BEGIN BEFORE THE END | WTM | R.A.B

9

“Well, you already know that Severus and I use to live on the same street, right?” Lily asked and James responded with a nod. “Do you know what Cathy usually did on her holidays?”

“She used to spend time in the cinemas that are in the muggle world.” James said. “She went every day.” James watched Lily expression and realized what she was getting at. “She didn’t go to the cinemas every day, did she?”

“Excuse me?” Euphemia said.

“No.” Lily said. “She and Regulus met up one day and they sort of just hung out like me and Severus.”

“Wait. Wait then how did you and Snape--”

“The cinema that Cathy went to was near the place where my dad worked.” Lily said. “She and Regulus were coming back one day, I guess she took him to watch a movie and we all met.”

“So, what I hearing is, Cathy and Regulus Black have been friends for years and you knew about it.” James stated.

“Oh boy.” Lily whispered.

Oh no.” Regulus murmured.

“Oh god.” Severus murmured.

“Shit.” Cathy cursed.

“Yeah.” Lily said. “When we found out about Cathy, I knew I had to tell you but--“

“Why didn’t you?” James questioned. “Why didn’t you tell me about them? Why didn’t she?”

“Because of Regulus’ parents.” Lily said. “You know how hard they were on Sirius. He was just a boy when he and Cathy became friends. He didn’t want to go through what Sirius went through. If his parents found out that he was friends with a muggle-born and Cathy--”

“You mean if they found out that he was hanging out with a girl from a mudblood-loving family!’ James exclaimed. “You know what I can’t. Not right now.”

Lily looked hurt. “James--”

“So dramatic.” Sirius said,

“Lily I get why you kept this a secret but right now…I think I need some time to think.” James walked off living Lily looking hurt in the street.

Snow began to fall down and land all over Godric’s Hollow as James Potter walked into his home. He closed the door behind him and Lily left, apparating away.

James took off his coat and put it on a coat rack and was about to walk up the stairs when he noticed a smell coming from his kitchen. He walked slowly over to source of the smell and saw that the light in the kitchen were switched on.

James took out his wand and slowly peeked in from the hallway and saw that there were several plates set on the table and a large pot was placed in the middle. He walked in slowly and looked around. No one was nearby so he lifted the pot and steam came floating out. There was chicken soup in the pot.

A figure in an apron was out of focus standing behind James. The figure took a silent step closer and James was still unaware of the presence.

“Who’s that?”

“James.”

Immediately the Auror turned around and flicked his wand forward shooting a spell at the intruder. Cathy batted the spell away with ease.

“Hi.” Cathy smiled. “I was wondering when you’d show up.” She put her hands behind her back and untied the apron.

James looked at his sister dumbfounded as she took off the apron. “What?”