The next few days went by easier than expected. Even while working side by side with her now nemesis there was barely any time for talking anyway. It seemed every man and his dragon were flocking in with some sort of injury or illness. They went from hilarious (such as a man who had been charmed to break into a tap dance every time her heard a whistle) to very severe (including a young girl who had come in with a werewolf bite.)

Lily couldn't help but notice how wonderful Scorpius had been with all their patients, she even found herself admiring him from time to time, at which time she would briskly remind herself that he was not only a Malfoy, but also a git.

After four days of very intense training, Lily wanted nothing but a nice bubble bath on her first day off. She needed to wash the stress and sorrow away from her body, needed to feel like just a girl again.

Relaxing in the water, she let her mind wander free. Her thoughts raced straight to her family, and she reminded herself to owl them when she was done. If she didn't she would likely find herself on the first broomstick out of this place within the month. She couldn't help but wonder how Albus was doing with his training; she'd heard the first year of an Auror's training was both important as well as gruelling. From there her mind wandered to her classmates, where they were and if they were enjoying themselves.

Finally finding herself relaxed, she slipped under the many bubbles and floated, her eyes closed.

Over an hour passed before she exited the bathroom, her skin soft and her eyes bright. Curling up in the large emerald loveseat, she picked up her favourite book. It was a collection of old wizarding fairy tales given to her by her Aunt Hermione, which was passed down from the great Professor Dumbledore himself. Each of her siblings, as well as some of her cousins had inherited something from the war. She had the book, which was her prized possession; Rose had been given a destroyed locket, James had their father's invisibility cloak, Hugo had his father's Deluminator and Albus had a destroyed diary that used to belong to Voldemort himself. Their parents had given them to them as reminders that everything worth having was worth fighting for.

Flicking to her favourite story, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, Lily smiled softly. She loved the morals inside the old tales, especially of The Fountain, which had taught her from a young age to always try to find a solution to her problems the legitimate way. Engrossed in her story, she didn't hear the soft footsteps behind her.

"I told you you'd look good on green." He said softly, a lot closer than she found comfortable. "With that chair, and your locks it almost looks like Christmas in here." Laughing softly, he sat at her feet, making her squirm as she glared up at him from the pages of her book.

"Malfoy, I'm not in the mood." Lily muttered quietly.

Ignoring her, Scorpius leaned closer. "You, know, it's not quite Christmas without a little mistletoe." Without warning he flicked his wand casually and leant in to her, their noses almost touching. "Much better." His lips crushed down on hers, quickly and passionately.

His lips tasted like coffee, which surprised her. She'd always imagined they would taste like something erotic, like strawberries, or peppermint. Letting herself relax into for a moment, Lily shuddered slightly. It was the tip of his tongue nudging her mouth that shook her out of her trance, making her push him away and get up quickly.

"I hate you Scorpius Malfoy!" She shouted so loud she wouldn't have been surprised if the man on the moon could hear her. "I hope you get Dragon Pox!"

Her footsteps thundered as she stomped down the hallway to her room, the wall shaking as her door slammed shut behind her. Her Northern-Hawk Owl ruffled his wings in annoyance.

"Sorry Leonis." Lily muttered, throwing a treat his way as an apology. "You feel up to a trip boy?" The treat seemed to have soothed the bird a little and he hooted his approval.

Sitting down at her desk, Lily pulled out some parchment and her favourite self-inking quill.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Sorry it's been almost a week since my last letter, it has been hectic here. No, I will not change my mind. You have done your part to make the world a better place, let this be mine.

How's Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermy? We've had some interesting cases in here lately. None that I can say, you know, Healer-Patient confidentiality and all that, but I can say Dad, be sure to always wear pants while riding your broomstick.

Looking forward to seeing you all,

LLP.

Finishing off her letter, she tied the piece o parchment to Leonis's leg and patted his head.

"To Mum and Dad's, ok?" She murmured, stroking him behind the head. "And if you see James make sure to give him a good bite for me. It's been too long since he wrote last."

Watching her first real friend fly out the window Lily smiled, remembering the day her father had brought him home to her. She had been ten at the time, and sad to be the last child left at home from Hogwarts. The tiny brown and white speckled owl chick had made her day so much brighter.

"And by the time you go off to Hogwarts next year he'll be big enough for you to send us mail." Her dad had said happily, seeing the joy on her face.

For the next year, Leonis had been her friend and confidant. She had even named him after the Lion constellation with the hopes of being a Gryffindor one day.

It was going to be at least a few hours before Leonis got back, so Lily made her way back to the living room, hoping Scorpius had already left. Luck seemed to be on her side as she quietly sat down, the tension slowly draining from her shoulders. Not seeing her book anywhere, she bent down to check the ground.

"It's not down there." The taunting voice grated at her nerves.

"Malfoy, give it back." She growled, standing up quickly.

Scorpius's hair bounced softly as he shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about." He teased.

"My book, you little git. Give. It. Back." Her patience was stretching thin. First he had the nerve to kiss her, and now he was willing to take her most prized possession.

His smirk grew wider by the second. "Ohhhh, your book." Nodding softly he laughed. "Nope, haven't seen it."

"Scorpius, please." She pleaded, her eyelashes moistened slightly. "You don't understand."

Biting his lip a little, Scorpius shrugged. "This is no fun anymore." He muttered, rolling his eyes. "Your book's in the bathroom."

Forgetting herself for a moment, Lily threw her arms around Scorpius, embracing him tightly. Their eyes met, pulling her out of her excitement. "Don't think this makes me hate you any less." She whispered, heading towards the bathroom.

Unwilling to risk another confrontation, she grabbed her book off the cabinet and ran straight to her room.

She was still berating herself when she heard a familiar hoot. "Hey Leo." She smiled softly, stroking the bird's back as he landed on her arm. "Brought back good news?"

Unattaching the parchment from his leg, Lily smiled happily. James had written as well. Plonking down onto her bed she opened her letters and read.

Lil Lily,

Why did you have to go away? With you there and Al at training there's only me for them to bug about growing up. Apparently bartender is NOT a suitable job for a Potter.

I heard a rumour that Mini-Malfoy was working there too, have you seen him around at all?

Oh well, if you do be sure to give him a good hexing for me.

X James Not-So-Sirius Potter

P.S: Control your bird, he made my shoulder bleed.

Giggling softly her herself, Lily picked up the other letter. The handwriting was definitely her mother's.

Our house, family dinner Sunday. Don't bother trying to get out of it, I asked Miss Pomfrey your schedule.

Xx Mom

Lily frowned; trust her Mother to come up with a way to back her into a corner. Looks like she was going to have to suck it up. Lily scribbled a quick response to her letters and laid down with a soft sigh. Sunday was only 3 days away, and much as she loved her family, they could get a bit much sometimes.

Her eyes fluttered closed and she drifted softly to sleep, dreaming of an icy gaze. An icy gaze that set her soul on fire.