A/N: Super duper sorry for the delay in updates, especially pointed out by a lovely guest reviewer. Which is why I wanted to get this out tonight and it's super duper long (by my standards). Thank you for reading and leave a note if you are so inclined. I hope you like this chapter.
Ch. 24 Malfoy Family Christmas
This was the 27th outfit Lily had tried on in the past 15 minutes. Lily was sure she was going to rip her hair out if she couldn't find the perfect outfit for her Malfoy family Christmas dinner. "Ugh."
Ginny Potter crept up the stairs to her daughter's room. Ginny had to hold back her laughter as she heard her daughter sigh for the third time. Ginny remembered the first Christmas she spent with Harry after the war. She spent a week picking out the perfect outfit and she was only having dinner with her own family. The best part of the memory was the way Harry's face lit up when she walked down the stairs. Ginny was lost in the moment, "Snap out of it, Gin," Ginny said to herself, "Time to help Lily."
Ginny knocked on Lily's door and let herself inside the room without listening to Lily's response first. "Lily, honey, are you alright."
Lily was lying face down on her bed and mumbled her response. "I'm sorry, honey, I didn't catch that." Ginny smiled.
Lily rolled over, "I'm not going to this stupid dinner anymore because I can't find a bloody outfit to wear. And since I have to not only impress former Death Eaters slash reformed wizards, but Astoria bloody Malfoy who is a fashion icon who is bound to think her son is dating a floozy because I'll end up showing up naked to dinner." Lily fell back onto her bed, "Mum, this isn't funny. Stop laughing." Which only made Ginny laugh harder and in turn Lily started to laugh as well. "Mum, what am I going to do?"
Ginny made her way to Lily's closet and the clothes haphazardly thrown on the floor. "Sweetheart, there has to be something here we can piece together. Let's start with a color. What color do you want to wear?"
Lily stood up next to her mother; both placed their hands on their hips in identical fashion. "Well, it is Christmas dinner so I was thinking, maybe green or maybe blue. I'm not sure, Mum. What do you think?"
Ginny loved moments like these knowing that her daughter needed her. "How about blue? You have a blue dress somewhere, right? I think blue looks lovely on you."
Lily found her blue halter dress. It was simple and had a few sparkles. "And blues always matches Scorpius' eyes so well."
Ginny witnessed her daughter's expression soften as she thought of Scorpius. "You really do love him?" Lily nodded and Ginny drew her in for a hug. "It's so hard watching you grew up so quickly. Put that dress on and then we'll start on your hair and make-up. Hopefully your father will be home by then so he can see how beautiful you look."
"Thank you, Mum, for helping me with everything. I just hope everything goes smoothly tonight at dinner. What if they don't like me?" Ginny tightened her arms around Lily.
"Scorpius loves you?" Lily nodded, "Then Astoria will love you no matter what. I've known her for a couple of years and she will do anything for her son. So if he loves you then so will she." Ginny felt Lily relax in her arms. "As for Draco, did you know Aunt Hermione punched him while we were all at Hogwarts?" Lily's eyebrows shot up, questioning. "She did. If he gives you any trouble, which I don't think he will, just imagine Hermione punching him." Ginny laughed and paused.
Lily looked up at her mother, "Now, what about the elder Malfoys?"
"Well, not many people know this, but Narcissa Malfoy saved your father's life." Lily had no idea. Harry didn't talk often with his children about the war. He really only had to talk about it when Professor Binns started his lecture on the subject. "Don't tell your father we had this conversation, but Harry went into the woods to confront Voldemort. He was down on the ground and Voldemort wanted to know if Harry was alive. Narcissa Malfoy lied and said he wasn't." Ginny had tears coming down her face. She left out certain parts of the story because she knew Harry wouldn't want his children to know the specifics.
Lily wiped a tear from her mother's face. She had no idea how much the Potter family was actually connected to the Malfoys. Before Al and Scorpius became friends, she only knew the bad stuff. Lily felt a little relief. Lily gave her mother a warm smile.
"Pay no attention to it dear. The Malfoys don't have a perfect history, but no family does. Give them a chance and I'm sure between Scorpius, Astoria and Narcissa, you'll be given a fair shake. Now, let's start working on your make-up."
Lily sat at her vanity while her mum fussed over her hair. She knew her mum left out details in that story, but she wasn't going to press for more information. Lily knew she would feel in awe of Narcissa Malfoy when she met her after hearing that story.
The two Weasley/Potter women began talking about make-up and school as time passed and Lily was ready to leave.
Al was lying on the couch, bowl of chips on his stomach when Scorpius came through the fire place to pick up Lily. "Well, don't you look quite dashing, Mate," Albus said through a mouth full of chips.
"Shove off, Al. Have you seen Lily?" Scorpius wiped his hands down his pant legs. They were clammy. He was definitely nervous. His mother promised to make her husband keep his parents in check. Scorpius only really needed to worry about his grandfather. The pesky old bat would spout nonsense about pure blood and Scorpius knew that was his time to vacant the room. But his mother begged him to bring Lily home for Christmas and Scorpius couldn't deny his mother, not only was she wonderful, but she usually put a guilt trip on Scorpius mentioning her 36 hours of labor during his birth regularly.
"Lily and Mum have been upstairs for hours getting ready. I'm sure they'll be down soon." Al never once looked up from the television. Harry Potter walked into the living room from the kitchen.
"Well, Scorpius, hello. How are you?" Harry shook Scorpius' hand. "I haven't seen either woman yet which means it will probably be about twenty more minutes before she is ready. Sit." Harry motioned for Scorpius to sit down when he heard the voice of his wife coming down the stairs.
"Harry Potter, I heard that." Harry winced. Ginny pulled Harry closer to whisper in his ear, "I will make sure to make you pay that later." Harry drew Ginny's mouth to his, softly touching his tongue to her bottom lip.
"Mum, Dad, stop snogging in front of Scorpius." At the mention of his name by the girl he loved, Scorpius' head snapped up towards the staircase. His breathe caught in his throat. Neither Scorpius nor Harry could speak. They both stared at Lily. It was Al who drew everyone's focus away as he mumbled through his chips. "You look great, Lils."
Harry finally found his voice, "He's right, Flower, you look absolutely beautiful." Lily floated into her father's arms and he kissed her hair. "Gin, wasn't Lily just born yesterday? I was sure she couldn't be old enough to go to a dinner party."
"Harry, leave her and the old memories alone," Ginny came up behind Harry's shoulder pulling him away from Lily so she could get to Scorpius.
Lily twirled and she walked towards Scorpius, a smile on her face and a laugh coming from Scorpius.
"Lils, your brother might be a pig, eating those chips," a loud grunt came from the couch area, "but I've never heard a more true statement come from his mouth. You look wonderful." He pulled Lily in for their embrace, whispering in her ear, "And I can't wait to show you off to my family." Lily kissed Scorpius on the cheek, too embarrassed to do anything else in front of her parents. "Are you ready?"
Lily nodded, "Better leave now and get it over with. Let me say bye to Mum and Dad." Lily walked over to her mother. "Thank you, Mum, for helping me get ready and for trying to ease my nerves." Lily hugged her mother.
"You look beautiful, honey," Ginny responded, her eyes tearing up again, "And always remember you are wonderful. If they don't like you, then it is their loss." Lily was sure her mother was supposed to say that, but she appreciated her words nonetheless. "Thank you, Mum." And the two women hugged once more.
Harry grabbed his daughter next and enveloped her in a bear hug. "Harry, you're squishing her. Don't ruin her outfit." Ginny reproached her husband, knowing how embarrassing it was to have your father bear hug you in front of your boyfriend, only she had 6 brothers with which to contend.
"Flower, have fun and if any Malfoy give you trouble pull the bat bogey hex and I'll deal with the minister for the underage magic." Harry was only half serious, but if his daughter was in any danger tonight he wanted her to know that he would defend her if necessary. "But I'm sure Scorpius will do everything in his power to come to your aid if necessary." Scorpius quickly nodded his head, no need to upset his girlfriend's father let alone the Savior of the Wizarding World.
Ginny again pulled Lily away from Harry, "Okay, overprotective father, let's get these two on the road. They want to make a good first impression and come on time." Lily whispered thank you to her wonderful mother.
"Be home before 11, Lils," Ginny said as Lily and Scorpius prepared to travel by Floo. "Yes, Mum." Lily rolled her eyes and they were off to Malfoy Manor.
When Lily came through the fire place second, she was surprised that it was only Scorpius, who had gone ahead of her, in the room. She expected to be greeted by at least one member of the Malfoy family, but they were alone.
Reading Lily's thoughts, "Lils, I wanted it to just be us for a second, before we went in to see my parents and after we had seen yours, so I could do this." And Scorpius gave his girlfriend a proper hello kiss. He caught Lily off guard, grabbing her by both arms. His tongue grazed her bottom lip, asking permission. She quickly complied and wrapped her hands behind Scorpius' head, deepening her response. They only broke apart after hearing whispers from beyond the door.
"Astoria, get away from the door. They'll come out in just a second. Give the boy a chance to breathe, and the girl too, before you become fast friends." Scorpius heard his father chastising his mother, who he assumed was listening just outside the door.
"Draco, I will do whatever I please. I am his mother." Draco and Astoria were both surprised when the door opened; Astoria stumbled backwards into Draco's arms.
"Mum, were you just listening at the door." Scorpius smirked. Unfortunately, Astoria knew all too well that smirk. It was scary how similar Scorpius' mannerisms were to his father's.
Astoria straighten up and out of Draco's arms, "Of course not. I was just telling Draco how much we needed to hang some more decorations around the house next year, isn't that right, Draco?" Astoria jammed her elbow into her husband's ribs when he paused to respond. Scorpius was sure he heard his father mumble some sort of agreement.
"Lily, we're so glad you could join us for dinner tonight." Astoria addressed Lily. She was pleased to have another woman in the house that wasn't a direct Malfoy and someone who so obviously made Scorpius happy. "Why don't we head into the dining room? I'm sure dinner is almost ready."
Lily responded, returning the warmth to Astoria. She liked the woman before as Scorpius told stories about her. It wasn't until recently that she heard positives about Draco, but she had a feeling she and Astoria would get along well. "Thank you for the invitation. You have a very lovely home, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Thank you, Lily, but its Astoria. Follow me and we'll get ready to eat."
The elder two Malfoys were already in the dining room when the rest of the party walked in. Lily did not feel any sort of welcome from Lucius' direction, but she wished to have a chance to speak with Narcissa if only to know the woman who helped save her father's life and was sister to Teddy's grandmother. But she wasn't sure if she would get the chance.
"Lily, I saved these two seats next to each other for you and Scorpius. Please sit," Astoria directed the two to their seats.
Draco spoke up next, the tension in the room was growing, "Lily, these are my parents, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Mother, Father, this is Lily Potter, Scorpius' girlfriend." Lily smiled towards the end of the table. Narcissa nodded towards Lily, still stoic and silent, but Lily still took it as a good sign. She should have expected the next reaction.
"Draco, I can't believe you've allowed this half-blood into the house and into your son's life. What shame you bring to this family, both of you." Lucius directed his hate not only at Lily, but both Draco and Scorpius. He continued to mumble about blood status and shame.
"Father, we won't have this tonight. And you should learn to let go of old grievances. It doesn't suit you, Father," Draco had kept his secret meetings with Harry and the two had actually formed quite an interesting bomb and he would not let his father persecute Harry's only daughter and Scorpius' girlfriend.
Scorpius stood up, trying to drive home his point, "Grandfather, no one cares about your old school ideas concerning the world. It is out of date and I will not let you treat Lily this way."
"Draco, how dare you let your son speak to me that way in my own home?" Lucius was now standing. Lily had no idea how her presence could in sense this much drama. She tried to pull down on Scorpius' sleeve so he would sit down and they could get this dinner over with as soon as possible.
"Grandfather, she is my guest and I believe she deserves the respect that I was taught Malfoy's gave to their guests." Scorpius was furious. He could feel Lily tugging, but he would defend her no matter how much she just wanted to be polite.
"Sit down, Father. This is my house and you will do as I ask you to do. Sit. Let's enjoy dinner. Please." Draco gritted his teeth as he spit out the please.
Astoria tried to break the tension, "Lily, how is your family? Last time I saw your mother and father was at the Ministry Ball earlier this month."
"They're great, Mrs. Mal- Astoria. Thank you for asking." Lily was again interrupted by the eldest Malfoy.
"Don't get me started on the infamous Harry Potter. Narcissa, can you believe this is the conversation happening at our table right now?"
Narcissa's eyes got wide. She wanted no part of this conversation. She didn't agree with her husband's ideals back then, let alone now, but it was Lily Potter who spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy, that you have such a poor vision of my family and still such a high regard for blood status when no one in the Wizarding World cares any more. My parents are loving people who work their hardest for everything they have and could give my brothers and me. I love your grandson, and nothing you can say will change that. No matter how hard you try to dissuade me. And if I'm being frank, which it appears we are at this dinner, you can get the hell over my last name, my father and my blood status." Lily stood up not waiting for his response. She ran from the room and into the foyer hoping to find a door or a hallway that would lead her outside.
Lily reached the darkness and fell to her knees, panting. Lily started crying. She had never told anyone off, well maybe Kevin, like that, but no one like Lucius Malfoy. Kevin Williams paled in comparison to him. She didn't hear the steps that had followed her out of the room. She did feel the strong arms pick her up and set her down on a nearby bench. Lily lifted her head out of her hands to talk to Scorpius. She figured he had followed her out.
"Scor, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run out like that –" Lily looked up to find…not Scorpius.
"I'm sorry you had to endure those words, Lily," Draco Malfoy had followed her out of the house.
A/N: Did you think it was going to be Scorpius? And I wonder what's going on in the dining room. Thanks for reading!