Chapter 5

Lily finally got up and wrote an owl to the twins. She sent Hex off quickly, in hopes that she would return that day with replies. In the meantime, Lily sat in the lounge reading Witch Weekly. She was really just flicking through the pages, trying to pass time, when her father entered.

"Hello Lily," he said formally.

"Hello father," she said discarding her magazine.

"Wizards chess?" he said, and with a flick of his wand, a brand new wizards chess set manifested on the glass coffee table in front of them.

"Of course father." She said politely.

"Knight to D4," she called, and the ceramic horse jumped over the pawn in front of it and trotted to D4. Aldrich Lily raised an eyebrow at his daughter.

"Pawn to G3," he ordered. The pawn took a step forward.

"Pawn to C3," she said.

This went on for nearly 20 minutes. Of course, Aldrich won. Wizard's chess wasn't exactly Lily's strong point.

"Maybe next time my dear," he smiled a small, not quite genuine smile.

"Yes father," she nodded.

"I'm afraid I must go, I'm needed at the Ministry," he waved his wand and the chess board and broken pieces disappeared. He turned to leave the room but was halted by Lily.

"Will you be home for tea?" she asked urgently. Part of her wanted him to say no, but she would never admit it.

"Yes Lily, why are you asking?"

"No reason father,"

With a suspicious nod, he left.

Fred was filled with happiness when he got another letter.

Freddie,

I miss you.

Good luck for tonight. I think we'll both need it.

You're right though, we are worth fighting for. No matter what my father says or does, we'll get through this.

I'll always choose you. I promise.

As for visiting this holidays, we both said it was better if we didn't. We have to stick to that so it doesn't complicate things or cause problems between our families.

I love you.

Lily xo

He got the same rush he always did when he was reading a letter from her.

He replied quickly and sent Hex off again with he and George's letters.

To Fred, the day seemed to fly by a little more than he wanted it to.

Sure, he couldn't wait to tell his parents all about the most perfect girl in the world. He couldn't wait to tell them all the little tiny things that made him fall for. He couldn't wait to tell them how he fell in love all over again just by hearing her name. He wanted to share all this with his family, but he also wanted time to prepare for it. He was certain that they would be happy for him.

Well, almost certain.

Ron had planted seeds of doubt in the back of his mind.

Thanks Ron.

But Ronald did have a point. Fred saw the look his mum and Lily's dad exchanged. It wasn't friendly in the least.

But she wouldn't hold a grudge against Lily because of her dad.

Would she?

No. She wouldn't. She's not like that.

Lily paced along her bedroom floor. She was trying to think of the easiest way to tell her parents about Fred.

"Mother, father," she said quietly to herself, "well you see, I'm dating a Weasley. No, that's stupid. Okay, let's try again. Mother, father, I feel the need to - No!" she stopped pacing and sat on the window seat.

She took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said once more, "Mother, father, there's something I must tell you, and it's very important to me that you know. I'm in love with Fred Weasley and we've been dating for the past two months,"

She sat in silence going through possible reactions in her mind.

Disappointment; her mother would put her hand to her forehead and play with her food. Her father would tilt his head and close his eyes. He would then shake his head slowly and tell her he expected better. Her mother would say how she knew this would happen and she blames "that worthless headmaster Dumbledore" for allowing all-house interaction.

Anger; her dad would slam his cutlery on the table and yell "Damn it!" Her mother would have an outraged look on her face. She would start shrieking about what Lily could possibly see in him. Her father would shout about thinking about her future and how he can't provide for her.

Sadness; her mother would tear up and sob about how she always wanted more for Lily. How she wanted Lily to have the best life possible. Her father would just look at her with a sad expression and mutter about his dreams of the Malfoy and Scott family trees joining were over.

Shame; her father would mumble about how this would reflect on him. Aldrich Scott, high power wizard, whose daughter is prancing around with a Weasley. Her mother would talk to herself about what her friends would say, what the neighbours would say, what everyone would say.

Lily was quite certain that pride and happiness were out of the question, so really, there were no good possible outcomes.

Dinner time came all too quickly. Whiskey summoned Lily to the table. She took her place and ate quietly.

It wasn't until halfway through the meal that she decided to speak up.

She cleared her throat and sat up straighter.

"Mother, father," she spoke confidently, but suddenly shied away, "there's something I must tell you,"

They looked at her. She opened her mouth to speak but no words formed.

"Yes Lily?" her mother said.

"I, um, I...I'm d-dating Fred W-Weasley,"

Her mother wiped her mouth. Her father placed his fork down calmly.

Calm.

This was one outcome she didn't prepare for.