As I was proof-reading this chapter, I felt glad that I had rated this fanfic as M. There is a little teenage hormones-induced interaction here, what with two young people from very different wizarding families clumsily finding their way toward one another. I had to remind myself that if their behavior seemed a bit extreme to me, well, it might have something to do with my not being a teenager anymore... :) Again, Scorpius is being his conflicted self... it takes some accepting.

Chapter 2. Lily Potter.

Lily sat on the bench, staring senselessly at the sandwich in her hand. She was not hungry – at all. She didn't want anything… other than to simply sit and be quiet, to simply breathe and feel; and to hope that tomorrow – tomorrow and no other day – her father will turn up on Hogwarts doorstep. Even if he was miserable, like all of them, fine; as long as he came.

Daddy.

Lily tried not to think about her mother, because she cried when she did. And she did not want to cry. Tears would not help; would not bring back; would not save.

"Potter, the sandwich is not poisoned."

Malfoy sat down next to her. Oh, yes, he had come with James; and stayed with her.

"You have to eat."

"Yes."

"When was your last meal?"

"I don't remember." It was so easy to answer questions. They were only words. She hadn't eaten for a while – she just was not hungry. She hadn't slept for a while – she simply could not sleep. She fell asleep once – and dreamt of an incredibly beautiful animal, a doe. The doe was weeping; it was horrible. Lily didn't slept since; she merely dozed off from time to time. She went to classes, not even trying to participate, only recording mechanically after the professors. She did not do well, but no one reprimanded her, lectured her, or gave her bad marks.

"All right, Potter, I am not going to stand by and watch you become the ghost of Hamlet's father…"

"Who?" Lily realized that she had been listening to him and actually heard him. His voice irritated her, forced her to think; to feel. It was as though he penetrated the wall that she erected around her.

"Doesn't matter. Anyway, at the rate you are going, we shall be able to get you engaged to the Gryffindor headless ghost…"

"Nearly headless," Lily corrected the Slytherin. Was he saying these bizarre things on purpose?

"I don't see a difference. And don't change the subject," Malfoy moved closer and took the sandwich out of her hands. "Either you begin eating or I will make you do it."

She was tired of him. Lily rose to her feet and simply walked away, her arms wrapped around her. The state of calm returned, where she was content to just repeat "mummy" and "daddy" over and over again.

It was as if something suddenly nudged her in the back. And then she felt warm and calm, and relaxed. All thoughts vanished. And a familiar and dear voice inside her head said Go back. And she went – it was so nice not to have to think on her own but simply obey.

Sit. Take the bread and eat. Right now.

Lily smiled absently; her eyes became unfocused. She obediently took the sandwich and began chewing. She didn't want to – but the gentle voice had said so. And she ate, looking down at her hands and not thinking. For the first time in several days she was not thinking about anything.

Following the orders, she ate three sandwiches and drank the juice, not having the will to resist. And why would she? She was content.

"Mr. Malfoy! Ms. Potter!"

Look at Faust, say hello.

She did just that: she greeted the head of her House and the resumed looking down at her hands.

Good girl. Just sit there, just so.

"Mr. Malfoy, the Headmistress was looking for you."

"What for?"

"You father paid a visit."

"Oh, really? Just passing by?"

"He came to take you home."

"Wow! Was it because he missed me?"

"Mr. Malfoy, he didn't inform me of his reasons."

"And where is he now? Or did Professor McGonagall turn him into a… ferret?"

Smile. Lily did just that, without looking up at Faust.

"No, Mr. Malfoy. Professor McGonagall insisted that you continue your education. We cannot yet claim with confidence that you know everything that an average wizard should know."

"I am sure that my father was glad to hear it."

"He was a little upset."

"Did he leave a message? Blew me a kiss, perhaps?"

"Miss Potter, are you feeling well?" the head of the Gryffindor House must have noticed her vacant look.

Say that you didn't sleep well.

"I didn't sleep well, Professor," she mumbled.

"Then why don't you go to your room and get some rest?"

Professor Faust walked off and Lily heard the voice in her head again:

Let's go to your room.

And she went, knowing that someone else was going with her. She ascended the stairs without a problem; told the password to the Fat Lady. If the latter was surprised that Lily was letting a Slytherin into the Gryffndor common room, she didn't say anything.

Several Sixth Years were sitting in the common room.

"Malfoy, what…?" it was Rose. She was looking from Lily to her companion.

"Weasley, leave her alone. If you aren't able to bring the girl to her senses, then don't get in the way of those who can."

Lily saw her cousin sit back down in her chair.

To your room, Potter.

As soon as she walked in and the door closed behind her, Lily realized at once that the spell lifted. She whirled around and stared wide-eyed at Malfoy, who had the wand in his hand. A strange-looking wand; a familiar-looking wand. She would think of it later, however.

"You put me under an Imperius Curse!" the girl cried, taking out her wand.

"I warned you that I would make you eat," the other shrugged, not at all phased by her aggressive stance. "You didn't listen."

"You used an Unforgivable Curse! On me!" Lily was shouting now as she raised her wand. She didn't have time to do anything, however.

"Expelliarmus!" and the girl's weapon appeared in the Slytherin's hand. He was grinning.

"You bastard!" Lily was not deterred. She darted for Malfoy and slapped him across the face. His head jerked aside, but he did not do anything to stop her. The Gryffindor swung her arm back and slapped him again. A red mark appeared on his face. Malfoy remained silent, looking at her with his silver eyes. Completely beside herself now, Lily slapped him for the third time. On the fourth swing, he caught her arm and squeezed it tight.

"Stop," his voice was harsh, his eyes – narrowed. "Enough."

"You slime! You had no right! This…this…" she was punching him in the chest with her free hand, trying to assuage her anger at him; and her pain; and her disdain for the unperturbable Slytherin.

He let her inflict that pain on him as well, before tossing both wands on the bed, catching her other arm, turning, and pressing her against the wall, trapping her.

"Potter," Malfoy's voice was threatening, "either you stop this or I shall get my wand and make you do something that you really won't enjoy doing!"

Lily tried to wrench out of his grip, still burning with ire and wrath. It was all in vain though, for he was bigger and stronger.

"Let go of me!" Lily hissed, trying to kick him, but he trapped both her legs with one of his. "I shall scream."

"Go ahead," Malfoy snorted. "But before you do, listen to me."

"I won't!"

"You will," Scorpius snarled. "You will; and you will listen carefully. You were completely at my mercy; I could have done anything I wanted with you. Just feel this word – a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g!"

Lily stared, wide-eyed, into his pale face.

"You were at my mercy and all I did was make you eat. Not take your clothes off in the middle of the street, or do a summersault, or profess your undying love for Slughorn! Just eat. Did it harm you? Or was it that it hurt your pride?"

"You humiliated me," Lily said through her teeth, looking angrily into the silvery pools. He was right, absolutely right. He had power over her at that moment, and he did not abuse it. But Lily was enraged that he was able to control her in the first place. That he used something on her that was dark, dirty, something terrible, even if it was done with good intentions. "You had no right."

"And for that I allowed you to humiliate me in return – by slapping me; three times," the Slytherin uttered distinctly, relaxing his grip on her hands a little bit. "I believe we are even."

"Let me go."

"No. First you will promise me that you will go to bed."

"What?!"

"Was I not clear?" he was angry now, "You have to get some sleep or St. Mungo's will have to establish a family suite for Potters."

"What do you care?!" Lily tried to wrench free again, and the Slytherin's grip immediately tightened.

"Listen, Potter, can you once in your life simply do what you are told?" Malfoy was looking fixedly at her face, flushed with anger.

"After you used an Imperius on me?!"

"Merlin, Potter, are we back to that?" Scorpius was beginning to lose patience. It must have been uncomfortable for him to stand, holding her. "Damn, I don't even know why I am doing this."

"I don't either…"

"Potter, would it kill you to promise?" his voice became muted as he was staring at her face. No, her lips. She would shrink back if she could.

"I won't promise you a thing," Lily retorted, not so much angry at his words as at the look on his face.

"Damn! I am so tired of you all…" Malfoy breathed and pressed his lips to hers, putting her arms behind her back, both embracing her and effectivelyh holding her against him. She did not resist, almost immediately letting his tongue into her mouth. Scorpius released her hands – she put them around his neck, pulling him down, closer to her. Lily was responding, unskillfully, timidly, but she was responding.

Malfoy forced himself to pull back in order to fill his empty lungs. And then an unexpected happened – she slapped him again.

"What was that for?" perhaps, for the first time in his life Malfoy was taken aback by a girl. It wasn't like she had resisted, quite the opposite, was ready to continue.

"A payback," Lily grinned, wrenching free of his embrace. She wasn't quick enough to pick up her wand, however – Malfoy beat her to it.

"Payback? I can't quite recall," He was playing with her wand, having put his away in his robes pocket.

"I do," Lily retorted.

"Merlin, you were plotting your revenge for several days for one kiss?" Malfoy laughed, which riled Lily up all over again. "Potter, I wouldn't have expected you to hold a grudge like that!"

"Prat!" she stomped her foot, clenching her fists. "You… you have spoiled… the most important moment of my life!"

"Spoiled?!" Scorpius reached her in one leap, grabbed her and kissed her again, in rage and exasperation, inflicting slight pain. The Gryffindor tried to wrench free, but he didn't give her a chance, falling on the bed with her, trapping her with his body and deepening his kiss. And she surrendered quickly, allowing him to kiss her and stroke her shoulders, flanks, and thighs. He became tender and loving in turn, kissing her lips carefully, soothingly. He pulled away just a little, rolling onto his side, but not letting her out of his arms. He rested his chin on top of her head and whispered, while stroking her arm:

"Stop torturing yourself, I beg you. Go on living, because by killing yourself, you won't bring back you mother; and you won't help your father."

She was silent, snuggling trustingly against his chest, and only sighed in response. She was able to forget about everything for half an hour. During that time, he made her feel no pain. And now the pain was back, but it wasn't as all-encompassing, as unbearable. It became more tolerable. It was as if something nudged it out of the way a little, stashed it in the back of her soul; as if the caring hands that were holding her now shielded her from the abyss that had been holding her captive for so many days.

"Sleep," he whispered, settling down more comfortably. "Sleep. I'll be here."

"Thank you," she whispered, feeling her eyelids droop with fatigue.

"For what exactly?"

"For everything…" these were the last words she was able to say before a deep dreamless slumber claimed her.