The Future Awaits
Chapter 35: Turning A New Leaf

Rugbol, James's barn owl, perched itself on top of one of the many scarlet armchairs in the Gryffindor tower. Obediently, it held out its leg for a forlorn looking Sirius Black to untie its burden.

Sirius stared down at the brown envelope. It has been nearly four weeks since Hermione's departure. And every time he tried sending her an owl, the bird would always return with his letter, unopened.

"You reckon Rugbol's sick or something?" asked Remus, who was trying to finish his Advanced Transfiguration essay.

"Maybe he's not up enough for long distance destination?" suggested Peter, carefully arranging his card castle.

"Naw! I once sent Santa Clause a letter to North Pole, and he came back with a candy cane," James replied.

"You sent Sa-" but whatever Remus wanted to say was cut by a defensive James saying, "I was nine at that time!"

Sirius remained silent the whole time, listening only swifts of the conversation. He didn't notice when his friend, James looked across at his lovesick figure, which had now moved over to sit by the window. Never before had the Gryffindor star seeker seen this side of his best friend. He seemed so… inconsolable.

"You know, maybe she's out off country."

"I thought that would be apparent, James," Lily said in an annoyed tone.

"More like out of this planet," Peter muttered to himself, shielding himself when one of the cards on his card castle exploded.

"She's a transfer from Salem School of Witchcraft, wasn't she?" asked Remus, dipping his quill in an ink bottle. "She must be residing in America, then."

"That still doesn't explain why Rugbol couldn't find her. He's a strong owl. Isn't that right, Rugbol?" James cooed, petting his pet owl affectionately.

"Oh please, James. He's too old." Immediately, Peter received a hard, penetrating glare from the feathery creature.

"Well, maybe she's just trying to avoid you, Sirius," supplied Lily.

"Why don't you just give up on her? She did say that she's never coming back," Remus expressed. The three other Marauders and Lily stared at him, making him realised the cruelty of his words. "I… I-I…"

Upon looking at his friend's wary face, Sirius' expressions softened.

"You live once. You die once, Remus… And you love once too. It doesn't happen again and again."

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Hermione rested her head on his hard chest, tracing the outlines of his muscles with her hand. It had been a mere moment since their kiss, and they have yet to let go of each other. And Sirius wanted no more than to treasure every second of the embrace. He still wasn't entirely sure if the kiss had meant anything to the lovely woman in his arms.

He snuggled his face deeper into her hair until he felt her stiffened against his body.

"Hermione?"

He looked down only to find her staring at her hand which was laying flat on his chest. It was the ring. She was still wearing Ron's engagement ring.

She pulled away, just then, fingering the ring on her hand before looking up at her company's face. Sirius could see the distinct apprehension in her eyes. So of course, he was taken aback when she slipped the ring off and snorted at it.

"You know, Ron once told me that the Weasleys' rings are enchanted; doesn't matter if it's an engagement one or a wedding one. Once their life partner slipped it around their finger, they will get stuck there forever until they die." It was then when her tears made another come back. "But look. My ring slipped off just like that."

Sirius brought her back into the comfort of his arms where he let her tears drown away. "Maybe it's time for a new ring?"

Immediately, he felt her body stiffened for the second time. She pulled back a little and stared into his eyes. He seriously didn't mean to say that. It sort of just slipped out. And he definitely didn't expect the impact of how the meaning of that mere statement would have on Hermione. And now she was inquiring him with her eyes, begging him to explain what he had meant by that sentence.

"Hermione, I… I-"

She smiled through her tears, leaving Sirius' words unsaid. She looked down once again at the white ring, which was now resting perfectly on the centre of her palm.

"It must have cost him a fortune to buy this ring. He had always known about my fancying with white gold accessories. Not that I like wearing them much," she added hastily. "…But I can't definitely keep this now." She closed her dainty fingers around the ring and looked up once again at Sirius. "…since I am going to have to wear a new ring soon." She smiled.

Sirius widened his eyes as he received his second kiss of the day. As they pulled away, Hermione brought the both of them in a standing position.

"I ask you now, Sirius. Are you still willing to take me?"

He couldn't explain the incredulity of the situation. Was this really happening? Was he still in his wonderful world of la-la land?

Finally finding his voice, he said, "Hermione, you know that I have always wanted you. I've waited more than two decades for you, Hermione. And I would gladly wait for another one more if it meant getting you at last. I love you. But Hermione… I want our engagement to be special… special than," he looked around, "on top of a secluded hill."

Hermione chuckled, giving him her best brilliant smile he had missed terribly. They hugged and Hermione gave him a peck on the cheek. With that, she walked away, standing at the edge of the hill. But something told Sirius to trust her and let her be for a while. And so he did.

Hermione stared down at the glittering ring on her palm for the last time and whispered, "I'll always love you, Ron Weasley. You were, are, and will always be my first love."

Sirius watched from afar as she kissed the little thing on her palm and dropped it off the cliff, before walking back slowly into the safety of his arms.

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Hermione looked around her room at her apartment which she had once shared with her late fiancé. She knew that she had taken the right step. She's moving on. She was going to be starting a fresh new chapter of her life. And therefore, she had to change the way her room look. Anything that had her remind of Ron still gave her painful pangs in her heart.

There, in the corner there, was where he would always chuck his shoes at. There, in the cupboard, was where he shared her space with his clothes. And here, on this table, lay their favourite photo together.

Yes. She had to get rid of them. All of them. But how? His family would hate her if they find out she threw or burn them away… Ginny! I'll give them all to Ginny.

It was hours since she started altering around her bedroom when Harry came bumbling in, "Hermione, have you se-"

Positions of the queen sized bed, the tall cupboards and bookshelves were all… different. And paper bags full of clothes and files were all stacked neatly in one corner. And that… what was that? Oh, trashcan was overflowed! 'What the hell is going on, here?!' thought Harry, as a flying flower vase whizzed past his head.

"Hermione?"

Hermione turned around, lowering her wand. "Oh! Hey there, Harry. What do you think of my new room?"

He ignored her question and looked down at the stuffed paper bags. "Are those his stuff?" He still couldn't find the courage to use his dead friend's name around her. Whatever they might say to him, he would always feel the guilt. But why are they all packed? What is she going to do with them?

"Yeah. Do you think Ginny'll take them?"

It was then he understood. She wanted a new life, and he was dead happy for her. Happy that she had finally taken the initiative to move on… but why did she have to take Ron's stuff away? It hurt him to see his late friend's stuff all packed like that.

She must have caught his hurt look because she said, "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm sorry that changing how my room looks upsets you. But I have to. I can't do what you have been begging me to do without doing this."

Harry nodded understandingly, as he walked over and pulled his best friend into a hug.

"Sirius promised to propose me soon, Harry," she said out of nowhere. She hadn't known that Harry knew the situation between his godfather and her. So, she was expecting the worst.

Harry pulled away abruptly and looked down at her. "No way! Are you serious?! That old bugger! He fina-"

"Harry! Don't talk about him that way! He's your godfather!"

Harry once again experienced another shock of his life. Not only did he heard his best friend saying that she's going to be engaged soon with no one but his godfather, but to hear her defending him… He burst out laughing at the incredulity of it. "My s-sentiments e-exactly!"

Hermione looked down at her feet as she sat on her newly-positioned bed. "He loves me, Harry."

Harry sighed, and took a seat beside her. "I know. They both did."

His statement was followed by silence. It was a while before Harry asked. "But do you love him?"

"I'll always love Ron, Harry. He was the first boy who taught me love. And for Sirius… I did once. And I believe I can learn to love him again," she replied as Harry stared at her. "We kissed," she blushed, making her friend smirked.

Harry put an arm around her shoulder in a brotherly manner. "Mmm… but I sense that there's something more which is troubling you. Am I right?"

"It's just that… I'm scared. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? What's more? I'm talking about marrying your godfather, Harry! Are you okay with that? What will the Weasleys think? And what about my parents?"

"Hermione, moving on was one of the bravest and correct-est things you had ever done for yourself. You could even earn yourself a hundred house points if we were still in Hogwarts." Hermione snorted at that. "And about your parents… Hermione, you have the most supportive pair of parents I have ever known in my life." At this Hermione smiled. "As for the Weasleys… they will have to understand. They're not going to tie you down. They know you have a life out there. But they will take time, I suppose." Hermione nodded.

"And don't you worry about me. I'm cool! Actually Sirius explained everything to me the day before your birthday, last year." At this, Hermione turned her head at him. "And I must confess that I did gross out when he told me about all that. But now, I think the only man on this earth who can take care and give you all the love you deserve… is him."

Hermione sniffed and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Harry."

"Nah! I'll do anything to straighten out all my favourite little sister's problems." Harry said, tightening his grip on her shoulder.

"Favourite? Since when did you have other little winnie-tinnie sisters besides myself?"

"Well, since I changed the role of Ginny Weasley's in my life biography."

They both laughed at that, clearly feeling the new breeze of a new chapter in life.