We hit 300 reviews! Thank you guys for supporting this little idea of mine and loving my characters just as much as I do. Regarding last chapter's ending, sorry! Lol. TBH, the chapter was going to be longer and end differently, but this flowed better. I don't exactly have a huge battle in this chapter as I'm saving it for one specific moment. Warning: my Death Eaters are a bit darker in a way compared to the original J.K Death Eaters. HP was a children's book and my fic is heavy on certain subjects. Hope you guys like this chapter too and my Dom/Anton lovers there's a little something for you! Happy reading and Happy belated Christmas!

"Sure you two will be alright on your own?" Ginny asks for the third time. "I can always get someone else to cover the story or have Grandmum Molly come over…"

"Mum, just go already! Lily and I don't need a babysitter."

Lily giggled at Albus' exasperated tone as she continued decorating her gingerbread house. Their mum had been debating with herself for the past three hours since she had been asked to cover some quidditch star's retirement, and every time she had been ready to leave she would turn back.

"Of all the days for James to be out on assignment and for Katie to ask me for a blasted favor," Ginny sighed.

"How can you trust James and not me? I'm seventeen! Merlin knows I can look after Lily for a couple of hours. We'll just have some brother and sister time, finish decorating and maybe play a game of exploding snap."

"It's not that I don't trust you, Albus. I'm worried of leaving you two alone with all that's going on right now."

"No one would dare attack our home. How about you go cover the story and then hurry back if you're really worried about us."

"Maybe it's better if I stay –"

"Mum, we'll be okay. You won't be gone for long," Lily says.

Ginny looked to Lily with doubt still in her eyes, but she gives a small nod either way. "If you think so, sweetie. Remember that grandmum is only a floo away."

"Seriously? I've been telling you the same thing for the past three hours!" Albus protests.

"I'm the favorite," Lily grins, biting into a gumdrop.

"Shut it you brat."

"Behave you two," Ginny points at them before grabbing her purse and pressing a kiss to their cheeks. "Hopefully your dad will be home in an hour or so, but I'll be back soon. Please be careful and don't go anywhere."

"If there's a fire save the valuables and grab Lily, got it!"

Ginny steps in front of Albus, staring at him sternly and placing her hands on his shoulders. "I need you to be an adult. Lily is only fifteen, so she can't use magic as easily as you can. Look after her."

"I would never let anything happen to her," he promises.

"I know you wouldn't. Okay, be safe and I love you both."

"Love you too!" Lily and Albus wave as she disappears into the fireplace.

"Finally!" Albus claps his hands together loudly. "Now with her gone we can do whatever."

"And by whatever you mean…"

"No clue, but we'll think of something to make this night epic."

She shakes her head at him in amusement. "Well in the meantime you can help me decorate the sweets for the Ministry workers."

"Why can't we just ask Vic for some cookies, again?" he asks, popping one of the sugarplums into his mouth and earning a swat to his hand.

"Because I like decorating and it's a nice gesture. They deserve something after all they do, and most of them have known us all our lives."

"Alright, point taken. Scooch over so I can help. I get to decorate the dragons!"

"Be my guest," she moves the candy bowls closer to him.

"Do you remember when dad would help us decorate those gingerbread men?"

"You mean the horribly burnt things that were supposed to be gingerbread men? Yeah, I remember. He used to set out all these treats that you and James would end up eating while I covered my cookies in loads of frosting."

"Mum would get so mad when she saw the kitchen."

"And dad would hug her and say that a messy kitchen was the sign of happiness."

"He always knew how to butter her up," he laughs, stealing a chocolate from her.

"We're lucky to have to parents that love each other."

"We are. You know what else I remember about those days?"

"Hmm?" she glances to him, biting at a piece of caramel.

"James would always eat all of your cookies because they were the prettier ones and he'd make you cry, but then –"

"But then you'd hit him and chase him around the house until he apologized," she says with a smile. "And every time you'd make me a special cookie just for me with my favorite green sprinkles to cheer me up."

"You were always my favorite," he says.

"Is Albus Severus Potter admitting that I am the favorite around these parts?"

"Oh, shut up. You being the baby of the family makes you a shoe in to be the favorite, including mine."

"You're my favorite too," she takes his hand in hers, recalling how he would hold her hand whenever she was scared or still unsteady on her legs as a child.

"I'm so telling James that!"

A comfortable silence falls around them as they finish decorating the sweets, the fire crackling and warming the cottage from the wintry evening.

"This is nice," he murmurs.

"What is?"

"Us bonding. We haven't really done that in a while…"

"You're usually busy, but I guess I've been distracted too with it being O.W.L year and all."

He places the last of his cookies into one of the round boxes she had brought out, turning to face her completely. "You know I love you right?"

"Of course," she says with curiosity in her tone.

"I know I haven't been the nicest person this past term, but I don't want you to think that I don't care about you. James and you are the most important people in my life, and I can't imagine not having you two with me."

Lily softens at his words. "You and James are just as important to me, Albie."

"Do you forgive me for being an arse?"

"There's nothing to forgive," she hugs him, breathing in his comforting smell.

His own arms wrap around her, holding her close and kissing her head just like he used to do when they were children.

"Albus?"

"Hmm?"

"Why do you do it? What has he done to you?"

Albus pulls away from her in confusion before it dawns on him exactly who she is referring to.

"Why?" she asks.

He presses his lips together, exhaling deeply and keeping his eyes on hers. "It's always easier to blame others for your own failures. I started Hogwarts thinking that I would be exactly like dad, so when I met him I imagined he would be like his own dad. He wasn't. Scorpius was quiet and studious, and everyone seemed to be drawn to him. He was better at everything and I wasn't. All of a sudden I was the one that started to fall behind."

"You were jealous," she whispers.

Albus lets out a humorless laugh. "Yeah, I was jealous."

"And you took it out on him."

He nods, "And I took it on him. I thought that it would make me feel better, but I only ended up wounding my pride every time. He's a bloody glacier that seems impenetrable."

You have no idea how untrue that is.

"Do you think that maybe it'd be best to stop all of this? I don't think you or him actually gain something with this little competition."

"It's been going on for years that I'm not sure what it'd be like to not throw words at him. He isn't some saint either, mind you. Bloke has hexed me a couple of times."

"You broke his shoulder at the beginning of term."

"Bletchley turned me into a walking wart."

"You deserved it."

"I did deserve it, especially because you almost got hurt."

What would he say if I told him I loved Scorpius? He didn't despise him…or at least not entirely.

"Albus?"

"Another profound question?"

She gives a breathy giggle. "More like something I want to tell you…"

"What?" he takes another sugarplum.

"It's about Mal –"

The cottage suddenly shakes, startling them as noise vibrates off of the walls.

"The hell?" Albus walks to the window when a green light blasts into the room, breaking the glass and knocking him down.

"Albus!" she shouts in fear at seeing him covered in blood from where the glass had cut him.

"Get to the fireplace!" he climbs back on his feet, wand in his hand as every window begins to shatter around them, the sound of their alarm screeching in the background.

She quickly does as he says, racing towards the fireplace only for it to be blasted into nothing but mere stone, debris hitting Lily and forcing her to cry out in pain. She feels blood dripping down her face and her palm is covered in cuts from the glass and stone.

"Lily!" Albus pulls her up, touching her face and smearing more blood onto his hands.

She winces at his touch. "The door Albus! The door!"

He swivels to face the half-standing red door that was the only barrier between them and their attackers.

"You need to apparate us!" she cries at seeing it fall apart slowly.

"I can't," he whispers, and it's the worst thing Lily has ever heard in her life.

"What?"

"I tried just now…I can't…I'm sorry."

There was no way out. The fireplace lay broken and Creature had gone to help their grandmother at the Burrow. With an anti-disapparition jinx in place they were literally sitting ducks. They could try to duel, but Merlin only knew how many were out there. The Ministry would be alerted the moment Lily used magic as an under-aged witch, but how fast would someone get here?

There was always a "but" at the end of each option.

She didn't want to die. She thought of all the people she loved: her family, even Alice and Lysander, and Scorpius. Oh, Scorpius. He had made such sweet love to her yesterday, promised a future with them together, and now…was yesterday a goodbye?

"It's going to be okay," she finds herself saying to Albus when he visibly shakes.

"They're going to break down the door," he says, "I'll hold them off and you need to run. I left one of my training brooms outside. Get to the Burrow as fast as you can."

"No. I won't leave you."

"Lily, their wands will be drawn to kill. You need to run!"

She shakes her head, a tear rolling down her cheek and mixing with the blood and dirt on her face.

"I'm your older brother, Lily Luna! Do what I say!"

His shout is accompanied by the door blasting off its hinges. The smell of smoke entering the cottage and Lily can see a fire devouring the gardens.

"Is anyone home?" the intruder taunts.

"Please, Lily," Albus pleads.

"Check the rooms. I'll check down here."

"No need, look over there."

Lily shrinks back as two tall people cloaked in black and with a mask covering their faces take notice of her and Albus. Their wands are drawn, walking up to them with measured steps, silent and deadly.

"Two baby Potters," one of them coos. "Where's daddy?"

"You don't know who you're messing with," Albus glares at them, his voice sounding steady even as his body shook against Lily.

"Are we supposed to be scared? Look at you two cowering like rats. Do you even know how to use that wand, little boy?"

"He's probably already wet himself," the other man says. "Don't worry, we'll just kill you and be on our way, but I suppose we could first have some fun with her."

Bile rises to Lily's throat at the clear insinuation.

"We did go through all that trouble of breaking into your home, might as well enjoy ourselves for a moment before we leave your corpses for Potter to find. Tell us sweetheart have you ever been fucked?"

Lily pushes back into the wall, the crunch of glass sounding under her palms.

"Over my dead body," Albus snarls.

"Well, you being dead is sort of the outcome we're looking for. Maybe we'll have you watch her suck one of our cocks while she gets fucked. I'm sure we can even get her to cum like a good little whore."

She wanted to glare at them. To keep her gaze strong and show them that she wasn't afraid. She couldn't. The promise of being raped before she was murdered made her beg Merlin for a quick death. Lily didn't want her parents or Albus to go through that type of pain. Didn't want them to see what they had done to her.

"But enough talk. I'm already getting hard just thinking of her on her knees – AH!"

"POMME!" Lily shouts, her small little owl attacking the men with her sharp talons.

"STUPEFY!" Albus aims his wand at the Death Eaters, throwing them back into the wall with the power of his hit. "Come on!" he shouts at her.

Grabbing her wand from the counter, Lily runs after Albus when she feels a sort of whip come around her ankle, thorns digging into her skin. Her pained scream turns Albus back to her, his hand working the whip loose, fingernails bleeding as the thorns cut into him too.

"We aren't finished," the Death Eater points his wand while the other lays on the floor.

The thorns dig into her skin more and her vision begins to blur with tears. Albus throws a spell at the man, but it's easily blocked and retaliated with force. Pomme screeches, flying overhead and alerting anyone that could hear.

"Filthy bird! Avada –"

"Protego!" Lily shields Pomme from being hit before a whole new alarm sounds off, her wand shaking in her hand at the use of magic outside of Hogwarts.

The Death Eater glares from behind the hideous mask at what she had just done. The Ministry had been alerted and she could hear people racing towards the cottage, shouting hers and Albus' names.

"DEATH EATERS!"

"SUMMON THE AURORS!"

Witches and wizards alike take aim at the Death Eaters, but they apparate in seconds. The Dark Mark visible in the night sky.

"Lily, sweetheart," an elderly witch drops next to her while a man tends to Albus and three more to the flames that had burnt a part of the cottage.

Pomme flies onto her shoulder, pecking her cheek gently and hooting as if to say, "I'm here. It's okay."

"Her ankle is caught," another witch kneels. "This is going to hurt, okay? Just breathe."

Lily nods as the witch places her wand near the whip and casts a silent spell, pulling the thorns out from where they were imbedded. A whimper escapes past Lily's lips, an ugly wound glaring up at her and oozing drops of blood.

"I need to see my sister. I'm fine," she hears Albus say before he's at her side.

She can't hold back the hideous sob that comes from her, hugging Albus and staining each other with dirt and blood.

"Albus," she cries into his shoulder.

Lily lets it all out. Her fear of death. His death. The promise of being raped. Her fear of never seeing her family again. Her fear of never seeing Scorpius again.

Around them they faintly hear the telltale sounds of apparition. One of the wizards that had helped with the fire greets a Ministry official, telling them what had happened and why Lily had been forced to use magic. Their cottage soon becomes surrounded by the well-dressed men as healers tend to their injuries.

"LILY! ALBUS!" an all too familiar voice calls to them. "LET ME THROUGH!"

They turn to see James struggling to get past the officials blocking entrance to the cottage, his messenger bag tossed aside and his face absolutely horrified.

"I'M JAMES POTTER! THAT'S MY BROTHER AND SISTER, LET ME THROUGH!"

A fist colliding with bone silences everyone as James punches one of the officials, barreling past the blockade and towards Lily and Albus.

"Merlin, tell me you two are okay! I saw the crowd…Fuck…I…" he holds them tightly to him.

"We're alright. Bloody, but we're alright," she murmurs.

"What happened?" he glances to Albus.

"Death Eaters. They used an anti-disapparation jinx to keep us locked in," Albus licks his dry lips, "Pomme bought me some time and I got a spell in."

"They attacked our home," James mutters in disbelief.

"They knew we were alone," Lily whispers, drawing Albus and James' attention. "Think about it. They wouldn't have attacked if dad had been here."

"They were spying on us the whole time!" Albus growls.

"And we were stupid enough not to notice," James drags a hand through his hair.

Lily nods, closing her eyes tiredly and leaning into James' warmth.

"It's the Aurors!" someone yells.

Her eyes quickly open, looking around Albus and spotting her father with a handful of Aurors following after him.

"Daddy!" she shouts out.

His head turns towards the sound of her voice faster than a snitch could fly and relief immediately soothes the fear in his glazed eyes. Like James he pushed past the Ministry officials and healers, and fell onto the ground beside them.

"Daddy," she says again.

His body shakes in silent sobs, pulling Lily and her brothers to him. "I'm so sorry," he repeats over and over again.

Minutes pass or perhaps hours – Lily isn't even sure of the time or how long she's clung onto her father's coat. A few officials call out to Harry, but he pays them no attention. His focus is solely on his children.

"A healer has already looked you both over?" he touches the cuts marring Lily's face.

"Yeah," Albus replies, his voice hoarse.

"Nothing serious?"

"Lily's ankle; the Death Eater used some kind of whip to keep her from moving. The healer said it would be fine in a few days."

Harry glanced at her bandaged ankle with self-loathing coating his expression.

"It's nothing, daddy."

"Hmm."

"Where's Aunt Mione and Uncle Ron?" Lily asks, trying to change the subject.

"They had to stay back at Greengrass Manor –"

"Greengrass Manor?" she sits up as best she could.

"There was an attack. The Malfoy and Zabini families were there as well."

And only then does the bile Lily had kept down force its way past her lips. She vomits everything, her ears ringing. Somewhere in the background she hears her mother's desperate cries to let her through as Albus holds her hair back.

The world goes black.


It had been four days. Four days since his family had been attacked. Four days since his witch had gone through an attack herself.

Four days since he last slept.

Four days since food tasted like something other than dirt to him.

Four days of not knowing how she was.

Four days…

Rain beats down against Malfoy Manor, his fingers tracing the droplets that slid down one of the many windows lining the sitting room. He counted each drop to keep his mind focused on something, but it was futile. Nothing could stop the inner turmoil eating him away.

Of all the times the bloody Daily Prophet had chosen to keep quiet regarding a story! He was sure it was due to Harry Potter's influence and the fact that Ginny and James Potter worked for the newspaper that there hadn't been mass coverage of the attack against them. Of course the same privacy hadn't been given to his own family – the attack on Greengrass Manor making it to the front page – or any of the other families that had been attacked.

He needed to know if she was safe. Was she hurt? Did they…touch her? He'd murder someone if the latter had occurred. Scorpius couldn't take any more of this! Everything in his mind was screaming at him to go straight to that place she called "Burrow" and demand to know where she was, but first he'd need to get past his own mother.

The moment they had returned to Malfoy Manor, his parents and Uncle Blaise had tightened all defenses to the point that you couldn't leave without an alarm sounding off. His mother had even cast a spell on the gardens that would lead to an attack if an intruder so much as stepped foot onto their land.

"Scorpius, come play exploding snap with us!" Corrina waved him over from where she sat with her siblings and a giggling Cassiopeia.

"Next round," he promises.

"Save yourself, Scorp. These witches practically own my vault now," Damen tickles Cassiopeia.

"I'm going to win Goliath next," Cassiopeia grins mischievously.

"Touch Goliath and I'll skin Persephone."

Scorpius laughs softly, feeling better at hearing his little sister's laugh when her cries had been etched into his head after the attack.

"Afternoon, family."

Scorpius' attention snaps towards the voice, running out of the room and sliding to a stop in the foyer, practically knocking down an elf in his haste to see Anton.

"Scorpius! What in the world are you doing?" Astoria blinks in shock at seeing her son sliding through the manor like a child.

"I slipped," he offers weakly before looking to Anton.

"Cousin," Anton greets calmly as if Scorpius wasn't ready to strangle him and demand to know what he had found out.

"How is Iryna?" Daphne asks, earning a glare from Scorpius. It wasn't that he felt sorry for his cousin's wife, but it was no secret how her parents treated her. And right now all Scorpius cared about was knowing how his witch was doing, damn it!

Anton sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "You can imagine. Bastian and my mother are with her; Halden arrives sometime tomorrow to oversee preparations for the funeral. Diantha tried to visit, but she sent her away."

"And Vera? The attack and what happened to Iryna's parents must have brought back her own memories," Astoria says.

"I don't think she's slept – none of us really have even with the Aurors at the manor."

"Like the Aurors are even useful," Blaise scowled, "Potter's home was attacked and he's the head of the bloody department."

Yes, talk about the Potter family, Scorpius chanted in his head.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. It does nothing for my nerves," Daphne said.

I'm about to murder my own aunt.

"Where are your cousins, Scorpius?" Draco asks, pouring himself a glass of wine and offering another to Blaise.

"Sitting room playing cards."

"Why don't we join them," Astoria takes her sister's arm in hers. "We can play parlor games as well or have some tea and biscuits…"

"Aren't we a little old for parlor games?" Daphne looks at her sister with amusement.

"We are never too old for a bit of fun. Let me just get one of the elves to bring us some treats, surely Cassie is already hungry. Come along gentlemen."

Blaise and Draco follow after their wives, Anton behind them at a much slower pace. He stands next to Scorpius, fixing his blazer and staring at a candelabra.

"Do you know how many redhead cousins that girl has? I had to stalk all of them until I finally figured out who this Hugo bloke was," Anton murmurs.

"How is she?" Scorpius demands more than asks.

"She has a few scrapes and bruises, and an injured ankle. She was alone with one of her brothers when it happened – Albus, I think Hugo said. One of their owls was able to buy them some time to escape, but they were forced to fight. The owl alerted everyone and when she used magic outside of school it alerted the Ministry."

"How bad are her injuries? Where are they now?"

"Not too bad from what I gathered, but she has to keep off her ankle for a few days. They're staying somewhere called the 'Burrow' or at least that's what Hugo said."

"It's where her grandparents live," he tells Anton, breathing out shakily. "Are you sure she's alright? They didn't touch her?"

"She's just as scared as we all are, but nothing happened. You could see her for yourself if you'd like," Anton suggests.

"How am I supposed to see her? My parents have me locked up in the bloody manor."

"Hugo said that everyone is going to be in Diagon Alley today; they're trying to distract themselves. As for you being locked up let me handle it."

"Why are you two still standing there for?" Astoria calls to them, a platter of cucumber sandwiches in her hands.

"I was trying to convince Scorpius to go with me to Essex, but he says you and Uncle Draco have him under house arrest."

"He isn't under house arrest; we just don't want him wandering outside unprotected. You should do the same and stay at Greengrass Manor."

"I've never liked sitting still."

Astoria rolls her eyes. "Why do you need to go to Essex?"

"I made an investment in some little company that I need to oversee and I thought it'd be a nice distraction, seeing as the Aurors were serious about us not leaving the country. The girls wrote to me saying that Scorpius didn't look himself after you almost got yourself killed by running straight into the line of fire."

"I was protecting my daughter," Astoria pursed her lips in annoyance, having heard how stupid she had been from every single member of her family already.

"And that's what makes you a great mother. He'll be safe with me, Aunt Tori. Did I or did I not save all of our arses that night? We'll be back first thing tomorrow morning –"

"Tomorrow morning?" Scorpius and Astoria ask in union.

"I don't know how long I'll take, best not to apparate late at night. A mate of mine has his home in Essex, so we'll stay there."

Scorpius stares at Anton in confusion then glances to his mother, waiting for her to give her answer when his father walks back into the foyer.

"Is there a problem?" Draco asks.

"I wanted to borrow your baby boy for the day," Anton says.

"And do what?"

"He's going to Essex," Astoria replies not seeming at all convinced by the idea.

"So, can I take him or no? Don't want it to get too late…"

Neither Astoria nor Draco respond.

"Oh, come on! Do you really think I'd let anything happen to Scorpius? He'll be perfectly safe with me and there hasn't been a single attack over there."

It's Astoria that surprisingly agrees. "If a single hair is missing from his head Bastian becomes an only child understood?"

Draco lifts his brow in surprise.

"Understood," Anton grins.

"Be careful," Draco says to Scorpius.

"And try to have some fun, darling. Love you," Astoria presses a kiss to Scorpius' cheek.

"I love you too," Scorpius replies, nodding to his father in goodbye.

"Let's go. Time is of the essence!"

Scorpius follows after Anton who looked like a man on a mission as he sped out of the manor.

"Hurry before they change their minds," Anton says.

"Why did you tell them that we would be back until tomorrow morning?"

"Because you're going to steal away Ms. Potter for the night."

"What?"

"How many times do I have to say I hate repeating myself? You're going to steal away your witch and take her to the chateau for some privacy. Hugo said she was just as worried for you as you've been for her. Poor girl fainted when she found out you had been attacked the same night she had."

"And how exactly am I going to steal her away?" Scorpius drawls.

"Leave that to me."

"I suddenly fear for my life."

They apparate into Diagon Alley – the shopping area overran by stone faced Aurors and a small group of wizards and witches. Scorpius had never seen the alley so empty before, but he could only imagine why it was. His Uncle Blaise said he had seen many families trying to leave England when he had dealt with some business at the Ministry; no doubt everyone feared being attacked.

The charming boutique owned by Dominique Weasley was now forgotten next to Gringotts with the mannequins glancing around for any sign of customers. With the Death Eaters having been spotted in the north side of the alley most people had stayed clear of the shops there, only visiting the bank if they had to.

"Father says it's just like the second war when Voldemort had taken over," Anton says at seeing the alley.

"Do you think they'll catch them?"

For the first time Scorpius sees doubt in Anton's eyes, his lips pressed tightly together.

"I don't know. Grandfather plans on speaking to the Minister if they aren't caught by the end of the year. He wants use to leave the country; go to Germany with Grandmother Cressida's brother."

"My grandparents are supposed to be arriving next week, but father thinks its best they don't come at all. He thinks there'll be another attack and doesn't want them to be stuck in England if it happens."

"Unfortunately he might be right, but there's no point in wondering when it'll happen. Let's reunite you and your witch again."

She has her back to him, standing on the toes of her good foot as she tries rehanging an ornament that had fallen from the top of the Christmas tree. Her face is adorably concentrated –with the tip of her tongue poking out between her rosy lips – and she pays the doorbell no mind, too focused on the task at hand.

His stubborn witch.

He steps behind her and takes the ornament, hanging it easily at the top and hearing the gasp that escapes her at seeing the all too familiar ring on his finger.

"Scorpius," she whispered, spinning around to face him and laughing in disbelief.

"Hello, love."

Without a single care about being seen Lily kisses him with raw passion and he has to catch himself on a counter before they both toppled onto the floor. His hand clasped gently into the back of her hair, pressing in softly as the other fell to her waist. He could vaguely see Anton looking away at the show of affection from the corner of his eye, but Scorpius could care less at having his cousin see how much he loved his witch. It was only when a startled gasp reached his ears that the world came back into focus.

"Lily!"

They break apart immediately and see Dominique standing there in absolute shock, her blue eyes wide and lips parted.

"Dominique," Lily gulps soundly.

"Let me handle this. You've just shocked the poor girl," Anton holds up a hand, walking up to Dominique and placing his hand at her shoulder. "Breathe, sweetheart. Now I know what you're thinking. How could she be with Scorpius when I'm obviously better looking than him? Well to be fair, she only met me a few days ago."

Dominique blinked up at Anton, opening and closing her mouth.

"Are you going to faint? I'd like a warning if you are because I never played quidditch so my reflexes aren't that great and you might end up banging your head on the countertop."

"How?" she asks dazedly.

"I was never a fan of quidditch – quite dirty the game and I don't like messing up my hair. I also get a bit nauseous when I fly which is actually a common occurrence in wizards –"

"Not that! How did that happen?" Dominique waves to Scorpius and Lily.

"Oh, that! No clue, but it happened."

"Lily?"

Anton draws Dominique back to him by her chin, and the strawberry blonde glances down at the strong hand touching her face.

"They're in love. It's neither my place, nor yours to object so please tell me I won't be forced to obliviate you because I find no pleasure in harming anyone that doesn't warrant it."

"You don't have to obliviate me, but I'd still like for one of them to explain this to me."

Scorpius watches Lily hobble her way to Dominique, her ankle wrapped neatly and sending pure hatred through him. They had hurt his witch – someone as kind as her and defenseless. He knew Anton had said she hadn't been touched, but he needed to hear it from her. Scorpius would hunt the Death Eaters down himself if they had harmed more than her ankle.

"Dom, I love him and he loves me. It just happened, but I don't regret any of it."

"He's the bloke you've been seeing? Now I know why you've been hiding him…You said Hugo knows, was that true?"

Lily nods. "He found out back at Hogwarts."

"And you?" Dominique looks back at Anton.

"Saw them together the day I was at Hogwarts. Now that I think of it you two suck at keeping shite a secret. Three people have found you out because you were too busy snogging."

"How long?" Dominique asks.

"Beginning of term," Lily replies. "But I've had a crush on him since my first year. We're going to tell our families, please don't say anything for now."

"Lily –"

"You said you were in love once – that you still are. Please understand, Dominique. You more than anyone should."

Dominique avoided glancing at Anton, whose attention had fallen on her at Lily's mention of her being in love with someone.

Scorpius places a hand at the small of Lily's back, looking straight at her cousin with unblinking eyes. "I love her. Believe it," he says firmly.

"And who am I to go contradict that," Dominique smiles. "You're going to tell the family?"

Lily nods repeatedly.

"Oh, Godric Gryffindor. Good luck with that one."

"It won't be that bad," Anton leans against the counter. "Worst case scenario is they're both put in the mental ward, but they'll at least see each other during lunch."

"No one is going to end up in a mental ward," Scorpius says.

"You might once your Grandfather Lucius finds out you've tainted your precious and pristine bloodline. He'll think she put you under some kind of love potion or something along those lines."

"Lily would never do that!" Dominique glares at Anton.

He holds up his hands in surrender, "I know that, but our family has this little thing about bringing in anything less than a pureblood into our home. The whole thing is overrated and I don't agree yet there are those – his grandparents and mine – that believe purity shall conquer. Just take a look at the Malfoy crest, it literally says that in Latin!"

"It says that?" Lily deflates as she looks up at Scorpius.

"Don't worry, darling! Mine says we're the 'Imperial House of Greengrass' and that's just a load of shite. I could tell you a thing or two about my family that wouldn't make us so 'imperial' believe me. Just give Scorpius two or three sons and Lucius will love you for continuing his name. Malfoys only breed one child each generation with the exception of Uncle Draco – us Greengrass members like to keep a healthy number of brats running around."

Scorpius sees the blush on Lily's cheeks at the mention of children. They've been intimate more than a fair share of times and she'd still probably tell people he kissed her in order to get her pregnant. His sweet, shy witch.

"Anyway, now that everyone is slowly starting to realize you two are fucking, let's get to the kidnapping portion of the afternoon," Anton grins.

"The what?" Lily asks.

"Scorpius is going to kidnap you for the rest of the day…and night. Don't worry you'll be back tomorrow morning."

"She can't go anywhere," Dominique says, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Sure she can! All she has to do is take Scorpius' arm and apparate out of here."

"Lily was almost killed by Death Eaters. I am responsible for her and will not allow her to be only Merlin knows where! What if something happens to them?"

"You make a valid argument," Anton nods before taking her hand, "So we'll have to chaperone!"

"Excuse me?"

"You just said that if they go alone they'll be in danger, but if we're with them we can keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

"That's a great idea!" Lily smiles.

"No it's not," Dominique tries taking her hand back. "We aren't going anywhere, Lily. Everyone would be out looking for us."

"Already taken care of. Hugo – your cousin – was given a letter in your handwriting telling Potter that you wanted to have some cousin time with Lily to keep her distracted because you've noticed that she's been very tense lately. Hugo has clear instructions on what to do should anyone try contacting either of you. He was also given a hefty amount of gold for his troubles and polyjuice potion I hope he doesn't have to use."

Everyone stares at Anton with unblinking eyes, mouths wide open.

"The fuck?" Scorpius mutters.

"How did you get my handwriting?" Dominique asks.

"I am a wizard of many talents if you'd care to find out, Ms. Weasley. Now do I have to put you over my shoulder or will you take my arm so we can apparate?"

Dominique continues to stare at him, making no move to take his arm.

"Shoulder it is!" Anton bends down slightly, throwing her over his shoulder as she squeals, fists pounding at his strong back.

"Put me down this instant!"

Lily and Scorpius look at their cousins in a mix of shock and amusement.

"Would you stop shouting woman? My ears are sensitive, and no I will not let you down!"

"This is kidnapping!"

"Your point?"

"I could have you arrested this second."

"And when Harry Potter walks in to arrest me, you can tell him how I was kidnapping you so his daughter could have a good shag with the son of his childhood rival revealing their secret, tearing apart both families, and separating Lily and Scorpius forever."

"I need my purse," Dominique huffs.

Anton adjusts her weight on his shoulder, grabbing the purse she had pointed to behind the counter.

"And my wand."

He turns back again.

"Are you planning on letting me down?"

"Nope," he pops the p.

"They make a cute couple," Lily whispers to Scorpius.

"Let's handle our love life and let them do whatever that is," he chuckles, taking her hand and apparating after Anton.

The chateau stands amid the magnificent rolling countryside. The rain that had fallen turning to more snow and covering every inch of the land.

"Where are we?" Dominique asks.

"My grandmother's childhood home," Anton replies, setting her down and fixing a stray hair from her intricate braid, Scorpius and Lily apparating somewhere behind them.

"Are you okay?" Scorpius looked down at Lily in concern when she rests her head on his shoulder, breathing in and out slowly.

"Still getting used to this."

He kisses her head and rubs her back soothingly, waiting for Lily's dizziness to pass.

"So you two enjoy the chateau and send an elf if you need us," Anton tells them, making Dominique swivel around to face him.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Did I forget to mention we were going to chaperone from afar?"

"Yes," she scowls.

"Well, now you know. They need their privacy and there's a small wizarding village nearby that has the best jelly filled crumpets."

"I'm not leaving Lily alone."

"She has Scorpius who is perfectly capable of protecting her if it comes down to it – which it won't. The Death Eaters haven't been sighted anywhere near this area."

Dominique makes to argue before she's silenced by his gloved finger on her lips.

"I wouldn't leave them alone if it wasn't safe, trust me."

She pulls his hand away from her, nodding. "Fine, but we have to be back before it gets too late."

"Great!" he laces his fingers through hers, earning a blush from Dominique. "Use a contraceptive potion, Scorpius! Oh, and make sure you slow down on your thrusts you never want to come before the witch it's terribly impolite."

"Merlin, Anton!" Scorpius glares while Lily giggles next to him and Dominique turns a shade redder.

"Just some good old advice from your older cousin."

"Just go."

"Okay, but Lily make sure you tell him if he's hitting all the right angles."

"I'm going to kill you," Scorpius throws a snowball at him.

Anton laughs, apparating himself and Dominique, the snowball colliding with a tree.

"I like him," Lily says, pressing closer into Scorpius' warmth.

"That's because you weren't the one he was making fun of," he kisses her forehead, "Come on, your nose is red."

She lets out a soft, pained whimper as they walk towards the chateau. Her eyes glaring in annoyance at the bandaged ankle.

"How did it happen?" he asks.

"We were out the door when I felt something like a whip wrap around my ankle, thorns digging into the skin and if I moved they would cut deeper."

He closes his eyes in anger as the need to punch something runs through him.

"I'm okay," she says, her hands soft and gentle against his face. "Did they…touch you?"

"No, nothing like that."

He looked at her again, making sure she wasn't hiding anything from him.

"Nothing happened," she assured him.

"Nothing happened, but you aren't telling me everything."

She sighs. "If it hadn't been for Pomme…it might have happened. We were alone and there was no way to apparate or use the floo. Albus wanted me to run while he held them back, but I'm sure they would have caught me. Just look at my ankle…"

"Oh, Lily," he hugged her to him. He silently thanked Albus for having chosen her over his own life at a moment where nothing was sure. "I was so scared when I heard your home had been attacked. Anton had to hold me back from chasing after your father. I've been dying each day at not knowing where you were or if you were hurt."

"I felt the same when I found out about the attack on your family. Hugo was my only source of comfort, bringing me the Daily Prophet and telling me everything his parents had seen and heard when they were at Greengrass Manor. How's Cassiopeia?"

"Frightened like all of us, but we've tried to keep her occupied with something or other. My parents have kept us at the manor until today when Anton helped me see you."

"We owe him," she kisses the corner of his mouth.

"I'll get him a card."

She laughs before letting out a gasp as he swings her into his arms, carrying her into the welcoming chateau. "I can still walk," she protests halfheartedly.

"Your ankle would say otherwise."

"I'm getting used to being spoiled because of this little thing," she rotates her ankle slowly.

He bends his face to her, kissing her. "I plan on spoiling you every single day, Ms. Potter."

"Is that a promise?"

"It most definitely is," he sets her down in front of the fireplace. "Have you eaten anything?"

"Only breakfast. We were about to go eat when you and your cousin kidnapped us," she says, warming her hands.

"Let me go fix something up for us…"

She lifts a brow.

"Let me go tell the house elf to fix something up for us. You can set some blankets and pillows on the floor so we can eat in front of the fire."

She nods in agreement and begins making them a little nest on the floor.

After he orders the elves to prepare them a meal he walks back to her and admires his beautiful witch as she lays against the fur blankets.

"Warmer?" he sits next to her, caressing a rosy cheek.

"Much. I love you."

He kisses her again, "I love you more."

"Your cousin is right, you know?"

"About what?"

"People keep finding out about us because we keep snogging."

"You were the one that jumped on me back at the boutique."

She runs her fingers through his hair, "I couldn't help it."

"I am quite irresistible."

"That you are, Mr. Malfoy. I almost told Albus about us…"

"Excuse me?" his eyes widen.

"The day we were attacked I almost told him."

"Why?"

"Something in me wanted him to know. We were talking and for a second I felt like I could trust him – that I should trust him. He admitted to being jealous of you…"

"Jealous?" he drawls.

"He seemed lost and tired, almost like wasn't as sure of himself as he makes everyone believe. I only hope that he can change and realize that there is no point to act like he does. Albus is a good person deep down." Scorpius gives her a look. "Okay, okay…very deep down. He reminds me of you."

"What have I told you about comparing me with people that share your blood?"

"It's true, though. You both are weighed down by your names and don't realize that you are more than just the family you were born into."

Scorpius looked towards the fire, realizing that there was some truth to her words, although he wouldn't jump up to admit it. It was childish of him, he knew, but it wasn't as if seven years of enduring Albus' taunts could easily be erased.

"I think that maybe one day you two could be friends – setting aside your past differences…"

"And I think you're too kind," he looks down at her dotingly. "You always try to find some sort of goodness in everyone and everything."

"I don't think that's entirely true."

"It is or you wouldn't be with me, love."

"I'm with you because I'm in love with you."

"So love has blinded you," he teased.

Lily giggles, "If I am blind then don't let me see the light."

"You're never getting away from me now; I'm holding you captive."

"Captive?"

"Mm-hmm. My captive for all eternity."

"Eternity at your side," she bites her lip in contemplation.

"I'm never letting you go."

"Don't. Don't ever let me go."

"I need you," his hand slithers beneath her dress, wrapping it around her leg and moving it over his hip, careful not to disturb her ankle.

"What about lunch?"

"Are you starving?"

"Well, no…But what if someone walks in on us?"

"No one will," he promises, kissing away another protest.

"Scorpius?"

"Yes?"

"I can't lose you. I don't ever want to go through that again."

He pulls away from her neck, "You won't lose me, Lily. I'm not going to let anything take you away from me. I promise you."

The wizarding village was small and quaint – untouched by the horrors that had been occurring in the larger parts of England. Children sucked on colorful candies while parents walked in and out of the shops, the smell of freshly baked sweets and hot chocolate wafting through the chilled air.

Dominique felt at home.

She didn't know anyone here and they didn't know her. Here she didn't have to pretend that everything was alright. That what happened didn't happen. In France her grand-mére would constantly ask her why she had that look in her eyes and at the Burrow the noise was too much to deal with when all she wanted was silence. This little village was nothing like either place.

What was truly astonishing was the wizard at her side and the fact that he had yet to let go of her hand. The fifteen year old girl in her was pinching herself repeatedly still not believing that Anton Greengrass – the only wizard she had ever wanted since she was twelve – was wandering around a village with her. He hadn't even corrected an elderly couple at the bakery when they had told him how lucky he was to have someone as beautiful as her as his witch.

"Are you usually this quiet?" his silky voice cuts through her thoughts.

"Just admiring," she murmurs shyly, "It's all so peaceful."

"I used to come here during the holiday break with my brother, Bastian. We'd sneak away from the manor and hide out in the village, eating crumpets and disturbing the peace."

"Are you and your brother close?"

"We were," he chews at a crumpet slowly.

"Past tense?"

"There was a fallout. He…I…it's hard to explain. Bastian isn't the most understanding person and I'm not exactly known for doing what I'm supposed to."

"You miss him," she says at seeing the hint of pain in his eye.

"I tried pretending that I didn't for almost six years, but it's recently become harder to do."

"My grandmother says that siblings are like branches on a tree…we may grow in different directions, but our roots remain as one. No matter how many times we argue and wish they didn't exist a world without them wouldn't be the same."

"Do you have siblings or just an army of cousins?"

She snorts, taking a crumpet from the paper bag in his hand. "I have an older sister and a younger brother."

"Middle child," he says in a teasing tone.

"That's me."

"Did you know that the middle child is the one who secretly keeps the family from falling apart?"

"Doubtful. I'm known as the one that ran away and abandoned them."

"You said you lived in France for four years?"

"I left right after graduating Hogwarts."

"Why?"

"There was nothing for me here."

"I don't think that's true," Anton replies, surprising her for having seen through the same lie she had told everyone who asked the same thing.

"So in your opinion, I left because…"

"To escape."

"Please, no! Please!"

The pain. His groans. Her sobs. The stinging at her cheek after he slapped her. Her bruised wrists.

"Dominique?"

She shuts her eyes tightly for a moment. "How do you know that?"

"Because I know what it's like to run away – only to keep coming back to the same place."

"What were you running away from?" she asks curiously.

"Myself. I thought that by traveling the world, I could keep from remembering who I was. That never happened, though. I could never stay away from home for too long."

"Neither could I."

"I remembered something about you," he says suddenly.

She tilts her head to the side.

"It was a memory of the last time we spoke."

Dominique stills, recalling that particular moment herself.

"You were crying in the corridor."

"I don't remember."

"I guess you want to do things the hard way."

He believes her just like he believed her lie about there being nothing for her in England.

"What happened?" he presses.

He pulls his hand back and then it's at her cheek – painfully hard and enough to make her vision blur. His dirty hands touch her everywhere and she's too tired to scream anymore. No one comes to help. They're all at the ball. Her scalp is burning from where he pulled at her hair and she's sure there is blood. He taunts her. He hits her again when she doesn't reply to his question. Her lip is bleeding. She begs. He tears through her. The rose is on the floor.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Anton's emerald eyes study her for a prolonged moment, and she thinks he sees something in them when he nods solemnly.

"Do you want to see the stars with me? There's this bridge where you can see every single star no matter how dark it is."

"I thought you didn't like to go stargazing."

"And I thought you didn't remember our last conversation."

His lips curve up slightly when she realizes her mistake. How would she know he didn't like stargazing if she supposedly didn't remember the day he had found her crying? The day he had mentioned that small detail.

"Slytherin," he reminds her.

She doesn't reply back, nor does she think he expect her to.

They walk onto a wooden bridge that looked ancient, their hands still laced together and staring out towards the breathtaking stars. His warmth is comforting and she doesn't have the need to pull away and run off. The fifteen year old girl slowly comes out from hiding, her faced bruised and wearing a tattered dress, staring in awe of Anton.

For the first time in four years, she doesn't feel alone.

"That blue-haired Auror…is he someone special to you?" he asks nonchalantly.

Dominique turns to him in question. "Blue-haired – Oh, you mean Teddy! He's married to my sister. Why do you ask?"

"You seemed close."

"I've known him all my life. He was family long before he married Victoire."

Anton nods pensively. "So you aren't with anyone?"

She felt her face flush with color at the invasive question. "No, I'm not with anyone. That's a bit personal don't you think?"

He shrugs, running his thumb over her knuckles. His emerald eyes staring at their hands – the way they seem to fit so perfectly together – with the same pensive expression, and Dominique thinks that perhaps he himself didn't understand his own actions.

"We never really spoke at Hogwarts did we?" he murmurs.

"Different years. Different houses. I'm sure we could find a list of reasons why there was little chance to interact beyond a few words or a nod."

"You also had that ridiculous friend of yours with you at all times. What was her name, Olanna…Olga?"

"Olivia."

"Right, Olivia. Are you two still attached to the hip?"

Dominique felt a sense of longing run through her at the thought of the girl that had once been her best friend. She didn't remember the last time she had spoken to Olivia or spent time with anyone outside of her family.

"What's wrong with you Dominique? You don't want to do anything anymore and I'm getting tired of playing a guessing game with you! Talk to me when you decide to be normal again."

Normal. Dominique hadn't felt normal in years. She tried so hard, ultimately failing every single time. But not today. The wizard at her side made her feel like the witch she wanted to be.

"We aren't actually," she finally responds. "The last time I saw her was at graduation. I heard she married and moved to Ireland."

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"You obviously miss her."

She sighs, glancing back at the stars. "There's a lot I miss, but dwelling never did anyone any good."

"That I can agree with," he bends over the railing, laughing almost tiredly.

Her gaze drops back to him as he looks out towards the darkened countryside. He looked forlorn, eyes lost in the memories only he could see. Dominique wondered if she looked just as he did when her mind forced her to relive the cruelty of the past.

"I know I'm unbelievably handsome, but it's rude to stare."

"Sorry," she ducks her head down, looking back at him from under her lashes.

Anton Greengrass was as he said 'unbelievably handsome' with the combination of striking emerald eyes and hair so dark it reminded her of a raven's wings. His aristocratic linage was clear in the way he carried himself and dressed, but he had a playful charm that made him less severe compared to the other purebloods in his side of their world.

"You took it better than I did," he murmurs.

"What?"

"Our cousins being together."

"Oh, that."

"Yeah, that."

"It's…"

"Madness?" he offers.

"Sweet. I think it's sweet."

"Do you think they'll make it?"

"I hope so," she says softly.

Snow begins to fall around them, causing her to shiver and wish for the wrap she had left behind at the boutique. A sudden warmth engulfs Dominique as well as the faint smell of mint and cologne that clung onto the wizard.

"I may have kidnapped you, but I don't plan on letting you freeze to death."

She giggles, pulling the coat around her body. "Thank you."

"We should go; I believe I promised to get you back before it got too late."

"You did promise that," she holds on tight to his hand as they apparate into the chateau.

When she pulls away the heel of her shoe catches on a loose floorboard and sends her reeling, but his arms are around her waist in seconds, pulling her back up and into his body. Her hands fell against his chest and even under his waistcoat she could feel the distinct outline of strong muscles.

"Careful," he breathes out.

"Am I interrupting?"

They turn to the voice and see Scorpius standing there with a sleeping Lily in his arms, a curious grin curving onto his face.

"We just got back," she steps back immediately.

"I can see that," Scorpius says with a glint of amusement.

Dominique ignores his tone and walks to him, running a hand over her cousin's hair. "She fell asleep?"

"She was very tired," he smiles down at the sleeping witch.

"Mm-hmm. She hasn't been able to sleep in days, and I can see now why."

Lily cuddled into Scorpius with her hand resting exactly where his heart lay beneath.

"I'm going to take her upstairs. Have a goodnight, Dominique, Anton."

"Cousin," Anton nods, but his gaze is still on Dominique.

"They're going to sleep in the same room?" she asks as Scorpius begins climbing the grand staircase.

"Looks like it," Anton replies. "We should head upstairs too; get some sleep and all."

"I think I'll stay downstairs and keep watch…"

"Nonsense. You'll sleep in one of the bedrooms," he takes her hand again and leads them both upstairs.

"A couch would be just fine –"

"I won't allow you to hurt your neck or back sleeping on one of those ancient things."

"Then I'll just take some blankets and sleep on the floor –"

He turns around to face her – he's a whole step above her, making her seem smaller – his finger at her lips and silencing any more objections.

"You're sleeping in a bedroom and it is not up for discussion. I'll keep watch down stairs, don't worry about it."

"But –"

He glares.

"Okay," she smiles against his finger.

The room is masculine from top to bottom with dark furnishings and books thrown about here and there. A cabinet – fully stocked with all sorts of fine bottles of wine and whisky also adorns the bedroom.

"Does this room belong to anyone?" she carefully steps past the door as if afraid of disturbing a single thing.

"It's mine."

"Yours?"

He nods, placing one of the books back on a nearby shelf. "I thought you'd be more comfortable here than in one of the guest bedrooms. You'll also be closer to Scorpius and Lily should you need anything."

"I couldn't impose on your space..."

Anton doesn't reply, instead walking behind a door and then back out moments later with a button-up shirt in his hands.

"I don't have much else – this is the first time I come up here in months – but it's better than the dress you're wearing."

"Thank you," she takes it shyly.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No, you've been more than kind already. I still think you should be the one sleeping here and not me."

"What did I say?" he cocks a brow.

"Sorry."

"Sleep well, Dominique."

"I'm so sorry!" a twelve year old Dominique shrieked as her books and those of the boy she had bumped into on her way to Transfiguration fell on the ground.

"It's alright," the boy says, bending down to collect their belongings. "No blood, no foul. Had you bumped into my brother it may have been another story."

She quickly moves to take her books and gasps when she sees the emerald eyes staring back at her.

"Good night, Anton."