Chapter 1:

James observed Severus as he slowly lowers himself onto the chair across from him. Severus' face was blank, but his eyes were wary, and his fingers twitched as if waiting for a reason to grab his wand. James cleared his throat in an attempt to appear calm and in control of the situation.

What the fuck am I doing?

James gave Severus a bland smile before raising his hand to call for the waitress. The waitress with a blonde ponytail glance at both men, before approaching them. She gave them a smile as she asks, "What do you fellas want for a drink?" James immediately ask for coffee before glancing toward Severus. Severus avoided James' glance as he turns toward the female waitress.

"I'll just have tea."

The waitress nodded as she took off, another customer grabbing her attention again. As she walks away, her thoughts were filled about the male with black messy and hazel. He's quite attractive and has a masculine air. Maybe she'll ask him out or just leave her number on the check. That's usually a pretty cute move to make.

James didn't bother watching the waitress walk away despite her various glances toward him. Instead, he watches Severus for a minute.

"How have you been?" James finally asks after the awkward staring.

Severus glance at his fingers before sighing. He quickly brushes his hair out of his face before answering, all the while avoiding eye contact.

"I'll admit, I've been better."

James bit his lips to prevent his sigh of relief that Severus is actually answering. "Really? You? I always thought you would be out of the country by now, brewing potions in a basement somewhere in Russia or something."

Severus couldn't help raising his eyebrows. "Do you usually think about what I would be doing often?"

Immediately, James flushed. "Not really. It's just, you beat Remus and was the top student in our class. I guess I assume that you would be doing something, I don't know, ambitious?"

The last part of the sentence sounded more like a question that Severus didn't bother replying. Instead, after another awkward silence, he took the time to observed James' appearance. James still had his muscular psychique, his skin still tan and his hair black as ever. And still a huge mess, like he just rolled out of bed.

Yet, James eyes were bloodshot and his fingers slightly trembling.

Severus leaned forward a bit, trying to scent James discreetly but the shop's natural scent of coffee beans and the cologne of James were preventing Severus. But the signs were all there and Severus would know with his alcoholic father.

Severus' eyes narrowed, "Still partying into the late hours, Potter?"

On the other of the table, James tries to hide how much he has been swallowing, and discreetly wipes away the sweat on his forehead.. He tried to cool down by stretching out his collar, but when he heard questions, he could feel the tension in his back. He hesitated then says, "Is it obvious?"

"Your fingers are trembling, your eyes are bloodshot, you ordered coffee despite the time being noon and your clothes are rumbled" Severus listed without mercy. "And that cologne is way too strong, meaning you added more than usual to hide the smell."

"No mercy, huh" James said before chuckling awkwardly and does a quick look around the room to see if anyone heard. "It's been pretty rough, you know. I graduated early from the auror program and my caseload has been piling up. Not to mention the Dark Lord rumors and the recent prejudice against muggleborns and sometimes squibs."

Severus didn't answer. He already knew about the dark times that were affecting the wizard community. He knew some muggleborn wizards decided to leave the Wizarding World altogether because of Dark Lord. There were also the reported deaths of people in the Prophet and the gruesome details of the murders no doubt scared people into leaving their house. Severus won't confess nor confide to anyone but he, himself did not leave his house in Cokeworth. Instead, he would visit the muggle shops for food and come to the Wizarding World sparingly unless absolutely needed.

And right now, he needed to. Gringotts had contacted him about his vaults and ask to meet Severus in person instead of resolving it over owls. So, Severus got ready that morning and flooed to the Leaky Cauldron before walking to the bank. Seeing the goblins face so early in the morning left much to desire but Severus kept his mouth unless he would end up with some unexpected fees.

Before Severus could ask him how James Potter, of all people, manage to graduate early from the Ministry's auror program, the waitress interrupted by setting down their drinks. She glances at the two of them, "Is there anything else you need? Food? Cakes?" James opens his mouth, a denial on the tip of his tongue however, Severus answered before he could. "May I have a strawberry cake?" The waitress nodded before glancing at James, her eyelashes fluttering as she gave him a extra bright smile. "And for you sir?"

James shook his head no. "I'm good, thanks." The waitress nodded before leaving.

"I never knew you like cake."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Its cake. Who doesn't like sweets?"

James grinned. "Well excuse me. I always thought you were preferred bitter sweets, like eating dark chocolate or drinking black tea with no sugar."

Severus glared at him before crossing his arms. "I do believe that you were the ones that ask for this meeting. Get to the point, Potter."

James cleared his throat again before smiling. "I'm pretty sure that you already know that Lily left for Germany two years and that pretty soon, she'll be done with her job there. Lily will no doubt return to Britain and I would be seeing her around Diagon Alley." Severus didn't say anything, listening to James prattle on about Lily. Of course Severus already knew. Why can't he get to the point already? Is he somehow rubbing in the fact that Lily and I don't talk anymore? The air around Severus air grew dark as he glowered at James and James felt that same anxious build inside him that he stuttered a little. Severus felt his lips twitched as if ready to smirk. He fought the urge.

The waitress return, placing the cake next to Severus. Severus immediately glance at the cake and already the heavy air surrounding the two men grew lighter.

It made the waitress feel better as she could feel the negative energy practically surrounding the male with the shoulder length hair. His black hair gave the impression that it was greasy and his black eyes were so dark. Already, the waitress made assumptions about Severus as she walk away, wondering if the man with the dark eyes is a dark wizard. She glance over her shoulder warily before pushing it from her mind, but the next time she is call over, she'll make sure she's extra helpful and accommodating.