Hey everyone, I'm so sorry about the lack of updates but I had really important exams and then my little sister got really sick and with my mom and dad both working I had to place nurse/maid/mommy/cook!lol! Anyway I haven't given up on this story, nor will I ever! Your stuck with me so there!=P lol I'm so touched by everyone's reviews and response to this chapter and I have closed my poll with the result being very much in Sirius' favour so this WILL continue to be a Sirius/Hermione fic, but ONLY after he has redeemed himself.

Now where I need YOU! I would love to hear anyone and everyone's opinions and suggestions on how I should make Sirius redeem himself and/or how Hermione should act around him! ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I LOVE hearing from everyone. Once again thanks for sticking with me and please forgive me for the very late update.

I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Twenty-Nine Forgiveness

Sirius lay there for nearly an hour until there were no tears left. When his sobs finally stopped Astoria slowly approached him. The petite witch gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Sirius? Sirius I think it would be best if you got up now. Come on, its time for tea." Astoria said softly as she looked to Narcissa who nodded her head before turning and calling out.

"Missy!"

Instantly there was a soft pop in front of her and the small house-elf appeared.

"Yes Mistress Malfoy, what can Missy do for you?"

Narcissa smiled kindly down at the elf.

"Five cups of tea Missy and have them delivered to the dining room please."

Missy nodded her head and with a soft pop she was gone. Narcissa straightened up and turned her attention back to her cousin. Despite Astoria's soft words, Sirius still lay on the polished floor of the study. Before Narcissa could walk over and aid her son's fiancée, Lucius spoke.

"For Merlin's sake Black! Get up off that floor!" Lucius looked down at the last Marauder in disdain. Narcissa turned to her husband in shock but to her and everyone else's surprise Sirius slowly stood.

"Thank…thank you for your time and for showing me…the error of my ways, but I think it would be best if I returned back to Hermione and Ted now." Sirius said quietly, not looking at anyone.

"But Sirius…" Astoria began gently but Draco stopped her.

"If you think that would be best Sirius, you can floo back over. Missy!" Draco called the small house-elf again. Missy appeared before the young Malfoy instantly.

"Yes Master Draco, tea is ready in the dining room now. Missy was just on her ways to tell you!"

Draco smiled down at the kind creature.

"Change in plans Missy, it will only be four for tea now. I hope that's ok?" Draco paused and saw her nod her head. "I was wondering if you would kindly show Mister Black here back to the fireplace he arrived at?"

Missy nodded her head excitedly. She turned to look at Sirius.

"Please follows me Mister Black." Sirius was still in shock from what he had witnessed in the pensive and nodded stiffly at the elf. He followed Missy out of the room, not paying any attention to his surroundings or the people he had left behind.

Back in the study the four occupants were looking from one to the other. Narcissa and Astoria both wore looks of concern while Lucius appeared to be indifferent.

"Do you think one of us should go with him? Just to make sure he's ok?" Astoria asked uncertainly. Before anyone could reply Lucius sighed loudly and turned to face his family.

"For Merlin's sake! He is a grown man, one who needs to face up to his responsibilities and admit when he is in the wrong. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to the dining room to enjoy some of Missy's soothing tea, your all welcomed to join me when you're done worrying about the mutt."

With that the elder Malfoy walked out of the room leaving his family in a state of shock. Eventually Draco sighed and looked at his mother and fiancée.

"He's right, Sirius needed to see those memories otherwise he might have treated Hermione the same way Potter and the Weasels did. We need to give him time and allow him to take it all in and try to understand it. If we go now and begin to smother him, showing him those memories would have been pointless." Draco saw the worry in his mother and fiancée's face.

"Please, if you want we can stop by at Hermione's flat tomorrow to make sure he's still alive." Draco calmly said, trying to convince his mother and fiancée to leave Sirius alone for the moment.

"Why on earth would he not be alive Draco?" Narcissa asked her son in shock.

Draco chuckled softly as he looked at his mother.

"Because mother, you know as well as I do that Hermione is a very independent witch and when she finds out that not only has Sirius seen memories of her past – but that he pities her, he wont last long." Astoria looked up at her fiancée in shock.

"I think your wrong honey."

Draco looked at the petite witch in confusion.

"What do you mean Astoria? You know Hermione as well as I do and she hates…"

"Pity yes, but Sirius doesn't pity Hermione." Seeing the confused look on her handsome fiancée Astoria decided to elaborate further.

"Sirius doesn't pity Hermione – he admires her, and greatly from the look of things." Astoria began to leave the room, following her future father-in-law to the dining room, when she turned to face her fiancée and his mother.

"Besides Draco darling, if anyone is unlikely to see tomorrow it's you as you're the one who decided it was a good idea to show Sirius Hermione's past." With that Astoria calmly left the study, laughing softly when she heard Draco curse and Narcissa scold him for doing so.

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Sirius landed in Hermione's flat after following Missy to the same room he had first arrived at. Without acknowledging the tiny creature he had stumbled into the fireplace and mumbled Hermione's address. Now standing in Hermione's neat and tidy flat he realised that no one was home. Hermione had apparently taken Ted out somewhere and he had no idea when they would be back.

I guess that's a good thing, I don't know how I would've behaved after seeing her in all that pain. Probably would have hugged her out of relief to see her in one piece and earned a slap after the way I've treated her. Sirius thought sadly.

Walking over to the nearest seat Sirius collapsed into it, suddenly exhausted. He looked around the bright living room and saw all the pictures that Hermione had placed with love in her home. The photos of her smiling and laughing seemed so out of place to the images that were rushing through his mind.

Hermione screaming as she was hit with another crucio - Hermione standing defiantly alongside Lucius as she blocked and threw hexes – Hermione speaking from her heart before the Order – Hermione gripping the cold stone wall of the dungeons as she struggled with her pain – Hermione standing over her parent s grave – and the one that was the hardest to watch – a heartbroken Hermione telling a hopeful Ted that he wasn't going to show at the party.

Sirius sighed and closed his eyes, as he rubbed his forehead. The image of Hermione's beautiful face with tear filled eyes repeatedly flashed before him.

How could I have done that to her? I'm no better than Bellatrix, at least with her she knew where she stood.

Sirius sighed again and decided then and there that he was going to do all within his power to make it up to Hermione and Ted.

But how? Sirius thought as he looked around the neat apartment once more. He was still amazed that Hermione still found time out of her busy schedule to make the flat a home.

It certainly couldn't have been easy with a young child and the Wizarding world hating her.

Sirius looked around the flat again and thought that maybe he could buy Hermione another home, perhaps one in the country with a big yard for Ted to play around.

Hermione wouldn't accept it, she doesn't like to feel like a charity case and buying her a house would certainly make her feel like one. Besides I still haven't got access to my vault yet.

Sirius' shoulder sagged as he realised that his first idea would certainly not help the situation – if anything it would probably make it worse.

All right then what else can I do?

Sirius got up and looked around the warm living room, hoping that something would jump out and give him an idea. He walked over to the tall bookshelf on one side of the living room and noticed that the three shelves that held books were unorganised.

Well since I have nothing better to do I might as well sort these books out.

Sirius took the books out and arranged them in alphabetical order according to their authors. When he was done Sirius found himself starving and so he moved into the kitchen. When he looked at the clock he realised why he was so hungry – it was nearing seven and he had barely ate all day.

Maybe I should make dinner for Hermione and Ted too in case they come back soon.

Sirius went around the bright kitchen, opening and closing cupboards and drawers, as he familiarised himself with his surroundings. Once done Sirius went back to the first cupboard he had opened and took out a packet of spaghetti. He was soon moving around the room as if he had lived there for years.

Sirius busied himself with making the simple dish while he thought of what he could do to help Hermione.

Maybe I could talk to Kingsley about getting Hermione a better job, a bright woman like her shouldn't be a simple secretary.

As Sirius thought this he realised that, like his previous idea, Hermione would see this as pity and would hate him for it.

That is if she doesn't already hate me. Sirius thought sadly.

While the spaghetti was cooking Sirius made a simple salad and began to set the table. As he opened the cutlery drawer he noticed a framed photos on the window still near the sink.

Hmm, Hermione really does have a thing for photos.

Sirius finished setting the table and checked on the dinner before he lifted the first photo. It was one of Ted and a pretty blond haired girl. The two children were smiling brightly and waving madly at the camera. Sirius found himself smiling as he saw the children's absolute joy and excitement.

Ted looks so happy and so does the girl. Must be Bill Weasley's kid, she looks a lot like his wife, Fleur. Victoire wasn't it?

Sirius placed the frame back in its place and picked up the next one, which held Draco, Astoria, Lucius, Narcissa, Hermione, Ted and two other people Sirius didn't know. Hermione was standing between Draco and Lucius, with their respective partners standing on their other side. Hermione was holding a very young Ted.

Sirius' attention was drawn to the other couple in the frame that stood next to Astoria. The woman looked like Astoria, the same dark hair and bright green eyes. However, her hair was a pixie cut and she seemed older.

Must be Astoria's sister. Sirius thought as he moved his attention to the tall dark man next to her. He was broad with dark hair and dark brown eyes. He wore a bright and warm smile like everyone else in the photo and Sirius realised that this must be a family photo of some sort.

They do seem like a happy family. Sirius thought, but as he looked at Hermione he felt that she was missing out. She had a family already, it's not fair that she had to make a new one due to jealous and lies.

Sirius placed the frame back and moved to the last one that held a black and white photo of Ted on his own. This photo, unlike the others next to it, was a muggle photo. Ted was looking away from the camera but he had the happiest expression on his face and Sirius believed it was the best one of him he had seen.

Sirius placed the last photo down and turned to his dinner that was near ready. He placed the salad and bread on the set table before removing the spaghetti from the oven. Once everything was ready and sitting on the table Sirius sat down and waited for Hermione and Ted to come home.

After waiting for nearly twenty minutes Sirius realised that Hermione wasn't going to be home anytime soon and so he began to eat his dinner in silence. As he ate he thought again on how he could make things easier for Hermione.

Well me moving out would certainly be a plus. Sirius thought sadly as he pictured Hermione's heartbroken face again all because of him. As soon as the thought entered his mind though Sirius saw fault with it.

I have no money and with my bank accounts belonging to Harry at the moment it looks likely to stay that way for a while. Sirius then realised that he was totally dependent on Hermione, the woman that he had upset and let down. Great, now what am I going to do? I can't even help myself, how am I going to help Hermione?

Sirius sighed deeply and cleaned up all his dirty dishes, keeping the spaghetti heated by placing a charm over it. He did the same to the salad to ensure it stayed fresh for Hermione and Ted. Just as Sirius was going to go to his room, Hermione's bookshelf caught his eye once more.

Sirius walked over and grabbed a simple blue book, which turned out to be a photo album. Sirius walked back into the kitchen and made himself a cup of tea before he sat down and began to look through the small book.

The first few pictures were off Hermione and a very young Ted. Sirius saw the worry in Hermione's eyes in many of the photos. No doubt the young witch had not expected to become a mother so soon.

She was so young, too young for such a major responsibility. Sirius thought sadly, but as the photos progressed and Ted grew Sirius could see that the worry that had been in Hermione's eyes had been replaced by joy and love.

One of the photos in the small book was of a wedding. The bride and groom in the photo was the couple that he didn't recognise earlier in the kitchen. The dark haired witch was holding her new husbands hand, while their wedding party had gathered around them. On the bride's side was Astoria and Hermione in short dark green dresses. On the groom's side were Draco and another dark skinned man Sirius didn't know in dark green dress robes. In front of the gathered group stood a very young Ted in dress robes similar to the groomsmen and what appeared to be a one-year-old Victoire in a green flower girl's dress.

Sirius smiled as he looked at all the smiling faces in the photograph. Hermione looked breathtaking in the short dress.

Even if it is Slytherin colours.

Sirius continued to look through the small photo album until he came across another photo of Ted and Hermione. This one showed what appeared to be Ted's birthday party. Despite the fact that it was his birthday the young boy in the photo appeared to be upset. Although he and Hermione had bright smiles on their faces, Sirius noticed that different emotions in their eyes. In Ted's eyes there was sadness while in Hermione's there was a mixture of anger and pain.

"Ted had blew out his candles earlier and his wish was that Harry would come and see him. When he realised that he wasn't going to show up he was upset and hurt. Ted thought it was his fault that his godfather, the Boy Who Lived, didn't want anything to do with him." A small voice said from the kitchen entrance.

Sirius looked up in shock to see Hermione standing in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"Hermione!"

"Sirius. We need to talk." Hermione said coldly.