Truth or Dare ✔️

37

The weekend following Sirius' death, Hermione sat alone on the overly ornate bed of the master bedroom in the Dog House, a single candle lit as she listened to one of Sirius' muggle record albums that he had bequeathed to her; he had brought all manner of his personal effects and placed them in the house for her to find, each with a special little note, meant only for her. She opened the first letter that she had received from him after the Easter hols.

Dearest Sunshine,

I know you're angry with me and you have every right to be! You probably hate me now...I've hurt you like no one else has. If it makes you feel any better, I hate myself as well right now. Suffice it to say that I'm over here licking my wounds.

I love you and always will to my dying day...and then beyond.

Devotedly,

Sirius

____

Hermione,

Meet me at the Three Broomsticks on Friday night. I've secured a room. I need to talk to you.

Please come?

~S

____

Right, I reckon you're still very angry with me? While i can't say as I blame you, it's killing me that you're still feeling that way. I guess what they say is true in that Hell hath no fury...I am truly an idiot and I know that now.

I miss you so very much!

Remus tells me that your studies are back in line and that Umbridge is being a complete cunt to all, students and staff...but especially, Harry, Ron and YOU. That doesn't sit with me very well. I've a mind to go to Hogwarts and give that cow a piece of my mind. You know, put the fear of ME in her? That will show her!

What do you think?

Please write back soon and let me know how you really are?

Please? I need to know!

I worry about you...I worry about you all...

~S

PS
Remus also told me that you relayed to him that while you've received my letters, you haven't opened them. I don't blame you. Not one bit. I'll take it, the pain of the knowledge my apparent dismissal from our relationship has caused you. I only want you to be the very best of what you can be and I feared that you being with me will only cause you to lose opportunities. You see? You are still very much in my heart and soul...I love you so very much Hermione. Never doubt that for even the tiniest fraction of a second.
___

Hermione's tears fell harshly down her cheeks as she read his notes and letters and she regretted not reading them when they arrived. He had taken a huge risk in sending the many communications to her and she didn't know if she was happy or more broken-hearted that she had kept them.

She opened the next to the last letter she received from him. It was actually dated the day before he was killed. Suddenly, everything made sense...How he had taunted his cousin into a one-on-one duel...The fact that she did not use an unforgivable curse on him was to her credit, nothing short of remarkable! She had thought that she had imagined him gazing toward her and smile longingly...Had he really wanted Bellatrix to end his life? Had he really said good bye?

Sunshine...

I am not sorry that I married you and I will not apologize for it. In marrying you, we have secured your safety and anyone associated with you. You will no longer be counted as a Muggle-born. You will remain protected. My only regret is that we didn't have more time together...I that I couldn't take you to America; I've no interest in going if you're not going to travel with me. Perhaps someday, you'll be able to go? I suppose I will end up dying in this decayed old house. I still hate it here and my demons haunt me harder than they ever have. I fear that what's left of my mind will flee the madness that threatens it daily and you'll be unrecognizable to me. Stupid, I know, but that's what I fear.