Chapter twelve – Anniversary

The lack of time we got to spend alone together was starting to get us both down, the past week had been so busy that the only chance we got to be alone was the hour a night when we both slipped out of our dorms unnoticed for a midnight walk. Scorpius loved to talk, we'd sit leaning against the wall of an empty corridor and discuss everything we could think of from funny childhood memories to books written by muggles. I was relieved and thrilled that he didn't just want to spend our time kissing, he would hold my hand or stroke my hair and sometimes we would just sit and cuddle. On top of everything the stress of my upcoming exams was weighing me down.

"Right that's it I've had enough." I threw down my quill angrily and stalked off up to the dormitory. I could hear Emma scampering after me as I changed out of my jeans into a pair of shorts and grabbed my shoes.

"Lily…" she leant on the bed for support and noticed I'd changed. "Where are you going?"

"For a run." I told her as I dragged my hair into a ponytail.

"You're going for a run now? Lily it's dark outside, not to mention how cold it'll be." She looked horrified as she always did whenever I went running.

"If I don't have a break I'm going to go insane. I won't be long." I gave her a quick hug before rushing off. I slipped through the main doors unnoticed and started stretching, it was quite cold but I preferred to run in the cold. A shadow stirred nearby and I tensed automatically, my body relaxed when I saw it was Scorpius.

"Hey, how come you're out here?" I asked quizzically.

"I bumped into Emma, she mentioned you were going running so I thought I'd see if you wanted some company." I noticed he was wearing baggy trousers and running shoes.

"Sure, if you think you can keep up." I teased confidently, he laughed in disbelief.

"I think I'll be fine." He replied sounding equally as confident.

"We'll see." I said simply starting to walk.

"Come on then Lils, show me what you can do." I narrowed my eyes and then shrugged.

"You asked for it." I turned and bolted off running as fast as I possibly could. I chanced a glance over my shoulder and saw Scorpius trying to catch up looking shocked. I threw back my head and laughed gleefully as the icy wind ripped through my hair. I slacked a bit so Scorpius could catch up and we lapped the castle grounds side by side.

"Wow I hate to admit it but I'm impressed." Scorpius said as we started to slow down.

"So you don't mind being beaten by a girl?" I teased; he circled my waist with his arm suddenly and pulled me against him.

"Not when that girl is my beautiful girlfriend." We were both out of breath and sweaty but we didn't care; I melted in his arms as he kissed me.

"I've missed you so much lately." He told me when we broke apart for air.

"I know, it seems like we only get a couple of minutes together every day." I grumbled laying my head gently on his shoulder.

"At least it's only temporary." He said trying to sound optimistic, we'd been together for almost a month now and we both knew the dreaded moment was coming – the moment when we had to tell our families.

"It's the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow so the others will be out." He reminded me with a sly grin, my eyes lit up at the prospect of some real alone time with him. A clock chiming from within the castle startled us both.

"Oh bugger, I'd better get back before Emma starts pacing. That's never a good time to catch her." He held my hand for the short walk to the door and reluctantly loosed when we crept back into the castle.

"See you tomorrow." I whispered.

"Sleep well sweetheart." I froze and gazed at him with wide sparkling eyes, it was the first time he'd ever called me by a pet name and strangely I felt like I might cry.

"Sweetheart?"

"Sorry, don't you like it?" surrendering to impulse I threw my arms around him and kissed him full on the mouth, at first he didn't respond but after the shock passed he was kissing me back.

"I'll definitely call you that more often." He grinned when his lips were free, I blushed and stepped back shyly glancing around to see if anyone had seen. The castle seemed deserted so I was hopeful that nobody had.

"Ok I have to go, see you tomorrow!" I rushed off hoping that Emma wasn't going to be too mad about how long I'd been gone.


"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Emma was perched on the end of my bed braiding her hair.

"Yeah, Scorpius is staying back too." I told her excitedly, I couldn't wait to spend some proper time with him and while the others were gone we'd have hours together.

"Oh, well I'll make sure to keep Al and Hugo busy for ages then and Rose is going on a date with Drew so she'll be gone most of the day." since I told her that Scorpius and I were a couple she'd been really supportive, she'd helped us meet even if it was only for a few minutes and she always sat opposite me so that there was a space for him beside me.

"Will you at least come to breakfast with me?" she asked in a pleading tone.

"Of course." I giggled at her wide puppy dog eyes. Al was already at the Gryffindor table with his head buried in a copy of the Quibbler.

"Since when do you read the Quibbler?" I asked sliding into a seat next to him.

"Well the Daily Prophet is full of rubbish so I felt like a change." He told me without looking up from the paper. Emma sat opposite him and poured herself some pumpkin juice.

"Where's Hugo?" she asked him.

"Oh he stayed behind to write a letter home, you know what aunt Hermione is like if he leaves it too long." He still didn't look up from the paper so he couldn't notice the new top Emma had put on, it was decorated with sequins and the colour matched her blue eyes. I knew she was trying to catch his eye but she wouldn't admit it, when she was getting changed I asked her why she was dressing up but she changed the subject.

"For gods sake Al stop pretending you're actually reading that." I said snatching the paper from his hands so he'd be forced to notice how pretty Emma looked today. If neither of them would actually admit their feelings to me then I'd just feign ignorance and help from the sidelines.

"Hey, I was reading it!" he cast me an irritated look.

"Oh come on." I said sceptically raising my eyebrows.

"Ok I was just looking at the pictures, but it's not my fault I mean half the stories are about imaginary animals…" he trailed off as he noticed Emma, I watched with a smile on my face as his eyes flickered over her hair and sparkling top. They'd thank me for this one day.

"Wow Emma…you look…nice." He muttered still dazed, she flushed pink and I winked at her.

"Thanks." she managed to mumble shyly. There was a loud commotion as the morning post arrived; owls swooped above us dropping their letters and packages into the laps of the owners and to my surprise a small envelope fell in front of me. Al and Emma were talking about the rules of Wizards Chess so they didn't notice the delivery, I tore it open and withdrew the note inside which was written in familiar writing.

Lily,

Meet me in the room of requirement when the others leave, I'll be waiting for you.

- Scorpius.

Ps. Formal attire is required.

I stared at the note for a few seconds and then read it again, why would I need to wear formal clothes? I was still pondering this when Hugo came stumbling to the table tripping over his own shoelace.

"They're leaving in a bit if you guys are ready." He told Al and Emma.

"Ok well we'd better get going, see you later sis I'll bring you something from Honeydukes." Al gave me a quick hug.

"Bye Lils." Hugo waved to me and started walking with Al.

"Have a nice day with Scor." Emma whispered with an excited smile.

"Thanks, have a nice day with Al." I winked at her and she blushed deep red as she rushed after the boys.

I stared at my reflection for the millionth time trying to decide if I looked ok, I wished Emma was still here so she could help me, I still couldn't think why Scorpius would want me to dress up formally but I went along with it and chose a navy blue baby doll dress. I worked my hair into waves and struggled into a pair of heeled sandals but after almost falling down the stairs I replaced them with a pair of flat black ones.

I reached the room of requirement and strangely felt nervous, I stood facing the wall for a few minutes taking deep breaths and trying to calm myself down. I was just going to spend time with Scorpius; I'd done it loads of times before and had no reason to be nervous. I need to enter the room where Scorpius is waiting for me. I thought to myself as I paced past the wall three times and as I expected the door appeared. I took another slow breath to steady me and then stepped inside.

I could hardly believe what I saw, the room was dimly lit and filled with candles of all shapes and sizes, the ceiling was enchanted much like the great hall on the first day of school to look like a night's sky scattered with stars and standing by a table set for two was Scorpius, dressed in a black suit and gazing at me with a look of pure adoration.

"What's going on?" I asked still in shock.

"I wanted to do something special for our one month anniversary." He walked over to me and gently took my hand.

"Scorpius this is amazing…" I gazed around the magnificent room in awe.

"Well I can't take you out to a restaurant so I've brought the restaurant to you." He motioned towards the table which was set for a meal for two.

"Where did you get the food?" I asked knowing that food was one of the things the room of requirement couldn't provide you with.

"A true wizard never reveals his secrets." He answered with a wink. "Come on." He led me towards the table.

We were sitting in a huge cushy armchair tangled together and giggling about the memories we had of growing up together.

"I remember your first meal with us at the Burrow and you got that nervous around gran that you knocked your drink all over me and Al." I saw his cheeks turn faintly pink as he recalled this.

"Do you blame me? She's an intimidating woman and you know what my grandfather did to them." he admitted refusing to meet my eyes.

"They wouldn't blame you for what he did, they're not like that." I told him watching his fingers trace patterns on the back of my hand.

"I know that now but back then I was terrified I'd be thrown out or something." The image of my grandma Molly throwing a twelve year old Scorpius out the door made me giggle.

"Oh I'm glad you think it's funny." He grumbled unable to stop the smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm sorry it's just such a funny image." I said between giggles.

"Oh well so is the image of you falling off this chair onto the floor." To illustrate his point he gave me a hard shove and I slipped off the edge with a small shriek, what he hadn't planned was that I'd grab his jacket and he'd end up toppling off with me landing with a thud on top of me on the ground. We both lay there laughing for a few seconds.

"Am I crushing you?" he asked quietly realising he was still on top of me. His face was so close to mine I could barely breathe for anticipation.

"No…" I couldn't finish the sentence, I couldn't even remember what I'd been about to say because his cool breath scattered my thoughts as it so often did. He bent his head and pressed his cool lips softly to my shoulder, my whole body tensed with the atmosphere around us, his lips brushed across my collar bone sending a light shiver of pleasure rippling over me and without knowing I was doing it my hands were gripping his arms tightly. He trailed kissed up my neck and I focussed on trying to remember how to breathe properly. I was suddenly very conscious of every inch of his body pressed against mine.

I thought I might cry out when his lips finally found mine, my breath came in a sharp gasp and I kissed him back eagerly. My body was filled with feelings I'd never felt before, I was scared but I liked it and I wanted to feel more, my skin burnt under his touch and he moaned softly against my lips sending my senses wild. I was almost thankful when he pulled back breathlessly, I didn't trust my reactions when I felt like this and I didn't know what they would lead to.

"I'm going crazy…" he told me, his voice deep and rough.

"I know…" he wasn't the only one.

"Perhaps we should um…" I knew he meant get up, if we kept lying here who knows what might happen.

"Yeah maybe." I agreed trying to steady my shaky breath. He helped me to my feet and I sat back on the chair, this time he didn't rejoin me and instead he paced over to the table and rubbed his temples.

"What's wrong?" his expression had darkened, he stared at me for a few moments with a strange look like he was deciding there and then whether to tell me or not.

"Will you do something for me please?" he asked.

"Yes of course, what is it?" I was on edge because of his serious tone; he raked a hand through his hair and sighed.

"Cast a patronus, please." I hadn't expected that at all and for a few seconds I just stared at him blankly.

"A patronus?" I wanted to make sure I hadn't misheard.

"Yes."

"Um…why?" I really didn't understand.

"I'll explain after, please Lily." I couldn't ignore the desperation in his voice so I stood up and withdrew my wand trying to hide my nerves. I'd only cast a corporeal one once and I was more nervous doing it in front of him than a whole class. I tried to push aside my nerves focussing instead on Scorpius, on his soothing voice and the feel of his lips on mine.

"Expecto Patronum!" with a swish of my wand the beautiful silvery bobcat leapt from the end and onto the floor. I watched Scorpius' eyes widen and a strange emotion flicker across them. Was it anger? No it looked more like fear…

Neither of us spoke as the patronus faded, he sighed heavily and stumbled back to sit on the arm of another chair looking scared and confused.

"Scorpius what's going on, I don't understand." I could hear the panic in my own voice.

"Do you remember my patronus?" he asked keeping his eyes on the ground.

"Yes, it's an eagle."

"We were working on our patronus' in Defence against the Dark Arts last week…" he stopped to meet my gaze and his eyes were agonised.

"Ok…" I encouraged, not really sure where the conversation was going.

"Something was wrong with mine…no, not wrong just…different."

"What do you mean different?"

"I'll show you." He said simply taking out his wand.

"Expecto Patronum." The silver eagle I had expected didn't appear instead my bobcat leapt from the tip. I heard my own sharp intake of breath and my hand flew to my mouth which was open in shock. I stayed frozen like that even after it faded, just staring at the spot where it'd been unable to speak or move.

"Why…I mean how?" it was all I could manage to say.

"According to professor Higgs a patronus can change shape if the caster goes through extreme trauma or an irreversible emotional change."

"I don't understand, what does it mean?" he hesitated before answering and I could see the panic in his eyes.

"It means I love you…" he pronounced each word carefully and slowly. My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. He loved me, could he love me? I mean it'd only been a month and we'd hardly done anything because of all the sneaking around, we barely ever got any time together so how could be possibly know he felt like that? His patronus could have changed for another reason, some other emotional change or maybe a trauma he hadn't mentioned.

But as I looked into his scared grey eyes I could see it, there was a new glint there whenever he looked at me and in that one terrifying moment I realised he could see it in my eyes too. It had been there for months, all along I'd known I was falling in love with him even before we were together I could feel it happening.

"Lily?" his voice was thick with worry and fear, I knew he was scared that those words might have terrified me and in truth they had. But that wasn't necessarily bad it was just scary because it was new.

"Please Lily, say something…anything." I knew the silence and my lack of reaction must be tormenting him.

"Um…" I hesitated timidly and then shrugged, "I love you." I said simply, the words felt strange to me but I liked saying them. His whole face transformed leaving no trace of the fear and panic that had occupied his features moments ago. He closed the gap between us in two strides and cupped my face gently in his hands. His kiss was tender, loving, like he wanted to cherish every second and memorise every curve of my lips. In that moment there wasn't an ounce of doubt in my mind that I was in fact in love with Scorpius Malfoy.

This chapter may have seemed a bit corny toward the end so I'm sorry if you didn't like it but I was really touched when I read in the books about Tonks' patronus changing because she was in love with Remus and the same for Snape and his love for Lily, and so I really had to include that just because I loved it so much :)

Also thank you so much for the lovely reviews, they really mean so much to me and it cheers me up loads to get back from a boring day at work and see such nice things, I'm glad you're enjoying it :)