Hey guys. I'm sorry for not updating for almost a month. I've been really, utterly, totally busy.
Anyway, thanks to Gryffindor1796, bellibella, Rusichan, Paniw, Debate4life, KJ, kana117, Marrunks, xxDeadInsidexx, lorinda, ksrli, I Just Roll Like That, Vinograndinka93 and Elwin3 for reviewing. And to wolfsavior, sorry, I don't like making up imaginary brothers and sisters for the characters. I love cannon for my stories.
Okay, keep reading now :)
Chapter 10—High
The next morning, Thursday, Lily woke up but Beth was gone already. She could here Mikayla stretching behind her curtains, but there was no sign of Beth. Lily yawned groggily wondering where she was, when suddenly, the happening last night came flooding back to her.
Well, it was silly actually. Beth went out of the dormitory, out of the common room, and headed downstairs to see where Hayden was. Mikayla had already gone out to meet up with Albus. Fifteen minutes later, Beth came flooding back to the dorm, her face flushed with obvious annoyance.
"You know what?" she had exclaimed that time, plopping hardly down her four-poster that the hangings swung frenetically. "I told you Hayden and I wouldn't be a nice pair."
Lily looked at her curiously, unperturbed by her beastly reaction. "So what happened, then?"
Beth heaved a deep sigh. "Well, I heard him talking to Pritchard," she said through gritted teeth. "He was asking her if they could give it another shot, the two of them." She closed her eyes tight and opened them again. "I told you he was sort of like Adam."
Lily shrugged. "Well, he still might want to be your friend," she pointed out.
"Not a chance," Beth said instantly.
Lily rolled her eyes. She wasn't sure how come Hayden changed his mind in the span of about ten or fifteen minutes. But maybe all he really wanted was to befriend Beth…er, that didn't make sense. Anyway, it was unlikely that he'd like Beth instantly, right? Well, they only met for about, twenty four hours that time. It couldn't be anywhere near serious.
Lily pulled herself away from her thoughts. Somehow, she though Beth did deserve the 'Hayden thing'. Sort of. Well, a girl would never get over the thoughts of her best friend stealing her lover away, would she? Anyway, she still had to confirm if it was true. But well, it sounded like something a Slytherin would do.
"Where's Beth?" Mikayla asked suddenly, snapping Lily out of her thoughts.
Lily shrugged nonchalantly in response. "I don't know. Breakfast, probably." She rolled her eyes and added, "Probably mourning about a boy loss."
Mikayla gave her a knowing look. "You think she deserves what happened to her, don't you?"
Lily sighed. "Yes, I do," she answered honestly. "But even if I don't, I couldn't do anything about it, could I?" Lily shrugged. "Besides, Hayden is a nice guy. He probably deserved better than…well, someone like Beth. I mean, I still don't like her entirely, knowing what she's done to me." Lily turned around so that her back was to Mikayla and began making her bed. "Well, who knows how many times she and Adam sneaked behind my back or sleep together when Adam and I were still together?"
She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. "Well, why did you take her back as your friend, then?" Mikayla asked softly.
Lily turned around and faced her. "I couldn't hold a grudge forever," she admitted. "Not on a friend. I could forgive, but not entirely."
Mikayla smiled at her. "Well, at least I know you and I both feel the same towards Beth," she said.
Lily smiled back. "Shall we go to breakfast, then?" she asked.
Mikayla nodded. "Promise me one thing, though," she said.
"What?"
"Never go to Malfoy when you're leaving me alone with Beth." Mikayla wrinkled her nose slightly. "It's really awkward to try to converse with her, see."
With that, Lily laughed and led the way towards the Great Hall.
During breakfast, Lily hadn't seen hair nor hide of Scorpius. And also of Hayden. They were most probably hiding somewhere Lily—or Beth—couldn't interrogate them.
After breakfast, Lily, Mikayla and Beth made their way towards their first class of the day—Defense Against the Dark Arts. Their teacher, Professor Goldstein, was a cheerful man the same age as Lily's father. He was a member of Dumbledore's Army back then. It seemed like he never got over DADA.
"Settle down, settle down," he said as everyone scrambled up to their seats. "Now, our lesson for today is about—yes, Ms. Rosewood?" Everyone turned around and looked at Beth, whose hand was up in the air.
"Professor Goldstein," Beth said in a hoarse voice laced with tiredness. She coughed slightly and said in a thick voice, "I'm not feeling well. Could I…well, visit the infirmary?"
"Yes, of course," Professor Goldstein replied.
"Thanks, Professor." Beth gave a small, weak smile, then stood up, slung her bag and her shoulder, and marched out of the classroom.
Professor Goldstein cleared his throat. "Very well then, now where were we? Ah, so our lesson for today is about a very simple spell called Stunning Spell. It is very simple, yes, but it's not so easy to cast for everyone. Now who can tell me what the incantation is. Yes, Miss Potter?"
"Stupefy," Lily answered. Easy one, she added as an afterthought. Not that she would brag but her dad had secretly taught her about simple defensive and offensive spells when she was still a kid. She would sneak into her parents' bedroom when they were asleep and practice them at their house's backyard, and then return them quietly back again after an hour or so.
"Correct," Professor Goldstein said, giving Lily a smile. "I believe you could demonstrate it to us, right, Miss Potter?"
Lily grinned. "Of course, sir."
"Excellent. In front, if you may, so that everyone could see. Now d'you want to pair with—?"
"McLaggen, sir," Lily interrupted, smirking at Adam's way. He gave her a haughty look, as if Lily wasn't able to hit a Stunning Spell at him. Watch me, Lily thought unpleasantly. Lily might've been a forgiving person but well, she only forgives those who ask for it. And it wasn't like many would object her for punishing him.
"McLaggen, it is, then."
Adam stood up, an irking smirk on his face. He was way taller than Lily was, but anyway, this wasn't Muggle wrestling they're going to do. This is, well, wand-wrestling of some sort.
"Could you do the Stunning Spell, then?" Professor Goldstein asked Adam. Adam made a disbelieving noise at the back of his throat.
"Of course, sir," he answered, shaking his head as if the professor was too thickskulled to even think he couldn't produce such a simple spell.
Professor Goldstein ordered them to move about fifty feet away from each other.
"One…two…three!"
"STUPEFY!" Lily cried, aiming her wand at Adam's head. He did the same but being the thickhead that he was, didn't dodge the coming spell. The beam of red light from Lily's wand hit him squarely on the face, throwing him hard backwards and making him hit the other side of the wall. He fell down with his back on the floor.
Lily smirked in satisfaction. Stifling a laughter, he walked towards him, pointed her wand on his face, and muttered, "Ennervate."
Adam opened his eyes slowly, then, upon seeing Lily, glared at her. Lily flashed him a brilliant smile before turning around and back on her seat.
"Excellent, ten points to Gryffindor," Professor Goldstein boomed. "That was a very good demonstration, Miss Potter. And er, McLaggen, yes. Um, well, not all men get the upper hand, eh?"
The whole class consisting of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws laughed. Adam flushed with fury and flashed Lily another glare. Lily winked at him slyly before turning to Mikayla.
"Well," she said, "that was really something Beth should've seen."
Mikayla grinned. "Well, maybe that's her punishment for her 'fake-sick' scheme."
Lily couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Days passed and Lily was getting more and more used to having Beth back. She was also getting used to more grueling practices everyday after classes. Scorpius told her that the Slytherins practiced before crack of dawn. Lily couldn't help but be grateful that at least she wouldn't have to wake up that early just to practice.
November came, making days more dark and rainy than bright, and nights colder than ever. However, both the Gryffindor and Slytherin team wouldn't stop practicing at their best, ignoring the cold weather and the tense atmosphere as both Houses, as usual, were getting more and more provocative on the other as the match came nearer.
And well, let's just say a couple here was having a petty argument, too.
On one Wednesday evening, three days before the match, Scorpius and Lily met up in the library. Both teams held off practice that day due to the storm. It was actually their first time in weeks to spend time together again. it was mostly just saying 'hi' or 'hello' or 'sorry, I'm busy' during the past days.
"Hey there," Scorpius said as Lily arrived, kissing her forehead. "How was school?"
"Boring?" Lily answered uncertainly, taking the seat in front of him. "Well, I haven't exactly been paying that much attention these days. My mind is usually on the oncoming game."
Scorpius smirked. "Already thinking about how you're gonna defeat me?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "You haven't exactly defeated me in the last three years," she said. "I'm expecting the same thing to happen this year."
She said it in a teasing way that she was perturbed when Scorpius' expression changed. "Yeah, of course you are," Scorpius said in a nonchalant voice, his eyes blank. "You're Lily Potter, daughter of Hogwarts' youngest Seeker in the century. You've got his amazing skills so why could I win over you?" His voice turned really, really sarcastic in the end that Lily was shocked.
Lily wasn't sure how to react at first. She only teased him, after all. Scorpius should've known it. But she guessed his mind wasn't open to jokes these days because of the bloody game. He was being one of those Slytherins taunting her on the way, telling her she'd lose this.
Suddenly, hot anger bubbled inside of her, making her want to punch him so badly he'd lose his two front teeth. Clenching her fists, she said, "I've got an idea," and stood up, adding, "Let's not see each other until you stop treating me like how every Slytherins treat Gryffindors, shall we?"
She glared hard at him. He didn't even utter a single word. Furious, she grabbed her bag and dashed out of the library fast, wiping the few tears that escaped. She didn't want to actually cry about that. But well, Scorpius, the one who caught her when she broke down, the one who chose her even if she's a Gryffindor and he's a Slytherin, the one who made her feel special, for once, made her feel unwanted.
Lily didn't' return early to her dorm that night. She wandered around the castle first, trying to calm herself. Scorpius will apologize tomorrow, she willed herself. But if he didn't, well, she didn't know what to do.
Lily didn't know what time it was already when she finally made her way back to the Gryffindor common rooms. At first, she thought the room was empty except for her. But then, someone called her name and she turned around to see Mikayla and Beth slumped on the armchairs they usually sat on.
"Hey," Lily said, managing a small, fake smile. Both girls exchanged looks, knowing fully well that something's wrong.
"Do you and Malfoy have a problem?" Beth asked tentatively as Lily approached them.
Lily shrugged exhaustedly. "Sort of."
"D'you wanna talk about it?" Mikayla asked, shooting Beth a warning look, as if to say she didn't have tact.
Lily shook her head. "Not tonight." She sighed. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Night."
Lily made her way upstairs to their dormitory. The two girls followed her silently. Without saying another word, Lily closed the hangings around her bed, curling in a ball and silently crying out her frustration. She thought about how it happened—that in a few months of being with Scorpius, she would cry just because of a petty argument.
Lily woke up early the next morning, her eyes heavy from last night's crying. Looking at the clock on her bedside table, she saw that it was only just fifteen minutes past five. She went to the bathroom and stared at her face in the mirror. She looked like a mess. Her hair was a dull shade of red and sticking up at all ends, her hazel eyes puffy, and her skin sallow. She quickly showered and somehow, the warm water made her feel relaxed.
After the shower, she looked in the mirror again and saw her whole face glowing. Her eyes were no longer puffy and her hair was, well, wet.
She changed into her school robes and dried her hair using her towel. She liked drying her hair the muggle way instead of doing it with a Drying Charm.
When her hair was already half-dry, she sat on her bed, thinking. She couldn't stop thinking about Scorpius' change of attitude. Would the coming match on Saturday make a much bigger barrier between them? Or worse, would it completely wipe out their relationship? It was stupid. If it was Quidditch that he thought of the most, even more so than Lily, then maybe Scorpius wasn't really right for her. There were those days when, somehow, Lily could see that there's a possible future with him. That somehow, when they got older, they'd still be together.
But Lily wasn't a fool to think of that. There was merely a ten percent chance that the person you are with today would be with you forever.
She sighed. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was only six o'clock. Out of nothing to do right now, she went out of their dorms, out of the common rooms, and decided to spot an early breakfast.
Mind preoccupied, she was surprised to see that her feet have carried her already to the entrance of the Great Hall. Walking in, she stared at the ceiling depicting the weather outside. The sun was just rising, making the sky streaked with crimson and gold. It was a beautiful scene, as opposed to what Lily was feeling right now. It would've been either a storm or blizzard if it portrayed her present emotions.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the Gryffindor table. Her footsteps echoed around the big hall. It was a bit creepy, walking there alone without the loud chatting and clattering of plates and laughter here and there.
She sat on the nearest seat looked down on the plate laden carefully in front of it. She could see a distorted version of her face in it, making her look more upset than she looked like. She looked away from it. Looking up, her eyes widened slightly. Scorpius was sitting there, apparently alone on the Slytherin table. He was looking at her, his gray eyes soft and melting.
Lily bit her lip. She was torn between going over there, and running as fast as she could away from the hall. From him.
But Scorpius stood up and made a beeline towards her. Lily couldn't take her eyes off him.
After what seemed like a lifetime, Scorpius finally reached her. He stood in front of her, looking nervous. Lily gave him a blank stare.
"L-Lily," Scorpius said hoarsely. "I'm so sorry…about yesterday."
Lily nodded silently, fearing that if she spoke, she'll break down into tears.
"And," Scorpius continued, "I think…maybe we should take…a little break."
Lily felt as if her heart was shattered in a million pieces. She didn't expect him to say that. She thought he was going to say that they should be together even more. Her eyes stung, but she held back the tears. It was far worse than when she saw Adam with Beth. Her pride, not her feelings, was extremely hurt that time. But this time, though, she felt so…small and fragile and vulnerable—things that she rarely felt.
Now, Scorpius wouldn't even look at her. Moments ago, he wouldn't let go of her gaze, but now, he was looking at the space behind her, his expression impassive. And yet, Lily couldn't take her eyes off him. If she could think of a word to describe this feeling, it would be gravity. He had the ability to pull her to him even if, right now, she didn't want to. Even if all Lily wanted to do was to run away.
"At least until after the match, let's not see each other," Scorpius added in a voice barely more than a whisper. It didn't matter, though. Lily could hear it as if it as loud and clear as yesterday's storm. "I'm sorry."
Scorpius turned his back on her. That was when Lily found the courage to respond.
"Who do you think I am?" Lily said in a strong voice. "You couldn't ask to break up with me right now and get together again after the game! Damn it, don't be such a baby and choose the hell that you want to do!"
Scorpius stopped walking but didn't look back. Instead, with his back turned on her, he said, "What're you asking me to do?"
Lily took a deep breath and, willing herself that he wouldn't look back, finally let the tears fall. Trying to control the waver in her voice, she said, "If you break up with me now, if you take another step, we couldn't be together…again."
Scorpius heaved a sigh and for what seemed like hours, he finally walked away. Lily's eyes widened, her whole body shaking. Before he turned around again, before she could see his face, Lily ran as fast as she could away from him. She went to the only place she could think at this time—the pitch.
She made her way on top of the stands, her eyes sore again from crying. When she was able to think coherently again, she remembered that either the Slytherin team would probably practice this early morning.
They wouldn't, she willed herself. He wouldn't want to practice right now, would he?
But she was wrong. Barely ten minutes after she arrived, the Slytherin team headed by Scorpius, were making their way towards the pitch. She bit her lip, trying to think of a way to escape without him noticing, but with her brilliant hair and unresponsive head, all she could think of was a way to hide.
She drew her wand out of her pocket quietly and Disillusioned herself. It was passable and she was certain no one would notice her here except if they looked closely.
Her eyes fell once again on Scorpius. He cared so much about Quidditch and winning the match that he just…left her. Lily couldn't help the tears so there was only one option. She couldn't stay here, not when he was so near and yet she could not reach him…again.
Lily ran away, walking down the path to the Lake, not once looking back. Sitting under the shade of the large beech tree she and Scorpius used to hang out sometimes, she let herself cry, knowing it was useless if she held it inside. She cried for who knows how long, but still, just like the rain, the tears stopped. She knew this was painful in the beginning, but it'll be better soon…or so she hoped.
Lily looked down in her Disillusioned palm. If she didn't look really closely to it, she wouldn't be able to notice it. Maybe it was because of the extreme emotion that brought out such good magic.
Staring into space, she saw all the things she and Scorpius have done. The time when they first talked to each other on the train and Scorpius told her they would do rounds together. The first time they had rounds together and they saw Beth and Adam together. Lily broke down into tears but Scorpius didn't once thought of leaving. The day they had first became a fake-couple. Their first fake date in Hogsmeade and she took him to the Shrieking Shack. The day they became a real couple and she was so overcome with bliss. The Halloween Ball when he was there by her side all night, kissing her, or else just holding her hand.
These memories written in less than three months…they were too hard to forget. Before she knew it, tears formed in her eyes once more, blurring her vision. A sound made her turn around, biting her lips so her sobs wouldn't escape. She almost fainted upon seeing who it was.
It was Scorpius. And he was crying. He had his face between his knees but from the gap between them and the choking sounds, Lily was sure that he was definitely, absolutely, crying. That made her feel relieved. To see that he was also hurt because of this. And yet, she suddenly felt a twinge of anger. If he was also hurting, then why leave Lily like this? She wanted to him but she couldn't. That'd mean letting him know she's here. She didn't want to leave, though. This might be the last chance to be with him. She didn't care how much hurting she'll pay for later for this.
Lily stared at him, thinking he'd leave soon. But he didn't. She didn't know what time it was, or how long it was already, but he stayed like that, his face hidden between his knees.
The bell rang, signaling lunch and finally, Scorpius looked up. Unbelievably, his eyes didn't look that soar. On the contrary, it still looked the same, although, maybe it looked colder. She shivered. For one moment, he thought his eyes met hers. And as much as she hated it, tears fell once again down her cheeks.
Scorpius stood up, oblivious to her presence. She thought he was going to leave, but then she was shocked when he suddenly hit the tree with his fist. She could see tears falling from where he stood.
Lily knew he deserved this. He deserved to feel the way she felt, or even worse. And yet, she couldn't help feeling the urge to come over to him and tell him it would be okay. She felt really stupid, sitting there hidden, watching him, feeling emotions like she never had before. She was never the one to feel so much for a boy, but this time, she knew it was different. Scorpius wasn't just a random boy who falls for her because she was a Potter. During those two precious months of getting to know each other, and a month of relationship, Lily felt like she knew him already, and she felt like he knew her, too.
But still, Lily thought he must not have known him well enough that she was taken aback by him acting this way. Why would he break up with her because of Quidditch yet he's breaking down here, at the same place as she was, hidden by her spell.
Well, Lily thought she was very well hidden, but she was quite mistaken.
"You won't even leave, will you?" Scorpius shouted, his eyes darting straight to Lily's. Her eyes widened in shock. She couldn't even bring herself to look down to see if her spell was still working. His eyes were so intense it held hers in place. "Why won't you run away from me? Why won't you hit me with a damn spell? WHY? I deserve it!"
Lily gulped, wanting to say something but no sound came.
"P-Please…" Scorpius choked. He closed his eyes, his knees breaking down, making him sit on the ground beside Lily. Opening his eyes, he looked straight to her, tears falling down his cheeks. "Please…say something."
"Why?" Lily finally found herself saying. "Why do you have to do that to me? What're you? A coward? Are you scared to lose over your girlfriend that you'd rather dump me in the middle of no where than lose? Or have you imagined me mocking you when you've lost? I'm confused, Scorpius. Why would you do something like that? Tell me. I'd listen just this once." Lily closed her eyes, a huge lump in her throat gone after saying all that.
"I'm sorry," Scorpius whispered. "I didn't mean to make it look like that but…I don't know what came over me. I didn't know what I was saying at the time and…Lily, I didn't really mean it. I'm really sorry for what I've said."
Lily heaved a sigh of relief and asked again, "Then why did you…sort of…break up with me?"
Scorpius shook his head. "I don't know. I don't really know what I was doing. It was like…someone's messing with my head but I swear, Lily, I never, ever want to break up with you. Not in a million years. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you."
A lone tear slipped from Lily's eye. She smiled. She knew he was sincere. And she wasn't ready to give him up just because of her pride today. At least it didn't even last more than six or seven hours.
"Lily."
"Yes?"
"Could you show yourself now?"
"Why?"
"I want to do something."
"I think I know what it is," Lily whispered, tapping her wand on herself. She became visible again and Scorpius smiled. Putting both hands on either side of her face, he caught her lips on his. Lily pulled him closer. They kissed with such passion that none had ever shown before. And underneath that passion was, well, love. They just didn't know it yet.
It was Saturday morning and the Gryffindor and Slytherin team were already eating breakfast while the rest of the student body were still dwelling with their nightly dreams.
"You sure you're okay, Lils?" Albus asked her sister. "You sure look pale."
Lily nodded slowly, not daring to look into her brother's eyes. "Yeah," she said. "I'm fine."
Albus patted her on the back in a brotherly way. "Don't worry about Malfoy," he said. "Just don't think he's your boyfriend during the match. Think of him as your opponent just like those previous years."
"Yes, I'll do that," Lily said, rolling her eyes. Albus could be so dramatic sometimes. But well, maybe he had a point.
"You look pale," Albus added.
"Al," Lily said, turning around to face her brother, "stop fretting, will you? It's making me more nervous."
"You were never nervous before a game," Albus countered, crossing his arms. "Not when you weren't with Malfoy yet."
Lily rolled her eyes. "What'd you do if you and Mikayla were on opposing Houses, opposing Quidditch teams, and both on the same position as Seekers?" That shut him up. "See. I told you it's not that easy. But I promise I won't let you down." She gave him a brilliant smile, assuring him that it'd really be fine.
"C'mon, let's go," Albus said to the team. They all rose from their seats, nervous yet excited looks on their faces as they all thought of what was coming in a few hours.
Lily stood up last, turned around and looked over the Slytherins. Her eyes caught Scorpius and she gave him a small smile. He smiled at her in return and Lily turned around to join her team.
"GRYFFINDOR WINS!"
Lily couldn't believe it. She landed down on the ground feeling daze. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember what happened that made them win.
Slytherin was already up, leading 350-290. They led by sixty points. It was amazing how they had improved since Lily last saw them. And what was more shocking was they didn't cheat like they did before. They played nice and clean. Lily could see Albus fuming as he held the Quaffle tight between his arm and chest.
She snapped her eyes out of it. She should be looking for the Snitch. She should find it first before the other team Seeker does or they'll lose.
She put herself into focus, her eyes darting around the pitch. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of blond hair diving downwards. It was…
"Scorpius."
The word left her as she followed him, diving straight downwards, feeling the adrenaline rushing through her. She was gaining speed but was still a feet from him. Scorpius was stretching out his hand for victory but, Lily feeling suddenly determined, accelerated her Firebolt more, despite that she might hit the ground. Stretching out her hand, she reached out for the Snitch. They were neck and neck now, but Scorpius had the edge because his arm was longer.
But then the Snitch dove further down, just a foot from the ground. If they continued, they would definitely crash.
Scorpius pulled upward. Lily didn't. She heard him calling out her name but that didn't stop her. She reached out for the Snitch and before she crashed, she closed her eyes, trusted her broom, and pulled up. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was still…whole. No bleeding, no broken bones, no anything.
"GRYFFINDOR WINS!" she heard again.
She walked down the ground, her broom on one hand, the Snitch on the other. Before she could help it, tears fell down her eyes. She won. They won. They definitely won. She wiped down the tears and looked up. Everyone was landing down, getting out of their brooms, but it was Scorpius she had her eyes on. Would he be mad? Well, she'd give him a kick if he were.
"Lily, what the hell!" Scorpius exclaimed as he landed in front of her. "Are you insane? You could've crashed your whole face down there, you woman! Arrrgh!"
Before Lily could snap at him, Scorpius leaned down and kissed her. In front of everyone. Lily was shocked but closed her eyes nonetheless.
Scorpius pulled away and Lily looked at him.
"You're not angry?" Lily asked.
"Of course I'm angry," he said, caressing her cheeks with his hands. Lily wanted to really kick him now. He should've been happy for her that she won, right?
"Well, you're angry then why are you here?" Lily asked.
"I'm angry because I was worried you'd crash your pretty face on the ground, remember?" he said in her ear. "But still, congratulations. You won. Again."
With that, Lily laughed.
I know this isn't my best chapter, but review anyways. And pray for me 'cause I've got this econ quiz bee tomorrow. That's the reason I've been a slack in updating this. I've been studying for a month and it's been really…draining.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
PLEASE REVIEW :)