Title: Coming Out

By: FanfictioningFangirl

Summary: Albus breathed in heavily. Lily didn't need to prompt him again. "Scorpius and I are dating."

Disclaimer: All credit for the Harry Potter series, the characters, the settings, the plot all go to J.K. Rowling.

Coming Out

Albus opened the door, just a crack, and peered in cautiously. "Lily?" he questioned.

She didn't even glance up as she nodded in her usual absent minded manner. He hesitated a moment longer before stepping in and then gently shutting the door behind him.

Lily's room was messy. Not as messy as James' (which was a whole new level of untidy), but messy enough for him to have to watch his step. She had a quill tucked behind one ear and another held her messy bun in place. The third, she rocked back and forth on her fingers.

Albus caught a glimpse of her drawing and beamed with pride. Then the reason why he had sought her company returned to him and he once again felt grim.

He stared at his palms, suddenly interested in the lines that crossed it when he felt Lily's prickling gaze on him. Albus looked up and found that his insticts had been right. She'd pushed her reading glasses into her hair and was watching him with a frown.

When he caught her eyes she raised an eyebrow, then scooted, patting the space next to her. Albus crawled over.

"Level?" Lily questioned in a professional manner.

"Ten, I think."

He saw Lily's frown deepen. The last time he'd used a level ten James had set fire to Dad's desk. The one with all his important files. They'd managed to put the fire out in the nick of time and mostly thanks to Lily not panicking. Perhaps his sister was thinking of the same thing for she offered him a small, but rare, smile.

"Go on," she whispered and Albus felt glad for her company. Where James was loud, Lily could be silent. Where James prefered to talk, Lily knew when to listen. It made all the difference when he had to say something personal.

Albus breathed in. Heavily. Lily didn't need to prompt him again. "Scorpius and I are dating."

He didn't turn to see her reaction. Albus was ready for her to burst out laughing, ready for her to call him out for joking. Ready for her to fling open the door, looking for James' laughing face.

"I didn't realise we shared our love lifes," she commented simply and Albus heaved a sigh of relief. If Lily wasn't judging him then he could deal with the hate the rest of his family would give him. "Though I doubt Rose would be happy with the new development."

Albus shook his head. Then cracked a smile. "You don't hate me?" he questioned, just in case.

"Not particularly. Since when have you been going out?"

Albus shrugged. "About a month before term ended."

Lily wolf-whistled, something that was entirely James' fault. "How come you didn't tell me before?" she whined.

"I didn't think we had to share our love lives," he quoted.

Lily grinned again. "Well, if it helps you I'm still single and unwilling to mingle." This time Albus laughed, perhaps more in relief than anything else.

She turned away soon after, a clear ending to their conversation. Feeling as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Albus stood up.

"Lils," he said, stopping at the door. "Thanks."

His sister didn't reply.

I have a second draft for this in my folder but doubt I'll post it. I enjoyed writing this and I really hope you enjoy reading it!

Thanks for reading and I'd appreciate any reviews!

—N