Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: Quid Pro Quo (#3914)
Author: eiranae
Chapters: 6

Archive: Harry Potter
Category: Bookverse
Description: Sequel to Love Hurts. When Lily needed Scorpius, he was there for her. Will Lily be able to do him the same favor?ScorpiusLily
Published: 01 Oct 2008
Updated: 06 Jan 2009
Warnings: Teenage Angst, mild violence,
Type: General
Characters: Scorpius, Lily II, Harry, Ginny, Draco, Lucius


Chapter 1 - Disappointed at Dinner

A/N: This is the sequel to Love Hurts. If you haven’t read that story then you might not understand some things. I appreciate reviews.

Lily Potter stared at her reflection. No matter how many times her mirror reassured her, (“You look lovely, dear,”) her appearance did not satisfy her. She flattened a strand of auburn hair that curled as soon as her hand left it.

“You’re still doing your hair?” Albus said from the door. “I don’t know what you’re so worried about. It’s just Scor.” Lily could feel the heat rising to her cheeks before she saw the red tint in the mirror.

“Shove off, Al! I’ll be down in a minute.” He turned and huffed. She heard the thuds of his footsteps down the stairs. She glanced one last time at the red-head in the glass. Cinnamon eyes took in the red hair curling gently past her shoulders. Only a sprinkling remained of the girlish freckles that had covered her cheeks years previously. Womanly curves replaced the angular planes on Lily’s lithe form. Would he notice how much she had changed this summer?

She headed down the stairs when she heard the front door open smiling in anticipation. Her smile fell when she saw only James standing in the entranceway talking to Albus.

“Where’s Scor?” The apologetic look her brother gave her answered her question.

“His Dad said there’s some family matter that’s come up. He’s not going to be able to come this year.”

Her heart sank. She looked down at the new jeans and shirt she had bought for the occasion and bit her bottom lip.

“Oh.” She twisted a curl around her finger.

“I’m sorry, Lily.”

“Yeah—I’m going to go change for supper.” She turned back up the stairs.

Her two-way mirror sat on the oak bedside table where she had left it last night after talking to Scor. She thought of calling him but turned away from the small rectangular glass. It wasn’t Scor’s fault he couldn’t come, the rational side of her reasoned, but the disappointed side would not be swayed.

She took off her new clothes and put them away in her closet and chose an old T-shirt and some jeans with holes in the knees instead. Then she grabbed her new Silver Arrow and walked back down the stairs.

“I’m going to fly for a bit, Mum,” she said as she walked through the kitchen.

“Alright, but not too long—dinner is almost ready.”

“Okay.”

The sun was just starting to dip below the trees. Sweet perfume wafted from the flower beds surrounding the house mingled with the woody scent of the elms, oaks, and hickory trees in the nearby grove. She mounted the broom as soon as she reached the garden wall and kicked off carrying her thoughts with her into the air. This summer was supposed to be the summer she managed to pluck up enough courage to tell Scor how she felt about him. Lily had loved Scor since the end of her first year—no, even longer than that, but she wasn’t sure Scor felt the same. Her feelings were rather obvious, to her mind at least, but three years of Scor addressing her as nothing more than a friend made her wonder if she had misread all his previous actions. James had told her many times just be patient. You’re too young for a boyfriend anyway. Could James really understand how strongly she felt for her best friend? Lily thought that the likelihood was slim. She felt the radiant heat of her pendant against her skin. In the twilight of evening, the warm air streaming past her blew away some of her sadness.

The sound of her mum calling from the kitchen door brought Lily out of her musing. She landed on the springy lawn and walked to the door carrying her broom.

“Go wash up and call your brothers.”

Lily stowed her broom in her closet and washed her hands and face in the bathroom across the hall. The cool water felt good on her skin.

“James! Al! Dinner’s ready.”

She heard their doors open as she made her way down the stairs. She helped her mum set the table. James and Al sat down and launched into a conversation about the latest Quidditch match.

“We beat the wasps 250-10. We’ll be playing Pride in two weeks,” James said. He played chaser for Puddlemere United.

“Pride has excellent beaters, and their chasers aren’t bad either. They’ll be hard to beat.” Al said.

“Wood is killing us with practices this week.”

“That sounds like him,” Ginny laughed as she stirred a pot of cream.

“Yeah, too bad Scor’s going to miss the Tornado’s game,” James said. “We’ll flatten them this year for sure. Without Aunt Angie they’re doomed!”

“You’ll never convince Scor! Remember how he was last year?” Al laughed.

“Yeah, it won’t be the same without his deafening screams.”

They both looked at Lily. She busied herself trying not to cut herself with the steak knives.

“Bet he’s miserable.” James tried again.

“Yeah, poor bloke—wonder why he couldn’t come.”

They both looked at Lily again.

“I haven’t called him,” she said flatly.

“Why not!” Al looked shocked. She just shifted back and forth and continued to place silverware.

“Lily, you should talk to him,” her mother spoke up from the stove, “he would do the same for you.”

She thought about it. Mum was right. Scor wouldn’t avoid her just because he was disappointed. They shared everything, well, most everything.

“Okay, I’ll call him after dinner.” Both her brothers smiled happily at this and everyone started piling food onto their plates.

“I hope your father gets home soon.” Ginny said from the end of the table.

Lily’s father had been coming home late every night this summer. When anyone questioned him about it, he would speak of vague leads to dark dealings and tell them something was brewing. James, Al, and Lily had a hard time getting worked up over this never having experienced the dark times their parents had lived through. Lily merely felt annoyance that she got to see so little of her father. She finished her green beans, steak, and creamed potatoes before heading back up to her room. She sat and stared at the mirror for a long time before finally picking it up and whispering, “Scor.”


Chapter 2 - Miserable at the Manor

Scorpius could have easily heard the raised voices even if he hadn’t been standing with his ear pressed to the drawing room door.

“I can’t believe you would let your son consort with a Potter!”

“Father, there’s nothing wrong with Lily Potter. She is a nice girl.”

“She’s his daughter! She’s a blood traitor!”

“My son has done nothing wrong.”

“Have you no pride? Does the name Malfoy mean nothing to you?”

“Father, don’t you think it’s about time we faced reality? Times have changed. The Dark Lord is dead and Potter is the one that saved us from that nightmare. Scorpius loves Lily Potter. You might as well get used to the idea because if he has his way, she will be a Malfoy in a few years time.”

“OVER MY DEAD BODY! I refuse to see our family disgraced. The Dark Lord may indeed be gone, but there are still those who uphold his purist beliefs. If you and your son insist upon defying me, do not expect my protection!”

Scor heard a glass break and footsteps coming toward the door. He slipped into the library and hid behind a large bookshelf at the back of the room. The footsteps continued down the hall. He slid down the wall facing a line of foul looking books. Most of the titles were in latin, but a few wore names like Deadly Magic for the Deceptively Devious and Advances Toward Annihilation—Inroads to the Purification of our Society.

Scor thought about what he had overheard. Lucius had always seemed a bit mental to him, but his words to Draco were those of a madman. Would he really kill his own son? His grandson? Having heard so many of the stories of diabolical deeds his grandfather participated in, he would not put it past the man.

He stood up and crept out of the dark library and down the hall to his room. Posters of the Tornado’s covered one wall reminding him that he would be missing this year’s game. A picture of Lily, James, and Al smiled at him from his bedside table. Lily waved and blew a kiss at him shyly.

He flopped down on his bed missing her so much it hurt. His father was right, though Scor wasn’t sure how Draco knew it. Scor had planned on asking Lily to be his girlfriend this summer. He was sure Mr. Potter couldn’t object. She would be fifteen this year. Yes, father, if I have my way, she will be my wife one day. He had thought initially that his love for Lily would wane through the years, but if anything it had only grown stronger the closer they had become.

The Potters were so much like family to him that he could conceive of no better plan than to make sure they became so. He stared at the mirror on his mahogany bedside table hoping she would call. He wanted to apologize for not being able to come, he wanted to see her beautiful smile, most of all he wanted to tell her how much he loved her, but that was not something you told a girl over a mirror.

“Scor.” He could see the red hair from his position on the bed. He reached over and picked up his mirror and looked into her brown eyes.

“Hey.”

“You okay?” He could see the worry in her expression.

“Yeah I guess. Sorry I didn’t get to come.”

“Me too. You’re going to miss a great game you know.”

Among other things, he thought.

“Guess Al and James will have to terrorize the other team without me.” She laughed and his pulse quickened.

“I really wanted to see you,” she said softly looking at something he couldn’t see in her lap.

“I wanted to see you too, Lily. It’s dull as tombs here. I miss all the excitement over at your place.” He saw her countenance fall.

“Yeah…it’s loads of fun here…,” she said with a bit of sarcasm in her voice.

“Well look at it this way, you could be here,” he said looking around at his menacingly ornate bedroom. He looked back and saw her expression brighten. A mischievous look appeared where her frown had been moments before.

“Would you Dad let me!”

“Let you what?”

“Come visit you! If you can’t come here, maybe I could come there!” His heart started pounding in his chest. She can’t come here! Not with Lucius prowling around, but how could he tell her without hurting her feelings?

“I don’t know Lily.”

“Oh come on, it’ll be great! Don’t worry about there being nothing to do. I’m sure we’ll have loads of fun. You could show me that creek you told me about and…”

“Lily, I don’t think it’s a good time. I mean, I’d love to have you come, but…my family…it’s just…”

“I wouldn’t be in the way. I promise. I just want to be there for you like you’ve been for me.”

“Well…”

“It couldn’t hurt to ask.”

“Okay, I’ll ask, but don’t expect anything.” He saw her bouncing on her bed.

“Okay.”

“Promise you won’t get your hopes up?” The look on her face told him it was already too late.

“Promise.”

“Talk to you tomorrow then.”

“Goodnight Scor.”

“G’night Lily.”

He sat the mirror back on his table feeling a bit nauseous. How could he ask his father if Lily could visit? More importantly, how could he make sure his father said no?



The next morning he woke up early and ran down to his father’s office in his socks and pajamas. He hoped to catch his dad before he left for work. Just as he expected, Draco sat at the large mahogany desk reading the Daily Prophet with a scowl on his face.

“Father,” Scor spoke softly from the door.

“Scorpius,” Draco said looking up. “What are you doing up so early?”

Scor walked across the room and stood in front of the desk.

“I needed to ask you something. You don’t have to say yes…I mean it’s okay if you don’t want to…”

“Scorpius, why don’t you just ask me first.” His father gave him a brief smile.

“Well…Lily wants to come for a visit and I…”

“So the Potter brat wants to see how the other half lives?” Lucius’s cold voice pierced the atmosphere that had briefly existed between father and son. Draco stood his face dark.

“Father!” Scor turned to see the blond-haired devil smiling wickedly.

“You know I think you should invite her Scorpius.” Scor felt his stomach lurch. He wanted to hit the man, pound his face over and over.

“No, I don’t believe that is wise.” Draco hissed through clenched teeth.

“Oh come now Draco let the boy have his fun. How often does he get to invite a friend to visit? I insist.” The piercing stare Lucius shot at Draco chilled Scor. This wasn’t going as he had planned. He was sure his father would have understood and said no, but now…

“It’s okay. Maybe next year,” Scor said hoping to put an end to the glaring match between his father and grandfather.

“This year will be perfect. You will go this instant and send an invitation to your friend.” He looked back to his father noticing his fists were clenched and his eyes were flashing as he glared at Lucius. “NOW!”

Scorpius ran out of the room. What had he done? Could he possibly protect Lily from Lucius if she came? Maybe, and he hoped and prayed it would be so, maybe her parents won’t let her come. As he entered his room and went to his desk next to the window to find quill and parchment, he wished for something he never had before. He wished that he would not get to see Lily Potter this summer.


Chapter 3 - Just Breathe

A/N: I really appreciate all of you who have taken the time to read and review. All your comments have been very helpful.

Lily squealed with delight when Scor’s owl Xerces swooped down onto the breakfast table landing next to her plate. She anxiously removed his letter.

“He must have asked his father already,” she said.

“Asked him what?” Al looked over her shoulder as she read the flowing script.

“If I can come to visit.” She finished the brief note and looked down the table to where her father sat munching a piece of toast. “Scor’s invited me to come the week before school starts. Can I go?”

Harry looked over at Ginny. The silent communication lasted a moment and then her mother turned to her.

“Lily, I’m not sure that’s such a great idea.” Her mum looked a bit pale and Lily remembered the same fear in her eyes when she had spoken of her first year at Hogwarts and Tom Riddle’s diary.

“But Mum! He needs me. He’s miserable there all alone!”

“Lily, I’m not so sure I want you there with Lucius Malfoy. I don’t trust him. He’s mental.” Her father said and then stared through the bowl of scrambled eggs.

“Please, Dad. Scor’s done so much for me. What sort of friend would I be if I couldn’t put up with one barmy old git for a week?” Ginny looked back at Harry and Lily inwardly rejoiced as resignation washed over her parents’ faces at the same moment.

“I guess…”

“I suppose…”

“Yipee!” Lily jumped up and hugged her mother and father before grabbing a quill of the living room desk and scribbling a quick response on the back of the parchment. She tied it to the leg of the owl that had just finished her bacon, and it flew back out the window.


Later that evening as Lily moved around her room gathering up the things she would be taking back to Hogwarts, her mum came in and shut the door.

“Lily, you do know it’s two weeks until you’re going to the Malfoy’s right?”

“Of course—I just want to make sure I have everything.”

“Come sit down a minute and talk to me.”

Lily walked over to her bed and sat on the thick emerald comforter. The same look of fear still covered her mother’s kind face. On impulse, Lily wrapped her arms around her mum enjoying the familiar scent of vanilla lingering in her hair.

Ginny finally pulled away and gave Lily a serious look.

“Lily, you remember when I told you about the diary?”

“Yes.”

“About Tom possessing me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, what I didn’t tell you is that Lucius Malfoy gave me that diary.”

“What!” Lily felt sick. Her mother had shared the horrible experience of her first year at Hogwarts with her daughter to help her overcome her feelings of weakness. Lily had felt so small and gullible for being duped by the dead man’s ghost. Lily still remembered the tears they spilt together and the ache she felt having such a strange bond to her mother.

“He…did that…to you?” Ginny only nodded. Anger rose up like a storm inside Lily. How could he? Why wasn’t he punished—locked away to rot in Azkaban?

“Lily,” her mother’s soft voice interrupted her seething thoughts. “I’m not telling you this to make you hate the Malfoys. I just want you to be careful. Stay away from Lucius Malfoy if you can.”

“Mum, if you don’t want me to go…”

“No, Lily, you were right. Friends are there for each other. You need to be there for Scor, just…watch your back.”

“I will, Mum,” and she wrapped her arms around Ginny once again.


The day arrived for Lily to leave for Malfoy manor. They had arranged to meet Scor and his father in the Leaky Cauldron that morning and Lily’s stomach felt as though it was dancing about like a sprite.

“You’re so lucky, Lils,” Al said around a piece of bacon. “I wish Scor had invited me. Wonder what his house is like? Bet he’s got a whole wing to himself.” Lily didn’t open her mouth to correct him for fear she might be sick.

“Well, if the rooms are as big as the cellar...,” Harry spoke up from the head of the table. “The drawing room is rather large actually.”

“Did they really throw you and Uncle Ron in the cellar?” Al looked ecstatic.

“And Luna and Dean and Olivander as well.” Lily felt her stomach squirm. The smell of bacon was beginning to make her queasy.

“Wonder if that’s where you’ll be staying, Lily?” Al said turning to her. “Nice and dark—it’ll be just like Hogwarts!”

“Al,” Ginny glared at Albus and he returned to his fried eggs.

“Well, we’d best get going, Lily.” Harry said after finishing his last bite of bacon. She stood without a word and moved up the stairs clinging to the banister. She opened the door to her room and took one last look around to make sure she had packed everything. She picked up her two-way mirror and slipped it into her jeans pocket. Her opal pendant lay in the open box on her vanity. She ran her finger over the smooth stone and watched it glow. She pulled it out of the box, lifted the chain over her head, and closed the empty box stowing it in her trunk.

“Got everything?” Harry said from the door.

“I think so.” He waved his wand and levitated her trunk down the stairs to the front door. She hugged her mother and brother (James had already left for Quidditch practice), told her mum she would see her at Christmas, and stepped out the door into the sunny yard. She took her father’s arm when they were far enough away from the house. Harry turned on the spot and they squeezed their way to the Leaky Cauldron.


It took a moment for Lily’s eyes to adjust to the darkness in the small pub. The smell of alcohol and smoke assaulted her senses immediately. The bartender greeted them pleasantly and directed them to one of the private parlors in the back where they were told Mr. Malfoy and Scorpius waited. Lily felt the butterflies return to her stomach in full force. She clutched her father’s arm for support.

“You okay?” He smiled down at her and patted her hand gently.

“Yeah.”

Lily’s heart nearly stopped when they entered the small parlor. Scor and Mr. Malfoy stood to greet them. She wasn’t the only one who had changed over the summer. Scor had grown at least three inches taller and a bit broader in the chest. His platinum hair hung elegantly over his grey eyes. His high cheekbones and chiseled jaw didn’t have the sharp quality of his father’s pointed features. His white Oxford shirt and black trousers fit his athletic frame perfectly. The combined effect made Lily clench her jaw shut to keep from drooling. She barely registered her father leaving her side to talk to Mr. Malfoy in hushed tones. Her eyes were fixed on Scor, her best friend, her love.

He made his way over to her awkwardly giving her a brief hug that she knew she enjoyed way too much. The spicy smell of his cologne left her a bit lightheaded, so she was glad when he held out a chair for her.

“Lily, I…”

“Scor, I…” They both started simultaneously. She saw the color tint his cheeks and felt the heat in her own. Trying desperately to think clearly enough to speak, she breathed a sigh of relief when Mr. Malfoy and her father turned back to their children.

“Well, I guess we had better go,” Draco said and held his arm out to Lily who stood and took it gratefully. Scor grabbed one end of her trunk. Having turned seventeen in March, he had received his apparition license. Consequently, he would have the job of bringing the luggage.

“Take care of her,” Harry said and smiled at Lily. She felt her throat constrict and wondered if she was doing the right thing. Both Malfoy men answered, “I will,” and with a twist and a squeeze, Lily took her first into another world.


Chapter 4 - Splish Splash

Scor couldn’t decide whether to be thrilled or terrified. Lily Potter stood outside the gate to Malfoy manor, his home, still holding his father’s arm. Draco led Lily up to the wrought iron gates, held up his arm, and passed through with her. Scor followed close behind. He wished his father would take care of the trunk and let Lily hold his arm.

They made their way down the straight drive to the stately house in the distance. Scor wondered what she would think of it. The Potter’s house was sunshine compared to the dismal dwelling which was Malfoy manor. Every aspect of the place from the cellar to the dome was meant to exclude wealth. The result was more of a museum than a manor.

The front door opened of its own accord reveling Lucius Malfoy waiting in the hallway surrounded by portraits of blond-haired Malfoy ancestors.

“Father.” Draco came to a stop and Lily moved closer to him.

“So this is Ms. Potter, is it?”

“Lily, this is my father, Lucius Malfoy. Father, Lily Potter.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Lily spoke with more steadiness in her voice than Scor had expected.

“The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure.” Lucius’s smooth voice made Scor long to drop the trunk and draw Lily into his arms hiding her from view. “It will be lovely getting to know you better, Ms. Potter.”

Scor couldn’t take any more. He dropped his wand letting the trunk thump to the floor and took a step forward, but his father’s voice stopped him.

“Scorpius, why don’t you show Lily to her room. I’ll send Milly to fetch you for tea.” Scor put his arm around Lily’s waist and guided her down the hall and up the large staircase.

“What about my trunk?” Lily said after a moment.

“Milly will bring it.”

They moved down the wide hallway past closed doors on either side. Scor stopped in front of the next to last on the left.

“This is my room. Fancy a look?”

“Alright then.”

He opened the door and watched her face intently. Her eyes lit up at the Tornado’s posters covering the walls.

“I brought you one from this year’s game. It’s in my trunk.”

“Thanks.”

She walked across the expansive floor stopping briefly to touch a finger to his two-way mirror lying on the bedside table and to laugh at the photo of herself and her brothers fighting to get to the forefront of the picture. She moved to the large window and pushed aside the curtains looking down into the gardens below.

“Beautiful view,” she said still looking out the window.

“Yeah,” he said looking at her.

“It’s a great room, Scor.”

“It’s big anyway. Come on, I’ll show you yours.”

They walked back out the door and he led her to the last door on the left. Scor had pleaded with his father for three days to let Lily have the room next to his. After much hemming and hawing and several talks of “being a gentleman” he had finally agreed. He pushed the door open and held his breath.

Several vases were scattered around the room with different varieties of lilies in them. He had insisted that Milly remove the thick green curtains over the large windows and replaced them with sheer lavender ones that allowed the light to permeate the room. The comforter and chair covers matched the curtains, making this room the most cheerful in the whole place. Lily smiled widely and threw her arms around him causing his heart to race crazily before she ran over to the bed and flung herself on it sighing.

“So soft.” The tone in her voice caused heat to shoot through his veins.

“Glad you like it,” he croaked. He had to get out of here, and fast! “Um…why don’t I show you the grounds?”

“Alright.”

Scor gave her a tour of the rose gardens and the hot houses laughing when she had to smell every variety. He led her to the lake and was not surprised when she insisted on feeding the graceful black swans drifting along on the surface of the still water. At one point, he felt as though they were being watched. He looked back to the manor to see Lucius gazing at them from an upstairs window.

At tea Lily met Scor’s mother. Scor was just thankful that his mum didn’t make any remarks about Lily’s hair. She did keep her nose in the air the entire time she spoke to Lily which thankfully didn’t seem to notice. Lucius’s eyes remained fixed on Lily through the day and Scor resolved to sleep in the hall outside her bedroom if he had to.

Scor lay on his bed that night wishing the week would last forever. Lily’s happiness was contagious. It almost made Malfoy manor bearable. He waited until his watch told him it was past midnight before getting up and tiptoeing to her door. He pushed the door open a crack and saw her red hair splayed over the pillow. His throat constricted and it was several seconds before he took out his wand, pointed it at the sleeping girl, and muttered several protective spells.

“G’night love,” he whispered before tiptoeing back to his own room and climbing into bed.


Scor made sure to spend every waking moment with Lily for the next two days. He even went so far as waiting outside the bathroom for her. One can never be too careful after all. On Thursday, he decided to take her to the creek. He held two brooms and waited outside her door. Finally, the door opened and she stepped out. She wore jeans and a T-shirt and he noticed she hadn’t put her pendant on this morning. She smiled up at him and held out a hand for one of the brooms.

“Milly’s packing us a picnic lunch. I thought we could eat by the creek.”

“That sounds lovely.” They passed a door on the way to the kitchens and Lily shivered.

“Cold?” he asked though it felt perfectly comfortable to him.

“No…must have just been a chill.”

They gathered the picnic basket from the smiling elf and headed to the door to the gardens. On the way, they passed Draco’s study and Lily stuck her head in to find his father sitting at his desk.

“Where are the two of you off to today?”

“Picnic at the creek,” Lily smiled, “would you like to come, Mr. Malfoy?” Scor thought his father might choke.

“Uh…no, you two go ahead. I…uh…have some work to do here.”

“Okay. See you tonight, Mr. Malfoy.”

“Yes.” Draco shook his head and smiled when she turned around.

They flew over the tops of the trees enjoying the breeze. The creek was a short distance away from the manor house, but still within the grounds. Scor enjoyed watching the wind whip Lily’s hair around as she sped through the air. They touched down in a clearing near the creek. The water gurgled happily over the smooth stones. Braches of the tall Elm and Oak trees stretched over the creek shielding it from the sun. The breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and the smell of green things and fresh air crowded out the stuffy atmosphere in their lungs.

Scor spread a blanket underneath an elm and sat down on it to pull of his trainers and socks. Lily sat down next to him mimicking his movements. She rolled her jeans up to her knees and waded out into the water to join him.

“It’s so nice and cool,” she said smiling.

“This is my favorite place.”

“I can understand why.” She bent down and trailed her fingers through the water. Maybe I should tell her now. Can’t get much more romantic than this. Water hit his face and he watched her laugh hysterically.

“Of course you realize, this means war,” he said bending down to the water.

“Bring it on,” she smiled wickedly. At once, they both started splashing each other like five-year-olds. They laughed and spluttered as the water flew around the like a fountain until they both stood facing each other dripping wet and gasping for breath.

“Well…I don’t know about you, but that’s worked up my appetite,” Lily said after a few awkward moments had passed. Idiot! Why didn’t you say something? They both waded back to the shore and Scor cast drying spells on them for the sake of his sanity.

“Scor?” He looked over at her leaning back on her arms as he unpacked the sandwiches. A hunger rose up in him that had nothing to do with his stomach. “Is your father happy?” He tried to reign in his feelings enough to consider the question. Scor had never really considered whether his father was happy or not.

“I don’t know. He keeps to himself most of the time, but I guess he’s pretty happy.”

“Does he love your mum?” This question caught him off guard.

“I guess.”

“I’ve just never seen them even look at each other since I’ve been here.”

“Well, Mum’s pretty…she’s busy with…” What does she do? He thought about the times his parents had been together and he couldn’t remember them ever touching.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.” He smiled at her. She had opened the door to a new idea, and the nagging doubt wouldn’t leave him alone. That night as soon as he had cast the protective charms around Lily, he went in search of his father. He was sitting in his office staring out the window.

“Dad?” Draco turned and raised his eyebrow.

“You haven’t called me that since you were three.” Scor slipped into the room and shut the door, not wanting to be interrupted by Lucius again. “What’s on your mind, son?”

“Do you love Mum?” He blurted out before berating himself for being so direct. Draco looked down at the smooth finish on his desk.

“She’s a dutiful wife.”

“But do you love her?” He wanted to add, “like I love Lily,” but he stopped himself. Draco started playing with a quill on his desk.

“Love is a strange thing, Scorpius.” He seemed unable to continue, but Scor didn’t have any problem filling in the blanks.

“Is that why you never had any more kids?” Scor had always wished for a brother or sister.

“Pansy…your mother…she didn’t want more children. She claimed it would ruin her figure. She said she had given me an heir and that was all I needed.” For the first time, Scor noticed the hollowness behind his father’s eyes. Draco smiled a smile that did not reach his eyes.

“You will just have to make it up to me by having a troupe of children yourself,” Scor blushed thinking of who he wanted as the mother of said children. “and if my guess is correct, you won’t be facing the same problem as I.” This time Draco’s grin was genuine.

Scor tiptoed back to his room thinking of the jewelry box hidden under his bed. Being with Lily was his greatest desire, but now he wondered whether he should ask her or not. All the Malfoy notions of duty and tradition had kept his parents from finding love. Would the same thing happen if he married Lily? He didn’t want their relationship to become a duty to her. As he opened the door to his room, he thought he heard the swishing of fabric. He turned to check the hall, but did not see anything. He tiptoed to her door and peered in at Lily. He could barely make out the rise and fall of her chest as she slept. Yes, he would ask her. If she loves me even half as much as I love her, nothing can stand in our way. Yes, tomorrow he would ask Lily to be his.


Chapter 5 - Love in the Library

Lily woke up shivering Friday morning. Deep shadows still covered the room as her comforter covered her. Why does it feel so cold in here? The clock on the wall said it was 4:35 AM. The big room felt eerie to her; she couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched. She slipped out of bed and grabbed her bathrobe off of a lavender chair. The door moved noiselessly as she pushed it open and stepped into the dark hall. She set off toward Scor’s room. Movement in the shadows ahead froze her to the spot. She stared at the edge of a gilt picture frame hung above a small table. After several minutes of heart palpitation and fear, she decided it must have been the occupant of the portrait moving that had caught her eye. She continued to the next door and pushed it open, stepped inside, and shut it quickly.

Scor slept soundly his bed sheets tangled around him. His tousled hair framed his face and his pajama shirt fell open revealing his collarbone and part of his shoulder. Lily tiptoed over to the four-poster enjoying the sight. Taking great care not to wake him, Lily crawled in the king sized bed behind him wrapping her arm around him and pressing herself to his back. Instantly her fear melted away. Feeling bold with the success of not being detected, she pressed her lips to his neck where it met his shoulder.

“Goodnight, love,” she whispered warmth flowing through her. She closed her eyes inhaling the woody smell lingering in his hair. In moments sleep consumed her.

She woke later that morning the feel of Scor’s soft breaths on her cheek. She lay facing the window with Scor’s arm and leg draped over her. He moved behind her pulling her closer to his chest and she pressed her eyes closed feigning sleep. She imagined what it would be like to wake up next to him every morning and delicious heat coursed through her veins. Maybe when he wakes up and finds me here, I can finally tell him how I feel. Fantasies of marriage and children played out in her mind nearly lulling her back to sleep when she felt him stiffen and jump away from her as though he had been stung. A stab of pain shot through her chest. He doesn’t want to be near me? He must not feel the same way.

“Uh…Lily?” His voice sounded hoarse. She opened her eyes pretending she was just waking up.

“Mmmm?”

“Lily, what are you doing in here?” She thought she detected a note of panic in his voice and looked away from him quickly. All the words of love she meant to speak died on her lips.

“Oh…I’m sorry…I was afraid last night…my room felt…cold. I just didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“It’s alright,” he said in a much more natural tone of voice. Her stomach clenched fiercely.

“Well, I’m going to get dressed. See you downstairs.” She jumped up and ran across the room trying to control herself long enough to get back to her own. When she finally made it there, she slid down the closed door and buried her face in her hands. What was I thinking? Her back felt cold where he had been pressed against her only moments before. Emptiness welled up inside her. Rose, James, Professor Longbottom, all of them were wrong! He only wants to be friends. The silent tears streamed down her cheeks. After emptying herself of emotion, she rifled through her trunk for jeans and a shirt. Her hand brushed the two-way mirror and she picked it up. She turned it over to read the words My Best Friend written on the back in her own eleven year old scrawl. Lily laid the mirror on top of a pair of red socks and pulled on her clothes steeling herself for the day ahead. I will think of him only as a friend.

Thinking of him as anything but the prat she loved turned out to be impossible. Lily realized this as she sat across from him in the library holding a book on ancient magic she was supposed to be reading. Her eyes insisted on drifting up to take in his expression. Her heart was determined to skip a beat when he smiled. Her skin refused to stay cool when he accidentally brushed against her. It was too late to stop loving Scor now. Her only choice was to find contentment in his friendship and love him from afar. His grey eyes caught her brown ones for the hundredth time, and she sucked in another breath.

“Lily?”

“Hmm?”

“There’s…something I want to ask you.” She closed the book and sat it on her lap. Oh, please don’t ask me about last night! I’m not sure I can hide my feelings a second time.

“Okay.”

He shifted in his seat.

“I…I…I need to get something from my room first. Can you wait here?”

“Uh…sure.”

He hurried out the door and she heard his footsteps retreating down the hall.

“Well, well, well…finally we have a moment alone.” Lucius Malfoy appeared from behind a shelf. Lily shot up and tried to swallow as the wizard moved to cut off her only means of escape.

“He’s coming right back. Maybe I should go help him.” She could hear her voice quavering as she spoke. Way to stand up for yourself, Lily.

“There’s no hurry. Why don’t we get to know one another better?” The feral gleam in the man’s eyes chilled her to the bone as he advanced toward her. She backed away until she hit the wall. His eyes danced maliciously. “What a pretty little thing you are. Pity you come from a family of blood traitors, I might…”

“Father!” Lily felt her heart beat madly as Draco Malfoy stepped into the room.

“Draco…you’re just in time to entertain our guest.”

“Yes, father,” she gasped. Would he really give her up to this monster? “I was just coming to get Lily and Scorpius. I’m taking them to the Wasp’s game. Come, Lily.” She obeyed at once hiding behind Scorpius’s father.

“You disappoint me, Draco.”

“I’m sorry father, but we must hurry. We’re running late already.” Lily trembled and clutched the back of Draco’s robes like a small child. He turned and she held onto his arm for dear life. Once in the hall she turned to see Lucius glaring at her from the library door. The gleam of hate still shone in his ashen eyes. Halfway down the corridor they met Scor running toward them. He paled when he saw them.

“Father! What happened? Why…”

“Come Scorpius, I’m taking you and Lily to the Wasp’s game.”

“But…”

“At once!”

“Yes, sir.” They walked out the door and down the driveway to the wrought iron gates. Once outside, Draco took Scor’s arm and turned on the spot. Lily was glad to see Malfoy manor disappearing around her.


Chapter 6 - Sensory Overload

A wave of cheers greeted Scor when he appeared beside his father and Lily. The back of the stands rose up before him, banners waving in the breeze from the topmost boxes. He could just make out the yellow and black robes of a Wasps player through the tiers. Lily stood white as a sheet still clinging to his father’s arm. An invisible hand seemed to clench Scor’s heart. Draco led her to a picnic table nearby and she sank onto the bench.

“I’m sorry, Lily,” Draco said gently. “I promised your father I would take care of you and…” She dug her fingernails into the weathered wood of the bench.

“You did! You took me away from that…from him.” Scor saw her tremble.

“Is anyone going to tell me what happened?” Scor said frustration and concern balling within him.

“Lucius cornered Lily in the library. I believe he was threatening her when I arrived.”

“That…that…I’ll kill him!”

“Scorpius, calm down. Getting yourself killed will solve nothing. Scor wanted to argue, wanted to apparate back and hit Lucius with a thousand curses. He took a deep breath and stared at Lily. She looked resolutely down at her hands refusing to meet his eye. This was my fault. I shouldn’t have left her.

“What do we do now?” Scor said softly.

“We wait until Lily calms down and then we return to the manor. You will remain with her until tomorrow when you will both return to school where he can harm her no further.” Lily sat unmoving. “Would you like to watch the game, Lily?” She looked up at Draco and gave him a brief nod. Scor moved to offer her his arm before his father could then led her to the stands. Thoughts of Lucius kept nagging him as they made their way past screaming fans. What would happen to his father? Would Lucius have his “purist” friends hurt him or worse kill him? Scor sat staring at the seat in front of him completely ignoring the match. Lily’s color returned slowly as the game progressed and towards the end she even screamed, “Go James!” when her brother made a particularly well executed goal.

Afterwards, they waited outside the locker room and Lily flew at James as soon as she caught sight of him. James held her close and gave Scor a questioning look.

“Lils, what’s wrong?” She didn’t answer, but Scor could see her shuddering in James’s arms and knew she was crying. He stifled the urge to hit something. Scor hated it when Lily cried. He knew how upset she must be. All she had to do was tell James and then she would be gone. “Did they do something to you? Lily, what happened?” James glared at him and his father. Scor heard Lily sniffing and wished she would let him comfort her instead of James.

“They…they didn’t d…do anything, James. I jus…just miss you!” Her sobs resumed in earnest.

“I’m not buying it, Lily. What’s wrong?”

“N…no…really,” she wiped her eyes on the hem of her shirt allowing Scor a glimpse of creamy skin. “It…it’s just been…I didn’t…I didn’t sleep well. You know…how I…how I get when…I’m tired.” James nodded but Scor still saw a hint of malice in the look James shot him. Anxious to reassure him and Lily, Scor stepped forward.

“I’ll take care of her, James. I swear.” James searched his eyes and finally nodded briefly.

“We’d best be getting back,” Draco said. Scor had forgotten his father was there silently observing the whole scene. Scor wrapped his arm around Lily’s shoulder protectively and led her off after his father. I won’t let anything happen to you again, love, he thought but wondered if he would be able to keep this promise.


Scor stuck to Lily like glue the rest of the day. They packed their trunks for the trip to Hogwarts then spent the last few hours before bedtime playing chess in his room. After the sixth win, Scor looked up to see Lily stifle a yawn. She continued to set up the board and he realized she was avoiding going back to her room.

He thought of her lying in his arms that very morning. What a shock it had been, a pleasant one to be sure. He knew he had reacted badly, but he was embarrassed by his reaction to being so close to her. After all, he had promised his father he would behave like a gentleman. He watched her eyelids droop as he contemplated his next move. Father did say to stay with her until tomorrow.

“Why don’t you stay with me tonight?” he whispered. Her eyes shot open revealing relief, anxiety, and something else he couldn’t quite define.

“You don’t mind?”

“No.” She smiled nervously and stood up walking to the enormous bed and lying on the left side close to the edge. He climbed into the middle.

“There’s plenty of room. You don’t have to fall off the edge,” he grinned hoping to lighten the tension he felt and sensed in her. She turned to face him and moved closer to him. She reached over and took his hand warming him instantly.

“Thank-you, Scor. You’re my very best friend.”

“Lily, I…I…”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad to have you as my best friend.” She smiled and shut her eyes while Scor mentally kicked himself. What is so hard about saying I love you?


Scor had a hard time sleeping that night. He spent the first hour simply staring at the beauty lying next to him. When he finally drifted to sleep, it was only to be startled awake by a bumping sound coming from the room next door. He reached for Lily pulling her next to him to assure himself she was still there. She snuggled close and lay her head on his chest. He kept vigil through the night stroking her hair and listening to her steady breathing. The combined tension of Lily’s closeness and the noises from her room kept him alert for several hours. Eventually exhaustion overcame him in the wee hours of the morning.

When he woke, Lily was gone. Panic rose up inside him. No! No he couldn’t have!

“Lily?” He searched his room and closet. “Lily!” He ran to the door and across the hall to the bathroom. “Lily!” He ran down the hall to her room. “LILY!” He slammed the door open to find her standing over her open trunk looking at him as though he had grown another head. His heart attempted to escape from his chest as he clung to the door facing panting.

“Scor?” He tried to control his breathing, to stamp down the urge to shake her, yell at her, or snog her senseless but failed. In three strides he had her in his arms; fire consumed him as he crushed her lips with his. Her initial shock passed quickly and she melted into him returning the kiss with a fire matching his own. He felt the euphoria would obliterate him on the spot as he finally came up for air and stared into her dark eyes.

“You scared me.” His own voice sounded husky with emotion. She smiled up at him her eyes sparkling.

“I’ll have to scare you more often.” He grinned lowering his head again this time brushing her lips gently silently asking permission. Her lips parted and they shared a lingering kiss that had the small hairs on the back of Scor’s neck standing on end. When their lips parted he laid his cheek on the top of her head wishing he never had to let go.

“Lily, I…”

“Scorpius, Lily, it’s…” he turned and saw his father staring red-faced at the two of them from the door. “Uh…we have to leave in ten minutes.” He felt Lily pull away and heard her trunk snap shut. Great timing Dad!

He walked past his father who looked completely taken aback. He levitated his trunk in his room still reeling from the adrenaline and heat rushing through his veins. Will I EVER get to tell her?
------------------------------------------------------------------

Printed from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net) on Sat Nov 14, 2026 7:34 pm