Look at the Stars

Everyone remained silent until Harry began to talk.

"Sadis Oscuro became a Death Eater just before Voldemort's defeat. Rumors were that he was Voldemort's handpicked successor, the most promising young dark wizard to come along in decades. He killed thousands of muggles. He killed eight aurors who tried to hunt him down. When Voldemort died, it was said that he was out for revenge, against me. . . I got a few messages threatening death. But then it all stopped. We assumed that he'd gone into hiding, or perhaps had been captured under another name. I can't believe we were so foolishly optimistic. . . we should have stamped him out long ago. I just hope he hasn't had time to gather any followers."

Ginny's face went white, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's mouths were slightly opened in shock and concern.

"Harry, I'm glad you're taking this threat seriously. I don't have to tell you to be careful," Sirius said, "and you know I'm here to help you if I can. Of course, you're an auror now, so I've no doubt you can take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Sirius," Harry said, composing himself. "This is certainly a shock. . ."

Just as they had come upon a period of safety, a period of peace, and had come together to celebrate a joyous event, danger had once again invaded their lives. The playful atmosphere had evaporated; Sirius and Hermione both felt like getting home to the safety of Hogwarts.

The rest of the meal continued in relative silence, with Sirius and Hermione both saying, "I think we'd better leave now," at the exact same time, answered by a quiet, tense laughter from the rest of the group.

Harry and the Weasleys said their farewells, and then Sirius and Hermione disapparated, this time without a bang.

Reapparating in Hogsmeade moments later, they turned to each other with troubled looks on their faces. Away from Harry, away from the obligation of holding themselves together, they acknowledged their real concern for his well-being.

Hermione's heart was touched by the expression of concern on Sirius's face, and she threw her arms around his neck in a gesture that both offered and requested support.

With her head on his shoulder, Hermione couldn't see the expression on Sirius's emotion-wrenched face as he embraced her tightly. It was one of those moments that Hermione had described earlier: a broad mixture of pleasure and pain. He felt all the tension of the moment and his concern for his godson's safety. He felt the bittersweet pang of momentarily holding something priceless that he thought he could never keep. But underlying everything, he felt a thrill in his heart as Hermione's little arms wound tightly around his neck. He felt the warmth of her head on his shoulder and the comfort of her affectionate presence, as she held on tight, needing his support.

Perhaps she felt something for him, or maybe she had simply turned to him for comfort because he was there. But at that moment, he knew that he needed her--but more than that, he fully appreciated what a very special person she was. He knew that nothing in the rest of his life could give him greater pleasure than making her happy, comforting her, and supporting her. He knew that he loved her.