AN: Thanks for the review. This chapter is a tad shorter than last chapter, but it couldn't be helped, now could it?! I was due for a short chapter. Keep reading and reviewing.

Disc.: The only thing I own is the computer I typed this on, and the plot. The rest belongs to others elsewhere.

­­­

Kissing Boys

Lily frowned, pulling her blankets around her tighter. She shivered, and could see her breath in the air. It was freezing in the dormitory and Lily tested the air by letting her foot slip out from under her blanket. The air was icy cold and she jerked her foot back under the blankets. The air was too cold. She whined. She didn't want to leave her safe cocoon of bedding and pajamas, but the growling complaint of a hungry stomach had other ideas. Sighing, she shoved her blankets back and climbed head first into the icy air of the dungeon dormitory. The coal furnace was burning but it put off very little heat. She growled at it and kicked it, regretting it when she hurt her big toe.

"Why's it so cold in here?" Kate complained as Lily and she started to get dressed for the day. Lily shrugged as she layered up as much his possible and still look Slytherin presentable.

"I guess because we're under water," Lily suggested as she pulled on her cloak. She frowned; disappointed that she was no warmer with it on. She shuffled out of the dormitory alone and made her way through the common room to breakfast. She felt someone fall into step beside her and Lily knew who it was without looking.

"I thought you said I'd get used to it?" Lily complained.

"You will," Scorpius replied. "Heading to breakfast?"

"Yes," Lily said as she withdrew her arms into her cloak. "Are you sure my scarf wasn't with my jacket, because I could have sworn it was."

"I gave you back everything you left in my room," Scorpius said looking at her with that smirk he always had plastered on his face. Lily rolled her eyes, not believing him but said nothing more.

"I guess I'll just ask James to swing over to the robe shop and see if he can't pick me up a new one then," Lily said sighing as the two arrived at the giant doors to the Great Hall.

"No matter," Scorpius said as he grabbed her wrist to stop her from entering. He unwound his scarf from his neck.

"No, wait Scorpius," Lily protested. "I can't take your scarf."

"Take it Lily," Scorpius said as he wound it around her securely. He grinned. "I have others."

"Really, I shouldn't," Lily said smiling slightly. Rosiness crept into her cheeks.

"It looks better on you, anyways," Scorpius said.

"What will you use while you're in Hogsmead?" Lily asked. He made a noncommittal noise.

"I'll just have to make due," Scorpius said. "Don't worry about it, Lily. I'll just grab another one. You stay warm with this one."

"Thank you," Lily said as she as her cheeks pinked slightly. She pushed through the doors and found her regular seat. Shale and Kate were not far behind, Shale taking her left, Kate taking her right.

"That's not your scarf," Shale accused. Lily felt her cheeks warm slightly.

"Are you sure?" Lily feigned.

"Fairly," Shale said. Lily glanced at Scorpius before she looked at Shale. He, too, glanced at Scorpius but said nothing more.

"It is freezing in your dormitory?" Kate interrupted, oblivious to the little exchange between Shale and Lily.

"Yeah, actually," Shale said momentarily distracted from the exchanged. Lily cheered internally. Having two older brothers, she knew that once their attention was broken it was over with. She grinned.

"Ours too," Lily added quickly. "I kicked the furnace this morning and it still didn't help."

"I know Tavis and Zane were grumbling about it this morning," Shale said. "And they were still in bed. I keep hearing that we will get used to it, but I've not felt it much."

"You will get used to it," Darla said as she took her seat across from the three. "But they don't tell you that you get used to it about the time the snow begins to melt."

"Snow?" Shale asked excitedly.

"Didn't you know?" Darla asked. She pointed to a nearby window. "It's snowing. It's going to be a white Halloween this year."

"SNOW!" Shale cheered. He picked up the pace on his eating and drug Lily out of the Great Hall by her hand and out into one of the courtyards. Lily laughed as they kicked through the snow. Mr. Filch was there, his hat on complete with ear flaps. He had a clipboard and a list as kids were already queuing up to leave the school grounds. He glared at Shale and Lily who were having entirely too much fun kicking the snow. They moved off to the side, Kate and Darla joining them as they watched the older kids leave.

Lily stopped for a second as Scorpius stood with Elena and Celeste in line. He glanced at her for a second, that same smirk on his face. Lily smiled quickly but her attention on him was lost when Shale crushed a giant, loosely packed snowball on Lily's head. She laughed and tackled the other first year to the ground, pinning him. Kate, Darla, and Lily ganged up on him, crushing snow in his hair.

By lunch time rolled around the four were starved. The ate a hasty lunch before joining the other Slytherin first and second years to fight the Gryffindor first and second years in a snow ball fight version of capture the flag, the snow coming down in icy chunks. The screams of glee echoed over the grounds as they teamed up against each other, and for a while, there wasn't the division of houses. Lily was crouched behind a mound, huddled with Kate and Shale. They had managed to sneak very close to the Gryffindor base.

"Remember me always!" Lily told them playfully as she kissed Kate and Shale's cheeks. "Cover me, I'm going in!"

The snowballs rained down as Lily jumped over the mound and ran with all her might through the snow, her arms pumping as she kicked up snow. She dove behind the Gryffindor base, snatching their makeshift flag as she landed on her cousin, Hugo. He protested as she jumped up, the flag in her hand. She laughed and jumped back over to the war side, running back to the safety of her own small snow mound.

"I got it," Lily laughed.

"They know you have it," Shale said, looking at the Gryffindor crested handkerchief Lily had clutched in her hand.

"They do, but I know a safe way to get it back to base," Lily said grinning. She reached and loosened up Shale's scarf, her icy fingers touching the skin of his neck. She shoved the flag down his shirt collar. "Now, you run around the back side of base and I'll draw the fire. GO!"

Shale barely had time to register what had happened as Lily ran off, making it look like she was heading straight back to the middle of the base. The Gryffindors were after her on foot, chucking snowballs at her with all their might. Shale started running back to base. He glanced back to see Lily tackled to the ground by her cousin. Shale continued at full speed as Hugo pinned Lily down, shoving fists full of snow down her shirt. Lily was struggling with him, laughing as she threw snow into Hugo's face.

"She doesn't have the flag!" Hugo shouted as he looked up to see Shale running to the Slytherin base. Hugo went to jump up and take off after Shale but Lily grabbed his ankle, tripping the boy. Hugo threw snow back at her and pulled free, but Shale made it to base with the flag.

"Slytherins' win!" Lily said boisterously to her cousin, tweaking his nose playfully. Hugo did not look as amused as he would have normally, but grinned at his slightly younger cousin.

"Next time, Potter," Hugo threatened laughing as he started to walk away to join the Gryffindors. "I'll get you next time."

"Anytime Weasley," Lily teased as she walked backwards away from him. She laughed at him and almost tripped backwards over a snow covered root. She reached out and grabbed the first body that her hand could grab. She blushed as she righted herself, groaning inwardly as she realized she had grabbed Scorpius who was just returning from Hogsmead.

"Sorry," Lily said as she brushed the snow from her clothes, averting her eyes. "I'll watch where I'm walking."

Scorpius raised an eyebrow at her as she nodded at him once, retreating quickly to join Kate and Shale who were waiting to join her to rush downstairs to change into dry clothes before dinner. She glanced back at Scorpius who had remained on course to the common room at a more even pace than the shivering first years, who were alternating between walking fast and walking slow. She thought better of keeping her eyes forward when she stumbled again from not paying attention, nearly taking Shale down with her.

"What are you doing?" Shale asked as Lily started to remove her cloak in the middle of the corridor while she walked. "It's freezing in here."

"I'm freezing and this thing is soaked, more so than my clothes," Lily said. "I don't want to catch a cold or something."

"How'd you three manage to get sopping wet?" Scorpius inquired as he fell into step behind them.

"Snowball fight," Lily said.

"It was awesome," Shale said excitedly. "I won the whole thing for Slytherin."

Lily laughed and nodded. The three of them continued on, even as Scorpius passed them and headed through the portrait hole. He stopped and waited for the three first years.

"You're face is rosy," Scorpius smirked quietly to Lily. "You may want to go get some warm, dry clothes on so that you don't get sick."

"Can I come by and see Ash and her kitten," Lily asked suddenly. Scorpius hesitated. She clutched her hands in front of her begging him. "Please, Scorpius. I won't stay long."

"Fine, fine," Scorpius said rolling his eyes as a smile played on his lips. Lily squealed and threw her arms around him, catching him off guard. "You're wet, Lily. Let go."

"Sorry, sorry," Lily laughed as she pulled away.

"Go get changed. The Halloween Festival is tonight. Trust me, you don't want to miss it," Scorpius said. Lily grinned and ran off to join Kate.

Kate raised an eyebrow at Lily as she entered the dormitory. Lily was grinning as she undressed and redressed in a fresh, dry school uniform. Lily made a face at her but said nothing. They had an unspoken rule about voicing when the other was acting too school girlish. Lily stood in front of the mirror, her uniform shirt still not buttoned.

"When do you think we'll get breasts?" Lily asked as she looked at the flatness of her undershirt.

"I don't know, but I hope soon," Kate said. "I'd like to start attracting boys."

"Like Shale?" Lily asked. Kate turned bright red and averted her eyes. Lily grinned and buttoned her top up.

"He already likes someone," Kate mumbled. Lily tucked her shirt into her skirt and finished up the final touches.

"That person pales in comparison to you, Kate," Lily said adamantly. "I mean, really. Who is better than you, Kate Rosier?"

"Too funny," Kate grumbled.

"He'll come around," Lily promised as they exited the dormitory. Shale was patiently waiting.

"Who'll come around?" Shale asked curiously. Kate blushed.

"Professor Longbottom," Lily said shaking her head. "He's always getting on to us for being Slytherins."

"Sure it's got nothing to do with the amount of talking you girls do during Herbology?" Shale asked not picking up on Lily's little white lie. Lily made a noise of contempt and punched him in the shoulder.

"As if," the girls both said stalking away as they left Shale to rub his injured arm.

Lily took her customary path to the Great Hall, Kate tagging along. As they passed windows, they could see the snow pelting the windows in chunks again and both girls shivered from the draft. They were excited that they were going to their first Halloween Dinner at Hogwarts. The two entered, their mouths agape in awe as they looked around. They shrieked with excitement, though the sound couldn't be heard over the din of the rest of the school. All two hundred and eighty students were eager to celebrate. Giant pumpkins were everywhere, delicately carved into the most gruesome faces.

The Great Hall was pitch dark with only the light from strategically placed candles lighting the way. Kate and Lily gripped each other tightly in excitement over how thrilling it was to see the ghouls dining with the students. Lay before them was the greatest feast, greater than any that most had seen. It truly was the best Halloween Feast that the first years had ever seen. The students laughed and ate and spent a great bit of time intermingling. Lily practically dragged Kate and Shale over to meet her big brothers and her cousins.

Lily threw her arms around the neck of her scowling older brother, refusing to let up until he finally laughed and promised to not hold against her the fact that she was not a Gryffindor. Lily enjoyed the time she spent with her family and was disappointed when the night drew to a close. First and second year students were sent back to their common room first, at ten. Kate, Shale, and Lily reluctantly left the Great Hall and the older kids to ready for bed.

The Slytherin house was still a bit on the chilly side as Lily dressed in her sweat pants and tee shirt. She frowned, thinking more of the brief conversation that she and Kate had had earlier in the evening. She needed only to look around at the older girls to realize that she was lacking a lot in the upper chest region. Frowning at her boyish reflection, Lily headed towards the third year boys' dormitory. She figured it'd give her easily an hour to play with Ash and the kitten before the third year boys ran her out. She found Ash and the kitten smack dab in the middle of Scorpius' bed. Without a second thought, she climbed onto his bed and petted the cat.

"You know, it's rude to climb into a bloke's bed without at least some sort of permission," a voice said, startling Lily. She pushed herself up on her arms. She yawned sleepily despite herself.

"Ash gave me permission," Lily lied as she rested her head back down on her arm, her back to Scorpius.

"Oh, so my demon cat gave you permission, did she?" Scorpius said as he made no motion towards or away from Lily.

"Mhmm, yes," Lily murmured as she played with the cat's collar.

"You going to stay," Scorpius asked as he walked in front of the mirror. Lily could see his face in the refection. She watched as he undid his tie and dropped it on the bed. She found herself holding her breath as he stripped off his shirt and pulled on a tee shirt. He glanced at her, a curious smile on his face. His fingers went to his trouser button and Lily jumped up, her face bright red.

"I should go," Lily said as she sprinted out of the dormitory. She retreated to the safety of her own dormitory, thankful only Kate was there. Lily threw herself across the bed.

"You've seen him, haven't you?" Kate asked curiously. "I thought I saw Scorpius come in."

"Yeah," Lily said looking at her.

"You're blushing!" Kate said grinning. Lily blushed harder.

"I think I have a crush on him," Lily moaned before burying her face into the pillows.

"No!" Kate gasped. She climbed next to Lily.

"Yeah," Lily mumbled. "I realized it when I was watching him undress…"

"You watched him undress?" Kate asked scandalized. Lily's face turned even redder.

"Well, no," Lily exclaimed. "I mean he took his shirt off, but yeah, and he was going to take his pants off, so I got out of there."

"BOYFRIEND," Kate squealed and hugged Lily, nearly crushing the girl. Lily wiggled to get free of Kate. She shook her head.

"Not a chance," Lily said. Kate pouted.

"Why not?" Kate said.

"He's a third year and so not going to be into me," Lily whispered as others started coming in the room. "I mean, I sent him to the hospital wing with an ill hit bludger, he's probably into girls like Celeste Nott or Elena Goyle."

"We could always stuff our bras," Kate giggled. Lily and she nearly fell of the bed in a fit of tears.

"There's one other reason," Lily said as she sobered slightly from the giggling.

"And that would be?" Kate asked.

"My brother, James," Lily murmured. "All I have heard since James met Scorpius is how much he hated him. What would my brother say if he knew I have a crush on Scorpius?"

"Well, I still think you should try to get him to notice you," Kate said. "More than you tripping in front of him and stuff. Some less dorky way than you've been acting around him."

"Hey," Lily laughed. "I'm only ever going to be me."

Lily couldn't sleep. She couldn't help but think about Scorpius, to which each time she'd turn over in a huff while her face was on fire. Despite the frostiness of the air, Lily picked up a book and headed to the common room. She sat down in a chair that was practically sitting inside the fireplace. She leaned toward the fire, opening the thick book. It wasn't long before her head rested against the crook of the chair and her eyes were closed. She wasn't asleep, not fully when she felt a blanket be placed over her. She sighed softly and opened her eyes just as a pair of lip brushed hers ever so gently. Without thinking, Lily punched him in the face.

"Merlin, Lily, what the heck!" Shale said holding his nose.

"What do you think you were doing?" Lily asked as she jumped up angrily.

"I don't know. I just thought…" Shale said. His voice was nasally from a broken nose. Blood poured down the front of his clothes.

"You thought what?" Lily demanded.

"I thought you liked me," Shale said.

"I do," Lily said.

"No, I mean as a girl friend," Shale said. "You kissed my check out in during the snow fight."

"I kissed Kate's too. It doesn't mean I want to date her, either," Lily reminded. "I'm not into you, not like that. You and I are friends. Kate's the one that likes you."

"K-Kate likes me?" Shale asked.

"Uh-huh, yes," Lily said as she wiped her mouth off. "Let pretend this never happened so things don't get awkward between us, and why don't you try to chat Kate up and see where it goes."

"Lily," Shale said as he continued to bleed freely from his nose.

"Yeah, Shale?" Lily asked. Shale looked pallid and ready to faint.

"You think you could wake someone up to take me to the hospital wing?" Shale asked. Lily hesitated before nodding.

"Who?" Lily asked as she stood before the doors to the boys' dormitories.

"I don't care, anyone," Shale said as he continued to pool blood. Lily felt a little light headed as she saw the amount of blood pouring from Shale.

"Sit down, I'll go get help," Lily said.

"Oh, and Lily, please, you didn't punch me," Shale said. Lily nodded; understanding as she jerked opened one of the dormitory doors, the third years, and jetted over to Scorpius' bed side. She grabbed his shoulder and gently shook him awake. He looked annoyed and surprised to see her standing over him, her hand on his bare shoulder. He shifted slightly under her hand.

"I was in the middle of a really good dream," he complained.

"I'm sorry," Lily said quietly. "My friend Shale needs someone to walk him down to the hospital wing."

"So take him," Scorpius said squirming under his blankets slightly. "Think you might want to take your hand off my shoulder a bit?"

"Sorry," Lily said pulling her hand back. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "I can't take him. It would be hard to explain."

"Hard to explain?" Scorpius yawned as he sat up a little. He touched her arm, causing her to turn to him. "What were you doing with him? It feels like it is late."

"It is late, er, well really early actually. He and I were just talking," Lily said. Scorpius looked at her with an eye brow raised slightly. "Please, please take him down there for me."

"All right, Lils, I'll take him down to the hospital wing," Scorpius said with a slight grin. "I can't have your reputation tarnished."

"Oh, thanks so much, Scorpius," Lily said throwing her arms around his neck. She went to kiss him on the cheek, just for him to turn. Their lips met quickly, her eyes shooting wide open. She pulled back as if he had burst into flames.

"No worries," Scorpius said coolly as Lily retreated from his bed at an alarming rate. Lily waited in the common room with Shale still bleeding; as Scorpius walked into the common room. He was pulling a shirt over his head.

"Thanks man," Shale said nasally as he wiped his face with his palms. Scorpius jerked a bunch of tissues from a box and held it out to the boy. He looked at the two rather embarrassed and guilty looking first years. Shale held the wad of paper to his nose.

"What did you do?" Scorpius asked.

"Walked into a wall," Shale said.

"A wall did this to you?" Scorpius asked skeptically. He looked at Lily, who looked away quickly with her face on fire.

"Er, yeah," Shale said nodding.

"Whatever you want me to believe," Scorpius said. "Come on, let's go. I want to get back to bed. I was having an awesome dream before she so rudely woke me up."