Here is ch12!

Please review and tell me what you think, like it, don't like it etc. :)

" Why do we always have to spend holidays at the Weasley's, mum?"

" Because they're family Lily. And besides you do have fun with Hugo, right?"

" Exactly. With Hugo, not with Rose! She's... she's... just... whatever!" Lily walked away from her mother. Summer holidays had begun perfectly, already on Platform 9 and ¾. She didn't understand, seriously. Couldn't they go somewhere else, somewhere... interesting? No. Of course not. Always the burrow, because it's family... Just then she saw Oswald. Her only hope. At least she wouldn't die out of boredom: his letters would be her anchor.

" Os!"

" Hey, Lils!"

" Promise you'll write. Please..."

" Of course I will. Do you really think I'd leave you alone?" he smirked.

" Merlin, I can't stand another summer at the burrow... I'll really miss you"

" Come on, it won't be so bad..." Lily and Oswald found themselves looking at each other, just like months before in Malfoy manor. This time, though it ended up differently. He gave her a kiss. A small, innocent one, which she'd treasure for no one but her mind's eye to see.

" Thanks," she blushed and smiled sheepishly.

" I need to go now..." he said in a sad tone. She wished they could stay more time together, but they couldn't. She watched his figure walk away and disappear in the crowd. I'll miss this... She went to look for her family and found them chatting with the Malfoys. Weren't they enemies? She got closer and Scorpius turned to her direction. Just what she didn't want. After their last encounter, she had convinced herself that he was only toying with her mind. Sadist bastard! What he felt – if feeling belonged to his emotional range - for her couldn't and didn't match what she felt for him. But why keep on tormenting her? If he had to satisfy needs, didn't he have a pure blooded girlfriend? She went to her brother and the moment she reached him, the Malfoys walked away. She didn't hear a single word of what they were talking about. Better this way. She really didn't want to know. Time to turn over a new leaf and focus on Oswald. He had kissed her. It had finally happened. Had been wonderful... He just... he wasn't him. She couldn't even believe she was actually thinking this. Scorpius had been like a scorching brand. After he had gone, he had made sure that there could be no one else after him. He had made sure that no one would ever take his place. But I'm going to prove him wrong...

OoO

July. Finally the sun had begun popping up regularly. It was warm and the sky was clear. Lily had spent most of the past month doing her homework, so she could stay away from Rose. Every now and then, she'd walk away from the burrow and venture into the nearest woods. She found out that being alone was not so bad. When she watched the forest, full of trees, the light filtering through their tops, she could really imagine she wasn't herself and just lived somewhere else, far away from her life, where dreams were reality. She'd run, walk and jump, just to try and feel freedom. In those moments she wouldn't remember who Oswald, Albus or Scorpius were. They could just be figments of her imagination, people who didn't exist in her alternative universe. Once, she had even climbed a tree and while sitting on it, she had spotted a writing carved into it. She'd looked closer and read: this tree belongs to Cedric D. She knew exactly who this boy was: Diggory. She was sitting on a tree belonging to a dead person. A dead person whose memory was actually living on, within people's hearts. She liked this idea. In some way, for Lily, he was still there, because she thought about him. Memory as a key to eternity... The photo of Cedric she had seen in the Room of Requirement: she'd imagine the dashing boy in the photo on the tree, taking life and jumping down. He'd be alive then...

Unfortunately when the sun started to set, she'd have to go back. Darkness meant reality. Light couldn't deceive her anymore. At the burrow she'd find her brother Albus, writing, always writing. She'd read Oswald's letters and Scorpius' old message which was now old and crumpled. Everything would come back to her and cut through her heart like a blade. People all around would go about their routine, doing the same repetitive stuff. Nothing ever happened.

One day, though, when Lily woke up, she found her family tidying up the house, preparing food, arranging flowers and decorations. Everyone was doing something. Apart from her. She didn't bother asking why all the fuss. She had really lost interest. She traipsed the kitchen and grabbed a toast. While going back to her room, she met her mother. " Lily, have a shower and get dressed. We have hosts for lunch." she looked at her daughter and added: " Put something nice on. Nothing too elegant though," she smiled. Lily smiled back. Her mother had probably noticed her mood was not the best this summer. But she didn't want to worry her. No need to mention her inner turmoil. Her escapades to different realities. No need to let slip the amazing tale of her oh-so-scary close encounters with one Tom Riddle. Back in her room she wondered what was all the rush. Who was coming over for lunch? Someone important? She'd discover soon anyway.

OoO

Lily paced down the stairs with her aunt Hermione. She had decided to put on a high-waist tight black skirt and a white top. Her hair was curled up and she was wearing flats. Simple but kind of elegant at the same time. A layer of gloss made her red lips shiny and plump, strikingly matching her hair. The rest of her family was already downstairs. Rose was wearing a yellow dress and looked really awful. Her father was at the door. The sunlight cast the shadow of three people waiting outside. Once in, there was no way to mistake them. Pale, blond, grey eyes. Lily couldn't breathe. What? The Malfoys? All this mess for such a bunch of guest... stars? This is what they were talking about back in June, on platform 9 and ¾. Right. But I can't do this... not today. Not ever.

If Scorpius hadn't looked at her until then, he was definitely in that very moment. His grey eyes were fixed on her. Lily couldn't help but blush. His gaze was too intense. Astoria and Draco were busy talking to her parents. Something distant she wasn't able to hear. Usual background noise. Suddenly Oswald's words, his letters, his kiss were forgotten. The world was forgotten. There was only Scorpius. Only he existed right now.

" Shall we eat? Lunch is ready!" Hermione interrupted her musings joyfully.

" Of course. Sounds wonderful." answered Draco, his eyes darkened by a different kind of hunger. Lily wondered whether somebody else besides her and Albus had ever suspected anything. It was so evident...

Once in the dining room, they all took their seats. On her left sat Albus. The right seat was empty. Until Scorpius went for it, smirking like the Cheshire cat. Lily huffed but felt butterflies striking back in her stomach. Lunch started. The food looked and smelled delicious but she could hardly eat. She was back to square one. Petrified by his mere closeness.

After lunch, while the rest of the family lounged in the living room, Scorpius made himself scarce. He was nowhere to be seen. Lily decided to disappear too. She really didn't want to indulge in idle conversation. She took the stairs but instead of going to her room, she reached the last floor. Nobody ever went there. It had been the twins' room. Too many painful memories. But for once she did. She slowly opened the door and closed it behind her. As soon as she did, two arms embraced her from behind. She gasped. " Oh... it's only you. You scared the hell out of me. Why are you here anyway?" she disentangled from his arms and walked to the skylight.

" I'm sorry. I just couldn't stand all those people, so I came here. It looked peaceful."

" Well, it obviously isn't anymore. I'm here so I'll go away." He rushed to the door and before she could turn the handle he grabbed her wrists and held them firmly. " Don't," he ordered. She stilled, heart crushing her ribs.

" Scorpius, don't do this. I don't like to be used this way," she almost pleaded.

" I'm not using you," he whispered. He lowered his face.

" Prove me wrong then."

" I-I..." he stuttered.

" Just as I thought. Do you know what keeps me from being with Oswald? You. I can never truly give my heart to him because I always hope that one day, you'll come back to me. If you'd just disappear from my life, I would be free. Please, tell me you won't kiss me again and then go away. Tell me that you will stop torturing me this way and you'll just leave me alone. Please..." she started to sob.

" Is this what you want? For me to disappear entirely? Is this a... goodbye?"

" Yes." she was lying, but needed to. For her sanity. " But I didn't start it. You are the one who has forced this goodbye upon us both. Not me. If I'm saying this, it's because I need to be sure that this will be your final one. No more games."

" Goodbye..." his voice was broken.

As for what happened during the rest of the summer, it is difficult to say. For nothing happened. Not anymore.