Chapter 21

As promised, Lily and Draco both had regular lessons with Severus Snape learning about advanced potions, defense, occlumemcy, charms, and more. At first, it seemed like even more work than at school, but Snape never pushed to extremes, and instead took their lessons bit by bit. Even Draco enjoyed them.

Over the next four weeks, Lily and Draco kept to themselves. They only saw each at lessons and meals, and stayed occupied with their books. Lily occassionally saw him in the library, and tried to make small talk, but the boy was clearly deep in his own thoughts. Lily could sympathize. Being brought up to believe one thing for years and then being told abruptly that it was all a lie was a tough transition. Obviously the blond would need time.

Lily hadn't heard from Harry either. She couldn't understand why, though maybe he was just busy. On vacation? She wasn't sure. But, she made her way down to her father's sitting room anyway to ask the question she'd been wanting to ask.

"Dad?"

Her father glanced up from his newspaper and met her eyes with a raised eyebrow, which meant to continue.

"Well, I, er, what are you doing?"

He put the paper down and beckoned her sit with him. Lily moved across the room and sat on the couch, fidgiting with the rings on her fingers as she did.

"What's on your mind, Lily?"

Lily shrugged. "It's about Harry.. Not your favorite topic I know.."

He nodded without a change in expression. "What about him?"

"I've been writing him and he hasn't responded. It's been a month. A month! What if something's happened to him? What if he doesn't want to talk to me?"

Snape sighed as he watched Lily breathe out the words. He was unaccustomed to dealing with teenage insecurities and she most definitely knew it. He hugged her briefly. "I'm sure nothing like that has happened. Perhaps the owl simply failed to find him or he's gone elsewhere."

"Maybe." Lily sighed. "I just hope so. I was hoping he could spend some time here on a visit.." she winced, knowing this wasn't going to turn out well. "I suppose it's pointless asking because well, the last thing Draco needs is the boy-who-lived, I expect. And.. you and he don't really.. I just.."

Snape sighed again. How his daughter had managed to snag the boy-who-lived was beyond him. Of course, she was beautiful and sweet and Snape saw nothing a boy wouldn't want, but.. Potter's son? He never would have thought it possible. And he realized his hatred of the boy was creating tension on her part. No wonder she had kept it a secret from him.

"I am willing to put our differences aside for your sake, Lily. I'm not saying I'll like him but if he makes you happy then I am."

"Why do you hate him so much anyway?" Lily asked curiously.

"Hate is a strong word, Lily.." he started awkwardly. He was in no way keen on displaying much information. He truly did not like the boy, found him arrogant, rude, and reckless. But Lily did like him. Severus found himself wondering for a few minutes if this would be another version like that of Lily Evans picking James Potter over him. But no, he would not make that mistake again. And the way Lily was looking pleadingly at him, he knew he could not refuse her the happiness, even if it meant adding Harry bloody Potter deeper into his life. "His father and I just didn't get along in school."

"Oh."

"As for visiting, I would agree, if it weren't for certain situations.."

"I know." Lily replied firmly. "I'm just worried about him."

"If he was in danger the Order would know. I suggest you not stress about it too much."

"Thanks, dad." And she hugged him. "Where's Draco?"

"In the library, I believe."

"I'm actually worried about him too. He's so withdrawn. He's not the Malfoy I thought I knew."

"Perhaps you could talk with him?"

"I will. Right now. Later, dad."

Snape actually smiled a bit as he raised the Daily Prophet once more. He couldn't help but think of the word perhaps.

Lily found Draco reading in the library just as her father had said. The blond looked healthier than he had when he'd arrived four weeks earlier, but he was still pale and constantly seemed to be stressing. She could almost see the inner battle playing out all over his face.

"Draco?"

The boy looked up and scowled. "Snape."

"Reading defense, I see. My father has bookshelves full of them. But then again, you probably knew that."

Draco scowl deepened. "A particular reason you are here, Snape? Or should I leave before your cheerful mood becomes contagious."

"Tsk, tsk, Draco, no way to treat a lady, now is it? And in my own house, too. But that's alright, seeing as I didn't expect more from you anyway."

"Listen, Snape-"

"Call me Lily."

"Excuse me?"

"Well if we're gonna be friends, we might as well get used to first names."

Draco's scowl turned into surprise, but he quickly covered it with an angry glare. "I may be living here for awhile, but we are not friends!"

"We are Slytherins, Draco. Honestly, my dad, like I, am very serious about helping our housemates and always assisting should they need it. We are united."

"Bloody ironic coming from you, seeing as you'd rather spend your time with Gryffindors." Draco sneered.

"But I also believe in house unity." Lily answered with a stern gaze. "I think if I introduced you around, you could find some friends in other houses."

"Not bloody likely."

"Friends who care about you. Forgive me, but I don't see Crabbe and Goyle picking you over tomorrow's treacle tarts."

"So that's what Potter is? Your friend who cares? More like the boy that'll get you killed, the way I hear things." Draco sneered.

"Think about it this way Draco- I am purely against the Dark Lord. Who better to be with than the boy everybody thinks will one day kill him? You need back up, you need a group to support from behind you. I can be your ticket to that. Your friend."

Draco snorted. "Yet your friends don't even know your real name. Forgive me, but I don't see you giving me support when you can't even be you with them."

"So you admit you want support?"

"Does that bug you?" Draco cut in. "Isn't that a bit unfair of your father to demand you lie to your friends?"

"You tell me, Draco. You hide behind the mask of a deatheater because your father demands it. Is it?"

Draco thought on the matter for a moment. "No, I suppose not. But I want to be a deatheater."

"And I want to lie to my friends. Don't mess with me, Draco."

"You promise to be my 'support group', yeah? And if I accept, what do you want in return?"

"Why do you think I want something in return?"

Draco smirked. "You are a Slytherin, Lily. Don't mess with me."

Lily matched his smirk, though hers came out as more of a smile. "If you truly want my friends to support you, then you need to learn what it means to be a friend. I can help you with that. You learn this, and I'll get together your back up."

"And my other Slytherin friends? They won't be happy."

"Lesson number one; friends accept each other no matter what and are always there to help in difficult times. Do these Slytherins sound like your friends, then?"

Draco sighed. "Maybe Blaise. But other than him, no. You're saying I should just drop them?"

"If you chose to forget this deatheater business, then it'll happen on its own accord, Draco. Just know that."

"I haven't decided. I still want the glory. I still think it's there."

"I know. You learn what you're parents teach. My father always told me never to trust the guy that offers you their newspaper, and now I may have newspaperman paranoia." Lily smiled.

Draco actually let out a laugh. "Alright. I'll give this a chance. But I'm still not against the Dark Lord completely. I may not be a deatheater or I may still become one. Don't expect me to change over night. This chance could still win me glory."

"I'd suggest opening a history book, Draco. You tell me then which path leads men to glory."

A/N: any thoughts on how Draco and Lily are getting along? Sorry there's not been much on Harry; I'm hoping to get to him soon! Hope you guys had an amazing Thanksgiving!