Chapter 1: Little Red's got spunk

"C'mon Lily-pad, you'll see Mum and Dad at Christmas" James Potter called to his little sister.

Lily looked at her parents one final time and although she was practically jumping with excitement, she could also feel a miniscule piece of anxiety buried deep within the pit of her stomach.

"Bye Dad, bye Mum" she whispered as they drew her into a hug one final time. "Don't worry about your sorting, sweetie, you'll be a member of our family no matter what." Harry Potter, Lily's father, murmured to her.

"I know Daddy" she kissed his cheek "I'll write Mum, see you at Christmas" she called before running after James and Albus who had already boarded the train.

Ginny Potter glanced momentarily at her husband, "you're worried about her aren't you?" she asked him.

"I can't help it" Harry moaned "she's our youngest, not to mention how often she gets sick, she was sick so often last year. I just feel protective of her is all."

Ginny smiled gently "I think Lil's stronger than any of us give her credit for, she's always been protected by her brothers and I know she's scrawny but she's an intelligent girl and has a very sharp wit. I think she's mentally stronger than probably the whole family."

Harry still looked unsure.

Lily boarded the train and set out to look for her brothers. She reached the compartment they were sitting in with her two cousins, Rose and Hugo Weasley. She heard James saying something about her and Hugo's sorting and before she knew what she was doing she was slipping past the compartment.

She sat down in an empty compartment and looked broodingly out the window as the train began to chug along the tracks. She let out a sigh, she was sick of talk of the sorting. What did it matter what house she was in? It wouldn't change her personality, would it? She would still be Lily either way! James and Albus were so sure she'd be in Gryffindor that they'd practically stolen the sorting hats job.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sliding open of the compartment door. Before her stood a young boy, he stood casually leaning against the wall with an arrogant smirk spread across his pale face. His hair was a platinum blonde and fell in a messy fringe across his face; his eyes were a startling stormy grey and were filled with the unmistakable air of mischief.

Lily found herself admiring his fine featuring and was desperately itching for her sketchpad and pencils to draw the figure before her but once again her thoughts were interrupted this time by a cocksure drawl.
"You can invite me to sit down, once you've finished staring" his smirk growing as he spoke.

"You're welcome to sit down if you can climb down from your high horse!" she retorted. She was already enjoying herself.
The boys mocking expression immediately changed to one of pure shock but he regained his composure just as quickly. "Little red's got spunk" he stated.

"Arrogant blonde's got futile retaliation" Lily's response was fast and once again the boy looked taken aback.

"Those are awfully big words you're using, firstie." He had obviously spotted her lack of tie.

"You might as well be one too, considering the semblance of your intellectual capacity"
He grinned widely refusing to be offended by her snide remarks. "I'll have you know my intellectual capacity is as high as a…" he paused as if considering what foolish think he would say next "a glass of firewhiskey."

She almost laughed "I'm guessing that the glass is half-empty?"

"Ahh, a pessimist I see, that means the relationship you were hoping would occur between us won't happen, you're completely correct by the way, I'm a third year that means I'm way too old for you."

Lily stared at him, for a moment. Lost for words, was this imbecile serious?

"You must be an optimist then, hoping I'm interested? Just so you can turn me down with the excuse that you're too old for me?" she regained her composure and took immense delight in seeing the boys smirk falter. "I understand, it's hard being outwitted by an eleven year old, but believe me you're not the first I've outsmarted. I've outdone adults, I could have killed Voldemort with words." Her voice reeked of false sympathy.

"Well you certainly couldn't have defeated him in a fist-fight you're like a spider all legs and hair, I doubt you've ever experienced warmth considering you're so thin." The boy was slowly admitting defeat Lily could see it in his expression. "So, have you thought about what house you'll be in?" the boy looked at the girl with a curious glaze to his eyes.

"For Gods sake," Lily muttered "does your house really matter that much at Hogwarts?"

"Well it's pretty important because it determines who you'll be friends with and where you'll sleep and stuff…"

"So are you saying that I can't be friends with people who aren't in my house?"

The blonde boy hesitated "well, it's not a regular occurrence but it is possible, except if you're a Slytherin we're kind of the underdogs in that genre, because no other houses likes us, thanks to the Gryffindors."

"Oh so you're a Slytherin then?" Lily glanced at him.

"Yah, Yah I am and can I just say it's probably the best house, so you should think about joining us, not that I care what you do" he added quickly, blushing slightly.

Lily rolled her eyes and flicked her hair over her shoulder "so in other words you're bias?"

"I guess so, but it's kind of natural I mean everyone thinks their own is the best."

"I suppose they do" Lily agreed she then pulled a book from her bag Lord of the flies by William Golding and blatantly ignoring the boy began to read.

She was just getting interested when she was interrupted once again by the boy.
Poke.

Lily ignored the boy and made an attempt to continue but the boy was persistent and Lily was finding it very difficult to concentrate

Poke.

Kill the beast cut his thro…

Poke.

Cut his throat, spill his blood.

Poke.

Poke.

Poke.

Poke

PROD.

"What?" Lily said without looking up from the book, the frustration in her tone was obvious but it didn't faze the boy, nothing fazed the boy.
When there was no reply she turned her head, the boy's face was right beside her and he moved in closer so that their noses were touching. "What are you reading?" he whispered his breath was hot as it fanned across her face. Lily felt a blush flood her cheeks but she didn't pull away; she never withdrew from a challenge. "Lord of the fli…" she was interrupted by the slamming open of the carriage door.

James Potter stood before them and Lily instantly moved her nose (which had still been tipping the boys) away.

James face dropped when he saw who Lily was with. "Lilypad, what on earth are you doing with that snake?"

"James are you feeling alright? You're very much mistaken for this is clearly a boy"

The blonde boy stifled a snicker and this seemed to make James even more aggravated.

"Lily that's a Malfoy and a Slytherin, so, no I'm not mistaken. That's a snake."

Lily pushed a hand in front of the boy to prevent him from lunging at her critical brother and seeming to mistake her, he took her hand and kissed it gently or maybe he just did it because James was standing before them. Lily rolled her eyes but couldn't deny the blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Get your filthy hands off my sister." James' expression was now one of such complete and utter horror and anger that Lily found herself becoming nervous.

"You're a Potter?" the boy's expression changed from mocking to hostile in a second "well, I never would have guessed you look different from all the rest, but the friendship that was blooming between us is now officially over."

To her surprise Lily felt her heart sink but she ignored it and turned to glare at him. "So you're Scorpius Malfoy, the one my brothers always complain about? I guess I'm a little disappointed. From what I heard I thought we'd make great pals. But I hate people who make generalisations about me because of my family name so I'd have to agree with you. Our friendship if that's what you'd call it, is over, I never even introduced myself." She shook her head faking sorrow.
Suddenly the boy burst out laughing "I can't help liking you even if you do insist on being a Potter, go on then introduce yourself."

"Lily, Lily Luna" and she grinned.

"Lily do not acquaint yourself with him" James' voice cut through their moment.
"Lily will be in Gryffindor so don't even think about recruiting her into you're little group" he sneered at Scorpius.

"I dunno Potter, Slytherin's never denied a pretty face" Scorpius grinned, "and boy does your sister have one of those!"

Lily knew he was trying to get to James but she couldn't help but feel flattered.

"C'mon Lilypad we're leaving."

"You do know that I can make decisions myself?" Lily asked but got up a followed him from the compartment.

"Bye Lily, I'll see you in Slytherin" Scorpius called.

"Maybe you will, Scor, Maybe you will" she retorted.