A/N: Sorry took me quite a while to update this story. It was my first week at my Internship company. It is SO bloody tiring! Sometimes I just throw myself in bed once I reached home. If only I could apparate!

Revised: 28 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 20: Periodic Pendant

"What else did he say?" asked Hermione Granger.

Sirius pondered for a moment, looking slightly reluctant. "Well, nothing much. Told me they spotted Bella at a muggle spot, with three dead muggles."

"Your cousin?"

Sirius nodded, with a look of loathing on his face.

Throwing herself into an armchair, Hermione heaved a heavy sigh of relief. "I'm so tired…"

"You want a massage?"

"Hmm… that will do."

Walking up behind her armchair in his flimsy towel, Sirius began kneading her shoulders.

Hermione moaned at the touch. Little did she know that those little sounds she made affected Sirius in the most torturous and sweetest way.

"Oh… that feels so good…"

Sirius smiled, happy that he could make Hermione feel that way.

"What you made for dinner, Siri?"

Sirius stopped immediately. It was long ago when she last called him that. "Oh! So now I'm your cook?"

Hermione smirked. "Well, you always prepared the meals. So I assumed that you made tonight's dinner too."

"Hmph! Well… I made macaroni and cheese. That's okay?"

"Anything with cheese is okay with me."

Sirius smiled knowingly. He knew that fact very well.

Both of them walked together into the dining room, where the food was already placed.

"Umm… Sirius, you might want to change first. Not that I'm complaining."

He could feel his heart beating at those last words. She's flirting with me! She's FLIRTING with me! Ah! I love you, Merlin! Well… might as well I play along with it.

"Well, since you're not complaining, I would rather be in this state. The more exposed, the more cooler," he affirmed, fanning the wrapped towel on his waist, giving a bit more exposed skin to Hermione.

She widened her eyes at the sight. "Umm…" Note to self, 'never flirt with a Black'.

Taking the cover off his plate, Sirius watched Hermione from the corner of his eyes. He finally heard her sigh.

"God, Sirius. You would make fine money as a stripper," she muttered quietly.

"You're still on with me being jobless, aren't you?"

Hermione glared at him across the table, shoving spoonfuls of cheese-covered macaroni into her mouth. They ate in silence. It was not until 15 minutes later when Sirius decided to break it.

"Look, I see what the problem here is. I'll pay for my stay. I'm sorry for being a burden these last few days."

Hermione looked up from her food, apparently taken aback.

"It's not the money. I've no problem with you staying here. But you're still be by yourself most of the time. I'm always at work."

"There's still Crookshanks."

"Fine. You know, I think I'll teach you how to use the telephone properly, later. You can just call me up if you need anything."

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It was about 9.30 at night when Sirius found Hermione on the couch. Her hand laid limply on top of a sleeping Crookshanks. The 'telli-fishyen' set was still on, showing some muggle game show.

Sirius tip-toed in front of her, trying hard not to make a sound. She was slouching, eye closed and breathing evenly. Sirius gazed at the sleeping angel in front of him. How could someone be so beautiful?

He remembered Harry showing him a photo album consisting of his friends, and of course, James and Lily. But most of all, it was her… She looked so cute. What with that bucked tooth and bushy wild hair, smiling intelligently among her two best friends. Now, she's a beauty. A damsel. So perfect.

Quietly sitting on the ground in front of the couch, Sirius ran his eyes all over her sleeping form. He loved her hands the most. They're so delicate, so fragile... so elegant. A shining white bracelet was covering her slender wrist, and of course… the ring. The engagement ring. Sirius rolled his eyes at it. I could have bought her a more gorgeous one than that!

Finding himself frowning, Sirius left his eyes from her hands. He was now admiring her neck. He noticed something shimmering around it. Squinting his eyes, he tried squatting quietly, trying to get a closer look.

It was the necklace. The necklace he gave for her birthday. Its pendant was glittering, thanks to the light the TV set was emitting.

Sirius sat back down on the ground. He still remember that day very well…

..:: Flashback ::..

It was Hogsmeade weekend. Students were scurrying here and there at the snow-covered village.

Hand-in-hand, Sirius and Hermione walked pass the many shops that were filled with people buying Christmas presents.

They went into several shops, though only window shopping. After coming out from Sirius' favourite store; 'Zonko's', Hermione dragged him in front of a jewellery store. There were a lot of expensive beautiful accessories placed in the showcase. She then pointed to a beautiful ornament, which was glittering brightly. Sirius had to admit, it was rather gorgeous.

Suddenly, an old man, probably the salesman came up and invited the couple in. He cautiously took the ornament Hermione pointed out earlier and began explaining its rarity.

"This, my child, is called an 'Epoch'. It's a very special thing."

He then held the ornament with both hands, when suddenly, the ornament broke in two parts. Hermione gasped and looked accusingly at the man. The man just smiled at her.

"This thing is commonly kept by two people; one for each part. Once joined, the two persons will be transported back to their most memorable day with each other."

Hermione, being the brilliant and curious witch she was, began asking more questions. "How will it bring us back to our own time?"

"Oh. That's easy. Just join back the pendants again."

"Then, won't it change… mess with time?"

The old man laughed and said, "No, my child. Epoch only replays a moment. Time is not at risk with it.., unlike the time turner."

Sirius saw Hermione flinched, but decided to dismiss it. He went on asking the old man the price.

"Oh, it's 60 galleons, my boy."

"I'll take it."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest. It was too expensive. 60 galleons? That's as much as 300 pounds in muggle money!

"Mya, just take it as an early Christmas present from me."

"But Sirius, it's 60 galleons! Not knuts!"

The old man came back with a new elegant looking box. He opened it to show them its contents. "It's packed with its necklaces and all. Here's also a manual if you need any help," showing them a piece of parchment.

After paying the money, the old man waved them a goodbye. "Thank you, and please do come again. Happy Christmas!"

"Yeah right, we'll come again…" grumbled Hermione as they walked away.

..:: End of Flashback ::..

Sirius looked up sadly at Hermione's still sleeping face. He had found her necklace in an envelope addressed to him, two days after she left him 27 years ago.

Sirius dug his hand inside his pocket and pulled out his own piece of necklace. He looked at his pendant and then at Hermione's.

Not really realising what he was doing, Sirius leaned in slowly and tried to take Hermione's pendant in his hands. The two pendants glowed as they came nearer to each other.

Just then, Hermione stirred awake. She looked a bit startled at seeing Sirius that close, but at the same time… there was something else in her eyes. Was that… love? Longing?

She swiftly shook her head upon realising she was starring at him, as if to clear her thoughts. She looked up again at Sirius, this time looking thoughtful, and somewhat bewildered.

"I just had the most weirdest dream of my life!"

A/N: Thank you so much, oh my so wonderful reviewers!

Anna-Nanna: Hahah! Yeah, I pretty much laughed at my own line when I put Remus and Harry 'screaming like girls, huddling each other'… heheh!

Annie-2007: I'll try to update as fast as I can.

Arwen-Georgie-Skye: Heheh! Do I know who she's going to end up with? Hmm… let's see… erm… uh… erm…

Becki: Yeah! WHOOP! If only I made Hermione's hand itchy and grab hold of that damn towel! ;)

Captain Oblivious: I wonder how you can picture Sirius in the form of a mere vegetable…

dawn1: Heheh! As for the last chapter, I didn't really think it was kind of a 'cliff-hanger'… though good if it makes it that way ;)

dejah: Ooo! You're from S'pore too? Great! I agree that ships like these are of fandom. If people object to them, then that's their problem. And thanx for the compliments! :)

fuzzfurry: I'm trying my best to update fast. But even when I'm free, sometimes my ideas just went to 0.

Geeky Blue Strawberry: Thank you for liking my writing. Keep up with the story to see what happens…

Gryffindork: Thank you so much for the compliments. Hope you'll like the rest of the chapters.

hillary: Thanks! Glad you like it. Well, actually if you register with , you can add me to your 'Author Alert' list to get emails whenever I update my story.

lanna1186: Yeah! I love to see Sirius in that short towel too. A very damp and wet Sirius, to be precise!

Little Piru: You love it? Thank you! Hope you like the rest of the story.

made-up name: I'll try to do that with Ginny and Harry ;)

meenyrocks: Hope you like this chapter.

mistyqueen: Thanks for liking the previous chapter. :)

Nausicaa-mione: :) Thank you.

PsYcHoJo: Heheh! I'll try to make more scenes where you guys can envision a more sexy Sirius Black. ;)

Raclswt: Glad you like the last chapter :)

Rane2920072: I'll find my way to get them together… :)

Tigereyes92389: Haha! Thank you. I'll try my best to make time for this story.