Burning Love

•Expecting Surprises•

I stood in the dimly lit kitchen of Grimuld Place, the remnants of the wedding celebration still lingering in the air. James and Lily's wedding had been a beautiful affair, filled with laughter and love, but now, as I looked around the old house, the weight of the world pressed heavily on my shoulders.

Sirius leaned against the counter, his eyes searching mine, a mix of joy and concern reflecting in the depths. "It feels surreal, doesn't it? One moment, we're celebrating love, and the next, we're reminded of everything that's happening out there."

I nodded, the echoes of laughter fading as the reality of the wizarding world loomed large. "Every day, more muggles... more lives lost. It's hard to feel entirely happy with that hanging over us."

Sirius stepped closer, taking my hand in his. "I know we should be thinking about our future, but with everything going on, it feels like there's so much uncertainty. I don't want to rush into anything."

I squeezed his hand, grateful for the connection. "Me neither. I love how we are right now. Moving in together after James and Lily's wedding feels right, but the thought of marriage—it's overwhelming."

"We've got time," Sirius said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I want to make sure we're ready. This war... it changes everything. I don't want to bring any more fear into our lives."

I smiled, feeling the warmth of his words. "What if we take things one day at a time? We can enjoy this moment, enjoy each other, without the pressure of what comes next."

Sirius chuckled lightly, the tension easing slightly. "I can get behind that. We've got our own little bubble here—just us against the world. And right now, that feels perfect."

We shared a quiet moment, absorbing the calm amidst the chaos outside. I felt a surge of hope. "As long as we have each other, we can face whatever comes next. We'll make our plans when we're ready."

"Exactly," Sirius agreed, pulling me into an embrace. "No matter what, we'll face it together."

As we stood in the shadows of Grimuld Place, the future felt uncertain, but with Sirius by my side, I knew we would navigate it together—one day at a time, one small step toward a brighter tomorrow.

As we stepped into James and Lily's home, a wave of warmth washed over me. The air was filled with the familiar scents of baked goods and fresh flowers, instantly bringing a smile to my face. Lily was bustling around the kitchen, her hair slightly tousled and her cheeks still glowing from the honeymoon.

"Look who's back from their romantic getaway!" I teased, unable to hold back my grin. "Did you manage to survive without your broomsticks for a whole week?"

James placed a hand over his heart in mock shock. "How could you say that? We survived on nothing but love and... well, more love!"

Lily laughed, rolling her eyes. "And plenty of chocolate, if you must know. I'm still recovering from all the sweets."

Sirius leaned against the doorframe, a playful spark in his eyes. "Well, we've missed you two lovebirds. But we need the details! Was it as magical as you promised?"

James and Lily exchanged a knowing look, and I couldn't help but lean in, intrigued. "Let's just say we found some creative ways to keep the honeymoon... interesting."

"Oh, please," I interjected, a teasing smile on my lips. "I can't even imagine the chaos you got into. Did you get kicked out of any hotels?"

Lily blushed slightly, her laughter bubbling over. "Maybe a couple... but we'll keep those stories to ourselves."

Just as the teasing continued, Remus walked in, looking utterly worn out. My heart sank a little at the sight of him—his usually bright eyes were shadowed, and he dragged his feet like a heavy burden was resting on his shoulders. "Hey, everyone," he said, trying to muster a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.