Chapter Text
As the music enveloped him, Sirius couldn't help but feel enormously proud and in love with his (no longer) baby girl. He could see her profile, with that decidedly aristocratic nose inherited from him, black waves that fell free on her shoulders and very skilled hands that masterfully and confidently pressed the piano keys producing this strong and wonderful show. He burst into applause as soon as the music ended, just not shouting "good" so as not to embarrass her.
Sirius felt like a proud dad and satisfied with what he had managed to do on his own, despite all the problems his Cassiopeia had faced in the past. Now, at the dawn of her 17 years, Cassiopeia was about to return for the last time to Hogwarts, she had an open and bright future in music, she had a stable group of friends, good grades and above all, finally, Cassiopeia looked serene.
It was her biggest gripe not being able to give her everything in terms of affection, security, self-esteem, comfort since her mother had decided to abandon them. He didn't blame her, their relationship hadn't gotten to the point where you planned to start a family and procreate yourself.
Still, it had happened.
For Rachel and child, he had bought a large house with a large garden, already looking forward to great crawls and broom rides. He had settled his job at Hogwarts to provide social security for their unusual little family, had given Rachel the chance to go back to work as soon as she heard it, taking a full year off from work to be able to be with the baby without having to deprive of the freedom that Rachel so regretted losing. Sirius did not know if Rachel actually loved her baby, although she patiently made him feel all the kicks she gave of her and allowed him to spend hours massaging his belly talking in a silly voice to her baby. Although she has pledged to deprive herself of alcohol and raw food for 9 months, which he also did out of solidarity. As he also quit smoking, he stopped going out late with friends, after the occasional meetings. Friends made fun of him saying that he had finally put his head right, he the irreducible rebel who, in order not to bow to the rules of a petty society, ran away from home and goodbye everyone. When on that first visit he felt the tumultuous and incessant beating of that tiny, tiny heart, for Sirius there was no choice but to become a better man for a life that depended totally on him and hers mother. Instead of going to the pub, she read pregnancy books to help Rachel, instead of smoking he bought books about the baby's first year of life, to find out what is the most appropriate way to change a diaper, wash the creature or exactly, what activity a baby does. 3 week old baby? Sirius studied and learned everything for the love of that heartbeat that had turned his life upside down, while Rachel… Rachel never seemed perfectly happy. She suffered from having to carry on with the pregnancy, she suffered from no longer being the mistress of her own body and probably she too suffered for all the attentions of her that Sirius reserved for her. If the law hadn't banned the abortion of magical babies, Sirius was sure Rachel wouldn't even have informed him of the news.
When that sunny and warm June 9 Cassiopeia came into the world, after much curses, tears and thrusts from Rachel, letting out an exquisitely appropriate scream, Sirius's life turned upside down. She put it in his arms still dirty, with the umbilical cord attached and all sticky and he was afraid of ruining something so delicate, defenseless and pure as that little bundle of 2,800g was. He showed her in amazement to her mother, and she too couldn't help but smile foolishly, before the tears clouded her vision.
After 3 days, many diapers changed and the first pee made on Sirius, the three went home. Rachel made a commitment to breastfeed her, making a gesture of extreme love. She undertook to hold Cassiopea against her, talk to her and give her all the caresses she could. Sirius came into the night, with baby bottles full of breast milk, little impromptu waltzes, and lots of ridiculous stories about his youth. Whenever Cassiopeia stared at him with those dark blue eyes with all the seriousness that a week-old girl had, Sirius knew she was cornering him. He knew she was telling him, “So Daddy Sirius, whatever you keep telling me your name, you've been a rebel and have lived not caring about the consequences. Now I'm here, another consequence of your villainy, what are your intentions with me? ". It was worthless that Cassiopeia was sucking hers fist, or that she was pooping on him, Sirius felt terribly in awe of this tiny creature staring at him with her eyes open wide, without blinking and frowning slightly. At that point, promises after promises, about being the best, who never considered her or will consider her a bullshit of youth, which will always be there for her, usually gushed out. And forever, he really means always. Diapers, first steps, regurgitation, first words, first sprint, first quaffle caught, first pet, first day of school, first love, first disappointment, graduation, marriage, children, first day at work, first failure. He will always be there, ready to support her, give her the strength she lacks in her or her much-hoped-for refuge, ready to celebrate and rejoice for her and with her.
And so it was.
Sirius has become the fastest onesie changer in the world, mister "I have the bottle ready", the dad ready to cheer for the first uncertain steps of the creature, a skilled kisser of peeled knees and all the charm he used to conquer damsels, now he used it to best tell fairy tales.
Sirius changed from the first moment. And he took care of her for two, when after 3 months Rachel decided that life as a mom of hers wasn't for her. Sirius's proposals, to come back on the weekend or any day of the week to be her daughter, or to come back when she was ready, were of no avail. Rachel was determined not to want to be her mother and was happy to leave Cassiopeia with a man who was in love with her and who would take care of all of her needs to the best of his ability.
For Sirius it was a blow, but not exactly a surprise. He had the support of James and Lily, who were busy raising Harry a year older than Cassiopeia, his cousin Andromeda, who had Nymphadora aged 9, and even his cousin Narcissa, also struggling with a child, Draco, of one year. He did his best to juggle all of Cassiopeia's new conquests and her work which, alas, after a year off she had to resume.
He made her do everything. Music lessons, Quidditch matches, sleepovers with friends, swimming school, horse riding, learning French and Italian. He gave her the best.
Despite this, she faced various demons at Hogwarts. At some point, she stopped eating. And he noticed it, from the teachers' table. Until he had to run to the infirmary because Cassiopeia had fallen off the broom from a considerable height during a game. This is how his sweet and tender Hufflepuff manifested all the pain of teasing from school friends, all the horrible jokes about his mother, how she was unwanted, a disappointment for not being a Gryffindor even though his father was the head of the house. .
Months and months of patience, attempts, tears, support, hugs, therapy. Months in which he wondered what she had done wrong, what was this mistake that made his Cassiopeia believe she was not loved enough to deserve to live. She was 14 at the time and luckily the problem was dealt with quickly enough that it could be recovered. Fortunately, that fall from the broom was the worst physical and mental point.
He, Minerva, Pomona, Luna, Harry and Draco joined forces within the walls of Hogwarts to provide her with shelter and understanding, soon followed by her uncles outside.
Cassiopeia slowly returned to shine.
And now she was there, on stage, taking the compliments and applause of the audience.
At the end of the show, she threw herself as her father, giving him a vigorous hug and whispering in his ear "You know I played for you, right?". Sirius couldn't help but be moved by her as she approached to hug his uncles, Harry and Drac, dispensing big smiles to everyone.
"Sirius, is that really you?" a man cautiously approached the familiar skit, a friendly face he hadn't seen for several years. Meeting him in a Muggle theater wasn't really the plan.
"I'll be damned. Remus? What the heck are you doing here? " Sirius's eyes widened, recognizing that lanky man who was standing in front of him with a boy who could have been more or less the age of his Cass. "And don't tell me he's Teddy!"
Remus stopped in front, one hand resting gently on his son's shoulder before hugging Sirius. “Lily, James! Take a look at who has found their way home! "
The two turned and widened their eyes, almost comically. Lily's disbelief was papabile from the scream she gave, before remembering to be in a respectable theater.
“Remus! My favorite Marauder returned to England without notifying anyone! So what do you do? " Lily scolded her longtime friend of hers, the disbelief and disappointment visible on her face.
Remus had the decency to blush before replying, “Not quite so, Lily dear. I would have warned you in the morning, I had to come here suddenly because of my father. Teddy and I arrived here 3 hours ago, we were on our way up formarket down the street when I saw the playbill. The surname Black was too tempting not to stop. "
James took charge of the situation. “Rem, my friend. I'm sorry for any situation your father has, but I'm immensely happy to see you here! The Black of the poster is Cassiopeia, the daughter of Sirius. I don't know if you remember her. " Cassiopeia gave a shy greeting to the two, staying safe next to Harry. "And Harry, Draco." James continued, pointing to the boys who gave the same greeting as Cass. "And he must be ..."
"Edward. Nice to meet you." He interrupted James, extending his hand, immediately turning to Lily, Sirius, Harry, Draco and finally to Cassiopeia. To Cassiopeia, however, he did not shake hands. He gave a light kiss of the hand, complimenting her on the beautifully executed show. Cassiopeia blushed brightly, thanking him. Teddy, or whatever he called himself now, Edward hadn't taken the same embarrassment that his father had. Edward definitely had the temperament of his mother Phebe.
Sirius cleared his throat, surprised by the resourcefulness of Remus' son. “So, are you busy? Would you like to come to my house? We're having a little meeting to celebrate Cass's senior year at Hogwarts, this show..." so he said while he walked over to the exit, with the group following him. Harry didn't like Edward very much, so he kept his arm on Cassiopeia's shoulder as they walked off with the group. James, noticing this, did not hold back his smile.
“I would really like to, but I have to do the shopping for my dad and then I think we'll deliver for the night. I think we will be free tomorrow night, can I invite you to dinner? I have to make amends for these years of being away! "
James smiled at his dear friend “Tomorrow night be it! I hope your father is doing well enough. As long as you come to our house, though, I'm sure we have a lot to share. The address is always the same. It was a pleasure to meet you!". He clapped Remus hard on the shoulder, a handshake with Edward and walked with his wife to the dematerialization point.
“If you want to join even later, you are welcome! I'll make sure I leave it cake enough! But I moved house" Sirius added, handing him a piece of paper with the new address on it. “Really, don't worry about time. Say hello to your old man! " a last goodbye, and Sirius and Cassiopeia went to dematerialize. Finally the two boys gave the two a handshake and disappeared.
“Dad, we should really go to them after we help Grandpa. They seemed very happy to see you again. "
“We should, yes… if we hurry! It would not be polite to arrive late. " Remus confirmed.
Teddy seemed quite eager to go shopping as he sped down the street. He did not want to miss the opportunity to talk again with that beautiful black-haired girl.