A/N: Aah! I'm never good with conversations during 1-to-1 meetings. Bear with me! And whoa! Talking about that, I'm going to have my school's attachment's interview (SIP) soon… I'm so nervous! I hate interviews!!

Revised: 27 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 6: Flat Screen TV? Or wizard's photo?

Anxious? Nervous? No… TERRIFIED! That's what Sirius Black is feeling right now. He was trying to fix his shoulder-length hair with some charm, but it appeared that the effects seemed to be useless.

"Sirius, you're 44 years old! Act like one!" scolded his friend.

"Shut up, Moony!"

"Hmph!! Fine!"

After what appeared to be like hours, Sirius turned to his friend. "So, how do I look?"

Remus rolled his eyes and said, "Good." It was a remark which made Sirius too rolled his eyes.

"Okay, I'm off…"

"You sure you know where the apartment is, don't you?"

"Yeah, of course. Harry gave me the address. I'm going to apparate there, anyway. Okay then, see you later."

"Have fun!"

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The doorbell rang.

"That must be Sirius," Hermione told herself.

She went to the door, but stopped to fix herself before opening it. Instantly, she gave him a bright smile, which again made his knees go weak, that he unconsciously held the doorframe for support. She was wearing a pair of slacks and a light grey sweater with a big 'H' stitched on it. Probably Molly's Christmas' present. She had its sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and had her hair tied up in a high lazy knot that made some fringe fell down on her face, which to Sirius, looked perfect on her.

"Come in. Make yourself at home."

Sirius took a seat in the living room.

"What would you have, coffee, tea.., or would you like to try some muggle soda?"

"What's that?"

"Umm, it's a muggle drink. It's called Coca Cola. I'm sure you'll like it." With that, Hermione disappeared into the kitchen.

Sirius took the time to let his eyes wander around the room. So this is how a modern muggle apartment looked like. He heard from Harry that Hermione was the one who insisted on doing the home deco. Finally, his eyes set on a large piece of silver… thing, which was attached to the wall. It was currently showing a couple snogging senselessly in the sunset. He gulped, and unconsciously squirmed in his seat, taking great notice that he and Hermione were the only ones in the house.

Hermione came in with a tray of cookies and drinks.

"Help yourself."

Sitting in an armchair beside Sirius, Hermione finally took a good look at her guest.

"You look goooood!"

'Of course! People didn't call me a 'Hogwarts' God' for nothing, you know,' he thought proudly. That coming from the love of his life, made him swell with pride. Of course he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he just blushed and muttered a 'thank you'.

He took a sip of his drink nervously, and soon found that it was rather… an interesting drink. It bubbles down your throat, and undeniably tasted great. Weird creatures these muggles are…

"Taste gooooood!"

Hermione grinned. "Told ya! Ron has been addicted to it ever since."

Sirius gave her a small quick smile. That name just had to come out, mustn't it? He looked around again, feeling a little awkward. He turned to look behind him to see several picture frames arranged neatly on a shelf. Most were of Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were together a mixture of both wizards' and muggles' photos. He averted his eyes quickly whenever they caught sight of those with only Ron and Hermione in it. There were two other larger ones that hanged on the wall which didn't move, and were totally black and white.

Hermione followed his gaze.

"Well, I somehow still prefer muggle pictures. They're more artistic… more abstract, if you asked me. That's why when we bought this apartment, I took the interior decoration in my own hands. I like muggles' way of living.., which fortunately the guys didn't mind."

Sirius smiled and said, "Then I must compliment you on your good taste."

Hermione blushed and muttered back a 'thank you'.

Sirius eyes then landed back on that rectangular silver thing in front of them, which to his horror, was now showing the same couple, but half nude, snogging senselessly on a bed! Hermione's eyes widened and quickly took the remote to switch it off. She gave out a lame mumble, "Erm… heheh!"

The both of them looked everywhere but each other, feeling the awkwardness between them grew stronger and stronger.

It was Hermione who broke the silence. "That's how afternoon programs are… always some pathetic romance rubbish." She said all these without looking at Sirius. He did not understand what she meant by 'programs', but just sat there looking at her, smiling mischievously.

Hermione finally dared a glance at Sirius, and was terrified to see his mischievous look. She knew she must have looked like a tomato head in that instant.

"Argh! Anyway!" she said aloud which startled Sirius. "I asked you to come here to talk to you more about the Veil. There're still some discoveries I would like to make."

Sirius' heart dropped a bit. He knew the reason she called him over, but he honestly didn't come here to talk about it. 'Who cares?!' his inner mind told him, 'You're alone with her. That's all you need. Just listening to her is good enough.'

So they spent the rest of the time chatting about the Veil. All the while, Sirius would make jokes which made her laugh; a special melody which Sirius missed terribly. He would also note her familiar gestures like she did 27 years ago. Like for instance, absent-mindedly brushing off the strand of hair from her face, but still making it look elegantly graceful, what with her delicate fingers, which he used to love holding. Sirius secretly had a fetish for hands.

He was really enjoying his time with Hermione, though he did notice 'a big something' was missing.

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It was at 4 o'clock when both Harry and Ron returned. Both looking worn.

"Hey, Siri! Still here?"

"What's with the nickname, Harry? And yes. I'm still here. I thought that would be apparent."

"Well, your name has 3 syllables. I'm lazy to pronounce all of them."

"There's still 'Padfoot' and 'Snuffles'…" offered Sirius.

"Nah! I still prefer 'Siri'. And I heard from Remus that your girlfriends at school used to love calling you that."

Sirius tensed for a bit. He made a quick glance at Hermione who was giggling at the conversation between the godfather and godson. Ron was smirking while sitting on the armrest of her chair.

"Why, Harry? You want to be Sirius' girlfriend too?" Hermione teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Ugh! Mione!! Don't remind me!!" yelled Harry, who then stormed off into the bathroom.

Ron and Hermione burst out laughing, not noticing Sirius looking at Hermione perplexed.

A/N:I think this is an improvement for myself. Too bad if you guys don't agree. Though yes, I'm still not satisfied with the conversation between Hermione and Sirius. Though I like my ending. Sirius getting the wrong idea… somehow or rather.