I was beginning to hate weddings. Seriously. Most everyone loves a wedding- the excitement, the anticipation, the love, the flowers, the cake, the dancing, the everything. It was all very adorable and fluffy, and to be honest, it made me want to vomit at some points.

“Did you ever have a crush on Matt when we were at Hogwarts? Or since?”

Ashtyn choked on her bite of lo mein. She set down the container and swallowed. “Is that a serious question, Lil?”

“Could be weeks before Albus returns,” James pointed out.

“Don't remind me,” I muttered. “Never have I been more excited for him to return. But seriously, James, why are you here?”

“Can't I just come visit you?”

“You could, but you never do,” I said. “Last time you visited it was to try and get me to accompany you to a sketchy pub in Knockturn Alley. Lord knows why you wanted to go-”

“Hi,” I said somewhat breathlessly after I opened the door. Matt was holding a bouquet of lilies. Every single guy I'd ever gone on a date with has brought me lilies. It got old when I was still at Hogwarts, but I wouldn't hold it against him.

“She went into labor while brewing?” I asked as we started down the street.

Matt chuckled. “Sure did. And as they were wheeling her up to the maternity ward she was shouting instructions to Kaden about her half-finished potions.”

I laughed. “That's hilarious.”

As we finished, the discussion moved toward speculation of what Albus did on his previous mission. This was a favorite pastime of James and I, and apparently Matt and Becca did the same whenever she was home while Albus wasn't.

“Minister of Egypt's bodyguard,” Matt suggested as we perused the dessert menu.

I shook my head. “Nahh. Chasing after a bloke riding a dragon who robbed banks in China, India, and Japan.”

“So,” Rose said as she sat down with her food, “what prompted this? I don't think you've cooked dinner for me in years.”

“I'm having a crisis,” I said.

“Worse than your usual crises, I suppose? Normally you just come over to my office for lunch.”

“I thought this would be a nice change. And besides, you know I hate going to your office. I always feel like a patient.”

“But Wood wouldn't have gone from Puddlemere to the Cannons. That would be a bad move. He served Puddlemere well as a coach after he retired,” James said.

“I swear, you lot have this same discussion every time we get together,” Rose muttered. “Can't we talk about something else?”

“Like what?” James asked.

“I don't know, the latest trends in wizarding psychology?” Rose suggested.

What if my lack of ability to keep a secret ruined the best relationship I'd ever had?

“Lily!” she exclaimed. “Why did you duck?”

“Why? Because I caught it at Angie's, that's why!” I asked. “And you've never caught it.”

Rose was turning bright red and I burst out laughing. “Oh, come on, Rose. It's just a game.”