A huge thanks to my lovely reviewers. Little rays of sunshine. Punkyredhead, AngelOnYourRight, China2009, StarGirlPotter, Kandimom and BrightestWitchOfHerAge and all you others. I'll try to be polite enough to answer, and if you are writing yourself, return the favor, but time is precious in my world. Too little of it.

Love, Kia

"But have you discussed last night with anyone?" Hermione asked over the lunch-time breakfast in the kitchen.

"I've just told you, kitten. I haven't seen anyone but you since the Malfoys left," Sirius answered and poured her another cup of tea.

"Right. Sorry."

"But never mind them now. How do you feel? Molly's tea still your life-line?"

"I'm… well, not fine perhaps, but better. Most of all I'm so tired. If Kreacher hadn't been my personal little elf, I would have overslept every morning this week. I think I can sleep eighteen hour a day."

"Is that normal?"

A glimpse of the quick-tempered, hormone-induced rage made Hermione frown before she sighed deeply and looked like she was about to start crying.

Still moody though. Never mind, you're here.

"I don't know. My experiences of pregnancies are about as non-existent as yours. I don't feel sick all the time, only when I'm really hungry. I have been able to focus on my lessons, but mostly…"

She blushed and emptied her teacup.

"Mostly what?" Sirius asked.

"No, nothing."

"Tell me. Mostly what?"

Hermione shook her head stubbornly and changed the subject.

"Can you guess who Minerva asked to substitute for me?"

"It's not Horace?"

"No. And even if he had been willing, which I think he would, Minerva said she wanted someone younger. Perhaps someone more willing to keep up with new research in Potions. Try new things."

"You're not teaching them to brew your Veritaserum, are you?"

"Course not. But my sub-teacher might…"

"Luna?"

"Yes, Minerva asked her, and she said yes. Both she and Neville are happy, to say the least. But I have censored Luna quite a bit. Her mother did some experiments with Potions see, and one of them got her killed. I've had Luna promise me to follow the syllabus and not follow in her mother's footsteps."

"So, Luna is at Hogwarts teaching and making Neville happy, and you are here with me. Life couldn't be better. Can't we keep it this way?"

Sirius levitated the empty dishes to the sink.

"I'm home for a month. After that we'll see. But if everything works out well with Luna, she is more than willing to fill-in for me when the baby comes."

"But I have you here for a month. And according to yourself, you'd rather spend most of the time in my bed."

Sirius smiled and winked at her, and Hermione's cheeks pinked again.

"But we can't live cooped up her like we did all summer, Sirius. People will talk."

Sirius rounded the table, pulled her from her chair and left the kitchen with his arms around her. He led her through the library and out on the porch. The garden had begun to show autumn colours, and the air was chilly. Hermione sank down in one of the lounge chairs and pulled a blanket around her. Sirius eased himself beside her and held her hard.

"I don't really care about people. I can easily stay like this for the next six months." His hand found its way under the blanket to rest on Hermione's still flat stomach. "And from another perspective, everyone will gain on you just staying in my bed. The bloody idiots at the club think I'm living contently as a bachelor, and that you are away. They might of course pick up on the fact that you are on sick leave, but for that purpose you might, again, just better be in my bed, not gallivanting around London."

"I wasn't planning to, I know Mrs Black's profile needs to be low, but I was thinking about our friends. Tonks and Remus. I'd like to tell Ginny about the baby, unless her mother hasn't already. Our friends will talk, they will know I'm not teaching, and they'll wonder why. We need to start telling people, Sirius."

Sirius nuzzled her neck, inhaling her much missed scent and closed his eyes.

"But not today, right? Why don't you stay here resting, sleeping all day, while I talk to Kingsley and the Order about Lord Black's impromptu guests yesterday? See if he can get a clearer picture on the Malfoy family tree. And we'll ask Remus and Tonks over tomorrow night."

"We can't."

"Why not?"

"Sunday night. Club night for your lordship."

Fuck! I don't want to go there again. I don't want to be him again.

For once Sirius said exactly what he was thinking.

"I know. But you'll do it anyway. And sleeping all day sounds fine." Hermione yawned widely. "I'll be all right tonight."

Sirius stayed curled around her until she fell asleep. Part of him wanted to stay in the nippy autumn air, under the blanket, but the memory of his father's voice challenged him to get up and be the responsible Order member people expected him to be.

"You were right, Sirius," Kingsley said. "Baby Phineas Malfoy is as pure as they come, but motherless, according to the Malfoy genealogy."

"But where is his mother? Where is Cho?" asked Bill Weasly who just flooed into Remus and Tonk's cottage at the unscheduled Order meeting. The living room was crowded, but everyone agreed Grimmauld Place wasn't the best place to hold meetings in anymore when The Malfoys could pop in at any time. Harry and Ginny weren't there, but Sirius hadn't had the time to ask Molly or Arthur where they were.

"Cho is at St. Mungo's," Poppy Pomfrey informed the others. "She has been there since she gave birth. Healer Pye, who attends Frank and Alice, told me this morning. He's also in the Order, as you know. According to Pye, Cho is weak, but he can't really diagnose her with anything other than having had a difficult pregnancy and a really hard delivery. It seems as if her body doesn't respond to neither potions nor food."

Pollux said 'deaths among the un-pure population' and now I see them everywhere. In the picture he painted.

Sirius inner eye saw another painting. Hermione lying as still and white as a few weeks ago when she was struck nausea, but with a newborn baby in a crib beside her own bed. The baby cooed but Hermione didn't move. The baby squealed louder and Sirius closed his eyes hard to get rid of his fears.

"Which brings us to this," he growled and slammed his hand on one of the copied folders of The Tragedie of Childbirths in London 1758-1763. "You've all read it by now, I hope. Pollux, the insane conspiracy freak, thought now was the time to show us this. That whatever is going on now is inspired by this… this…" Sirius couldn't find only one word that described how he felt about Pollux' story, and just drummed his fingers on top of the piled pieces of parchment.

Tragedy? Nightmare? Pure-bloods at their finest? Yesterday's mirror of what will happen now?

"You know damn well that I share the same bottom-of-the-gene-pool-barrel, so maybe I can't help freaking out here when I think of the endless possibilities my fellow club members have to make history repeat itself. Carrow staggers around there moaning about respect and order, Runcorn chuckling when he tells me about his passion, as if he wants me to apply for an internship, Malfoy… Good Lord, Lucius Malfoy's indignation when his grandson wasn't granted a membership has been among the least repulsive events there, almost dignified. As was Lestrange's drinking my whiskey."

The people around the room stared at him. His temper may not have surprised anyone, but the complexity behind his ramblings was unusual.

Arthur Weasley looked away, Kingsley Shacklebolt scribbled something on his pile of copies, Minerva McGonagall had her superior do-not-argue-with-me-unless-you-want-to-end-your-l ife-now-look. Her nephew looked as if he most of all wanted to transform into a cat and claw something. Bill Weasley spoke.

"If this is history repeating itself and it continues, the pure-blood population, I mean THAT pure-blood population, will have a young population of… wards, more or less. We'll have boarding schools from a very early age, if these children's remaining parents are to rule Britain."

"Oh, but Pollux wanted us to wait and see," Sirius snarled. "Just for a while. Perhaps until Harry dies of a dragon pox no one ever heard of, and Ginny is made sole guardian of their unborn child. I wonder what happens when THAT pure-blood population realizes she'll never share their beliefs no matter how pure her blood is."

Molly Weasley, looking angry enough to evoke a thunderstorm by sheer willpower, opened her mouth but nothing came out. Contradicting emotions were written all over her face, and, for once, Sirius knew exactly how she felt.

"Well, maybe we should wait," Bill continued, and Sirius wanted to punch him.

"Of all the people in here, I guess you are the only one who can say that, Weasley. You are one of a kind, the last in a very curious line of wizards. Probably the only one, the last one minimally inbred pure-blood who is lucky enough to have had magical children with your lovely pure-blood wife," Sirius snarled, too angry, agitated, outraged, worried and desperate to see the younger man's wounded expression. No one spoke in the silence after his out-brake. Then two voices spoke at once.

"Have you told Hermione about this?" Remus asked at the same time Bill, obviously trying to sound calm said:

"I meant, just wait to see in what direction this lead goes. Towards the Carrow family or towards what remains of the Lestranges. I would have no qualms about hunting down and arrest, and perhaps be rather carless in handling either Amycus Carrow or Rudolphus Lestrange on his way to the Wizengamot, maybe take a detour to see some Mountains troll, or a visit to Charlie's dragon farm. To use that hideous expression of Dumbledore's, For the Greater Good. It's the most dangerous motto to live by. When is it for the Greater Good, and when is it just better for me personally, but here I can actually rely to it. Building a New Britain on the grounds of blood purity must be extinguished at any cost. It would however be a dreadful move to have me, Harry, Sean, Angelina and all the other Aurors to just take in Runcorn, Carrow, Lestrange, Malfoy on the grounds that they are conservative, politically incorrect pure-bloods. For all we know it could be the bartender, Paul Umbridge, who is running this operation as a puppet to his aunt, the toad lady, whatever her name…"

"Dolores," George supplied with a snigger.

"Yeah, right. Neither of us thinks that is the case, but we don't know, and if we came storming in at the Cantankerous, or at these people's places of work, we will have blown every cover. Kingsley as an unbiased Minister for Magic, which is the best protection we've ever had, not to mention your own position, Sirius. Your fellow club members might be bastards, but they are not idiots. They'd pin a raid like that on you in seconds, and even if you'd never go near that club again, they, the real they, the psychopathic fuck-heads behind the New Pure Britain, would hunt you down and death would be something to beg for. So, don't you dare pair me up with them because of my magical children." Bill met Sirius glare, and Sirius broke away first.

"I'm sorry, Bill. You are right. I just hope for something to happen so I don't have to keep being Lord Black at that club. It's… It's the worst under cover I've ever had. I hear myself saying the most horrific things, or hear my father rather, and then all these high and mighty wizards agreeing with me."

"We would never have gotten this far without your, Sirius, "Kingsley said. "So, corner Carrow tomorrow? Is that your plan?"

Sirius shook his head.

"You can't really ask me about my plan. I take that Felix potion, and it just guides me. I'll try to get close to Carrow tomorrow, but luck might push me in another direction."

Minerva McGonagall cleared her throat.

"Poppy, are you aware of any more pregnancies in these newly registered marriages?"

"Yes, a few, but I'm not really at liberty to say. Confidentiality."

"Of course, but can you perhaps ask them to be extra careful, and report any illnesses in the half-blood or muggleborn partner to you?"

"Yes, I will."

Kingsley stood up and began to round up the meeting. It was decided that Bob McGonagall and one of Bill's most trusted Aurors would go on a surveillance mission to the cottage where Amycus Carrow lived with his sister in Ottery St. Catchpole and try out some discreet counter spells on the Carrows' wards. Later he would do the same at the Lestrange castle. Sirius handed over Pollux diary to Bob, pointing out the chapters of old counters that might have been forgotten. Bob lit up like a child on Christmas, and Sirius felt a little less alone in his own mission. It was also decided that Kingsley himself would look into what Dolores Umbridge was up to nowadays. She was placed in the International Magical Trading Standards Body, where her passion for rules and regulations came in handy. Percy Weasley hadn't seen leaking cauldron in years.

Most Order members had left when Remus came and sat by Sirius at the coffee table. Tonks was clearing the teacups and plates.

"Have you, Sirius?"

"No, I haven't told Hermione. Course I haven't. How could I? This is hard on her as it is. Being too sick to work. She keeps mentioning Tonks who said she didn't experience anything like this when she was pregnant with Teddy, and it makes her feel inferior."

"Inferior? Me?" Tonks asked and joined them, munching the last of the cake.

"No, Hermione. To you. You are this strong wonder witch who didn't get any negative pregnancy symptoms. In her view," Sirius told his cousin.

"Me? Nonsense! You said so yourself, Sirius. Bottom of the gene pool barrel. If it hadn't been for my darling muggle father who diluted the Black insanity, and then Remus, Teddy would never have been. Is she better now?"

Sirius nodded.

"I think so. Tired, though. Home for a month, then we'll see."

"But there are positive pregnancy symptoms too, Sirius," Tonks giggled.

"What do you mean? Apart from her getting even more beautiful to me?"

"That too, but I bet she feels the same about you."

"What are you on about, Tonks?" Sirius sighed.

"Oh, nothing. You'll see." Tonks left the room with a pile of dishes levitated in front of her. Sirius turned to Remus who tried to stifle a laugh.

"What? What is it? What are you on about? Tell me!"

"Oh, no. I don't have to. And, as my lovely wife just pointed out, you'll see."

Sirius huffed. A clock on the mantelpiece chimed six and he wanted to get home.

Hermione was in the kitchen, preparing supper. A veggie soup, some garlic bread and small bowls of olives, cheese and nuts. She wore more relaxed clothes than her teaching suits and robes; a pair of faded jeans showed off her bottom in the most distracting manner, and a thin white shirt that had one button too many unbuttoned for Sirius to be able to keep an intellectual discussion on any topic with her. He was just about to drop his jacket on the floor and grab her when someone cleared her throat.

"Hello Sirius."

Ginny sat perched on the worktop, a glass of ginger ale in her hand.

"Oh, Ginny. Hi. Didn't see you there."

"I can see you didn't," the young redhead giggled, in a tone similar to Tonks' a few minutes ago.

"How's Harry?"

"He's fine. Behind you."

Sirius turned around to face Harry. Suddenly his old Auror instincts kicked in.

"How did you get here? Tell me you didn't use the front door."

"Easy on the paranoia, Sirius," Harry smiled. "No, we apparated directly into the garden and woke Hermione up. Kicked her out, have you?"

"Don't be a smart-arse, Harry," Hermione said. "I told you I'm fine."

"You certainly are," Sirius mumbled and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Have you told them? he whispered."

"No, waited for you," she whispered back.

"Are you going to tell us now, Hermione?" Ginny asked slyly from the other end of the room.

"Tell us what?" Harry asked confused.

"My guess," said Ginny, " is that Hermione was asleep on the porch to conquer morning sickness and that she's been waiting for Sirius to come home before she tells us she's having a baby. A few months after us. Am I right?"

Sirius coughed, Hermione laughed, Harry gaped.

"Did your mother tell you that?" Sirius panted, recovering.

"No, she didn't have to. But I could smell her tea as soon as we got inside, and I can kind of see it on Hermione."

"I'm not showing yet, am I?" Hermione pressed her hands to her stomach.

Ginny looked overly pleased with herself. Harry still looked shell shocked, but managed to pat Sirius on the shoulder and mutter something vaguely resembling 'Well done. Congratulations.' Ginny focused on Hermione who still sought Ginny's eyes for an answer to her question.

"No," Ginny whispered in a stage whisper. "Not there, a bit higher."

Three pairs of eyes were glued to Hermione's breasts and the deep gap in her shirt. She blushed and turned around, buttoning up.

"OK," she said when she faced them again. "Show's over. Thanks for your discretion, Ginny."

"Any time." Ginny hopped down from the worktop, went over to Hermione and pulled her friend into a hug. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. I couldn't be happier, our babies will be in the same year at Hogwarts in twelve years, can you imagine?"

All four laughed.

Sirius pulled Harry aside.

"On a completely different note, son. Where were you today? We had an Order meeting at the Lupins."

"Why? Why not here?"

Sirius sighed. Why didn't people read their owls?

"Haven't you read the folder I sent to your office a couple of days ago?"

"I haven't been at my office for a week. I've been on training in Edinburgh."

Sirius pulled Harry into his study and filled him in on just about everything.

"And not much more to do than carrying on like before with Lord Black and utmost caution on all fronts."

"So this…"

"Nightmare, yeah. Conspiracy of the lunatics."

"…from 17-something, is it true?"

"No one knows. Pollux says so, but he'd say anything disrespectful about the pure-bloods. Not that I disagree with him, he just comes off pretty strong. Almost as dedicated and mad as Moody was."

"Well, Moody was right. Most of the time."

"No one knows if it really was a conspiracy, but historical facts suggest it. And if the plan behind it somehow has surfaced again, we'd better be prepared. And sacred."

"Does Hermione…"

"No."

"But you have to…"

"I know. Was Ginny with you in Edinburgh? I mean, she doesn't know either, does she?"

"Yes, we were both in Edinburgh. I'll stop by the office and pick up the folder, then we'll discuss it tonight. And you? You need to tell Hermione straight away."

"I know. I will. Were you guys planning on staying for supper?"

"No, no. Just a quick stop to see you actually. Really surprised to see Hermione home. Why isn't she at Hogwarts?"

Sirius filled Harry in on that as well before the young Potters left Grimmauld Place. Harry was quite thoughtful and quiet, but neither Ginny nor Hermione seemed to notice, chatting away on baby matters.

I will tell her. Do I need to tell her now? We could have just one more night of not-really-knowing. She'll be keeping a low profile here in the house. No one will tell her. Everyone will assume I've told her. She doesn't need to know. Yet. Ever, if we can just find the source. If Lord Black can just make Carrow talk. Or Lestrange… Lestrange…

Sirius felt Hermione's hands embrace him from behind. Warm and firm they sneaked under his shirt and up his chest.

"What are you thinking about?"

Lestrange.