Chapter 002

Scorpius Malfoy welcomed the end of what had been a gruelling week of advanced examinations. Merlin! He was so glad they were over. He crossed the school grounds heading in the direction of the infamous Whomping Willow. Many students had woken up in the Hospital Wing having been dared to touch its trunk by avoiding its flailing branches. He had not been one of them. He and his friends had learned the tree's secrets early on in their first year. That seemed so long ago now. Come Sunday morning he would be on the Hogwart's Express heading home and he'd have to decide what to do with the rest of his life.

His father wanted him to join the family business, but Scorpius couldn't help but think that he'd be wasting his life if he gave in to his father's demands. He wanted to do something new and innovative for a Malfoy. Maybe he could do something such as teaching the next generation to expand their minds. There was nothing dishonourable about becoming a teacher. His cousin Teddy Lupin was the Transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts and he seemed to enjoy the task.

Reaching his destination he picked up a stone and threw it towards a particular knot on its trunk. With practiced skill it hit its mark and the Whomping Willow froze in place. Scorpius sent a glance back towards the castle as he noted that this would be the last time he made the journey since he wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts in the autumn. He stood alone, though he supposed he should have waited for Albus. However, his friend was still in the great hall taking his Ancient Runes NEWT. Scorpius had finished early and hadn't fancied waiting it out. Albus would forgive him.

Feeling rather nostalgic he continued towards the tree and climbed into the secret passage under it. The familiar earthy scent met his nostrils. As he advanced further along the tunnel another scent met him, one that was out of place. Wisps of smoke had crept into the earthwork. Scorpius' eyes widened in alarm and adrenaline gushed through his veins. His friends were in trouble and he needed to be there to help. Scorpius pulled out his wand and cast a spell to clean the air. He hurried through the darkness to investigate the cause of the smoke. His heart pounded rapidly at the thought of his friends being trapped in their hideout.

At the end of the passageway the grate sat securely in place. Scorpius muttered a curse and kicked his way into the shack. He stared at the scene before him and dreaded his fears being realised. What in Merlin's name had happened and more importantly: where was everyone? He saw the remnants of a cauldron that was deformed and melted to the charred table. The walls were stained with soot, the floor charred in places.

"Malfoy"

His head snapped to the right at the sound of his name. There at the bottom of the stairs, he saw Goyle, Christian and Jeremy kneeling with Potter's sister slumped on the ground between them. Her head rested limply on Jeremy's shoulder while Christian held her hand looking grave. Goyle got to his feet so that Scorpius could get a better view of the girl.

Lily! His head screamed and he feared his heart would stop at the sight of her limp body.

As he rushed towards them, his silver-grey eyes narrowed on the petite redhead as he took in every detail. Most importantly he saw that she was breathing, although her breaths were shallow and rapid as she struggled to catch her breath. Her once vibrant emerald and silver robes that marked her as a Slytherin, was now caked in a layer of soot and covered with char marks. He knew she would be appalled at that later once she came round. She was terribly House proud his Lily. Her already too-pale complexion looked paler against the soot stains. Her eyes were currently closed but when open; were the vibrant colour of moss against bark after heavy rain. He called her name and her eyelids flickered open. Hesitantly she met his gaze briefly and then let it roam the wreckage.

He began to sigh in relief but then the anger set in. "What in Salazar's name happened?" He demanded to know, although he suspected he knew what had happened.

Lily returned her miserable gaze towards him and Scorpius felt his heart thud in response. "It was my fault Scor," She explained in a husky voice due to the smoke inhalation. "It's my fault. I got distracted and then poof! This place was ruined because I was careless. I'm sorry."

"Someone got careless alright but it wasn't you." Scorpius growled, shooting a glare at each of the others. "What started the fire? Another potions mishap?"

"Don't look at me like that." Christian demanded when Scorpius' glare focused on him. "You know how I feel about her experiments."

Scorpius inclined his head in acknowledgement. Christian was often vocal in his objection of Lily's passion for potions. They ended in disaster as frequently as they ended in success. Lily had destroyed around half her wardrobe as a result of a potion over spilling or exploding. If there was one thing Christian adored as much as the redhead, it was his damn clothes. Scorpius liked the man he really did, but sometimes he could be such a girl.

There was only one person there who was as enthusiastic about potions as Lily was and that man was Goyle. Scorpius turned his steely gaze on him. Arn Goyle met the younger man's gaze and shrugged. "These things happen when we're trying to cure common ailments." Goyle said casually. Now that Arn knew Lily was okay apart from being a little chocked up and embarrassed, he was able to be nonchalant about the situation. He hadn't been so calm when he thought she might have been seriously injured by the explosion.

Scorpius didn't like the amusement in Arn's tone as he failed to comprehend the severity of what happened. In Scorpius' opinion, it was fine them risking their necks, but it was not okay to put Lily in the path of danger. She was too important to all of them for that. The girl got herself into enough trouble without their help. Scorpius grabbed Goyle by the scruff of his collar and backed him against the wall. The older Slytherin may have half a foot on him, but Scorpius was far more dangerous. "Dammit Goyle, she could have been hurt!"

Behind him Lily shakily climbed to her feet using both Jeremy and Christian for support. "Scor leave Goyle alone. It wasn't his fault. We both thought my potion should be the more stable one. It had been in all of our previous attempts. There was no way we could have predicted that the powdered Bezoars would change that. If you're in the mood to berate someone then that someone should be me. It was me that persuaded Goyle to help me with my experiment here and it was my potion that blew up." Talking made her throat hurt. She covered the affected area with a dirty hand and groaned. Jeremy and Christian guided her back to a seated position and offered her comfort.

"And just what was the thinking behind setting up your potions here. You know there is little to no ventilation." Scorpius scolded, his head turning to glare at her. Lily chewed on her bottom lip as she set worried glances between him and Arn. Seeing her distress, Scorpius let go of his friend and headed towards the redhead. He knelt in front of her and cradled her face in his hands. There were tear stains trailing down her soot stained cheeks. He tried to smudge them away with the pads of his thumbs, while she stared at him through wide doe-like eyes. Knowing Lily wasn't a crier by nature, he guessed the smoke had made her eyes water, just like they'd given her voice the sexy tone he was trying to ignore. "Albus is going to kill me for destroying this place!" she protested.

Scorpius smiled weakly knowing that Al would do no such thing. This wasn't the first time Lily had almost been blown up by her own potion, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. It didn't stop him from almost having a heart attack each time it happened."Don't worry. It's not you your brother will be angry at for this. As long as you're unhurt it is unlikely that that he'll kill Goyle either. Maim him maybe, but that is no more than he deserves." He said sending a sneer over his shoulder towards Goyle. Arn shrugged in response. The man was too laid back for his own good. Scorpius hoped Goyle would get his act together before Albus turned up. Albus was fiercely protective of his little sister and was known to act irrationally when her wellbeing was concerned.

Lily forced herself to stand once more. She began swaying unsteadily so Scorpius stood and wrapped his arm around her, holding her petite curvaceous frame against his chest. He realised instantly that he needed to stop thinking about her curves. It was something he had been trying not to dwell on for a while now. Unfortunately they were suddenly all he could think about, especially since she was so damn close. He couldn't push her away because one; she needed his support and would likely slump to the floor without him helping her, two; he'd hurt her feelings, and three; he didn't want to let her go.

Damn teenage hormones, Scorpius cursed. They were such a bloody nuisance. If he didn't get them under control soon, he'd no doubt do something that would have her brother dismember him. If he was lucky, it would occur post mortem.

He had to remember that she was only sixteen but that was really difficult with her so close to him. He turned towards the others. "I'll take her upstairs so she can get some rest." The words passed his lips before he thought them through. He winced. He really was a glutton for punishment. "Tell Potter what happened when he gets here and send him up." Scorpius added quickly. That way it gave him further incentive not to do anything stupid.

"Do we have to tell him? Can't we put everything right before he gets here?" Lily murmured into his chest and Scorpius felt his gut tighten sympathetically and swept her into his arms.

"We'll do that petal." Jeremy reassured her. "A flick of magic here and there and this place will be as good as new."

"Everything is going to be ok." Scorpius added, ascending the stairs two at a time. Scorpius was sure the others wouldn't follow them up there as they took care of rectifying downstairs. Lily would have some time to compose herself before her brother arrived. Scorpius carried her up into one of the upstairs bedrooms that had been lavishly decorated the year Gabriel had graduated. That way they all had the option of crashing there instead of returning home or to the castle. Scorpius was glad to see the upstairs of the shack remained undamaged.

He set her down on one of the beds and her blush could be seen under the soot when Scorpius came to sit beside her. "I fainted Scor, can you believe it? I've never done something so girly and un-Slytherin before. It was truly horrific and it will never ever happen again."

Scorpius gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze; she looked so horrified that he felt the need to cheer her up."You really fainted, eh? Salazar Slytherin will be turning in his grave." Scorpius gasped in mock horror.

Knowing that he was teasing her, Lily sent him a withering look and brushed her fingers through her hair. The action drew her attention to the state she was in. She was embarrassed that he of all people was seeing her like this. How in Merlin's name was she going to get him to kiss her, if she looked like something her cat dragged in after foraging through the forbidden forest at night? "I look ridiculous. I need to get cleaned up." She said in alarm and tried to stand.

Strong hands kept her in place. "You aren't going anywhere just yet." Scorpius instructed, appalled by the suggestion. She was too lightheaded to remain on her feet.

"But my robes are ruined and I'm getting soot everywhere."

Scorpius struggled to fight the formation of a grin as he looked at her. She did look rather pitiful, as if she'd been without soap and water for months. Christian was probably throwing a fit downstairs thinking about how bedraggled she looked. He prided himself on turning the little redhead into a beauty. Thinking about how Lily usually looked, Scorpius was rather glad she was in the state she was in. She would be too much of a temptation otherwise. He wasn't certain he'd have the willpower to survive being alone with the redhead in a bedroom of all places. His mind raced with image of him having her in his room at home. He imagined her crimson hair veiled over the emerald silks of his bed; the soft glow of her naked flesh in the candle light and the surprised gasp escaping her parted lips as his tongue dipped between her-. Scorpius scowled at the forbidden thoughts. He really was a masochist. Albus would castrate him for sure if he knew.

Scorpius stood up to make some space between them. He ignored Lily's frown as she unsuccessfully tried to discern what he was thinking. Walking to the side table he picked up a bottle of firewhiskey. Conjuring two glasses, he poured a small amount into one and handed it to Lily. "It will help settle your nerves." He told her. Lily took a small sip as Scorpius downed his own serving in one. "I'll try to find a set of robes for you to borrow. I'm sure I kept an old set here somewhere. It'll be a little big but at least it will be better than the one you are wearing."

His gaze slipped over her as he noted each speck of damage. Her hands and face were grimy and her beautiful hair was singed in places. Her robes were discoloured and fire had burned holes into the fabric revealing the flesh underneath. His cheeks flushed at the position of several of the holes and he tore his gaze from her. It would be wise not to look at her until she was more suitably dressed.

"Dammit you really are a mess." He cursed. "You really need to think of a less dangerous profession. You have no idea how seeing you like this makes me feel. Have you no thought to what it would do to me; to any of us, if the next time your potion goes wrong, you get blown up in the process?" He cursed but he really didn't expect an answer. Lily stared at him blankly and he sighed. He urged her to finish the drink as he continued to rant.

Lily sipped her drink obediently in somewhat of a daze after his confession. She tried to catch his eye to determine whether he spoke the truth: if he truly cared about her that much. However, Scorpius wouldn't look at her as he continued to berate her. It hurt that he wouldn't meet her gaze.

Scorpius found his old robes in a chest of draws along with a ceramic bowl. He set them both on top and filled the bowl with water. He then began to rummage for some soap and towels so that she could get cleaned up. He knew Lily would not want her brother to see her in her current state. It would also give him a valid excuse to leave the room so that he could clear his head.

He set everything she needed on the dresser and headed towards the exit. He was about to leave when he heard her shiver. The action caused Scorpius' chest to tighten. He turned on the spot and finally looked at her once more. She remained seated on the bed with her arms wrapped tight around herself. She was truly shaken up over what had happened. He wondered whether the explosion had been worse than what the others had all let on. Whatever had happened, he couldn't leave her, he wasn't that heartless. Against his better judgement, Scorpius returned to the bed and pulled Lily onto his lap. Her whole body shook as she buried he face in his shoulder.

Lily didn't know what exactly had the tears flowing. It could have been what had occurred downstairs or the fact that she wouldn't see her brother or Scorpius at Hogwarts next year, or it could even be because Scorpius was finally allowing himself to get close to her and she'd missed him. She wrapped her arms around Scorpius and felt his tighten around her.

"Everything is going to be ok." He assured her as she tried to still her sobs.

As he held her body to his, Scorpius tried to stem the feeling stirring inside him. A year ago during one of their fighting lessons his body had pressed against hers and he'd discovered she was no longer the child he thought of her as. She was growing into a young woman capable of driving him crazy. When he'd discovered that his feelings for Potter's sister had changed, he'd tried to put some distance between them. He'd managed to avoid situations where they were alone in a room together; until now. Fates were a bitch for landing him in this situation.

Lily seemed oblivious to his inner turmoil. A fact he was truly grateful for. If she so much as looked at him with those doe-liked eyes of hers in a way that beckoned him closer, he knew his self control would snap. As he held her he went through all the reasons why he should keep his hands off her. One - she was sixteen and surprisingly innocent and naïve considering she was a Slytherin. Two - she was his best friend's sister. Three – she had always treated him as a brother and would not welcome his advances. Four – she deserved the best and he wasn't it, and five – she was Lily. All were excellent reasons for him to keep his distance, but it didn't stop him from wanting her.

Lily's sobs lessened and she shifted on his lap. Scorpius stifled a groan. "I think I'm ok." Lily admitted as she gazed up at him. She refused to mention the tears. She was appalled that they had started in the first place. Slytherin's did not cry.

Looking down at her, Scorpius noticed that her bottom lip still quivered and he had to fight the urge to capture them with his own. He really wanted to know if she tasted as sweet as he expected. He looked towards the door wondering where her brother was. Albus was a know-it-all-Ravenclaw, he should bloody well know that he was needed.

A strand of platinum blonde hair fell into his face and Lily automatically flicked it back behind his ear. The gesture that had been offered innocently was his undoing. Uttering a curse he leaned forwards covering her lips with his. Lust churned in his gut.

Lily was startled when Scorpius first claimed her mouth. She'd expected their first kiss to be tender but this was anything but. Still, she couldn't complain. Scorpius was actually kissing her and that was what she wanted, right?

His domineering lips glided over hers with the intent to explore. He tasted a trace of firewhiskey and smoke but also something sweet that was unique to Lily. It was better than he expected. His brain cells must have been killed off by the smoke, since there was no logical explanation for throwing caution to the wind like this. By kissing Lily he was flirting with death but he couldn't seem to stop himself. He nipped at her bottom lip with his teeth as she responded to his kiss. He heard the groan deep in her throat and made one of his own.

Lily parted her lips a fraction as the feelings overwhelmed her. Kissing Scorpius was better than Christmas, Merlin, it was better than the feeing she got when one of her experiments worked out. Every cell in her body was on fire and the thought of it ending was like the world coming to an end. She didn't want to lose this feeling for anything.

Scorpius took advantage of her parted lips and deepened the kiss allowing his tongue to trace the outline of her mouth. Lily groaned again and she slipped her hands tentatively over his shoulders, tracing the shape of them before she wrapped them around his neck. Scorpius' body hardened as his tongue plunged into her mouth. She gasped before she began mimicking the actions following each thrust of his tongue with one of his own.

Encouraged by her response and losing his mind a little, Scorpius laid her against the soft cushioning of the mattress. It never occurred to Lily that this maybe wasn't the wisest position to be in as she felt Scorpius' weight on her as he allowed his hands to do some exploring of their own. All she knew was that she wanted the feeling to continue. Lily traced the curve of his back as his hands brushed over the shape of her waist and hips before finally testing the fullness of her remaining curves.

He ground against her and her body arched into him instinctively; his name escaping her lips in a silent plea. She wasn't entirely sure what she was asking for but she knew that would be no going back beyond this point. Her legs wrapped around his waist, anchoring her body to his.

His fingers fumbled with the buttons of her robes and his hand was just about to slip beneath them when a loud cough at the doorway was more effective than if they had been doused with ice cold water. It was enough to chill the desire that had built up between them. Scorpius broke off the kiss, cocked his head to one side and wasn't surprised to see Albus Potter standing at the door. Scorpius had the almost overwhelming urge to punch his friend for the interruption and that surprised him. Hadn't he just sent a silent plea for the Ravenclaw to come and stop him?

This time his urge to groan came from an entirely different reason. Lily's face turned beetroot as she smoothed out her ruined robes. "He's definitely going to kill me." Lily whispered as Scorpius slipped off her in a way that hid her from Albus. She needed a moment to ensure her robes covered her.

Scorpius laughed harshly before brazenly kissing her once more on the lips, gently this time. "No Lily, I expect he is going to kill me." It took all of Scorpius' efforts to stand and wait for Potter's outburst. It was better Albus took his fury out on him than Lily.

UPDATED 26/07/14