Chapter 15

"Lucius?" Mr Weasley asked, utterly befuddled.

"Nice to see you too Arthur." he replied sardonically. Draco was with him, but immediately took Tina's side.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in amazement.

"I received an owl from my son, requesting my help." he replied. Lily looked at Draco, who smiled knowingly at her.

"What – how – why – when…huh?" Lily said, speechless.

'God she's adorable when she's speechless.' Fred thought, recalling the last time he said this.

Lily seemed to remember this too as she caught Fred looking at her. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to get rid of the shivers she got from his blue eyes.

"Draco owled me, informing me of blackmail and self-harm." he said looking at Lily. Lily bit her lip and closed her eyes, as if pushing the memories away.

"S-s-self-harm?" Molly asked with a shocked tone and wide eyes. "Who? Who was?"

Lily swallowed the lump forming in her throat and blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. Nobody spoke up but their eyes all fell to Lily. Fred went to put his hand on Lily's shoulder but stopped halfway, letting his arm drop. Mr Weasley opened his mouth to talk, but he seemed at a loss for words. Mrs Weasley repeated his action.

"I…I…I don't…" Lily didn't know what to say, she's never really had to talk about it before. She didn't know how to explain what she was feeling to make her do something like that. She tried to talk once more, but her words were replaced with a distressing sob.

Fred was by her side in an instant, his arms wrapped around her protectively. She covered her face with her hands and wept into her palms. One of his hands was placed on the small of her back and the other was stroking her hair while he shushed her.

"It's okay, Lil." he whispered into her neck. "It's alright. You're safe now. You're safe."

Lily pulled back and wiped her face. He took his arms away from her slowly and took a step back. She still had a few tears, but she was okay, for now.

"Oh, dear." Molly said, drawing her into a motherly hug.

"Thank you." Lily said stepping away from Molly. "So, what exactly was the purpose of this owl?"

"We asked for his help." Draco said.

"Apart from your dad -" Tina said but Lily interrupted.

"He's not my dad!" she snapped, then cleared her throat, "he isn't my dad. Biologically, yes, but he is not my father."

"I'm sorry," Tina said, "apart from Aldrich Scott, Mr Malfoy is the only one who pulls enough rank over Mr Williamson to decide whether or not Arthur can keep his job."

"No." Arthur said, finality evident in his voice. "I would rather be broke and jobless than in Lucius's debt."

"No need to worry about that, Arthur," Mr Malfoy said, "I am doing this for the children."

"Why?" Molly asked suspiciously.

"Because, I want Draco and Tina to be happy. I have seen their relationship and I think it's beautiful how much they love each other. From what they have told me about your son's relationship with Lily, and the display or affection I just witnessed, I have reason to believe they love each other deeply as well. I wouldn't want to deny that happiness to anyone." he finished with a slight smile aimed at Lily and Fred, who were still standing unsafely close.

"Well, that was touching, but I'm still not sure if I believe you." Arthur said.

"You will not be in my debt in any way. I give you my word." Lucius finished and extended his hand to Arthur. Arthur reached out his hand and shook Lucius's cautiously. Lily couldn't help the feeling of happiness seeping into her.

"So, what does this mean?" she asked, trying not to get her hopes up too high, just for them to be knocked down.

"Arthur will not lose his job, and if Mason or his father try and make it otherwise, Mr Williamson will be out of a job." Lucius explained.

"So…me and Lily…we…we're okay?" Fred asked, the gleam that Lily hadn't seen in a long time returning to his blue eyes. Lucius smiled and nodded.

Fred ran back to Lily and wrapped his arms around her. Her arms linked around the back of his neck as she felt her feet lift off of the ground. Fred gripped her tightly and spun her around in ecstasy. He set her down again carefully and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"God I've missed you." he mumbled into her shoulder, embracing her warmly.

"I missed you too." she snuffled. He pulled back far enough to get a good look at her face, which now had fresh tear streams running down her rosy cheeks.

"Hey, why are you crying?" he asked in a soft voice.

"I'm just overwhelmed." she said with a smile, then turned to face Lucius, Tina and Draco. "I really cannot thank you guys enough."

Tina waved her hand in the air and Draco shrugged with a smile. Lucius nodded and told her he was happy to help before stepping into Dumbledore's large fireplace and leaving the castle via Floo network.

"Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley, I just…I have no idea what to say." Lily said, her eyes threatening to start watering again.

"Dear, it's really no problem at all." Molly said.

"I'm just glad it worked out well for everyone." Arthur added.

"I assume you'll be with us again these summer holidays?" Mrs Weasley asked Lily.

"I hadn't really thought about it actually. I mean if you want me to. If you just want family that's okay. I don't want to be rude; you've done enough for me already." Lily said, flustered.

"Yes! She'll be there!" Fred beamed down at the girl, whose body his arm was still wound around.

"Looking forward to it." Arthur said with a smile. They hugged them goodbye and they left through Floo too.

Lily practically tackled Tina to the floor with a hug.

"You're the best friend ever! I love you! I can't believe you did this for me!" Lily said happily.

"Are you kidding?" Tina smiled, then added "I'm team Fily! All the way." she said with a fist pump.

"Team Fily?" Lily, Fred and Draco asked.

"Yeah, team Fred and Lily. Fily." she smiled and shrugged.

Fred kissed Lily on the cheek and grabbed her hand. Lily stopped at the door and took her hand away.

"Wait." she said.

"What is it?" Fred asked nervously.

"I still have one more thing to do." she said.

"What's that?" Tina asked. Lily tried to stop a smirk from creeping onto her face, but it didn't work.

"I still have to break up with Mason."

"Rip his heart out!" Tina said.

"Stomp on it if you have to!" Fred added with an evil smile.