Hi guys! Thank you so much for all your reviews. I really, really appreciate them and they make me feel so happy! I promise the chapters will get longer for those who asked for lengthier chapters, but for now please enjoy!
I don't own Harry Potter.
Lily brushed her long hair with soft strokes. The morning sun shining through her small bedroom while the sheer curtains danced with the last remnants of a summer breeze. The excitement was radiating off of her at the thought of a new school year, at the thought of seeing him even if it was just from afar as it most often was.
Setting down her brush, she looked at her reflection and examined herself. She was never that type of girl to give much thought to her appearance but she supposed she was pretty or at least she had heard people say. Her hair wasn't the Weasley bright red but a darker shade which she had her father's genes to thank for that as well as her green eyes. Her breasts weren't huge but not small either and they made her clothing fit nicely. The rest of her was rather petite and it surprised her most of the time as her grandmother was always stuffing food down her throat, telling her that a girl always needed some fat on her body. Lily wondered if Scorpius would find her attractive. From what she had seen Scorpius didn't really appear to have a type.
"It wouldn't matter even if he did find you pretty, Lily," she told herself. Why was she even kidding herself? This would just be another schoolyear like the one before. She'd watch her brother and cousins play Quidditch, study, and just live the same day over and over again…
"Every year, Albus! I swear if your sister misses the train I will make you walk to Hogwarts on foot!" Ginny growled.
Lily pushed her trolley quickly through the barrier following after her father as he cleared a path to the scarlet steam engine that was the Hogwarts Express. A few students were still giving their goodbyes to their families while many others were already on the train, including Albus and Lily's cousins no doubt.
"There you all are! We were beginning to worry," Hermione rushed with Ron right behind.
"Albus," Lily answered sending her own withering look at her brother.
"I couldn't find my lucky Quidditch jersey and I need it if Gryffindor plans on beating those bloody snakes," Albus defended himself.
"You haven't been able to beat those snakes as you call them since you've been on the team," she pointed out.
"It's because they cheat!" he cried in frustration.
Deciding it was too early for an argument, Lily gave her aunt and uncle a hug, ignoring Albus and all of his whining. He would never admit that the only reason Slytherin had obtained the cup over and over again was because of a certain blond seeker. She didn't care much for the game but she knew that he was one of the best players Hogwarts had to offer, and every seeker hated playing against him.
"Have a great year sweetie and don't forget to study for your exams. I gave Hugo a book with all my old notes and I told him to share with you but Rose will be there for anything you need. That goes for you too, Al. The NEWT exams are no joke and you should take them seriously instead of just playing Quidditch."
"Hermione! Let them enjoy their year. Merlin knows we didn't have it easy," Ron rolled his eyes. "You beat those ruddy snakes, Al. I'd love to see baby Malfoy running home and crying to daddy."
"Honestly Ronald! Leave that family alone," Hermione exclaimed in frustration.
"Why should I? Malfoy never left us alone," he huffed looking at Harry for backup.
"I rather not get involved," Harry laughed at his best friends. Somethings would never change and them arguing was one of them.
The train's final call sounded through the platform alerting all to board or be left behind. Families gave their final goodbyes and advice while some – no doubt muggles – looked at the express in wonder as the engine roared to life.
"Have a good year Lily flower and don't forget to write," Harry hugged his daughter but Lily's eyes weren't focused on her father but on the wizard that was currently making sure everyone boarded the train, his head boy badge shining against his otherwise dark suit.
"Look after your sister," Ginny ordered Albus.
"Yes mother dearest," Albus made a face ushering his sister onto the train.
"Your cousin organized a prefect meeting at three o'clock and you're in charge of checking on the first years," Scorpius murmured nonchalantly to Albus who in return gave him a glare.
"The first years? Are you serious?" Albus barked.
"Before you blame me it was Weasley that made the schedule so go complain to her," the blond said giving Lily a nod before walking down the corridor and to the self-proclaimed Slytherin compartment.
"Bloody arsehole," Albus glared after him. "I'll show him."
"Albus we haven't even made it to Hogwarts yet. Please don't start a fight," Lily called after him.
"Rose Weasley! Why the hell am I in charge of the first years?" He yelled over Lily, ignoring her as he always did and going in search for their cousin.
"Why do I even bother?" she huffed and went looking for her own friends over stopping whatever nonsense her brother was getting up to.
Walking into their usual compartment, Lily found the few people she called friends. Her godmother's twins Lorcan and Lysander were chatting away about their summer adventures with Alice Longbottom.
"Lils!" Alice shrieked jumping to hug her friend. "I haven't seen you in forever!"
Lily laughed, returning her friend's hug just as warmly. "I saw you two weeks ago at the family picnic."
"A lot of things happen between two weeks and now," the brunette shrugged allowing Lysander and Lorcan to give Lily their own greetings, Lysander taking a bit more time hugging her than his twin.
"How was your summer Lils?" Lysander looked down at her almost shyly.
"Good I suppose. I helped Uncle Fred with the joke shop and had to deal with my brothers, but other than that nothing special," she replied taking the space next to Alice.
"How is Albus?" Alice tried asking discreetly but the rosy hue to her face giving away her crush for the older boy.
Lily had known for years about her friend's crush on Albus and while she honestly thought Alice too good for him for the most part, she knew how it felt to have a crush on someone more than oblivious to it. Sure, the situation wasn't exactly the same but still…
Lysander laughed at his friend, shaking his head at her obvious desire for Albus. "Just ask him out already."
"I will do no such thing!" Alice pouted. "Besides your one to talk, no?"
Lysander's laughter died down at her words, his blue eyes moving to Lily before turning away quickly to Lorcan. "So have you two already started studying for the exams? Lorcan and I already have a strategy set up."
"Of course you guys do," Lily and Alice laughed at the pair.
"What?" the twins asked.
"You're Ravenclaws," Alice stated as if that were the answer to the meaning of life.
"Studying is in your blood," Lily finished. "It's all you two ever do."
"That's not true!"
Lily snickered at them but like before her attention was stolen by a passing figure she knew all too well, moving elegantly past her compartment. "I'm going to go buy something from the trolley. Anyone want anything?"
"I'm fine," both Lorcan and Alice replied.
"Want me to come with you?" Lysander moved to follow.
"No!" Lily said back a little too loudly causing her face to match her hair color. "I mean no it's alright. It'll just be a few minutes."
He gave her a curious look, his blue eyes observing her for a moment. "If you say so," he told her, moving to sit back next to his brother.
Lily quickly made her way down the corridor where she had seen last seen Scorpius walk by. Passing by a few first years and avoiding being spotted by her multitude of family members, she spotted him making small talk with the trolley attendant as the elderly woman packed away his items. Taking a deep calming breath Lily tried to walk up to them with all the confidence she could muster.
"Hello dearie. Anything off of the trolley for you?" the plump witch asked kindly.
"Two pumpkin pasties please."
Scorpius looked down at the younger girl while she pretended to be oblivious to his presence, that strange warmth running through her at the feeling of being watched by his those stormy silver eyes.
"My little sister loves those," she heard his smooth voice say after a few seconds of silence.
She looked up at him in surprise not expecting him to talk about his family at all to her let alone about his little sister who he seemed close to from how they had interacted at Flourish and Blotts. Her green eyes met his shyly, urging him to continue talking.
He smiled fondly at the thought of his little sister. "Our mother doesn't really allow her to have them or many sweets for that matter, but she's always getting her hands on those."
"Sounds just like me. I used to hide under the table and keep them all to myself whenever my mum would make them."
She handed the smiling witch her sickles and takes her treats, turning to look up at the one person that continued to play a role in her mind. Scorpius was watching her with deep curiosity like her Aunt Hermione did when she found an interesting book it was like he wanted to know her very reason for being.
"I never really got a chance to thank you for helping me out of Knockturn Alley," she told him giving him a polite smile when he arches a brow.
"A Potter thanking a Malfoy," he drawled letting a soft laugh pass his lips.
"It wouldn't be the first time I believe. From what I know your father and grandmother helped save my dad…"
"Hmm."
Lily stood under his gaze awkwardly, wishing he would give her more than just a mumbled reply. Now that she was this close to him there was this urge to know him better, to see what lay beneath his cool attitude, to know if he too wanted to be more than just his family's name as she did.
"You're welcome," he finally said. "On the contrary to what I'm sure your family thinks I don't go planning on how rid myself of every Weasley or Potter. Merlin knows there's too many of your kind."
Before she could give him one of her snarky remarks the one voice she wanted to hear in the least at that precise moment called out to her. "Lily! What in Gryffindor's name are you doing with that snake?" Albus sneered, glaring at his sister and then up at Scorpius.
"I was just buying some sweets, Albus. No need to take that tone with me," she gave him her own glare hating he spoke to her like she were a toddler and not at capable witch.
"Stay away from my sister, Malfoy." Albus pushed Lily to the side trying to appear taller than he was as he stepped in front of the Slytherin.
Scorpius smirked down at Albus, "A thank you would be nice Potter. After all it's because of me she's still in good health."
"I'll thank you to go to hell," Albus smiled in false sweetness.
"Albus," Lily begged to deaf ears.
"It's too early in the year for this Potter. As my mother told your aunt I'll keep myself from helping any of your people, no worries."
"Good," Albus spoke through his teeth. "Seems you aren't as brainless as you look."
If only he knew how Scorpius looked to Lily. Brainless was definitely not how she saw him one bit.
"Headmistress McGonagall didn't seem to think I was brainless when I was given the head boy badge over you," Scorpius spoke in a bored tone.
"I'm sure mummy and daddy bought you the badge like they buy everything else for you," Albus growled motioning with his head for Lily to follow him.
Lily glanced at Scorpius in apology who in return only looked at her in amusement. He was more than used to her brother's immature scenes but after years of Lily seeing Albus and him go at it, she took notice of the small bits of emotion hiding behind his demeanor. She saw the way his jaw tightened, the way he clenched his fist, just how some words did sting.
"Lily Luna!" Albus snapped his fingers and ordered her to follow him.
Feeling her temper rise at his inappropriate way of showing, no make that ordering her as if she were a dog, Lily moved to follow him. She would give him a piece of her mind when they were alone and no doubt a well-earned hex. Walking around the handsome Slytherin, Lily caught his amused expression grow at her brother's behavior. Scorpius met her eye and raised his brow as if mocking her for her acceptance of being commanded about.
She blushed, keeping her eyes down and using her hair as a shield but his smooth voice at her ear halted any movement. "Aren't you the obedient one, princess? You'd fit nicely in my world with how pliant you are. Tell me…If I snapped my fingers like him what would you do for me?"
Lily looked up at him only to find Scorpius already heading back to his compartment, his steps sure and head held high, so perfectly composed unlike Lily at the moment. The warmth she had felt only moments ago turning into something that in her innocence couldn't even fully explain. Indeed, what would she do for him if he took control of her in such a way?
"Lily! What are you waiting for?" The screeching sound of her brother's voice calling out before she felt herself being pulled down the corridor.
Turing her glare to Albus, she slowly walked up to him, her steps depicted how upset she was at being treated so humiliating by her own brother.
"How dare you snap at me like that? You have no right to treat me like that in front of people, no right to treat me like that at all, you brainless idiot!" She spoke every word with pause as she tried controlling her temper. Her hand wrapping tightly around her wand.
Albus met her glare with his own but a look of surprise graced his features at his sister's display of emotion. In all the years that he had known her, he knew she wasn't like everyone in their family, she didn't let her emotions run wild. She was the calm one of the family. She always analyzed every moment before taking action.
"Don't call me an idiot –"
"Then don't act like one Albus! I wasn't do anything to warrant your treatment and yet you still did it."
"You were getting cozy with Malfoy!" His lip curling at the last name with nothing but pure disgust.
"I was buying sweets and he happened to be there, you dolt. This isn't a big train we're bound to run into one another whether you like it or not."
"Well, you don't have to talk to him."
"I was thanking him for saving me yesterday –"
Albus turned a shade of red at his sister's words, feeling completely appalled by her. "You thanked him? Him? A Malfoy!"
"Yes, I thanked him. He deserved it and stop looking at me like that, won't you? We're still hours away from Hogwarts and you're already acting like a spoiled ninny!"
"Watch your tone, Lily. I'm your brother I won't have you speaking to me like that."
Lily gave a deadpan expression. "Are you serious right now?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" he asked dumbly.
Pointing her wand at him she spoke clearly, "EngorgioSkullus."
Albus let out a pained shout as his skull began to swell in a matter of seconds, leaving behind a most comical sight.
"What did you do, Lily? Undo this now!"
"Well, look at that. Your head is now the size of your mouth," she spoke in a sugary tone. "Don't worry it should wear off in a couple hours." With a laugh, she raced off back to her friends, leaving behind a very angry large headed brother shouting after her.
"Where have you been?" Alice asked once she was in the compartment.
Lily plopped down onto a seat no doubt resembling some loony straight out of St Mungo's. Her eyes shimmering with laughter at what she had just done.
"Lily?" Lysander called out to her softly, his eyes searching hers.
"Is that your brother?" Lorcan questioned as Albus stumbled down the corridor, his oversized skull making it almost impossible to keep his balance.
Alice whirled around to her best friend. "Did you do that?"
Lily bit into her pumpkin pasty enjoying the sweetness of the pumpkin and its hint of spice, wondering if a kiss from Scorpius would taste just as fine.
"Lily! Did you hex your own brother?" Alice asked again in worry for the boy she liked.
"Hmm?" Lily mumbled before holding up her a treat to her friends. "Pumpkin pasty?"