Disclaimer: I don't own it. Oh, I'm just so creative with these disclaimers, aren't I!
Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Promise"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
--Eleanor Roosevelt
Sirius sat comfortably in the corner of the lounge in the late afternoon, contentedly reading a book with Anna, who was curled up against his chest in the V shape that his long legs formed.
She shifted slightly in his arms and put her book down. "Sirius, is something wrong?"
He sighed. "What makes you think that?"
She relaxed against him, letting the back of her head fall against his shoulder. "You just seem a bit... tense. That's all. Even sad, maybe. I've been sensing it for a few days, but I just put it down to you being nervous about talking with Harry, but that happened last night, so..."
He closed his eyes heavily. "You're right, Anna. As unnerving as it is to have someone being able to read me like a book, you're right."
"Do you want to talk about it?" she prodded gently.
He stretched his arms around her, pulling her body into his and resting his chin atop her head. "It's about Harry. The other day he asked if he could live with me here, if he gets expelled after the trial."
"Oh? What did you say?"
"That we'll see."
"Is that all?"
"Mmmm. I just couldn't bring myself to say yes to him."
"Why not?" she asked, though Sirius had the sneaking suspicion that she already knew the answer.
"Because I don't want to get my hopes up. I'd love it so much if he came to live here, but that would mean leaving Hogwarts. But somewhere inside of me there's just this tiny little bit that actually wants him to be expelled, so he can come here with me."
"But he belongs at Hogwarts, you know that, Sirius," Anna replied evenly.
"I know," he said softly. "I know. I just wish things could be different."
Anna moved onto her side and pressed her cheek against Sirius' chest. "You know, Sirius, one day things will be different. One day you'll be free. And you'll be able to buy a big house for you and Harry to live, somewhere out in the country, away from everything. And Voldemort will be gone. And we won't have to worry anymore. And then you two can be together, and be a family. The kind of family that Harry deserves, that you deserve. You both deserve so much more, Sirius. And one day you'll get it. I promise."
"Promise me that when we get it; when Voldemort is gone and when I buy a big house in the country, you'll come with me."
"Okay."
"Do you promise?" Sirius pressed.
"I promise."
A/N: Just something short I wrote in maths. We all know it's about ten times more interesting than triadic quadrilaterals, whatever the hell they are.