I slouched back, leaning on the window with my feet propped up on the bench, as I watched Louis and Hugo practise silencing spells on each other. We were nearing the end of the train journey back to Hogwarts. Non to soon, I might add. As the members of our family gradually graduated from Hogwarts, or came of age and apparated to Hogsmeade instead of training it, the journeys became more and more tedious.

I had duelled for most of the trip with the boys, Hugo and I getting some much needed practise for our OWL's, now Christmas was over, the dreaded couple of weeks seemed hardly any time away at all.

I was just about to close the door to our carriage, when a hand grabbed hold of it and stopped me.

"Room for another?" Justin asked, pulling himself in before I could reply.

We were actually already quite squashed in. With me, Libby, Hugo and Louis, Justin had to force his way between me and Lib and I found myself pressed up against the wall of the carriage.

"Please Justin, make yourself comfortable why don't you?"

He responded by squirming around more, giving himself more room whilst pressing us more into the walls.

"So you and my cousin? Eh Lils?" Justin asked, nudging me with his shoulder.

I blushed. "Shut up Justin. We've been on one date."

"But he likes you." He teased.

"Please, I haven't seen him in almost two months. I bet he's seen other people since then."

"Well, I think he went on a date with a girl from work, but he said he had a better time with you. He's not in trouble is he?" he asked suddenly, looking worried. "For you know, seeing someone else?"

"No, of course not." I responded quickly, thinking of my own misdemeanours over the break. "We're not official, he's entitled to do what he wishes. As am I."

He eyed me warily for a moment. "Still, don't tell him I told you. Just in case. He is bigger than me." He joked.

x-x-x

"So, how was your break?" Libby asked as she applied toothpaste to her brush.

"It was really good, thanks for that scarf by the way, soo cute."

"You're welcome. Anything to report on the boy front?"

I shot a glance to the bathroom door and quickly leaned over to shut it.

"Ooh, it must be juicy. You and Matt? Or you and Scorp?"

"Scorpius." She giggled. "Grow up! So, he stayed over for Christmas, you know, normal stuff."

"Yeah, but every other year you haven't been screwing him."

I slapped her arm as she finally started to brush her teeth.

"I'm not screwing him now."

"Oo mean oo avnt done it yeh?"

"No we haven't done it." I translated through the foam. "Nor am I going to. Scor's great, but losing my virginity to a guy who I'm not even dating doesn't especially appeal." She nodded her agreement then spat.

"So what did happen?"

"Well, we got the house to ourselves one morning, and well..."

She waggled her eyebrows at me.

"Let's just say Scorpius is a big boy now." She almost choked. "And lets' just say I didn't wake up alone on Christmas morning."

"But...You said you didn't have sex with him."

"And I didn't. God Libs you have such a dirty mind."

"Ha, I bet some hot action went on that night then. How did you get past your brothers?"

"Actually nothing happened that night, I mean, he had just fingered me in the hallway before we said goodnight, but then he snuck in really late and literally just cuddled. He didn't even try it on in the morning. He just told me he was in heaven basically. And as to how he got past my brothers I have no clue. Albus suspects, he woke up and Scor wasn't there, but I think we managed to play it off."

Libby was gaping at me.

"And you're still denying that you and Scorpius are an item?"

"We're not." She gave me an incredulous look. "We're not!" I insisted. "If we were an item, then I wouldn't have to keep this a secret with only you knowing. Oh, and I think my mom wants me and Scorpius together." I added, suddenly remembering Christmas day.

"Huh?"

"She set this whole thing up Christmas lunch time in the kitchen. There was mistletoe."

Libs burst out laughing.

"Oh my god, you snogged Malfoy in front of your family." I leaned against the sink and let her have a good laugh. She finally managed to quiet herself down and wiped her eyes. "So, this is why you were so quick to let Matt off the hook when Justin mentioned his date?"

I shrugged.

"Like I said, me and Matt aren't official. We didn't even get each other Christmas presents." She nodded.

"But what would you do if Matt wanted to become official? You wouldn't keep seeing Scor would you?"

"Oh course not!" I replied, shocked. "I told Scor if I found a guy I could actually have something meaningful with, I wasn't going to sit and pine away for him."

"You still really think Scorpius is only in this for sex? Even though you're not giving him sex." She sighed at me. "Lily, the boy spent the night in your bed, risked the wrath of your brothers and your parents, just to sleep next to you. He watches you like a hawk and could give James a run for his money over his protectiveness for you. Never mind the beautiful bracelet he got you, which has a heart on it. A heart Lily!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "All very good points, but you're missing the most obvious sign of all."

"And that is?" she crossed her arms, looking agitated.

"If Scorpius really wanted to be with me as much as you seem to think, he wouldn't care that Albus was saying no. He'd fight for us. But he's not. He told me he wanted it casual."