Author's Note: Hello Lovelies! I'm sorry that I am quite literally bombarding you with updates...But I really want to get the sequel out by my birthday (next week). Anyways, thank you so much for the reviews!
And please enjoy this two-part chapter! The second part is admittedly not something I had intended on originally posting...so think of it as a bonus glimpse into their lives.
One more chapter left after this...And then we're off to a sequel. At the end of the next chapter I will provide a brief teaser for the sequel! =D
Bittersweet and Bows and Pink
Bittersweet
Scorpius smiled as he looked out into the crowd to see Lily sitting between his mother and her's – their families sitting in the same row; and clapping as Headmistress McGonagall announced the graduating class. He couldn't help but grin at how much had changed since his first year…
Flashback:
Astoria grinned as she looked up at Scorpius from her spot at the counter. She couldn't believe that all of the waiting for him to come home for winter break (a countdown she had begun when he had stepped foot on Platform 9 & ¾) had finally ended.
A generally disheveled eleven-year old Scorpius plodded his way into the kitchen sleepily as he yawned. As it turned out, yesterday's long train ride had worn him out. "Mum, can I have some hot cocoa?" He smiled as she kissed his hair and patted it down in a more orderly looking fashion as she flicked her wand and hot cocoa magically began to make itself.
"So, am I finally going to get to hear all about your first year so far…or are you going to fall asleep on me again?" She smiled and laughed when her son's cheeks turned a light pink. She knew that he was the same boy that she had sent away to learn and grow in ways that he couldn't have had she not sent him. But she also could see that his hair (so like his father's) was a bit shaggy; and instead of only coming up to her mid-arm he was now as tall as her shoulders. And she knew that he wasn't just different physically…but that with each day he was away, each day he grew older he changed. His personality changed ever so slightly just like his interests…
"I really like it, Mum." He smiled sheepishly as he took a swig of the drink and his Mother sat down across from him. "Donovan is my best friend…you know his parents." He smiled as his mother nodded encouragingly. "And the Slytherin common room is awesome! Why didn't you and Dad tell me!"
She watched carefully as her son's eyes lit up as he told her all about the places she once graced. But the stories he told her about all of his friends and teachers were so different from her own; and they made her laugh. So many things may have changed, but fundamentally he was still Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy – still her baby boy. "So…are there any girls?" She raised her eyebrows faux-suggestively – knowing very good and well that Scorpius was still a bit of a chauvinist (aka – he hadn't met his match just yet).
"Eww!" Scorpius' nose scrunched up as he shook his head. "That's disgusting. No way! They're all a waste of time. All they care about is makeup and their hair…you know, stupid stuff." He nodded as he emphasized each word causing his mother to smirk.
"I thought there might be something…you know since your Father and I received a letter about you getting into a fight with Rose Weasley…" Her tone was semi-firm as she gave her son a pointed look.
"And Albus Potter!" He practically shouted in horror before looking sheepish. "It won't happen again, promise." He relaxed as his mother nodded with a smile. "But, I'm never going to be that goody-two-shoes, Rose's, friend. Those Potters and Weasleys are very…eccentric, Mum." He watched as an amused expression flitted across his Mother's face. "I mean those twins, Lucifer and Molly…"
"I don't think her name is Lucifer, Scorpius." Astoria laughed as her son shrugged.
"That's what her twin sister calls her when they argue. Anyways, they're crazy. They'll just about say and do anything to one another right in front of the whole school...mainly because Lucifer has her knickers in a bunch. And then there's Fred Weasley and James Potter…" He rolled his eyes in exasperation as he continued. "And they're always in trouble! They flooded the dungeons on the first day of classes. And then I think you know exactly how much I dislike Rose Weasley and Albus Potter. They're always tied together at the hip; and completely superior acting for absolutely no reason. I mean, I get higher marks than the both of them." He sat for a minute quietly before sounding surprised at what he said next. "I guess Dominique Weasley is okay. She's just sort of quiet; and hangs out with girls mostly."
"Well it sounds like that family still keeps the halls of Hogwarts interesting." Astoria smiled as her son snorted with a nod.
"Can we have some biscuits?" He looked up at his mum with large eyes causing her to lean in towards him.
"Only if it stays our little secret. Your Grandmother would lay an egg if she thought I let you spoil your lunch with her." She winked and smiled as he smirked excitedly.
Lily smiled sadly as she waved at Scorpius before allowing his mother to hug her teary-eyed but beaming. She couldn't help but laugh as she caught Draco's bemused expression as he looked at her and Astoria before smirking up at his son and nodding, as if to say 'she's really lost it this time.'
"Oh, congratulations, Ginny!" Astoria smiled as she patted the older woman's arm with a sweet smile before following her husband and mother-in-law over to one side of the grounds to congratulate and take pictures with their boy.
"Alright, lean in!" Hermione called with a broad smile as she stood next to her sisters-in-law, ready to command that a variety of photos be taken.
"Smile, Albus!" Ginny ordered as her son sighed and wrapped an arm around each of his cousins, Rose and Dominique.
"Thank Merlin it's just you and me next year, Louis." Roxy smiled sideways at the bemused boy as he gave her a high-five.
Lily smiled as she jumped on James' back; and all of the grandchildren (including a very pregnant Victoire and Teddy) squeezed in for a photo.
"Mum!" Albus complained with a frown as he began to back away from his family. "I'm going to go see friends…take some pictures…" He called before he bolted from the group, allowing the other children to start to disperse as well.
"Look at you! All grown up! My ickle Scorpy!" Adora grinned as she laid into her taller (but younger) cousin, hugging him tightly (matching smiles and laughter) as Astoria snapped a picture.
"He's gotten so tall, Stori." Daphne smiled as she watched her daughter and nephew generally take the mickey out of each other and laugh like hyenas (not at all her style). She felt herself tightening her muscles involuntarily as Adora's eyes lit up at the sight of Lily Potter sneaking up on her nephew.
"Con-graduation!" Lily laughed as she pounced on Scorpius' back causing him to look back startled and start laughing all over again.
"You're such a dork!" Scorpius laughed as he hugged her tightly (Astoria snapping pictures without pausing at this point).
"Stop hogging her, you great oaf!" Adora grinned as she pushed her cousin out of her way and hugged Lily tightly. "Oh! Your hair has gotten so long!" She smiled as she chattered a mile a minute excitedly causing Lily's grin to widen. "I think my Mum is ready to cursio your brother." Adora laughed as she leaned in, whispering in Lily's ear. "James asked me to move in with him; and I've agreed." She pulled away with a grin as Lily squealed and began jumping up and down as she hugged her.
"Have I told you lately that you're my favorite eldest brother in the entire world?" Lily grinned as she hugged James, who had quietly made his way over to the group (still not quite comfortable with the family of Slytherins).
"Oi, Lily! It's my graduation!" Scorpius pouted teasingly as she turned around and stuck her tongue out causing all of the adults to laugh (even Daphne smiled slightly).
"I take it you told her the news then?" James smiled crookedly at Adora as she nodded and turned her head towards Scorpius.
"James and I have gotten a little cottage just shy of the beach." Her eyes twinkled as Scorpius smiled.
"Congratulations." He nodded at the older boy that seemed elated.
"Granted Fred will be living with us a while until he figures out what he wants…" Adora added as both Lily and Scorpius began chortling.
"I'll be graduated and married before he ever leaves." Lily giggled as Daphne's smile grew at this new development and she nudged Theo's side happily.
Bows and Pink
Lily peered down into the standard hospital basinet at the tiny baby swaddled in all pink (a light pink cover and a light pink hat with a huge hot pink flower on it). "She's absolutely beautiful, Teddy…" Her voice was full of awe as she continued to stare down at the baby.
"She really is." Scorpius murmured as he too looked into the basinet at his newest cousin. He was absolutely positive he'd never seen a human so small in all his life.
"Thanks." Teddy grinned, his hair an electrifying teal color, as he smiled at his wife who was watching them with a smile of her own. "Do you want to hold her?"
"Can I?" Lily smiled up at him as he nodded eagerly and carefully placed his daughter in her arms. He smiled as he sat on his wife's bedside and watched his baby sister hold his daughter.
Scorpius smiled as he watched Lily hold the baby girl in a sort of awed adoration. She seemed so natural and in her element as she held the baby swaying side-to-side very slowly. "What did you decide to name her?" He looked back to the proud new parents as Victoire grinned.
"We decided to name her Islet Nymphadora Fleur Lupin." Victoire smiled as Lily "awed" and Scorpius nodded. "That way she has her own name; and that of her grandmothers." She smiled as Lily nodded.
"That's really nice." Scorpius smiled as he brushed his finger against Islet's feather-soft cheek. "Did Auntie Dromeda cry?" He smiled as Teddy smirked.
"Nope. You two missed a show, stuck waiting in France for your portkey to activate." Teddy smirked as Lily blanched.
"I'm sorry we weren't here." Lily felt herself biting her lip harshly as Victoire waved her hand.
"Don't be! It was a right zoo in here with both of our families. Teddy's just messing with you. We're just happy that you came when we could all enjoy it." Victoire glowed radiantly – clearly proud to be a mother.
"My wife knows me too well." Teddy winked as Lily rolled her eyes smilingly. "Anyways, we hadn't really gotten the nursery ready. I mean all of the furniture was bought, but I've been so swamped at work… Well, Grandmum was a bit smug about it all really. She arrived just after Islet was born; and announced to us and Fleur that she had set up the entire nursery, decorations and all. I imagine you can guess how well that went over…" He shook his head amusedly as Victoire laughed.
"She is so loved!" Victoire smiled as she held her daughter to her chest. She watched as Scorpius wrapped his arm around Lily as they stood in front of her – so similar to her and Teddy.
"Of course she is." Lily smiled as she hugged Teddy while continuing to hold Scorpius' hand.
"Will you take a picture of the four of us, Scorpius?" Victoire smiled as he readily agreed; and Teddy and Lily flanked Victoire's sides happily as she held Islet so that her sleeping face was visible for the camera.
"One, two, three." Scorpius smiled as Teddy grinned proudly, Victoire smiled sweetly, and Lily was too caught up in looking at the baby to even look at the camera until the last minute with a wide smile plastered on her sun-kissed face.
In Response: One more chapter left after this one! Look for the teaser and closing thanks at the end of the next chapter. Luvies, T
Jessica682: Thank you so much for your continued support and reviews. I really hope that you like the way that I am wrapping up this story; and certainly hope that you give the sequel a chance. =]
ANONONONnymous: Yes! Well, now I suppose it's just one (rather lengthy) chapter left. However, there is a sequel with lots more to come following it. So really it's just the same story...years later...with a new title...And of course some twists. =) Thanks for the review! And...read to find out what happens next, silly.
DracoluverAlanna: *giggles* You called me a 'minx!" I love it! Haha, I'm so happy you enjoyed the last chapter...it was certainly different than this chapter, lol. And, you always make my day. Your reviews make me smile; and that's better than anything I could ask for. =D
Bucky5: Thank you so much, Dear! And with a mother like Astoria, I think that it's only natural that Scorpius grew into a respectable young man. She just doesn't seem the type to raise anything but. How have you been, btw?
diyame: THANK YOU!
speedsONEandONLY: I do try my very best to be a 'tease.' I'm so pleased that I have succeeded as of late. =P And I believe Harry will be a bit of an interesting character as time progresses - After all, we all have our short comings; and there's certainly a reason he never accepted the position of 'Minister of Magic.' (Just umm keep that in mind...not to tease you too much once again.)
bookworm1519: Yay! I'm so happy it was a hit. Thanks for all of the reviews lately! *hearts*
twilightlover212: Well...of course Slytherin won! And I have a feeling Fire Whiskey would be bloody awful...Like really cheap alcohol, lol. Thanks for the review!
Annabella Prinx: Hello Rose! Thank you for your lovely review (made me smile and extremely happy). I am a bit of a romantic at heart; and I was raised with the mentality that I write with on that matter (at least in this story). Anyways, I'm not sure moments are ever perfect, but I don't think they should ever end up as regrets. Nothing that monumental should end up so horribly if it can be avoided. Haha, and as a fellow Slytherin (According to Pottermore and myself), we are victors especially with blokes like Scorpius as our leaders. ;] ~ Thank you for reviewing! I've really enjoyed your input.
Carol: Haha, thank you! And, I'm right there with you. Forget princes, where is my Malfoy!
bia: I am absolutely so unbelievably sorry that I got so busy this past spring at school. It seemed as if I always had a million places to be at once; and so much work that there were never enough hours in the day to get it all done properly. That being said, I really appreciate you taking the time to read the new chapters that I have posted. I'm really trying to make up for my lack of updating by posting often this summer (so far so good). ~ Thanks for the review! I'm so happy that you were pleased with the last chapter because I very much so enjoyed writing it. And...I'm certainly hoping a boy like him exists. So dream for princes, I dream for Malfoys. =]
Thank you so much for your support! As always, please share any last thoughts you have concerning things before I post the final chapter this weekend. Luvies, T