Disclaimer: I don't any part of this story… only the plot. That's all. Don't sue me. The song is from Maroon 5, a very cool song entitled "This Love."
Sorry it took me so long! Wow!! So many people reviewed that I spent such a long time reading them!! Heheeh!! I have finished officially all my midterms. Now I have to worry about my finals. Arghhhh and then summer school b/c I want to do extra courses. Life sucks. Enjoy!!
Hermione's POV
"That is," Sirius said, pausing. He shook his head as if to shake off his inability to talk. "That's great!" He hugged Harry, patting him on the back. Hermione looked nervously at Sirius, only to find his face expressionless. 'Hermione face it. It happened fours years ago. Then again… he doesn't remember it right?'
Sirius approached Hermione and hugged her, "Congratulations." His body seemed tenser when he hugged her this time, or was it just her imagination?
"So when did this happen?" Sirius said, backing away.
"Around three years ago," Harry said, grinning.
"Amazing," Sirius said, "I'm very happy for you both."
They all sat down and began chatting. Hermione was busy with her own thoughts when she noticed a pensieve on the table in the corner of the room. Remus noticed where Hermione was looking.
"So do you remember?" Hermione asked Sirius absently, forgetting that so many people surrounded her.
"Remember what," Sirius responded casually.
"Nothing," Hermione said, reddening. She gazed out the window but was shocked when Sirius spoke again.
"Yes, I do," Sirius, said, calmly.
"How about we head to Hermione's place?" Remus suggested, preventing Hermione from asking more questions much to her frustration.
Everyone gathered at Hermione's place to celebrate Sirius' return.
"It feels so good to walk in public again," Sirius said, stepping into Hermione's house that was located in a muggle neighborhood. Hermione recalled the hearing two years ago in November where Sirius' name was cleared after the ministry had captured Peter Pettigrew.
They all sat around the table while Hermione brought coffee and a few butterbeers.
"I still don't understand," Hermione said, shaking her head in astonishment. "I thought that all your memories were stored in the pensieve." She was taking advantage of the opportunity when the topic arose once more.
"Never was one for the rules," Sirius said, sipping on his first butterbeer after a long time. "Thought you would have known that after knowing me so long."
"You mean-," Hermione said, amazed that he had fooled Dumbledore.
"Don't get me wrong. I did store a few memories to fool Dumbledore. I managed to keep your warning and a few other tidbits I cared to remember at that time."
Although that explained everything that happened, she could not help herself but shudder at the tinge of indifference in his voice. Was she that insignificant to him? A memory he had stored when he was younger … a foolish action. 'You knew this would be his reaction. You prepared yourself for this. You taught yourself to expect this reaction even when you knew that he wasn't coming back. For four years, you expected this even if you knew that it wasn't coming.'
"Lucky wanker," Remus said, handing Sirius his second butterbeer. "He even didn't age while he stuck in the time vortex."
"Didn't age?" Ginny said timidly, "How's that?"
"Didn't you think I look too good to be forty," Sirius said, winking at Ginny. "I'm only thirty five according to the wizards at St. Mungo's."
'No wonder he looks so damn good,' Hermione thought. She shook her head. 'I have a fiancé. I'm going to marry Harry. Evil thoughts.' She flopped down on the couch and helped the others to inform Sirius about what had happened during his disappearance.
After an hour, Harry approached Hermione, "'Mione, do you mind showing Sirius around the house?"
"Sure," Hermione said, smiling at Sirius who joined her. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable with taking him around. Besides, he had not said a word about their intimacy a few years ago. 'For Merlin's sake! Move on, Hermione.'
Both of them walked to the opposite side of the house, where she showed him their backyard that extended for yards and included a huge pool with a sauna. The best part was the view of the beach that was a few streets away.
"Nice house," Sirius said, his eyes widening at the grandeur. "How exactly do you bloody manage to afford it?"
Hermione glanced nervously around the yard before closing the doors. "It's not hard to pay for," she mumbled, "my job pays well."
Sirius nodded his head as she showed them to the rest of the rooms. They were on the second floor when Hermione asked him, "So what are you planning to do now?"
Sirius' POV
"Don't know really," Sirius, answered quietly, "You're the first one to ask." He studied a Muggle picture on her night table of two people standing near Hermione. 'Must be her parents.' He noticed the pictures surrounding it, mostly of Hermione and Harry.
"Does Harry live with you?" he asked unexpectedly.
"Yes," she said in a small voice, opening the curtains to the room. "The house is big enough for two… besides I wouldn't want to live alone-."
"Haven't things improved," Sirius said, looking at the queen size bed.
"Yes, they have," Hermione, said. He could have sworn he saw a glimmer in her eyes, "After Harry killed Voldemort… everything improved drastically at the cost of many lives of course…" When she looked up, she quickly tried to wipe of the tear rolling down the left side of her cheek.
This love has taken its toll on me
She said Goodbye too many times before
And her heart is breaking in front of me
I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore
"Hermione," he said gently, walking over to her. "What is it?"
She stepped back in alarm when his hand reached her cheek. He quickly put his hand down when he heard the door opening.
"There you are," Harry said, walking into the room.
"Harry," Hermione said, kissing him.
Harry grinned while playing with her hair. "I was thinking, Sirius… since you don't have any where to go… why don't you stay here?"
"Great," Hermione said, loving the idea.
Sirius observed the couple, "Sure, I'll stay for the night."
"For the night! We're not going to kick you out onto the street tomorrow morning," Hermione, said laughing.
That laugh of hers was addictive. 'Get a grip of yourself, Sirius'
"No," he said, trying to persuade himself to look away. "I need to visit a few places to clear up some few misconceptions with the Ministry and Gringott's...seems the goblins had other ideas for my money."
"Then it's settled! You'll stay here," Hermione, said enthusiastically, "I'll set up a room for you…" She left the room, not waiting for his response.
"Hermione, there's no need… I'll sleep on the couch," Sirius called out to her.
"There's no use, mate," Harry said, laying his hand on Sirius' shoulder.
Sirius glanced at Harry. "That reminds me Harry…about a few years back when you came-."
He gazed at Harry. How he had changed! Now he truly resembled his father. Harry was only an inch shorter than he was. The thin boy he had known a few years back was not the same man standing before him. Then again, the same could be said about Hermione.
"No problem," Harry said, remembering clearly when they both got into a fight over Hermione, "You didn't know us back then! Otherwise-."
"It wouldn't have happened," Sirius said, pausing to observe the scenic view outside. Hermione was even more stunning than when he remembered her from his school days. Her golden hair bounced on her shoulders, capturing all the light the sun could offer. He still loved the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed and smiled. Everything about her was sophisticated, even the graceful feline way she walked. He gazed at Harry, "Exactly."
Harry and Sirius walked downstairs and joined the others who were about to leave.
"I'll be staying here for the night," Sirius informed Remus.
"So we'll leave tomorrow night?" Remus asked, wrapping his scarf around his neck.
"Perfect," Sirius said, saying bye to Remus as he left.
Hermione ran downstairs, "Bye Ginny!"
"Don't forget! We need to plan!" Ginny said seriously to Hermione.
"Plan for what?" Sirius said curiously.
"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Ginny said to him, with her finger to her mouth.
"You're not supposed to know," Hermione said, blushing.
"Know about what," Harry said, wrapping his hands around Hermione's waist.
"See you ruined it!" Ginny said, frustratingly hitting her head. "But do not fear, 'Mione. Sirius can always repay us by str-." Hermione clasped her hand around Ginny's mouth.
"She wants you to not stress out about this whole Ministry mess…," Hermione said, laughing hysterically to cover up for Ginny's mistake
"It sounded more like they want you to strip for them," Fred said nonchalantly, as he put a chunk of cake in his mouth, "Thanks for the cake, Mione."
Hermione reddened, "What cake? That's food for the- OHHH never mind" She turned back towards Sirius in humiliation. "I'm really sorry for-,"
"Hermione it doesn't matter," Sirius said, "Glad to know that I still have the looks and charms to woo younger women."
Harry laughed, asking Sirius if he wanted to join him to watch a Quidditch game that was being broadcasted on the Wizarding channel.
Hermione's POV
Hermione whipped around to hit Ginny across the head but she had already apparated along with everyone else in the room.
She could kill herself now.
"Love, do you want to watch it with us?" Harry screamed from the living room.
She hesitated, looking into the room where Sirius and Harry were glued to the three dimensional game that was being played out before them.
"No thanks," Hermione cried out over their cheering after the first goal, "I'll have my bath."
They probably didn't even hear her. She entered her private washroom and let her clothes drop to the ground as she slipped into the hot soothing water.
'How embarrassing,' she thought. Not only did he remember their make out sessions but now he thinks that she wants him to strip for her. Arghhhh. 'Not that it wouldn't be a bad sight because he looks-.' She stopped herself from thinking more on the subject. 'Doesn't seem like he wants to remember anything from the past. Why should I be so miserable about my attitude next to him?' She sighed, 'I want to prove myself to him. That I am something more.' Looking into the mirror, she tried to remind herself constantly that she was engaged. Taking a deep breath, she buried her head under the water, trying hard to lie to rest all her emotions for Sirius that were confusing her.
'Face it, 'Mione,' she said; closing her eyes, 'He's not the same person any more. It was all in the past. This is the future. So deal with it.'
Hermione wrapped her bathrobe around her body and stepped into her room. Harry was leaning against the balcony, taking in the ocean breeze.
"What a day," he said, shaking his head. He walked over to and kissed her.
She nodded in agreement.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked her, studying her face seriously, "I know this is hard because Sirius and you-."
"I'm fine," she said, kissing him back. She was thankful that he was asking and not being a self-centered git like many men would do in his situation.
"You can always talk to me- although I wouldn't be the greatest choice in this case-," he smiled, kissing her forehead.
"I know," she said, "I'm so tired. Tomorrow I have to pack up everything from my office."
"Your boss is not going to let you go," Harry said, comfortingly. "Although I think he will be slightly annoyed if we don't invite him to the wedding."
Hermione laughed, as Harry walked into the shower.
"I showed Sirius to his room," Harry said.
"I'll check if he needs anything else," Hermione said before Harry closed the door.
She walked down the floor and found Sirius pacing the room with his shirt off. Hermione hesitated, wondering if she should walk in or not. 'How about I wait for Harry to come out of the shower. Yup wonderful idea.' She was about to leave when Sirius called out her name.
"Hope I didn't scare you!" Sirius said, winking at her as he put on a white shirt to greet her.
She closed her eyes and looked to the ceiling as if in a silent prayer. 'Keep your eyes off his chest to avoid more embarrassment. You're only coming to help him. That's all. He won't find anything weird with your behavior. She turned around, "No, I was wondering if there's anything you needed." Unfortunately, she couldn't keep her eyes of the marks across his chest. Of course, he still looked great with them. 'Stop it, 'Mione.' Since when was he so tanned… never heard about time working wonders with your body… not that he didn't look sexy before he died. 'AHHHHHHHHH. STOP. Thinking about it.' She kicked the side of the door in an attempt to get rid of her thoughts.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Sirius asked, looking at her strangely.
'There you go; you made a fool of yourself once again. Brilliant work. Not only do you want him to strip for you (clarification: Ginny wants him to strip for you) but now you are portraying yourself a person who kicks walls for absolutely no reason.'
"Sorry," Hermione said, trying to recover, "Bad headache." She massaged her temples to show him that it was nothing more than a simple migraine.
"You should take something for that. No, there's nothing I need. Thanks for asking," Sirius said, smiling. His mysterious dark brown eyes lingered on her face.
"Where did you get such bad marks?" she said, pointing towards his chest.
His facial expressions changed drastically.
"Sorry, I shouldn't be asking," Hermione said rapidly, ready to leave his room when he pulled her back.
"They're marks from Azkaban," he said in a painful tone.
She reached out to have a better look, she stopped and glanced up at him. He nodded, allowing her to run her fingertips of over the light black gashes. She noticed how his eyes winced in pain as he remembered how the pain was inflicted. Pulling back her hands quickly, she said, "They still hurt?"
"Slightly, but the symbol is worst," he said, moving his hands over the place which she had touched.
"Symbol?" she asked weakly.
"It's on my back," Sirius said, "Identification for prisoners."
"Can't you get it removed?" Hermione said, imagining how bad this 'symbol' could be.
"The pain can be reduced probably but I doubt that the symbol can be removed," Sirius said, unbuttoning his shirt.
They stood in silence, as Hermione sorted through what he had told her.
"I better let you sleep, you've had a long day," Hermione said, gazing at him. She lingered at the doorway as if some force was telling her to stay.
"Hermione," he said, "There's something I need to give you."
She turned back, wondering what it was.
Running to the side of his bed, he grabbed an envelope and handed it to her.
He prodded his head towards it, encouraging her to open it.
She opened the envelope, finding a necklace inside.
"I think you should take it back," Sirius said softly.
Recognizing the necklace as the one, she gave to him years back, her heart stung with pain. 'He wants to forget about it.'
"Thanks," she said, "I completely forget about this stupid old thing." Picking up the necklace and looking at the pendant. It wasn't stupid.
"Thought that you'd want it back," Sirius said, shrugging, "We were pretty silly back then weren't we? If I remember correctly, I gave you my boxers and robes."
It wasn't silly. Or was it? "Yes it was," she said, placing the chain back into the envelope. "I don't even remember where I put your things."
She grinned at him.
"I'm very happy for Harry and you. Harry deserves a great girl like you," Sirius said. He approached her to hug her, while she just stood there stunned. Coffee beans.
"Thanks," she said quickly, backing away from his room slowly. "We're glad that you're back. If you need anything else, we're a few rooms away. Better let you sleep! Goodnight!"
He said something but she was already down the hall. She closed the door to her room. The water was still running in the shower. Hermione glanced at her closet at the far side of the room. Bringing a ladder into the closet, she pulled a black box that was hidden at the top shelf. Opening the lid, she found Sirius' robes and boxers neatly folded. A few pictures of the Marauders and Sirius filled the rest of the box. Inhaling the box, she got the light drift of his scent. The spell was dying and soon it would be only black robes and nothing more. Stuffing the envelope at the corner of the box, she closed the lid and returned the box to its former spot. Picking up the ladder, she stepped out of the closet. Taking a final glance at the box, she turned off the lights and closed the doors.
This love has taken its toll on me
I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore
A/N:
Thanks sooooooooooo much for reading! If it hadn't been for your wonderful reviews, this story would have surely ended with the last chappie!!
Natyslacks: so here's the deal. I upload this chappie. Literally less than ten minutes after, I check my e-mail… and I already have a review!? From you, of course. I was like… what the hell?! You have perfect timing.
Vallierie: HP characters are hot because they need to attract other audiences who have money to read all the hotness. Unfortunately, we're the suckers. As if we care
LinNicole: I don't know what you mean about pumpkin pie… if you want I could have pumpkin pie at the wedding ceremony…hmm you just gave me an idea.
Tsk tsk: this is not the end, only the beginning. Perhaps a short beginning to be left to your imagination. I don't know what I'm talking about.
Mercyme: keep reading. Trust me, it's not for nothing… hopefully.
Midnight: You've written 'update' so many times in your review that it's starting to act like some brainwashing program.
Dyrim123: what? What do you mean what?!
H2thizo: Yes I do the same thing as you… pick pairs and see who would write for that pairing. You'd be surprised how many there are for Tom Riddle and Hermione.
Snuffles: Harry and Hermione are getting married because he popped the question and she said yes. There's nothing more to say.
Phsdrummer07: Thanks.
Syaoronsangel: yes I think that Herm over reacted when Remus talked to her…. Ah well
Jade: Yes they're getting married. I'm not like one of those writers for the show 'Passions' where things happen but they really don't happen. Huh
Whitetiger777: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't kill me head gets blown off.
Captain Oblivious: 1st. Pirates are good. Pirates of the Carribean are better. Please don't kill Harry with the waffle iron before the honeymoon!
Nissy Padfoot: Ah well you'll just have to survive with the thought of them getting married.
Padfootz-luvr: I prefer long chappies as well… isn't it a relief to know that he remembers?!
Tabitha: cliffy! Cliffy good. Thanks
Michelline: Sorry, Harry wasn't telling Sirius that just to provoke him…that would be quite cruel.
Yaminy-grint4eva: I will consider putting Sirius and Hermione together again !! I will try to read your fics as soon as possible!
Delayed Poet: I'm Miss Good Fanfiction Writer… I'm not evil! Muahhhhmuahhhhhhh
Tears-That-Fall: Wouldn't that be bad for Hermione if she waited so many years and no one returned? Poor girl…you can't really blame everything on her.
Siriusforeva: Sirius is back… to do a little bit of provoking hmmmm…
Swiss miss: Messed up is always good… It won't become more messed up. I promise
Romm: You're the second person to call me evil cries
Artisia: k, Sirius is 35. Harry is acting normal b/c he's the one marrying her, not Sirius. Right?
Cye4Mouri: Why? C'est la vie. It's life. Life is unfair
Sweetazzhoney: more will be coming
LeilaRose: Sirius is stubborn but maybe he won't fight for her and yet he will be hinthint
Shadowsong11: Thanks. Sorry about nearly giving you a heart attack.
Siren-black: WHoah you're really pessimistic aren't you about this wedding
d-26: You'll have to wait about 1-2 chapters to see if she goes ahead with it or not
Toozet Crankley: Yeah it's pretty hard to bring Sirius back to life… hope it won't be as hard for the book
Chicablue18: Yes poor darling Sirius. But look at it in this way. If Hermione won't have him… we have a better chance winkwink
Sailortakaine: You should write a fic about Sirius and Herm! We need more of them on the internet!
Raine an Frodo: Soooooooo You're the person who has been reviewing me for every single chappie. I checked my e-mail account and I just kept on reading your name. Or how about the e-mails I've gotten hmmmm. Do you know that you're probably the ONLY person cheering for Harry and Hermione?! Ah well, there always has to be a balance. There are so many of you that I'm losing track. Hmmm…
Stephanie: Sirius couldn't have shown up earlier because he was sort of stuck in time. Time was correcting itself so he was stuck in a time warp (I think my science fiction clases are getting to my head).
Jenn: Sorry for making you cry… wow I made you cry. Makes me want to cry. tear
Lilia Black: I'm so glad that I am an exception for the Sirius/Hermione fics (in your opinion). Hope that you enjoy the future chappies as well.
HarryPotterluver7: screw Harry. Wow I think that Harry is getting many death threats from these reviews… ah well we can always sacrifice him for Sirius and Hermione's relationship.
Bab's Hoppus: Thanks a lot! I'm very happy that you're enjoying it! Oh yeah and what's up with your name?
MaisjetadoreSiriusNoir: You know I didn't notice the word "cocked" in the same paragraph as Sirius without clothes… hmmm extra brownie pts for you! Get your mind out of the gutter heheheheh
s.s.harry: the book of dating of Los Angeles? I'm very confused.
Accio Flaming Stake: Thanks… and I know that it's odd b/c Sirius is so old… but I mean he's only 35…while she is in her twenties…huh.
Arwena Bloom: I don't think Hermione can hear your warning about not going with Harry… but I'll give her the message
Elfgurl: marriage only adds to the suspense. They are getting married, if you don't believe it.
Hermione Clone Forever: Waiting for true love?! What happens if Sirius never returned. The poor girl would be waiting for years and years and years
Mystery of the Night: Yes around or less 5 chapters to go(I've ran out of ideas)
BlueEyedDemon90: I'm very happy that you like it!!
RE16: I'll keep your ideas in mind! They're all very possible
Maeri: He's Backkkkkkkkk!! Who cares if history has been rewritten?!
Irish Elf: Whoah you want Harry to die? Nah that would be too cruel… but I'm understanding you perfectly.
Tinkerbell-06; No I am not mad. I know what I'm doing by getting Hermione married to Harry.
Elfgurl: Are you the same elfgurl who reviewed before? Perhaps I'm getting double vision yay for me
Sir Deranged Reindeer: I really hope something like this happens in the book. In terms of Sirius coming back… it would be great!
Imogenhm: What?
Suisei: If only Harry did not exist. Wait. Then Hermione wouldn't exist because she's affiliated with the Harry Potter franchise. Huh
Chica Chilfada: Wow I'm making many ppl cry. Doesn't matter it will all be good. Hopefully. Sooo many ppl want me to kill Harry. You ppl are evil. I like evil.
AnniePadfoot: Well I'm happy that I was born too… although I might be a mistake(10yrs later). And yes. SIRIUS IS sexy.
Tiffany-Writer-Maniac: Life is not fair! What can you do… if they get married, they get married.