20 : The Scientist

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Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard

20 : The Scientist (edited)

Catherine groaned continuously, refusing to get out from under the covers as Lily, Marlene, and Alice pestered her adamantly to wake the hell up.

"No, I don't want to," she whined, knowing perfectly well what today awaits her.

She could hear Marlene snickering. "But, Cathy, it's your day!"

"No, shut up," she muttered grumpily.

Lily gave a good tug on her blankets and successfully yanked it. Catherine squinted at the sudden brightness that attacked her. "Come on, Cathy, you have to get up. Breakfast would be over soon and I'm pretty sure no one would remember about your relation to this wonderful day."

Alice's lips twitched as Marlene tried hard to cover her giggles. Catherine sighed. "Fine, fine, I'm up!" Begrudgingly, she forced herself up and muttered incoherent words under her breath before making her way to the shower.

It's not like Catherine hated this day, she just found it extremely irritating considering how everyone would deliberately greet her.

She just hoped to Merlin that the Marauders weren't as childish as she thought.

Going to the Great Hall, she chose to walk behind the three other girls, quietly running her fingers through her newly done hair. She fought a blush as a sudden memory entered her mind — James telling her how much he liked her hair during their little moment in the Common Room. He had told it to her with that cute smirk of his as he played with the tips of her hair.

She sighed momentarily, remembering the fact that she hadn't seen him since that day considering how he went back home to England. His great aunt died the following day, so Dumbledore had him pulled out of class immediately and sent him off to his house where his parents were waiting. She, too, remembered what he had told her during their talk, that his parents wanted to meet her sometime during summer vacation before their seventh year.

"Ready?" she heard Lily ask her, reaching the doors of the Great Hall.

"When am I ever?" Catherine murmured before puffing her cheeks as she entered the large room with her best friends, waiting for the worst that could happen.

Pink and red streamers were hung up all over the place, magical hearts were sent flying across the room by lovers. And the one thing Catherine could notice the most was the amount of flowers that overflowed. Roses. Roses everywhere.

Because of this day, Catherine wasn't that fond of roses, becoming one of her least favorite flowers.

"HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, ITTY BITTY VALENTINY!"

Catherine winced, attempting to cover her face out of embarrassment as the surrounding students turned to the Prewett twins who were singing obnoxiously to her. "Shut up, shut up!" she hissed at them and ran down the aisle before taking a seat with the Marauders without looking up.

She felt a poke to her side. "Happy Valentine's Day." Remus smirked at her.

Catherine scrunched her nose playfully at him. "Shut it, Moony."

"Oi, Cathy!" some random Ravenclaw boy yelled from his seat. "Happy Valentine's Day!" He made a heart with his hands as he grinned teasingly at her.

"Fuck off, Danny!" Catherine replied in a sing-song voice before looking at the people around her. And for what seemed like a very long time, her heart started to beat a little harder than normal. All she could do was blink in surprise as she stared at the boy sitting in front of her and eating breakfast.

"P—Potter," she breathed out as she drank in the sight of James.

She didn't know how much she had missed him until she finally saw him again. His hair seemed unkempt as though he had constantly ran a hand through it aggressively, his hazel eyes were dark and seemed frustrated over something. He was still so painstakingly handsome it never ceased to take her breath away.

"Hey," Catherine greeted softly, a smile tugging her lips upwards as she kept her eyes trained on him.

At the sound of her voice, James glanced up — and Catherine's breath hitched at her throat upon seeing the hurt and pain in his eyes. He flickered his gaze from her to Sirius a few more times, flinching as though he'd been physically harmed, and then directed his attention to his breakfast.

Before Catherine could even fathom a possible reason as to his strange behavior towards her, someone had grabbed her hand. Blinking in surprise, Catherine turned to see Sirius smiling sweetly at her, his gaze upon no one else but her alone.

"Happy Valentine's Day." He winked at her before digging through his pocket with his other hand and latching something onto her bracelet, the one he had given to her on Christmas. He grinned rakishly at her. "I hope you like it, Cat."

Catherine brought her wrist closer to her face. He had added a charm in between the tiger and the dog, a silver heart. She wasn't in the proper mood to deal with people right now and wanted to just talk to James. She forced herself to smile at Sirius. "It's adorable, Siri. Thank you, I love it."

James clenched his jaw, taking a deep breath as his fingers tightened around the fork he was holding.

If only she had just waited for him, they probably would be together. James had even been so excited on his way back to Hogwarts, knowing that it was Valentine's Day and that he would see Catherine again. Those couple of days had been hell, not being able to see her, hear her voice, and listen to her laughter. When he had entered his dorm room with his small luggage and his gifts for Catherine, his heart had crushed. Sirius had been showing Remus what he had gotten for Catherine and he was going to give it to her on Valentine's Day.

And just like that, James's insides was in turmoil as he put two and two together and realized that his best friend and his pretend ex-girlfriend were now together.

Of course Catherine would choose his best friend over him.  After all, James should probably be used to it by now. The girls he's ever loved rejected him. James would never find someone who would love him as much as he'd love them. It was probably his curse. This is why the one who loves more always ends up hurt.

Silently, James stood up and ignored Remus's concerned questions as he walked away from the table. Don't look back, he told himself. But the rebellious side of him overpowered his mind as he threw a glance over his shoulder at Catherine. His heart broke a little upon seeing the hurt in her jade green eyes.

He almost turned back to take her into his arms, but as he remembered the fact that she and Sirius were now a couple, he continued to walk away with a deep, unsettling feeling in his chest which began to make him hollow.

You're Sirius's now, he told himself. I mustn't be selfish even though I don't want to let you go.

««•»»

Catherine couldn't think of a possible reason as to why James was acting this way around her. She understood if it was about the passing of his great aunt, but things just didn't add up.

She was hurt, but she tried her very damn best not to let it show as she smiled and went through class by class. She politely accepted the roses boys gave her, as well as the cards and letters that came along with them. She even cheered on Alice and Frank Longbottom who finally got together with a smile on her face.

She never thought to be hurt on Valentine's Day. Sure, she'd expected to be kinda frustrated and annoyed with the incessant teasings, but never hurt and miserable.

But despite all the sadness weighing down on her, she was still happy though. Catherine was enraptured over the fact that at least she got to see James today. At least she got to sit near him in class. At least he was there for her even though it wasn't in the way she wanted it to be. His sole presence seemed to comfort her.

During lunch, word got around that some seventh year Slytherins was hosting a Valentine's Day party in the Room of Requirements this midnight and sixth and seventh years were invited. It was the only thing Catherine could hear people talking about as she ate unenthusiastically. She sat with the Prewett twins and Elizabeth, the girl whom Fabian finally asked out. They were so cute together even Catherine couldn't help but to exchange looks with Gideon as they made faces at the pair.

"Hey." Sirius slid into the empty space next to Catherine, grinning boyishly at her as she smiled faintly back at him. "Are you all right?"

Catherine merely shrugged in response.

Sirius covered her hand with his, looking at her earnestly. "Cat, you can tell me. It's all right." He nodded encouragingly at her.

She sighed before murmuring shyly, "It's just Prongs."

"What about him?"

Catherine bit her lip, her eyes focused on the half-eaten pasta in front of her. "He's been acting strange ever since he got back, and I just — I wish I knew what's in his mind."

She barely heard Sirius sigh, only realizing that he's doing something else when he set aside all of the plates before jumping up on the table.

Sirius cleared his throat loudly. "May I have everyone's attention, please?"

Catherine's eyes flashed wildly. "Padfoot, what the fuck are you doing? Get down from there!"

"I'd like to propose a toast to the most beautiful girl in my world." Sirius grinned, raising a glass of pumpkin juice before locking eyes with Catherine. "Catherine Valentine, Happy Valentine's Day, please don't be upset anymore. I don't like not being able to see you smile, it hurts me as well."

People started hooting and cheering for Sirius, some even catcalling and wolf whistling. Sirius chugged down the remaining of his juice before suddenly grabbing her hands.

"Sirius, please don't — "

He pulled her up on her feet before literally lifting her onto the table as though she weighed nothing.

Catherine shrieked, stumbling over her feet as Sirius steadied her, sending her a wink and a bright grin. "Sirius Black, I swear if you—"

"Oh, hush, enjoy the moment," Sirius teased, "it's not everyday Sirius Black gets to do this to a girl."

Her mouth was pulled to a frown as she anxiously glanced around her, not liking the attention focused on her right now. She wanted to get down, she needed to get down.

Sirius suddenly bent down and snatched a couple of forks from the table before standing straight once more. Catherine watched as he grabbed his wand and performed a neat spell that would probably make McGonagall proud. He had transfigured twelve forks into a dozen roses.

Catherine's face was paling by the second, her hands clammy as she nervously anticipated what he was doing.

Sirius stepped closer to Catherine and suddenly, his face was void of humour. "Cat," his voice was soft and barely louder than a whisper as he took another step. "I'm glad to have been able to spend this year's Valentine's Day with you."

Catherine was frozen on her spot, not being able to speak or do anything as her mind went haywire. She didn't notice him handing her the flowers.

And she most definitely didn't notice him pressing his lips to hers.

It was then, Sirius Black kissing her when she realized what was going on. Her best friend was locking lips with her and she was too shocked and surprised over his feelings to even do anything. She didn't kiss back, her brain barely comprehending what should her next response be.

But one thing was for sure, even with Sirius kissing her right now — it was still James Potter in her mind.

««•»»

James decided that he was probably acting irrational. He was probably jumping to conclusions and she and Sirius were probably just friends, nothing more.

"Man up, you bloody idiot, and stop acting like a child," James mumbled to himself as he snatched the buckwheat flowers he had gotten for her during his time in England, and the enchanted ball he made for her.

He didn't get her a rose, remembering by heart that buckwheat flowers were Catherine's favorite. James had found her extremely adorable when she had told him that with a shy look on her face. He didn't even have the heart to tease her and call her weird because he just found it so damn cute.

And as for the glassed ball, James wanted his Valentine's Day present to relate with his Christmas one. He had brought her to the Astronomy Tower during Christmas and they had stayed up all night under the stars. Now, he had created this magic ball and enchanted it in a way where the whole thing was dark with tiny stars dotting it inside. The minuscule heavenly bodies looked so realistic and magnificent, James hoped she would enjoy it.

James smiled at the thought of seeing Catherine beam over his gift for her. He stuffed the ball in the pocket of his trousers and made his way out of the Common Room with the flowers in one hand. He couldn't fight the smile off his face as he made his way to the Great Hall, excited to see Catherine when he halted on his steps upon reaching the entrance.

The flowers threatened to fall from his hand as James caught sight of Sirius handing roses to Catherine and leaning over to kiss her.

Well, fuck this shit. Without another word, he hurried back to the Common Room, anger and hurt overwhelming him. He clenched his jaw tight and closed his eyes for a few seconds before calming down.

He started on his way up the stairs to his dorm when something made him do another thing. Before James could change his mind, he slipped into the girl's dormitory with the help of a Gryffindor girl and to Catherine's room. Approaching her bed, he let out a heavy sigh before setting the flowers on top of her pillow, along with the enchanted starry globe.

James smiled sadly to himself as he tucked a hand in his pocket. "Catherine Valentine, you have no idea how much I fucking love you. I just hope you see that one day."

««•»»

Catherine hated herself. It was official. She was the worst person in the whole world and there was nothing that could convince her otherwise. She loved James, and she didn't want to hurt Sirius. He was her best friend and kissing her gave her quite a shock. She doesn't and can't return his feelings — she didn't feel that way toward him.

She sighed for umpteenth time. She was lying on her stomach on her bed as she gently brushed a finger against the petals of the buckwheat flower while gazing at the magic orb filled with stars. It was so beautiful, Catherine didn't know whether to feel guilty, loved, or grateful to James. Maybe all three.

"Cathy, come on, stop moping around and get dressed," Lily told her from her seat as Alice curled her hair. It had taken a lot of convincing to make Lily agree to go to the party, considering the fact that they had a DADA written exam tomorrow.

Catherine muttered under her breath before getting to her feet and doing as Lily said. Catherine had changed into something she found in the back of her wardrobe. She faintly remembered her mother buying it for her as the two went on a mother-daughter shopping date. By the time she started to change, the others were done with clothes and hair and make up. Catherine shooed them away, wanting them to start having fun and promising that she'll catch up as soon as she's finished.

She slid the dress on, it was a deep red off-shoulder maxi dress with a rather long slit on her left leg that came all the way up to mid thigh. She was glad she shaved her legs earlier. She wore some strappy shoes Marlene lent her earlier before proceeding to put some make up on. She kept it minimal, not wanting to overdo it as she kept her hair in its natural state.

Satisfied, Catherine nodded and literally gave herself a pat on the back before making her way to the Room of Requirements as quietly as she could.

James was secluding himself from everyone else, even the Marauders as he sat on a couch and drank Butterbeer alone. He didn't feel like getting drunk today for some reason.

Lily, Marlene, and Alice arrived a couple of minutes earlier, yet there was no sign of Catherine. Was she avoiding seeing him again? What irked James was Sirius not looking around for her. Instead, he was fooling around with Remus, Peter, and the Prewett twins with some new products they've created.

"Potter," a voice said as he turned to see Lily sit next to him.

He nodded in response, quietly sipping his drink.

Lily eyed him before saying, "The buckwheat flowers and the stars. You gave them to her, didn't you?"

James shrugged uncaringly but on the inside he was dying to know what Catherine thought of them. "Yeah, so?"

Lily shook her head. "Nothing. You two are just so damn stubborn and blind. And stupid."

James rolled his eyes at her. "Okay, I got it."

Lily clicked her tongue at him. "If your lives were a book, I would've been one very frustrated reader."

James sent her a look. "Are you done?"

Lily laughed, getting on her feet. "Yeah —" she reached over to squeeze his shoulder comfortingly, "— go for her, Potter. Push all those second thoughts aside and just go get her."

James furrowed his eyebrows, remembering how Catherine and Sirius had kissed. "But they—"

"It meant nothing to her, Potter. She loves you."

James let that sink in for a moment before slowly nodding. "Thanks again, Evans."

"Anytime, Potter."

Upon Catherine's entrance, she made a beeline to the center of the room where there was a stack of bottles of Firewhiskey. And without even pouring it into a glass, Catherine tilted her head backwards and proceeded to down the bottle.

"Cat, slow down," Sirius pleaded after watching Catherine start her fifth bottle. He was getting worried and anxious over her actions, especially what she was saying.

"Shut up, it's my fucking day, I can do what I want," she hiccuped before squinting at him and giggling. She pointed at him. "Your shirt is the color of grass. Did you know animals eat grass? Sheep, goat—"

"Oh my God, not grass." Lily covered her face in despair as she watched Catherine helplessly with the Marauders excluding James who was called over by some of his Hufflepuff friends.

"—rabbit, cow—"

"Why the bloody hell is she talking about grass?" Remus asked bewilderedly.

"She starts talking about grass when she's drunk."

Catherine suddenly turned to Remus. "There are over six thousand species of grass, the tallest is around a hundred twenty feet!"

"Okay, Cathy, it's time for bed," Sirius said, reaching over to grab the bottle from her hands.

"No!" She slapped his hand away. "Leave me alone. Why can't people leave grass alone? They didn't ask to be cut down or anything, so why are they always being cut by that filth?"

Peter piped up with a cough, "You mean Filch?"

"Po-tae-to,

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