Revised: 28 August 2004
The Future Awaits
Chapter 26: Paying Visits
Sirius awoke with a jerk, to the sound of a loud barking animal. Since when does this house have a dog? Well- besides me?
With sleepy eyes, he scanned the whole room, only to find Hermione's pet looking strangely at him by the door, swaying his furry orange tail lazily on the floor.
The barking sound became louder now that he felt more awake. Turning into the direction of the noise, he saw a tiny black dog barking furiously at him. Raising his eyebrows, he greeted the creature, "Well, hello there, little fella. What's that you go- AH!!"
He leaped from his bed as a sharp object poked him on the butt. It was the Epoch. He picked the pendant with one hand, as the other rubbed the sore skin. Yawning, he kept the necklace into the bedside table's drawer, which was already full with Harry's stuff.
The miniature was still barking loudly as Sirius let out a frustrated growl. He did not even know how it got there. "Oh! Shut up, you little piece of twit!"
As he swung his fist to shove the 'pest' off, his eyes caught sight of the parchment underneath it. Furrowing his eyebrows, he took the parchment into his hands as the miniature stopped its barking, though now wagging its tail furiously, looking at him as though expectant.
His face withdrew a broad smile as he ran through the letter. "Shit! I love her!"
Folding the letter, he noticed the miniature was nowhere to be seen on the table. It was then when a growl was heard below him. Crookshanks was gnawing on the poor whimpering object. "Good thing I'm not that tiny."
Fresh from a morning bath, Sirius slipped into some clean clothes belonging to Harry. Stretching himself out, he said out loud, "Ah! Peace and quiet."
Just as it was on cue, a loud ringing sound pierced the silent room. His shoulders sagged in defeat. "I spoke too soon."
Picking up the receiver of the wall, he greeted in a half cheery voice, "Hello?"
It was Hermione, making him smile.
"I got your letter. Apology accepted… except for the rendezvous with mini-Padfoot."
Hermione chuckled on the other line. "I'm sorry. I just thought it makes a good substitute as a wake-up call."
Sirius tutted, but grinned nonetheless.
"Well, actually that's not what I called for. I took a half-day leave to visit Remus and Tonks today. I'm wondering if you'd like to come with me, since I can't make it on Tuesday."
He could have banged his head on the hard wall. How could I forget Remus going off to Arizona tomorrow?!
"Yeah, that'd be great, Mione. I'll wait for you here."
With his new wand, he muttered the visibility spell he learnt from her on the door. And sure enough, it was Hermione Granger herself.
"You don't mind if I get a little bit of rest first, do you, darling?"
Sirius raised his eyebrows at her. "Umm… sure. I've yet to get dressed, anyway."
As Hermione took off her cloak and bag, Sirius went inside the kitchen to make her a cold drink. Once he stepped back into the living room, Hermione was already sitting on the armchair, with her eyes closed. He could only shake his head at her. She's such a workaholic!
"Here. You need some refreshment."
"Oh, thank you."
"Uh, Hermione… I was thinking of staying the night at Remus, today."
Hermione gave a snorted smile as she took a sip of her drink. "I'd know you'd wanted that. He's your best friend, after all. Of course you're free to do so. I'm not 'prisoning' you, aren't I?"
Even though it had been seven years since Azkaban happened, he could not help but flinched at the word. Hermione must have seen his movement, since she muttered a quick apology.
Sirius gave a small smile back in return, before saying, "I'll come back here tomorrow."
As he looked back up to meet her in the eye, he found her starring at him. "Mione?"
That seemed to break her trance.
"Huh?"
"You seemed quite lost there," he snickered softly.
"Oh." She looked down at her hands, before looking back up again. "Sirius, can I see your Epoch?"
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Did he hear her right? "W-What?"
"Your Epoch. I saw it this morning when I placed that letter."
She could see the horror and disbelieve plastered on his face, only to strengthen her suspicion. But at the same time making her confused at his reaction.
"Sirius, were you the one who gave me that Epoch?"
He gulped at that question. What was he supposed to tell her? He knew this would happen one day. But why now?
"Sirius?"
"W-Well… yes. I'm the one who gave it to you," he smiled nervously at her.
Hermione gave a nod and continued starring at him, scrutinizing his face. Why does he look so nervous about it?
"Sirius, are you alright? You look… shaky."
Sirius let out a nervous laugh. "Shaky? Nah! C'mon, let's get going."
Hermione shrugged to herself as Sirius went in, and proceeded into her own room to change.
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"Hey! This is a surprise."
"Hey, Nymphadora," greeted Sirius, grinning mischievously.
Tonks scowled at him.
"What? If dear old Remmy can call you that, why can't I? Your own uncle?!"
Hermione looked at the pair, confused. Tonks was flushing, and rolling her eyes at Sirius.
"If you came here just to vex me, Uncle Black, please kindly leave!"
"Whoa! Not very hospitable, huh? Fine. I'm sorry."
The three of them chatted as Sirius continued giving Tonks teasing looks and comments.
"Tonks, I thought you said you applied for domestic missions only. How come you're accepting this one, then?"
Before the pink-haired woman could mutter an answer, Sirius intervened, saying, "You see Hermione, a certain werewolf was asked to this dangerous mission. So this certain metamorphmagus could not help but to agree, just to be with him during full moons, to have moonlight dinners with."
"Shut up, you dog!" shouted the now pink-faced Tonks, throwing a cookie at him. "And for your information, it's not a dangerous mission, as you dramatically put it. It's just Dumbledore's orders to do some work there."
"Same thing," muttered Sirius who was still chortling at his own joke.
Around two and a half past three, both Sirius and Hermione bid their goodbyes to Tonks.
"We'll be seeing each other again tomorrow, sweetheart. I'll be at Remus'."
"Fascinating," mumbled Tonks.
"Aah!!!" screeched a terrified Remus Lupin. He looked at the two figures standing in front of him before yelling, "Guys! I could have been naked in here!"
"Well, hi to you too, Remus," said Hermione, as she took a seat in an armchair. Apparently, Remus was reading the Daily Prophets which was at the moment ruffled underneath the couch.
"Why would you be naked in your living room, Moony?"
"Well, seeing that I'm alone here, I'd thought I'd be free to walk nude wherever I want to!" the werewolf spat back.
Hermione blushed at the two bickering men whom she had both crushes with. Neither seemed to realise there's a woman in the room.
"Well, I'd advise you to stop the habit, mate. You don't want Nymphadora to catch you unclothed when she apparates here tomorrow, don't you? Not that she'd complain anyway."
Remus quickly quietened, the blood rushing up his neck barely visible. "Oh, lay off, Black!"
As Sirius took a seat in an armchair across Hermione, Hermione said, "We just came back from Tonks'. I figured today is the only day I can apply for leave to visit you guys before you go off."
Remus smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks, Hermione."
"Well, mate, I hope you don't mind I spend the night here tonight," Sirius said, earning him a questioning look from Remus that said 'Did-you-and-Hermione-fight?'
It was Hermione however who answered the unsaid question, "Well, Sirius just thought he would like to be with his best friend before missing him."
Remus smiled again at her, making Sirius slightly envious. He still remembered Remus telling him a few months back, how he did had a crush on his Hermione.
"Well, what do you say, Moony?" Sirius asked, glaring slightly at his friend.
Remus however seemed oblivious to his jealous-struck friend. Instead, he looked even more grateful at him. "Of course, Padfoot. I'd be more happy with the company."
The three of them chatted, stopping now and then to drink their mango juice which Remus had conjured.
"I don't know if you guys were told about this already. But Padfoot, the Order has come to a decision to announce your return to the public. I think they will be organizing a meeting with you soon."
Sirius could only nod. He was at the same time excited, nervous and angry to finally become a freeman. Angry because he could not believe these people discussed his life without him knowing. It was as if they controlled his life and death. Excited because he could finally be out from hiding, and nervous because he was still not sure of the outcome; people's reactions, and if this would put him into anymore danger than it is.
They chatted for a while more until Hermione stood up, informing them she wanted to head home.
"Here, Sirius. I'd duplicated the house key for you. I'd probably be at work once you get back."
Sirius reddened as their hands brushed each other while taking the bronze key from her. He could not see Hermione's expressions though, since her hair was covering her face.
Clearing her throat, Hermione said, "Well, see you tomorrow, and good luck, Remus." She proceeded to hug her ex-professor in an 'I'm-gonna-miss-you' way. Once she broke the hug, Hermione waved the two Marauders a farewell before disappearing with a 'crack'.
Remus was still waving his hand to the now empty space, but stopped abruptly as he realised what he was doing.
Turning to face his old friend, he was only met with a glaring, smoke-huffing man.
"What?"
A/N: I know not much happening in this one. But I just had to include this chapter for future reasons.
Thank all my reviewers:
dawn1, Spicysuga, the girl at the rockshow, miriel216, Anja-69, Angul-gurl, SnapesMistress005, meenyrocks, s.s.harry, Luna-Lovegood200, Lizzy87, Captain Oblivious, Flaignhan, ShimmeringEvil, Becki, dejah, Elaanabeth, GIRL W/PNK CONVERSE, Dark-M-Fairy.