CHAPTER 7

Once again, Fred woke up to a letter from Lily. Hex was standing on his chest, hooting in his face.

"Okay Hex I'm awake," he said sleepily and Hex few off him.

He grabbed the letter became instantly worried about Lily when he saw the length of it.

It wasn't her usual, neat curvy writing. It was messy, like she was in a rush.

He rubbed his eyes and began to read.

Fred,

Oh Merlin I'm so worried! I told my parents and they were calm! CALM! They just ate dinner like nothing happened.

I know what you're thinking. 'What's so bad about calm?'

My parents are only calm when they're planning something. I know they're going to try and change my mind about you. I won't of course. You know I won't.

I don't know if I can do this, Fred. I can't. Not on my own. I need you to be here and hold my hand. I need you to calm me down. I need you.

You're the only thing keeping me sane right now. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack at any second.

Please just tell me something, anything to make me feel like my world isn't about to crash down.

I love you.

Love Lily xo

P.S tell George I said hi and I'm sorry I didn't have time to write to him.

Fred smiled and wrote back to Lily and Hex was off.

He may have smiled, but he wasn't happy. His mum and dad didn't exactly react how he thought they would. They muttered about her corrupting him. Apparently 'that's what those horrible Scotts do'.

Fred went downstairs to talk to his parents. They were in the kitchen. Talking under their breath urgently.

"Hey Mum? Dad?" he said, "why do you hate Lily?"

"Oh don't be silly! We don't hate her," his mother replied.

"Well, you're obviously not happy about me being with her," He was getting frustrated.

"She's a Slytherin, Fred. You could do better," His father said. Fred clenched his teeth.

"She's the best thing that's happened to me mum. I love her,"

"Fred, you're sixteen. You don't know what love is," his dad interjected.

"You don't even know her,"

"She's a Scott," Molly said. "What is there to know?"

Fred stormed out of the kitchen. It was pointless arguing with them.

Lily walked into the dining room for breakfast. She saw that the table wasn't set and the elves weren't in the kitchen.

"Get dressed Lily," her mother said.

"Why? What's going on?" she asked.

"We are going out for breakfast," her father said.

"Dress nicely," her mother added.

Lily hesitantly went upstairs and changed into a navy blue dress. Her parents were waiting downstairs. Her mother took her hand and they apparated away, followed by Whiskey and Echo.

After the apparation, Lily was a little disoriented and it took her a moment to realize where they were.

Malfoy manor.

Lucius, Narcissa and Draco came into view.

"Hello Aldrich, Scarlett," Lucius said, and looked at Lily as if she was inferior and sneered, "Hello, Lily,"

"Lucius," Lily nodded. Narcissa gestured for them to sit at the table. They did so and Whiskey, Echo and their house elf came out of the kitchen. Each carrying a large tray of breakfast food. Echo had ham and cheese bagels. Whiskey had butter croissants. The Malfoys elf had bacon and eggs, sunny side up. In the middle of the round oak table, was a plate full of toast.

Lily was placed next to Draco at the table. Obviously.

"So, Lily," Narcissa said, "I hear you scored quite high in your O. last year,"

"Uh, yes, I did," Lily said grabbing a bagel.

"So did Draco," she smiled, "He's really quite smart,"

"Yes, he's gotten top marks in Potions class, and Defense Against the Dark Arts," Aldrich added. Draco smiled at Lily smugly.

"Lily I'm told you looked stunning at the ball," Lucius droned.

"I wouldn't say stunning," she said breaking a piece of toast.

"I would," Draco grinned, "so did every other guy in Slytherin,"

"Well Draco, your mother said you were the catch of the ball and every girl wanted a dance with you," Scarlett added.

"Well, I'm a Slytherin, we have natural charm," he winked at Lily.

"Slytherins are important. Essential to the wizarding world. More important than say, Gryffindors," Mr. Scott told Lily, "pure blood wizards arw the way of the future. There is no place for muggles, or wizards who associate with muggles or mudbloods,"

Lily put down her toast. She looked at her plate and spoke softly.

"I know what you're all trying to do," she said slowly.

"Do you now?" Lucius spat.

"You're trying to get me with Malfoy. You're trying to make me see Fred as inferior," she clenched her fists.

"Well, let's be serious, he is inferior," Draco sniggered, "him and his good-for-nothing family,"

"Shut up Draco!" she shouted, "Merlin, I thought you were my friend," Draco looked away when she said that.

"Lily Anne Isabella Scott," her father said sternly, "you will listen to me this instant! You will not continue seeing this Weasley boy. He isn't good enough for you,"

"You don't even know him," her eyes were welling up with tears.

"We know his father," her mother chimed in spitefully "We know who they associate with. That mudblood Granger"

"I love Fred!" she screamed, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. She pushed out of her chair.

"Sit down young lady!" Aldrich ordered.

"Whiskey!" Lily called and the whimpering house elf walked in.

"Y-yes Miss Lily?" he stammered. Lily took a deep breath, tasting her salty tears.

"Take me home," She said. Whiskey took her hand and teleported her back to her room.

Lily opened her eyes to see herself standing in her room. Hex was back with a letter from Fred. Lily opened it, dripping tears on the envelope.

It was a short letter that made her feel better instantly.

All it said was:

Lily,

I love you.

Fred