A/N: Sorry for the delay; it's been a tough couple of weeks: getting sick, then sicker, then my dog Stella had puppies and ya. That was an entire ordeal I sort of don't want to relive until I have my own children. The next chapter will be up in awhile; trying to get it all together so it can be nice and long :] I loved writing this so I am anxious to write the next chapter. Hope you all like it and no worries: Lily's summer won't be dragged on tooo much and then we will see her second year a little more in depth. I do love reviews so please help me out and let me know if I am taking awhile to get to a point or a simple "i love it!" would make me feel special...its been a tough month, people. Give me some love! Btw, italics are a flashback, just an fyi.
DISCLAIMER: AGAIN I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF THE CANON CHARACTERS except for the twins and some random offspring here and there.
A Tale of Two Mothers.
When the four daytrippers arrived back at the Manor, they were are all pleasantly surprised, especially Astoria, to find that dinner was practically ready. Draco, unable to leave the apothecary to meet with them at Highgate, had taken it upon himself to cook dinner in the Muggle fashion as long as Tibby had been left in charge of the dessert. When hearing of the bargain her son had to make with the house-elf, Narcissa had laughed at the irony of it all and kissed her son on the cheek softly, excusing herself to make herself more comfortable and presentable for dinner.
Draco turned to Lily with unexpected news,
"Your father sent me an owl while I was at the apothecary; seems that he and your family were going to leave your uncle's house later than planned. Instead of joining us for dinner, your parents and Albus will join us for dessert and tea." Lily raised her eyebrow and Draco knew her silent question. "It seems James opted to spend the evening with your cousins at the Burrow."
Lily rolled her eyes while Draco just shrugged his shoulders in a dismissive manner. Sensing her son's sudden silence, Astoria motioned to Draco,
"Draco, my love, let's see what dessert Tibby planned for us and possibly she'll let me make coffee to accompany tea and dessert. I am tempted to make some like you do, dear." Draco scoffed at his beloved wife,
"My darling, I won't let you anywhere near my coffee pot after the last time. You stick to the gardening while I am in charge of Muggle appliances." Astoria placed her hands on her hips, annoyed with the insinuation of her incompetence of certain electrical items in the kitchen. Quickly deflecting a possible squabble, Draco dragged his wife away before she could berate him in front of the teenagers in the living room.
Lily giggled as she heard Astoria complain about Draco's lack of confidence in her concerning his Muggle kitchen toys and turned to Scorpius. She was shocked to see that he wasn't joining in her laughter. In fact, he was not by her at all. He was staring at the window, gazing out towards the Quidditch pitch his father had built for him. He had a faraway look on his face and he looked troubled. Lily's heart ached at seeing him this way and immediately went to his side.
She touched his shoulder and was slightly put down on the sudden stiffening her gesture had caused in her best friend. She felt the stubborn streak course through her veins and with a blazing look, focused on her goal, proceeded to squeeze herself between Scorpius and the window. He looked at her oddly and she rolled her eyes. He would give her an odd look while he is acting this way, she thought to herself ruefully, typical Scorpius. She grabbed his hands and held them tight in her own small hands; she saw his eyes flutter to a close as she reveled in his touch but she shook away these sudden feelings and steered herself back to her mission.
"What's wrong? You went silent after your father said my family is coming over later. Don't tell me you're still nervous around my dad?" He opened his eyes and her heart ached again at seeing the resignation in his eyes. "Scor? Why so serious?" He laughed slightly and made to remove his hands from her grasp but she tightened them, sensing his intentions and refusing to let him go just yet.
He sighed and moved them slightly so they can each be more comfortable; he sat on the window sill while she stood in front of him, his hands under her hold and her eyes so warm and hazel and full of concern that he found himself blurting out,
"James isn't coming." Lily raised her eyebrows, caught off guard by his answer. She looked confused and slightly irritated as she responded,
"So? Why does it matter? He's a bit of a git who thinks he's the second coming of my grandfather and Sirius Black. I think its splendid he isn't coming and Al is. We can tell him everything..." Lily's rambling ceased as she gauged Scorpius' expression. He looked at her with a sad smile and her confusion was deepening when she remembered the story her father told her long ago; a story about forgiveness and love that she heard when she was 9 years old. While her best friend sat there, looking at her in silent wonder and trying to come to grips with himself, she let her mind wander to a memory she always kept close to her heart:
She was sulking in the garden; she felt abandoned. Al and James had left to Hogwarts, her mother had left her while she did "some quick shopping" with her Aunt Hermione. Hugo had gone back to the Muggle secondary school her aunt had enrolled him in. Lucy was busy with her parents, Teddy was busy with his internship at the Ministry. She was alone and she hated it. She was too discouraged to even fly her broom with her father, who had a curious look on his face. Lily barely acknowledged it but thought it was rather odd of her father to be at a loss with her.
In his mind, Harry Potter was reliving Al's words before boarding the Hogwarts Express: "Why is everyone staring?"
He had known that Teddy and James had come to find out the truth concerning him while at Hogwarts, being exposed to children that were descendants of those that either fought in the war, were victims of the war, or connected to someone of Slytherin House. He didn't want Lily to find out from others; she was different. She was his little girl with spunk and spirit; he had trusted Albus to take the truth well just as James and Teddy. Yes there was some slight resentment from his young boys, but they eventually understood why Harry had kept his family life and his past separate. He expected Albus' to be no different, but his youngest son was bound to surprise him.
As he watched his daughter, he had come to the conclusion that he would tell her a story; he had already told her some bits of his past with Tom Riddle and she had heard from various cousins, particularly Victoire, of the Dark Lord.
"Lily, may I tell you a story? Something I never told your brothers, something only a handful of people know?" Lily looked up at her father with a questioning look; he looked so serious and for a moment he looked unsure of himself, something Lily never saw in her father.
It startled her; her father was one of the greatest wizards in the world. He was the most talented of the Aurors and a close friend to the Minister of Magic. She had heard of him defeating an evil wizard and he was the reason he had the scar on his forehead which she was always curious of. He always waved away the story behind his scar and her curiosity was suddenly raging...
"Daddy, is about your scar? Is it about the war?" Her father had looked at her lovingly and beckoned her to his lap. She bounded to his arms and snuggled close to this heart, listening to the strong beat that was drumming in her ear.
"Yes, Lilybug. But this stays between us, no one else can know because it is a scary story and I don't want your mother skinning me alive for telling you this." Lily had laughed and grinned in agreement at her father.
"I promise, Daddy! But Daddy, tell me! Is it about your scar? The war?" Harry Potter smiled at his beloved daughter and nodded. She immediately fell quiet and prepared herself to be enthralled.
"Somewhat it is. To be more specific, its more of a story about love. It's a tale of two mothers who would have done anything for their child, risk evil itself in order to protect her child, her son. You see, when I was a baby, my mother died protecting me. She braved a man named Tom Riddle, who wanted to kill me for a reason no one will ever understand, not even myself. She didn't have a wand but all she had was love; love for me to live. Love for her beloved husband who had died trying to save us, love for her friends that were still at risking at dying at this madman's hands..."
Lily found herself in awe of the story so far and realized...
"My grandmother Lily! You named me after her! Oh daddy! She was so brave wasn't she?" Lily's eyes were brimming with tears as her father hugged her tightly, unable to let her go. The memories had always stayed with Harry Potter; his daughter's love, her presence, would keep him from falling apart. It was reminiscent from the time he had confessed to Ginny Weasley-Potter his story from that turbulent year.
"Yes, my beautiful Lily. She was brave; her love for me saved me. Even though Tom Riddle left me with this scar, I now see it is one of the most wonderful things of who I am. My mother died for me to live. I never got to meet her but having you in my life has made me realize she never truly left my heart."
"But Daddy, you mentioned another mother? Who was the other mother?"
"The other mother was a woman, Narcissa; she had a son , Draco, who was my age and wasn't the best of people when we were young at school. It was in the middle of the war and...I had gone to face Tom Riddle himself. I wanted to face him alone, to save those that I loved. Your Uncle Ron, your Aunt Hermione, to avenge your Uncle Fred and Teddy's parents. It was the only way to stop him. I almost died..."
At this Lily had started crying softly but was desperate to be brave. Knowing her father had done the same as his mother had rendered her silent but dumbstruck. Obviously the story had a good ending since her father was here, holding her tight as she fought the tears she was holding back and he knew it, but the thought of him gone slightly terrified her. He continued holding her as he kept on with his story,
"The last thing I thought of was your mother. Whom I loved so much, even then. I would do anything for her, face even Death to save her." Harry Potter decided to keep this memory with Albus Dumbledore between himself and Ginny; he saw that he was already scaring his little Lilybug. Telling her he indeed had died would be too much for her at this point, but he knew at that moment his daughter was very perceptive. Praying she wouldn't notice the gap in the story, he continued.
"As I lied there, pretending I was dead after Tom Riddle had failed to kill me, someone came to check if I was truly dead. It was Narcissa. She was a supporter of his, and she was made to check my heartbeat..." He stayed silent as Lily was beside herself with worry of the story.
"Daddy, what did she do?Did she hurt you?" She whispered in fear, as if speaking aloud would ruin the tale of the story. Her father had smiled and shook his head.
"No. She saved my life. You see, she was so worried about her own son she didn't care anymore about Tom Riddle and being his follower. Her son was the only reason she lived, she breathed. She asked me in a whisper as her hand was over my beating heart if he was alive. I had just seen him so I told her yes. Because he was alive. I could never lie to a mother, even if she was the snobbiest woman I had ever met. And she defied the Dark Lord, lied to him so she can pretend to be part of the winning side just to see her son, and rescue him."
Lily had gasped. Tom Riddle was the Dark Lord Voldemort! She had heard the evilest things about him and here was her father, saying his name as if he were talking about his Uncle Vernon: with distaste.
"Daddy! Lord Voldemort! Oh Daddy!" She hugged her father, sobbing quietly into his robes. He stroked her red hair soothingly as he continued,
"Calling him by that name only makes it sound scary. In the end, he was a man with a Muggle father who never knew nor could understand love, nor understand the value of a life. How one of his own supporters loved her son so much as to defy him. She saved my life, just like my own mother did for me. Narcissa risked her life for me, her life to be reunited with her son. I vowed to protect her and her son no matter what."
Lily looked up at her father and asked if she and her son had been evil like Tom Riddle; as she said his name she slightly hiccuped and decided never to fear this name or Voldemort ever again. If her Daddy can do it, so can she. He pondered her question and responded,
"I don't think anyone that has it in their heart to save someone's life can ever really be evil. Her son made bad decisions and so did she, but her heroism and love outweighed those choices. She saved my life. I will always see her as my savior, as a mother."
Lily was brought back to the present as she realized what had caused Scorpius to be silent; it wasn't James that was the real problem. It was the fact that he had shunned him despite him being a Gryffindor, a friend of the family, and his fellow Quidditch player. She remembered the day at King's Cross, when she saw the Malfoy family, when she saw Scorpius for the first time. Her father had whispered to her,
"That is the other mother of the story. That is Narcissa; she is Scorpius' grandmother."
Lily remembered she had been in a shocked state of awe. She had put together the pieces of why her father was reluctant but willing to accept a Malfoy as her brother's friend; a Malfoy saved his life. Lily had already been enchanted by Astoria Malfoy due to her friendship with her mother and various aunts. She had found herself anxious not only to meet the other mother, but Scorpius himself.
Even back then she had noticed how shy he was, reserved but a good friend to Albus with polite manners and beautiful hair that resembled her Aunt Fleur's. She remembered clear as day when he kissed her hand after she kicked James in the shin, and how she had professed that his grandmother saved her father's life therefore he would be a friend to her too.
Lily brought herself back to the present, with a now soon to be 14 year old Scorpius Malfoy before her. He was eying her, possibly wondering of her silence. She realized his real reason on being upset that James opted out of coming over to Malfoy Manor and she began to laugh at the ramifications that James would have to face on such a rude gesture. Scorpius looked at her warily as he asked,
"What is so hilarious, Lily?" She kept laughing so hard she had to lean on the wall to keep herself from collapsing on the floor. Scorpius scooted over and softly placed his hands on Lily's small waist. He proceeded to guide her to sit next to him with a slight blush coming over his pale cheeks. He waited patiently as Lily's laughter subsided with the occasional giggle. He raised his eyebrows at her and she grinned in the devious manner he knew only too well.
"James will probably be banned from visiting the Burrow for the summer. My mum hates it when he's rude towards you; knowing her this is only the calm before the storm. And I get to watch it when I get home tonight! A perfect end to a perfect day." She smiled softly at Scorpius and gently kissed his cheek. He felt his whole body freeze while his heart and stomach proceeded to do leaps that the Muggle gymnasts were able to do. She sighed and placed her head on his shoulders, holding on to one of his hands tightly as she continued on,
"My father once told me a story about two mothers who saved his life. It's a beautiful story; it's about my Grandma Lily and your Grandma Narcissa. He told me that she lied to Lord Voldemort so she can be reunited with your father. She was so brave, that she lied to the most evil of wizards of her time, of my dad's time. She did the same thing my Grandma Lily did for my father: she risked her life for her son. Albus may have met you first and he knew you weren't evil like 'a Malfoy' was supposed to be, but I already knew you weren't like that. When there is love, there is barely room for true evil."
Scorpius was stunned as he listened to Lily's story, or rather her father's story. She had known of his family and his grandmother's ultimate act of defiance; that is why she has striven to be a well-behaved girl in front of his Grandma Narcissa for she saw the older woman more or less a heroine in her eyes. Lily always had looked beyond the name with his family. She was like Albus in several ways; she had a heart and an optimism that radiated from her like sunlight.
As they each sat on the window sill, waiting for their respective families to join together, he contemplated her words. He then asked in a soft voice,
"What of my father? He was a Death Eater, Lily-flower. He chose to follow my grandfather's footsteps. We come from a family of Pureblood fanatics from both sides of the family of my father's side. That's all that people see, like James. Some of your uncles are still tense around me. People at school are the same way; if they aren't as opinionated as before it is only due to Al being my best friend and you being a Slytherin with Lucy."
Lily looked up at Scorpius and smiled. She replied,
"People will always make bad choices, Scorp. That will never change but that is why second chances are beautiful. Your mother looked beyond the name and gave your dad a chance. Regulus Black, the brother to my faher's godfather, also became a Death Eater when he was young but made another choice. He chose good over bad and was killed because of it. I remember my dad telling me, James, and Al that story when Al was defending you. And Sirius Black was your grandmother's cousin and he was a Gryffindor! And he was from a Pureblood family. So you see, no matter what other people think there will always be prejudice but there are also people like me who can see beyond it all."
Scorpius looked down at Lily and was smiling through the tears that came to his eyes. He kissed her scarlet crown of hair softly and she kept holding on to his hand. She giggled again and Scorpius this time joined her laughter,
"Anxious for the night to be over to see what happens to James?" He looked at her this time and she stood up and twirled around the parlor room. She grinned in anticipation and he started laughing again, knowing that she was indeed excited to see her brother's swagger brought down a notch from his mother, the famous Ginny Weasley-Potter and her infamous temper. His earlier sullen mood vanished while Lily twirled away in glee.
All of a sudden they heard pops in the foyer and Albus Potter came running to the parlor room with a slight moan along with the fussing of a woman's voice,
"Oh Al, honey I am sorry. Are you alright?" Ginny's voice was clear but soft as she fretted over her youngest son; apparently Lily wasn't the only one who got sick with side-along Apparition. Lily and Scorpius went to greet the rest of the Potters as well as Astoria who walked in from the kitchen, looking oddly flushed.
"Ginny! I didn't hear you arrive! Is everything well? Why is Albus so pale?" Before Ginny can reply Scorpius noted his mother's odd expression and bluntly asked,
"Mother, why are you so pink?" Astoria blushed further and ignored her son, who looked confused. Draco arrived a few moments after, with a smug smirk on his face. Ginny laughed at their situation, which grew more pronounced as Scorpius caught on and groaned in embarrassment. Lily grinned evilly while Albus was oblivious to it all, due to his slight upset stomach.
"I need water. And somewhere to sit. Where are your manners, Mother! You're supposed to take care of me!" Ginny laughed again but this time it was at her son and she proceeded to shower him with mock concern and Lily had laughed along at her brother's grimace of his mother's overacting. Lily suddenly noticed a missing member of the party.
"Mum, where is Dad?"
"Oh he went to leave James at the Burrow and he needed to speak to your grandparents for a bit. He should be here soon." Ginny was nonchalant in her tone but Lily looked at her brother who rolled his eyes, indicating his frustration with James. She grinned and whispered to Albus,
"I can't wait to get home. How mad is Mum?" Albus snorted softly and Scorpius had joined the siblings in their joined amusement at their older brother's expense. Albus whispered back to his sister and best friend,
"Let's just say after Grandma Molly's wrath, he has to face Mum and Dad! They are both upset." Lily raised her eyebrow,
"Dad? Oh wow. He really has it coming. It's hard to make Dad that mad."
Albus sagely shook his head and sat on the couch with Lily on one side and Scorpius on the other.
"He was really on a roll today, mainly fueled by not going with Louis to visit the Krum family. He was barely civil with Uncle Dudley and the cousins. They asked about you, Lils, just so you know. Dad was on edge not only because of James, but of Aunt Petunia." Lily went quiet and Scorpius looked at her intently while she composed herself. Sensing he was in the way, Albus made to grab some pumpkin juice that Tibby had set out for them while his mother and Mrs. Malfoy talked with Mr. Malfoy and waited for his dad. As it turned out, the Potters were able to make it to dinner in time and were asked to join for a small dinner that Draco had already cooked.
When Albus looked back he saw that his best friend was holding his little sister's hand in a comforting way, but it had Albus feeling as if he were intruding. He felt awkward and out place somehow; it was obvious that Lily and Scorpius had become close throughout the day. There was no doubt in Albus' mind that Lily had confessed her fear of their aunt Petunia to Scorpius. Before a bit of melancholy and slight case of envy could set in, Lily looked up at her brother and smiled widely, her aunt forgotten.
"Oh Al! Let's go back to Muggle London soon! The three of us, and maybe the twins and Lucy and Georgie! It was so much fun! I brought you something." Albus grinned and sat himself next to Lily as she presented him a set of cheesy vampire salt and pepper shakers she had found in a random tourist stop by the London Eye. He laughed at how wrong the Muggles were of vampires and Lily told him of their fascination towards vampires that happened during the early part of the 21st century, starting with a book about vampires that sparkled. Albus snorted and Scorpius rolled his eyes,
"Just don't tell the twins about this; apparently Aunt Daphne loved those Muggle books and read it to the twins. Penelope was more fascinated with wolves that I guess were part of the story while Paulina wanted to be like the Volturi." Lily raised an eyebrow,
"What's a Volturi?"
"I have no idea nor do I care to know. Sounds like utter rubbish." Albus and Scorpius sniggered while Lily was interested in these said vampire series. She started to ask about dinner when she noticed Albus was making kissy noises with the vampire shakers and putting on his own show with the shakers while Scorpius brought out his wizard chess. Lily's eyes widened in shock and doubled over with laughter when she saw that Albus had to protect his gift from Lily from the invading armies of the wizard's chess set.
When Harry Potter Apparated into Malfoy Manor, he saw his two youngest children laughing with Scorpius of the adventures he and Lily had during their day in Muggle London, as well as some game they were playing with the chess set that had Harry not wanting to know what that was about; he saw the vampire shakers and shook his head ruefully. He smiled towards his daughter, who looked so at home between her brother and his best friend, he didn't have the heart to drag them away from their catching up. Albus was beginning to tell his story on how he played basketball with Dudley's son when Harry made his way to Ginny and the Malfoys.
When he approached Ginny, she raised an eyebrow and he grimly replied,
"Your Mum just finished with him before I was to Apparate here; Andromeda was over for tea so she was next in line. He will be dreading coming home by the time he has to deal with us." Ginny nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. I won't have my eldest be rude to anyone just because he thinks highly of himself. I blame myself for wanting to name him after your father and Sirius. We never stood a chance, did we?" Harry shook his head and kissed her temple. Draco handed Harry a glass of a Muggle champagne that Astoria loved. Harry saw the label and raised an eyebrow at Draco, who smirked.
"What, Potter? Didn't think I would know of anything Muggle? My wife is obsessed with gardening so I had to find a medium somehow. Wines and champagnes are my specialty as well as coffee." Astoria snorted daintily,
"That's because you're spoiled. And you hate the gardening." Ginny laughed while Harry shared a commiserating glance at Draco. Astoria was about to head to the parlor room to look for the teenagers when Draco stopped her.
"Let's them be, love. They're catching up about their day. If they want to eat, they'll come and ask. In the meantime, let's have some grown-up time." Astoria nodded in agreement and kissed her husband's cheek softly while he whispered in her ear, "I missed you all day today." She shivered slightly as she made to make herself and Ginny a plate.
Ginny and Harry were smiling as they waited for Mrs. Malfoy; Tibby arrived with the news that Mrs. Malfoy was a bit tired from the day in London and would take her dinner in her room. Draco made to check on his mother when Tibby assured him,
"Master Draco shouldn't worry about Mrs. Narcissa. She was just tired, Master Draco. She will come down for tea afterwards, she said. She also said not to fuss over her, Master Draco. It's my job for the night. Enjoy your time with friends while I care for Mrs. Narcissa and good care of her I will." And with a pop she disappeared.
Draco was slightly annoyed while Astoria laughed at his being told what to do by a house-elf. The adults sat in the kitchen, talking amongst themselves of their respective days while in the parlor room Albus, Scorpius, and Lily did the same. They did come in to take small dishes of the dinner Scorpius' dad had made, and were given permission to take it to the parlor room. While Harry filled in to Draco of his cousin Dudley, Ginny and Astoria were making plans to have a summer party before the children set out for Hogwarts. The adults occasionally heard shouts of laughter from the parlor room but continued on, with smiles on their faces as their children talked of their respective days.
The three of them were talking over another, laughing at their adventures, each boy taking turns at making fun of Lily's fascination with the musician she met earlier that day which made her blush furiously. She and Albus began to form their own adventure with the idea of the rest of their friends join them for a day in Muggle London. Somehow, Lily and Scorpius had unconsciously avoided talking about Highgate Cemetery. They had looked at each other for the briefest moments and made the decision to keep it to themselves for awhile. As much as Lily wanted to share it with the twins as well as Lucy, she felt odd on bringing it up with anyone. Something special had passed in the cemetery, something magical. More magical than from a wand. And somehow, Lily knew Scorpius felt the same way. She understood that one day he'll mention it to Albus just as she would confide in the twins and Lucy. For now, it was their own story, their own tale that each would carry in their hearts.
The night came to a close after much talk and laughter; Mrs. Malfoy did come down for tea and watched her grandson and his friends plan their next adventures. She played a little composition from the piano just for Lily while Albus and Scorpius talked Quidditch. Lily, despite her intense love for the game, lost herself in the music of the piano and smiled widely at the older woman. Narcissa felt oddly comfortable and was enjoying herself; she was the first to feel sad that Lily was heading home. Although she hid it well, she made sure her hug was more pronounced to Lily and bade the rest of the Potters farewell. Draco was more civil, since he and Harry still maintained their truce to be amiable, but not friendly. Astoria and Ginny couldn't care less and hugged each other goodbye.
Scorpius promised he would be visiting over the weekend; Albus muttered something that sounded like a prank being plotted which had Ginny dreading the wars that would erupt in her home in the impending future. Lily, missing the interaction between her brother and best friend, was lost in her own world. She was grinning like a Cheshire cat, which her father noticed and knew it only meant trouble. Harry knelt down to her, chuckling as he asked,
"What are you smiling about, popkin?" Lily looked at her father and simply responded, smile still steady,
"James."