James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Lily Evans walked back to the trophy room, lost in thought. James and Remus knew that going back to their own time was inevitable, and that it was probably for the best that they had only one night in the future. They had already learned too much, and Merlin knew what kind of trouble Sirius would get into if they were to stay longer. It was hard though – going back meant facing the reality that one of their best friends was about to betray them – that James and Lily would die young, and their son would be orphaned and mistreated for most of his childhood. Lily Evans knew that Mcgonagal was not going to let them go back without some sort of a memory charm; she liked the future though. There were no wars to worry about, even James Potter wasn't too much of a prat here. Sirius Black, however, was brooding. He didn't want to go back – he wanted to know more of this Lily Potter. Also, he wasn't exactly looking forward to spending years in Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit – although he WOULD have gladly throttled old Wormy and done the time willingly. No one hurt James Potter without incurring Sirius' wrath. That was why it had taken him years to be on semi polite terms with Evans. He grunted slightly as his friends opened the heavy door and entered the room.

Lily Potter blushed. She had been sitting by Scorpius, laughing as they made fun of both their housemates. Malfoy's impression of Mclaggen with a bludger up his arse had been hilarious. Al and Hannah were off in a corner, snuggled up and sharing a book. At the sight of his new friends, Albus broke into a friendly smile.

"Alright, mates?"

'Mcgonagal wanted to tell us she was sending us back to America. Apparently it's a requirement that we finish our wizarding training there' Sirius fixed his grey eyes on the red headed sixth year in the room. Damn his luck for being born 40 years too early.

"At this time of the night? Wouldn't she send you in the morning?" Al Potter's green eyes were narrowed suspiciously. He liked the four teenagers in the room, but there was something off about them.

'What can I say? Our pranking reputation must have preceded us. I think her blood pressure can only handle one group of miscreants at a time' James Potter winked, earning a whack on the shoulder from his girlfriend.

'We just wanted to say it was nice meeting you' Remus smiled as Scorpius and Albus moved forward to shake his hand.

"You know, it's strange, but I almost feel like we've met before" Scorpius smiled at "Parker" and "Evans". They reminded him so much of the Potter kids. His expression froze slightly as Orion White made a beeline for Lily.

"So…" Sirius wasn't used to being tongue tied around a girl. He didn't know this girl for very long, but there was something about her that got to him, and left him feeling slightly unhinged. He wished he could have gotten to know her better, but it was probably for the best. Merlin knew if he had had a chance to actually date her, he might have refused to leave.

'It's been an interesting evening, White' Lily smiled slightly at the handsome teenager.

Sirius smirked slightly. "Interesting would be one way to describe it. It could have been even more interesting.."

'Could have, would have, should have' Lily was blithe. Her eyes widened as the tall, dark haired boy grabbed her and pulled her into a close hug.

Al Potter put a warning hand on his best friend's shoulder. The new kid was leaving and Lily was more than capable of taking care of herself. Sirius Black ignored the cold glare he was receiving from the blond seventh year at the other end of the room.

Scorpius fumed as the new student planted a kiss on Lily Potter's cheek and whispered something in her ear before turning and briskly walking towards his friends. He bristled as Lily followed him, relaxing only slightly as she stopped to talk to Parker and Evans.

"I don't know why, but I feel like we've known each other for years" Lily hugged her new friend. Petunia seemed remarkably similar to herself.

"You definitely seem as stubborn as this one" James quipped, pretending to wince as he received almost matching glares from both the Lilies in the room. As he pulled his future granddaughter into a hug, he couldn't help but whisper into her ear.

"You might want to consider giving that one a chance, though. If he's anything like I think he is, he'll do anything for you"

"How do I know he isn't playing some sort of a sick joke?"

"Potter" James sighed, as Lily Evans raised an eyebrow. If James was going to give romantic advice, she wanted to hear it.

"He's chased you for years, and been abused and rejected every time. From what I've heard, it sounds like he has a lot of pride. No one would put up with all that unless they truly cared."

Lily Evans was silent. James seemed to know a lot about how this boy was feeling, probably because she had put him through the same thing. She committed his words to memory, praying that she wouldn't forget after Mcgonagal obliviated her. Giving her granddaughter a last hug, she led her boyfriend out of the room, as Lily Potter walked towards Scorpius Malfoy, a considering look on her face.

As their new friends left the room, the four best friends brooded silently. Albus was sure there was something odd about them, and his girlfriend was wondering why Albus was lost in thought. Scorpius was gulping nervously, unsure as to why Lily Potter was staring at him so intently.

He licked his lips, loosening his tie as Lily walked straight towards him, an unreadable expression in her hazel eyes.

'Al-Alright, Potter?'

Albus snickered softly, as his girlfriend mock glared at him. It was always interesting to see Scorpius Malfoy rendered speechless.

"I'll tell you what, Malfoy. When Gryffindor win the quidditch cup tomorrow, you can take me out to Hogsmeade to celebrate."

Scorpius glared at Lily.

'What part of Gryffindor's going to LOSE didn't you get, Potter?'

Lily glared right back. "Slytherin always loses to Gryffindor and you know it."

'Since James and Louis graduated the only half decent beater you've got is Hugo. Al and I can easily outscore Thomas and Jordan, so it won't matter who catches the snitch'

As they argued, Lily and Scorpius were moving towards each other, glaring as they made their respective points. Albus looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or to smack his best friend upside the head. The git seemed to be missing the point entirely.

"Scor… you realize she said you could take her to Hogsmeade if Gryffindor won"

Scorpius started, staring at the petite prefect with red gold curls standing right in front of him. He had had no idea she was so close. The light blush on her cheeks was telling, and for the first time in years, hope surged through his veins. He spoke hesitantly, afraid Lily Potter would change her mind.

'And, if Slytherin win?'

Lily looked up, a warm feeling rushing over her as she saw the barely concealed joy in the Malfoy scion's stormy grey eyes. Surely if he had been pranking her all this time, he wouldn't look so bloody thrilled now. She smiled slightly.

"Then you can take me out to cheer me up, not that it's going to happen."

Albus couldn't help but laugh his best friend's face. It was as though Christmas and his birthday had come early. Twice.

Scorpius pulled Lily close to him, pinning her with his eyes.

'Don't toy with me, Lily' he begged. If this was some cruel joke instigated by Orion White, Scorpius wasn't sure what he would do.

"Scor" Scorpius brightened at the use of his preferred name. He hadn't been called anything other than Scorpius Bloody Malfoy, or Malfoy by Lily for years.

"I'm not toying with you. One date, after the game tomorrow"

The loud whoop from the trophy room could be heard from the Headmistress' office, where Professor Snape's portrait cursed loudly. Not only did he have to face the miscreants who he had battled with daily as a Hogwarts student and his former best friend, he now owed Professor Mcgonagall some gold. Why Potter couldn't wait until the Christmas holidays was beyond him. Before him, the four Hogwarts students from the 1970s had resumed their normal appearances. James Potter's mop of black hair was restored, as was Lily Evans red-gold curls. Professor Snape had often noticed with a pang how much Lily Potter resembled her namesake. The four teenagers were about to speculate on the cause of the noise, with Sirius Black being decidedly sulky, when Professor Mcgonagal entered the room holding a small bag, accompanied by the young professor Lupin and a tall, dark haired man. Lily Evans inhaled sharply. The man in front of her, staring at her friends as if he had seen a ghost, was the spitting image of his son Albus. He exuded power and authority, and underneath his mop of black hair, Lily could catch a glimpse of a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt.

AN: Just the epilogue left for this, folks! Let me know what you think