Sirius took a few deep breaths, his best friend muttering words of comfort.

"Why is this so hard?" He asked. "Shouldn't it be easy?"

"It's because you're putting everything on the line," Remus confirmed. "Now stop hiding in here and go and dance with her."

"She looks so good," Sirius said. "I can't stop picturing what she'd look like carrying my son..."

"Or daughter."

"Or daughter," Sirius agreed. "Once we're married, I'll bring up kids - don't want to scare her or overwhelm her."

"That's... a good plan," Remus said, not meeting his gaze.

"It's a shame that you're with my cousin, otherwise we could have married our kids off and not worried," Sirius continued.

Remus chuckled. "Well, there is little James? He might be just like his grandfather - and James was devoted to Lily."

"She'd look so beautiful," he muttered, forgetting to pace.

"One situation at a time," Remus replied. "Your first hurdle is getting out of the toilet and spending time with your girlfriend."

Sirius nodded, smoothing down his robes.

"How do I look?" He asked.

"A mess," Remus replied, grinning in amusement.

"Ha fucking ha," Sirius muttered, looking at himself in the mirror and running a hand through his hair.

"You look happy. Nervous but happier than ever," Remus added.

"I am - happy I mean," Sirius confirmed. "Okay, I'm ready - let's go."

...oOo...

As they walked out, Sirius watched Remus and Tonks shared a relieved look with each other. He ignored them and headed outside where he spotted Hermione dancing with Bill Weasley. He straightened out his robes again, before walking over, hearing the song come to an end.

He met Bill's gaze, and Bill bowed to Hermione slightly, stepping away and winking at her. She turned, to find Sirius taking her hand in one of his hands, and the other slipping around her waist.

"Walk with me," he said, leading her from the garden of the Burrow. The lights kept the nearby fields lit.

"Dance with me," he requested, his voice husky. He pulled her close, feeling her arms wrap around him.

"You know, you are the best thing that's happened to me," he said, as the music changed to a slow song.

"And you are the best thing that's happened to me," Hermione said.

"You changed my life."

"Sirius, you changed your own life, you just allowed me to be part of it," she replied, smiling at him before pressing her lips to his.

"What I'm saying is that if you hadn't come to stay with me, I'd probably still be drinking myself to sleep every night, losing track of days and nights. Causing everyone stress and hurting my family and friends who were doing everything to help. Just realising that I wasn't so alone... I love you, Hermione. You made me a good man."

"You've always been a good man," Hermione replied. "When Harry said I could stay with you... I was worried about invading your space - but I trusted you. I knew that you wouldn't push me to talk and everything like Ginny and Harry. You let me handle it all in my own time - you defended me. I love you, Sirius. I have for years, and that'll never change."

Her head rested against his chest as they moved slightly to the music.

"Are you happy?" Sirius checked.

"I don't think I could ever be happier than I am now, with you."

Sirius moved away, taking her hands in his.

"Hopefully I can change your mind on that, that I can make you happier," he said. He dropped down onto one knee and reached into his robes, withdrawing a box.

"Hermione, I can't imagine my life without you," he began. "I want everything I thought I'd never have, with you! I want to marry you, I want to have a family with you. I want to grow old with you at my side... will you marry me?"

Hermione's hand had moved up to cover her mouth in shock at the sight of the box. She let out a gasp as he opened it.

"I had to buy a new ring - the family jewellery had curses on and you wouldn't be able to touch them."

"Yes," she whispered so quietly that he almost didn't hear her. He could see the tears in her eyes.

"I missed that kitten," he said, smirking at her.

"Yes," she said, grabbing him and pulling him up. She threw herself into his arms, and kissed him deeply.

He pulled away, sliding the engagement ring onto her hand and he brought the hand to his lips, kissing it softly, before reaching up to wipe the tears that were threatening to fall from Hermione's eyes.

In silence, he walked back to the party, where the girls rushed over to examine Hermione's hand and Sirius listened to the men contratulating him.

Champagne was poured and the glasses were passed out, Sirius opting to not have any, choosing pumpkin juice instead. He listened as Remus toasted the engagement and his eyes fell on Hermione, the only one who wasn't drinking.

"Not feeling the Champagne?" He asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"It's not that," she replied. "I was planning on telling you tonight, I was just getting the nerve. It's scary really."

"What?" He asked.

She tipped the champagne into the grass.

"I won't be allowed to drink that for another seven months," she replied.

He stared at her in confusion for a moment before his eyes slowly drifted to her stomach.

"Are you serious?" He whispered.

She nodded, her eyes wide as she tried to judge his response.

He whooped loudly, picking Hermione up and swinging her around. "You don't even know how happy you've made me this evening," he said. He turned back to the curious gazes. "Seems we have something else to celebrate," he announced.

"Yeah? What's that?" Charlie called.

His hand rested on her stomach. "I'm going to be a father," he whispered. He pulled Hermione to him and kissed her.

Letting Hermione stay with him was the best decision he had ever made.

Sorry this took so long to finish.

I hope you liked the ending.

Review Please :D

Thanks Firefly for the suggestion of a wedding - it gave me the idea to do the proposal.