For Her Safety

Ron glared sharply as he stood up and looked around the room. "I can't believe you're all so brassed off at mum! I hardly see how this is her fault. She was just doing what she thought was the right and good thing to do. We've all trusted her with things before this, so I don't see how this changes anything! She's still our mum, she still loves us. We shouldn't judge. Besides, if this anyone's fault, it's Hermione's! She married a man old enough to be her father! She could have married someone who loved her! Someone who's not after her just to get a bloody shag! Come to think about it, that's probably all she was after once she heard about his reputation with the women and his money. This just gave her the perfect opportunity!" Ron all but shouted, pacing back and forth in front of his chair.

Nearly everyone was staring open mouthed at Ron, still trying to wrap their minds around him placing blame on Hermione. Before anyone could say a word, Sirius was up and over the table, pinning Ron to the wall, one hand gripping his neck.

"I would watch what you say if you value your well being, boy," Sirius growled as he snatched Ron's wand from his pocket and tossed it to the ground. Ron was absolutely shocked and frightened by Sirius' quick and harsh movement, staring wide-eyed at the man holding him to the wall.

"You have no right to speak about my wife like that. You spoke of my wife, and your friend, just now as though she were some common Knockturn Alley whore. You used to stand up to anything to protect her, and now you say she's just some piece of skirt looking for a shag and a handout? You disgust me!

You need to grow up and see that not everything that happens in life will be to your liking, and sometimes you can't do a damn thing about it. You're just going to have to accept that to be a man... Oh, and I don't think I need to tell you what will happen if you treat Hermione like that again. I'll leave it up to your imagination... But do mark my words, if something like this happens again, there will be retribution. Don't think there won't be. A man is, by law, allowed to protect his wife's good name, no matter what it takes," Sirius whispered the last sentence to the terrified redhead before letting Ron drop to the floor, and returning to his seat.

Everyone watched as Ron sunk to the floor, still trying to catch his breath before sitting upright and stalking from the room. Absolutely everyone was positively silent for a few moments, unable to do much else aside from blinking.

"Any other business to be addressed?" Kingsley asked casually, trying his best to subtly change the subject and pretend he hadn't just witnessed something akin to assault.

"No, I believe that we have just about covered everything that needs addressing. Sirius, I would like to speak with you afterwards though. And with that, the meeting is adjourned," Dumbledore said with a smile.

Everyone made their way out of the room, most still quite in shock over the events of the day.

Remus took Hermione into the library to bide their time until Dumbledore was finished speaking to Sirius. It wasn't long until Harry and Ginny joined them.

"Hermione, I'm sorry mum and Ron gave you such a hard time. We both know Ron can be dead from the neck up half the time, but I've never seen mum act that thick... You don't deserve any of that, and I'm sure you know that the rest of my family feels the same way," Ginny said sympathetically.

"I just can't believe how Sirius jumped over the table and scared Ron senseless!" Harry said with wonder.

"Oh come now, you know Sirius and his... rash behaviour in the heat of the moment. Do you really expect anything else after all this time?" Hermione asked with a bit of a smile.

"You know, it was rather nice seeing him stand up to Ron like that to defend his lady's honour. It was so much like a scene from those trashy little bodice-rippers I like to read," Ginny said with a little laugh and a wink thrown in Hermione's direction.

Hermione groaned and buried her face in Remus's shoulder. "You're not still reading that rubbish are you? Good luck, Harry. That girl's preconceived notion of romance aught to keep you busy for some time..."

Remus couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Harry's face go a little ashen as he looked at his new wife, sitting beside him with a naughty little grin gracing her lips as she gave him an adoring look.

"Hermione, Remus, we need to head home quite shortly," Sirius said, leaning against the library's door frame.

"Alright, is everything okay?" Hermione asked as she stood, straightening her blouse. She couldn't help but note the slight worry that played in her husband's eyes.

"Yeah, love. Everything's fine, we've just got some business to attend to. Harry, Ginny, congratulations," he said as he wrapped them both in a tight embrace. "Your parents would be proud, Harry..."

After everyone had exchanged hugs, affections, and well wishes, Hermione left for home, firmly ensconced between Remus and Sirius.

As soon as they had arrived home, Hermione turned to look at Sirius. "Darling, just what was so important that we had to leave so quickly?"

"Let's go sit down and I'll explain," Sirius said, taking her hand to lead her to the sitting room. "You come too, Remus."

Hermione sat down on the sofa gingerly, casting a wary look at her husband as he and Remus both took their places.

"Now, would you be so kind as to tell me what's going on? You've been acting oddly since you finished your meeting with Dumbledore."

Sirius took a deep breath as he looked at Hermione. "Albus has asked that I go on a mission for him and the Order. It seems that they believe that this is something only I will be able to accomplish."

"A mission? Where? When? For how long?" Hermione asked, clearly shaken as she wrung her hands.

"I'm afraid that I can't say much more, for everyone's safety. As for how long... Albus has assured me that it shouldn't take more than a month at the most. If all goes well, I should be back well before the Christmas holidays. After all, it's only the first week of November. And as for when... He has asked that I leave first thing tomorrow morning as this is decidedly urgent."

Hermione sat silently, looking across at her husband with a look of utmost sadness. She couldn't help but feel so terribly lost right now. She and Sirius had only just confessed their feelings for each other a mere two days ago and now he would be leaving her for a whole month, leaving her pregnant and alone right before the holidays.

"If you two will excuse me please... I think I need a few moments alone," Hermione said as she stood, slipping from the room.

Sirius sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "Remus... Will you look after Hermione for me? Protect her. The last thing I want is to leave her, but I'm afraid it can't be avoided..."

"Of course I'll look after her for you. I promise you I'll protect her with my life. I owe that little witch so very much. I could never let anything happen to her."

"Thanks, Mate. I can't tell you how much it means to me... Promise me something?"

"Sure."

"If anything happens to me, promise me you'll take care of Hermione and the children."

"Sirius, nothing is going to happen to you. You'll be back in a month, safe and sound, like nothing ever happened."

"Promise me!" Sirius hissed.

Remus looked across at his friend. He could see the fear in his eyes, and the worry that he wouldn't come home. He didn't like saying it, but he knew it was the only way to placate Sirius. He much preferred to stay optimistic. "Alright. I promise you I will take care of her and the children should anything happen."

Sirius nodded as he stood, embracing his friend. "Be safe. Take care of her... Now, I need to go find my wife."

Remus stood silently as he watched Sirius stalk from the room. He couldn't help but feel a small pang of pity upon knowing that the couple so in love would have to be apart from each other for so long.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Sirius stepped into their bedroom, quietly lingering in the doorway. He couldn't help but feel a sharp stab of sadness as he looked at his wife. She was asleep on their bed, dried tears glistening on her cheeks, her arms clasping a pillow to her chest.

Silently he lay down next to her, spooning behind her. Sirius smiled as he lay his hand on her softly rounded belly. He had to admit there was something so incredibly magical about feeling her swell with his children.

"Sirius, please just hold me tonight," Hermione mumbled softly. "Hold me close and don't let me go."

"I'll never let you go, Darling. And if I can't have you in my arms, I'll have you in my heart and on my mind."

"I love you, Sirius," Hermione said softly, melting into his embrace.

"And I love you, Hermione. Always... Always."