Revised: 28 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 17: Departing Aurors

She hates it. She simply hates it when they were sent to dangerous missions. Even after returning safely from numerous successful missions, she still has that ghastly feeling that she won't be able to see them again.

Back in the other room, Harry was making last minute checks. He knew that he would be getting visitors that morning, because of the owls he had sent last night. They would probably come to see both Ron and him off, and give the usual 'good luck' wishes.

Just then, the doorbell rang, signalling his first visitor. He walked out from his room to see his two best friends in an embrace, with Hermione crying her hearts out, and Ron trying to soothe her down. He looked at Harry and nodded at him to the door, telling him to open the door himself.

It was Ginny and her parents. All the three of them had a concern look pasted on their faces.

"You're all packed, Harry?"

"Yes, Mr Weasley."

"Good."

Just as he said that, Mrs Weasley threw herself at him, just like Hermione did to both Ron and himself last night. He could feel his shirt getting wet from her tears. This happens every time that Harry would be surprised if they hadn't.

The entrance door was still left ajar when Remus and Sirius came. Molly let Harry go upon seeing his other visitors' arrival.

"Scared, Harry?" asked Remus, who looked a bit tormented. Harry could not really place the actual cause; whether it was about his mission or because of the full moon tonight.

Harry smiled and just raised his eyebrows in response. Sirius took his cue in hugging his godson.

"Take good care of yourself, Harry."

"Sure, Sirius. You too."

Looking over his shoulder, Harry saw a bright blue head at his doorstep. It was Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius' niece.

"Hey, Tonks!"

"Hey, you back, Auror," giving the bespectacled man a salute, making Harry chuckled.

"You know, Harry, you should have followed my footsteps when you joined the Aurors. I had always requested for domestic missions."

Harry smiled at the woman. "I know. Sad I hadn't, isn't it?" he said teasingly. Tonks just gave him a playful glare.

His visitors stayed in the apartment till the time he was supposed to depart. Upon 3.15, Harry knocked on his flatmate's door.

"Oy! Are you two done with your snogfest? We better get going, Ron."

The door slowly opened, revealing Hermione with bloodshot eyes. Tears still lingering down her small face. Ron, Harry noticed, had tears in his eyes too.

"Don't worry, Mione. We will take care of each other, like we usually do," Harry assured.

Hermione nodded, wiping her tear-stained face.

"Yeah. I'm so stupid. You guys are one of the best Aurors in your league. All these because… you two are my best boys. I love you guys so much!" hugging her best friends for the last time. "You better go. I don't want you to be late because of me."

Walking back to the living room where his guests were waiting, Harry stood looking around his house. Mrs Weasley was still weeping when Ginny stood up, walking slowly up to him, clutching a single sunflower, his favourite. Funny that he had such a liking, though he convinced himself that that definitely did not make him sissy.

Ginny looked down at her feet before handing the flower to him. Faint pink apparent on her freckled cheeks. "Good luck, Harry. I know you will succeed." With that, she leant in and gave him a peck on the cheek. He could feel the knowing look his guests and friends shot him, for he too felt his face growing hot. The young blushing 19-year-old girl turned around and walked over to her brother.

A grinning Remus gave him another hug, "You better owl us often. And go back quickly. You don't want making a red-haired girl heartbroken, don't you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You can bet on that, my dear old ex-professor. And don't forget to drink up your potion."

"Don't worry, my boy. Mione would do the job giving last minute reminders for me."

They were nearing the door when Sirius gave Harry his final hug, while Mr Weasley summoned their luggage. Sirius heaved a sigh upon watching his 20 year old godson.

"Sirius, we have done this many times. This is just another passing one. There will be many more to come."

Sirius nodded, patting his godson's back. "I returned to this world just about three months back. I'm worried I won't get to use this chance to see you any longer than that."

"Don't worry. I'm the boy-who-lived," Harry winked.

Smiling, Sirius finally turned around to face, none other than Ron Weasley. Putting a smile on his face, he said, "You take care of yourself too, Ron."

Ron looked at Sirius slightly perplexed. Looking up at the tall Weasley, Sirius continued, "I'm aware of my behaviour towards you. Just don't take it to heart. I just have not been myself lately."

Ron, being the nice person he is, smiled, placing a hand on his best friend's godfather's shoulder. "It's okay, Sirius. And… umm… while I'm gone, could you please take care of Mione for me?"

Sirius darted his head back up at the redhead, looking somewhat startled.

"Not that she's not independent or anything. But sometimes, she needs support."

Sirius could only nod in response. For a minute, he was terrified that Ron knew about his 'secret'. Cornering his godson when everybody else was distracted, Harry swore to him that he hadn't told a soul.

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Hermione sat alone in the dining room, munching her food lazily. It was only seven hours after the departure of her best friends, and she was already missing them. She couldn't wait to receive mails from them.

She was suddenly brought out from her reverie when an orange fluffball jumped in front of her. Petting the cat sitting on the table, she said, "At least I still have you, oh dearest Crookshy."

The cat grunted, not liking the nickname.

The doorbell rang. Who could that be? 11 o'clock, in the middle of the night? Hermione began to worry. What if there's Deatheaters outside? She was terribly alone with no Ron or Harry for protection.

Taking her wand, she walked cautiously to the door and muttered, "Visiblo." The wooden door slowly faded, revealing her unexpected visitor standing outside, apparently jigging to the music the doorbell was creating.

"Sirius?"

A/N: I don't know why I even write this chapter. It's so… pointless!