A/N: Hope you like this chapter; I'm hoping to have chapter 9 up before my birthday comes next week. I'm hitting a very scary milestone so please wish me an early happy birthday now lol. Thanks for the reviews and favorite and story alerts. I do intend on following through with this story but every author needs encouragement to keep it up on a steady pace. So enough of me trying to persuade you all to review :D believe me when I say I do love your feedback and I do love writing this story :)

Disclaimer: LIKE BEFORE I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF THE MENTIONED CHARACTERS...except a few characters that are offspring to canon characters. But I do wish I was a redhead.

Pace and Patience is the Trick.

On Thursday morning, the Potters were attempting to enjoy a breakfast without the usual arguments. Much to Harry and Ginny's dismay, it wasn't likely. James was bitter that he was stuck with his family visiting horrid relatives, while Albus was a bit envious that Lily was going to spending the day with his best friend and not with him and their family.

Lily and he had already argued the night before when they each received their own letters from Scorpius. Albus had been grateful to receive his best friend's letter, which reassured him the day with his Muggle relatives would go well and promised to spend the weekend at the Potter house. Lily, on the other hand, had been nervous to be spending the day with Scorpius in his home. She remembered what had transpired there in her father's time from her Uncle Ron's rants about the Malfoys when Scor and Al became friends. She decided that the best thing to do was to put on a nonchalant attitude and enjoy her time at the Manor. Perhaps sensing her nerves, Scorpius had written and told her of the plans for Thursday afternoon.

She became excited and Albus became jealous, commencing the argument that had both siblings cold towards each other during breakfast. Harry was annoyed while Ginny was sympathetic of her children. She had toyed with the idea of convincing Harry on canceling on Dudley Dursley, but she remembered his reasons for going; family meant everything to Harry.

Despite their childhood dislike towards one another, Dudley and Harry had maintained a good familial tie to one another. And she had to admit to herself, Ginny sort of liked Dudley and his small family, despite their shock at having relatives that are magical. The fact that magic exists in their family has them all wary but courteous to the Potters, which was enough for Harry.

Ginny knew her husband wanted to have some sort of connection to the Muggle world; in their world, he's just Harry Potter. He may be a freak to his horrid aunt, but to his cousin's family their Uncle Harry was odd but cool. Albus and particularly Lily understood their father's love for the Muggle world. James was much like Ginny, fascinated but happy with the wizarding world. Which was why James was bewildered at the fight amongst his younger siblings. Ginny sighed and spoke to her youngest children.

"Now the two of you, I want this silent treatment to stop. Albus, you're going to be spending time with Scorp this weekend. Why are you so jealous of Lily being with your best friend? She's just as close with him as you are." Ginny's scolding didn't waver Albus much as her next words,

"Besides, would you rather her suffer at Petunia Dursley's constant stares and frowns so you can feel better about yourself?" Albus felt ashamed and looked at his mother in grim fascination; she certainly knew where to get to him. He sighed in defeat.

He was being stupid; he knew Lily was afraid of their aunt and frankly that bloody woman was a nutter, though he wouldn't admit it to his father. Even though he knew his father's sentiments towards Aunt Petunia weren't favorable, he still had a respect for her that she knew she didn't deserve. He looked at his father, who smiled at his youngest son. He smiled back and looked at his sister, who wasn't even paying attention to the conversation at all. She indeed looked forlorn and Albus felt guilty.

Lily had been excited, but Albus' attitude had dampened her mood and now she felt like she was being a coward on not being in the same room with Aunt Petunia. Even though both her parents assured her that she wasn't ready and they wouldn't want to force her to endure the manner in which Petunia treated her, Lily couldn't help but feel cowardly, as if she were escaping. Albus only reinforced that, whether he knew it or not.

Lily also knew Albus was jealous on spending time away from him, and spending it with Scorpius. They were going to do the things Albus liked to do as well, and he felt left out. She knew it wasn't out of malice, but she couldn't help but feel as if Albus wanted to ruin her day before it could begin. She was so sad, she couldn't focus. She wondered if Scorpius thought her a coward for escaping her Aunt Petunia, if he would think less of her. She couldn't bear his bad opinion of her. He was always so proud of her; she didn't want to let him down with her cowardice.

"Lily, I'm sorry." Lily looked up when she was spoken to; she hadn't been aware of what was going on around her. James had been still trying to get out of today's outing with his father and she hadn't heard her mother and Albus talking. It was Albus who spoke to her, looking shy and sad.

"Albus…" Lily didn't know where to begin. She wasn't angry with him anymore. She smiled through her tears that were forming in her hazel eyes and she leaned her head on his shoulder. He hugged her tightly while sighing,

"I didn't mean to be such a prat. I keep forgetting that you have a good reason on not going. I just got jealous that you and Scor would be having fun…" Lily shushed him with a slight pinch on his arm.

"You don't have to explain, Al. I know. And I'm sorry too. I should be going with all of you. I should be braver." Lily huffed in annoyance at herself. Albus shook his head, smiling sadly.

"You're brave by not going. She doesn't take to you well. I can handle her and so can James. He's just being a baby because Uncle Bill and Louis are going to visit Viktor Krum's family today for the weekend; he had been invited but couldn't go because of our visit." James snorted in disgust. He was still angry he couldn't go with Louis to Bulgaria. He glared at his father, who shrugged in a noncommittal way. Lily slightly giggled and James' face softened slightly. He didn't like his sister upset anymore than Albus.

With both siblings reconciled, the Potters were finally able to eat their breakfast in the cheerful manner Ginny had been hoping for, despite James sulking in his food. Lily had perked up and Albus was ready to be a compliant guest, which now left him in charge of cheering James up.

Ginny began readying herself for Flooing herself and Lily to Malfoy Manor; Lily and her father shared a warm hug, with Harry kissing her on top of her dark scarlet locks. James hugged the breath out of Lily while Albus gave her the same heart-warming hug that his father had given her.

"Have fun today with Scorp! And buy me something from Muggle London!" Lily laughed and winked at her brother in assurance he wouldn't be forgotten. Ginny grabbed a pinchful of Floo Powder and threw it in the fireplace of their home.

"I'll be Apparating back, Harry, so I shouldn't be more than 5 minutes." Ginny smiled warmly at her husband who nodded and returned her smile. She yelled into the green fire,

"Malfoy Manor!" And she vanished into the flames; Lily waved back and very clearly yelled into the chimney just as her mother before her.

In a swirling mass of images and soot, Lily finally toppled out of the fireplace and probably would have fallen to the floor if it weren't Scorpius' fast thinking. He caught her in his arms as she grabbed onto his arms, which were slowly becoming muscled and defined due to his body's growth and love of Quidditch.

As Scorpius held her steady, Lily found herself feeling his arms with a tingling sensation washing over senses and veins. She felt her blood become suddenly alert and alive; she began to blush for some reason she couldn't comprehend and hoped it didn't clash with her vivid red locks. She liked the feeling of being in his arms and she tried to remain there as much as it was possible. She began to blush more at her thoughts, hoping everyone would assume it was of her shame of being a klutz.

Scorpius found himself taken with the blush that graced Lily's cheeks. She looked almost porcelain-like, hazel eyes beaming with green specks vivid against her face and scarlet hair. He never referred to her hair as red; for some reason scarlet was the appropriate term for her and that is why in his mind, Lily was his Scarlet Lily. But of course she would never know that; he didn't understand why or how she could be his. But she's his best friend too, so it was okay for him to see her in that frame of mind.

Suddenly aware that he was still holding her, Scorpius straightened her up so she could stand steadily. She seemed put out and he raised an eyebrow at her. She laughed nervously, not wanting for him to knew her dislike on not being held by him. She then embarrassingly commented,

"I just can't believe I was so clumsy! So much for graceful, huh?" The youngsters laughed easily, and their shared moment was pushed to the side, but not forgotten by either. Astoria and Ginny hadn't witnessed the two of them, but Narcissa had seen how Scorpius held the blushing girl. Narcissa smiled wistfully, for it reminded her of her lost youth with her deceased husband, the days before the wars, when everything was simple for her.

She had a feeling that Scorpius was forming feelings for his best friend's sister, and was in the possibility of being reciprocated in the future once Lily began to blossom. She also began to have a slight fear that her beauty would capture the attention of others, and wondered if the girl was like her mother.

Narcissa shook the thought away, remembering the stories that Draco would tell her of Harry being unable to like a girl who liked him. His stories were malicious born out of jealousy since there were some Slytherin girls that had fancied Harry Potter in their youth, though they would have never admitted it.

From what she knew, Harry had only dated one girl before forming the lasting attachment with the Weasley girl. Back then she had scoffed at the blood traitors that were the Weasleys; now she looked fondly at one of their descendants, a girl who had unwittingly stolen a place amongst the Malfoy family. Her father, Harry Potter, had defended them; he knew of her sacrifice. His own mother did the same for him that fateful night October 31st, 1981. Despite Lucius' outrage at being at the mercy of a Halfblood, deep down Narcissa vowed to stand by the boy no matter what and endured her husband's taunts until his death.

Narcissa still missed him terribly, but towards the end of his life it took the strength of the Black family to withstand his anger. If it weren't for her sister Andromeda's forgiveness and love, she would have probably gone insane from her husband's downward spiral into bitterness. She was so grateful for everything, to still have her son by her side and her sister back in her life; it had been worth everything to really value the true importance of life: love and family.

Astoria was bidding Ginny farewell, who nodded gratefully at the elder Malfoy woman. Narcissa smiled and nodded her goodbye, while keeping an eye on her grandson and his friend, who had gotten over their moment and were chattering away of their plans for the day. Lily was excited but asked to ride Scorpius' broom before heading out for their adventure. He warily agreed and after a quick but loving hug to her mother, Lily sped off in direction to the Quidditch pitch she had seen from the window. Scorpius hugged Mrs. Potter goodbye, then began to chase after Lily.

Ginny laughed and once again bade farewell to the Malfoy women, sending her regards for Draco through Astoria. And with a pop Ginny Apparated to rejoin her husband and sons. Astoria heard her son and Lily arguing already over her flying capabilities, she rolled her eyes and gazed at her mother in law.

"The battles begin between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin." Narcissa chuckled and grabbed one of the plays of William Shakespeare. She motioned for Astoria to follow the shouts,

"Let me know when we're ready to leave for London, darling. I'll be here, reading the comedy between Benedick and Beatrice. How fitting for the current moment, isn't it?" Narcissa looked pointedly at Astoria, who raised an eyebrow. She grinned and shrugged her shoulders in a manner that said who knows. Astoria came upon a battle of sorts and sighed inwardly.

"Lily, you can not possibly expect me to believe you are able to outfly me!" Scorpius guffawed while Lily sniggered at his ignorance.

"Didn't I outrun you at the Great Hall? Care to wager one more bet with me?" Lily raised her eyebrows, challenging Scoroius. He began to wonder how truthful Lily was; she wouldn't wager unless it was a sure thing. He began to second guess his earlier statement. Lily, sensing his skepticism, began to smirk.

"What's the matter, Malfoy? Scared?" Lily taunted in a sing song voice while Scorpius' grey eyes narrowed into slits at his friend. Her own hazel eyes sparkled in the sunlight and in her taunts, she looked almost cat-like, like a lion luring its prey.

"You're on, Potter. What are the stakes?" Lily began to smirk at her triumph, while Scorpius was left to wonder what he got himself into. He had a feeling Lily was going to prove him wrong; he cursed himself for wagering with her. He had forgotten what he told his father of a known fact of Lily Potter: she always wins. He groaned at her gleeful smirk, hoping her stakes weren't that high. He had already formed his own bet.

"Well, Scor, if I win, which I will, you have to give me anything I want today. And don't worry, I will be reasonable. But if I want it, you must acquiesce to my request." Lily grinned cheekily and he sighed inwardly. Good, it wasn't that much of a loss to him. Thank Merlin, Lily had some sense; if it were Penelope or Paulina, either twin would have made him take them to a Muggle concert.

"Deal. If I win, which is highly possible," he ignored her snort, "you have to wear the Gryffindor colors for a week this summer." He delighted at her shocked face. "One piece of your clothing has to be either burgundy or gold. Whichever, I am not picky." He smirked the ever famous Malfoy smirk, which rendered Lily speechless.

She was used to his smiles and the occasional smirks, but this one made her feel nervous, almost as if goosebumps were forming all over her skin despite the warm June weather. She had seen the same one on Draco Malfoy's face, but for some reason it didn't compare on how it made Scorpius look now and she began to blush, hoping it would go unnoticed.

Scorpius saw how Lily blushed; he assumed it was because she was truly embarrassed on how horrid it would be to wear the colors of Gryffindor House. He smiled genuinely at her, loving how devoted she was to her House. He wasn't aware of her true reasons for the blush, but he still loved how pretty she was like that. He silently cursed himself and reminded his mind: that's his best friend, and his own best friend's sister.

"Well, Potter, is it a bet?" Lily shook herself out of her daze and glared at Scorpius triumphantly.

"It's a bet. Now let's do this so I can win already." Scorpius chuckled and went to retrieve two brooms from the shed. Astoria was standing at the doorway, looking wary.

"My darling Scorpius, dearest Lily, how long will this take? I do want to reach London before the term begins." Astoria looked slightly annoyed while her son laughed and Lily smiled.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Malfoy. This won't take long. Give me whichever broom, Scorp. I am not picky." Her confidence made her seem taller than her petite size, Astoria mused. She looked at her son, who threw her his father's old Nimbus 2001. He kept the Firebolt Millennia, which was the broom Draco gave Scorpius before starting Hogwarts. Lily smirked at his choice of broom and mounted the Nimbus. Scorpius did the same on the Firebolt Millennia. He looked towards his mother shrewdly,

"Mother, do you think you're able to judge fairly? I know you tend to favor the girls more than your own son." Astoria frowned at her son, not appreciating his attitude. while Narcissa suddenly appeared at her side.

"I'll be the judge. And I will have that mouth of yours, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, for your cheek at your mother." Narcissa sternly warned, while Scorpius smiled bashfully at his grandmother. He nodded his agreement and proceeded to fly up in the air; Lily followed. Narcissa reached her wand, sending out sparks from it as the mark to go.

And like a streak of red light, Lily was gone, with Scorpius right by her. Streaks of white and red filled the air as Narcissa watched with interest while Astoria was amazed at Lily's agile way of flying. Despite her speed, she seemed more graceful on the broom than when she stepped out of the Floo powder on her arrival. Scorpius had enough speed to keep up, but it was clear that Lily was sure to follow in her father's footsteps as Seeker.

Narcissa suddenly sent out sparks from her wand again, signalling a halt and Lily landed first in front of the elder Malfoy woman. Scorpius was close behind but barely. He was panting, seemingly out of breath while Lily was composed, despite her red hair in disarray from the flying. Scorpius caught her appearance before she made the motion to fix her hair, he found himself wishing she wouldn't.

She looked so pretty, he couldn't help but admire how Lily was growing up. He began to dread the moment when she would finally grow up. She would be a red goddess, no a scarlet goddess, among the colors of green and silver. Every boy at Hogwarts would be besotted with her and he vowed to help Albus and James reign in any boy who had any ill intention of being near her. He found himself very protective, unaware of his own feelings that were slowly building in his heart.

Lily was straightening her hair and she caught Scorpius looking at her with a slight dazed expression. He began to smirk at their eyes made contact and she couldn't help but admire him. He was growing up so handsomely and she was suddenly possessive of him. She would make sure no girl at Hogwarts was to come near him unless they were worthy of him. She was doing what she would do for her own brothers and cousins. She made a mental note to do the same for Albus; James could watch over himself. Besides he loved the attention of the girls, while she knew Albus was wary of any attention given his way.

Narcissa cleared her throat and both the teenagers looked towards her. She began to smile and looked at Scorpius, who began to silently triumph.

"Scorpius, your pride has certainly met its match. Lily landed a second before you did, making her the winner." Lily whooped with glee while Scorpius groaned. He had known that Lily was fast; he barely kept pace with her in the air and the way she moved amongst the trees and the pitch was pure genius. He had no clue on how fast she was until now and he knew that the Gryffindor team this year will have its match with Slytherin; there was no doubt in his mind that Lily would make the team. She was primed for the Seeker position. Adrian Pucey would be a fool not to select her and from Paulina let on, he was indeed no fool.

Lily was doing a sort of war dance and chant which had his mother laughing while Narcissa was clueless. She never cared for Quidditch and though she can see the talent Lily had, she was as disinterested as before. She had done her duty and was anxious to go to Muggle London. She expressed her impatience which Lily immediately agreed with her.

"I think its best not to waste precious time here debating something I had already warned Scorp about. Its time for him to pay up. Imagine James' shock when I make the team?" Lily chortled while Scorpius continued to scowl. She then turned to Scorpius with a determined gleam in her eye. "You cannot tell Al or James about this until I make the team for sure. This is between us. Please, Scorp? Don't tell them." Lily pleaded and Scorpius knew he had no choice but to agree.

He knew Lily wanted to prove herself to her family. Being the youngest child of Harry Potter and his only daughter came with expectations; Scorpius knew this was important to Lily. She wanted to prove she can be whatever she wanted, despite her parentage. He knew Lily wanted to do this for herself; it would be an accomplishment of her own. Deep down he knew she probably always hoped to be sorted in Slytherin, to separate herself from the expectations that others had given her siblings and herself.

James always loved the attention that came with being the son of Harry Potter, while Lily was amused and Albus was bemused by it. The latter two were always wary of it and never sought it like their elder brother. Albus was always made to be a Gryffindor, just like James and Scorpius himself. Lily was always different in her own charming but sneaky way. This was who she was; she was ambitious in the sense she wanted to be her own person, without caring what anyone else outside her family thought. Although being the Seeker for a Quidditch team was undoubtedly going to bring comparisons between Lily and her father, she was prepared for it, because this is what she wanted.

Scorpius always knew Lily had a determination in her that probably would have made her a Gryffindor but her heart always wanted more. He knew her just as well as he knew Albus which was why they were close. He understood her and she was grateful for it. And although he hated that he lost this wager, and bound to lose the other one he and Albus made with Lily and the twins, it was worth it.

He hugged her close to him while kissing her scarlet crown of matted hair. Lily leant her head on his shoulder in an almost natural way and breathed in his minty scent. She smiled since she knew Scorpius would understand her and respect her wishes. She just hoped as they each grew up, nothing would change between them.

Astoria smiled sweetly at the two while beckoning her mother in law to prepare for the Floo network. Narcissa had a nostalgiac face towards the teenagers and sighed while accepting her daughter in law's arm for help.

Lily looked up at Scorpius and grinned mischievously. Scorpius' face remained grim while she began to laugh in her triumph.

"Ready, Malfoy? Time for you to pay up!" She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the chimney. He remained stone-like in his stance, which made it harder for Lily to drag him. She laughed the entire time, especially when tired of his slow antics, Astoria used her wand to summon Scorpius to the fireplace, with Lily in tow. Scorpius protested while Lily practically died of laughter.

When Scorpius was finally ready as well as Lily to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron, Narcissa Apparated first to the pub and Astoria was the first to call out to the chimney,

"The Leaky Cauldron!" With a flourish of green flames, Astoria disappeared and Lily and Scorpius followed suit. And the day of Muggle London finally began, with both the teenagers excited and the Malfoy women content.