Chapter 20: Troubles on the way.
It had been almost a week since Sirius had purposed to Hermione and he was feeling the need for some grandfatherly advice and grandmotherly attention. He found himself standing outside the headmaster's door trying to decide if he wanted to disturb the older wizard. As if on cue the door opened and there stood Albus Dumbledore. "I thought I sensed you needing me." Sirius smiled as he stepped into the room and into his grandfather's embrace. It was nice the way they had become accustom to showing their affection. He always felt safe and loved when he was hugged by his grandparents, but with Dumbledore, he also felt an energy and sometimes when he needed it that energy would pass from the older wizard into him to recharge his soul.
Sirius sat in the old chair across the room from the headmaster's desk. "How did you know I was at the door and I needed to talk to you?" He asked smiling. He wished he had some of the instincts his grandfather had.
Sirius, my boy," Dumbledore chuckled as he took his seat. "I've always been able to sense when you needed me. From the time you were born, all through your school years, I've always made sure that there was someone there for you when you needed them. Up until a few months ago I wasn't allowed to let you know that you were such a part of me. How do you think I knew Miss Granger had feelings for you? It's because you are a part of me and I am a part of you. Sometimes when you are happy or sad, I can feel those emotions."
Sirius turned solemn; "I wish I'd been allowed to know you as my grandfather growing up. Things would have been different. My life would have been different, I would have been different."
Dumbledore moved from his chair to the front of the desk. "Son, if things had been different and you had been different, you may not be as close to Harry as you are, you may not have been friends with James and Remus, and you probably wouldn't be getting ready to marry Hermione. Can you sit there and tell me you would want all that to change?"
Sirius thought for a long time, "No I wouldn't want any of that to change."
"All of the things you've been through and all of the things that's happened to you have made you the man you are. You've lost and given up so much, but now you are getting some great things in return. Try to not live in the past. Don't forget it, your past will keep you strong in the future, but live for now and tomorrow not for yesterday. Look at what the now and tomorrow is handing you. A wealth of friends, family who treasure you and a woman, a beautiful woman who loves you more than I think anyone knows." The old professor let his grandson think about that for a few minutes. "Now you want to tell me what brings you here, besides your past?"
"Insecurities." The younger man got up and walked around the room a few minutes as Dumbledore watched him intently. Sirius stopped and picked up a picture of his mother, who turned her head away, then one of his grandparents. "Grandfather, how can I be sure that I'll turn out like you and grandmother and not like my parents? How can I make sure my marriage will be one like yours and grandmothers and NOT like my parents?" He sat the photos down and moved back to the chair he'd vacated just a few minutes before. He looked up at the older man waiting for some response.
"Son, I can't promise you that everything will be perfect for you. I can't tell you that you won't have problems in your marriage, but I can tell you this, you are more like myself than you are like your father and Hermione is nothing like your mother. You and Hermione also have a better relationship now than I think your parents ever had, even in all the years they were together. So if that's the case you will never have the kind of marriage your parents had." Albus smiled and looked at the picture of Minerva waving at him. "Sirius, the secret to your grandmother and my marriage is that we talk to one another and we listen. I mean really listen. We don't go to bed angry, and we keep no secrets. We also take one night a week for just us, even if it's just to sit quietly and read. Taking time for each other is the best way to stay solid in a marriage."
"Anything else?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, little things mean a lot." Dumbledore saw the confused look on his grandson's face. "Little things, like stick a small piece of parchment in her pocket that says, "I love you", for her to find later in the day. A soft touch on the shoulder as you pass her chair. Pick a flower from the garden and give it to her as you walk past her. Make her a peanut butter and banana sandwich for a snack. You have to always make her feel special and it's the little things that will do that. Always let her know you appreciate her, don't take things for granted and never ever forget birthdays and anniversaries." He snickered a little on that comment.
Sirius was smiling now as well. "Thanks grandfather. I really appreciate your help and advice. I'm sure I'll be back for more." The pair talked about Order business and many other topics. Finally after two hours of conversation, "Is grandmother around, I'd like to see her."
"I think she is. It's almost lunch time, why don't we go see if we can find her and grab something to eat." Dumbledore said standing and holding the door open for Sirius who nodded in agreement.
The duo found McGonagall putting the finishing touches on lunch in the spacious apartment chamber she shared with Dumbledore. As they watched Sirius noticed she had set three places. "I'm sorry, you are expecting someone. I'll come back another time." He said and headed for the door.
Catching her grandson by the hand, Minerva smiled. "Don't be silly, I was expecting you. Albus said this morning we would probably be seeing you today. I stopped by his office earlier and saw the two of you talking so I didn't disturb you. I came and prepared lunch hoping you would come see your old grandmother." Minerva McGonagall embraced her only grandchild, before placing a firm kiss on his left cheek. "Let's eat."
They proceeded to the table, where she had prepared a simple meal of sandwiches and soup. The conversation was light and had the air of teasing. Sirius loved to taunt his grandmother. He remembered as he sat there the way she would scowl at him when he was a student at Hogwarts. She still glowered at him now, but now she could openly let her love for him come through that scowl. He had never felt as loved with his parents as he did sitting there with his grandparents. Once lunch was finished everyone helped clear the table.
"Have you and Hermione started wedding plans yet?" McGonagall asked putting the last plate in the sink and waving her wand with a cleaning spell.
"No. For now I think we are both getting used to the idea of being engaged. I'm sure she'll start planning soon. She's been looking at muggle Bride magazines." Sirius answered. "I think she is going to want a mostly muggle wedding."
"How do you feel about that?" Albus Dumbledore asked picking up Fawkes.
Sirius didn't even have to think about his answer. "It's fine with me. This is her wedding and I'll do just about anything to make it the wedding of her dreams and to make her happy."
More advice was offered and Sirius promised to think about everything they said. He looked at the timepiece on the mantel and stood. "It's getting late. Hermione will begin to wonder if I've run off. I'd better get back." He hugged both grandparents and kissed his grandmother, then exited and headed home.
Arriving home Sirius was greeted by Harry and Ron. "Hi mates, what are you doing here?" He knew Harry had planned on being at the Weasleys for a few days.
"Hermione invited us for dinner. She's in the kitchen with Ginny and Alyssa." Harry said watching his godfather. "Sirius, she was a little worried about you. She thought you would be home hours ago."
Without saying a word to either of the younger men, Sirius headed for the kitchen. Ron and Harry following close behind. He stopped in the doorway to watch and listen as the ladies talked and laughed.
Hermione sensed someone watching and turned to see him standing there. "Hey, Love. Everything okay?" She asked.
Sirius smiled, walked to her and kissed her before pulling her into a comforting hug. "Yeah everything's fine. Sorry I'm late. I went to visit Grandfather and Grandmother. They send their love and want to have dinner next week." He felt Hermione nod. "I'm sorry if I worried you."
She pulled away glaring at Harry and Ron. "You just had to tell him I was worried?"
Both smiled and looked at the floor. Sirius let go of Hermione and headed toward the door. "Do I have time to grab a shower and change before dinner?"
"Actually dinner won't be ready for about an hour. I'm fixing a roast and it needs to cook slowly." Hermione said moving to the sink to help Ginny peel potatoes.
Sirius turned and made his way towards his room. Stripping off his shirt, he thought he saw something outside. He moved slowly toward the window, peering out, there was nothing there. He watched for a few more minutes then turned back to the center of the room. Taking out clean clothes for after his shower, he looked out the window one more time. A shiver slowly moved up his spine. Shaking his head he said to himself. "Get a grip old man, you're on the second floor. There is nothing out there." He grabbed his clothes and made his way into the bathroom. In the shower he tried to relax, but he couldn't shake the feeling something was about to happen, that someone was watching him.
All through dinner Sirius tried to stay focused on the conversation and act normal, but Hermione and Harry knew something was bothering him. Everyone worked on cleaning up, and Harry sent Ron into the kitchen to help the girls. Once the others had left the dining room, he turned to his godfather asking. "Spill it Sirius, what's had you preoccupied since coming down from your shower?"
Sirius looked from Harry to Hermione who nodded her head in agreement with Harry. "I'm not sure. It's just a feeling."
"What kind of feeling?" Harry and Hermione asked in unison.
He thought to himself how could he explain it to them, he wasn't sure himself. "I'm not sure. I feel like I'm being watched. Like something is out there." He stood staring out of the French doors that looked out to the side yard and the view of the hillside.
As Hermione place her hand on his shoulder, she felt him jump slightly, then shudder. She wasn't sure what to do, or how to help him, but she knew to trust his feelings. "Maybe we should put a spell on the house. We can send an owl to your Grandfather telling his what you feel he may know something. Everyone can stay here tonight." She saw Sirius was going to object, but he closed his mouth when he saw the look of concern on both her and Harry's face.
"All Right." Sirius said still staring out the window.
"Harry, you go tell everyone in the kitchen what is going on, I'm going to send and owl to the Weasley's and Professor Dumbledore." Harry left for the kitchen. Hermione stepped in front of Sirius and got his attention. "Let's go into the library so I can send the owls."
The couple walked hand in hand into the library. Hermione reached for some parchment and a quill and began writing. She felt Sirius move up beside here. "Maybe we should wait on the note to Grandfather. Maybe I'm being silly."
Hermione continued to write. Once finished she folded both notes and looked up into her future husbands eyes. "Love, if I've learned one thing about you these past few months it's your instincts are usually right. I don't want to take any chances." With that she called for the owls and sent them on their way.
An hour later the group sat in the game room watching one of Hermione's favorite muggle movies. They heard a loud pop and Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Kingsley Shackelbolt and Severus Snape came bounding down the stairs. At the same instant Remus Lupin and Arthur and Molly Weasley apparated into the game room. Everyone stood with their wands raised until they realized who the intruders were.
"Merlin people, you scared…what they bloody hell are you all doing here?" Sirius asked going from relief to anger in a split second.
"Now Sirius. Why don't we all set down, calm down and try to relax." Albus said more of an order than a question. He turned to his wife and nodded his head.
She walked over to where Hermione was standing holding tightly to Sirius. "Hermione dear, why don't you show Molly and me to your kitchen. We'll make everyone a spot of tea to calm the nerves." Hermione looked at Sirius with questioning eyes. He smiled, kissed her softly and told her it was okay.
Once Molly, Minerva and Hermione had left the room Sirius turned back to his grandfather. "Now you want to tell me why you are all here?"
Dumbledore embraced the younger man and sat down in the chair by the pool table. "Lets have our tea and talk when the ladies come back. No need to say the same thing more than once."
Harry and Ron who were sitting on the couch with Alyssa and Ginny, looked over at Sirius who just shrugged and flopped into the chair by the bookcase. Once the others had returned and everyone had been served Hermione sat on the arm of the chair next to Sirius and held his arm. "Professor, why are all of you here? What are you not telling us?"
"All in good time, my dear, all in good time." He replied sipping his tea. A few seconds later, Mad-Eye Moody and Mundungus Fletcher apparated into the room. The quietly conferred with Dumbledore, Snape and Lupin.
Sirius had had about all he could take. These people had invaded his home, interrupted his evening and no one was telling him anything. Hermione could feel him tense under her hand which now rested on his back. He stood and walked over to where the group was huddled. Softly he said, "Would you like to tell me what the hell is going on?"
"I told you in good time, now sit down." Dumbledore said. When he saw his grandson was not moving he became more forceful. "I told you to sit down."
Sirius still didn't move. " This is my house and I'll sit down when I please. You are all in my house uninvited. I have a right to know what is going on." He could see the anger and frustration growing in the older wizards face. "Grandfather, I love and respect you, but…"
Before he could finish, Dumbledore calmly said. "If you really love and respect me you will do as I ask and sit down. I'll explain everything in a minute. Please my boy?" Sirius could see the pleading in his grandfather's eyes and promptly sat back down next to Hermione.
An eternity passed or so Sirius and the others thought. Finally the group broke up and took their places around the room. Dumbledore turned and stood in front of Sirius and Hermione. "After I received the message from Hermione tonight I sent out some feelers to see if there was any goings on out there that would have to do with either of you. I've always trusted your instincts Sirius. Some disturbing tidbits were reported to me. I called the order together and we came here." The old man began to pace. "It seems that someone wants to get to you. So until I can find out more you are not safe."
"And just what am I suppose to do? I'm not running from this." Sirius said watching Hermione and the fear on her face.
"I don't expect you to run. I expect you, all of you ..." He said looking at Ron, Harry and the girls. "…to remain here with the charms I've placed on this house. At least 3 members of the order will always be here to help protect you. Your Grandmother will stay here as well. Is that clear?" He asked looking at all involved and stopping to make sure his headstrong grandson agreed.