Passage 2—
Lily's Plan, Part I
Harry, Hugo and Lily had stopped in front of the broomstick and Quidditch store, and Lily had spotted the new broom along with some athletic-looking girls. She looked at her and sighed, "We'll see".
Hugo had brought up after fumbling over his pecked finger from his newly bought owl, Pegwig, his birthday present he still has not received quite yet. Lily had given him a look, but Harry had stated the missing present was true. Hugo led his uncle into the store, leaving Lily to glare at the two, especially since Hugo was getting a broom and she—she was not.
She turned back to the display case along with the other girls, only to eventually wait awhile. Finally she was still standing there, alone, staring into the display case ignoring those of the customers whom have bought something quite like it.
A chime sounded and Lily heard footsteps stop.
Scorpius stopped in his tracks at the afternoon sun's reflection of deep auburn hair.
She was found staring at a broomstick in the window glass. Her eyes were in need of it.
She had heard many stories about her parents as Seekers. She was rather proud of them. She looked at the sleek pure white of it, radiating a sense of purity much like the name of the flower Lily was nicknamed after. However, instead of the regular, traditional white lily people often saw at funerals, Lily's personality was characterized as a Tiger Lily, a much happier species of the lily.
Her father had said, "We'll see" when she asked him about the broomstick and if she may have it when she perfected her flying. It was one of only five of its kind that was available and Lily was certainly determined to win it fair and square—of course, quickly as possible. She sighed as she remembered that Harry was buying Hugo a broom quite like the Snow Sweeper, however its cousin—the Glacier Glider, which was of, sleek icy blues.
It was all because her father forgot to buy a gift for Hugo.
She sighed just thinking about the face Hugo would display when he looked at the neatly wrapped broomstick in his hands.
Yep, Lillian Luna Potter was indeed jealous. Jealous of her equally overlooked cousin, Hugo. Though she was quite happy for him, since he had more opportunities or areas to show his parents what he could do than his father did when he was Hugo's age.
"You look sad, Potter," said a voice Lily recognized and with that she noticed the sleek blonde, pointed features and those silvery eyes she had begun to despise—much like her father did when he was her age. Much like her mother did. However, back then, they had despised Draco. However, it was rather strange for a Malfoy to speak of something so obvious, something that was not well hidden on Lily's face.
"Huh? I'm not sad! I'm happy!" Lily said.
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. He was unconvinced.
"Happy about what, exactly, Potterette?" he asked walking to a space next to her. He was a few feet away still, as if Lily had some disease.
"I'm happy that my cousin Hugo is getting what he wants and deserves," Lily sniffed spotting the wrapped package in Scorpius' hand.
Scorpius smirked, noticing Lily had eyed the package in his hand. "Midnight Glider," he said eying Lily's questioning look.
"A cousin of the Glacier Glider I presume?" Lily asked.
"Sleek black with a few shades of deep sapphire," Scorpius answered giving the description of his broom. "The tail end giving off a slight bluish hue."
Lily grinned. "I think you should have gone with the Snow Sweeper," she said.
Scorpius' expression was rather comical as he tried to keep his face from contorting into an ugly grimace.
"Potter, why would you ever think I would go for that pansy of a broom?" he asked, his expression changed to an incredulous face.
Lily shrugged.
Scorpius looked at her as Lily looked at the display case.
Lily fought the urge to cry out of jealousy. Especially since, yet again, a Malfoy got what he wants. Sure, some things from the past never change. Maybe this was one of them?
She did not realize a tear dropping down her cheek when Scorpius handed her his handkerchief. He was looking the other direction as if it was no big deal and Lily hesitantly looked at the piece of cloth. She was looking at him as if to say 'am-I-tearing' or rather 'is there something on my face'?
"Here…you're tearing," Scorpius said pushing the handkerchief further in Lily's face.
"No I'm not!" Lily said turning back to the display case taking hold of the handkerchief offered to her. She glared as Scorpius looked at her with a smug smile on his face. In the reflection, Lily found out she hated how the Malfoy was correct. She was tearing. She was crying. Over something she cannot have that she wants very much and standing next to her was a Malfoy that got everything he ever wanted. He got everything that he dreamt of.
And yet, Lily only got maybe a quarter of the things she wanted.
Silence developed between them and a woman walked up to them. Her facial features resembled Daphne Greengrass, however she looked quite younger and rather delicate. She smiled at the two, despite Lily being a Potter. A very smug Draco Malfoy followed putting a hand on Astoria's shoulder as he looked down with his silvery eyes at Scorpius and Lily.
"Ah, so it seems we met up with you again, Miss Potter," Draco said, trying to sound polite as he could.
Astoria glanced at Draco with a disciplinary stare and smiled down at the redhead.
"I see you have met my son. So, you must be Lillian Luna Potter. Of course you were named after those whom your father knew," Astoria said, politely.
Lily could not help but feel a small curve of her lips broaden into that of a smile. It seemed that Astoria Malfoy nee Greengrass had more experience with meeting those whom she had a grudge for years. The question is—was her mother on the list of those Astoria had a grudge on?
"Yes, I am Lillian Luna Potter. You may call me Lily for short," the eleven-year old redhead said to Astoria. "My mother is Ginevra Weasley."
"Of course, how could I forget," Astoria said. "This is your first year?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You must be extremely excited. I heard a number of stories from Draco about your father. To tell you the truth, Draco told me stories about your father and how he was his rival."
Lily smiled. "Indeed the same for my Dad. He spoke of the second war too and how they both sort of helped one another," she said, following the exquisite manners of the pureblood witch in front of her.
Astoria smiled at her son. "You indeed found yourself quite a friend, Scorpius," she said ruffling her son's hair.
Scorpius and Lily had opposite feelings toward that statement.
"Mum!" Scorpius grumbled.
Lily grinned, still holding Scorpius' handkerchief.
"Ah, Mrs. Malfoy, I see you have finally met my daughter," Harry spoke up leaving the store.
Astoria smiled down at Lily with a well-mannered smile tugging on her painted lips. "Indeed I have. She is quite a charming child," she said. "Care to dine with us, Mr. Potter?"
Hugo blinked. "What about Aunt Ginny?" he asked.
Harry smiled. "I'd say she would be getting the others to go to lunch with her. So, I guess that leaves us to accept the offer," he said smiling at Astoria. He had adapted Dumbledore's mysterious, yet polite smile.
Draco nodded his head at Harry.
"Well, we can show you the place then," Astoria said. "We've been quite open-minded since the war."
Draco gave an apologetic smile at Harry, but was immediately elbowed by Astoria.
Hugo, Scorpius and Lily trailed behind the three parents looking at one another incredulously.
"I thought they hated each other!" Hugo said.
"'Tis must be awkward," Lily agreed.
"For once I agree," Scorpius agreed, thrice.
"Oh well, I'm kinda hungry," Lily said.
---
Throughout lunch the kids watched their parents socialize with credulously. Was it Astoria whom changed Draco for the better besides the war? No one knew, not even Draco's son whom was tightening his grip on the wrapped broom, he was showing off to Lily and Hugo to cover up the fact they were eavesdropping.
"What are Horcruxes?" Lily asked.
"That point of the story was told by my father," Scorpius said. "It's not meant for a bedtime story."
"Well, my parents certainly told me about them, gave me a fright when I was younger," Hugo said with a dignified expression on his face.
Lily smirked at that. "You still have nightmares, Hugo."
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. Indeed, he was now starting to think Lily had some Slytherin traits. Especially when it was Lily herself whom thought of the cover up to eavesdrop on the kids' parents.
Hugo felt himself turn red. "But, not as much!" he added.
"Sure, sure," Lily said with a smug look on her face. She started fiddling around in her pockets taking out some money. She counted up the coins and paper money in her hand and grinned.
"What are you doing?" Hugo asked, hissed.
"I'm thinking of buying the Snow Sweeper with my own allowance," Lily said.
"What?!"
Scorpius smirked. He was starting to really think Lily would be a great Slytherin, now. "She meant what she just said, Weasley," he sneered.
Hugo glared at him.
"Well, if my father can't buy me the Snow Sweeper, and I earned all that cash from chores and slaving for my brothers—then perhaps, I simply will have to buy it myself," Lily said, casually, with a shrug.
Hugo paled. "You just can't do that. You're eleven years old what if you somehow come across Knockturn Alley?" he asked. "What would you do then? Lot's of wizards and witches disappear in that place and never come back!"
"Well, why don't you come with me and protect me like the big brother of a cousin you said you are?" Lily said with a sly grin.
"You'll need a guide," Scorpius spoke up. Sneaking around Diagon Alley without his parents seemed to be even more interesting than sticking around to hear the rest of the adults' conversation. "But it comes with a price."
Lily looked at Scorpius. "What would that be," she asked the Malfoy.
"You'll have to go with me to Knockturn Alley," Scorpius said with a smirk.
Hugo gulped. "Say no to it, Lily. You're going to get in trouble!" he said.
"Oh quit complaining. What is the harm? I mean we're going to stick together aren't' we?" Lily said. Scorpius nodded.
"But if you haven't noticed, we cannot use our wands!"
"You've forgotten that I am the sibling of pranksters and a niece of a master prankster," Lily said with a smile. "What can be the harm about a little non-magical technique?"
"You're not saying…" Hugo said.
"Muggle pranks can be quite useful if you watched enough movies," Lily said. "However, what is more important… is this…" She opened her small knapsack to show a little of the shimmering fabric.
Hugo's eyes widened as Scorpius' eyebrows rose. "Bloody hell, where did you get that?" Hugo said in a harsh whisper.
Lily zippered her knapsack shut.
"Well, after awhile of finding missing underwear that your siblings used for pranks, well you kind of get a little tired of it and you want revenge. Let's just say that I will be quite ready for Hogwarts… if you know what I mean," Lily said.
"You got the Map too I suppose?" Hugo accused.
Lily smiled. "That I will have to ask nicely for," she said.
Hugo groaned.
Scorpius looked bewildered at Lily. Was she really liked this after those insufferable times of getting a first impression of her?
Lily looked at Hugo and Scorpius. "Now, I know the perfect plan to do this in the time frame our parents will need to finish eating their lunch," she said. She gestured the boys to move their chairs closer to hers and she whispered while looking in awe at the broomstick Scorpius had uncovered.
To be continued...
Disclaimer: I have not ownage over Harry Potter :. JK Rowling does.
Will be beta-ed soon... once I remind my beta. Dx
