A/N: So here is the next chapter to my little story. I have realized while reading several fanfics that Lily always is written as the youngest. I also realized that in my story she isn't the youngest and that was my mistake. I had forgotten about the other cousins. They are just way too many to remember! But I think I got the last known two and therefore because of my lack of research I made them the youngest ones by a year to Lily and Lucy and Hugo. I hope you purists forgive me because I am a little annoyed I missed that fact. Sigh. Much appreciation to my reviewers! Thanks so much to you and to those that are afraid to review but favorite my story nonetheless. Seriously, you guys keep me going. I have already written chapter 6 but I'll publish it later this week after I get the following chapters at least outlined.
Special shout out to x8xdanix6x and her awesome story Snake Charmer and the sister story as well as her one shots. She inspired me to write my own fanfic on Lily/Scor as well as jinxdoll's The Inquisitor's Son and a few other authors :) I may need to start one shots as well because Lily/Scorpius pairings are my favorite! I need more!
Disclaimer: Really? Do I need to stress that i don't own Harry Potter? Every chapter! Honestly, I don't own anything except my Muggle self. And a brand spanking new blu-ray dvd player. I can't wait to watch Beauty and the Beast!
Girls vs. Boys, Fearing the Fearsome Foursome, and Reunions.
They arrived at the station in Hogsmeade and began to file on to the train. Lily and Penelope saw Hagrid's back towards them and ran to say their goodbyes. Lily knew she would see him at least once during the summer holiday but she couldn't help feeling a bit down; she wouldn't be able to have tea with him in his hut by the Forbidden Forest. She and Penelope managed to finally convince Hagrid to melt his desserts before serving them which had been a brilliant stroke of genius in the eyes of the Potter/Weasley brood. Lily had one time forgotten to warn Penelope and she suffered her best friend's wrath later on in the common room, while Lucy and Diego had died of laughter while Azura and Adrian had been trying to prevent Lily's temper getting the best of her.
Penelope had grown a fondness for the gamekeeper and she understood why Lucy was anxious to be in his class; it amused her that Hagrid's views of magical creatures were similar to those of new mothers. He treated all animals big and small, docile and dangerous, with love and compassion and infinite patience. Although she didn't have Lucy's passion for animals, which her and Lily suspected was Charlie Weasley's genes coming out, Penelope could see herself enjoying the class along with her two close friends.
They bid Hagrid goodbye and he hugged the pair of them so tightly that the girls were afraid of losing oxygen or having their ribs broken. Lucy came by to save the day; she wanted to say her goodbyes as well and she was smart enough to bring Hugo and James with her. She then joined Penelope and Lily, who were chatting with Paulina. Lyla's mother was a nurse in the infirmary, so Madam Thomas and Lyla along with Jack did side along apparition with their mother. Lily and Lucy were jealous, but the twins quelled their envy by insisting side along Apparition was not a pleasant experience.
The four girls bounded on the train and began a search for compartment to them. Albus waved over to Paulina, indicating they found a compartment next to James, Louis, and the others. Lily and Penelope began to make their way when Paulina stopped them.
"Let's sit among us girls. I rather not sit with Al or Scor today. I share a House with them, for crying out loud. I prefer you girls over the boys," Paulina commented with venom in her tone. Lily raised her eyebrow and Penelope was shocked since she figured her twin would want to spend time with her crush. She gave her a twin a look and she haughtily stared her down. She shrugged, acknowledging her twin's decision and gave Lily a look. Lily looked at her brother and Scor, smiled at them and shook her head.
The boys were left dumbfounded and the girls found their own compartment. Albus seemed insistent on being with the fearsome foursome while Scorpius was wary. Paulina had a look in her eye and he knew that look. She was mad and she was hatching a plan. He looked at Lily inquiringly and she shrugged, expressing her own confusion but happy to be with her friends. Scorpius sighed and told Albus,
"Al, lets leave the girls. Bad enough we're going to be surrounded by them all summer long, and I agree with Paulina." But surprisingly his friend was adamant and he saw the way he looked at Paulina and then Lily when it clicked. He wanted to know the depth of Lily's Quidditch skills. Scorpius wanted to laugh. Albus was acting as if he was barely seeing Lily for the first time, although the constant glances at Paulina were a bit confusing.
They made their way to follow the girls, who prohibited the boys to enter their compartment with the exception of Diego Zabini. When Albus demanded why he was allowed and he and Scorpius weren't, Paulina coolly replied,
"You're aren't a Slytherin."
"Neither are you." Scorpius retorted when Lily shot back in defense of Paulina,
"She is by default; she is literally Penny's other half." And with that she shut the door and stuck out her tongue. Scorpius and Albus waved their fists at them through the glass and the girls doubled over with laughter while Diego looked smug. Albus muttered incoherently about silly girls while Scorpius was annoyed that Zabini was in the compartment with them, and so close to Lily too. They soon joined Rose, Hugo, and the others in a compartment and played Exploding Snap until the train arrived at King's Cross. When Albus passed by the compartment the girls were in, he noticed that Georgie was in there with them.
"The bloody hell is the meaning of this?" Albus roared while Lily looked innocent and contrite.
"What's wrong, brother?" Scorpius snorted at Lily's 'innocent' nature in which she shushed him while she looked sorrowfully at her brother, who wasn't buying it for a second.
"Why wouldn't you let me in with all of you?" He asked truthfully; indeed he was slightly hurt that his baby sister shut him out. She looked at him and smilingly informed him,
"Al, we're girls. We had to have girl talk. Diego left awhile ago to join his pals. That's all; besides you're going to have to get used to it when I make the Slytherin Quidditch team and by the way: I do know how to ride a broom. I took full advantage while you and James were gone and Daddy taught me how to ride whenever you or James were elsewhere." Paulina also threw in,
"Oh and Adrian Pucey Jr., who is in the running to be the Slytherin captain and the Keeper for the House team showed Lily some tricks that you won't get to see until the match." She beamed up at him and Albus groaned, looking slightly glazed in his eyes as well.
Lily began to bicker with her older brother as they got off the train and lugged their trunks off to their waiting families; they continued on bickering when they each got to their parents and Ginny demanded what was going on.
"Al can't accept the fact that I am going to try out for the Slytherin Quidditch team and he doesn't believe in my flying abilities." Paulina smirked at Albus, joined in the discussion and retorted,
"Do you remember our wager, Potter? Ya its still on!" Paulina smiled evilly in which Albus got more annoyed at the females around his orbit. Ginny was warily looking over the crowd of youngsters surrounding her and beckoned Harry with her eyes, in which he began to ask about everyone's year and in the case of the newcomers, how was their first year at Hogwarts. Chatter broke out all once and the argument between Lily and Albus was forgotten.
As Astoria greeted her son, Draco asked if it was true what he had heard Lily proclaim to her father. Scorpius sagely nodded and Draco began to laugh jovially.
"I'm sorry, Scor, but you Gryffindors do not stand a chance if Lily Potter becomes a part of the team." Scorpius glared at his father while he continued to laugh and Astoria shook her head.
"I shall never understand the allure of Quidditch." She remarked as she gave her mother in law a roll of the eyes and saw the twins and Lily approaching them. She glanced at her sister Daphne who hugged her daughters and waited to be presented to Lily. Penelope spoke up first,
"Mother this is Lily my best friend! And Lucy is coming now, she's my other best friend."
With poise and skill at managing the shock that never left her after receiving news of the twins placement, Daphne Nott smiled at the two girls.
"It's a pleasure to meet the two of you. Not only do my daughters rave about you both, but I believe my sister has a special place for you, Lily. I have heard of your academic prowess and it seems to me you may be Head Girl in the future." Lily laughed as she shook her head in response,
"Oh no that's too far off, Mrs. Nott. I just hope to make it on the team next term. I have a wager with my brothers and Scor." She grinned evilly at Scorpius who glared at her. Daphne began to laugh,
"Well with such determination I'm sure you will. I hope at least both girls will become prefects for their Houses." Daphne's eyes flickered slightly to Paulina, who was busy looking at Albus, who couldn't stop looking at her. Penelope, however, caught it. She went to stand by to her twin and gave her a mother a hard look.
Knowing that Penelope would defend her sister no matter what touched their mother; she had been afraid that, despite their letters of reassurance, things would have changed between her only daughters. If anything, it seems to have strengthened them individually. She can't deny that Paulina's placement in Gryffindor had disappointed her and Theodore, but there was nothing to be done but make the best of it all. Maybe Astoria was right; times at Hogwarts were finally changing for the better among the long standing rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy had been looking over at her grandson when Lily had smiled at him. Despite his glare, he did seem to have a sweet dynamic with her and it amused her. She looked over at Scorpius and Albus Potter and she smiled congenially. She spoke to Lily,
"Lily, I do hope to see you over at the manor during the summer. Since you and Astoria's nieces get along so well, it would be nice to have some females over at the house for a change. I do miss having girls around and it would be such a change in the atmosphere of the house. And also maybe you can convince the girls that there is nothing to be afraid of."
Astoria looked sheepish while Draco began to roar with laughter. Scorpius also adopted his mother's stance while Lily looked confused and looked to the twins for some enlightenment. She was surprised to see that they also looked sheepish like their cousin and aunt. Draco saw Lily's confusion and shook his head while still laughing,
"Oh there's nothing to be confused of, Lily. Apparently my mother figured out a trick of my wife's." Draco winked at Lily who still felt she was missing something but decided it wasn't worth her time to know. She knew that Mrs. Malfoy was a difficult woman to please and she wanted to impress the elegant woman for some reason.
"I'd love to come by sometime, Mrs. Malfoy. I hope it can be on a weekend without my brother and Scorpius there. I already see the both of them enough as it is." Mrs. Malfoy laughed lightly and nodded her head. Scorpius was a bit annoyed, however, and took offense.
"Oi! I thought we agreed upon piano lessons awhile ago. It was your idea, Lils." She gasped and latched herself to his arm while beseechingly saying,
"Oh! Yes, please, Scor! I do so want to learn! Ever since I heard Azura play and she taught me a few scales I do want to learn! Please, Scor?" Lily pouted slightly which had Scorpius laughing.
"That may work on Harry Potter, but it sure doesn't fool Scorpius Malfoy." He grinned and nudged her slightly while she furrowed her brows in frustration. "But yes, little scarlet Lily, I shall teach you." She grinned in genuine delight and proceeded to throw herself at Scorpius and hug him. He turned pink and he awkwardly hugged her back.
Astoria caught Penelope and Paulina looking over at the pair and saw as they winked at each other. She also noticed how her mother in law cringed slightly but continued to smile kindly at Lily. Oh dear. I wonder how Draco and Harry will handle this possible development, Astoria thought to herself. She chuckled and proceeded to walk with her husband who was chatting animatedly with Albus and Hugo; everyone else began to follow suit and eventually the families parted ways for the time being.
Astoria had invited her sister and husband over for dinner with the twins as a welcome home gathering. Seeing that Scorpius was becoming close with Paulina and Penelope, Astoria and Draco decided that having Daphne and Theodore over would ease the shock of Paulina being sorted into Gryffindor, just like Scorpius. Thus began their own tradition while the children were away, and it had given the Notts time to vent their shock to the Malfoys. Draco was sympathetic at first while Astoria was anxious for her sister to move on from it.
"Honestly, Daphne, it isn't the end of the world. Remember Father's shock of me becoming a Ravenclaw? He eventually accepted it; you and mother were the shocked ones" Astoria had reminded her one evening after the term had begun; this would be one of several dinners that would have this constant subject as a dinner topic.
"Yes, but its different! This is my daughter!" Daphne had softly cried in protest, while her younger sister stiffened at her insinuation.
"And what is that supposed to mean? That your daughter was cheated out of a prestigious house? Or that this only happens to other families that don't hold pureblood traditions as importantly as others?" Her tone was calm, but there was an icy edge that Daphne knew very well and she looked at her sister with an apologetic smile which didn't phase her at all. Astoria continued on,
"Daphne, from what Scorpius tells me, Paulina is happy. Apparently the Sorting Hat saw something more in her than just a pureblood. It saw the same thing it saw in Scorpius. Now if you're going to continue this nonsense of her being Gryffindor, then these dinners will cease. But I promise you, Paulina has my unwavering support as well as Draco's." She coolly walked by her big sister, who was still in shock over her twin girls being separated, as well as her sister being short with her.
Theodore Nott had been the same way; when it became apparent that both his daughters were close to the Potter/Weasley family, he had hit another level of horror. For several dinners, he ranted and raved while Draco patiently listened and Astoria silently seethed. Daphne would remain quiet; it wasn't until one dinner few months before that it all stopped with an outburst by none other than Narcissa Malfoy.
"Enough! I have had it with these constant complaints about something that can't be undone! My GRANDSON if a Gryffindor and I am proud of him. He is the top of his class, is one of the best Quidditch players on his team, and a favorite with all his teachers. From what my daughter in law tells me, your daughters are universally well liked and loved by the Potter girl. And I have NO quarrel with the Potters nor the Weasleys." She stood up gracefully but forcefully at the same time from the table and glared at her son.
"If you insist on having Mr. Nott over for dinner and if this topic remains to be such a fascinating one, I refuse to sit at the table until after the dinner is finished. Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Nott." Narcissa threw one last withering glance and left the table in utter silence.
After that scene, both Daphne and Theodore kept their comments to a minimum and it was usually after dinner. As the summer holiday began to approach, Daphne became a bit more reasonable while it would take her husband awhile longer to adjust to Paulina and Penelope being close with the Potter and Weasley families.
As she set up the table for the Nott family to arrive, Astoria looked towards the parlor room; Scorpius was playing a sonata from a Muggle composer that he introduced to his grandmother, which Narcissa Malfoy truly enjoyed. She sat near him, enjoying the composition while Draco read the newspaper with a smile on his face.
Draco looked up at the same time and he smiled lovingly at his wife. Astoria beamed and went to join her small family. She sat on her husband's lap while her son played the piano for his grandmother. She felt such joy at knowing that her son was growing up to be a wonderful boy and she knew she was always right: the Sorting Hat always knows what lies in the soul of every young witch and wizard.
The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the Nott family. Astoria and Draco escorted the family into parlor room for drinks and conversation. As the room began to buzz with small chatter, Astoria remembered the scene at the platform. She looked towards the twins, deciding which one would be the most open. Paulina was currently talking to Narcissa, and Penelope was busy goading Scorpius about Lily's chances of being the new Seeker for Slytherin. At this, Theodore looked at his daughter in surprise,
"Lily Potter is trying for the House team? Is she any good?" Penelope began to boast about her best friend, on how Lily was under the tutelage of Adrian Pucey Jr. Theodore was beyond surprised and for the first time looked impressed. "And what are you trying out for, Penny?" She grinned at Scorpius, who snorted in disbelief, and replied,
"I'm trying out for Beater. Adrian saw me pitch a bludger at MariaBella Zabini and was very impressed with my aim." Daphne looked outraged,
"Is that what you got detention for! Mrs. Elisa Zabini is a good friend of mine, Penny! I couldn't look at her for weeks after she informed me, very rudely as a matter of fact." Daphne shook her head in disdain while Penelope snorted,
"MariaBella is on her way on being a very good friend to all the boys, Mother. Even Diego agrees with me and he's her brother. My goodness I am so happy he isn't a thing like her; besides she had that bludger coming to her!" Mother and daughter began to argue while Theodore stood by Penelope, with obvious pride in his face. Draco was looking excited at the prospect of Slytherin being good competition while Scorpius was in a state of shock. He knew his cousin was good at aiming things at people. He had been her favorite target in the past.
He began to argue with his uncle and dad about the chances of Slytherin being a match for his team, and Astoria decided to follow Paulina to the kitchen, who had volunteered to bring Narcissa a cup of tea. Meanwhile she sat looking amused at the scene before her and shaking her head in astonishment on how such a violent sport could cause so much nonsensical chatter. But nonetheless she was enjoying the atmosphere and sat in quiet but enjoyable silence.
Astoria walked into the kitchen to see her niece looking confused on how to make tea for the elder Mrs. Malfoy. Astoria chuckled quietly and approached Paulina.
"Here, let me help you, Lina dear." Astoria smiled at her niece who sighed with relief.
"Thank you, Aunt Astoria. She didn't tell me how she liked her tea so I was afraid to mess it up. She's devious, that woman." Paulina whispered, in fear of being heard.
Astoria laughed openly and proceeded to pour the tea while she talked of her mother in law,
"Oh she is a wonderfully clever woman. One just needs to know how to speak to her and decipher what she wants. I've mastered it quite nicely." Paulina giggled while her aunt prepared the water and tea leaves; Paulina then quietly added,
"She reminds me of Lily sometimes. Lily Potter can have a tongue on her and she leaves people wondering on what she meant. You should see how she talks to the Slytherin third years! They have some sort of war against Lily, Penny, and Lucy." Paulina shook her head, grateful she wasn't caught up with any sort of rivalry. This intrigued her aunt,
"Why do they pick on them?" Paulina rolled her eyes while she replied,
"Because everyone can see that when they're older, they're going to be beautiful, especially Lily. She has the most prettiest hazel eyes but if you look closely they have a slight green tint to them; she has pale skin with dashes of freckles and beautiful red hair. Lucy is pretty too, but her red hair is different than Lily's. Lily already has some of our fellow first years looking at her hopefully, but she doesn't notice. She's too busy riling up Al and Scor." Paulina blushed at the mention of Albus which Astoria did not miss.
She remembered not that long ago when Draco made a reference to Paulina having a crush on Albus; it seems her husband can be pretty perceptive when he wants to be. For the present time, she was going to spare her niece any mortification and decided to find out if her own observations were correct.
"Do Lily and Scorpius interact at school as they do here?" Paulina seemed a bit hesitant now which confirmed her suspicion, a suspicion her mother in law may also be aware of. She gently stroked Paulina's hair while she asked, "Lina, darling, is there something on your mind?"
"Um…I don't know, Aunt Stori." Paulina looked at her aunt, wanting to talk about her and Penelope's earlier dicussions, but not sure what to say.
"Lina, does Lily have a crush on Scorpius?" Paulina looked shocked at her aunt's direct manner. She slightly blushed and gently shook her head,
"I don't know, but we think Scor may like Lily. He's always looking out for her and whenever she smiles at him he looks almost lost in a haze. We think that's why a third year Priscilla Goyle hates her. Rose Weasley told me that Priscilla has always liked Scor despite him being in a different house; ever since Lily came to Hogwarts he's always talking to her or about her in class. Lily is really smart especially at Potions, which is also Scor's favorite subject. We saw how Scor looked at Lily on the evening before the Sorting Hat ceremony and we think that's when Priscilla saw him and began her stupid vendetta against Lily. Penny became Lily's best friend shortly after the sorting. They got along well while on the train, as well as Lucy." Paulina said this all in a rush of breath, relieved she can finally discuss this other than with her twin. Who else was better than their aunt Astoria?
Astoria nodded. She winked at Paulina, stood up and grabbed the tray holding the tea. She looked slyly at her niece and said,
"I think Narcissa has waited long enough for her tea." Paulina jumped off her stool and proceeded to help her aunt take the tea to the parlor room.
They were gone for awhile but the argument was still going on between Scorpius and his uncle and father. Narcissa was now speaking to Penelope and Daphne, but was a bit annoyed on having her tea delayed. With some soothing words of wanting to reconnect with her niece, Astoria pacified her mother in law and was content on joining her watching the men argue over Quidditch.