YuleBall
"Fifth-years,mate. Can you believe we've only two more years left?" Scorpiusonly half listened to Gregory as he went on about O.W.L.s andwhatnot. He'd secretly been dreading the first day of school—notthat he'd have told anyone about it. Lily had completely ignoredhim throughout the rest of her second year, and he had seen she wasgoing to continue on that same track.
He'dmade a show of waving broadly at her as the boarded the HogwartsExpress, completely humiliating himself as she didn't bother toacknowledge him in the least. He'd been feeling worse than thenight of Lily's sorting. However, not nearly as bad as he felt whena school owl dropped all the letters he'd sent her in front of himat dinner. All of which were unopened he couldn't help but noticesadly. She was always with her brothers and cousins, so as to showhim she needn't his company.
TheDuelling mentorship between the two was short lived, as she'ddemanded another partner the next day in class. Scorpius had foundout the hard way; walking up to Lily and having her turn her back andpractice a hex on her new partner. A highly annoying blonde Slytherinto be his new partner. She was dimwitted and dense, though Scorpiusmade little effort to help her, as he was too busy glaring at theGryffindor lucky enough to be partnered with Lily Potter.
He'dexpected the rumours were long gone, though. She seemed a hit withthe Gryffindor students. He was glad for her, seeing as she washappy. He, conversely, had been wallowing and completely rotten tohave for company. He looked at her from his table—worldsaway,he thought glumly—grinning and chatting with anyone who spoke toher. She seemed to excuse herself from the table before standing upand brushing off her robes.
Hemade an effort to keep his face bland and unreadable as his mindreeled. A year had made a remarkable difference. It was true; hehadn't paid such close attention to her appearance since that nightshe's cried in front of him. He was unbelievably disgusted withhimself. Looking at her now, it still seemed impossible. Maybe onlyan inch taller, yes; but lacking the lanky and thin appearance she'dcarried with her for her first two years at Hogwarts.
Heswallowed—inaudibly, he hoped—when his eyes lingered on hernewfound curves upon their own accord. She was still thin, stillshort, still blushing incessantly, still…average. Yet, he couldn'tfind anything that wasn't remarkable. Her small, rounded shoulders,petite frame, tiny waist, broader hips—everything he remembered waschanged. His father had told him once, about how many a male studenthad been smitten with Ginny Potter.
Hedidn't see how Lily could ever have the effect. Now—he could. Heregretfully noticed, as well, that it was not only he and theGryffindor boys who had noticed her changes. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuffhad eyes wandering and roaming, all the same. Gregory tuned back intohis mind.
"Fifteenyears old, Score. Two more years 'til we're of age!" Lily leftthe Great Hall just as Scorpius was falling into a new woe. Yes, twomore years until he was of age. And four until Lily was.
"Right."He agreed half-heartedly. "Well, I'm off." Gregory asked himsomething he hadn't bothered to hear or care about. Truth be told,Gregory was beginning to get on his nerves. It was almost Christmas,and he was still going on about how unbelievable it was that theywere fifth-years. In fact, when Gregory had mentioned the Yule Ball,Scorpius was both annoyed and frightened.
Morefrightened. He hadn't actually realized it had been so near. Notonly had he not had time to get a date, he couldn't think of anyone girl that didn't fade in comparison to Lily. Besides, anyoneremotely interesting would have already been going with someone. Hefrowned at his dim reflection on the marble floor, thinking it shouldnot have been so hard for him to find a suitable date.
Hewas Scorpius Malfoy, for heaven's sake. Girls would line up at thechance to go with him—he looked around—and yet, there he was;walking the corridors alone. The first period bell chimed, floodingthe corridor with students from the Great Hall. In the distance, herecognized Pamela Creevey. He hurried to walk by her side as sheheaded in the direction opposite to his own.
"Scorpius!"She sounded surprised, looking at him briefly through wide eyesbefore raking her fingers nervously through the ends of her hair."Um—hi." He grinned crookedly at her.
"Hello,Pamela." He glanced over her shoulder and nodded at her friendkindly. "I was only wondering whether or not you'd be interestedin accompanying me to the dance?" Her wide happy eyes died todisappointment and what looked like regret. She sighed.
"I'mgoing with Colin Zabini." She kicked glumly at the floor andslouched over slightly. Scorpius nodded in understanding, quite happythat she was unavailable, despite his urgency.
"That'squite all right. I shouldn't have waited so long—a knockout likeyourself was sure to be taken." He said smoothly. He couldpractically see her swooning.
"I-Icould cancel." She suggested. Scorpius laughed good-naturedly.
"Imaginethat! The next Ravenclaw match would send me to the hospital wing forweeks!" She tried to laugh along with him, but failed miserably."Oh, well. I'll see you 'round. Nice meeting you…" The tallblonde extended her hand business-like.
"LilacWood." He raised his eyebrows at the name briefly before shakingher hand. He was going to be very late to his potions class—andProfessor Goldstone wasn't a fan of tardiness.
--
Oncefinished with cleaning out his cauldron—a vile stench arising fromit, due to a shrinking potion gone terribly wrong—Scorpius placedhis books in his bag. He'd knocked one over accidentally, thinkingof how the day just wasn't working for him, he leaned over to pickit up. However, beside his own fifth-year text book was that of athird-year's. Brows furrowed, he brought it up to the table;carelessly shoving his book into the sack. Flipping the cover page,his eyes flickered warily onto glittering green ink.
Theletters were illegible—some sort of charm, undoubtedly—but forsome strange reason, intriguing. His brows furrowed furthermore as henoticed the tip of the cover page coming loose in what looked like anold and overused piece of parchment. Strange, seeing as the booklooked well-kept and exceptionally new. His eyes scrutinized theblank page, coming across many sparkling green speckles.
Curious,he didn't mention the book to Professor Goldstone as he left theclass and headed to Muggle Studies. Taking out his wand—the hallswere once again spectacularly empty, as he was late yet again—hepointed the tip to the parchment and muttered 'specialisrevelio.'Of course, much like he'd expected, the specks remainedunintelligible.
Hewalked into Muggle Studies, ridiculously late—receiving a detentionfor this—and sat down rather sloppily next to Gregory. Rose Weasleysent him a dirty look, obviously from having interrupted her answermid-sentence.
"Whatthe hell took you so long?" Gregory whispered to him as theprofessor spoke about Muggle means of transportation. Something abouta 'car',Scorpius noted for no particular reason.
"Hadto stay to clean my cauldron in potions." He muttered under hisbreath. Rose turned to give them a sharp look before shushing themharshly. Scorpius narrowed his eyes at her before plucking a piece ofparchment from his bag and transfiguring it into a paper bird. Itsfrail wings fluttered against his palm before he set it off in herdirection.
Ofcourse, the professor happened to notice them at that particularmoment—and sent him to his office for a detention straight afterclass, having it been the last class of the day. Scorpius grumbled ashe packed his bag. Rose sent him a triumphant look.
"Sheesh,what's a guy got to do to get away with being up to no good?" Hethrew his back of his shoulder roughly.
"Hey,man, you dropped this." Gregory handed him a folded piece of oldparchment—its frayed edges looking freshly familiar to Scorpius. Hefrowned at it.
"Thanks."Walking to the professor's office, he didn't dare unfold theparchment—not with all the students buzzing around him. Realizingwhere he'd seen the edge of the parchment, he hurried to the officeand sat on a chair, hastily opening it.
Incurly, green letters, words appeared across the parchment.
Mssrs.Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot & Prongs
Purveyorsof Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present
THEMARAUDER'S MAP
BeforeScorpius could see what 'The Marauder's Map' was exactly, thedoor to the professor's office swung open. Scorpius put the mapback in his bag and sat straight, ready to endure his detentions.
--
Laterthat night, sitting in his common room, he pulled out The Marauder'sMap to look at it clearly. He gawked at it as he realized it was amap of Hogwarts. A very detailed map of Hogwarts. ProfessorMcGonagall's name appeared in front of the headmistress's officeas she seemingly walked down the corridors to Ravenclaw's tower.Then, out of nowhere, Lily Potter's name appeared in what Scorpiusknew was the Potions class room.
Somethingclicked in his mind—absurd, he thought it as, because the map couldbelong to any third-year. But who, what young student, could think ofhiding this spectacular map in a textbook?Lily Potter, cunning, witty and clever as she was, just happened tobe in the potions class room. Looking for her text book and map,perhaps?
Scorpiusdidn't ponder it for any longer as he tore down the hall, notcaring if someone found him. He was a prefect, after all. He walkedinto the room, holding the book and map.
"Lookingfor these?" Lily turned to him with a startled look upon herfeatures. "Lumos."The room filled with the dull light emanating from his wand. Her facewas pink and her hair tousled.
"Um…well—that'smy book." She neared him and took it lightly from his grasp. Shereached for the parchment sceptically. "That's just some oldparchment of mind." He grinned at her.
"Or…itcould be The Marauder's Map." He smiled as her face grew red andshe looked shocked. He opened the parchment and showed her that greenink.
"Mybrother's are going to kill me." She took the map and pointed herwand at it. "Mischief Accomplished. You can't tell them." Shetucked the now blank parchment into her text book before tapping thecover of it with her wand and muttering some sort of charm.
"Iwon't." He hesitated; she was finallyspeakingto him. "Lily, about last year. I didn't mean it the way it cameout—"
"Iknow." She said softly. "I overreacted." She looked down at herslipper-clad feet as she kicked at the ground. "I'm sorry."Instinctively, his hand reached up to brush a lock of hair behind herear.
"Well,all's forgiven right?" She smiled and nodded. "Fantastic.Because I'm in desperate need for a date to the Yule Ball." Shebit her lip.
"Actually…"
"Ohno. I thought youofall people would have been available!" She gave him an angry look.
"Youmaking me rethink that whole apology. I'm sorry I can't beavailable to your every whim! You know, Scorpius, I didn't reallythink of myself thatbad."
"No,no. Not what I meant. It's just…you're a third-year."
"So?A lot of third-years get asked." He nodded, trying to get the wordsout right.
"Iknow, but you're…you!" She raised an eyebrow. "Um—not howit sounded."
"Right.Well, I'm tired. Tell me when you decide to form a coherentsentence." He watched her leave before thumping his head againstthe stone wall.
--
Theball arrived far too quickly for Scorpius' liking. He'd gottenhimself a fifth-year date. Marlene was tall, blonde, blue-eyed andpretty. She'd been complimented endlessly on her dress—a deepsweetheart neckline enhancing her cleavage, so Scorpius had beentold—but he hadn't exactly noticed. Sure, he'd wondered how shehad yet to be asked by another, but she was one of the many thatdimmed in comparison to Lily Potter.
"Scorpius,"Marlene's hand rested on his shoulder seductively, "would youmind fetching me a butterbeer? I'm simply parched." He smiled ather and nodded briefly, revelling at the chance to leave her company.Half way to the refreshment table located at the end of the Greathall, Scorpius became distracted by the mumbling from in front of theentrance staircase. Inclining his head to see what the commotion wascoming from, he noticed people were shocked to see a girl.
Itwas Lily, Scorpius was both surprised and ecstatic to realize. Herdress, midnight blue, was shimmering and flowing in all itsfloor-length glory. Other girls had filled out their dresses a bitmore than Lily could—but it was expected for someone with such atiny stature. The modest, wide scooped neckline teased the skin justbelow the pallid skin of her collarbone, the sleeves only smallcap-sleeves just covering her shoulders.
Herhair fell in smooth ringlets, cascading around her face from withinthe neat bundle of curls on her head. Along the wide neckline anddown the edge of fabric along her open back was a line of deep-bronzeaccenting. Three sole dull-coloured buttons in the same bronzefastened the rest of the dress' back—one of these buttons wasplaced on each cap-sleeve.
Scorpiuscouldn't help but to have gawked at her. His eyes were fastscanning the crowd for the lucky bloke that had her for a date. Shewalked and placed her hand in a Hufflepuff's. Though Scorpiusdidn't recognize him, it was obvious that many girls were jealousof Lily—though the same could be said for the nameless Hufflepuff.A fleeting thought ran through his mind and Scorpius almost caughthimself desiring the freckles her mother had.
Heregretted the thought not moments later, when she grinned andfollowed the lucky arse to the ball room floor. Marlene tugged on hisrobes, calling for his attention.
"Scorpius,they just called for a dance led by the prefects." She blinkedexpectedly at him. He found himself wishing she were considerablyshorter as her hand found its way to his shoulder. He found itawkward, he was tall for fifteen—but she was tall for a female,period. None the too far off, Scorpius watched—with envy—as theHufflepuff boy twirled Lily around with expertise and practise. Hejust about found himself scowling, it'sbecause she's really graceful,Scorpius thought agitatedly, he'dlook like a fool with any other partner.
Howeverdesperate his thoughts, though, he could not convince himself ofthis. Yes, Lily was remarkably light-footed and coordinated, but theboy was a fantastic partner. He was reminded more firmly of this whenhis own partner grunted from his foot planting rather painfully onher open-toe shoe-clad foot. After what seemed an eternity toScorpius, the song finally ended with a dwindling, high-pitched noteby a sole flute.
Sooneror later all the students and staff of Hogwarts were seated fordinner with their respective dates. Not having much of an appetite,Scorpius settled for pushing around his food and glaring at anyHufflepuff student he could find within the premises. Lily waslaughing, smiling and enjoying herself in general. He grumbled tohimself, gaining a few curious glances.
Hewas still a tad peeved she had been so offended he thought shewouldn't have a date to the Yule Ball. It wasn't as thoughthird-year invitations were exceptionally popular. Maybe ten, if itwas a bad year—or a good one, depending on how one looked at it.Looking around, Scorpius could only pick out seven third-years,counting Lily.
Now,he only felt like hitting himself in the head with a Quaffle. Ofcourse Lily had been asked to the ball. His was dimwitted to haveever thought otherwise. She was a great date for anyone. She wascharismatic, funny, sweet, good-natured, intelligent—and damn wellcleaned up nicely, too.
Ittook him a while to figure out everyone had finished eating and weredancing. His eyes had been fixed on Lily the whole time; his mindrunning in endless loops of questions, and insults. Directed to theHufflepuff boy, and himself both. What caught his attention was thelook on Lily's face as she watched someone on the dance floor.
Sheseemed to heave a heavy sigh before looking into her lap, undoubtedlytwiddling her fingers round as she so often did. He looked over tothe dancing couples—noticing Marlene with Gregory and not caringmuch—until his eyes fell on Mr. Hufflepuff, dancing with RoseWeasley. Scorpius clenched his jaw as Lily hastily walked by him andout of the Great Hall.
Truthfully,he didn't blame Rose. Many had been asking her to dance thatevening, and it must have been hard to keep track. He was, however,incredibly irate with the bloke who'd been fortunate enough to beLily's date. It was painfully obvious he had feelings for Rose andthat they were reciprocated. Standing up in anger he waited where hestood. Torn between finding Lily and taking care of the dancingidiot, he hesitated. Finally deciding on dealing with the Hufflepufflater, he all but ran out the double doors of the Great Hall and intothe corridors of the castle; searching for Lily.
Shewasn't particularly hard to find. She hadn't gotten far, and wascurrently cursing fervently at her shoes—one of which had decidedupon lodging its heel in the crook between a tile and the wall. As heneared her, he could see the tears streaming down her red face,flushed from embarrassment—though she wasn't aware anyone couldsee her—anger, tears, and hysteria.
Herunfastened cloak was slipping off her thin shoulder as she tuggedruthlessly at her calf, willing the heel to come loose, but to noavail. He bit his lip, frustrated with his feelings of amusement andadoration. He only became aware of how close he'd gotten when shewas in reaching distance and looking up at him with wide, glisteningeyes.
"Sc-Scorpius."She swallowed, trying to clear her throat as her voice had come outraspy. "Hi." He let a tiny smirk pull at his lip.
"Hi."He raised an eyebrow. "Would you like some help with that?" Herface flushed deeper. "You look a little stuck. Her laugh wassomewhat hysterical and sounded mildly psychotic.
"Um—well."She looked down at her leg helplessly. "I tried getting it out—itjust won't budge." He was amused all over again.
"Didyou try taking the shoe offyour foot?" She blinked and let her head fall against the stonewall before gesturing to her leg. "I guess that's a no." Hemumbled loudly before kneeling down and wiggling her heel out of thetight crook. It was harder than he'd expected, her thin, bronzeheel seemed impossibly stuck. He had to slip her foot out of thesmall, round-toed shoe in order to wiggle it vigorously.
Shegnawed on her lip as he helped her foot back into the shoe. Her facewas a bright red as he rose to his full height.
"Thankyou." They were standing remarkably closer than Scorpius hadexpected. Still, even in heels and standing on a step above him, hewas taller than her. Granted, not by much now, but Marlene had neverappealed to him the way Lily had with her petite posture. He wasthrilling at the lack of space between the two of them, and wasecstatic when she seemed to move forward even the tiniest bit.
"Oh,Lily Loony Potter
Wasdressed all nice and prim,
Witha painted face,
Anda Hufflepuff date,
Shewas destined for good fate!"Lily practically growled.
"Shutup Peeves." This of course, persuaded the poltergeist to singlouder.
"LilyLoony Potter,
Wasjealous as could be
Whenthe Hufflepuff boy
Andthe Weasel girl
Fellin love that very night!"Now, Scorpius was becoming angry. Lily was looking sad again; itmingled with her anger and gave her a look of pain. Scorpius wasrather affected from that.
"Goaway, Peeves." He said harshly to the highly annoying ghost.
"LilyLoony Potter,
Wasa running from the ball
Cryingboo-hoo-hoo
Whenshe lost her shoe
Thinkingshe'd be there all night."
"Peeves!"The two of them shouted together. Peeves amplified his noise level.
"LilyLoony Potter,
SawBuggy Malfoy near
Shewasn't blue
'Causehe fixed her shoe
Ahappy couple were the two!"Scorpius glared at Peeves with the utmost hate.
"Ifyou don't leave now, I'm going to get the Bloody Baron." Peevessqueaked and fled the sight immediately. Lily huffed.
"Should'vesaid that earlier." She shifted uncomfortably form her spot on thesteps. Scorpius shrugged.
"Ohwell. See? You should have come with me. We could have laughed at theHufflepuff boy and Rose then teased her for being so shy andembarrassed around him!" Lily smiled, to his relief. He thought shewas going to take it the wrong way again.
"Yeah;I should have." She smiled again before yawning.
"Tired?"Her face pinked.
"Abit." She admitted. She yawned again and gave up, telling him she'dbest be off to bed. "The girls are going to send a millionquestions my way, anyhow." Scorpius nodded his understanding.
"Okay."Though tremendously disappointed about Peeves' interruption, he wasglad they were no longer fighting to the point of ignoring. She bither lip in hesitation before leaning forward quickly and pecking hischeek.
"Bye!"She squeaked rapidly before tearing up the steps to the Gryffindorcommon room. Scorpius leaned against the wall, much as he'd donethe previous year, and slid to the floor. He was wearing the mostfoolish grin and was quite okay with his thoughts. Shelooked so amazing,he thought proudly. ThatHufflepuff is a complete moron.
A/N:Yay!! Another chapter! Okay, it's alright, I guess. Pretty longtoo. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and put this story on Alert. AndI just want to say, that if you are reading this, I really wouldappreciate it if you did review. I understand you just don't feellike it sometimes; but I got a lot of Alerts from people who didn'treview.
Justsaying, it's really appreciated. Thanks for reading!! :D