Author's Note: I hope you enjoy the chapter. You don't see Cassie 'till near the end, but I promise she's there!
-SQ
Disclaimer: In case you missed it the first 27 times, Harry Potter doesn't belong to me.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Helen and Camille
Despite her tough attitude, Lily was not coping with James's rejection as well as she would have liked her friends to think. The truth was that, while she and James had never been close per say, the way she was with Louis and Teddy, she had always known she could count on her big brother to be there for her if she needed him. The loss of that connection hurt more than anything else she had had to deal with because of coming out. She wished she could hate him, that would make it so much easier, but, thought she was furious, she couldn't bring herself to hate her brother. He was her brother for Merlin's sake. Lily cried herself to sleep more nights than not that summer.
Still, life went on, and Lily tried her very best to enjoy it. Teddy made good on his promise to take her out and introduce her to some girls that he knew.
"You look after her," said Ginny anxiously as she and Teddy prepared to Floo to Diagon Alley to meet up with some of Teddy's friends. Ginny wouldn't let Lily side-along Apparate with him. "I don't want any older girls taking advantage of her."
"I wouldn't let that happen, Ginny," said Teddy, picking up the fire poker he had just knocked over.
"I know you wouldn't Teddy," said Ginny, looking at her godson fondly. "It's a mother's job to worry. Have fun you two. Be home in time for dinner. Teddy, are you staying?"
"I'm afraid not, Ginny," said Teddy. "Victoire's been a little emotional lately, so I'd better be home this evening."
And with that, Lily and Teddy stepped into the fireplace and shouted in unison, "Diagon Alley!"
Coming into the room, Harry shuddered. "I can never hear that without thinking of my first experience with Floo Powder."
Ginny laughed. "Come on, Mr. Knockturn Alley. Don't you have work to do?"
*****BWST*****
"Lily, this is Allissa Nickerson. Allissa, this is my godsister Lily."
Allissa, a tall girl with tan skin and wavy chestnut hair smiled down at her. "Lily? Lily Potter? It's a pleasure to meet you." She extended a manicured hand, which Lily took.
The girl, who Lily found out was nineteen and studying to be a lawyer, was very pretty, but she didn't strike anything in Lily. She, Allissa, Teddy, and a few other twenty-somethings spent an enjoyable day strolling about Diagon Alley, and the two girls parted ways as friendly acquaintances.
"What did you think?" asked Teddy once Allissa had left.
"She was nice enough," said Lily. "I liked her fine but there was no..."
"Chemistry?" suggested Teddy.
"Huh?" said Lily.
"A branch of Muggle science," explained Teddy.
"What does this have to do with Muggle science?" said Lily, confused.
"Nothing, nevermind, it's an expression," said Teddy, shaking his head and laughing.
*****BWST*****
The first thing Lily heard as she stepped out of her own fireplace was James's voice.
"Mum! I'm going to be out for dinner!"
"You should have told me earlier," Ginny scolded, coming out of the kitchen with a scowl on her face. "Where are you going anyway?"
"He's got a date," said Albus from the chair where he was sitting.
"With Analise?" asked Ginny.
"No," said James. "Analise and I broke up." His tone dared anyone to ask any questions. Wisely, no one did.
"Alright James," said Ginny with a sigh. "Have fun."
There was a pop as James Disapparated.
Ginny shook her head sadly. "Harry, I certainly never thought I'd say this about James, but right now he reminds me of Percy. When, you know—"
Lily glowered at the spot her brother had recently been standing not knowing, or caring, how James could possibly remind anyone of Uncle Percy.
*****BWST*****
Lily was still up when James returned late that night. She was sitting by the dying fire, writing a letter to Cassiopeia, when the embers suddenly flared and two people stumbled out onto the hearth. Hidden as she was in shadow, the two new arrivals at first did not notice Lily.
"Ow," said James, he sounded tipsy. "Careful. My mum will have a fit if we get ash all over the new carpet."
The person with him, a girl, giggled. "I should really get home, James," she said. "My mum thinks I'm out with some of my Muggle friends."
Lily started. She knew that voice.
"Dawn?"
Both James and Dawn jumped, sending a shower of ash onto the new carpet.
"Lily? What are you doing hiding there? You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"What am I doing?" said Lily. "What are you doing! Did you...did you just go on a date with James?"
"So what if I did?" said Dawn defiantly. "I can date whomever I please."
"You've been drinking," said Lily, aghast. "James, what have you done to her?"
"I haven't done anything to her," said James. "In spite of you might think, she wanted to go out with me."
"Dawn's one of my best friends!"
"And she's my girlfriend now," said James. "So butt out."
Lily's next comment, 'You're my brother' went unspoken.
*****BWST*****
"How could you date him, knowing what he's done to me?"
Lily and Dawn were standing in the middle on the Potter kitchen, having a splendid row.
"I can date him because I like him! We have a lot in common!"
"Oh yeah, what? Quidditch?"
"Not just Quidditch!" said Dawn. "We like a lot of the same things, and he's fun and kind and—"
"I can't believe you!" said Lily. "You're just on the rebound from Zakai! And he's on the rebound from Analise! He's using you, Dawn!"
"You're just bitter," retorted Dawn.
"I think I have a right to be bitter!" yelled Lily. "Since he's basically disowned me for being a lesbian!"
"I don't see what that has to do with my relationship with him!"
"You're supposed to be my friend!"
"And I am! Or I would be if you weren't yelling at me!"
"I could tell your mother, you know she wouldn't approve! Drinking and—and going out late to clubs..."
"You wouldn't," said Dawn.
Lily ground her teeth. Dawn was right, she wouldn't, but right now she wished she had it in her.
*****BWST*****
Lily, Albus, Harry, and Ginny were having dinner when Teddy and Victoire suddenly Apparated into the kitchen doorway. Or, more precisely, Victoire Apparated neatly in the doorway, while Teddy Apparated into the back of Harry's chair, nearly knocking Harry out of it, and sending the salt cellar flying as he caught himself on the table.
Harry looked bemusedly up at his godson. "Something got you excited, Teddy? You seem even more hapless than usual."
Teddy blushed, but the goofy grin adorning his face didn't fade. He scanned the room.
"Where's James?" he asked. "I wanted James to be here."
"He's out with Dawn," said Ginny.
Teddy's face fell slightly.
"Teddy," said Victoire, "we will just have to tell 'im later."
Teddy nodded, grin back in place.
"Tell us what?" said Albus impatiently.
Teddy was actually bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet. "Victoire's pregnant, I'm going to be a father!"
The room erupted with excitement and congratulations. Everybody was hugging and kissing and talking at once.
"Teddy, that's wonderful!" said Harry, beaming at his godson.
Teddy beamed back. "I'm so excited. And so nervous! Harry, I don't know the first thing about being a father!"
Harry chuckled. "Neither does anyone until they have the experience. You'll be fine. At least you're not saddled with a baby godson at the age of seventeen."
Teddy laughed. "Thank Merlin for my grandmother, huh?"
"Thank Merlin for Andromeda indeed," said Harry fervently.
"When is the baby due?" Ginny asked Victoire.
"At ze end of April," said Victoire, unable to suppress a wide smile.
Lily came up and hugged Teddy from behind, making him jump.
"I'm so happy for you," said Lily, her problems with James and Dawn the farthest thing from her mind at the moment.
Teddy ruffled her hair. "Don't think this means I won't still have time for my favorite little godsister."
Lily giggled. "I'm your only little godsister," she pointed out.
"All the more reason for you to be my favorite," said Teddy.
*****BWST*****
Lily was once again out with Teddy to meet some of his friends, one friend in particular.
They were not going to Diagon Alley this time, but rather to a Muggle neighborhood. Teddy strode in front of Lily up the drive of a medium-sized house and knocked on the door with the brass knocker. A few seconds later the door was opened by a very pretty half- Asian girl with long black hair and a turned-up nose.
"Teddy!" she said delightedly, clapping her hands.
"I hope we're not intruding," said Teddy.
"Not at all," said the girl, stepping back to allow them inside. "And who is this?"
"This is my godsister, Lily. Lily, this is Kelley Truong.
"Pleased to meet you," said the bubbly, petite young woman.
"Pleased to meet you too," said Lily sincerely, watching Kelley's graceful movements appreciatively.
Teddy saw her and laughed. "Kelley, as delighted as I am to see you, there is actually a purpose to this call."
"Oh?" said Kelley, pausing in the act of grabbing a box of cookies off the shelf. She pouted prettily.
"I thought I might introduce Lily to your sister," said Teddy, raising a meaningful eyebrow.
Lily's heart fell. It wasn't this bright, bubbly girl who might be interested in her, but rather her unknown sister.
Kelley eyed Lily. "Aha..." Her mouth quirked in a smile. "Let me get her."
She went to the foot of a staircase and shouted up in a voice that seemed too big for her little body, "Helen! We have company!"
There were a few seconds of silence, then the sound of feet coming down the stairs. Another girl appeared, one who was an exact replica of Kelley. Teddy laughed at the expression on Lily's face.
"Lily, this is Helen. Kelley's identical twin sister."
Helen smiled mischievously. "Well hello, aren't you pretty? Your name's Lily? That's a pretty name." She pulled up a stood and sat down, motioning for Lily to do the same. "Tell me Teddy, before I get my hopes up, does she swing my way?"
"Wholly and completely," said Teddy with a smile. "But be gentle with her, mind, she's my only little godsister."
"I'm always gentle," said Helen. "How old are you, Lily?"
"Sixteen," said Lily.
"Does it bother you that I'm nearly twenty-one?" asked Helen
"Sort of," Lily admitted.
"That's understandable," said Helen. "You have good sense. Just so you know, I'm not looking to get into your pants, as adorable as they are. Am I right to assume that you just recently came out?"
Lily nodded.
"How is it in your world? Being a lesbian I mean."
Lily was confused. "My world?"
Helen laughed. "Oh, right, sorry. I'm a Muggle. Kelley over there's the only freaky witch in the family." Kelley stuck her tongue out at her twin. "So, how does the magical world react?"
Lily shrugged. "Well, I really have nothing to compare it too, but most people are generally alright with it. There are some who aren't but...I suppose that's life."
"It's about the same in the Muggle world," said Helen with a nod. She tapped Lily's silver bracelet. "Nice bracelet," she said, changing the subject abruptly.
Lily blinked. "Oh—thanks. My best friend made it for me."
"She has talent," said Helen. "And good taste."
*****BWST*****
Teddy took Lily to see Helen several more times over the next couple weeks. While he caught up with Kelley and the girls' older brother Jason, whom he'd known for several years, Lily spent time with Helen. She found that she liked the older girl. A lot. It wasn't the desperate infatuation she had felt for Hepzibah Vaisey, but she enjoyed Helen's company, and got a pleasant tingly feeling whenever their contact became a bit more intimate than was strictly necessary.
It was during one of the these times, when Helen was showing Lily the pressure points along her neck, back, and shoulders that could be used for either pleasure or pain that she casually asked, "So, Lily, have you ever been kissed?"
Lily blushed. "Well, yes...but it was by a boy. I don't know if that counts."
"Definitely not," said Helen, turning the redhead to face her. "That pretty little mouth of yours was never meant for silly boys. When you find a girl you want to be with, it's going to help if you know how to use it properly. Tilt your chin up." Lily obeyed, the pleasant tingling in her veins growing stronger. "There, now when you feel my lips touch yours part them a little, and follow my lead."
What followed was an instruction course in kissing. The best word Lily could find for it was fun. Both she and Helen knew that there was never going to be anything serious between them, that really they were just friends, and that left them free to play to their heart's content. Nothing serious, not much more than kissing, but Lily emerged at the end of the summer a lot more experienced in the ways of romancing a woman than she had at the beginning.
*****BWST*****
France was really a beautiful place, thought Cassiopeia as she leaned on the balcony railing of the villa and looked out over the twilit city. She had never looked on France with the foreign wonder of a tourist, but she appreciated her time here nonetheless; even more in a way, since a tourist could never feel truly at home in a place.
As they had every year since before either of the children could remember, the Malfoy family was spending the first three weeks of August in France. More specifically, they were spending them in their villa in Tours, the largest city in the central region of France and home to some of the best wines in the world.
Cassiopeia, Scorpius, and Astoria were all fluent in French and Draco's handle on the language, while not quite as fluent as his wife and children's, was more than adequate. The Malfoy parents spent most of their time in France going to fancy parties and meeting with very rich acquaintances. Ever since Scorpius had reached the age where he was old enough to watch his little sister he and Cassiopeia had been left to amuse themselves while their parents were out, unless the event happened to be a dinner that the younger Malfoys were allowed to attend. They did not mind this very much, as they found the extravagant affairs of their parents rather boring, and much preferred exploring the streets of Tours, frequenting the areas that tourists rarely got to go. Scorpius also enjoyed making eyes at the local French girls, a pastime which now earned him a stiff jab in the side from Cassiopeia.
"You have a girlfriend," she admonished.
"I've had girlfriends in the past," said Scorpius.
"Rose is different and you know it," said Cassiopeia. "And the last thing you need is an excuse for Ron Weasley to go all protective father on you."
Scorpius cringed. Ron Weasley, the father of his girlfriend, did not have the highest opinion of him, to say the least.
"Point taken, Cassie," he said.
*****BWST*****
Cassiopeia and Scorpius, naturally, had friends in Tours whom they saw every year. Or, rather, Scorpius had friends. Cassiopeia had never had any friends until she had gone to Hogwarts and met Lily Potter. Not that she had minded over-much; she was almost debilitatingly shy around people she didn't know. But Cassiopeia generally went with Scorpius when he went out with his French friends, either that or stayed in the house. She might have loved Tours, but it was far too big a place for her to feel comfortable navigating on her own, even if she had had the layout of the city perfectly memorized since she was seven.
Their closest friends were the Aucoins. There were three children in the Aucoin family. Christophe was two years older than Scorpius, Donatien was one year younger, and Adelaide was one year younger than that, making her just a year older than Cassiopeia. Scorpius and the three Aucoins delighted in getting into all sorts of mischief while Cassiopeia looked on, often serving as the scout and alerting them to any approaching autorité.
Today, Cassiopeia, Scorpius, Christophe, Donatien, and Adelaide were strolling down the main street of the town, window shopping and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their day before the grand Boule de Été that evening.
"We could go to the park and put soap in the fountain," suggested Donatien.
Christophe, Scorpius, Adelaide, and even Cassiopeia gave him whithering looks. He was the least inventive of the group.
"That is a child's trick," scoffed Adelaide with all the dignity of her fifteen years.
"All pranks are child's tricks," proclaimed Christophe, who had recently been taking his role as an adult annoying seriously.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" shot Donatien.
"I," said Scorpius, interrupting before Christophe could speak again, "suggest that we do indeed go to the park. Perhaps we can bamboozle the vendors into giving us a discount again."
That settled, the five of them proceeded to the park, where they did succeed in bamboozling the vendor nearly to tears, and then sat around enjoying the sunshine until it was time to get ready for the evening's festivities.
*****BWST*****
Everyone in the Malfoy and Aucoin families looked stunning that night. Astoria Malfoy was dressed in a gown of deep burgundy while her husband sported a suit of black and silver silk. Mr. and Mrs. Aucoin wore matching outfits of deep blue, while both of their sons were dressed in a lighter shade of the same color with yellow-accents. Adelaide looked like a princess in a dress of buttercup yellow, with her mahogany tresses coiled expertly around her head. Scorpius was handsomely clad in a suit of deep purple and lilac. It was Cassiopeia, however, who took the cake. Her gown was pale pink, bordered with tiny flowers in yellow and burgundy, complete with dark green leaves and stems. The gathered waist showed off her slim figure perfectly, and her waist-length tresses hung loose, woven with pink and burgundy flowers. On her feet was a pair of soft pink slippers, and pink gems winked at her throat and ears.
Two emotions warred within Cassiopeia as she descended the staircase and felt the eyes following her: her usual crippling shyness, and pride in her appearance.
Adelaide Aucoine, who was entering beside her, smiled at her.
"You look even more stunning than I do tonight, Cassiopeia," she said, a high compliment coming from the French girl. "All the young men will be wanting to dance with you."
Cassiopeia blushed, but was saved by her brother.
"Cassie's too young to be dancing with any young men," he said firmly, guiding her over to the corner by refreshments table where most of the children usually congregated.
Cassiopeia glanced around and was suddenly struck by the fact that she was the oldest person occupying this particular corner.
"Scorpius," she said. "I'm not a child anymore. I don't think I really belong—" But he was already too far off to hear her, being flirted with by some simpering French girl with no taste in, well, really anything.
Cassiopeia sighed and poured herself a glass of wine, relishing the sharp, bittersweet taste of the fermented beverage.
She suddenly felt eyes on her and looked up.
A boy of about her own age was looking down at her from under a mop of untidy brown hair.
"Mademoiselle, would you care to dance?"
Cassiopeia's first reaction was to shake her head, but then she stopped herself. Why not? Just this once. She did feel pretty silly standing here in this corner, sipping wine surrounded by a bunch of ten-year-olds. And she'd known how to waltz since she was six, and had only ever done it with her brother. A part of her knew that was pretty pathetic. She nodded shyly.
It was only one dance, but Cassiopeia felt she could die of strain by the end of it. Not that she hadn't enjoyed the dancing, she had, but she simply wasn't used to socializing, and the boy had insisted on chatting the entire time. Which, she reflected, seeing as she had barely responded to his attempts at conversation, was probably the reason she was once again standing in the corner with the ten-year-olds.
Another girl came up beside her and poured herself a glass of the same wine Cassiopeia was sipping.
"Is it good?" she asked
Cassiopeia nodded.
The girl took a sip. "You're right, it is good."
There was a moment of silence. "My name is Camille, what's yours?"
"Cassiopeia."
"Oh hide me!" said Camille suddenly, ducking behind Cassiopeia. "Don't let them see me!"
Several boys approached Cassiopeia.
"Have you seen a girl around?" said the boy.
"I've seen many girls," said Cassiopeia. "You'll have to be more specific than that." I can't believe I actually managed to say that out loud she thought. It must be the wine.
"She's wearing a green dress and has the face of an angel," said one of the boys. "You couldn't miss her."
Cassiopeia shook her head mutely, internally laughing at this description, and the boys hurried away, casting their heads about for a sign of Camille.
"Thanks," said Camille, coming out from behind Cassiopeia and the table. She tapped her fingernails against her wineglass. "I came over here to escape all the boys who are hounding me. They're enough to make me swear off boys forever."
Cassiopeia sneaked a peak at the other girl through her lashes. Camille had soft golden ringlets framing a round face with full lips and bright cheeks. Her eyes were dark blue and her nose was small. She looked to be about sixteen and really was extraordinarily pretty. She spared a glare in the direction of several more boys who appeared to be looking for something, probably her.
Camille suddenly got a crafty smile on her face. "I know what would make those annoying imbeciles leave me alone." She turned to face Cassiopeia, setting her wine goblet on the table and tossing her hair in a very ostentatious gesture. "Are they looking at me?" she asked.
Cassiopeia glanced over at the boys. "Yes, they've just seen you."
"Good," said Camille and she leaned over and pressed her plump lips firmly against Cassiopeia's.
Camille left her lips there for a good five seconds. They tasted of wine and lipgloss and anise and cinnamon and something else sweet and sugary.
Camille pulled away, her golden ringlets swinging, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Let them chew on that," she said, and flounced away, throwing a finger wave to Cassiopeia over her shoulder.
Well, thought Cassiopeia, noting the stunned looks on the boys' faces, that was very...interesting.
AN: And what did you think of that? I told you we'd get to follow Cassie to France. That's the longest pure Cassie part up to this point, and it was actually rather difficult, since Cassie is a bit strange to write. Still, I think it turned out pretty well. I also accidentally created a character that intrigued me mightily. That's not the last you'll be seeing of Camille.
Oh, while they're in France they're all speaking in French, but I'm not about to write almost ½ the chapter in French.
By the way, the 1st question? Not rhetorical, I really do what to know what you thought!
-SQ
