Revised: 28 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 13: Mystery Unveiled

One more day left, till Thursday. Ron and Hermione were out at work. Harry, who was free of work, joined Remus and Sirius over at the Burrow where most of the things were being prepared for the big day, which was coincidentally a public holiday.

Remus, Sirius, Harry and Ginny got themselves busy with the owls they received concerning the party.

"Harry! Come take a look at this one," called Ginny.

Harry,

Wow! A surprise party for our Head Girl? That's cool! But one problem though, Harry.
As usual as it sounds, I'm not too sure about the place. I've never been out to Muggle
London. How do I get there?

Your friend,

Neville Longbottom

Harry chuckled at the piece of parchment. He quickly penned a reply to his helpless friend. Arthur Weasley had arranged a portkey for most of the guests, where they will meet at the Burrow and leave together.

It was hours later, when Harry spotted his godfather. He was sitting out alone on the grass, beside a small pond, looking up at the sky which was illuminating the beautiful sunset, with birds flying here and there, probably going back to their respecting homes. The breeze even brought out the wonderful aroma of Mrs Weasley's just baked cookies.

Harry quietly took a seat beside his godfather, who seemed oblivious of his presence.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Hermione…" Sirius breathed out dreamily.

Harry eyes widened as he stared at his still oblivious godfather. "Hmm… so what about Hermione?"

"Wha-?"

"You said you were thinking about Hermione when I asked you."

Harry noticed the sudden horror look his godfather wore. "I-I did… not."

Harry raised an eyebrow at Sirius, giving him an 'I-know-what-I-heard' look. Sirius on his part felt himself trembling. I did not just say that! I did NOT just SAY that! Oh Merlin! What am I suppose to tell him?!

He was looking everywhere but Harry, who to him was giving him an 'I-dare-you-look-at-me' look. Oh, how he wished he could just disappear right then and there. Just then, he heard a heavy sigh on his left.

"Sirius, I've had enough of this puzzle. I want you to tell me everything," Harry said, pulling out a picture from his back pocket.

Sirius gave out a loud gasp. He felt immobilised at the sight of the picture. How the hell did that ended up with him?!

"I'm sorry I took this without you guys' permission. I was just shocked. And I don't think I'm wrong to say that this girl is none other than our Mione," he continued, pointing his index finger at the picture-Hermione.

Sirius tried to say something, but all that came out from his throat was a squeak. He tried to think of something, but his brain was refusing to co-operate with him.

"And before you think of lying to me, Sirius, please be aware that I've noticed the way you looked at Hermione and the way you treated my buddy, Ron… who I must say, had even noticed the same thing. And I don't think I'm wrong in saying that Remus is part of this too, considering he's in this picture. I've noticed the discreet communication between you two when I first found that album. Please Sirius, I need to know everything. I'm getting sick of seeing this picture, trying to figure things out by myself. AND the way you act around Mione is… Sigh! What are you and Mione doing down here? How did she get into this picture? I tried to ask Hermione about this, but… I don't know… I decided it's better to ask you first."

Sirius was stunned. He felt like a little boy, being caught red-handed in some horrible wrong-doing. At the same time, he felt relieved, knowing that Hermione have yet to find out about this.

"Sirius? Are you going to explain to me, or should I speak to Hermione and Ron about this?"

"NO!! No…"

Should I tell him? What will he think of me after knowing about it? He looked at his godson who was looking expectantly at him.

"Sirius?"

"OK! Okay… But you won't believe what I'm about to tell you."

"I'm all ears, Sirius."

Sirius sighed. "And please don't tell either Ron or Hermione about this. I don't want either of them to know."

So, Sirius went on with the story. From the day he first met her, how she got sorted into Gryffindor… how she became close with the Marauders… how they fell in love… how they parted… and finally the reasons of Hermione's oblivion about her journey back to the past.

"And you're telling me, Hermione doesn't know a molecule about this?" asked an incredulous Harry.

"Moly- what?"

"Molec- AH! She doesn't know anything about this?!"

"No… That's the point," Sirius looked down at his feet gloomily, "You have to promise me, Harry, Hermione should know nothing of this."

"Why not?"

Sirius went silent for a while. "Well, look at me. What would she think of me? It's painful enough with her not knowing about our relationship. I don't think I'll be able to bear it even more if she refused to even look at me. I still have feelings for her."

Harry grimaced at the mushy talk his godfather was giving him about his female friend. "You're right, Sirius. It won't look right. I don't want to ruin everything what Ron and Hermione have, too," he sighed. "You better keep this," giving the picture back to Sirius.

"So, how do you feel about Ron and Hermione?"

Sirius snorted. "I know I've not treated Ron as I should have. It's just… so unfair, what life's done to me. Hermione seems happy with Ron. That's all I really care about. But of course, I can't help it when my jealousy took over, can't I?" he sniggered weakly. "But as you always point out, I'm old. Why would Hermione even want to take a second look at me?"

Harry immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry, Sirius. I was just kidding those times."

"But it's true. Remus tried to push a lot of sense into me ever since your fourth year. When I first saw her in your third year, I'd thought I'd totally lost it… thinking that the Dementors really had their way with me throughout my 12 years in Azkaban. But no, it was really her!" Sirius said, with a nostalgic smile pasted on his face.

"There were times during you guys' stay at my house in your 5th year when I would nearly lose my control and just…" he trailed off, upon seeing the widened eyes his godson was giving him. He sighed again. "I'm sorry."

"You're right, Sirius. Please say no more. It's getting a little absurd now. Hearing my godfather having lustful intentions with my best friend, who's soon m-"

"HARRY!! SIRIUS!!" called Molly Weasley, "Get in! Dinner's ready and it's already dark outside!"

Once they had their dinner, Remus, Sirius and Harry apparated back to their respective houses, waiting for the big day tomorrow. Back in his room, in his apartment, Harry shook his head, not really believing what he heard. It was just preposterous! But it all fits. Poor Sirius… I can't imagine how he's feeling. He doesn't even know Ron's proposing her tomorrow…

A/N: ARGH!! I hate this! I HATE this! I can never bring an important scene as how I picture it in mind. Damn my English!

Rane2920072: Yes, I agree SPEW doesn't really make sense here. Hihi! I just want to show the Grangers as a wealthy family. Furthermore, Hermione doesn't really have problems when she knew Dobby was being paid working in Hogwarts. And yes, sadly, Hermione really did kill her step-sister. But it was an accident.

Satin Valkyrie: Heheh! Yeah… it's sad. But as I'd promised, I have a 'fair deal' for both Sirius and Ron in mind for this story.

PsYcHoJo: Thank you! And hopefully the party in the next chapter won't be a disappointment. I always suck when it comes to major scenes.

Angul-gurl: Ain't it? ;) That's what you get when you watch too much Hindi movies… Hahah!

Captain Oblivious: Cool name, nah, Megha? Heheh! I fell in love with it ever since I watched this Hindi (Bollywood) movie titled 'Mohabbatein'. The beautiful Aishwarya Rai was the actress who played her role. Ah! Why am I even telling you this?