This is the final instalment of The Triangle, thank you again for your lovely reviews and I have another started already "wink wink"

Sirius xoxo

Chapter 8

Hermione slowly opened her eyes and focused on the ceiling above her, it was pebbly and white - a hospital room. Hermione moved her head around and saw a small chair in the room and a table near the door. There was an arrangement of pink roses on the table as well as some balloons that said get well soon. Hermione glanced on the other side of her to see Sirius sitting in a small chair next to her bed. He had dozed off and she wondered how long she had been asleep. She started to move her body slowly so she could pull her self up and the movement startled Sirius awake.

"Hermione, sweet heart how are you? How do you feel?" Hermione pulled her black hair behind her and wrapped it into a knot behind her neck.

"I feel like I have been run over by a truck, no make that a train." Hermione reached forward to take a small glass of water off the side table and take a sip, Sirius passed her the glass and helped her drink.

"Sirius where's Lilly?" Sirius put the glass down and sat on the bed next to her.

"Firstly Hermione what do you remember?" Hermione realised he was avoiding her question and she started to panic.

"Sirius Black you tell me where my daughter is right now!" Sirius put his hands up in defence and said ok ok.

"Hermione please understand something, if there was any other way I would have made sure I did it but it's just..." Hermione started to worry.

"Tell me now!" Hermione felt the tears build up in her eyes and then the healers ran in and started running diagnostics on her. Sirius was shuffled away from her side but she was past the point of worried, she was panicking.

"Miss Granger, can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up?" one healer asked and she screamed at him, "4... just leave me alone!" The healers moved aside when a doctor came in and he gave her a calming spell.

Sirius interjected and told them he needed to speak to her and it would help her state of mind so with some convincing the doctor left them alone again and went to make the call that he had been instructed to make once she was awake.

"Sirius talk to me now where is my daughter, no excuses just spit it out?" Sirius sat back down on the bed and took her hand in his but she pulled it away.

"Hermione she is safe..."

"WHERE?"

"She's with Harry," Sirius waited for the explosion but it didn't come.

"Why?" Hermione was abnormally calm and, truth be told it scared Sirius.

"Hermione sweetheart, you left very specific instructions with your friend Jennifer, VERY specific. She waited 36 hours and after calling hospitals and police and anyone else she could think of, she had no choice but to take her to Harry. The problem was she kept asking for Elizabeth Jane and nobody knew who that was Hermione, she was frantic." Hermione slowly nodded realising that was an error on her behalf, a huge one.

"How long has he known?" Hermione looked down at her fumbling fingers.

Sirius took a deep breath and told her a week and a half. All she did was nod. Sirius hoped it was just the calming spell because if it wasn't she was seriously way to calm.

"So I've been out for a week and a half?"

"Well no she waited till the second day before she took her to Harry so its been longer for you. Hermione do you remember anything at all?" Hermione shrunk back down into her bed and lay down again staring at the ceiling. Sirius gave her time to think.

"I remember that Harry is alive and that's all that matters. I need to sleep Sirius." Sirius nodded and when she closed her eyes he watched her face and saw the tear drops slide down her cheeks and he leant forward and kissed her forehead then he left her alone to process all the information. As Sirius left he heard a loud, painful sob escape her but he continued walking.

Some time later a healer came in and checked her out and told her she was recovering well but they wanted her to stay another day before she left just in case any complications set in. She nodded a non-committal nod, at this point in time she had no where to go and her daughter was with her father who probably wouldn't let Hermione have custody, so basically life was pretty shit.

Hermione was resting, probably from the sedatives when Harry walked in. He had absolutely no idea of what he was going to say to her and it was only Sirius' pushing that made him come to see her. Hermione heard the door open and thought it was probably the lunch lady returning to take her uneaten food so she didn't open her eyes.

"Aren't you supposed to eat?" His voice cut through the air and through her whole body and she snapped her eyes open. He was standing near her bed but not to close to be able to reach her.

"Harry," she couldn't think of anything else to say as she sat up in her bed. She also noticed more flowers had arrived while she was asleep. Harry's expression could not be read and that unnerved her even more.

"Why?" Hermione looked at him and for some reason she just wasn't in the mood.

"Why what Harry? Why did I leave you a year ago? Why did I save your arse two weeks ago? Or the doozy of all, Why didn't I tell you I had your daughter? So tell me which one is it?" Hermione folded her arms and waited for the explosion, she didn't need to wait long.

"EVERYTHING Hermione try telling me the fucking truth for once." Harry ran a frustrated hand through his hair and then grunted.

"NO!" Harry looked at her in complete disbelief, "No, NO! What the fuck does that mean? NO?" Hermione took a deep breath and then cut to the chase.

"When are you going to give my daughter back?" Harry completely lost it, he started yelling at her and she was yelling right back at him. For some reason Hermione felt the anger channelling into her hands and then she raised them and the flower vase across the room went flying to the ground smashing into a million pieces. Harry was shocked, he knew he didn't do it, he hadn't had an outburst of energy for years as he could control it now, it had to have been Hermione. He was shocked, he looked at her and asked whether she did it?

"Gee let me think Harry, can I do magic? ummmm NO YOU MORON of course it wasn't me!"

Harry thought he would try something, "Hermione you will not have any access to my daughter and if its money you're after then forget it, you will not get a cent!" Hermione lost it totally and the drinking glass on her food tray exploded sending shatters of glass all over the food. Harry wasn't even listening to the swearing she was throwing at him, he was just watching the accidental magic happening around her and it surprised him. The frame on the windows started to bend and Harry yelled out stop.

Hermione instantly stopped and looked at him wondering what on earth he was doing. Hermione was completely dumbfounded when he turned around and walked out of the door leaving her there.

"Are you kidding me Potter, get back in here now you bastard!" Hermione was staring at the closed door wondering what the hell had just happened. Harry ran down the hall to the Healers station and demanded to see the head Healer. He came out quickly.

"Healer Robinson, have you tested if Miss Granger has magical powers?" The Healer looked at him like he had grown two heads, "Ummm Mr Potter, of course she has magic, how could we have healed her if she didn't?"

Harry slowly walked down to the lounge area where guests waited and went to sit with Ron and Luna who were looking after Lilly while he spoke to her.

"How is she mate?" Ron's concern clearly etched on his face.

"Ron, she has her magic back but she obviously has no idea yet." Ron was shocked.

"Are you sure mate?" Harry nodded yes and when Ron asked if he could see her Harry nodded, "just don't make her mad!" Harry tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. Ron passed Lilly to Luna and rushed down the hall and burst into her room and the first thing he noticed was the smashed flower vase but he didn't say anything, he was too excited to see her again.

He rushed over to her bed and engulfed her in a bear hug. Both were openly crying.

"Don't you ever leave again Mione, OK? Promise me?" Hermione nodded and wiped the tears off his face. Ron hugged her again probably too scared to let go of her for fear she would disappear again.

"Ron I have to tell you something, there's someone I want you to meet, actually knowing Harry you have probably already met her." Ron nodded and then turned to call Luna in and as soon as Hermione saw Lilly she burst into tears and put her hands out to hold her daughter. Harry walked in and stood at the back and watched the exchange. Luna passed Lilly to her mother and Hermione cried into her daughters blanket and then checked her over to see that she was ok.

"That was a brave thing to do Hermione, I don't think I could've done that," Ron said as he stroked Lilly's head and she gooed and gaaed at the attention.

"It was Harry Ron, it was her dad and I couldn't let him die, not him." Hermione didn't take her eyes off her daughter and obviously had no idea that Harry was actually in the room.

"Mione, what are you going to do now?" Hermione looked up and was about to answer when she saw Harry standing against the back wall. She realised he would've heard her and quite frankly she didn't care, she knew he didn't want her and she wasn't going to fool herself into thinking he did.

"Ron I think that's Harry's decision to make but I have a place in Hogsmeade so I'm close!"

"Hogsmeade? You've been in Hogsmeade all this time?" Hermione nodded at Harry's interruption.

"I looked everywhere for you and you were right here?" Harry's anger was clearly unmistakeable.

"I counted on the fact that would look everywhere else but under your own nose Harry, I passed you many times outside the Ministry, plus I said you wouldn't find me again!" Harry rolled his eyes and looked away and Ron had a look of pride on his face.

The conversation flowed between Ron and Hermione for quite a while and Luna just listened, taking the baby to change her nappy when it was needed and helping Hermione whenever she needed it. Harry stayed in the room obviously not wanting to leave without his daughter Hermione thought, but he didn't contribute to any conversations but when Ron brought up that night Harry cut him off.

"Ron she hasn't made a statement yet mate." Ron nodded.

"I'll be happy to give you a statement Ron whenever you're ready?" Hermione asked but Harry snorted and then Ron told her he wasn't authorised to take it, she had to give it to Harry.

Great!

The healers walked in and out taking more tests and everything seemed to be fine with her and when she yawned one of the Healers told them they would have to leave and let her get some rest. After a lecture from Ron that she had to eat she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly and said bye. Luna hugged her next and said she would be back tomorrow to see if she needed anything and Hermione nodded. Harry waited till they left and he walked over and put his hands out to take Lilly and Hermione couldn't stop the tears escaping. She kissed her baby's head and told her mummy loved her and hopefully she would see her tomorrow.

"Hermione I'll see you tomorrow to take you home but we need to talk and I mean about everything ok?" Hermione passed him Lilly and nodded unable to trust her voice. Harry nodded and turned around to walk away but Hermione stopped him.

"Harry, I never wanted to hurt you but I knew Julia was wrong for you, I knew she was up to something I'm just sorry I didn't see it sooner." Harry looked at her and he had a million things to say but he opted for one thing.

"That all means nothing now Hermione, you broke my heart and kept my daughter from me. For that, I don't know if I can get passed it." Hermione cried and watched him leave.

The following day he arrived just as she was about to be discharged and his mood was very sombre. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week.

"You look tired," Hermione said and he looked at her and just raised his eyebrows. Hermione didn't say anything else. He signed the papers to release her and then asked where she lived. She told him and then they were standing in front of the Hogsmeade book shop. Hermione scrambled for the spare key and then opened up. She didn't ask Harry up but he followed her anyway. They walked into the one bedroom room and he noticed the scarce furniture she had. There was a babies cot, a gift he found out later, a mattress on the floor, a small two seater table and a few things scattered around the room. It reminded him of a time when he found her in El Dorado, no ties, no roots and the feeling of her fleeing became a reality yet again.

Hermione turned around and asked him whether he wanted a cup of coffee and he said ok and she went to the side table and plugged in her kettle. She made two cups of coffee but kept her back to him while she waited for the water to boil. When it did she turned around to find him seated at the small table with a quill ready and a small tape recording device, ok so this was only an official visit.

"Could you state your name for the record please?" Hermione nodded and knew once and for all it was over with him but she needed to get something off her chest first.

"Before you start recording Harry I need to tell you something. I knew your wife was out to get you, I understand that I may have looked like the scorned ex girlfriend or whatever it was we had but I wasn't. All I ever wanted was your safety and happiness that was it. Nothing else."

"Happiness? Huh are you kidding? you slept in my bed, you held me, loved me, or so I thought and then you LEFT me? How is that wanting my happiness Hermione?"

"Harry I am no fool, I know you just wanted a night of passion, a night to let off some steam and I was more than happy to pretend you loved me for one night..."

"pretend?, pretend? are you fucking kidding me Hermione I loved you, I have always loved you." Hermione couldn't hear this it was too hard.

"Don't lie to me Harry, you have no idea how much you are hurting me now." Harry stood up and walked around to stand in front of her and he pulled her up.

"Hermione I loved you, clear and simple and when you left me you nearly killed me, you have no idea what you did to me, none at all..." Hermione stepped away from his intense gaze and she started laughing. Harry was confused, she turned around and he saw tears running down her face,

"Harry you say you loved me, you say I nearly killed you when I left you well imagine what it feels like to watch the man you love more than life itself get married to someone else. Try that one on for size Harry. How would you feel if I married Ron, how would that feel?" Harry couldn't tell her that that would've killed him, he wouldn't be able to deal with that.

"Hermione we are just going around in circles here, we have two things that need to be done, one is the report for the fight and the other is what to do with custody for Lilly?" Hermione wiped her tears away and sat back down at the table.

"Before we start can you please change your appearance back?" Harry didn't look at her when he said this he keep organising his papers.

"And how exactly do I do that Harry, I need a hair dye to change my hair, the eyes are easy." She reached up and took the blue lenses out and Harry waited for her to do her hair.

"What Harry? I just told you I can't do it now?"

"Use magic?" Hermione grunted out that he was being a bastard.

"Hermione lift your hands up and think about changing your hair back and it will happen?" Harry leant back on the chair looking quite smug.

Hermione decided to try it to prove him wrong and was shocked when her hair changed back to her natural colour.

"What happened? What did you do?" Harry shook his head.

"Not me Hermione, that was all you!" Harry started the interview before she had a chance to think about her magic returning.

Hermione told him about the research she had done and how she was determined to prove Julia was fake. When Harry asked why, she told him it was because there was no such person as Julia Ryclaw before she met Harry. She didn't exist anywhere, no school had heard of her, no fixed address, no nothing. She charmed her way into Harry's life and it was all revenge for killing Voldemort. Hermione told him about her suspicions about her wand containing her powers and truth be told she wasn't one hundred percent sure on that night that it was going to work but she believed in her research. Harry asked further mundane questions and after an hour the interview was finished. Harry packed away his recording devices but he did not get up to leave.

"OK next point I believe Harry?" Hermione sat back in her chair and waited. She knew this was going to end badly she just hoped he wasn't annoyed enough to make it particularly painful.

"I have had a paternity test done and the tests show she is my daughter..."

"a paternity test, are you joking?" Hermione was disgusted.

"Well I have no idea of whom you are sleeping with Hermione?" Harry kept his eyes trained on her.

"NO I suppose you wouldn't but considering I wasn't the one who was married maybe you should've just asked me. Oh and also it wasn't me who was after your fortune Harry that would've been your 'charming wife'." Harry smirked at her.

"How about I offer a proposal and see where that takes us?" Hermione rolled her eyes and said whatever.

"OK Lilly lives with me and you can have access at my house, she isn't living here!" Harry looked down his nose at the small one bedroom flat.

"NO, how about you have weekend access and I will bring her to you!" Harry looked at her and even though he knew what he wanted and that was sitting right in front of him at this minute, he wasn't going to jump in.

"Ahh it still doesn't change the fact that I don't want her living here," Harry waited and Hermione grunted.

"Listen some of us have to work for a living Harry, I only earn enough to pay for this room and buy the essentials, I can't afford anywhere more expensive. My hours suit Lilly and I can take her to work with me. So moving or leaving work is out of the question." Harry looked at her and then caved, he didn't want to fight anymore.

"OK last offer Hermione and this is take it or leave it. You both will live in our flat and I will have access to my daughter any time I like, you can work if you want too but I will provide for Lilly and that means looking after her mother too." Hermione looked at him and she had mastered the polka face.

"And if I don't agree..."

"I will take you to court." Harry knew she would never get custody in a court battle and he knew that she knew that too. He waited for a few minutes and then stood.

"I'll give you 12 hours to think it through Lilly will stay with me tonight, you need a rest but tomorrow morning I will be back and I expect an answer!" Hermione nodded and Harry walked over to her and placed his hand on her face and gently stroked her cheek. He leant in and kissed her forehead and then said "thank you, thank you for saving me." Hermione nodded conflicting emotions taunting her body.

Hermione had a restless night and replayed everything that Harry had said. It didn't escape her notice that he had said "our flat" and she wondered whether it was a slip of the tongue. The following morning she packed up the small amount of belongings she had and decided to practise getting used to having her magic back again. She wasn't very focussed and as a result her magic was everywhere. She went down stairs to talk to Jennifer and Marcus as she knew she owed them an explanation. She told them her story and there were lots of hugs and tears and she promised to bring Lilly around to visit. Hermione went back up to her room and sat and waited, she knew Harry would arrive soon and when there was a knock on the door she took a deep breath and opened it.

"Hi Beautiful," Sirius was holding Lilly and had a huge smile on his face and even though she was a bit disappointed she was more than happy to see her daughter.

"Lilly, come to mummy sweetheart," Hermione kissed her head and hugged her gently. Sirius smiled at the exchange and looked around her flat.

"All ready I see Mione?" Hermione nodded and walked over to the small bags on the table and took them in her hands. Sirius smiled and shrunk everything down.

"Still not used to having your magic back Mione?" She shook her head no.

They apparated back to the small unit that Hermione had lived in a year ago. She walked in and looked around, nothing seemed like it had changed much, she walked down to the bedrooms and looked in the first one and she gasped. It was all set up for a nursery, it was beautiful. There were small butterflies painted on the wall which fluttered around all the different walls. There were flowers all around the bottom and the butterflies flew in and out of them. There was a small bed in one corner and a space for the cot. On the other side there were lots of stuffed toys and a wardrobe which had all new clothes hanging it.

Hermione smiled and watched as Sirius set up Lilly's cot by the window and then she walked down to her room. She looked inside and a rush of feelings hit her hard. Hermione looked at the bed and remembered the last time they were here together, she looked at the window and remembered the sun streaming in hitting her face and she smiled at the memory of racing Harry to the bathroom. The tears were building up and when Sirius asked her if she was ok, she nodded and walked out to the lounge room and sat down.

"I don't know if I can do this Sirius," Hermione put her face in her hands again and let the tears fall.

"Hermione this is the best option for you and Lilly, you need to think of her sweetheart." Hermione looked up and the tears broke Sirius' heart so he moved forward and sat next to her on the lounge hugging her tightly.

Lilly was playing on the rug in front of her and gurgling and chatting to herself and Hermione smiled.

"Yeah it's all for her!" Sirius nodded and kissed her head and then laid down on the ground to play with Lilly. Sirius stayed there with her for the day and they ate lunch together. When Lilly had her sleep she practised her magic with Sirius guiding her and she found it was coming back to her quicker than she thought it would. Sirius brought her a new wand and after a few shaky starts she was starting to get back into the rhythm of it. Later that night Sirius suggested he should get home and Hermione asked him the question that had been on her lips all day.

"Is Harry going to avoid me for the rest of my life?" She tried to smile but Sirius knew what she meant.

"No sweetheart, he just thought you might want to settle in before he comes over."

Hermione nodded and kissed Sirius on the cheek and closed the door.

Hermione settled in quickly and she returned to work after a couple of days, it felt good to get back to normal. She started to add little things around the unit to make it homey, like photos of her and Lilly but she wanted new ones, ones without her blue eyes and black hair.

2am on Saturday morning Lilly was teething and she had a fever so she was up crying and Hermione spent a couple of hours trying to calm her down and when she finally dozed off it was in Hermione's bed snuggled down next to her. Hermione only managed to get another hours sleep before her alarm went off for work and as much as she didn't want to wake Lilly she had to take her with her. Hermione opened her eyes and looked at the clock next to her bed. She turned over so she was on her back and she raised her arm to cover her face. Her eyes were aching from the lack of sleep. She turned over to check on Lilly then she threw the blankets off her and sat up. She held her head again, and willed the fuzzy headache she had to go away.

"You know I spent a lot of time on her bedroom, I thought she might at least use it." Hermione knew his voice and it took a lot of restraint to not look at him instantly.

"She's been up all night 'cause she had a fever," Hermione stood but did not look at him, she walked over to her closet and took out some work clothes. As Harry was standing in the doorway she had to walk past him but he stood in her way.

"Excuse me I have to go to work." Harry looked at her and then moved to the side and motioned with his hand for her to pass.

Hermione had her shower and walked out and went straight to find Harry. He was sitting in the kitchen drinking a coffee waiting for her to come out.

Harry looked up and saw her standing in a white fluffy towel, water dripping down her chest and her hair in long ringlets springing up as she walked.

"Harry are you here for Lilly today?" Harry tried to get his head clear and as he didn't trust his own voice he just nodded.

"OK good I won't wake her then but I'll be back at lunch as I only have a four hour shift." Hermione turned around and went to get dressed. She walked into her room and leant over the bed to check on Lilly, she felt her forehead and she was much cooler. Harry walked in behind her and whispered if she was ok.

"Yes just keep checking her, she had her medicine at 5 so she will need more at 9. It's on the kitchen bench so don't forget ok?" Hermione turned to look at him and he was standing very close and she felt exposed.

"OK well I need to get dressed so if you don't mind..." Hermione walked over to her dresser and got out her underwear and Harry walked up behind her and gently touched her shoulder. Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Feeling brave, Harry moved her hair away from her neck and he kissed it very gently. Hermione moved her head over to accommodate his touch. Harry slowly turned her around to face him and when she wouldn't look in his eyes, he put his fingers under her chin and lifted her to look at him.

"Hermione do you have any feelings for me still?" Harry whispered but she could hear him clearly. She grunted and then laughed, albeit quickly, "Still? Still? Harry I never stopped loving you, NEVER and I think it's me who should be worried about you having feelings not the other way around." Harry moved her hair away from her face ever so gently.

"Can we move past this?" Harry asked and it was a question that was on Hermione's lips too.

"I just don't know Harry, for Lilly's sake I want too." Harry continued caressing her face and cheeks.

"But I want you to want me for me not because we have a daughter together, it will never work if its not for me Hermione," Harry stepped closer and used one hand to snake his hand around her waist.

"Hermione I'm going to kiss you and if you feel nothing then I promise I won't bring this up again, is that ok?" Hermione slowly nodded feeling the anticipation build up inside the pit of her stomach. She watched as Harry leant forward and stopped just millimetres before her mouth, she begged him in her mind to connect with her and then he finally did. It was soft and gentle at first but it grew in intensity within seconds. Harry reached behind her neck and pulled her face in closer to his and he opened his mouth begging for access. Hermione complied instantly and the fireworks exploded in her stomach. She wrapped her hands around his body and held him closer to her body finally wanting to feel, finally wanting to connect with him again. After a few minutes they slowly pulled apart and Harry had a cheeky smile on his face but he was still nervous. Hermione looked down straight away as she didn't want to see the disappointment she was sure was written on his face.

"Hermione look at me please?" Harry tried to lift her face to his but she resisted.

"Please?" he pleaded. Hermione looked up and Harry rubbed his thumb across her cheek and he smiled.

"Please tell me you felt something?" he asked.

"Did you?" Harry smiled at her shyness and pulled her in for a tight hug, "Always Hermione, forever and always."

It took a little while before they were comfortable to go out in public as a family. Hermione received an apology from the paper who slandered her name all those years ago but she had moved on. Julia and Thomas were convicted and both sent to Azkaban and even at the court hearing, Thomas was still declaring his love for Julia even though she tried to frame the whole thing on him. Hermione and Lilly moved into Harry's house about a year later and the triangle was complete. They were married in a quiet ceremony with Lilly throwing rose petals down the garden path the following year. A few close friends helped them celebrate and at the reception Hermione announced that they were expecting another baby. They still had there ups and downs like every other couple but they loved each other deeply and that was all they could ever possibly ask for.

That's it, I hope you liked it as much as I like writing it.

Thank you again for your wonderful support, you guys give me the drive to write

Until next time.

Sirius xoxo