Chapter Nine
I fell into the, soul crushing but necessary, apparently, routine of my detentions, just like with all of my other detentions really. I would report to Professor Longbottom's office every evening like clockwork and sit there until my brain turned into mush. I was pretending to be the model student of detention really, even if it was truly tiring and slowly chipping away at my brains.
On the fifth evening of servitude I walked into the office and found someone there that I did not expect at all. Scorpius Malfoy. I could not escape him. With a sigh I walked over to my usual detention desk, it actually had some graffiti on it that I written during my very first detention back in my first year. Ah back when I was young, less opinionated and not so mouthy about it. Scorpius looked up when he saw me sit down and gave me a small smirk. Professor Longbottom hadn't turned up yet so it was safe to talk even if I didn't really feel like it.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing here Malfoy?" I asked.
"I've, once again, failed to hand in my herbology work so Longbottom has felt the need to throw me in detention." Scorpius shrugged. "I'm guessing your here because of kicking that twit Aphrodite's arse." Scorpius then said with another smirk. I nodded and went back to looking at the years of graffiti on the desk. There was the very rare graffiti of Rose, written during a detention both of us served back in our third year but what for I could no longer remember. I smiled to myself before pulling out a book out of my bag; it was one that Aunt Hermione had sent me in her monthly care packages of books, advice and threats to stop misbehaving. "No homework this evening Potter?"
"I, unlike some people, actually complete mine. I am only here as a political prisoner." I said with a smirk. Scorpius snorted.
"Political? Cursing Aphrodite Patil-Reade is now political?" Scorpius asked as he pulled his, no doubt herbology, homework out of his bag.
"It should be everyone's political and human right to curse that twit at least once a month." I pointed out, I for one thought this was a valid point.
"You do have a point there Potter." Scopius said with a smirk to rival mine. "Who would have thought that we would be agreeing on anything?"
"Yes, our tolerance of each other is rather odd considering you stunned my threstrals at the start of the year." I said with a slight glare.
"Well I do have a quota to maintain; I am required, as a Malfoy, to do at least one vile thing a week."
"Papa Malfoy must be so proud of you." I said failing to suppress a yawn. Scorpius grinned sardonically then went back to his herbology essay while I flicked through my book. "Have your parents said anything to you about that stupid article?" I asked casually.
"No not really, my mother wrote to me and said that my father was getting some grief about it from the old crowd, you know...wizards that my grandfather knew, but apart from that it hasn't really bothered them. I think the main person it has pissed off has been Azalea."
"Ah yes, the 'lovely' Azalea." I said with a roll of my eyes. The lovely Azalea who was now making it her mission in life to trip me up in the hallways whenever she saw it and had been throwing dragon dung at me in Herbology for the past two days.
"She's, well she's not harmless but she's not that bad." Scorpius said. I couldn't help but snort.
"She's named after a poisonous plant Scorpius, either her parents are stupid when it came to naming her or very shrewd."
"I think it is less of the latter, I've known them since I was little and her father definitely has the look of a troll." Scorpius said with a grin. "Your family hasn't said much have they?" Scorpius then asked. "Not that I care." He added with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at him while I shrugged.
"They haven't said much, James is probably annoyed but he hasn't said anything. I think everyone knows that there is no well in hell that I would date a Malfoy so they're taking it with a pinch a salt."
"Wow Potter, that really hurt me deep there." Scorpius said. I couldn't help but act highly immature and stick my tongue out at him. "Mature Potter, very mature."
"Bite my Malfoy." Was my reply
"I don't know where you have been Potter, so I'd rather not."
"You really don't want to know either." I couldn't help but say with a wink. Scorpius shook his head and returned to his work.
Moments later Scorpius and I heard shouts from outside in the corridor. The door flew open and Professor Longbottom strode in, Sirius, James, Albus, Hugo and my father at his heels. James and Hugo were sniggering to themselves.
"-completely flabbergasted! What on earth were you four thinking?" Longbottom was ranting. "Irresponsible and idiotic!" He muttered as Sirius sat himself down at the desk next to me. He gave me a weak smile while James sat down next to him, as far away from Scorpius as possible. Albus looked terrified, this was no doubt his first detention while Hugo looked, well he looked just like Hugo always did; perplexed.
Professor Longbottom and my Dad huddled into a corner to no doubt discuss whatever it was the four boys had done what their punishment should be.
"What did you do this time?" I asked Sirius. Sirius gave me a lazy smile that, I didn't want to admit this either, practically melted my insides.
"James and Hugo thought it would be a genius idea to blow up all the pictures of juice at dinner. I have no idea why they thought of doing this but Albus and I somehow got roped into helping. Oh and none of the picture actually housed juice, they housed Swelling Solution. As you can guess said Swelling Solution went over most of the school." Sirius said flashing me another easy smile. He then shrugged as if it was no big deal being shoved in detention. Then again Sirius and James have served nearly as many detentions as I have.
"My brother is such a terrible influence." I said shooting James a smirking look. He smirked back and shrugged. To him a detention was a badge of honour; I simply found it to be a few hours that I could be hanging out with Rose, Victoire or reading.
"Lily you can go." Professor Longbottom called out. I looked at him in surprise.
"What?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow. Whoops have to be respectful to authority and all that. "I mean pardon professor?"
"You can go, next time think twice before hexing somebody." Professor Longbottom said. I could promise this I really could
"He doesn't want you to be corrupted by your brother and his ilk." Scorpius muttered. James gave him the middle finger which, luckily, Professor Longbottom or our father didn't see. "It's a shame you have to go, we were having such a delightful conversation before we were so rudely interrupted." Scorpius added shooting my brother a sneer. James' eyes narrowed at both Scorpius and I. I rolled my eyes before packing up my bag and beginning to talk out the office.
"Bye sweetums!" Scorpius called out. I had a loud thump followed by someone yelling "James!"
"Lily hold up!" I heard my father call once I was outside. I waited as he walked out the office, shutting the door behind him. "About the other day with you and Aphrodite, the newspaper report and everything-" I sighed before he could carry on.
"Look it's nothing. Aphrodite has never liked me, the report is just more fodder to prove Lavender Brown's lack of intelligence and I am perfectly fine ok?" I said with slight exasperation. I could understand why he would be concerned to be perfectly honest I was sick of talking about it.
"Lily your brothers are having dinner with me tomorrow evening. Sirius will be there also, I wondered if you and Rose would like to come as well." Dad asked. I shrugged, dinner with my father didn't seem like the most brilliant idea in the world but it was better than having to sit on the same table was Aphrodite and Amelia.
"I mean yeah sure, Rose and I would like to go...um...what time?" I mumbled.
"You should get there for around seven in my office." Dad said.
"You're not forming another Slug Club now are you?" I couldn't help but ask. Dad burst out laughing. "Well you never know." I said with shrug. "You could be grooming us to become the next great witches and wizards."
"Lily I've been attempting to that with you and James for sixteen years and have, so far, failed miserably."
"That is true, don't worry. Rose and I will be there for seven on the dot." I said. Dad smiled then waved me away. I didn't need to be told twice. I raced back to Gryffindor tower where Rose was sat with Victoire and Jasmine.
"You're back early." Jasmine said with surprise as I sat down next to her. Rose and Victoire were busy writing essays while Jasmine was clearly procrastinating by balancing her wand on the bridge of her nose. "I thought you would be in detention until at least nine."
"Me too but Neville let me go early." I said once again pulling out the book Aunt Hermione had sent me. Rose looked up, stuck her tongue out at me then returned to her work. Very mature. "Apparently James and Albus-"
"Don't even mention those two; we just only finished cleaning the hall about five minutes ago." Victoire snapped. Rose nodded. "You should have seen half of the Hufflepuff first years, they were covered in Swelling Solution, Madame Valerian will have her hands full."
"Half the school at in the hospital wing at the moment." Jasmine explained. I exhaled and slumped in my seat. "Exactly." Jasmine said. "If it wasn;t so annoying and stupid it would have been funny."
"No it would not have been funny, I'm still annoyed at them for that stupid stinksap prank they pulled on me this summer."
"Technically it was meant to Lily." Rose pointed out. I threw a cushion at her, because I'm highly mature like that. You'd forget that I was a prefect sometimes. I'm a amazed Longbottom hasn't taken away my badge yet.
"You're input is not needed Rose." I said as she threw the cushion back at me. "Not that it isn't wonderful to sit here with you but I'm knackered, I think I'm going to bed." I said.
"Sweet dreams my dear." Rose said winking at me. With a roll of my eyes I slumped off to my dormitory and piratically fell into my feather soft bed.
"Do you think we will ever be able to tell anyone?" a female voice asked. A male sighed. I could see neither of them through the dim light; their faces were covered by shadows.
"I have always been scared that they know deep down in their hearts." A man said. The woman gave a small sob but did not cry as her voice seemed clear and strong.
"That they now we truly love one another?" The woman asked. I tried to make my eyes adjust to the light but it was no use.
"Yes...I think about telling her all the time but I am terrified of the repercussions." The man said with a small sigh.
"Everyone will hate us you mean?" The woman asked.
"Yes...but I hate not being able to love you freely also. I hate not being able to take your hand in mine and admitting to the world that you are really mine." The man said. I heard him move closer to the woman.
"I'll always be yours as well." The woman said, the love in her voice scared me. How could anyone love someone that much? How can there be that much passion in one person's voice? "I will always love you, no matter what." She said her voice was now becoming breathless. "Wait...did you here something? I think there is someone here." The woman suddenly said. I jolted and turned swiftly even though I couldn't see where I was going. I raced towards a dim light but someone grabbed me by the arm. It was the woman but her face was still in shadow. "What are you doing here? Were you spying on us? How dare you!"
"Leave her, she is nothing...just look at her, it is clear that no-one cares for her." The man said walking over to join the woman.
"Exactly, she is sneaking because she wanted to see what real love is. Love that she will never receive from anyone, not Sirius, not her brother, not her father or her mother."
"How...how do you know-"
"It is obvious Lily, it is obvious to everyone" The woman hissed before pushing me hard, I felt myself fall to the floor and smash my head against the floor.
I suddenly woke up convulsing in my bed. I had no idea what that dream was about and it terrified me. Who were the two people that were so clearly in love and how did they know me? Breathing in and out heavily I pulled myself out of bed and walked over to the dresser where a large picture of water stood. I poured myself a large goblet and took slow gulps to calm down. I turned to Rose's bed and considered waking her up but she seemed so peaceful, spread out like a starfish and snoring loudly, that I changed my mind, plus she really wasn't conscious for the first half an hour after waking. I walked over to my trunk and pulled out a large Weasley jumper and pulled it over my head. I picked up a book and walked downstairs into the common room. I wasn't even going to attempt to get to sleep. When I got down in the common room the fire was still in though slowly dying and a figure was sat in one of the chairs closest to said fireplace. Sirius. I could tell by the silhouette.
"You're up early." I said in a small voice. Sirius jolted and whirled round to look at me. "Sorry!" I said walking over to him. "I didn't mean to startle you. What are you doing up this early? It's only five." I said as I sat down in a chair opposite Sirius, the warmth from the fire reaching my bones. That was the magic of Hogwarts fires I guess.
"Oh I couldn't sleep, you?" Sirius asked. He, like me, was also wearing a jumper knitted for him by my grandmother. His was a deep red unlike my deep forest green.
"Same here...I had this bizarre dream and I knew there was no point trying to get back to sleep." I said. Sirius looked at me then smiled.
"Truthfully? I couldn't sleep because of a dream either...it was...it was about my dad." Sirius said refusing to look at me.
"Oh Sirius." I said reaching for his hand without thinking about it. Sirius gripped my hand and stared into my eyes, I suddenly felt very conscious to the fact that we were the only two people in the room, awake in the whole tower perhaps. "It never gets any easier does it?"
"Never." Sirius said looking away from me. "You're lucky that you still have Harry...I know you don't really think that you are lucky-"
"I'm starting to believe it so don't worry."
"You smile at him." Sirius said.
"What?"
"Harry, when you two talk you smile more now. Him coming to Hogwarts to teach is clearly doing some good." Sirius said. He gripped my hand tighter before suddenly letting go. "I...um...I think I'm going to go back to bed."
"Oh ok...Wait, you're coming to my Dad's dinner tonight aren't you?" I asked.
"Oh...yeah, yes I am." Sirius said.
"Save you a seat?" I asked. Sirius nodded before he got up and walked towards the boy's dormitory. I sighed deeply before deciding to walk back to my own dormitory to try and get back to sleep.
"Lily?" I looked up to see James standing over me. The sun was setting over the grounds, it was nearly time for dinner and I was sat in the, near empty, library waiting for Tom and Jasmine. I glanced across the library to see if the librarian Madam Lenora was prowling around. Luckily, she was nowhere to be seen. "Can I...can I talk to you?" James asked sitting down next to me.
"Urm, yeah I guess. I'm just waiting for Tom and Jasmine to get here."
James looked confused before saying "No Rose?"
"She and Victoire are giving Leonie 'Tom' advice. It's best if I stay out of it, my advice would be potentially devastating." I said as James shuffled in his seat. "What's up then?" I asked.
"Can I ask you something?" James mumbled running his fingers through his dark, messy, brown hair.
"I'm not helping you with your potions essay before you ask." I said flicking through my nearest book. James sighed loudly. I elbowed him in the side. "Madam Lenora" I hissed.
"It's not about the essay, I was going to ask about you...you and Malfoy."
"Scorpius?" I asked. James nodded and I couldn't help but snort loudly. "As in Scorpius Malfoy?"
"Well you two were dancing at the ball together, then there was that article and last night he called you 'sweetums'...you're not...there's nothing going on between you two is there?" James asked, his face was slowly going red with embarrassment.
"Oh for Merlin's sake James! He's my friend's brother ok, the only reason he danced with me at the ball was because he wanted to say thank you because of how I've been treating Cissia. That article meant nothing; it was just useless tabloid fodder." I hissed under my breath. "And do you really think I'd let a guy, any guy for that matter, call me sweetums?"
"Well...um...I heard Amelia..."
"Seriously? Seriously? You're going to believe Amelia? She's lucky if her brain cells reach double digits!" I hissed before turning back to my book.
"So you and Malfoy-"
"Are not dating, we're not even friends ok? Now please go away, Tom and Jasmine will be here in a minute." I muttered as I flicked through my book making it perfectly clear that I wanted James to go away.
"Ok...um...are you going to the dinner with Dad tonight?"
"Yes. James I was in a generally good mood before you came here so please just go away."
"So just to make sure-"
"Go away!" I snapped forgetting about Madam Lenora who suddenly appeared standing over us.
"Do you mind? Lily I would have expected better from you." She snapped before walking off. I turned to James and glared.
"Ok I'm going, I'm going."
"Thank Merlin for that." I muttered under my breath. I returned to my book and waited for Tom and Jasmine who turned up a few minutes later. They were writing an essay for Transfiguration while I was translating a cluster of ruins for my Ancient Ruins class. They laughed rather loudly once I explained the utter nonsense that had come out of James' mouth but I really was not in a laughing mood. I translated my cluster of ruins quickly, with Jasmine's help, and made my excuses to leave. It was almost time to grab Rose for the dinner with my father; part of me wanted to skip it completely but I remembered how forlorn Sirius had looked this morning. I knew that I had to go even if it meant seeing James.
Author's Note: Christ, I am sorry it has taken so long to update this and how short and crappy this chapter seems. The next chapter is being written as I type this so it won't take long to upload. My laptop crashed recently, the hard drive was corrupted, so I had to buy a new one. I thought that I had lost all my files but luckily I had stuck my writing and uni work onto a USB so I didn't lose too much. Anyway I'll stop rambling and go and carry on with chapter ten.