Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters
Astoria Malfoy sat on the beach in the company of her husband. She enjoyed the warm weather as she rested in the sun's rays while Draco appeared to have fallen asleep beside her. She watched as her son wrapped his arms around the young woman before throwing her into the water. Lily Potter was not what Astoria had expected, but she couldn't deny that the girl seemed to fit perfectly with her son. Her wit allowed her to survive the dinner with the elder Malfoys. She smiled as Lily yelled something about "paying for that" toward her son. She looked over at her husband, who was lightly snoring. She brushed a strand of his blond hair out of his face and smiled, remembering the first time they met. It wasn't natural, like her son and Lily. Draco and Astoria were brought together by their parents, which she was now grateful for, though at the time she was quite upset about it. She tried her hardest not to like Draco, and even started seeing someone else, determined not to follow the rules her family set out for her. Over time, though, she couldn't deny he was charming, and eventually she found that she was in love with him. And after all the years, he still found ways to charm her. She gently shook his arm waking him.
"Love, I think we should go back to the beach house," she said eyeing the younger couple.
He yawned and rubbing his eyes, sat up. "Right," he said still sleepy.
Lily screeched loudly as Scorpius wrapped his arms around her, threatening to throw her into the water again.
"Don't you dare, Malfoy." Her voice was menacing, but Scorpius only smirked.
"Oh, so we're no longer on a first name basis?" He eyed her conspiratorially, though Lily wasn't quite sure what he was planning on doing. He pulled her against him, lowering his lips to her ear he whispered, "Should I call you Malfoy too then?"
"I'm not a Malfoy," she said.
"Yet," Scorpius added. He smiled widely at that and kissed her softly. Taking her face in his hands he deepened the kiss. With her mind all fuzzy from the kiss Lily couldn't help but think of everything that happened over the weekend, and was reluctant to leave at all.
"I don't want to go home," she breathed against his lips. The air was beginning to lose its heat from the setting sun causing a shiver to run through her.
"I know what you mean," he said. He pulled her close, trying to warm her. "We should go inside." He lifted Lily and carried her out of the water, despite her loud protests.
"If you don't put me down now," she threatened, causing Scorpius to laugh buoyantly.
"Your empty threats don't work with me, love." He carried her back to the house to prove his point. When he finally set her down she looked at him, the rage clear on her face, though he could also see a hint of amusement hidden behind her frown. A smile tugged at her lips before her foot crashed down on his toes. Scorpius wailed, partly surprised, and partly out of pain.
The summer carried on much less eventful than it had started once the two were back home. Scorpius was away often for work, so Lily threw herself into planning her friends wedding. Vera seemed to be distracted, though she was almost always with the girls. Cassie noticed too, but uncharacteristically kept her mouth shut.
A month later and Lily and Scorpius still hadn't announced their engagement to their friends or family. Scorpius was on a lunch break and the two were sitting on the new sofa that her parents purchased for the flat Vera and her shared. James was around sometimes, but was often away for work.
"I don't want to take away from Cassie's focus right now." Lily said in reference to her reluctance to announce their sudden engagement. Truthfully she wasn't sure how the majority of her family would react, and she wasn't prepared to deal with any accusations.
Scorpius let out a long frustrated breath. "I understand," he said half-heartedly. Running his hands through his hair he stood up to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to get back to work," he still seemed frustrated with Lily. She stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist pulling herself to him.
"But you just got here." She didn't let go, though Scorpius made no move to hold her.
"It's a busy time for the department." He didn't elaborate further as he broke the hold Lily had. He held her hands for a few moments to soften the blow, but the feeling of rejection washed over her. He gave her a chaste kiss before turning to leave.
"Ok," she said quietly. "Will you at least be able to come to the wedding?"
He didn't turn to look at her, but paused with his hand on the doorknob. "I don't know," he said before pulling the door open and leaving.
After he left Lily busied herself again, knowing that he was probably tired from all the work he had been doing for this new case. She couldn't blame him for his frustration with her, she knew it was hard for him to keep the engagement a secret. But that frustration was quickly turning to anger.
Instead of dwelling on the fight Lily decided to spend some time with her family. The days quickly blurred together, and though she and Scorpius had made up there was still a distance between them. As the wedding approached Lily resolved that she would be going alone.
The morning of the wedding Lily woke up to James making breakfast for her and Vera. Both girls ate in silence, though James tried to make conversation with them. Finally the two girls began getting ready. Vera did Lily's makeup as she always did, while Lily used charms to make the little flowers in Vera's hair change colors. The two girls stood side by side, staring at their reflections in the mirror. They were almost opposite in appearance, but so similar at heart. Lily grabbed her best friends hand. Vera squeezed Lily's hand in response.
"I don't know why you're doing it, but I really think you should let my brother off the hook." Lily tried not to get in the middle of the two for the simple fact that she couldn't stand to take sides or lose either of them, but it had gone on long enough. Vera was obviously distracted, and Lily had a strong feeling that it was die to the relationship catastrophe that had happened between Vera and Albus.
"I know," Vera responded, her voice low. "I just cant."
"Why not?" Lily turned to her friend. "Why do you have to hold a grudge against him? You're only making yourself miserable."
Vera's words were slow as she thought about the truth of them. "He hurt me, Lils. You know what that's like, don't you?"
"Yes," Lily said remembering how hurt she once was with Teddy, and now was with Scorpius, though she hadn't fully acknowledged it. He was ignoring her, and despite her desperate attempts to convince herself otherwise, the truth was now staring her in the face. "But that doesn't mean things can't work out if you want them to." Lily held up a hand, as her friend was about to speak. "Just do yourself and my brother a favor and either forgive him or move on. I hate that he is miserable, but you're like a sister to me, and it hurts me to see you like this."
"I just don't think I can," Vera said after a long pause before leaving the room. Lily waited a few moments before apparating to the park, where Cassie and Hugo were choosing to hold their wedding ceremony. Lily heard a pop and then spotted Vera across from her. The two girls walked in silence to the house where Cassie was getting ready.
"I didn't mean to pry," Lily said before they entered the house. They quickly found Cassie, and after helping her into her dress, prepared to walk down the isle. Vera went first and then Lily. Looking around the room Lily felt a stab of disappointment when she didn't see Scorpius.
The ceremony was lovely, as everyone expected. Lily and Vera stood by their friend, as she said her vows with a smile on her face.
As the reception took off, Lily and Vera found their seats, both seeming distracted. Cassie's voice tore Lily out of her focus and back to the present.
"Hugo," Cassie admonished. "You know I can't eat fish right now." She didn't seem angry, but rather looked as though she was going to be sick.
"Of course, love," Hugo quickly removed the food replacing it with a more suitable chicken dish. Lily looked at Vera, and both girls had a look of shock and then recognition cross their expressions.
Lily discreetly excused herself and Vera followed. They headed towards the open bar, both girls grabbing a glass of Champaign. Lily took a large drink from hers, while Vera drowned her glass in one gulp, and ordered another. She sipped on the second glass a little slower this time.
"You don't think she's pregnant," Vera finally said what both girls were thinking.
Lily took another large gulp, this time emptying her own glass. She gestured for another. "It would explain a lot," she finally responded.
"I just wonder how we hadn't noticed before now." Vera straightened her dress as she sipped slowly on her drink.
"We've been so wrapped up in our own lives." She brushed her fingers through a loose red curl. "We can't say anything. At least not today."
"I agree. It's her day." The two girls toasted to their friends new adventure and began reminiscing on how much Cassie has changed since their first year.
"I still cant believe she was placed in Ravenclaw with you, Lily. She was always too busy flirting or fighting with Hugo to study."
"True." Lily agreed. "But she was surprisingly brilliant, especially with charms."
"And curses." They laughed loudly at that, remembering all the times she cursed Hugo in their early years. "Let's go dance!" Vera jumped out of her seat grabbing Lily and dragging her onto the dance floor. They danced clumsily, laughing as they bumped into each other and other people.
"Al!" Lily squealed as she spotted her brother, who was already heading in her direction, though his green eyes were locked on the darker girl. As he reached them, Lily saw that he wasn't alone, though she didn't greet the tall blonde with the same enthusiasm as she did her brother. It was probably the Champaign, but Lily felt that she deserved an apology. Al and Vera saw the glare Lily was sending toward Scorpius.
"Maybe we should give these two a little space," Albus offered. Vera stared at him, trying to suppress the feeling growing deep inside of her. "Want to dance?" He could hear the hope and figured she could too, but decided he didn't care.
"Albus," Vera started, but he quickly silenced her.
"I know things aren't the same," he said quickly, "but it's just a dance."
She didn't know what to say, so she placed her tan hand in his and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. He turned toward her and reached for her waist, bringing her close to him, but still leaving a little distance between them.
"I'm trying," Albus whispered before he started moving to the music, carrying her with him. "I miss your laugh," he said, moving his hand to gently stroke her chin. She moved to pull away, but his grip tightened. "Please, just let me, let me hold you for right now."
"I hate this," Vera finally said. She looked up at him, her eyes shining. "I hate that I can't just let myself be happy for once. I've always picked the wrong guy, and then you came along, and…it was right. Wasn't it?"
"Oh yes, Vera. It was so right." He pulled her closer to him, burying his face in her hair. The smell of coconut overwhelmed him. "Let's try this again. I mean, really try."
She didn't know if it was the Champaign, or her own mind trying to allow her a small bit of happiness, but she couldn't find the will to say no. "Ok," she finally said after a long pause. Gently he brushed his hand across her cheek and moved to kiss her. He was slow in his movements, taking his time to appreciate the proximity of her lips to his before tentatively placing his lips to hers. He quickly pulled back with a small smile before wrapping her in his arms and picking her up for a long, passionate kiss.
Meanwhile, Lily and Scorpius held a staring contest that could intimidate Voldemort himself. Lily stood with her hands on her hips, her head tilted slightly and her eyes icy, a stance she had learned from her mother. Scorpius stood causally, before a smirk broke across his face, only adding to Lily's irritation.
"Lily," he said taking a step forward and reaching for her, but she backed away out of instinct. He smirk quickly faded and was replaced with something else, which Lily thought was panic, though she wasn't sure.
"Come one, Lily," he said regaining some of his composure. He reached for her and this time she didn't pull back, though she still had a frown on her face. "I'm sorry" he pulled her in for a hug and felt her stiffen. "I know you're still upset, but you have to understand where I am coming from."
"I do," she protested. "I just need a little time." Pulling away she turned to leave, but he caught her hand.
"No." his voice was firm. "You don't get time. We have to work this out together." He ran his hand through his hair exasperated. Lily noticed for the first time the dark circles under his eyes and felt her heart soften toward him. Unconsciously, she ran her had along his cheek.
"You look tired," she frowned and the crease between her eyebrows deepened.
"I am," he said catching her hand and holding against his cheek.
"Of me?"
"Never!" He looked at her and finally she allowed a small smile to cross her face.
"You're working too hard. You need some sleep." Scorpius pulled her into his body and began to sway to the music, so that they weren't just standing on the dance floor anymore.
"I know. This case is getting the better of us. Al can tell you, we just got out of the office and came straight here."
"You should have gone home and slept." She leaned her pale cheek on his chest and inhaled his scent.
"I wanted to be here for you. Besides I don't sleep as good without you." He brought the hand that was wrapped around her waist up and ran it through her silky red curls.
"I miss the beach," Lily said remembering the nights they spent together sleeping and not sleeping in each other's arms.
"Me too, love."
"I love you, Scorpius." Lily pulled back to look at him as she spoke.
He smiled sweetly and pulled her head back to his chest. "I know."
"And I've decided we should tell our families taht we want to get married. First, though I would like to set a date, if that's ok with you."
Scorpius pulled back now, looking at her with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. "Really?" He said almost doubtful, thinking his mind was playing tricks from sleep deprivation and this was all and illusion.
"Yes, really. But first let's get you home for some sleep, then we can discuss the details."
"Hmm…" he said looking down at her through heavy lidded eyes. "I can think of a much better way to spend our time...alone…in my room." He smirked at her suggestively, but she only rolled her eyes and batted him playfully on the arm.
AN: Wow. That took a while, ha. Really, though, I have been so busy with school and I've had some writer's block with this story. Not making excuses, but I am sorry to those that were waiting for a new chapter. I feel that this story may be coming to an end soon. But, alas, do not worry I've more stories planned, and this one isn't finished yet. Long AN, so I will shut up now, and leave you with one request: R&R.
