AN- SO… just a few notes before we begin. I have made some slight modifications to HP canon. I have made Lily resemble Harry instead of her mother and I have made her the same age as Rose and Scorpius. Albus is a year older and James is a year older than him. Hugo is a year younger. Also, everything is a touch more angsty than the epilogue portrayed. I really feel like Harry would have a lot of PTSD, but I'm not going to overdo it. Promise.

These are the main alterations. Nothing big but it might bother some people.

Another thing. I am so BORED with this quarantine. I'm not infected or anything, but my whole state is basically shut down. I think most of the country is. How about you guys? Any overseas readers here?

I know I have other stories that I left unfinished but I have to get my groove back before I update. Thus, this story. No promises on updates or completion. I just can't watch anymore TV or binge eat today. LOL.

(Super thankful to not be sick or not have anyone I know sick. I hope all my readers out there are as lucky and I know I shouldn't bitch about being bored.)

Chapter 1

Sixth Year, August 24

Lily tilted her face toward the sun and let out a shaky breath. She wasn't completely alright yet but she was getting there. One day at a time was her mantra. Summer had been a gift. Had allowed her to recuperate and gain back her bearings.

School is starting again. Soon.

Those words echoed in her mind, causing a niggle of worry to worm its way into her chest.

Be a Gryffindor, Lily, she scolded inwardly. Be brave.

Suddenly a familiar face popped into view, framed with curly red hair and crossed eyes. Unbiddingly, a giggle escaped her which turned into a laugh. "Rose!"

Her cousin laughed and then straightened up. "You were beginning to spiral so I had to do something."

"I know. I'm sorry," Lily admitted. "But I'm feeling good today. Really. My dad is even in a good mood."

"Shocking."

It really was. For Lily, her father always seemed serious. Focused on work. He rarely smiled, especially at her. That's what it felt like, anyway. But today, he'd awakened in a good mood, made breakfast, and even joked with her and her brothers throughout the morning. It was the first good day Lily could remember having in months.

Ever since Scorpius did what he did.

"Well, then you know what?" Rose said. "Uncle Harry's in a good mood, the sun is shining, and we are looking, if I do say so myself, better than usual." She gave a little twirl in her new dress which made Lily smile again.

"I should've gone shopping with you last week. I have to wear this old thing while you look like that."

They giggled together for another minute, strolling leisurely along the street, until suddenly, mid-laugh, Lily froze and fell silent, her face paling.

"What's wrong?" Rose asked in sudden alarm, pulling on her cousin's arm. She followed her line of sight and knew immediately what had caused the sudden change in the other girl.

There dead ahead walking towards them was the entire Malfoy family. Specifically, Scorpius Malfoy.

"He hasn't seen us yet," Rose whispered urgently. "Come on."

And just like that, Scorpius locked eyes with Lily. His steps faltered for just a moment and the smile died away from his face. His mother said something but he didn't answer.

"Lily, come on."

Lily allowed herself to be turned away toward a stall selling … something. She wasn't sure. She couldn't focus around the buzzing in her ears.

Then Scorpius' laugh grew louder. And closer.

"Well, if it isn't Lily Potter."

Any second now her heart would just quit beating. She was sure of it. She would die in humiliation right in front of her ex-boyfriend's whole family. Rose stayed quiet next to her, only because there were grown ups around. Mechanically, Lily lifted her head and turned to face him. It was the first time since school let out.

Scorpius stood there smirking, flanked by his parents on either side. Behind him stood his grandparents. Lily's eyes flickered over each face. Some hostile, some not. Scorpius' mom, although seeming confused about their interaction, appeared to be nice. Draco Malfoy just seemed … a lot like her father, she realized. His whole demeanor was serious. Stiff and uncomfortable.

The older Malfoys were a different story. Narcissa was polite but cool. She kept glancing around as if looking for a better place to be. Lucius just sneered with contempt the whole time, looking at her with disdain.

"Scorpius." Dammit, why didn't I call him Malfoy, she scolded. Proudly, she recognized how cool and collected she sounded. Thank Merlin.

Her eyes flickered over his face, noting how good he looked still. Maybe there were dark circles under his eyes but it was the end of summer. He'd probably partied the entire time.

Probably had a lot of good stories to share with his friends, all about Lily Potter, she added bitterly, remembering that no matter how good he looked, he'd hurt her deeply. More than anyone ever had in her entire life.

Scorpius looked slightly annoyed at her composure. He tried again. "I suppose the horde you call family are all here as well?" He sneered when Rose straightened up at the insult.

Mrs. Malfoy glanced back and forth between her son and the two girls, obviously noting the tension. "Scorpius, where are your manners? Introduce us at once."

Scorpius backed down with a scowl but obeyed. "Mom, this is Lily Potter and Rose Weasley. Potter, Weasley, this is my mother, Astoria Malfoy."

Astoria smiled and held out a hand which Lily reluctantly took. "It's nice to make your acquaintance, Miss Potter, Miss Weasley." She shook Rose's hand as well. "The two of you are in your sixth year as well, are you not?"

"Yes, ma'am," Lily murmured. Rose seemed to be keeping her mouth shut which was probably just as well. Where Lily was ice, Rose was all fire. And had the temper to go with it.

"And how are your families doing? Well, I hope?"

At that, a familiar laugh reached their ears and Lily's face softened at her father's good mood. She glanced over across the street at him looking fondly down at her mother. He looked almost like a boy. "Yes, ma'am. Today is … a good day. For all of us." She turned back to Malfoy's mother and shook herself. "And you? I hope your family is well?"

Astoria smiled again and patted Scorpius' arm. "This one was a bit under the weather over the summer but the thought of going back to school seems to have perked him right up."

Her son scowled and shrugged off her hand. "Mum," he hissed under his breath.

Lily looked at him again. He was sick over the summer? Odd. He was never sick. His eyes met hers and she glanced away. She took a deep breath and looked at the ground. "Scorpius has a way of … rallying against the odds. Getting what he wants." She pasted a smile on her face and looked up brightly. "I'm sure the thought of seeing Hogwarts and his friends again was just the medicine he needed."

Behind Astoria, Lucius' pale eyes bored into her and she found it hard to ignore it. "If you'll excuse us, my cousin and I still have more shopping to do, but it was nice meeting you, Mrs. Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy." She inclined her head with a smile which Astoria returned and then she and Rose backed away toward a shop while the Malfoy's kept going in the same direction.

Lily expelled a breath and tried to calm her nerves. Rose patted her back and glared at the Malfoy's retreating backs. "Assholes," she muttered.

"Now that's not very nice."

Lily's head jerked up and her heart pounded. Scorpius stood before her once more. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

He shrugged. "Maybe I just like messing with you."

Hearing him openly say that sliced through her heart. On the outside however she kept her face blank and neutral. "Oh? I didn't know."

He stared at her for a long moment and then stepped forward quickly. His fists clenched a few times and released. Leaning down to her ear, he whispered, "Maybe seeing you here today reminded me of how much I …" he deliberately paused and her heart couldn't help but skip a beat at what he might say next. "... liked seeing you naked."

Her heart plummeted to her stomach and suddenly everything was too much. Everything he'd done to her, all the summer nights sobbing into her pillow, all the betrayal came to a head and she found herself holding her wand to his throat. Her chest heaved with every breath and her hands shook, digging the wooden tip into his neck until she drew blood.

Scorpius' eyes widened at her reaction. He held up his hands. "Don't do anything you'll regret, Lily."

She barely heard him over the pounding in her ears. Rose tried to grab her shoulder and pull her away but Lily wrenched her arm free. All she could do was stare up into Scorpius' face and think about the pain she wanted to cause him.

Lights went off all around them. Photographers, she thought distantly. She'd been raised to always show a good face to the media but right now she didn't care.

"Lily Potter! What do you think you're doing?"

Her arm wavered at her father's voice but she didn't back down. Tears sparkled in her green eyes. "Of all the people I've ever known, you've hurt me the most," she whispered to Scorpius fiercely, and gained some satisfaction at seeing him pale at her words.

Harry ran up and ripped her wand out of her hand and put it in his pocket. Lily blinked back her tears and glanced over at him. His face was no longer happy as it had been just moments before. It was contorted in anger. Everything was ruined now.

"Dad, I'm sorry." She swallowed hard, still shaking with anger and embarrassment.

Harry's face tightened. Before he could speak, Rose interjected. "Uncle Harry, it's not Lily's fault. You don't know what he's done!"

"Scorpius, what is this?" Astoria pushed her way to the center, looking back and forth between the group.

"Nothing, Mum," he mumbled, looking down and running a hand through his hair.

"I see the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, Potter." That was Draco Malfoy, sneering at the situation and looking angrily at Lily's father.

Rose grew more desperate even as Lily glaciered over. "Lily, tell them what he did to you!"

Nobody really took notice of what Rose was saying over all the squabbling of journalists and flashing lights. Nobody except Astoria. Her eyes narrowed at Rose's words and she glanced up at her son.

"Rose, shut up," Lily hissed. "You promised."

"I will handle my daughter, Malfoy," Harry said stiffly. "Take your son. Let's go, Lily."

"I think Scorpius should decide whether or not to press charges."

Lily's heart hammered in her chest as she looked over at the voice. Lucius. Venom was written all over his face.

"Of course, that's your right," Harry answered in a tight voice.

Astoria leaned in to her husband and whispered something. Draco glanced at Lily for a second and then his son. Then he nodded once. "That won't be necessary," he spoke up. "It's a squabble between children. No harm was done. I believe the Daily Prophet has gotten more than its fair share of gossip for tomorrow."

Harry looked at Lily. "Go," was all he said.

"Dad, I-" Lily tried to apologize but he turned away to address the crowd that had formed, breaking her heart just a little. She wanted nothing more than to tell him everything had happened fifth year, all the heartbreak and humiliation, but she was afraid of disappointing him.

It had been such a good day. Those were rare for Lily.

Her fist clenched and she moved to obey, but not before pausing to look back at Scorpius for just a moment. He looked horrible. Guilty.

"Lily," he started, "I didn't mean-"

"I'll never forgive you as long as I live." Then she pushed past her father and all the reporters and walked away.

XXXXX

Scorpius sat in silence, waiting where his mother told him to. His parents had waited until they got home to Malfoy Manor to speak. Narcissa took Lucius away to the study so that they could talk in private.

"Now," Astoria began after tea was served, "tell me exactly what happened between you and Lily Potter. The truth or I'll know."

Scorpius looked down. He couldn't tell them what he'd done. It was too … shameful. They'd be so disappointed in him.

"Scorpius. Speak up." That was his father.

"Alright, alright." He expelled a breath. "Lily and I … sort of, were together last year."

His parents looked at each other in shock.

"We kept it a secret because, well, for obvious reasons."

Astoria broke the silence first. "So, it didn't end well, I gather?"

Scorpius shook his head. That was an understatement.

"Go on," she ordered. "What exactly did the Weasley girl mean when she said that we didn't know what you'd done to Lily? What did you do?"

"We broke up. She was … angry with me."

"I'm not going to ask again, Scorpius. What did you do? Was there truth in what the girl said? Are you at fault for something?"

Scorpius blew out a breath and shifted on the sofa. "Alright, I'll tell you, but don't be angry."

"We'll decide whether or not to be angry after you come clean."

After a moment of silence, he began. "It all started with Lucas Canley."

Alright. Not entirely happy with this beginning. If I go back and edit it, I'll repost later. For now, I'm going to type up chapter 2 which will take place during 5th year.