I really wanted to put all of this into one chapter but then it was getting long sooooo next chapter will be out soon. And yeah, enjoy this one all I can see is about time. Read, Review and enjoy! :)
Chapter 14 – Winter Break
Lily woke up the next morning feeling grateful to be going home for two weeks; she knew it was only partly to do with seeing her family. The other part of her wanted to get away from the hurt and embarrassment that she felt because of Scorpius. She pack a duffle bag with the few things she would need for the holidays and grabbed Lou in her cage who was sleeping quietly. She took one last look at the room and headed down towards the train as fast as she could.
"Hey Lily, can I talk to you for a second?" Scorpius came running up behind her and her heart fluttered a bit, and she remembered herself to repress that.
"Yeah, I'm running a bit late but sure." Lily said as he pulled over off to the side. "What's up?"
"Well you see there's something that I should have done last night and …" The next thing Lily knew was Scorpius' lips touching hers. He kissed her with such a need and mix of emotions and Lily didn't know how to react. He pulled away entirely too soon and cleared his throat. "I'll see you in two weeks."
And with that he walked away leaving Lily feeling lost for words and unable to form a thought; she just glided to the train in a foggy haze left by his lips. She had been so worried before about catching up to her friends and now she couldn't even think why. Scorpius had already blended into the crowd of kids that were trying to make their way to the train as quickly as possible.
Lily's thoughts started coming back as she made her way onto the red steam train trying to find which compartment her friends were in. Luckily, she spotted Ivy anxiously looking around for her.
"Where in merlin's beard have you been? Left you for five bloody minutes to pack your things. Lily answer me!" Ivy harassed her and Lily came down from her cloud nine.
"Blimey Ivy, settle down." Lily hushed her as she sat down beside Hugo. Ivy gave her a hurt look before sitting down beside Kenda and Owen who were cuddled in their own conversation. Ivy looked at them in disgust and Albus looked uncomfortable next to Hugo.
"What are you planning to do Raven?" Ivy asked her, ignoring Lily and she placed her head against the window.
"Oh, me? You know probably Catholic church for us." Raven rolled her eyes. Raven unlike her parents identified as Catholic and forced Raven to go to Sunday mass when see was home. Lily always found it strangely comforting how supporting her parents were of her being a witch. Each year Raven and Ivy had a long discussion about how she didn't have to go if she didn't want to; Lily however found it better to tune them out thinking about her earlier situation now that she could think straight.
His words kept playing over in her head; something that I should have done last night. Of course it was something he should have done last night, so why hadn't he the bloody idiot and then Zenith's words echoed in her head, they're meant to be, since birth. No, he was just trying to get under her skin, she wouldn't let him do that anymore she thought. She was safe with Scorpius – safe. Even if she didn't know exactly what that kiss meant. Why would he kiss her now? She spend the rest of the trip home thinking explicitly of Scorpius; his grey eyes that were like the pale moon light, his blond perfectly messy hair, his lips that were soft and perfect…
"Hey sleeping beauty we're here." Hugo nudged her slightly and chuckled.
"Oh, thanks Hugo." She rubbed her eyes and instantly regretted it looking down at the black smudge on her hands.
"Hugo, hey, did I…?" Lily started and Hugo cut her off.
"You look fine Lily. Come on I want to get off this train." Hugo complained, afraid he would start dragging her off the train she got up quickly and followed him off. Lily started to wonder where Scorpius was maybe if she could talk to him or see him smile at her she would feel better. She searched the crowd desperately for his face but couldn't find even a slighting of his family.
"Lils!" She heard her father shouted over the crowd, probably figuring she looked lost and she switched her focus to them, grinning at her father.
"Dad!" Her grinned back at him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Missed you Dad." She whispered in his ear.
"Missed you too Flower." Harry whispered back at her and let her go. Lily gave her Mum a kiss on the cheek.
"How was school Lils?" Ginny asked her daughter as she held Harry's hand softly.
"Great Mum, never better." She grinned looking around again for Scorpius, but instead spotting Ivy and waving goodbye to her. She would send her a birthday present over the holidays she noted to herself.
"Where's the boys?" Harry asked her looking over the sea of people.
"Er, that's who I'm looking for Dad." Lily blushed and although she did see her brother running through the crowd towards them, she didn't see who she was actually looking for.
"We're here, he was just…" Albus started and James cut him off.
"Just saying goodbye to Fred and Louis." Lily saw James elbow Albus slightly in the ribs and Lily figured he was saying goodbye to Katie. She guessed all the Potter kids were entitled to lie a bit to their parents.
"You'll see them in a couple days James." Ginny chuckled at him and James turned a slight pink, "Ready to go?"
"Er, yes." They all said at once and Lily gave one last disappointed look at the crowd before crossing through the border. It was a quiet drive home other then the few questions that their parents asked them; maybe they all had things on their minds or maybe they were all in knew of silence. Lily couldn't be happier when she saw their little house with the green door, once the hiding place to James, Lily, and young Harry; the little cottage in Godric's Hollow had been restored to its former glory. She was even happier to walk through her little white door of her little cream coloured room. She looked around her just perfect, neat room; cream walls, accents of Gryffindor Red were seen through her pillows, throw, and odds and ends of her room, and her dark walnut double bed and furniture.
"There you go Lou." She told her owl as she opened her cage and Lou hopped onto the window bench that was a Gryffindor Red. Lou cooed at her as she sat down beside her. "Do you think it could be that easy Lou?" She asked her and Lou cooed at her again. "You're right, it couldn't be that easy. How am I supposed to react to that? We were friends, are friends but now… what are we? Do we talk about it or not bring it up?" She continued to ramble to her bird. Lou tapped on the window and Lily rolled her eyes and opened her window; Lou howled at her and flew away. "Fine, I'll figure it out myself."
On the 22nd they celebrated James' 17th birthday and he celebrated by apparating around their house in an annoying fashion. Also a big box that James quickly rushed to his room came by a huge grey barn owl that Lily suspected to be from Katie. On the 23rd Lily went into London with her Mum to do some last minute shopping for a couple people. She wandered off looking at the interesting muggle things coming across an old bookstore with a old beautiful copy of Pride and Prejudice, remembering Scorpius had once mentioned he loved the book she bought it quickly and put it into her bag for her mother not to see. As well buying Ivy the brown Quidditch gloves she'd been eyeing but would never buy for herself. On the 24th she kept looking at the book and debated whether or not she would send it, still going over her feelings in her head. Lily also tried to ask Albus what was wrong with him and got told to piss off several times.
On the 25th there was a giant black gorgeous Great Horned Owl sitting next to Lou who looked even tinier in comparison. Lily rubbed her eyes and noticed a small package hanging from the bird's mouth. Lily walked over and gently took the package from the gorgeous bird. Lily read the letter attached to the package first:
Dear Lily,
Happy Christmas, see you in a week and a half.
Scorpius,
Ps. the bird's name is King.
The first thing she thought was his handwriting was beautiful and then she thought how ordinary the letter seemed while she opened the package carefully. Inside were a single carefully wrapped white origami Lily and another note.
Place me in water, I'll never die.
Lily crept downstairs to get a small fishbowl type of bowl and carefully filled it with water. Carrying it carefully up the stairs and back into her room, the two birds stared at her with their heads slanted to the side. She gave them an annoyed look and placed the paper flower carefully in the water. She watched it quickly sink to the bottom and she started to panic before it started to glow and transform into a beautiful white lily that rested on top of the water. She looked at it in awe and wondered how long this had taken him. She whispered softly to herself, "I love magic." She grabbed a piece of parchment and started scribbling a reply.
Dear Scorpius,
Its incredible, absolutely amazing. Thank you.
I found this in a muggle bookstore and thought of you.
Happy Christmas.
Lily,
Lily rummaged through her dresser drawers and her hand finally grazed over a piece of green wrapping paper. She wrapped the book with care and tied it with a Gryffindor red bow carefully securing the piece of parchment on it package.
"Alright King, take this back to Scorpius please." Lily rubbed the giant birds head and gave him the package. "Sorry Lou, you got the next one." She told her bird who looked mildly disappointed when she didn't get to leave with King. Lily look at the alarm clock that was sitting on her dark side table; 7:00 it read. She grinned creeping across the hallway and carefully opening James' door without a sound. She stood there looking a him fast asleep for half a second before jumping on to his bed and as he sprang up alarmed.
"Bloody hell Lils what…" She covered his mouth before he started yelling at her.
"Do you want to help me wake up Al?" She grinned mischievously and a similar grinned grew across his face as he nodded. "Happy Christmas Jamie." She whispered with a giggle. They both quietly stepped out of James room and next door into Albus' room. James counted down from three on his fingers and on three they both jumped onto Albus' bed yelling Happy Christmas. Albus yelped and sat up straight in his bed.
"For merlin's sakes! Piss off!" He yelled at them grumpily.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist Al, it's Christmas!" Lily sat cross-legged on the end of Albus' bed next to James.
"Come on, get your arse out of bed now." James started pulling his feet and Al squirmed to get away.
"Piss off James." Al covered his face with his plaid quilt.
"Just because you're upset over some girl doesn't mean you outta take it out on us." James shrugged as Al came up from his covers and gave him a death stare.
"A girl? Ooo who's the girl?" Lily asked James excitedly.
"Lily it's not any of your business." Albus almost shouted at her turning red.
"Wow, okay fine. I was just asking. Merlin, this girl must be special." Albus processed to turn even redder.
"Come on Al we're going to wake up Mum and Dad now." James started pulling at his feet again.
"Fine fine, there's no point though." Albus grumbled getting out of bed.
"What do you mean?" Lily asked confused.
"Happy Christmas Children." Ginny said as Lily and James wiped their head around to see their parents standing at the doorframe in their bathrobes.
"Happy Christmas Mum, Dad." Lily and James said together laughing nervously.
"Coming downstairs?" Harry asked them with a chuckle. The three nodded, and Lily and James were running down the stairs as Albus followed slowly with their parents down into the living room. Lily smiled up at their evergreen tree covered in coloured lights and ornaments from their childhood to the present.
"Coffee?" Ginny asked Harry with a yawn.
"Please." He chuckled watching James sort the presents into piles in which they would get to open them. Lily sat patiently and annoyed beside James on the ground, he had to do this every year.
"James would you hurry up, some of us would like to go back to sleep." Albus yawned as he curled up into one of their big red armchairs.
"I don't think so, no one is going back to bed." Ginny chimed in handing a cup to Harry and sitting down beside him on the green couch. "We're going to Grandmum and Granddad's today, you have to pack." Albus groaned and curled up more.
"Al it's going to be fun." Lily rolled her eyes at him. The rest of the morning they opened presents and Harry brought them toast and jam to eat by the Christmas tree. Lily swore she saw a bit of a smile on Albus' face when he opened up his new riding gloves from her. After they ate Ginny made everyone go pack their bags for the Burrow, Lily took one last look at the floating Lily and closed the door slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Ok Lils, you go first tell them we're coming." Ginny told her pointing to the fireplace. "Albus Severus would you get down here this instant." She yelled up the stairs for him and with a pop James appeared at her side with a huge grin on his face. "Just because you're of age James does not mean you have to apparate everywhere.
"Sorry Mum." He gave Lily a thumbs up and she giggled as she grabbed a handful of floo powder.
"The Burrow." She said clearly as she threw the powder down. Whizzing through the air she shut her eyes tightly and finally her feet touched down. Opening her eyes she was greeted by Hugo who was standing in front of her with a piece of their Grandmum's fruit cake in his mouth. The burrow was buzzing with voices coming from all around and the smell of food coming from the kitchen.
With a full mouth he shouted, "Potter's are here!" and looked back to Lily giving her a hug, "Hey Lils." Lily heard a swish behind her and James chuckling as he stepped into the Burrow.
"What's so funny Jamie?" Lily turned around to ask him.
"Let's just say I know a secret about Al." He told her and Lily got really excited about to ask him before she felt herself being lifted off the ground and spun around. A little scream came out of her mouth.
"Flower!" Teddy Lupin shouted at her as he spun her around.
"Teddy let me down!" She giggled at him and he gently placed her on her feet.
"Go to see you! How's it been? You're so old now, better be careful there don't want to go around looking like old me now do you?" Teddy teased her and Victoire placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Teddy, be nice." And then came to give Lily a small hug, "Beautiful as ever my dear. So what did I tell you about the dress?" Victoire gave her a beautiful smile. Her long gorgeous blond hair was tied back in a braid and little makeup was on her face except for a bit of pink blush. Every girl that walked into a room was Victoire took a hit against their ego; if it hadn't been for Victoire being so kind as she was, a lot more girls would hate her.
"Oh Flower, you should know …" Teddy started before Victoire interrupted him.
"Let the poor girl unpack before we go slipping all our secrets." She giggled like little bells twinkling and Teddy ran his hand through his usually teal hair. Lily smiled at them and a pit of jealously grew in her, they were so cute and so uncomplicated. She thought back to her and Scorpius, and how very complicated it was.
"Uncle Arry," Victoire greeted Harry as he came through the Burrow's fireplace. "Where is Aunty Ginny and Albus?"
"Harry," Teddy came over to Harry and gave him a big bear hug patting him on his back.
"My boy," He patted Teddy on the back, "They'll be along shortly Vicky," He smiled at her, "How's it going you two?" Harry walked with them into the kitchen with them.
"Lils," Molly came running in giving Lily a large hug. Her dark red hair was pulled into a tight ballerina bun. She was dressed in a short black t-shirt dress and burgundy tights.
"Molly," Lily greeted her with a huge smile. "How's it been at the Academy?"
"Oh, I love it. You should come see a show over the summer, you'd love it." Molly beamed at her.
"Albus Severus if I have to tell you one more time…" Lily heard her mom yelling at her brother as they came out of the fireplace.
"Mum, calm down. I'm fine, no need to commit me." Albus complained walking past her and Molly.
"Not fair, why do I have to share a room with grumpy?" Hugo laughed trying to offer up Albus to anyone.
"Aunty Ginny," She heard Dominique call from the kitchen. "Lily!" She shouted coming into the room, "Molly hasn't tried to convert you into the academy has she yet?"
"She's not a dancer Dom," She rolled her eyes with a smiled and Dominique gave Lily a huge hug. She was wearing her bone earrings and was sporting a new nose piercing which Lily was sure her Grandmum had lots to say about, along with that she was dress in a baggy sweater and skinny jeans showing off her long legs and her long light red hair was thrown into a long messy braid.
"Maybe Vicky will get to her first." Dominique laughed; Victoire worked at the Daily Prophet as an editor and was always trying to get Lily to come join her after she graduated. Then Lily heard her mother scream from the kitchen and she went rushing in, she noticed she was in tears.
"Charlie!" She yelled hugging her older brother, she hadn't seen him in two Christmas'; he couldn't leave the dragons. Lily noted that his face was even more freckled then the last time she'd seen him, his shoulders were boarder and his long red hair was tied back. The scars on his hands were whited around his tanned skin as well as the large burn on his forearm.
"Harry, you knew!" Ginny yelled at him still hugging her brother.
"It was a surprise my dear," Harry chuckled at his wife interrupting his conversation with Ron to answer her.
"Lily dear," Her Grandmum came over and gave her a huge hug.
"Grandmum, Granddad," Lily walked over and gave him a hug too.
"Which one are you?" Arthur joked as he pulled her into a hug.
"It's Lily Granddad," she laughed.
"Of course Lily, how could I forget you?" Lily noticed her Grandmum giving him a look.
"The rest of the girls are upstairs dear, you know where everyone is." She told her and Lily nodded grabbing her bag. She ran up the beaten stairs up to the fourth floor.
"Lily there you are!" Lucy yelled as soon as Lily opened the door to the girls' room. Rose, Roxanne, and Lucy were sitting on three of the four beds that were jammed into the tiny room. Lily only feeling vaguely sorry for Hugo now thinking of how he only had to share a room with Albus where there were four of them crammed into this one.
"We were just talking about you. Come sit." Rose called her over and Lily felt nervous dropping her bag on the bed by the window.
"What were you saying?" She asked confused thinking maybe someone had seen her and Scorpius. Then that brought on more questions, what if he didn't want to talk about but then he sent her that flower. It all made her head spin.
"You're friends with Scorpius now right lily?" Roxanne asked her with a sly smile. Uh-no she thought she didn't like where this was going.
"Yes, we're friends, just friends. Me and him yes friends." She stammered.
"Do you know if he's seeing anyone now?" Roxanne asked her and lily wanted to pulled her hair. No, he's not seeing anyone because he kissed me she felt like yelling at the two giggling schoolgirls.
"Roxie stop!" Rose giggled.
"Well he took Maive to the ball ... Rose aren't you seeing chase?" Lily asked almost too accusingly.
"Protective are we?" Roxanne gave her a smug smile and Lily felt her face getting hot.
"Its not for me Lily, besides I'm not really seeing him." Rose emphasized the really.
"Does he know that?" Lucy raised an eyebrow at Rose and Rose sighed at her.
"I'm not protective, he can date whoever he pleases. Besides he'll probably just date Maive again." Lily answered defensively as she picked at her nails nervously.
"Rosie heard them pretty clearly on the train and they're definitely not dating… for a while at least." Lucy mentioned casually flipping threw Wizard the magazine. Lily felt the knot in her stomach tighten.
"What were they saying?" Lily asked too eagerly. Lucy smirked flipping another page and Roxanne gave her a look.
"She was yelling at him because I guess she thought that because he took her to the ball they were together again but apparently something happened." Rose giggled and Lucy looked up from Wizard snorting.
"At least they won't be snogging in the hallways anymore, it's repulsive." Lily tapped her fingers patiently against the white blanket.
"Well what is it?" Lily asked calmly this time.
"He kissed someone else." Rose giggled again and Lucy glanced at Lily who was trying to control her facial expression to blank.
"Did you hear who?" Lily asked trying to sound bored as she grab one of their wizard magazines.
"He didn't say but Maive went mental." Rosie explained in a whisper.
"That girl is mental." Lucy commented showing no real interest in the conversation anymore.
"Completely," Agreed Rose and Roxanne nodded.
"I saw her run right into a Quidditch practice once and went ballistic on Scorpius." Roxanne told them and the girls laughed Lily included.
"I got to go find Hugo, I'll uh talk to you later. Bye." Lily got up fast and shutting the door really fast. She lend against the door and breathed slightly, all she needed was her family getting involved and then she thought all she needed was her family getting involved. Lily walked down the stairs and banged on Hugo and Albus' door. "Hugo, I've got to talk to you."
"Oi, Lils come in." Lily cracked the door open to see Albus laying on his bed with his headphones in and Hugo putting down a book on Dragons.
"I got to tell you something and you have to promise not to freak out ok? Promise me you won't freak out." Lily laid down on Hugo's bed looking up at the old wooden ceiling. "Eh Al can you hear me?" Lily raised her voice and Albus didn't reply.
"Don't worry about him, he's in his own little world. But what is it Lily and should I be freaking out?" Hugo asked her eyeing the clock.
"No, well – No. You shouldn't – I don't know yet. Just let me talk and then I can tell you if it's a good or bad thing." Lily began to talk faster and faster and honestly couldn't tell Hugo if it was the right or wrong thing. "Okay, okay. Scorpius kissed me – the morning we left for holidays and I kissed him back." Lily just let it all fall out and looked up to see Hugo's face. "But don't freak out and don't tell anyone, I swear to merlin Hugo, I'll have your head."
"Lils, settle down, I'm not freaking out." Hugo told her calmly and Lily just gave him a blank look.
"Why aren't you freaking out, this is a big deal! Hugo Weasley why aren't you freaking out like I am!" Lily started freaking out at him and waving her arms.
"Maybe because Scorpius Malfoy didn't kiss ME, and maybe I'm not going to do it again." He told her and then realized what he said both of them breaking out in hysterics. Tears rolled down Lily's face as Hugo tried to control his breathing before long Albus took off his headphones looking at the pair of them as if they were nuts.
"What did I miss?" Albus asked him annoyed.
"Go back to listening to the soundtrack of Titanic Al." Hugo told Albus, and Lily and Hugo broke out into more laughter than before.
Victoire popped her head into the room and told them softly, "Dinner kids."