never until forever [s. black]

fourtyfive

"i can't believe it's already over." lily huffs as they all stare at the castle with sad looks. a whole year had gone by and now it was time for them to say goodbye to hogwarts. "i feel like yesterday we had just received our letters."

"feels like yesterday we got sorted." james sighs, an arm wrapped around lily's shoulders.

"feela like yesterday you guys were the most annoying people i knew." katherine chimes in, making them all turn to look at her as she grins sheepishly. sirius rolls his eyes in amusement as she shrugs innocently. "i mean, i'm just saying."

"good thing you don't feel that way anymore." remus muses, making her shake her head with a devious smirk.

"i never said i don't. you guys are still the most annoying people i know." she says teasingly and sirius shoves her away as she giggles.

"i hate you katherine. you're genuinely the worst. why do i love you?" sirius asks and she looks at him in amusement, hugging him from the side.

"that was extremely contradictory, black." she says, as he kisses her forehead. "i love you too."

"so summer plans?" peter asks as he joins them and the five look at each other with wide grins, having already made plans.

"we're helping evans and prongs plan their wedding. which i'm still baffled lily said yes." sirius hums, making james stick his tongue out at his best friend in the most childish manner. "and they're helping katherine and i find a house to buy in london."

"they grow up so fast." remus sighs as he wipes away fake tears, causing katherine to smile softly. she notices regulus from the corner of her eye and takes a deep breath.

"i'll be right back." katherine says, as pecks sirius' lips, before going to her best friend. as soon as she's in arms reach, she pulls him into a hug and he sighs. "hey."

"hey. ready to leave this place?" he asks as they pull away and smile softly at each other.

"i can't even get started, how ready i am. i'll miss you." she says with a pout and he chuckles, shaking his head.

"one day we'll see each other again." he says with a sad smile. he glances at his brother and the other marauders, smiling weakly. "listen. i've found one of voldemort's horcrux. and i'm going to destroy it."

"regulus, what? that's way too dangerous. you can't do that alone." katherine says with wide eyes and regulus shakes his head as he looks back at her.

"i have too. and i'll be fine. don't worry about me. just, don't tell him. don't tell sirius. and take care of him, love him. i know he'll do the same with you. i just want you both happy and safe." regulus says, but she shakes her head in protest.

"regulus. listen to me. you can't do this alone. i can't let you do this alone. we can help you. if you get caught.... regulus, i can't loose you. you're my best friend and i love you." she says weakly, making him smile reassuringly. he pulls her back into a hug and she holds on to him tightly.

"i'm sorry, katherine. but you'll have to let me go. it's only way to do things. i can't promise anything, but just know i love you too. and i'm so happy you got out of that life you were living before, and got to fall in love." he says and her heart drops, something deep down in her was telling her something bad would happen.

"i have feeling i can't convince you. take care of yourself regulus. please stay safe. i don't think sirius or i could handle loosing you." she says and he smiles, before letting go of her.

"you should go. i'll see you, around." he says, before walking away and katherine bites her lip. she takes a deep breath, before going to her friends, who smile at her.

"all good?" sirius asks and she smiles weakly, nodding in response.

"i'm just going to miss him."