A/N: Sorry everyone. I changed some things around, so some of this chapter is review. There's a bit at the end that's new. Read the whole thing anyway. It's better now:P
Just as Hermione was thinking about lonely she was, Ron walked in with Emily. Since Emily was doing her apprenticeship at the hospital, she also had a small room there that she stayed in. Dinner was over, and now Ron was bringing Emily back 'home'. They were holding hands and laughing, and they came to the edge of Hermione's bed. "How are you Hermione? I haven't seen you in a while." Ron said in a friendly manner.
"I've noticed," said Hermione in a slightly cold voice. She wasn't sure why she had said it, maybe the fact that Ron was too caught up with Emily to come see her, or maybe the fact that Ron could be with his girlfriend while she and Harry had to stay apart. Ron looked put out. He glanced at Emily.
"Well, I just came to bring Emily back, but I thought it might be nice to pay you a visit. Did we come at a bad time?" Now he sounded confused.
Hermione sighed. "No, it's OK Ron. I'm fine."
"I will just go to my room. Au revoir Ron!" Emily kissed him quickly and retreated into her room.
Ron sat down on the edge of Hermione's bed. "So how are you, really?" he asked.
Hermione turned and gazed out her window, which was now showing a lovely view of mountains. "I'm OK, I guess. I just miss everyone. It's so hard to be cooped up in here!" She unwillingly let a few tears slip down her cheeks. "I just want to go home. But I don't even have a home anymore." That was it. Hermione began sobbing. Ron looked rather frightened. He didn't know what to do, so he just hugged Hermione. Eventually, her tears lessened, and Hermione felt better. "Thanks for coming by Ron. At least I don't have to be here for very long."
"Well, I'm just glad that you're still doing OK, Hermione. I miss you being at home too. Harry misses you the most though. He mopes a lot." Ron grinned. Hermione grinned too. "Well, I'd best be going home. I promise I'll come again tomorrow." Ron got up and left Hermione alone once again.
Back at home, Lily and James were out for a walk with their son. "So, it seems as though Hermione is a nice girl," commented James.
"She really is, dad. I love her. I think I want to marry her." Harry stopped for a moment, lost in thought.
"What is it Harry?" asked his mother.
"Well, I don't know what to do anymore. I don't have a place to live, I don't have a job, and now that you guys are back, I suppose you'll want your money back as well."
"Well, we'll figure out the money eventually. We should just figure out what everyone needs, first of all. Besides, there are plenty of jobs out there for a wizard like you. In fact, you probably don't even need a job." James teased. "Just walk into a store and say that you're the one who got rid of our old pal Voldemort and you'll probably get whatever you want on the house!" Harry laughed.
"You know what; I've just remembered that...Sirius left me everything, even his house. Hermione and I could live there!"
"What house did Sirius ever own?" asked James.
"It's in London. At the moment, it's being used as headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, and since I'm not the Secret Keeper, I can't exactly tell you where it is. Dumbledore used to be the Secret Keeper, but I'm not sure who is right now."
"Speaking of Secret Keepers, how come you think Sirius didn't betray us. He was our Secret Keeper, you know." said Lily.
"Well, he said that at the last moment, he persuaded Wormtail to switch with him. Hr figured Voldemort would go after him instead of Wormtail, so Wormtail would be the safest bet. But Wormtail turned around and betrayed you immediately." Harry answered.
"That little scumbag!" exclaimed James, crushing a stick beneath his foot. "I should have known! Let's go back home" James looked a bit dejected, so Lily came over and grabbed his hand.
"James, don't worry about it. It's all over now. I'm sure the Aurors will track down that vile piece of filth and dispose of him accordingly."
James shrugged. "It's not just that. It's that I'll never be able to see Sirius again." No one said anything else for the rest of the walk home.
Draco and Ginny were also out on a walk that night. They meandered along in silence, just enjoying each other's company. "You know what Draco," said Ginny, breaking the silence. "I never thought that you were as bad as Harry and Ron made you out to be. I think I knew that you were good somewhere deep inside."
"I liked who I was when I was in Hogwarts until I became one of them. I suddenly realized how cruel I was. I wish I could take it all back now."
"You've really changed, you know that. The old Draco would never have admitted to something like that. I like that new you."
When Harry visited Hermione that evening, he didn't tell her Sirius's house. He wanted it to be a surprise. They talked for a while, and then Harry had to leave again. At the Burrow again, he thought about how Hermione hadn't looked too good. She had looked pale and kind of feverish. Harry was worried.
"Harry, are you feeling OK?" Lily asked him. "You look worried, dear."
"It's Hermione, mum. She doesn't look too great."
"Don't worry honey. She'll be fine. I remember when I was eight months pregnant with you. It only feels as though it was two years ago, actually!" Lily added, Harry chuckled. "It's just what happens. She'll be fine after the baby is born. Do you have any names picked out yet?"
A look of wonder dawned on Harry's face. "You know what? We haven't! We'll have to talk about it tomorrow!"
Lily laughed. "Don't worry Harry. Everything's going to be all right."
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks mum. I'll see you in the morning. Good night."
"Good night, Harry. Have a good sleep. I love you." Lily watched as her nearly-adult son walked slowly up the stairs. She had missed seeing him growing up.
"Where're Ginny and Draco, Mum? Have you seen them lately?" George was visiting the Burrow that afternoon.
"No I haven't Fred," Mrs. Weasley answered absent-mindedly.
George sighed. "I won't even bother correcting you Mum!" He turned around and yelled, "Oi! Ginny! Where are you? We want to go play Quidditch out in the back. Want to come? Draco can play too, if he wants!" However, Draco and Ginny were not to be found. They were snogging in the broom closet again. George shrugged. "Oi, Fred! Are you coming?" Fred came out of the living room with Angelina in tow. "Grab your brooms and let's go!"
"I warn you, Fred, I'm still pretty good!" Angelina punched her boyfriend cheerfully.
"Well, you can't beat a Beater like me!" Fred punned. George groaned.
"What?" said Fred and Angelina in unison. They laughed.
"Stop being so punny, Fred, or I'll slug you!" George was laughing too. As the raucous group made their way out of the house, they were joined by Draco and Ginny.
"Where are you lot off to?" asked Draco.
"Oh, were just off to play Quidditch. Want to join in?"
Draco looked at Ginny, shrugged, and said, "Sure why not. I'll just grab my broom from the broom closet."
Ginny giggled and said, "Yeah, me too." Fred and George looked at each other laughed.
"Now where's Harry off to? Why doesn't he come play with us?" asked Fred.
"Who knows? We'd better start playing now though, before it's too late! Come on!"
Meanwhile, Harry was at Number 12 Grimmauld Place with his dad. Late last night, Harry had gotten an owl from Mad-Eye Moody with a note saying that he had gotten rid of the Secret Keeper enchantment. He had replaced Dumbledore, but now that Voldemort was dead, there was no need for the Order to keep meeting, and there was also no need to keep the location secret anymore. Harry and James had Apparated there in the morning, and spent the whole day cleaning up. Thankfully, Kreacher was at Hogwarts in the kitchen, so there was no mumbling or snatching going on, but the house was a dreadful sight. After being deserted for the past few months, it was covered in dust and still full of strange objects. Harry and James sorted things out as best they could. "We should take Lily and Mrs. Weasley here next time we come back," muttered a sweating James.
"I'll say!" exclaimed Harry, who was, at the moment, wrestling a large, ornate, and mouldy curtain into a garbage can. "We need someone who can help us actually clean this place up!"
When Harry and James came back that evening, they were exhausted. When they arrived at the dinner table, they were also surprised. Tonks and Lupin were sitting there along with the entire Weasley family minus Percy and plus Angelina and Draco. "Oi! Where have you two been all day?" asked Ron. "You missed an amazing Quidditch match!"
"Sit down and I'll start serving the meal. You are a bit late this evening, dears." fussed Mrs. Weasley. The meal was delicious and full of Weasley goodness. When everyone was done eating, a contented sigh went around the table. "So what's the plan for tonight? Shall we have an Exploding Snap tournament?" A collective nod of approval was seen, except for Harry.
"I have to visit Hermione. Ron told her I would, and I want to go anyway."
"Do you mind if I come along?" asked Tonks. "I haven't seen her in a while."
"Sure, why not," agreed Harry. "We'll see you all later."
Harry and Tonks made it to St. Mungo's just in time. As they walked through the door, a frantic Mediwitch grabbed them. "You've just been owled. Your...erm...girlfriend is in labour. Follow me please." Harry's face turned an ashen grey colour as he allowed himself to be led to Hermione's room. Tonks followed at a few pace's distance.
"How is she?" asked Harry squeakily, his voice much higher than usual.
"Oh, she's doing fine, but Dr. Watchout is a bit worried still. Rest assured however that Hermione is being well cared for. There are a number of Mediwizards and –witches on duty. She's going to be fine." The Mediwitch turned around sharply. "You may come if you like," she said, addressing Tonks. "I don't know how Miss Granger will react, but just follow us for the time being." She turned around and Harry and Tonks followed her into a small hospital room filled nearly to bursting with medical personnel.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry rushed over to her side. "Oh Harry, I'm so scared!" Harry nodded, being too scared himself to offer any sort of comfort.
"I'm here now. I was just coming for a visit with Tonks, and then we were told that you were in labour already!" Harry was still quite pale. He took Hermione's hand. Hermione now had a determined look on her face.
"I'm glad you're here. I can't imagine doing this without you. I guess you beat the owl then?" She chuckled weakly, before the next spasm of pain hit her.
Sometime early in the morning, a baby boy was placed into Hermione's arms. A few hours later, when Hermione had woken up from her nap, she asked "What should we call him, Harry? I would have thought to call him James, after your dad, but now that he's back, that's a bit out of the question."
"How about Sirius, then?" suggested Harry.
"I was thinking about that too. How about Sirius James Potter?"
Harry grinned. "I like it. How about you, Sirius?" He gingerly touched his newborn son's tiny hand.
"I think he likes it too." said Hermione softly. Harry and Hermione were sitting silently, but happily when a knock came on the door. Harry looked at Hermione, who nodded.
"Come in." he said. A small crowd filed in silently, led by James and Lily. They had come with Arthur, Molly, and Ron Weasley, and Tonks had come in as well too. James and Lily rushed to their son's side to get a good look at their new grandson.
"Have you guys named him yet?" asked James.
"Yeah. His name is Sirius James Potter. We were thinking of just James, but, well, you're back now. You don't really need a namesake anymore." Harry answered. James grinned and looked back at little Sirius. Harry looked proudly at his new son, then he turned to look at Hermione. She looked terrible. "Harry." she choked out. Her face was rapidly losing colour. Harry jumped up and rushed out of the room. He found Dr. Watchout almost immediately.
"Come quick! Hermione..."was all he managed to say.
"Just lead the way, m'boy!" They set off at a run. Dr. Watchout shooed everyone out of the room and handed Harry the baby. "Here. Take him for a few moments." He bent over Hermione, muttered a quick spell and wheeled her out of the room. Harry looked terrified. "Just follow me! She needs to be in the intensive care wing immediately." He turned and looked at Harry. "Don't worry, she's going to be fine."
A/N: I'll just leave you hanging for a few days. Ooooh! What's going to happen next???
