Ron leaned back, taking a deep breath. Hermione was out with Ginny, shopping; Harry was staying late at the office; Ron had been home sick the past few days. He was alone in Grimmauld Place, the house that had belonged to Sirius but now was the resident of the trio plus Ginny.

Ron took another deep breath, waving his brothers wand across the air in the dark room, lit only by a few floating candles. Ron muttered a spell under his breath, and leaned back against the sofa, waiting. Nothing happened, and Ron sighed, cursing slightly under his breath, and tears nearly came to his eyes. He leaned his head back on the cushion, wondering what he had done wrong.

"Alright there, Ronald?"

Ron jumped, looking up. The man had a familiar face Ron had never expected to see again - long hair and a draught face, but with a mischievous grin, starred back at him.

"S-Sirius," Ron spluttered. "I - how? You're . . ."

"You summoned me?" Sirius Black asked, sitting down on the floor against the sofa with Ron.

"I - well, no," Ron admitted. "I was . . . I was trying to summon Fred. Just for a bit."

"Ah," Sirius said, picking up the wand on the floor. "By using his wand? Perhaps it would have worked if you were at the burrow, but, remember, this was my home."

"Sorry," Ron said quickly.

Sirius laughed, clapping him on the back. "Not to worry. Now, tell me what's so troubling you needed to attempt and summon your brother."

Ron hesitated. "It's Hermione."

"Ah, girl troubles. Please, continue."

"It's just . . ." He shook his head. "It hasn't been that long since the War - four years. But, I mean, I've told her I loved her and stuff, and I put the bloody engagement ring on her finger, but she's just acting weird."

"I see," Sirius said. He paused, then clapped his hands against his knees. "See, Ron," he said. "I think I know what you're problem is."

"You do?" Ron asked excitedly.

"Yes. Hermione is pregnant."

Ron blinked. "Huh?"

"Hermione. She is with child. Carrying. Preggers."

"But. . ."

"Have you two . . .?"

"Oh yeah," Ron said seriously.

"Then that's what's going on," Sirius said. "She isn't angered with you, Ron. She's aggravated with herself for not telling you yet. Plus there are the ordinary fears - Will I make a good parent? Will they love me back? What if my best isn't good enough?"

"You know a lot about this sort of thing," Ron said with a dry sort of smile.

"I had a lot of time to think about my Godson in Azkaban."

The men were silent until Sirius broke the silence.

"Might I make a suggestion?"

"'Course."

"Name it Sirius." Ron and Sirius smiled, and Sirius stood. "Good luck, Ronald," he said. "But it seems I need to go back now."

"Right," Ron said. "Sirius - thank you."

"Of course." He turned, but then turned back to Ron. "Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"Your brother is very proud of you. He loves you very much, and knows that you're going to do alright."

Rons eyes were slightly wet as he nodded, and Sirius Black faded from sight.

Nine months later, a son was born.

His name was Dillon Sirius.