Hermione woke and the first thing she noticed was she was alone. She reached over to Sirius's side of the bed and found it cold. He'd been gone for a while. Getting up she put on her robe and made her way to the kitchen, when she didn't find him in the kitchen she began checking the rest of the house only to find it empty. Back in their room, she started to settle back down in the bed when she noticed the note propped up against her books.
Kitten, Stay in bed. I'll be home shortly. I love you. -Sirius
Smiling she let her head fall back on her pillows and released a breathe she didn't know she was holding. Turning over she grabbed his pillow and cradled it to her, smelling his aftershave she drifted back to sleep.
That's how Sirius found her, curled up on their bed her face stuffed in his pillow. His heart swelled at the sight of her knowing that she would be there for the rest of their lives. He kicked off his boots and laid beside her, gently extracted his pillow from her hold and smiling as she quickly pulled herself into his shoulder letting out an adorable sigh. Hermione tugged at his shirt and started tracing her fingers along his abdomen. "Have you been awake long, Kitten?"
"No but I didn't find your note until after I searched the whole house."
"I had to make a quick run into Diagon Alley."
Hermione shot up in bed giving him a bewildered look, "Your birthday!"
"Was days ago, love," he tried to dismiss it.
"No! I had so much planned!" She jumped out of bed and made her way into the closet, "I still need to go get you a present! Gods I can't believe I forgot!"
Sirius came into the closet behind her, "Kitten, it's not like we were in the right head space. None of us were."
"That's not an excuse! I'll send a note to Gin and Molly and we'll do something this weekend."
"Kitten." Turning she found Sirius before her, in his hand was a black box and inside was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It was a white gold setting with a black diamond in the middle surrounded by dozens of tiny diamonds wrapping around it in an intricate design. She could only gape at it. "Do you like it?"
Looking up at him she met his smile with her own, "Sirius, it is stunning!"
He grinned before taking the ring from the box and reached for her hand slipping it onto her left ring finger, grinning again when Hermione let out a tiny gasp. "I didn't want to give you anything from the family vaults so I had it made for you after your birthday. I just needed to pick it up."
"Sirius...it's...I.." her words failed her as she looked from her ring to him. Laughing Sirius pulled her to him and kissed her. She melted into him and wound her arms around his neck, absently tracing patterns in his hairline. Breaking only to catch their breathe she rested her forehead on his and kept her arms around him, "I love it. Thank you."
"Anything for you Kitten."
"We're really doing this," she laughed heart in her voice, smiling bright enough to light the room.
Seeing her so happy he couldn't keep from smiling with her, "Only with you." Leaning up she kissed him again and lightly bit his lip, "Mine."
"Always," he growled. Kissing her one more time her pulled back, "Now get dressed, I wrote Molly this morning, everyone took off so we are having lunch at the Burrow today and I know everyone has been wanting to see you." Smirking she planted a kiss on his cheek before turning back to her clothes, reaching for a dress he stopped her, "Wear pants love, and shoes that cover you ankles." She gave him a confused look but didn't question him. Instead she grabbed a pair of dark wash jeans and pulled on a periwinkle blue sweater over a beige tank top. Grabbing a pair of her Chuck Taylors she retreated back into the bedroom and grinned when Sirius gave her a look of approval and winked. When she had her shoes on he handed her her wand and offered her his arm. "Ready love?"
Offering him another smile she nodded and took his arm. Much to her surprise he lead her from the room, "Are we not apparating?" She frowned when he only smirked but she let him lead her through the house to the front door.
"It's a beautiful day, I thought we'd ride."
"Ride?" she questioned. Sirius grinned as he led her out the door and to his bike. "Are we riding or flying?"
"A bit of both." Seeing the look on her face his grin faltered a bit, "I know how you feel about flying but do you trust me?"
Pulling her gaze from the motorcycle she gave him another blinding smile, "Of course."
His grin spreading again, he gave her a quick kiss. "You might want to put your hair up kitten." Using her wand she charmed her hair into a loose braid and had it wrap into a bun at the base of her neck. Taking his hand she threw her leg over the back of the bike and took the helmet he offered her. Satisfied that she was situated Sirius mounted the bike in front of her. "Hold tight kitten," he called back as he started the bike. Hermione laced her arms around his abdomen and smiled into his back, the rumble of the bike reminded her of his own growling and how he sometimes did it without even realizing it. When they lurched forward she grasped his jacket and she felt him chuckle and she bit his shoulder just enough so he could feel it. They rode though London until the city fell away and they were surrounded by country. "Ready?" he called over his shoulder, feeling her nod against his back he lifted the bike. Slowly it began to rise into the air and Hermione felt her breathe catch in her throat and she tightened her grip on Sirius. Looking around she saw only clouds, Gods this is amazing. Loosening her grip she leaned against his shoulder blades she continued to watch the clouds pass them until they started to dip just below them and she could once again see the green of the country. Not far off she could see the Burrow ahead of them and as the ground got closer she braced for landing but it was smoother then she anticipated. When they came to a stop by the pond Sirius stepped off and waited with a grin as she took off her helmet.
"Sirius that was amazing! I almost forgot you were such an amazing flyer."
Laughing he pulled her off the bike and kissed her passionately. "Just wait until I get you on a broom love." Setting her down, he wound his arm around her shoulder and started leading her to the house. Withdrawing her wand she unwrapped her hair but left it in the loose braid down her back before looping her own arm around his waist. As they approached the door Hermione braced herself to knock and stopped. "Nervous?"
"How's Teddy?" she asked in a quiet voice.
"He was petrified. After Dora and Ginny were able to get into the bookstore and get him he stopped talking. I don't think he's spoken since."
A sad look replaced her smile before she nodded and knocked on the door. There was a shuffle of feet behind the door before it opened and Molly gaped at her. "Hermione.." She smiled weakly as she wrapped the young witch in a delicate hug. Hermione let out a small sob and melted into the matriarchs embrace. "I've miss you." They stood there for a few moments before Molly pulled back and put her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "No more. You hear me? No more." She could only nod and smile at her pseudo mother. "Everyone is in the living room. They've been waiting to see you."
When Hermione brushed her tears from her eyes, Molly's eyes widened and her smile grew. Noticing her eye fixated on her new ring Hermione smiled and looked at Sirius who grinned. Molly squeaked and pulled them both into a hug. Eyes clouded with unshed tears Molly grabbed her hand and examined the ring before patting Sirius on the cheek, "It is beautiful dear."
"Thank you Molly."
"Go on now, everyone is waiting. I made them wait in the living room so you had a second." Turing back to the kitchen she left them to head into the living room on their own. Stealing a breath Hermione leaned into Sirius as he kissed her temple and made her way into the room.
Tonks saw her first and was immediately in front of her, she heard her say her name just before she pulled her into a hug. Sirius moved to Harry and Ginny, giving the former a wink as he pulled the later into a hug as she cried. They stood there watching Hermione get passed from person to person until she stopped before Ron and Lavender. The blonde witch was crying which was a little off putting but Hermione didn't seem to mind as she hugged the woman back, her belly pressing into Hermiones. Ron was the most peculiar. He patted her shoulder causing her, and a few others in the room, to frown. So she moved to Harry who immediately enveloped her into a hug.
"Mione."
"Harry, thank you for everything. I know I was being stubborn."
He laughed into her hair and kissed her cheek. "I have something for you. We found it in Dolohov's pocket." Reaching into his own pocket he withdrew her necklace and clasped it around her neck and smiled. "Perfect." Grasping her necklace she smiled, there you are. Sirius glanced down at his own pendant and smiled sending her a wink.
"Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Winding his around around her waist he turned her back to Sirius and Ginny as Ginny passed James to his godfather. Making eye contact with her best friend Ginny launched herself at Hermione and started to cry into her shoulder. "Shh Gin, it's okay. Thank you for looking after me. I'm sorry for the way I acted."
"Oh Mione," she sniffed, "you have nothing to be sorry for. I'm just so glad you're back."
"Me too." She smiled at Sirius as he approached her and held out their godson to her. Taking James into her arms she smiled down at his sleeping face, "I thought I was lost." Sirius kissed her temple. Turning to face everyone she smiled before meeting Tonks' gaze. "Teddy?"
"He's with Remus. He's been having trouble.."
"I'm so sorry Tonks," her eyes welled with fresh tears.
Tonks rushed over to her, "Hermione, its not your fault. He's just been worried about you, for you. He cries for you every night, he's been waiting. Are you ready to see him?" Hermione could only nod as she handed James back to Ginny and waited while Tonks went into the kitchen. She heard her call for Remus and Teddy and she couldn't help but lean back into Sirius, suddenly overtaken by nerves.
Sirius held her as she started to tremble lightly in anticipation. "Breathe, Kitten. It's okay."
Hearing him she released the breath she was holding and turned to kiss his chin before whipping her head to the doorway at the sound of footsteps. Tonks came around first with a small smile on her lips. Teddy followed, holding her finger. Seeing him Hermione's breath caught in her throat and she absently took a step forward. It took him a second but eventually his gaze landed on her and he froze.
"Mini?" he said in a weak voice.
"Hello lit-" she stumbled back into Sirius as his tiny body hit her legs. When she started to crouched down and he clambered into her arms knocking her onto her back on the living room floor. Laughing she pulled herself up to sit and he climbed further into her embrace. "Little love, I've miss you."
"Where did you go Aunt Mini? Uncle Harry wouldn't let me come see you," he lifted his head and sent a tiny glare towards the wizard before looking back at her.
"Oh little love, I was sick. I told your Uncle Harry not to let anyone see me. Not even Uncle Siri was allowed to come see me." The boy looked shocked and looked to Sirius for confirmation, when he nodded the boy turned back at Hermione and started playing with her necklace.
"Are you better now?"
"Yes, love, I am all better." At her words the young boy wrapped himself around her body causing her to laugh and heave herself up with him in her arms. As she did his hair grew to his shoulders and changed to match her chestnut locks, his face softened and his eyes turned the same whiskey gold as her own. When she was up she was immediately engulfed into a tight hug, her feet lifting off the floor, only Teddy's laughter kept her from shrieking. Remus nuzzled his nose in her neck and growled causing her to shiver. "Remus?" He set her down gently and looked at her with gold eyes..
"Sorry Mione," he looked sheepish. "I..uh..Moony had some trouble with you being taken."
His confession brought a smile to her lips and she hugged him fiercely with her free arm. Sirius laughed behind her, "Seems like Moony recognizes you as pack, kitten."
"Shut it Pads," Remus mumbled into her hair before releasing her, keeping his arm around her shoulders.
Tonks smirked, "Yes, it was quite the fleet trying to keep them both calm while you were away. Remus paced everywhere for days and only calmed down after Harry sent word you were with him. Then he went to bug Sirius."
Remus rolled his eyes and gave her shoulders one last squeeze before letting her go making his way towards his wife. "Sorry love, you know how Moony is." Everyone laughed and Hermione turned back to Sirius, leaning into his shoulder with Teddy still in her arms playing with her necklace. When Molly announced lunch was ready everyone made their way into the kitchen and took their seats. They all began to fill their plates and she started plating extra on hers for her and Teddy. He smiled up at her with her own eyes before gorging on their food. She sat between Sirius and Remus with Ron, Ginny, and George across from them. As everyone talked around her she looked at her family and smiled to herself, absently spinning her engagement ring around her finger under the table.
Sirius caught her attention and held her hand before winking at her, "Can I have everyone's attention please?" When everyone looked at him he spoke again, "This past week has been the hardest of my life. I would rather go through Azkaban again than to not know where Hermione is and if she is safe. She is my better half, the love of my life, and," he pause looking down at her with a smile, "she has consented to be my wife."
The table erupted with cheers. Harry rose from his seat and made his way around the table to hug his godfather before taking his best friend in a hug, "I'm so happy for you Mione. Both of you."
"Thank you Harry." She smiled as she kissed her forehead and made his way back to his seat.
"Mione! Let me see the ring!" Ginny exclaimed reaching across the table for her hand. Hermione surrender her hand and smiled brilliantly as Tonks, Fleur and Lavender all flocked behind Ginny to get a look. "It is beautiful Hermione!" Sirius sat back in his chair and shared a smirk with Remus while accepting congratulations from the remaining occupants at the table as he watched his witch show off her engagement ring.
"Do you know when are you guys want to get married?" Molly piped up, visibly excited with the prospect of planning another wedding.
"We haven't decided yet," Hermione smiled at her fiancé, "I wouldn't mind a short engagement though."
Sirius' smirk grew at her words, "The sooner the better Kitten."
There were "awe's" around the table from the women and Molly left the room only to return a few moments later with bridal magazines from Ginny's wedding. Ginny joined her mother and Tonks as they started to divide up catalogs. "Mione, do you know where you want to get your dress?" Ginny probed in an excited voice.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh, "Not really but I think I'll talk to Narcissa and see if she has any in stock or if she could get any." Ginny nodded enthusiastically as she took a stack of catalogs back to her seat.
The table quieted back down into regular conversation as the Molly, Tonks and Ginny all lost themselves in catalogs. Hermione leaned into Sirius's shoulder as she watched her best friends fawn over a collection of bridal books when she heard Remus speak to her, "I never thought I'd see this old dog settle down, Mione. James and I always knew it would take a strong and stubborn witch to be his equal."
Sirius's chest vibrated with laughter under her.
"How are you lot okay with this?" Ron bellowed, making everyone turn to him. Lavender's eyes begun to well with tears and Hermione frowned at her friend.
"Ron," Harry cut in, voice sharp with irritation, locking eyes with Ginny, he silently nodded to Lavender. Taking his queue Ginny stood up and pulled Lavender with her, taking her up the stairs with an excuse to go see how James was doing. Casting a silencing charm on the stairs, he turned back to his friend, "Mate you need to stop this."
"I don't understand how all of you are okay with this! He is twice her age. She was just kidnapped and tortured for days! Obviously she isn't making sound decisions!"
Sirius's grip on her shoulder tightened at the mention of her torture and Remus growled beside her. She leaned out of Sirius's arm and looked at Teddy, "Little love, will you go upstairs with Aunt Ginny and Lavender? Go play for a little bit. Please?"
"Will you be here when I get back?" he asked in a weak voice.
"Of course love, I'll be right here and we can play on our brooms when we're done." Letting out a shriek of excitement Teddy scrambled up the stairs and out of earshot.
When he was out of her sight, her eyes turned frosty and met Ron's across the table. "Ron, since you are so keen on hashing this damn discussion out again and in front of everyone lets have it. Yes Sirius is older but Gods if we are matched on a higher level then I have been with anyone else my age, yes that includes you." He went to interrupt her and she shot a silencing charm at him, "I am NOT done! I have never doubted his love for me and I never will. Yes, I was kidnapped and I was tortured. The only thing that kept me fighting every time Dolohov came to me was my family. Teddy, James, Ginny, Tonks, Harry, Remus, even you! But most of all it was that man right there who I thought of the most. I would picture his face and his laugh to try and distract myself every time Dolohov cut me or hit me or cursed me. I survived for 3 days with that monster because I knew if I held out just long enough, I would get to be in his arms again." Taking a deep breath she focused on her shiver and stared hard at Ron, releasing her charm she waited.
For a while no one said a word until Ron finally spoke, "Do you think he can ever fully accept you as a muggleborn?"
Sirius hit the table and snarled, "Don't you ever suggest that I care about her blood status pup!"
Hermione put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. "Do you really think a man who distanced himself from a his own pureblood elitist family, so much so that they disowned him and beat him, cares about my blood status?"
"You are nothing more than a mudblood to them Mione!" he proclamation earning several cries of upset around the table.
"YOU are a pureblood Ronald! Do you see me as 'nothing more than a mudblood'?" She bit out the word. He started to protest and she shot him another glare, raising her wand in warning, "You have no room to question how my relationship with Sirius or how he feels for me."
"Hermione you are mine!"
"Seriously Ronald! This again? No I am not! You have no claim on me! Lavender is your fiancée, the mother of your child, not me!"
He glared at her for a moment before something lit his eyes, "Is that what you lost Mione? Did you lose my child?"
Hermione could only scoffed at him, "You have got to be kidding me!" But Ron didn't miss how Remus, Tonks and Harry stiffened and Sirius's growled.
"Answer me Hermione!"
"No you buffoon, I did not lose your child," she dismissed him with a wave of her hand.
"I don't believe you.." he frowned at her.
Voice dangerously low she returned his frown with a scowl of her own, "I was never pregnant with your child!"
He stood smacking his hand on the table, "Then what did you lose!?"
Hermione was cut off from answering by Sirius standing next to her, towering over Ron. "She does not have to explain herself to you!" She put her hand on his forearm and spoke in a softer voice, "Sirius, it's fine."
"Kitten, you don't have to tell anyone this. Especially not because of him."
Reaching up she kissed him softly, "It's okay." Nodding he sat back down with her and kept his grip on her hand. Taking a deep breath she looked at her ex, "I lost an ovary and gained significant scar tissue in my uterus. I lost my ability to carry a child to term without a higher risk of miscarrying. But I did not lose your child Ron."
The room was clouded with silence, but for Molly's soft cries. Ron broke that silence with venom in his voice, "So you can't even give him an heir?"
Remus growled beside her and Siruis' glass shattered in his grip. Harry was the one who spoke up, "Mate, you are way out of line there. She sacrificed that to save my son, your nephew. She did that for her family!"
"He is the heir to 'the ancient and noble house of Black', he needs his own heir to continue the line! She may not be able to give him that!" Ron bellowed, pointing a finger at Sirius to Hermione.
Sirius spoke, his voice sharp as a knife, "Whether we have children or not I will always love Hermione." Hermione leaned into him at his words.
"This is my family Ron, Sirius is my family, that isn't changing. You have Lavender, you have a baby on the way and you need to get the idea of you and I out of your mind. We were best friends for 7 years before we started dating and dating that is what ruined us. You need to let that go so we can salvage what's left of our friendship. Now I am going to go get your fiancée, Ginny and my godsons and bring them back down here. I suggest you get the fuck over yourself and focus on your family because if you focused as much on your relationship with Lavender as you do on my relationship with Sirius maybe you wouldn't be having problems." Standing she kissed Sirius and moved to leave the room when Ron grabbed her wrist.
"I love you Hermione."
Snatching her arm from her grasp she gave him a sad look, "No you don't."