Epilogue

Part Four: Moving On

Disclaimer: The members of the original cast in the novel "HARRY POTTER" published by Bloomsbury are created by J.K ROWLING.

"Black, Sirius."

Sirius rose from the seat and walked towards the podium, his pointed hat moving amidst the sea of other pointed hats. He ascended the stairs, shook each of the professors hands and received his diploma, from Headmaster Dumbledore whose face practically shone with pride.

"Well done Sirius, having you as a student here has been the ultimate adventure." he said with a wink.

Sirius smiled back, he always liked Professor Dumbledore not only because he's wise and damn smart, but he also knew when to let his hair down. He shook the Headmaster's hands and descended from the platform, as he walked back to his seat, he passed Marissa McKinnon.

He thought about her dark silky hair which she gathered in a bun under her pointed hat. She was the picture of a perfect studious girl, but nobody knew better than he, she could raise quite some hell when they're together. Marissa glanced at him and smiled,

"Honey, you better get back to your chair. McGonnagal's watching us." she whispered in a sing song voice. Sirius stole a glance, McGonnagal was glaring at them.

"Hey, don't stray too far after the ceremony okay?! I want you to meet my folks." she continued.

Sirius visibly froze, he turned to face Marissa, but she already turned her back on him. He walked back as fast as he could, and slumped back to his chair. His heart was beating wildly in his chest,

Meeting her folks? Is she crazy or something? he mused silently.

His relationship with Marissa was like getting caught in a whirlwind, she managed to gave his serious side a good hard tug. Even Professor McGonnagall was impressed with his achievement.

He remember holding Marissa in his arms after the result of NEWTS were announced.

"If it wasn't for the lump you gave me, I wouldn't have passed." he said, recalling the incident that got them together. Marissa gave him a thump in the head for that remark.

Sirius sighed loudly, he doesn't have even the haziest idea about the life he will lead after graduating, but one thing he know for sure. Getting settled is the last on his list. And meeting her folks is halfway to doomsday.

Suddenly thunderous clapping erupted in the Great Hall, Lily Evans was called up. For his seat, Sirius could see her beaming face, Lily was naturally named valedictorian. She studied harder than anyone else in Hogwarts but she was always willing to help others with their home works although she never approved on cheating or copying.

Sirius saw James rising from his seat to cheer Lily on, he could see their whole future planned out, James told him.

"After graduating we'll get a good job and settle down somewhere. Maybe have a kid or two." said James when Sirius asked about his plans after leaving Hogwarts.

Sirius's heart sank deeper.

And people says that men have a thing against commitment.

He slumped lower in his chair and tuned out of his surroundings. One by one the students are called out to receive their diplomas, but Sirius paid no attention. That is until, Marissa was called.

He sat up in his chair, watching as she gracefully sailed the crowds, he got to admit that she IS a looker, not to mention a smart and funny one. But somehow, he never think of their relationship as more than being steady.

Marissa gave her a wink as she descended the platform, she silently mouthed "Don't forget." Sirius stifled a groan and nodded.

Gotta have a long talk with her.

The rest of the ceremony was a big blur for Sirius, he couldn't wait for it to end so he could talk some senses into Marissa. He clapped a little bit too enthusiastically when the board of Professors left the room. Troy Blake, who sat next to him stood up and offered his hand to Sirius.

"Nice to know you Sirius."

"Yeah, nice to know you too. Take care okay?" he mumbled vaguely

A few other students stopped to say a few words, but Sirius's thought went only to Marissa, the graduating feast will start in a few minutes. The students are instructed to leave the Great Hall, so the preparations could be made. Suddenly he saw her, moving toward him. He dodged some students that came in his way, and nearly sprinted to her.

"Marissa, I gotta...."

"Oh good, my parents are already waiting." she said. She linked her arms in his and walked out of the Great Hall.

"No, Marissa. There's something I gotta tell you." he insisted

She eyed him impatiently, "Later okay? I don't want to keep them waiting."

"Marissa, I mean now!" he said sternly.

She shrugged, "Okay, since you put it that way."

He lead her to a small spot among the trees so nobody could interrupt them. She turned her back on him and pulled the pins that held her hair together. The sight of her flowing black hair practically choked Sirius.

"So what is it you want to talk about?"

Sirius took a long deep breath before answering, "Don't get mad okay? Promise? "

She smiled and put her arms around his neck, "Try me."

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I'm not sure I'm ready to meet your folks."

The wind blew Marissa's hair away from her face as she stared at Sirius uncomprehendingly.

He bit his lip unconsciously, "I care a great deal about you Marissa, I really do. But, I don't think I'm ready for some commitment." he said, staring into her violet eyes.

"In fact, I don't think I want to get into any kind of commitment."

She looked away from him, "So I'm just one of Black's girl eh?"

"Is that how you think of me Sirius?" she demanded, her voice was shaking but her words firm.

"Marissa, I told you, don't take this the wrong way...."

She cut him in mid sentence, "Then what is the right way to take this?"

Sirius hung his head, not knowing what to say. They stood in silence for what seems like an eternity. When she spoke again, her voice was barely a whisper.

"I want to introduce you to my family, as the kind and funny guy whom I spent a lot of great times with. A guy whom I care a great deal of and maybe...perhaps...is the right one. But unfortunately you only take me as one of your play mates."

She glanced up to the blue sky, "I wasn't pushing you to make a commitment Sirius, ANY kind of commitment." she said, repeating Sirius' words.

"Though judging from your reactions, I don't think I'll be thinking of offering you one. Not now, maybe never."

Her last words seemed to echo in the silence, Sirius struggled to say something, but his lips were numb.

Marissa started to walk back to the building, she held her head high, but her shoulders were visibly shaking. Sirius wanted to run after her, hold her in his arms and tell her that he did want a commitment, but nothing happened. He watched helplessly as her slender figure disappear inside the massive doors.

Great job Sirius........

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2 Years later

Diagon Alley

Sirius rapped his fingers impatiently on the table, "What's taking her so long for crying out loud! Is it that hard to find a dozen diaper in the whole alley?!"

"Sirius, the baby is due in a few weeks. Lily is...." Remus glanced at James from the corner of his eyes and lowered his voice before continuing.

"Lily is practically an elephant walking a trapeze act. So she has to take it slow."

"I don't care if she's as big as a Hungarian Horntail. For me, she's still perfect." announced James. "And I implore you Sirius, try to be more patient!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and took a sip of his tea. Just then, Lily appeared, clutching a bag full of diapers. Somehow Sirius noted a glow about her, something that made her look enchanting.

Remus nudged Sirius with his elbow, "Pregnancy suits her, huh?"

"You could never guess whom I ran to just now." she said, taking a seat in their table.

"Who?" asked Remus, moving his chair to give Lily some more room,

Lily pat his hand, "Thanks Remus. Okay, where were we?"

"You were talking about someone you bump into." answered Sirius dryly, he examined the tea leaves on the base of his cup. Maybe he could conjure some kind of figure from them.

"It's Marissa McKinnon." Lily said excitedly, she stared at Sirius as if waiting for him to drop the teacup in surprise.

Sirius gripped his cup tightly but kept his voice calm, "Really, how is she?"

A shadow of disappointment appeared in Lily face, but she continued in the same excited tone, "Oh, practically marvelous! She started a boutique in Paris and she's thinking of opening another one here."

"Oh yeah, I forgot she went abroad after graduating." said Remus, he called the waiter to bring them another cup of tea.

James leaned back on his chair and put his hand on Lily's, "What really happened between you two, Sirius? You just broke up just like that in the graduation."

The image of her jet black hair flashed in front of him, "That's just about it, we broke up." he answered, Sirius glanced at the three pairs of eyes which gawked at him, "Come on you guys, it's ancient history for Merlin's sake!" he said exasperatingly.

Remus shrugged, and gave him a whack on his shoulder, "Come on Sirius it's getting late. Now it's your turn to make dinner, I'm going out on a date." he said, rising from his seat.

"Take care you two.' murmured Sirius to James and Lily before apparating back to the apartment he shared with ol' Moony.

Things have turned out for the better after they graduated from Hogwarts, James got a job in the Ministry, while Lily landed on a spot as a reporter in the Daily Prophet. Sirius turned down an offer in the Ministry and took a job as an Auror instead, even Remus managed to get a job as a freelance writer every now and then.

Sirius just managed to get the dishes to dry themselves, when Remus appeared from the bedroom wearing blue muggle shirt and black trousers.

"Whoa...who are you going out with?"

Remus adjusted the rim of his glasses, "Take a wild guess."

"Moira the Muggle." conclude Sirius, answered with a nod from Remus

"How do I look?" asked Remus, addressing their mirror, who whistled its approval.

"Of you go big guy!" yelled Sirius as his flat mate apparated.

He plopped down on their beat up sofa, picking up the latest issue of Daily Prophet from the coffee table. He glanced at the headlines, when one of them caught his interest.

Marissa McKinnon Opens her Spring Collection in Paris.

said the headline, the piece included a picture of Marissa posing with the models after her fashion show. If Sirius hadn't known her, he'd have a hard time deciding which ones are the models, and which one is the designer.

Lily hadn't been exaggerating when she said Marissa looked marvelous. Marissa developed a graceful air she maintained around her as she smiled and waved in the picture. Her jet black hair has been cut into shoulder length and styled in such a way that complemented her delicate features.

He still remembered the silky feel of her hair, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled.....

Suddenly Sirius felt another presence in the apartment, he reached for his wand, when suddenly a figure apparated.

"For Merlin's sake Finnigan! Have the decency to tell me your coming!" yelled Sirius

Angus Finnigan chuckled happily, "Just testing your awareness old pal." he said, taking a seat in the beat up sofa. Sirius waved his wand to make more tea, his teapot bubbled happily and poured some tea into a clean cup.

"Thanks, hey, I'm here to tell you about your new assignment." He drank his tea in one gulp.

"Mind if I pour myself some more?"

Sirius shook his head and set his wand down, "So, what's this assignment about?"

Angus edged closer before answering, "Our sources tells us that You-Know-Who and his gang, is recruiting more people nowadays. But the hitch is he doesn't take no for an answer."

"Meaning?"

"If you say no....." Angus made a gesture with his wand.

"The unforgivable curses." they said in unison.

Sirius made a fist, "Wish I can get my hands on them."

"Yeah, I'd love to squeeze the life out of them." agreed Angus

"They're after pure blood families. Bones, Prewett, Potter, McKinnon."

"Potter? James?" exclaimed Sirius

Angus held up both hand, "Cool it, Black. Our boss already made arrangements with Dumbledore to create the necessary precautions." he paused to give Sirius time to calm down.

"And that's why, they're giving the assignment to protect these families." he finished his second cup and stood up.

"You're assigned to protect the McKinnons. Petersen will meet you there to brief you. You're expected at the McKinnon mansion at 10 o'clock tomorrow."

Before Sirius could open his mouth, Angus Finnigan has apparated from his apartment. He lied down on the floor and stared at the ceiling helplessly.

This is just another job, she is just a subject.....remember the rules Sirius, no hanky panky with the ones you're supposed to be protecting.