Author's note: chapter 9 was probably the hardest to write until now. Lots of things are revealed... But in the end I'm quite satisfied! Hope you'll enjoy it because it is definetely my favourite!

Thanks BROOKLYNrose95 for always reviewing! This really makes me happy... I'm sure you'll like this chapter ;)

Lily walked inside the Manor. The first impression that assaulted her senses was the smell... the house smelt like Scorpius. Musk, wood, hearth. It filled her nostrils, slightly intoxicating. If she closed her eyes, she could picture him right in front of her... but she didn't dare. She didn't know whether she could open them again. Reality would pale after a full dive into the world of dreams.

The large family walked up the stairs but the more they climbed, the more the Potters stepped out in front. They were different, someway more important. Lily found herself in a huge drawing room. It was mostly in the colours of black and green with moving portraits along the walls. Rich Medieval embroidered tapestries didn't give rest to Lily's bewildered gaze.

She could recognize lots of attendees. Maybe it was because she knew everyone, or simply because the room was full of people of any age... it looked like the whole wizarding world was there. She searched with her eyes for Scorpius and immediately found him. His parents and paternal grandparents were beside him. He wore a black suit and looked dashing and darkly beautiful. What surprised her most was Lucius Malfoy. He looked exactly like she remembered him. He didn't seem to be affected by trivial things like age or time. His countenance was controversial at best. His hair was still long but wild. Skin as light and smooth as alabaster, with a sallow shade to it though. A glass of wine was presently in his hand. A slight tremor betrayed his inner turmoil. He had been through hell and back and seemed to be carrying unspeakable burdens. Her father told her that he once wasn't like this, that he had a legendary arrogant dignity to him. From what she heard, he was still the authority of the family. His word was the last. And definitive. Draco wasn't really up to it. He was soft. And wasn't able of hatred as much as him. Lucius barely tolerated mudbloods and was still convinced that his family members all had to have pureblood ancestry. What a shame...

Lily found herself finding shelter close to her parents and brothers. She hoped to be ready. Wishful thinking. She gasped. Paralyzed. Scorpius gaze was mesmerizing. Those eyes... she couldn't have enough of them.

" Welcome Mr and Mrs Potter," her parents and Draco shook hands. " And welcome to you miss Potter," now it was her whom he was addressing. She nodded and smiled. He did the same thing with her bothers. Astoria joined her husband in welcoming their star guests and put a delicate hand on her son's shoulder. She probably meant for him to say hi or something. " Hello, Albus and welcome... You too James." He then turned his grey eyes on her. He looked sad. " Welcome, Lily..." he took her hand in his and lightly kissed it. His brief touch sent shivers all over her body. His satin lips brushed gently against her skin. " Thank you, Scorpius," she blushed. They stared into each others eyes for a timeless moment before turning both away. A girl came by and threw her arms around his waist. Lily froze. She realized who it was immediately. The girl he had taken to the ball. " Oh, and may I introduce you all to Rosalie Goyle." Lucius announced. Scorpius held her tight and this made Lily furious and desperate at the same time. The girl smiled at everyone. He didn't seem to bother much about her and kept looking at Lily. A Goyle... is she Gregory Goyle's daughter? Pity her father was a dork... she tried not to look at him and walked away. So this is why he didn't want her to come... his girlfriend was here. All this time he had been cheating on both? It hurt her so much that there was actually someone else besides her. She wasn't the only one to have claims on him.

Lily roamed around the room. " Lily! There you are! I have been looking for you..." she turned around to see Oswald. He was more handsome than ever. His eyes a brighter green and his blond hair a bit longer and shaggier than usual. " Hi, Os! I've missed you so much!"

" Me too. I was hoping to meet you here. I like to meet friends outside Hogwarts because... everyone is so different," he winked.

" I am always me." Unfortunately.

" So do you care for a stroll and have a look? This place is so big, we might get lost. And I quite like the idea of getting lost," he smirked.

" Uh, alright... Let's get lost!" she smiled for the first time that night.

Oswald was definitely the only person who could keep her from obsessing over her problems. He was so smart and his way of talking, of reasoning, of... seeing things. He gave her a different perspective on the world. Like watching it through different eyes. Which was what fascinated her most besides his good, roguish looks.

Later back in the drawing room, Lily met Albus again. " Lils, come with me a moment, would you?"

" I'll be here in a sec, Os..." Her brother pulled her by the arm and carried her away.

" This will take a lot more than a second... you really have to see..."

" What?"

" Shhhh... Lower your voice..." he whispered. And somewhat Lily felt that his shhh was vaguely familiar but she didn't have time to think it over. Hushed voices, right beyond a dark oak door, reached her ears. She recognized her aunt's and... Draco's.

" Draco, we can't do this anymore..."

" Why? Afraid of Weasley finding out? We both know he's too dim-witted for that," he spat.

" Please, don't talk like that about him," she pleaded. '' Eventually someone will find out... And both our families will suffer. I fear this was all a mistake. I am married, I have children. And let's admit it: we clearly weren't meant to be lovers... Blood ancestry and all." Her words were broken by loud sobs. Lily and Albus got closer. The door was partly open and they saw the two. Draco embraced her and whispered in her ear. " Never say this was a mistake... Hermione." There was a kind of reluctance when he said her name. " If this is a mistake, Merlin, it's the rightest mistake I've ever done! I don't want to live a pathetic, half existence for the rest of my days. I never considered Astoria my wife. She is petulant and superficial. Our marriage was a mere perpetuation contract between pureblooded families. No love. No fire. No care. We are meant, you know? We have been meant since the beginning. We should have married." A smiled broke through Hermione's tears. " I want more. I want to feel. And you make me feel." He wiped her tears with a thumb and kissed her. Softly, reverently as if no one had to notice, as if afraid she would break under his ministrations.

" You were right, Lils. Well spotted." Albus said.

" Let's leave. I don't want anyone wiping my memory." She grimaced.

" Right. I wonder how long this has been going on... they have a deeper connection than I could possibly imagine"

" I know... but I wonder how much longer this WILL go on. They can't keep it a secret forever. And once the sordid affair is out..."

" It's them against the whole world."

" Exactly. But if they do put an end to their relationship it might be devastating for both," she speculated. She spotted Oswald waiting on the other side of the room and walked towards him without saying anything else.

" Wow, this took long..."

" Yeah... Sorry. It was nothing."

" I wouldn't be so sure of that. It seems Albus likes to steal you a lot. I don't think I like him very much," he said faking jealousy. Lily giggled. She saw Oswald taking her hands and slowly, gently getting closer to her face. Lily's heart was beating fast. She really didn't know what to do. But she wanted this. She had to learn to let go of Scorpius and this was the first step. Their lips were close to touching, warm, sweet breaths reaching to each other. But a low, bothered scoff stopped them. Lily turned around. Oswald's hands left hers. Scorpius was there. Standing in all his cold glory. She couldn't really tell what he was feeling. It was like trying to read a stone's feelings. " Potter, come with me. Your father is looking for you downstairs."

" Wait for me, Os. I'll check what's up and come straight back here."

" Sure." Lily followed Scorpius. He didn't say a word. They wandered through the manor's corridors. She didn't know where they were going. It was a maze. But she soon realized that she had never taken this way. Maybe there was another staircase... But her musings were halted by Scorpius pulling her inside a room. She found herself against the wall. His firm, hard body pushed against hers. He muttered some spells and looked at her. Now she understood just how furious he was. " Don't look at me that way, Malfoy. What do you actually expect me to do? I come here and find you with another girl. I have my life and you have yours. This is clear..."

" Why were you about to kiss Oswald McLaggen? Why?" he yelled. She hoped he had cast the muffliato charm and no one was overhearing them.

" I don't think I have to give you an explanation since you aren't giving me any."

" I told you not to come."

" Well, then what would you have done? Kept on kissing me whenever you want and then gone back to sweet Rosie? Things don't work this way!"

" I didn't want you to see. I don't love her-"

" That's because you don't love anyone. You said so yourself."

" I don't love her. But I have to be with her."

" Why?" Tears were starting to form in her eyes.

" Because I have to marry her. Our families chose for us. My grandfather chose for me. She's a pureblood, a Slytherin."

" Yes, she is everything desirable," she said with venom.

Scorpius looked desperate now and ran his hands through his hair.

" She is not everything desirable. She is not... She is not you."

" Of course not."

" If I don't oblige him, I lose everything. My family, my name, my heritage. I was coming to explain to you, but-but then I found you...with... him..."

" You know, just for your information, I like Oswald and he likes me too. This is generally how relationships go. Of course you couldn't know."

" I couldn't know, uh? Well, if you like your Oswald so much, you can go back to him! Right now. You are free!" he stepped backwards.

" Fine. I'm going." She made to go, but Scorpius pushed her back against the wall and captured her lips. His desire was burning in his blood, with every kiss more. He put his hands on her throat forcing her to breath in gasp. He liked to have power on her. She ran her hands through his hair and pulled them. They were so soft to her touch. Lily felt him pull slightly away. " You are mine... even if you'll not remember this in future..." he touched her lower lip with his finger before starting to kiss her again. She wondered what he meant. She could never forget something like this. She felt his prisoner. He had captured her and she couldn't leave. She was his forever. He pulled her even closer. Every single part of their bodies was now touching. They were merging as one but the moment was over too soon. He pierced her eyes with his. " I think I will never forget seeing your eyes this close, Lily Potter..." neither would she but didn't find the words or the heart to tell him. She saw him grasping his wand from his pocket. " What are you doing, Scorpius?" she was worried he might do something reckless. He took her face in his hands and whispered: " I'm sorry..." She wanted to ask why but never had the chance. " Obliviate..." Lily felt a piece of her heart being torn apart and fell into darkness. The last thing she thought before falling into oblivion was that her father had to talk to her...