As Before this chapter has not been beta read.
I apologise for any potential errors I have missed

Ok so I loved writing these last two chapters. And as you can tell I am a sucker for weddings... I blame the fact I haven't done it yet, so wrote out three different ones in this story...
Now the negative. Except for the epilogue - I currently am hating hard on what happens and am conflicted in scrapping what I have and taking it a slight tangent or sticking with what I have and hope you wont hate it so much.

Enough of me. Hope this chapter makes your week a little better. If I decide to keep what I have another chapter will be soon - if not well... I am still hoping to have it all done by Harry's Birthday still. ;)

XOXO

Natstar

SHATTER ME

Chapter 30

Fleur, Demelza and the bridesmaids were waiting in the Library for Harry and Hermione as they came through the fireplace. Fleur grabbed Harry cleaning off the soot and grime, as Demelza did the same to Hermione, checking and making sure nothing was out of place on the bride. When they were satisfied Fleur and Demelza both gave Hermione a brief hug before moving down to the Drawing room with the remaining guests and a very nervous groom. Harry too moved to follow them but Hermione grabbed his arm.

"Harry, I can't do this by myself." She whispered.

"Wait. Y-you want me to walk you down the aisle?" Hermione gave him a nervous smile. Harry's eyes widened.

"Shouldn't someone like Remus, or Dumbledore, or, or Hagrid be doing that?"

Hermione shook her head, "Please Harry?"

"Go on Harry. You have to walk down it anyway to stand with Sirius, why not with Hermione?" Ginny said as she herded them towards the door, so she could fix Hermione's train.

"Besides, you were her first real friend in the magical world." She added.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked dubiously. Hermione nodded, "As sure as I have ever been."

"Ok, but promise I won't have to dance?" Harry offered his arm again. Hermione grinned. "Thanks Harry."

Luna went first through the door, which started the music and everyone stood to watch. As Luna reached the end, Ginny gave them both a grin and followed behind, leaving Harry and Hermione alone again. Harry put his hand on the door and glanced at Hermione.

"Oh, I hope you won't mind who is sitting in the front row for you," He said smugly. Hermione could only give him a sharp glance as the doors opened to a room full of people either side of a silver carpeted aisle leading towards an archway.

VVWVV

It was the third time within fifteen minutes that Sirius checked his pocket watch, then look past Remus to the blank space where Harry ought to be standing and huffed.

"Where in Merlin's beard are they?" Sirius muttered. Remus stood stoically beside him, keeping a straight face.

"They are most likely needing a brief moment together, Padfoot. Remember she is doing this entirely on her own."

"I know, and I want to be the one to be with her." He said in aggrieved tones. The flask once again made an appearance before him. He stared daggers at Remus but finally grabbed it taking a long drink. He didn't notice Fred and George hand out winnings on those that bet he would. Remus did and remembered over twenty years of friendship that stopped him from chuckling.

"What if something has happened?" Sirius asked handing back the flask and pulling out his watch again.

"Fleur and the others are helping Hermione. They would have come and alerted us all if it had. Sirius, she will be here. She has never failed to show up. Today especially is no exception."

As if on cue, Fleur and Demelza slipped in, Fleur sitting quickly next to Bill, and Demelza striding towards them down the aisle. Remus heard him gulp as she drew closer. Then huff in frustration as she sat in the last vacant seat in the front row, winking at Sirius as she moved past not saying a word. Sirius however unleashed a few choice curses, Remus suspected were in French.

Sirius looked again at the front row, or he realised the first two front rows on the bride's side. Almost all of them were students that were a part of Dumbledore's Army from the fifth year, two Ravenclaws from her fifth year Arithmancy class she socialised with and Dobby, who was holding a very grumpy Crookshanks. Dobby was grinning from ear to ear, his legs swinging merrily as he waited to watch the wedding. Crookshanks looked as though he wanted to be anywhere that was not in a room full of crowded people. In fact, as soon as Demelza took her seat, right next to the aisle, the ginger wriggled free of Dobby and walked brazenly across the laps of the entire row to curl up on the dark witches lap purring loudly as she scratched just under his chin.

Distracted, he looked up as the lights in the room seemed to dim around the edging of the fake forest, and brightening down the aisle. The door opened and a string musical piece began filling the room with a gentle melody as the crowd hushed.

Luna appeared first and began a slow pace towards the archway where Sirius and Remus waited. She reached them as Ginny appeared grinning broadly as she also walked sedately towards them. Ginny took her place next to Luna, snickering as she watched Sirius. She glanced at Remus, who she noticed was struggling in his own mirth of the bridegroom.

The music changed and everyone turned as the doors opened revealing Hermione, with Harry escorting her. Harry's face was flushed at the attention but kept his cool as they began the long slow walk down the aisle.

"Damn, she can make a man forget to breath." Sirius whispered. Only Remus heard it and finally allowed himself a chuckle.

Hermione stopped partway. Sirius stopped breathing.

"Harry. I- I" she stammered. Her stomach made another familiar flutter.

"Just breathe Hermione. Just focus on Sirius. Ignore the rest." He whispered back. He felt her draw in a breath.

"Ok, I can do this. I'm walking down the aisle. There, I can see Remus. And there's Sirius. Oh gods. How does he look that good looking?" She whispered under her breath. Only Harry could hear and tried and failed to suppress a snigger.

"Shut up Harry!" she whispered, as Harry led them closer. Only Harry sniggered again, trying very hard not to laugh out loud.

"What is so funny? Harry! This is MY wedding and you are laughing."

"I know Hermione. I am sorry, but look we made it to the end." He whispered back grinning at her, as he took her hand that was holding his arm like steel, offering it to Sirius.

"Thank you Harry." Sirius placed a hand on his shoulder in affection before taking Hermione's now trembling hand. Harry moved away to take his place next to Remus who whispered his own thanks. Sirius helped her up the final stairs. Ginny moved forwards taking Hermione's bouquet and quickly adjusted the train as Sirius captured her other trembling hand.

"You're shaking, Princess," He whispered. She looked up at him through long lashes as he rubbed calming circles on the back of her hands. Hermione couldn't talk. She felt as if in a dream. Not like one she had ever been in before. One where she was finding herself both equally happy and sad. The ache in her chest was for the hole that was left behind after her parents died, as well as all the others that she loved just as dearly that had died. And the happiness that still could not quite believe that she was marrying the man before her. One she first met as a criminal and then Harry's Godfather, before a strange twist of fate pulled her back to encounter the boy that grew up to be a man before her eyes; her love for him growing with it.

Sirius noted every detail from her choice of gown, appreciating how it wrapped her figure and amplified her assets, to the loose curl that hung against her slender neck, the shaking hands and the look of total love and adoration when she finally took a breath and looked up at him. The room full of people fell away for him and it was only him and her. The words of the officiant washed over them but his whole world was smiling shyly back at him and he strived to capture every second of the moment and commit it to memory.

The officiant coughed, breaking their moment and repeated again to the crowd's amusement "Do you Sirius Orion Black, take thee, Hermione Jean Granger, to have and to hold, from this moment onwards, for better or worse for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love her, and cherish her until death parts you?"

He heard Hermione's intake of breath, squeezing her hands gently crooned, "With all my heart, I do."

Hermione's heart felt like it stopped and then begun to beat faster. The fluttering seemed like a hundred butterflies now, as the officiant continued, "Do you Hermione Jean Granger, take thee, Sirius Orion Black, to have and to hold, from this moment onwards, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love him, and cherish him until death parts you?"

She took another breath and looked up into those mercurial grey eyes. Eyes that steadied her and swept her away on a current of emotion. A dimpled smile bloomed and the ache in her chest became a little less as her love swelled she echoed his words breathlessly, "With all my heart, I do."

Someone behind her sniffed, though neither paid it any mind, only having eyes for each other. The Officiant moved on with the ceremony, nodding at Remus to provide the rings that Sirius left in his keeping. He was finally happy that his two oldest friends were now standing where he had with Dora and so many years before James and Lily had done. As unexpectedly as Hermione had come into all of their lives there was no denying the love that each shared for the other. He glanced to the front row where his own love sat and smiled. She grinned back winking at him. Harry caught the exchange and coughed softly, nodding them back to what was happening.

Sirius held a simple gold band at the tip of her left ring finger, "With this ring, Hermione, I give to you as a symbol of my love and my promise to always be by your side through the good and the bad. I promise to be the best husband I can be, not just the man you have helped me become, but the man that you deserve. Hermione, you are the most amazing, magical lady I have ever met, and regardless of what circumstances brought us together, I am glad and thankful for the way that you did come into my life. I promise you that I will do everything I can to keep you in my life, my heart and my soul, for as long as possible, in past, present and future. And I promise to be the best father to our child and any children that we may have."

He slid the band halfway down her finger to her knuckle, "Hermione Jean Granger, I love you and have always loved you and will keep loving you, in this moment for eternity and may eternity be in this moment," Sliding the ring the rest of the way. She didn't feel the ring's coolness but, like her engagement ring felt sparks of his promise to her. She lifted her shaking hand to take the ring from the officiant and poise his larger band on the tip of his finger.

"With this ring, Sirius, I give to you as a symbol of my love to you and my promise to you that I will stand by your side in good times and bad. I promise that I will defend and protect you and our family with everything that I have. And whilst our first introductions to each other were by no means traditional in any sense, I would not change the past… well, not unnecessarily so."

Hermione's cheeks dimpled and those that knew either some or all the story chuckled at the faux par, "Sirius Orion Black, you saved my life. You saved my heart and I am glad to have found an equal in you, even when your cooking and potions still leave a lot to be desired. Thank you for staying with me steadfastly, through all that we have been through, and though we know not what is around the corner, I am glad that I will have you with me to face it together. I love you Sirius, in this life and every life that I could ever live."

She slid the ring onto his finger and he sucked in his breath feeling it tingle down his arm of her promise to him. Neither completely heard the rest of what the officiant had to say, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome the newly wedded Mr and Mrs Black!"

It wasn't until Remus leaned in and nudged Sirius, whispering, "Kiss the bride Padfoot!" did they snap from their trance long enough for Sirius to step forwards and pulled her against him. Her hands on his chest, he snaked one hand around her waist, his other cupping her face.

"Gods you are beautiful" He murmured as his lips moved in to capture hers. Their kiss starting chaste until Hermione's hands snaked around his neck kissing him back thoroughly enough to draw a growl from him in hunger. Around them the crowd cheered and threw confetti over them, courtesy of Fred and George.

When they finally broke apart both grinning at the other, Fire and lust in Sirius's eyes, reflected in her own as a blush warmed her cheeks. Both were pulled away by their bridal party. Ginny enveloped her into a bone crushing hug.

"I'm not crying, I promise! I am so happy for you Hermione."

"Thanks Gin, for everything." She hugged her back just as tightly.

Remus pulled Sirius in for a tight hug, "Lils and James are probably cheering at you both right now."

They pulled away enough to see each other's grinning faces, arms on arms, "That and Marlene probably won the bet you got Hermione pregnant." He added.

Sirius chuckled, "They all would have been happy, over the moon about today." He agreed.

Remus moved away and Harry stepped forwards holding out his hand to shake. Sirius took it and pulled him into as tight a hug.

"Thank you, Harry. Thank you, for doing one of the most honourable things for Her. Your mum and dad could not be prouder than I am of you in this moment."

"Sirius! Can't Breathe!" Harry gasped. Sirius chuckled releasing him, scruffing up Harry's hair as they separated. Others moved forwards, each shaking hands, and hugging the happy couple.

As people stood the chairs rearranged themselves as tables materialised around the room. The Silver rug changed and spread out hardening to become the dance floor. Yet it seemed to continue to swirl around like mercury in glass. As each table came together crystal frosted champagne flutes full of sparking liquid appeared and the tables set themselves with snow white and silver tableware, with centrepieces matching the winter blue roses and baby's breath, under white and silver tablecloths.

The music began to play seemingly coming through the trees. Sirius stepped amidst the large group of girls Hermione was surrounded by complementing her dress and asking about the charms of the room. He held out his hand.

"If I may interrupt ladies, I was hoping that Mrs Black would care to dance?" His eyes only on his wife, as the girls twittered. Hermione blushed a little but the dimpled smile lit up at his words.

"Certainly Mr Black, I thought you would never ask," She answered cheekily, taking his hand. Sirius guided her to the centre of the room. The crowd around found seats and looked on as the floor seemed to glow under the couple leaving only fairy lights in the trees lit. The silver on both Hermione's gown and Sirius's dress robes glittered.

Sirius spun her before pulling her close, allowing the current song to finish. "You have made me the happiest man alive Princess." He murmured as the first chords of the next song began. He led them into their bridal waltz that swept them around the dance floor. Both moved flawlessly never taking their eyes from each other, except when he spun her as their dance dictated.

The song changed, their dance changed and the bridal party forgot their part to join them on the floor as the two continued to move around the floor in a foxtrot. Remus was the first to rouse himself of his duties nudging Harry to follow suit as they partnered with Ginny and Luna respectively, moving slightly awkwardly around the floor. Neither Hermione nor Sirius minded, their dance not interrupted as more joined them on the floor, only slowing their steps.

"You dance quite well, Mrs Black,"

"Only quite?" she teased in a dimpled smile, "Well Mr Black, you look rather ravishing yourself"

"One does try to, when he just married the most beautiful and talented witch he ever met."

"Beautiful and talented? I am not any of those," She lowered her gaze. Sirius stopped in the middle of the dancefloor, lifting her chin with his hand, so that she would look at him. His gaze seemed to blaze with intensity.

"But you are my love. You are also humble, caring, loyal, passionate and many, many other things that I love about you. And most importantly you are my wife and soon to be the mother to our child."

Hermione again found herself at a loss of words. Sirius grinned and pulled her in, taking full advantage of it, capturing her lips drawing out a gasp and soft moan. A polite and deliberate cough pulled them reluctantly apart, Sirius growled at the intrusion. Remus held out his hand to Hermione.

"Mind if I cut in?"

"I do mind, however, I did promise a turn with Aunt Andromeda" Sirius gave his best friend a glare, but spun Hermione, allowing Remus to take the dance as Sirius grabbed Tonks for a short turn and swapping partners with Ted Tonks, so smoothly the respective women were left slightly bewildered. Remus, not near as good as Sirius, opted for a basic waltz, half smiling as Hermione took lead for her new dance partners benefit.

"Can I ask you a question Hermione?"

"Of course" Hermione nodded at him.

"When you came through the veil that night, in the shrieking shack, why did you not transform?"

"Oh, that."

Remus watched as her brow creased going back to that memory. "I guess, when I realised where I was, there was no possible means of escape. I would not have at all been able to transform fast enough before you would have attacked. And when it came time to it, I guess I panicked so much I'd forgotten it would have helped."

"You forgot you could become animagus?" Remus asked doubtfully.

She huffed at him, "If you have ever been tossed out of the void of time directly into an angry Werewolf on full moon, and also don't use animagus form much at all, you wouldn't remember to either."

Remus chuckled, "Yes, well as you say, we all are allowed some secrets."

After their second turn around the room Remus said softly, "I don't think I got to properly thank you,"

She looked at him questioningly, "For what?"

Remus chuckled, "For everything, Mrs Black."

"I don't deserve thanks Remus. All that has happened was merely paths taken." She shook her head at him, despite a blush forming.

"Hermione, all that you have done in both past and present has changed history. You have saved Sirius's life, you've saved mine. You made sure I would be happy again and in love again in Dora and our own babe on the way." He led her from the floor, allowing her to take a seat and handed her a glass of sparkling water.

"I didn't manage to save everyone. And I also lost one of my best friends." She took a sip, still frowning at her past.

"There will always, always be sacrifices in the choices that you make. Deciding if the sacrifice is worth the risk to make a choice, you should have learned that by now Hermione, of all that you have already lost and given up." Remus said seriously.

Hermione looked up at him frowning at what he said. "Remember, when it comes to it. If there are things that could be changed for a better purpose then I would do it. So would Sirius, but then we were always rule breakers."

He stood up, seeing Dora moving towards him. He looked back at Hermione. "Just remember, we won't ever blame you for your choices and actions. You should be happy, and be with all those that love you dearly. You should be able to love without reserve, or fear."

He bowed at her before taking Dora and spinning her back to the dance floor. Hermione watched as Dora laughed and kissed Remus's cheek as he led their dance. Hermione frowned staring at the couples not seeing them. All here were laughing, joking and dancing almost carefree. But everyone here was all scarred in some way from both the first war and the second. Some had scars that were livid on their faces and skin; she looked at Bill and Fleur. Then to Moody, who was the living image of how bad the first war was. Then to Neville dancing with Luna, their scars weren't visible but were just as damaged.

Something with what Remus said seemed to trigger in her mind. She was already on her feet skirting around the dance floor, which was now lit up in accordance to the music which was taking on more of a disco feel as the music changed in line with the younger crowds. Her skirts ruffled as she climbed the stairs to the library, entering before she noticed the sound and sight of Harry and Ginny in a rather compromising positon on the couch.

"Oh! Merlin's Beard!" Hermione Blushed crimson, pivoting on the spot so fast her skirts flared, so she wouldn't see any more bare skin of her two best friends than she already had.

"Honestly, there is a multitude of bedrooms in this house, including your own room Harry, and you pick the Library?" She heard them moving around quickly redressing themselves.

"Well, it wasn't like we knew it would happen like this Hermione," Harry's voice slightly muffled as he put his shirt back on.

Ginny snorted and muttered, "Yeah right. Maybe one of us knew."

Hermione put a hand over her mouth unsure whether to laugh or further berate them, knowing it would further bruise Harry's ego if she did laugh.

"You can turn around now, we're decent" said Harry. She turned back around slowly, noting both blushing, and both trying and failing not to smile at each other.

"I'm glad that you both finally came to your senses at least."

"Aren't you meant to be partying as a newly married woman, with a certain tall, dark and hot husband?" Ginny asked as she was redoing the straps of her shoes, watching as Hermione glided to the bookshelves, pulling two volumes from the shelves, carrying them to the large oak desk with a huge wing backed chair.

"I was, but then I think I worked out something about You-Know-Who, Harry and Dumbledore," She answered distracted as she flicked through the first tome scanning the pages.

"Well, actually Harry's parent and You-Know-Who" She corrected as she pulled out the second book and leafing through it.

"My Parents?" Harry asked, moving towards the desk, watching as she flipped the pages back a few and began reading. He recognised the book she pushed aside as 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Lord' as she grabbed it back flicking back through it to an earlier page.

"Of course, not just the Potters" She muttered as she reached back for the other book. Ginny and Harry glimpsed it to be the book that Harry and Ron had bought her before the school term, 'A further study on Magical Beasts'.

Both were resigned to wait as she read the book then ducked as she summoned a third. This book clearly had been read and left open on the page often enough it opened to the right page. She read between them. As both had seen Hermione do this on a multitude of occasions, they shared a knowing look on how Hermione could extrapolate data from three completely different topics.

"Aha!" Hermione looked up with a triumphant grin. "I know how Professor Dumbledore is going to send me back in time."

"But weren't all the time-turners destroyed last year?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded, her grin broadening.

"Yes, we did destroy all of them. But do you know what goes in to making one?" She asked. Both Harry and Ginny shook their heads. She turned the text book so that Harry and Ginny could read the passage she pointed to. The book was 'A further study of magical beasts'.

...Among all the magical creatures to walk, swim or fly the earth. The one that still is shrouded the most in mystery and mythology by both wizards and muggles alike is the Phoenix. Studies and stories through the ages put together still only leaves at most speculation to the theories of what true powers and abilities a phoenix has and are possibly capable of.

Many theories believe the Phoenix is the bringer of death. Others tell that it is of rebirth and life. It is the rebirth that is the most fascinating and most mysterious. No one alive are able to conclusively confirm what truly happens when they burn out at the end of their life and are reborn. Nor is there any conclusive understanding on how a Phoenix produces offspring. Whether if in their burning death and rebirth through the ashes is the same creature or is the offspring. Another theory suggests that a phoenix lives and dies perpetually in that same moment for eternity. From all that can be said, it is truly impossible to confirm.

Yet in the study to find this, a unique discovery resulting from a Phoenix's rebirth are that in the magical properties found that in the ashes of the Phoenix, when processed correctly are the key compound for the 'sand' in time-turners…

"Wait Phoenix ash is what makes time-turners work?" Harry asked looking up at Hermione genuinely surprised.

Hermione nodded, "There is more, but without you needing to read through three chapters, essentially the way to have the most effective or potent ashes, the Phoenix needs to live its full span of life before voluntarily self-combusting to then be reborn,"

Ginny who was still reading the text pointed at a section, "Hang on. It says that without conclusive evidence there is a possibility that the Phoenix has the ability to travel into the past or future at its whim"

"You're going to use Fawkes?" Harry asked. Hermione shrugged, "that or Professor Dumbledore really does have his own time-turner."

"That might explain how Professor Dumbledore seems to always know so much," Ginny muttered.

Harry was still staring at Hermione, narrowed his eyes at her "Hang on, you mentioned my parents. Hermione, please don't tell me what I think you are thinking of doing?"

"Wait. What is she thinking of doing?" Ginny asked looking between them, both with determined looks on their faces.

"But, it could work Harry. Remember third year and what we accomplished there." She reasoned, "And after everything that you saw in the penseive. All of the memories you have seen, what if none of it even happened?"

Ginny gasped, but Harry was looking hard at Hermione. "But that is crazy and impossible!" He finally blurted out, "Besides everything you did do in the past still didn't change anything now?"

"Didn't it?" she asked quietly "One thing that I have come to realise that there is nothing truly impossible Harry. I deliberately avoided making changes to the past for fear of now. Even I had thought it was impossible that I couldn't go past when I was born, Yet I went back nineteen years into the past. I felt myself my original self in that time be born."

She pointed at the 'Rise and fall of the Dark Lord. "If I could go back past my own timeline once what if I can do it again? What if I could make it so I could save everyone by stopping it from even happening?"

"You want to stop You-Know-Who from before he even started?" Ginny asked, pale as she remembered all those horrible memories when Tom Riddle possessed her from his own diary.

"Hermione, that would mean you would be giving up everything you have her now in this time, including Sirius." Harry argued.

"But that is the thing. He wouldn't know. No one would. Once the past is changed everything that is meant to happen doesn't. It all changes. Your Parents, even your grandparents would still potentially be alive!"

"But you did go back Hermione. And everything still happened. Everything you knew from before you went back didn't change a thing in the now!" Harry's voice grew louder.

"Only because she was trying very hard not to make an impact" Ginny sided with Hermione, "And the fact that today she is in a bloody wedding dress and now married to Sirius Bloody Black is an indicator that the past did change."

"But," Harry began but Ginny cut him off. "Harry what if she could go back and make it so you never lost your parents? And Hermione her own, or my Uncles that I never met, or everyone that lost someone in that stupid bloody war?"

"We wouldn't be us anymore!" Harry retorted.

"Maybe not. Maybe we would be, but without the constant danger, the headaches, visions, and brutal pasts. Harry I know you have always wanted a normal life. You always wanted your family to be whole. And knowing how it began, I want that for you too." Hermione looked at him pleadingly.

Harry shook his head, "Sirius is not going to agree with this, Hermione, and you know it."

"Sirius, is not going to – oh." Hermione clutched her stomach. The fluttering she felt changed to what she could only equate to a large kick in her stomach. She clutched the desk with one hand as another sudden pain wrenched through her abdomen again.

"Oh, gods!" Her face went pale.

"Hermione? What is it? Are you?" Harry stood stunned. Ginny huffed and pushed past him in time to catch Hermione as she doubled over in pain.

"Of course she is Harry, Now come round and help me get her to the couch." She snapped orders, as Hermione let out another grown.

Harry moved around and put an arm around her, moving slowly around the desk towards the couch.

"Oh god. Oh god. Wait – not the couch, not after what you two just did!"

"Honestly Hermione, I don't think we have a choice right now," Ginny said through gritted teeth as Hermione doubled over again nearly pulling them all down.

As they helped her onto the couch, she grabbed Harry's arm "Get Sirius."
He went to pull away but her hand still held him, "And don't you dare say a word Harry Potter." She glared at him long enough for him to nod before releasing him to clutch at her stomach again. Harry dashed from the room.

"Oh gods, it feels like something is trying to rip itself out of me!" She cried. Ginny fixed the pillows to help support her.

"Just try and breathe. I heard it can help." She tried to reassure her, stopping as Hermione sent another glare her way. Harry returned with not just Sirius but, also with Remus, Dora, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey in tow.

"Harry, I said get Sirius! Not half the bloody wedding party!" She cried out angrily at the sudden intrusion of people, Sirius moved straight to her side, taking her hand as she cried out in pain again. Madame Pomfrey also knelt beside her casting a diagnostic charm.

"Hermione, we are going to need to transfigure your dress." The nurse said calmly.

"Minerva?"

Professor McGonagall had her wand out already and they watched as her beautiful gown transformed into a long deep blue skirt and paler blue cropped blouse without exposing her. there was a collective gasp as Madame Pomfrey shifted the top and skirt to reveal what her corseted dress had hidden.

Hermione's stomach was already smarting heavy bruising as it appeared to be something pushing out hard against her stomach. Tears now streaming freely down her face she cried out, "Make it stop. Please. Make it stop."

"Miss Granger- I mean, Mrs Black, right now the only way you and your baby are going to live is to go back to the past now." The nurse still had a hand on her stomach, and her wand still casting a spell. She looked over her shoulder at the Headmaster.

"Her waters haven't yet broken, but we cannot delay Albus. She needs to go now." Albus however was over near the fireplace bent down.

"Ginny! My purse. It's upstairs." Ginny didn't wait, dashing from the room.

"Princess, we have to go. We don't have time," Sirius tried to soothe her, cringing as she gripped his hand tighter.

"Not without my purse." She snarled. A flash made everyone turn, as Professor Dumbledore stood holding a familiar bird on his uninjured arm, the bird was rifling at his tail feathers.

"Don't worry Sirius there is still all the time we need." He assured them all, "Now, Harry. Would you kindly pick up the feather that Fawkes so kindly plucked?"

Harry bent and picked up the feather. As soon as he touched it he felt a flash of warmth and from his pocket it seemed his wand responded in kind. He looked up at the headmaster. His eyes sparkled above his half-moon glasses. Ginny slipped back into the room and went over to the desk to grab Hermione's wand she had dropped, putting it into the purse.

"Sirius, I need you to listen very carefully. Hermione is already aware of the risks of going back in time. Your past self and your future self must not ever meet. And please listen to her to avoid any unfortunate incidences. You will not at all be able to take her to St Mungo's. She is going to have to be taken to a Muggle Hospital to have the baby." Dumbledore explained calmly as Hermione, whimpered again as her stomach stretched out in two places.

"The time you are going back to means you cannot at all interact with anyone from the wizarding world. Sirius this is extremely important. You cannot so much as message, communicate with anyone."

Sirius looked up at Albus, eyes flashing. "I just want my wife and child to get through this alive."

Dumbledore nodded at them to help Hermione up off the couch. He turned to Harry and Ginny, "Please put the feather into the purse Harry, and give the purse to Sirius."

Fawkes opened his wings flapping them twice as he squawked. The sound seemed to pierce through Hermione the two wing beats sending two puffs of wind through the room that then seemed to move on its own, whispering against her cheek.

"Easy, love. I've got you," Sirius soothed as he tried to keep her on her feet, as she cringed away from that whispering wind. Another punch to her stomach left her gasping, and nearly pulled her and Sirius both down.

"Breathe sweetheart. Breathe." He murmured as he held her tightly.

"Fawkes will take you both back in time. Do not let go of Fawkes at all. Or for that matter Hermione. The Phoenix knows exactly when you will need to be for Hermione to safely have your babe. Do not lose the feather in that purse Sirius. It will be the only thing that will call Fawkes to bring you back to this precise moment with the child." Dumbledore warned. Sirius nodded as he tucked it within a pocket in his dress robes.

"You know what to do," Albus whispered at the bird. Another cry, Fawkes flapped his wings taking off to fly a circuit around the room. The others all moved back against the walls as Fawkes' song filled the room. Hermione's face was deathly pale as she heard the song that wasn't a song but a sound of whispering that weaved itself through her and Sirius, brushing against her ears.

"Take hold of his tail Sirius!" Albus's voice seemed to shout through the noise as the Phoenix flew circles around them, a whispering breeze in its wake. Sirius reached and grabbed the tail feathers, holding on tightly. In an instant there was a bright flash and a warmth spread through his body from where his hand held tightly to the tail feathers.

Fawkes melody seemed to echo eerily around them as he felt the world around him turn grey, except for the three of them. Hermione had felt these sensations before as when she first fell through the Veil and each time she was pulled in and out of Sirius's past. Any further thought or fear was put aside as pain unlike she had felt before ripped through her. The whispering melody was drowned as Hermione screamed. Sirius nearly lost his grip on her as she curled over. All he could do was hold on to her and Fawkes and hope that their destination to the past would not be long for Hermione's sake.

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