Truth or Dare ✔️

24

Hermione fidgeted at the large double doors to the main house as she and Sirius waited to be let in. Luis opened the door with a smile and a bow. "Good evening, Master Sirius! Miss Granger! Please, come in. You're expected in the lounge."

"Thank you, Luis," Sirius said with a smile. "I know the way."

Sirius led Hermione down a large corridor to a large warmly furnished lounge to find Connie reading on a chaise and more importantly, his sorely-missed cousin Alexander dozing on a cushy recliner and he stopped short and stared at him. Suzy looked up and smiled and nudged her husband. "Hey, wake up."

Alexander opened his eyes and sat up in the chair. "Is it dinner already," he asked quietly.

"No, somebody is here to see you," she whispered gesturing toward Sirius and Hermione.

"Hmm?" His eyes met with Sirius'.  "Mon dieu," he whispered with shock. He leaped off the over sized chair and all but ran to his cousin, stopping just short as his eyes filled quickly. Sirius smiled and nodded.

"Yes, it's really me," Sirius said.

Alexander wrapped his arms around his favorite cousin and embraced him for a long time as if he were trying to soak up and remove Sirius' pain for him. "I have prayed so hard for this day," he whispered.

Sirius swallowed hard. "Don't get all sappy on me," he whispered.

Alexander pulled away and laughed. "We have to fatten you up, man!"

"Oh? Like one of your steers," he joked to Alexander's playful sneer. Hermione chuckled.

"The family resemblance is so keen, you two look like you could be brothers," Hermione said.

Sirius chuckled and put his arm around her. "Mione, this is Alexander Le Noir, the Heir Apparent. Alex, may I present Hermione Granger..."

Alexander smiled genuinely and took her hands in his and kissed them. "So, so happy to meet you! Suzy has told me a lot about you!"

Sirius cleared his throat and continued. "My fiance."

Alexander pulled away slightly. "Sorry? Why are we just hearing about this?"

"Because I only asked her this afternoon," Sirius replied.

Suzy stole up behind her husband and peered from behind him. "Did I hear the 'f-word!"

Connie looked up from her book and moved quickly to stand and then approached them.

"And I'm the first to learn of it? Cousin you honor me!"

Sirius breathed in deeply and smiled as he looked into Alex's eyes, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, let's see it," Suzy squealed. She inhaled deeply as she took Hermione's hand and studied the ring. She looked into Hermione's eyes and smiled. "Welcome to the family, Darlin!"

"We're not married yet," Sirius said.

"So it's going to be a lengthy engagement then," Connie said.

Sirius nodded. "By necessity, yes." He looked into Hermione's eyes. "You want to finish school, yes?" Hermione nodded. "And then University?" Hermione nodded again and he looked up into the eyes of each of his family members. "Well, there you have it. The Lady hath...nodded." He ginned.

Hermione's nose wrinkled as she laughed nervously and Connie took her hand and led her toward the door. "I'm stealing her away," she announced. "Give you two a chance to catch up!"

She put her arm protectively around Hermione's shoulders as she led her toward the Tapestry room. She opened the door and looked up at it and Hermione gasped as she gazed at her likeness next to Sirius' whose likeness was still blue, but was gently framed in a shade of red with blue undertones as was hers.

"I swear this thing is sentient!" She turned toward the young girl and took her hands into her own. "You really do love him, don't you!"

Hermione nodded. "I do. Yes."

"Well, it's only a matter of time before it's lawful. The tapestry already considers you married.

"How do you know?"

They moved closer and Connie pointed up. "See the golden threads?" Hermione nodded again. "If it were a marriage of convenience or duty, they would be silver. He really should be shown this immediately. I am certain that many of his fears and uncertainties would vanish!"

Hermione nodded.

Connie turned Hermione around to face her and cupped her face in her hands. "Welcome to the family, Darling," she said as she kissed her brow and then embraced her.

Sorry this is so short...I've got 50 million things going on, just like you probably do! Thank you for reading and if you like any of my stories, please vote, comment and req!

All the love...

Nique