*Whoops! Just realised I didn't proofread. I think I got mostly everything.
Aloha!
Wow, I haven't used that word in a while.
Well, anyways...
...
Sirius watched with bated breath as the potion forced itself down Hermione's throat.
"Mr. Black!" The healer was still going on with his rant, and the noise was killing Sirius. Hermione still wasn't moving. Ginny was crying and shaking Hermione. Snape holding Ren, and Remus and Harry were apparating.
Sirius stood up and moved to the healer, an angry glint in his eyes as he pulled back his fist and released it with all of his pent up energy and stress. The healer went sprawling across the floor, but Sirius turned around, glad for a little bit more quiet, and he dropped beside Hermione.
"Come on, Hermione," he whispered against the skin of her neck. He kissed her all over. "Come on, love, you have to live. Hermione, I love you. Come on..."
There was a strange moving in her chest, but nothing else.
Sirius looked at her, shocked. It hadn't worked. He'd never expected that it wouldn't work.
"Hermione?" He breathed. A tear trickled down his cheek, and he realised she still wasn't awake.
"Hermione!"
...
'Where am I...?'
The world around me is dark. There is nothing. I am floating in nothingness, wearing nothing, seeing nothing, hearing nothing but my own thoughts.
There are sounds, now, loud sounds. They are hurting me. I want them to stop. It hurts. It's coming from my heart, the sounds of pain and tears.
My eyes open. I look around. Black. It's all black. But...what's that?
I move my legs and find I can walk. I walk towards the small bundle and I cringe. It is hurt. I pick it up and cradle it. It is a baby.
Baby... My baby.
'I love you,' I whisper to my baby.
There are more sounds, now. Loud sounds.
"Hermione?"
Is that my name? I can't think of what my name is. It is shouted again. Tears are choking the voice of the screamer. They are in pain.
Sirius? It is Sirius!
'I love you!' I cry to the ceiling.
"Hermione...Hermione..."
I need to leave the black for Sirius!
There is a glimmer of light ahead, a blue light.
I need to leave the black for my baby!
It is growing.
But the screams in my heart grow angry. They are cries of protest, no longer of pain.
I try to push them down. I need Sirius!
'Sirius...' I say. 'Help...'
It hurts again, in my heart, and I know I'm losing.
But then I see Sirius in the black, and holding my baby...
I push down the pain, and the blue light explodes around me.
I will come back for you, Sirius.
I kiss my baby goodbye. 'I will see you,' I say. 'I love you, baby.'
And then the blue light carries me out of the black.
...
It hurt more than Sirius cared to admit. He felt no shame that all of those people were watching him sob. He couldn't take it. She just couldn't be...she couldn't be...
He couldn't even think it.
Suddenly, he felt her move. There was a sort of cry, but it wasn't from her. It was from her heart.
The squelch...
Sirius removed himself from her chest and placed a hand on either side of her face. Her lips were forming words, but no sound came out.
"Hermione?"
She began to choke, but her eyes flew open, and she inhaled deeply, coughing and trying to suck in air.
"Hermione!"
Sirius threw his arms around her and held her close. "Hermione, love, don't you ever scare me like that again," He whispered into her hair.
"I love you, Sirius..."
Sirius kissed her hard on the mouth.
Hermione peered up at him when he backed away and she wiped the tears from his eyes. She smiled.
Sirius pulled her tight against his chest and refused to let her go.
...
It took a while, but after everyone had expressed how glad they were that Hermione was okay, everyone was ushered out of the room. Everyone but Sirius, who absolutely refused to leave.
"Well, Hermione," said the healer who was now sporting a big black eye, "it appears the squelch has died and the potion removed all other traces of toxins or other potions. You are in no danger, but there is something..."
"What is it?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"We waited a very long time," the healer said, checking something on his clipboard. "I'm afraid that you might continue to have chest pains and get worn out easily. We've got a potion for it, but it won't cure you. And...I think that an abortion may be right in this case."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Never. There is absolutely no chance. I will never give up my baby. I love him."
The healer nodded. "I understand, and I can't tell you that you need to, but it could be dangerous."
Hermione shook her head. "I don't care. I love my baby. I met him."
"You...what?"
"When I was dying," Hermione said. "I met my baby. Sirius, he's the greatest baby ever! He has your eyes."
Sirius smiled softly at her and squeezed the hand he was holding. All of the excursions from the day had tired him more than he'd been in a long time. He caressed her cheek. "That's wonderful, love."
Hermione turned back to the healer. "Can I go home now?"
The healer stood and nodded. "I'll go and get your potion. But you have to promise me you'll take it every day, and you won't do anything to over exert yourself. It would probably be best if you just stayed in bed until tomorrow."
Hermione nodded. "I promise."
He left and came back just a minute later.
Sirius thanked him and paid him for the potion, then apparated from St. Mungo's with Hermione in his arms. They were finally alone.
Sirius laid Hermione on her bed and gave her a proper dose of the potion. He then curled up beside her and held her close to him.
"Sirius," Hermione murmured against his lips, her hair tangled in his damp locks. "Why is your hair all wet?"
"Long story," Sirius told her with a small smile. He stroked her hair back and kissed her forehead. "Want to hear it?"
Hermione nodded vigorously and snuggled closer to Sirius as he told her the story of how they gathered the ingredients for her potion.
...
Sirius woke up the next morning with Hermione in his arms and automatically checked to see if she was still breathing, if her heart was still pounding. When he was satisfied that she was still alive, he slid her from his arms so he could go start on their breakfast.
"Sirius?"
Sirius jumped and nearly wet himself. "Merlin, Remus, don't sneak up on me like that!"
Remus chuckled and handed him a mug of coffee. "How is she?"
Sirius shrugged. "Alive. She's very tired."
"Speaking of very tired girls..." Remus nodded towards the couch and Sirius found Ren lying there, curled up in a little ball and wrapped in his still wet robes. Her knee length hair trailed over the side of the couch.
"I didn't know what you wanted me to do with her," Remus said. "I took her back to my house to get her something to eat and some warm clothes, but she fell asleep and hasn't woken up since."
"How long can a Siren stay out of water?" Sirius asked, sitting next to her.
Remus shrugged. "Forever."
Sirius nodded. "I guess I can keep her here. I don't see why not."
"Okay," Remus said, standing up. "I just thought I'd see what you wanted. Tell Hermione that I hope she gets well soon."
Sirius smiled. "Thanks, mate."
Remus nodded and apparated. The crack caused Ren to jump awake and look around.
Sirius smiled at her. "Hello."
"Where am I?" she asked, licking her full lips and peering around the room cautiously.
"You're at my house."
"House?"
Sirius nodded. "Would you like some warm clothes and something to eat? I'm sure Hermione has something you could borrow."
She nodded. "I do not want to be any trouble."
"None at all," Sirius said. "Do you need to use the restroom? You could take a shower if you'd like."
"Shower?"
Sirius nodded. "Or the bath. I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with everything about Sirens."
"What is a bath?"
Sirius smiled softly. "It's where you clean up. With water."
"Water?" Her eyes brightened.
He laughed. "Sure. I'll go start the bath." He gave her his coffee. "Here. Drink this. It'll warm you up."
She nodded and took a sip, cringing.
Sirius laughed. "Or not. I'll be right back."
She nodded and Sirius left to start a warm bath. He showed her how to wash her hair and her skin, got her a towel, and left her to it. Then he returned to his and Hermione's room to find her some clothes.