Ch. 3 Back to Hogwarts

All three Potters and Scorpius made their way to Platform 9 ¾ to catch the train back to Hogwarts. Lily's fifth year was about to start and her nerves threatened to overcome her. This would be the year of her O.W.L.s and she had to do well while Al and Scor would take their N.E.W.T.s. And James was just happy to not be going back to school.

"Well James, how does it feel to not get on the train?" Scorpius asked the oldest Potter child.

"It is strange. Hogwarts has always been such a huge part of my life, but it's nice not to have homework," laughed James.

As the group made their way through the station they ran into Rose and Hugo along with their Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione. "Where are your mum and dad?"

Lily responded, "They're on their way. Dad had to finish some work so mum stayed behind with him. They should be here shortly." And true to her word, Harry and Ginny Potter walked up to the group. And Harry chimed in.

"Well, Al, Scor and Rose it's your last year, what are you going to do with yourselves?"

"Well, Uncle Harry, I plan on acing my N.E.W.T.s, but I imagine these two boys will try to get into as much trouble as they can," Rose stated, clearly a clone of her mother. All four parents just laughed.

"Mr. Potter, I've always thought about becoming an Auror. I know we haven't talked much about it, but I've wanted to do it ever since I found out about my families involvement in the war." Scorpius looked at his shoes and stood frightened about Harry Potter's response.

"For the last time Scorpius, you can call me Harry. And I'd like to talk to you more about the possibilities. What classes are you…." Harry and Scorpius proceeded to walk down the track talking about the future.

And as they heard the horn sound, Ron gave the kids one last piece of advice, "Kids, have fun, do your homework and don't do anything your uncle George would do, but if you do use the Maurader's Map. Have fun!" While Hermione slapped Ron on the back of his head.

A chorus of 'good-byes,' hugs and kisses were shared (to Hugo and Al's embarrassments) as they caught up with Harry and Scorpius. Then they went out to find an empty compartment. Once they found one, the settled in for the long ride to school.

Lily was reading a letter when Rose interrupted. "So how did things go with Kevin before you left?"

"Well, we had a really great last night. We walked through the town and had dinner, but I decided not to tell him about magic since we were leaving for school today. So I told him my boarding school had strict policies and if he wanted to send me a letter he had to send it to Mum and Dad first and they would send it to me. I don't know what his reaction would be if our owl showed up outside his window." Lily had worked everything out with her mother and she would see Kevin during the holidays. "I was just now reading a letter from him. He gave it to me last night and told me not to read it until I got on the train. How sweet!" Lily had to admit she was quite smitten with Kevin.

Despite the direction of Lily's thoughts, Scorpius interrupted with his own opinion, "Don't you think it's wrong to lie to him about who you really are? I mean, how can you have a trusting relationship if he doesn't know every part of your life?" Scorpius didn't mean for his words to sting, but he wanted Lily to see reason as to why she didn't belong with Kevin.

"Well, you're not in our relationship. You don't know what it's like. I can't just drop this bombshell on him, leave for school and expect him to be okay with it. Believe me, I will tell him and I just hope everyone can support my decision." Lily was firm in her opinion and she wasn't going to let anyone talk her out of it. But she couldn't tear her eyes away from his cold, grey eyes. Scorpius definitely incited more fire in her than any other man could and she attributed that to the fact her knew her so well. So couldn't see his desire for her.

"Good luck with that," replied Scorpius before Al tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"What do you guys think about Quidditch this year? Will anyone be able to challenge Gryffindor for the Cup? Or should I say since I'm captain, no one will challenge us this year. That cup is ours!" Al knew his friend didn't want to hurt Lily, but the conversation wasn't heading in a good direction and since most of the team was currently in this compartment he knew this subject would clear the air.

"Well as the best keeper in the world," said Rose because not only was she the smartest in her year, but the Chudley Cannons were scouting her (much to her father's enjoyment), "we better win the Cup or the Weasley-Potter legacy will be shatter and I don't want to hear the grief from any of our Uncles or Aunt Ginny."

"Hey, just because you're family doesn't mean your spots are guaranteed. You will all have to try out just like everyone else," Al knew this would never work, but he always enjoyed the angered expressions from his sister and cousin Rose. Scorpius laughed off Al's suggestion, he thought, good luck trying to kick Rose off the team let alone Lily.

Lily couldn't contain her anger, "Albus Severus Potter, if you think for one minute you'll win any match without us then you might as well hunt imaginary animals with Aunt Luna. I swear, if you try to kick us off, I will tell mum…" Lily didn't get to finish her sentence because Al cut her off.

"Lils, I was just kidding. Take a joke and chill," as Albus laughed his sister's frustration off.

"Hey man, I could have told you not to goad Lils like that. You know she gets angry easily, especially about Quidditch," Scorpius said trying to save his best friend for an ugly Bat Bogey Hex, while Lily just stuck her tongue out at the pair of them.

"Really mature, Lily. Are you sure you're old enough to be a fifth year?" teased Al. He was pushing his luck, but Lily loved him and couldn't stay mad for long. "Shut it, Al, before I make you throw up slugs."

"Alright, alright I'll go back to talking to Scor. I know he won't hex me, right buddy?"

"I'm not getting in the middle of a fight between you too. You couldn't pay me enough galleons to do that." Al looked at his friend, eyebrows raised, "Yes, I am that afraid of Lily."

Lily laughed and said, "I'm glad someone respects my abilities. Thanks, Scor." Lily smiled back at Scorpius and he couldn't help but feel a little tug at his heart. He loved to see her smile and he loved to be the reason she smiled. Now he really just needed to get rid of this Kevin bloke.

The tension was relieved by the trolley and everyone grabbed some chocolate. Lily opened her chocolate frog and got a pleasant surprise. "Look, Rosie, Hugo, I got Aunt Hermione's card. I still find it hard to believe our parents are important enough to be on chocolate frogs." And as soon as the words came out of Lily's mouth, she regretted them. They all tried hard not to bring up the war around Scorpius. They never wanted him to feel left out. He was a part of their family no matter what his last name was.

"Don't worry guys. If they made chocolate frogs with my parents on them, then nobody would buy them again, especially if Lucius' face was on it. Man, that would haunt my dreams and he's my grandfather. Come on, laugh. It was funny." Scorpius tried to shake his family's reputation everyday of his life. He didn't need his friends to tip toe around his feelings. "Let's just enjoy the last few moments before the hectic school year begins."

And Lily got up and crossed the cabin. She threw her arms around Scorpius' middle and said, "This family wouldn't be the same without you. You are important to everyone here, especially me. We love you, Scor." And Lily settled in against Scorpius' side. He loved to feel her close and despite the obstacle known as Kevin, he held onto the words she just said. He was important…especially to her.

Hugo was the first to notice, "Hey everyone, we're getting close. We should all get dressed."

"Where's Rose?" Lily had dozed off against Scorpius. She rubbed her eyes and had noticed her cousin's absence.

"She had her prefect meeting. Did you forget she is Head Girl this year? I heard it every day over the summer and Mum going on and on about how proud she was that her baby girl was Head Girl. She sounded like Uncle Percy. Then Dad told her she sounded like Uncle Percy and then they yelled at each other. And then Mum got this weird look in her eyes. I swear, it's almost like she prefers to fight with Dad. It's so weird." Clearly Hugo knew nothing about his parents or girls for that matter. And Lily liked it that way. Although over the summer she had noticed that Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Oliver Wood, seemed to look at Hugo differently. Lily had no idea if Hugo noticed.

Lily just agreed with Hugo, "Yea, parents are weird." They all dressed in their robes and were ready just as the train pulled into the station. "Well, let's go find everyone. I hope Louis and Roxanne are both sorted into Gryffindor." Those two were the last of the Weasley bunch to start Hogwarts.

Just then Rose came back to the cabin, "Alright, everyone, let's go." Everyone poured out of the train and began the new school year. And Lily thought, 'Here we go.'

A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope to have chapter 4 pretty quick and up.