On the twenty-second of September, Harry, Andromeda Tonks, Susan and Susan's parents were in St Mungo's Hospital, waiting for Amelia to give birth. After waiting for two hours, the door opened and Elizabeth Greengrass, wearing her Healer's robes and looking slightly worn out beckoned them in.
"Everybody, I would like to introduce to you the newest member of our family," said Sirius, beaming with happiness. "Meet our son, Rigel Sirius Black, the new Heir Black."
Harry looked at the baby with a smile on his face. The baby was in Amelia's arms and he cuddled up to his mother, his hair turning from black to red.
"He's a Metamorphmagus!" exclaimed Susan in awe.
"It's a trait that is dominant in the Black family," explained Andromeda with a smile. "Dora started changing her hair colour when she was born too."
Harry looked at the baby fondly when Amelia cleared her throat. "We have also decided something else. Susan, Harry, will you both accept the honour of being Rigel's godparents?"
Susan squeaked in happiness as she nodded and Harry was quite stunned. "Of course, I would be honoured," said Harry with a small smile.
He pulled Sirius aside. "Can you set up the godfather ritual later on?" he asked quietly.
"Of course, Harry," said Sirius with a smile. "I did the same for you when you were born. It is quite simple, actually. Let the rest of them leave and we'll have it done."
About two hours later, the others had all left and Harry was holding the sleeping infant in his arms. The boy looked really adorable and Harry lightly tickled his cheek, making the infant smile in his sleep.
"I don't think I have ever seen anything so beautiful in my life," said Harry softly.
Amelia smiled. "Wait until you get to babysit him," she said teasingly.
Harry chuckled. Sirius gave him a slip of parchment which had the words of the oath and Harry took his oath as Rigel's godfather that he would do his duty to protect him and take care of him. After spending some more time there, he returned to Hogwarts with a smile on his face.
...
Things had smoothened out nicely after the incident in the Great Hall. Some of Dylan's classmates hesitantly decided to give him a chance and Harry was happy to see that they weren't actively shunning him anymore. The boy was also quite close to Astoria and the two of them seemed to spend time in the library doing homework or Astoria teaching him about pureblood culture. Of course, people were still calling him a bastard, but Dylan had learnt how to deal with that thanks to Astoria's help. If anyone called him that anymore, he would just raise his hand and showed them the Lestrange heir ring on his ring finger, signifying his position even if he was born out of wedlock. That was enough to shut most of them up. The rest couldn't be helped.
Harry had also been receiving funny looks from Neville Longbottom. He knew that it was only a matter of time before Neville realised the truth, so when the Gryffindor boy asked if they could talk privately, he had no reason not to oblige.
"Harry, what the hell is going on?" began Neville, his eyes wide with panic. "I-I was told that L-Lestrange was just like his father and that I should stay away from him. My gran said that it was a mistake to let him come to Hogwarts and that he will be just like R-Rabastan. But after observing him, h-he doesn't act like that at all!"
Harry sighed. "Look, Neville, I'm not blaming you for thinking that way. Your grandmother is too set in her ways and the incident with your parents has created a block against the name Lestrange. Her paranoia and anger at Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan have taken a new target. She has been quite outspoken in the Wizengamot about not allowing Dylan to come to Hogwarts. What she doesn't realise is that Dylan is not Rabastan! The poor boy didn't even know who his parents were until this summer. He was raised in a Muggle orphanage and trust me, living among Muggles when you are a wizard is not paradise. Your grandmother, in her anger at all things Lestrange, is targeting a child."
Looking at Neville, Harry continued. "Tell me, what would happen if the three of them broke out from Azkaban and found out that there is a half-blood who now wears the heir ring to their family? How do you think Bellatrix would react were she to realise that the heir of the Lestrange line to which she is the Lady of, is a bastard born out of wedlock? How do you think they would react were they to realise that he is the son of a Muggle-born?"
Neville swallowed. "He would be killed," he whispered.
"Exactly," said Harry calmly. "Your grandmother needs to stop blaming a child for the actions of his father. If I had done the same I would have bloody murdered Draco Malfoy already for his father's role in Daphne's petrification last term. But I didn't do that. I don't blame Draco for Lucius' crimes. Why does she not blame Narcissa? Isn't she the younger sister of Bellatrix? What about Crouch Senior for his son's role in the crime?"
"I get your point," said Neville. They stayed silent for ten minutes, looking at the beautiful Scottish scenery outside the Astronomy tower. "Do you think I can apologise to him?" he asked quietly.
Harry snorted. "Trust me, he will not hold it against you. He's too sweet for his own good. Daphne and Astoria actually think it's cute."
Neville snickered as they climbed down the stairs.
....
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