Beta love: Glitterally - I can't even begin to thank her enough for all the work she does on this. I hope y'all have read her stuff and reviewed, because if you prefer well-written, funny, well-plotted stories, she's your new favorite author.

Thank you so much for all your support!

Ch. 18

Sunday Evening

Eighths Tower

"Harry? Harry? Are you there?" Sirius's voice echoed from the two-way mirror. Harry left off hanging up robes in his wardrobe (boring task, that) and picked it up.

"Oi. Right here. Everything okay?"

"Well, Deirdre Kathleen and I have some news." Sirius hooked his arm around his fiancée to pull her more fully into the mirror. "Can you get Hermione?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Everything's okay, though?"

Sirius nodded, and Harry went to Hermione's door to knock. As he waited briefly on her to respond, he pondered if the door would let him enter as it had earlier in the year. It was probably best not to try it when Sirius was watching, though. When she opened the door, she took in the situation at a glance, especially the occupied mirror in Harry's hand. "Everything alright?"

They looked expectantly at the figures in the mirror. "Are you two alone? We've got some news."

"Oh, sure, come on in." Hermione waved Harry in and closed the door behind him. "Daphne's in the library; she's been really quiet recently. Anyway, what's going on?"

"Well, we, ah" - Sirius cleared his throat nervously - "we've just found out that we're expecting a baby. And we're moving up the wedding to this weekend."

Silence greeted his announcement; Hermione blinked twice as she processed the double bit of information, and the mirror tilted slightly as Harry's grip loosened, but it was that small motion that jolted them out of their stupor.

Harry recovered first. "That's wonderful news, Sirius! Congratulations to you both. I'm sure the Headmistress will let us get away."

"Yes, congratulations! I can see you're both excited. Of course we'll be there; there's no place we'd rather be!" Hermione pulled the mirror from his hand. "Where are you planning on holding the service? It'll be on Saturday, I presume?"

Sirius recognized the way the wind was blowing and handed the mirror to Kate with a smile. She could handle the details.

Half an hour later, Harry was laying on Hermione's bed, long legs crossed, tossing the Snitch from the game into the air and catching it as it weakly fluttered about. Hermione set the now empty mirror on her bedside table and snatched the golden ball out of the air.

"Hey, that's mine! My boyfriend gave it to me," she teased him.

"So he did," Harry answered, sitting up. "Are you okay?"

"What? Yes; of course I'm fine." Hermione turned the Snitch over in her hand, examining the fine metalworking.

"Hey - I know you. Talk to me."

"Fine." She gave in with a slight grimace. "I'm a bit torn. I really like Kate. She's good for him, you know? But I'm angry because he's lectured us on propriety and yet he gets his girlfriend pregnant. Haven't they heard of the Contraceptive Charm?" Her voice rose a bit at the end, slightly hysterical. "He wants to be my father, and now he's going to be a father to another child, so where do I fit in this equation?" She blinked rapidly, struggling to hold the tears at bay. "On the other hand, if he's preoccupied with a baby, then maybe he'll leave me alone - leave us alone - and give us time to find our feet.

But where do I fit in Harry? It feels like I've lost my family - again."

He gathered her in his arms. "You're my family; you've been my family for years. And Ron's your family. Molly, Arthur, all of them, they're your family. And we'll always be there for you. And you know what? Sirius loves you; he's loved you for years, even before he realized what happened. You won't lose him again. He won't let that happen. He may be happy about a new baby, but you'll always be his; there's room for you in that family. Kate asked you again to be in the wedding, didn't she?"

She nodded against his shoulder. "And she asked me to meet her on Friday afternoon so we could shop for our dresses."

"I bet she has a best friend who'd do that for her. She asked you so you'd know you were part of the family."

Hermione pulled back and wiped away a stray tear. "When'd you get so smart about emotions?"

"Well, I've got this new girlfriend, and she's pretty awesome. You really should meet - oww!" He rubbed his arm where she punched him. "You've still got a mean right hook. Maybe we should go show Malfoy."

Friday Afternoon

Ministry for Magic, London

Hermione paused before the door for the Minister for Magic's office, squared her shoulders, and walked in. Kate was storing her wand in her bag, getting ready to leave. She looked up and smiled at the witch hovering near the door.

"I knew that was you; I'm so glad you came. Let me just tell Kingsley I'm leaving for the day." She slipped into the inner office and emerged moments later to slip her bag over her shoulder. "All set; is there anything you need to do in the building?" Hermione shook her head, and they headed out the door for shopping. "I thought we could go to Muggle London, if you don't mind?" Kate kept up a steady chatter on the way the door. "There's a shop on Carnaby Street that's owned by a Half-blood who's chosen to live largely in the Muggle world, but knows exactly what's appropriate for the Wizarding World. She and I were at Hogwarts together."

Kate and Hermione entered the unassuming shop and went upstairs to a showroom where they were greeted by Ianthe Pemberton. "Kate! I haven't seen you in ages; is Kingsley keeping you busy? Or is it this new man of yours? What brings you to the shop?"

After exchanging air-kisses with her, Kate explained. "Well, I need a wedding dress for me. Something low-key, simple, off-the-rack." She hurried on at the astounded expression on Ianthe's face. "And Hermione needs an attendant dress." She turned to face her soon to be step-daughter. "Do you have any ideas what you'd enjoy?"

"I like blue, honestly. I'm always expected to wear Gryffindor red for big events, and blue's so much better with my complexion." She answered definitively, but hastened to add, "but it's your wedding. What would you like me to wear?"

Kate laughed. "I love blue. And I know that feeling. Everyone expected me to wear black or gold. Gold! I look so washed out in gold. That's a big perk of graduation; no one expects you to show your House loyalty at every major event. Ianthe was lucky; green's her color."

A small half-smile crossed the witch in question's face. "Well, it's all a matter of finding the right shades. Let's start with you, Kate. Then we can work with Hermione's dress." She pulled a wand from a concealed pocket of her jacket and flicked it, summoning a rack of gorgeous white dresses. "Now, I like this one…."

Only an hour and four dresses later, Kate pronounced a dress "the one." She and Ianthe scoured the store, handing Hermione several dresses to try on. When Hermione emerged in a navy blue knee length number, she knew it was perfect. "I like this one," she said definitively. "Do you think I could wear it to the Longbottom New Year's Eve bash?"

"Absolutely; that looks divine on you. That special man in your life is going to swallow his tongue," Ianthe enthused. "What are you going to wear for New Year's, Kate?"

Hermione suppressed a smile at the slightly panicked look on her future stepmother's face. "I hadn't thought..."

"I'm sure you'll be invited, you and Sirius both. Do you want to go ahead and get something today?"

"Well, in for a knut, in for a galleon. Sure. And while we're shopping - what're you wearing to the Yule Ball, Hermione?"

"I don't think, ah, I hadn't given it much thought; I was thinking about transfiguring a dress I already have."

"Ianthe, could you give us a second?" The shop owner nodded and retreated to make certain everything was in order. Kate pulled out her wand cast a quick muffliato before turning to speak to Hermione. "Why would you transfigure a dress? Do you mean to tell me that Sirius hasn't given you access to the Black vaults for things like this?"

"No, but I haven't asked, either. And I can provide for myself," Hermione answered, stubborn.

"Yes, you can, but you shouldn't have to. Will you at least let him pay for the dress for tomorrow? You wouldn't be doing this without him; save your galleons for your Yule Ball gown."

Hermione thought over the logic, the only sign of her consternation when she bit her bottom lip. She glanced down at the gorgeous dress she hadn't been able to bear to take off. If I let Sirius pay for this, it really is within reach for me to pay for my own Yule Ball gown. It'd be nice to not have to worry about getting hit with a random 'finite.' And I could maybe use it again for something. Maybe.

"Please. Let him help; let him do this. And if you give him the chance, he'll do more."

"Okay," she agreed. "He can buy my dress for the wedding."

"Wonderful! What did you have in mind for the Yule Ball?" Kate privately decided to make certain Hermione had access to an allowance until she married. It was the least Sirius could do. Sometimes that man was so dense. Even if she didn't need the money, it would be there for her.

Last Saturday in November

Grimmauld Place

Harry stepped through the Floo into a scene of minor chaos. Molly Weasley was directing a series of flower arrangements across the room. The magically enlarged room's normal furniture had been vanished and replaced by a few rows of chairs. Kreacher and Dobby were tugging at ribbons draped on them.

"Harry, dear, so good to see you! I know you need to see Sirius, but could give me a hand with these flowers first?" Molly commandeered his attention. As Harry took over the floral arrangements, placing them where she indicated, she nattered on. "Deirdre Kathleen is so sweet. She asked me to coordinate everything today. You know how I like to cook and entertain, so this was the perfect little side job. And, I get to see you and Hermione all dressed up. You do look so handsome; are those new dress robes?"

Harry let the chatter wash over him, but jolted out of his reverie when she continued. "And have you seen Hermione? She looks like a dream. That shade of navy is perfect for her complexion. Just a beautiful girl. Now tell me, how are things going between the two of you?"

"Molly, can I steal Harry for a few moments? Best man duty and all that." Harry had never been more grateful to hear his godfather's voice.

"Of course, of course. We'll be ready to go right on time in here, don't worry about that." She checked the clock on the wall. "Kingsley's due in half an hour, and the guests are arriving in an hour, so don't be late!"

Harry and Sirius beat a hasty retreat to the master bedroom, where Sirius pulled out the ring for Harry to keep. "Don't lose this!" As Harry tucked it into his pocket, he continued, "and how are you and Hermione doing?"

Harry froze like a deer in the headlamps. "Err, good."

Sirius raised his brows.

"No, really, we're good. We love each other." He sighed in exasperation. "Come on, Sirius, you can't expect me to talk about our relationship in depth with my girlfriend's father!"

A grimace passed over his Sirius's face. "No, I suppose not."

"But," Harry took a deep breath, "I do want to formally ask your permission to ask her to marry me." Sirius's jaw unhinged slightly, and Harry hurriedly continued. "Not today, but some day soon."

The older wizard blinked. "I – " He gathered Harry in a bear hug. "I don't know of a better man for her." He loosened his grip and took a step back, hands still clasped at Harry's upper arms. "When I first found out about her, well, you know. But Deirdre Kathleen, she made me see what I was doing to all of us. I told you I wouldn't interfere and I won't. But thank you; thank you for asking."

"So, that's a yes?"

He nodded. "You know, James and Lily would be so proud of the man you've become. Everything you've done would make them so proud."

"Do you think so?" Harry's voice held just a note of trepidation.

"I know so. Now, I'm getting married. How do I look?"

In another bedroom on the third floor, Kate smoothed down the front of her elegant gown. "How do I look?" she asked her mother and Hermione.

Deirdre Finnigan, Kate's mother, smiled and blinked rapidly to clear the tears welling up in her eyes. "You are gorgeous, my darling. That shade of white is perfect for you."

"I agree with your mum. Sirius will be staggered when he sees you."

Molly bustled in. "Don't you look just gorgeous? I love that cut of dress on you, Kate. Kingsley is here, the guests have started arriving, and I wanted to make sure you had your flowers." She handed Kate a beautiful bouquet with bells of Ireland and British lavender and a smaller one to Hermione. "Here are yours, dear, and you have the ring?" At her nod, she continued. "Good, good. And Dee, so good to see you again. It's been since Hogwarts, hasn't it? I have this single rosebud for you carry; are you ready to come down and be seated? Kate, you and Hermione should be downstairs in fifteen minutes, and we'll start five minutes later. The boys are already down there."

Precisely twenty minutes later, Molly charmed the piano to play a wedding march and Kate began her journey down the aisle.

As Kingsley began the ceremony, Harry and Hermione's eyes met. He mouthed, "I love you."

She smiled. "I know."

They watched as the magic of the marriage ceremony bound Sirius and Kate together until death and walked arm in arm behind them after the ceremony. While the newly married couple escaped for a few moments of privacy, they guarded the door and spoke aloud for the first time today.

Harry wrapped his arms around her and touched their foreheads together. "You know? What kind of answer is that to 'I love you'?"

"Didn't you ever see The Empire Strikes Back?" She giggled and took advantage of the close proximity of their lips to press hers to his. "That was a very romantic scene."

"You and I recall The Empire Strikes Back very differently, but I love you anyway. And that scene was in Return of the Jedi."

"No, it was Empire. And I love you too."

"Break it up, you two. Time to face the crowds," Sirius's teasing voice interrupted.

Last Sunday in November

The Great Hall

Another anonymous owl dropped a letter onto Daphne's plate. She knew without opening it what it would say. I'm in over my head. She looked over at her Gryffindor boyfriend. Maybe I should ask for help. But her House training rose to the fore. Wait. See if you can fix this without involving anyone else. What if they actually know if I tell? It'd be a disaster for all of us. She opened it – predictably, it demanded even more galleons this time, more than she had on hand, actually, with a Friday deadline. I can't keep this up.

A/N: So, Who's right? Harry or Hermione? Is it Empire or Jedi? If you review and can tell me who it is, then I'll send you a preview of Ch. 19, unless you don't like those kinds of things. :)

(Did you know I'm a Star Wars fan? Yeah, it goes way back. That's my first fandom. I thought it was "X-Files," but nope, it's Star Wars.)

Oh, in the interest of full disclosure, "you and I remember 'something' very differently" - it's from the Avengers, when Hawkeye says to the Black Widow - "You and I remember Budapest very differently." Hawkeye's dry sense of humor speaks to me on a visceral level. I'm pretty sure he's a Gryffindor/Hufflepuff. And, in my head, Harry "you don't have to call me sir" Potter is pretty sassy fellow.

Thank you, as always, for reading and reviewing. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your support!