk to him. This is the safest way."

Hermione shook her head. "Can you just give him some more time?"

"One hour," the midwife insisted. "If he's close, we'll try and do this naturally. But if he continues to progress slowly, we'll have to operate. It's the safest way for you both."

Hermione nodded, grateful at the one hour. She knew her little boy would be able to do it. He was ready to meet his mummy and daddy.

...oOo...

Clearly the thought of meeting his daddy scared him. Hermione assumed it was because baby heard Sirius' bad singing and realised it'd be worse when he was out, so was determined not to be born. He was too comfortable in her womb.

But the hour was up and she was being wheeled to surgery and clinging to Sirius' hand as he attempted to pull away to put on the offered clothes. He couldn't go into surgery without sterile clothes and Hermione was shaking.

It was only a minute before Sirius was back by her side, gripping her hand, and Hermione was looking up at him, terrified.

"I don't really hate you," she whispered.

"I know," he assured her, kissing the top of her head. "You can do this."

"I can't. It'll hurt when they cut into me."

"They'll numb you," Sirius said. He stepped aside as the doctors all crowded around. Her lower body started to numb as the epidural came into effect.

"Can you feel this?" Something cold was sprayed against her arm and she nodded. Another spray down her body, but she shook her head.

She could only feel the top half of her body. The sprays continued until the doctors were satisfied that her whole body was numb.

"I feel like I'm going to fall off the table," she whispered, trying to steady her voice. "Is it supposed to be crooked?"

"Yeah, I suppose so," Sirius murmured as a screen was set up so Hermione couldn't see what was happening.

A couple of minutes of silence.

"When are you starting?" she asked.

A woman appeared, shooting her a reassuring smile. "They already have. They've started the cut."

"They… have?" Hermione stared at her in disbelief. She knew she'd be numb, but she had expected to feel something. "Are you sure?"

The woman nodded her head. "This could take up to an hour, so don't focus on what's happening down there, focus on whats going to happen in a few days when you bring the baby home."

"When we bring our son home," Sirius insisted, reaching a hand to Hermione's head and stroking her sweat-covered hair from her face. "You'll be a mummy in a few minutes, love. I'm going to be a dad."

"A good one," Hermione replied. She was still shaking but a little bit of fear had evaporated at the knowledge they had started.

"Not as good a parent as you. You were made for this. You mothered Harry and Ron long enough and now you're going to have a little baby to mother. So… there's one important thing we've avoiding discussing."

"We said we'd pick a name when we see him," Hermione replied. "Give it an hour and we'll choose his name."

They sat in silence and Hermione tried to lose herself in the feel of Sirius' hand stroking her hair.

"You're going to feel pressure."

"Pressure?" Hermione squeaked.

"Yes. We need to push so the baby comes out."

Hermione's mouth dropped open, but before she could say anything, she felt the pressure. It wasn't as much as she expected, though some of it was in a not-numbed area and felt weird.

A few minutes later, she heard a cry.

"It's not been an hour," she whispered.

"Closing you back up takes time," the woman insisted from her other side. "Dad, would you like to go and cut the cord?"

Sirius looked hopefully towards Hermione and she let go of his hand. "Go check on our boy," she insisted. He moved away and she could hear him cooing over their son, whilst the baby screamed. She couldn't wait to hold him, but knew she'd have to for a few minutes.

Finally they were done. The screen was removed and she was carefully moved from the room, the baby being brought by Sirius. She was eager to see him but twisting to look caused ache.

Once they arrived in recovery, Sirius placed a bundle into her arms.

"Regulus," he whispered, his eyes searching hers.

She looked down at the bundle with the black hair plastered to the top of his head. She knew how much Sirius' brother meant to him and had already considered going with a star name to continue his family tradition.

"Regulus," she agreed, bringing the bundle up so she could place her lips against the baby's cheek. He wiggled in her arms and let out a loud wail. "Though he kind of sounds like you when you're having a sulk."

"Cheeky woman," Sirius replied with a grin. He slipped an arm around her shoulder and leaned down, resting his head against hers slightly. "Can you believe it - I'm a dad. Thank you, love."

"You can show your thanks by getting me a cup of tea," Hermione replied.

"Really? A cup of tea is all you want?"

"For now. Surgery has a long recovery and I'm going to need extra help at first."

Sirius nodded his head. "Already sorted. I sent the text to Kingsley when we were moving to the recovery room saying that I want to take some of my holidays after my paternity. Of course I wouldn't leave you alone, especially after surgery."

Hermione smiled. "I know," she assured him. "I know I can depend on you."

"So… is this a bad time to ask about a second? I mean, Regulus wouldn't have fun being an only child."

Hermione glared at him. "If I wasn't holding my son right now, you'd be dead," she threatened darkly.

"I'm sure I would," he laughed. "Regulus Orion Black?"

"Perfect," Hermione agreed. "But if we ever have a girl, we're not calling her Walburga."

"Agreed," Sirius replied with a shudder.

Thanks to Lizzy for betaing. :)

Review please :D