Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
AN: I usually do the AN after the chapter, but I wanted to give a special thanks to Pinkrose14, who is now the beta reader for this story! I hope you all enjoy the chapter, and thank you to those that reviewed. I finally responded to most of you with the exception of anonymous/guest reviewers. Just know that EVERY review is appreciated! Enjoy!
"I don't want to argue about this, dad," Lily said looking to her mother for support. The older woman placed a soft hand on her husband's shoulder.
"Just hear her out, dear." Though her voice was soft, Harry knew she was serious, and there was no room for arguing.
"I just don't understand why you need to have your wedding at Malfoy Manor. I mean," Harry ran his hand through his messy black hair in frustrating, "that place holds so many bad memories, and not just for me, Lils."
Lily didn't know what to do. On one hand her father was not being unreasonable about the whole situation. She could hardly expect her aunt to return to a place she was tortured, let alone Uncle Ron, who was at the moment boycotting the entire wedding.
"I can't please everyone!" Lily threw her hands up in frustration.
"Harry," Ginny said as she moved to where her daughter stood. "It's Lily's day, and I think we need to look at this situation and make it work for everyone." She grabbed Lily's shoulders and gently squeezed. "Weren't you planning an outdoor wedding?"
"Well yes, Astoria says the garden is lovely in April."
"If the ceremony is outdoors, then we can just have the reception outside as well. We'll set up tents, and it will be just like our wedding, Harry. Then no one will need to be anywhere they aren't comfortable." The older red head smiled at her simple solution, though she could see that her husband wasn't entirely appeased.
"Where is Scorpius, anyways?" Ginny inquired.
Lily looked to her dad, searching for an answer. As the head auror he was bound to know more than he was letting on, but he made no attempt to answer the question.
"Working, again," she said sullenly.
"I know how that is," Ginny said eyeing her husband who was often away for work. Harry stood up to leave, not saying a word to either of the women. "The worst part is that they can't say much, so you're always wondering what's going on."
"Exactly!" Lily exclaimed, knowing that if anyone could understand it would be her mother.
"Don't worry dear, things will be fine."
"I know," Lily said, hoping her voice didn't show the doubt she felt.
"So when are we getting together with Astoria? She sounds lovely." Ginny had met the woman before, though that was only in passing. After what Lily told her about the dinner, Ginny felt as though she could actually get along with the other woman.
"I was thinking we could all get together before I start my training at St. Mungo's." Lily was thrilled when she'd heard back from the hospital. She was planning on starting the training the next week, and was ready for it. "I've already talked to Astoria, and I was thinking we could have brunch here next week."
"I'll start planning it then," Ginny said.
"I better go, Mum. I'm meeting Vera for lunch." Lily grabbed her jacket from the coat rack. The weather was starting to chill as they entered the fall season. Lily took her time, walking down the street from her parent's home before apparating. She admired the leaves changing colors, and found some time for her mind to wander to less important things.
Vera was already seated at a small table in the Leaky Cauldron, when Lily entered. Waving the red head over, Vera beamed at her friend.
"What are you so happy about?" Lily asked taking her seat.
The dark girl's smile widened, showing her white teeth. "Nothing in particular. What are we eating," she said turning to her menu.
"Come on, spill," Lily said, not picking up her own menu.
"Well, it's just Albus, with all the weddings going on he's been talking about us." Lily blinked several times before thinking of a proper response.
"Wow, what would you even say?" Lily didn't mean for it to come off as offensive, but it did. She narrowed her eyes, watching her friend look anywhere but at her.
"I don't know," she said reluctantly. "I'd want to say yes, but it seems fast, you know. I just hope he waits before doing anything." Lily nodded, understanding her friend exactly.
"I felt the same," she said, taking a sip of the butterbeer Vera had ordered her. "But then I thought, there is absolutely no one else in the world I would even consider a proposal from. And of course I love him. I think you will just have to wait and see, and consider it as it comes."
"You're right," Vera said. "I guess I'm jumping a little ahead of myself. Oh, by the way, Cassie should be meeting us here, but she's running a little late." Vera studied the menu for a moment. "She says she has something to tell us." She didn't look up from her menu.
They'd both ordered by the time Cassie arrived, and were nearly done with their meals.
"Thanks for waiting for me," Cassie took a seat between Lily and Vera. Her blond hair was pulled back, making her look older than she was. "I'm kidding," she said, when both girls stopped chewing mid bite. "I can't stay long, but I needed to talk to you two." She took a deep breath. "Ok, I'm just going to say it. I'm pregnant." She looked back and forth between her friends waiting for a reaction.
"Um, Cassie," Vera was the first one to speak. "We kind of already knew."
"What? How?" Cassie didn't look upset, but very surprised.
"Well," Lily said taking a swig of her butterbeer. "We figured it out at the wedding, though I suspected sooner."
"We've known you for seven years," Vera said as a way of explaining.
"We are so happy for you and Hugo, Cassie," Lily said holding her arms up for a hug. Once the three girls were done hugging Cassie explained that they found out just after school had finished, and that she was now four months pregnant and they would soon be telling everyone.
"I'm sorry I have to go," Cassie said standing, Lily thought she could see a small bump underneath her loose fitting shirt, but didn't say anything. "I have to meet my parents and Hugo for a late lunch. We're telling them today!" Both girls wished her good luck as she left, and resumed their lunches.
After lunch the girls went to a few of their favorite stores, and Lily took Vera by her cousin's store to model the wedding dress they'd made for her. Vera was in tears as she admired her best friend's dress.
"Don't cry or I'll start crying," Lily said.
"You better not cry in that dress," Dom teased, although Lily suspected she was actually quite serious.
"Oh I can't help it," Vera said, sniffing and trying to blink back tears.
"Well then you'll probably really cry now," Lily said eyeing her friend.
"What?" Vera looked up at Lily, tears still streaking her face.
"Well I was thinking that you are my best friend, and I was hoping that you would want to be my maid of honor."
"Seriously?" Vera asked before enveloping her friend in a hug.
"Can't breath," Lily choked out.
"Oh, sorry!" Vera giggled. "I just got too excited, sorry."
"I'm excited too, but did you honestly think I would ask anyone else?" Lily shut the curtain and stepped out of the dress and threw back on her regular clothes. When she emerged Vera was still smiling.
"I guess I just thought that you might ask one of your cousins."
"I never had a sister, but I like to think of you as my sister, and that trumps any cousins," She looked over to where Dom stood. "No offense, Dom," she called.
The blonde behind the counter smiled and waved off her cousin. "None taken."
Lily went home after that, hoping to catch Scorpius at some point in the day. She tried not to show the disappointment when James was the only one at the flat.
"I'm so happy to see you too, Lils," he said faking a hurt look.
"Don't be a git. I was hoping Scorpius would be here."
"Sorry to let you down, but I'm the only one here."
Lily wandered off while James was still talking, and ended up in her room. She wasn't sure what time it was that she fell asleep or for how long she had been asleep when a pair of familiar, strong arms wrapped around her. Without entirely waking up Lily snuggled a little closer to Scorpius and breathed in his minty winter scent.
"I missed you today," Lily mumbled, still half asleep.
"Hush, love," Scorpius murmured in her ear. "I'm here now, go back to sleep."
"Where were you?" Lily said turning to see him. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Not now, we can talk tomorrow," he said, closing his eyes.
"Every time I wake up you are gone." She was starting to wake up more. "We'll discuss this now, or else—"
"What? You want me to go?" He snapped at her.
"No," she said softly, "That's not what I was going to say." She rolled over facing away from him. "I'm just tired of you hiding things from me."
"Don't you trust me?" He pulled Lily closer to him, holding her tightly in his arms.
"Of course I do, but I'm worried about you."
"I'm very tired," Scorpius said releasing her. "If you want me to leave, then just tell me. If not we can talk about this later." There was an edge to his voice and Lily didn't know how to respond, not really knowing what to say. "I knew I shouldn't have come here," he rolled out of the bed.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked turning to face where he stood.
"I'm going to my flat for the night." He turned away from her so she couldn't see his face. "I'll see you tomorrow." And before Lily could say a word he was gone. She struggled searching for sleep, but it just wouldn't come. By six she had given up and went to the kitchen. James was rummaging through the cabinets when Lily entered, and when he looked up he could see something was wrong.
"Lils," James said setting down the box of cookies he'd had in his hand. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Lily said, but James could always see through her facades. "It's just something is really stressing Scorpius, and he won't let me into that part of his life." James moved toward Lily, but she held up her hands. "I'm fine. I'll make you some breakfast." She eyed the box of cookies he'd set back down, and he smiled sheepishly.
"That would be nice," he said, putting them back in the cabinet.
"What are you doing up this early?" Lily said. She opened the refrigerator and searched for basic ingredients.
"Quidditch practice," he said without elaborating.
"Right," Lily said, thankful for having a distraction. "Then we'll have to get you together a good breakfast."
"You're the best, Lils."
James was gone before the sun came up, and Lily contemplated going back to sleep, but knew as soon as she laid down her mind would start racing. She'd just picked out a novel she had been meaning to read and gotten comfortable when there was a light knock on the front door.
Scorpius was waiting when she opened the door, and looked a mess. His hair was sticking out in several directions, and the circles under his eyes were a deep shade of purple.
"Lily," Scorpius said as if it pained him. He didn't move to go inside, waiting to see how Lily would react. She looked at him for a long moment before stepping aside to let him in. "I couldn't sleep," he said simply.
"Me either." Lily didn't want to fight, but she was hurt, and her face remained emotionless as he spoke.
"I was just so tired, and I want to tell you everything, but I just can't."
"I'm so worried about you," Lily said dropping her guard. "You're always gone, and then last night," the distress of her words showed on her face as she rubbed her eyes. "And now you're working this case without Albus, I just don't know what to think."
"I'm not working a case without Al." He looked directly at Lily. "I'm working three cases without him."
A gasp escaped Lily's lips and she couldn't help the look that crossed her face. "Why?"
"I've been taking over for someone else in the department. I really can't say more, Lily. I shouldn't have told you that. But after tonight, Harry's reassigning me."
"What happened tonight?" Lily asked, studying Scorpius, looking for anything that might be wrong with him.
Scorpius sighed before taking an unsteady seat. "We finally had a lead on one of the guys that we heard still terrorizes muggles with a little gang of wannabe death eaters. He's killed a girl and injured two others." Lily moved to sit next to him, but he pulled her onto his lap, taking a deep sniff of her hair. "Harry was right behind me, but we got separated. Wiggins—the guy, well he planned it, I think. I was ambushed. I figured I'd get whatever I could and then apparate out, but they'd placed some charms on the place. I'll spare you the details, but something he said, it set me off."
"What did he say?" Lily could hardly breath, and wanted to march over to her parent's house and yell at her father, though she knew it wasn't his fault, she just wanted someone to yell at.
"He said he was going to take care of me first, and then he'd find you." Scorpius struggled to say the words, and in truth he was paraphrasing. Wiggins' words were not so kind. "He was just trying to get a rise out of me, and you know I would never let that happen."
Lily was stunned. It was hard to be afraid of someone she'd never even met, but then that was the case with Voldemort. "I know," she finally said.
"You're safe with me," Scorpius cooed, stroking her hair. "When I came here, I was just so angry, mostly at myself for letting it all happen."
"How did you get out of there?" Lily finally asked.
"Your dad isn't head Auror for nothing." He smirked, reassuring Lily. "He came just in time."
"Did you catch Wiggins?"
Scorpius let out a growl. "No," he said reluctantly. "The no good, piece of—" he stopped himself and forced himself to calm down. "He got away, but don't worry, love." Scorpius let out a yawn. "I am so sorry for tonight," he said looking into her hazel eyes. "Can I come to bed with you?"
Lily grabbed his hand, pulling him up and into the bedroom.
