Susannah 01

Black Heart

Chapter 35

Little Bean

"Oh Juliet just a minute"

Hermione jumped up and picked up a little bundle of clothes from the dresser.

"I think Winky put these in with my things by mistake I don't want you going mad looking for them" she laughed lightly.

Juliet took the bundle from her and looked down at it in confusion

"What is it?"

"Well it's your Top and em..." Hermione trailed off embarrassed as she had now managed to get the attention of everyone in the large kitchen.

Juliet shook her head

"Em... Hermione these are not mine".

Juliet held the bundle out back to her

"Oh" Hermione faltered hesitantly taking the clothes back from Juliet her brow furrowed in confusion " I was so sure they had to be yours, I know they do not belong to Ginny"

A chair scrapped back loudly in the silence that had fallen over the kitchen. Daria stood from her spot at the very end of the long kitchen table smiling brightly.

"Oh those are mine, sorry Hermione I must have left them behind when I stayed here with Sirius last week"

Every head in the kitchen swiveled to Sirius who stood stock still like the proverbial rabbit caught in the headlights.

"Oh fuck"

-XXX-

Hermione felt as if as every pair of eyes in the kitchen moved from Sirius to Daria before coming to rest on her in the time it took for her heart to thump painfully in her chest. She blinked once before walking calmly over to Daria everything about her demeanor in direct contrast to the turmoil inside.

"My apologies Daria"

Hermione held the small package out to her watching as Daria lifted it from her hand. Bringing her gaze up to meet Daria's eyes she found the older girl smiling brightly at her.

"Oh Hermione I hope you don't mind but Sirius said it was okay to borrow some of your clothes, I mean I had to put something clean on I couldn't continue to walk about naked"

Daria giggled wildly " As soon as I get them laundered I will get them right back to you; unfortunately we are all not so lucky to have house elves to do our every bidding".

Hermione paused turning back round to look at Daria.

"It's fine Daria no rush"

Moving quickly back up the kitchen she stopped in front of Sirius. Refusing to meet his eyes she looked over his shoulder towards the kitchen door.

"It's been a long day and night and I am very tired. If you will excuse me I will go to bed".

Turning her head slightly she called over her shoulder "Goodnight everyone"

-XXX-

Tonks narrowed her eyes at the back of Daria's head as the rest of the occupants of the kitchen chorused goodnight to Hermione. She stood from her seat beside Molly and moved towards the door leading out to the Gardens.

"Daria can I have a word please?"

Tonk's inclined her head towards the door whilst taking in Daria's amused expression.

"Now Daria"

Tonks pulled open the door and walked through it giving Daria no option but to jump up and follow her into the garden.

"Looks like the show's over" Drawled Professor Snape, his eyes sweeping malevolently up the length of Sirius.

"Mister Malfoy, Miss Adams back to school" he barked out suddenly causing Juliet to jump slightly.

Sirius had been staring defiantly back at his nemesis only to drop his stare when Professor Dumbledore spoke up.

"Excellent idea we must return"

He smiled at Harry and Ron before gently clearing his throat to gain their attention.

"Do you mind just giving us a minute professor?"

Harry grabbed Sirius by the upper arm and pushed him through to door, Ron hot on his heels.

"What the fuck Sirius?" Harry hissed at him

Sirius wrenched his arm free from Harry's grip.

"What the fuck what Harry?" He answered with a furious hiss of his own.

Ron pushed Harry slightly to the side his height matching Sirius's

"What he means is that Girl upstairs; your fucking wife; is our best friend and if you are up to your old tricks you are about sixty seconds away from myself and my brothers ending your life".

Ron's deep voice cut across the tense atmosphere between Sirius and Harry.

Sirius held up his hands.

"Look I know what that looked like in there" he jerked his head towards the kitchen.

"But it's all innocent I assure you".

Harry looked down at the floor shaking his head.

"You know Ginny has been doing my head in going on and on about Daria and how nasty she is to Hermione. I never saw it before now"

Ron cut him off

"Fuck this I want to know if he is shagging his ex" Ron stabbed his finger in Sirius's chest causing him to take a step back.

"What! Fuck no" Sirius shoved Ron away from him.

"Look Daria stayed over when we got back from a long night's surveillance. She slept in Hermione and Ginny's old bedroom. Charlie was here ask him"

Harry and Ron looked at each other "Charlie was here" Ron repeated.

Sighing Harry ran his fingers through his already untidy hair.

"Look Sirius we have to go back to school but you get upstairs and explain this to Hermione because I'm telling you man it looked bad in there...and you" he turned towards Ron as he started to push him back through the kitchen door "Not a word of this to your sister I mean it, she's like a bloody terrier when she gets the bit between her teeth and I don't fancy being on the receiving end of another one of her tirades about fucking Daria".

-XXX-

Tonks walked over to Hermione's garden swing before turning to face Daria crossing her arms in front of her.

"What the hell was that all about Daria?"

Daria pulled a slight frown shaking her head in denial.

"I don't know what you mean Tonks"

"Don't play bloody innocent with me, I know you remember. You made it sound as if you were here sleeping with Sirius and we both know that's all in your head".

Daria stuck out her chin defiantly.

"How do you know it's all in my head, you don't know how Sirius and I feel about each other. Is it so unbelievable that Sirius and I love each other and want to be together?"

Tonks shook her head exacerbated.

"Yes Daria it is and do you know why? I will tell you in one word 'Hermione'."

Daria snorted

"What that little girl the Order forced on him?"

Tonks looked at her former partner a girl she still considered a friend. She felt her heart clench for her when she noticed the girl's shoulders droop just a little bit as she looked down at the ground. Moving towards her Tonks laid a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Look Daria I know your heart has been broken and I feel for you I really do but you have to face reality here, a blind man can see that Sirius is madly in love with his wife. You have to move on he just is not interested in you in that way".

Daria pulled angrily away from Tonk's hand

"You know nothing about us Tonk's nothing"

Tonks raised her eyebrows at Daria's violent movement.

"Okay have it your way Daria but I'm telling you this stop pushing Hermione's buttons you won't like the consequences".

Tonks turned away from her to start walking back towards the house stopping when Daria called after her.

"What was that Tonk's are you threatening me now?"

Turning back Tonk's moved to stand toe to toe with Daria looking her straight in the eye.

"No not a threat a warning. I won't be the one to hex you that will be Hermione if you continue to bait her and let me tell you Daria she is one powerful little witch I wouldn't want to be on her wrong side".

-XXX-

The kitchen very quickly emptied leaving Sirius to lock the door behind Danior and Charlie who went out into the dark night to do 'Merlin knows what'.

Making his way quietly up stairs he entered the bedroom closing the door very gently behind him. Sirius looked at the bed with a frown 'empty'. His attention was quickly drawn to the door through to the sitting room where he could hear gentle music playing. Entering the sitting room he immediately took in Hermione's form sitting bundled up in her house robe a warm fleecy blanket over her legs. She had her head tilted back her eyes closed as she let the soft music playing wash over her. Moving to beside her Sirius gently lay his hand on her head running his palm down the side of her face, a small smile appearing on his face when Hermione leaned her head into his touch. Coming to sit beside her he took hold of her hand kissing her fingers before bringing their hands to rest on his lap.

"You did so well tonight my love, I am very, very proud of you"

Hermione's heart swelled at his praise her head heard his words her heart heard 'my love'

"I nearly passed out at the sight of that blood. I felt I could almost smell it, taste it even and my stomach just turned over"

Sirius turned slightly to look at her, his heart clenching as he took in her red weepy eyes and the tear tracks down her cheeks.

"Well you would not have been the first one to have passed out during that initiation but you handled it well, you have great determination" Sirius's words were softly spoken.

Hermione smiled gently as her eyes closed again her head resting on the back of the long settee. Sirius sat for a moment just taking her in before he decided he had to speak.

"Hermione I want to speak to you about Daria"

Hermione's eyes snapped open, a wary look immediately settling on her face. Sirius squirmed slightly under her silent scrutiny.

"Look sweetheart she stayed here last week one night. We had just finished a long night's surveillance and we were exhausted. She slept in you and Ginny's old bedroom. Charlie and Danior were here also. I know the way it sounded downstairs, it looked like it was just her and me but its just the way it came out I think, I'm sure Daria didn't mean it to sound like that".

Hermione sighed gently.

"Oh I think it came out just exactly as Daria wanted"

Sirius didn't know how to answer. He fell silent. The trouble was he wasn't so sure that Hermione was off the mark. Something had been grating at him all week about Daria's attitude towards Hermione. A heavy lead feeling of guilt settled in his stomach, he didn't like it.

"Sirius"

Hermione's soft voice roused him from his musings.

Her eyes were cast down "There's something I need to speak to you about also. I….well…..I'm….oh gods Sirius I think I might be pregnant".

'There she said it at last all the agonising the past week over in a flash'.

Slowly she raised her eyes to Sirius's face her breath catching in her throat, as she took in the look of utter longing on his face, a soft smile on his lips.

"I know. I think you might be pregnant as well"

"What?" Hermione was confused.

Sirius chuckled as he moved closer. Sliding his arm around her shoulder he tucked her body in close to his side.

"I've noticed the symptoms as well. The headache last week, the sickness, the sudden aversion to certain foods and the tender swollen breasts".

Hermione looked up at him as he waggled his eyebrows at her. An involuntary giggle escaped her at his antics.

"Trust you to notice that particular symptom".

Sirius smiled as he dropped a gentle kiss on top of her head.

"Yeah well husband's prerogative sweetheart, we notice the important things first".

"Sirius" Hermione gently rebuked him.

Growing serious once again Hermione chewed her bottom lip nervously.

Sirius looked down taking in her worried expression.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"I'm scared Sirius"

Hermione snapped her mouth shut. She couldn't believe she blurted that out. Glancing at him she decided 'oh well in for a penny in for a pound'. Untangling herself from her blanket and Sirius's grip she jumped up to stand I front of him.

"I mean what a time to bring a baby into the world, what with this bloody war going on and then there is school, I'm going to be huge by the time my NEWTS come around. Then I was thinking I don't think this house is very suitable for a baby and then…. And then…."

She stopped moving and looked him in the eye.

"And then there is you and me" she whispered.

Sirius felt that dead weight in his stomach once again.

"What about you and I?"

Hermione sighed as she flopped down on the settee next to him.

"I don't even know what you and I mean. This marriage was forced on both of us Sirius. If the war ended tomorrow and this law repealed are you even sure you would want to stay married to me? You could be free, be with Daria again if that is what you wanted. A child…..well a child will change all that".

Sirius dropped off the settee onto his knees in front of her; grabbing both her hands in his he shook his head in denial.

'This is it Sirius. Time to man up and tell this girl exactly what she means to you'

"Hermione baby listen to me. If this all finished tomorrow and you were to walk away from me it would end me. I could never be with anyone else especially Daria. You have to believe me sweetheart Daria means nothing to me. It was over between us long before you and I and speaking of you and I, you have to believe you are the most important person in my life"

Hermione was shaking her head in denial bright tears shinning on her eyelashes. Sirius gently placed his hands either side of her face stretching up to meet her eyes.

"Yes Hermione you. Not Harry, not Remus or Dora but you my love"

Taking a deep breath he continued

"I have never said this to anyone in my life Hermione. I have lost so many people that I never got the chance to tell them that I loved them, but I'm telling you sweetheart you are my life, I love you. With everything I am I love you. My heart was dead Hermione. It started beating again and you have done that, so please don't speak of walking away from me, I would die without you".

Tears were streaming down Hermione's cheeks.

"You have no idea how much I longed to hear you say that to me, I love you too Sirius with all my heart I love you"

Sirius kissed her cheeks, kissing away the tears before descending on her mouth. Hermione opened up to him their tongues tangling as the kiss seared between them. Pulling apart they smiled at each other. Sirius looked down bringing his hand to rest over her very flat stomach.

"I can't believe there might be our little babe in there. I never thought I would ever have this, have a wife a family. When I was in Azkaban I used to dream of the life I might have had but always resigned myself that it would never happen for me. I can't tell you in words Hermione how I feel about the fact that you may be carrying my child. I will never be able to repay or thank you enough for this chance at being a father".

"Oh Sirius" Hermione threw her arms around him burying her face in the crook of his neck, her heart breaking for the young man who had, had his life so cruelly ripped away from him.

"Hey, hey sweetheart why are you crying?"

"Oh I don't know just stuff"

Hermione straightened up sniffing slightly.

"Stuff huh?"

Sirius smiled knowingly at her.

"All that is in the past erH Hermione, here and now that's the future. My future with my beautiful wife".

Sirius kissed her so passionately it left Hermione panting with need.

"Sirius" she rubbed her nose against his.

"Mmmmm" was his only reply.

"Will you make love to me?"

Sirius sat back on his heels, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline. Never before had Hermione initiated their love making in such a clear manner. Pure desire shot through Sirius as he pulled himself up sweeping Hermione up into his arms at the same time.

"My pleasure beautiful"

He carried her through to their bedroom.

-XXX-

Sirius felt himself come into coconscious very slowly. He was dreaming about little baby girls all with chocolate brown eyes little pink ribbons tied up through their soft brown curls. They were trying to catch his attention calling;

"Daddy look at me", "No Daddy look at me".

He felt so happy he was desperately trying to hold onto their images but they were fading away. He could feel himself slowly wakening up and he sighed softly as he opened his eyes. Hermione was curled up onto her side facing him, her little fingers curled on his chest. He watched them rise and fall with each breath he took, an involuntary smile coming to his lips as he remembered their lovemaking the night before.

He had undressed her slowly placing little kisses on each bit of skin as it became exposed to him. He had wanted to take his time with her but Hermione impatiently pushed his arms away tugging at the buttons on his shirt to pull it open. When they were both eventually naked he slid inside her, a hiss of pleasure leaving both their lips.

Sirius could feel his cock twitch in remembrance of how good Hermione's tight little body felt around him. Rolling onto his side he chuckled lightly at Hermione's mumbled protests through her sleep at being disturbed. He pulled her close to him his hands stroking up the silky skin of her back only to come down and cup her backside.

"Mmmm Sirius" Hermione moaned.

Sirius kissed her forehead.

"Good morning sweetheart you are a sleepy head this morning. Its not often I'm up before you are"

Hermione's eyes flew open

"Goodness what time is it?"

"Hey calm down it's still early. Anyway what are you in such a hurry to get up for?"

Hermione turned to lie on her back stretching out her arms above her head and giving Sirius a perfect view of her breasts, a sight his cock seemed to appreciate as well.

"Well I thought I would do a little more work on my investigations for Danior before I speak to him about the ceremony".

Sirius scowled darkly

"Yeah well just remember to leave yourself out of any plans to get involved with that bloody ceremony. You are not going anywhere near it".

Hermione struggled to sit up.

"Sirius do not start I mean it. Harry will need all of us. You me and Ron"

Sirius interrupted her.

"Hermione you are not going anywhere near that ceremony. It could be dangerous enough to anyone of us but to someone who is carrying a brand new soul it could be bloody fatal".

Hermione's hand dropped to her stomach.

"Do you think it really could be harmful for the baby?"

"I don't know sweetheart, it could be but I'm not taking the chance with either you or my child and I'm telling you this neither will Harry. You know he will insist you are kept far away".

Hermione threw herself back onto the pillows.

"All this is a moot point anyway at the moment. We don't even know if I'm pregnant yet".

They both fell silent. Sirius still running his fingers up and down Hermione's arm. He leaned over her and nuzzled her neck sucking lightly on the pulse point just below her ear.

"Mmmm that feels nice"

Hermione rolled onto her side to face Sirius, the small smile on her lips quickly changing to a gasp and her hand flew up to cover her mouth as she used the other to push Sirius away from her.

"Oh gods above I'm going to be sick"

She scrambled from the bed slamming the bathroom door open in her haste. Sirius sat back on the bed running a harassed hand through his hair.

"Yeah right sure we don't know yet" he mumbled before jumping up to go help his poor stricken wife.

-XXX-

Hermione and Sirius stepped out of the floo at St Mungo's together. Sirius was a bit wary of them being outside alone without some others of the Order with them but Hermione had insisted it should just be the two of them, so to appease him she wore a long black cloak, the hood so huge on her head it almost covered her face. Sirius's own hood was pulled up over his head also. They made their way to Medic Mullin's outpatient clinic, giving the nurse at the desk their names. They both took a seat at the back of the small room. By the time their names where called both had fallen silent each lost in their own thoughts. Hermione grabbed hold of Sirius's hand gripping it tightly as they were led into Dr Mullin's consulting room.

"Sirius, Hermione what a nice surprise to see you both this morning"

"Good morning Dr Mullin it is nice to see you again" Hermione responded politely as she took her seat next to Sirius in front of Dr Mullin's desk.

"So what can I do for both of you today?"

Sirius cleared his throat

"Em we think Hermione might be pregnant"

"Oh I see" Dr Mullin looked at Hermione

"What makes you think that Hermione?"

"Well my period is late by two weeks. I've been getting very sick especially in the mornings but I do feel quite dreadful for most of the day. I'm just so tired all the time as well and it's a different kind of tiredness from before this time I just feel completely exhausted. Oh and my breasts are a bit tender too".

"Well that's quite a list; it's almost as if you had swallowed a guide to pregnancy symptoms book"

Hermione smiled apologetically

"I know, I'm sorry"

Dr Mullin waved away her apology.

"No, no don't be. Early pregnancy can be quite a strain on your body".

"Okay first things first Hermione. Pop behind the screen, strip down to your underwear and put on the robe hanging there".

While Hermione was getting changed Dr Mullin moved over to the cabinets behind her. Lifting one of the many potions from the shelf she spoke to Sirius.

"So then Sirius how are you feeling about all this?"

Sirius ran his hands through his hair.

"Excited, nervous, bloody terrified if the truth be told but I will be over the moon if we are having a little one".

Dr Mullin nodded at him, speaking quietly she asked

"And Hermione?"

Sirius sighed shrugging his shoulders.

"Scared I think. All this uncertainty it makes her worried you know"

Coming round the desk Dr Mullin patted him reassuringly on his shoulder.

"Okay well lets go find out for sure, are you ready Hermione".

Hermione peeked out from behind the screen.

"Yeah ready"

Coming round the screen Dr Mullin held out the potion to Hermione.

"Just drink this over and hop up on the table"

Hermione swallowed the potion over grimacing slightly at the very sweet taste.

Lying back on the bed she giggled nervously when Dr Mullin moved her robe aside to reveal her stomach.

"What is so funny?"

Dr Mullin smiled at her.

"Oh I was just thinking the last time I took one of these tests I had to pee on a little plastic stick"

Sirius grimaced

"What the hell did you pee on a stick for?"

This time Hermione laughed out loud as Dr Mullin replied

"Ah yes Muggle magic".

"Alright Hermione just relax and let's see what's what".

Dr Mullin waved her wand over Hermione's tummy, her free hand hovering about six inches from her skin. Slowly she pulled her arm away then flicked her wand upwards. Hovering just above Hermione's belly button a tiny pearlescent globe appeared growing bigger and bigger until it was about twelve inches in diameter. Dr Mullin smiled brightly and with another flick of her wand the room was filled with a woosh, woosh, woosh sound.

"Hermione, Sirius congratulations that little bean you are looking at is your baby!" HHleH