Revised: 28 August 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 24: A Day in MuggleLand

It was late pass midnight. Sirius was lying on his godson's bed, with Crookshanks curling near his feet. Weirdly enough, that cat has been really fond of him, ever since he became Hermione's. Odd, really… but at the same time very pleasing… having a part of Hermione adoring him like that.

The orange cat was fast asleep as its body heaved up and down, in tuned with its breathing.

Sirius however was staring up at the ceiling. He was replaying the moments he shared with Hermione whilst his stay here. A muggle entertainment company would find him appealing with the way his face morphed into various expressions at different time intervals. Smiling, grinning, frowning, smirking, sneering…

Deciding what he had to do to get a successful sleep, he tiptoed into Hermione's bedroom. Her door was wide opened… so welcoming…

And there she was… looking peacefully asleep on her flowery bed. Apparently, she was reading a very thick book, entitled 'Discovery of the Discovered'. Sirius quirked his eyebrows. Weird titles these writers give.

But what surprised him was Hermione in glasses. He never saw her in one. He only saw them often on Harry, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Though hers was far more stylish. It was frameless, which suits her perfect face, making her looking sexily intellectual.

He smiled down at her, before taking the book off her hands as carefully as he could, not wanting to awake her. Having successfully done that, he breathed a sigh of relief. Next, came her glasses. She stirred a bit, but luckily did not wake up. He placed the two items onto the bedside table and resumed watching her face.

He had always loved to observe her while she's asleep… ever since… ever since those days…

He smiled yet again and gave her a light kiss on her nose, before saying, "Sweet dreams, love."

Hermione twitched her nose and smiled in her sleep. Smiling yet again, Sirius took the wand on the end table and pointed it at the lamp. With a quick incantation, the light went off with a 'poof'. He then walked quietly back into his own room, not resisting a last look on the woman he loved before completely stepping out.

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Sirius was making sandwiches, which he had mischievously dressed as faces. He could hear the shower running from Hermione's room.

After putting away a knife, he popped in various fruits into a muggle device called a 'blender' to make the drinks. Yes… in his stay, Hermione had taught him a lot on how to operate the muggle stuff around the house. It was fascinating, really. How these people work things out without magic.

Just as he was about to pour the blended mixture into a glass of ice, a tormented shriek came from Hermione's room.

"BLAAAAACK!!!!!"

Once he thought his ears were about done, the next thing he heard was feet stomping into his way. And there stood Hermione Jane Granger. If there was any rivalry between the most frightening person beside Voldermort at the moment, it was Hermione. She seemed to be breathing out fire, looking threateningly at him. And is that smoke coming out off her ears?

Finally, she held up a book, which he recognised as the one she was reading last night. Amazing how she could hold it up with just one hand.

Still looking menacing, Hermione walked dangerously towards him, making him gulped visibly.

"What is this? What. Is. This?!" she asked, poking her finger at the book.

Sirius was looking at her incredulously, but at the same time afraid to show that expression. What with the 'I'm-gonna-skin-you-alive' look she was giving him. He was thoroughly confused. He gulped again, before stuttering, "Umm… a-a book?"

Hermione sneered cruelly at him. "A book… an unmarked book," she repeated in a dangerously low tone.

Sirius was still looking confounded, trying to digest what she said.

"How could you… how could you leave my book… WITHOUT MARKING IT?!!!"

Sirius seemed to dawn onto something.

"Umm… is this also because of your monthly hyperactivity?"

"SHUT UP!! Here I am, trying to finish this book as soon as I can, and there you are… trying to blame on my WOMANHOOD!"

"I-I… I'm sorry."

"BLOODY SODDING FREAKING HELL, YOU'RE SORRY!! I'm gonna strangle you to death, you… you… you DOG!"

Sirius widened his eyes at her cursing. Being Ron's girlfriend might have influenced her to the 'bad side' a lot, it seems.

"Hermione! I said I'm sorry," pleaded Sirius.

"Sorry," she mimicked, "What do you suppose I should do now?"

"Umm… you can try searching it?"

Hermione grunted loudly, but Sirius knew that was just what she would do.

"Now, come on. Sit down. Eat your breakfast."

Hermione did, and snorted at her plate. "And what's this? A perfect expression to resemble my current state?"

The sandwich on her plate was one with a frowning face. Sirius groaned inwardly. Why must she sit on that one?

Placing the blended drinks onto the table, he muttered, "I suppose."

That only made Hermione glared at him, but she did eat the food nonetheless.

"Get ready after this. We're going shopping," Hermione said in a stern voice.

Sirius looked up cautiously across him to where Hermione was sitting. "I'm really sorry, you know. I didn't thought-"

"That's just it! You men never think before doing anything!"

"Well… it's your fault too, you know. You should have marked it when you know you're going to sleep," chided Sirius, in defence for his 'mankind'.

Hermione quietened, before rowing back, "Well you should have at least woken me up! What were you doing in my room, anyway?"

This caught Sirius red-handed. He wasn't expecting that question from her. Forcing down the urge to look flustered, he replied as casually as he could, "Well, uh… I was taking a drink in the kitchen. And your door was wide opened. I found you asleep with that book. So…"

"And you didn't wake me up." It wasn't a question, but a mere statement.

"Well, you were looking so peaceful that I didn't have the heart."

Despite her flushed face, Hermione said in a hard voice, "And you didn't mark my page."

"I'm sorry."

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Here they are, in a muggle bus. Sirius was sitting on the window seat, looking entranced at the world around him. This was in fact his second time out in Muggle London; first being to Hermione's parents' house. Other than that, he had apparated with the help of Remus. Remus had been very kind to lend him his wand at times.

Hermione on the other hand was sitting next to him, occasionally staring at him. Even being a pureblood wizard, he still had a good taste with Muggle fashion. He was clad in a light hazel-coloured V-neck shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Hermione recognized them as Harry's. She also noticed that his hair fell perfectly on his face. Apparently, he had trimmed his hair shorter, though still leaving it long enough to touch his shoulders.

As Hermione turned back to face the front of the bus, she saw a middle-aged woman eyeing Sirius who seemed totally oblivious to what was happening.

Soon, it was their stop. Sirius was looking like a little boy in a toy store. Luckily, he wasn't as exaggerated as Ron was when she first brought him out. Well… that is a different story.

"Hey! What's that?" asked an excited Sirius Black, who was pointing his finger across her face.

She followed his gaze and saw what made him looked so animated. "It's a funfair, Sirius."

"Fun-faere?"

"Yeah. It's a theme park, with outrageous rides and all."

"Rides?"

"Umm… yeah. You see those huge swinging things? Those are some of the ones the crazy people will ride on," Hermione explained nervously, knowing where this was getting to.

Sirius knew she was trying to give him a false impression of the place.

"Let's go!"

"Wha- NO!"

But it was too late, for Sirius was already dragging her.

"Sirius, no! I hate these rides!"

"Ah! I know you hate heights, Miss Granger, but c'mon! Be hospitable!"

"Be hospitable!" Hermione mimicked, in an annoyed tone.

Sirius then gave her his best puppy dog eyes which he knew she could never resist.

"FINE!! But if I die out of heart failure, please don't blame me!"

"Why would I blame you?" Sirius laughed.

Hermione paid for their entry and got both hers and Sirius' wrists to be stamped with a stupid blue-looking clown face.

"Which ride would you want to have a go first?" asked Hermione in a lazy voice as she examined her 'messed-up' wrist.

Sirius scanned the huge place to choose one as Hermione stood there silently praying. "That one!"

It was a roller coaster. One with huge, magnificent loops. "Oh dear Merlin," mumbled Hermione, looking like she was ready to pee.

"Oh, c'mon, Hermione! Nothing will go wrong when you're with me… You're not chicken aren't you?"

"I'M NOT A CHICKEN! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M HUMAN?!"

"Then go for it!" a passer-by urged.

Sirius sniggered.

"FINE!" huffed Hermione before muttering, "Oh! The things I do…"

They were now queuing for their turn when suddenly-

"Hermione? Hermione Granger? Is that you?"

Hermione turned to the male voice only to widen her eyes.

"Jeremy? Oh my god. Jeremy? Oh how lovely to see you!"

The two old friends hugged each other, laughing happily. Sirius could feel the sudden pang of jealously shot through him.

"I heard from Deanna you got engaged. Congratulations!"

"Thank you," said Hermione, flushing.

"Who's this?" the handsome young man nodded at Sirius.

"This is my guest, Sirius. And Sirius, this is Jeremy, my old Muggle friend."

"Muggle?" asked Jeremy.

"Uh, well… his second language call 'school' as 'muggle'," explained Hermione.

"Oh. And oh, yeah! This is Rachel, my girlfriend," he gestured to a girl who was blushing prettily.

"Hi," greeted Hermione sweetly.

Just then, the line was called in. Sirius sure felt relieved.

"Well, it was nice meeting you guys," Jeremy said.

"Yeah, you too," smiled Hermione. Sirius just smiled politely at the couple as they waved a goodbye.

Walking in, Sirius chose a couple seat, and soon enough, they were tucked in with the security handles. Hermione could feel her heart thudding furiously, whilst Sirius' eyes twinkled brightly. Soon, the ride took off.

Sirius was holding his belly. Pained, not from the ride, but from laughter. He just could not stop laughing. "God, Hermione. I don't think my ears are functioning anymore. Thanks to your screaming."

"Very funny!" scoffed Hermione.

"Huh? What's that?" Sirius asked, cupping his ear with his hand, before bursting out laughing right again. Soon enough, his laughter stop before Hermione heard him say, "Come on. Let's get on that one!"

"Aww… not that stupid lift!"

They spent a couple of hours at the fair until Hermione couldn't take it anymore. She was currently in the toilet, clearing her nauseous. Outside, Sirius was worried sick.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry, my ass!"

Sirius looked up at her cussing. The Hermione he knew long ago would never say such things. He sighed. Times changed. She had been really pissed with him today, but still had a lot of fun. He grinned at that thought.

As they walked out of the fair, Sirius asked in a concern voice, "Are you okay?"

"God damn right, I'm okay!"

"I'm sorry. Look, we'll go home if you're not feeling good, alright?"

"I'm fine! Come on, we need to get you a wand."

The shop was secluded amongst the other Muggle shops. It looked just as modernized as any other Muggle ones, only that Muggles will not be able to plot it.

"Good day, Sir… oh! And Miss," greeted an old man, as Sirius and Hermione walked in.

"Hello! We're here to get him a wand," said Hermione.

"Alright, I assumed you have used one before, haven't you, young man?" asked the old man jokingly.

Sirius blushed at being called 'young'. "Umm… yeah."

"What kind of wand is it?"

"Umm… it has a horntail's scale… and uh… 13 inches long."

"All right. That just makes it easier for me. It's hard work every time this place blast when a person tries out."

Sirius and Hermione smiled knowingly.

After a few moments, the old man came back holding a long, slender dark blue box. Taking the content out, he handed the wand to Sirius and urged him to try it out. Luckily for him, the wand beamed brightly as Sirius gave the wooden stick a swish, showing that it was the right wand for him.

Hermione paid the man as Sirius looked down ashamed.

"Mione, I need to get to Gringotts Bank."

"Okay, but not today, of course. Just take this as a gift from me. C'mon, we still need to do some grocery shopping."

"Thank you," muttered Sirius.

Sirius noticed many people staring at him, making him nervous. He knew he shouldn't be out here. It's not right.

Hermione on her part was at the same time proud and jealous as the many women passed by starring at her company. Even at his age, Sirius was quite the head-turner.

They finally entered the supermarket.

"Mya! You should have told me to bring a sweater."

"What for?" asked a confused Hermione Granger.

"This place is so bloody cold," replied Sirius, wrapping both his arms around himself.

"Oh, c'mon, Sirius. Don't be ridiculous."

They spent about half an hour doing rounds, selecting various foods into their trolley. Every now and then, Sirius would stop to ask Hermione questions about some of the products.

The plastic bags were so heavy that Hermione had to discreetly cast a weightless spell on them. But still, that didn't help them from feeling tired. They finally decided to apparate back home.

Hermione arrived first at the front door of her apartment. As she searched for her keys in her handbag, Sirius appeared next to her with a loud 'THUNK'.

"OWW!! My head!!" he rubbed his forehead furiously.

Hermione could only roll her eyes. "You ought to practise focussing your apparating points, Sirius."

A/N: Hahah! Jeremy and Rachel. Couldn't help it but to include them in my story. I love that guy. Well, if some of you are confused to who I'm talking about, it's the guy who played 'Peter Pan'. Anyway, hope you like this chapter. And now for my personal reviewers messages, alphabetical order.


Anja-69: Whoa! You really read all my chapters in 30 minutes? Wow! Did you take speed reading lessons? I'm impressed! Thank you so much for liking my story. And yeah… I'll try to see if I can still make Sirius… ahem… puncture Mione. ;)

Becki: Thank you for the help. And yeah… puncture… broken… these "girl-terms" is quite common with me too. Hihi!

Captain Oblivious: Oh god! Hahahah! I can't help imagining you giving Snuffles an aftershave bottle with that pink bow… hahahah!

dawn1: I already have a basic idea how Hermione will remember. 'Hooray' for me!

dejah: Hahah! Yeah… 'Oh the cleverness of me!' Hahah! I love Peter Pan too. Hope you like this chapter because of that one. ;)

dopey: Thank you :)

Gothamin: LOL! Hope you like Sirius' muggle-trip. And hey! Don't you DARE insult my ickle-Ronniekins. Or I'll have to give you a personal 'Avada Kedavra' curse. Muahahaha!!

Goth Princess: You really mean it? Wow! Thank you so much for loving my story. Hope it always makes you feel the same. :)

lanna1186: I know… hihi! Sirius is a masterpiece!

Padfootz-luvr: The sexual tension killing you? Oh no! I better hurry!

PsYcHoJo: Yeah… I'll make her remember as soon as the time comes :)

ShimmeringEvil: Thank you! :) And I will try to update quick.

soyamonkey: Thank you! :)

Spicysuga: I have! And just hope it will be a good way of her to remember back.

xBaByfOox: Thank you! :) Well, yeah… Sirius is twice Hermione's age. As for my story being linked to 'Falling Into Love'… you really think so? Well, I hope not, course I don't think it has anything to do it. Though, yes. I'm in love with that one. It's so well written. And in fact, I was inspired by that fic when I started this one. My fic is actually a typical time-turner fic, with a different perspective.