Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, except for Peggy Parkinson, Will McLaggen, Oliver, Clara Longbottom, Rebecca Thomas and Charles Wood.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys. This should be more entertaining than the last chapter. We get to see more of Lily's humour.

New Beginnings

When the train finally came to a stop in Hogsmeade, the students slowly exited the train. The unusually chilly air made me grateful that I chose to wear the robe. I hopped on the nearest empty carriage, followed by Albus, James and Lysander. Just as we were about to leave, Oliver grabbed a hold of the carriage and squeezed into the space between Lysander and I.

"There you are Lily! We were all worried when you didn't return."

"After I changed into my robes, I wanted to check in on my cat. So I headed back to the other compartment. By the time I got there, the train had already arrived," I lied. The truth is I wandered throughout the train, looking for a quiet place to think, hoping to run into Malfoy.

"Since when did you have a cat?" Oliver asked.

"Since when was it any of your business?" James snarled.

"Sod off James!" I yelled back. He always found a reason to ridicule Oliver. "My dad kind of surprised me with her just this morning. I haven't even had a chance to name her." I replied.

"Oh I can help with that. Let's come up with a name right now."

"That really isn't necessary Olly."

"Nonsense, I'm sure together we could come up with something great," he persisted. "How about 'Alice'?"

"Too common," I commented, thinking of Clara's big sister.

"What about Regina?"

"Well it doesn't sound terrible…"

"Come on, Regina's a fantastic name!"

"Alright, I'll call her Regina," I conceded, just to get him to stop suggesting names. I wasn't in the mood to handle Oliver's overwhelming enthusiasm. He made a couple more attempts to start a conversation, but eventually he got the hint and the carriage fell into an awkward silence.

As we approached the castle, the familiar sight made me forget about everyone else and reminded me that I was finally home.

…

"So Lily, what's so interesting about the Slytherin table tonight?" Lorcan asked. I hate how he knows me so well.

"Pardon me?" I asked, turning my attention to him.

"You've been staring at the the Slytherin table since we sat down."

"I could be looking at any of the other three tables. What makes you think I'm looking at Slytherin's?" I asked defensively.

"She's got you there, " Clara chimed in from beside me.

"So you admit you were staring at something or someone?" He demanded with a smirk on his lips. I still remember what they felt like. But then, do you ever really forget your first?

"If you must know, I'm looking at some first years who look terrified enough to piss their pants," another lie. "Did we look like that on our first night?"

"I don't remember. It seems so long ago," said Oliver.

"Just wait until your sixth year, it will seem like first year was a century ago," Albus added.

"Merlin Al! You'll be gone after next year." Lorcan blurted.

"Can we change the subject?" Rebecca asked, playing the role of the worried girlfriend to a tee. I'm not sure who she thought she was fooling. We all knew that she wouldn't be around that long.

"Don't worry Becca, with this git's grades, I am certain he won't be graduating next year," said Al. Lorcan started chuckling and soon enough, no one could contain their laughter. Whilst doubling over, I could have sworn I saw Malfoy look over at our table for a brief moment. And just like that, my attention was back to the Slytherin table. What was going on with him? Why wasn't he letting me in?

"LILY!"

Startled, I almost knocked over my glass of pumpkin juice, "There's no need to scream Charles."

"Maybe if you weren't daydreaming, I wouldn't have to yell."

"Is that what you wanted to say? Stop daydreaming?" I asked impatiently.

"I was just making sure that you're returning to the team, this year. But with that attitude I'm not sure we still want you."

"What else would I do with my free time? Study?" And with a fresh fit of giggles, everyone forgot about just how distracted I was and the conversation continued without me.

After dinner, we were all strolling back to the common rooms.

"Hey Charlie, stop sucking face and tell your girlfriend goodnight already!" Al yelled.

"I'll… catch you… later," Charlie gasped between kisses.

"Come on guys, let's go," I said to the group.

"They're disgusting." Clara declared next to me.

I snorted before saying, "Sorry the hypocrisy just got to me is all."

"Hey at least I'm private about it."

"I wouldn't consider a broom closet private," I replied.

"Really? It seemed private enough for you and Lorcan."

"WHAT?!" I heard Albus yell a few steps behind us.

"You know perfectly well that was a one time thing and basically an accident," I hissed back. "She's only kidding Al." I sped up to avoid Al's questions.

Halfway to the Gryffindor common room, I saw a familiar mop of blonde hair heading towards me.

"Hey Scorpius, are you lost?" I asked teasingly. He looked up from the ground and stared at me before darting down another hallway. It left me feeling even more confused than before. I continued down the hallway towards the common room. I needed to push any thoughts of Scorpius out of my head and get a good night's sleep.

…

The next morning, my curiosity turned into determination to hunt down Malfoy and get some answers. So I took a shower, got dressed and headed down to the common room. As usual Clara and Oliver were already waiting for me. It looked like they were having some kind of heated argument next to the fireplace. It sounded like something that I didn't want to get involved in.

"You guys ready?" I asked from a safe distance.

"Let's go." Clara said as she linked our arms together and tugged me towards the exit. We walked down to the Great Hall with Olly trailing behind.

"Hey, promise me you guys won't be fighting for long," I whispered to Clara.

"Don't worry about it Lil."

"I'm serious. I hate watching you guys fight like this."

We walked past the Slytherin table on the way to our table. As expected, Scorpius looked everywhere except in my direction. This was really becoming ridiculous.

…

"Wakeup," Clara whispered hoarsely. We were in History of Magic and Professor Binn was currently reviewing last years themes.

"You didn't even give me a chance to fall asleep." I hissed back. The rest of my classes didn't go much differently; The professors reviewed last years material and I struggled to fight off boredom. I hadn't seen Scorpius all day. Well that is until after dinner when I caught a glimpse of him turning a corner. I followed him all the way into the library. He headed to the back and so did I. Before I knew it, there weren't any other students around; just me, Scorpius and the books. Suddenly he stopped walking and spun around.

"Stop following me Potter."

"Maybe there's a book back here that I need," I replied.

"Tell me, does the innocent act work on your little Gryffindor friends? 'Cause it's sure as hell not working on me."

"So what if I was following you Malfoy? I need answers," I said defensively.

"Answers?"

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"What are you talking about Potter?"

"Now who's playing innocent?"

"Listen, summer was great and all, but now we're back in school; back to reality. I have my friends and you have yours. It's not gonna work out."

"Are you even listening to yourself? You sound like a character in some forbidden romance novel. Merlin get over yourself," I said, raising my voice.

"This exactly why I didn't want to say anything. You're not mature enough to understand."

"I'm immature? You're the one who's incapable of staying in a relationship."

"So now we're in a relationship?" He demanded.

"SHHHH!"

"You know perfectly well what I meant." I replied at a slightly lower volume.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you to stay away from snakes Lily?" Will McLaggen asked as he appeared behind me.

"Bugger off!" I replied. "And as for you Malfoy-" But he was gone by the time I turned back around. I gave McLaggen one more dirty look before I left the library.

I walked around the school for a while to burn off steam. Eventually, less and less people were wandering the hallways until I was all alone. I decided to head back to the common room before I got caught.

When I entered, the fireplace gave just enough light for me to be able to make out a silhouette of a person on the couch. I was too tired to get a closer look, so I dragged my feet to the staircase.

"Lily?"

"James?"

"What were you doing out of the common room so late?"

"I lost track of time. What's your excuse for still being up?"

"What, did Malfoy forget his watch?"

"Excuse me?"

"Give it up Lily; Will already told me he saw you two in the back of the library."

"And he felt the need to report back to you because…"

"How many times have I told you to stay away from Slytherins?"

Now I was really upset, "I may talk to snakes, but at least I don't let them in my bed."

"Excuse me!?"

"Oh was that supposed to be a secret? You might want to remind Parkinson to stop bragging about it," I said whilst climbing up the stairs.

"Hey get back here!" I was too tired to even look back at James. I didn't need shit from him too.

A/N: It's summer, so I should be updating, more frequently. Hope you guys liked it. Don't forget to comment.