Chapter 5: Frustration

"Sirius!" Hermione called as she unlocked the door to her flat. "Are you here?"

"Yeah, I'm here," came the muffled reply from the bathroom upstairs.

Hermione walked into the kitchen and deposited her purse and the Gorben files on the table. She briefly registered the plate of pizza before Sirius came stumbling down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked worriedly.

Sirius glared at the uneaten pizza sitting on top of the stove. "That muggle food of yours is nasty," he spat out.

Hermione walked over and picked up the pizza, looking at it closely. "Sirius," she said after a bit, "ho did you bake this?"

"Why?"

"Because it's still doughy. It hasn't been cooked thoroughly which is why it made you sick."

"Oh," was all he said.

She looked over at him, pitying him because he wasn't used to making his own meals and she had left him to his own devises. "Would you like for me to make you something?"

Sirius shrugged but could hold back the small smile playing at his lips. "I would offer to help but somehow I think I'd only prove to be a hindrance."

Hermione smiled sweetly at him. "That's okay. How was your day?"

"Okay after I got used to the fact that I am now in the future and that I don't know anyone."

Hermione frowned. "You still have Remus."

"Yeah, but he's lived all these years so he's not going to be like I remember him."

"Everyone changes," Hermione told him dully. "No one is the same as they were last year."

It was Sirius' turn to frown. "What happened?"

Hermione glanced at him and sent him a rueful smile. "War."

Sirius nodded. He understood the impact war could have on a person. It seemed to have affected Hermione a lot more than most, though, which made Sirius wonder.

But now was not the time to ask questions, he acknowledged. Searching around for a different topic, he asked, "How was your day?"

Hermione hesitated. "Good."

Sirius noticed her hesitation and went to comment on it when there was a knock on the door making them both freeze for a second.

Hermione looked up in shock. "I wonder who that could be," she muttered as she made her way to the door.

When she opened the door, she was startled for a brief moment. "Dumbledore."

"Albus," Dumbledore corrected. "You are no longer a student so I insist that you call me by my first name, Hermione, it is only right."

Hermione nodded and stepped back to allow him entry. "Is there anything I can do for you Albus?"

"Actually yes, but first, lemon drop?" Dumbledore held out a paper bag to her.

"No thank you," Hermione shook her head, leading him into the kitchen.

He smiled heartedly at her and followed her. "Aw, Mr. Black! I was hoping to see you here?"

"Headmaster!" Sirius cried in shock, jumping to his feet.

"Please, call me Albus. I hope you are well."

Sirius nodded. "I am but…"

"How did I know you were here?" Dumbledore asked gently and Sirius nodded. "I'm afraid that I cannot answer that question."

"Pro…Albus," Hermione started, "do you know how Sirius ended up here and why?"

Dumbledore smiled at them with that familiar twinkle in his eye. "I do."

They stared at him, waiting for him to continue but it was obvious that he did not plan on elaborating. "And….?" Sirius encouraged.

"And you are going to figure it out by yourselves," Dumbledore told them. "I cannot help you but I always find it useful to start at the beginning."

They both stared at him in confusion. What was that supposed to mean?

"Will I go back?" Sirius asked finally, his voice drawn.

Dumbledore frowned a bit, "No, I'm afraid you won't go back."

"But doesn't that change history?" Hermione asked.

"No, Hermione, but now is not the time for explaining. You will figure it all out in due time of course."

Dumbledore took out an odd-looking watch from his pocket. "Well, I must be off! I just wanted to make sure that you arrived safely. I can see myself out."

Sirius and Hermione continued to stare at him, dumbfounded, as he rose from the chair and made his way to the door. He turned once more as he opened the door.

"Oh, Hermione, I do hope you decide to return to the wizarding world one day. You are greatly missed."

He paused, as if deep in thought. Then he carried on, his voice echoing his years. "Losing someone is very hard and the burden that comes with the grief is often very heavy, weighing a person down. With trust, you often find someone to help with that nagging weight. Remember that."

Hermione nodded, not really understanding what he was trying to say. "Goodbye Albus."

Dumbledore gave her one last quizzical look, "Goodbye," then he was gone.

Sirius and Hermione stood, stuck to the spot, staring at the door. "That man is a nutter," Sirius said after a moment.

Hermione turned and slapped him upside the head. "What!" Sirius said, rubbing the back of his head where her hand had connected.

"That man is a genius," Hermione huffed.

"Then tell me what the bloody hell what that meant!" Sirius practically yelled.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out," Hermione told him.

"Well, why you figure it out, I'm going out."

Hermione stammered. "But…but you can't."

Sirius quickly transfigured a jacket from a toothpick. "Watch me."

"Are you coming back?"

Sirius paused and shrugged. "I don't know. It depends," was all he said.

That hurt, Hermione acknowledged. She wanted him to come back, though she'd never admit it. With him, she felt a little less alone.

"Okay," Hermione muttered as she hugged her arms around herself. "Er…I'll just leave some pillows and blankets out in case…"

"Whatever," Sirius called with a wave as he walked out the door.

She was alone…again.