Chapter 1. Family

"Lily, will you please straighten up your room? Scorpius and your cousins are coming over and I'd like to not have the mess," shouted Ginny Potter. It was a miracle that Lily could be messier than both James and Albus, but sometimes she was worse than the two put together.

"Yes, mom. I'll be right up," Lily replied as she put the finishing touches on her Herbology assignment. She had to admit completing homework over the summer was the worst. But if she got it done now, she could have the rest of the summer to herself.

Lily made her way upstairs to her room. She knew she needed to clean up, but she didn't know where to start. "I guess I'll start with my trunk," Lily said out loud.

The Potter children returned home from Hogwarts a week ago and Lily had not even touched her trunk. She made her way over and opened it. She put away her robes and found a place for the rest of her stuff. She then reached down to pick up the last item in her trunk, a peculiar piece of parchment—the Maurader's Map. She tucked it away I her desk drawer.

Lily reminisced on all the times the map had saved her from trouble. And not just her, but James, Al and Scorpius. The four loved to pull pranks and they were yet to get caught because of the map. Lily sent a silent thank you to her Grandfather James and Uncles Sirius and Remus. She had to admit, they knew what they were doing.

Lily also knew her grandfather and uncles wouldn't believe a Malfoy was helping them. But ever since Scorpius' first day, when he was sorted into Griffyndor, he fit in perfectly with the Weasley-Potter clan. Al had said Scorpius was frightened. Everyone believed he would be a Slytherin because of his last name, but after his first year at Hogwarts the students and staff knew his last name didn't define him.

However, Scorpius' father, wasn't exactly thrilled his only son was in Griffyndor. So for the past five years Scorpius spent most of his time with the Potters. He was a part of all the holiday celebrations and the entire family had welcomed him (well, it took Uncle Ron a little bit longer than everyone else).

"Hey, Lily-flower," Lily was drawn out of her memories by her oldest brother James.

"Jamie, you're back! How was the tryout?" Everyone knew James and his cousin Rose Weasley had a tryout today for the Chudley Cannons. And the Cannons needed anybody who could help them get out of the cellar.

"It was exhausting. For the amount the team trains, you'd think they would be better. Rose and I should be able to make the team, at least the Reserves," James replied. This past year at Hogwarts, the Griffyndor Quidditch team had won the House Cup easily, especially when the team was comprised of Weasleys and Potters (and Scorpius). Rose was the keeper, while James and Fred Weasley were beaters, Al, Lily and Hugo Weasley were the chasers and Scorpius was the seeker.

"Great. Is Rose here now? Anyone else?" Lily asked.

"Yea, Rose is here. She's in the shower. And I believe on my way upstairs I heard Scor and Hugo get here. Fred should be along soon," James informed Lily, "But now I'm going to clean up. See ya down there, Lils." And James left.

Lily ventured downstairs and saw that James was right. Scorpius and Hugo were there and James was just stumbling out of the fire.

"Hey, there, Lily-flower," greeted Fred. Who then promptly took a seat on the sofa.

Lily looked up and locked eyes with Scorpius. His grey eyes always seemed to run right through her. She saw the adoration he had in his eyes when she came downstairs. She knew they were friends (she just didn't know the extent of Scorpius' feelings for her). She continued to watch as Al and Hugo were playing Halo.

"Don't you boys want to do something else. Or anything else besides video games?" Lily asked exasperated. She did not understand the boys fascination with video games. And she knew she would never understand it.

"Lily, this is a man's game. You wouldn't get it. Besides we're almost done, because I just killed Hugo!" Al said victoriously, "In your face, Hugo." It then sounded like Hugo muttered yea, yea, yea under his breath.

Scorpius finally addressed her, "Well, then Lily, what would you suggest we do?"

"Why don't we strike up a game of football? If we want to play muggle games, then let's play that one," Lily stated firmly.

"Alright, football it is. Let's just wait for James and Rose," chimed in Fred.

Rose and James came downstairs ten minutes later and all seven of them made their way outside. They played James, Rose and Fred against Al, Hugo, Scorpious and Lily. They only came inside when Ginny called them in for dinner.

James was out at Quidditch practice. He and Rose had made the Reserve Team. While Al and Scor were in the living room playing video games. Lily was in the kitchen going over her book list. She was going into her fifth year at Hogwarts, O.W.L.s year. To say Lily was nervous was an understatement. She didn't know what she wanted to do with her life, but she had a thought. Deep down inside she wanted to join her father, the great Harry Potter, in the Auror Department. She had always admired her dad and wanted to follow in his footsteps. The problem was telling her parents what she wanted to do. Lily knew they would support her, but she couldn't be sure. As she was perusing her list, her mother asked her a question.

"Lily, sweetheart, will you pop into the village and pick up some hamburger buns. I thought we would grill tonight, but I don't quite have everything I need?"

"Sure, mom, do you need anything else?" Lily asked. "No, sweetheart, but here's some money."

"Ok, great. I think I'll look down at the shops for anything fun too, if that's ok, mum?" And Ginny nodded.

And with that Lily set off for the little village just down the road from their house. Just as she saw the town shop, Lily felt her foot catch on a little cobblestone and she knew she was going to hit the pavement. She braced herself and prepared for the hurt, but to her surprise she didn't hit the road. Instead she felt two strong arms holding her up. She looked up and saw a young man staring right back at her.

"Are you okay?" asked the beautiful stranger. He stood taller than her father with big beautiful blue eyes and a warm smile to match. She had to remind herself he had asked her a question.

"Uh, um…yes, yes I think I'm fine. Thank you for catching me. I really appreciate it. And you are?" Lily looked up from her green eyes. She had eyes like her grandmother Lily. And her green eyes wouldn't leave his blue eyes.

"My name is Kevin. And I couldn't let you just fall to the ground. I didn't think I'd make it in time. But here you are," he replied. It was then that Lily noticed he was still holding her. She straightened herself up and made to stand up. But he slipped his hand into hers to help her up.

"Thank you again, Kevin. Do you live around here? I don't think I've ever seen you," Lily inquired. She was struck by Kevin's closeness, but she didn't feel uncomfortable.

"I just moved in with my aunt and uncle. It's a long story. But I'm sorry, I still don't know your name," Kevin looked at her earnestly. He longed to touch her beautiful red hair.

'I'm sorry. My name is Lily Potter. I was just on my way to the store to pick up something for my mother," Lily said. "Well, would you mind if I walked with you? I wouldn't want you to fall anymore?" Kevin asked her.

Lily's reply was almost instant, "Sure. I mean, yes, please. So what were you doing in town? Am I keeping you from something?"

"No, I was just coming to grab a bite to eat. But do you have to be home soon, because I wondered if you might join me for lunch?" Lily nodded and they continued to walk to the store.

Lily and Kevin spent the afternoon together. She learned that his mother and father had just passed away five months ago and he had lived in the States. He was from St. Louis, Missouri. But since he was only 15 he went to live with his aunt and uncle. Lily had told Kevin about her family, but nothing that even mentioned magic. She told him she went to a boarding school. She didn't know what he knew about magic.

So when Lily walked through the door, humming a happy tune, her mother looked at her in confusion. "Lily, what makes you so happy? Find something while shopping?" her mother asked.

"No. Mum, can you keep a secret?" Ginny nodded. "I met a boy down there. Well, actually I almost tripped, but he caught me and we had lunch. Anyway his name is Kevin. He's a muggle, but I really like him!"

"Oh, Lily, that's nice. But does he know anything about magic?" Ginny asked.

"No, but I think once he got to know me, we could really get along. Oh, mum, he's so cute. He has these beautiful blue eyes. And he asked me to go out to dinner with him tomorrow. Can I go, mum?"

"Alright, but you must promise me you'll tell him the truth about you before he meets us all. Merlin knows we can hardly keep James and Al behaved as it is," Ginny replied and kissed her daughter on the head.

So Lily met Kevin down in the village again. They went to an Italian restaurant called Cannoli's. And as Kevin pulled out Lily's chair, he told her, "You look beautiful tonight!" Lily blushed. She had decided to wear a white sundress and wedges. And Kevin didn't look bad in his jeans and jacket.

"You don't look too bad yourself," she retorted back. And he smiled at her. It was a mega watt smile that made Lily weak in the knees.

"What would you like to eat?" Kevin asked and Lily proceeded to peruse the menu.

The night was beautiful. Lily and Kevin continued to chat as if they had known each other for years. They talked about what movies and books they like. What they thought they wanted to do after school. Lily had told him she thought about law enforcement. It was close to the truth.

Kevin had dropped her off outside her lane and said, "I had a lovely time, Lily." He then gave her a kiss on the check and said he would call her. (The Potters did have a muggle phone).

Lily walked into the house and was met by James, Al and Scorpius. James cat called and said, 'Oh, Lily's got a boyfriend, Lily's got a boyfriend. And he is a muggle!"

At the time, Scorpius had been reading a book. But at James words, his head shot straight up and he tried not to scowl at James. Scorpius was devastated at the news. Ever since Lily's third year, Scorpius had a crush on her, but he could never tell her how he felt. He was a Griffyndor. He should have the courage to tell her he liked her. However there was a problem. Lily was his best mate's sister. It was weird. And yet he couldn't help feeling like someone punched him in the stomach. He got up and said, "Al, I think I'm ready to go to bed. I'll see ya up there. Night, James. Lily." And he walked up the stairs feeling defeated.

"What was his problem?" Lily questions. But Al just shrugged and followed his friend upstairs. "Night, guy."

Lily and James weren't far behind, but not before Lily said, "Jamie, I'll get you back for your little song." And walked to her room.

"What's wrong mate?" Albus asked as he climbed into his bed. Scorpius was already under his blankets.

"Nothing. I'm just tired. And stressed about our last year of school," Scorpius lied. How could he tell his best friend his heart was breaking because his sister was dating someone else.

"Well, if I believed that then I wouldn't be your best mate. Let me tell you what I think is wrong?" Scorpius stared blankly at Al. What was he going to come up with? "I think you like my sister. Now, Scorpius, before you object let me talk. I've been your best mate for the past six years and I've watched you with girls. Sure you've dated girls, but none of them have lasted longer than three months. Then I watch you with Lily and you light up. Was I happy when I noticed that? No way. She's my sister. But then I thought about it. And if I'm honest I want Lily to be treated like a queen. And I know that you would never jerk her around. Because if you did then I would have to come after you. But you're a good guy, Scor, but have you ever told her how you feel?"

Scorpius hesitated. "No, not ever. But I was so worried how you would react about it. I honestly thought you would pummel me." Al laughed. "But how am I even in Griffyndor if I can't be honest with the girl I like? I really am a Malfoy."

"Scorpius, you listen to me. You are brave and you have courage. You are exactly where you're supposed to be. We'll get through this man. And I'll help. I mean, how long can she date this muggle guy?"

"Yea, I hope you're right. Night." And with that Scorpius drift off to sleep imagining Lily with a mysterious man.