Now for a second attempt. Sorry for the earlier mistake, turns out someone has been on my laptop and changed titles of my chapters and deleted bits of some chapters. Thanks to Mic for pointing out the error of this chapter.

In case you werent aware by now, I dont own anything recognisable.

Thanks to those who read and review, and to Mic and Sadies for the spell checking.

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He turned his head toward her, looking in her grey eyes.

"Lilly. Who is this Silvanus guy that wants you dead? And...What did that man in there do to you?" A tear rolled down her cheek as she opened her mouth.

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Lilly looked away as she shook her head. She couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell anyone. She leaned on the railing and let the tear slip down her cheek.

Draco didn't know what to do. He was new to this relationship; only meeting her a few days ago. He did think they had an odd bond between them. And the dragon-man said something about bonding. He wondered if this bonding thing had something to do with the way he felt about Lilly; the feelings that had appeared almost overnight. Sure, he had been thinking about her since he met her, but he didn't believe in such a short time he could feel this way. The silence in his head told him she either wasn't listening or in no mood to reply. Something horrible had happened to her though. And it probably bought back painful memories.

Lilly sighed as she stared into the sky. She didn't have to read his mind to know he was confused. But she didn't know what to tell him. For years she had kept everything a secret. And she wasn't about to spill that secret. So she stood watching the sun setting. Draco slipped his arms around her, the motion becoming automatic. She leaned into his embrace, feeling safe. He lowered his lips to her ear, whispering gently.

"If you want to tell me, I'll listen. If you don't, I'll understand. Either way, I'm here for you." Lilly smiled as she turned in his arms to face him. She pressed her lips to his cheek.

"Thank you."

They stood in comfortable silence. Not speaking, not thinking. Lilly, you and Draco should probably come here now. Lilly jumped as her father's voice interrupted the silence. She put a little more space between herself and Draco.

"We have to go now." Draco nodded as the tingling began.

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They opened the door to Snape's quarters as they broke apart. Draco marvelled at how, in such a short space of time, they had gotten so close. Lilly smiled, hearing his thoughts. To their surprise, a tall long hair blond man sat in the chair opposite Severus. Narcissa Malfoy sat next to the blond man, all three adults rising as the two kids entered the room. Oh damn. Lilly looked at him. My parents. I was supposed to stay home today. Lilly laughed lightly in her head. Bit late for that. Besides, you were here with me. Is there something wrong with that? Draco shook his head. It's a long story.

"Lilly, how nice to see you again." Narcissa was the first one to break the silence.

"It is lovely to see you again too Mrs Malfoy." Lilly gave a genuine smile. Narcissa went to say something but the cold look from her husband silenced her. Lilly sifted through their thoughts, noticing Narcissa was happy that Draco and Lilly appeared to be getting along. Mr Malfoy however, was very angry that his son ignored the orders that he had given him that morning. Lilly thought Draco's parents were quite opposite; his mother warm and loving, whereas his father was cool and commanding. Lilly instantly disliked the ice cold blond man.

"So have you been here all day Draco?" Lucius asked with ice in his every word. Draco nodded.

"I thought I said for you to stay at home." Draco looked at him, slightly scared of his father.

"I didn't think you would mind. After all, Severus is my godfather." Lucius considered that.

"Lucius, I don't mind if Draco comes over sometimes. It will give my daughter someone to talk to. Someone her own age. And she and Draco will be in the same year at school, I think it would be good for her to have at least one friend before she starts school here." Lucius dropped the icy cold look on his face as he listened to Severus' words.

"I guess that will be fine. When will she be sorted into a house?" Lilly and Draco both looked at the adults as they discussed them. Houses? What are these houses? Draco smiled, realizing how useful this silent conversation could be. There are four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and the best, Slytherin. They each have different colours and stuff like that, but the main thing is we live in the different houses and we earn house points and stuff. It's easy to get used to. Lilly nodded, the explanation not exactly sounding that easy. I'm going to guess that you are in Slytherin. Draco nodded. And your father is the head of Slytherin house. Lilly smiled. If you and Severus are both in Slytherin then that's the house I want. How do I get in?

"She'll be sorted with all the first years at the great feast."
"Well I hope she gets in Slytherin." Lucius paused, glancing at the girl. "She looks remarkably like you." Severus raised an eyebrow, so Lucius continued. "The dark hair, pale complexion. And the dark eyes." They both looked over at her, and Severus noticed that at that moment, her eyes were indeed his colour.

"Her features are all very small and delicate. She is very beautiful. I hope you are proud Severus." Narcissa once again joined the conversation. She gave Lilly a smile. Lilly tried to smile back, but felt a bit self-conscious under the stare of all the adults. Draco sensed her discomfort and gave her hand a quick squeeze behind her back, hoping the adults wouldn't notice. They didn't. He had to stifle a laugh; Lilly acted like invading people's privacy was normal.

"Of course I am." He put his arm around his daughter. She smiled, but he noted that she looked a little more pale than normal.

"Well, we must be going Severus. Lilly, it was nice meeting you. We shall set up some time for Draco and you to meet up." Lucius moved over to the fire as he spoke. "Draco." He looked at the fire.

Lilly quickly cast a brief spell over the adults in the room, just so their attention was averted for a minute. She hugged Draco tightly. He hugged her back. How long does this mind reading thing go for? Like, when I'm at home will I be able to talk to you?" Lilly paused, considering that. The adults returned their attention as Lilly and Draco pulled apart. I'm not sure; I guess we can test it. Once you get home call my name. If I hear you, I'll reply. Draco nodded once as he stepped into the fireplace.

Lilly watched in shock as he dropped some powdery thing and after saying something he disappeared in a burst of bright green flames. She gasped in horror. Severus put his arm around her muttering quietly that it was only one of their ways of travelling. She still looked really scared. Narcissa did the same and Lilly gasped again, only it wasn't as obvious. She headed to her room while Severus and Lucius exchanged a few words. Lying down, she thought about the green flames.

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Lilly? She jumped as Draco's voice entered her mind. Draco? You're okay? Draco laughed. Of course I am. What did you think? Lilly replayed the green flames in her head. Draco didn't reply as he realised what the scene would look like to an outsider. He spent the next 15 minutes explaining how the floo network worked. He noticed he didn't get a reply at the end. And focusing real hard he began to pick up on the images going through her mind. Mostly of a beautiful garden filled with a multitude of colourful flowers. A blonde girl appeared a couple of times, as did Severus. But he noticed his own face appeared more than the other two. Grinning, he realised Lilly must have fallen asleep. He left her to her dreams and focused his thoughts on the upcoming ball.

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Severus watched his daughter sleep. He couldn't help being worried. It seemed to come to him naturally now. Only hours ago they had all thought Lilly was dead. But she was back, and nearly back to her usual self. There must be something about her, something different, something that changes the people around her. I never used to care for children. I don't really, but I care for her. And even Draco is acting differently. She even won over Narcissa really quickly. It must be an Ayrliann thing. It should make school a bit easier. She isn't going to have an easy time. Pansy Parkinson won't like her. At all. And she will turn a lot of the Slytherin girls against her. Perhaps Lilly would be best off in another house. He transfigured the dress she was wearing into a pair of pyjamas and used his wand to get her tucked under the blankets without her waking. He gently kissed her before he left.

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Severus was surprised to see Lilly slept through most of the next day. He spent the morning in his potions lab, pausing every half hour just to check on her. He smiled every time as he watched her sleeping with her little kitten curled up right beside her. Draco showed up halfway through the afternoon, and he too smiled as he seen the sleeping pair. When he peeked through the door the fuzzy kitten awoke and ran over to him, rubbing against his leg. At the shifting of Layla, Lilly awoke. She yawned slightly and noticed to two males watching her.

She ducked her head under the covers, laughing. Draco commented on how there were only a few hours until the dance. Excited, Lilly shot out of bed. Severus struggled to refrain himself from laughing as he stuck out his arm to stop her.

"Eat first." Lilly rolled her eyes. She looked at Draco, but he just raised an eyebrow. Feeling defeated, she allowed them to lead her to the table and she quickly ate the food placed in front of her by the house-elf. She then dashed away to get ready, barely pausing to take a breath. The males laughed, heading back to the potions lab, figuring that Lilly, being a girl, would take a while.

Shortly after, Lilly called to them both in her mind. She had noticed that Draco was neatly dressed in a dark suit, while her father was in his typical black robes. She put the final earring in her ear and walked out of her room to greet the guys. Both of them gasped.