A/N: If you are a fan of the Sirius/Hermione pairing, be a sweetheart and join my fanlisting. The link can be found at my profile. Heheh! Self-pimpage, can't help.

Revised: 27 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 2: The Reunion

..:: Back at Vienna ::..

"What do you think happened?" asked an alarmed Ronald Weasley.

"I think they got him," his girlfriend simply replied.

Ron was aghast.

"You really think so?"

"Come, Ron. Let's pack. We better get back to London if we want to know what happened… by airplane," Hermione smirked, earning her a groan from Ron.

"Not that bloody bird again!"

"Don't curse, Ron!"

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Hermione handed the flight attendant her boarding pass and found her seat, which was a window seat, since Ron was terrified of the view.

Hours passed since the plane departed. Hermione turned to her right to look at her boyfriend, who was still ridiculously gripping his armrests. She smirked and pecked him on the cheek.

"Ron, get a grip and relax."

That seemed to ease him a bit.

"Well, I know of one thing that can make me relax…" Ron said suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows.

Hermione rolled her eyes and leaned in to kiss him, but not until she heard a tapping sound from her left.

"Hedwig!"

"Umm, Hermione… how do you expect her to get that letter inside?" Ron asked in a slightly annoyed voice.

Hermione was thinking fast, half terrified, and half pitying that little bird who was trying to match the plane's speed. She quickly took her wand out and cast a spell which would distract every other passenger in the room, and proceeded to tap the window on the left with her wand.

Instantly, the glass window disappeared and she quickly took the letter from Hedwig's beak, because of the strong wind coming in. The bird flew off after being thanked by the witch. As the glass window appeared again, Hermione turned around, only to witness everybody in the room with papers and food splattered on their faces. Ron was licking off peach cream off his face. There were murmurs everywhere about the sudden outburst, though none suspected it to be the cause of the unknown witch amongst them.

"Well, go on. Open it," Ron urged.

Hermione opened the letter and moved it so that both Ron and her could read it together.

Hermione and Ron,

This is a miracle! Hermione, you really did it! Sirius Black is back! He is himself.
Though he came out with a 3 feet beard and hair that can defy Rapunzel's!

"Rapunzel?"

"Never mind, Ron."

Well, come back you two! I think the both of you can continue your 'honeymoon'
some other time. This is Sirius Black we're talking about.

And, thank you, guys!

Your friend forever,

Harry Potter

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"Sirius, you really need a make over!" Harry told his godfather.

"Yeah, mate. You can't really expect your saviour to see you in this condition, can't you?" Remus added with a wink, which didn't go unnoticed by Harry.

Sirius kept quiet for a moment before relenting, "Yeah, alright… Where is my saviour anyway?"

"She's in Austria," Harry replied nonchalantly, dismissing his confusion on the wink Remus just gave his godfather.

"Australia?!"

"Austria, Padfoot… you know, in Vienna," Remus said.

"What she's doing so far, there?"

Harry proceeded telling his godfather the reasons, while Remus began trimming his friend's hair and beard.

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"Aah! London sweet London!" Ron sang, taking in the fresh atmosphere, stretching out his arms.

"Hey! Watch it, young man!" said an old man from the plane's door, who was knocked from Ron's strong arms.

"Sorry, old man!" Ron retorted, earning him a glare from both the man and his girlfriend.

"Ron! You shouldn't have done that exactly on the front door. People want to walk out, you know!" Hermione told him.

"Aww, I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm just glad to be off this metal thing."

"Ron, you know how I love travelling by plane."

Ron whined but said nothing. He placed his hand on Hermione's waist and proceeded to check out.

They took a taxi back to their apartment where they lived together with Harry, since they felt too tired to apparate. There, they found a note:

I have a feeling you guys will be back today. We're at Remus'. Meet you there!

Harry.

Both Ron and Hermione had a quick lunch. Ron was in the shower when Hermione got an owl which was addressed to Ron. She opened and read it, before going to the bathroom's door and said, "Ron! You are needed at the office!"

Ron let out a groan and said, "O-kay."

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"I can see now that you're a new man, Sirius Black!"

"Hermione!!" Remus and Harry shouted in unison. They proceeded to hug the girl standing at the doorway.

"I didn't know you're back already. Where's Ron?" asked Harry.

"Oh, he's required in the office."

Sirius was still standing open-mouthed on his current spot. He was shocked to see the change in Hermione, the girl he had ever loved. He could not imagine the girl he knew could grew any more beautiful. She was wearing a soft pastel-purple dress, with her hair clipped on the top left, letting down her beautiful golden brown curls falling elegantly on her right shoulder.

Hermione grinned at Sirius, and ran up to him. She gave him another one of her brilliant smiles before embracing him. Sirius felt himself melting in her arms. He could feel his knees almost giving way and could not help noticing that he was tingling all over. It was only after Hermione spoke that he realised that he forgot to hug her back, which he quickly complied.

"I don't know how many questions Remus and Harry have bombarded you with, but we really need to talk."

"Yeah," he said with a slight disappointment as Hermione released him from the hug.

A/N: I'm sorry to disappoint the SB/HG fans. Have patience. There will be some SB/HG romance in the upcoming chapters.