A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer, Padfootz-luvr. Hope you like it!

Revised: 28 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 18: Taking Up The Opportunity

Opening the door, she instantly shot her question, "What are you doing here? Is something wrong with Remus?"

"Umm… can I come in first?"

Hermione gave him a look before making way for him. She was still waiting for his answer when he turned around saying, "Hermione, do you mind me staying here for the night?"

Hermione gulped. Stay here? Alone? With him? With a supposedly I-come-from-the-dead man?

"Uh, since you're already here, why not?"

"I'm sorry for the sudden appearance," taking a seat in an armchair, "it's just that, I don't like staying alone in a house. Figuring that you would be feeling the same way, I decided to come here. You don't mind, do you?"

Hermione smiled, shaking her head in response, though she actually did. She felt slightly uncomfortable. What with him being her secret crush and all…

"Where did Remus go?"

"I don't know. He said he's meeting some of the others."

Hermione didn't question him further. She knew what he meant by the 'others'.

In truth, Sirius lied. Sirius had told Remus that he wanted to stay with Hermione for a while. That earned him a long lecture from his werewolf friend. He had left him before his transformation. So factually, his other real reason was to get away from their fight.

"Did he take his potion?"

"Yes, he did," Sirius said in a stern voice.

Hermione looked oddly at the man sitting five feet away from her. "You want some drink or something? If not, I'm off to bed. I have to rush to the office tomorrow morning."

"No, thanks. I'm really tired too. I think I'm just going to sleep now."

"You're not sleeping on the couch, are you? Go take Harry's room."

Later that night, Sirius found he could not sleep a wink. Why was he doing this? It's insane! Darn right he is one crazy lover. One side of his mind was telling him that this is wrong. Terribly wrong! He shouldn't be taking advantage of her, while the other side of his mind was telling him that this was his chance to be alone with the love of his life. Maybe, even win her heart… back.

His thoughts were suddenly disarrayed by a moaning sound from the opposite room. He walked out slowly, and peered open Hermione's door. She was tangled in her blanket, tossing her head left and right furiously. She was mumbling something.

Getting bold, Sirius walked into her room. Nearing the trashing body, he could finally hear the words, "Megha…"

That name. I remember that name. Yeah… Lily once told me about her nightmares in the dormitories. Mione always mutter that name in her nightmares.

Squatting down beside her bed, Sirius wiped her perspiring forehead. "Shh… It's alright. I'm here, love." Stroking her hair, Sirius continued whispering soothing words to her until she finally quietened down. He bent down, contemplating which part of her face he should kiss, though his eyes only focused on those perfect lips. He finally made his mind and kissed her forehead, for he knew he still hasn't the right to kiss her on the lips.

Sighing, he quietly went back to his room, finally finding his sleep.

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Gasping at a bludger being hit on his stomach, Sirius shot opened his eyes. It was Crookshanks, Hermione's cat.

"Oh! It's you, Crookie!"

The cat gave him one of his looks before jumping back down, with its tail high up, not bothering to look back. What's with humans and their nicknames, anyways?

He went out from his room, and peeped into Hermione's. Her bed was already made. Expecting to find her in the kitchen, Sirius could only find a note. Smiling at the familiar handwriting, the note read:

I've made toasts. You can find them in the oven. It's the big white box on the cabinet. And please don't forget to lock back the door when you go off.

Hermione

Sirius snorted. He's definitely not going back to Remus!

Fiddling with the oven, he finally found a small label 'OPEN' on one of the buttons. Cautiously pushing it, the oven door finally clicked open. Taking the toast on the plate, he sat down in the living room.

Having finished his meal and feeling totally bored, he started looking around the house, particularly Hermione's room. He hadn't really got to look at it last night. He snorted upon seeing at the tall shelf of books. Typical!

Finally sitting on the edge of her bed, Sirius ran his fingers along her pillows and mattress. So this is where Hermione sleeps. He smiled at the thought. Moving his head, his eyes caught a photo frame of Ron and Hermione on the bedside table. He quickly ducked his hand back from the bed and stood up to leave the room.

It was 5.30 in the evening. Sirius decided to make her dinner. It was not until two hours later when Hermione came home, just nice as the last dish was being placed on the table.

She was surprised to see him still being there. Looking nervous, Sirius finally said, "Actually Hermione… Remus and I had a fall out. And umm… I really hate to live alone at Grimmauld."

Seeing his puppy-dog face, she gave out a chuckle. "It's fine. I really love the company. Also, I can talk to Remus, if you want me to."

"No need."

Hermione shrugged. She suddenly gave out a gasp when Sirius led her to the dining room.

"You made all these?"

Starring in awe at the food and finally the lit candle, she turned to give him a questioning look. It was a rather sexy look in Sirius' opinion.

"Just to set the mood."

"What mood?"

"Uh… okay, Mione. I'll blow it out if you don't want it."

He was about to blow off the candle when he heard her chortled. "I was just kidding, Sirius! Honestly!"

Together, they had a candlelight dinner, with Hermione complimenting him every now and then about his cooking. Wonder if he's the one who taught Harry how to cook…

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She was full. Too full, in fact. She sat there on the couch with Sirius, almost slouching.

Sirius was a real good cook. So perfect! Perfect cooking, perfect voice… perfect body… Sigh!

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you thinking about?"

She quickly blushed, thanking the dim room for hiding her face. "Nothing."

They sat there in silence, listening to the faint music from the stereo.

"Mya?"

Hermione turned to look questioningly at him, still quite irked at the nickname.

"Do you want to hear a story?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows in amusement, finally shrugging.

"Okay…" Snuggling closer to her on the couch, Sirius began.

"Once upon a time, there was this very handsome young boy. Many girls were crazy about him. He went out with almost all of them, making him a well known… playboy of the school. One day, an angel came. She was beautiful! This boy instantly got attracted to her, but he soon found out that neither of his charms worked on her. She was different… Just… different."

"This boy finally sees her as something worthy. He had never felt that way about anyone before. It took great difficulty and time till the angel finally fall into his arms. They became so much in love. In the process, the angel changed the boy's attitude towards girls. She just… changed him into a different person all together…"

Hermione watched as his face changed to a sad nostalgic look.

"Then one day… the angel left. Left for no apparent reason, leaving the boy devastated. He had never fall in love with any other girl after that. But as time passed by, the boy, now a man, finally understood the angel he fell in love with, was actually a girl from the future."

At this point, Hermione's eyebrows shot up, looking utterly amused.

"It was years later after her departure when the man met his angel again. She was still the beautiful young woman he knew. But what hurt him was that… she could not recognize him. She was even in love with another man from her own time…"

"So… what happened to the boy?"

Sirius gave her a breathy smile. "I don't know…"

Hermione snickered. "Where ever did you come out with such a story?"

Sirius gazed down at his angel in the eye, and smirked, "Just… a thing that passed my twisted mind."

Hermione giggled softly. She finally gave a yawn. "I'm beat. Goodnight, Sirius."

"Were you bored with my story?"

"No!" she chuckled. "But I must say, you do give very inventive bedtime stories. You'll make a good father."

She left the room, leaving Sirius sitting there alone… debating whether to be insulted or complimented by her comment. He decided the latter for he realised he had a smile pasted on his face.

A/N: This Monday will be the end of my holidays. It may take a long time for my updates. I'm starting my Internship programme. Anyways, hope you'll like the chappie!