Ginny started sleeping in the spare room with Hermione every couple of days. The first time she had a night terror, the red head didn't know what to do but shake her awake and hold her. The next few times it became easier for her to guide the woman from the nightmare and they slept instead of staying up and Hermione crying it out.

Two weeks and Hermione started to feel more normal than she had in months. She had been eating like she was an endless pit. Her sleeping patterns became more normal and more often than not she would sleep in and enjoy waking up slowly.

She stretched and slipped on her thin robe on; she had slept in late again. Humming, she left the room and walked out into the living room.

"Hello, kitten," Sirius declared and she jumped and turned toward his voice.

"Sirius, you gave me a fright!" Hermione exclaimed and put a hand to her chest. "Where is Ginny?"

"I had her lay down for a nap. James is with her; would you like me to get you some tea?" He asked and she watched him sitting in the arm chair and feeding Albus.

"Can I have the baby then?" She asked and he smiled.

He stood up and she took Albus and the bottle but he did not let her go. "You know, we look good like this." He commented and she blushed.

"Good godparents?" She responded with a teasing tone and he raised an eyebrow.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek, "maybe," he whispered and walked into the kitchen. "I was thinking a big meal for you. I brought over plenty of food today."

Hermione went and sat in the rocker, "you did the shopping?" She asked and he nodded before turning to retrieve some food.

"I did, I also bought you some new clothes. I had a feeling you might enjoy something more fitting for your comfort. Work suits are not good for lounging in."

"Sirius Black, I did not ask you to buy me anything!" She snapped and Albus fussed so she started rocking.

He stood up and smirked at her, "no, but I did anyways."

Hermione sat and rocked the baby while humming lightly and Sirius was cooking. She saw him every couple of days and he would stay well into the evening. Ginny was relieved in a way because Hermione and him would take turns with taking care of the children, giving her and Harry time to go out in the evenings.

"Love, how do you feel about going away for your birthday?" He asked her and Hermione glared.

"With you?" She asked and he nodded.

Sirius had a lopsided smile on his face, "why wouldn't I want to take you out for your birthday?"

She blushed and tried to hide her face in busying herself with the boy. Hermione was silent and he watched her. Stopping his tasks, he walked over and bent to his knees next to her. She finally gazed over at him and his eyes were searching.

"Would you like to or is it too soon?" He asked and Hermione turned scarlet.

"Sirius," her voice was hitched in her throat.

He stood up and leaned over her to kiss her cheek but she had turned and caught his lips with her own. It was a chaste kiss and very sweet. Nothing like the rough bruising ones he had given her before. Hermione reached up and ran her hand through his hair and a soft rumble came from his throat.

They parted and his smile returned with his forehead against hers, "I was not expecting a kiss," he breathed and chuckled.

"Is something cooking?" Ginny asked sleepily and Sirius blushed and went into the kitchen.

Ginny smiled at Hermione and waggled her eyebrows, "did he just give you a kiss good morning?"

"I did not kiss her, she kissed me and it would be a good afternoon," Sirius corrected her with a grin.

"Just don't tell Harry that, he still will blame you, Sirius," Ginny giggled and Hermione reached for her friend.

Ginny hugged her and kissed Hermione's forehead, "Sirius asked me to go away with him on my birthday." Hermione told her and Ginny looked over at him.

"Don't you think a first date is required before a holiday?" The red head asked and Sirius barked a stream of laughter.

Hermione blushed and Ginny took the baby from her, "come, my wee child, it is time to lay down for you," she told her baby and put him in the bedroom before returning.

"I thought you didn't do anything intimate aside from shagging tarts?" Hermione said pointedly, realizing Ginny had mentioned a date.

Sirius cleared his throat, "I haven't done that in weeks."

Hermione stood up, "weeks?"

"Yes, weeks. I stopped all of that. I don't need it. I would rather be alone than be disgusted with myself."

"Why?"

Sirius shrugged his shoulders, "why... don't you go get into some of the clothes I got you? I set the bags down over by the table."

"You bought her clothes?" Ginny questioned, sitting down on the couch.

Sirius walked in and handed the witches cups of tea, "yes, I want her to feel good about herself."

Hermione sighed and sipped her tea, "you are a silly man," she mumbled and he smiled. "I am going to see these scandalous clothes you bought."

Ginny watched the animagus walk back into the kitchen and he started to whistle. "Did you really stop shagging other women?" She asked him.

He gazed over at her and gave a solid nod, "of course. Something happens to a man when a woman tells you in her sleep that she loves you."

Mrs. Potter just stared at him in contemplation. She knew long before the admission in the hospital that Hermione loved him. Now it was time to make sure it was the right kind.

"You treat her right, Sirius. I mean it. I will do more than slap you next time." Ginny threaten him and he nodded.

"I would expect such. Second chances are not abundant in the world of Hermione Granger."

"This isn't a second chance, this is more of a fourth of fifth chance isn't it?" Ginny questioned and Sirius chuckled.

"This is the second chance she is going to give me to redeem myself after the last time I buggered up when she let me behind her guard." He replied and smiled.

Ginny took her cup in the kitchen and looked up at the man who was plating the food he made. "I mean it, Sirius. There is something special about what you both have, don't screw it up."

Sirius turned to her fully and she could see uncertainty in his eyes, "the only thing I can hope for is that she likes me without the pressure of being a wanker. I worry that the only reason she clung to me was to save me from myself. What if she doesn't like the real me, Ginny?" He asked her and Ginny giggled.

"Sirius, she adores you. She talks about you all the time whether she knew it or not. The minute you walked back into her life was the minute she was taken with you. Keep that in mind. She doesn't just shag anyone." Ginny patted his arm and went back into the living room.

Hermione cleared her throat and walked out into view of them. She was wearing a beautiful peach colored top that buttoned down to her chest and had a small curved collar. Her pants were slightly flared out cuffs and a charcoal. Ginny gasped and clapped. "Blimey! Sirius, you have excellent tastes!"

Sirius smiled softly and gave Hermione a nod, "so much more complimentary to your figure, Hermione."

He wasn't exaggerating either. She looked curvy and supply in the outfit and still had a very sweet demeanor. He could see she no longer looked frail and was ecstatic to even see bits of her he secretly loves filled out some in the weeks of recovery.

"Did you think it looked better before I put it on?" She asked him and he shook his head.

"Now that I see it come to fruition I am so pleased to note that you definitely make them look tenfold better." He told her and placed three giant plates on the table.

"We better eat, we are going to miss out on my plans for the day." He said and Ginny narrowed her gaze.

"What plans?" The red head asked as she sat down.

"I have set up a spa appointment for you ladies and I have the children. The Lupins already agreed to meet me at the Burrow." Sirius went to retrieve the juice and glasses.

"What?" Hermione dropped her fork.

"I figured we will meet up for dinner, Molly offered to cook of course." He continued not minding their beguilement.

"Wait, hold on a tick, Sirius. You bought her clothes, grabbed food for the house and now set up appointments for a spa for us? While you take my children to my mums?" Ginny inquired and he nodded sitting down.

"Well, yes," he said simply.

"Where have you been for five months? I like this Sirius Black." Ginny replied and giggled.

Hermione was still shocked, "why?" She asked and for the first time he gazed at her and sighed.

"Because you deserve it."

"I can take care of myself, you know," Hermione said softly and he bit his bottom lip and grimaced.

"I know, but I wanted to do this? Is that too much? The clothes I understand if you think are, but I just felt like this was something needed." He paused and ran a hand through his hair. "I felt like you and Ginny could use this."

Hermione was touched and a bit surprised by him. In fact, he had been surprising her since her hospital stay. He had been a very nurturing friend but did not do anything out of line. He was stable but gave her space. He was her Sirius.

Hermione sipped her juice and nodded, "alright, but I hope you think of a place to take me that is nice tomorrow night." She told him and he tilted his head.

"Tomorrow night?" He repeated and she nodded.

"On our date," clarifying it to him and taking a bite of her food. "Oh, this is delicious! Thank you for cooking, Sirius."

He smiled and blushed lightly, "thank you, and I will make reservations."

Ginny grinned and cleared her throat, "then that means we have to go out and get a new dress for you, Mione."

Hermione blushed and Sirius chuckled, "I have a store owned by a good friend in London, he is a decent tailor. If you like I can send him an owl and let him know you will be stopping by before your appointment today. You should pick something nice out too, Ginny. Harry will be taking you out to fairly formal dinner on Friday when he gets off."

The witches glanced at each other again, "what?" Hermione asked dumbfounded.

"I believe you heard me," he murmured and took another bite of food.

Ginny tapped her finger on the table a few times and pointed at him, "are you up to something sneaky?"

Sirius grinned wolfishly and raised an eyebrow, "you are asking a marauder that question?"

"Plotting every so quietly. I wonder what you have for your execution on this? Giving us a spa day. Making sure Harry and I have time together. Buying things. Sirius Black, what are you lining up over there?" Ginny questioned and he chuckled.

"Eat your food, Ginevra," he said plainly and they finished lunch just as James got up.

0o0o

The shop Sirius had told them to go to was a nice little place on the outside. When you went inside there was stunning dresses, suits and accessories on display. Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other with wide eyes and a short man with silver hair approached.

"Welcome ladies, my name is Mr. Tips, Mr. Black said you would be here shortly and so you are. Mrs. Potter," he stopped and took Ginny's hand to kiss it, "Miss Granger," he took Hermione's hand and kissed it. "I hope I can help you with whatever you may need."

"I think we need elegant dresses for dinner," Hermione declared and the man nodded.

"Very well, I have a wonderful selection over there. An assortment of accessories to the right of the section and of course shoes at the back of the shop. I also have delicates behind the curtain back there."

"Delicates?" Hermione squeaked and Ginny giggled.

"You might need them, don't think just go with it!" The red-haired witch said and Mr. Tips chuckled.

"Mr. Black had instructed me to inform you that you should supplement that end of your wardrobe yourself." Mr. Tips murmured and bowed. "I will be close at hand if you need anything at all." The short man left the witches to shop.

"These dresses are amazing!" Hermione gasped and took out a soft green dress.

Ginny pulled out a black dress that looked like it was the night sky with beautiful starry shimmers. "Bloody hell! This is absolutely breathtaking work. No wonder Sirius recommended him."

They had grabbed a few of the dresses that both fell in love with to go try on. Mr. Tips directed them to the fitting room on the side of his shop and the witches got to work. Hermione's first dress was a deep maroon with a low back, but she did not like the way the skirt fit her body. Ginny had tried on an orange dress, but it wasn't as complimentary either.

Their second dresses suited them much better. Hermione loved the way the violet made her look vibrant and it had a lovely laced back that flowers branched out to a circular opening. The skirt went down to just above her knees in a soft wispy fashion. The dress was a knock out. Ginny put on a dark green dress that was low cut with a clasp at the collar bone. The dress itself had beautiful beadwork that floated in designs around the torso to her skirt where it ended in a neat and simple way above her knees.

"I think I like this one best," Hermione said coming out of the fitting room to show Ginny.

Ginny gasped and nodded, "oh, that is beautiful!"

"Yours too! Wow, Ginny, you don't look like you had a baby a few months ago." Hermione told her and Ginny blushed.

"Thank you, hopefully, my husband will agree. I haven't worn anything this nice in years."

They changed and set the dresses they liked aside so they could find shoes and knickknacks. It did not take them long to grab an assortment of items they loved most. Hermione was gazing at jackets when she saw something truly special. "Ginny, look! I think I want to buy this for Sirius!"

Ginny walked over and saw Hermione holding out a handsome leather jacket. "That looks very nice! I think Sirius would absolutely love it."

Hermione set that aside in her pile of things and Ginny pointed to the curtain. "it's time."

Hermione blushed and shook her head, "Ginny, no. I can't do that."

"Yes, you can and you will. You are going to buy yourself some pretty knickers and show that man why there is only one Hermione Granger. He will spit nails and beg for you. I am not telling you to shag him tomorrow night, but you will eventually, again."

Hermione blushed deeply and Ginny escorted her behind the curtain. They saw a wondrous world of lacy and frilly mixed with dark and deviant. Ginny grabbed a few of both for Hermione and the older witch blushed deeply.

"Now you have some options. After seeing the scratches you did to him, I think you can handle them both." Ginny said and covered her mouth.

Hermione frowned and pointed a finger, "you went over there that morning?"

Ginny gave her a slow nod and tried a smile, "well, someone had to give him a fair warning about you."

Hermione sighed, "Ginny, you are an amazing friend. Sometimes a bit intrusive, but amazing."

They left the curtained fantasy playground of the shop and went to finally go pay. Mr. Tips had been bagging up their items gingerly and the witches went to grab out their money. "Oh, no, Mr. Black had specifically told me to bill him." He waved them off and the women glanced at each other, stunned.

"He did what!" Hermione shouted and Mr. Tips chuckled.

"He wrote me to bill him for the items. He is a favored customer of mine. I was pleased to hear he was back."

"Crafty, crafty, man!" Ginny shook her head and Hermione sighed.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Tips. We will be returning soon I assure you." Hermione declared shaking the man's hand.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Granger," the shop keeper said and the witches grabbed their bags and headed out.