Disclaimer: unfortunately still not owning anything...

I wasn't sure how this was going to end but really it was the only solution. We were going to face James and Al head on and tell them the truth. Secrets and lies don't last forever and if Lily was really this serious about a boy then they would have to accept it one day; I wasn't going to let James Potter of all people scare her into losing someone she clearly cared a lot about. Hell, he couldn't judge anybody's romantic choices. Whilst James would be angry and more than likely violent, Al was more difficult. It could go either way – of course he's protective but I hoped that he wouldn't resort to actual bodily harm and would listen to what his little sister had to say.

"Rose, this isn't a good idea" Lily hesitated at the entrance inside the relatively quiet joint common room – I'd checked that James had returned from his 'date' (read: snog session with unknown) before bringing Lily to find that James was with Al, Scorpius, Dom and Fred. I'd kind of hoped for a more private setting but beggars can't be choosers.

"Do you want to lose Lysander?" I'd noticed that Al and Scorpius had spotted us from across the room and were pointing. Brilliant, way to buy me time.

"Of course not Rose, but what if" Lily met my stare, tears brimming her own blue eyes threatening to spill over "what if they hurt him"

"If they hurt Lysander, I will hurt them" I pulled Lily into a hug that she desperately needed, ignoring the stares of my cousins and Scorpius "I will have no greater pleasure than killing James Potter"

Grabbing Lily's hand and squeezing it tight I gave her one last look of reassurance before pulling her over to where her brothers sat. Merlin, this was not going to end well.

"Lily have you been crying?" Dominique was the first to speak, shooting me a look that could only be described as 'tell me right now what is happening before I hex you into the next century'.

"I-i, I've got an announcement to make" I took a seat beside Scorpius – ready to jump to Lily's aid if she needed me.

"Are you pregnant?" Fred quipped waiting for the laughs that never arrived as horror washed over Al and James.

"She better bloody-" James and Al both said at the same time.

"Don't be so ridiculous" I interrupted "Go on, tell them Lily. It's okay"

"I" Lily took a deep breath, her eyes squeezing shut tight "'twantyoutokillhim"

"You have a what ?" James demanded. No, James Potter. You will not ruin this.

"She has a boyfriend James" I was not having James flipping Potter upsetting her "Get over it. It was bound to happen at some point"

Al didn't say a word – he was either calculating some evil plot to kill his little sister's boyfriend or he was taking it very well.

"Who is he? Do I know him?" James ranted and raved, his hands flailing everywhere "He better not be taking advantage of you Lily because I swear..."

"It's Lysander" Lily answered interrupting her brother's wittering.

"Oh" was all James said – maybe he realised he couldn't maim or murder the son of one of his parent's oldest friends no matter how much he more than likely wanted to "You aren't old enough to have a boyfriend"

"I'm fourteen James, not four" Was that really his best argument? Her age? I expected better from him.

"James Potter I know exactly what you were doing at fourteen" Dom glared at James defending our youngest cousin.

"That is my point" James shouted "I know exactly what is going through a fourteen year old boy's mind and it is not something I want my little sister involved in"

"She is old enough to make her own decisions James" Have I ever mentioned how scary Dom is when she's angry? Because she is "It's not like we don't know him, the Scamander's are like extended family. Lysander is a much nicer fourteen year old boy than you ever were"

"That is not the point Dominique" James huffed "I don't want my little sister going off around the castle snogging some boy"

"What? Like you do?" Dom questioned the biggest hypocrite the world had ever seen.

"I do not snog boys" about the only thing he didn't snog, I'd caught him practising kissing his pillow the summer before he started Hogwarts.

"James stop being so, so, absolutely infuriating" Dom was well an truly in Aunt Fleur mode aka crazy French part-Veela "Lily you do whatever you like with whoever you like, don't listen to this blithering idiot. I like Lysander and I think you make a very lovely couple, I trust you'll be bringing him to James' Halloween party? As a couple. James if you don't like that then don't bother coming"

"But it's my bloody party!" he argued.

"I don't care" Dominique just shrugged her shoulders smiling at James – yep the look was back. The one that I was sure held murderous thoughts.

"Come on Al mate, back me up" Al remained silent through Dom and James' debate, his face unreadable.

"I'm happy for you Lily" Al smiled softly at his little sister, her face lighting up at his words as James' dropped "What?"

"Always full of surprises Albus" I told him grinning widely at my best friend. I knew he was my best friend for a reason. Stupid James.

"Al this is Lily" James shook his head, knowing that he was fighting a losing battle.

"I know" Al was calm and collected "We can't lock her in a tower James. She's going to meet boys, she's going to make mistakes and she's going to fall in love. There's absolutely bugger all we can do to stop that and she can do a hell of a lot worse than Lysander Scamander. I know that you know that. Remember Rosie and McLaggen? I was with you on that one but this is different"

"Can we at least read him the riot act?" I breathed a sigh of relief – the worst was over.

"Naturally" Al smirked at Lily who looked like all her Christmases had come at once "He isn't getting off that easy little sis"

A/N – I know this is super super super short but I was going to put it with the next chapter but then I realised I wanted them separate. The next update should be reallllly soon...and it's Halloween at Hogwarts! :-)