Unfortunately for Sirius things didn't improve any time soon. He didn't resent Remus, not really, or at least he tried not to anyway, but it was hard to suddenly go to playing second fiddle when you had been top dog. He had been the one to meet Greyback first after all, at least in the context of a relationship anyway, and he had always seemed to have a special bond with the alpha what with his preference for BDSM while Remus was a bit more vanilla. He had always thought that Greyback had preferred their sessions together, at least on occasion. He seemed to have been wrong however as Sirius hadn't been able to get his leg over in months. To say he was frustrated was an understatement.
"Here, Bells, you don't happen to know any crystals that are good for improving someone's sex drive," Sirius asked one afternoon while he was sat in the drawing room with what he referred to as the Lestranges quad. "I was wondering if I could put them around the room."
"Crystals don't quite work like that," Bella huffed.
"I'm surprised two werewolves can't keep up with you," Rodolphus chuckled, "or are you trying to tell me you're even worse than Bella."
"That's not the problem," Bella said, rolling her eyes. "Pregnancy can do funny things to a person's sex drive and its not uncommon for people to experience a drop, especially in the first trimester."
"Perhaps it might be a good idea to get you knocked up Bella," Rabastan smirked, "give us a bit of a break for a few months."
"Pregnancy can also increase a person's sex drive," Bella warned with a scowl, "especially in the second trimester."
"With the way Bella is, it would probably increase throughout," Barty chuckled.
"I wish it made a difference with Remus," Sirius pouted. "He's four and a half months along and there's been no hint of an increase. It's possible that's because things are a little delicate with him. Greyback is definitely in protective mode, he barely leaves Remus's sides, especially on the full moon. I'm not even going to bother going down to the colony anymore."
"Someone sounds jealous," Rodolphus smirked.
"I bloody am," Barty huffed. "I know our Bella would never dream of having a baby but I wouldn't mind it. I think I'd make a great mum."
"You'd spoil it bloody rotten," Bella snickered.
Rabastan cocked his head to the side in thought. "I suppose we could get away with it here. I mean I know old Crouch Senior always threatened to have the paternity of any child of Bella's checked because he always thought that Barty slept with her as well." Barty scoffed. "But that wouldn't be an issue if we're all hiding out here, especially if everyone actually thinks we're dead."
"Yes but unfortunately not all of us are born with the natural ability to bear children," Barty sighed.
"More's the pity," Sirius grumbled. "Part of me wishes it had been me that Dumbledore transformed instead of James."
"Not you as well," Bella huffed.
"Well I missed out on things with Harry," Sirius grouced. "I had hoped to be able to be a part of things with Remus's kid instead but it doesn't look like that will happen."
"I don't know why you're complaining anyway, Bella," Rabastan chuckled. "With all those high and mighty twats that used to have a go at you for not 'doing your duty' and having children. Imagine how fun it would be to be able to turn around and tell them you first."
"Admittedly the women used to be worse than the men," Bella said, "but it would be good to be able to tell the men they should put their bodies and, potentially their lives, on the line first."
"Their lives!" Sirius exclaimed.
Bella nodded. "Its getting rarer but there is still potential for something to go wrong and expectant mothers to die in, or even prior to the actual child birth. It's why having a baby should always be the decision of the one who has to carry it."
"It would still be good for the wizarding world if there was a way for wizards to have children as well as women," Rodolphus admitted. "Taking the pressure off may help increase the birth rate among women as well."
Severus, who had been quietly reading in the corner, suddenly stood up and walked out of the room.
"Did we say something to upset him?" Bella queried.
Sirius shrugged. "Who knows. He can still be a bit if a touchy bastard at times but he's generally gotten better since our school days. There's every chance he's just remembered about some potion he's got on the go."
Barty gaped at Sirius. "Wow! That is a turn around for you!"
"Well he's been good to Harry since we've been here. I worried that him and Tom would push Harry into something too quickly but apparently they're good at waiting for him to be ready plus its largely thanks to Snape that we're all here in the first place so its a bit difficult to keep thinking of him as a bastard."
"Bravo," Rodolphus snarked, giving Sirius a slow clap. Sirius stuck his finger up at the smug git but didn't add that one of the big reasons he didn't hate Severus as much any more was the fact that the snarky bastard was treating Harry better than Greyback was currently treating him so it was a little difficult to stay salty at the man.
Unfortunately, in the coming months, things didn't get better. The second trimester had been when things were supposed to settle down, after the pregnancy was more secure, but that hadn't been the case. He supposed it hadn't helped that when Link had performed the scans after the second month he had announced that one of the embryos hadn't made it to the 8 week mark. The healer had assured them that this was surprisingly common and that a number of women who had a scan at 12 weeks noticed this phenomenon, with the other embryo simply breaking down in the womb and getting absorbed, but it had been enough to put Greyback on edge and he had essentially treated Remus with kid gloves from then on.
Whatever Remus wanted he got, and Sirius understood the sentiment behind that mentality, with the idea that Remus knew his body best so naturally knew what was needed to help keep the baby safe and strong, but the problem for him was that Greyback seemed to continue that mentality even when Remus wasn't around. They had held off making an official announcement until after the third month when Link had told they were past the most treacherous stage but, with Remus's history, there was still a significant risk and so had insisted on monthly check ups to monitor the growth of the foetus.
Unfortunately, for the month while they were waiting to make the announcement, they had to carry on as normal and Greyback had been on tenterhooks the entire time, worrying that a stray spell might accidentally hit Remus and not only ruin this but any future chances of having a family. He had stalked outside the classrooms whenever Remus was teaching, wanting to be on hand straight away should the worst happen, meaning that Sirius didn't even get any time with the alpha then. He barely even got to spend time with Remus one on one. The only time the alpha ever really left his post literally at Remus's side was when there was something going on at the colony that Deliah couldn't deal with and those occasions were few and far between.
Sirius tried not to take it as a personal slight but he couldn't help feeling that the werewolves were telling him that he had no place in their little family and, thus, in their lives anymore. It was hard for him and there were occasions, especially at night after Greyback had fallen asleep wrapped around Remus, literally turning his back on Sirius, that the man wondered if it wouldn't be best if he just bowed out and left the pair to it. The problem was that, despite everything, he still loved them both and wasn't ready to give up on the wonderful thing that they had shared, albeit briefly. It didn't help that he didn't really have anywhere to go since it still wasn't really safe for him to leave the castle. The word was that the Ministry had essentially assumed that he had fled the country by this stage but he didn't want to risk making an appearance in the world at large too soon and end up starting the man hunt all over again.
So here he was, sat at the dining table once again, quietly eating his meal as Greyback gave Remus every ounce of his attention, monitoring what the younger wolf ate and how much, trying to make sure that the unborn baby was getting everything it needed while administering to any and all of Remus's cravings. Remus seemed half embarrassed by all of the attention, at least in public anyway. Not that everyone at the table seemed that fussed. Harry's little trio seemed to completely ignore them but others, namely Barty, practically cooed at how doting Greyback was of Remus. It made Sirius think once again about how much he would love to be in his mates position.
They had just finished eating and were standing up when Remus pulled a face and put his hand on the side of his stomach.
Greyback's attention was instantly drawn to him.
"Is everything alright love?"
"Its fine," Remus assured him, although a slight frown marred his brow. "Its just a bit of an ache."
"Did you eat too much?" Greyback asked, his voice full of concern.
Remus shook his head. "No, I felt it a bit earlier. Its fine though, it will pass. It is probably just the baby moving at last."
This would be a turn up if it was. While Link had assured them that it was normal for some babies to be less active in the womb than others and that Remus's was developing nicely despite its apparent lack of movement, Sirius knew that this was a major source of concern for the alpha and that a good kick might go some way to helping to reassure the man that everything was fine. It didn't happen though. Greyback stood with his arms wrapped around Remus waiting to feel something, anything, but all that happened was for Remus to wince and his in pain.
"Perhaps you should take him to the healer?" Barty suggested, only for Remus's legs to give way as he called out in pain once again.
"There's no time," Severus said, getting to his feet and coming round. "Binky?" The house elf appeared. "If you bring the werewolf healer here yourself will it trigger the wards?"
"Not if Lord Black allows it," the elf said, looking at Harry who nodded slightly although he mostly seemed to be watching Sirius, not that Sirius understood why but he was too worried about his mate to think about that at the moment. Remus seemed to be in incredible pain and Sirius worried that something might go terribly wrong. He couldn't help thinking back to Bella's words from a few months back. He might be upset with his mates at the moment but he still loved them and the thought of potentially losing Remus killed him. It didn't help that Remus was point blank refusing to lie down no matter how much people told him he needed to for the exam. The best Greyback had managed to do was to get Remus on his knees but it meant that the alpha had to remain at the younger wolf's back to support him.
Thankfully Link arrived quickly to try to figure out what was wrong and was thankfully adept enough to adjust to the current situation. Tom had thankfully hearded most of the people out but Snape remained, likely to be on hand to offer help should it be needed and Harry had stayed at Sirius's side for which he was immensely grateful. He felt like a bit of a parent relying on his child like that but that emotion was somewhat squashed beneath the need to simply have someone there to support him through this emotional time.
Greyback seemed a little on edge when the healer got his wand out and Sirius was ready to step in if need be but the alpha seemed more intent on supporting his distressed mate than ripping apart the healer so Sirius stayed back, keeping an eye on things as Link worked quickly to assess the damage.
"It seems that I've figured out exactly how the Wolfsbane potion prevents pregnancy in werewolves," Link announced. "It seems that Remus's womb has been weakened and is struggling to maintain the lining as it is expanding with the baby."
"What does that mean?" Greyback rasped out, although from the despair and desperation that was present in his voice he already suspected the worst.
"It means that Remus is unable to carry the baby to term," Link sighed and Remus let out a sob. "I'm sorry Remus but there is nothing that I can do and I'm afraid that this will be a recurring problem should you try to get pregnant again." Remus sobbed. "I'm also afraid that our only option now is to remove the baby by cesarean or I fear that Remus's womb will end up rupturing and he'll bleed out internally."
"But it's too early," Greyback gasped, "the baby!"
Link shook his head sadly. "I know and I'm sorry but I can't see another option. At this point its lose the baby or lose it and your mate as well."
Sirius's heart broke and he gripped Harry's hand tightly as he looked on, wishing he could go and comfort the two men but not feeling as if he had a place in this decision.
"There may be another option," Snape said cautiously. "It's a long shot and I offer no guarantees but I've been experimenting with the idea of creating a male pregnancy potion. I haven't come up with anything that will allow for the creation of the necessary organs yet but my latest experiment may be enough to strengthen and heal organs which already exist."
"Anything," Greyback sobbed, holding tightly to Remus who had all but collapsed into his arms. The younger wolf nodded his head in silent agreement.
"There is one drawback, however. I would have to make a new batch of the potion and for that I would need more of Harry's tears and they weren't exactly easy to come by last time."
"We can try waiting a bit right?" Greyback practically begged, looking from Link to Snape and eventually to Harry in hope that he might not have to give up his unborn cub. Link looked unsurely at Harry, as if to question whether the young man was willing to give up the precious resource. Harry, in turn, squeezed Sirius's hand and Sirius looked at him.
Sirius hesitated for a brief moment, somehow knowing what Harry was asking. He could shake his head and that would be it, they would abort Remus's current baby and then they would wait until Snape had made more potion or possibly even finished the final thing and then, perhaps, even Sirius could be the one to carry the alpha's first baby. There was a dark part of him that was sorely tempted, especially after the hell that he had been through these past months but one look at his devastated mates was enough to crush that part of him permanently. For all their faults Sirius loved them and the look of devastation on both Remus and Greyback's faces told him that he couldn't put the people he cared the most about through such heartache.
He looked at Harry with tears in his eyes. "Please. I know it's not easy for you but if you could."
"I will, Sirius. I'll go with Severus now and try to get it sorted."
He reached up on his toes and gave Sirius a kiss on his cheek before leaving the room with his potion master and Sirius was left to watch on as both Greyback and Remus sagged in relief, comforting each other and clinging to each other in hope that everything would be alright.