A/N: Here is my next installment of my little fanfic. The story is coming along nicely and I hope the pace is going well for most of you out there in fanfiction world. I'm doing some research on next few chapters since they will be primarily set in certain spots of London; some of the excursions that Lily and Scorpius embark on are my own conjecture of London from what I have seen in movies lol so please bear with my American Muggle self. I did a small shout out to one of my favorite bands out there...I just had to. Their music has me addicted. So onto this chapter, please be kind with the reviews, and thank you all for the favorite and story alerts. This story is dedicated to my best friend Katie, who is the reason why I am forging along with this story. Also a special shout out to x8xdanix6x who is a great Lily/Scor shipper as well! Read her stories and you'll understand!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANYTHING OF HIS UNIVERSE. With the exception of the children of canon characters.
The Daytrippers of London Calling.
After their arrival at the Leaky Cauldron, the daytrippers found themselves spending some time with the Longbottom family before they began their day in London. Lily went to embrace Georgie who was beaming with joy; she and Frank had just found out they were expecting a new arrival. Hannah Longbottom had just announced that morning to her husband and children she was expecting a 3rd child.
Lily began to shriek with excitement alongside her friend while Frank and Scorpius rolled their eyes, muttering about how girls always shrieked in any occasion. Astoria embraced the happy landlady of the Leaky Cauldron and Narcissa said a quiet congratulation to Neville, who in his ecstatic state hugged her with no qualms whatsoever.
For the next half hour, the Malfoy women caught up with Hannah while Scorpius was telling his plans for the day to the Longbottom men as well as his cousin, Teddy, who came to the pub for a quick lunch before his assignment at the Ministry. Georgie was asking Lily to get her something from Muggle London when Teddy approached to say his hellos to his adopted baby sister.
"Lily, I can't believe how in a few months you grew up so much! I dread to see you when you enter your 4th year." Teddy muttered, thinking of the attention his little Lily will be getting when she's older.
Georgie began to giggle despite Lily's scowls and confided to Teddy,
"Lily already has several admirers from what I hear." Lily looked at her friend in astonishment while Teddy growled in protectiveness.
"I want names. They need to be warned before they get fresh." Teddy had a slight light tone in his voice, although his hair had just turned a dark black and his eyes were not full of his usual brightness. Lily threw him a withering glance, despite Georgie's smirks.
"If I have any admirers I don't know them. Nor do I care to. I have more important stuff to think about," Lily huffed in a haughty tone. Teddy seemed mollified while Georgie stopped smirking and gave Lily a rather confused look.
"What's more important than boys?" Lily gave her a wide smile and responded with a resounding,
"Quidditch, duh!" Georgie rolled her eyes while Teddy seemed assured and hugged her in a state of relief.
"Thank goodness you have some priorities for the present time, Lils. I hate to sound selfish, but I hope you never take to boys until you're at least 21, although even then I won't be thrilled." Lily took her turn to roll her eyes while Georgie's smirk reappeared.
"Teddy, I think it's time you realize that boys will be a natural part of Lily's life sooner or later. She is Victoire's cousin you know and she's going to be a sexy Slytherin in the future!" Lily laughed while Teddy glared at Georgie and tweaked her nose in protest. Georgie squealed and Lily couldn't help but tickle her side as retaliation.
Scorpius was watching his cousin talk to Lily and Georgie; he had overheard that Lily had a few admirers already and it had him frown slightly in annoyance. Frank was eyeing his friend's behavior but Scorpius was too engrossed in his thoughts and sudden chagrin to notice Frank's scrutiny.
"I think Nigel has a slight crush on Lily, but he seemed to back off after Alastair Smith felt that Lily must be truly conniving if she's in Slytherin. Al almost murdered Nigel for believing the fool Smith; I hear he takes after his father, the pompous git." Frank shook his head while Scorpius was annoyed.
"Nigel had a crush on Lily but decided not to like her because she's a Slytherin? I really should rethink my stand on being his friend." Frank laughed when Teddy rejoined them after talking with the girls.
"What's so funny?"
"Apparently Scorp is thinking on disowning Nigel as his friend." Frank laughed a bit more while Scorpius scowled. Teddy seemed lost and asked for clarification. Frank replied,
"Nigel had a crush on Lily until that Hufflepuff troll Alastair Smith told him that Lily must have some Dark magic in her because she's in Slytherin and he wouldn't be surprised if Harry Potter was disappointed in his only daughter." Scorpius was outraged while his cousin took a similar, if not dramatic, attitude.
"I am in agreement with Scorpius; you can do so much better in the friends department. You have Frank here and Al. Not to mention Jack and I hear Adrian Pucey Jr. is a good bloke." Scorpius deepened his frown while Frank snorted.
"Who told you that? Lily and the twins?" Teddy shook his head,
"Victoire. He was her favorite prefect when she was Head Girl. Very fair minded and never showed any favoritism to his House. It helped that his father followed the trend Draco started; his wife was a Ravenclaw before she and her family fled the country at the beginning of the second war." Frank was impressed while Scorpius was intrigued.
"I wonder if Mother knows her. I'm surprised the Puceys have never been mentioned. I imagine its mainly because of Father cutting off contacts with his former Slytherin classmates." Scorpius sighed while Teddy gave him a slight punch on the shoulder.
"Don't worry of the past, Scorp. It's the present that truly matters." Teddy smiled and continued. "Its time for me to make my way back the Ministry which I'm dreading. Being an Unspeakable has me very Unintelligible to Vic." The boys laughed with him and he bade them farewell and sent Georgie and Lily air kisses with a flourish of his hand, which caused the pumpkin juice by Scorpius and Frank to burst. Teddy turned red and before he can attempt to clear the mess, Neville already had it magicked away. The girls were beside themselves with laughter while Narcissa gave her nephew a long look.
He made his way to hug his aunt, gave her a kiss on the temple, and Apparated away before causing more destruction to the pub. Hannah was laughing joyously while Narcissa commented,
"Oh how I wish I had known my niece better; from what I hear Dora was also on the clumsy side. She would have been mortified to see her clumsiness is a hereditary trait." She laughed softly and called Lily in a clear voice,
"I believe it is time for our adventure. Do you agree with me, Lily?" Lily immediately responded with an exuberant yes. She bid Georgie a goodbye hug and promised to visit properly soon. Before she can leave, Georgie pulled her aside.
"Lily, how come you didn't want to come here? You would have been welcome here too you know." Georgie seemed hurt and Lily began to feel awful. She hugged her again and reassuringly told her,
"It was a spur of the moment thing. Besides I always see Scorpius every summer and I guess it was a natural place to go to. And I want to see the manor; I hear Malfoy Manor is gorgeous!" Georgie sighed and slightly shuddered. Lily chastised her which Georgie recanted.
"I know its all in the past, Lils. Its just that it seems you and Al always favor Scorpius among the rest of us. It hurts a little, that's all. I know the three of you are close. I just wish me and Frank can fit in somehow." Lily felt slightly ashamed but brightened slightly. She told her friend in a secretive whisper,
"I think Rose has a crush on Frank. We should attempt to bring the two together. That should be our mission for our 2nd year. Anyway we should hang out more amongst us. And I promise to spend a weekend here soon. My mum wouldn't have it any other way." She winked at Georgie who was now forming a vision of Frank and Rose together. She giggled and the girls hugged once more before Lily made her way to the Malfoy women. Georgie was slightly impressed on how well Lily got along with the elder Mrs. Malfoy, who had a formidable appearance despite the fact she was well-liked with her father as well among the Potter family and Teddy.
Georgie then looked at Scorpius who was now by Lily's side and talking with her about something that had her laughing. Georgie was still looking at them when her big brother joined her.
"They could possibly make a pretty pair in the future, couldn't they?" Frank nudged Georgie's shoulder. She looked at Frank and asked him about Malfoy Manor. He shrugged as he told her of Scorpius' home.
"It's only scary when you remember that at one point Voldemort was there. Once you push that thought away, the Manor is really beautiful. Even Rose's dad commented on how it resembles nothing from what he remembers. A lot can happen in 20 some years, Georgie. Besides, Lily and Al see Scorp as another one of their own, just like they see us." She sighed in disagreement.
"She doesn't spend as much time with me anymore. Don't you feel the same way about Al? At least you get to see Al and Scorp. You're all in Gryffindor together; I get some cold shoulders from some of the other Hufflepuffs because of my friendship with Lily, Lucy, and Penelope." Frank began to snort with derision and Georgie was confused. He called over his father, who had become concerned about his daughter's grim face.
"Dad, how well do you know Alastair's father, Zacharias Smith?" Neville snorted in the same fashion as his son which left Georgie astounded. Her father and brother in that moment looked so much alike it startled her. Neville looked at his daughter with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"If Alastair is giving you a hard time over anything, you kindly remind him that no one from any house has forgotten his behavior at the Battle of Hogwarts. Is he giving you grief about Lily being in Slytherin?" Georgie was shocked which her father took as a yes.
"I had to give him and Al detention for fighting. It seems he had the audacity to give Al his condolences for his sister being in Slytherin, claiming it would be better for Al to uphold the Potter name and disassociate from his own sister." Georgie's shock was replaced with irritation. She couldn't believe she had let his pompous attitude affect her views of Lily and even Scorpius for that matter. As if sensing her internal confusion, Frank answered her from her earlier question.
"As for me feeling any form of rejection from Al, I don't feel like that anymore. I've learned and since understand why he and Scorp get along well. They both have very well-known fathers and they're more or less bound to one another. Al's dad saved Scorp's dad during the Great Battle. While Dad is just as famous," Neville hooted in laughter, "it isn't the same for us as it is for Al, Scorp, and even Lily. It's tougher for them, especially Scorpius, because they don't like that kind of attention while the others thrive on it. But since Scorp is a Gryffindor, it was always going to be harder for him and I hate to admit it, I was very cold to him in the beginning and James was ruthless, based on prejudices given to him by others. Al had already befriended him on the train and stood by him, despite my cold demeanor and James' often cruel attitude. It was only when Lily was sorted into Slytherin that James finally left Scorp alone and I had already accepted Scorp as a friend."
Georgie watched her friend say goodbye to her mother as her father went to join them. He gave Lily a big hug while Scorpius just gazed at her in a sweet manner that had Georgie feeling optimistic, yet slightly silly. She finally understood why Lily was closer to Scorpius, but it didn't nor should it change their friendship. She hated that she allowed such thoughts of differences enter her mind.
Lily never allowed the difference of Houses to separate any of them; she would always go to the Gryffindor table since there's where the majority of Weasleys/Potters were. The few times she would join them it was fun. Georgie cringed as she remembered the taunts of her fellow Hufflepuffs. Stupid gits; this year she wouldn't let any of them get to her anymore. She waved back to Lily who was about to step into Muggle London; she giggled at Lily's excited face which was contagious. She was never interested in seeing Muggle London but maybe one day with Lily and Lucy as well as the twins they'll have their own adventures.
Lily and Scorpius left his mother and grandmother at a shop in a fashionable area of London; it held a few shops that sold some Muggle designer clothing that Astoria loved while Narcissa was intrigued. Promising her and Narcissa that they would stick to the other at all times and be careful of other strangers while riding the trains, Lily and Scorpius made out to their "London Calling" adventure, which they had nicknamed.
With so much to see, Scorpius and Lily decided to stay by the main attractions of the city which had the Muggle music shops, particularly one that had some records that weren't sold anymore. Scorpius confided to Lily he had an old record player that could play Muggle records but was charmed to play whatever was placed on the spin. Lily was excited and determined she wanted to find a record to her liking. Astoria did say she wanted to take them somewhere interesting and it required Apparating, so she told them to meet at the Tower of London in a few hours.
Since the Tower would be their meeting place, Lily and Scorpius decided to save that attraction for last. In the meantime they toured Buckingham Palace, which had both of them rendered in awe of such splendor; even Scorpius' family wealth couldn't hold such wonders. They moved on to the British Museum, which had Lily fascinated with the things Muggles could find without magic.
They ran into a friend of Lily's father and uncle, Justin Finch-Fletchley, who has a daughter and son at Hogwarts; the daughter was in James' year and the son was in his final year. He was a curator at the museum which also has a secret wing he had begun work on after the Second Wizarding War which had a liaison office at the Ministry of Magic. The Minister himself was on the committee Mr. Finch-Fletchley began alongside Katie Bell to remember the events that culminated in both wizarding wars and the eventual Great Battle of Hogwarts.
Like everyone else, Justin Finch-Fletchley gave a wary look towards Scorpius, since he was no doubt his father's double just like Albus was his father's clone. Lily glared at the man before her and stood closer to Scorpius, as if silently daring the older man to say something negative. Scorpius began to feel lightheaded as Lily's arm linked with his, noticing the goosebumps on her arms. He then followed Lily's gaze and looked at Mr. Finch-Fletchley in the eye with respect, extending his hand in a polite gesture.
Needless to say, the older man was slightly surprised at a Malfoy being respectful of someone not of pureblood status. As he looked between the youngsters, it seemed that they were indeed close and if Lily was anything like her mother, she was fiercely loyal to her friends. Not wanting to get on the wrong foot with Harry and Ginny Potter's daughter, he asked them if there was anything they would like just to let him or his assistant know.
Lily and Scorpius thanked him, and began to make their way out. Scorpius stopped and told the gentleman he wanted to return with his best friend and asked if it would be possible to see the museum of the Wizarding Wars. Justin narrowed his eyes warily and asked,
"Who is your best friend, besides Miss Potter?" Scorpius grinned and replied,
"Why, Albus Potter of course; why else would Lily be my best friend too?" Lily smirked and Justin managed to hide his surprise well and told Scorpius he would be more than happy to have both the boys come back, and with others should they wish. Scorpius smiled and bid him a good day.
As Lily and Scorpius walked out, talking of going on the London Eye, Justin shook his head in disbelief. He made a mental note to ask Hannah or Ernie MacMillan if they knew of this friendship between the Potter and Malfoy children and why wasn't he told of this piece of somewhat astonishing news.
After their trip on the London Eye, which left Lily breathless, the teenagers roamed through the tourist shops around Big Ben and got on a double decker bus to tour Westminster Bridge and Parliament. Lily was moved by such sights, she can easily understand why her grandfather was fascinated with the Muggle world. She felt the wonderful air blow around them from the top of the bus; she then asked Scorpius if he had ever heard of the Knight Bus. He recalls hearing about it from Albus and they began to talk about the hope of one day riding the triple decker bus as opposed to the current one they were on.
They arrived to the store Scorpius had mentioned. It was a small one but the walls were covered with shelves of all kinds of items. Scorpius, who had been here before, told Lily they are called compact discs or c.d. for short and the squared objects were called records. The co-owner of the store, Lee Jordan, was a popular radio star in both the Muggle world and the wizarding world, and was a close friend to Lily's Uncle George and his late twin, Fred Weasley.
He welcomed them in with open arms and gave Lily the grand tour. She met the co-owner of the store, who lived primarily in the United States in New York City. He was also a wizard but was rather quiet and preferred to live as a Muggle while occasionally using his gifts at Charms.
He was an odd man but Lily liked him; he was pale with black hair and had an almost mystical aura about him. She learned he used to be in a band long ago but he had quit to compose his own music while reconnecting with his wizard father who was from Germany and Muggle-born mother who hailed from South America. His name was Carlos and showed Lily his recording studio which also served as the backdrop for Lee Jordan's radio show for the Muggle world. He then bid his farewell to Lee, explaining that he had to go back to New York to attend a movie premiere that he did a musical score for. Lily was curious about what a premiere was and they began to talk again which found Lily more engrossed in Muggle culture. She couldn't wait until she saw her Grandpa Weasley to tell him of what she'd learned thus far.
After bidding both Lily and Scorpius farewell and giving Lee some good ideas for his next program, Carlos left; Lily found herself wishing she had talked with him some more and hoped to see him again soon. She asked Lee when he was coming back and Lee gave a hearty laugh and wagged his finger at Lily.
"Now, Lilykins, I'd hate to tell your uncle that you have a crush on a man old enough to be your father. And I don't know when he'll be coming back. Even for a wizard he's odd; prefers to keep his true background a secret. Something to do with image…Americans are strange." Scorpius joined in his laughter while Lily stuck her tongue out. She saw that a friend of Albus, Nigel Creevey, was approaching them. She waved a casual greeting at him since she didn't really know him nor really cared to. He was the most uptight of her brother's friends and she found Frank and Scorpius more interesting as well as another of their friends, Jackson Thomas.
She began to wander the store as the two boys met up and began to talk to Lee about his store and radio star life. Lily was looking over the shelves as the music changed from an upbeat tune to a haunting one. It caught her attention immediately; her blood felt suddenly alive, like it did earlier when Scorpius held her after she stumbled from the effects of the Floo Powder. This wasn't a love song, but it grabbed her attention and the man's voice was making her slightly dizzy. He had a beautiful voice; it began to coalesce with the other instruments, becoming one. She heard the distinct sound of a deep strumming while the drums were becoming louder and the guitars, for there were two, were reaching a height of unknown boundaries, a crescendo of music that she never heard so beautiful, so captivating.
Lily stood by the windows that faced the studio that belonged to both the strange co-owner and Lee Jordan; she wasn't aware when Lee approached her, with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Where is that music coming from? Who is that? The man has a beautiful voice!" Lily was breathless as she gazed around, searching for a clue. Her eyes fell on a weird instrument,
"What is that?" Lee seemed impressed and smiled widely.
"That is a bass electric guitar and it belonged to Carlos D. the man you were speaking to actually; he used to be in a very well known Muggle band called Interpol, which incidentally was playing over the speakers right now." Lily gaped in awe,
"That was the band he was in? I loved that song; what was it called? I want to buy the record or compact disc." Lily suddenly remembered her wager with Scorpius and looked for him. She saw him talking with Nigel, and they seemed to be in an argument, although it was more of Scorpius lecturing Nigel who looked rather embarrassed. She was wondering what they were talking of, especially when Nigel caught her looking at him quizzically and turned redder. She saw the two shake hands in a truce and Nigel walked to the cashier to buy something. Scorpius walked towards her and she remembered her purpose on looking for him. She grinned widely and Scorpius rolled his eyes.
"What is it from here do you want, Scarlet Lily? I didn't even show you the classical music section; it is where that Muggle composer Azura played for you is." Lily shook her head in excitement.
"I want to listen to more Interpol." Scorpius looked confused and looked to where Lee was charging Nigel his own record. Lee began to laugh while Nigel sniffed,
"It's a Muggle band from America. Their music is somewhat melancholy and I don't really understand the songs. They all seem to be about a man and a woman or something." Lily threw him a withering glance.
"Apparently you are as dense as a Bludger, although I suspect the ball has more depth than you. From that one song, there was more beyond the words. In most cases, it's usually the meaning behind the music that calls out to someone, not the lyrics." Nigel frowned at her as Lily's glance turned into a menacing scowl. Lee laughingly began to usher the boy away; he remembered that look on Ginny Potter's face from his youth and was trying to save him.
As he exited the store, Nigel gave Lily an odd look, in which she returned it with a roll of her eyes. Nigel looked at his friend with a pleading look, and Scorpius smirked. He nodded to him and the boy left in a hurry. Lily looked at Scorpius, who changed the topic immediately.
"So what is an Interpol? And what do you want from it?" Lily raised her eyebrow at his change of topic; he knew she caught on to his game and shrugged nonchalantly. She huffed but forgot about it for the present time.
"It's the band that was playing and I want that c.d.! And I think it's time we head to the Tower of London, don't you think?" Scorpius agreed and asked Lee for the c.d. Lily wanted. At Lee's inquisitive glance, he explained he lost a wager to Lily and he was paying up. Lee started snorting with laughter; when will any boy or man learn not to mess with a Weasley woman? She may be a Potter, but it was apparent Lily inherited her mother's tenacity.
Scorpius turned pink while Lily did a victory lap around the store. He bought the c.d as well as a record for his Victrola at home to play for his mother. After saying goodbyes and well wishes to Lee and his son, Lee Fredrick Jordan who came back from with his friend Kyle Wood, who were also in Gryffindor and the pranksters of the Hogwarts along with James, Louis, and Eliza, Kyle's sister. Scorpius and Lily made their way to the Tower of London, with Lily expressing her deepest hope of seeing one of the ghosts that haunt the tower, which Hannah told her about back in the pub. Scorpius couldn't help but smile at Lily's enthusiasm of the Muggles; she was indeed Arthur Weasley's granddaughter and pride and joy.