A Sirius Affair

Penny and Carole

Story Summary:
A prequel to Paradigm of Uncertainty that takes place six years before the events in that story, chronicling the lives of Sirius, Harry, Hermione during the summer and fall of 2001.

Chapter 15

Posted:
07/14/2001
Hits:
3,230

A SIRIUS AFFAIR

By Carole Estes

Chapter 15

Jobs and Vacations

Sirius woke up at 2:00 the next afternoon, disoriented by the soft comforter, perfectly squishy pillows and featherbed-topped mattress. He'd slept so many different, uncomfortable places the past month, it was odd to wake up in a place that was actually familiar. He opened his eyes slowly, because even though the room was still very dark thanks to the heavy curtains that were left over from having to sleep during the day, when he worked nights at the Obsidian, the atmosphere was so comfortable and comforting he didn't dare move, just in case the last 24 hours had been a dream.

He finally decided he should get up to make sure that this truly was real life. He swung his legs out of bed, stretched, walked to window and moved the curtains aside. It looked real: the sun was shining, but it looked like it had just finished raining, as the sidewalks were wet and steam was rising from the road. He smiled as he looked down and saw his motorbike parked in a space across the street. He opened the window and took a deep breath. Everything smelled real. Maybe he really was a free man. Maybe he really was clear. Maybe he really did fly that bike last night.

He went into the kitchen to prepare a cup of coffee. He opened the refrigerator and got a whiff of the remnants of the food he'd had in there when he fled, the smell was enough to convince him that he really, truly was awake. Even when he'd been subsisting on rats, he hadn't dreamed of any smells as bad as that! With great displeasure, he Banished all the rotten food into a bag, threw a Loisaul charm over the bag and took it down to the large dustbins behind the building. After that disgusting chore was complete, he turned his answerphone on to listen to the myriad of messages that had been left in his absence. The only one of importance was a message recorded weeks ago from the owner of the Obsidian, informing him he'd been summarily fired for failing to show up for work three days in a row. Sirius shrugged. He knew he'd have to start looking for a job, but he also figured he had enough gold in his now-accessible Gringotts vault to keep him going for at least a couple of months.

After he'd eaten, showered and dressed, he rang up Cordelia at work.

She laughed at his still sleepy-headed greeting and asked, "Just getting up?"

"No, about an hour ago. I've got a couple of errands to run. What shall we do about dinner?"

"I should be done here about 7:00, is that too late?" Cordelia asked.

"No, I've just finished breakfast. I should be hungry by then. I'll come by your place?"

"All right, have fun today. Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get re-equipped."

"Re-equipped?"

"Trip to the bank and a shopping spree for all those wizard things I've not been allowed to have except surreptitiously," he said happily.

"Oooo, that sounds like fun, should I come over to your flat then? You could show me all your new toys?"

"Brilliant plan, come on over here when you get done, we'll order in Chinese or something."

"Great, see you then."

"Bye."

***************

He left his flat shortly after talking to Cordelia. His first stop was the Ministry of Magic to register as an Animagus. As he stepped into the lobby he was still unnerved at presenting himself publicly to an organization that had hunted him for eight years. He half expected to be attacked and shackled at any moment. But instead he was simply ignored by the many witches and wizards that were bustling about the place.

There was no listing on the directory for Animagi registration. He question of the Ministry Elf at the information desk was met with a blank stare. Three less than helpful witches directed him to three different offices before he met with a functionary whose idea of assistance was shrugging and suggesting the basement. Sirius went down the stairs and found a small, mousy looking witch, hunched over a piece of parchment with books opened and scattered across the desk.

"Um, excuse me, is this the place you register as an Animagus?"

The witch looked up, startled, as if no one ever came down to her office. "Yes, I am supposed to be able to do that, but I've never done one. Are you an Animagus?"

"Yes. The name's Sirius Black.

"Oh, right...I read about you in the papers. Congratulations on winning your freedom. I was pulling for you the whole time. My great aunt said you helped her out once, just about saved her life. She said you were very nice, and she was sure glad you showed up when you did. I remember I had a hard time believing her at the time, but she insisted you saved her and that you weren't an evil dark wizard at all."

"Glad to have helped. Now, how do I go about registering?"

"Hmmm...well, I'm sure the proper forms are around here somewhere. Let me look a bit." She disappeared into the rows of bookshelves and banks of file cabinets for several minutes.

"Here it is." She called out from the very back corner of the room. "Right then, fill out these four scrolls. Oh, they need to be in triplicate, so a copy quill from Flourish and Blotts should do it up right. Then you need a drawing of your animal form."

"Would a photo do?"

"No, definitely not. There's always the possibility of you wandering out of shot with a photo. No. This has to be a drawing. It says here, either quill and ink or pencil or charcoal, but they prefer the permanence of quill and ink. There's a fee of course, which you pay when you bring the forms back in. At that point, it says here I can issue you a chit which will allow you to legally transform for the purpose of creating the drawing, but it's illegal to transform at any other time until you're registered. About three weeks after we get the drawing, the certificate will be owled to you, and you'll be added to the Animagus Record and the drawing will be published in the Prophet, on the Legal Notices page. Got all that?"

He smiled, "Yes, I've been transforming for a while now, but I promise to avoid doing it before becoming official."

Her worried look was gone and she continued, "You need to get these parchments back to this office by Monday or they'll turn to dust."

"Okay. I promise," he said as he turned to go. "Thanks."

She smiled and waved him off.

Once across town he entered the Leaky Cauldron and hurried through. He entered Diagon Alley unaccosted, and approached Gringotts. It hadn't changed a bit in the twenty years since he'd last seen it. In fact he was sure the exact same goblins were there. He stepped up to the teller behind the counter, stated his name and gave his password to the teller. His key was probably lying in some random Ministry file, but the goblins had certain security measures in place, that wizards were unaware of, and he was able to get to Vault 714 with his secret word, the same word that had been on the order form he'd used to anonymously buy Harry's Firebolts and other assorted owl-order purchases since he'd escaped from Azkaban. The Gringotts goblin didn't even blink, simply ordered another goblin to take him down to his vault, and promised that a new key would be waiting for him when he got back to the lobby. This was a relief, as he was not at all sure how or if he would be accepted back into this community that had shunned him for 20 years. But then these were goblins, not wizards.

As he entered the vault, his eyes got very big. "Oh my," he said quietly. The goblins really were good at compounding interest. From what he could see, he had enough to make it quite comfortably for a number of years without adding to his vault. He asked the goblin waiting by the door if he could get a written statement of the contents of his vault. Meanwhile he opened the small pouch he had dug out of corner of his drawer and filled it with gold.

After he emerged from his vault, he entered the teller line once more to get the key and convert some of the gold to Muggle pounds, as he needed to pay his rent and utility bills. The teller then handed him a piece of parchment with a full account of his vault, with an itemization of interest paid over the last 20 years. He left the bank and sat down on the steps as he read the statement.

The statement relieved another nagging doubt he'd been trying to keep in the back of his brain for a long time. Although he knew Cordelia did not expect him to support her if they ever made a permanent arrangement, he was relieved to know he could, and that she would not feel the need to support him. It also gave him the freedom to buy what he wanted rather than just what he knew he was going to need.

He headed next over to Madam Malkin's Robes. It had been years since he purchased wizard robes, he half-heartedly thought about owling Ginny Weasley for some fashion advice, but decided against it.

As he entered Malkin's Robes, he was relieved to find he wasn't instantly recognized. He managed to get measured, fitted, and place his order: four regular black robes, three business robes, a dress robe, travelling cloak, and everyday cloak, before he had to give his name. The clerk took his name down and stammered something about having to check the teapot in the back room. When she re-emerged a few minutes later, she was tailed by an older woman.

"It's very nice to see you, Mr. Black. Please forgive the reaction of my clerk, I simply told her to tell me when you came in, as I wanted to provide these robes to you at no charge. I read all about the trial and was quite taken by your story. I am very disturbed that the Ministry made such a horrendous mistake."

"Thank you, but you know that's not necessary, I have enough gold to pay for this." Sirius was awed by Madame Malkin's consideration. She certainly hadn't been as nice to him when he and James had knocked over three manequins roughhousing when they were supposed to be shopping for interview robes during Easter Break of their last year at school.

"But I would feel terrible accepting it," she replied with a kind smile. "I remember your family. They were very honorable wizards. This is my chance to make it up to you. The robes will be ready tomorrow, if that's acceptable."

Sirius protested one last time, then gave in to the proprietess's gentle urging. "It's only right, Mr. Black. I want to warn you however, there are people around who don't accept the verdict and still see you as a criminal. I wanted to let you know I am not one of them, but still, you may do well to be cautious all the same."

"I will, and I'll stop back tomorrow for the robes."

"Oh, no, we deliver now." Sirius tried to interrupt, but she went on as if he hadn't spoken. "Did I read in the papers that you've been living in the Muggle world these past few years? We even deliver to Muggle homes these days."

"That would be appreciated," Sirius said as he jotted his address in the ledger where she kept customers' measurements and owl names.

He left Madame Malkin's and headed over to Ollivanders. He was looking forward to having a wand that fit him. He stepped in the door, but Mr. Ollivander was busy with two other customers at the time, so he wandered down to Flourish and Blotts in search of parchments and quills. He also needed to catch up on the latest spell books and thought he should brush up on his potions.

In a few minutes, he'd gathered his purchases and approached the counter. The clerk had been eyeing him warily since he entered, and his expression now turned into a full out glare. Sirius set the supplies down on the counter, smiled politely and asked, "What's my total?"

"We don't want your kind here," replied the clerk in a surly voice.

Sirius was confused, "My kind?"

"Dark wizards. You have Knockturn Alley. Go get your things over there."

"Pardon me?"

"You heard me. We run a clean establishment here. If word got out that Sirius Black had been in here, it would run all the respectable clients out. Luckily we're slow here, otherwise I wouldn't have let you in the door," he said with a sneer.

"Have you not read the papers?" Sirius asked, trying not to raise his voice. "I was tried for those rumors and acquitted. Who are you to try me again? "

"You've got those dark arts ways of making people think your way. I've heard about wizards like you."

"WHAT?" Sirius shouted, horrified.

"Don't act all dumb with me, I know a fair bit about the dark arts. Now I'll ask you once to leave my store...next time I won't be so polite."

Sirius raised his hands and stepped back, stunned. "I guess I don't need this stuff after all. If you don't want my business or the business of my friends, I can certainly make sure we don't darken your doorstep. You might, however, wish to rethink your assumptions though, and maybe read the trial transcripts before completely condemning me." With that he turned and left the store, slamming the door and storming into the street. As he walked back to Ollivander's, his hands were shaking. He must be angrier than he thought. Sirius stopped before going in to catch his breath and collect this thoughts. He really didn't want another scene in another shop, and so waited outside until the store was empty.

The familiar bell tinkled in the dark recesses of the narrow shop, and the old man smiled as Sirius entered.

"Hello, Mr. Black. It's been quite awhile since I've seen you, more than 20 years if I'm not mistaken. Ebony and dragon heartstring, 13 inches. They destroyed it when they sent you away, didn't they?"

"Actually, they just broke it in two. It's rumored to be a souvenir in some dark wizard's collection."

"I suppose it will lose its value now that it's been proven you're not as bad as we all assumed."

"Yes, I suppose so." He glanced around the store, remembering how excited he'd been when his mum had brought him in to get his first wand. It had made him feel so grown up. "I've been using this wand. Harry got it for me, but I know it's not really a good fit."

Mr. Ollivander took the wand from Sirius and examined it closely. "I remember when young Mr. Potter came in here for that. I suspected it was for you, but he would neither confirm nor deny. I gave it a good guess, but you've changed quite a bit, haven't you?"

"I hope so. I was rather foolish in my youth."

"And your wand certainly did match your personality, as they are wont to do. From your original selection..."

Sirius interrupted him, "The wand was created for someone who was reckless, self-centered, insensitive . . . "

"How about now?" Mr. Ollivander asked as his measuring tape buzzed all around Sirius.

"A bit more cautious, wary, protective . . . oh hell, I don't know. Introspection was never my strong suit. Let's get to the wands."

"As you wish," the older man said as he moved to his bank of wand boxes. "The newspapers say you're an Animagus, what's your animal form?"

"A large black dog."

"Let me see it, please."

Sirius almost transformed, then remembered the admonition of the young lady in the Ministry basement. "I can't. Not until I'm registered, but I can describe it." Mr. Olivander said that would suffice, and so Sirius did.

Wand boxes flew into Mr. Olivander's hands from the tightly packed shelves. "All right then, let's start with the obvious. Dogwood . . . hmmmm, now what core would suit you?" He started handing Sirius wands to try. Sirius waved the ones with centaur tail hair, a unicorn mane hair, hippogriff feather (that one almost worked), demiguise hair, and diricawl feather. The ones that seemed to work the best were still made with dragon heartstring.

"Hmmm, now to find just the right dragon," Mr. Ollivander mumbled as he pulled out box after box. "You're from Scotland?"

"Yes."

"Ah, I've got it! Try this one."

Sirius took the wand and waved it with a flourish. Bright blue sparks cascaded out of the end of the wand and Sirius could tell it resonated with his core. It felt familiar and comfortable, and sparked a hint of adventure in his soul. "This is it."

"That's the heartstring from a particularly ornery Hebridean Black. He had a knack for being reported dead and then springing back up just when I'd arrive to harvest the heartstring. He was quite the celebrity in the highlands. MacFusty would take the tourists up there to show him off."

"How did he finally die? Did he get hit by a bus or something?"

Mr. Ollivander chuckled, "No, he died of natural causes, curled up with his favorite mate. She died at the same time."

Sirius smiled. He thought for a moment about buying a wand made from his dragon mate's heartstring for Cordelia, then he realized that would be silly and useless. "This one is perfect then. Thank you."

"Good Luck with it."

After Ollivanders he went across the street to Topaz and Talisman's- Established in the Mesozoic. "Fine Gems for the discriminating witch or wizard," read the sign that floated over the doorway.

The shop bell rang as he entered and let his eyes adjust to the dark of the store. Small spotcandles shone onto the displays to the talismans and jewelry. Some ultraviolet charms made the rocks glow pink and violet. "Hello?" Sirius called into the store.

"Hello, handsome," said a sultry voice from the far-left corner of the shop. "We've been speculating about you. We've been following the trial on the WWN."

"Hello, Opal. It's been a long time," Sirius said, stepping further into the shop. "We?"

"Me and some of the other witches in the Alley. A few more of your old flings."

"What have you been speculating about?"

"Where you've been? What are you going to do now? Whether you'll be the same man as before they locked you away? Which of us might have another chance with you?"

"Well, I guess my visit here should end some of that speculation."

"Why? Are you going to sweep me off my feet again?" she said with a smile. "I am married, you know, but that never stopped you before."

Sirius laughed. "No, I'm not in the market to sweep any witch off her feet, married or otherwise. I'm here to buy an engagement ring."

"Uh, I'm crushed," said the witch placing the back of her hand dramatically on her forehead. "Who's the lucky witch?"

"Not a witch at all, actually."

"What?! You, with a Muggle?" she asked, her lips pouting though her eyes were still smiling. "Sirius, how could you?"

"She swept me off my feet. What can I say? Now what I need from you is a ring. I want something I can enchant and make particularly special."

"Oh, I think I have just the thing for you. It's called La Pierre Precieuse du Coeur."

"What's it do?"

"Well, it reveals the giver's heart to the recipient. Are you sure you want to expose yourself like that? Your heart hasn't been very consistent in the past."

"It will be now. It has to be. I never want to lie to this woman, and I want her to know that. It just may be that I don't entirely trust myself. This has to be a talisman that will let her know that my heart and soul are truly hers."

"Okay, well this ring should do the trick then. You need to cast the final spell to personalize it. You should have enough magic to carry it off. If you can do the Animagus transfiguration, you can do this spell in a snap."

It was a beautiful ring, and Sirius hoped that Cordelia would accept it. He finished the transaction, telling Opal, "I appreciate your help, and it was nice to see you again. I needed to see a friendly face after I had a bit of trouble at Flourish and Blotts."

"Oh that new Neanderthal clerk seems to think he owns the place. I'm not sure he even knows how to read. Don't let him bother you. He tried to chat me up a couple of weeks back, but couldn't even do that right."

Sirius laughed and thanked her again.

"Anything for you, Sirius. Even if it is to commit your heart to a Muggle."

He smiled and left the shop.

****************************

The following Tuesday, at the appointed time, Sirius stepped into the glittering crystal building that was the headquarters of the International Wizarding Federation. Sunlight was pouring in from all sides, dappling plants and trees that grew clustered around the edges the owls that flew throughout the building. The entryway of the building opened into an atrium that went at least 4 stories up, with a broad spiraling staircase to the right of the reception desk. There was a pleasant witch dressed in conservative black robes at a dark wood desk in the middle of the entry. Behind her people rushed about in and out of the corridors that led from the entryway.

"May I help you find someone?" the witch asked.

"Yes, I have an appointment with the Deputy Chancellor, could you point me to his office?"

"Take the lift to the tenth floor, or you can fly up the stairway on one of the brooms we have over there in the corner," she said gesturing towards a small storage closet made of the same wood as the counter at which she sat.

Sirius decided on the lift, as it had been awhile since he flew a broom, and he didn't want to end up in a heap at in the Deputy Chancellor's doorway.

On the lift, Sirius checked his tie, ran his hand through his hair, and adjusted the business robes he'd put on over his Muggle clothes. Madame Malkin had gotten the fit just right.

On the lift he couldn't help but think of Captain Colin Shanihan. While Sirius was damned glad he was around and came forward at the trial, there was something about having an operative that needled him. Something pulled at the edge of his self-confidence. All these years he thought he'd been pretty good at getting out of scrapes. After all, he was still alive and he hadn't been captured in eight years. Now though, he had to question, was he as good a wizard as he thought he was, or was he only alive because it was in Colin's job description to keep him that way? Why was someone assigned to keep him safe, while half the Ministry was looking to see him otherwise? Sirius shook these thoughts out of his head as the bell rang to indicate he had arrived on the tenth floor.

The secretary in the Deputy Chancellor's office directed him to a waiting area, offered him tea and told him the Deputy Chancellor would be out to see him momentarily.

Sirius paced the reception area glancing at the magazines, staring out the window, watching the very tiny people move around on the street below. After about ten minutes, the bell on the secretary's desk chimed. The witch rose and indicated to Sirius that he should follow her. They went down a short hallway with two offices on each side. Sirius noticed one of the placards read D.C. Security. He glanced in and noticed an elderly wizard meeting with a group of much younger wizards. He seemed to be giving them instructions.

At the end of the corridor was a set of double doors. The witch who was leading him opened the doors and introduced the man behind a large cherry wood desk as John Smith, Deputy Chancellor of the International Wizarding Federation. The man got to his feet and extended his hand.

"So glad to finally meet you Mr. Black. May I call you Sirius?"

"Yes, please do. Nice to meet you as well," Sirius said as he returned the older gentleman's handshake. The Deputy Chancellor was a thoughtful looking gentleman. He had short grey hair and was balding on top. While he wasn't fat, he was a larger man, but of average height. He was wearing a very well cut suit, under exquisitely tailored robes.

Sirius glanced around the room. There were windows that extended the height of the room and the length of the room behind the Deputy Chancellor's desk. A large conference table took up the length of the room to the left, with a door beyond the table. A small seating area was clustered around a fireplace to the right and another door was positioned next to the fireplace.

The Deputy Chancellor gestured for them to sit. There were two leather chairs facing the Deputy Chancellor's desk,and Sirius choose the one to the left. As he sat, Sirius began, "Thank you for your hospitality, but I must ask right off, why am I here? I got the owl scheduling this meeting and, of course, Colin told me about it after the trial."

"You are here because I thought you might like some explanations. About your operative, and your future, your potential."

Sirius looked a bit taken aback. He was very curious about the operative, but what his future had to do with the Deputy Chancellor was beyond him. He decided it was best to ask about the operative first. "Yes, I was very curious about Captain Shanihan. Why would you bother assigning an operative to me? I've been a wizard-non-grata for quite a number of years now. I think I am quite able to take care of myself."

"Yes, you are quite capable, which is one of the reasons you were assigned an operative...because of your capabilities. The Chancellor did not wish to risk losing you again."

"Losing me? Since when is my life of any concern to people in political power, except to see me incarcerated or dead?"

"Oh for a very long time, Sirius. However, your welfare has been of particular concern to the Chancellor since your escape from Azkaban. You are the only person to have accomplished this unassisted. That, among other things, makes you very interesting."

"So I was assigned an operative because I had the gall to break out of Azkaban?"

"Well, everyone needs a little help from their friends every now and again. Your friends, however, were generally unable to help you. So, the Chancellor thought it was important to step in."

"Who is this Chancellor? Why isn't he here, if he's that interested in me?"

"You will eventually learn who the Chancellor is, provided all goes well. His identity is generally kept secret to everyone but the Deputy Chancellor, for his own protection, you understand. But in the meantime suffice to say that the Chancellor has been impressed by your intelligence, abilities, and your reaction to adversity."

"Twenty years of hell has impressed someone, eh? I guess that's something to be grateful for." Sirius said sarcastically. "What does he want, to give me a medal or commendation?"

"No, a job. We need someone who understands Muggles and the dark arts community to head up the External Affairs Division of the Chancellor's office. We would initially offer you the position of Assistant Director of the division, which would last for six months until the current director retires. If you are happy with the job and we are happy with your performance, you will be promoted to Director of External Affairs."

"Director? What have I done to qualify for a position like this?"

"You've been living as a muggle, battling the dark forces, who better suited to that than you?"

"What kind of job is this? What's the structure of the Chancellor's office?"

"There are thee divisions. Internal Affairs, which is interactions with other wizarding governments including the Ministry here in the U.K.; External Affairs, which is interactions with Muggles and Muggle governments; and the Enforcement Corps, which are the Chancellor's security forces. The Intelligence Division, where Harry works, is under the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Corps, although all three divisions make use of the information developed by the agents, and the Chief of the ID reports directly to me.

"There is something else you need to know. Once your trial period is over, provided we are both comfortable with your progress, I will be involving you in the affairs of my office. In addition to running your division, you will be learning everything there is to know about the Deputy Chancellor's responsibilities. The Chancellor has considered you an excellent prospect since the days when you studied with and worked for Dumbledore. If you had led a normal life you would have followed a path through either the Intelligence Division or another part of the Enforcement Corps, then moved into one of the other divisions. You would have learned the ropes there, I suspect."

"The ropes for what exactly?" Sirius asked, more than a bit confused by this talk of what his life was supposed to have been like.

"What I'm trying to tell you, Sirius, is that I am planning to retire in two to three years time, depending on your progress. I am in my nineties and have had enough of the working world and the responsibilities of this office."

"Why does my progress have anything to do with when you retire?"

"The Chancellor wants you to succeed me."

"What?" Sirius said, looking utterly flabergasted. This was certainly not what he' expected to hear, and it was so outside his scope of recent experiences that it took a moment's effort to really comprehend what Mr. Smith was saying. "Are you sure you have the right man? Me, Deputy Chancellor, surely he's got to be kidding! What the devil gave the Chancellor the idea, that I had that kind of potential?"

"The Chancellor has a very good sense of humor, but he knows who he wants as his deputy. Every generation has a small pool of extraordinary witches and wizards. The Chancellor chooses a few candidates and monitors their progress for intelligence, magical power, telepathic ability, and unwavering commitment to fighting the dark arts."

"What kind of ability?"

"Telepathic. It's the Chancellor's primary means of communication with his Deputy."

Sirius started, and fought to clear up the Deputy Chancellor's obvious misunderstanding. They must've confused him with somebody else. "Um, sir," he said, shaking his head, "I have no telepathic abilities."

"You don't?" He looked confused and startled. "You've never sensed anyone else's thoughts?"

"No, never. It would have come in right useful once in awhile, but no. Are you sure you have the right man?"

"Yes, of course. Telepathy generally manifests itself in the mid- to late twenties. It's very rare. Only about a dozen witches and wizards in each generation show this talent."

"I was in Azkaban by the time I reached my mid-twenties. But really it's not something I've ever sensed."

"Well, no matter," he said with a casual wave of his hand. The Chancellor has obviously made some allowance about this, as he was quite insistent that you should be next, and he is never wrong in his choices, however self-aggrandizing it sounds for me to say so."

Sirius smiled as he relaxed back into his chair. When he met the Chancellor, he'd be able to clarify this confusion, but for now, he wanted to go along with the ride and explore the posibilities Mr. Smith was laying before him. It was important to get a better understanding of this situation, though. "How did you find out you were to be the Deputy Chancellor?"

"I was told when I was 30 that I would be the next Deputy Chancellor. I got the job the year I turned 50. But I came up through the ranks of the Internal Affairs Division. I had an entirely different set of skills. But it's a different world these days. The other Division heads were never quite suited for the task, for various reasons. It's not a democratic decision."

Sirius sat stunned for a very long moment. "Am I allowed to turn this offer down?"

"Of course. We certainly wouldn't want anyone in this position who did not want it. However, I wouldn't recommend turning it down."

"Why?"

"How would you feel if you turned this position down, and my sucessor did something you strongly disagreed with. You'd know that you might have had the authority to influence the future of the wizarding world a different way. That might be a difficult burden to bear, mighn't it?"

He had a point. I"Is that why you took the job?"

"No, I thought it would be fun."

"Is it?"

"Sometimes. There are quite a few perks. You always get the best tables in any restaurant. You get a great staff, a nice office, and the ability to have a lot of influence over the way wizarding governments around the world work together. The Chancellor guides all major decisions, but day-to-day operations of the IFW are in the hands of the Deputy Chancellor. You have a lot of influence."

"That's a bit scary. I've never been very interested in power or influence."

"I think that's a large reason the Chancellor thinks you would be right for the job. Don't let the responsibilities intimidate you. It's not that overwhelming once you get used to the idea."

"Well, you had 20 years to prepare. I've got . . . what 3 years maximum? I really need some time to consider this. Can I accept the Assistant Director's position if I don't want the Deputy Chancellor position?"

"We'd have to take that under consideration. It would depend on who the Chancellor would choose, should you decline, and what path would best suit them."

"I'd like a week to consider this."

"We can give you 4 days." Mr. Smith threw the metaphorical bludger back at Sirius.

"How about if I tell you by Monday?"

Mr. Smith took a moment to consider this, then agreed. "All right then, I'll inform the Chancellor. Do you have any more questions? If there's anything I can tell you to help you with the decision, you can owl me any time."

"I do have some now. What do your wife and family think of your position? Do they ever see you?"

"My wife sees plenty of me, and truth be told, I'd say that sometimes she sees me too much. She loves the prestige and the social benefits. She's heavily involved in volunteer work and promoting social causes. My children were grown by the time I took the office. They've benefited from the connections, but they've also proven themselves quite capable. You don't have a family. Are you planning to have one?" Smith paused, then added, "We know you are involved with a Muggle, Cordelia Hunter, is it? "

" Is there a problem with being involved with a Muggle?"

"No, not at all. It wouldn't be the first time. She seems very smart, and most Muggle solicitors we've dealt with are very discreet."

"You know she's a solicitor?"

"Yes, we've been evaluating her since you started seeing her. We needed to know your vulnerabilities."

Oh, this was almost too much, Sirius thought. "You've been evaluating her?" he asked, a note of discomfort in his voice. "How much more intrusive could you be?"

"Everything we learn is strictly confidential. I'm the only one who receives the intelligence reports. I decide what to share with the Chancellor."

"Intelligence reports? Do they come from the ID, where Harry works?"

"Yes, but he's unaware of the investigation. It's a different department."

"That's a bit better, I suppose. Does she have an operative as well?"

"No. just a bit of surveillance Colin directed that investigation."

"And just what will Colin be doing now that he doesn't have to keep me alive?"

"Ah, but that will still be his job. He will become head of your security detail, with your approval, of course. He'll coordinate all the agents and arrangements. I have a gentleman similar to Colin. He was never required to be an operative, but he's handled all security details since I took the office. He's also a very good friend and advisor and taught me quite a bit about the office and about the people here."

They went on to discuss the structure of the IFW and the Chancellor's office, its responsibilities, its pay (which was considerable), and its risks. Once the conversation wound down, and Sirius had asked as many questions as he could think of, he finally said, "Should I limitwho I discuss this offer with?"

"No, you may discuss it with anyone you choose, however we advise against discussing it with a plethora of people. If you turn down the position, we are likely to do memory charms on those you consult with, other than Harry, since we can trust him to be discreet, and they probably wouldn't work on him anyway." Sirius took this as an indication that the IFW knew more than a little about Harry's variety of talents. Mr. Smith finished by asking, "If you could keep it to a minimum it would make it easier on us."

They both stood up; then Mr. Smith asked, "Would you like a tour of the headquarters?"

"Yes, I'd like that very much."

Colin was invited into the office, then Sirius and Deputy Chancellor Smith shook hands, and Sirius and Colin left the office.

As they prowled the halls of the IFW headquarters, Sirius asked him more questions about the Deputy Chancellor and Colin's responsibilities. After Colin had given him a great many details about the daily operations of the IFW, Sirius asked, "So what's it like actually working for this outfit?"

"Not bad. More flexibility than the Enforcement Corps."

"What's the bureaucracy like?"

"Bureaucratic," Colin said with a laugh as they went down a hall with open doors lining either side of the hall. "This is the department you would start out in." He gestured to the door marked Department of External Affairs.

"Would they know I'm pegged for Deputy Chancellor?"

"Nope. Just you, me, General Smith, the Chancellor, and whoever you choose to share it with."

"General Smith?"

"Yes, the Deputy Chancellor holds the rank of General in the Enforcement Corp. You get a very slick looking uniform and everything."

Sirius groaned, but he was smiling, "A uniform? A general? Egads, I never thought about the position holding a rank."

"Yes, and you'll learn how to salute and everything," Colin said with a laugh.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I see. How are the people in this division?"

"Very good team. This division is most like the Enforcement Corp itself. I tend to come here to socialize. A lot of the agents I trained with are here. You might find some of your classmates here. You and James Potter were slated for this division, from what I understand."

"James was supposed to be here too?" Sirius asked, surprised. In the three and a half years after they graduated Hogwarts, they'd all been so consumed with battling Voldemort, and had never spent much time talking about what would happen when...if...after they won.

Colin nodded with a smile. "In fact I've heard they were taking bets as to which of you was actually slated for the Deputy Chancellor position. Others have been on the docket since, well, since then, but nobody was ever officially selected, or even asked, until you, so the betting's been a rather active pastime here. My bet has always been on you."

"Why?"

"You've been one to take chances, go with your instincts. We need that here. Particularly now."

"How old are you?"

"I started Hogwarts in 1979. Just a year or two after you left. You and James certainly left your mark."

"What house?"

"Gryffindor, of course. Aiden, my partner, was in Hufflepuff, though so watch what you say."

"Is working here difficult on a partner, particularly your job? I don't suppose you were home much."

"Aiden doesn't have a problem with that. He's not home much either, since the team is on the road a lot, and he does a lot of charity projects back in Ireland."

"I enjoyed meeting him the other night. Hey, can he get me some tickets next time his team plays in town? I would love to take Cordelia to a match. She's a football fan, I think she'd like quidditch."

"First, I doubt you will ever have trouble going to any event you might choose. Perk of the job. Also, you might consider how much you want to socialize with me and Aiden."

"Why?

"Well, it's just that some Deputy Chancellors like to keep a firm distance between themselves and their chief of security. Others blur that line a bit more."

"I'm going to need all the help I can get, so consider the line entirely removed. If I take this position, I'm going to need your experience to keep me from making an arse out of myself."

"We'll keep your arse out of difficulties. That is my job," said Colin as he led Sirius through a glass-topped hallway, back to the reception area that Sirius had entered almost four hours earlier. "You've got to understand how very weird this is. I'm used to trying to be as anonymous as possible. I've been removed from the wizarding world for nearly 20 years, and hiding from even the Muggle world for a good bit of that time. Now I find out I've been watched and assisted. I'm destined for a position I never even considered. I was just getting used to the idea of having a life within the wizarding community and now this bloke, General Smith, wants to know if I'd consider running the place when he retires." Sirius shook his head in amazement.

"Don't freak out about this, Sirius. I think you are the best man for the job. Go home, talk to Harry and Cordelia..."

"How specific was their investigation of her?"

"I made sure it wasn't too intrusive. We needed to know if she could be used against you in certain situations. I approved the techniques used, but I haven't seen the reports . No one but General Smith sees them, particularly because she's a Muggle. They get rather tetchy about privacy issues. Aiden volunteered to do some personal recognizance for me, however," Colin said with a smile. "He's been at the Obsidian once or twice when she stopped in. He thinks she's a marvelous woman."

"Aiden is giving you reports on Cordelia?"

"Don't worry, he's used to confidentiality. Nothing I tell him, or he tells me, goes beyond our door, and he has low level security clearances. Cordelia would have the same thing, if you ever make any permanent arragement with her.- It's something spouses of people above a certain level automatically receive. That's another reason why the investigation of her was done in the first place. Anyhow, Aiden said that if he liked women he would go for her as well. Which is quite a high compliment coming from him."

"I'm sure Cordelia would say thank you," replied Sirius with a grin.

"Look if you have any more questions, or need someone to talk to, here's my address. Your owl should have no trouble finding it. I also have a Muggle phone, and here's the number. You won't be watched and guarded anymore, so watch your back, but then, you shouldn't be in very much danger either."

"Right. Well thank you for everything."

"You're welcome. It's been fun being your operative. I'm counting on Chief of Security next," said Colin with a smile.

"Great, your job is hanging on my decision as well?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll get a good position either way."

*********************************

Sirius left the building and apparated back to Cordelia's flat. She wasn't home, but obviously was still at work. He poured himself a Balvernie, sat back and began mulling over all the events of the day, and then all the events of the month. It was all rather overwhelming. "I've gone from unemployed coffee shop manager and ostracized wizard to an offer to eventually become Deputy Chancellor of the IFW, and to top it all off, I'm about to ask Cordelia to marry me." He shook his head and downed the scotch. He got up, left Cordelia a note that he'd call her later and Apparated.

The evening was cooler and fall was definitely coming. He negotiated his motorbike through traffic and north out of London. The buildings began to get more sparse and the trees more numerous. When he glanced at his watch, he realized that he'd been riding for at least two hours, but to him it seemed like five minutes. Finally, there was a large open field on his left with a small dirt road leading into the interior of the field. The sun was just going down and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the purpling sky. All seemed right with the world. "So why am I so bloody confused?" he thought ruefully.

He sat looking at the stars for what must have been very long time, as the sky was inky and his legs were stiff when he finally got up. "Very bizarre," he thought. "Very bizarre. I guess if I were Deputy Chancellor I could make it legal to fly this bike. Now that might be worth it." Sirius laughed out loud at this thought.

He got back to Cordelia's around midnight. She had some soup warming on the stove and a sandwich on a plate. "Hey there," she said as she kissed him, and ran her hand down his arm. "How did your meeting go with the Deputy Commissioner, or whoever it was."

"Get the title right, you Muggle you," Sirius said with a sardonic smile and a squeeze around her waist. "I found out today that they want me to succeed the old bastard," he said casually.

Cordelia looked surprised, and asked simply, "Oh?"

"Right, well...he said the Chancellor has seen potential." Sirius went on to relate the content of his meeting with Deputy Chancellor Smith. They went on to talk about all the ramifications of his new career path. They went through the positives, the negatives, the perks, and the security concerns. Cordelia didn't like the idea that she had been observed, officially or unofficially, and he tried to explain the reasons Colin had given for their surveillance. "Oh and get this, I'd be a General in the Enforcement Corps. I get a uniform and everything!"

"Oh my, uniforms do make my heart flutter. But you do that already without a uniform."

"Is that without a uniform in general, or without a uniform specifically?"

"Um, both I suppose," Cordelia said with a smile.

Finally at two o'clock, Cordelia called a break in the conversation and reminded Sirius that she had to get some sleep as she had a breakfast meeting with her associates at 8:30. Sirius decided to go back to his own flat as he knew sleep would be possible quite yet.

Thursday he met Harry for lunch.

Friday he talked to Colin again.

Sunday he was sitting in the chair by the window looking out at the horizon having a lively conversation with himself.

"The thing is I would really rather not have this responsibility. Can't I just live a common, ordinary life? I'd be crazy to accept this position, but I'd be insane if I don't. Am I being a coward if I turn it down or am I getting myself in way over my head if I accept? What would James have done if it had been offered to him? He'd accept the position without even having to think about it. Damn him. Damned nobility. Right, life without regrets. If I turned this down would I regret it? Yes. Okay, if that's true I suppose I have no choice, do I? No you don't," he answered out loud hastily.

He picked up the phone and dialed. "Hi Cordelia?"

"Hi there, I was just about to call you. What are you doing."

"Pondering."

"Well, come over here and ponder with me. I miss you. I'm not planning on working, so we could pretend we moved to Bali."

"Hmmm, that sounds inviting, but I do want to talk."

"Now that is something that women rarely expect to hear from the man in their lives," she interjected, laughing. "I do know what this is about, don't I?"

"I think I've made a decision. I want one last opinion from you before I meet with General Smith tomorrow."

"All right then, I'll brew up something tropical."

"Hmmm, sounds warm and inviting."

"So do you."

**********************

Harry sat at the restaurant waiting. He'd been waiting 45 minutes and Ginny had not called, owled, or otherwise communicated that she would be so late.

This had happened before.

In fact, lately, it happened a lot. Between his work at the I.D., and Sirius' trial, and all the hours she was putting in getting the magazine off the ground they had cancelled more dates than they had actually had in the last month. He was trying to remember the last time they had had a "real" date. It had been a long time. They had seen one another, but it was usually meeting at her place, ordering out a meal, and listening to her talk about her obstacles and plans, or listening to him talk about the trial.

It's not that he didn't enjoy listening to her talk about the magazine, and he whole-heartedly supported her ideas. But he really felt lost and excluded when she started on the problems involved with the start-up. He very rarely read magazines, he had no idea how they were run, had very little interest in fashion, and in general had very little useful advice on the subject. He listened and lent an outsider's viewpoint, but it wasn't a subject they could share at all.

Finally she was there in a rush of cloak, red hair, brilliant smile, and long, expressively beautiful hands. Harry smiled at her. He did like her enthusiasm, and her hair and her hands were amazing, in more ways than one. He sat back and watched the gust that was Ginny join him at the table. She sat down and immediately launched into who she'd managed to hire and what equipment she'd ordered, and what ideas she'd had since the last time they talked.

As they lingered over tea, Ginny finally seemed to talk herself out. There was a comfortable silence for a bit, then Ginny said, "You know Harry, I have a break coming up when I won't be doing anything. I've ordered everything I think I need. Now I need to wait for the deliveries, but I don't want to just sit in the office playing Exploding Snap with my meager staff until they can arrive. I can have an assistant sit around, and we could we get away somewhere, just the two of us. What do you think?"

That did sound good. " I haven't had a decent vacation in a very long time, and we have been rather ignoring one another lately, haven't we?" Harry asked.

"I know I've been neglecting you for a couple of weeks now, trying to get everything set up. I've been so preoccupied with getting this magazine off the ground."

"It's not been just you, with the trial and all, I really haven't had time to breathe."

"Okay then, how about this weekend?" Ginny pulled out her scheduling scroll and laid it on the table in front of them.

Harry couldn't show Ginny his appointment book, since it was all in code anyway, so recited from memory. "I've got to be in Bangkok until Sunday. Could you leave Monday?"

"No, I've got three appointments on Monday with photographers and another batch on Wednesday. What about Thursday?"

"I leave Thursday for Boston. I get back Saturday, how about next Sunday?"

"The twentieth?"

"Yeah, the twentieth."

"That would work. I have to be back Thursday afternoon though."

"Yes, so do I. I have to go to Venice on Friday."

"Can we go somewhere tropical?"

"Sure, isn't Angelina from somewhere warm? I'll owl her and ask her where to stay," Harry said warming to this idea of a real vacation.

Ginny smiled, "All right, I'll leave all the arrangements to you. I'm getting really tired on managing logistics at the moment, so don't make me do that."

"All right, I'm up for the challenge. One tropical vacation coming up."

"Sounds heavenly," she sighed.

*******************

Cordelia exited the meeting with her arms laden down with files. "Get me a ham and cheese sandwich and a Coke from the deli downstairs and hold all my calls." She said to her secretary as she kicked open her office door and spilled the files onto her conference table.

She had just begun to organize them when her intercom buzzed. "I thought I said hold my calls" she snapped.

"Ummm, it's Ian," her secretary said, hesitantly.

She looked up instantly. "Oh, I'll take that one."

She heard his voice on the other end of the line and her mood softened considerably. "Hello."

"How are you this morning?"

"Awful, bloody awful. How about you?"

"Not bad. I've had rather a relaxing day so far. I'm sorry I slept too late to see you off this morning."

Cordelia knew she sounded miserable. "They want me be the senior solicitor on the merger between Collins Geophysical and an Australian conglomerate."

"Why is that bloody awful?"

"Because it means I'm going to have to spend a good part of this fall in Australia."

"That's not so bad, I hear it's lovely this time of year. I've enjoyed it the few times I've been there."

"I'm not wild about spending so much time away from you. I won't be able to fly back on weekends. Bloody long flights," she said softly looking out her window.

"I can apparate on the weekends if you want," he said in a most helpful tone.

"Oh . . . that's right. I didn't know it worked over such long distances."

"You really can't, not all in one jump at least, but there are ways to do it. They have these rest stations along the way where they serve cookies & pumpkin juice, and give you a chance to rest before going the next leg. And I do have good endurance," he said with a chortle.

"That you do," she said, smiling. "Ok, Well . . . Yes, I suppose you can. That's not so bad then. Not that you need to come every weekend."

"Maybe I want to?"

Cordelia laughed, feeling much better. "I certainly won't stop you, although I will have to spend some weekends with clients and some time working you realize."

"Yes, but you'll also need some fun."

"All right. You know speaking of fun, could we move our trip to the farm up to this weekend? It's empty, Mum can't go this weekend. We'd have the whole place to ourselves. This is a perfect chance. I could take Monday off."

"Sure, I don't start for the I.F.W. until next Monday, so I have one more week of freedom. Could we add a trip to Dundee? It's been so long since I've been there, I'd really like to see the place again."

"Sounds marvelous, I'd love to see where you came from."

"It's a deal then. When can you get away?"

"How about tomorrow. I could get off early from work."

"Do you want to fly?" he asked mischievously.

"Now where would we put the luggage?" she answered. "No, really Mum wants me to take some canvasses up with me when we go, so we have to take my car."

"You're no fun at all."

"That's not what you said last night."

"How about if you prove me wrong tonight?"

"All right, my place or yours?"

"I'll be at your place at six."

"I might be later than that," she said looking at the pile of folders. "Bugger, I haven't made you a key yet."

"That's all right. I can get in."

"Of course you can," she finished.

Of course he could.

*************************

Their room faced the beach. They were on the third floor, and a lovely ocean breeze was blowing through the open French doors that lead out onto a balcony. The sun was starting to come up above the horizon and flood their room with a gentle pink glow. They'd been on St. Thomas for two days now and had barely done any sightseeing. They had spent most of their time in bed.

Sleeping.

All the stress of the trial, the new magazine, and Harry's mysterious occupation had taken its toll. They'd arrived Sunday afternoon and decided a nap was in order. They awoke and had some dinner, then came back to the room in order to change to go out. The club didn't open for a couple of hours yet, so they decided to lay down for a bit. The club opened and closed again and Harry and Ginny still slept. They awoke when the sun filtered onto their balcony. They made their way down to the beach and fell asleep in the sunshine, which they'd missed that summer in London. Luckily they'd remembered their sun-blocking charms. After lunch another nap was in order, followed by dinner and a movie. Ginny slept through the movie.

On Tuesday morning Ginny woke up finally feeling rested. "You'd best get me out of this room, Harry, before I sleep this whole vacation away."

"I know. I've spent two full days in a tropical paradise, with a lovely sexy woman and she's slept nearly the entire time. What does that say about me?" Harry laughed.

"It says you are wonderfully chivalrous to let me catch up on some badly needed rest. I don't think I've slept more than four hours a night since I got that vault full of gold."

"I suppose I shouldn't complain, since you weren't the only one sleeping. I needed the rest too."

"So where should we go today?"

"The Messier Plantation this morning and an island hike this afternoon."

"Great . . . no nap?" She asked coyly

"NO! No nap!" he shouted. "You can sleep in London."

"But I don't," she said quietly.

"I know, neither do I."

They did have a marvelous day together. They learned some history, got some exercise, and even spent some time languishing in the pool. After the pool, Ginny went back to the room to shower and dress for dinner. Harry waited his turn, in his damp swimming trunks, on the balcony looking out over the ocean below. Before long he was lost in thoughts about work. When he got back he needed to look into the information Sabian had left him, and pick up the pace on the investigation of the French contingent that seemed to be starting to try to influence other dark communities. He was so lost in his thoughts that he really didn't hear anyone slip onto the balcony. When he felt the touch at his waist, he reacted instantly, grabbing the wrist and taking out the knees of his attacker.

Unfortunately, the assailant was only Ginny, who was wearing only a towel, and was now looking very surprised.

"Cripes - Sorry!" Harry said as he took her hand, brought her to her feet, and helped her readjust the towel.

"Okay, so now I know you're really good at self defense," she muttered as she rubbed her sore wrist.

"Um . . . er . . . yeah . . . well . . . " He moved to heal her wrist, hoping she wouldn't ask any more questions.

"Yes, yes, I know if you told me anymore you'd have to kill me," she smiled, moving to look over the balcony.

"Or at least modify your memory a good bit."

"Ah yes." She slid over so her shoulder was touching his. They stood there for a long time watching the light drain from the sky and listening to the steel band start to play down by the pool cabanas.

"Do you really want to go out tonight?" Harry asked finally.

"Actually, yes I do. I want to experience some nightlife while we're here. You taught me to dance, remember? I want some practice." She spun in a quick turn, and wobbled only a little at the end.

"All right then. I will resist the temptation to remove your towel and go get properly showered and dressed myself."

"I never said we had to go right now. Why do you think I didn't put on anymore than this towel?"

"Well then, right this way, my dear. Your wish is my command." He took her hand and led her into the room.

"So they taught you to follow orders with that job, did they?"

He put her finger to her lips as they reached the bed. "No talk about work this close to the bed." He then proceeded to remove her towel and slide her hips deep onto the bed. He felt her remove his trunks and run her hands down his back. He gently ran his hands across her breasts as he kissed her deeply almost passionately, then ran his mouth down her neck.

They didn't make it to the club, but they didn't spend the evening sleeping either.

**********************

Cordelia packed some things in a small suitcase, wondering if she should take the practical warm flannel pajamas or the sexy satin ones. "Oh it doesn't matter, they never stay on long enough anyway." She thought with a smile as she tossed the flannel ones into her bag. She was glad they'd decided to get away this weekend rather than next. She knew her work would begin to take over her life again, once this transaction was moving forward.

They were planning on comparing notes to figure out how close they had been to one another growing up. Cordelia was also looking forward to showing Sirius her grandparent's farm. The farm had always been her sanctuary, growing up. She felt more comfortable there than any other place on earth. There she could breathe. Although her mother still owned the farm, she was beginning to really think of it as hers, and knew that even though she'd grown up calling it the farm, the term was a bit of an understatement. Estate would have been a better term, but Cordelia's grandfather had always maintained that as long as there were crops being grown in the fields and animals grazing in the pastures it was a farm and nothing more.

The main house wasn't a castle, but it was very large and very old. There were at least 10 bedrooms, numerous gathering rooms, as well as servants' quarters. There was a smaller house where the man who actually ran the farm lived. There was also a small caretaker's house where the family that maintained the gardens and the main house lived. While no one lived in the main house full-time, Cordelia's mum came up most weekends and holidays with other relatives and friends, but this weekend it was all theirs.

After breakfast Friday they set off across the gardens. They planned a hike up to the top of the highest hill on the property, which would allow them to see most of the area and decide which direction to explore first. They brought lunch, a blanket, and a map so that Cordelia could show Sirius where she had misspent her youth. Cordelia spread the blanket out and they settled under the lone tree at the top of the knoll. She really loved just sitting here with him, leaning against him as she talked about various special places from her childhood.

After awhile, when they had reached a lull in the conversation, Sirius reached into the lunch bag and pulled out a small wooden box with a piece of scrimshaw inlaid in the lid, with a drawing carved in the ivory - a picture of a Newfie, wagging his tail. He handed the box to Cordelia without saying anything. She eyed Sirius suspiciously, then opened the box. She let out a small gasp, then fell over laughing. She regained her composure and sat up with the box still in one hand and the ring in the other and said "It's gorgeous, Sirius. Absolutely bloody gorgeous! Oh, and the ring is very nice as well."

"This ring is a wizards ring," he began as he took the ring in his hand and held it up between them. "The diamond is large gaudy Muggle diamond, but the stones on either side are a gem called Alexandrite. When these stones are not enchanted they will typically change color depending on the light. Indoors they will appear to be red, while outdoors they turn green. However, when the stones are enchanted by a very powerful wizard, er... that would be me, the stones have three colors. On a normal day they should be rather consistently green. When I am feeling particularly strongly or amorously towards you, they will turn a lovely shade of blue, very much like your eyes. However, if ever my heart is untrue to you, the stones will turn a brilliant red. This will not only keep me on the straight and narrow, but it will, hopefully, assure you that..." with this he got up on one knee in front of her . . . "I will never lie to you about my heart." He said as he placed both hands over his heart and batted his eyes.

Cordelia laughed at this mock display of chivalry, and pushed on his shoulder and he fell over as she said, "Oh sod off, just ask me already!"

Once he stopped laughing, he got back up on one knee and took one of her hands and said "Ms. Cordelia Hunter, will you marry me?"

She eyed him for a long moment, and finally said, "Yes, I believe I would like that very much," as she knelt in front of him. Then, she took his face in her hands and kissed him with as much passion as she could muster while the laugh was still on her lips. He drew her close to him and slipped his hands between her shirt and her skin. It happened every time he touched her like that, rather like what she imagined electroshock therapy might feel like. Her skin would tingle and her heart would begin to race, but she pulled back and took his hands in hers.

"Not here. The man who runs the farm drives around all day. That would just be a bit too embarrassing."

Sirius sat back and stretched his legs out on the blanket. "All right. Suit yourself...but you're not escaping me when we get back to the house."

"Nor would I want to," she said with a contented smile. Cordelia settled her head in his lap. He stroked her hair and she admired her ring.

"I guess this means we start planning a wedding?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes, I guess so...wizard or Muggle?" Sirius asked

"Would the wizards behave themselves at a Muggle wedding?"

"Not likely, particularly the Weasleys" he commented with a laugh

"They're those twins, right? Ginny's brothers, the ones with the red hair?" Cordelia asked.

"Right, there were seven Weasley kids in all, all boys except for Ginny, and all with flaming red hair."

"Wow, that's a lot of children! I never realized..." Her voice trailed off, then she asked, "What about you? Have you ever wanted a large brood of children?"

"I never thought about children before Azkaban. It's not that I wanted or didn't want them, I just never thought about them, and luckily we have some very effective contraceptive charms. I was pretty young, but James and Lily had Harry when they were barely twenty one, and young families aren't unusual in the wizarding world. Then, once in Azkaban I was very glad I didn't have any, but once I was out and got to know Harry, I began to think about it. It's been incredible watching him grow up, and I've only really known him when he was a baby, and since he was thirteen. I missed all the toddler and child years. Until I met you I reckoned watching Harry grow up was going to have to be enough given my advanced age and the fact that I figured I'd never have sex again."

She laughed, as he gave her a wry smile. "But then you came back. Even after you knew everything about me, the whole sordid tale. Ever since then having children of my own, of our own, seems like a real possibility, depending on your feelings, and an extremely inviting possibility at that. I think it would be wonderful. What about you? It takes two after all."

Cordelia thought for a long moment, sat up, drew her legs up to her chest, and began. "Looking over this farm, I've always had the picture in my head of being here with a husband and children. The only trouble is that with all the other men I've been with, that picture was jarring. I wouild try to picture them here, but it always seemed false. I thought that because I couldn't reconcile that picture it meant I never really wanted children. I never babysat as a teenager and I'm not the type of woman to oh and ah over babies. I've been around my cousin Kerry and her kids enough to know how much work they are. I'm not fascinated with babies, but I do have a lot of fun with the older kids. I could never decide whether it was me, and a lack of maternal instinct or whether it was the lousy gits I was dating.

"Anyway, I came up here once while you were gone, mum thought it would do me good to get away. I was looking out across the field from the kitchen and the vision of you here with our kids was so strong and clear. Of course that made me cry and feel even worse, because I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again." She looked over at him as he slid his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.

"We could have incredible children. I think we could do a great job bringing them up. It might even be fun!"

"You don't sound so sure," Sirius observed.

"I'm not," Cordelia countered, "As I said, I've never been very maternal. I didn't play house or play with dolls. I played with my dog. I hiked. I rode my horse. Anyway, I don't have any practice being a mom, so I'm not sure I'd know what to do. I feel like I could figure it out with you though. Besides with you as their Dad I'd never have to buy them a dog, unless you wanted one to play with."

Sirius laughed, "I think we could figure out the parent thing. We're both pretty smart."

"Right, well that's the other thing. So many of my favorite intelligent, together women have decided not to have children, that I'm growing a tad concerned about the gene pool."

"So it's our responsibility to populate the world with smart kids? How many are you planning, by the way?" Sirius asked looking slightly alarmed.

"Not populate the world, lord no...two would be plenty...never let the children out number the adults...and it's not that our kids need to be extraordinarily intelligent, but if intelligent people don't start raising children, where is this world going to be in a couple of generations?" Cordelia said in a rather crusading tone.

"So you want children to better the world?"

"No, I want us to have children because we could be great parents, and because I wouldn't want to miss out on a chance to make a difference. You know a career is great and you can make a difference with your work. I was so determined when I was in my twenties that my career was what was important and that I could make a real contribution. Well, I have made my share of contributions, but after 15 years, it really is just a job. And if I left there today, in three months it wouldn't make a difference in anyone's life. Hell, the head partner left six months ago and nothing changed at the firm. Life went on, and work went on in the inevitable grind. Can you name one transactional solicitor who made your life better? Besides me of course, but that was on a personal level." Cordelia paused briefly, not waiting for an answer, "Well, if you and I become parents, we do make a difference. We have an opportunity to create a great person."

"What if we create a horrible monster?"

"I know this has its risks. What doesn't if it's worth doing? I'm not going to pretend that I think I'd love all phases of childhood development. But when I'm with you, I really feel like I'm ready to take that risk in order to get the chance to build something wonderful."

"You sound a bit like you want to build a house, are you sure you would want to have the children?"

"Oh, I know I'm not making much sense and it sounds so clinical. I really have given it a lot of thought, both when I was trying to justify why I didn't want children earlier in my life and recently trying to justify why it suddenly seemed like a grand idea to have a family. But it really just boils down to a gut instinct. With all the other men in my life when I tried to picture it, I simply couldn't. When I think about children with you, I can picture it so strongly, and it seems so right." Cordelia said with a smile.

"Now that I understand." He said as he leaned over and kissed her.

"Now here's an important question for you," Cordelia said with a bit of hesitation. "What if our kids are not magic?"

"Even if I were to marry a witch there is a remote possibility of having a squib. That's anon-magical person with wizard parents," he explained But, the important thing is, I can't imagine not loving any child of ours, magic or not."

"I just don't want you to resent me if our children aren't invited to go to Hogwarts or can't play Quidditch."

"They'll still be able to enjoy watching it, and flying on my bike, and all sorts of other things. I can't promise you I won't be a little disappointed if they can't go to my old school, but with you I'm willing to take that chance. There is something magical about you. I have a feeling our children won't be squibs." Sirius answered.

"When do you know if a child is magic?"

"Hogwarts knows right away. Children usually show some ability early on. Just little things like, summoning, conjuring, sometimes really small transfigurations."

"Great so I'll have toddlers that can not only get into regular trouble, but they can play magical tricks as well?" Cordelia asked with a groan.

Sirius laughed, "Yeah, my mum had quite a time with me. One time I turned my breakfast into a flock of starlings. They made quite a noise flapping all about the kitchen. Mum was quite annoyed. When I was little, it was mainly curiosity, I wanted to know where every path led, how every spell worked, what everything did. I was quite a handful."

"You still are."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is," she said as she leaned in for a deep kiss.

"Umm, should we finish up our lunch, then. So we can get back to the house?"

They spent the rest of the day and most of the next day exploring the farm and each other. Cordelia took Sirius riding, and showed him her favorite stream. The stream water was rather warm and it was in an area that the farmer did not regularly patrol. By Saturday afternoon Sirius was beginning to get to know the area and feel very comfortable there. They decided to eat in rather than drive the short distance into town for dinner.

"Are the steaks ready?" Cordelia asked as Sirius came through the screen door.

"No, just put them on... how about the potatoes?"

"They'll be ready in fifteen minutes."

"Mmm, just enough time..." he said as he wrapped his arms about her waist and began to run his hand under her shirt and his lips down her neck.

Cordelia, on her part, was untucking his shirt and had her head thrown back with eyes closed. She ran her hands up his back and then into the back of his jeans.

"Do you think you could drag your attention away from each other long enough for some proper introductions?" came a voice from the doorway between the kitchen and the rest of the house.

"Mum!" Cordelia said suddenly, pulling her hands away and fixing her clothing in an embarrassed sort of way. "What are you doing here?"

"I might ask you two the same thing, but that is rather obvious. You must be Mr. Sirius Black. I'm Kate Hunter," she said, extending her hand.

"Yes I am, and I am so pleased to meet you finally-although if I knew you were coming I'd have been on better behavior."

"Oh, don't be embarrassed. I'd have been disappointed if you weren't pawing each other. I thought you two were coming up next weekend-so I though I'd come up and make sure everything was perfect."

"It was, Mum, and we were, but I got an unexpected reprieve at work, so we moved up our plans. We're planning to leave for Dundee tomorrow-or should we plan to stay with you?"

"No, no! Go on... keep with your itinerary. I was just going to stay the day tomorrow. I have a gallery opening I need to attend Tuesday evening back in London."

"Well, I'm glad you're here. It'll give you two a chance to get acquainted a bit. I've been meaning to arrange this. It's just less awkward this way-no anticipation. Sirius-we need another steak on the barbecue and I'll put out another place setting. We were going to eat out on the patio-is that all right?"

"My favorite spot in the world on an evening like this, particularly at sunset. Shall I choose the wine?"

"Absolutely," Cordelia said.

They all dispersed momentarily-Kate to the wine cellar, Sirius to the grill, and Cordelia to the china hutch, then to set the table on the patio.

Sirius glanced up from the grill as Cordelia put out the place mats and plates. "Do I act on my best behavior or can I be myself around your mum?"

"Oh, definitely be yourself. She knows most of your story and is also perceptive enough to pick up on staged behavior. She's a great drama critic."

"All right, but don't say I didn't warn you," he said with a wink.

Cordelia cast him a worried glance and entered the kitchen. Her mum was emerging from the wine cellar and handed her daughter the wine to open.

Cordelia took the neck of the bottle with her left hand, except her mum didn't let go of the base. Instead, she rotated the bottle so the back of Cordelia's hand was facing up.

"A new piece of jewelry?" Kate said with a raised eyebrow as she released the bottle.

Cordelia's eyes lit up and she beamed a large smile. "Yes, I've not had a chance to tell you. He asked me yesterday and I said yes. This was in with the lunch."

"Oh, Cordelia. I'm so happy for you," she said, drawing her daughter into a warm hug. "I suspected it wouldn't be too long. Although the way you were talking that one night you were over, I also had a suspicion you might turn him down."

"We do have a lot of unresolved issues. I've thought about it quite a bit, and we've talked about some of those things, but I just could not bring myself to say no. Is that bad? Should I have waited until those issues were resolved?"

Kate smiled at her daughter, "Darling, if everyone waited until all their issues were resolved, no one would ever get married. Do you love him?"

"More than any one I've ever known."

"Do you trust him?"

"This ring goes a long way in that regard. From what Sirius has told me, it keeps tabs on his heart." She paused and held out the ring to her mother. "These blue stones change color depending on how he feels about me. Blue means he adores me. Red means he's in love with someone else. Shall we see if we can test them."

She crossed the kitchen and leaned out the back door.

"Sirius, I'm testing the ring... think about an old fling."

"That won't work, Cordelia-the ring tests my heart, not my mind."

"Well, so lust with all your heart after someone else. I want to show Mum."

"If I must-but I can't promise it will work. I spend most of my time lusting after you-ah, I know just the thing that might work."

"As well you should," she said as she closed the door and turned to her mother. They huddled over the ring and waited. After a couple of minutes the gems on either side of the diamond changed from the bright blue they had been all day to green and finally to a very slightly reddish green.

"He says it goes to scarlet red if he ever would fall in love with anyone else, but I don't think he could make that happen now."

"Very interesting," her mother said.

Cordelia broke away from her mum and called out the door-"That's enough, it nearly worked."

"Sorry I couldn't lust more strongly. You want to hear about it?"

"No, I don't think I do and I'm sure my mum doesn't!" she said with a smile.

He laughed. "Steaks are done-fetch me a platter, wench, and we can eat."

She shot him a killing glance and sent her mum out with a platter.

Cordelia retrieved the baked potatoes and the salad. Her mum came back in for the vegetables and the wine. They busied themselves for the next few minutes assembling their plates.

The sun was beginning to turn the sky lovely pastel shades, from pink to yellow to orange to red to black. There was a warm breeze and the crickets were beginning to chirp. Finally Kate spoke.

"I would like to propose a toast to the two of you." They raised their glasses. "To Cordelia and Sirius-I was beginning to despair that my daughter would ever find the right man-one that wouldn't lie to her," here Cordelia kicked her mother under the table, but Kate laughed and continued. "But not only has she found a man who loves her and can't lie to her, but a wizard at that. To the start of an interesting, and hopefully long and fulfilling relationship."

"Thank you, Mum."

"So, Sirius-I guess I need to know your life story, your plans for the future, and your intentions towards my daughter."

"Which would you like to hear first? Cordelia has told you a bit about my history. Why don't you ask me about what she left out?"

Kate asked about his childhood, his parents, wizarding education, and his friends.

Sirius told her about growing up entirely separated from the Muggle world, his cousins that had lived near the farm, Hogwarts, and the Marauders.

They got into a discussion on the difference between the Muggle and wizard political systems and the recent Parliament elections. It had grown dark and the crickets were making a racket.

"Should we move inside?" Cordelia offered.

"You two go into the living room, finish up the wine and talk about me, and I'll clean up," Sirius replied.

When Sirius finally joined them with a glass of Balvernie, Cordelia was curled up on the overstuffed sofa. Kate was sitting in a wingback chair by the fire with her feet up on a matching ottoman. Sirius sat down at the opposite end of the sofa and propped his feet on the coffee table. Cordelia stretched out and put her head in his lap.

They chatted some more about the wizard world. Kate had a lot of questions. Since Cordelia had heard most of these details before, she drifted off to sleep.

"Is she asleep?" Kate whispered.

Sirius looked down. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was soft and regular. "Seems that way. Should I take her up to bed?"

"No, not yet. Let her sleep here for a while. I want to talk to you."

"That sounds ominous."

"It's not intended to be. I was simply wondering how you're doing, now that the trial business is over. Cordelia talked to me a bit about your nightmares and such."

"And such? How much 'and such'?"

"Nothing really-just the nightmares and not sleeping well." Kate paused, seeming to hesitate to probe further, but then forged ahead. "I only ask because my late husband suffered from horrible nightmares during the early part of our marriage. I was much younger than he was. He served as a young officer in the infantry during World War II. He apparently saw some horrific things. He only talked about it a few times, and never in any detail, but I remember the nightmares." She paused and looked into the fire.

She turned back to him with a pained expression on her face. "Then it got worse. Just before Cordelia was born we were under a lot of pressure. He was starting his practice, his parents were sick, the farm was being mis-managed, and I was pregnant. It started with nightmares, then strange outbursts, then one night he hit me. He had absolutely no memory of actually doing this, but he could see the bruise on my face for a week. I've never told Cordelia about this. I know he never would have done it if he'd been in his right mind, but it scared the living daylights out of me. I left him for a bit. But he knew some of his infantry mates had talked about going through something similar. They called it shell shock back then. He went to a counselor for a number of years and gradually the nightmares stopped and he never raised a hand to me again in forty years of marriage. I'm telling you all this because I know you've gone through some horrific things. The nightmares may not be indicative of anything, but if you start blacking out and not remembering things, you might want to be aware that there might be a problem that won't go away on its own. It may just get worse."

Sirius sat silently staring into the fire and stroking Cordelia's hair. He was wrestling with the idea of telling Kate about the night before his trial, but finally decided against it. That part of his life was over and the nightmares had stopped. He was happier now than ever before in his life. How could it get worse?

Sirius finally replied, "Ah, yes. Well, it's been much better since the trial. Cordelia has helped enormously. I'm not sure I'd be here today if she hadn't been with me the night before the trial."

"Well, she has always had a tremendous capacity to love. Of course I was never sure if that applied to humans. Usually the objects of her love were dogs or horses."

"Maybe that's why she loves me, then," Sirius quipped with a smile.

Her mum laughed. "Well, most of her other serious offers have been with men who were less than human. You seem to me to be much more than human."

"I will take that as a compliment, Mrs. Hunter."

"Please, call me Kate. Mrs. Hunter always made me feel very old."

"Okay. I know you may have heard some strange tales about me. I assure you they are all true."

Kate smiled again. "I don't care who you are or what you've done. As long as you treat Cordelia like an equal partner, don't lie to her, and love her deeply-I think she can be happy with you."

"You really don't care what I've done in the past?"

"Curious, yes-it would tell me a lot about you-but will it influence my feelings for you? I doubt it. I met Harry, you know. He seems like a wonderful man, very polite. Cordelia tells me you've been instrumental in raising him."

"Not as much as I should have. His father, James, was my closest friend growing up. When James made me his godfather, I never really thought I'd have to do anything. Then all the bad stuff happened, and I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to. Then I could, so I did. It really was amazing watching him grow up... what about Cordelia? Tell me all about how she grew up."

"Ah, my favorite subject," Kate said with a light in her eyes.

And she was off regaling Sirius with all those funny and embarrassing tales only mothers remember and dare to tell. They stayed up very late, talking and laughing together. Finally, Cordelia woke up and mumbled something about getting to bed. She got up and left the room in a sleepy stupor.

"You'd better see to it she gets into bed all right."

"Yes, I probably should. Thanks for the single malt and the stories, now I have ammunition for blackmail," Sirius said with a smirk.

"Good night," Kate said quietly.

"Good night."

By the time he got to their room Cordelia had slipped on her flannel pajamas and was climbing into bed. Sirius got undressed, put on some sweatpants and a T-shirt and gently slid under the covers. Cordelia nestled up against him, and he wrapped his arms around her. He thought about what her mum had said. The image of Cordelia with a large bruise on her face kept involuntarily popping into his head. He shut his eyes tightly against the vision and tried to picture her face from yesterday when he had asked her to marry him. That helped, and soon they both were wrapped in a deep dreamless sleep.

***********************

The next day they left for Dundee. As Cordelia drove across the country, they both commented on places they'd been and things they'd done in the little towns and villages along the way. They got into Dundee in the late afternoon. Sirius had made arrangements at a wizarding pub in the village that had guestrooms upstairs.

They parked behind the pub, which appeared to Cordelia as a run-down warehouse and some assorted associated shacks. They gathered their bags and walked around to the front of the building. As they came around Sirius drew out his wand and passed it front of Cordelia. She was now able to see the very quaint pub and the village that surrounded it.

In front of her was The Charmed Inn, a Tudor style pub, with dormer windows peeking through the thatch roofed. To the left of the pub were about half a dozen stores with names like Potions and Plants, Tea and Transfigured Treats, The Right Robe, and Goblin Gifts. To the right were offices for mediwizards, solicitors, and potion brewers.

"I guess the saying, there is more here than meets the eye would be cliched?" Cordelia commented dryly.

"This is the village where I grew up. My parents' house was about a mile to the south, although it always seemed a lot longer when I had to walk here to get my mum one thing or another. Come on let's get settled, get some dinner and then I'll give you the tour."

Cordelia nodded as she stared at all the strange looking and strangely dressed people, starting just a bit as people apparated and disapparated in front of her. She was beginning to feel like she was in some sort of costume drama when Sirius pulled on her hand and brought her into the lobby.

As they stepped through the low doorway, the innkeeper bellowed, "Sirius Black, How the bloody hell are you! We read all about your trial. The folks around here were ecstatic when we heard you weren't all that bad after all. Wish your parents were here to see it."

"Right, well so do I," Sirius said a bit impatiently. "Is the room ready?"

"Oh, of course, and because of all your troubles we're upgrading you to our best suite. The sitting area is a bit larger, and the fireplace should accommodate all but the largest cauldrons. We do ask that if you are planning on brewing any particularly noxious potions that you let us know so we can properly air the room afterward."

"No, no I'm not planning on doing any brewing whilst I'm here. We're just in town to visit some of my old haunts. Is the pub serving supper yet?"

"They start in half an hour. I'll secure you a table; it can get rather busy most nights. Just come on down when you're ready. If there's anything you need, there's a bell rope in the room. Just give it a yank and we'll see to it."

"Thanks."

They went up the stairs to their left and entered the fourth door on the right. It was indeed a lovely room. In the center was a queen size four poster bed with a feather mattress and green velvet hangings. Two overstuffed chairs faced the fire with a large fluffy rug spread in front of the chairs. On the hearth was a small cauldron with some jars and boxes arranged on the mantle. Well-stocked bookcases flanked the fireplace and held a teapot and two mugs. There was a dormer window that looked out on the square. On the wall opposite the bed and the fireplace was a large storage closet and the bath, which held a large, beautiful claw foot tub, although there was no shower.

They deposited their bags in the closet and agreed that they should eat as they had skipped lunch. They went down to the pub and were given a booth in the back corner away from the door and the main section of the bar. The food was simple fare, but well prepared and they spent most of dinner talking about his childhood. Sirius talked more than usual about his parents and extended family. Most had moved away in search of better jobs, although at one time he had had lots of aunts, uncles and cousins throughout the area.

After their plates were cleared the owner of the pub came over to greet Sirius. It was apparently a man that Sirius had grown up with. The man sat down and he and Sirius did some reminiscing. Cordelia was introduced, but Sirius made no mention of her non-magical status.

During this conversation Cordelia noticed two particular women walk past their table on numerous occasions. One time she was sure she heard a giggle. The conversation turned to motorbikes as the pub owner asked Sirius about the 1952 Black Vincent he used to own, but Cordelia wasn't really listening all that closely to the conversation. She was enthralled with the people entering the pub. She caught snippets of conversations and was sure she saw a couple of creatures that weren't quite human.

Sirius touched her hand. "I'm going to check out his bike, do you want to come along?"

"Ah, no, I'll stay here and finish my ale, thanks...you won't be long will you?"

"No, we'll be right back."

No sooner had Sirius left than the two women who had been lurking about slid into the booth opposite Cordelia.

"Hello, I'm Magdalena and this is my friend Beatrice. We wanted to welcome you and Sirius to town."

"Thank you, we won't be here long . . . just the night and some of tomorrow."

"So you both live in London now?"

"Yes," Cordelia answered hesitantly.

"Are you living together, yet?" Beatrice asked in a rather leering tone.

"I don't think that's really any of your business, now is it?"

"Oh, I don't suppose it is, but it's rumored he's engaged," Magdalena interjected.

"Is he engaged to you?" Beatrice demanded.

"Yes, that much is true." Cordelia was trying to keep her tone flat to discourage any additional questions, but she had a feeling these two were not likely to get the point.

"You're not really a Muggle, are you?" Beatrice asked with her nose wrinkled, like she'd just tasted bad meat.

"Yes, I am. Is there a problem with that?"

"Well," Magdalena said hastily as she elbowed Beatrice in the ribs, "I don't have a problem with Muggles, but you don't really believe he's going to stay with you, now that he's free, do you ?"

"He didn't ask me to marry him until he was free , so I have no reason to believe he'd change his mind at this point," she said coldly. How could she get rid of these witches, she wondered.

"You do know his history, don't you or did you only learn about him later? Seems to me he would have hidden it as long as possible."

"No, quite the contrary. He made sure I knew everything about him before we got seriously involved." She could feel the color climbing in her cheeks as she fought to stay calm and not get angry with these strangers.

"But do you know he's slept with half the witches from here to London?" Beatrice said in a gloating voice.

"Only half?" Cordelia countered.

The witches laughed and looked at one another knowingly.

"If you must know the longest he was ever with a witch was when he was with Lucinda. And that's only because she could fix his motorbike. How long was he with her, Magdalena?"

"Three months, a whole summer. Usually it was just a couple of weeks at most . . . and one night stands were not uncommon." Magdalena stated flatly.

"We thought we ought to warn you. Do you know anything about motorbikes?"

"No, I'm a transactional solicitor."

"Oh! Well he always did prefer the intelligent ones, and I can certainly see your charms. You have a bright aura too, but I guess you wouldn't know that," she said unkindly. "Do you realize the only reason he went for a Muggle is that most witches would have turned him in. Why didn't you, being a solicitor and all that?"

"He never did anything wrong, did he?"

"Yes, I suppose that is true, but most intelligent and powerful wizards, and Sirius is a very powerful wizard, wouldn't settle for a Muggle." Magdalena added.

"And there certainly are plenty of witches who would jump at the chance to land him as a husband."

Cordelia just stared at them. She was having a very difficult time not exploding, but she was so out of her element, she felt paralyzed. They continued.

"Oh, yes, Sirius was a most eligible wizard, particularly around these parts. You should have heard some of the schemes to get him to marry. How did you ever drag a proposal out of him?"

"I didn't drag anything. He asked. I accepted. Isn't that the way it works in your community?"

"Yes, usually it is," Magdalena sniffed. "But Sirius was always so dead set against it. We reckoned he'd never go there willingly."

"People change."

"Has he now?" Beatrice leered.

"I imagine he has, however I didn't know him before, so you can draw your own conclusions."

"Well, I knew him," Magdalena piped up. "In the true sense of the word . . . one glorious week together. She only had one night. So is Muggle sex as good as sex with a wizard?"

"I'm sorry," Cordelia said coldly. "I don't know you two and I am just not comfortable talking about this. It really is none of your business."

"I see, so you think that just because you have your hooks in him that you're better than us! Well there you're wrong. We're both happily married to successful wizards in this town who wouldn't dream of marrying a Muggle. Merlin forbid if their children weren't magical. What wizard in his right mind would chance that?" Beatrice said haughtily.

At that point Cordelia lost it. "Right then, I've had just about enough. His personal life is absolutely none of your concern. Who he plans to marry is his business not yours to second guess. Your community banished Sirius for 20 years. Now you welcome him back like nothing ever happened and expect him to forget about the life he built away from this community. That may or may not happen but let's let him make that choice shall we?"

With that Cordelia got up and left the pub. She was so furious by this time she nearly ran over a small witch that had just entered the pub. She reached in her purse desperately trying to find her car keys to get away from these irritatingly rude people, when she realized she had left them in the room. She turned quickly around, and saw that the pub was gone. The whole town was gone. All that was left was the run-down warehouse she'd seen when they parked her car. She let out a string of curses, kicked a short wall that was nearby, and stormed off.

***********

Sirius and the pub owner came back into the pub to find Magdalena and Beatrice alone in the booth where they had left Cordelia.

"Where's Cordelia?" Sirius asked anxiously.

"Who, that Muggle you've been playing with . . . come on Sirius you can't really be intent on marrying a Muggle can you?" Magdalena quipped.

He was clearly annoyed and knew Magdalena well enough from childhood to know she could be very cruel at times. "Fuck off, Magdalena. Where did she go?"

"She left. She was quite rude as well. Said something about that we shouldn't be welcoming you back," Beatrice said with a pout.

"If I ever find out that either of you said anything a Muggle might find insulting, I'll see you both turned into a half-rat and half snake so you can eat yourselves, is that clear?" Sirius said quietly but with a look of fury in his eyes.

"I love it when you get angry," Magdalena said as she met his gaze.

He rolled his eyes, drew out his wand and cast a Devocalunatus curse on them both.

He quickly left the pub and went immediately to their room. He thought he could gage how angry she was by what she might have taken. If her bags and car were gone he was in big trouble.

All her luggage was there. He opened her briefcase and saw that her car keys were still in their pocket. As he closed the case he spied a letter with his name on it. He took it and opened it, thinking it might be a note telling him where she had gone. He began to read, then slumped down on the bed. As he read, he ran a shaky hand through his hair a number of times. It wasn't a note to tell him where she had gone; it was a letter written during the trial. The first night he was imprisoned.

Dear Sirius.

Where to begin. I guess first and foremost, I love you. You know that, but to put it in writing makes it more permanent. And at this point in time I do love you more than I've ever loved before. But while that love has been a tremendously filling feeling, tonight I feel so empty and hollow.

I can only imagine what you must be going through, so I'm not going to complain. You may not even ever read this, as its purpose is primarily to purge my head of all the thoughts of today and tonight.

I really need to purge my head and heart of one particular thought. I'm not sure which I'm more afraid of, losing you or staying with you.

I guess I'll start with why I am afraid to lose you. That should be relatively obvious. We seem to complement each other in every conceivable way. I've never felt so close to a man in so little amount of time. I always thought those who referred to a lover as 'my other half' were either emotionally dependant or they were only half a person to begin with. I was wrong. I always considered myself to be whole before I met you. But now, when faced with the prospect of never seeing you again, I feel like someone is amputating part of me.

That feeling is also why I'm afraid of staying with you if you are acquitted. The intensity of how I feel about you scares me silly. I always swore a man would never have that kind of power over me. I've been on the brink of that feeling before, but always managed to back away from it before I reached that point. Why couldn't I this time? It feels wonderful and horrible at the same time. It's wonderful when you are here and fine, horrible when you're not here with me or when you are not fine.

Which brings up the other reason I'm afraid of staying with you. You scared the shit out of me last night. It seems like a million years ago, but it really was just last night. I've never seen that intensity of reaction before. I don't know how to deal with it. Before last night I never dreamt you could be violent. I keep telling myself it was just the circumstances. Just the circumstances...it was more than a set of ordinary circumstances, I do understand that. It was a set of extraordinary circumstances that would cause other mere mortals to collapse under the strain. But way back in a back corner of my brain I can't help but wonder if I just don't know you as well as I thought. I have no desire to be in an abusive relationship, even if I have to cut my soul in half in order to get out of it.

I'm frightened half to death I'll never see you again. I'm afraid that if I do I'll either lose myself loving you or have to tear myself apart staying away from you.

So here I sit. It's four in the morning. I need to rest so I can have the strength to see you in the morning. I need to see how the night effected you. I hope you were not irreparably changed. You'll probably never see this letter. Just writing it down helps me feel less insane for fearing either alternative.

I'll get through this, as will you. I guess time will tell.

I love you way too much for my own good, but I could never love you any less.

Cordelia

He let out his breath slowly as he finished the letter. His stomach was in knots. Was this really how she felt? Was she afraid of him" He wasn't sure he wanted an answer to this question. Should she be afraid of me?" he wondered. His vision of her with a bruised face resurfaced in his mind's eye.

He searched the entire village, and then began to follow the stream that ran through the south end of town. It ran towards his parents' old house and something told him to go that direction. He ran for almost 10 minutes before seeing her in the distance.

"Cordelia," he yelled.

She stopped and turned around.

As he approached he could see the streaks on her cheeks and could see that she was rapidly wiping them away with her hands. But he could also tell she was angry.

"Why didn't you come back to the room?"

"Because I couldn't bloody well see the room, now could I! You and your god damn anti-Muggle whatever they are!" she yelled.

"Oh, right . . . damn."

"Such a fucking paternalistic attitude towards us vastly inferior Muggles. What they don't know can't hurt them after all! Well, right about now I wish I didn't know."

"Cordelia, I . . . "

"And as for your ex-lovers, and I suppose the rest of the wizard community, they've all decided I won't last long as your fiancee. Soon you will realize my inferiority, memory charm me and send me on my way. How convenient!" She was still yelling.

"Stop it! Stop it right there." He had raised his voice so she could hear him, but not in anger. "Don't let some idiotic empty-headed witches tell you what I'm going to do. They don't know me. They did once, but that was a lifetime ago. They have no idea how I feel about you."

"Yar, well they did a damn good impression, and I have a feeling those won't be the last witches I run across who are convinced you won't stick around permanently."

"They are so very wrong."

"How am I supposed to know that? I don't know your community; hell I can't even see the bleeding buildings. How am I supposed to know anything about your moves or motives once you settle back into this world?"

He grabbed her left hand and held her ring. "This is there to show you my heart at all times. Isn't that good enough? I knew you'd hear these comments. I'm sorry for not preparing you better. But whenever you have a question about my heart, just look at that ring. That's what it's there for."

Her anger collapsed and he drew her towards him. She broke down and cried on his shoulder. She finally pulled back, as she wiped her eyes she took a deep breath, "All right. I know I should trust you rather than a couple of twits in a pub."

"Damn right you should!" He said this with a sly smile playing at his lips. "I love you."

Cordelia smiled.

They turned and began walking back to the village. They walked in silence for a couple of minutes before Sirius took the envelope he'd found earlier out of his pocket. He didn't show it to Cordelia right away. He held it down at his side.

"What've you got there?"

"I found this in your briefcase. It was addressed to me, so I opened it. Do you really feel this way? Do you really think I could ever physically hurt you?"

She took the letter, glanced at it and handed it back to him. "I think it's possible." Her expression was hard to read. She didn't seem afraid or as sad as she had been in the letter. She seemed very cautious.

"I can't imagine it."

"But you almost did, Sirius. You were on the brink, that night, of doing something that I probably can't even imagine."

"You snapped me out of it though. It was looking into those eyes that stopped me."

"But what if it doesn't work next time?"

"I don't know." He let out his breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Are you willing to take that risk with me? I don't have any answers about this."

"I said yes, didn't I?"

"You did, didn't you." He looked at her and smiled. They joined hands and continued to walk.

"On a positive note, I haven't had any more nightmares or insomnia since the trial. That seems to preface those episodes."

"You've had them before . . . where you can't remember anything? I remember that testimony."

"Before the night of the trial I'd not had one for a very long time. The year I broke out of Azkaban, I had a couple of them. I chalked it up to not enough food at the time."

"So do you think now that you're done with all that clear they'll go away?"

"Yeah, why shouldn't they?"

"Things like that don't usually just go away permanently on their own."

They walked some more in silence. Sirius finally voiced his real concern as his stomach prepared for the worst. "So do you really think you'd be better off without me?"

"In some ways yes, but . . . as I just told you, I did say yes didn't I?"

"What do you mean, in some ways?"

"If I was really looking out for what was easiest and safest, I'd leave and never come back. The attitude of those bitch...er...um witches in the pub don't make staying with you any easier. I have a feeling I'm setting myself up for regular abuse because I'm not magic...not by you but by the rest of the magical community. But I'm too selfish to let that stop me, I suppose. I want you. I can't seem to help myself. And that lady in my head that gives advice says if I let you go I'll always regret it."

"There's that word again. It keeps cropping up doesn't it."

"Yes it does seem like a recurring theme in our relationship."

As they reached the village a voice rang out, "Sirius!" Beatrice was waving her arm and she and Magdalena were approaching.

"What the hell do you two want?"

"We just wanted to let you know that Lucinda is over at the pub. She said to say hello and that she would love to meet...umm Camilla is it?"

Without a word of explanation Sirius took out his wand, turned Beatrice into a hedgehog and Magdalena into a porcupine, and kept walking.

Cordelia broke out into a laugh and stepped around them. He charmed her so she could see the town again and escorted her up to their room. They spent the rest of the evening in a hot bath and by the fire . . . just to get the chill off.

*************************

Harry entered the flat looking rested for the first time in months. Hermione was in the living room trying some sort of new combustivity charm she'd been developing at the Charms Instititute. She had finally accepted their offer in August, but had negotiated a delay in her starting date until after the trial.

"You look great! Vacations certainly agree with you," Hermione said, surprised to see Harry tanned and relaxed.

"Thank you, I do feel so much better."

"Did you do anything fun?"

"We toured a sugar plantation, and the ghosts were very friendly. They had a herd of violet unicorns, Ginny loved that. We had to scare up some pastels from the town so she could go back and draw them. That gave me a good opportunity for a nap. We went dancing last night, but it wasn't quite the same. Most of the time it was that horrible techno-crap. They finally put on some new swing and I got a bit over zealous. I tried some stuff that was a bit too advanced for Ginny and she ended up on her arse a couple of times. She was a good sport about it though.

"Sounds wonderful. I'll put St. Thomas on my list of places to go. That pile of messages came for you. They're all marked 'Top Secret' so I knew better than to touch them."

Harry laughed and grabbed the messages as he walked back to his room.

Hermione continued her practice when she heard . . .

"Bugger! I go away for four lousy days and everything goes all to hell!"

Harry stormed out of the bedroom, and grabbed his cloak. "Going in to work. Who knows when I'll be back? If Ginny comes by, tell her I'll owl her when I can."

At that moment he was greeted by a barn owl - Ginny's.

Dear Harry,

There's a crisis at the magazine. Ninety percent of what I ordered came in wrong. Who knows when I'll get this straightened out? I'll owl you when I can.

Ginny

Harry smiled ruefully. "We must be home," he muttered under his breath. He crumpled the note in his hand, threw it in the kitchen dustbin, and left the flat.


Author notes: There will be one more chapter, then an epilogue which takes place 6-9 months after the end of the last chapter. I'd put a teaser here, but I'm not sure yet what the next chapter will contain. There will be a wedding, plus some other scenes leading up to the wedding.

Thanks to all our reviewers on the PoU list and ff.net. You are our reward for writing.