Hermione opened up The Prophet on the first of August to the announcement that Harry and Severus were planning their bonding ceremony for the Christmas holidays, to be held at Hogwarts Castle, naturally. The building progress had been fantastic, and even some goblins from Gringotts had helped them improve the wards with ancient enchantments. As she continued reading the article, she saw that Minerva had spoken to the paper, and that she was stepping down as Transfiguration professor, due to her duties as Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House, as well as taking over as Headmistress of Hogwarts the following year. She said that her replacement was none other than Sirius Black, which made Hermione tremble at the notion, as well as the sight of the man waving at the Ministry of Magic function just a week before Harry's birthday.

The ceremony itself had been a lovely one, with Kingsley and Alastor, as Minister and Deputy Minister respectively, overseeing as dual Master of Ceremonies. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Severus, Ginny, Draco, Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred (posthumously), and George, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Minerva, Hagrid, and many other members of the Order of the Phoenix and side of the Light had been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class. Hermione had done her best to smile throughout the evening, and accepted her award with grace, although she had successfully managed to avoid Sirius throughout the duration. It had left a bitter taste in her mouth, especially because she would be seeing him at Harry's birthday celebration the following week.

The celebration for Harry's eighteenth birthday had been a splendid affair, held at the Potter house in Godric's Hollow, with Remus and Tonks hosting, as Harry had handed over the property to the pair of them the month before. Hermione stood by, after the candles had been blown out and the cake cut, watching as the lovely couples in attendance danced together on the magicked floor in the back garden. Harry and Severus, Remus and Tonks, Ron and Lavender, Viktor and Ginny, Molly and Arthur, Bill and Fleur, George and Angelina Johnson, Draco and Astoria Greengrass, Kingsley and Alastor, Andromeda holding onto Teddy...

Lifting her glass of Gillywater, Hermione was vaguely aware of Sirius coming closer to her, and she bit down hard on her lip, wanting more than anything to avoid him as she noticed Draco spinning Astoria perfectly. What with Lucius being locked away in Azkaban for life and Narcissa leaving for France, Draco had truly come into his own as he assumed the Malfoy Lordship, and had honored the betrothal agreement between himself and the Greengrass family, selecting sixteen-year-old Astoria, Daphne's younger sister, as his bride, as Daphne was already engaged to Blaise Zabini. Hermione's heart beat faster then as the dancing ended, and breathed a sigh of relief as Harry came closer to her, and asked her to dance before Sirius had the opportunity to do so.

"Mistress Hermione?"

Hermione lowered The Prophet and turned to regard Dordey, who was standing at the edge of the breakfast nook uncertainly. "Yes, Dordey?" she asked.

Dordey hesitated for a moment before he showed Hermione what it was he was holding—it appeared to be an envelope, slightly singed.

"Is that a Howler, Dordey?" Hermione asked, her tone worried.

Dordey shook his head at her. "This is what happens when someone writes to Mistress Hermione, someone who had not been granted access through the wards..."

Hermione bit down hard on her lower lip, and tentatively took the letter from Dordey. "Were any owls hurt?" she asked.

Dordey immediately shook his head. "No, Mistress Hermione," he assured her. "Mistress Hermione's owl is right as rain."

Hermione turned over the letter in her hand, her heart hammering wildly as she noticed the seal of the House of Black gazing up at her. "Thank you, Dordey," she said, suddenly no longer hungry for her breakfast. "I'll read this now. You're excused."

Dordey bowed to Hermione before scurrying out of the room.

Carefully, Hermione spelled the letter open and spread out the sheet of parchment.

Hermione,

I cannot help but think that you've been avoiding me. After leaving Grimmauld unexpectedly with Crookshanks after your return from Australia, I was quite surprised not to receive an invitation to your summer supper party. Given that both Harry and Severus, as well as Remus and Tonks were in attendance, I was shocked, to say the least.

Have I done something to offend you?

Then there was the Order of Merlin ceremony last month. You danced several dances with nearly every eligible gentleman in attendance—including Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott—all of whom are betrothed themselves. Draco to the younger Greengrass girl, Zabini to the elder, and Nott to Pansy Parkinson. I cannot understand why you would give any of them the time of day, let alone the other Gryffindor gentlemen you danced with.

And then there was Harry's birthday last night. You seemed quite content to ignore me, and I cannot understand why you would do so. I didn't bring a date to either the Order of Merlin ceremony, or to Harry's birthday, in the hopes that you would notice and we could speak. I cannot understand the avoidance, Hermione; we have always been such good friends and allies, and yet, now, with this unspeakable silence, I find I cannot understand any of it.

Please let me know what I have done.

Sirius,

Head of the House of Black

Hermione wetted her lips and shook her head; she was due at the Burrow before lunchtime to have a sit down with Molly, Ginny, and Harry in regards to the primary wizarding school she was attempting to put together. After her summer supper party, Ginny had promptly jumped aboard the initiative, and Severus had spoken to the Board of Governors, who were eager to provide information to wizarding families. Not to mention Kingsley and Alastor, who would be speaking to the Department of Education for potential funding for the cause.

Given that The Daily Prophet had informed the wizarding public about Sirius's appointment as Hogwarts' new Transfiguration professor, she assumed that he would be quite busy over the next coming weeks. He would need Kreacher's assistance in moving his important belongings to the school itself, as well as getting the latest books from Flourish and Blotts, and writing down various lesson plans to be approved by both Minerva and Severus. And, Hermione reminded herself, he would likely attempt to haggle for a suite of rooms close by Remus, Tonks, and Teddy, for Remus was resuming the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, while Slughorn was retaining the position of Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House, so as Severus could focus entirely on his duties as Headmaster of Hogwarts, as well as tending to Harry during his pregnancy.

Shaking her head, Hermione incinerated the letter from Sirius, knowing that she had entirely too much on her plate for the moment to deal with the whipped puppy. Getting to her feet, Hermione sent the remains of her breakfast into the kitchen and made her way to her bedroom, wanting to get something business-meeting-appropriate ahead of her meeting at the Burrow. Ultimately deciding on a skirt suit with matching jacket and comfortable pumps, Hermione kissed Crookshanks goodbye and left via the master bedroom suite Floo.

Arriving in the parlor of the Burrow, Hermione casted a quick Scouring Charm before she made her way directly into the kitchen. "Molly?" she called, looking around.

Molly came bustling around the corner, grinning at Hermione as she caught sight of her, and embraced her quickly. "How are you this morning, dear?" she asked, pulling back and patting her face gently, before lowering her hands onto her slowly expanding belly. "Coming along quite nicely, our Baby Granger is," she said.

Hermione flushed at the attention, before her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, darling, have I said something to upset you?" Molly Weasley asked, fetching a tissue and dabbing at Hermione's eyes.

Immediately, Hermione shook her head at her, not wanting to hurt her feelings. "No, I'm sorry, Molly," she said quickly. "It's only..." She sighed, centering herself again. "I'm merely thinking about the fact that my mother can't..."

Molly gently tugged Hermione back into her arms. "Darling, I understand. If I'm not overstepping, perhaps I could fill her shoes for the time being?"

Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around Molly as she sobbed into her shoulder. "Thank you, Molly," she blubbered. "I'd like nothing better than that."

Molly smiled as she gently pulled away from her, and settled her into one of the mismatched chairs at the kitchen table. "When I was pregnant, I was always crying over the smallest things," she said, shaking her head as she filled the kettle and placed it onto the hob. "Once, Arthur misplaced one of my aprons—my favorite one, mind you—when I was pregnant with Bill and we'd just moved here." She shook her head yet again, a small giggle escaping her lips. "I cried for over an hour until he remembered that he was a wizard and was able to summon it."

Hermione snorted slightly through her own tears. "I'm so sorry that happened, Molly," she said, and found that she was laughing aloud now. Looking around, she realized just how quiet the house appeared to be. "Where is everyone?"

"Ron is helping George in the shop today in Diagon," Molly explained as she put a tea tray together, humming to herself as she did so. "Ginny spent the night at Luna's and will be along shortly, dear. And Arthur is visiting Bill and Fleur for the day, what with Fleur's announcement during the Order of Merlin ceremony," Molly continued, flushing with pride all over again at the notion of another grandchild.

Hermione nodded her head. "I remember that Lavender was just beginning to gather up her things to apprentice underneath Professor Trelawney," she said softly; although she would never understand Lavender's devotion toward Divination, she was happy that Ron's girlfriend seemed to have carved out a niche for herself within the Wizarding World.

Molly hesitated for a moment as she popped in a tray of biscuits into the oven. "Muriel gave him one of her rings," she said softly. "Ron, I mean. He's going to ask her to marry him before term starts and he begins Auror training."

Hermione smiled at that. "And how are you feeling about that, Molly?"

"It makes me wistful that all my children won't be here to see it," she said quietly. "Percy is going to be teaching Charms at Beauxbatons next term, and dear Penelope Clearwater is going to be the new healer there... It seems so far away, especially given that I thought we would be all together again after...after May."

"I know," Hermione said quietly. "Really makes me wish I had a sibling or something in the Wizarding World. I am all alone, despite my house-elves giving me all the company they possibly can... Tiffy is beyond excited for Cassie's birth next winter."

Molly shook her head before turning to face Hermione. "And here I am going on about having lost Fred and Percy all at once, when you yourself have no biological family to speak of," she said, tutting. "You'll always have a home here, my girl."

Hermione nodded. "Well, my daughter will be in need of a wonderful grandmother when the time comes..."

Molly stopped what she was doing and turned around to face her. "Hermione, are you saying what I think you are?"

"Of course," Hermione replied. "I have asked Poppy to oversee my pregnancy, and Cassie's birth, but I would very much appreciate it if you and Ginny were there with me when she first arrives into the world..."

Molly set aside the bowl of whatever delicious thing she had been mixing together and crossed back over to the younger witch and expectant mother-to-be and caressed her cheek, gently putting a stray curl behind her ear. "I would be honored, Hermione, as I'm sure Arthur will be as well... The invitation extends to him as well, correct?"

Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yes, please, Molly..."

Molly raised her eyebrows at the younger woman.

"...yes, please, Mum," Hermione amended, her heart swelling with emotion at the thought that she had a mother again, as she heard the Floo flare in the parlor, and turned slightly in her chair, watching as Ginny pranced into the room.

"Morning, Mum," Ginny said, trapsing into the kitchen and pecking Molly on the cheek, before she got a good look at Hermione. "Merlin, Hermione, you're glowing!" she shrieked, tugging Hermione smoothly by the wrist and hauling her up and out of her chair, before crouching before her and placing her hands onto her slightly-swollen belly. "How is my precious goddaughter today? This is one of your godmothers, and I love you."

"Ginny, kindly greet your sister properly," Molly said indulgently, shaking her head with a smile as she returned to the counter. "Your father and I raised you better than that."

Ginny playfully rolled her eyes and got to her feet, embracing Hermione properly. "Good morning, Hermione," she said.

"Good morning, Ginny," Hermione replied.

"I'm making those delicious feta and leek quiches you love, darling," Molly called over her shoulder to Hermione as Hermione was pulled from the kitchen and into Ginny's room. "We can discuss the school while we eat."

"Thanks, Mum!" Hermione and Ginny called together, slipping into Ginny's bedroom.

"What's all this about Mum calling you my sister and you calling her... Well, mum?" Ginny wanted to know, once the door was shut behind them.

Hermione sat down on Ginny's bed, relieved when Ginny offered her a pillow to lie back against and sighed in contentment at the comfort. "I asked her if she would be willing to be Cassiopeia's grandmother, and she accepted, and I sort of unexpectedly was given permission to call her 'Mum' after that," she replied, spreading her hands.

Ginny laughed, climbing onto the bed beside Hermione. "Merlin, is that all? About bloody time if you ask me," she said, smiling at her. "It will be lovely to have a sister. Now, I know that Fleur is technically my sister now, and she's really been great for Bill, and I like her a lot..."

"Not phlegm anymore?" Hermione joked.

Ginny rolled her eyes again. "Merlin, that was terrible," she said softly. "Anyhow, you've been more of a sister to me than she'll ever be."

Hermione smiled at that. "Thank you."

"Now, then," Ginny continued, clasping her hands, "are you still set on the nursery theme being Beatrix Potter's stories?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Dordey has even started manipulating the wards so that I can get a couple of tellies into the cottage, and I've got a VCR already as well." Hermione smiled at one of her closest friends. "They made a little television series about Beatrix Potter's stories, and I want to show Cassie them after she's born."

Ginny nodded in understanding. "Well, as her godmother, I reserve the right to buy Cassiopeia gifts whenever I choose," she replied, and snapped her fingers, a large bag dislodging itself from her closet and floating over to them. "Dad and I went to Muggle London last weekend," she explained as she handed over the bag. "You wouldn't believe how excited he was."

"I can imagine," Hermione responded, taking the bag when it was passed over to her, and recalled when Arthur Weasley had met her mother and father for the first time in Diagon Alley, just before her second-year at Hogwarts. Looking inside the bag, Hermione gasped as she saw what lay inside it. Along with a baby mobile with Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle Duck, Jeremy Fisher, and Mrs. Tiggywinkle, all floating about on their attached string. "This is absolutely lovely," Hermione whispered.

"Not to mention," Ginny continued, diving back into the bag herself, given that her excitement had gotten the better of her, "these were also found at the charity shop we went to."

Hermione's eyes widened through her tears at the little cuddly toys that Ginny was holding out and presenting to her; Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Old Mrs. Rabbit, Jeremy Fisher, Pigling Bland, Jemima Puddle Duck, Mrs. Tiggywinkle, and Mr. Tod all lay in Ginny's arms, and looking up at her with their black, plastic eyes. "They're..." Hermione cleared her throat as more emotions threatened to overtake her. "They're for the crib, yeah?"

"Yeah," Ginny said, her smile faltering as she saw Hermione's expression. "Hey," she said quietly, and took the gifts from her, returning them to the bag. "What is it? You've been acting strange for weeks... Since the battle, really. Is this just about your parents, or is there something else going on?" she asked.

Hermione bit her lip then, before her shoulders trembled and she felt sobs erupting from her throat as Ginny gently pulled her into her arms. "Ginny, I don't know what to do," she said, and found herself blubbering, vaguely aware of her friend casting a Silencing Charm around them so that they wouldn't be heard.

"Talk to me," Ginny said softly to her. "I'm here. Maybe I can help."

Hermione laughed harshly at that. "Given what I've told Harry, and the rest of you, I don't think anyone could..."

Slowly, Ginny eased Hermione out of her arms and looked at her. "I'm not following. What do you mean, 'Given what you told Harry'? What did you tell him, and all of us?"

Hermione shuddered. "I... I gave you a false name."

Ginny blinked. "You mean, you're not Hermione Granger?"

"No, I'm Hermione Granger," she assured her, and Ginny looked relieved. "No, I mean... I mean that Casseopeia's father... Well, he has a different name than what I told you..."

Ginny lowered her eyes and sighed. "I love Harry like a brother, but can be incredibly thick sometimes," she said softly, before looking up at Hermione. "It's Sirius's baby, isn't it? Cassie's father, I mean. She's his baby?"

Hermione's eyes widened with fear. "How did you...?"

"Sylvester Beeks?" Ginny queried, giving Hermione a wry smile. "It wasn't too terribly difficult to deduce, Hermione."

Hermione sighed, shaking her head. "No. No, I suppose it wasn't..."

Ginny took Hermione's hand in hers. "What happened? He didn't..." A look passed over Ginny's face as she leaned closer to Hermione. "He didn't have one too many and force you, did he? Or did he force you at all?"

Immediately, Hermione shook her head. "He didn't force me, Ginny. It wasn't like that."

Ginny nodded. "All right," she said quietly. "Then, what did happen?"

"Well, it was my first time," Hermione whispered, and Ginny raised her eyebrows. "No. I didn't have sex with Viktor, Cormac, or Ron."

Ginny held up her hands. "Got it."

Hermione nodded. "Anyhow, I was devastated about what had happened in Australia. My parents yelled at me and told me to get off their property..."

Ginny squeezed Hermione's hands. "Merlin, I'm so sorry, love."

Hermione gave Ginny a sad smile. "Thank you. Well, I got an emergency Portkey back to London after that. Didn't want to sit on a plane for nearly a day...again."

Ginny shook her head. "No, of course not."

"I wandered the streets of London," she said, and Ginny gasped, prompting Hermione to hold up her hand. "I really don't need a lecture. Sirius beat you to the punch." She waited for Ginny's nod before she went on. "So, I arrive and Kreacher is surprisingly contrite and invites me to share a meal with Sirius. Sirius was in the library, with Crookshanks, at the time and I went upstairs to join him. Everything just spilled out about what happened in Australia and Sirius comforted me. And then... Then we were kissing and I asked him to take me to his room and help me forget..."

Ginny gently began rubbing Hermione's shoulder as she spoke. "It's all right. Go on."

"Well, it was brilliant," Hermione admitted, cheeks flushing as fresh tears threatened to make trails down her cheeks. "The next morning..."

"You spent the night?" Ginny cried.

Hermione tensed, waiting to see if the Silencing Charm held up; when it did, she quickly nodded her head. "Yes, I did," she told Ginny. "The next morning, when I woke up, Crookshanks and I were alone in Sirius's room. I found my clothes and walked out, wanting to talk to Sirius about what had happened..."

"Did you find him?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, I found him," Hermione said bitterly. "He was getting very familiar with Hestia Jones at the front door," she very nearly spat.

Ginny gasped, considering it for a moment. "Well, given that they're both members of the Order, and Sirius only just got his full-pardon, clearing the way for him to work at Hogwarts for next term classes..."

"I know. Poppy went over the whole thing about Sirius and Hestia being careful about going public with their relationship," Hermione said quietly.

Ginny cocked her head to one side. "When you say 'very familiar' what do you...?"

"The way he spoke to her," Hermione said, nose wrinkling and tears flowing more freely now that she was finally talking about it with someone her own age. "He kissed her on the cheek, and held her more than once..."

"Sirius is so like Padfoot, though," Ginny remarked.

Hermione shook her head. "Not like this, Ginny. There was more to it, I know it."

"Then, why didn't you confront him?" the younger girl wanted to know.

Hermione sighed, fresh sobs tearing from her throat. "Because I'd just lost my parents, and my virginity, all in the span of less than a day. All I wanted was a little comfort, but I realized that Sirius was probably taken. I didn't want to ruin it for everyone..."

Ginny nodded her head and pulled Hermione back into her arms. "Who else knows?" she asked Hermione, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just Poppy, for medicinal reasons," Hermione whispered back. "Please, Ginny, please... Don't say anything to anyone..."

Ginny nodded against Hermione's shoulder. "I won't. Promise, Hermione."

~*~

The meeting had gone extremely well, and Hermione focused on the development for the school as the summer continued to fly by. Hogwarts started back up again, and Hermione had already informed several people about the school, and Severus had gone to the Board of Governors before term had begun and had gotten their enthusiastic support. Kingsley and Alastor, too, were very intrigued about Hermione's vision, and promised to help her in any way they could, firstly by giving interviews with The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler respectively to promote the new school in question.

As autumn continued, Hermione got Quadbert to show her a list of her properties again, and decided that Granger Mansion in Somerset would be the opportune place for the school to reside in, as a day school for students hailing from England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and a boarding school for exchange students, as no other wizarding community had established a private school in their respective sectors. Staff selection began as October dawned, and Hermione was amazed when Augusta Longbottom herself asked to be interviewed as Headmistress of Aethonan Academy, and Hermione elected her almost as once, with Molly agreeing to be Deputy Headmistress beside Augusta.

Hermione's intention was to open the school by September first the following year, and spent her time with Quadbert, who selected many Cursebreakers and other goblins to the mansion to expel any darkness within or upon its grounds. She was pleased to find the notes from Augusta and Molly about their intentions for the school, and a Board of Trustees was established from several high-ranking families within the Wizarding World. With Hermione's approval, Augusta and Molly hired several staff members in the weeks that followed, and Hermione was surprised to finally receive an owl from someone which had nothing to do with the school on a heavily overcast in the middle of November.

Castanea came swooping into Hermione's study window, after the latter had opened it on her behalf, and hooted impatiently as she dropped the letter upon Hermione's desk.

Hermione ruffled Castanea's feathers, gesturing towards her food and bowl of water, before she gazed at the combined seal of the Potter and Prince crests. Raising her eyebrows, Hermione opened the letter with a Slicing Charm, and spread out the piece of parchment. The spindly writing of Harry stared back up at her, and she could tell that the words had very much been written in haste.

Hermione—

So sorry, no time for pleasantries. I am dictating this with a Quick-Quotes Quill as I attempt to remember how to breathe.

Baby Potter-Snape is officially on the way, and I wanted you to be one of the first to know. I am formally inviting you to the castle. Please, promise me you'll come.

Ron, Ginny, Molly, and Sirius have all been invited, the latter much to Severus's consternation, as I'm sure you know. Poppy is taking excellent care of me, and forcing Severus to be very patient with me.

Hopefully, I shall see you soon.

Yours, always,

Harry

Hermione promptly go to her feet, leaving the letter upon her desk and dashed out of the room, summoning her autumn traveling cloak as she went, and stepping out of her house slippers and into some warm, autumn ankle boots. She hollered to Kimsey where she was going as she ran down the corridor and into the master bedroom suite, dashing towards the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of Floo Powder, she shouted, "Headmaster's Tower, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" and stepped through the Floo once the flames shot green. Tumbling out of the Floo, Hermione was caught by a familiar pair of strong arms, and, pulling back, grinned up at none other than Viktor Krum.

"Her-mi-oh-ninny!" Viktor cried out, dragging Hermione into a bear hug as Ginny giggled from beside him.

"Viktor!" Hermione said, laughing aloud as the taller wizard set her down. She next turned to Ginny, who embraced her immediately, and Hermione held her close. "He isn't in too much pain, is he?" she whispered.

Ginny promptly shook her head. "No, of course not. Poppy has been taking very good care of him, naturally."

"As she did for us in your fourth-year," Viktor said, watching as Hermione and Ginny ended their embrace and looking fondly at her. "You are glowing, Her-mi-oh-ninny. When is your little printsesa to be born?" he asked.

Hermione smiled, gently touching her own swollen stomach. "February, sometime," she replied fondly. "Quite looking forward to it. Tiffy has outdone herself with the nursery."

"She's a delight," Ginny gushed, and cuddled closer into Viktor's arms before he squeezed her shoulder and crossed the room to speak with George, sitting by himself and staring out the window of the Headmaster's Tower. Suddenly, at her boyfriend's movement, she plunged her voice into a whisper. "Did you hear about what happened to Draco?"

Hermione blinked, surprised that there was an update about a fellow Head of a Noble House that she wasn't aware of; due to Lucius's life sentence in Azkaban and Narcissa's decision to leave for France, Draco was currently living alone at the manor in Wiltshire. "No," Hermione replied at last, shaking her head as the Floo flared from behind her. "Is he all right?"

"Astoria break off the betrothal?" Ron asked, tidying up the soot from his room as he strode forward, kissing Ginny on the cheek and tugging Hermione into a brotherly embrace.

Ginny shook her head at him, looking a bit irritated. "No, of course not. Although I wonder if she'll keep the betrothal on her end now," she admitted, shrugging her shoulders.

Hermione stepped closer to Ginny. "What happened?" she wanted to know, vaguely aware of Ron's eyes upon her expanding belly, and remembered his shock when she told him about Sylvester Beeks and the whole Australian one-night-stand cover story. "No one's died, then, have they?"

Again, Ginny shook her head. "No, it's not like that. Although, apparently, Lucius wasn't all too faithful to Narcissa," she said softly.

Ron's eyes widened. "Blimey. He ask for a divorce from his cell, then?"

"No, but I heard Narcissa filed once she got to France," Hermione replied, crossing her arms, not that she could blame the witch.

"The woman in question was a Muggle, whom Lucius shielded during one of Voldemort's raids," Ginny explained. "Well, she had cancer and she passed away, leaving behind a daughter called Celeste, whom Draco found on his front porch."

"Merlin! A baby?" Ron demanded.

"And she's Lucius's daughter?" Hermione clarified.

Ginny nodded. "Yes. Luna told me just yesterday; she's friends with Astoria, you know," she went on, and Ron and Hermione nodded. "Draco has custody of her, for now, because her maternal grandparents are deceased, and she doesn't have any aunts or uncles. Narcissa wouldn't take her, for obvious reasons, and Lucius can't, due to the whole Azkaban thing..."

Ron leaned back against the wall. "Malfoy with a baby," he mused, and finally shrugged his shoulders, considering it. "She'll be a Half-Blood..."

"And let's hope that Draco can accept that," Hermione said, nodding to herself.

One of the inner doors opened, the one that Hermione was aware led from the sitting room in the Headmaster's Tower, where they all stood, led to the staircase which brought the stair climber to the upper living quarters of the headmaster. It consisted of a suite of rooms, each with its own lavatory, a public loo, and a more intimate sitting room. Through a second door just beside it led downstairs to the basement, where Severus kept his potions lab; beyond where Viktor and Fred stood led to the dining room and attached kitchen, while the final door just beside that led to the headmaster's impressive library. There was a grand set of double doors just opposite Hermione, Ron and Ginny, which led to the headmaster's office itself.

Hermione felt her heart hammering in her breast then as Sirius was the one who opened the door, and gazed around the space. Hermione sent a panicked glance towards Ginny, who immediately flanked Hermione in case anything happened.

"You all right?" Ron asked softly, watching his sister and Hermione as Sirius had a quick word with Viktor and Fred just across the room.

"Sorry, just a bit tired," Hermione said, flushing slightly; she hated lying, especially to Ron, but she knew that he would understand her exhaustion and sudden changes in moods, given that Harry himself had had similar symptoms over the last several months.

"Do you need anything? Poppy?" Ron suggested.

"Ron, you know Poppy is upstairs, tending to Harry, along with Mum and Severus," Ginny reminded her brother gently.

Ron scratched his head uncomfortably. "Right, yeah," he said awkwardly.

"It's all right, Ron," Hermione assured him. "I'll be fine."

"Hermione," called Sirius as he hesitated in the center of the room, and, slowly, Hermione turned around to face him.

"Ginny..." Hermione whispered.

Ginny nodded in understanding, and briefly turned to Ron. "Viktor wanted to talk to you and George about Quidditch," she said.

Ron's eyes lit up at that and dashed across the room, causing George to clap him on the shoulder and both he and Viktor resumed their earlier conversation.

Hermione then walked towards Sirius, flanked by Ginny, who had a very protective air about her, channeling her inner Molly Weasley. "Yes, Sirius?" Hermione asked, relieved that she could finally speak to him without her voice shaking.

Sirius looked slightly irritated that Ginny was standing there with him, and although he appeared to want to ask her to leave and say something further, he merely sighed before returning his gaze onto Hermione, glancing briefly at her stomach before speaking. "Harry is progressing well and has been asking for you," he said at last.

Hermione nodded. "All right."

Ginny squeezed Hermione's hand. "Are you all right? Do you need anything?"

Hermione turned to regard Ginny with a small smile and shook her head. "No, thank you, Ginny; I'll be all right."

Ginny nodded, holding Hermione close for a moment before going to Viktor's side. Hermione stood for a moment, watching as Viktor automatically lifted his arm for Ginny to duck beneath, and placed it around her waist, kissed her temple, and allowed his fingers to knot themselves gently into her hair. It was longing that flowed through Hermione at the series of gestures; not for Viktor, for her mere attraction to him had faded soon after the summer of fourth-year, but for what he and Ginny clearly shared. So uncomplicated was their love, and she so wished that her own romantic life was the same way...

"Hermione?"

Hermione's gaze snapped back to Sirius. "Yes, Harry," she said, shaking her head slightly then, and moved to follow him as Sirius opened the door and waited for her to step through it first. She took ahold of the ornately-carved banister and made her way up the ancient staircase, fully aware of Sirius's eyes upon her as he followed.

"Hear anything from him?"

"From who?" Hermione asked, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

"From him. The father. Sylvester," Sirius sneered from behind her, and Hermione felt her hackles rising. "I wasn't aware that you returned to Australia after..."

"I had a meeting with several healers regarding my parents' memories," Hermione said easily, which she had done, and had, in fact, gone to Australia one final time during the summer months in an effort to figure out if anything could be done regarding her parents. "Unfortunately, there was no change."

"I see. I am sorry for it," Sirius said softly as they finally reached the top of the stairs.

"Are you?" Hermione shot back, turning to regard him, feeling her eyes flashing and her magic crackling upon the surface of her skin, causing her hair to ripple around her. "I don't know if that's such a good idea, Sirius. What would Hestia say about your apparent sorrow for me, let alone what happened between us?"

Sirius looked shocked at that. "What?" he demanded.

Hermione was about to say more, when a door opened at the end of the hallway. Turning, she saw Molly peeking out from the doorway, and hastily moved closer. The room was cloaked in Silencing Charms, so the reason why they couldn't hear Harry was readily apparent to the crowd who had been summoned by Harry. "Mum?" Hermione asked, moving as fast as she could down the corridor. "Is everything all right?"

"Harry has been asking for you, love," Molly told her, and took in Hermione's demeaner for a moment, before she stepped out into the corridor, and ushered Hermione into the room. "I hope you haven't been upsetting our Hermione, Sirius," the Weasley matriarch said, as she shut the door behind her.

Hermione peered through the semi-darkness of the room; it was one of the sitting rooms upstairs, which the master bedroom suite had before you entered the bedroom proper. Hermione promptly stepped forward in the space, to the halfway opened door on the other side of the room, and stepped inside, seeing Harry laying out on the king-sized, four-poster bed, Severus on one side and clasping his hand, and Poppy whispering words of encouragement to him. As she pressed closer, she entered where the Silencing Charm ended, and heard the words spoken.

"Your son should be along shortly, Harry," Poppy was saying.

"Merlin, Severus, it hurts!" Harry wailed.

Severus pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead. "Soon, love. It will be over soon." He looked up as Hermione stepped into the Silencing Charm, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Merlin you're here, Hermione. Harry simply refuses to give birth without you here."

Hermione smiled, touched by that. "I'm honored," she replied, sitting beside Harry on his other side, as Severus was doing, and took his offered hand. "Now, Harry," she said, fixing him with a serious expression, "while I'm appreciative that you wanted to wait for me, I won't have you hurting your son."

Harry blinked. "Hurting my...?"

Hermione nodded, not wanting to go into detail, but also knowing that Harry needed to understand what he was doing. "Actions such as these have consequences," she informed him gently, and Harry looked panicked. "It is dangerous to just wait. Now, come," she said, and turned to look at Poppy. "Is everything ready?"

"Yes," Poppy said, and looked up at Harry. "Are you ready, Harry?"

Harry nodded at her. "Yes," he replied.

Poppy gave Harry a small smile, before she cast a Numbing Charm upon his abdomen, and summoned several surgical instruments towards her. After casting Sterilization Charms upon them all, she picked up a scalpel and effortlessly sliced into Harry, who didn't feel a thing, due to the first charm. Reaching inside, the mediwitch delivered a screaming, rather large baby boy, who was kicking his little legs as he flailed two and fro. Poppy smiled, nodding in approval, before she looked up at Harry and Severus.

"Congratulations, you have a boy," she said, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief, Severus kissed his temple, and Hermione squeezed his hand.

Poppy then got to work, casting Cleaning Charms left and right (upon Harry and the new baby), and a Sewing Charm upon Harry's abdomen. She vanished any blood or offending matter upon Harry before she crossed the room and bathed the little one for the first time. Once finished with the baby's first bath, she placed a nappy on him and wrapped him up in a blue blanket and matching blue cap and brought him towards Severus and Harry, who both straightened up as the mediwitch stepped closer to them.

"And here he is," Poppy proclaimed, and casted a Diagnostic Charm upon the infant, and the baby promptly glowed green. "A very healthy little boy," she said.

Harry grinned and looked down at his baby for the first time, who seemed to immediately stop crying and squirming, while Severus gently cupped his head and stared down, marveling at the tiny being. "Thank you, Poppy," he whispered.

Poppy nodded. "Let me know if either of you need anything," she said softly, before she summoned her instruments and things and stepped into the Floo in the master bedroom suite, a swirl of green flames taking her away.

"He's beautiful," Hermione whispered, leaning closer.

"He is," Severus agreed. "Thank Merlin he looks like Harry."

"He does have your cheekbones, love, and your fingers," Harry proclaimed, watching as Hermione leaned forward and offered her finger to the baby, who promptly grabbed it, and chuckled at his son and best friend. Turning to regard her, he said, "You'll still be his godmother, won't you?"

Hermione looked up at him, and then permitted her gaze to drift over to Severus, who promptly nodded at her. "I'd be honored to be his godmother, Harry," she replied.

"Little James Sirius couldn't be a luckier little boy, then," Severus proclaimed.

"James Sirius Potter-Snape, love," Harry informed him. "We're making it official in a little over a month, so why not let this little mite have the honors first? After all, there would be quite a bit of paperwork to fill out if he just got one of our last names..."

"Merlin, you're right," Severus said, chuckling. "Very well, then."

Slowly, Hermione got to her feet. "Shall I inform the others, so that the pair of you can get to know your son?" she asked.

Harry looked up at Hermione, beaming at her. "Yes, please," he responded. "Would you please tell them to all go home now, except Ron and Sirius? I want the two of them to meet our little Jamie next."

Hermione did her best not to squirm at the direct mention of Sirius's name, especially given their confrontation a moment ago. "Of course," she replied, and moved away. "Shall I cancel the Silencing Charm now?" she asked.

Severus nodded. "Please."

"Finite," Hermione said, waving her hand, and the cloud of silence disappeared. Venturing towards the door, Hermione turned around, watching the new family, and smiled to herself. As she walked out the bedroom door, she felt tears forming in her eyes as she cupped her stomach and shook her head. "Maybe someday, baby. Maybe someday," she said quietly to her unborn daughter, before she walked through the sitting room, and started walking out of the room, across the corridor, and down the staircase, to give the announcement about the birth of her godson to two of her closest friends in all the Wizarding World.