A/N: If you are a fan of the Sirius/Hermione pairing, be a sweetheart and join my fanlisting. The link can be found at my profile. Okay, I know that both my SB/HG fics got Ron romantically involved, but I CAN'T HELP IT! I'm crazy about this love triangle since both Sirius and Ron are my favourite men… mmhmm… Anyways, don't mind my grammar. I'm always terrible with them!
Revised: 27 August 2004
The Future Awaits
Chapter 1: Retrieval of the 'Dead'
Two years had passed since the Golden Trio graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry and Ron went ahead with their ambition as Aurors. As for their female counterpart, she went ahead and work for the Ministry, under the 'Department of Mysteries'.
Hermione Granger was most admired and envied for her devotion and determination for her work. She gets promotions in a breaking record speed in just two years. She is now part of the vice-presidents in her department.
At the moment, she was on a research project about the Veil which Sirius fell into five years ago. Of all her past projects, this was one which she was really determined on. She did not know why, but she just felt a strong surge of determination for this particular research. She reasoned to herself that maybe, it happened to involve Sirius death in it.
Months passed. After numerous information gatherings and meetings, Hermione appointed Ron to be her Auror on a special mission, which he readily agreed. This somehow unsettled Harry, who was totally free of any Auror work.
"Sorry, Harry. Don't feel bad. I have my reasons to choose Ron for this mission," consoled Hermione.Harry gave her a knowing smirk.
Hermione rolled her eyes and continued, "In a way Harry, you are involved in this too... very much, in fact. No, let me rephrase that. You ARE actually involved with this mission. I'll give you more details when I get them as soon as possible."
"No, Mione. I understand. I'd choose Ron too if I were you."
Hermione gave an exasperated sigh.
"Harry, I know that you know that Ron and I are going out. But it's nothing like that. This is about the Veil," she said in an exasperated voice.
Harry's eyebrows instantly shot up.
"Yeah… I think I found a way to… open it. And maybe… retrieve a certain someone…"
"Hermione.., but that's impossible! As much as I want to deny it, Sirius is DEAD!" retorted Harry.
"It doesn't hurt to try, Harry. You will stay here, and I'll give you some orders by owl."
"But why do you guys need to go so far off London to Vienna to do this stuff?"
"As far as our research goes, Austria is the only country the spell will work."
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The day to Vienna arrived. Hermione insisted on travelling by traditional muggle airplane, which took her 'centuries' to convince Ron that he has nothing to worry about. Ron had to finally relent, since he could not resist his girlfriend's puppy dog face and a certain 'guarantee-will-work' question; "Don't you trust me?"
Harry received an owl of confirmation from Ron, the next day that both Hermione and him had arrived at Vienna safely. He chuckled at the thought of the famous 'I-told-you-so' look Hermione would give his best friend.It was until five days later, when he received a letter from Hermione:
Harry,Hi! How are you? Both Ron and I are working on well. Vienna is a really nice place.
Although the git always wants me to enjoy this so-called 'honeymoon' with him. Ugh!
But, heck! I still love him! Heheh!
Anyways, back to business, Harry, both Ron and I will be doing the chants this
Sunday. Do you think you can get Remus to come with you in front of the Veil? I'd
given you guys legal permissions to go there. So don't worry about it.
There's things I'll need you to do once you're in front of it, Harry. Yes, Remus
included too.
- Be sure you two are the only one in there.
- You'll need to sit cross-legged about 3 feet from the Veil with both hands steadily
on your knees.
- Chant this phrase repeatedly "Viennava Veilee Vaki Aatma"
Please, whatever it is, do NOT give up repeating, UNTIL you hear a certain 'slit' from
the Veil. I'm not so sure how to detail this 'slit', but I trust that you will know when
you'll hear it.
Now, if this 'someone' never appear from this, then I guess you can give up.
You should start chanting at 1.00 AM sharp. Back here in Vienna, Ron and I will be
doing our part of the chants at the same time. It is said here, that during our chants,
you guys will feel a certain connection with the both of us.
Right, Harry… good luck and remember, this Sunday 1.00 AM.
Your Friend,
Hermione Granger
Harry could not help but doubt this will work, but the other side of his mind told him 'when did Hermione ever gone wrong?'
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Harry got Remus to read the letter, and he too had the same doubts, but he agreed that they must not ignore this chance.
"I don't even understand why Hermione's doing this…" Harry wondered.
Remus just stayed silent.
Saturday came a little too soon. Both Remus and Harry prepared for their task.
"What am I getting from doing this?" Harry asked himself. "Even if he does come out, will he still be the same? What if something goes wrong? What if-"
"Harry, relax…" Remus cooed.
Harry sighed and muttered, "If only we could contact through cell phones…"
"What is that, Harry?" Remus asked in a voice which meant that he did not catch him properly.
"Never mind."
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It was 12.35 AM when both Remus and Harry reached the Department of Mysteries. It looked so dark in there, that Remus suggested that they do a 'Lumos' on their wands and stick them up through the holes on the floor they'll be sitting on.
Finally the time came and they started their chants immediately. Soon, with a few repeated chants, Harry felt as if a blast of wind had entered his skull. It was then when he heard Ron's and Hermione's voice chanting the same phrase together with them.
Minutes passed. It seemed forever to Harry, and he was already starting to feel bored with the chants, but he was reminded by Hermione's words not to give up until-
"Cheeerrtt!!!"
Instantaneously, Harry felt a lost of connection. He looked to his left where Remus was sitting beside him, and saw him looking back with the same confused look, he knew he was giving too.
All of a sudden, the Veil in front of them bellowed as if a big storm was raging from the inside. It was a somewhat spooky and eerie sight, especially since they were in a closed room with no windows, and the only door was about fifty feet away from where they were currently sitting.
"Umm…" Remus murmured. Fear clearly written in his voice.
"Cheeeerrrrtt!!!"
Both Remus and Harry yelped at this.
"Umm, H-Harry… did Hermione give you anymore instructions that I did not know of?" he stammered.
But before Harry could answer, they heard heavy footsteps from inside the Veil.
'This is it!' Harry thought, 'But, will it be seriously Sirius, or someone else? Maybe it could be a ghoul coming out from this stupid thing.'
And sure enough, a ghoul-liked figure came into view. Remus and Harry who were still sitting down, shaking like there was no tomorrow looked up to see a man with long black beard and hair standing tall in front of them. They both screamed like girls, holding each other tightly.
"Ugh! Guys! Cut it out! You don't want breaking my eardrums!"
Harry instantly recognized the voice. 'Could it be?'
"Sirius!!"
A/N: I know, I know… there's still no romance for this first chapter. Just have patience you lovesick fools! Again, if you are a fan of the Sirius/Hermione pairing, be a sweetheart and join my fanlisting. The link can be found at my profile.