CHAPTER III

That night, as Lily finally relaxed in the Gryffindor Common Room, she realised how many people in her family were at Hogwarts. The eldest there were James and Lucy (Percy's youngest daughter), along with Fred (George's son). Then came Albus, together with Rose, Roxanne and Lorcan and Lysander (who weren't really family, as they were Luna Lovegood's children by Rolf Scamander, but were as good as, for they had all known each other since forever). Next were Dominique and herself, and last but not least, stood Hugo and Louis (Bill's youngest), two rightful troublemakers.

No wonder the Gryffindor House was also known as the Quasi-Weasley Clan. It was hard to find a year with no Weasleys in it at all!

"Let me guess, you're just noticing how many of us there really are" Albus smirked.

She quickly turned around to face him. He was standing next to a young man with platinum blond hair hanging loosely around a thin, pointed face. The boy was tall and thin, but not in the scrawny way Albus was. He looked more athletic.

"May I introduce you to my best mate, sis? This is Scorpius Malfoy. Scorp, this is my sister Lily"

Lily had heard James bickering about that friendship. And it hadn't only been him. Harry, Ron and Hermione had all pursed their lips together without further comment when they heard about it. Just the occasional tense question, mostly issued by Ginny, who didn't have as much hatred inside of her against Draco, Scorpius's father.

Lily knew James was watching her closely. He probably thought this boy belonged to Slytherin and that he had fooled everyone when he was accepted into Gryffindor. Everyone had sure been surprised, yeah. But James wasn't going to let him out of his sight, especially around little Lils.

She shook the thoughts off and stuck out her hand for him to shake. He smiled a little at the gesture, but said nothing as he shook her hand gently. She felt the strange urge to look into his eyes.

There they were. Those mesmerizing eyes she had so noticed looking at her during the Sorting. Grey eyes, the colour of clouds when they announce rain.

"Hi" she said softly.

He nodded and widened his smile, without letting go.

A growl was heard from the corner. Lily saw James take out his wand and quickly pointed at him with hers.

"What was that?" she snapped.

"What was... you hadn't dropped... you still haven't dropped hands" James scowled, his eyes fixed on Scorpius.

Instead of doing what James clearly wanted done, he just held her closer to him.

Lily blinked furiously. She was being embraced by a guy she'd never met. She felt her face grow hot.

"Malfoy, let her go or I'll swear I'll..."James looked positively pissed.

"You'll what?" Scorpius voice rang soft and yet clear as a bell.

"I'll hex you into a worm, which is nothing more than what you truly are!" James roared.

Scorpius messed his hair with his free hand in what was apparently an embarrassed, apologizing way.

"Gee, Potter, you're getting more original with your insults each passing year"

Even Lily had to laugh at that one. The contrast between Scorpius's physical attitude and they way he made the subtle insult roll inside his mouth was most curious. Talking about physical... Lily thought... she could feel each and every one of his abs- she'd been mistaken, then, he had a thin constitution, but he was definitely strong and all the bulky he could get- and was getting flushed.

"Okay, guys, I see you've made your point" Dominique interrupted "Scorpius, you fancy Lily, and James, you don't want Scorpius to fancy Lily. Sort that out. Meanwhile, Malfoy, let Lily breathe, or there'll be nothing worth sorting out"

Scorpius looked at Lily directly and quite involuntarily released her. He winked at her.

Lily was angrier than she could possibly express: at James for behaving like such a possessive toerag, at Scorpius for quite forcing himself on her, no matter how attracted she was to him, and at Dominique for putting it so bluntly in front of everyone.

Without further comment, she stampeded up the stairs and into her room, closing the door with a loud bang. She let herself fall on the bed and closed her eyes. A pair of greyish orbs invaded her mind, and she moaned in defeat. She didn't realise she was falling asleep until she woke up next morning.

Dominique was waiting for her, already dressed up in her uniform and standing by the door. Her blue eyes reflected a clear, sweet apologize. Lily nodded and her cousin hugged her:

"I'm so sorry, Lils" she muttered "I'm so used to messing around with James and Scorp it didn't occur to me that it would affect you too"

"It's okay" she replied, changing into the robes. She had decided to let it go. Have a fresh start. And control her temper just a little bit more. Last night she had been about to hex everyone in the Common Room to make them forget the event. She had to learn to keep it under check.

Hugo was already in the Great Hall, eating up. He'd inherited Ron's love for eating and even though he was tall and lanky, the quantity of food he ingested every day was baffling. Elle was watching him with her mouth half opened. Hugo's eating wasn't known for it's politeness, and it seemed most people sitting at the table thought fascinating how he bit large chunks of toast, bacon and scrambled eggs, chewed them for a couple of seconds and made a huge attempt to push it down his throat.

"You know, Hugo, people are going to puke" Lily said, disgustedly.

"I'f nof mafing themf waf" he answered with his mouth full.

Both Dominique and Lily had had enough experience with Ron and Hugo to understand what he was saying. They kept on their reproachful faces.

When Hugo managed to slip down a particularly large piece of toast (half of it, along with a whole fried egg and a piece of sausage) some Gryffindors even cheered at him. He stood up to bow down before Dominique brusquely hit him on the head.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"For being an evil, disgusting clown. Sit down!" his cousin snapped, pulling him back to his seat.

Neville was walking around the Hall, giving each student their timetables. When Lily looked at it, she half groaned: Potions, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. Just great!