Truth or Dare ✔️

AE - 2

Sirius and Hermione apparated to the front door of the Dog House; the wind whipped Hermione's hair around making her look incredibly formidable. Sirius placed his finger to his lips and slithered through the shrubbery to look into the front window of the living room; seeing a fire in the hearth and that a few of the lights on...it was if they were expected. He saw Connie walking toward the bar, and take a small inventory. She spoke to one of the maids and a butler; the look on her face looked to be one of excitement and that she was giving them final instructions. While Sirius appreciated the sentiment, he was none too keen on having her in his house while he was away...it felt as if it were an invasion of their privacy.

Sirius returned to Hermione who was holding her arms as she was now quite soaked...Sirius was as well. He stood in front of her and placed his hand flat on the door and it opened at his silent command, causing Connie and the staff members to turn and face them with a start.

"You're here," Connie said excitedly as she approached them, her arms out to embrace them. "It's certainly a tempest out there! We haven't experienced a storm like this in ages!"

"It's merely a little rain," Sirius replied.

She looked to Hermione. "Your husband...the man of understatements..."

Hermione could only nod her head and chuckle.

"Oh and I've some sad news..."

"Oh?"

"We've lost a beloved family member..."

Sirius stood still and felt his blood rush to his feet. "Oh gods...not Sissy..."

Connie's face contorted. "Oh no, Darling! Mother's too ornery to die just yet!"

Sirius breathed a sigh of relief and he collected himself quickly. "You must be referring to Bellatrix..."

Connie nodded as she took his hands in hers. "Yes. I know she was your cousin...I am truly sorry for your loss."

Sirius shook his head. "I'm not. I'm the one who sent her on her way."

A bevy of emotions crossed Connie's face. "Ohhh."

Sirius grinned. "Come on...I just know you're dying to know what happened..."

"Well...she was family..."

"That's putting it mildly." He turned to his wife. "Darling, would you kindly fix me a drink please?"

"Erm...I, uh, certainly, of course. What would you like?"

"Surprise me," he replied and pursed his lips and winked his eye.

She sighed as she tilted her head, moving toward the well-stocked bar. "Somehow, I knew you were going to say that." She sighed hard and looked up at him after having taken a look at the pluthera of bottles. She poked her head up and found that Sirius was staring toward the bar. He chewed on his lower lip and then smiled; Hermione craned her brow and put her hands on his hips. "Wine or spirits?"

Sirius thought for half a second and his smile brightened. "Spirits."

She nodded and removed the bottle of fire whisky and withdrew an Old Fashioned crystal glass, then poured a double, neat. She picked up the glass and came from behind the bar and handed it to him. "I'm going to change my clothes and dry my hair. I feel like I've taken a shower outside."

He kissed her brow as thanks for the drink. "I'll be up shortly," he said.

She nodded and looked to Connie. "Will you be staying?"

"Knowing your husband like I do, I rather doubt it, Cheri."

"Oh. Well, it was good to see you again." She moved to embrace Connie and then turned toward the staircase. "I think I'll take a bath, actually. It's been a devil of a day..."