Author's Notes: Thank you all for the reviews on Chapter 13, they make me so happy. I hoped you enjoyed it. Here's Chapter 14!

Hollandtheamoeba: The red stone was the Resurrection Stone. Just a random tidbit.

HorribleHolly: Hopefully by the end of this story you will like Lily and Scorpius! And Olivia just needs some time to grow up. She does have some legitimate issues; she just doesn't know exactly how to handle it.

Annetaco: I hate writing the Quidditch scenes as well; I'm trying to cut down on them too. Haha. It's a little necessary though, considering so many of the characters play Quidditch, and Scorpius and Lily are on opposing teams. It'll be interesting.

PassionatelyFeline: Hugo and Olivia have a lot in common. They both have large families, and both are surrounded by famous and more talented friends. They understand each other, or they could, if Olivia would let her guard down and open up, an idea that is both foreign and terrifying to her. Perhaps, one day, if she can do such thing, and focus less on being popular and well liked, a romance could form between the two, but as of right now, things aren't going too well. We'll just have to wait and see. As for the twins' escapades, Lysander wouldn't consider Hogwarts worthwhile unless he could encounter a giant or find a Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

Blue92: Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Don't worry, Lily and Scorpius will be on better terms relatively soon. Things are getting complicated to write now because I not only need to handle Lily and Scorpius and make sure things are mentioned at appropriate times and lead to the right things, the minor characters are going to be making even bigger appearances. And yes, the book was The Metamorphosis by Kafka. I'm so glad someone knew the book!

.: Thank you for the review. I'm quite flattered. I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

Chapter Fourteen: A Boy's Plan

Scorpius scowled as he walked aimlessly across the Hogwarts ground. He felt like all he did was scowl lately. His fourth year was not going as planned: Potter hadn't forgiven him, Arithmancy was suddenly incredibly hard, and half of his year was pairing up, yet he was without a girlfriend.

Not that he didn't have any offers. Plenty of girls batted their eyes at him as he passed, squealing and giggling, but he had never been attracted to that kind of girl. Their high-pitched noises hurt his ears, and usually there was nothing in between their ears but air.

However, there was a very pretty Ravenclaw in his Arithmancy class who actually could think for herself… perhaps Scorpius would ask if they could study together. Alone, in a secluded corner of the library… Scorpius smiled at his fantasy, but was suddenly jostled awake as if someone had dumped cold water on him. She had red hair.

Scorpius shook his head fiercely. That would not do.

There was another girl who he shared Herbology with. She was a Hufflepuff but nonetheless, she was very pretty, and mildly intelligent. She was quiet, which was nice, because then she wouldn't bug him with the useless rambles about nothing most girls were prone. Perhaps he could be a gentleman and escort her back from the Greenhouses, take the long away around so before entering the castle he could bend down and kiss…

Scorpius wrinkled his nose. The girl was way too short for him.

He sighed. There was no way he could date a Gryffindor—that was pretty much self-explanatory. He didn't have many options in his own year, either. Zabini had basically called Lael for himself. He rolled his eyes inwardly at Zabini misogynistic ways. He wasn't even sure if Lael was interested in anyone in Hogwarts. She rarely spoke and pretty much stayed by herself. Scorpius and her did homework silent in the Library most nights. He wouldn't mind dating her, but there was just something very off-putting about her that prevented him from experiencing any feelings for her.

Daisy would probably die from happiness if Scorpius even showed her some mild interest but he would much rather date the Giant Squid—as Jace put it, Daisy had some major Daddy issues that none of them felt like dealing with.

Perhaps an older Slytherin girl…

As Scorpius mused over his options, he became aware of someone behind him. He was past Hagrid's huts at the far edge of the lake, leaning against a tree. It wasn't a common area for most people to hang out as it was in the shade from the Forbidden forest; whoever was behind him was there for him.

He turned quickly, pulling his wand from his waist as he went, and leaned around the tree. He heard a squeak and saw robes dash behind the other side of his tree. Confused, Scorpius crawled forward just enough so that he could peak around the other side. However, once he looked, he saw the tail of a long, dirty robe whisk out of sight. Scorpius quickly turned and reached around the other side of the tree. There, facing him was Carys. She squeaked at being discovered, her cheeks turning red.

"What are you doing?" Scorpius asked. Carys bit her lip and looked down. "What?"

She didn't answer again. Scorpius sighed and sat back down against the tree, pulling one leg against his chest and leaning his arms on it.

"Fine," he said coolly, and continued staring out across the lake. He could see Carys in his peripheral vision shifting from one foot to the other in indecision before sitting down next to him cross-legged.

"Yes?" He asked, turning to look at her. She blushed.

"Hi," she mumbled. Scorpius chuckled at her behavior. She blushed again and looked at him through her dirty bangs. "I heard you told McGonagall I didn't curse Lily Potter's broom,"

Scorpius nodded, clenching his jaw.

"Thanks," she said softly. "I want to stay at Hogwarts,"

"You like it here, then?" He asked. Carys' eyes lit up and she nodded her head excitedly.

"It's so cool! I had no idea I could do magic until I got my letter," she said, the words spilling from her mouth in a rush. "I love all my classes and the castle is so pretty! I just wish people were a little nicer,"

Scorpius frowned. "Well, get used to it, because no one is going to be nice,"

Carys' looked down at her lap.

"No one will accept a Muggleborn in Slytherin house," Scorpius said, looking away with a small frown.

"Professor McGonagall said it would get better. That it didn't matter that I was muggleborn, I was as much of a witch as everyone else," She said quietly, trailing off.

"So prove it," Scorpius said suddenly and rather fiercely. Carys looked up slightly surprised.

"What?"

"If you let them push you around, then you deserve it. Don't let them step on you. Show them you're a real witch,"

Carys nodded, staring at Scorpius with awe. She sat up straight, her shoulders back, and her chest out. She gripped her wand tightly in her hand.

"Yeah, no one messes with Carys Ann Leachko and gets away with it!" She said fiercely. Scorpius laughed loudly. Carys smiled at him.

The two sat in silence, with Scorpius occasionally still chuckling. He leaned his head against the tree trunk and closed his eyes, enjoying the breeze as it blew across his face. Carys was making bracelets out of the grass.

"Malfoy?" She asked quietly.

"Hm?"

"Do you know who cursed Lily's broom?" She asked meekly.

"Yes," he replied, keeping his eyes closed. Carys dropped the grass in her hands and stared at him.

"Who did it?"

"Avery and his little gang,"

"Why didn't you tell Professor McGonagall?" She said, sounding hurt.

"I did," he opened his eyes and stared across the lake. "It was too late and there isn't any proof,"

"But—"

"It's hopeless, Carys. Let it go," Scorpius got up, put his hands in his pockets, and walked off back to the castle, leaving Carys frowning at the edge of the lake.

---

Scorpius hadn't expected for Carys to take his words so seriously. He was coming back from dinner with Newt when the trouble started. He walked into the common room, and saw Carys sitting in the armchair by the fire, usually reserved for Avery. It wasn't an exact rule but more of an understanding that the first years had to sit in the hard wooden chairs in the corner farthest from the fire. The other first years were looking at her with a mixture of disgust and awe.

Newt elbowed Scorpius and nodded at Carys. "Isn't that your damsel in distress?"

Scorpius shook his head. "She can take care of herself,"

Even if he said it out loud, he didn't exactly believe it. He made sure to take a seat with a clear view of Carys, just in case things got out of hand. Newt smiled and shook his head as Scorpius sat down in their not usual seat. Nevertheless, he sat with Scorpius and pulled his own wand out, holding it discreetly in his lap.

Within a few minutes, Avery and his gang entered through the portrait hole. Upon seeing Carys sitting in his chair, Avery frowned and stalked up to her, his robes billowing behind him.

"What exactly do you think you're doing, Mudblood?" He hissed.

"Reading my charms book," she said carelessly, flipping a page in her book.

"In my chair,"

"I don't see your name on it," she smirked. Avery pulled out his wand.

"Then I'll help you see it," he sneered.

"Mollis Cruris," Carys cried, whipping her wand around. Avery fell to the ground; his legs had been turned to jelly. Nott bent down to help him. Vaisley and Bletchley on either side of Avery pulled out their wands.

"Not so fast," Scorpius said, standing up and pointing his wand at the two; Newt followed seconds after, standing and pulling his wand out as well. Vaisley looked between the two as if considering whether or not to attack them.

"Don't even think about it," Lael said, standing up from her corner in the room. Scorpius didn't think he had ever heard her speak before; she had an accent that Scorpius couldn't place.

Avery stood up; Nott had finally taken the jelly-jinx curse off of him. He glared at the three of them standing before shrugging off Nott and stalking off to the boys dormitory.

Carys stood at the armchair, looking pale and surprised at herself. The first years in the corner were looking at her with a new regard. She turned to look at Scorpius and smiled, giving him a thumbs up. Scorpius shook his head, laughing sheepishly.

He turned to sit back down and saw Lael still standing, staring at him. She smiled slightly at him and Scorpius nodded back. She sat back down to her homework, her long blonde hair falling in front of her thin face. Scorpius continued to watch her. Lael reached her slender arm up and tucked her hair behind her face; she was still smiling.

Maybe Lael wasn't out of the picture after all…

Author's Note: That's Chapter 14. It's short, I know, but I wanted to get something up for you guys to read. And you get to see what Scorpius is up to. School is very difficult; they changed the grading system so that we all start class with a C, and they're making it nearly impossible to raise your grade. I'll try to update as much as I can, even if it is a short chapter like this. Please review!