Thanks to these awesome people—SiriuslyHopeless15, Rusichan, PandaOren95, -SnowflakeBeautiful-, Sweetshortkakes, hushpuppy22, Heart of the Phoenix, Bucky5, MedzR3, pielover28 and KJ—for reviewing the previous chapter.

Read on! =)

Chapter 2—Simple Gestures

The next morning, Lily found herself early in the Great Hall. In all honesty, she barely remembered catching Adam and Beth snogging inside a broom cupboard. Instead, what she clearly remembered was having a conversation with Scorpius Malfoy, and more to that, an agreement with him.

But still, that morning, she couldn't stop thinking about getting back at 'those two arses', as she referred them in her head, especially when she finally saw them again.

She was sulky instead of weepy at breakfast, and a sulky Lily was not what you wanted to get near to.

"Oh, so you've unstuck your arses, then," Lily commented harshly as she saw Adam and Beth walking pass the Gryffindor table at breakfast, hand in hand. "A pity no one was able to see it glued. I could always do it for you again, though, if you'd like to be stuck together forever."

Beth dared glancing at Lily but flinched at the intensity of her glare. Mikayla stared incredulously at Lily and Beth back and forth, wondering what's happening

"What's going on?" she asked her, gesturing at the place where Adam and Beth had just taken seats.

"Don't ask me," Lily snapped. "I've just known it last night. For all I know, they've been snogging each others' mouths off—or probably shagging over the summer…"

"That's too harsh, Lils, you should…Oh my—you've caught them…oh my Godric!" Mikayla gasped. "He cheated on you? With Beth? Our best friend?"

"What 'best friend' are you talking about?" Lily drawled, yawning. "Talk about rubbish. Do you think I'd still be friends with that bitch after that?"

But those were just words. The lost of Beth still affected Lily too much. The feeling of betrayal and hatred she felt all night overcame her and all she could think of was getting her sweet revenge, mostly on Adam. She still couldn't believe that, after last night's events, the two would still be together, avoiding her scrupulously, but still together…if only they've told her before this happened, then she wouldn't feel so betrayed. All she could think of last night was that her best friend lied to her and broke her trust and she could never, ever, forgive her.

"That's too harsh, Lils," Mikayla said. "I think you should give her the right to explain things."

"Explain what?" she snapped. "I don't need explaining! I've seen them with my own eyes last night—they were doing the most repulsive thing I could ever think off! You could talk to her but don't you dare force me talking to her ever, ever again!"

"You're just mad, Lils," Mikayla said in a soothing voice but that didn't soothe Lily at all. "It'll pass and then you'll realize that it isn't worth losing Beth. We're best friends, for heaven's sake! You should just forgive and forget."

Lily sighed. "What would you do if you caught Beth snogging Al inside a broom cupboard? How would you feel?" she asked in a quiet voice, looking her best friend straight in the eye.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "How did you—I don't know—that's not related, whatsoever!" she said in a voice that said it all.

"You're in denial," Lily said. "You've fancied my brother since third year."

"H-How did you know?" Mikayla asked in a small voice.

"You're my best friend, Kaye. He's my brother. Of course, I know," she answered soothingly. "So how would you feel when you see Beth kissing my brother, then?" she asked again.

"Er—I don't have any right to feel anything, though," she muttered. "She's still our best friend, Lils."

Lily sighed. "Don't force me into this, yet, Mikayla," she said. "If you did, I might just stick up your rear end with them the next time I lose my temper."

"Alright, alright," she said. "Do you need me to insult Adam for your comfort? How about if I say that Adam is such an ugly, twisted, old troll he should be thrown into the Muggle world? Not that it was awful there since I'm Muggle-born and everything, but he's not going to like it that much."

Lily smiled. "Thanks, Kaye," she said. "And I don't need to hear comforting or piteous words. You know me. Although saying that Adam is such an ugly, twisted, old troll is quite…rejuvenating."

"I'm glad I amuse you."

Lily stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"Refreshing," Lily answered. "I'm kind of craving for some fresh air. Besides, it's not raining outside today."

"Do you want me to accompany you?" she offered.

"Nope," Lily replied. "You barely ate breakfast. Honestly, I'll be fine."

"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you'd be crying your eyes out in a random dark corner or something similar."

Lily smiled at her friend. "Oh, I've done my fair share of crying last night," she said. "You should be glad you haven't witnessed it. Anyway, I'm off now."

"See you later," Mikayla said. "And don't kill yourself!"

Lily merely laughed and stormed out of the Great Hall. She walked straight to the entrance hall and outside the oak front doors where she was greeted with the cool air and breeze or the wind and the welcoming light of the sun.

She headed straight to the Quidditch pitch and up the stands. She had always found this place a good place to think whenever no one was around. Looking around, she saw that no one else was there, or so she thought. She didn't know that a certain blond-haired boy had been following her. It wasn't until after two whole minutes that she noticed him, sighing loudly behind her.

Turning around, she jumped at the sight of him and almost fell over the stands if his hand hadn't caught her wrist just in time.

"Thanks," she muttered. "What're you doing here, though? You startled me."

"I saw you exiting the Great Hall and I thought I should follow you," he said, shrugging. She sat again and he took the seat beside her this time.

"When are we going to get started with this 'fake dating'?" Lily asked absentmindedly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him shrug.

"Depends on when you wanted to…or when you're ready…or if you could still do it…"

"I do," she insisted. "How about now?"

He snorted. "Relax. You're pretty determined to get back at them, aren't you? That's very Slytherin of you."

She wrinkled her nose. "Okay, everyone has rights to get back on people who cheated on them, not just Slytherins," she stated.

"But you being a Gryffindor and a Potter makes a difference," he said. "Why couldn't you just forgive your best friend and stop being so determined to make your ex-boyfriend jealous?"

"Do you honestly think that I like the fact that Beth and I are no longer friends?" she snapped.

"No, of course not," he said. "But don't you think that by trying to get back to McLaggen, you'll also hurt your friend? I mean, it's none of my business, but aren't Gryffindors supposed to be chivalrous and friendly and loyal and noble and—"

"Okay, you know what," she cut in, "shut up."

It wasn't what he expected, but when he looked at her, she was giggling.

"What's funny?" he asked curiously.

"You!" she burst out, laughing openly now. "You're a Slytherin so you're supposed to hate Gryffindors, right? And you're a Malfoy and I couldn't see an ounce of hate radiating from you when you're with me!"

"I don't really ca—"

"Shut up," she cut in again and he scowled at her, although there wasn't anything harsh in his look.

"Stop interrupting me!"

"Well, then stop saying ridiculous things," she retaliated, stifling a grin. "Don't you think it's about time we stop all this House-hate rubbish? It's not only Hufflepuffs that are hard-working or Ravenclaws that are smart. It's not only Gryffindors that are brave and it's not only Slytherins that are cunning! Look at me? I'm a bit of those four, except I'm not exactly that hard-working on school stuff…"

"You are cunning," he agreed, grinning. "But let's shut up about Houses now. What about your plan?"

"How about if we call it our plan, seeing as you're in on the plan," Lily interjected.

"Alright then, our plan," Scorpius said, smirking. "So, what about it?"

"When are we going to start it? Now? Tomorrow?" she asked.

"Well, it's gonna be obvious, what you're doing, if you move on a bloke too fast," he said. "Let's wait for a week or so before we do something." As he said this, he leaned on the back of his seat with his head on his hands. She watched in fascination at how he made himself look attractive and handsome effortlessly.

"Mmm…you do seem to know what you're doing."

"Yep," he said, smirking. "It's supposed to be the Slytherin expertise, after all."

Lily slapped him in the arm, laughing hard. "You're getting cheekier—and to think that I just had my first full, proper conversation with you less than twenty four hours ago!"

He laughed. "Well, it's your fault, isn't it?" he said. "You've asked to be friends with me, and to do you a favor only I can do—you've got to suffer the consequences."

"Oh, shut up!"

She was still laughing hard that she didn't notice a blonde girl lower down the stands, looking up at her and Scorpius with incredulous, blue eyes. He noticed the girl, though.

"Stop laughing, Potter," Scorpius hissed at her. "Your friend's coming."

"What?" she said. Looking down the stands, she groaned. "Oh damn it, she saw us!"

"A moment ago, you were so keen on being seen with me already," he said teasingly, smirking, just as Mikayla reached them.

"Hey Lily," she said awkwardly. "I was looking for you and…can we talk?"

"Uh, we're talking?" Lily said.

"Er…alone, if you don't mind," she added to Scorpius.

He shrugged and made to stand up from his seat, but before so, he planted a kiss on Lily's cheek and said, "See you later, then."

When Mikayla's back was turned, Lily saw him wink at her and her face stretched into a smile. Looks like I don't need to wait for a week, after all, she thought.

"What was that about?" Mikayla asked as she sat beside her.

"What was what about?" Lily asked back innocently.

"You—with Malfoy! He kissed you on the cheek!" she exclaimed. "What on earth has got into your mind, Lily?"

"He was just being nice," she said truthfully. In all honesty, she'd rather just chat up and laugh with Scorpius Malfoy than let her best friend interrogate her, which she was sure she would after what she'd just seen.

Mikayla didn't look convince. "How can you be sure? You're not exactly on speaking terms with him, are you?"

"I am," Lily said. "Well, really though, he is being nice, Mikayla. We were doing rounds last night—he's my partner—and he was there last night when…when I caught Adam and Beth." She sighed. "Well, you could imagine the rest. I hexed those two and crumbled and cried on the floor and he comforted me and took me to the kitchen for some hot chocolate and we've had a bit of a chat…"

"I don't think you crumbled on the floor," she said, "but he comforted you?" she asked in disbelief.

Lily nodded, but didn't feel up to telling her about her revenge plan, yet. She was sure she'd talk her out of it.

"I know it's quite hard to believe," she muttered, "but he's nice, you know." But her friend pursed her lips, still looking unconvinced so Lily pressed on. "Kaye, he's not like the rest of them. I know it."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Lily nodded. "Yep. I'm definitely, one hundred percent sure."

Mikayla's shoulders dropped a little in relief.

"I saw you laughing with him earlier," she commented, giving her a perceptive look. "You didn't seem like a girl who's been ditched by her boyfriend or betrayed by her best friend, you know."

"He's sort of…distracting," Lily muttered.

Mikayla giggled. "I know what you mean…he's kind of good-looking, isn't he?"

Lily just shrugged in response. "Anyway," she said, changing the subject, "I don't think that's the reason you came here." She gave her best friend a pointed look.

She sighed. "You're right. Beth came over me at breakfast when you left and said—"

"I don't bloody care what she said," Lily cut in sharply.

"Lily—"

"Please just shut up, Kaye, or I'll be tempted to avoid you as well…"

Mikayla sighed in frustration at her stubborn friend.

"Lily—" she tried again, to no avail because Lily was now standing up and was about to leave when she grabbed her arm.

She turned around and Mikayla was shocked to see a lone tear escape her eye.

"Lily I'm—I'm so sorry I…" But she didn't know what else to say.

"Had you been on my shoes," Lily said, wiping the tears, "would you be able to forgive her that easily?"

"I know I'm—I'm so sorry, Lily. I really am. I just didn't consider…"

"I know I'm making it look a lot easier than it seems to be, but—oh, I don't like this," she said quietly as she sat back down on her seat. "I hate being dramatic. Ugh. I just couldn't help it because she used to be my best friend. I wouldn't be like this if it was another woman Adam was snogging in that cupboard. Why does he have to be such an arse? And I never judged Beth on her impeccable taste for choosing her playmates but I couldn't stop thinking about how a bitch she is…"

"I'm sorry I'm adding up to your troubles," Mikayla mumbled.

"Don't be," Lily said and she was smiling now. "And besides, my eyes are dry now so you can bite back any guilty comebacks. Drama's over because I suck at it."

Mikayla smiled in relief and Lily was glad. She did need not to see her friend as down as she was.

"So what's the story about Malfoy?" Mikayla asked.

"He's a good guy," Lily said. "And gorgeous, that is. End of story."

"Really, Potter," someone said amusedly and the two of them looked down to see Scorpius Malfoy there, walking back towards them. "Gorgeous? Honestly."

"What're you doing back up here?" Lily asked easily, not in the least bit perturbed that she was caught complimenting him.

"I forgot my cloak," he answered. Looking up, she saw a gray cloak hanging on the upper railings and he took it. "Anyway, see you around, Lily," he said, walking back down the stands and to the grounds gracefully. Lily noted that he used her first name and, despite knowing that it was only just for the plan, she felt an incredible feeling washing over her when he said her name like that.

"Really, Lils," Mikayla said, startling her from her thoughts, "I don't think he's just being nice."

Lily didn't answer but smiled to herself. Even the observant Mikayla was fooled by Scorpius Malfoy's acting skills.

Lily entered the common room with Mikayla after lunch because she insisted on them getting done with their homework. What she saw, though, made her want to run screaming that it almost destroyed her. Sitting on the far corner of the room, on the couch near the window, were 'those two arses' glued together once more by the tongue. She resisted the urge to hex them as she repressed bile rising on her throat, shuddering.

"On second thoughts," Lily said to Mikayla, "I'm going to get out of here. I think I'm just gonna pour over some sick instead of ink if I stayed here any longer."

"Lily, don't—"

But she snatched her arm back from Mikayla's hand and stalked out of the portrait hole. She didn't realize that there were still lingering feelings she had for Adam after what he'd done to her. Wanting so badly to forget that sickening image, she set off to the locker rooms and got her Firebolt out of the broom shed.

She mounted it and kicked off into the air, relaxing as the feeling of flying again washed through her. Contrary to most witches, it was calming rather than nerving for her to fly with brooms. She kept looping around the pitch, letting herself enjoy as the ugly image of those two arses slowly dissolve from her thoughts.

Just when she was relaxing herself by simply hovering in midair, she looked down and almost fell off her broom.

Walking around the pitch, with his eyes on her, was Scorpius. He gestured for her to come down and she did so, landing smoothly on the ground beside him.

"Hey, what's up?" she asked. "How come you know where I am?"

"I heard from a bunch of Gryffindors that you ran off from your common room after seeing those two," he said. "I thought you might be here."

Lily turned away from him and said, "I couldn't stand to think that they're still together after last night…" She shuddered but suddenly felt a pair of strong arms around her, hugging her, giving the same warm feeling of last night when he held her hand.

"Relax," he said and pulled away, taking her hand instead and pulling her to sit on the stands. She brought her Firebolt with her and set it carefully beside her.

"It's been spread out around school," he said suddenly and Lily looked up, knowing exactly what he meant.

"That Harry Potter's daughter's been cheated by a right old arse and her best friend?" she said with an edge to her voice. "Okay, I couldn't stand all this drama." She sighed. "Don't get me wrong because I kind of like my freedom but Beth just gets in the way."

"So you don't care about McLaggen, then?"

"Of course, not," she answered, sighing again. "I did, but not now, though. Well, of course it would take a couple of days at the very least to erase the feeling of being replaced with another woman, but really, I've never been in love with him, if that's what you think. I know he was a right arse before I dated him but I thought he was slowly morphing into a better image. Guess it's the other way around, seeing as he's becoming worse."

He sighed and stood up, holding his hand out to her.

"What?" she asked but took his offered hand nonetheless.

He pulled her up and said, "Put your broomstick back on the broom shed. We're going to cause a scene."

Hand in hand, Lily and Scorpius walked inside the Great Hall. Lily was managing to look calm yet careworn at the same time. She was feeling nervous about this despite wanting it. Scorpius moved with ease and Lily couldn't help but admire him. She knew that this was all just for the show, to help her, but still…it was quite easy to be with him.

Every pair of eyes was staring on them as they entered. Just before going over to the Slytherin table, Scorpius stopped and murmured in her ear, "Just screw up your face to look a bit crestfallen…but don't overdo it or they'll catch you faster than a Snitch."

The way he phrased it made her almost want to giggle but she composed herself and nodded.

"Thanks." She smiled at him.

He gave her hand a squeeze, whispered, "Don't get nervous," and they parted their ways to their own House tables. Lily went to sit beside Mikayla just as the talking erupted once more inside the hall.

Putting a hand on her shoulder, Mikayla said, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Lily replied in a quiet voice, willing that Mikayla wouldn't notice what she was really doing. "Yeah, I'm totally fine."

"What were you doing with Malfoy again?" she asked softly.

Lily looked at her and sighed. She couldn't bear hide to Mikayla what she was doing. She owed her that. "I'd tell you everything later, alright."

After dinner, Lily went straight to their dormitory with Mikayla. They sat on Mikayla's bed. They were the only people there because Beth was down the common room with Adam, avoiding her, and Margaret Thomas and Francine Longbottom, the other girls in the dormitory, were also out.

"So," Mikayla said, "where what happened, exactly?"

Lily sighed and began telling her, starting from what happened last night during their rounds to the suggestion he gave her and to her asking for him to help her. Mikayla didn't interrupt, for which Lily was grateful. She then continued with what happened today and how they had become, somehow, friends…with some benefits.

"…and he was actually looking for me before dinner and persuaded me to do the plan so…there's no backing out now."

Mikayla sighed. "Everyone's definitely talking about that little scene you've caused earlier. You should know how shocked Al looked when he saw you…not that he was outraged; I think he was just shocked to see you with Malfoy, of all people."

Lily noted that Mikayla still has a thing for his brother. Why would she observe him, of all people, if she hadn't? Nevertheless, that wasn't the time to discuss that now.

"So…" Lily said, biting her lip "…aren't you going to tell me off for doing this?"

She rolled her eyes at her. "Knowing you as I do, you'd still do it, anyway. What's the point of trying to make you see sense?"

But Lily didn't crack a smile in response like she expected. Instead, she stared at the open window and said, "You don't think there's a reason why I'm doing this, then?"

"I could see it from your point of view, Lily," she said patiently, "but don't you think it might just…hurt you in the end?"

"I couldn't see why that would hurt me," she said back. "I'm going to sleep now," she said evasively and made to go to her bed but Mikayla stopped her.

"It's barely nine," she said, sighing.

"And I've barely slept last night," Lily retaliated and made her way to her bed this time. Closing the hangings around her, she muttered, "G'night Kaye," and let her mind drift to a restless sleep.

Lily woke up early the next day, having slept early herself. Looking at the clock on her bedside table, she saw that it was still six o'clock in the morning. She didn't feel up to waiting for the rest of her dorm-mates to wake up so, changing into her day clothes, she slipped out of bed and out of the room. Expecting the common room to be empty, she was about to collapse on her favorite armchair by the window when the tiniest of movements caught her attention and she stood on her ground.

It was Beth, who turned her head to look at her. That was must have been the movement that stopped her. Beth opened her mouth to say something but Lily turned her back on her and made a beeline to the portrait hole but she heard her following. Stopping on mid-walk, she didn't turn around to face her when she said, "What?"

"Lily," she heard Beth say in a small, throaty voice. "I—I want to talk to you…"

She turned around to face her, no pity in her eyes. "You are talking right now," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Why don't you continue before I change my mind?"

She gulped. "Please Lily…I couldn't take this…"

Lily rolled her eyes, despite some part of her melting because of her obvious torment. "It's been barely more than one day and you couldn't take it already?" she said, harshness still in her voice. "I thought you'd last a month before begging for me."

With this, Beth actually burst into tears but didn't dare approach her. "Please Lily, listen to me…"

"I don't want to hear what you've got to say," Lily said stubbornly.

"You're being unreasonable! Why couldn't you let me—"

"Explain?" Lily cut in coldly. "Explain what? If you've seen your best friend half-naked inside a closet with your boyfriend, how would you react? What would you do? See! Bloody hell, please don't show your face to me at the moment! You know what—I'm sick! I'm sick of seeing you, thinking that we've spent four years at school as best friends and you betrayed me! Just—just don't try to talk to me again! I don't want another one of those lies because I've had enough for the whole bloody year!"

Beth continued to sob, but Lily didn't even tear up. It was one of those great things she loved about herself. She didn't cry easily. She stood her ground, never backing down. She would cry sometimes, although it passes as quickly as it comes.

Turning around, she stalked out of the common room and wandered around the castle. She let her feet carry her along the familiar corridors, not knowing where she was heading. She was thinking if she had been a bit harsh, but still, the angry side of her won over her slight guilt.

Pulling herself back from her thoughts, she found herself in the Great Hall and decided that she could at least have breakfast without anyone staring at her because of their little scene yesterday.

There was hardly anyone inside except for a handful of students dressed in green and silver robes at the far right of the hall. The Slytherins, she realized, were having their tryouts today. Among them was, of course, their captain, Scorpius. She had an internal debate on whether to leave already before they saw her but Scorpius caught her eye and made a beeline for her.

"You look upset," he said when he reached her.

Upon noticing the stares of the other Slytherins, Lily beckoned for him to follow her out of the hall.

"What is it?" he asked when they were out of their line of sight.

"Beth," she answered, sighing. "I had a row with her this morning."

"Sometimes, I couldn't understand you girls," he muttered and she looked up questioningly at him.

"What is it about us that you couldn't understand?" she asked.

He sighed. "It's obvious you're still upset about losing your friend," he said slowly, as if explaining to a five year old. "And yet, you just couldn't get over your emotions and just forgive her."

Lily glared at him, but he didn't even flinch.

"How about if you join me on our table?" he suggested suddenly. "You could watch the tryouts with us, later…"

She cringed. "No, I think I'll pass the offer, but thanks."

"C'mon, just let me do this one," he persuaded, flashing me a dazzling smile. "I'm doing you a huge favor so could you at least do me this one?"

She bit her lip, deciding on how to wriggle her way out of this, but upon seeing the look in his face, she sighed and nodded.

"Make sure I'll come out of this alive," she muttered.

He grinned at her as she let him pull her towards her doom.

Silence immediately fell upon the Slytherins as they approached. Feeling horrible, Lily sat as close as possible to Scorpius, avoiding the cold looks coming from them.

"So," someone said from Lily's other side and she turned around to see a good-looking boy with dark skin and friendly eyes. "You must be Scor's newest catch."

Lily glared at him but upon noticing that he was joking, softened her expression.

"Sorry, you must be offended," he said and held out his hand. "I'm Hayden Zabini, by the way."

"Lily Potter," she said, shaking his hand. She suddenly felt more comfortable that at least the person on her other side seemed friendly enough.

"So what exactly are you and Scor are?" Hayden asked.

"We're friends," Lily answered immediately and glanced at Scorpius. "Well, I think we're…friendly enough…?"

Hayden chuckled. "Well, Scor wouldn't be inviting you here if you two aren't friendly enough, would he?"

"Actually, I was thinking more like he was bringing me to my worst nightmare when he asked me to come here," Lily said and grinned at Scorpius.

"How did you know?" he said dramatically. "I was expecting you to suffer emotional and physical pain when you entered our lair!"

Despite herself, Lily couldn't help but laugh. "I take it—the two of you are best mates."

"Absolutely not," they both said at the same time that it made Lily laugh another time.

"Yeah, you're definitely not best friends," she said sarcastically. "Anyway, I'd better go back to our lair."

"Don't want to be caught with the enemies, do you, Potter?" someone sneered and I turned around to see a porky Slytherin with short, black hair, no neck, mean eyes, and flat nose. I managed not to snort just in time because, how ironic was it that the first thing I thought of was a talking pig?

"Excuse me," she said rudely when she recovered. "But why do I want to be caught with a talking pig?"

The other Slytherins burst out laughing at this. She could hear Scorpius' hearty chuckle beside her and felt better in an instant than she had all morning.

"Thanks for taking me here to this wondrous place, Malfoy," she said, standing up. Grinning, she added, "Who would've thought I would see a missing swine in the middle of snakes?"

The laughter doubled and Lily felt that she had gotten the positive views of the rest of the Slytherins…all except the one whom she taunted, and whoever he was, was glaring fiercely at her right now.

She didn't care, though. Lily never cared about the way people look at her, the way people see her. She didn't care in other people's opinion, except the people she cared about. And speaking of people she cared about, she didn't notice before that Mikayla was already there with Albus and both were staring at her with wide eyes.

"What did just happen?" asked Al as soon as she sat herself in front of them. She had a clear view of Scorpius looking at her that moment, but she averted her gaze.

"I only sat on the one table with people on them," she said, shrugging.

"With the Slytherins?" he exclaimed. "Lily, are you mad?"

She glared at him. "They're not at all that bad."

"It has something to do with Malfoy, hasn't it?" he snapped.

"We're sort of friendly toward each other, you know!" she retaliated. "He was being nice and comforting to me when I've seen Adam and Beth hooking up!"

"Oh," he mumbled. "Sorry…I just presumed—"

"Forget it," she said. "I don't have time for another row."

He looked at her with narrowed eyes but said nothing. She was used to her brother looking at her like that. It meant he was sensing something she didn't want to tell him. Uncannily omniscient, that was what Al was.

Luckily for her, the morning post just arrived and she was released from her brother's scrutiny. An unfamiliar gray owl came swooping down on her, gracefully avoiding her porridge. It flew off as soon as it dropped a neatly folded note on her lap. Al and Therese began to chat so Lily, who had no intention of letting them read it, opened the letter down the table, wondering who it was from. The cursive and elegant writing was unfamiliar.

Potter,

Meet me in the pitch after tryouts. How about if I say 'please'?

Scorpius

Lily hid a smile as she looked over at the Slytherin table. It was amusing how he phrased his letter in a cocky yet funny sort of way. She could see Scorpius chatting with the Slytherins but she knew perfectly well that he knew she was looking at him.

How the hell could he send me a letter with an owl? she suddenly thought incredulously.

Finally, he met her gaze. To her astonishment, he winked at her as he stood up and led the Slytherins to the pitch. She raised an eyebrow at him but averted her eyes quickly, nonetheless, not wanting Al to turn on his perceptive stare once more.

It was nearly lunch when Lily went over the pitch. The Slytherin tryouts have just finished and there were hardly any Slytherin left. The exception, of course, was Scorpius, and with him was Hayden.

"Why, hello Potter," Hayden said as soon as she was in view. "Mmm, I see. Ickle Scorpy's getting sneaky, huh?"

"Shut up," he said to Hayden and Lily noticed that he was freshly showered, wearing casual day clothes, with his blond hair dripping slightly with water. He looked…gorgeous

"I'll just leave the two of you, then," Hayden said slyly and walked away. Now that they were the only ones left on the pitch, Lily suddenly felt a bit nervous, but only just a bit.

"So what was that note all about?" she asked as he led her towards the stands.

"Nothing in particular," he said. "I just wanted to tell you that many women have been bombarding me since yesterday about you and me, since I forgot to tell you back on the table."

She wrinkled her nose. "Er…I couldn't say I'm entirely sorry since I think you're used to it."

He chuckled. "You're probably right. Anyway, have you suffered the same fate?"

She grinned at him. "Nope. I've locked myself up in our dormitory and talked to no one but Mikayla."

"Good for you."

"So, that's it? You wanted to meet up with me here so you could ask if I was being harassed by nosy people?"

"There's something more, actually," he said. "I just wanna ask how you're doing. So, how are you doing?"

"Doing what?"

"Doing with the two arses, that is."

His eyes softened at this words that Lily suddenly felt gratitude at him.

"I'm not fine, apparently," she said lightly. "Thanks for asking, though."

"You know what?" he said. "We could easily make you feel better."

"How?"

He grinned. "Let's put on a bigger show."

"What happened to taking it slow?"

"Never mind that now," he said. "So?"

Lily thought for a moment and smiled at him. "You know what, Malfoy? I think I like the sound of it."

He grinned as he stood up and offered her his hand. Taking his hand, she smiled.

"How about if we call each other by first names?" he said. "It'll make it more believable."

She shrugged. "Sure…Scorpius."

The name sounded so foreign, so tender on her lips that made Scorpius want to hear it once more.

"Let's go and make some heck of rumors!" he said enthusiastically and we both laughed.

Thanks for reading!

But hey, this might take a while before they really get together since I don't like those crappy, sappy love stories where the main characters (Lily and Scorpius in this case) will fall in love way too fast.

On a side note, it might take me three days at least, a week at most, for me to update. You might've noticed but I'm used to making long chapters. I hope you'll be patient with me. =)

Anyway,

PLEASE REVIEW!