Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters

Lily began dedicating all her time, once back at Hogwarts, on studying for her NEWTS. While part of her was trying to avoid Teddy, she was truly worried about doing well on the tests, because she had finally decided that she would like to work as a healer once she was done with her schooling, and that meant she needed top marks. Vera had avoided the topic of Albus since they had been back, and was writing to someone new. Lily didn't want to push her, but felt she should consider giving Albus another chance. It bothered her to see her best friend move on so easily, so Lily began spending more time with Cassie, who didn't judge her for breaking up with Scorpius.

It had been about a month since Lily had been back. Scorpius had written to her a few times, but nothing was progressing for them. She was still hurt. So when her family owl dropped off an issue of Witch Weekly, and Lily opened it up, she felt like throwing up. The title of the article said something about Malfoy heir back with an old flame, and below was a picture of him and Beth Goyle. They weren't kissing, which was a relief for Lily, but she couldn't deny that they looked quite lovely together. She dropped the paper, without bothering to read the article and left the hall, muttering an excuse to Cassie.

Lily wondered the grounds for several hours, staying out long after the sun had gone down. When the air was too cold to bare she went inside the castle, roaming once again. She wasn't looking where she was going when she bumped into someone. She would have been knocked to the ground had it not been for a pair of strong, familiar arms wrapping around her. Teddy pulled her to him, holding her against his chest. Lily closed her eyes, wishing for the first time that he was someone else.

"Lily, are you ok?" He spoke into her hair, inhaling her scent. "You left dinner, and you weren't in your classes."

"I'm fine," she said. She didn't want to move just yet. It felt safe with Teddy, though she knew it shouldn't after everything he put her through.

"I know, Lily. I saw the article."

Lily couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. "You read Witch Weekly? The gossip column?" She pulled back to look at him. His brown eyes were warm, and hair was blue, her favorite color on him.

He looked mildly embarrassed as he tried to brush off the question. "I saw McGonagall reading it." His hair turned a bright shade of pink.

"Sure, Teddy." Lily laughed again pulling away.

"You want to talk about it?" He asked.

"I just want to forget about it," she answered honestly.

"Ok, well you must be hungry. Let's get something to eat."

Lily didn't bother arguing, she was quite hungry. They entered through the pear painting, the elves all too anxious to serve them. They ate in an awkward silence. Once they finished Teddy insisted on walking her to her common room.

"You could get in trouble being out after curfew." He smiled, pulling her out of the kitchen. "You need me."

"I don't need anyone," Lily said defiantly.

"I know," Teddy said eyeing her. "That's the problem."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lily said watching her feet as they made their way to the Ravenclaw common room.

"It's not supposed to mean anything," he said. "It means that you don't let yourself go anymore. I don't think you ever really did."

Lily stayed quiet, not wanting to have the conversation she was sure Teddy was getting at.

"Lily," he said stopping in the middle of the hall. "I am sorry for what I did. And I would like it if we could at least be friends again. I should have never been like that with you. You mean too much to me to lose you."

"Teddy—" Lily started.

"I'm not saying we should start things up again. I can see now that you have moved on. But I want our friendship back, if I cant have anything else, at least that."

Lily looked at Teddy's genuine face. She had missed their friendship, but she wasn't sure she could really be just friends with him after everything.

"Ok," she said slowly. "Let's work at a friendship again."

"And then…" Teddy smiled mischievously.

Lily laughed, slapping his arm. "Professor Lupin! I'm scandalized," she joked.

Teddy left her just outside of her common room, where the two said a slightly awkward goodbye. Lily hadn't felt that comfortable around Teddy since before they had started their fling. They really felt like friends again.

Vera was waiting inside the common room when Lily got there.

"Where were you?" Vera asked.

"Just wondering around." Lily answered shortly. The tension was clear between the two girls as the darker one stared at the other. Lily walked out of the common room, Vera following her, and into her dorm. Lily began getting ready for bed, but Vera just sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for Lily to finish.

"Is there something else you need?" Lily asked, trying not to sound too annoyed with her friend.

"Why are things so weird with us now?" Vera looked like there was something else she wanted to say, but chose not to.

Lily sighed loudly, sitting on her own bed with her legs crossed.

"I don't know. I guess I think you were a little unfair to Albus. I mean he was really sorry and you just kind of blew him off, and I know you're talking to someone else."

Vera looked away from Lily quickly. "He's the one that hurt me, Lily. I really liked him and he went and treated me like dirt, and said some really mean things."

"You have to understand that he lives in James' shadow. Just because he looks like my dad doesn't mean he is like him. James is really outgoing and likeable, and Albus just kind of fades into the background. He was just hurt."

Vera looked at Lily, her eyes slightly watery. "I was too."

"If you still care for him then why are you writing to someone else?"

"Why did you start seeing Scorpius when you were still in love with Teddy?"

"Are you in love with my brother?"

Vera looked at her, waiting for a response to her question.

"I guess I felt something for him too, and he helped me forget."

"So he was your rebound?" Vera looked slightly shocked. Lily never thought of Scorpius as a rebound and she certainly didn't now.

"It wasn't like that. I waited quite some time before we started dating. But in some ways I suppose he did help me get over Teddy." It hurt Lily to think about Scorpius after everything, and Vera could see that.

"I heard about the article. Is that why you were hanging out with Teddy tonight?"

"How did you know that?"

"Hugo." She answered without elaborating. Lily figured he must have seen them go into the kitchens, seeing as he made extra trips there almost every night.

"I guess it's just nice to be friends again."

"I know the feeling." Vera eyed Lily meaningfully. Lily got up, and hugged her best friend.

"I've missed you," Vera said.

"Me too. " Lily said. "And whatever happens with you and my brother I want you to know I am here for you."

Vera pulled away. "I've been writing to James." She looked ashamed, even though Lily could hardly see her hidden behind her raven hair.

Lily looked as if she had been slapped. "What?"

"Lily—"

"How could you do that to Albus? How could you put me in this position!" Lily stood up, glaring at her friend.

"You don't understand!"

"Of course I do! I know how charming James is. That doesn't give you an excuse to do this to Albus." Lily felt her temper rising, knowing that she wouldn't be able to stop herself from exploding soon. "You should leave. Go back to Slytherin."

Vera looked defeated, and left without looking back, afraid to see the disappointment and anger on Lily's face.

Over the next few weeks Lily began hanging around with Cassie and Hugo, since they had reunited again. She could only stand them for so long before their bickering drove her mad, so she began hanging around Teddy more. The two of them fell into a familiar, and comfortable routine. They would walk the grounds or have tea in his office. Some days Lily found herself venting about whatever was bothering her. She told him about Albus and Vera and James. She told him she didn't want to know what was going on in Scorpius' love life, so she cancelled her subscription to Witch Weekly. He listened, and didn't pass judgment. He didn't make any attempts to rekindle their relationship, so Lily began to feel like she could trust him.

"I don't know, Teddy," She complained one afternoon. "Vera hasn't spoken to me for over two weeks, which I am perfectly fine with, but I haven't heard from either of my brothers either."

"Just give it time, Lils." He stood up, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Things have ways of working themselves out."

Lily stood up. "I should probably get to lunch. Care to join me?"

"Wish I could, but I really have to get some of these papers graded. I'll see you later though?"

"Of course. I'll probably head to the library if you feel like meeting me there."

"Sure, see you then Lils."

"See you Teddy." Lily exited the office as Vera was walking by. Both girls stared at each other. Lily turned away first, heading into the Great Hall.

After lunch Lily went to her classes and then the library. Teddy stopped in to see her, but didn't stay long. They made plans to meet up in Hogsmeade that weekend for drinks. By the time dinner came around Lily felt her mind tiring from all the studying so she took a break to eat with Cassie, Hugo, and one of Hugo's friends, Jason Thomas.

It was clear that Cassie was trying to set her up with Jason, but Lily had known him for years, and never felt that way for the Gryffindor boy. By the time dinner was over Lily rushed back to her room, and fell asleep quickly. Her sleep wasn't peaceful and she woke up early the next morning feeling restless.

She got up and went to breakfast early, figuring she could get an early start on her studies. The Hall was almost empty except for a few other students, seventh years, who looked to be worried about their own impending NEWTS.

Lily sat down and began eating a bowl of porridge. After only a few minutes three different owls flew in. Lily recognized two of them immediately. She opened the first letter from her mother, reading it slowly.

My darling daughter Lily,

Hello, sweetheart. I just wanted to see how the term is going? We are all missing you very much. I also wanted to let you know that Victoire is hoping you will be a bridesmaid in her wedding this spring, so you may be getting a letter from her soon. I know this is a short letter, but I just wanted to see how you are. Your father is also pestering me to see if you have any plans for after Hogwarts. Write soon.

All our love,

Mum and dad

Lily smiled as she read the letter. She couldn't wait to be a part of Victoie's wedding. She scribbled a quick response letting her parents know that everything was well with her, and that she now planned on becoming a healer, which would no doubt please them both. She almost forgot about the other two letters as she sent her family owl away.

Lily took the letter from the unknown owl, and opened it nervously. She quickly recognized James' messy writing, and figured he must have used an owl from work to send her the letter.

Dear Lils,

So what is this I hear about you and Teddy hanging out all the time? I'm not the only one who's heard this, and you know that this doesn't fly well with me (no pun intended). I trusted you when you said things were over with you two, and I have been here for you, and then you go and start hanging around him again. I'm planning a trip to Hogsmeade soon, so we'll talk then.

James

Lily couldn't help the anger that bubbled inside of her. She resisted the urge to write back accusing him of more than being an inconsiderate git, which he was being at this point. She had quite a few things she would be saying to him once he came to Hogsmeade, which she doubted he would even do. After she calmed down, she took the last letter.

She traced her name with her fingers, written in familiar writing. She took a deep breath and carefully opened the letter.

Dear Lily,

I don't know where to start. I miss you. I've heard that you are spending time with Lupin again. I can't say that doesn't hurt. I wish you understood how I feel about you. Please just write me back. I would like to see you before the end of term. I was thinking about stopping by for the next Quidditch game. Perhaps then we can talk about things.

Yours,

SHM

Lily read the letter several times, trying decide on an emotion. She settled for frustrated. Who did he think he was? And why did he care so much when he was off with Beth Goyle? Lily shook the thought off, thinking instead of who might have been telling people she was spending time with Teddy. She racked her brain throughout the rest of breakfast, as the other students filtered into the Great Hall. As soon as Vera entered, Lily saw the look of guilt on her face and knew.

Lily stood up quickly, and motioned for Vera to follow her. Cassie saw the gesture, and followed, despite the cold look Lily gave her. The three girls found an empty corridor, and Lily stood rigid, waiting for Vera to say anything. When the silence carried on too long, Cassie, tried to speak, but both girls gave her a look.

"Lily," Vera finally spoke. "I know what you think of me, but just give me a chance to explain."

Lily shook her head. She didn't want to hear an explanation, or an apology. Realizing this, Lily looked at the girl she thought was her best friend.

"I just can't trust you at all anymore." Lily said before running out of the room, tears in her eyes. Her eyes were blurry and Lily hadn't realized that she bumped into someone until she was on the ground. She looked up and gasped. Scorpius was standing in front of her. He kneeled down, picking her up and brought her to his chest. She inhaled his scent, minty winter, and wondered if she was dreaming. If she was she really didn't want to wake up.

AN: Hello dear readers! I am finally done with classes, and am able to write again. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, it isn't my favorite, and I hate leaving it off with a little cliffhanger. But, alas, do not worry I am working on the next chapter already.

I also really want to thank those of you that are reviewing. You guys keep me going, and I really mean that!