Revised: 01 September 2004

The Future Awaits
Chapter 27: My Kind Of Girl

Hermione twiddled her quill between her fingers, staring out at the wide glass window of her cabin. The view was not what you'd call exotic, but the cluster of the tall muggle buildings did somehow rendered a pleasant sight.

Her mind pondered to last night. She had a hard time sleeping. Even Crookshanks who sensed his mistress' dilemma tried to rub his face on her arm, thinking it would give some sort of comfort. She even tried counting each and every fish up on her 'aquarium' ceiling. And when that didn't help, she tried sorting the fishes into its own type. It was not until a quarter pass three did she eventually found her sleep.

Now, here she is, rocking her chair, still staring at the window. She knew the cause of her problem… Sirius Black. The man with the most intense pair of grey eyes, which could bore into her inner soul. The man with those sharp features which were to die for. The man with that silky shoulder-length hair, which was trimmed recently… and that sexy voice. She sighed dreamily as his handsome face formed in her mind.

Finally, she let out a giggle, which she rarely did. Harry would kill me if he knew I fancy his godfather.

Her thoughts then drifted to her fiancé, Ron Weasley. Her best friend for nine long years, her lover, for four years. Turning her chair back to the desk, she grabbed the photo frame sitting on it.

"Oh, Ron. Come back soon."

Clutching the picture onto her chest, she turned back to the window.

"I'm afraid… afraid if I lose you…"

'You mean, if he lose you?' asked a voice in her head.

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"You're back," said a beaming Hermione Granger.

"Apparently," nodded Sirius, holding the door for her. Once he closed it, he turned back to face the brunette who was taking off her cloak and bag, making him smirked.

"How's work?"

"Ugh. Tiring as usual."

"You need a break, you know, Mione."

"Sirius, I've taken enough breaks already. Just yesterday, I took a leave. And on Sunday, we did had some fun at the funfair. If you don't call that a 'break', I don't know what else is. Besides, my Head of Department would spank me if I do that."

Sirius smirked at her again. "So you did have fun at the fair."

"Ah! Please. Don't remind me."

Sirius smiled. "Anyway, my lady," Sirius grabbed her hand, "your dinner awaits." With that, he bent his head down and kissed the back of her delicate hand, making her flushed crimson.

This time round, the dishes were of Indian style. Curries, tandoories, pratas… her favourites.

"Sirius, I still wonder where you learn all these cooking," starring at the food surrounding her in awe.

Sirius looked up and blinked. "I didn't. I bought it on my way back."

"Oh," Hermione muttered, sounding both disappointed and embarrassed.

Sensing the need to withhold his 'cooking reputation', he quickly added, "I took a course. Once I graduated, I saw this special cooking class ad on the papers. So, I thought why not, and signed up. I love food. They're a necessity."

Hermione smiled. "I read that men are better cooks than women."

That earned her a big smug smile on his face, making her rolled her eyes.

"So, anything happened at Remus'?"

"Nah! Nothing. Both Tonks and him left before eleven, this morning. But I bet you 5 galleons, they'll come back as a couple."

"I don't gamble, Mr Black," Hermione said in a stern voice.

"Ga- Aw! Hermione, you're boring!"

Hermione chose to ignore his comment. "What's Tonks' age, anyway? Isn't she too young for Remus?"

Sirius stopped chewing his food, and looked up to stare at Hermione.

"Sirius?"

"Uh… I don't know. Maybe in her late twenties."

Hermione looked back down at her food, poking her prata with her fork. Her face showed concentration, as if calculating the age difference between her ex-professor and the metamorphmagus.

"Remus' 44, isn't he? That makes them about 17 years in age difference."

Sirius who was still perturbed at this 'age talk', asked in a hollow voice, "How did you know his age?"

Hermione merely blushed. "Uh… I found this registry list at my workplace, and couldn't help finding out about the people I know." '…or interested in,' her mind added.

For a moment, the table was silent. Each worrying about their own insecurities.

Finally, Hermione said, "Well, I guess… if they're in love, age just serves as a passing barrier, doesn't it? Besides," she shrugged, "love knows no age."

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It was near nine o'clock in the night. Hermione was in lying on her bed, flipping through the 'Discovery of the Discovered' book. She had finally found the page she ended at last time. She still hadn't forgive that jerk till now, even though she did apologised for her behaviour.

Hearing a knock on the door, she called, "Come in."

Sirius walked in and stopped on his track when his eyes caught sight of the cover of the book in her hands. He smiled nervously at her.

"What do you want?"

"Err… I was wondering… if I could browse through some books, seeing that I have nothing better to do."

Hermione's eyes twinkled at this. She loves it when people want to read. Holding out her hand into the direction of the bookshelf, she said, "Help yourself."

Taking a nearby stool from her dressing table, he set it in front of the bookshelf, and began looking through some of the stacked books. Every now and then, he would steal a glance at the big mirror to see her reflection.

"Sirius."

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Depends."

Hermione looked at his back, and asked hesitantly, "Why aren't you married?"

Sirius put down the book he was reading and turned to face her. This somehow unnerved Hermione.

"I-I'm sorry. Just forget it."

She quickly went back to her reading, knowing very well that Sirius was still staring at her.

"I didn't get the chance."

Hermione turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"As I said, I didn't get the chance. The girl I loved left me. And then, of course, I spent my free time in Azkaban, feeding the dementors. And that's just why… I just… never got the chance," he smiled wistfully.

Hermione smiled sympathetically at him. She was undeniably curious about this 'girl' who had crushed his heart, but she refrained herself from asking, since she knew it would be rude.

"Then, why don't you find yourself another woman?"

Sirius sighed and stood up. For a moment, Hermione thought he wanted to walk out of the room. But then, he carried the stool he was sitting on, and placed it right beside her bed, facing her. Sitting on it, he said, "You tell me. Is there any woman out there for me who'd agree for a direct marriage and instant kids?"

Hermione widened her eyes at his grinning face.

"I can't believe I'm hearing this!"

"Well, you asked," he chuckled.

"I can help you find one, if you want."

Sirius looked away, and got himself interested with the photo of her and Ron on the bedside table.

"You know, Sirius, a man's life is incomplete without marriage."

"Yeah? And a man's life's finished once he gets married," he grinned.

"What do you mean?! Argh! Can't you be serious?"

"I am, aren't I?"

Hermione clucked her tongue loudly. "Cut that out! Okay, just tell me, what kind of girl do you want?"

"Woman," corrected Sirius.

"Right. What kind of woman do you want?"

Sirius smiled, gazing at her face before taking the hand mirror at the bedside table and faced it to her.

"Like this."

Hermione stared at her reflection, and then stared at Sirius, dumbfounded. He was still smiling at her.

Hermione exhaled and smirked, shaking her head at him. It was then when something struck her.

"Oh yeah! Sirius, I was wondering if we can try that Epoch. I've never tried one before."

A/N: I know not much happening in this one. But I just had to include this chapter for future reasons.


I'd like to thank all my reviewers: (alphabetical order)

Anja-69: Hahah! Yeah, 'smoke-huffing' Sirius is kinda likable, don't you think! And a naked werewolf is no difference either. ;)

Becki: Haha! Glad you like the miniature Snuffles. And whoa! You're comparing me to JK Rowling?! Wow! That's really something. Haha! Thank you!

Captain Oblivious: I know :( My English is really bad. I don't know if I can ever improve on it. But yes, I'll try to re-check my lines more… though I know there'll still be mistakes. :(

dejah: Oh! I'm from Temasek Poly. 3rd year, taking IT. But I'll be staying back till Dec 2005. Fail lah! Pasal I walked out from my attachment. Stress punye pasal… Terrible, aren't I? Heheh!

Elaanabeth: Thank goodness you appreciate the humour in the previous chapter. I thought it was a tragedy!

Flaignhan: Heheh! I hope this chapter's update satisfy you. And you don't need to beg for updates, hahah! But still, that's flattering. Thank you!

GIRL W/PNK CONVERSE: Hahaha! Not to worry. I'm not upset. Though I must admit, I was slightly taken aback at the smelling comment. ;) Hope you enjoy the story. :)

lanna1186: Hahah! Yeah. I love to make him jealous!

meenyrocks: Yes, Remus DID had a crush on Hermione. But that too was when she was in the past, now that they're in the present, that old crush has disappeared. You can find it on my chapter 7.

miriel216: Oh thank you! And that's great that you find my SB/Hr website appealing. :)

PsYcHoJo: Glad you like it!

PyroGurl4: Yeah, a jealous Sirius Black, is anything, but sexy!

ShimmeringEvil: Thank you. Hope you like this chapter too.

SnapesMistress005: Thank you so much. And yes, I've already reviewed your story. :)

s.s.harry: Yeah, I was thinking that Remus Lupin is a very likable guy. Girls would have crushes on him for his subtle ways. So, Hermione is no difference.

sweete1634: Oh thank you, so much! You flatter me. And hey, 'serione' is a nice name! Didn't think of that. Anyway, as for inspiration, 'Falling Into Love' by Arwen-Georgie-Skye is the main story which inspired me to start this story off. It's just so brilliant that it made me form my own interpretation of a timeturner chronicle. There's also one by Aleximoon which is one of my highly recommended fic. More can be found under the Sirius/Hermione category in FanFiction.

the girl at the rockshow: Yeah! Way to go Sirius!