Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: I'd like to thank my beta readers: Cara Hicks, Ama, Lanski author of "A New Ghost" on The Dark Arts and Maria 1314. I wanted to elicit a little more feedback on this chapter before releasing it for your consumption. I figured after reading childbirth scenes in "The Red Tent," "Pope Joan," and "The Burning Times" that I could also give the subject matter a go of it. Mine of course, has my own distinctive take on the matter. Enjoy!
Rating: R - for adult themes and sexual intimacy
Chapter Fourteen - Labour of Love
"You're pr-pregnant?" Harry stuttered.
"Yesss," Professor Figg said nodding.
"How?" He shook his head vigorously, "I mean, I know how, but…"
She laughed, "Did you think I was too old?"
"Uh, yeah. NO! I mean, you don't look that old, but…"
"I am old enough to be your mother," she said smiling.
"Uh huh." Harry started feeling really stupid. As if nothing he said would be able to get him out of the hole he was digging. Then he realized what he should have said at the beginning. "Oh, umm, congratulations."
"Thank you. To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure if I could get pregnant. When Sirius came back in my life, I knew that this would probably be my last chance to be a mother. That's why I stopped taking the aging potion. I wanted my ovaries to adjust to being back in a forty-four year old woman's body. Sort of like when Muggle women go off The Pill. It takes a few months to get back to normal. Of course, they don't have the potion-making skills that I do. And when I went back to help him with the 'Nadine problem,' I wound up conceiving. I would have liked my due date to have been later, you know after school got out, but there are just some things you have no control over. This is one of them."
"Is that why you didn't want to use the Polyjuice Potion?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I don't know what impact it would have on my pregnancy, but I didn't want to take any chances. That's also why I wouldn't use the Floo Network. I was afraid it might cause a miscarriage."
"Does Dumbledore know?"
"Yes, I told him a few weeks ago. He was very happy for me, but he was also a little disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Harry said sounding surprised.
"Yes," she said laughing. "He thought he had finally found a teacher for this position that would last more than one year!"
Harry joined her in laughing. "At least you didn't turn out to be a Death Eater in disguise."
"Yes, I don't know who he'll get next year, but I plan on raising my child in a nice quiet neighbourhood in Little Whinging, at least for the next two years or so."
"So how did you want me to help?" Harry asked.
"I want you to be there at the birth. A birthing mother has many needs and it is more than a single midwife can handle. When the time comes, I will also need you to bring Hermione with you. I want her to tend to my personal needs. I want you to be there for Sirius, just in case he needs any help."
"He's going to be there?" he asked excitedly.
"Yes, he wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Can I tell Hermione ahead of time or should I just wait until that day and bring her with me?"
"You can tell her now, just be sure that you're alone and that no one else hears you. Also, of course you can't tell her anything about Sirius. Remember, you won't have met him before and his name will be Joseph O'Brien."
"I understand. I'm a little nervous though. I've never seen anything being born before," Harry said worriedly.
"Then you're in for a real eye-opener," she said. "Would you like to feel the baby move?"
Harry wasn't sure about this, but didn't want to insult her. "Sure," he said as he stuck out his hand.
She placed it on her belly and Harry felt the quick movement as the heel of the baby jerked.
"Whoa!" he said smiling.
*
Ron and Hermione were very curious why Professor Figg wanted Harry to stay after class. They started pumping him for information as soon as he sat down for dinner.
"Umm, Harry what did Figg want to talk with you about?" Ron sniffed. "Was it about Mrs. Norris? I haven't seen that mangy cat around the castle for a couple of weeks now."
"Er, no," Harry blinked.
"Well, what was it then?" Hermione asked licking her lips.
"Umm," Harry stammered. He couldn't tell Ron the truth. He considered saying something like Figg wanted to wish him well on the expulsion hearings, but he knew that he would get him into trouble with Hermione. She had already reprimanded him for telling lies, so he started feeling a little stuck as to how to answer Ron.
"I can't tell you," said Harry shaking his head.
Hermione looked a little disappointed, but nodded her head. Ron closed his eyes and looked as if he were trying to concentrate hard. Harry then felt as if someone were trying to pick his brain. "STOP THAT!" he screamed in his mind. Ron's eyes flew open and he quickly bowed his head.
As they were finishing their meal, Harry asked Hermione to take a walk with him around the lake.
"I need to tell you something."
"Sure Harry," she agreed.
Ron gave them a suspicious look as they left the Great Hall. Harry waited until they were far away from the castle until he would tell her anything.
"Professor Figg needs our help," he said.
"With what?" she asked.
Harry smiled at her, "She's pregnant and due any day. She wants us to help her when she goes into labour."
Hermione's jaw dropped, "You're kidding me!"
"No, it's true."
"Why does she want us to help her?"
"Umm, maybe she likes us?" Harry suggested. "She wanted someone she trusted to help her and uh, we are pretty well known around here."
"Did she want me to act as a doula for her?" Hermione asked.
"What's a doula?" he asked.
"A birth attendant."
"Uh, yeah, that's what she needs. Have you ever seen anything being born before?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I've seen lots of kittens being born over the years and I also was at my cousin's birth a couple summers ago. She had a home birth."
"Well, then you'll be all set. I'm a bit nervous though," Harry admitted.
"You'll be fine. You've duelled with Voldemort, you can survive seeing a baby being born," she said laughing. "Did she say where she was going to give birth?"
"No, but I think probably somewhere around here."
"So you don't think it'll be at St. Mungo's?" she asked.
"Uh, no I don't think so," he said. Especially not when there are Death Eaters working there, he thought to himself. "She did mention a midwife, but not Madam Pomfrey so I don't even know if it'll be in the hospital wing."
"Did she say who the father was?" Hermione asked.
"Uhh, I didn't ask," offered Harry. Technically that was true, he didn't ask because he already knew.
"Do you think it might be Snape?" she asked.
"No!" Harry said quickly with a horrified expression on his face. He shuddered at the thought.
"You sound pretty confident about that."
"Well, um, I don't think Snape is her type," Harry said.
"Who do you think it is?" Hermione pressed.
"I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable talking about our teachers' sex lives," he said blushing.
*
Ron woke up with a start. This time he hadn't screamed. He looked around the room and got his bearings. It was Monday and it was still before dawn, but he had to wake Harry. This premonition dealt with him. He crept out of his bed and gently shook his sleeping friend.
"Harry, wake up," he whispered.
"Wha - what's going on?" Harry mumbled.
"I have to tell you something. Come on, get up," Ron said as he handed Harry his glasses and bathrobe.
Harry clambered out of bed and stumbled down the stairs. As they reached the common room, he was somewhat coherent.
"What's going on Ron?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
"I had another dream. This time it was about you," Ron looked at Harry with a mixture of worry and suspicion. "Harry, what are you hiding from me?"
"There are so many things I want to tell you about," Harry said solemnly.
"Well, something is about to be revealed. It poses danger. There will be great trial and tribulation as well as betrayal. I want you to tell me what's going on. I can't help you otherwise," Ron said with determination.
"Ron, I've been sworn to secrecy. I wish I could tell you, but…" Harry shook his head sadly.
"Fine," Ron spat. "Consider yourself warned."
*
That morning at breakfast a tawny owl dropped a letter in front of Harry.
Harry,
It's time. Bring Hermione to Hagrid's hut. Don't worry about missing your classes.
AF
Hermione looked up at Harry. "Is that…" she started.
"Yup," he nodded. "It's time to go. Ron, we'll see you later."
"Where are you two going?" Ron asked.
"Can't say," Harry replied before taking a final swig of pumpkin juice.
"Remember what I warned you about earlier," Ron said with an angry edge to his voice.
Harry nodded as he left the table. Ron's vision was weighing heavily on Harry's mind. As he and Hermione walked across the grounds he felt as if they were going out of bounds rather than merely taking the familiar path to a friend's house.
Harry knocked on the door.
"There yeh are," said Hagrid. "Hermione, she needs yeh ta go ter the gardens and gather some fresh lavender. Here's some shears ter cut it with."
She nodded, took the shears and immediately started for the gardens behind the greenhouses.
"What can I do?" asked Harry.
"Stay with her. I need ter go fetch the midwife."
Hagrid left and now Harry was alone in the hut with Professor Figg. He saw her lying on her side on the bed. She was wearing only a thin nightgown and was breathing slowly and deeply. He cautiously walked over to her.
"Umm, hello, Professor Figg. Can I do anything for you?" he said pushing up his glasses.
She continued taking a few deep breaths and then opened her eyes to him.
"Harry I need you to knead my lower back. It's in spasms," she said grimacing.
She rolled over with great effort and turned her back to him. Harry awkwardly put his hands on her back and started to rub. He could feel the knotted muscles in her back and tried to relax them, but he seemed pretty inept.
"Professor, you didn't use our signal."
"So Harry," she said sounding irritated, "I'm a bit tired for all of that right now. And believe me - no one is going to Polyjuice into a woman in active labour. A little lower, lower…that's it. Keep rubbing." She started breathing deeply again.
Harry felt a little sheepish for having questioned her identity at such a sensitive time. He also knew that he had to bring up Ron's vision with her before Hermione returned. He took a deep breath and then plunged forward.
"Er, Professor, there's something I have to tell you. Ron had a premonition this morning. He said that something was about to be revealed and that it posed danger. There will be great trial and tribulation as well as betrayal."
As her contraction ebbed, so did her deep breathing. She looked up at Harry, "Secret to be revealed? Yup, I'm giving birth! I used Disillusionment charms to help hide my pregnancy, I can't do that with a newborn."
"Well what about the trial and tribulation?" he asked.
"That's called being in labour."
"Betrayal?"
"My baby's facing the wrong way. So I've got back labour. That's close enough for betrayal for me. Thankfully it wasn't breach. Ugh, I need you to use your knuckles, not just your hands," she said through clenched teeth.
Harry tried his best to knead her tense back muscles.
"Lower, lower!" she barked. "Knuckle it, harder!"
"Maybe Sirius shouldn't come. He might be in danger," Harry urged.
"Harder!" She started another round of deep breathing. After about forty seconds or so, her eyelids fluttered open again. "He's on his way. He'd never miss this. Besides, I need him here."
"But Ron predicted Charlie's death the morning it happened. His powers of clairvoyance are becoming very strong. I'm worried and now that he had this vision this morning…" Harry said.
"What time did he have his vision?"
"About five this morning."
"That's about the time I went into active labour," she said breathing deeply. "He just saw my day."
At that point Harry realized that it wouldn't do him any good to argue with her. If Ron's prediction foresaw danger, there was nothing he could do about it now. It would be better for him to just see to his teacher's needs.
"Is anyone teaching your classes today?" Harry asked.
"Dumbledore," she said exhaling.
Hermione opened the door with her arms full of lavender. "I hope this is enough. It's not quite in bloom yet, but hopefully it'll work for you."
Professor Figg nodded weakly. "Bring that over here, crush some of it so I get a good whiff of it."
"Do you need me to charm the windows?" Hermione asked.
"No, I did that already," she replied.
Professor Figg started breathing deeply again as another wave of contractions took hold. The front door opened and Sirius Black entered. He looked strong, tall, handsome and confident as he strode across the cabin to Professor Figg's side. He knelt down, kissed her forehead and smoothed the hair from her face.
"Bella, how are ya?" he asked warmly.
"Hangin' in there, Joseph," she said with a strained smile.
Harry stuck out his hand toward Sirius, "Hello, I'm Harry Potter and this is Hermione Granger. We're students here."
"G'day, Harry, Hermione. I'm Joseph O'Brien. It's good to meetcha," Sirius said as he stood up and shook their hands.
Hermione gave a shy smile and brushed the hair out of her face. Harry was surprised to see her blushing slightly. The last time he had seen her act that way toward anyone was Gilderoy Lockhart. He felt a twinge of something like jealousy hit him, but then he felt relieved when he realized that she didn't seem to recognize Sirius through his disguise.
Sirius climbed into the bed next to his lover and started whispering in her ear. She nodded softly and seemed to relax immensely by his presence. He placed a hand on her swollen abdomen and kissed her neck. She moved his hand to the small of her back.
"I need you to knuckle it. I've got back labour," she said hissing.
He did as he was told all the while whispering in her ear. Hermione waved wands of lavender over the bed and soon Harry could smell the aromatic scent wafting through the room. She then sat down on the other side of the bed and started giving words of encouragement to Professor Figg.
A short while later Hagrid returned with the midwife. The midwife was a middle-aged witch who had a long braid of dark brown hair down her back. She looked like a warm, compassionate, but no-nonsense woman. Hagrid was carrying a large object draped under a piece of cloth. As they entered the hut, Professor Figg looked up and smiled weakly.
"Rebecca…" she said.
"Arabella, how are you doing?" Rebecca asked.
"Okay, my water broke at five this morning."
"Yes, well let me examine you," the midwife said as she set her black satchel on the floor.
Harry wasn't sure what that examination would entail, but he felt that he should give them some privacy and walked to the other side of the cabin. Hagrid removed the cloth and set down a large armchair with a hole cut in the seat. Sirius got out of the bed and walked over to Hagrid and stuck out his hand.
"You must be Hagrid. Arabella's told me all about ya. I'm Joseph O'Brien."
"Good to meet ya, Joseph," Hagrid replied shaking his hand.
"Very decent of ya to let Arabella use your place for this," Sirius said.
"It's nothin' but ah, I gotta get goin'. I got me classes to teach," Hagrid said as he left the hut.
"G'day Hagrid," Sirius said, "it was good to meetcha."
The midwife lowered the hem of Professor Figg's nightgown.
"Good, you're at about five and a half centimetres. You are progressing very well. Have you voided recently?" Rebecca asked her.
"No."
"Well maybe your partner can help you," Rebecca. "Excuse me, but what is your name?"
"Joseph O'Brien," Sirius replied.
"Hello Joseph, I'm Rebecca Nurse. Why don't you see if you can help get her to the loo. We need to keep her hydrated and also make sure she voids regularly."
Sirius started to help lift Professor Figg into a standing position. As she stood and took a step, a wave of contractions hit. This time it was more intense because she changed her breathing to short, shallow puffs of air. She would breathe that way for almost a minute and then stop. Each step she took caused another wave of contractions to hit her. She hung in his arms and tears started to flow down her face from the pain.
"Can't you give her something?" Harry asked the midwife.
"I'm sorry, your name is?" Rebecca replied.
"I'm Harry Potter and that is Hermione Granger," he answered.
"Oh, yes. You two did look a little familiar," she said stifling a smile. "Well Harry there are some herbs I give to labouring women, but generally only when they are very weak or in excruciating pain. But she's doing quite well. I don't want to give her anything that will numb her ability to control this birth. You grew up in the Muggle world didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Well there is the common perception by Muggle doctors, especially male doctors that childbirth is something that can be managed by modern medicine. Muggle hospitals tend to rob women of being fully able to own their birthing experience. Women are far too often given harsh induction drugs, numbed with painkillers, strapped down to monitors and IV poles, forced to lie flat on their backs and told not to move. Too many women wind up being sliced open because these practices cause the babies to go into fetal distress or it is decided that the women 'are failing to progress.' It wasn't too long ago that Muggle women were put in restraints during childbirth because those male doctors thought that if women moved their arms or legs that it would interfere with a 'sterile field,'" Rebecca said giving a hollow laugh. "You'll see that giving birth is an organic experience and not a sterile procedure. If these Muggle doctors allowed women the freedom to move about and to follow their body's instincts like billions of women that have come before since the beginning of time - we wouldn't have a fraction of those Caesareans."
"You don't seem to like male doctors," Harry observed.
"Not when it comes to treating women's childbirth and The Change," she said bitterly. "Men who have never even experienced simple menstrual cramps cannot possibly understand what it is like to give birth or to go through menopause. And for them to treat women as addle-minded children, well I have to restrain myself from throwing hexes at the lot of them."
"So you're not going to give her anything?" Harry asked again.
"No, she doesn't need it. Any drug I would give her now might interfere with her ability to respond to her own bodily instincts. She's doing fine."
Harry looked over at Professor Figg who had finally reached the door to the loo. She looked exhausted and in pain. Sirius was there and supporting her physically and emotionally. Harry had to admit that Professor Figg had been right, she did need him there.
As the day wore on, Harry noticed Professor Figg's demeanour change. She no longer spoke between the waves of contractions. Her eyes were closed the entire time and she seemed to be dreaming or hallucinating between her bouts of rapid breathing. Sirius continued to rub and knead her back and her thighs when she developed a cramp in a new set of muscles. After a few hours Sirius became exhausted and asked Hermione to spell him for a few minutes. Harry then was asked to massage Sirius's tired forearms and hands.
Rebecca examined Professor Figg again and said that it would probably be at least another two hours before the baby was born. She suggested that Harry and Hermione bring a late lunch back for everyone and some broth and ice chips for Professor Figg.
As Harry and Hermione crossed the grounds they passed by Hagrid's fifth year class for the Care of Magical Creatures. A class that they were supposed to be attending. He felt guilty to be seen walking around school and not in class. It didn't help matters to know that both Ron and Malfoy were staring at them with suspicious looks on their faces.
They went directly to the kitchens to get food from the house-elves. As they were waiting for the lunches to be packed up, Hermione turned to him.
"You were right Harry. Snape is not her type. That Joseph O'Brien is sure dreamy. But there's something about him…he reminds me of someone, but I can't quite put my finger on it," she said.
Harry was afraid she might figure out the truth, so he thought a little misdirection might help.
"Maybe an actor from the movies?" he suggested.
"Maybe, but somehow I think it's someone I know personally," she said racking her brains.
"How about an older version of Pierce Brosnan with a moustache? Or maybe Timothy Dalton?"
"Ohhh," she said dreamily. "I hadn't thought of them. Mmm."
Harry hoped that thinking of those two actors might distract Hermione's mind. He knew that his Aunt Petunia got the vapours with both Brosnan and Dalton and hoped that it might have the same effect on Hermione. He glanced at the faraway look in her eyes and thought that it might just have done the trick.
"Here are your meals," Dobby said as he handed them four bags worth of food.
"Thank you Dobby," Harry said.
"Anytime," the house-elf cheerfully replied, "and Miss Hermione, we are waiting for your orders."
"We can't move forward until Harry's legal troubles are over. After that's done we shall begin," she said smiling broadly.
"I haven't asked you about your house-elf project in awhile. How is it going?" Harry asked.
Hermione paused before they left the kitchens and smiled at him. "I finished their training about two months ago. Which was good because I needed to use that time on your legal defence. They are ready for the coming revolution. We just have to worry about the timing. I had originally wanted to do it on Juneteenth, but we had to postpone it because your verbal defence is on June 24th. I didn't want to start anything that might harm your situation with the Board of Governors."
"What's Juneteenth?" Harry asked.
"Oh, that's the day that Blacks in the States celebrate the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The news spread by word of mouth and there wasn't any particular day that the slaves found out about it, so June 19th was chosen to celebrate as Juneteeth a day of liberation," explained Hermione. "I just thought it would be a good symbolic day to use. Now, I'm leaning towards the Fourth of July to coincide with the start of the American Revolutionary War. I also took a page out of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's book," Hermione said smiling.
"Who's she?"
"She's one of the many important women in history that have been either lost or forgotten. She was an American woman and came with her husband on their honeymoon to London in 1840 to attend a world convention on the abolition of slavery. They were horrified to find that women were not allowed to participate and forced to sit separately in a balcony. She and Lucretia Mott vowed that they would do something about injustices towards women. Eight years later they organized the first convention ever held on women's rights in Seneca Falls, New York. Cady Stanton took Thomas Jefferson's text of the Declaration of Independence and altered the wording slightly to list the transgressions men had made against womankind. She called it the 'Declaration of Sentiments.' So I did the same thing in regards to the transgressions the Wizarding World has committed against the house-elves and came up with the 'Declaration of Liberation.' I'll be sending a copy to The Daily Prophet on July 4th."
"It's really going to happen isn't it?" Harry asked.
"Yep, the Wizarding World will never be the same," she said grinning as she pushed open the door to leave the kitchens.
"How do you know so much about American History?" Harry asked. "I don't even know that much about British History."
"I started reading up on the abolitionist and women's suffrage movement in the States last summer before we went travelling. I wanted to learn from the lessons of the past," she answered.
Harry marvelled at her dedication. This was more than just memorizing notes or studying for an exam. She had a sense of knowing how to tackle thorny problems or where to look for answers. She wasn't just clever, she was brilliant.
After they returned to Hagrid's hut they took turns eating and tending to Professor Figg. Several hours later the midwife announced that she was almost fully dilated and that the baby would be here soon. Professor Figg's hair was plastered to her head and her entire body was drenched with sweat.
"Arabella, it is time to go onto the birthing chair and I think you should dispense with modesty. Women naturally birth in the nude. It's more comfortable," Rebecca stated firmly. "And if you don't feel comfortable being naked while birthing in front of these people, you shouldn't have invited them to be here."
Professor Figg looked up at her, placed a hand about her neck and shook her head weakly. Rebecca looked at her with exasperation.
Harry was thankful for that. He hadn't wanted to see Professor Figg in the nude. Seeing her in the thin nightgown was revealing enough. He could see the breasts that Ron and the other boys had lusted over were now huge and resting heavily on her extended abdomen. Harry was reminded of the Venus of Willendorf that Hermione had gone on about a few months earlier. She had claimed that the small little figurine of a large figured female had been revered as a symbol of the Great Mother. All he saw when he looked at it was an abstract image of a really fat woman. As he looked at Professor Figg he was in awe of the sheer power emanating from her body. He could now imagine that people had worshipped birthing mothers.
"Harry, help me move Arabella onto the birthing chair," Sirius called.
They each put an arm behind her back and helped to lift her out of the bed. She was lowered onto the chair that Hagrid had brought. The midwife reached down and placed a large basin directly under the hole in the seat.
"What's that for?" asked Harry.
"To catch blood," Rebecca answered, "birthing can be a messy process."
"Is that where the baby will go?" he asked.
"No," she laughed. "Someone will catch the baby." She then turned to Sirius, "Joseph, would you like to catch your baby?"
His eyes grew wide, "Yes."
"Okay, let's see how she is doing," Rebecca said as she knelt down and examined her patient. "It's almost time. Hermione, please hand me the bottle of oil and those warm compresses over there."
Hermione retrieved the items that had been set out on a nearby table and gave them to the midwife. Rebecca took the bottle of oil and poured it over the warm damp cloth and then placed it between the legs of her patient.
"This is to help relax your perineum so that it will stretch. I never cut women if I can help it," Rebecca said. "If you feel the need to bear down, then go ahead and push."
Professor Figg seemed to be gathering strength. Her face contorted into a grimacing scowl that looked like a gorgon's head and she gave a loud grunt as she pushed.
"Yes, I can feel the crowning," Rebecca said warmly, "Joseph come here."
Sirius knelt beside the chair with his hands extended.
"And push!" Rebecca directed.
Professor Figg gripped the arms of the chair and gave another loud push. As she leaned forward her amulet swung out of the top of her nightgown. Harry looked up at Hermione. She was staring at the amulet hanging around Professor Figg's neck. She absentmindedly touched her locket and then met Harry's gaze. He knew the unspoken question that was in her eyes and shook his head slightly.
"The head is coming, it's almost out…and PUSH!"
Grrrrrrr.
Harry watched in amazement to see a baby's head emerge that was covered with thick black hair. Then came the shoulders.
"Another push should do it."
Grrrrrr.
And then came the baby's torso, then the legs and finally a long umbilical cord. Sirius had tears in his eyes as he cradled the small babe in his hands. He then carefully brought the baby up to his lover's chest.
"Hello there little one," she said gazing into her child's open eyes.
Sirius quickly moved to embrace Professor Figg from behind.
"I love you," he said kissing the top of her head.
Harry noticed that the umbilical cord was still pulsating. The two parents gazed at their child for nearly ten minutes in wonderment. Then Rebecca instructed Professor Figg to give another push. Out came the placenta.
"Good. Everything looks intact," Rebecca announced.
"I can't stand it any longer," said Hermione. "Is it a boy or girl?"
"Oh, that!" Professor Figg said absentmindedly as she looked between the baby's legs, "She's a girl."
"She's beautiful," said Sirius, "just like her mother."
Harry was looking at the small child and saw the beautiful blue eyes that were open wide and staring at everyone.
"Her fingers are so small," he said with a voice filled with amazement. "And look at her little fingernails."
Rebecca reached into her satchel and removed two clamps and placed them close together on the cord near the baby. She turned again to Sirius, "Would you like to cut the cord?"
He nodded in reply.
Harry fished into his pocket and removed the pocket-knife that Sirius had given him as a Christmas present. He handed it to his godfather.
"Use this," Harry said.
Sirius smiled as he recognized the knife, "Thanks Harry."
He cut the cord and Rebecca took the afterbirth and placed it into a bag. Professor Figg slowly stood and walked with great effort back to the bed.
"It's time I try feeding you, little one," she said as she placed the baby to a breast. Sirius climbed into the bed and his lover leaned back resting in his arms.
"Have you thought of a name for her?" asked Hermione.
"Yes. I was hoping for a daughter because I had the perfect name," Professor Figg replied. "I heard about the most incredible woman named Soraya Mire. (Sore-RYE-ahh Mere-RAY) She's a Somali filmmaker and is a crusader against the practice of female circumcision. She's very brave and very beautiful. I'd like to name our daughter Soraya. The name means shining star. The brightest shining star."
Sirius looked at her and his eyes were wet with tears. "That's perfect," he croaked.
Harry knew that Sirius was touched that she had found a way to honour his own heritage without being obvious.
"Arabella, did you have any plans for your placenta?" Rebecca asked.
"Yes, Hagrid has an apple tree ready to plant," Professor Figg replied. "I'm sure that Soraya would love to know when she comes to school here that a tree was planted on the day she was born. Harry, can you take the placenta and go find Hagrid? Classes should be over by now."
He nodded and took the large bag that held the afterbirth. As he opened the door he saw that Hagrid had been patiently sitting outside and whittling.
"So, is it a boy or a girl?" Hagrid asked.
"It's a girl," Harry announced proudly. "A beautiful baby girl. They named her Soraya."
"That's an unusual name," Hagrid said.
"Not as unusual as some of the names I've heard since I found out I was a wizard," Harry replied. "We're supposed to take this and plant a tree."
"Yes, Arabella had that all figgered out," Hagrid said as he stood. "Come on, it's over this way."
They walked over to a grove of fruit trees that was near Hagrid's hut. After they dug a hole and planted the apple tree, Harry realized that he was getting really hungry. His stomach was growling. It had been hours since they had eaten and now he was famished. In the last year, he had noticed that his appetite for food had grown dramatically. He could put away nearly twice as much food had he had the previous year and still not gain any real weight. As he returned inside the cabin, Harry saw that Professor Figg had gotten dressed and looked relaxed and at peace. Hagrid went over and started to coo at the little baby.
"We should think about what you'd like to eat. New mothers tend to feast after giving birth," Rebecca said. "After all, you should have worked up an appetite with all that work you did today."
"Yes, I could eat a horse," Professor Figg agreed. "I think I'd like roast beef, mashed potatoes, lots of gravy, a salad, apple pie with vanilla ice cream…"
"Hermione, why don't you and Harry bring some of that back for everyone to share?" Rebecca asked.
"Sure," she said nodding.
A small tinny noise started coming from Sirius's shirt pocket. He withdrew a parchment and looked at it with a look of dread in his eyes. Sirius and Professor Figg exchanged a worried look.
"I'm sorry Arabella, I have to leave," he said as he gave her a kiss. Then he leaned down and kissed Soraya on the forehead. "I'll try to come and visit tomorrow."
Sirius said goodbye to everyone and left the house quickly. Harry started getting a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He was afraid that there was another attack back at Privet Drive. He looked at Professor Figg and knew from the look in her face that his fears were justified.
"Come on Harry, let's go to the kitchens," Hermione urged.
He nodded and they started walking across the lawn. They had gotten halfway to the castle when he started to feel a burning sensation on his chest. His amulet was heating up.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks. He scrambled to recall what Professor Figg had said last summer about the amulets. He remembered something about them being linked in spirit to a few others and that if someone was in mortal peril that they could activate it and the others would heat up. As the stone started to burn his skin he began running back to Hagrid's hut.
"Harry? Where are you going?" Hermione called after him.
He didn't answer. Harry ran as fast as he could to the hut and wrenched open the door. He looked at Professor Figg's distraught face and knew that his worst fears were realized. It had to be Sirius.
Hermione followed him and came panting into the hut, "Harry what's going on?"
Professor Figg was holding the amulet in her hand, "Touch it Harry, then close your eyes and listen carefully."
As Harry held the amulet in his hands, he found that it no longer burned, but was still uncomfortably warm. He could also see through Sirius's eyes. Sirius had been immobilized and was being taken forcibly off the path to Hogsmeade and was being brought into the Forbidden Forest by Pettigrew, Bode, Croaker and Macnair.
Then Harry heard the voice of Dumbledore, "Remus, Fletcher, you must both remain at the Zone and provide security there. Harry, go get your broomstick and Invisibility Cloak and meet Professor Snape at the gate leading to Hogsmeade. Under no circumstances are you to attempt to rescue Sirius by yourself. Severus, you and Harry will fly about the forest doing reconnaissance until you come up with a plan of attack. There may be more Death Eaters lying in wait or that might join them soon. Be certain before you act. And Harry, know that this is a trap. Their intention is to see all three of you dead. Make no bargains or trades with them, because it would be meaningless."
Harry opened his eyes and looked at Professor Figg who was feeding her daughter.
"Do what you can to bring him back to me," she said solemnly. "But don't take any unnecessary risks. Your life is more important than his in the grand scheme of things."
Harry nodded and then ran for Gryffindor Tower to retrieve his broomstick and Invisibility Cloak. It was times like this that he wished he didn't always lock his trunk. He would have rather tried a summoning charm to get those items to fly to him through the warm Spring air.
He ran pell-mell through the castle until he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Lavender and Parvati had just given the password and were about to climb through the portrait hole when Harry barged in front of them knocking books out of their hands.
"Sorry," he called after himself.
Harry dashed through the common room and ran up the stairs three at a time. He quickly unlocked his trunk, threw open the lid and grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and Firebolt. He was just about to leave when he saw Ron with his arms crossed and blocking the doorway.
"Where have you been Harry?" he demanded.
"I can't talk now Ron," Harry said as he tried to get around him. "I gotta go."
"Go where?"
"Ron if you don't move I'm going to hex you. I'll tell you later, but I have to go now."
"Harry, remember the vision I had? It's coming true, right now," Ron said warningly. "Let me help you."
"You can't. Now, MOVE." Harry said.
Ron remained steadfast in the doorway and Harry wound up pushing him to the side. He ran down the stairs, across the common room and out the portrait hole. He ran through the castle and as soon as he was outside he mounted his broom and flew to the gates to Hogsmeade. Snape was waiting there for him.
"Okay, now what?" asked Harry.
"We need to find where Black is being held and figure out a way to get him loose," Snape said. "Albus suggested that we fly and use your Invisibility Cloak to help give us the element of surprise. Since you're familiar with your broomstick, I suggest that you fly and I'll hold onto you and the Cloak."
Harry swallowed hard. He was going to be flying with Snape on his back. He had never flown with anyone on his broomstick before, but he never envisioned having his least favourite teacher being his first passenger.
Harry moved up further on the broomstick and Snape swung one leg over the handle. Snape took the Invisibility Cloak and threw it over their heads. He held it with one hand and had another arm firmly around Harry's waist.
"All right, Potter. Let's see how well you can fly this thing," Snape said.
Harry kicked off the ground hard and found that it was more difficult to fly with the added weight, but it still was far better than the old school brooms that were used for flying lessons.
As they were flying over the forest Harry watched the sun's rays getting longer. Instinctively he was heading in a north-easterly direction. He was being drawn to something.
"Potter, you must realize that they will want to take you prisoner. That he'll want to kill you himself. Same with me, but I'll be tortured slowly. Black they'll just kill outright. That is once they've gotten hold of you."
"So what do we do?" Harry asked.
"We find where they are and we figure out a plan. So far we know we will be facing four enemies. Two against one. We can overcome that, but I'm hoping it won't be more. They won't know about the amulets, so they'll be setting their trap now. They have Black as bait and will be sending a message to you in order to lure you to save him. If you see a messenger owl coming towards you, we must destroy it. We cannot allow it to return to them."
Killing owls. Harry never thought he'd kill an owl, but he understood that if an owl found him while they were flying above the forest it would return immediately to Wormtail. This would give them notice that Harry was nearby.
"We also cannot kill them," Snape continued.
"I thought you just said we'd have to destroy an owl," Harry said perplexed.
"I meant our enemies. We cannot kill them. We'd be put in Azkaban for that. We have to subdue them and bring them back. Do you know how cast the Stupefy hex?" Snape asked.
"I used it once during the third task last year," Harry said. "That was when Krum was under the Imperius curse and was casting the Cruciatus curse on Cedric. I knocked Krum out, but when I tried using the Stupefy hex on an Acromantula it didn't work."
"I wouldn't use it then," Snape answered. "Use only what you know. Use only what you're good at. Don't try anything new or something you're not confident in, because if it doesn't work you could die."
The amulet started warming up again and Harry decided to hover for a moment. He took one hand off the broomstick and held the amulet and closed his eyes. He could now hear Pettigrew's voice.
"Padfoot, my old friend. How different you look from the last time we talked. You had looked thin, dirty and bedraggled. Now you're fit, handsome and dare I say it, older. My, my, my, if I hadn't seen your form last Christmas with Moony, I don't know that I would have recognized you today. Ahhh, but we were tipped off that something strange was happening at school today. Arabella Figg not teaching her classes and the famous Harry Potter cutting classes as well. I was hoping that somehow it would involve you, because I know we'll be able to get that cursed brat to come try and rescue your miserable hide."
Wormtail was walking past a cage that held Sirius inside bound and gagged. There were also two smaller empty cages that looked like they were for owls.
"Yes, I am enjoying having you as a prisoner. Did you ever realize that I resented you at school? You were the darling of everyone. Brave, handsome, smart and athletic. Every girl wanted you and you knew it. No one wanted poor Peter. You didn't even want to include me in the Marauders gang. James had to talk you into it, because he said it wouldn't be fair to leave me isolated and alone. Did you think I didn't know about that? You would have shunned me if it wasn't for James…I know that look in your eyes, Padfoot, but I had no choice in the matter. The Master wanted to see them dead. I could not disobey a direct order from him. And tonight I shall be rewarded for bringing that dratted boy back to him. He's decided that he won't use magic this time to kill him. A simple beheading will suffice. Of course, you won't live long enough to see it. And if we're lucky maybe Moony will also come to join in the festivities. I have something special planned just for him."
Wormtail looked fondly at his silver hand and then flexed his fingers menacingly.
Harry dropped his amulet and took a deep breath. He thought of how he had predicted his own death by decapitation the year before in Divination class and he shuddered.
"Potter, what did you hear?" asked Snape.
"Pettigrew was talking to Sirius. They plan on taking me back to Voldemort and chopping my head off. Once they have me, they're going to kill Sirius."
They began flying again over the forest and as Harry looked down he knew they passed the lair of the Acromantulas. He was hoping he would never have to see them again. He also saw some of the centaurs and wished somehow that they might intervene on his behalf. An eagle owl flying parallel to him was holding a message in its claws. Snape pointed his wand and called out "Obliviate!"
The spell hit the large bird directly in the head. The owl dropped the letter and cocked its head. It then began looking down on the floor of the forest for prey.
"Good," Snape said, "they won't know we're already on our way."
"I thought you were going to kill the owl," Harry said.
"I changed my mind. I decided we didn't need to kill the messenger. That owl will never return to its master. It's now a free bird that will never be useful for wizards again," Snape said. "Potter, do you have any idea of what you plan on doing when we get there?"
"Not really. I know the disarming charm and quite a few hexes. I'll do my best to incapacitate them and you can then disable them."
"We will have to split up," Snape said. "They'll be expecting you, but they won't know about me. I suggest that we keep that element of surprise by letting me use the Invisibility Cloak after we separate."
"Okay," Harry said quietly.
They were now coming to a small clearing in the treetops. Harry could see Sirius being held in the cage far below them. He flew around the area and found where Bode, Croaker and Macnair were hiding behind trees and large stones. They all had their wands extended waiting for something to happen.
"Where's the fourth one?" Snape asked.
Harry was scanning around for Pettigrew and didn't see him anywhere. He then saw a glint of reflected light from the setting sun. The light was coming from a neighbouring tree. As he squinted he saw that it was from the silvery paw of a rat perched on a large branch. Wormtail was standing on his hind legs and sniffing the air.
Harry felt an ice cold rage wash over him. He wanted to take out that rat once and for all.
"I see the fourth man. He transformed into a rat. I'll take care of him," Harry whispered.
"Do you have a plan?" Snape asked.
"Yeah, I know exactly what I want to do."
Harry landed his broomstick silently near the base of the tree. He quickly transformed into his Animagus form and crawled up the trunk. He climbed up higher in the tree than where Wormtail was stationed. Harry dropped down from a higher branch and slowly advanced behind his prey and hissed an incantation. The rat turned around just in time to see the enormous jaws of the snake become unhinged and devour him whole. The lump was slowly migrating its way down the throat of the snake. Harry was actively willing it to move further down his body until it was in his stomach. He didn't want to transform back into his human form and have a rat lodged in his esophagus.
After fully swallowing the rat into his stomach, Harry crawled down the trunk of the tree and snuck behind a tree in direct line with Bode. He transformed back into his human form and he was thankful that he didn't experience any pain except for a strange sensation in his stomach.
Snape had been flying unseen overhead and roared, "Stupefy!"
Croaker keeled over hitting the floor of the forest with a loud thud. Macnair and Bode started hurling hexes in the direction of where they heard Snape's voice.
Harry looked at the floor of the forest and saw that it was covered in pine needles. He waved his wand and transformed the pine needles into sewing needles and then did a banishing charm to send them flying into Bode's face and eyes. Bode gave a bloodcurdling scream as the needles pierced his eyes and blood cascaded down his face. Harry waved his wand again to return the objects to their original form. This caused the man to scream further as dirt and mold stung the open wounds. Bode fell to his knees with his hands desperately clawing at his eyes.
Harry turned as he heard the sound of heavy wings beating. He flattened himself against the tree and saw Buckbeak flying towards the clearing. Macnair stood there frozen with fear. As Buckbeak hit the ground it pounded its powerful back legs and charged Macnair. A high-pitched screech cut through the air and sent chills up and down Harry's spine. Macnair raised his wand against Buckbeak just as the hippogriff descended upon him. Another human scream was heard as Harry heard the sickening sound of bones crushing. Buckbeak then turned around and drew its back leg up to deliver a deathblow to the skull of the fallen man.
"STOP!" yelled Harry.
The hippogriff held its leg in the air and blinked one orange eye at him.
"Don't kill him, please Buckbeak," Harry pleaded.
His pleas were listened to as the majestic creature slowly lowered its leg and walked away from the bloodied man lying on the floor of the forest. Snape had taken off the Invisibility Cloak and had disarmed all three of the men and retrieved Sirius's wand. He conjured ropes around Bode and Croaker and handcuffs for Macnair. Stretchers were conjured next to carry all the prisoners back to the castle.
Harry went over to the cage, used an unlocking charm to open it and untied his godfather. Sirius was breathing heavily. Buckbeak then came over to Sirius's side to be petted.
"Thanks pal," he said as he stroked its feathers.
Sirius turned to his godson, "What happened with Pettigrew?"
"I took care of him," Harry said ominously. "He won't hurt anyone else ever again."
"Thank you Harry," Sirius then swallowed hard, "And thank you Severus."
Snape nodded curtly, "We need to get them back to Hogwarts. Especially Macnair. Pomfrey's going to have to look at him immediately. And Bode might never see again."
"I didn't kill him," Harry stated. "I just incapacitated him, like I said I would."
"That's an understatement," Snape replied. "But what about Pettigrew?"
"You can't kill someone that's already been declared dead," Harry said flatly.
"Come on Black, here's your wand," Snape said throwing it to him. "Help me take them back."
The threesome levitated the prisoners through the darkened forest until they finally arrived back at Hogwarts. Buckbeak cantered alongside of them leading the way. Harry was expecting when they arrived that they would simply take Macnair and Bode to the hospital wing while Croaker would go to Dumbledore's office. He thought that Dumbledore would be the one to decide what next to do. He did not expect to see the school grounds swarming with officials from the Ministry of Magic.
"There they are," Fudge announced with his eyes glittering malevolently. "Arrest them."
Officers from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad stepped forward and placed handcuffs on Harry, Snape and Sirius.
**
End notes: In case anyone wondered, this chapter was based largely on my own childbirth experience. Ama wanted me to make Arabella's delivery easier by using magic to help ease the baby out. Nope, that was not something I wanted to do. If I could go through a twelve-hour labour with no drugs, then so could Arabella. Childbirth is such a magical experience to begin with that to add spells or enchantments would seem to gild the lily. I did make her delivery easier than mine was, so I spared some of the gory details. Be thankful for that. Be very thankful. And as strange as it may seem, my husband and I were so enthralled with looking at this new little face that we didn't check between the legs for about ten minutes to see the sex until someone asked.
So for all of my male readers out there in case you weren't sure about this fact, it ain't easy being pregnant or givin' birth. Please don't impregnate any woman unless you actively want a small child running up to you some day saying, "Daddddy!" And above all: Revere Your Mother.
I also wanted to say a few words about Soraya Mire. She is by far the bravest and most beautiful woman I have ever met. I am fortunate enough to be able to call her my friend. When I was trying to think of the perfect name for Sirius and Arabella's daughter I remembered the meaning of Soraya's name. After that, I knew that I had found the name I had been searching for. Not only would I name the child after an incredible woman, but it would also reflect the astronomical theme that is inherent in Sirius's name. I also feel pretty confident in thinking that no other fanfic writer has ever used the name Soraya for any character. If you ever get the chance to see Soraya Mire's critically acclaimed documentary film, "Fire Eyes," do so. It is powerful.
And now, I'd like to thank those readers who posted reviews on my boards. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you to: Brandie, darkstar, Dream, HerioneGranger 4 ever, kinicky21, MostEvilKitten, NAPPA, NIGHTSTALKER, Thelvyn, and vagrantshadow. And yes, NIGHTSTALKER, you did call it correctly on the pregnancy part of the story, but you guessed wrong about which sex the baby was going to be! Of course it was a 50-50 shot. And as for the relationship between Harry and Soraya, I think you'd just have to say that it was his godfather's daughter. Not like second cousins once or twice removed or any such thing. (I have no idea how that stuff is supposed to work either.)
Stay tuned: Only three more chapters to go!