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Sirius always got depressed when Halloween rolled around—and, consequently, his own birthday. He hated celebrating, even though Harry, still so young, loved the parties, the lights, and the costumes. Remus always tried hard to make the occasion a happy one, and the day before Halloween, he would prepare everything with care. It was the day to visit his parents, and the little boy could choose any costume he wanted. Harry always said he wanted Mom and Dad to see his costume, so the three of them would go together to Godric's Hollow to visit the Potter's grave.
For Sirius, it was bittersweet to have to deal with Harry's innocent happiness at “visiting” his parents. The boy still didn't understand the weight of it, and Sirius knew he should try harder to help his husband make the occasion special, but the pain still paralyzed him. He missed them both with a physical longing that weighed on his chest and prevented him from breathing for a few moments.
He had loved Lily with all his heart, but James... ah, James was more than a brother. He was his platonic soul mate, his reflection in laughter and chaos. Since their days at Hogwarts, the two had been inseparable. Now, without him, Sirius had no one to share Harry's small victories with—his first spells, new words, the crooked drawings that Remus kept fondly. He couldn't run to James to laugh, to cry, to simply exist.
And now, his first child was about to be born. Remus was already thirty-seven weeks pregnant, the baby could come at any moment, and yet he insisted on keeping the Halloween plans for Harry's sake. Sirius loved him for that, loved him with all his might.
He knew that without Remus, he wouldn't be able to keep anything going. Some days, he barely had the strength to get out of bed, and October always brought back the same coldness in his chest. But this year, he was trying, really trying to be better. Because Harry, the baby, and Remus needed him to be there. They needed him to be happy.
He heard the laughter coming from Harry's room and, for a moment, felt his heart soften. He climbed the stairs with a mug of hot coffee in his hands, letting the bitter aroma fill the hallway. He loved the fact that, despite everything, Harry was still a happy child.
“Paddy!” the boy shouted as soon as he saw him at the door. “Come see the costume I picked out this year!”
Sirius smiled, feeling his face light up even with the weight of grief. He went over to where the boy was playing—the wardrobe, too big for a four-year-old, was wide open, and clothes from other costumes covered the floor like a small, colorful battlefield.
“Hey, sprog,” he said cheerfully, “I can't wait to see what you and Moony chose this year.”
Harry lifted his face with those green eyes identical to Lily's, shining with pride.
“I chose it myself! I didn't even need MooMoo's help!” he declared, stamping his little foot.
He already wanted to be so big.
Sirius laughed genuinely, the sound escaping softly, almost forgotten.
“I'm sorry, Harry, of course you didn't need help. Now... why don't you let Paddy here see what you chose, hmm?”
“Yessss!” shouted the boy, jumping with excitement.
Remus had refused to tell the secret, just laughed and said he was tired, going upstairs to take a nap. Sirius was curious, wondering if it must be something really spectacular.
Harry disappeared behind the door for a few minutes, and then the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. When he returned, Sirius almost dropped his coffee.
There it was, the smallest baby dragon the world had ever seen.
The emerald green jumpsuit shone like living scales, and two translucent wings fluttered lightly, emitting a soft sound, like a cat's purr. The cap had two golden horns that sparkled with every laugh, and a short tail trailed behind him, twinkling at the tip like a little star.
“Today I am the guardian of the coffers!” announced the boy, with all the seriousness of a hero.
A gentle spell activated, and a pink smoke, smelling like marshmallows, escaped from his mouth. Sirius blinked, between surprise and tenderness.
“Merlin's beard... who let a dragon loose in the house?” he said, feigning shock and clutching his chest.
Harry puffed out his chest.
“No one takes my gold!” he replied, and began running around the room, scattering enchanted gold coins that floated like fireflies.
Sirius couldn't resist and let out his famous barking laugh, the sound mixed with the flapping of wings and the sweet scent in the air. For a brief moment, the weight of grief seemed to dissolve, and all that remained was the pure joy of a child roaring with happiness.
Seeing the costume, he understood why Remus had fled to his room—it must have taken a lot of effort to convince Harry to take it off.
“Come here, little dragon,” Sirius called, still smiling. “Your costume is amazing, kid. But why don't you put it away now, so it doesn't get ruined? You don't want to be without a costume to show Mom and Dad tomorrow, do you?”
He said the words gently, even though his heart ached as he remembered that “tomorrow” meant visiting his friends' grave.
Harry stopped, his smile fading a little.
“No, Paddy... I don't want to ruin the costume.” And he ran to take it off, carefully, with the same reverence with which one keeps something sacred.
He was so excited to show his parents what he had chosen, even though they couldn't respond. MooMoo always said that even without speaking, Mom and Dad were there, watching, and they were very happy to see his costume and hear about his day.
So Harry always chose the best costume and took chocolate to “see” his parents.
Sirius watched silently, his coffee growing cold in his hands, his heart aching and full at the same time. And he thought that maybe, just maybe, that little dragon had brought a little piece of James back home.
~~~~~
Remus knew, just as he knew that every full moon would bring transformation, that the baby would be born soon. Perhaps even that week. Braxton Hicks contractions were coming more frequently, her feet were swollen, and her belly had “dropped.”
He hadn't told Sirius anything. He knew that her husband was more depressed around Halloween and his own birthday, and he didn't want the visit to be canceled unless her water actually broke.
Remus also knew that it would be difficult to leave Padfoot to deal with everything alone, the grief, Harry, and the weight of that day.
So, as he did every October 30th, he got up carefully, even though his body felt heavier, and went to the bathroom to wash up, then went downstairs, the floor creaking under his swollen feet.
In the kitchen, he began to prepare the snack for the picnic they always had after the visit.
As he spread jam on the bread, he placed his hand on his rounded belly, where the baby kicked vigorously. The touch was warm and comforting, a small life insisting on existing.
“Please, not today...” he murmured, almost a prayer to Merlin and Morgana.
Her belly hardened under his fingers and then relaxed, letting him breathe deeply. He finished packing the sandwiches and blueberry muffins into the cooler bag.
Looking up at the stairs, he wondered how Sirius could still sleep. On days like this, her husband rarely slept a wink—and with the birth so close, he woke up at the slightest movement from Remus. Still, the werewolf thought that maybe it was better this way; that he should sleep as much as possible before the inevitable day.
Slowly climbing up to wake Harry, Remus let the thought slip: what if the baby was born on Halloween?
When he opened the bedroom door, the smile came effortlessly. There was his son, in everything but blood, sleeping curled up with his stuffed deer. Could that day, marked by so much pain over the last three years, finally bring some light?
Remus sat carefully on the edge of the bed and began to stroke the boy's black, tousled hair, so similar to James's. A lump rose in his throat.
The love he feels for Harry is so great, that child has filled his heart with joy since that tragic day, his light in the midst of darkness. Having the boy with him was what made him endure the loss of his best friends and Sirius's trial. He promised he would do everything he could to make his friends' son a happy child, which is why even in the midst of pain and mourning and now, the birth of his son, he tries so hard to make that day fun and joyful for his godson, because that's what James and Lily would have wanted for their son.
“Good morning, my love. It's time to wake up.” Remus' voice was low and sweet, lulled by the softness of the hair.
Harry stirred, sniffed, but continued sleeping. Remus chuckled softly; it was impossible not to smile at that scene.
“Come on, love... don't you want to put on your dragon costume?”
As if the words were a spell, the boy opened his eyes in a flash.
“Good morning, MooMoo!” he said, all sly, hugging Remus' neck.
Although he could already call him by his name, Harry insisted on “MooMoo.”
Remus knew that one day that would change, and just thinking about it made him feel a pang of sadness, that kind of sweet pain that only comes with raising children.
“Good morning, sweetie. Did you have sweet dreams?” he asked, kissing the top of his head.
“MooMoo, I dreamed that I woke up and the baby was already here... has the baby arrived yet?”
His green eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if the baby were going to arrive by owl.
Remus laughed, hugging the little one affectionately.
“Not yet, sweetheart. The baby is still here.” He took Harry's little hand and placed it on his belly, which was moving restlessly at that moment. “It's saying good morning to you.”
As if it had heard him, the baby kicked hard.
Harry's eyes widened and he began to laugh, delighted, talking to the belly as if it were a great friend.
“Hi, baby! I dreamed you were already here! We were going to dress up as dragons together to see my mom and dad!”
Remus felt tears welling up. The baby moved in response, and he took a deep breath—damn hormones.
As the boy chattered about adventures and costumes, a silent shadow appeared at the door. Sirius.
He was already dressed, but his red eyes betrayed that he had been crying earlier. Remus met his husband's gaze, full of love and affection.
Sirius approached and wrapped them both in an embrace.
“Good morning, my loves.” His voice was hoarse but soft. “Harry dear, it's time to get ready, okay? I'll help you while Moony gets some rest.”
He kissed Remus tenderly on the lips, helping him to get up. Then he bent down to kiss his round belly, where the baby kicked again, as if in response.
Harry, excited by the memory of the costume, jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. He couldn't wait to say “hi” to Mom and Dad.
Sirius then looked worriedly at his husband's belly.
“Your belly looks different, honey... is everything okay?” he asked, noticing that the belly was lower and firmer, as he held Remus's face in his hands.
Remus smiled slightly, trying to sound lighthearted.
“Everything's fine, Pads. You know that until the baby is born, I'll keep growing, right?”
He spoke with amusement, trying to distract him, but Sirius' tender touch disarmed him.
When the taller man frowned, Remus stood up slightly on tiptoe and kissed him, bringing one of his hands to his belly.
“Here... can you feel it? Everything's fine, I promise.”
Sirius kept his palm there for a few seconds, feeling the movement beneath the warm skin, as if the baby were greeting him.
“All right... but you'll tell me if anything happens, okay?”
Remus nodded. “Okay.”
“All right, then.” Sirius gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “I'll take care of Harry, and you get some rest. And don't think I don't notice your heavier breathing, little wolf.”
Remus rolled his eyes but didn't respond. Deep down, he felt his heart tighten with love but also grief. The baby was still kicking insistently, as if it also wanted to participate in that day.
In the bathroom, Harry chattered incessantly about the baby, about the costume, and about visiting his parents. Sirius felt a quiet warmth in his chest, a mixture of happiness and melancholy, seeing that Harry was such a cheerful child, even though he had lost his parents so early.
It hurt to know that he would never grow up being raised by James and Lily, but Sirius consoled himself with the certainty that the boy would receive all the love in the world, and for now, that would have to suffice.
“I know you're excited about the baby's arrival, you know we are too, right?” he asked, smiling.
Harry nodded enthusiastically.
“Yessss!”
Sirius laughed as he washed the child's black, tousled hair.
“When the baby arrives, you'll have to stay at Neville's house for a few days, remember?”
“But, Paddy, why do I have to stay there?” he pouted, his voice rising to a whiny tone. “I want to be here when the baby arrives!” And he stamped his little foot on the floor.
Sirius shook his head, amused. He knew exactly where Harry had learned that gesture; Remus did the same when he didn't like something, and he felt his heart warm even more for his little mirror image of his husband.
“Do you remember what we talked about regarding the baby's birth?” he began, rinsing the foam away. “It's a little... messy, and MooMoo is going to be very tired. I'm going to have to take care of him, and we won't be able to take care of you that day, okay?”
He picked up his now clean godson and wrapped him in a soft, lavender-scented towel.
“But I'm a big boy now, Paddy! I can take care of myself! And how will the baby know I'm his Harry if I'm not here when he arrives?” he asked with touching seriousness, his eyes wide open.
Sirius kissed the child's forehead, just above the lightning-shaped scar.
“Don't worry, kid. The baby will know you're his Harry, okay? Now, why don't I help you put on your dragon outfit?”
Harry grumbled, annoyed that he hadn't won the argument, but the sparkle in his eyes returned as soon as his godfather mentioned the costume. Together, godson and godfather got ready for their traditional annual visit to the Potter grave.
~~~~
Most people visited the Godric's Hollow cemetery on Halloween itself. That's why the Lupin-Blacks preferred to go a day early, so they could avoid the crowds, the curious stares, and the headlines about “the boy who lived.”
They arrived early, with the sun just beginning to rise on the horizon. Harry walked between them, one small hand in each of his parents' hands, chattering about the picnic they would have after the visit.
Remus walked more slowly. His heavy belly was impossible to hide, even under his loose wizard's robes. He felt exhausted, but he hid it, smiling at Harry and asking questions about dragons, while looking at Sirius, trying to assess how he was doing.
Sirius, meanwhile, fought against the sadness that was slowly consuming him. The closer he got to his friends' graves, the heavier the weight of guilt pressed on his chest. He was the one who had insisted on changing the keeper of the secret. He was the one who had trusted that damned traitorous rat.
Because of him, James and Lily were dead.
Because of him, Harry no longer had parents.
A dark cloud seemed to form around him, the kind of shadow that even years of love could not completely dispel.
He was slightly startled when he felt a hand touch his arm. Remus watched him with soft, tired eyes, while Harry ran ahead, his dragon tail swinging from side to side.
They had arrived without Sirius noticing.
“Sirius, are you listening to me?” Remus asked, his voice calm but tense.
Sirius blinked, returning to reality. His husband frowned, holding his stomach with his other hand. Guilt turned to immediate concern. He should be taking care of Remus, not the other way around. And as much as the wolf tried to hide it, Sirius knew something was different.
“Sorry, love. I'm fine... just thinking too much.” He squeezed the other's hand affectionately.
Remus seemed about to reply, but was interrupted by Harry's impatient voice.
“MooMoo! Paddy! Why are you taking so long??” he shouted, and the scene would have been comical if it weren't for where they were: the little dragon with fluttering wings, puffing pink smoke every time he spoke.
Sirius couldn't help but smile. That little boy was living proof that, even in the midst of loss, life still found a way to shine.
“We're almost there, love. I had to stop for a bit to rest... because of the baby, remember?” replied Remus, pointing to his huge belly.
At that moment, Sirius could have kissed him, and he did. He gently pulled his husband toward him and sealed his lips in a calm kiss, full of restrained love.
“Thank you, love,” he whispered, his forehead resting against the other's.
“Eww, gross!” complained Harry, running back to them and hugging Sirius' legs.
The two laughed, complicit, and finished walking to the place where their friends rested.
Remus, with a fluid movement of his wand, conjured a bouquet of flowers, daisies and tulips, Lily's favorites. He handed them to Harry.
“Here, love. How about you put them there?” he asked, pointing to the double grave.
Harry nodded, very focused, and went to the tombstones. He knelt down, placing the flowers with the utmost care in the world.
“Hi, Mom,” he said, touching her grave first. “Hi, Dad.”
His tone was so sincere, so full of life, that even the wind seemed to stop for a moment.
“I chose this costume especially for today!” he announced, spinning around. “I wanted you to see Gringotts' newest dragon!”
He spun around, his wings fluttering, his tail wagging, and Remus felt his heart tighten. He cried softly, making no attempt to hide it.
“The baby is almost here too! MooMoo said that on his next visit he'll be here, right, MooMoo?” he asked, turning with shining eyes.
Remus approached, discreetly wiping away a tear.
“Yes, dear. It's true. Soon the baby will be here... and we'll bring him to James and Lily to see too.”
He stopped in front of the gravestones.
“Hi, James. Lily... I miss you so much.” His voice faltered a little. “I wish you were here to meet the baby. We don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl... and honestly, I don't care. But Harry wants it to be a girl.”
He turned to the boy, smiling tenderly.
“You've even chosen a name, haven't you, love?”
Harry puffed out his chest proudly.
“Yes! If it's a girl, she'll be called Aurora!” he said, as if revealing an important secret, and smiled at his Paddy.
Sirius smiled back.
“It's a beautiful name, sprog. We love it.” And he ruffled the boy's hair gently.
Being there was painful. Every word, every memory, weighed like lead. But Sirius knew that this moment was necessary and that he would never take that away from his godson.
As he watched Harry sit on the ground and talk to his parents' graves, as if they could really hear him, Sirius approached Remus and wrapped him in a silent embrace. He felt his husband's body soften against his... and then immediately stiffen. His stomach tensed for a few seconds. He frowned.
“Baby... are you having contractions?” he whispered, so Harry wouldn't hear.
Remus shook his head, trying to appear calm.
“No. They're just false contractions. They come and go.” He placed his hand over Sirius's, guiding it to his belly. “It's okay, Pads.”
The touch was warm, firm, and Sirius was torn between concern and tenderness.
“You'll tell me if anything changes, right?” he insisted.
“Of course, love. I promise.” He kissed him lightly. “Now... how about I call Harry so we can find a nice spot, and you chat with James and Lily for a bit?” he suggested gently.
“Thanks, Moony. I love you,” Sirius replied, and the kiss that followed was brief but full of meaning.
Remus turned to the boy.
“Harry, love, are you done talking? How about we go find a nice place to have a picnic, hmm? Your Paddy wants to talk to your parents a little more, okay?”
Harry, who at that moment was telling the gravestones how he had flown high on the toy broomstick at Neville's house, nodded.
“Okay, MooMoo. Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad. After the baby is born, we'll come back here, okay? I love you guys!”
He kissed each little hand and pressed them against the gravestones. Then he stood up, cheerful, and took his MooMoo's outstretched hand.
And so the two walked away, leaving Sirius alone among the wind and flowers, at peace and in mourning.
As Remus and Harry walked away, Sirius stayed behind, and as soon as they disappeared among the trees of the cemetery, he collapsed in front of his best friend's grave.
He knelt down, his shoulders shaking, and cried for their loss as if it were the first time. The tears fell uncontrollably, and for a few minutes he could only sob, caught between longing and relief at finally letting out what he had been carrying in his chest.
“Thank you for trusting me to take care of your son,” he murmured, his voice breaking. “He is the most precious child in the world, and I love him more than anything. I miss you so much, James... I wish you were here. And you, Lily—we need you so much, your kindness, your sweetness.”
He rubbed his eyes, trying to hold back the tears, but they kept coming back.
“Our baby is going to be born and you won't be here. It's so unfair. I miss you every day, as if a part of me had been torn away.”
He took a deep breath, his voice coming out almost in a whisper.
"I'm trying to be strong for Harry, for Remus, for the baby... but it's so hard. I think something is happening to Remus and he doesn't want to tell me, so I won't worry. You were always better at these things, James."
Sirius laughed softly, a lump in his throat. “I miss you, brother.”
When he stood up, he conjured another small bouquet of flowers, daisies and tulips, and placed them in front of the gravestones.
In the next instant, a gentle breeze passed over him, light and warm as a friendly touch. Sirius closed his eyes and smiled.
“Thank you... I love you both.”
With his heart still heavy, but a little lighter, he turned and went to find the three most important people in his life.
~~~~
The 31st came and went. They spent the day baking pumpkin pies and blueberry muffins, because Remus was craving them. The sweet smell of baking dough spread through the house, mixed with the sound of Harry's laughter as he ran around the kitchen, covered in flour up to his nose. Sirius, with his stained apron and tousled hair, looked happier than he had in a long time, even though, deep down, fear and longing still visited him in silence.
They also took Harry trick-or-treating around the village in his dragon costume, which he refused to take off all day. The boy paraded proudly, his wings flapping and his tail dragging on the ground, letting out little enchanted roars for each neighbor who opened the door.
Sirius, however, couldn't ignore the signs. He noticed that Remus was restless and uncomfortable. Despite his sudden craving for blueberry jam, he ended up throwing it all up shortly after eating and, since then, had limited himself to drinking tea from time to time. There was something about the way Remus moved more slowly, his hand always resting on his belly, his eyes narrowing when he thought Sirius wasn't looking.
Sirius was worried, but every time he asked, the werewolf would stare at him with that stubborn expression of someone who refuses to admit weakness. “I'm fine,” he would say, frowning and sighing wearily. And so they would go about their day, one pretending to believe him, the other pretending everything was under control.
When night came, they performed their ritual: they sat together to show Harry photos of James and Lily and tell stories about when they were all young. The album rested on Sirius' lap, and with each page turned, laughter mingled with tears. They all cried a little, even Harry, who didn't fully understand the loss of his parents, but felt the sadness of the adults and cried with them out of empathy and love.
But they also laughed. They laughed at the stories of James and Sirius, at the times Lily put them in their place with a simple glance. They laughed and hugged each other, promising that this day would always be remembered with joy—not for death, but for the life their friends had lived.
Later, after putting Harry to bed, the little dragon already asleep with his wings slightly crumpled and a trace of chocolate in the corner of his mouth, Sirius went to look for Remus. He found him in the baby's room, sitting in the nursing chair, rocking slowly back and forth. The soft light from the lamp gilded his hair, and he rubbed his stomach with a concentrated expression, his lips pursed and his face pale. Sirius recognized that expression immediately: it was the same one Remus had when he tried to hide his pain.
“Moony?” His voice came out in an alarmed whisper. He rushed over to his husband, kneeling in front of the chair. “What's going on?”
Remus looked up—his eyes wide, his chest rising and falling with effort.
“Pads... I think the baby's coming.” His voice was shaky and full of pain, his hands instinctively clutching the fabric of his nightshirt.
Sirius turned pale, his heart beating wildly.
“You've been in labor all day?!” he exclaimed, his voice oscillating between panic and disbelief. “Why didn't you tell me anything before? Remus, I've told you before that you don't have to be a martyr!”
The anger was pure fear in disguise. He held his husband's face with both hands, feeling the cold sweat on his skin. Remus tried to smile, but a strong contraction made him arch his body and take a deep, gasping breath. Sirius hurried to hold his waist, supporting him as the rocking of the chair slowed.
“I, um, wasn't I?”
Remus squeezed his husband's hand tightly, his face contorted as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A thin layer of sweat began to glisten on his forehead. Sirius, now completely overcome with concern, felt his stomach churn. He cursed softly, the words escaping almost soundlessly. He didn't know what to do first; he wanted to help, but panic paralyzed him.
Remus always had a hard time realizing when he was really in pain. Most of the time, it was Sirius who had to point it out, and the fact that he was now admitting that the baby was coming only increased his fear that everything was already more advanced than it seemed.
“All right, okay, breathe, dear... we have everything planned, remember?” Sirius tried to control his tone of voice, but his trembling betrayed his desperation. “We'll call Alice to stay with Harry, and then let Magda know. Everything will be fine, I promise.”
He squeezed his husband's hand lightly, leaning over to give Remus a quick kiss on the lips — more to convince himself that he was still in control than to reassure the other.
“Sirius, I think maybe we should call Magda first.”
Remus spoke softly but firmly, his eyes fixed on his husband, who already looked on the verge of collapse.
“What? Why?” Sirius blinked several times, breathing heavily. For a second, he completely forgot that he wasn't the one having the baby.
“My water just broke.”
The sentence hung in the air like an explosion. For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
Panic seized Sirius. He jumped up, his eyes wide, and began running his hands through his hair as he paced in circles, cursing under his breath, trying to remember the birth plan that now seemed to have evaporated from his mind.
“Sirius, you need to breathe and calm down, okay?” Remus said, his voice breathless but incredibly controlled. “I need you to go to the flu and call Alice. Ask her to come get Harry. Now.”
As he spoke, he tried to get up from the nursing chair, his movements slow and clumsy. “I'll send a patron to our midwife, and she'll come here.”
Sirius looked at him with wide eyes, completely lost.
“Right... yes, okay, I'll talk to Alice then, okay? I'll go now.”
He stood still for a second, as if his body refused to obey.
“Sirius, go now!”
Remus' firm voice, almost a growl, broke the trance. Sirius jumped up and ran out of the baby's room, his hurried footsteps echoing down the stairs.
Meanwhile, Remus took a deep breath and sent the patronus, feeling another contraction that made him instinctively bend over. It was stronger, longer. When it passed, he gasped, leaning one hand on the dresser, and staggered to the next room. He needed to change clothes, and fast.
He opened the closet and grabbed a clean change of clothes, but just looking at the fabric made his arms feel heavy with fatigue. How was he going to change by himself? Before he could try, he heard hurried footsteps coming up the stairs again. Sirius was back.
Remus let out a shaky sigh, rocking his hips slightly to deal with another contraction. Soon he felt Sirius's large, warm hands on his hips, firm and comforting, massaging the spot where the pain was concentrated until it subsided.
“Love, she's on her way,” Sirius said, his voice hoarse, still shaky, but more focused now. “What do you need?”
Remus looked up and, between breaths, whispered,
“I need you to help me clean up and change clothes.”
Sirius nodded without saying anything, swallowing his fear. And for the first time that night, he realized that despite the panic, they were really going to do this. Together.
Remus decided he needed a warm bath, now. So they took off their clothes and got under the shower together. The warm water slid down his back and stomach, bringing temporary relief from the pain that came in waves. He leaned on Sirius, who wrapped him in a firm embrace, his large hands resting on the curve of his stomach, as if wanting to share the weight with him.
They swayed slightly, the sound of the water filling the tense silence between breaths. Remus kept his head resting on Sirius's shoulder, feeling his heart beating fast and hard against his face.
A new contraction made him hold his breath, and at that moment, a patronus crossed the bathroom steam and the midwife's voice echoed, soft and practical:
“I'm on my way. In the meantime, I need you to time the contractions and see the interval between them. See you later, boys.”
Sirius and Remus looked at each other, their eyes full of emotion and a touch of nervousness. They both knew this would be their last shower before the baby was born.
“Come on, love, let's dry you off, shall we? Alice should be here any minute.”
Sirius helped him out of the shower and wrapped him in a soft towel, drying him carefully, his movements slow, almost reverent. But before he finished, a new contraction came stronger and Remus let out a groan, leaning heavily on his husband.
Thirty seconds. Sirius mentally noted the time, trying to keep his wits about him despite his racing heart.
“Sirius, Remus, I'm here!”
Alice's voice sounded from downstairs, and Remus breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want Harry to be present when the labor got more intense.
“I'm coming down, Al!” Sirius shouted, turning to his partner.
“Honey, I'll go get Harry, okay? Will you stay here for a moment?”
“All right, Sirius. I think I need to walk around a bit. You get Harry, and I'll come downstairs.”
Sirius opened his mouth, ready to protest, but closed it immediately when he saw Remus's firm and impatient gaze. With a resigned sigh, he raised his hands in surrender and went to the child's room.
Remus took a deep breath and began to slowly descend the stairs, leaning on the railing, his body swaying slightly between contractions.
“Remus, dear, you look tired.”
Alice hugged him affectionately as soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, feeling his body tremble slightly against hers.
Remus grimaced wearily, already anticipating that he would not sleep for the next twenty-four hours.
“Yeah, terrible time for the baby to decide to show up, right?” he said, letting out a short laugh, the stopwatch floating above him and marking the time since the last contraction. Remus began pacing restlessly, his face already slightly sweaty, heat rising through his skin.
Alice watched him with compassion, recognizing that mixture of pain, expectation, and anxiety.
“Here, some ice will help. When I went into labor with Neville, I chewed ice the whole time, it was the only thing that relieved the heat.”
She approached him and handed him a small red bowl, enchanted so it wouldn't melt. Remus took it gratefully, murmuring a “thank you” before putting an ice cube in his mouth. The cold made him shiver, but it also brought some relief.
Soon, another contraction hit him. Ten minutes apart. He took a deep breath, trying to follow the rhythm Magda had taught him, inhaling through his nose, exhaling through his mouth, but his body was still shaking. Forty seconds. Not long, but to him it seemed like an eternity. The night promised to be long.
Sirius went downstairs with sleepy Harry in his arms, his gaze sweeping the room until he found Remus hunched over the sofa and Alice holding his hand. Sirius's heart tightened, fear and love mingling inside him, and he felt a wave of silent gratitude that his friend was there.
“Hi, Sirius,” Alice said softly, standing up. “Here, give me the little one. Remus needs you now.”
She took Harry carefully, tucking him against her shoulder. The boy stirred slightly, murmuring something incomprehensible, but soon fell back asleep.
"I'll take care of him for you, okay? Don't worry about anything, just bring this baby into the world safely."
She smiled affectionately before adding, “Is your midwife on her way?”
“Yes, she's on her way,” Sirius replied, glancing quickly at the stopwatch hovering in the air. “The contractions are still a little spaced out, but they're getting stronger.”
Alice nodded, exchanging one last glance with Remus before apparating with Harry.
Now, silence returned to the house, only the sound of Remus's heavy breathing and the soft ticking of the stopwatch filling the air.
Remus suddenly began to cry softly, his hands resting on his belly. Tears of emotion, not pain. He thought he would finally meet their baby—find out who he was, see his little face, give a name to the little bean that had grown inside him.
Sirius, seeing him cry, rushed to hug him, the panic from before returning with a vengeance.
“What is it, love? What happened? Does it hurt? Tell me what I can do, please...”
Remus laughed through his tears, and the sound was so genuine that Sirius paused for a moment.
“I'm crying with emotion, Padfoot,” he replied breathlessly. “We're finally going to meet our baby. To know what they're like... who they look like... what gender they are. I—”
But the sentence broke with a groan as a stronger contraction hit him hard, radiating from his lower back to his abdomen. He doubled over, gasping, as he clutched his heavy belly.
Sirius supported him around the waist, massaging his back in slow, firm circles, his voice low and steady:
“You're amazing, Remus. You're doing so well, my love.”
He glanced quickly at the stopwatch.
One minute.
That had been the longest one yet.
“Urggg, Sirius, I'm sure that when this is all over, I'm going to hate you for putting me through this,” Remus said between short, gasping breaths.
Sirius tried to smile, even though his heart was heavy. Before he could reply, they heard a click from downstairs—the door opening. Magda's steady, comforting voice echoed through the house:
"Boys? I'm here!”
Sirius exhaled without even realizing he had been holding his breath. Minutes later, Magda climbed the stairs, her midwife bag swinging from her arm, and entered the room with the calmness that only someone who had helped with dozens of births could have.
The night stretched on—long, tense, endless. The hours seemed to drag on, and the clock ticked away each minute as if mocking them. It was sixteen hours of labor until, finally, at eleven o'clock in the morning on November 1, 1984, the silence was broken by the loud, crystal-clear cry of a baby.
Aurora Hope Lupin-Black had come into the world screaming with all the strength of her tiny lungs.
Remus, exhausted, was pale as a ghost. Sweat stuck his hair to his forehead and his whole body trembled, but when he heard his daughter's first cry, something inside him lit up. Tears welled up without him being able to hold them back, and the sound that escaped his throat was half laughter, half sob.
When Magda placed the baby in his arms, Remus held his breath. That round, reddish face, her eyes still closed in slits, and her hair as dark as night—she was perfect.
Sirius, beside him, took one of his daughter's tiny hands. Her nails were almost transparent, and her skin was soft as silk. His chest seemed to open up completely.
“She's perfect, Remus,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “You've been so amazing, love. I love you. Thank you for giving me the most beautiful gift in the world.”
Remus cried even harder when he heard his husband, his tears mixing with sweat. He struggled to keep his eyes open—he wanted to keep looking at his daughter, at that little miracle who was now breathing in his arms.
“I love you, Sirius,” he managed to say between sobs. “I love you... and our daughter... and our Harry. You are everything to me.”
Sirius brought one hand to his face, trying to hold back his own tears, but failed miserably. He knelt beside the bed and kissed his husband's forehead tenderly.
“I need to tell the Longbottoms about Aurora,” he whispered, still unable to take his eyes off the girl. “Are you going to be okay?”
Remus just blinked slowly, exhaustion weighing heavily on him, but nodded.
As Sirius left the room, Magda approached, speaking in the gentle, practical voice of someone who knew exactly what was coming next.
I know you're exhausted, Remus, but Aurora is hungry. The first feeding is very important, remember? Do you remember what we talked about regarding breastfeeding?"
“Yes,” he replied, his voice hoarse but determined. “I want to do this.”
“Great. Hold the nipple like this to help her latch on.”
Carefully, Remus did as she instructed. Aurora sought out the breast and immediately began to suck with surprising strength. Remus made a small sound of pain, his lips tight. Magda smiled.
“It may hurt a little at first, but that's normal. See how she latched on right? She's feeding well.”
Remus looked at the midwife, then at his daughter—and the world seemed to stop. The baby's rosy cheeks moved in a steady rhythm, her little fingers curled up close to her face... and then, when she opened her eyes for the first time, he gasped.
“Oh... my love,” he murmured, his voice breaking. “Her eyes... they're green...”
Gently, he ran his fingertip over the girl's little head. Aurora stared at him with a calm, curious gaze, her eyes a deep, sweet green — the same green he saw every day in his son's face and in his own.
At that moment, Remus knew—without a shadow of a doubt—that this little being in his arms would be the center of his world forever.
Sirius returned to the room silently and stopped at the door, watching the two loves of his life.
Family had always been something he had wanted, and Remus had given him this priceless gift, just two days before his birthday. He could hardly believe his luck. His chest filled with an almost painful tenderness; he loved so much that it hurt.
Summoning the small magic camera, Sirius framed the scene before him. The click happened at the exact moment Remus looked up and smiled, a soft, sleepy smile, but full of sparkle. Sirius thought he had never seen him so radiant.
“Magda, can you take a picture for us?” he asked, handing the camera to the midwife. “I want to capture this moment. Frank and Alice are bringing Harry after three, so we can get some rest.”
He went to the bed, intending only to lean on it, but Remus had other plans.
“Lie down here beside me,” he asked in a low voice, hoarse with exhaustion. “I want to feel your warmth.”
Sirius hesitated, looking at him doubtfully.
“Please, Padfoot,” Remus insisted, with a tired smile. “You won't hurt me.”
Sirius chuckled softly and settled down next to his husband. Just as he leaned over to kiss his cheek, Magda took the photo: the two of them looking together at their daughter, still nestled against her mother's chest, both their expressions full of love and exhaustion.
~~~~~~~~
Three years had passed since that night when they lost their best friends. Since then, Sirius had always avoided celebrating his birthday; the date brought back difficult memories, and he said he didn't need parties. But this year, things were different. Aurora, who had come into the world three weeks earlier than expected, was born almost on Halloween and his birthday. Now, with her there, Sirius finally had a real reason to celebrate.
The house was full of life. Harry wouldn't leave his little sister's side, running his delicate little hands through her dark hair, making silly sounds and laughing whenever Aurora yawned or moved her little fingers.
“She's my little sister, Paddy!” he said, his chest puffed out with pride. “I have to take care of her and MooMoo!”
Remus, though still recovering, radiated a quiet happiness. He was exhausted, between feedings, diaper changes, and two restless children, he had barely slept in the last few nights, but every time he looked at them, he knew it was all worth it. Sirius, for his part, proved to be the most attentive partner in the world, and Remus's heart warmed just thinking about how much he loved him.
On that special morning, he decided to surprise him.
He ordered a cake by owl, orange with blackberry, Sirius's favorite flavor, and dressed Aurora in the little red and gold dress that Alice had sent shortly after her birth. Then he helped Harry choose his outfit: cute gold shorts and a red crew neck T-shirt, matching his gold snitch sneakers.
Sirius, who insisted on not letting him exert himself, had gone out to take care of something at the Gringotts Research Department. It was the perfect opportunity. Remus organized a small, simple celebration, but one full of affection.
When Sirius opened the door, he stood still.
The room was decorated with red and gold ribbons and balloons, the colors of Gryffindor. Harry jumped with excitement in the middle of the room, his face lit up with laughter. Aurora was in Remus's arms, wearing a little dress with a full skirt and her eyes wide with wonder, and even her husband had dressed up—he was wearing his old Quidditch team uniform, the one Sirius always said he loved to see him wear.
His heart tightened. For a moment, Sirius thought he was going to cry. He had everything he had ever dreamed of: the man of his life and two perfect children, the family that the world had once denied him.
“Happy birthday, Paddy!” Harry shouted, running and clinging to his godfather's legs.
Sirius let out a warm laugh, picking him up by the arms and lifting him into the air.
“Thank you, little one!” he said, covering the boy with kisses. “And look, isn't he the most beautiful boy in the world?”
While Harry laughed loudly, Remus approached with his awake daughter in his arms. Sirius bent down, kissed the baby's soft cheek, and smoothed a strand of hair.
“And you, huh, aren't you the most beautiful princess of all?” he whispered, his eyes misty.
Remus smiled, tired but happy.
Sirius looked up at him, his heart overflowing with love, and kissed him deeply.
“Thank you for giving me the best gift ever, love.”