"Every child begins the world again." — Henry David Thoreau
James's POV
After the brief encounter with the entity or presence—or maybe God—I felt myself fading, just like I did when the remote hit me. People tend to fear death so much that they cling to the illusion of whatever comes after. But I knew exactly what comes after my death. Before life and after death, no one speaks about what is in between. Void. Absolute void.
I drifted for a very long time; I lost all sense of time, space, and even myself. It was not torture, but simply like the relief of holding dear to something for a very long time and finally letting go. I accounted for my encounter with the presence as an illusion and accepted my reality. Until I sensed a speck of light in the dark void.
The force pulling me out towards the light shoved me into the brightness until I heard voices around me. I felt myself being lifted by two giant, chubby hands and getting manhandled. I opened my eyes with difficulty, but everything was blurry. The hands held me upside down by my legs and spanked me hard. I started to cry, even if I did not want to. I felt it was a primal instinct of mine.
What in the seven hells was that?
"Congratulations, Madam, it is a boy, and he is healthy!"
I could feel the enthusiasm of the person speaking, and I adjusted my vision to focus on the voice. I saw a huge nurse holding me wrapped like a burrito.
I am too tired for this.
Thinking about my experience, I started to sleep again. I drifted into my sleep and remembered the pact with the entity. It was not a pact but a sort of arrangement between my grandmother and that entity.
Grandma…
"WHERE IS MY GRANDSON?"
A rough voice startled me from my sleep. I looked towards the voice in annoyance and saw a ghost. I started to cry embarrassedly.
Damn baby reflexes.
A moment later, the conversation led to my name.
"Regulus Arcturus Black."
Listening to my name, my eyes opened wide and I babbled in baby noises.
F*ck me sideways.
I started to cry again. The first words Regulus ever uttered in this world.
The nurse excused herself at some point with the reason that she had work. But clearly, she went away from this weird family, especially the grandfather of the newborn. Sirius looked at the baby curiously after its cry and tried to appease it by pinching his nose. The crying baby stopped crying and looked at his brother weirdly.
No wonder you end up in Azkaban, you little menace
The curse came out as a series of baby noises again, and the couple reprimanded Sirius.
The event turned into a joyous occasion, and they were clear to go home. The troupe of Arcturus, Cygnus, Walburga, Orion, Sirius, and the newborn Regulus moved towards the exit of the hospital. The looks they received were full of reverence and fear. No shenanigans were happening in the room like a while ago. They moved like robots, without emotion and fuss. The wizards and witches in the corridor unconsciously made way for the group.
Reaching the exit of the hospital, there awaited a carriage, decorated with golden linings and the Black family crest on the doors. The group entered the wagon and settled down. Undoubtedly, it was the result of an Extension Charm that made the group settle more comfortably. Walburga, now lying on the bed inside with her newborn baby, felt that the carriage started to move. There was no bumpy ride.
She looked at the baby, and the baby looked at her.
He does look like Sirius and Orion mixed together.
"My son, born in the Black family with the purest of blood."
These were the first words to Regulus from his mother.
The carriage appeared at 12 Grimmauld Place, and everyone got off. They were welcomed by Druella Black (née Rosier), wife of Cygnus Black. She looked at the baby, swooped him into her arms, and started playing with him.
Arcturus grunted in dissatisfaction. "Is that how you were raised, Druella? Making the family wait while you play with the baby?"
Druella shivered unconsciously and apologized for her misdemeanor. She held the baby and led everyone inside. The baby babbled something only he knew. Probably like, You are an unbelievable old man.
Entering the dark corridor of the home, there were many jewel-embossed lamps. They spectacularly failed the purpose for which they were created. Even if they were lit, they still made the room appear dark.
Sitting inside the living room were Melania Black (née Macmillan), Bellatrix Black, Andromeda Black, and Narcissa Black. Upon seeing the group appear, they all stood up except for Narcissa, who was clearly six years old. Seeing everyone stand, she blinked for a minute cutely and stood up like the rest.
"What did you do at the hospital that took you so long to deliver my grandson, you old fool!" said the aged old woman in a screeching voice. The baby winced upon hearing the voice.
"Melania, the discharge process consumed most of the time. Walburga has to rest before we come home," Arcturus replied with a soft tone that no one could believe belonged to the same rough man's voice.
In an attempt to appease the anger of his wife, Arcturus quickly snatched the baby from Druella's hand and shoved it into his wife's hand. It worked very well. Her face changed from anger to delight upon seeing the baby.
"HAHAHA… He is indeed the Gemino of my son Orion. What did you name him?"
"Mom, he is called Regulus Black."
Knowing his mother too well, he did not pronounce the full name to avoid her being angry again and fighting with his father, probably saying, "Do not utter the old fool's name with my grandson." He dodged a bullet there.
Walburga, still weak, wanted to rest. But looking at the family occupying the living room, she did not say anything about rest.
"Mother, it is time to feed the baby," she said cleverly, in an attempt to be excused with her newborn son.
With Melania's reluctant acceptance, she started heading towards the room with her husband. But she heard the whispered voice of her mother-in-law.
"Did you see, Arcturus? She does not want me to hold the baby."
She wanted to explain, but Orion grabbed her hand and shook his head. They closed the door with a heavy heart. Seeing all this, Regulus was helpless about how his mother was treated here.