She found them in Ginny's old bedroom, it wasn't too hard all she had to do was follow the sound of laughter. Entering the room, she saw Ginny on the floor playing with Teddy who was laughing while his aunt showed him a muggle card trick. Lavender was propped up on the bed cradling James to her chest and her own baby bump. Giving Ginny a wink she kissed Teddy's head and picked him up before moving to sit next to Lavender, looking down at the babe in her arms.

"Hermione I'm sorry for my behavior over the years. I slept with Ron knowing you were dating and I was wrong to hit you at the gala. I could blame hormones for it but I was really just being a bitch because I knew Ron still wanted you. Despite all he did to you." Her voice trailed off as she looked up to meet Hermione's kind stare.

"I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't mad when I first found out because I wanted to hex you into oblivion. Especially after you hit me. But then I realized most of my anger was focused on Ron, not you. You knew what you were doing but you had no obligation to me like Ron did. You are due in a month," she laid her hand gently on Lavenders swollen stomach, "he should be dedicated to you and he's not, for that I am sorry because I am partially at fault. But I need you to know that we are all here for you and this baby, even if Ron isn't. I am here for you Lavender."

"She's right Lav," Ginny spoke up. Lavender let out a strangled cry and Hermione pulled the sobbing woman into her arms and let her cry.

A knock came from the door and Harry's head popped in, "Hello ladies," seeing Hermione holding Lavender he stepped in and shut the door. "Are you okay Lavender?"

"I'm much better now, thank you Harry."

Giving her a small smile he sat next to his wife and looked at his best friend, "You handled that much better then I expected. Sirius is seething mad but Remus is keeping him from throttling Ron."

Lavender laughed against Hermione shoulder, "He needs a good throttle."

"Yes he does," Harry laughed, "He's got a hot temper and a knack for screwing things up. Give him time, if you want, and he might surprise you."

"He doesn't want me, or this baby. He wants Hermione. You saw how he reacted when he saw her patronus and how he acts every time he sees them together," she started to cry again and Hermione tightened her hold on the crying witch, a sad look etched on her face as she looked to her best friend.

"You're apart of this family now Lavender, no matter what Ron thinks or wants. He has been my best friend for close to 13 years and he will come to his senses eventually and even if he doesn't you will always be welcome here. Now come on, Molly is still engulfed in wedding plans and I'm sure Teddy here wants to go flying!" Lavender laughed as the young boy jumped from Hermione's grasp and ran from the room.

Hermione gave an exaggerated huff and pointed a finger at Harry, "He forgot."

Harry got up and made his way to the door before smirking at her from the hallway, "Oh you know I'm not passing up a chance to see you on a broom. It's been years." Ginny and Lavender laughed as Harry disappeared from view.

"I'm gonna hex him, Gin."

Lavender stood up and passed James to his mother before whipping her tears, "Lets go join the fun. Yeah?"

With that the three woman left the room and met Ron at the bottom of the stairs where he requested to speak to Lavender alone. After accepting her nod the two witches left the two to their conversation and met the rest of the family outside. Hermione smiled seeing Harry on his broom with Teddy in his lap as Tonks, George and Bill chased them. Ginny moved to sit next to her mother and Hermione came to stand behind Sirius and kiss his head.

"Hello Kitten."

"Hello," she smiled.

"Aunt Mini! Come on!" Sirius chuckled as she rolled her eyes and summoned a broom. Mounting the broom she took off towards her godson.

Sirius watched her ascend the stairs and barely noticed Remus fixing the glass he'd broken. His calm left him the moment she was out of view and he could feel himself radiating with anger.

"Pup," he waited until Ron looked at him, ignoring Remus telling him to let it go. "This has gone too far. You crossed some real boundaries tonight and Hermione might forgive you, as she always does, but I won't. You hurt her at every turn. She is going to be my wife and I will spend the rest of my life protecting her, even if it means I have to protect her from you. Do you understand me?"

Ron nodded and moved to the living room. When he was gone the rest of the table seemed to let out a giant breath and relax into their seats.

"Bloody hell.." George said as he ran his hands through his hair. "I was not prepared for all of that."

"Hermione has been through so much," Molly mused out loud, "You make her happier then I have seen since before the war. She deserves this, she deserves you."

Sirius grinned, "I hope so Molly. She is the strongest witch I know. I don't know anyone else who could have gone through what she has and turned out fine."

Harry stood up from the table and smirked at his godfather, "She would hex you if she heard you talking about her like this." Sirius roared with laughter as he watched Harry go up the stairs.

Tonks was the next to speak, "We should go outside, he's probably going to bring them down and Hermione did mention flying.." Laughing she stood up and made for the backdoor as everyone followed her out. True to her assumption Teddy came running out not long after asking for his broom. It wasn't much longer before Harry joined them and than Ginny and Hermione shortly after. Sirius couldn't help but smirk as he watched his witch grab a broom and take off with a grace he had never seen before.

"Merlin, she's actually flying." Ginny said with a look of pure shock on her face. Her facial expression only making his grin spread as he looked back at his witch. She was truly amazing. He wondered briefly what had changed. He knew she was a shit flyer. Chuckling to himself he settled back in his chair.

"Mione! You're flying! And pretty damn well at that." George cried out to her.

Hermione laughed and shrugged, soaring over to Harry and Teddy. "Aunt Mini!"

"Blimey Mione, I didn't think you'd actually do it!"

She smiled zooming around the stationary pair causing Teddy to laugh and reach for her. "Oh not yet little love, I'm not as good a flyer as Uncle Harry."

At her words Harry pulled them back in an exaggerated manner making Teddy laugh again. "She can take you if she can catch us Ted." Sending her a mock smirk he took off with their godson. George laughed behind her as she gasped and took off after them. Teddy squealed with laughter as she chased them and there was a chorus of laughter from the ground when Hermione actually caught them and pealed Teddy from Harry's grasp. Turning back to the house she took them back to the table as Teddy waved goodbye to Harry. When they reached the ground, she vanished her broom and had barely set Teddy down before he was dragging her to the table. Sitting down she took the pumpkin juice Sirius passed her and laughed as Harry sat down opposite her with a sour look on her face.

"Flying was the one thing I had over you," he grumbled.

Ginny laughed as she offered James to Hermione, "Love, we have covered this. It's time you accepted Hermione is the favorite."

"Mione," Tonks spoke up, "you have always been shit on a broom, what was that?"

Hermione shrugged, "I'm just not scared anymore." Leaning into Sirius she smiled, "Plus someone recently showed me how amazing flying can be."

"You two are too cute," Tonks said making a gagging noise as she pulled Teddy into her lap. Everyone laughed and Hermione held James to her when they heard a cry from the house. Suddenly nervous everyone looked bewildered at the house as Ron scrambled out the door with Lavender in tow. "Sh-she...the baby" he stuttered. Jumping into action Hermione passed James to Sirius and ran to Lavender.

"Lav, are you okay?"

"I think it's time. My water broke."

"It's too early," Ginny spoke from her side. Shooting a fiery look at her brother, "Where you fighting?" His ears tipped red and she shot him with her bat bogey hex.

Lavender let out a cry and grabbed her stomach while keeping an iron grip on Hermione's hand, "I'm scared Hermione."

Giving her a sad smile Hermione led her back into the house, "You'll be okay, we'll get you through this. But we need to get you to Mungo's first." Everyone followed them into the house but for Ron who was being lectured by his mother for putting Lavender through so much stress. Hermione kept walking into the living room, stopping whenever Lavender needed, "Sirius?"

"I'm here Kitten," she heard him behind her.

"Can you get her a go bag together and meet us at the hospital?"

"I've got it," he moved to start to talk to Ginny about where Lavender was staying and Hermione grabbed a handful of floo powder. Coming through the floo with Lavender she steadied the woman and called for a Healer who brought a wheelchair and started asking Lavender a variety of questions. She kept her grip on Hermione's hand even as they started to take her away. She stopped them gently and crouched down before her, "Lavender, you need to let me go. The healers will take care of you."

Shaking her head violently Lavenders grip tightened on Hermione hand, "Will you come with me? Please. My family won't talk to me and Ron..." her lip started to tremble.

Hermione looked at her with soft eyes. "Of course. What about Molly?"

"Is she here?" she asked in a hopeful voice.

"They're all here Lav," she shifted the wheelchair so Lavender could see everyone coming through the floo. Lavender cried and nodded her head. "Molly!" Hermione called and stood. Molly scurried over with a smile on her face and followed the pair away from the rest of the group.

Hermione wiped a damp rag across Lavenders forehead and brushed her hair from her face. "You did wonderful Lav."

The exhausted woman gave her a tired smile and leaned into Hermione touch. "Thank you for being here for us Mione."

"Anytime, I mean it," she smiled down at her.

Molly came over and gently laid the bundle into Lavenders arms. "She is beautiful. Have you and Ron discussed names?" Molly questioned unable to keep the smile off her face.

"Olivia Rose," Lavender breathed looking down at her daughter.

"That's beautiful, a perfect name for such a beautiful girl."

Lavender looked up at her and smiled brilliantly, "Would you like to hold your niece?"

Nodding Hermione sat at the side of her bed and accepted the little bundle. Her heart swelled seeing a strawberry blonde hair peaking out of the blanket and Lavenders brown eyes staring back at her. "Lavender she is beautiful. She looks just like you!" She looked up at her friend and saw her crying. Reaching over she wiped away her tears and handed her back her daughter. "Would you like us to go get everyone?"

"Yes please."

"I'll do it," Molly smirked. When she was gone Hermione took out her wand and used a few charms to clear away the sweat from Lavenders forehead and pull her hair up away from her face.

"Merlin, thank you!" Lavender squeaked.

Hermione smiled and sat in the chair beside the bed watching as the woman she once loathed cradled her newborn to her chest. The sight made her heart ache slightly but she pushed it aside. It wasn't long before they heard voices in the hall and Lavender shot her a worried look.

"Don't worry Lav, remember you are apart of this family. Both of you are." She winked at her as the voices reached the door.

"Hermione!"

Sirius's hoarse cry startled Hermione awake, her heart hammering against her rib cage. They'd come home from the hospital shortly after Lavender introduced Olivia to the entire family. Sirius had stood back with his arms wrapped around Hermione's waist, patiently waiting until she was ready to leave. When the time came, they walked sluggishly to the floo's and went straight to bed opting to pick up the bike from the Burrow the next day. The day had taken a toll and ended up being much more than either of them had expected.

Looking around wildly she immediately focused on Sirius beside her. He was writhing in the sheets, his part of the blanket was bunched up at his feet and he had a sheen of sweat that was making his hair stick to his forehead.

"Sirius," she shifted closer to him. When he didn't respond she moved to hover over him, "Sirius," she brushed his wet hair from his face.

At the contact Sirius's eyes snapped open and she gave him a small smile, "Hi there."

But when he didn't say anything she frowned suddenly nervous, "Sirius?"

His hands came up to gently cradle her face and he sat up, bringing her with him, the blanket and sheets pooling around their hips.

"Sirius, please, you're scaring me.."

"I couldn't find you. None of us could." Hermione waited. "Seeing your patronus, I could finally breathe. I had you back, I just needed to go get you. You were bruised and bleeding but I had you back in my arms and it was one of the best moments of my life. Just to hold you again. And then you left..." Hermione's heart broke. "I couldn't breathe knowing you left Hermione. My world stopped. But I failed you, a second time, and you left me because of it."

"No.." she tried but he kept going still fueled by whatever he'd seen in his dream.

"You don't have to marry me Hermione...," he started to shake, his breaths uneven unable to look at her fully, "I've failed you..I love you but I failed you, again. I would understand.."

Seeing the usual bright light in Sirius's eyes fade made the pain in her chest increase tenfold. He sounded like he was letting her go and she didn't want that. Ever.

"Sirius, love please," she put her forehead on his trying to get him to look at her, "I ran to avoid seeing the pain in your eyes when you learned what I did. To avoid seeing you stop loving me if you thought I'd betrayed you." She paused for a moment and looked into his molten grey eyes, the ones she loved so much. Placing a small kiss on his lips she continued just a hairs length away, "I love you Sirius, I want to marry you. You haven't failed me.."

"I did. Twice you have been hurt as my witch and I have not been able to stop it." His hands wound deeper into her hair. "Kitten...I don't think I can do that again.." Tears started to well in her eyes and he realized what it sounded like. Pulling his hands from her hair he grabbed her waist and sat her between his legs with her own wrapped around his sides. "You are my weakness Hermione. I can not lose you again."

Reaching for him she kissed him. Willing everything she had to offer him to bleed into her kiss. She had reduced him to this. Her confident Sirius now a scared bundle of nerves, covered in cold sweats, fear in his eyes as he vocalized his those same fears to her. Fears she implanted into his mind because of her own fears and actions.

When she pulled away she locked her legs behind his back, keeping her body wrapped around his. "Is that what you were dreaming of?"

His eyes closed and he released a haggard breath. "Yes."

He was still shaking in her arms. "Tell me what I can do, Sirius?"

When she spoke he looked at her with broken eyes, "Don't leave me. Ever. Not again."

"I won't. I only left because I thought you wouldn't want me anymore.."

Something snapped behind his eyes, "I will always want you. I told you that when you took that curse for James and I meant it! You are my witch, before I even had you, you were mine. I love you, Godric how I love you. I just," he closed his eyes again his voice softening, "I don't want you to marry me because you think you have to because you left."

"What?" she gasped, "Sirius, no. If you had asked before I was taken I would have said yes. I said yes because I want to bind myself to you and I never want to be without you."

As they had talked they had progressively pressed into one another completely. They both needed the pressure of the others grip cementing them in that moment. The longer they were quiet the more intense their stare became until Sirius suddenly smiled.

"What have you done to me witch?"

Hermione wanted to smile back but his tease stung. "Made you fall in love with me."

"I do. Beyond measure."

"Sirius..I am so sorry." He quirked an eyebrow and she fought a grin to stay serious, "For making you worry. For running. For making you question me and my intentions."

"Just don't leave," he nuzzled into her neck.

"I won't," she whispered. "Plus," she grinned, "once we bind our magic, you're stuck with me."

He looked up suddenly, "You want to do that?"

Hermione suddenly felt unsure hearing his surprise, "I thought that's what you meant when you said you wanted to bind yourself to me in every way."

"I-I did," he smiled brightly.

"Well that's one less thing to figure out. Now all we need is a date, a venue, flowers, a dress.."

Sirius smirked into her neck as she spoke and began to plant kisses on her skin starting just under her neck. Hermione groaned as he started across her collarbone and up the other side of her neck before pulling her ear lobe between his teeth and nibbling. She almost became a puddle in his lap.

"Kitten, let me make love to you," he whispered against her skin.

In response Hermione moaned and kissed him soundly. Wrapping an arm around her waist Sirius lifted her just enough to situate himself beneath her and vanish their sleep clothes before setting her back down so she was rested against his straining erection. They sat there wrapped around one another snogging for countless minutes before Sirius repositioned them so he was hovering over her with her pressed into the bed. Sirius took a moment to just look at the woman under him. Taking in her beautiful face, swollen lips, and halo of curls he thought she was a goddess and all he wanted to do was worship her. Hermione traced the tattoo's along his torso while she thought much the same about him. Her hands found his neck and one hand brushed a piece of hair behind his ear as she settled on his eyes. Eyes that were boring into her bringing a small smile to her lips and warmth in her belly.

"I love you Sirius Black. Forever and always, as long as you will have me."

Sirius groaned at her words just before sinking into his witch. He savored the feel of her around him and the sight of her mouth opening slightly at the intrusion. It was slow and precise, Sirius striving for Hermione's pleasure, trying to ensure she felt everything. When they were spent, he continued hovering over her trying to catch his breath while she did the same.

"I love you too, Kitten."

Sirius fell asleep easily with her wrapped securely in his arms. Sleep evaded Hermione though even as she pressed her forehead into his chest, breathing in his scent. "I didn't mean to hurt you in such a way.." she whispered before nuzzling into his skin further.

"December 5th?!"

Hermione nodded and took a sip of her tea, completely unphased my Molly's shocked look.

"That's impossible!"

Ginny laughed at her mothers exasperation, "Please mum, you put together Bill and Fleurs wedding in less time than that."

"This time you'll have us to help Molly," Tonks added. "If we leave it up to Mione and Sirius it will be in a library with boobytraps hidden throughout the reception area."

Hermione snorted at the mental picture Tonks painted. "I'd actually prefer a simple wedding in a barn."

"Oh that would be lovely!" Molly exclaimed suddenly excited. "What about flowers?"

"No pansy's," Ginny stated making Hermione snort one more into her tea.

"What about pale yellow calendulas, sunflowers, and small red roses?"

Both of the red haired women considered Tonks suggestion before turning to Hermione for her answer. Hermione smiled, "Sunflowers are my absolute favorite but how are we going to get them in the winter?"

Molly actually laughed while summoning parchment and the bridal magazines from the living room, "Magic my dear."