Chapter 9

By the time Lily had joined everybody back in the living room, Draco had returned to his chambers. He was sitting beside Ginny. James and Albus were talking on the other side of the room. Scorpius was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is dad?" She asked the group.

"Right here." Her dad said coming out of a door. She hadn't explored the quarters yet so she wasn't sure where he had been coming from.

Her dad walked towards her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She laid her head on his shoulder and her hand on his stomach. Her father's familiar embrace was calming. She closed her eyes.

"How are you, princess?"

"Hate it." She murmured.

"I would too." He whispered back. "But you could handle it, can't you?"

He asked her.

She nodded in his shoulder and pulled away.

She went to sit near her mother. When she reached them, Draco extended his hand to her. He pulled her to sit between him and her mother. Her mother was facing her, crossed legged on the sofa. Draco had one of his legs folded under him and other dangling to the floor. Both of them were relaxed, and seemed to be in deep conversation until she came.

The minute she sat down, her mother smoothed here hair back over her shoulder.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." She said and turned to Draco.

"What are you guys talking about."

Draco shrugged. Which indicated that he and her mother had been in the middle of gossiping, the only time he appeared to be relaxed ever.

"Nothing of importance." He told her.

Draco and her mother were friends. She always thought it was due to the fact that his late wife and Ginny had been best Friends. Loss of her might have brought them together. There never appeared to be any animosity over Draco marrying her ex-husband. It was a weird friendship if one thought about it, but for the Potter-Malfoy-Wesleys, it had been a norm.

She burrowed into the back of the sofa and turned to her mom, "You know mom, I might have a theory why Islet likes to gossip so much."

She wrinkled her mouth at Lily.

"Where is Scorpius?" Her father asked from behind the sofa where he stood.

"He was a little worked up, and Albus won't stop talking to him. So Draco sent him to take a walk." Her mother said.

That is when James came towards there group and took a seat.

"So Lils when do you want the wedding to be?" He said.

The whole group fell silent.

"What are you talking about?" Lily asked her brother.

Now everyone was looking at her. Their matching expressions of surprise.

"What?" She said.

Albus hurried over to them and sat beside James, at the edge of the seat.

"Wow! Instead of fighting over god-father we should have been talking about this."

"God father?" Lily was confused now. She was starting to think this was why the infallible Scorpius Malfoy had gotten worked up and left.

"I thought she was Ravenclaw." Albus said to James.

"May she did what dad did, she tricked the Hat?" James replied.

"I didn't trick the hat, it was a request." Her dad told them.

Lily felt Draco's hand on her arm, "Lily?"

Lily opened her mouth to say something, reply to him or ask him something, yet the thoughts and questions and all the insinuations of what James had said, was clogging her brain.

"You don't want to get married?" Draco asked her instead.

Lily's eyes widened.

"Ofcourse she does. No Godchild of mine would be bastard." James said with a frown.

"James! Language!" Ginny shouted at him.

"Well I am sorry. She is getting married though. I will get that white rabbit to propose if it is the last thing I do."

"Shut up, James. Don't you dare interfere between us. Don't you dare put such thoughts in his head." Lily told him scandalised. Nobody! Absolutely nobody gets to decide to whom she should get married.

Harry rounded from behind the couch and came to stand in the middle of their group.

"James, Albus, leave us please. We need to have a private conversation."

"Dad!..." James started when he was interrupted by his father,

"James just do as I say. Please go take a walk."

A minute later both of the boys walked out the front door.

Draco stood up, gestured for Harry to take his place, He himself then took the seat James had vacated opposite her.

"Lil...

"Dad please. I think Scorpius and I should discuss this before we could discuss what James said."

Her heart was thudding like mad in her chest.

All of them exchanged a look that she didn't understand.

"Lily. How do you think you mother and I became such good friends? How do you think, your parents, Blaise and I; manage to have good relations?" draco asked her.

"I... I never thought about it. It's.. it has always been natural for us. We never thought anything about it."

"Good. That's how we intended it to seem. You kids were our first priority at the time. We worked on our differences, we helped each other whenever we can, however we can."

"I don't understand what you are getting at." Lily told him.

"Your children should come first now Lily. I know how hard it is to give up the freedom and dreams we have when we're young. But when a new life comes along that depends on us, our dreams modify themselves. We do everything in our power to keep our children safe."

"I... I know things will change. Scorpius and I will have to adjust... but marriage..."

Her mother squeezed her shoulder lightly. "No one will force you. All we want to say is, relationships need work, a lot of work. Ben hard is taking care of a baby. We worry that it would be even harder to raise a child without a partner."

"Scorpius won't let her be alone." Draco said.

"I know he won't. He is a very clever and responsible young man." Ginny told him.

She turned to her dad who had been quiet. "What are you thinking dad?"

"The baby needs to be safe. The baby will need his/her father to be there. I think it would be cruel to Scorpius if he doesn't get to be part of his baby's life. It would have me, if I was kept away from you. Marriage is the best option for both of you, Lils. You know Scorpius is a good man."

Lily felt pushed into a corner. The feeling was overwhelming. she felt like she had to find something, something that will steady her. The world was going hazy and she felt like she will fall. Before anyone can say anything more, she shot up from her place, and ran out the front door.

Lily was walking briskly. She was done. Absolutely done. For one moment for one tiny moment she just wanted to sit and breathe. Which she couldn't do, because she just left the one room where she could be alone. She couldn't go to her dorm because Ofcourse with her luck she will find someone who would want to talk to her before she was ready. On top of that her brothers were somewhere in the castle god knows what, so bumping into them would be the last thing she will want to know.

Just then she bumped into someone. She groaned loudly. Accidents were going like dominoes on her life.

Two hands shot out to steady her by the arms. "Lily!"

She looked up to see Scorpius. A wave of relief washed through her, she literally felt it pass through her spine.

She jumped and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

She didn't know where she was going or where she needed to go, a minute ago; but now that she has seen him, she knew where she had unconsciously headed. She tightened her hold on him and climbed even closer, her feet now up in the air. He expertly held her, his wrapped around her waist. His face her hair. The way he sighed into her, she knew he was going through the same anguish that she was. She buried her face in his collar. Just enjoying the comfort of his arms.

A few moments later, she loosened her hold on him. Scorpius slowly let her slid down his body, her feet once again touching the ground. There eyes met and held. It felt electric. His kept her hold on.

They were broken out of their trance, as the painting started protesting about their inappropriate behaviour. She brought about her wits and remembered what she was supposed to be doing.

"Scorpius, can we go somewhere where we can talk and we won't be disturbed. Or be told by one of our family members hoe our life is changed."

Scorpius let go off her. She felt the absence of his electric touch immediately in her stomach. It was the weirdest feeling. He just rubbed his palms over his face on frustration.

"They are being perfectly fine, yet it just is so irritating."

"I know."

"Come. I have a place in mind. We could hide out for a while."

He grabbed her hand led her away.

The place as it turned out was the Room of Requirement. They had all heard the legends about the room which had placed such a huge part in the outcome of the war. But no one had been able to find it. All the students have been trying, there were even bets. That would be the reason why the books wouldn't say, they didn't want students to find it.

And here they were. A door that seemed to have appeared in front of them out of nowhere.

"How did you find it?"

"Been searching it for years, and being a prefect helps too."

"Oh you are a clever clever man, Scorp. And tenacious."

Scorpius grinned at her. Then he gestured for her to open the doors.

She excitedly skipped towards the doors and flung it open. Her eyes widened by the scene inside, she felt rooted to the spot. She didn't know how long she stood there but she came out of it, when she felt two hands on her shoulders nudging her in.

"What are you doing?" The voice said. "Do want every passer by to know of it. Get in."

The minute they entered the door disappeared behind them.

Wow. The place was just wow. It was an illusion of sorts, but it was so real Lily just stared at the sheer beauty.

"It's extraordinary isn't it?" He asked. She looked at him wide eyed.

"It's unbelievable."

"It's master of illusions, Lils. Just enjoy the show."

The place was an outdoors. There was long stretches of grass seeming to go on forever. At far end she could see a minor river flowing, the music of the running was soothed her like nothing ever had. There were trees every now and they, seeing to glow. She walked towards them only to realise the glow was from little fairies dancing about doing their business.

They seemed to have been dropped into a magical forest.

"How in the world could you even imagine such a beautiful place, Scorpius?"

Scorpius wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek. He was grinning like a little boy showing off his new toy.

"It's like a pensive. I imagined a memory of some ruined in India I visited with Mom and dad, when I was little. They the room took it and filled it in with all the details I didn't even remember or observed."

"Wow. The person who must have designed it was a genius. So much research, magic and innovation must have gone into it." Lily looked around in wonderment. She heard heard him huff and drop his head on top of hers.

"You Ravenclaws just love to peek behind the curtains huh."

Lily made a face and pushed him away. She started walking toward the structure that has captured her attention in one corner.

"Hey."

"What's that?" she asked him walking backwards, pointing a thumb at the structure.

"Those are the ruins of a small temple. But you can't go there."

She stopped. "Why not."

"A room can expand only as much. It's there, but it's just an illusion. I never saw it from inside so, it can't manifest itself in this room for us to see. Although pretty much every things else you can see can be touched and enjoyed. But Nothing beyond that."

"So you mean if I go too far I will feel the real edge of the room?"

"Yeah."

Then she walked towards her and pulled her towards the river. He made her take off her shoes and then they put their feet in.

"It's so unbelievable. The water as actually feels like water. It's cold and magical."

"I know." He then laid down on the grass his feet till in the river.

It was a shallow river. Just a tiny stream, only the water coming upto your ankles. The pebbles below can be seen. The sky was clear above. She couldn't believe it was not real. Even the smell of the forest was real. She was intrigued.

She then laid down beside him too. He was already watching her.

"So what did you wanted to talk about."

"I can't remember. It's just so peaceful. I wanted to just sink in the grass and sleep."

"You can. I promise I will watch over you." Lily laughed at him.

They lay there for a little while, before she asked him.

"Will you tell me about you trip?"

"I am showing it to you. Look." He said point his finger around them.

"No. I mean I wann know why this memory is so special. Why do you relive it again and again." She asked him.

He reached for her hand and tangled their fingers.

"You are a curious kitten."

"You have told me that before. Please?"

He stayed still looking up at the sky.

"It was the last trip which We took with my mom. She used to love to travel. Sometimes used to take me on all sorts of trips around the world for the research of her Quibbler. She searched for animals and beings in the strange place, and I got to learn about new places, cultures and I go to observed the ways of so many species. I loved it. Sometimes dad would join us and we would have a blast, because he was opposite of my mom. He will take us to private clubs, exotic places and unique historical sites. I felt like I had best of both worlds when she was alive."

Lily saw the pained smile on his lips and the sparkle in his eye. She turned and laid her head on his chest.

"Dad tells me that's how she saved him."

"Saved him?"

Lily now raised on her elbow beside his shoulder, to look at him, intrigued.

"Uh huh. He told me when the war was over, mom came to him and just held his hand, and

...

Memory

Draco stood there, among all the rubble of the fallen school. All the warriors huddled together at one corner. Some crying. Some tending to wounds of others. Some just breathing. Some lying dead as their friends and family mourned over them.

It wasn't what his school uses to be. He was the reason they had to suffer this. He was the reason his once glorious school looked like the ruins of the fallen. His mother and father sitting and in one corner, all alone. Scared for what's to come, yet relieved that the worst was over.

He. He wanted to go to the hero of the day. Go to him, and thank him for saving him, their school. He wanted to go and beg for his forgiveness. He wanted to tell him that he had won and that he had always been right, while Draco was always in the wrong. But he knew even if he formed the courage to go to him, he wouldn't say any of those things. Even if he had been beaten and broken and lost, his pride was still very much intact. And he hated it.

He felt a hand slip into his. He didn't have to look down to know who it could be. Even if he couldn't see her face for the rest of his life, he will still remember the touch of her hand in his. Touch of her hand has been the only thing that had kept him going. It was her words, which we still hopeful even when she had been locked in a dungeon and treated like a caged animal. There were nights when he would venture down to see if she will sooth his nerves, when the days have been filled with violence and sins.

One night he had told her if he was a stronger man, he would have taken her and escaped with her. She had replied that he was strong, because he had chosen to stand by his parents. Strong enough to have hope that, one day things will be better for them all. Honestly he wouldn't have had the courage to throw the wand at Harry Potter in front of the death eaters if he hadn't found his courage from her faith in him. She had changed him. Soothed him. When she was the one in captivity, yet she had managed to save him.

"You did the right thing, Draco." She said to him.

"Yet I am belong nowhere."

"Doesn't matter. I am here."

"Why? You don't have to associate with me anymore. You are free now." He looked at her.

"We could run away. Like you promised me."

"You still want to be with me?"

"We could travel, see the world. Discover."

"And that had been that. She then took him everywhere. Around the world. He told me she taught him to live, to be a better man. She helped him rise from their disgrace. He says she was his rock through the tough times and his sunshine during dark times."

Lily smoothed his hair back from his forehead, admiring the way his eyes twinkled talking about the bitter sweet memories of his mom.

"I wish Aunt Luna was here. I wish she could meet our babies."

"I wish that too." He said slipping his hand around her waist, holding her close.

"You know Cynthia reminds me a lot of Aunt Luna. I think, one of the reason my mom got better is because she once again saw the spirit of her best friend in her."

"Blaise's mom reminds you of my mom?" Scorpius smirked at her.

She just smiled at him. Then she remembered.

"Yes yes. Now I remember. I think we should look a little more into that potion we brewed."

"Why. What are you think about."

"I have a feeling we only researched the parts that concerned us before. But now, it's more than that. A life conceived unnaturally cannot be that simple. There has to be more."

"Hm. May be. Is there something specific that has happened that concerned you about it."

"No I was just thinking about it but then, I felt like suspended in the void, my head was buzzing when I was with our family. I felt like I was looking for something. Then when I ran into you, I felt I like I finally found calm. Then I felt his electricity when I touched you. When you moved away, I felt a pull in my stomach."

She was going on and on, when Scorpius interrupted her.

"I felt it too. The pull in my stomach. And I felt like jumping out of my skin after I left you alone with James. Then I found you and I am fine now."

"So there is more we still don't know...