A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Eventually, I will need to tell you guys about my 101 list and link you guys to it. I think you'd get a kick out of it, and I need to tell you what I listen to while I am writing. Thanks to Julz and Barry who turned me onto Blue October. Great music. As you can see… should this have been one chapter it would officially have been the longest chapter ever… and no… this isn't it (though this is officially the longest chapter I have ever written for any of my stories). There's still part four. Yikes. Enjoy, and the ransom rules still apply.

Disc.: Only borrowing them for my devices.

Christmas Holiday Part Three

Lily was snuggled deep in her blankets, her face the only thing the cold air could touch. Her eyes were tight against the early morning light creeping in between the slats of the blinds. She was excited it was Christmas, but still she didn't want to wake up so early. She snuggled deep into her covers, sighing. She was back in her bed now; Albus had thankfully surrendered his room to Scorpius. She felt the mini paw prints crawling up her legs.

"No Asher," Lily groaned as she tried to knock him off her legs. The cat continued, purring wildly. Lily felt him knead her stomach through her quilt and she growled at him slightly. "I want to sleep in, Asher."

"Mew," Asher replied as his paw touched her nose.

"Asher," Lily moaned at him. "Get off."

"Mew," Asher replied innocently as his other paw rested against her cheek.

"Lily, you up?" Scorpius asked sleepily from the bathroom as Lily's door exploded open and her brothers burst into her room, jumping on her. Asher hissed at them, taking a swipe and connecting with James' hand.

"CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS!" Albus shouted jumping onto Lily's bed. He turned to Scorpius. "Come on, Scorpius. Help hold her down so I can tickle her."

"NO!" Lily cried as Scorpius' hands pinned her down. She laughed and struggled against Scorpius and James as Albus tickled her roughly. "Stop! I hate it!"

"Say I'm the greatest," Albus taunted as she laughed hard.

"I'm the greatest," Lily gasped with laughter. They all started laughing, releasing her.

"That's not what I meant," Albus said as Lily sprung on him, pinning him down on her own and tickling him. James laughed and was pounced on by Lily next. He tried to struggle away, but Lily managed to get a few tickles in before he over powered her and pulled free. Scorpius was already backing away when Lily looked at him, an evil glint in her eyes. He raised his hands in surrender.

"Lily… get that look out of your eyes," Scorpius said as he increased his pace as he backed up towards the bathroom. Lily sprung, chasing after him. She reached him as he reached Albus' room, tackling him to the bed.

"I got you," she laughed as she tickled him. He laughed twisting away from her. She rested back on the bed, breathless, laughing.

"Yeah, you think you're so great because you run fast," Scorpius teased. Lily stuck her tongue out at him and jumped up off the bed.

"Come on, Score, let's go see what Santa brought us," Lily teased back winking at him. She held her hand out to him. He hesitated before taking her hand and climbing off the bed.

"Ooh… holding hands," James teased, his arms crossed against his chest. Scorpius and Lily let their hands fall away, their cheeks pink. Lily scowled at him.

"Let's go see if Mum and Dad are up," Lily said heading out the door into the hall. The elder Potters were sleepily coming out the door, thankful that the kids had out grown needing to wake up before dawn.

"Happy Christmas, kids," Harry said as the four of them joined them and headed down the stairs. They all nodded as they spied the tree with the presents. "You guys are looking better, indeed. Less spotty."

"Not itchy," Albus said holding up his arms.

"Good," Ginny said grinning sleepily as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "We're still going to have to pass on going to Grandma Weasley's house though. She said she'd floo over here with dinner for us and the others, but yeah. With Grandpa Weasley feeling under the weather, she really isn't up to having a house full."

"But she sent presents," Harry said as he nodded toward the tree. "For all of you."

Chaos soon erupted as the three Potter kids and a reluctant Scorpius headed for the Christmas tree in the living room. One by one, each child was handed a present. Lily rested her hand on Scorpius' shoulder, lowering her mouth to his ear.

"Pretend to be excited when my grandmother gets here," Lily breathed quickly. "She always makes us these sweaters and she likes to see us get excited about them."

"I will," Scorpius promised looking at her. They were unnaturally close. She grinned, a slight flush to her cheeks as she sat back and unwrapped the paper from her gifts. There were the standard gifts, clothes, books, and games. Harry handed each of them the gifts Grandma Weasley had sent ahead. Scorpius winked at Lily as he opened the box.

"Mother Weasley hand makes the sweaters," Ginny told Scorpius as he looked at the emerald green sweater with the silver serpent on it.

"Wow," Scorpius said as his fingers traced the ornate design.

"She always did give non family members the better ones," Ginny teased as she saw the sweater. "Remember the one she made you Harry?"

"That I do," Harry chuckled.

"It's really great," Scorpius said grinning. He took his own sweater off, tossing it aside and pulled the one Mrs. Weasley made on over his head, mussing his hair slightly. He grinned and looked at Lily who had her own home made sweater in her hand. "How does it look?"

"Uh…" Lily said staring. Ginny piped in to spare her daughter the need to respond.

"Dashing, Scorpius. I swear she really goes all out for these things sometimes," Ginny said quickly grinning at him. "Kids, why don't you carry your stuff upstairs before Rose and Hugo get here for brunch."

"Ok, Mum," the boys said. Lily looked away quickly, gathering her presents and heading up to her room. She tossed them on her bed, pulling her tee shirt off and standing there in front of her mirror wearing an undershirt over her bra. Scorpius knocked quietly as he entered through the bathroom.

"Are you ok?" he asked quietly as he looked at her. Lily looked at him in the reflection and smiled slightly.

"Yes," she said. She turned, crossing her arms as she looked at him. "The sweater looks really good on you. She really out did herself."

"Your grandmother has talent. Mine wouldn't know what to wear if it weren't for shops and such," Scorpius said walking towards her. Lily half smiled and uncrossed her arms. She reached out and touched the silver threading.

"She really did a wonderful job," Lily murmured. Scorpius chuckled and caught a glimpse of the two of them in the mirror.

"Wow, I really messed up my hair, didn't I?" he said. Lily looked up at his hair then at his reflection. She shook her head.

"I like it. Kind of dangerous and reckless, in a tousled sort of way," Lily grinned. Scorpius met her eyes, one eye brow cocked up slightly with skepticism. She laughed. "Trust me."

"I do," Scorpius said. He blushed and cleared his throat, suddenly nervous. Lily pulled her hand back, realizing it was still on him. She blushed.

"Sorry," she mumbled as she stepped away.

"Here," he said quickly thrusting a small silver wrapped gift into her hand. "I didn't want to give it to you in front of your family in case you didn't like it."

"Oh, Score, you didn't have to get me anything," Lily said frowning at the package, her fingers tracing one of the loops in the green bow. "I didn't get you anything."

"I don't care," Scorpius said smiling at her slightly. He leaned against her bed, almost sitting on it. "Open it."

"Um, ok," Lily said shrugging. Her fingers loosened the bow, the ribbon slipping between her fingers and floating to the floor. She removed the tape, to find a wooden hinged box with a carving of a snake on it. She looked at him, questioning, and he nodded at her to continue. She opened the box to find a silver chain in it. She pulled the chain free of the box, an oval pendant on the chain.

"It's a locket," he told her. She looked at him.

"A locket?" she asked. He grinned, his fingers taking it from her. He slid his finger along the edge, as if caressing it and it slowly opened. A faint musical sound emitted from it. Lily looked at Scorpius surprised.

"It's a locket with a hidden music box inside," he said. He looked at her, snapping it closed with a swift click. "You don't like it, do you?" He looked crestfallen. Lily's shock was mistaken for dislike. She shook her head.

"I love it," she said in a breathless sort of way. "I just don't think I've ever had a gift so perfect for me."

"Let me help you put it on," he said. She nodded at his reflection, her back to him already. He unfastened the clasp and put the chain around Lily's neck. His fingers touched her neck as he refastened the clasp. She turned and threw her arms around him, hugging him.

"I love it, Score. Thank you so much," she breathed excitedly in his ear. He grunted in response and Lily squeezed him tighter. She released him slightly.

"I'm glad you like it," Scorpius said quietly.

"Now I feel bad that I didn't get you anything," Lily said as she pulled away and her fingers caressed the cool metal. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers touching the chain and locket.

"Don't," he told her, watching her face as she bit her bottom lip and continued to look at herself in the mirror.

"Kids! Rose and Hugo are here!" Harry called from downstairs. Lily looked at him, wanting very much to thank him more than with words. He grinned at her, picking her sweater up off the bed. He held it out to her.

"You'd better get your sweater on," he said smiling. Lily reached out hesitantly, her fingers still on the gift. A smile crossed her face and she threw herself at him, Scorpius turned his head in time and pulled back slightly, still smiling. "No need to go soft on me Lils. It's not that big of a deal."

"Oh," Lily said slightly dejected. She pulled her sweater on over her head, the metal still cool to the touch against her skin. He stepped closer, lowering his mouth to her ear.

"Don't get me wrong, Lils," Scorpius said in a breathy sort of way in her ear. "It's not that I don't want to kiss you. I do more than I could ever tell you, but don't feel obligated to kiss me because I gave you a little present."

"I… ok," Lily said frowning slightly. He pressed his lips to her cheek and pulled away.

"Let's go eat brunch," he said leaving her in the room alone. Lily looked at her reflection, a sundry of emotion playing out on her face.

Lily headed downstairs to eat and spend time with her family. Occasionally she would steal a glance in Scorpius' direction, surprised to find him looking at her back. He'd grin and she'd blush. Over and over, this happened and didn't go unnoticed by Rose. Lily and Rose did the brunch dishes before the group dressed to go out and play in the snow.

"What's up with you and Scorpius?" Rose whispered. Lily looked over her shoulder quickly, frowning at her cousin.

"What are you talking about?" Lily asked.

"If I didn't know better," Rose said carefully. "I'd think you two were in love. The way he couldn't keep his eyes off of you, and the way you'd blush when you'd catch him looking."

"I don't know what you mean," Lily lied. Rose smirked.

"Well, I think you'd better be careful," Rose warned after a moment. "When we go back to school, you do realize that Scorpius will have to return to his relationship with Darla."

"I know," Lily pouted. "It's just not fair. He doesn't like Darla. He likes me. We should get a chance."

"You know I agree, but things aren't fair in life," Rose said hugging her. "If I could, I'd make it so you could have him. Really, I would."

"I don't want to think about what will happen when school starts back up," Lily said quickly as the boys came closer. "I'll worry about that then. I want to enjoy now."

"Let's go play in the snow," James said wiggling his eyebrows at the girls. "All bets off."

"Sounds like a threat there, Potter," Rose taunted as she reached for her coat.

"Indeed it does, Speckles," James tease tweaking her nose. The two of them didn't bother pulling on their coats first, just grabbed them as they ran out the door. Hugo and Albus were already out there, building their snow fort and starting their ammunition. Lily slowly walked to the hook, reaching to take her coat off the hook when Scorpius stepped beside her, his own coat firmly secure. He began pulling his scarf from around his neck, wrapping it around Lily.

"I'd hate to think you cold out there," Scorpius said. Lily blushed and nodded.

"And you?" she replied as her fingers shook slightly as she buttoned her jacket. He grinned.

"I'm covered," he said as he pulled a little on some green fabric under his coat.

"Mine?" she breathed. She grinned really big. "I knew you had my scarf!"

"Shh!" Scorpius said pressing his finger to her lips. He grinned. "You think you'd be better at being quiet, yet you never can hush for a second."

"So, are you going to explain?" she asked with a smirk on her face.

"I guess Ash took it," Scorpius lied, shrugging. Lily rolled her eyes. He leaned forward, pulling her hat down over her eyes and laughed. Lily jerked it back up to see him run out the back door. She laughed and followed him out into the snow. She scooped up a hand full of snow, chasing after him. Her perfect snowball collided with the back of his head.

"Come back here and face me like a man, Scorpius Malfoy," Lily taunted as she dodged Scorpius' attempt to hit her with a snowball. He ducked behind the shed and Lily took off after him. He caught her around the waist as she ran by, pulling her into his arms.

"Thought you'd catch me, eh? And here I caught you," Scorpius teased. Lily laughed with a glint of evil in her eyes. She glanced to the snowball in her hand. Scorpius gave her an almost pleading look. "No, Lils, please."

"Oh," Lily said grinning as she shook her head and crushed the snowball on his head. He laughed as she pulled free and ran off, ducking behind the rubbish bins. She covered her mouth, suppressing the snickers that threatened to give out her location as Scorpius ran by, straight into the path of Albus/Hugo versus Rose/James. Snowballs flew back and forth, Scorpius barely throwing himself down in time to avoid being hit. He glanced up to see Lily running the opposite way and he took chase, tackling her into a soft snow drift.

"I told you, I'd catch you again," he laughed as his scooped up some snow.

"Score, wait," Lily pleaded as she fought a fit of laughter. Scorpius smirked, shaking his head and ground the snow into her hair. She laughed hard, unable to hold it in, ignoring the sensation of her body slightly under his while he piled more and more snow on her head.

"I win," he said. She laughed as she struggled a little under him, scooping up some loose snow and sticking it down the front of his shirt.

"How's that?" she taunted as he jumped up. He laughed as he tried to pull the snow from his shirt.

"That was downright cruel, Lils," he said. He got a hunter's look in his eye. "I think I'm going to have to teach you a lesson."

"Ooh," Lily taunted as she started to crawl away. He jumped, pinning her to the snow and shoved a huge fist full of it down her own shirt.

"Two can play at that game, Lils," he laughed. She giggled, scooping the snow out of her clothes. Lily and he looked up at the sky from their position in the snow, the cold threatening to freeze them. Lily glanced at the house, thankful they were mostly hidden behind the shed again. She rolled to her side, her body close to his.

"I was thinking," Lily said quietly as her fingers toyed with the buttons on his jacket. She watched her bare fingers, her gloves shoved deep in her coat pocket. Scorpius looked at her face, his features soft as she bit her lip and continued to trace and finger the buttons.

"Yeah?" he murmured, his voice a little deeper than she expected. Her eyes immediately snapped to his, both of their faces were rosy from the cold so she couldn't tell if he was blushing or not. Her fingers touched his cheek, traced his mouth gently before he reached up, brushing her lips with his thumb. He pulled her against him, there in the snow, their mouths meeting roughly. Their icy hands cradled each others' faces. Lily felt his mouth leave hers to travel along the edge of her jaw.

"I…" Lily murmured as his mouth went to her ear.

"It's too cold out here," Scorpius breathed.

"Inside?" Lily barely whispered.

"Yes," he murmured. She pulled away reluctantly. They hesitated before they headed inside. Ginny, Molly Weasley, and Hermione were at the table, sipping coffee, as Scorpius and Lily began undressing from their snow gear.

"Shoes, off, socks off," Ginny said as she barely looked up. "I don't want any of you getting sick. All wet clothes off."

"The sweater is lovely, Mrs. Weasley," Scorpius said as his fingers again touched the silver serpent on the front of his sweater. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, dear," Grandmother Weasley said.

"I'll put them in the dryer," Ginny offered. "You two need to get into dry clothes and get some hot chocolate in you."

Lily sipped her hot chocolate, holding the cup with one hand as she pulled her socks off and threw them in the laundry basket. She stripped down to her jeans and tank top. She waved at the women and Scorpius, heading upstairs gulping the hot drink as she headed to her room to change into dry clothes. She pulled on sweat pants and a tee shirt, pulling the shirt into place just moments before Scorpius knocked on the door.

They looked at each other, wordless, before he ran to her, his hair hot and damp from the shower he had just come from. Their mouths collided like the heavens and Earth crashing down, the two of them falling back against Lily's bed. Neither of them thought of anything more than the way they felt in each other's arms and the way they tasted. Lily buried her fingers in his hair, holding him against her as he shifted above her. She grinned, him pulling back slightly. He grinned slightly before he leaned back into her for another kiss.

"I love you," she breathed. He pulled back sharply looking at her.

"Don't say that," he whispered. "It's not fair to hear."

"I don't care," she said.

"I don't deserve your love, Lils," Scorpius groaned as he rolled onto his back. Lily frowned.

"Scorpius! Your dad's here!" Ginny called from the bottom of the stairs. Lily thought about following him but she didn't. Instead she watched him sprint from her room and she felt her face burn with embarrassment. She hadn't planned on confessing that; not with Scorpius still being betrothed to Darla. Lily crossed her arms against her breasts, glaring up at the canopy. She could feel the hot sting of tears and she knew if she started, she'd never be able to stop them.

"Mew?" Asher asked as he nuzzled her neck. He began his obscenely loud purring that usually got him a can of tuna. Sighing, Lily shoved the faux pas from her mind and headed down to the kitchen, Asher in her arms. She nodded slightly at Mr. Malfoy as she scooped some tuna onto a plate and took Asher out to the garage. Lily sat and listened to the adults and Scorpius talking, not really paying attention until she heard her name.

"What?" Lily asked reflexively.

"Malfoy, er, Draco has invited you to spend part of the summer with him and Scorpius at the beach in the islands," Ginny said to her. Lily blushed.

"Oh, well, that's really kind, thank you," Lily said quietly as she looked to Scorpius with confusion. After upstairs' little fiasco, she was certain he couldn't possibly want to spend part of his summer with her.

"Of course, with O.W.L.s coming up, I'm sure Scorpius will be very busy," Hermione said. The adults at the table collectively rolled their eyes and groaned at her response. "A holiday at the beach would be just the thing to decompress."

"I… I will think about it," Lily said hesitantly. She forced a smile. "I'm going to lie down. I think all the snow has zapped me at the moment."

"There's plenty of time to decide," Draco said quietly. He smiled at her, a genuine smile, and Lily nodded once.

"Happy Christmas, Mr. Malfoy," Lily murmured before she headed upstairs alone. She headed into the T.V. room, lying across the couch. She tucked her arm behind her head, staring at the ceiling instead of focusing on the Scottish War film. She fell asleep.

"Lils, you asleep?" Scorpius asked quietly as his fingers touched her face. She mumbled unintelligibly and rolled over. He chuckled and plopped down on the floor in front of her. She was asleep, anyways, so it wasn't like he was blocking her. He glanced up as James jumped into the spare chair.

"You like her, don't you?" James asked quietly. Scorpius didn't have to ask.

"Yeah," Scorpius said looking away from James and back at the television. The two were silent.

"Please don't hurt her," James whispered. "Because if you do, I'll hurt you."

"Hey, hot cocoa," Rose said pressing a cup into James' hand. She looked at Lily. "Awe, I swear. If I had a baby sister, I swear I'd want her to be just like Lily."

"Take her," James laughed as he watched her head to one of the other chairs. "She's too girly for me, even with Quidditch."

"Eh, she's perfect the way she is," Scorpius said smiling softly as he looked over his shoulder at her. She sighed quietly, turning away from the back of the couch, her arm now dangling over the edge of the couch.

"You'd think so," Rose challenged. She looked at him meaningfully.

"Yeah," he said quietly.

"This is not good, Scorpius," Rose reminded him. Scorpius nodded, looking back at the television.

"I know," he said.

"Have you told her about Darla?" James asked quietly.

"Not yet," Scorpius said shaking his head. He took a shuddering breath. "I just want her to have a Happy Christmas, you know?"

"It's been a week since it happened," Rose whispered. Scorpius looked at her, nodding.

"I know," Scorpius said quietly. "I'm going to tell her soon."

"I was surprised that you dad didn't let anything slip," James said quietly. Scorpius nodded slightly as he looked back at Lily, her breaths steady and deep.

"I told him not to say anything," Scorpius said. He wanted to touch her face but he kept his fingers to himself. "He trusts me to handle it properly."

"Funny how it worked out," James said. Scorpius shrugged.

"I'm sad and thankful, all in the same," Scorpius said.

"You know, if it's too hard, Mum and Dad will tell her for you," James said. Scorpius looked at him, shaking his head.

"I'll do it," Scorpius said scowling. "Just not today. Tomorrow, or maybe the next day."

"You wait too long, you run the risk of one her friends telling her," Rose prodded gently.

"How the hell am I supposed to tell her and not hurt her?" Scorpius demanded. His words were barely louder than a growl. "I just promised you I wouldn't hurt her."

"She's going to be upset and hurt no matter who tells her," James reminded him. "I don't think that counts. Plus I meant that I'd get you if you hurt her. This is just her."

"That doesn't make any sense," Scorpius said frowning.

"Yeah, it does," James defended.

"Not really," Rose remarked. James shot a look at her.

"You're supposed to be on my side," James said.

"There are no sides, James," Rose reminded. She looked up as Albus and Hugo bound into the room, grinning from ear to ear.

"Dad's taking us down to the pond to ice skate," Albus said. His hands were behind his back. He stepped up to the back of the couch. "You guys in?"

"Yeah," James and Rose said.

"Sure," Scorpius said. He looked at Lily. "Should we wake her?"

"We've got it covered," Hugo laughed as they dumped fists full of snow on her face. Lily jumped up with a screech, disoriented and pissed.

"Hugo! Albus! I'm going to kill you!" She screamed as she jumped over the back of the couch, poised to kill them. They laughed and bolted out of the television room, her on his feet and running out of the room. Scorpius laughed as he stood up; shaking the snow she had dumped in her swift movements.

"Not much of a morning person still," Rose laughed as she brushed the snow off the sofa. The three prefects headed out of the T.V. room and down the stairs, stopping to admire Lily on top of Hugo, the boy pinned quite firmly to the wooden floor. The adults were still sitting at the table, smirking, having known the boys were up to no good with the snow they had carried in.

"I swear to Merlin and to the Wizengamut that you will pay dearly," Lily said as she slapped Hugo's stomach into a nice strawberry color. She seemed completely oblivious to her parents, aunt, uncle, grandmother, and Mr. Malfoy watching her tortured her cousin. Albus had already been jinxed with a leg-locking curse.

"Lily," Ginny said quietly after Lily abused Albus with the same belly slapping technique. "No underage magic outside of school."

"Uh," Lily said looking up, seeing the group of them watching her quite bemused by her. Her cheeks flushed bright red and she stood quickly, snow melting in her hair. She cleared her throat. "So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

"Ice skating at the pond," Harry said with a smirk. Lily forced a smile.

"Sounds like fun," Lily said. "How about ice hockey?"

"Ice hockey?" Draco asked looking at Harry.

"Muggle sport," Harry said. He grinned. "You'll love it."

"You're coming with us?" Scorpius asked frowning at his father.

"Fathers should spend time with their sons," Grandmother Weasley said to Scorpius. Lily had begun to pull their clothes from the drier.

"Wouldn't that apply to Mr. Malfoy taking care of Grandfather Malfoy?" Lily asked innocently. "Is his Dragon Pox any better?"

"Um," Draco said looking at his son. Everyone looked at Scorpius.

"Well, Lucius doesn't have Dragon Pox anymore," Scorpius said. Lily smiled.

"That's good," Lily said as she handed Scorpius his sweater. "I'll be back down in a bit. Don't go and try to leave without me."

"We won't," Harry promised. Scorpius looked at the adults and his classmates.

"I'm going to talk to her later," Scorpius said quickly as he glanced up the stairs. "I just want to wait until the moment is right."

"I told you, if it's too hard we don't have a problem talking to her," Ginny said to Scorpius. Scorpius shook his head.

"It's complicated, that's all," Scorpius said.

"I still think she's too good for you," Ron said crossing his arms. "Too good to be a Slytherin."

"You don't know her, Uncle Ron," Albus said laughing hard. He thought back to her Slytherin prank and laughed harder. "She's downright diabolical."

"Are you talking about me," Lily teased as she bounced down the stairs. She was grinning, Asher on her heels.

"Always," James teased as he rolled his eyes. "I swear. You are so conceited sometimes."

"I learned it from the best, big brother," Lily laughed as she threw her arm around his shoulders. "Come on. I can't wait to whoop you on the ice."

"As clumsy as you are?" Rose snorted. Lily shot her a look.

"I'm not clumsy," Lily frowned. "I just don't know how to break."

"Ok, ok," Harry laughed. "Bundle up and lets all go."

The van was not magically enlarged so it was a tight squeeze. All six kids were piled up in the back most seats, Lily and Rose sitting on the floor of the van not really excited about it. Hermione was tucked in Ron's arms, Draco and Grandmother Weasley sitting next to them in the middle seat. Harry was in the driver's seat while Ginny sat shotgun. Harry started the van, adjusted the mirror.

"Do we have everyone?" He called back.

"Yes," the kids called.

"On the way back, some of you boys are sitting on the floor," Rose threatened. The boys laughed and began discussing Quidditch teams. Lily leaned back against the side of the van, Scorpius and James' feet closest to her. She reached under the seat and pulled out some book, reading it. She glanced up at Scorpius looking at her.

"What?" She hissed at him. Scorpius shook his head, smiling.

"Nothing," he said.

"Oh, ok," Lily laughed, rolling her eyes. She went back to reading the book. She rested her head against Scorpius' knee as she read.

"Oh, is that the new Day Walker book?" Rose hissed at her. Lily looked up, grinning.

"No, I've not gone to get it yet," Lily said. "I'm re-reading the third one, first before I beg Dad to take me to get it."

"Day Walker?" Scorpius asked James, confusion on his face. James rolled his eyes.

"Some stupid muggle series," James said shaking his head. "Totally girly. It's definitely not something our kind would read about."

"What's it about?" Scorpius asked.

"Magic," Lily said. Lily glanced at Rose and the two of them started giggling.

"Uh, ok?" Scorpius said.

"It's a muggle book, and it's complete hogwash," Hermione explained to him with a disgusted look on her face. "A few of the kids around the neighborhood got hooked and of course these two got hooked. Trashy, I say. If you want to read about magic, read a text book."

"Mum, you just don't get it," Rose said with an almost exasperated tone to her voice.

"It's not about the magic," Lily confirmed. She looked at Rose, who prompted erupted in a fit of giggles with her.

"I still don't get it," Scorpius said confused. James sighed.

"We don't either," James confessed.

Lily turned back to the page, reading it. Scorpius watched her, saw how she sometimes smiled at the pages, sometimes frowned, and occasionally would hold her breath just to release it in a shuddering manner some pages later. He was amused at her reaction. He wondered what she was thinking as she bit her lip, shifting forward slightly. Her eyes danced along the page.

"Ok, kids, lets pile out and skate up," Harry announced cheerfully as he pulled the van to a stop. Scorpius watched as Lily bent the corner of the page over and tucked the book back under the seat of the van. She struggled to her feet and climbed out of the van after the others. They all put skates on and headed to the empty pond.

"Let me check the thickness first," Ron said knowingly. The kids watched anxiously as he did a few circles on the ice. "It seems pretty good to me. Let's skate."

They all hit the ice, warming up and skating. Scorpius laughed as he realized what they meant by Lily being clumsy. She had no idea how to turn or stop. She was lightening fast, too, but that meant nothing if she couldn't stop. She ended up inside the goal a few times, on her back, laughing. She made a great goalie and the game began: six on six. Lily was pretty good about stopping the goals. The game was called as a few other people arrived to skate. Grandmother Weasley had already apparated back home to nurse Grandpa Weasley and the kids free skated while the adults mingled on the benches, talking.

"Lily, please, be careful," Ginny called as Lily skated past them. She turned to look and wave and knocked Rose over.

"Sorry Rose," Lily said as she climbed back to her feet.

"I'm used to it," Rose said laughing as she rubbed her backside. "I think I'm going to go talk to those guys over there. You should come. Maybe they can teach you how to stop, unlike James who thought that going really, really fast was the only thing you needed to know."

"Hey, what can I say? She's built for speed," James teased.

"I'm not a car," Lily said as she skated away from the two of them.

"Do you want me to teach you to stop?" Scorpius asked as he skated beside her. "Or at least to turn to avoid a collision?"

"Sure," Lily said. She laughed as he grabbed onto her. "But be warned, everyone has tried to teach me and I just can't learn."

"I think I can teach you," Scorpius said. Lily laughed.

"Your funeral," she teased. Scorpius tensed up a second but found his self rushing to the ground before he could do or say anything. Lily had fallen and pulled him down with her.

"Ouch, Lils," he grunted as he climbed back to his feet.

"Sorry," Lily said shrugging sheepishly.

"It's ok," Scorpius said.

He tried his hardest to teach her how to stop and how to turn. He ended up on his back several times, her on her face more than a couple of times, and several swear words grunted. She was frustrated, he could tell, but she continued to smile and get back up. He had to admit, she was trying but for some reason she couldn't get it.

"I'm sorry, Score," Lily groaned as she lie on her back, rubbing the back of her head.

"It's ok," Scorpius said as he helped her up again. He grinned at her, thinking. "I've got an idea. It won't teach you to turn or stop, but at least you'd get to do more than go into a straight line until you crashed."

"I'm game for anything you are suggesting," Lily said as she stood next to him. He grinned, sliding his arm behind her and resting his hand on her hip.

"Let me lead," he said slowly skating in a loop. She laughed as she looked at him.

"This is nice," Lily admitted. She snuggled against him as they did a few laps.

"Yeah, it is," Scorpius said. He glanced over to his father, sitting with her family. He sighed.

"Is something wrong?" Lily asked as she looked to where the adults were. They looked fine.

"Not really," he said as he forced a smile. "I just want to talk to you later, if you don't mind."

"About?" Lily asked. Scorpius' smile waivered slightly.

"My official engagement to Darla," he said. His voice was barely louder than a whisper. Lily closed her eyes for a second as she exhaled.

"Well, we knew this was coming," Lily said forcing a smile. She pulled away after she hugged him and skated away.

"Wait, Lily," Scorpius called. She looked back as she tripped over the toe pick and crashed head first into the ice. He stopped and stooped to help her up. She stood and stomped her foot.

"I'm sick of stuff not working out," Lily snapped. She stomped her foot again and the ice below her foot gave way. She pushed Scorpius hard, knocking him on his back as she fell through the ice. Scorpius yelled in shock as Lily slipped below the ice. He looked away for a second to shout for the adults but they had already seen what had happened. Carefully and quickly they were already on their feet and on their way. Everyone else evacuated the ice.

"We can't get any closer!" Ginny shouted to Scorpius as the ice creaked and groaned underneath them. They were still at least ten feet away from Scorpius, who was still lying down and the quickly icing up hole. Scorpius had to think fast. He jerked off his coat and skates.

"Lily! Lily!" He called panicked as he slid across the ice on his stomach. He reached into the water, the ice burning his flesh as if it was on fire. It stung. He tried to breathe but couldn't. His hands searched the hole, his breath held in his lungs. The water was up to his shoulders practically. He fought the panic in his heart and stomach. "Lily! Please!"

As if answering him, something brushed his fingers. He grabbed at it, missing. Dread welled up in him. How long had it been since she fell under water? A minute? Five? He couldn't be certain. Scorpius pushed forward, his face nearly touching the water that was already turning into slush. His hand brushed against something soft, cold, and familiar, even though logically he couldn't know it. He grabbed it, hard, his fingers numb and half frozen. He pulled hard, not caring at the moment what he was tugging on. He pulled her hand out of the water, slipped his arms around her and pulled her backwards out of the water.

Lily was ice cold, pale, and her lips were blue. She wasn't breathing. Scorpius felt fear well up in his chest. He put his ear to her mouth, listening but he was met with silence. Tears stung his eyes. His arms were numb but he looped them around her and slowly, painfully drug Lily towards the adults. They kept backing up, trying to avoid another ice break. Harry pulled out his wand, glancing at the others. They huddled around him, blocking him from the view of the other skaters.

"Accio," he whispered, pointing the wand at Scorpius and Lily. Both of them slid across the ice into the waiting arms of the adults. Harry scooped Lily up and ran to the van. James had already started it, sitting in the driver's seat. He had the heat blasting. Ginny was on the cell phone with one of the healers from St. Mungo's.

"Strip her down and get her warm and breathing," Ginny commanded, shaking as she relayed the information. "They're sending help but there isn't much time. Get Scorpius in the front seat and warm him up, Draco. He's soaked. He'll go into shock."

Scorpius was numb as his father shoved him into the front seat of the van and jerked off the remaining top layers of clothing. The boy shivered despite the heat blasting from the vents. Draco jerked off his own coat and covered his son, glancing at Harry as the man tore the wet clothes from his frozen daughter's body. Now was not the time for worry of modesty, yet Draco looked away with dread. The child was bluish, her lips and fingers almost purple.

"Lily?" Scorpius asked him, unable to look.

"Harry's trying his best," Draco said in a whispered voice as his eyes fell on the panicked father trying to save his youngest child.

"Dad, I tried to tell her but I didn't get to," Scorpius said shivering violently. "I tried to tell her."

"Right now, don't worry about it," Draco murmured to his son. Draco wrapped his arms around Scorpius as the ambulance pulled into the parking lot by the lake.

"Dad," Scorpius said in a panic. "Dad, I can't lose her. I can't do it."

"Shh, Score," Draco said holding him tighter as the medics rushed to Lily's side, wrapping her in thermal blankets as they continued to do CPR.

"Dad," Scorpius said. "I'm scared I'll never get to tell her that I love her."