Chapter 21: Guards, Wedding Plans, and Conversations
Sirius and Hermione helped get everyone settled into the room where each would sleep. Ron was put in with Harry; Ginny and Alyssa would stay in Hermione's room across the hall from Harry. The men of the Order were to share the room that was designated for Remus when he visited. Professor McGonagall had the master suite and the Weasleys took the guest room. After everyone had been settled and the guards in place, Sirius sat alone in the dark library staring at the picture of Harry, Hermione, and himself taken just a few days ago in the garden. His senses were sharp as he heard her come into the room. He knew whom it was just by the way she moved. Scooting just a bit in the window seat and giving her room to sit next to him. He didn't need to look at her; he knew she was watching him.
"You know you shouldn't be sitting in the window like this don't you?" He didn't answer or look at her. It wasn't long before she wrapped a protective arm around his shoulder. "Sirius your Grandfather will get to the bottom of all this. I know it's an inconvenience for everyone and it may turn out to be nothing, but it's better to be safe than sorry."
He knew she was right, but he couldn't help but be a little worried. What was this threat that his Grandfather had heard and why wasn't he telling him more. "I understand that, but do we really need the guards posted and all the extra people here?"
"I think he's just being protective. You are the only family we have left and he wants to keep you safe. Let him protect you, if just for a couple days," she said standing.
Sirius stood as well and walked his grandmother back to her room. "Thank you, Grandmother. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have some answers to the questions," She nodded her agreement and he continued. "Do you have everything, is there anything you need?"
Placing her hand on his cheek, she kissed him. "I don't need a thing. You try and get some sleep now and remember your Grandfather loves you and so do I."
Kissing her back Sirius said. "Good night and I love you too, both of you." He then turned to go to his room stopping at Hermione's for a moment. Tonight he needed to be held by her but with all the people he knew it would be proper for them to be apart.
He'd been in his room for over an hour, lying on his back on the bed when he heard the door open and close. Looking up he saw Hermione enter. She walked to him, lay beside him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "How are you?" She asked in a low voice.
Sirius pulled the covers over them both, and kissed the top of her head. "I'm better now," He pulled her closer, and began to talk. "I spoke with Grandmother earlier, she said grandfather had some concerns, but she knew he'd figure this all out. She isn't sure what he's been told, but she said it must be a threat to one of us for him to keep us here like this. She is afraid that it's gotten out that I'm their Grandson and someone is scheming to use that to get to him. He's afraid they'll try to use me to do that and in return use you or Harry to get to me." When he saw the worried look in her eyes he kissed her again and said. "You know I'll never let anything happen to you or Harry, don't you?"
"It's not Harry or me that I'm worried about, love." She replied snuggling closer.
"I'm fine and I plan on staying that way. We're well protected tonight so why don't we try to get some sleep." He said reaching over and turning out the light. He knew they would both rest better now that they were in each other's arms.
Hermione woke just as the sun began to peek through the slight opening in the heavy drapes that covered the windows in the room she had learned so well the past few weeks. Though she spent most nights alone in her own room, she felt comfortable in this room, Sirius' room. The nights she didn't sleep alone were generally spent in the comfort of his king size bed. She opened her eyes and sat up smiling. The small amount of light streaming in gave the soft blue room a dreamlike glow. She knew he wouldn't be in bed next to her, she knew before she was actually awake. There were too many things going on, but she knew that her robe and a fresh change of clothes would be neatly spread across the chair at the foot of the bed. This had become one of the little gestures Sirius treated her with when he would rise first.
Climbing out of bed, she put on her robe, splashed some water on her face and headed downstairs. She found Sirius, McGonagall, and Molly Weasley in the kitchen. Watching as Sirius made breakfast with Molly watching his every move, Hermione could tell Mrs. Weasley wanted to be the one scurrying around the spacious kitchen.
She was unaware anyone had seen her standing just outside the doorway until Sirius walked over kissed her on the forehead and handed her a mug of steaming coffee. "Morning love," he said as he went back to the stove.
Hermione smiled at the two older women and moved to the table. "Good Morning. I trust both of you slept well?" She asked then turned her attentions to Sirius who was trying his best to clean up as he went. "Any word from Professor Dumbledore or the Order this morning?"
"Remus was called to headquarters and Arthur went to the ministry, but the others are still here and the guards are still watching things. I spoke to grandfather earlier by floo powder, and said he'd be by later today with a full report. We decided to let everyone sleep until they are ready to get up." Sirius put a stack of pancakes on the table, which already contained everything they would need. He then took the seat between Molly and Hermione.
Breakfast conversation was light with no one mentioning what was happening. Sirius and Hermione noticed when they had finished that Molly was intently looking over all the muggle gadgets in the room. Smiling Hermione stood and explained each one and how they worked. She was surprised when she noticed Professor McGonagall listening closely as well.
Sirius sat quietly in a corner drinking his third cup of coffee lost deep in thought. He didn't notice Harry, Ron and Alyssa enter until Harry was standing directly in front of him. "Oh Harry." He said finally looking up at his godson and standing. "How did you sleep? Would you like some pancakes?"
Before anyone could answer Molly Weasley was busy making the others their breakfast. She'd made Hermione promise to let her do the cooking while they were all together.
The hours passed and Sirius was finding it harder and harder to keep control. He wasn't use to having someone with him all the time. Sure Hermione and Harry lived in the house with him, but they had their own interests and knew there were times when he needed to be alone. Even if they were in the same room, they weren't joined at the hip. It was grating on his nerves that he couldn't even sit in his library and read without someone standing guard over him. He'd let it go when he wanted to walk in the garden, but couldn't. He'd smiled when he wasn't allowed to go into the game room and play pool alone, he'd even respected the rules when he went to take a shower and one of the guards stood in the hall, but now all he wanted was to read in peace.
It was Mundungus Fletcher who took the brunt of his wrath, as he stood with fire blazing in his dark eyes. "I've had it, GET OUT!" Sirius barked, sounding much like his animagus form.
"Now Sirius…" Dung started to say, but was forced to back through the door as the irritated Sirius Black advanced towards him. As soon as he'd crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut and a spell had been placed on it, no one could get in. Several members of the order tried counter spells but nothing would open the door.
"Albus will be furious when he gets here if someone hasn't found a way into that room." Mad-eye Moody growled. "What kind of charm to you suppose he's put on it? I've tried everything I know to open the door." He looked at Dung, "Go find that pretty little girlfriend of his, let's see if she can talk some sense into him."
Several minutes later Dung returned followed by Hermione, McGonagall, Molly and Harry. "What seems to be the problem here?" McGonagall asked.
"Sirius has locked himself in the library, put some kind of charm on the door and we can't get it." Mad-eye croaked.
Hermione looked at them in confusion. "Why would he do that?"
Mundungus looked around the room before answering. "I don't know. I was following him in there. He sat down, I started talking to him and he went mental on me. Yelling 'get out', stalking around like a wild animal. Practically pushed me out the door."
"Merlin guys." Hermione sighed. "Did you ever think that maybe he went into the library to get away from some of you? Maybe he wanted five minutes alone?"
"Who wants five minutes alone?" Everyone turned to see who had asked the question. There stood Albus Dumbledore.
Minerva McGonagall walked up to her husband, "Your Grandson has locked himself in the Library. He put a charm on the door and no one can seem to break or counter act it."
"What are we going to do with that boy?" Dumbledore mumbled then proceeded to recite a counter spell, when it didn't work he began to chuckle. Winking at the members of the order present. "We knew he would be a powerful wizard, I guess he is showing us just what he's learned. Let me try this." He walked over to the door and gently knocked. "Sirius, my boy, it's me, can I come in?"
Several seconds later the door opened, "I don't know what all the commotion is, I just wanted some time alone to read." Sirius stepped aside to allow the others to enter.
"In the name of Merlin boy what kind of charm did you put on that bloody door? We tried everything to open it. Every spell and counter charm we know." Mad-eye Moody snarled.
Sirius looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "What in bloody hell are you on about? I didn't put a charm or spell on the door. I simple turned the lock." Everyone laughed at the confused looks on Moody's and Dung's Faces.
Sitting in one of the burgundy leather wing back chairs, Dumbledore began to speak. "Can we get on with things? I have some news." Everyone took a seat. Hermione sat on the couch to the left of Sirius with Harry on the other side of him. She leaned into him and held his hand tightly. When all were settled and he had their attention Dumbledore went on. "My sources tell me with Voldemort out of the way, Lucius Malfoy is controlling what few Death Eaters are left from inside Azkaban. They say he's heard the rumors about Sirius being the Dumbledore heir and they know that if he has Dumbledore blood combined with Black blood he is bound to be powerful. They tell me he's not sure he wants to believe it, but he can't dismiss it either. Right now there isn't really a threat to Sirius or those he cares about, it's mostly a fact-finding mission. That doesn't mean we shouldn't keep our eyes and ears open." He looked at his grandson and went on. "I know it's an inconvenience but I'd like to keep extra people here for a while longer and I would rest better if when you, Hermione or Harry went out you took someone from the order with you."
Sirius was about to protest, but saw the pleading in his grandparent's eyes. "Okay. Okay." Minerva thought he sounded defeated.
The older wizard leaned forward in his chair. "Sirius, I know you are a member of the order and can protect yourself, just humor me for a few more days."
"Okay, It won't look as suspicious to the neighbors or anyone watching if Remus and the Weasleys are here, but please, I have to be able to do things in my own house by myself." He looked around the room and saw the heads nodding in agreement.
"Good then the children will stay here, Molly, Arthur, and Remus can stay here as well. I'll have other members of the order drop by once in a while. Not to mention, I'm sure your Grandmother and I will be popping in." Albus Dumbledore suddenly produced a huge grin, "Now on to more personal things. Have you two set any kind of date for this wedding?"
Hermione and Sirius looked at each other, how had he changed the subject so quickly. "No, but we really should." Sirius said. "It's completely up to Hermione. I'm game for anything and any date."
She looked at him with an expression of Oh Yeah? "Well if that's the case why don't we plan a September wedding?"
"Works for me." Was all Sirius said leaning back into the sofa.
"September it is. September 16." She looked over at the headmaster. "I trust Ginny will be allowed off Hogwarts grounds for the weekend?"
Dumbledore laughed, "I think the headmaster could arrange that." Everyone joined in his laughter and the conversation turned to teasing with everyone throwing ideas out about how the couple should plan their upcoming wedding.
Several hours later, those in the order except the Weasleys and Remus had returned to headquarters. Arthur and Remus sat in the corner of the game room playing chess, Molly was upstairs playing with the muggle appliances, while Harry, Ginny, Alyssa and Ron watched muggle DVD's. Hermione entered the game room, snuggling next to Sirius on the large round wicker chair in which they had placed a huge round forest green cushion. She was talking on the cordless phone. Sirius took his eyes off the movie long enough to look at her questioningly. She mouthed Mum, and laid her head on his chest as she continued to talk. He heard her telling her mother about the past couple days and that they had set a date. She also invited her parents and grandmother over for dinner Saturday night. She was having all those involved in the arrangements together for a huge planning session. As she hung up the phone she decided she'd better run it past Sirius, before she said anything to his grandparents.
Hermione stood and pulled Sirius up with her. She then led him up the basement stairs, through the kitchen, down the hall and into the library. Sirius sat sideways in the window seat with Hermione between his legs and her back to his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. It was the first time in almost two days that they had been alone, except when they slept. "Sirius, love what do you think about having everyone involved in the planning of our wedding over for a cookout so we can start sketching out the details?"
"Who needs to be involved besides you? It's your wedding." He commented as he moved her silky hair and began nibbling on her exposed neck.
Hermione moved slightly to give him better access to the sensitive spot behind her right ear that would set her entire body on fire. "It's our wedding." She panted, "and lots of people are involved in the planning." She didn't have time to say anything else before he captured her mouth in a very passionate kiss.
Breaking their extremely heated kiss, she leaned against him again. Sirius broke the silence, "A cookout sounds like fun. Who do you plan on having? Who is involved in planning our wedding?"
It made her happy to hear him say 'our wedding'. "Well of course there are my parents and grandmother, and your grandparents. Then I'm sure we'll want Ginny and Harry to be involved, Remus should be included and I thought we should ask Molly to help in our planning. She has several good ideas. As far as who else should be at the cookout, we should ask Ron and Alyssa, Alexia, Arthur, and Grandmother's friend, Reginald. We might as well make it a whopper of an evening and invite the rest of the Weasleys." Hermione began giggling.
"What ever you want, Babe." Sirius didn't need to say anything further. They sat quietly for several minutes, until he felt her breathing become slow and shallow, he knew she had fallen asleep. He didn't want to disturb her so he just sat looking out at the garden and thinking about how lucky he was.
Sirius had lost all track of time while sitting in the library holding Hermione and watching two starlings play in the large green stone birdbath that was centered in the garden. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there when he sensed he was being watched, this time it didn't give him an eerie feeling, as he turned his head he saw Remus standing there leaning against the door jam. He smiled and motioned for his friend to have a seat in the chair at the end of the window seat.
Remus took the chair and moved it so he was even with Sirius and the two could talk without disturbing Hermione. "She looks so peaceful."
"She didn't get much sleep last night." He saw Remus raise an eyebrow and shook his head knowing what was going through his best friends thoughts. "No, not because of that. She worried about me and if everyone staying here had everything they needed. I'll wake her up when Molly has dinner ready."
Remus and Sirius talked for over an hour about their childhood, James and the up coming wedding. Remus told Sirius about his relationship with Alexia and how close the two had become.
"So is there a wedding in the future for you, old man?" Sirius asked about half teasing.
Remus looked at his hands then straight at Sirius. "Yeah maybe. Every since you took the plunge and asked Hermione I've been thinking about it."
Sirius kissed the top of Hermione's head. "If you love her and she loves you, you should. For me it's the best move I think I've ever made." He felt the lady in his arms begin to stir and looked down at her.
Remus saw the movements, "Padfoot, please keep this just between us until I decide what I'm going to do okay?"
"You got it, Moony. By the way does she know about you?" Sirius asked seriously
Remus smiled. "Yeah she knows everything…about everything."
"Who knows what? Hermione asked coming out of her sleepy state.
Before Sirius could say anything else Molly came in and announced dinner was ready.