CHAPTER ONE

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October 2008

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In a cold, stark white hospital room, the golden trio stand side by side with identical stunned expressions as they stare directly at the smirking face if Sirius Black, who until now they had believed to be at best lost to the world and in the worst case scenario - dead. Apparently, they had been very wrong.

What made the situation even more bizarre, was that while they had aged twelve years in his absence, he appeared to look completely the same as he had when he had fallen through the veil in 1996. His beard was no longer and his hair held no greying from age. Whereas when he had entered the veil there had been two decades of age between him and them, there was now merely seven.

"What the fuck?" Hermione choked, snapping everyone out of their stunned silence as Sirius gave a loud bark of laughter and the two men at either side of her chuckled.

"As you can see," said the healer who had accompanied them in only seconds before, "Mr Black is very much alive, shows no signs of aging and has been told everything he needed to know in order to catch up with the events of the war."

"How?!" Hermione gasped and the healer merely shrugged.

"No-one knows," the woman grinned, "it's being looked into by the Ministry but at this point, I would suggest accepting it for what it is. I will leave you to catch up."

With that said, the blonde woman who appeared to be wearing a robe designed for a child and showed almost the whole of her legs, left the room with Sirius eyes following her intently. Hermione watched as Harry closed the gap between himself and his godfather and embraced him, clearing his throat to remove the lump that she suspected to be there during their reunion.

"Hello, pup." Sirius grinned, pushing Harry back and gripping his shoulders, getting a good look at him, "how old are you now?"

"28," Harry croaked, clearing his throat before continuing, "how much have they told you?"

Hermione, also intrigued by the answer Sirius would give, moved to sit on the chair at his bedside, leaving Ron hovering in the doorway looking moody, his usual expression these days. She rolled her eyes at his behaviour and turned to Sirius, who turned to her when she put her hand on top of his.

"You can't be Hermione," he said as he winked at her and she felt the heat creep up her cheeks as she nodded, rolling her eyes, "you've turned into quite the woman, kitten."

"Thanks, Sirius," she snorted, shaking her head, "how much do you know about… everything?"

He filled them in on what he had been told by the healers, which turned out to be everything that happened between his trip to the beyond and the downfall of Voldemort, including everyone who had died during the fighting. It was a lot to take in, and Hermione found herself growing tearful as she listening to his deep, melodic voice.

"What's up, love?" Sirius asked, frowning when he turned to her and she shook her head, wiping her eyes.

"I just can't believe you're back!" She sniffled and Sirius gestured for her to come onto the bed for a cuddle and she resolutely ignored Ron's grumbling as she did so, laying her head on the older man's shoulder. Apparently, Sirius could not ignore it as well as she could, however.

"What's up with you, Ron?"

"Nothing." Ron snapped moodily.

Hermione looked up to Sirius with pleading eyes, shaking her head, begging him not to push the matter. His eyebrow raised and he nodded minutely to show his agreement, but she knew he would ask another time and she dreaded that conversation. Sighing, she informed them she was going to use the loo, needing some time away from the black cloud that was her boyfriend, and left the room.

As she entered the bathroom, she sat down on the closed toilet lid and dropped her head into her hands, groaning. Things with Ron had been growing unbearable since they started to try for a baby two years ago and she had failed. Every month was a disappointment for both of them, but Ron found his solace in blaming her entirely for the situation and she didn't know how much longer she could take his belittling and accusations.

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After returning to Sirius' hospital room she sat quietly as she listened to Harry and Sirius talking about Harry's young family, how he had married Ginny and now had three beautiful children. Ron was huffing as he glared out of the window and as Harry mentioned potentially trying for another, he turned his glare on her.

"I wouldn't mind just having one," he spat, "but for some reason it's not happening, right 'Mione?"

"Ron, please…" she begged, turning her eyes to the floor and feeling her eyes well with tears of embarrassment.

"Fuck this," Ron snapped, still glaring at her, "I'm going to the pub, I'll see you when I get home."

Hermione listened, trying to discreetly wipe her eyes as Ron stormed from the room and slammed the door. Neither Sirius or Harry spoke as she collected herself and she found them both to be looking at her with frowns on their faces when she looked up, trying to offer a weak smile.

"Don't do that," Harry sighed, standing from the bed and rounding it to put his arm around her, "you know you don't have to pretend with me."

"What was that about, love?" Sirius asked, his voice as gentle as she had ever heard it as he reached out and took her hand.

"It's nothing." She said, trying to smile and she heard Harry scoff.

"It's not nothing, Hermione," he said, rubbing her shoulder and turning to Sirius, "Ron and Hermione have been trying for a baby for over two years."

"No luck?" Sirius asked, squeezing her hand and she shook her head, sniffling, "have you had any tests?"

"Ron got himself tested and his results were fine, so it's obviously me." She muttered and Sirius sighed.

"That doesn't make it your fault, Hermione, I've told you this a hundred times." Harry said, smoothing a hand down her hair.

"Is he always so…." Sirius trailed off and Harry snorted.

"Argumentative? Moody? Abusive?" Harry offered and Hermione's snapped up at the last.

"He's not abusive, Harry." She assured and he sighed, shaking his head.

"What else do you call it? He shouts at you almost constantly and treats you like crap." He muttered and Hermione sighed, her shoulders drooping.

"Is it that bad?" Sirius asked softly and Hermione looked into his eyes before giving a resigned nod.

It really was that bad and Hermione knew it wasn't healthy, nor did it provide a basis for bringing a child into the world. She knew that it had to end one way or another soon, whether it was fixed somehow or they went their separate ways. But she desperately lover Ron, at least the Ron he used to be before starting a family became his only concern, and she wanted to make their relationship work somehow.

It was difficult to explain the feelings that she held for Ron, especially when he acted towards her in such a way, but love is weird like that. Although she knew that the way he was with her was wrong, she also knew what he could be when he was happy. With Sirius and Harry watching her, though, she knew what they were thinking. Why doesn't she just leave?

"I love him." She shrugged tiredly, "I know it's awful right now, but I'm hoping it's going to get better."

"How is that going to happen?" Sirius asked and she shrugged.

"I have a baby, I guess."

"And if you can't?" Harry asked and Hermione sighed, rubbing her temples to stave off a headache.

"Then I don't know."