Lily stretched as she waited for Lola to get dressed. The three had brought a bunch of food and drinks back to the common room, and back up to the boys' dorm room. They had stayed in there until the other boys came to sleep, and then they moved back to the practically empty common room. They'd stayed up all night, celebrating their results, and unspokenly celebrating the end of Jace and Lola's fight. At the end of their night, they'd all stumbled up to the bed, getting a total of one and a half-hour of sleep. Nowextremely tired, and almost wished to skip breakfast.
"Remind me, Lily. Why did we decide to stay up until the sun rose?" Lola mumbled tiredly.
"Because we were stupid enough to be proud of being smart," Lily said a large yawn following.
"Think big ears got up?" Lola asked.
Lily shrugged. "Maybe, though Christian would have had to probably drag Jace out of his bed."
Lola scoffed. "Sounds like something he'd do."
Lola straightened up her robes, and then two girls trudged down the stairs, and down into the common room.
"Hey, wait up!" a groggy voice called out to them. Both girls turned to see Jace stumbling over to them. "I see I'm not the only tired one."
"You are. We're exhausted," Lily retorted. And to prove her point, she yawned again.
"Well, actually I think I'm almost dead," Lola replied, and the three began walking toward the door again.
"So, what's on the agenda today?" Jace asked with a large yawn of his own.
"Well, after we wake up a bit, I say that we hang outside. It looks to be a beautiful day, and I think we could use the fresh air," Lily suggested.
"Sounds fantastic," Lola said with a sigh. The three sat down at the Slytherin table, and immediately they all went toward coffee.
"You know, that stunts your growth, and you kids might need that."
Lily turned her head to see Lana and Scorpius coming to sit by them. "All I care about right now is staying awake," she replied.
"Long night?" Scorpius teased.
"And a short morning," Lola added.
"Ah! Here is Slytherin's famous trio of second years!" Professor Slughorn said cheerfully as he made his way toward them.
"Good morning, Professor," they all chimed.Lily noticed the papers in his hands. "What have you got there, Professor?"
Professor Slughorn's lips stretched into a big smile. "These are for each of your second years. One for each."
He handed them each a paper. "They're so you can pickelectives for next year. And then there is your permission slip for Hogsmeade next year. Be sure to have your parents sign them."
"Thank you, Professor," Lily said, looking over her paper.
"So, what are you gonna take, Lil?" Jace asked as Slughorn walked away. He dropped his paper onto the table and began to pile food onto his plate.
Lily looked over her list. "Care of Magical Creatures for sure. But I'm not sure about my second one."
"Well, Muggle Studies isn't bad," Scorpius suggested.
"I think my grandfather is a better teacher," Lily joked.
"I've been taking Arithmancy and Ancient Ruins, and I haven't regretted it," Lana contributed.
"If you want an easy elective," Lars said as he joined them, "I'd take Divination. If you know how to lie and make up gruesome stories, then you can easily pass. I've for two years now."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Lily murmured. Otherwise, her choices were Muggle Studies, Arithmancy, or Ancient Ruins. And none of those sounded too appealing.
"I might do that," Jace mumbled around a mouthful of food.
"What about you, Lola?" Scorpius asked.
"I think I'll take Arithmancy and Ancient Ruins. They sound more worthwhile," she answered.
"Way to be smart," Lana said with a laugh.
"Bite me," Lily and Jace muttered.
********************************
Lily stretched, sighing happily as she lay down on the grass. She was sitting in her grandparents' yard, just relaxing under the sun, her broom by her side. She was quite happy that way. Her father was at work, and Lily was sure that all the women in the family were at Shell Cottage, planning the upcoming wedding. So Lily hadto her grandparents' house. She knew her grandpa would be at work, and that she would be alone in their house, which sounded lovely. Regal was flying around the house, keeping close. Now, he was flying low and landed next to her.
Lily stroked his feathers. "Oh, Regal, what a beautiful day."
Regal nipped cutely at her fingers. Lily had learned that it was a sign of his happiness.
"I can't wait for next year. New classes, and trips to Hogsmeade. You are going to get your new treats a lot faster," she teased. In honesty, Lily no longer felt odd talking to her owl, who couldn't talk back. But he always seemed to know when she was happy or upset. He was better than any dog.
"I was told that I'd find you here."
Lily sat up quickly and turned her head to see Teddy walking toward her. Regal became startled and fluttered up to rest on Lily's shoulder. Lily tried not to laugh.
Teddy's hair was a reddish pink, a sign of embarrassment.
"Hey, bro. What's up?" Lily asked. She didn't lay back down, not wanting to ruffle Regal.
"Well, we are at the guest list stage in the wedding preparations, so I wanted to talk to you," he answered. He sat down and stroked Regal's head.
"Why me?" Lily asked, plucking out a few blades of grass.
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like me to put anyone down? A few friends to keep you company?" Teddy suggested.
Lily raised a brow. "You would risk a fight at your wedding by inviting my friends?"
"No worries, the others would be killed on the spot if they started the trouble," Teddy assured.
"So, would you like me to?"
Lily smiled humbly. "Well, I would appreciate it."
Teddy laughed. "Ok, well, I plan on inviting the whole Malfoy family. After all, they are my family as well, no matter how distant. Now . . . you said you were friendsAvery, right?"
Lily nodded. "Yup, that I am."
Teddy nodded as well. "And I remember Lola . . . Pritchard?"
Lily nodded. "Thought so. And . . . one of the Goyles? Right?"
"Lana and Lars actually," Lily told him. "And of course, you can't forget Jace Pucey."
Teddy snapped his fingers. "That's what the other kid's name was."
Lily giggled. "Yeah, that's him. And he has no older siblings that you would know," she told him.
"Alright, so if you would please, make a list for me so I can give it to our planners, also known as your mother and aunts," Teddy told her. "That way theythe invites and set up the seating arrangement." He laid back and sighed, his hair turning purple. "I never thought a wedding would kill me."
"It's not going to kill you," Lily assured. "It's just going to tie you down and slap you around a bit."
Teddy gave a great big, fake smile. "Really? Oh! That makes me feel so much better!" he said cheerfully.
Lily laughed, her shoulders shaking. Regal launched off her trembling shoulders and began to circle above them. Now free, Lily laid back as well. She sighed in conam glad that you're happy, Ted."
Teddy turned his head to look at her. He reached over and ruffled her hair. "Thanks. So, do I get to be glad that you're happy?"
Lily looked at him from the corner of her eye. Then she looked back at the sky, watching as a puffy white cloud floated over her. Then she looked at Teddy fully.
"You can be glad that I'm ok."
***************************************
Lily stood in Madam Malkin's with distaste. All the girls who were taking part in the wedding were there, along with their mothers. That meant that it was Victoire, DFleur, Rose, Hermione, Grandma Weasley, Lily's mum, and herself. And they were trying on dresses. Something Lily detested.
"So, what are the wedding colors?" Rose asked excitedly.
"We've decided on gold and silver. Gold for the girls and silver for the boys," Victoire answered. She was holding out a dress toward Dominique. "Here, sis. Try this."
"Joy," Dominique said with a roll of her eyes. She took the gold-colored dress and moved toward the changing room.
Lily grimaced. "Gold? Umm . . . how about something less . . . demoralizing on my part?"
Victoire tilted her head in curiosity. "What do you mean? What's wrong with that color?"
"Nothing. I'd just rather wear something . . . less Gryffindor," Lily finally mumbled.
"Oh," Victoire murmured, biting her lip.
"Lily," Ginny whispered sternly.
Lily sighed. "But, whatever, it's fine. I'll live through it."
Victoire gave her a hesitant smile. "Well . . . if you're sure. Umm . . . why don't you try on this one?"She handed Lily a dress.
Lily took it and moved toward the changing room. She chose a stall and locked it. Now, she looked at the dress.It was a true Gryffindor gold, one that made her want to instinctively puke. The fabric was soft, and comfy even she had to admit. The sleeves were short, and frilled as if the skirt would end somewhere below her knees. It would have been pretty . . . if it weren't for the color. But Lily bared through it and changed into it. Slowly, she opened the stall door and looked out to where the other girls were.
"Aw, Dom, you look so pretty!" she heard Rose squeal.
"You do look beautiful, sweetie," her mum complimented.Lily glanced out at Dominique. She did look pretty. Her gold dress was a bit darker, with a ribbon around the waist, and thin straps and the skirt was a little puffy. But apretty. Especially on Dom. Lily pulled in a deep breath and stepped out into their sight.
"Oh! Lily, you look beautiful!" Victoire exclaimed.
Lily tried to smile, but it came out a bit forced.
"Well, now I'll let them fawn over you," Dominique said with a mocking grin.
She walked back to the changing room."Now, we'll probably put your hair up," Fleur mentioned, sweeping Lily's hair up with her hands.
"That will look perfect," Hermione agreed."Do you like it?" Victoire asked.Lily glanced at her mother, who was giving her a pleading look, already knowing how her daughter felt. Lily then looked at Victoire's hopeful face. She sighed, trying sincerely as she could. "I like it, Victoire. It's perfect."
*********************************
"It does look pretty, despite the horrid color," Lola commented, sitting on the bed next to the dress. Lily had invited her over a day after receiving the dress.
"I didn't say the style sucked," Lily muttered, sitting at her desk. "It's just . . . the color is so . . ."
"Gryffindor?"
"So everything that I'm not! I mean, I'm not a Gryffindor, but . . . that dress makes it look like I am . . . and, maybe I'm being childish about it, but . . ."
"It's not childish, it's you, something this dress is not," Lola assured.
"Why don't you just tell your cousin that you don't like it?"
"Because you didn't see how happy they all were!" Lily replied, dropping her head onto her desk. "They all looked so happy just to see me in that freaking dress! How can I tell them that I don't like it?"
"You just be honest and tell them that you don't think the dress suits you," Lola replied.
"And if that doesn't work you can spill something on it and blame it on onebrother. Kill two birds with one stone, as they say."
Lily grinned, and both girls had a sparkle in their eyes. "You know, you took the idea right out of my head."
Lola giggled. "Great Slytherins think alike."
But days later, Lily couldn't bring herself to ruin the dress. Not because she didn't want to discredit her brothers, but because she didn't want to see the disappointed look they might give.
"You've got a letter, princess," Harry said, holding a letter out to Lily at the breakfast table. Lily took the letter and opened it. It was from Scorpius.
"Hey, Lily Luna,
Tell Teddy thanks for the personal invite to his wedding. My parents were really happy to receive theirs. My grandmother was ecstatic. Honestly, I can't wait to go ewhat I hear, it's a chance to hang out with you, Mitch, Lana, and Lars. I was told they were also invited. So, I guess that Lola and Jace will be there as wellguess is that you have something to do with that.
I was also told that you will be taking part in the wedding ceremony. I can't wait to see that. No offense, Lu.
Anyways, a few of us are going to hang out at Diagon Alley on the third, and we were wondering if you'd like to join us. If so, send a letter, or just meet us at the Leaky Cauldron. Hope you come.
Sincerely,Scorpius."
Lily smiled at the letter. The idea of getting away from her family and the wedding plans sounded fantastic.
"What's the snake got to say?" James said with a sneer."
James," Ginny warned, her voice stern.
But Lily ignored him. "Dad, may I go hang out with a few friends in Diagon Alley on the third?"
"What friends?" he asked.
"Scorpius, Lana, and Mitch," Lily answered. She knew that Lana and Mitch hadn't been mentioned, but she was sure they would be there.
"It's fine with me. I'm sure you need a break from the wedding plans anyways," Harry joked.
Lily smiled, loving how her father always understood. "Thanks, Daddy."
"So, are we going to see Scorpius at the wedding? Teddy told us that he invited the Malfoys?" Ginny asked.
"What?" Albus and James exclaimed.Lily looked at her brother from the corner of her eye and bit back a smug grin.
Then she looked back at her mother. "Yeah, they'll be there."
"And the others that Teddy put on the guest list? The ones that were invited without their families?" Ginny asked teasingly.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Teddy offered, and I took the chance. That way I won't be completely bored at the reception. But, Lola is going, Lana, Lars, and Mitch are ggoingpretty sure that Jace wouldn't miss it."
"Teddy invited the Goyles?" Albus protested.
"An Avery and a Pritchard?" James said with disgust.
Lily gave her brothers a dry look. "I heard he invited Elisa Ogbourne. I could gag," she retorted. James glared fiercely.
"Children," Ginny warned again.
But Lily didn't back down from the glaring contest. She had learned that the girl that had been with James during their last fight was Elisa, who was a year above James had also learned that she was nothing more than an attention whore. And when you want attention, you go for a Potter, who gathered all the attention. And Jamesgrab all the attention he could. Two of a kind, Lily thought.
***************************************
Lily sat at the Leaky Cauldron counter, drinking a butterbeer. She was earlier than when Scorpius said they were all meeting there, but she needed to get out of tJames wasn't working, so he had a few friends over, and Albus had brought over Tyler. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck in a house with them longer thanbe.
"So, Lily, can I get you something to eat?" Hannah asked, stopping to stand in front of her behind the counter."Nah., I'm just waiting for a few people," Lily told her.
"Like me?"Lily turned her head to see Scorpius walking toward her. He sat on the stool next to her.
Lily smiled at him. "Hey, Scorp. What's up?"
He smirked. "Nothing much. I needed to get outta the house, so I helped plan a day to hang out." His smirk grew as he eyed her. "And what kinda fun would we have without Slytherin's princess?"
Lily rolled her eyes, but she didn't hide her smile. "Well, thanks for the invite. So, who's all coming?""
The Goyles, Mitch, Dante, Adrian, Will, Raven, Melina, Stacy, Wade, Amanda, and Tamara," Scorpius listed.
Lily pictured the faces of every name. "So . . . that means I'm the youngest one?"
He grinned. "Yep, that would be correct. Um . . . hey, miss?"
Hannah came back over to the two of them. "Yes?" she asked, a small smile on her face. Lily was sure she was flattered by the title 'miss'.
"Um, could I get a butterbeer please?" Scorpius asked kindly.
Hannah smiled and pulled a bottle out from under the counter. She took off the cap and set it on the counter. "Here you are. On me."
Scorpius raised a brow. "Really?"
"For any friend of Lily's," Hannah said with another smile as she turned to a different customer.Lily smiled at Scorpius's victorious grin.
He looked back at her. "Man, I love you."She laughed.
"Anything for a friend of mine." Lily took a drink of her own. "So, why did you want out of the house?"
"My grandfather is all over me, trying to get me to skip the wedding, to take a summer job that one of his friends offered me," he muttered.
"You gonna take the job at least?" Lily asked.
Scorpius shook his head. "No. The money's not even worth it. Besides, I have enough of my own money. I don't need to work this summer."
"Trust fund baby?" Lily teased.
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "Well, I guess you could say that. My parents set something up to keep me settled for life. But I don't wanna dip into it after I graduate, sowould just use it while I'm in school."
"Why not save it for after school?" Lily asked.
"I wanna be able to support myself after school," he replied, taking a sip of his drink. "Be independent and all that jazz."
Lily shrugged. "I guess that makes sense."
"Hey, looks like the best part of the party is already here!" Lily grinned at the sound of Mitch's voice. She turned and received a shock.
It was Mitch, but quite a bit different. He had his left ear pierced three times, a stud, and then two small hoops near the top. And his lip was pierced as well. And cohis sleeve seemed to be a tattoo of some figure she couldn't completely see.
Lily grinned at him. "Oh my, Mitch, what did you do?"
Mitch laughed. "You like?"
He pulled his sleeve up for her to see. "I got a snake too."
*******************************
Soon the three were joined by all the others. The two Nott siblings arrived arguing, not that anyone was surprised. Lily never saw Tamera and Will together withoutThe Goyle twins coming, and Lars looked dead tired. They all decided to grab a table and eat before they left.
"So, what are your guys' plans now that you've graduated?" Dante asked Stacy and Raven with a grin.
"What do you mean?" Raven asked, taking a bite from his plate.
"You gonna live together?" Adrian hinted.
Raven raised a brow. "We already do. Since almost two weeks ago."
"Woo! Go, Rave!" Dante joked, and he and Adrian high-fived. The rest of the guys laughed, while the girls rolled their eyes. Stacy just gave the boys a disgruntled look, while Raven looked as if he were suppressing a smug look.
Lily decided to save him. "So, while we're on this subject, do you have a girlfriend yet, Dante? Or are girls still running for the hills?"
The others laughed, but Dante just gave a dry laugh. "Oh, yes, that was just so funny!"
Then Mitch slammed his hand down on the table. "I have a romance announcement!" he exclaimed.
"For the last time, Mitch, I will not go out with you!" Scorpius joked. Again, they all laughed.
Mitch gave a pout. "Don't you love me, Scor? After all the nights we've shared?"
Lily almost choked on her drink as she laughed.
"Just go on, Mitch," Lana prodded.Both Scorpius and Mitch laughed. But Mitch sat up proudly. "I just want to say, that I am now a man!"
The girls all groaned, in disgust and annoyance. The guys all cheered and hooted.
Raven raised his butterbeer. "A toast. To the loss of Mitch's virginity!"
"To the loss of Mitch's virginity!" the guys cheered.
Lana looked over at Lily. "I feel bad for the girl who pitied him." Lily bit back a laugh.Adrian seemed to have heard them.
"Yeah, who was the girl, Mitch?"Mitch's already smug grin grew twice its normal size. "Trixie Kimball, Marky's little sister!"
To that, they all cheered.