AN: Thank you all who have read and reviewed. It helps me, more than you could ever know! This one is longer and again, yes, technically could be more than one chapter, but you know how that goes. At least they're meaty chapters, right?

Disc.: Only borrowing the characters for my own devices, the plot is mine.

Burden of Beasts

Lily sat at the table early Saturday morning the day of the big match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, much earlier than most of the students even rose, much less headed down to breakfast. She had taken care to make her clothes look perfect, as if brand new and never worn. She had gotten a hang of the Slytherin look early on, and kept her hair pulled back in a neat pony tail. She glanced down at her black Mary-Janes, her reflection visible in them and she laughed. If she didn't know better, they could be used as mirrors to up-skirt others. Knowing how uptight the Slytherins were, they probably didn't think about things like that.

Lily looked up as her brother, James, slunk in through the doors of the Great Hall. He barely glanced her way, instead collapsed on the bench, his back to her. He pulled a bowl toward him and began filling it with cereal and milk. Lily hesitated before she stood and carefully carried her own bowl of cereal over to him. She stood next to him, hoping that he'd catch on and invite her to sit. He slowly ate his cereal, focusing on the wall straight ahead.

"Mind if I sit?" Lily asked as she began to put her bowl on the table. James shrugged.

"You sure you're allowed to?" James asked. Lily rolled her eyes and sat down next to him.

"You're my big brother," Lily said laughing. "Let anyone tell me that I can't come over here and annoy you!" James looked at her. Lily was grinning at him.

"With your eye color, you'd have been better suited in Ravenclaw," James mumbled before facing his cereal bowl, no smile on his face. Lily frowned.

"I doubt the sorting hat was trying to coordinate my eye color with my house colors, James," Lily said. He shrugged and continued to eat his cereal.

"Just saying," James said.

"Do you want me to just go back?" Lily offered quietly. James looked at her again, seeing the sad look on her face.

"You're going to go back there anyways," James said frowning at her. "You're one of THEM. You're a Slytherin."

"You sound like Uncle Ron when you say that," Lily teased, trying to break his foul mood.

"Better a Gryffindor," James said. Lily felt anger welling up in her.

"I didn't ask to be a Slytherin," Lily snapped at him.

"Well, maybe if you had more Gryffindor thoughts in your head, you would have been sorted where you belong," James said. Lily frowned at him, upset.

"I was more worried about being a squib, thanks to you and Al. I'm Slytherin and there is nothing to change that," Lily snapped. James shrugged, not looking at her.

"Have fun rooting for your team," James said dully.

"I was going to wish you a good game, James, but I see no matter what I say to you, I'm the enemy now, aren't I?" Lily asked jumping to her feet. Her voice was unnaturally high and thick, almost if she was about to cry. James didn't look at her, only shrugged.

"Guess so," he said dully. Lily dumped her cereal bowl on his head, the milk running down his face and the bits of cereal sticking in his hair. James jumped up, angry.

"Jerk," Lily cried and stalked away without another word. Lily half expected him to chase her down and give her a rug burn on her arm or something, but James didn't. Lily passed the Slytherin Quidditch team on her way out, all who seemed to have arrived just in time to see Lily's cereal dumping display. They laughed, causing Lily to give them all a dirty look. She marched back down to the Slytherin common room, straight to her bed and threw herself across it.

"Coming to breakfast?" Kate asked as she sat on the edge of Lily's bed.

"I've been," Lily said. Her voice was muffled through the duvet and pillow she had her face buried in, not making an effort to move. Kate patted her back.

"You want to talk about it?" Kate asked.

"Not really, Kate," Lily said. Kate sighed and understood. She left the auburn haired girl laying face down on the bed and went off to breakfast.

Lily ignored everyone who came and went, readying for the Quidditch game. Lily had drawn the curtains around her bed by then, only her shiny black shoes poking out from the opening in the curtain. She just wanted to ignore everything. She felt something moving the curtain and tiny, delicate paws crawled across the back of her bare leg, tickling it. She felt the sharp claws peeking out as she slowly rolled over.

"Ash, what are you doing here?" Lily wondered as the pot bellied cat purred and mewed, crawling up Lily as she remained lying down. It nuzzled her, its whiskers tickling Lily's face. The cat mewed and licked Lily's nose, feeling like wet sandpaper. Lily couldn't help but perk up at this soft, furry bundle of white kitty. Lily hoisted the cat in her arms and carried her back to the steadily filling common room, where most of the Slytherins were hanging out. They'd all walk down to the pitch together, donning their green and silver in support of the Slytherin Quidditch team.

"Lily… why do you have the demon cat?" Shale asked slowly, shrinking away from her. The cat hissed at Shale, trying to take a swipe at him.

"Ash is not a demon cat," Lily laughed as she petted the furry beast. "And anyways, she came in my room and started walking on me while I was moping."

It was the general consensus that everyone in Slytherin house believed that Scorpius' cat was the animalification of evil. Lily laughed at them, calling them silly as she settled down in a chair. She did try to put the cat down, but Ash wanted nothing to do with that. She kept climbing up on Lily's lap, nuzzling her and purring. Lily laughed and left her there, the cat lying on its back, swatting at Lily's tie while Shale tried to play a game of Wizarding Chess with her.

"That cat is pure evil, Lily," Shale complained at he withdrew a swatted hand when he tried to move his piece. The cat hissed at Shale.

"Ash is not," Lily murmured as she leaned forward, absent mindedly rubbing the cat's belly while she went to move her piece.

"You know, that's not your demon cat, Potter," a voice said. Lily looked up to see Scorpius standing over her. She smirked at him.

"Ash is not a demon cat," Lily said as the cat mewed playfully and purred. Scorpius plopped down next Lily, sitting close enough that Lily could feel his body heat in a non-gross way. Her cheek pinked slightly and she focused back on the chess board.

"You're losing terrible," Scorpius laughed. He went to make a move for Lily, a knight to take Shale's queen, and the chess piece tried to stick him with its sword. Scorpius withdrew his hand quickly. "Evil bugger."

"Hmm," Lily replied noncommittally as she moved the piece and overtook Shale's queen.

"Well, I guess I'd better get ready for the match," Scorpius said. He went to take Ash and the cat growled a deep, throaty growl at him. "Oh, come on. You turned my cat against me?"

"I did not," Lily said as she stroked the kitty.

"She's never growled at me before," Scorpius accused.

"Maybe she just likes the way I smell," Lily commented. She glanced at Scorpius but he was unreadable. She rolled her eyes. "Come on, Ash. Go back to you Daddy. Be a good girl for Daddy."

"Baby talk?" teased Scorpius. Lily made a face as she handed the placated cat back over to Scorpius.

"And so you know, she sought me out," Lily called to him as he walked back towards his dormitory, parting Slytherins who were familiar with the evil side of Ash the Demon Cat.

Lily hadn't been certain that she wanted to go to the much anticipated Slytherin-Gryffindor game. It was too nerve racking, in her opinion, but it was pointed out to her that it was mandatory for all Slytherins to attend all Quidditch games. Johann, the seventh year dictator-girl, had made it clear that Slytherins always provided a unified front, no matter what. Lily pouted internally and pulled her cloak on, tying it tight. She hated going out in the rain, and just before the match, it had started to sprinkle. She felt that her nerves and loyalties were playing tug-of-war with her insides.

On the one hand, she wanted her house to win. She knew that it would be an awesome win for Slytherin to beat the pants off of their rival. More than Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor wanted each other crushed in no uncertain terms. They were just too different. On the other hand, she loved her brother, James, and her cousin, Hugo. This would be Hugo's first game since making the team, and she wanted him to do well. She wanted them to be happy. She knew, either way, there was going to be disappointment tonight.

Lily, Kate, and Shale found their seats in the stand, a cool mist all around them. Lily had hoped that with the bad weather, they'd have postponed the game, but it was not meant to be. She wiped her face with the back of her hand, clearing it of the rain that seemed determined to drench. It was cool, and Lily found herself stepping closer to Shale. He looked at her and grinned, rolling his eyes.

"So, are you rooting for Slytherin or your family?" Shale asked. Lily crossed her arms against her soaked cloak.

"I hate that I have to choose," Lily said. She glanced at her brother, Albus, sitting with Rose directly across from her. He looked at her for a second before returning to talk to Rose. "So I am not going to choose. I'm going to cheer for my family and for my house."

"Aren't you afraid that they'll have a fit?" Shale whispered nodding toward the other Slytherins. Lily looked to the uptight, stoic Slytherins and shook her head.

"I'm a Potter and a Slytherin," Lily said. "I can cheer for both."

Cheer for both, she did, much to the displeasure of many of the older Slytherins. And when Slytherin beat Gryffindor, seizing the snitch, Lily cheered. Drenched in rain, Lily didn't care that she didn't look like a professional Slytherin, instead she, Shale, and Kate screamed with excitement, hugging and jumping around. Their hair was plastered to their heads, their clothes heavy with rain, and they crushed each other with the excitement of having won. Lily caught a look of disgust from James, and Lily went to frown but the excitement of having won overtook her as she continued to hug those Slytherins around her. They seemed to detest human touch a bit, which made Lily and the other first years cheer louder and hug harder.

Slytherin celebrations were muted, much to Lily's disappointment. It was like when she was forced to go to Fluer's fancy girly tea parties with Aunt Hermione and Rose. It was stuff, to say the least, and not in a soul warming way. Lily and the other first years sat in their freshly changed clothes, their hair still drying naturally as the older students milled around enjoying fancy deserts and frilly drinks. Lily leaned over to Shale, whispering in his ear, and then repeated to Kate. One by one, the first years each whispered to each other until they were all grinning and glowing.

None of the other students noticed anything at first. The sound level really didn't change much as slowly, systematically the room became one person less. Lily giggled as she closed the door behind the last first year. All ten first year students were in the boys' dormitory, laughing. They had swiped snacks on the way through, and several first year students pulled out contraband items like bottles of smuggled fire-whiskey and butter beer.

"Anyone know a silencing charm for the door?" Lily asked. The room collectively shook their heads and Lily laughed, shrugging.

"So what if we get caught?" Darla cheered as she threw her arm around Lily and pulled her to the newly formed circle. "They can't very well give us all detention."

"Let's play… spin the bottle," Zane said wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. The group groaned, but in a way that meant they were only acting as if the game was a hassle. The ten really wanted to play. So they each sat boy-girl, and Zane polished off a bottle of butter beer.

"You suggested it, you go first Zane," Lily taunted. He laughed and set the bottle in the middle of the small circle, spinning it. It landed on Callie, one of the other girls in Lily's dormitory.

"So, do we like, kiss on the mouths or what?" Callie asked, blushing.

"Whatever you like," Kate said winking at Callie. Callie blushed harder and quickly kissed Zane. She then spun the bottle and the game continued.

"I think you've set it up so that it won't fall on you," Darla teased as the bottle landed on Elton Hartling. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek quickly.

"I'm sure my luck will run out eventually," Lily said smirking as she crossed her arms and sat back a bit. Elton spun, landing on Nina Van Garden, who then spun and landed on Shale. Shale spun and the room was in joyful uproar.

"Looks like your luck ran out," Kate and Darla both shouted at her grinning. Lily grinned, rolling her eyes as she leaned toward Shale.

"It certainly has," Professor Perkins said loudly, causing everyone in the room to freeze. All of Slytherin was behind him, their arms crossed in a rather standoffish manner.

"Disgraceful, undignified behavior, unfitting of a Slytherin, all of you," Professor Perkins said as he practically spat the words. Lily could almost see the man foaming at the mouth, spittle spraying the air. The ten stood in two rows of five each as the head of house paced back and forth.

"Sir, we were only having some fun," Lily piped up. He turned and looked at her with fire in his eyes.

"I'd have you all expelled if I could, or at least given detention if it wasn't for the fact that I do NOT wanting it getting out that there was such vile behavior happening in a dormitory. It is one thing to be visiting among your selves in the dormitories, but playing such foul games, MUGGLE games. It's disgusting," Professor Perkins said.

"Wait, we're in trouble because we were playing a muggle game?" Lily asked confused.

"It's indecent," Johann piped up from where she stood behind Professor Perkins.

"It's immoral," another seventh year agreed.

"It's un-Slytherin!" a third piped up. Lily laughed.

"It's a game," Lily said shaking her head. "It's just a game."

The first year students were given in dormitory restriction. When they weren't in class or at meals, they were confined to their dormitories. Until bedtime, the doors were to remain open and the first years were not allowed to speak to anyone. Naturally, the first year students thought it was unfair, but they didn't say anything. They couldn't. Professor Perkins decided to cast a silencing charm on the first years, which only deactivated when a teacher was talking to them. It was murder.

One whole week, the house of Slytherin was devoid of first year speech. Unfortunately for Professor Perkins, he didn't anticipate the resourcefulness of the first years that had taken up simple charades, just inside the door way of their dormitories to communicate with each other. They managed to help each other with simple homework questions from across the common room, and nearly were caught half a dozen times, but always managed to pull it off as an unusual stretch.

On the last day, even the body language codes and passing notes had grown boring. The first years ached to run through the leaves on the grounds and goof off. On the Saturday they were released, they were careful to mind Slytherin law while they marched in two straight lines to the Great Hall for breakfast. They ate in quite, careful not to talk more than a whisper. Together, like some odd militant regime, they headed back to the common room to dress in their identical green scarves and gloves, their black boots shined.

Once the third year students and older headed to Hogsmead for the day, the first years went out to a secluded part of the school grounds and had a grand old time, running in the crisp October air, kicking up leaves and acting like the eleven and twelve year olds that they were. Their faces turned rosy at the cold air and leaves clung to their clothes, but they ran around burning off a week's worth of silence and inactivity. They were pretty pooped by lunch time, eating the hot soup provided and the sandwiches, drinking the pumpkin juice, and nibbling on the pastries.

Lily headed to the library after lunch to browse around for something to read before bed. She was finding her work easy to keep up with and wanted something to divert her attention those nights she couldn't sleep. She saw her family huddled around a table working diligently on whatever they were working on, their heads bent over pieces of parchment. She looked at the book in her hand, contemplating leaving with it. Albus looked up to see her standing there, his face curious as they stared at each other. Lily forced herself to walk over.

"Can I sit with you?" Lily asked hesitantly. Hugo and Rose looked up, but James remained bent over his paper, not even hesitating as his quill scratch the parchment.

"Sure, Lily," Rose said as she scooted over. Lily pulled a chair to the table, sitting down.

"You guys did a wonderful job last weekend," Lily said proudly. "I don't think I've seen you score so many goals, James, and Hugo, you were fantastic."

"Thanks, Lily, you think so? I thought I was a little slow in the start of the game," Hugo said. "I was so nervous."

"Oh, no! Really? You did SO well," Lily said earnestly. "I thought I was going to go hoarse for cheering for you."

"We noticed," Albus said as he grinned at her. "I think you were the only Slytherin screaming like that when the match was going on. I was confused who exactly you were rooting for."

"Well, my big brother and cousin, of course," Lily said. "And, of course, my house; I was cheering for my house, as well."

"I'm sure the Slytherins were none too happy about that," James said coolly. Lily shook her head.

"We got a week's worth of in dormitory detention for the after party," Lily said grinning. "For playing a muggle game."

"Are you serious?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, apparently playing 'Spin the Bottle' isn't very Slytherin," Lily laughed. James looked up at her, angry.

"You shouldn't have been playing spin the bottle," James snapped. "You're eleven years old!"

"You act as if I am some innocent child, James," Lily chastised. "I know you hate to see it, but I'm not."

"No thanks to those Slytherins," James grumbled. Lily shook her head, sighing. She pushed her chair back and stood.

"I guess I'll just catch you guys later," Lily said in a defeated sort of way.

"I'll walk you back," Albus said. Lily shrugged slightly but was happy at least one of her older brothers seemed to be treating her normally. The two left the library in silence and they started back toward the Slytherin portrait hole.

"He's never going to get over it, is he?" Lily asked Albus quietly as they walked side by side.

"James is James," Albus said. "He doesn't mean to be that way, but that is the only way he knows how to be. Him and Malfoy have been at each other's throats since first year on the train and never have let up since. I guess you getting all chummy with Malfoy and being in his house, it really gets to James. Then you were cheering for him, which really was a blow to James."

"Al, Malfoy's in my house," Lily countered. "How would it look if I can't support my own house? If I was a Gryffindor, I'd support my own house, even if you guys weren't in it. I just don't understand why James can't be supportive of me."

"I think," Albus started slowly. "I think James is afraid that he's lost you as a little sister.""That's stupid," Lily said crossing her arms. "My being Slytherin doesn't make me any less his sister."

"I know that, but you know, James always takes things so personally," Albus said gently.

"Oh, like my being Slytherin has anything to do with him," Lily said sarcastically. Albus laughed. "I'd have thought you both would be thrilled about NOT having me underfoot and following you around like some lost little first year."

"James would never admit it, but you not needing and not being around, it is driving him insane. He misses you," Albus said smiling at his little sister. "He thinks you've replaced him."

"With who?" Lily asked. Albus shrugged.

"Dunno," Albus admitted. "He just feels like he's missing out on being your big brother."

"That's ridiculous," Lily said. "I'm still his sister, he's still my brother. Nothing changes that."

"He'll be ok," Albus promised. The two walked in silence until they reached the corridor that they'd have to part, Albus to head to the tower where the Gryffindors resided, Lily down in the dungeons. She threw her arms around him.

"I miss annoying you guys," Lily confessed. Albus hugged her back before pulling away.

"It's only going to get worse," Albus said. Lily rolled her eyes at him and punched his shoulder.

"You know, I can still whip you at Quidditch," Lily laughed. Albus nodded.

"Yeah, well, I'm working on that," Albus taunted. The two parted without another word and Lily headed slowly, reluctantly back down to the damp, dank dungeon. For the first time, she wished that she wasn't separated from her brothers. How much fun it must be to sit around with her family, cousins and brothers, and just relax. She could bet that there were rules of propriety in the Gryffindor house. Sometimes she swore the Slytherin laws would threaten to suffocate her if she wasn't careful to keep her heart light.

"Thank Merlin your back," Shale said as Lily entered the common room. Lily looked at him confused.

"I only went to the library, why?" Lily asked as she held up the book she was holding.

"That demon cat is causing a ruckus and won't shut up," Shale said. "Everyone's still gone, but that cat's in there growling and whining. No one can get close to it to see what's wrong."

Lily headed into the third year boys' dormitory, followed by Shale and a few second and first years. Ash's growling and whining could be clearly heard in the room. Lily walked over to Scorpius' bed, unbuttoning her jacket and taking off her tie. She tossed her scarf on the duvet first, followed by the gloves that had fallen from her jacket pocket. She kneeled down, her knee-high socks doing little to protect her knees from the stone floor. She set her jacket and tie on the bed, and proceeded to roll up her sleeves past her elbow. Lying on her stomach, she peered under the bed. She could make out the white cat contrasting with the darkness under the bed.

"Ash, it's me, Lily," Lily said soothingly as she reached for her. The cat extended one of her paws and planted her sharp claws deep into Lily's arm, raking it from the crook to the wrist. Lily withdrew her arm quickly and scrambled back. She held her hand to her arm, blood springing up along her wand arm. She frowned and Shale handed her a handkerchief. She thought a moment and dabbed at the blood.

"What are you going to do?" Shale asked as Lily climbed back down on the floor.

"I guess until Malfoy returns, I'm going to sit with her. I don't have a clue what's up, but she seems like she's in pain," Lily murmured. She glanced at them. "Anyone kick her; swat at her, curse her?"

"No," they all replied. Lily shivered. She pulled out her wand, pointing in at the coal radiator.

"Incendio," Lily said as she lit it.

"Cool spell," Shale said genuinely impressed.

"We don't have house elves to light our fires," Lily confessed. She blushed. "We have to light our own fires."

Shale didn't say anything and Lily scooted back under the bed a bit, drawing closer to the cat. She didn't attempt to grab it or touch it at first, just proceeded to just be there. Lily slowly attempted to pet the cat and Ash let her the second time. The cat still growled slightly, whined a bit, but the sound seemed not to be so deafening. That was when it happened. Ash became a mother.

Lily stared at the small, slimy thing as Ash sniffed and licked the small thing clean. It wasn't moving. Lily frowned, thinking it should be moving. Ash let out a wail, nudged the kitten that was now less slimy but still it did not move. The first kitten was born still. Lily bit back her tears as Ash pushed the kitten away. Lily reached for the kitten, scooping it up in her hand. It was pure white, like Ash, and cold as ice. Death had come to Ash's first kitten.

"S-Shale," Lily sobbed slightly as she pulled back from the bed. "Can you get me a box or something and some towels or something?"

Shale saw Lily sitting with her back against Scorpius' night standing, the white fluff ball cupped in her hands. He retreated from the third year dorm and returned with a small box and a few towels. Lily didn't say anything, just filled the box with tissues and gently laid the tiny creature inside it. Lily stared at it for a few minutes before Shale moved to close the box, securing the lid. He saw Lily turn her head quickly, brushing tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. Ash began growling again, snapping Lily out of her moment.

Lily arranged the towels on the floor and gently moved Ash to them, hoping that they were more comfortable and warm than the cold, stone floor. The quickness that the next kitten came and went surprised Lily, as did her emotion as Ash pushed another still kitten away, this one also white. Lily bit back the sadness as she placed the second kitten in the box next to the first. Lily petted Ash, murmuring soothing nonsense to the cat as Lily lain by her side.

"What are you guys doing in my room?" Scorpius asked as he entered. Shale was sitting, his back against the wall nearest Lily while Lily was laying belly down on the floor. Lily barely stirred.

"Your cat's having kittens," Lily said in a soft, soothing voice as she continued to stroke the kitten.

"Kittens? Really?" Scorpius said. Lily nodded as a third kitten was born. Lily held her breath as Ash cleaned it and nudged it. Lily's heart broke as Ash pushed the creature away. Lily retrieved the third fallen kitten.

"Three so far and none has… made it," Lily said as she fought back a sob. Scorpius sat down next to Lily as Lily didn't even bother wiping the tears away from her face. She sobbed silently as she opened the box and placed the third kitten in the box.

"It'll be ok," Scorpius said uncomfortable with Lily's tears. Lily frowned, shaking her head as she forced the tears from her face with her palms. She rested back down on the floor, her face turned from Scorpius as she focused on soothing Ash. Lily's hand stroked the body of the cat, almost begging her silently not to birth anymore still kittens. Scorpius reached out and stroked Lily's hair gently as Lily stroked the cat.

The cat labored through dinner and Lily remained on the cold floor. Scorpius remained with Lily, tenderly stroking her hair. She hated to admit it, but it felt good, soothing, and she hoped her own touch was as soothing to Ash as the poor beast continued to labor. Lily stokes along the cat became erratic, infrequent as the hour struck midnight and the cat was still laboring to get the fourth and final kitten born. Lily fell asleep, the gentle touch of Scorpius' hands in her hair too much for her to fight. Despite the cold, hard floor, Lily fell asleep.

"Lily?" she heard, a warm breath tickling her ear. She groaned slightly and tried to ignore the voice. "Lily wake up."

"Hmm?" Lily murmured sleepily to find Scorpius' face unnaturally close to hers. He was leaning over her. Then she heard it. Ash's growling and whining had ceased. It was replaced with the hearty, lusty cries of a newborn kitten.

"Ash had her final kitten, Lily," Scorpius said quietly. "Just a few minutes ago; it looks like its ok."

Lily sighed as she saw the little fluffy ball rooting around for Ash's teat. The lusty cries stopped and Ash purred warmly. Lily felt her heart swell in her chest. The one success made up for the three kittens that didn't survive their births. Lily watched the kitten and its mother for a bit before realizing how close Scorpius was to her as he leaned over her to watch the kitten with her. Lily felt her cheeks warm at the sheer thought. She made to move and Scorpius backed up slightly to let Lily sit. He looked at her arm, his fingers practically burning her flesh as he saw where Ash scratched her.

"You should get this checked out," Scorpius said. Lily blushed and pulled her arm away.

"I'm fine," Lily said. "I'm just glad Ash is ok. Have you thought about what you're going to name the kitten?"

"I was thinking Ash Two," Scorpius said. Lily shook her head.

"The poor thing; can't you come up with something more fitting for the blessed beast?" Lily asked.

"What would you name it if it was yours?" Scorpius asked. Lily yawned slightly as she stood.

"I'd name it something spectacular, fitting," Lily said as she walked to the door. She glanced out to the common room where the other four inhabitants of the dormitory had decided to sleep for the night.

"Like?" Scorpius asked as he stood unnaturally close to her. Lily felt her heart start to pound and she worried he could hear it. She felt her cheeks get warm.

"Like Amaia," Lily said.

"Why Amaia?" Scorpius asked.

"It's pretty, starts with an "A" like Ash, and it is the Basque meaning for 'end', which is fitting," Lily said quietly.

"Thanks for sitting with Ash through her kittens, I think you really calmed her down a lot," Scorpius said quietly.

"I only wished I could have done more," Lily said. She glanced at the small box on the trunk and her eyes welled up with tears. Scorpius smiled and wrapped his arms around her, catching her off guard.

"You did more for her than I could have, thank you, Lily," Scorpius said. He released her from the hug and Lily uncertainly walked away. She glanced back at him, almost shyly.

"Good night Scorpius," Lily said. He smiled.

"Good night, Lily," he replied. She nodded and disappeared behind her bedroom door. She groaned when she remembered she'd left half of her uniform on Scorpius' bed but she was far too tired to retrieve it. Instead, she slipped into her pajamas and climbed under her blanket. Sleep consumed her instantly.