A/N: Readers you are awesome! Thanks for reading and review. You know I love to get the reviews, so keep up the good work on your end and I'll keep the good work on mine.

Disc.: Only borrowing the main characters for my own devices.

Her Boyfriend

Flint had spent the better part of an hour barking commands at his players. Hot, sweaty, and filthy, he called them down to the ground. He looked a bit displeased at Damon's laughing manner about dropping the Quaffle and reminded him that there was no room for errors like that in a game. Damon became quiet as Flint went through the schedule for training and the match schedule.

"I want to hammer something home to you," Flint said as he took Lily's beater bat from her. "I want to give you a practical example of why you should avoid the bludgers at all cost, even if our beaters are supposed to be there to protect. You must be vigilant." He held six large muggle softballs in his hand. One by one, he hit each of them with a hard hit ball. Only Lily stepped out of the path of the softball at the last minute.

"That hurt," Damon complained as he rubbed his stomach where his ball hit. Scorpius nodded, his shoulder throbbing and bruising under his practice robes.

"That is a tenth the size of a bludger and much softer," Flint said. He turned to Lily. "Why did you dodge the ball?"

"Because I'm not stupid enough to let you hit me with a ball," Lily said.

"Exactly," Flint said. He flashed a smile at Lily before looking at the rest of them. "I would have been more impressed if the five of you had the same sense that our little third year had and stepped out of the path of the ball. The idea isn't to get hit and keep on going, the idea is to not get hit in the first place."

"Now he tells us," Scorpius commented to Damon. Flint glared at him.

"So, hit the showers, enjoy what's left of the Hogsmead trip, and be prepared for our Gryffindor game next week," Flint said dismissing them. "Lily, don't forget to hit the shop for gear."

"Will do, captain," Lily said saluting him with a smile on her face. He raised an eyebrow at her and he allowed himself to grin back at her. Lily headed off to the locker room, tossing her oversized gear in the bin for the last time. She showered quickly and performed a decent enough drying spell on her hair as she stepped out in to the main part of the locker room. She glanced up as she saw Scorpius standing there, waiting patiently.

"Almost ready?" he asked quietly as Lily sat down, pulling her socks on her feet. She smiled at him before focusing on tying her shoes.

"Nearly ready," she said jumping up. "I just want to put my belt on." He watched as she pulled a pink belt and began looping it through the loops on her jeans. She pulled her shirt into place and turned to him, slamming her locker door.

"I don't think I've seen you in regular clothes since that year before you started Hogwarts," Scorpius told her.

"I normally wear the uniform or my pajamas," Lily said. "It cuts down on laundry to have to do when I go home during Christmas."

"You do your own laundry?" Scorpius asked as he held the door open for her.

"Yes," she said. "I have since I was eight. We don't have house elves."

"Wow, really," Scorpius said.

"Mhmm," Lily murmured as the two of them made the walk towards Hogsmead. The two walked in silence, occasionally Lily would steal a look at Scorpius as they walked along the sunny path. She hated that her heart would race when he'd catch her and smile.

Once they were in town, they headed straight to the Quidditch shop, the small man in there looking up as the bell rang. Lily greeted him with a smile and he seemed to have expected them. He set to work his measuring instruments, ordering Lily out of her clothes. Scorpius blushed hard and Lily laughed him off.

"I'm wearing basic Quidditch garments," Lily told him as she whipped off her jeans and tee shirt. He dared a look. Sure enough she was wearing the basic top and bottom, snug and form fitting to help from restriction and sweat build up.

"Quality," the shop keep said as the measuring instruments went to work measuring Lily. The shop keeper nodded at the measurement tools. "You're a tiny thing. Beater, I think Flint said. Surprising, but Flint knows his Quidditch, and you do come from strong Quidditch lineage, even if it is Gryffindor."

"Nearly done there?" Scorpius said defensively. "Her lineage is nothing to mock. She's a damn good player, old man, and you'd be best to remember that."

"Yes, of course, Mr. Malfoy," the shop keeper said immediately. "My apologies, dear girl. This old man doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut."

"It's ok," Lily said. The man worked silently pulling boxes and having Lily try the gear on.

"Dear, you are petite," he said in a quiet voice as he struggled to get the straps tight. "I think this is it, though, a wonderful fit. Have you hit puberty yet?"

"Uh," Lily said blushing. Scorpius quickly began examining a tube of performance ointment.

"I'd take that as a no, then," he said not even being quiet. "Don't worry. Your frame doesn't look like it'd get that much bigger, even when you hit that special time."

"I have," Lily hissed at the man, her face on fire.

"None the less, the Velcro straps will allow for you to adjust up if you need," he said as he piled the purchases in the bag. "Go ahead and get dressed and I'll get this all bagged up and get your broom."

"Mind handing me my jeans?" Lily asked Scorpius as she pulled on her tee shirt. Scorpius handed Lily her jeans and she slipped them on over her Under Quidditch gear.

"Smart of you to remember to wear that," Scorpius said.

"Disappointed much, Score?" Lily teased. Scorpius coughed as his faced turned a bit pink and he turned his head.

"No," he lied as he busied himself with Lily's stuff. "I'll carry the broom and you get your bag."

"Good day, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Potter," the shop keeper said ushering them out of the store.

"How about a drink, my treat for you being so nice to take me to the Quidditch shop and wasting a good bit of the time we have here when you could be off with Darla," Lily offered.

"The Three Broomsticks?" Scorpius suggested.

"Lily Potter!" a voice called from behind them. Lily and Scorpius turned around to look, as did a few other curious people. Lily shrieked excitedly and ran at the guy who had called her name.

"TARYN!" Lily squealed as she jumped into his arms practically. He hugged her, spinning her and planting a kiss on her mouth. "What are you doing here?"

"I got your letter," he said. "My cousin apparated us here for the day. You are one heck of a girl to track down."

"I had to do some shopping," Lily said shaking the bag slightly.

"What'd my girl buy?" He asked playfully. Lily held the bag open so he could peek inside. "Quidditch, huh? So it's true then? You're really a beater?"

"Yeah, and she's damn good one, too," Scorpius said standing near them, still holding Lily's broom.

"Taryn, this is my housemate, Scorpius. Scorpius, this is my boyfriend, Taryn," Lily introduced.

"The boy from the picture," Scorpius said simply. Lily nodded.

"Taryn, we were just going to the Three Broomsticks for a round of butter beer. You must come. I want to show you off," Lily laughed. He slipped his arm around Lily's waist.

"I can't deny you, can I?" Taryn said. He looked directly at Scorpius and smirked. "She is, after all, the best girl a guy could ever hope to get."

Lily, Taryn, and Scorpius sat at a table while they waited for their drinks. Lily was conveniently oblivious to the death looks and glares that the boys were tossing back and forth at each other. After the drinks arrived, Taryn started talking about his own Quidditch career at Durmstrang. Lily smirked but listened.

"I guess when Lily and I are married and have kids, it'd be fair to say that our sons will be beaters, as well," Taryn said casually.

"You're betrothed?" Scorpius asked suddenly.

"No," Lily replied quickly.

"Technically, no," Taryn admitted. "I want to wait until my last year at Durmstrang to ask her father officially, though I do think that I might broach the subject with Mr. Potter this Christmas. I know she's a bit young, but I can't let this one slip through my finger."

"Taryn, please," Lily said blushing as he kissed her neck. She stood. "I'll be right back, guys."

"Don't take too long," Taryn told her grinning as he watched her walk away. Lily nodded and glanced back at the two of them giving each other dirty looks. Confused, she shrugged and headed into the bathroom. She was gone maybe ten minutes but she might as well as been gone an eternity. Taryn and Scorpius looked as if they had been arguing.

"Is something wrong?" Lily asked nervously as she sat down next to Taryn.

"No, of course not, sweetie," Taryn said. "Just a little friendly banter between two Quidditch players."

"Oh," Lily said. She looked to Scorpius for confirmation.

"I'm going to find Darla," Scorpius said sliding out of the booth that they were sharing.

"Be a sport and take Lily's bags," Taryn said pushing the bags toward Scorpius.

"Really, you don't need to," Lily said. She turned to Taryn. "Taryn, he doesn't need to."

"It's ok, Lils," Scorpius said as he took the bag. "I'll catch you back at the castle."

Lily waited until he was gone before turning to Taryn with confusion and questions in her eyes. He smiled at her, melting her uncertainty and took her by the hand, leading her out of the Three Broomsticks and down Main Street. Lily allowed herself to be lead toward the shrieking shack, Taryn's hand holding tight to Lily's. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her lightly.

"What's wrong?" Taryn asked as Lily pulled away.

"Nothing," Lily said. "I just told you that I want to take things slow, you know. I've not even had my first real kiss."

"I can change that," Taryn offered. "These light pecks on the cheek and lips are kind of childish."

"I don't know I'm ready for that, Taryn," Lily said blushing. Taryn made a face but nodded.

"Of course, yes," Taryn said. "I'm sorry if it felt I was pushing you."

"No, no," Lily assured him. She wrapped her arms around him. "I love having you as my boyfriend. You're the perfect boyfriend."

"I am, aren't I?" Taryn said laughing. His face turned serious. "Look, Lily. I don't want to say anything but I'm worried about your friend ship with that boy earlier. He worries me."

"Scorpius?" Lily asked uncertainly. "He and I are team mates, house mates, you know? We're just friends."

"I know that's how you see him, but I think his thoughts are less sweet and pure for you," Taryn said seriously. "I'd hate for him to do something horrible to you and you not to be aware that guys like him are only out for one thing. You know what I'm talking about, right?"

"We are just friend, Taryn," Lily protested.

"Still, I'd feel better if you weren't alone with him, you know?" Taryn said solemnly. "I love you and I'd hate for him to hurt you."

"Scorpius isn't like that, Tare," Lily promised. "He has a betrothed bride. He takes that very seriously and our families practically hate each other. You have nothing to worry about."

"Of course," Taryn said kissing her forehead. "I'm probably over reacting."

"Over reacting?" Lily asked uncertainly.

"Yeah, he… no, I'm sure it was nothing," Taryn said laughing. "You know, how guys can be. You have brothers. I'm sure he didn't mean for it to sound like that."

"Like what?" Lily pressed. Taryn shrugged.

"Nothing, only see, I was polite to our waitress and he took it as coming on to her," Taryn said shrugging. "She gave me her number and I was polite, told her I had a girl friend, but she relented. I threw it away when she left the table but your friend told me that he planned to sabotage our relationship because he wanted us to fail so that I wouldn't spend Christmas with you and your family."

"Scorpius said that?" Lily said uncertainly.

"I wasn't going to mention it," Taryn said sadly, shaking his head. "I know he's your friend, but that kind of conversation really worried me. He seems like his the overly jealous type. I just don't want you to get hurt, sweetie."

"I don't know what to say," Lily murmured.

"Let's not think about that unpleasantness. I have to meet my brother back in a little bit," Taryn said wrapping his arms around Lily. "Let's head in closer to that old spooky house. I heard it is the most haunted building in the area."

"Ok," Lily said as she allowed herself be lead forward. Taryn held the barbed wire open so she could slip inside the fence before he followed.

"Have you ever been inside?" Taryn asked as he climbed the rickety old steps.

"No," Lily said shaking her head. "This is my first time seeing it at all, outside of pictures. It's so creepy."

"Let's go inside," Taryn said. Lily swallowed nervously and pushed forward into the rickety old house. It was covered in thick dust.

"It looks like someone's been here recently," Lily said pointing at the footprints in the dust.

"Probably curious like we are," Taryn assured her as they headed upstairs.

"I think we should go," Lily said as she glanced around nervously.

"C'mon on Lily," Taryn said taking her by the hand again and leading her up the stairs. Lily tried to resist a little, but followed reluctantly anyways. The two pushed into a bedroom, the place in shambles.

"I don't really want to be here," Lily said a little more forcibly. "I want to go."

"Oh, ok, yeah," Taryn said nodding. "Sorry, of course Lily. Let's go. This place is a bit creepy, I agree."

The two of them stood outside for a few minutes before heading back to the barbed wire fence. Lily climbed through the fence first, followed by Taryn. They walked in silence down the lane back to town. Lily thought about the fact that her parents and her grandparents probably walked down this lane countless times from the Shrieking Shack back to town. She was silent as they hit the edge of town.

"There's my brother," Taryn said pointing at the older boy. "I guess he's ready to go. Look, I'm sorry that this trip wasn't better. I just get so nervous around you."

"It's ok," Lily said. She hugged him tightly.

"I did get you something, though, I just wasn't sure when I wanted you to have it," Taryn said quietly. Lily looked at him curiously.

"Yeah?" Lily asked. Taryn nodded. He pulled off his tee shirt.

"I want you to have a piece of me," he said grinning. "Since you're not ready for your first real kiss, and you can't blame me for trying, I figure my favorite tee shirt would have to a big enough part of me to remember me by."

"I'm not going to forget you from now until Christmas," Lily laughed. "You're still coming aren't you?"

"Of course I am," Taryn said grinning. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her mouth quickly. "I wouldn't miss it for anything. Just don't forget about me."

"Never," Lily laughed as she pulled away from him. "See you at Christmas."

"Don't forget to write to me, Lily," Taryn said. "Every week."

"I will," Lily said.

"I love you, Lily," Taryn said. Lily kissed him quickly and walked away. She turned and waved to him. He waved back and apparated with his brother from Hogsmead. Lily headed back to the castle, her boyfriend's favorite tee shirt in her hand. She was half way down the lane when Shale and Kate caught up with her, the two of them laughing.

"We saw you with your boyfriend," Shale said.

"He's so cute!" Kate cooed. Lily laughed at the sour look on Shale's face. "I think you're cute, too, Shale. Especially since you grew taller over the summer."

"It is good to be taller than Lily," Shale teased.

"I still might get taller," Lily said. She laughed. "Though I doubt much more."

"At least you're proportionate," Kate said. "That girl in Ravenclaw is like normal sized in the body and have really long arms and really short legs. I bet she has a hard time shopping."

"Hey, can I ask you guys something?" Lily asked as she walked along with them.

"Yeah, go for it. What are best friends for?" Kate said. "What's up?"

"Do you think I should be afraid of Scorpius?" Lily asked. The two of them frowned.

"Why would you be?" Shale asked.

"Well, Taryn said that he was worried that Scorpius might hurt me," Lily said.

"Hurt you how?" Kate asked. "That boy is crazy about you."

"I think that's it," Lily said shrugging. "Taryn thinks that Scorpius has less than pure thoughts of me."

"What boy doesn't?" Shale said without thinking. He blushed, his face bright red.

"What exactly do you mean with that, Shale Zabini?" Kate demanded. She had her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

"Nothing, nothing. I don't have impure thoughts about Lily, but you have to admit that if Lily wasn't so innocent she'd pick up on the number of guys that are inherently interested in her," Shale said quickly. "That's all."

"I'm not so innocent," Lily protested.

"Yeah, you are," Kate admitted.

"No, no I'm not," Lily said.

"Ladies, ladies," Shale said playfully. "No need to argue about this. I mean, Lily can always just prove she's not innocent."

"Prove it how?" Lily asked.

"Surprise us," Shale said.

"No problem," Lily said. "I have generations of pranksters to back me up. I am sure I can think of something that will prove I am nothing close to innocent."

"We eagerly wait," they laughed.

Lily figured that Scorpius put her gear away in the Slytherin locker room, so she wasn't surprised to see it there when she walked into the change room that Monday afternoon for practice. She glanced at him standing there and wondered how much Taryn told her was true. She had known Scorpius since first year and she had never seen him fight anyone nor get into an argument. Sure, he and James had exchanged words a few times and bumped chests threatening a few times, but she didn't think she had anything to worry about. She pulled her practice robes on and strapped up her shin guards before going to work on her wrist guards.

"Need some help?" Scorpius asked quietly. Lily looked up and saw him standing over her. He sat on the bench across from her.

"Sure," Lily said as she extended her wrists to him.

"You want to make sure they are snug so that you don't get fatigued early on," Scorpius told her as he pulled them into place. "You'll learn how to effectively strap them on yourself, but until you do, make sure someone checks the tightness. We can't afford to have one of our beaters getting hurt."

"So sweet of you to be concerned," Lily said as Scorpius affixed the Velcro tightly.

"Of course, I'd be concerned about you, Lils," Scorpius said. "We're friends. That's why I want to talk to you about Taryn."

"He already told me what happened," Lily said quickly. "I can see where you'd misunderstand but he threw out the number that forward waitress gave him."

"Lily, I don't think you quite understand," Scorpius said. "He practically grabbed the waitress in a very inappropriate place."

"Taryn isn't like that," Lily defended.

"I don't think you know him quite as well as you think you do," Scorpius said. "Guys like him are only out for one thing."

"Funny," Lily said standing. She grabbed her broom and started toward the door. "Taryn said the same thing about you."

Lily had to admit that the new gear fit so much better than the loaner gear, and her arms didn't ache nearly as much at the end of practice. Flint spent the better part yelling at the chasers. When they landed at the end of practice, they stood in a row, holding their brooms in their left hands, except for Lily who was left handed and held her broom in her right. Flint looked tired and annoyed.

"West, if I need to I will coat your hand in glue if you think it'd help you keep the Quaffle in your hands," Flint threatened. A light bulb went off in Lily's head for how to prove to Kate and Shale that she wasn't all innocent.

Lily found herself slipping into a seat beside Albus at the dinner table that night, stealing a roll off his plate. He looked surprised and confused.

"I need a favor," Lily said to him quietly. "Between you and me, you can't even tell Hugo."

"Sure, Lily, what?" Albus said.

"I need you to get me something," Lily said. "Glue."

"Glue?" Albus asked.

"Yes, industrial strength glue," Lily said. "And lots of it."

"By when?" Albus asked.

"How quickly could you have it?" Lily asked. Albus checked his watch.

"Midnight? Maybe eight."

"Eight would be ideal," Lily said.

"Do I want to know?" Albus asked. Lily grinned at her brother.

"Probably not," Lily said as she stood.

"Astronomy tower at eight then," Albus said. "And bring an offering."

Lily ate her dinner like nothing was wrong, as if there wasn't something going on her head. She laughed at Damon's jokes, poked fun at the Transfiguration quiz, and even allowed Shale to steal a roll off her plate, under the guise that she didn't need to be eating carbohydrates if she planned to stay light for Quidditch. He earned himself a punch in the shoulder for that.

Lily was a bundle of nerves as she left the common room close to eight that evening. She had a whole story planned in her head should someone ask what she was up to, but she barely saw anyone on her way. She took the stairs two at a time and stood alone in the astronomy tower. She walked to the outer deck, looking over the grounds. There was still a hint of light in the sky and Lily waited. She looked up at the stars as they began to twinkle in the sky above.

"Boo!" Albus said jerking the invisibility cloak off.

"You didn't scare me," Lily lied though her heart was pounding a mile a minute.

"Liar," Albus said. He held out a bag. "Here is all the glue I could come up with at that short of notice."

"Thanks Al," Lily said. "How much do I owe you?"

"Don't worry about it," Albus said shaking his head. "I can't even imagine what you could possibly want with that much glue, but knowing how evil I know you are under that sweet exterior, I can't wait."

"Awe, thanks Al," Lily said hugging him.

"It's alright," Albus said shrugging. "A guy owed me. Can I at least ask what you plan to do?"

"Its better if you don't," Lily said. "Deniability."

"Just remember that the glue is permanent," Albus said as he headed out the door, pulling the cape on.

"When are you going to let me use that cloak?" Lily asked.

"When I graduate," Albus said.

"Ah, so never," Lily said. Albus laughed and disappeared from sight completely. Lily glanced at her watch. She had a lot to do and very little time to do it. She glanced down at her black jeans and tee, thinking she looked the part. She could only hope that she could play the part as well.

Lily wandered the school for most of the night, undetected by the prefects and professors, dodging the ghosts and poltergeists of the castle. She was unseen in the shadows and worked efficiently in the dark. Just before dawn, Lily snuck back to the portrait hole. Naturally the snotty woman wasn't there and she felt around for the release latch. She was too short to reach the top of the frame and she couldn't be sure that the latch was on the side. Her fingers found what felt like a release, Lily standing on her tip toes. She squeezed it, the frame swinging open. Lily hurried into the common room, slipped undetected into her dormitory.

Asher looked up at her accusingly as Lily silently stripped down to her underwear, jerked a shirt over her head and climbed into her bed. Asher curled up against her and Lily had no trouble falling asleep. She slept what felt like 10 minutes before Kate shook her awake. Lily looked up at her unsympathetic friend.

"You've over slept," Kate said. "If you want breakfast, you'd better come now."

Lily jumped up, threw her clothes on, and headed down to breakfast. She was calm, wondering who would notice what had happened and when. She was disappointed to see that all of the bacon was gone by the time she made it to breakfast. She sighed dejectedly and ate her porridge, frowning. She glanced around and it seemed like everyone had bacon except her.

"Why so down?" Scorpius asked from his seat. Lily looked over at him and then to the large pile of bacon in front of him.

"No bacon makes for a bad day," Lily said pouting. She glanced at his pile.

"Would you like a piece or two?" Scorpius asked.

"Very much so," Lily said.

"What will you give me?" Scorpius asked. Lily's smile faltered.

"What do you want?" Lily asked. Scorpius laughed.

"Nothing bad, but I'll have to think about what it will be later," he said as he held up a few crisp pieces. "So, do we have a deal?"

"I don't know," Lily said hesitantly. Scorpius smirked.

"Sucks for you because this bacon is so crispy and tasty," Scorpius said. Lily groaned.

"Ok, ok," Lily said snatching the bacon from him. "You're so mean."

"I'm a business man," Scorpius laughed.

"So, where's your shadow?" Lily asked after a minute.

"Darla's in the hospital wing with womanly issues," Scorpius said rolling his eyes. Lily made a face and laughed. Every month, Darla would spend three days in the hospital for her 'womanly time'. At first it had scared Lily until she got her own and realized Darla was a drama queen.

"This bacon is so good," Lily said. Scorpius grinned as he scooted closer to her, now that the students between them had made themselves scarce. He went to say something when Professor McGonagall burst into the Great Hall. Everyone turned to look.

"Classes have been cancelled for today," she announced loudly. Cheers went up around the Great Hall.

"Why?" Rose demanded before she realized who she was sassing off to. Professor McGonagall gave her a look and Rose sat back down quickly.

"Someone took it upon themselves to glue everything to the ceiling of all the classes," Professor McGonagall said. Students pushed their way out of the Great Hall in hoards to go look at the countless classrooms. Each classroom was perfect, except that it was all on the ceilings. Lily stood next to Scorpius, munching on the fist full of bacon she snatched off his plate on their way to look.

"Your brother's a genius," Scorpius whispered in Lily's ear as they looked at the first classroom they came to.

"Hmm," Lily murmured noncommittally. She took a bite of bacon.

"Is that my bacon?" Scorpius accused grinning at her. She hid the bacon behind her back.

"What bacon?" Lily laughed as she took off back to the common room. Albus jumped out at her, dragging her behind a tapestry she didn't even know had a secret hiding place. She mentally filed that information in her brain.

"It's brilliant, Lily," Albus said cheering. "I didn't know you had it in you."

"Aren't you afraid you'll get blamed?" Lily asked quickly. Albus grinned.

"I was in the hospital wing all night long with a stomach ache," Albus said. "It was the perfect alibi, and yet everyone will think it was me."

"They already do," Lily said nodding. Albus laughed.

"You really might be Marauder material after all," Albus said. He looked at her. "So, the ceiling, huh? Why?"

"Why'd I do it?" Lily asked. "I did it to prove that I'm not as sweet and innocent as everyone thinks I am."

"I don't think that was the innocence that they were questioning, Lily," Albus said. He patted his sister's shoulder. "Don't be worried about whether you are or aren't. You're perfect the way you are."

"Awe, Alby's getting all tender on me," Lily teased.

"Shh! We swore we'd NEVER utter that nick name here," Albus said scowling. "Now get! Go!"

"You know, you're one of my favorite brothers," Lily laughed. Albus shook his head.

"You're such a funny girl," Albus said. "Now go and enjoy the day off from classes. I know I will."

"Aye, aye Alby," Lily teased as she started walking away from him.

"Oh, and Lily," Albus said with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Yes?" Lily replied.

"Thank you for giving me this bit of blackmail against you," Albus said laughing and rubbing his hands together quite menacing. "I'll use it well."