Disclaimer: Of course not.
Chapter Four: Morning News"I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times, in life after life, in age after age forever."
--Rabindranath Tagore
Anna woke up that next morning wrapped in warm, strong arms, with an overwhelming feeling of pure joy residing somewhere in the pit of her stomach. She stretched languidly, yawned, and opened her pale, grey eyes to find a pair of pure blue staring down at her in close scrutiny.
"Hi," she murmured contentedly, happy to just lay there amidst Sirius's warmth forever.
"Good morning," he replied, placing a soft kiss on her brow.
Anna sighed. "So I guess we have to get up now."
Sirius nodded. "Mmm, I suppose." He smiled. "We're getting married."
"I know. How should we tell everyone?"
He shrugged. "I guess we should tell Harry and Remus first," Sirius mused. "But before anything, I need to be debriefed. I've missed a whole nine months of a war."
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Ten minutes later, Anna was seated comfortably across from Sirius and Remus, chewing thoughtfully on honey-coated strawberries.
"Well, not much has really happened in the way of Voldemort," Remus was saying, sipping carefully on the chipped, faded, china cup between his fingers.
"Harry," here, he nodded towards the young man beside Anna, who was staring morosely down at the cereal in his bowl, stirring the sludge around and around and around in a soporific manner that had Anna's eyelids drooping, "was shipped back off to the Muggles in Surrey, grief, trunk and all..."
Anna let Remus's smooth, cut tones trail off into the hazy background of her mind; she knew the story well, hell, she had lived it, she didn't need to hear Remus retell it to Sirius in the least. Instead, she nudged Harry, causing his cereal bowl to topple onto its side precariously, leaking some of the murky milk onto the worn surface of Grimmauld Place's kitchen table.
"You're looking particularly animated this morning. Care to share?"
Harry glared. "I have to go back to Hogwarts until term ends."
Anna adjusted her face into a look of mock outrage. "But that's just despicable!"
The raven-haired man nodded gravely in agreement. "I know. That's what I said. I mean, sure, I'll be back during the Easter holidays but I want to stay here!" he cried in the manner of a petulant child.
"How long till term finishes up?"
"One and a bit weeks."
Anna did some quick thinking. "That's not very far away, and it's not as if you're going to be learning anything particularly interesting in the last few days anyway." She winked and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "What do you say I talk to Albus, see if I can't sway his mind, hmm? I'm sure I can convince him to let you take the last week off, and I can be quite persuasive when I want to." Anna grinned slyly. "And I just know Hermione would be positively thrilled at the thought of taking extra notes for you."
Harry's face brightened. "Really? You'd do that?"
Anna smiled. "No probs, kiddo. I'll go Floo old Alby now."
And with that she stood up, blew a kiss in Sirius's direction and strode out the door.
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In the last nine months of the war with Voldemort, Sirius had learnt, nothing much had happened in the way of extravagancy. It was quite like the sickening calm before a dark, raging storm.
As Remus told it, it seemed that Voldemort was still gaining supporters and, from all reports, his army was steadily and terrifyingly building it's size. All types and kinds of Dark Creatures had joined the throng, and their was a rising increase in suspicious disappearances; no doubt of those going over to the Dark, whether by will or Imperio it was not known.
The Muggle killings of the 70's had (thankfully) not been resumed, as of yet, and apart from the second mass-breakout from Azkaban that had released Lucius Malfoy, Peter Pettigrew and the other Death Eaters that had ambushed Harry into the world, the Wizarding World had remained a relatively quiet place, apart from the impending doom that so many felt.
So it was with a cautious, edgy mood that the wizards and witches of the world went about their business; not staying out late, keeping their heads down and being careful in whom they laid their trust. It was rather like dancing upon a double-edged sword.
Cornelius Fudge had remained Minister of Magic, although many of his all-to-obvious flaws had been publicised, causing countless to call for a new Minister, a move that the Order oh-so-subtly pushed for.
Having finished his update, Remus had turned to Hermione (who was hastily shovelling her breakfast into her mouth in preparation for her, Ginny, Harry and Ron's return to Hogwarts that morning) to enquire about her extra-credit Defence Against the Dark Arts research.
Sirius turned to his godson and grinned. "So, Harry, how's your love life?"
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When Harry saw Anna glide into the room, beaming smile resonant on her face, Harry felt his spirits soar. Not only did this mean he was most probably being allowed to stay at Grimmauld Place for the rest of term, but it also meant he was able to dodge Sirius's exceedingly embarrassing question.
Harry jumped to his feet, expertly ignoring his godfather's questioning gaze. "Well? What did he say?"
Anna beamed, wrapping an arm around Harry. "He said yes, of course. I can't believe you would even doubt me for a second; you know my charms are only inferior to your godfathers."
Harry whooped, placing a chaste kiss on Anna's cheek.
Anna laughed at the room's puzzled members. "I've just spoken to Albus and he's agreed to let Harry stay here for the end of term. Alas," she added to Ginny, Ron and Hermione, "he wouldn't let me talk him into allowing you three to stay as well." Ron's face, which had momentarily flickered with hope, now turned once again to despondency.
Sirius, (who was again grinning like the Cheshire Cat), laughed out loud and turned his mischievous eyes to Harry. "Don't think I've forgotten my question, Pronglet, I'll get it out of you yet."
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Hermione grinned slyly, watching Harry and Sirius's exchange over Remus's shoulder. She wasn't blind; Hermione had not failed to notice the way Harry's emerald orbs had flicked to the youngest Weasley when Sirius had mentioned his 'love life.'
Hermione gave Anna a knowing look over the table, and with a practiced eyebrow-raise and a slight flick between Harry and Sirius, pausing to glance in Ginny's direction, conveyed her message: they're going to have to do some serious talking. No pun intended, of course.
As Hermione moved herself to the roaring fireplace, she bit back an eye roll, witnessing Harry's shy, awkward goodbye to the assertive young redhead. Tossing her pinch of Floo Powder into the flames, Hermione entertained one thought: maybe staying with Mr Sirius-Sex-On-Legs, Adonis, God to Women and former Don Juan of Hogwarts, will finally knock some sense into the oblivious head of the Boy Who Lives to Torment Women.
A/N: Oh my, completely and utterly overwhelmed by all your reviews. I love you all! It almost made me cry! Thankyou so much, you seriously make my day. Thankyou!!
Hope you like this chappie, please review!! Just to clear a few things up, this story will most probably run to the end of the war with Voldie, with maybe a few oneshots afters. So we got a ways to go.
Probably won't be seeing to many updates (if any at all) in the next few weeks; not only do I have a full week of exams coming up, but we're having a miniature bloody heatwave down here and it is NOT FUN!
Melting in the sweltering heat, Kate.
