A cold wind blew through the grounds of Hogwarts, but I remained where I was, sitting beneath a tree in the middle of February. It was frighteningly cold, and I saw people shooting me scathing looks from different places. But I remained where I was, lost in thought.
It was about a month after the train incident, and Rose had continued to hang out with Scorpius. At first I had tried to keep up with them, but I was always pushed to the side, mostly by Rose.
Scorpius hadn't payed much attention to me since, and it made me very disappointed to realize that he was probably only hanging out with me because no one better was there. When that better person came, he jumped at the chance, leaving me alone.
A single tear fell from my eyes, leaving a wet trail on my cheek. I felt worthless- unwanted. Was I that strange that my best friend preferred my cousin? Or was it that my cousin was so much better than me, that I didn't stand a chance?
I sat stilly, shivering against the cold, hugging my knees to my chest, when suddenly I saw someone walk up to me.
My head slowly moved upward to see who it was.
"Lily? What are you doing out here by yourself?" My brother, Albus was looking down at me.
I stood up when he said this. "I don't mind the cold." My chattering teeth proved my statement wrong.
He looked concerned. "C'mon, Lil. Lets go back to the castle." He put his arm around my shoulder, attempting to guide me back towards the school.
To my surprise, I resisted. "I can't go back there," I murmured. "Everyone will make fun of me." My voice was barely audible, and sounded mortified.
Albus blinked in confusion. "Who's making fun of you?" he demanded, and I knew he was thinking of ways to beat that person up.
I shook my head. Everyone made fun of me. Well maybe Scorpius was an exception, but he didn't even talk to me anymore.
I found myself crying into my brother's chest. The tears I had been holding back for so long finally came, and I welcomed them.
"Aw, Lily, what's wrong?" He patted my shoulder awkwardly, and I sniffed.
I knew I sounded immature to be crying at my age, but I just couldn't help it. I had lost my one and only friend. "I'm fine." I wiped my hand on my eyes, attempting to dry my tears.
His eyes were still full of concern. "Lily, you can tell me, you know." His voice was gentle, but I looked away. "You can trust me."
"I know I can," I said in a shaky voice. "But I can't tell you now."
He didn't seem very hurt, and he handed me a tissue. "Lets go back to the castle."
This time I didn't resist, and walked slowly back to the castle with him, attempting to dry my tears so that the rest of the school wouldn't see me crying.
~*~*
I woke up the next morning feeling slightly better. The night before I had decided that I wouldn't let myself be entirely broken by this blow to my self-esteem. Scorpius was just my friend... I had attempted to tell myself that, but at the slightest thought about him, I had felt my spirits fall. Why was he so important to me? I had only known him for a short time.
I had decided that if Scorpius preferred hanging out with Rose than me, then he didn't care about me as much as I cared about him. Why should I pine over him if we're not even friends anymore?
Silently I got dressed, picked up my bag, and walked determinedly down the dormitory room steps to the common room. It was almost entirely deserted; it was Saturday, and also a Hogsmeade day trip. I didn't want to go to Hogsmeade, because I knew that I would most likely find Rose and Scorpius having gone together.
"Hey, Lily!" I glanced around as someone called my name. A boy that was in my year was trotting swiftly up to me. I couldn't remember his name, but I smiled anyway, feeling slightly intimidated.
"Hello," I said softly, pushing my hair behind my ear- a nervous habit I had gotten into.
"Aren't you going to Hogsmeade?" he asked curiously.
I shook my head. "No," I said, looking down at my feet; I wouldn't dare look him in the eye.
He noticed my uncomfortable state, and blinked. "You know who I am right?"
My cheeks turned a faint pink shade. "Y-yes," I stuttered. "You're in my year... right?"
He grinned. "I'm Neil griffith." His voice was informative.
I got the courage to look at his face again. He was slightly taller than me, had brown hair, and unusually bright green eyes. "I'm Lily Potter."
"I know," Neil laughed. "You're friends with Scorpius Malfoy, aren't you? I've seen you hanging out with him." Was that jealousy I detected in his voice? No, couldn't be, I thought. I just met him!
"We were friends," I said quietly. A lump grew in my throat as I mentioned his name. "Not anymore, I think."
"Oh," He seemed sympathetic. "Why?"
I shook my head. "I'd prefer not to talk about it." My voice wasn't curt, just honest.
He nodded, and one of his friends waved from the other side of the common room. "Well I'll see you around!" he said cheerfully, sprinting off towards his friends.
I watched him go, and bit my lip. Why had this boy spoken to me? Most of the boys ignored me, so this was odd...
Though I was slightly troubled, I continued down towards the steps leading to out of the common room. Shortly after I got out, I heard voices. Though I can't explain why I did this, I hid behind the corner of the hallway, listening.
"Hey you!" It was my cousin's voice, and I shrunk down towards the ground, desperately hoping that she wasn't talking to me.
"Rose!" my heart jolted as I recognized this voice too. "What's up?"
I heard Rose prance over to him. "I just got up!" She laughed, and my eyes narrowed. Why was I feeling jealous?
Scorpius laughed. "I was looking for Lily, have you seen her?" he asked curiously.
My heart skipped a beat. He was looking for me? I debated whether or not I should step out from my hiding place.
I could imagine Rose frowning. "Why?" she asked, probably pouting.
"I haven't been hanging out with her lately, and I was wondering if she wanted to go with me to Hogsmeade."
"Oh..." Rose's voice was full of jealousy. "She- Lily already left," she said slowly, inventing wildly.
"Really? She went to Hogsmeade?" Scorpius sounded slightly disappointed.
I breathed out angrily. She was such a liar!
"Yeah," Rose said. "But I'm free, if you're looking for someone to go with!" She giggled.
"Great!" Scorpius exclaimed. "Shall we go then?"
Rose probably nodded, but I couldn't see her reaction.
Their voices faded off into the distance until they were inaudible, and I angrily got up again.
How could someone be so cruel? The question remained burning in my mind, and I dejectedly walked off towards the Great Hall, deliberately walking the opposite way they had gone. It would only hurt me further if Rose and Scorpius saw me; he would probably still want to go with Rose rather than me.
I sighed. It was obvious that Scorpius had moved on... But would I ever move on?
