So Long and Goodnight

written by: albe-chan

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction and I do NOT own Harry Potter or any of the characters mentioned, I am making no money from this, and any similarities with real life are purely coincidental. This work will contain MATURE THEMES, such as coarse language, mature subject matter (scenes containing graphic sex, non-consensual sex and sexual acts, nudity, etc.), and mildly graphic violence. Please, if you are not over the age of 18, or of majority in your country, DO NOT READ THIS! You have been warned!

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Chapter Sixteen

"You didn't hear this from me," came Albus's voice, sounding equally furious and resigned, making Scorpius glance up over his pint, then cast a subtle Muffliato around their table at the Griffin's Door, a little pub in Knockturn Alley that actually managed to keep up on their liquor license. They'd made plans to meet up for a drink when Scorpius had overheard that Lily was, at long last, going to be out for an evening, with her cousin Rose. He was pleased she'd be able to have some free time to relax, and unwind after a hectic week and half of him being on bed rest, and her going above and beyond nursing him back to optimal health.

Although if Scorpius was being honest with himself, he was far more pleased to have a night out himself, away from Lily and her well intentioned mollycoddling, now that he no longer needed regular Healer checks, that was both infuriating and adorable to the blond. And without Lily's shrewd and conservative eye on him, he could sneak a pint or two in with her none the wiser, and thus unable to nag at him how alcohol won't help him get better after the attack.

When Albus hesitated, grimacing into his own pint that Scorpius had ordered for him, then downing half, Scorpius felt his stomach curdle with foreboding. "Out with it, then," he said as his best friend wiped his mouth.

"The perps the DMLE hauled in on the weekend, well I guess they all flipped. Turns out that motherfucking piece of troll shite I once considered my brother in law was behind this, but there's not much to prove it," Albus huffed, glaring into the bubbles that rose in his beer with an expression that would kill if it were possible.

Scorpius bit back the urge to curse and smash his glass in frustration. He had been almost certain that, after he'd had time to think over the seemingly random attack against him, the only person with motive and money to spare to hire someone else to do their dirty work, was Thaddeus Nott. And now, hearing Albus confirm the Aurors suspected the same, but even with the actual thugs saying who'd paid them, without any sort of paper trail, or verifiable proof other than the testimony of the sort of wizards who'd sell out their grandmothers to avoid Azkaban, he knew it was almost the perfect crime. At least in the sense that their non-proof, Scorpius knew without having to be an Auror himself, meant absolute shit. And the likelihood of Nott facing any charges for the assault was almost nil without something more concrete to incriminate him.

"Lily's going to be furious," Scorpius finally said after they'd both silently drained their pints and waved for a refill.

Albus snorted. "You're going to tell her?" he asked incredulously as he lifted his fresh beer to his lips and took a respectable sip.

"Of course," Scorpius shot back, frowning. Hell, if anyone had the right to know what was happening, it was Lily. She was the one who was still half afraid to go out in public, even if there was sure to be a crowd of bystanders, or even Scorpius himself was present, convinced her psychotic bastard of an ex would somehow turn up and start something. "She deserves to know," he added softly.

"Mmm," Albus agreed, and then pushed a hand through his hair. "I don't know how you do it," he finally said after another long silence where they both drank just to do something with their hands and pass the time.

"Do what?" Scorpius asked, and lifted his glass to his lips once more, trying to push past the melancholy air that had descended around their little table in the otherwise lively pub.

Albus waved a hand vaguely. "Just like… I dunno. Deal with this shit. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful you're there for Lils, but really, I'd have gone straight to the Janus Thickey ward by now having to, y'know, deal with it all." He smirked the tiniest bit, and added, "Not to mention how you manage to handle Lily's temper. She's got a mean Bat-Bogey hex after all."

Scorpius forced a shrug, even as he gulped, because this conversation could lead to dangerous territory where he might admit more than he ought to around his love interest's older brother. "I don't think it's that big of a deal," he said dismissively. "Everyone needs a friend when times are shite," he added.

Albus snorted, shooting Scorpius a look that saw right through his attempt at making a strictly platonic facade for his feelings towards Lily. The blond gulped at his beer, hoping Albus wouldn't push him on the issue. "True as that may be, most blokes wouldn't be alright with getting the shit beat out of them for a witch they considered just a friend," Albus said softly. Scorpius opened his mouth, whether to refute or otherwise that statement, Albus didn't wait for. He held up his hand, shaking his head, and Scorpius paused. "I trust you and Lily for that matter, enough that neither of you would take some kind of advantage of the other in this situation," he said firmly, and drained his second pint. "And I know, least if I was you, I wouldn't try shit anyway, at least until the bond dissolution."

Scorpius nodded tightly, then finished his own beer and stood up, wincing a little at the sting of pain from his ribs, then threw some Galleons down to cover his drinks. "Noted," he said, and flung his cloak on. "I'm out. Next week?" he said.

Albus nodded, and as Scorpius made to leave he was surprised when his friend said, ever so softly and with a startling amount of honesty in his eyes and tone, "All things considered, mate, better you than anyone else, if I had to pick a wizard for my sister."

The words seemed to play on a loop in Scorpius's mind as he made his way home, half hoping Lily wouldn't be back already, if only so he could settle back onto the sofa in the living area and pretend he had been there reading all evening. In truth, he wasn't even sure how he got home, so preoccupied was he with wondering not only how he was going to tell Lily the latest developments in his assault case, but what Albus had said to him. He liked to assume the obvious comparison to the wizard Lily herself had picked wasn't a factor in what Albus had said, and that he was actually, perhaps, accepting of the fact the blond had long lusted for and secretly loved Lily. It was almost mind boggling to think, even over-protective Albus might approve of him, despite him being the closest to that particular Potter, for someone as lovely and resilient and utterly good as Lily.

He found himself smiling at that thought, unable to help imaging just what it might be like to have all of Lily's family approve of him at least trying to woo her someday, as he unlocked his front door. Thus, Scorpius found himself completely unprepared to come face to face with a furious looking Lily, who had clearly stood waiting for him to get back from his little pub visit.

He was even less prepared for the way, seeing those hazel eyes sparking with anger at him, posture radiating the utmost confidence to stand up to him, and mouth pulled into an impressive scowl, a sharp jolt of wanting and lust shot through him. He could only blink while his brain registered a definitely alcohol induced lack of filtering his thoughts about how she looked good enough to kiss.

"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" the redhead demanded at last, after Scorpius had closed the door behind himself and locked it once more, still staring at her with a mingled sheepish and intense expression.

"I was just out for a quick stroll. Figured the air was good for me after being stuck indoors for the last week and a half." He pasted on a charming smile that did absolutely nothing to soften Lily's apparent fury.

"Is that why you smell like you've had at least a pint?" she drawled with poorly concealed anger and an even poorer attempt to sound calm when he didn't elaborate. Scorpius sighed internally, knowing confessing now and asking forgiveness would be a far better plan than continuing to lie.

"Alright, Lily, I just so happened to go on a walk to the pub with your brother," he admitted, steeling himself to tell her the awful news he'd heard. He certainly didn't anticipate her instantaneous reaction that pushed all thoughts of telling her what Albus had spoken to him in confidence earlier.

"Are you completely fucking daft, Scorpius!?" she shouted, making the blond blink in stupefied surprise at her vehemence. "You are still on potions for your damn ribs, which includes a pain medication you absolute idiot, and you just decided to go and have a bloody drink!?"

"Uh," Scorpius said, but Lily's tirade continued without him having to respond with anything further.

"Did you even stop to consider that even the tiniest amount of alcohol might affect the regimen you've been taking?" the redhead blustered on, and when Scorpius only stared back as she drew in another breath, she threw her arms up in frustration while growling. "No! Of course not! Not the tough, arrogant Cruse Breaker! Never!" She stomped away from him, into the kitchen, and despite the fact he was being shouted at still, the blond found himself following, still marveling at this Lily, the one who seemed so much like her former self, more so than Scorpius had seen thus far, he couldn't look away. "Why in the name of Merlin's bloody bollocks would Mr. I-Don't-Need-St. Mungo's-After-Being-Attacked ever think before doing something stupid!"

"Lily," Scorpius said, smiling a tiny bit despite himself as Lily clanged a pot of water on the stove and set it to boil.

The redhead didn't seem to hear him. "And never mind that I got back from the first damn night out I've had with Rose in bloody ages to find this place empty, no note, and no message, assuming the damn worst case scenario for the past half hour!"

"In my defense, I didn't think you'd miss me," Scorpius replied evenly as Lily dropped a package of instant ramen into the boiling water.

"Oh of course, my bad," she snarled, then muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like 'fucking twat'. "Why on earth would I possibly be worried, wondering if those bastards who attacked you last time had come back to finish the job!" The last few words came out in a hysterical wavering shout, and Scorpius noticed for the first time the bright sparkle of unshed tears in Lily's eyes.

"Hey," the blond murmured, stepping closer and pulling Lily into a hug. "I'm fine."

"I know that now!" Lily said, even as she burrowed her face into his robes. "Didn't stop me from almost having a panic attack," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry," Scorpius said gently, pulling her closer and trying not to read anything into the way she snaked both arms around his waist to hold him in return, careful not to squeeze his ribs too hard. "You're right, I should have left a note at least," he admitted, rubbing his hands soothingly up and down her back.

"You should have," she agreed before pulling out of his embrace and turning back to the stove.

"I expected you'd be out longer," Scorpius added, and watched Lily smile sadly, that same little self-deprecating smile he'd seen for the first time almost a year ago, and the one that made him want nothing more than to hex Thaddeus Nott to within an inch of his life.

"So did Rose," Lily muttered, then sighed. "I came back early because I...didn't want you to miss your evening doses of potions." Scorpius didn't question the slight pause in her statement, simply watched her stir her noodles idly, and Lily was silently grateful he didn't notice her almost admission. She shot him a look that was much more reminiscent of the Lily he'd known growing up. "I know for a fact you won't take the Skele-Gro or vascular replenishing supplement if I don't make you."

Dark grey eyes rolled. "That was one time, Lily," Scorpius sighed.

"And you shouldn't be skipping any of them at all!" she snapped back.

"Duly noted, Healer Potter," he said, smiling and was relieved when Lily smiled back.

"Why was Al dragging you out to the pub anyway? He should know you're a stubborn arse who would refuse medical treatment, and I know he's at least aware you shouldn't drink alcohol in combination with pain potions."

Scorpius bit back a sigh as Lily waved her wand to add the seasoning and some fresh vegetables to the pot of now almost-cooked noodles, letting it steep together even as she placed a lid on top and turned off the range. "He had some news for me," Scorpius admitted, and pushed a hand through his hair as Lily looked up at him curiously.

"What kind of news?" Lily demanded. Scorpius, despite not wanting to, and thinking up a dozen other things he could tell Lily instead of the truth, retold what Albus had shared with him, and watched her face go pale. Unable to resist, he pulled her back into his arms, holding her close as she trembled lightly against him while she tried to process what she'd just been told.

However, the fear and terror that had leapt up her throat ebbed quickly in the warmth and safety of Scorpius's embrace, and Lily found herself swallowing past her fear that somehow Thaddeus was still able to ruin her life in a heartbeat, despite her having left him. She'd known it was a possibility, of course, but to have it confirmed… Then her temper kicked back in, and Lily couldn't feel anything except the pure rage that flowed through her.

Scorpius must have felt the shift in her, because when he pulled back to make eye contact with her, and she stared back, hazel eyes snapping with her anger, making her heart rate jump, he smiled back at her. "Now that's more like," he whispered. Before Lily could demand he tell her precisely what the hell he meant by that, because did he really not expect her to be furious after finding out her soon to be ex husband had ordered some goons to attack him, he leaned down and kissed her, whisper soft and ever so gently, on the mouth.

It was over before Lily could even really register that Scorpius had just bloody well kissed her, on the mouth, and instantly, her rage bled from her as something hotter scalded it's way down her chest, over her breasts, to settle low in her pelvis. So she did what felt right, and pulled him instantly back down, kissing him again, though harder, and with almost the same intensity as she'd glared at him in anger for what Thaddeus had done.

The world stopped spinning and the sands of time came to a grinding halt as Lily melted against Scorpius, who was snogging her with the kind of hungry fervor that made the ache within throb deliciously. She could barely breathe, let alone think anything coherent passed more. More of his hands grasping her waist, fingers clenching and relaxing ever so slightly before he finally lifted one hand to tangle it in her hair. His tongue slid sensually over hers, and she let out the tiniest groan of pure, aroused wanting as she grabbed fistfuls of his robes in an attempt to be closer.

It was pure and utter bliss, and Lily wanted nothing more than to see precisely where this might lead, and how many pieces of clothing might be discarded, so she could feel him against her completely, before the universe restarted, and she realized what she was doing. That it was Scorpius, and it was definitely not a good idea. She hadn't yet technically gotten divorced, and there was no way she could ever jeopardize her bond dissolution that loomed. Not to mention she didn't think she could handle not having the comforting presence of the tall blond on a daily basis to get her through to her end goal.

She broke away, looking surprised, staring up into Scorpius's dark grey eyes with a mingled mortified and horrified expression.

The blond, knowing that he had most certainly just pushed Lily far past what she was clearly comfortable with, like an absolute fool, cursed himself mentally before smoothing his face into contrition. "I am so sorry, Lily," he murmured, taking a pointed step back and pushing a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to-" He broke off midway through the sentence as his gaze dropped to the floor. "Please forgive me," he whispered, the crushing weight of his own foolish, selfish, and impatient actions making his shoulders sag before he turned away and walked, as swiftly as possible, into his bedroom before warding himself in.

Lily could only stare after him, wondering which had been the bigger mistake; kissing Scorpius in the first place, like a pathetic, love-struck teenager, or knowing she had probably blown any chance of ever having anything with the tall blond, even someday far down the road of life, right into smithereens.

It was almost precisely two weeks after that distinctly uncomfortable conversation with Scorpius and the resulting kiss, and the last possible day she could spare before her marital bond dissolution to retrieve the last of her personal belongings from her former residence, and Lily was not looking forward to her task. In all honesty, Lily was dreading the mere thought of stepping another foot into Nott Hall ever again, and if she didn't want her personal jewelry, mementos, and favourite books she'd purchased herself so badly, she'd have just written it off altogether. She'd already flaked out twice before, though, and her time was almost out to be within her rights to retrieve her things at all.

So Lily grit her teeth against the fear and anxiety, pushed it into a little box within that she locked away as deep in the back of her mind as she could, and with a brief pep talk to herself, under her breath, Apparated to the place she'd once called home. As she strode through the heavy front doors and into the grand foyer with its somber dark wood and dizzyingly high ceilings, the redheaded witch found she felt, stronger than ever, this would never be home for her, only now, that thought made her smile ever so slightly.

"Knew you'd be back," came the sneering drawl of the one wizard Lily actually wished death upon, and she turned bravely around to face her very-nearly ex-husband. Knowing in less than three days she'd be finally utterly and completely free from any sort of ties with the pathetic excuse for a man before her left Lily feeling fearless and strong. And she knew, if push came to shove, she would never let this wizard gain the upper hand over her ever again, even if she was the one to bring about his untimely end.

"Turns out you're more wrong than ever," she said coldly, knowing, in just a few minutes, both of her brothers and Scorpius would be there to assist her in moving her few belongings, and mostly standing guard for her own safety. The redheaded witch, dressed in Muggle jeans and a baggy jumper, pulled a piece of parchment from her pocket and extended it in her ex's direction.

Thaddeus Nott glared down at her, still sneering, and his bloodshot blue eyes narrowed. Lily couldn't help but notice when his hands balled into fists as his breathing grew heavier, and she knew he was fighting back his temper, and although she felt confident and sure now, the myriad memories that rushed through her brain in that breath made her stomach curdle ominously. She forced a dry throated swallow, telling herself not to show an ounce of the fear that began to snake through her. "Of course it could only be a matter of time before even such a boring bloke as Malfoy tired of you," the pureblood drawled, after taking a few beats to compose himself, and a cruel, dark smile twisted his mouth as Lily glared defiantly back into his flat blue eyes. "You never were particularly outstanding so far as a good fuck is concerned, honey."

Lily's teeth clenched, even as she felt fear and nausea rising within, and kept her icy demeanor and steady gaze on his eyes, refusing to feel cowed into humiliation from his lies and insinuations. Thaddeus's callous and demeaning words no longer held the same power to hurt her. Not now that freedom was close enough to taste. "Pity," she merely replied, unfolding the parchment she'd extended and slapping it against Thaddeus's chest as she made as though to breeze past him. "You've lost your edge, Thad," she added, because she couldn't let it lie entirely, and almost instantly regretted it as an iron hand clamped around her wrist before she could fully step past him, drawing her back around with crushing, bruising pressure.

"You insolent little slut," he growled through clenched teeth, shaking her roughly even as she tried to wrestle her limb free of his brutal grasp. "How dare you speak to me like that?" His flat blue eyes had Lily's stomach clenching in remembered terror, but she fought the urge to simply cow under this wizard's fists and bully attitude. She told herself firmly she had nothing to fear, because if he dared to strike her now, she'd have him in custody faster than he could call her a bitch, and logic reminded her her brothers and Scorpius would soon be arriving. It didn't stop her from flinching when Thaddeus raised his hand, poised to backhand her as he had so many times in the past.

"Lily?" a familiar voice called from the end of the corridor, the direction Lily knew the Floo room was located, and she felt a dizzying sense of relief as footsteps approached them in the entryway.

Thaddeus's mouth twisted and the redheaded witch couldn't help but smile coldly as he released her. "You'll still rue the day you crossed me, Lily," Thaddeus hissed. And even as Lily turned and broke free roughly from him and moved toward the sound of more voices from the Floo room now, in addition to Scorpius's approaching footsteps. "Run and hide, Mrs. Nott," Thaddeus called, and even though she didn't want to, Lily found herself looking back to find those utterly flat blue eyes and that icy mask of indifference she'd long ago loathed on her almost ex-husband's face. "Consider this your sporting head start," Thaddeus said, smiling ominously. "You should know, of all people, Lily, just how often I get everything I want." His eyes darted over her shoulder. "And I think I'll start with taking away everything closest to you, one by one. And I won't let some incompetent fool handle it this time, either," he finished in an ominous whisper.

Lily jumped as Scorpius said, much closer this time, and sounding far more concerned now, "Lily?" She whipped her head around and forced a smile, even as her stomach churned with anxiety. "Is everything all right?" he murmured softly, only for her ears, lifting one hand to hover under her elbow unconsciously.

"Let's go," she merely whispered back, shaking her head tersely. And without looking round again, walked quickly away from where she felt Thaddeus's eyes boring into her back and toward the sound of her brother James loudly, and probably on purpose, insulting the Floo room's decor.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello. It's been awhile, but this has not been forgotten! I hope y'all enjoy it, and rest assured this fic WILL BE COMPLETED, even if it's in an untimely manner, and the next two chapters are some I've personally been looking forward to!