lilies *James Potter*

Chapter 4

Liliena's stomach fills with dread as Regulus puts the car into park and kills the engine. "I hate this. I hate you. I hate you for making me do this. And did I mention, I hate you too." Liliena pokes her stomach with her rant between the fetus and Regulus and the building she's last seen nearly 7 weeks ago. She turns her head to see the minivan she knows is filled with a variety of car seats. She hates it too.

"You head in, text me the flat number when you find it. I'm just going to give Evan and Barty a quick call to see if they want to meet up at the flat later." Liliena glares at him. Regulus doesn't flinch under her eyes and shoos her out of the car they share. Liliena pulls on sunglasses and a floppy hat, something she should use more often than not when she's out and about.

When she slams the door, she gives Regulus the middle finger before trudging herself slowly into the building, pushing the button to call the elevator.

She hates this.

So, so much.

She hates Regulus for making her do this.

She hates Remus for agreeing with him.

She hates herself for drinking heavily that night and more likely forgetting the condom.

She hates herself because somehow her body has failed her making her fall into the 4% zone of failed birth control shots.

She hates everything and everyone all at once.

She gets on the elevator, hitting the button and she is slowly brought up to James' floor while taking off the sunglasses and hat. The door dings open and Liliena gets off. It didn't take much as her memories came flooding back, finding the door 407. She was sure it was James', as she texted Regulus the floor and door number before bringing herself to knock.

Just as she knocked, a loud crash of what sounded to be fallen dishes made her finch from the other side. Maybe it was the wrong door after all. "Harry! No! Wait for-!"

A little boy, a mop of black dark curls on his head answers the door with bright green eyes hiding behind glass on black wired frames instantly making her remember James. He wore what looked to be a rainbow shirt and jeans but topped with a Spiderman zip-up jacket. James didn't spare Liliena a glance as he grabbed the child's shoulders with wet hands making him face his father.

"Harry, how many times do I have to tell you not to answer the door? It could be a stranger who wants to hurt us or steal our home, okay?"

"But she looks friendly." The boy replies with a bright smile, reminding Liliena of the one James had given her before on their first encounter.

James looks to Liliena, then away as if he is going to continue to scold but does a quick whiplash looking as if it would hurt his neck. He quickly stands up and faces Liliena with full height.

Giving Harry a small push back into the flat, "Go play, Harry."

"What's your name?" The boy asks instead of listening. Liliena didn't know how to answer it- him as she looked to James for help. "Harry, go."

"But Dad!" Harry stretches out the word with a whine hanging off James' arm. Liliena looks over the boy, thinking he would be around Draco's age more than Luna who was younger. But just from this meeting alone, Harry was opposite to Draco for sure.

"Go."

Harry huffs, stops his foot, and turns back into the flat. James stepped closer to the door, closing it so no space was between his body where LIliena could see inside the messy flat that was littered with toys still. "Sorry- sorry about that. Uh... why are you here?" His voice asks low in a whisper.