Second Chance

Author Note: Thank you for the reviews. I was really worried that I might be overstepping the usual genre here on AFF.net, however, I see that there are those that like this ship as well. Enjoy!

The next morning found Hermione seriously sluggish. Usually, she isn’t one to waste the day, but she couldn’t find the strength to get out of bed. At least, until the smell of fried eggs seemed to make her nauseous. She never did like fried eggs. The idea of eating an animal’s young was sickening to her. Lamb, eggs, anything that was an infant before it died, not having lived at all, Hermione would not touch.

She went through her morning ministrations, brushing her hair and teeth, washing her face, and getting dressed. She left the safety of her room to find whoever it was that made the offending breakfast food.

“Ah Hermione, dear! You’re up late. Are you feeling alright?”

Hermione smiled weakly. “Yes, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you. I just never acquired a taste for eggs.”

Mrs. Weasley gave her a small smile and said, “I’m sorry, dear. Is there anything I can make for you?” She waved her wand and the air was instantly filtered of the smell.

“Cereal sounds good,” Hermione said as she pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “Mrs. Weasley, I don’t mean to sound rude, but why are you here?”

Molly poured some milk over the strawberries and cornflakes and passed the bowl to Hermione. “Remus needs a bit of extra attention the morning after transformations. I always prepare him breakfast. This is just the first time he’s been here during the full moon since the wedding. Didn’t want to impose on the two of you. I went to the shed behind the house this morning and he wasn’t there. I assumed he came here so Sirius could help him last night.”

Hermione nodded.

“A mother’s intuition,” Mrs. Weasley said knowingly. “He’s not my son, but like you and…” She stopped abruptly. She hasn’t said his name one time since he died. “Well, I feel like I’ve adopted all of you into the family. Sirius, too. I think of him as the black sheep of the family,” Molly said slightly chuckling at the pun.

“More like black dog,” Hermione corrected and both women began to laugh aloud. At that time, the back door opened to reveal two very dishevelled men.

“Oi, what’s this? Women sitting around the table gossiping?” Sirius was assisting Remus to a seat. In response to Hermione’s concerned look, Sirius spoke, “He had a rough night. Snivellus’ potion wasn’t as strong this month.”

Hermione gave the werewolf a compassionate smile and patted his hand gently. The three of them began eating in quiet the breakfast Mrs. Weasley prepared for them. Several minutes passed, the only sound heard was that of chewing and sipping.

Sirius couldn’t stand it any longer. “You seem to be in a better mood this morning, Hermione.”

At first, she was going to smile and say yes, but then she remembered what had happened. “No thanks to you, Sirius.”

“What did I do now?”

“Insult the way I kiss.”

“KISS?! YOU KISSED HER?! ARE YOU MAD?! WHAT WOULD HARRY SAY!?”

It was the first time Mrs. Weasley had said his name. All eyes darted to her. She had a point. What would Harry say? Would he be happy to see them starting something? Would he be upset? It was a question that was in everyone’s mind, but no one wanted to visit the answer. Hermione slowly lifted her eyes to meet Sirius’. He could see the seed of doubt beginning. He could see Hermione now felt like she betrayed her husband.

“Hermione,” he began, but she was soon out of sight having sped out of the kitchen, down the hall, and to her room.

Sirius was fuming. “It wasn’t that big of deal, Molly! We were both upset and were talking then one thing led to another. We both stopped before it got out of control. It was just a small kiss, either way. Why did you say his name?”

Molly was in tears by the time Sirius was done yelling in her face. She ran to the floo and went home as fast as she could. She hadn’t meant to upset Hermione. Sirius looked to Remus.

“Fix it,” was all the tired man said.

“How?” Sirius asked as he sat back down with his head in his hands.

“Answer the question.”

“Still feeling the effects? You didn’t ask a question,” Sirius said as he stabbed his sausage.

“Find out what Harry would say.”

Sirius looked to Remus. He had forgotten all about it. Harry, having been the savior of the wizarding world, had had his portrait made, against his better judgement, but Hermione insisted. The picture had been delivered two days ago. Hermione was still at the Weasley’s at the time, and Sirius hadn’t the heart to show it to her. He placed it in a corner of Buckbeak’s old room.

Sirius stood up and made his way upstairs. The door looked almost foreboding. He opened it nonetheless, and entered. He reached his hand out to pull the sheet off. A cloud of dust rose into the air. And there he was.

The frame was an ornate 24 karat gold with silver filigree inlay. It was adorned with the finest burgundy and gold satin matte. In the middle, standing against a background of silvery gray, was Harry.

“Hello, Sirius! It’s been a while!”

“Hello, Harry. How have you been?”

Harry laughed softly. “Not very well, considering. Why hasn’t Hermione come to see me?”

Sirius sighed. “I haven’t told her the portrait was here. I didn’t think she was ready to face it.”

Harry nodded softly and noticed the look Sirius gave him. “What is it? She’s not hurt, is she?”

“No, no! Merlin, no. She’s fine. I… I just need to ask you something.”

Harry looked on, the expression on his face prodding Sirius to continue. Sirius took a deep breath and began. “I kissed Hermione and I wanted to know how you felt about it. If you hate me for it, fine. I won’t do anything else about it. If you don’t…”

“You want my permission to pursue her,” Harry finished for him. Sirius simply nodded. “I don’t think Hermione should have to live her life alone, Sirius. I married her because I felt we both deserved a life full of love and laughter. She still deserves that. I want her to be happy. I don’t want her to forget me, but I want her to move on.”

“No one could ever forget you, Harry,” Sirius said trying to hold back a tear.

“If you hurt her, I’ll have Remus hang me in your bedroom with a permanent sticking charm,” Harry threatened.

Sirius laughed lightly and placed a hand on the portrait. “Thank you, Harry. I’ll bring Hermione up soon.”

“I can’t wait.”

Sirius placed the sheet back over the picture and left the room. He was determined to find Hermione and apologize for everything, hoping it would build some kind of bridge. Remus was standing outside when he opened the door.

“So, how did it go?”

“Everything’s fine,” Sirius said with a smile.

Remus immediately looked relieved. “Good. I’m going to bed now. See you later,” he said as he headed down the hall and went to his usual room for a good day’s rest.

Sirius stood for a moment in the hallway. Now was as good a time as any. He trudge back down a flight of stairs and approached her door. His knock was soft, yet desperate. She opened the door slowly.

“I don’t want to talk about this now, Sirius,” she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Sirius sighed. “I want to show you something.”

“What?”

“Just come with me and you’ll understand,” he said as he gently tugged on her hand. She followed him up to the old room.

“What’s in here?” she asked.

Sirius turned to her and cupped her cheek lightly. “Answers. As you know, I came here to think more often than not. I needed to know if I was doing the right thing. I needed to know if I was hurting you, or if this is wrong. I feel something for you, Hermione. I won’t say it’s love, not yet. But I need you to understand that it won’t go away. And I want you to feel safe with me. There is a picture on the floor in the corner to the left of the door. You’ll see what I’m talking about. I’ll be here when you’re finished.”

He kissed the top of her head softly and opened the door for her. Hermione cautiously stepped inside and looked to the corner. A corner of the frame was peaking out from the sheet. Hermione recognized it immediately. It was she that picked the frame to begin with. Boxes were kicked out of the way as she almost lunged to uncover his face. She burst into sobs when she saw his emerald green eyes smiling at her.

Sirius heard the not too subtle stumbling from within; whatever broke he could fix. He conjured a stood and sat down across the hall waiting for whatever Hermione had to say.

“Harry, I’m so sorry,” she managed to say through heavy heaves and tears.

The image in the portrait mimicked reaching for her to wipe her tears away. Hermione placed her hand on his. “It’s okay, love. Sirius told me what happened. He takes full responsibility.”

“But Harry, you don’t understand. I can’t do this without you.”

“To be honest, Hermione, I think it would be considered adultery if I was alive.”

Hermione swatted at his shoulder. “That’s not what I meant. I can’t do this. This.” She stood up and lifted her blouse. Harry could barely see the tiny obtrusion that swelled her lower abdomen.

“Hermione,” he gasped.

“I’m so sorry, Harry. I was going to tell you that night. It was our anniversary and I wanted it to be your present,” she cried.

“The best present you could ever give me,” he said looking into her eyes. This only made Hermione cry harder. She placed her face in her hands to hide the pain she felt. They were both quiet until she seemingly calmed a bit. Then Harry made the decision. “Sirius will make a good father.”

Hermione looked to him shocked. “Harry, I…”

He held up his hand to stop her. “You have to go on, Hermione. You have to move on. Just promise me something.”

“Anything, love.”

“Watch him like a hawk. Merlin only knows what kind of trouble the baby will get into with Sirius around.”

Hermione chuckled at this and leaned forward to kiss the pictured lips gently. “I love you, Harry.”

“I love you both, Hermione.”

With a single tear gently falling down her cheek, Hermione stood up and left the room. She found Sirius snoring lightly hunkering over on the stool about to fall off of it. She touched his shoulder lightly.

“Sirius,” she whispered. The man jumped landing on the floor. “Sirius! Are you alright?”

He stood up and brushed himself off. “Yeah, fine. So…”

She was going to answer him, but something tugged at her. She didn’t want to say the words that they were given permission to become something more; it seemed so cold and awkward. Instead, she took two small steps to stand flush against him, reached her hand around the nape of his neck, and brought his head down to meet his lips with hers. When the kiss ended, Sirius looked to her with utmost joy in his eyes.