Sorry it's taken so long to post this, I went back to work so life got a little crazy. Anyway hope you love it!

LL x

Lily stepped towards the door albus had been put in. It was simple, almost identical to the one Scorpius had been put in. A bed next to the wall, small table next to the bed and a door with a window that could only be unlocked from the outside. Slowly she took a big breath and lifted her hand to knock on the door.

"Yup." He said, opening the door with a sigh looking at the ground. He heard the door open but when he didn't receive a reply, he lifted his head noticing Lily's head in front of the door. Realising who his visitor was Albus jumped to his feet. "First thing you need to understand Lily is, I know him. I know what he's like and I don't want that for you!" His voice rising with each word.

"No Albus, I don't think you understand." Lily said matter of factly "You have always treated me like I'm a child. Always made it seem like I can't make any grown up decisions for myself. I have been dating Scorpius for much longer than you know and he has always treated me with love and respect. I have never once had a reason to question his intentions."

"Well, I do!" Albus said stepping closer to Lily "I have never known him give much of a crap about a girls feelings when he dated them. To him it was just sex."

"It was never just sex for me and him! Don't you get it? He actually gave a damn about me, to him I wasn't just a Potter. I was me!"

Albus was baffled, "What do you mean? You will always be a Potter!"

"Albus, being the youngest of the Potter and Weasley family means I am always treated like I'm in the shadow of mum and dad and Rose with her grades, Roxanne at being a chaser, James at being a beater, you as a seeker! Don't you understand? I've always just been Harrys little girl or James's little sister or Rose's cousin! I want to be just me for once!" Tears began streaming down Lily's face as all the emotions came out at once.

Albus's jaw dropped, he had nothing to come back with, no words to say. He'd never realised that was how she felt and how people saw her. To him she was just his little sister that he needed to protect. He's sworn that to himself the moment she was born. He stepped towards Lily, who was still staring at him with intent and tears still flowing. "You were always your own person Lil's" he said softly placing one hand on her shoulder.

"Then fucking treat me like one Albus." Lily had run out of energy to shout but she could still put enough emphasis to make it hit home.

"I'm sorry you feel you're stuck Lily. I swore to myself I'd always protect you, I guess I went a bit far and wanted to keep you my little sister forever because it was easier to protect you." His voice staying soft. "I don't want you to get hurt by any guy, let alone my best friend who, lets face it, has probably shagged half of my year without a second thought of emotion. The fact you both had to lie to me and hide it hurts Lil. I'm still not convinced that he doesn't just want to shag you though."

"Every other guy in Hogwarts just sees me as a Potter or a way to get ahead in life knowing that I have parents with influence. Scorpius just saw me. He was so careful and so gentle with me the night we met!" Lily stated with frustration. She was right, having parents with influence does make it much harder to figure out who your real friends are.

"Wait, hold the wand. When was that night? Did you sleep with him that first night?" a mix of anger and frustration building inside him again.

"Winter Yule Ball." Lily stated bluntly. "And before you get any idea of making any comment of sleeping together on the first night or how long we've been sneaking around. Shut up."

"But Lily that's three months!" Albus stepped back, throwing his hands around dramatically. "And sleeping together on the first night you met proves it was just sex! If you want to date someone you date them, sex on the first night is a hook up!"

"Albus, the morning after, while you were still in Hannah's dorm, I asked Scorpius what we were. I questioned his intentions then! I suggested dating, he was the one that said exclusive."

"What? Seriously?" Albus was, once again, baffled by the words coming from his sisters mouth.

Lily rolled her eyes "Do you really think I'm that stupid to not ask?".

Albus shrugged his shoulders. "I've just never heard Scorp like that before. He's always the one being aloof after sleeping with anyone. He successfully avoided anything like that with the 5 girls he slept with in first term."

"They can't all be me!" She winked "I don't expect you to be happy that we kept it from you for so long but I expect you to be happy for me and be nice to your best friend who has actually been a gentleman to me. He was vulnerable with his emotions that first night, he laid all his heart on the line. Your friend does have a heart Albus."

"Well, I guess I never knew" Albus chuckled. "I'd still punch him again if he hurt you."

"You'd have to get in line." Lily laughed "Now, if I ask uncle Neville to let you both out will you be nice to Scorp?"

"He's an idiot, but he's still my best friend".

"Thank Merlin." Lily turned on her heels to walk out of the door to find Professor Longbottom, leaving Albus alone with his thoughts.

The walk to Nevilles office felt longer than Lily thought. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind in her mind. She thought it would be easier if her relationships were kept a secret but all they did was create a bigger fall out than she could've expected. She knew Albus would be angry but not that angry. More and more thoughts ran through her mind, so many that she didn't notice everyone staring at her. Quickly finding her way to the greenhouses Lily entered heading towards Professor Longbottom's office. Noticing the dark brown heavy door was shut, she knocked loudly.

"Come in!" She heard him call.

Lily pushed the heavy wooden door and stepped in.

"Ah Lily, how are you feeling? I hear you've been to talk to both boys." Neville said standing up from his desk and walking towards his sofa.

"I'm okay, still a little freaked about how it all went down but I've straightened it out with both of them. Albus agreed he was being overprotective and Scorpius wanted to tell him anyway. He knew he have punches thrown but didn't know another way." Lily rambled, unsure if she was trying to relax herself or convince herself that it was all okay.

"Come here" Neville drew her into a hug trying to help her relieve the tension built within her. He instantly felt her relax once his arms were around her. "That's from your dad, he owled me after he got your letter."

"I didn't realise he read it, it was only mum who replied to me." She whispered.

"Your mum probably wouldn't let him reply, he can be as hot headed as your uncle sometimes. His letter to me was full of frustration and worry. But at the end he told me to give you a hug and tell you it'd be okay."

They stood for a long moment in a fatherly embrace as Lily calmed and felt more herself again.

Eventually she stepped back. "Do you think we could bring them both together? Settle it all so they can go back to friends and I can have my boyfriend back?"

"I hear they are calm enough. And if you've said your piece its probably the right time. Do you want to be there?" Neville checked, he didn't want her to go through it all again if suddenly testosterone fuelled punches were thrown.

"I think I need to be to set it all straight." She sighed, knowing she needed closure.

"If you're sure, I'll come up to the hospital wing with Professor Thomas and we can let them out." Neville stepped towards his door with Lily following closely behind. The walk towards Professor Thomas's office was quiet, neither of them speaking a word. "Wait there will you please Lily." Neville said as he entered the ancient runes classroom.

Every part of today felt like a lifetime, Lily just wanted it to be over and to go back to the way she was. It was simpler. However this battle needed facing and she couldn't skirt around it any longer. Lily watched as people walked past her in the corridor and for the first time since this all began she noticed people staring at her, whispering and looking her up and down. Normally she wouldn't care but she knew this would end up the gossip of the whole school – maybe even the wizarding world. A Potter dating a Malfoy. Her family didn't pay much attention to media most of the time. She'd grown used to their comments and non-truths about her family written all too frequently. However, this one may hit a little deeper as it was the first time she was at the centre of it.

"Lily, you ready?" Professor Thomas said bringing Lily out of her daze.

"Oh, yes professor". She said sheepishly realised she'd been daydreaming.

"So were going to bring both Albus and Scorpius out into the larger room in the hospital wing. We want to keep prying eyes away if we can help it." Professor Longbottom explained, Lily and Professor Thomas nodding along.

"I think we will bring Scorpius out first with you already waiting in there if that's okay with you?"

"Of course, Professor" She confirmed.

"Dean, I mean Professor Thomas will then bring Albus in. We will both stay in with you until they are calm."

By the time they had confirmed this they were at the hospital wing where Professor Longbottom ushered Lily into a room opposite the rooms where Scorpius and Albus were. The room was a bit larger than the other rooms, it was bare of any furniture and had white walls. Lily planned what she wanted to do if it all went well and planned what she would do if her brother decided to punch to hell out of Scorpius; again. Confirming her plan in her head she patted her robes where her wand was held.

"Lily!" Scorpius shouted.

Lily turned and stepped towards her boyfriend and hugged him tight.

"I'm sorry for all this mess Lil's. But hopefully Al will be reasonable, and we can put this behind us." He sighed.

"I hope so" She squeezed him tight not wanting to let go.

"Jeez enough public affection you two" Albus joked.

Lily and Scorpius jumped apart having not realised Albus had entered the room.

"Right I have questions" Albus began "Scorpius, was this a hook up?"

"No, do you really think I would be so heartless to her?" Scorpius growled.

"Just a question pal, your track record is sketchy!" He defended bringing his hands up. "Are you a couple?"

"Yes" Lily and Scorpius said in unison.

"Do you see this being long term?"

They could all feel the scowls of both professors from the corner of the room next to the door.

"Do you want an honest answer Al?" Scorpius sighed with frustration "I've fancied your sister for years. But out of respect I did nothing. Then at the Yule Ball you'd ditched me to hook up and she was sat there alone looking stunning. I decided what the hell!"

This took Lily and Albus by surprise, but Lily found her words first "Years?"

"Yes! Like at least two! You had such a big personality and it was so much fun to be around."

"If you've had feelings this long why didn't you just ask my permission?" Albus interjected.

"People don't need permission from you to date me!" Lily hissed.

"Not everyone Lily. Just him! As my best friend he needs to tell me stuff, Merlin, you've been sneaking around behind me for 3 months! If he'd just asked and was honest I wouldn't have had an issue but you snuck around and he's not had any serious relationship – ever!" Albus blurted with exasperation.

"I haven't had anything serious because the only serious relationship I wanted was Lily!" Scorpius shouted with exasperation.

Professor Longbottom interjected as the conversation was getting heated again. "Boys, can you not understand that what you're both saying is you both want what's best for Lily." He turned to Albus "Scorpius wants a serious relationship and not a hook up" Then turning to Scorpius "and Albus wants it to be serious and not a hook up that could end up her getting hurt." Stepping towards them all "And Lily just wants her boyfriend and brother to be back friends without conflict. Is that all so complicated?"

The cogs began to turn in all the teenagers heads as they realised they were all fighting for the same goal. To be friends and no one getting hurt.

Scorpius was the first to break the silence. "I'm sorry I didn't come to you sooner Al, but I have zero intentions of letting Lily out of my life."

"Sorry for the right hook man, I just don't want her to get hurt. She's my little sister." Albus replied.

"Can you both agree to be friends again so I can have my brother and boyfriend back, please?" Lily pleaded.

Both boys hugged and laughed. Realising they'd been fighting for the same goal the entire time.

"Thank you, boys and Lily. Can we leave calmly now?" Professor Thomas spoke up.

"Yes Professor" They said in unison.

"Good" The door was opened and they were all allowed to leave.

Hearing the bell for tea "Can we go to tea without the fights this time? I'm hungry!" Lily joked.

"Why are you always after food Lily?" Scorpius laughed grabbing her hand walking together as a trio to the great hall.