Drake stood behind a pillar at the train station, platform 9 ¾. He saw Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley standing a little away from him. But they couldn't see him.
Just before the train arrived, he spotted Mr. Malfoy approach Mr. Weasley. They started to talk amicably which astonished Drake. He thought they could not stand each other. He made a mental note to ask Scorpius or Rose about the matter.
Just then the train approached the station and slowed to a complete stop. All the students rushed out especially the first years that were eager to disembark and tell their parents about the school year. The final years were always the last to leave the train. They tried to cling to the last few minutes of their Hogwarts experience before the real world engulfed them.
Then, from the second to last compartment, Lily stepped out. She was even more breathtaking than he remembered. Her hair was short. He vaguely remembered her telling him that she was going to get a "bob cut" last year. She was wearing black Capri pants and a light blue T-shirt. She was holding her caged owl in one hand and someone was helping her with her trunk. He felt a prick of jealousy in his chest. When the boy turned around, Drake noticed that it was Alex, Scorpius's brother.
Lily tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and Drake's breath got stuck in his chest. He wanted to walk up to her and tell her how sorry he was. But she, along with Hugo and Alex went to where their fathers were standing.
Drake walked away. It wasn't the right time to talk to her and he knew it even before he reached the station. But he had to see his Lily.
Lily knew that Drake was there. She could feel him watching her but she did not turn in his direction. He had hurt her by lying to her and then making her think that their breakup was her fault. She spent agonizing months just crying and owling him day after day with no response. He never had the courteous to respond.
Finally, after 6 whole months, Drake owled her with all the details of what happened. He didn't trust her and that was what hurt the most. She would never have judged him for the mistakes of his grandparents and so what if the reporters were all over them. She could handle that as well. The parent part might have become tricky but her father would have eventually come around. And even if he didn't, she would have still been with Drake. She loved him. But she never told him that and that was her biggest mistake in the entire relationship.
Lily had felt so lost in her final year at Hogwarts. The last two years were only about Drake and when he left school, she did not know what to do with herself. Luckily, Alex was there to help her out of that. She would forever be grateful to him for helping her this last year especially the last 6 months.
Her father's voice snapped her out of her trance. "Your brothers and mother are waiting for you with a feast. If we don't hurry up, James will start without us," Harry told his daughter. Lily smiled at her dad and walked faster. Her mother made a mean pot roast.
The Potters, Malfoys and Weasleys all started to go their own way when Mr. Malfoy said something shocking.
"Potter, why don't you and your family join us for dinner next week. We are having this horrid party for all the people doing business with us and I would like to have a few sane people around," Draco Malfoy said. "The Weasleys will be there as well. Think about it. Would love to have your family there. I'll owl you with the details"
Lily was slightly taken aback but Alex leaned over and said, "It will be fun."
"I'll have to ask Ginny but I will owl you as soon as we decide," Harry told Draco.
Lily and her father got into their car and drove off. Lily couldn't wait to go home and forget about Hogwarts and Drake. For today, she wanted to be spoiled by her parents, teased by her brothers and be free of worry. Little did she know how different the hours ahead would unfold.
Lunch was perfection. The pot roast was wonderful and her father had made her favorite dessert- chocolate pudding. Albus and James were stuffing themselves as well. Lily observed her family. James was the joker and Albus was the serious one. But this evening, he was distracted.
Her mother, Ginny Weasley never had a single hair out of place and looked flawless. But that was Ginny on the outside. On the inside, she was going through some things. Lily wasn't sure what it was. Her parents went to counseling to mend their broken relationship. She knew they loved each other but, as her mother said, love and air is not enough to stay in a relationship.
"Lily, you look like you've lost weight. Studying a bit too much, have we?" Ginny asked her only daughter.
"Don't even mention studying. I hope I did well enough in my NEWTS," Lily said.
"You'll do well," Albus said. He looked at her a little sympathetically. He knew how much she had been though this year and hoped that she could handle the tough evening ahead. He had decided to tell his parents about Drake. Not of his own will but because of a mysterious owl that he received.
Albus pushed his chair back and looked at his father. "Dad, do you have the time to talk now?"
"Sure, Albus."
"Mom?" Albus asked his mother.
"Why don't the two of you go into my study while I clean up? I'll be there in a minute."
Ginny said.
"That's Ok, mom. I can do it," Lily said.
Lily got up to get her wand while Ginny, Harry and Albus went to the office room. Once in there, Albus placed the Muffliato spell on the door.
"What is it, darling? All this secrecy is scaring me," Ginny said.
"There have been some interesting things happening lately," Albus told.
Albus looked at his parents and told them everything about Drake, his heritage and the blackmailer. He saw his parents go from their usual calm self to shock to anger and finally calm again.
"Why did you tell us? We never would have found out if you hadn't," Harry asked Albus.
Albus got up and shouted for Lily. Once she walked in, puzzled, he closed the door again. Then he handed his parents the Daily Prophet with the date of the NEXT day.
"HARRY POTTER'S DAUGHTER DATING THE GRANDSON OF HATED DEATH EATER." The headline boldly announced.
"How did you get this?" Harry asked his hands shaking with anger. Ginny touched her husband's hand to calm him down.
"Anonymous owl," Albus said.
"Is this true?" Harry turned to Lily.
Lily looked shocked. Her face lost all color and she fainted.
Lily was lying down in her room, crying. Her father was so angry with her and had walked out of the house. She was lying face down on her bed holding her pillow close to it so that no one could hear her crying.
The doorbell rang. But Lily did not care who it was. She heard a few voices and footsteps up the stairs to her bedroom and then a soft knock.
"Go away!" Lily said not caring who it was.
"It's me- Rose," The voice behind the door said.
Lily sat up and before she could say anything, Rose walked in slowly with a worried expression. She walked up to Lily and hugged her.
Lily continued to sob and Rose gently stroked her hair knowing that she couldn't say anything to console her cousin.
Finally, Lily raised her head. "How did you know?" She asked.
"Your dad is at my place talking to my parents. Hugo overheard everything and owled me at work," Rose explained.
"He hates me," Lily said sadly.
"No he doesn't. He just needs to calm down. My mom will see to that and he doesn't understand how Bellatrix and Snape's secret was, well, kept a secret from him."
"I wanted to tell him but I thought, "Why should we?" I could have kept this matter hidden forever. My father never needed to know and I was in love. Maybe even foolishly so," Lily said.
"Now that it's all out in open, what are you going to do? Are you and Drake going to be together if your father becomes alright with it?" Rose asked.
"I don't now. I was so hurt and I wanted to make him suffer for a while before I even considered taking him back. But now, I feel like I have to decide quickly," Lily laughed suddenly. "I can't believe I'm more disappointed about not punishing them than about anything else."
Rose smiled and said, "Talk to your mom."
Lily nodded. " Wait here for me."
Lily walked to her mother's study. She had no idea how things would be between them. "Mom?"
Ginny Weasley did not look up. She was busy writing something but she pointed to a chair indicating Lily to sit in it.
After a few minutes, Ginny looked up. She looked angry. "How could you do this? I've asked the Prophet to delay the release and they've agreed but in 3 days this will be what everyone talks about. How could you humiliate us like this?"
Lily went from scared to surprise to angry. She couldn't believe her ears. Her mother was more concerned about what other people would think than she was of her.
"That's what you care about? Your reputation?" Lily's hands were clenched into a tight fist.
"I care about you too. I have no control over whom you decide to sleep with. But I do have some control over where this family stands in society," Ginny said, getting up from her seat behind her desk.
"I'm not sleeping with him. We broke up. No, he broke up with me expecting this reaction from you and dad. I was so mad at him. I can't believe he was right," Lily said this to herself more than her mother.
"You can't see him anymore. I can tell people that we didn't know and once we did, you broke up with him. The matter will blow over especially after you leave to New York for your internship," Ginny said with a smile.
"I can't believe you. You're shipping me off to New York," Lily said and walked out of the door slamming it behind her.
Lily walked up to her room. Rose was waiting for her.
"I heard everything. She's just upset. She doesn't know what she's saying," Rose explained.
"Stop! Take me to Drake. I need to see him," Lily said. Her voice was laced with desperation.
Rose nodded and led her cousin to Drake's house. They apparated right in front of the apartment and Rose used her key to unlock to door. She glanced back at Lily who looked confused.
With the door unlocked, Rose walked in first. No one seemed to be at home. Scorpius was home with his family and Albus was at her place calming Uncle Harry down.
"Hello? Drake?" Rose called out.
Drake's bedroom door opened and Drake walked out. "Hi, Rose." Rose knew that Albus told him about the newspaper article. He looked drained and sad.
"There's someone here to see you," Rose said and opened the front door so that Drake could see Lily.
Lily stood at the entrance. She didn't know what to do but shifted her weight from one foot to the next waiting for Drake to say something.
Drake didn't.
Rose caught Lily's arm and pulled her into the apartment. She gave her an encouraging smile and walked out.
"I'm going home," Rose announced looking at the two of them. She closed the door behind her.
Lily stood rooted to the spot. Drake cleared his throat and said, "So?"
That was all Lily needed. She ran to Drake and with all her strength practically lunged at him and started to cry. Drake hugged her back with his chin resting on the top of her head. His hands were moving up and down her back.
"I'm so sorry. You were right. I can't believe she said that to me," Lily said through her tears.
Drake placed a finger below her chin and tilted it upward so that he could see her. He had no idea whom the "she" was or what "she" said. Lily was talking to him she was here- with him.
Lily smiled and touched his face with the tip of his fingers. She had missed him.
Drake hesitatingly bent his head for a kiss. Lily closed her eyes and waited for his lips to meet hers. Her lips parted and readily received Drake's mouth. The kiss was filled with so much passion that Lily started to feel dizzy.
Lily went with her instincts and grabbed the lapels of his shirt. Pulling him closer but the difference in their height made it difficult. Drake broke the kiss and Lily groaned with disappointment. Drake lifted Lily up in one swoop and carried her to his bedroom kicking the door close behind him.
Drake laid Lily on his bed and sat next to her. Lily placed her hands behind Drake's head pulling him in for another kiss. But Drake stopped her and instead took Lily's hands and kissed it.
"I'm sorry that I hurt you. I love you and I need you to forgive me. I can't not be with you anymore," said Drake with sincerity.
"No, I'm the one who should be apologizing. My parents reacted exactly the way you thought they would. My mom wants me to breakup with you and she didn't know that we weren't already…broken up." Lily paused looked at Drake angrily, "What am I saying? You hurt me. You thought I'll choose my parents over you." Lily tried to get up.
"Please, we can get through this," Drake moves his mouth closer to Lily's and touches her lips with his. Very softly and tenderly. A shiver ran down Lily's spine and she parts her lips in response.
Drake takes to opportunity to kiss her more thoroughly and deeply. Lily's hands snake their way to Drake's head to pull him towards her more. Drake lays himself on top of Lily.
A deep moan escapes from Lily's mouth as Drake explores Lily's neck. She always loved the sensation that his stubbles created when they touched her neck.
Drake's hands moved down her body and started to pull the fabric of her shirt upward so that he could touch her stomach and breasts. Lily was surprised. He always kept the physical part of their relationship limited. Kissing was something that Drake was always ready for but when it came to going "all the way", Drake said that he wanted their first time to be perfect and, surely, not at Hogwarts.
Lily moved her hands to Drake's chest and pushed against it. Immediately, Drake jumped up into a kneeling position while saddling her thighs.
"I'm sorry. I was going too fast," Drake apologized. He started to get up.
"No. No," Lily said. She put her hands out and clutched the material of Drake's shirt pulling him back towards her. "You're entire weight was on me. I couldn't breath."
Drake settled slowly on top of Lily again and flipped her over so that Lily was on top.
"Oh!" Lily exclaimed. She quickly pulled her shirt over her head, threw it to the floor and adjusted herself on top of Drake.
"I missed you," Drake said.
"Me too. Promise me that you'll never leave me again," Lily said as she started to unbutton Drake's shirt.
Drake stopped Lily from her task by holding her hands. She looked up at Drake's face. "I will never leave you again." Lily smiled at Drake and continued her task of unbuttoning his shirt.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Drake asked.
"Yes. I need this. Please, I'll never regret this if that's what you're thinking. I want to give you everything. I want to prove to you that this is it. There is nobody for me but you."
Drake shrugged off his shirt and pulled Lily down.
"Harry? Mate? You feeling better?" Ron asked concerned.
Harry was lying on the sofa with a wet cloth on his face. He was still recovering from the shock. "My daughter has been dating this boy and I never knew. I'm an awful parent," Harry said sadly.
"Come on. I told you about what Rose and Scorpius did and how Draco found out. We all do the best we can. Unfortunately, our kids are smarter than us," Ron said.
"They are of age. We have to let them make their own decisions," said Hermione.
"And mistakes," Ron added.
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at Harry. "You're not upset about…the other thing?"
"You mean the product of Bellatrix and Snape thing?"
Hermione gave an uncertain smile and nodded.
"I don't know what to say. I'm grateful to Snape but that doesn't mean that I forgive him for treating me like crap. He made potions a living nightmare and the detentions and the occlumancy. Add that to the fact that, he did indirectly kill my parents."
"You know Drake is nothing like his grandfather or grandmother," Ron said sensibly.
"I know but after this comes out, the paparazzi are going to be all over us and bringing back all these memories that I had hoped we had put away forever. And how do I know Drake is not a horrible person. If he hurts Lily in anyway…." Harry's voice trailed off.
"I think you should get to know him. Drake is pursuing her.' Ron said
"So at this point, they aren't together?" Harry asked.
"As far as we know." Hermione said.
"But we have a bigger problem at hand," said Ron. Harry and Hermione looked at him in expectation.
"Who told the Daily Prophet and why?"
Lily woke up a little disoriented. It took her a few seconds to remember where she was. She glanced at the sleeping figure next to her. Drake was asleep on his stomach facing her, snoring lightly, with one hand under his pillow and the other on Lily's waist.
Lily slowly slipped out of bed taking the bed sheet with her. She wrapped it around herself and headed to the bathroom. She vaguely remembered Rose telling her how the bathroom was common to both Scorpius's and Drake's bedroom. She closed and locked both the doors once she was inside.
Hoping she did not wake anyone up, Lily slowly opened the faucet and let the water run. While she was waiting for the warm water to come so that she could wash her face, she looked at the mirror. Drake had left small love bites on her neck and a larger one over her left breast. She blushed at the memories of what just happened. After washing her face and brushing her hair, Lily exited the bathroom.
"Did you unlock the other door?" Drake asked Lily.
Lily jumped up. She did not expect him to be awake. "No. I'll do it," Lily said. Then, she walked back to the bedroom readjusting her eyes to the dark. Drake was sitting on the bed wearing his black boxers and nothing else. Lily swallowed and approached him holding the sheet around her tightly.
"Hey," Lily said when she reached him.
"Hey," Drake said while getting up and then he kissed her. He caught both her wrists and pulled them gently so that her bed sheet would fall.
But Lily objected. "No, I can't. I have to get back home. It's almost 11:30 pm. I need to talk to my parents."
Drake kissed her again but it was more forceful and passionate than before. Lily lost her ability to think and the sheet fell in a heap around her feet. Drake's hands started to massage lily's neck and he saw the love bites that he had left.
"I think we need to heal those before you go home," Drake chuckled. He took his wand and said a spell and touched each one of the bruises.
"I think I'll leave this one behind," Drake said pointing with his wand at the mark above her breast. Lily became shy and embarrassed at the same time.
"Why don't you change and I'll use the rest room," Drake said.
After Drake walked to the bathroom, Lily dressed in a hurry not sure when he would reappear again. After she finished, she knocked on the door and it sprung opened immediately.
"Done?" Drake asked.
"Yup. I'm going home," Lily said.
Drake walked her to the door and said, "I love you, you know that, right?"
"I love you too," Lily said.
"We'll talk tomorrow and just to clarify things, we're together. In case, your parents ask," Drake said.
Lily walked out and then apparated to her parent's place.
Harry and Ginny Potter were in their room. They were having a big argument. Lily heard the shouting the second she entered the house.
Lily hated that they were arguing over her. She was still angry with her mom but whatever happened was her fault too. She bravely marched to her parent's bedroom. She knocked and entered in after her father yelled a loud "Yes".
"Lily?" Lily heard her father ask.
Lily went to her father and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I should have told you but he knew you would hate him even before you knew him. He's a great guy and I love him," Lily said.
"I thought you were broken up," Ginny said dryly to Lily.
"We were but we aren't now. We are together," Lily said.
"Do you know what's going to happen? He's going to break up with you the second things get tough. That's what men do, Lily. When the going gets tough, the men get moving."
Harry looked at his wife with narrowed eyes. "What does that mean?"
Ginny just shrugged and turned around.
Harry looked at his daughter and said "Honey, wait for us in your room. Your mom and I need to talk."
Lily went out of the room. Harry went up to his wife and grabbed Ginny's arm, forcibly turning her around. "What's wrong with you? You act like I've never been there for you. I'm always there. Why don't you see that?"
Ginny turned away from Harry but he spotted the tears in her eyes. "I don't know. I can't trust you."
"I will tell you this a million times a day if that's what you want. I love you and I always will. I have never cheated or even wanted to cheat on you. I've always been there for you and the kids. Tell me why you've been this way. You're hurt and I've never meant to hurt you. And if I have, I'm sorry. Talk to me," said Harry shaking his wife. He wanted her to look at him. Really look at him.
Ginny eyes started to overflow with tears. Those silent tears turned into heartbreaking sobs. Harry held his wife close to him and stroked her hair, rubbed her shoulders and whispered words of love into her ear.
"I think we made a therapy breakthrough," In spite of the seriousness of the situation, both Harry and Ginny chuckled.
"We did not have anything to talk about. The kids left and I thought I was useless and you didn't need me anymore," Ginny said wiping her eyes.
"I'll always need you."
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the reviews. I hope the chapter wasn't too long. I just wanted the flow to be there.
And for anyone who is wondering, Ginny has something called "Empty nest syndrome."
I'll update soon.