Disclaimer: Jo Rowling owns everything Harry Potter related. I own the plot.

BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES

Chapter One: Homecoming

Beginning OOTP

Hestia Jones let out a long sigh as she closed her eyes. She leaned her head against the back of the chair, trying to ease her troubled mind. Her nerves were shot, and she couldn't keep her nervous leg from bouncing. But there was nothing she could do – all she could do was wait.

Hestia was a classic Italian beauty, aged only thirty five years. Though no one would have guessed, for she didn't look a day over twenty-one. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders and almost to her waist, olive complexion and large dark eyes. She wore casual dark green robes, complimenting her curvaceous figure and darker skin. Though she had partially disrobed for more comfort in her impatience, she sat modest and relaxed in a large cushioned chair inside the Infamous House of Black.

The Weasley's were already here, along with Tonks and a few others that were more unfamiliar to her. Of course, she only knew them all to be members of the Order of the Phoenix, though not many of them by name. There was the ever strange Mad-Eye Moody, whose roaming eye frightened her more often than not. There was also Remus Lupin who often gave Hestia the chills, and it was more than just the fact that he was a werewolf. And then, Albus Dumbledore, the kindly old wizard who was Head of Hogwarts. All three of which were out at the moment, picking up one more member.

Sirius Black.

Just the thought of him, his very name sent ripples of sheer excitement through her body, penetrating her very heart to the core. It was almost ridiculous how he still affected her… even being in prison and missing for the past fifteen years of her life… her heart still fluttered every time his charming smile crossed her mind.

It made her smile, remembering her past with Sirius. The night they met… he had been so young and charming then. She still remembered the feel of his warm lips over hers; she had never forgotten it, dreamt of it often. The memory of being in his arms, in his bed… there was so much passion and romance then, and they were such young fools.

It was her anxious nervousness that drove her to stand and begin pacing before the large fireplace. Dumbledore was off to fetch him, with Moody and Lupin. They had to sneak him into the House of Black, considering he was still a convicted felon. She knew that he was innocent, though she was one of the few that believed it. There were others who knew him as a younger wizard, like Minerva and Molly, who were still suspicious and apprehensive about Sirius Black. And it was around those people that Hestia was not quite the warm and welcoming type.

This wasn't, however, the reason for her nervous pacing. What if he didn't remember her? What if he had forgotten her and her overpowering love for him? True, they had been together, but it was long ago. Both of them had grown so much in the past years, her in the safe confines of the Ministry, and Sirius…her poor Sirius… he had grown in the dark, depressing limits of Azkaban, Dementors his only company.

If he no longer loved her, she was sure her heart would break into millions of pieces. For she was still so desperately in love with him, it tormented her thoughts day and night. It was silly, how she could still feel so strongly, so passionately after so many years of being apart. But maybe that was a sign of true love…?

Suddenly, door opened and Hestia looked up in anticipation.

In walked a frizzy haired girl, with a bag on one shoulder and a suitcase in the other. She looked around the room, smiling uncomfortably at Hestia.

"Um, hello…" she mumbled.

"Hermione!"

Ron came trampling down the stairs, a wide grin on his face. Hermione dropped her bags instantly, throwing her arms around Ron as he picked her up, twirling her around excitedly.

"Ron, put me down!" she giggled. Though when he did, she didn't let go so quickly. She stood there, with her arms around his neck, lost in his eyes, her fingers playing so gently with the hair on the nape of his neck that she probably didn't even recognize it. Ron was smiling down at her, their faces mere inches apart.

Hestia smiled at the young couple. It was so obvious that they were smitten with each other, for Sirius had held her thus once, and it was true, they were indeed in love. But Hestia had heard of the 'Golden Trio' at Hogwarts from Ginny, that being of Ron, Hermione and Harry. And though the little red head often blushed and fumbled with words about the Boy-Who-Lived, she told Hestia once that Ron and Hermione were meant for each other, that they were in love, though neither knew it, and would let alone admit it.

So to help the young lovers in their uncomfortable situation, Hestia cleared her throat. They both looked up, flushing madly.

"It's … it's good to see you, Ron," Hermione mumbled.

"Yeah… you, too." Ron stumbled over his words. Suddenly he grabbed her bags and gently took hold of her hand.

"Come on, 'Mione. I've got loads to tell you." He said, pulling her up the stairs.

"Who was that, Ron?" Hesita heard Hermione whisper.

"That was Hestia, just another member of the Order of the Phoenix."

"The Order of the what?"

Hestia smiled. So young, and so clueless to what great friendship could turn into a wonderful loving relationship, like the one Hestia used to have…

Closing her eyes once more, she fought the tears that were threatening to surge. She was assaulted with memory after memory, but one stuck out more vividly in her mind than that of any other. It was the day she said goodbye to Sirius Black...

---

Sirius and Hestia were cuddled together underneath a blanket, on the roof of his house. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, just a crescent moon and bright countless stars lighting the night.

"How can they give you such a dangerous job, Sirius?" Hestia asked him, taking hold of his hand. "I mean, for pity's sake, you're not even an Auror! You shouldn't have such a dodgy task. You're just a boy to the rest of them."

"This is true, love." Sirius said. "But it's the risk I took when I joined the Order. Fudge isn't doing his job, so we have to protect the wizarding world ourselves. And now, when we're so close to nailing the Dark Lord, I can't give up now. I can't let them down when the Order needs me the most."

Hestia raised an eyebrow at him. "Since when do you can You-Know-Who 'the Dark Lord?'"

"Sorry." He said, kissing her nose and smiling. "I've picked up a few bad habits by playing around on both sides of the fence."

"None too permanent, I hope." She smiled, snuggling closer to him.

"Of course not." He chuckled.

"Oh, if you must go, then I must know when you'll be back." She said in a pout.

"I'm only going over to Lily and James' on Halloween so we can change the Secret Keeper position. Though why they want Peter, I'll never know. He's such a git sometimes, especially lately."

"Now I do find that odd." Hestia agreed.

"I feel kinda offended, actually. It's almost like they don't trust me."

"Sirius Black!" Hestia shouted, pulling away from him momentarily. "You know good and well that this change is for your own safety. If your bloody cousin Bellatrix ever found out what you know about Lily and James, she would see to it that you were tortured you to no end."

"But still, being the best friend, I just wish I could do more for him… them. Especially considering young Harry…"

"Sirius, I know you'd feel responsible, more so since you're Harry's Godfather now, but you have to think of yourself, Sirius. Your own safety it important, too."

"I know." He sighed. "I hope that they I'm willing to do anything for them. I would be more than willing to put my life on the line for any of them."

"Sirius, would you stop talking about death?" she shrieked. "It's depressing enough as it is that I won't see you for a week. Now you're saying you want to give your life for your friends? Well, what about me, Sirius?" she said, choking on a sob. "What would I do without you?"

"Hestia…"

"I can't bear the thought of you leaving me… I need you, Sirius." she said tearfully, touching his face tenderly. "I love you."

"I know, Hestia. I know." He said, kissing her nose once again. "I didn't mean anything by it."

"Of course not." Hestia said. "And I'm sorry for shouting. I… I just miss you so when you're gone." She said, cuddling up to him once more. She thrilled when she felt his arm snake around her waist and she smiled against his bare torso.

"I miss you, too." He said, pulling her close. "More than you know."

Hestia closed her eyes, savoring his closeness, knowing that he would soon leave. His next words, however, sent a shock to her system.

"I love you, Hestia." He whispered.

Her eyes suddenly opened, and she heard his heartbeat increase against his warm chest. She slowly pulled away to look at his ever-charming face, a beautiful smile covering it.

"What… did you just say?"

He chuckled and pulled her close to him again, pressing a quick loving kiss on her lips. " I said I love you, Hestia. I know I've never said it before, but I just wanted you to know that before I leave. It breaks my heart to leave you everytime, and the only thing that keeps me going is the fact that I know you're back here waiting for me. I couldn't go on if I didn't have your love."

Hestia tried to steady her breathing, but she found the emotions too overwhelming. "You… you love me?"

"Yes, I do." He smiled, caressing her face lovingly.

She then leaned down to place a fervent, thorough kiss on his lips, holding him to her. He placed his hands on her hips and moved her beneath him, so that he covered her body with his own. They covered themselves with the large blanket, continuing in loving affectionate kisses that would last long into the night…

---

Hestia shook her head at the memory. That had been the last night she'd spent with Sirius. Last she had seen of him, tasted of his kiss, felt of his love…

And what if he forgot? What if he didn't care about her anymore? How would she go on in life without his love?

Suddenly, there was another door opening.

Hestia held her breath.

A shadow appeared through the back door, then stepped into the lighted doorway. She could tell that he was still as daringly charming and handsome as ever. Though aged and worn, he was taller, wide chested and so much more a man than before, if it was even possible. He looked around and then he stopped, immoveable in his tracks. He locked eyes with her.

There he stood – Sirius Black.

She didn't notice the others that walked in behind him - all she knew was that Sirius Black stood before her, staring her down like an animal. His long scruffy black hair needed a good brush, his shabby clothes needed a good cleaning, and his face was wrinkled and dirty. But those eyes… those dark, mysterious eyes could peer into her soul – they were ever the same. Always she would know him by those eyes that she loved.

"Sirius," she breathed, staring at him questionably, almost scared to move towards him.

Then he suddenly moved, wrapping her in his arms tightly. He smelled of dirt and trees, but he still held the scent of a man that owned her heart. And he held her in the same arms that he held her in 15 years ago.

"I've missed you so, Hestia."

Tears sprang to her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him, holding onto him like he couldn't be close enough. "I've missed you too, Sirius."

Instantly, his hands slid onto the back of her neck and his ravaging kiss was on her lips. Pulling her into a sizzling kiss, with a passion and intensity that she could not control, she kissed him the way she'd dreamt about for fifteen years. The tears of joy leaked over her cheeks and she didn't dare break this moment to wipe them away. She didn't care who knew, who saw. She would have shouted it from the roof tops if she could, that Sirius Black was back, in her arms, on her lips, in her life - for good.

He pulled back and let out a heavy breath on her lips, a tearful smile spread over his own face. "Don't cry, Hestia." he whispered, gently wiping her tears away. "Please don't cry."

She smiled back through her own tears placing a hand tenderly on his face. "Don't ever leave me?" she hesitantly asked in a small voice.

"Never." he said, holding her face firmly, his voice unshakable. "Never again."

Then he kissed her once more, sealing the promise that she'd waited so long for.

---

A/N: She's back! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Miss Court-A-Doo is back in business! This fic, "Before Tragedy Strikes" is a little interlude between "Fighting Fate" and "Daring Destiny" along with a required oneshot on the way called "When A Light Shines Through", but we will get there, I promise! I want to thank those of you who've been with me from the beginning, way back at the HP boards, and all my new readers for all their support and encouragement. Ya'll mean the world to me!

I'd love to know what you thought of the beginning chapter here. Hestia's not a well known, much used character, so I figured I could play with her the way I wanted. And there is a point. The four above mentioned fics are vital to the plot if you want to understand "Daring Destiny", so please read! And please tell me if you like it or not. I'm up for some constructive criticism, and you know how much I love your reviews! --hugsnkisses--