Chapter 2
Where’s the baby? Orion had to wake up at least five times a night to make sure his son was sleeping safe and sound in his cot. He’d take his place sitting by the crib, just keeping an eye out. Every creek and sound set him on edge. Nobody could take Sirius away- it was like Orion already knew how it would make him feel.
On the fateful day he was removed from his home and forced into the Cathedral, he thought his life was over and pointless to continue on with. But now it doesn’t seem as such. Not now little Sirius was here.
They’d named him after the brightest star in the sky. Sentimental and sappy and ancestral.
Walburga had left things to the nanny. Not surprising and entirely her choice. The little boy often wailed for his parents and the immense expanse of staff couldn’t quite cut it.
Unfortunately for Orion, the constant and persistent tremor in his dominant hand meant that with Sirius’ steady weight gain Orion didn’t dare to pick him up anymore.
Pacing, racing, tapping- what had happened? Why can’t he remember? What happened the day before his wedding?
The tremors had started on the morning the vows were made. A sight for sore eyes. 5’11, disgustingly thin to match being as pale as a sheet and shaking like branches in the wind. His eyes had opened and a heavy melancholy was upon him. This was magically induced- this amnesia… must’ve been obliviation. The stress! Oh heavens, the stress- his hand quivered like nobody’s business.
If it was important, surely he’d have some recollection? He can’t have cared much if he was content enough to ignore it.
But what was most troubling wasn’t ‘what?’, it was “who?”
Who placed this horrible curse- why did his heart tug with familiarity and anguish upon Sirius’ docile face?
“Oh so what? You’ve got the shakes! Pick your son up, he’ll be fine. You’re overthinking.” Huffing as she made her way into the nursery, Walburga critiqued.
“I’m terribly worried I could hurt him. I never want that.” His eyes softened, a silent apology that he couldn’t provide the comfort that his boy needed.
“Stop that incessant whinging, you pathetic trembling man!” Ever since Sirius’ birth a dial had switched and the temper rose, an inferno hovering above her head.
A slither of a whisper, “How about you try it for once…” he turned his head back round to his childhood friend and relative, “Yes dear!” He tickled Sirius’ belly- the baby shrieked and wailed. It’s safe to assume that Orion took the hint almost immediately and glanced sadly over to Walburga.