"Morgan Le Fay?" Lily gulped. "Like the most evil witch of all time Morgan Le Fay?"

"I'm afraid so, yes," Rose frowned. "That's the gist of it, but there's more… the cult died out around the middle of the 12th century, when Morgan, or Morganna, disappears from all historical record. But there have been rumours, stories really, about the cult resurfacing from time to time. Usually some upstart blood supremacists, copycat organizations looking to add a bit of menace or notoriety to their causes. Perhaps that's what we're dealing with."

"I don't think so…" Lily stood up and began to pace. "I think perhaps it might be her- really her, Morgan or Morganna, I mean. I've seen what could happen, in my dreams. I think she might be back, and she's trying to accomplish whatever she had set out to do before."

"But why now?" Teagan asked. "Why would she lie dormant for 1000 or so years, and more importantly- how?"

"Magic is complicated. To think that we could even begin to understand it's depth is laughable," Rose explained, though there was no hint of mirth in her voice. "Merlin probably came closest, and if legend has any piece of truth in it, Morganna would've been right on his heels. Some sort of Sleeping curse, or-"

"Is this Sleeping Beauty?" Albus snorted.

"Some sort of sleeping curse, or some unknown stasis charm. Time travel? Wizardkind figured out how to go back, it can't be completely out of the realm of possibility that she decided to go forward…"

"Or maybe she's immortal, maybe she has a horcrux, she certainly seems evil enough…"

"Good Godric, don't let it be a horcrux!"

"Or maybe she's found another way…"

"Who is she?" Hugo wondered aloud.

"Professor Corvidae, of course," Lily said, exasperated. "That part is pretty clear, the false preceptor, and what have you. Scorpius was on to her from the start, and I should have listened… she poisoned me, in an attempt to stave me off.

"It doesn't make sense."

Everyone looked at Albus, waiting for him to explain.

"Well… they didn't want to kill you, did they? Me, Scorpius, that was fine… but they only wanted you, alive. If she wanted you out of the picture, why didn't they try to kill you on sight? They had plenty of opportunities, and so has she. If she's as dangerous as they say, I think if she wanted you dead, you'd be dead, Lil."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence!"

"I'm just saying! Corvidae's been here for years! You were a kid when she first came in, and whatever has she tried to do besides come in and teach?"

"You mean besides poisoning me?"

"She tried to keep us apart," Scorpius offered. "She has been for years, always trying to separate us and get me away from her.

"That might not have anything to do with it! You're an ace at transfiguration, and Lily is even halfway decent now. Any professor would be encouraging you to help other students. She's not even a bad teacher, you know?"

"Why are you defending her?"

"I'm not! I'm just trying to look at all the facts."

"She poisoned me!"

"Okay, so there's that."

"The conversation is counterproductive!" Alicia broke in. "Let's focus on the fact that there's an evil cult after Lily, and she's been poisoned, and slipped some weird potion, and something's going down at the ministry the eve of the ball. I say we keep doing what we've been doing: preparing for a fight. I understand we want to know our enemy or whatever, but once someone starts throwing hexes at us, I think we'll figure it out."

Everyone snorted at her proclamation. She lightened the mood considerably, and Lily shot her a grateful look. Leave it to Alicia to alleviate a situation so neatly- it was her mother's Hufflepuff influence, she suspected. Hannah Longbottom could break up the nastiest of bar fights with the snap of her fingers.

"Right," Rose said. "You are right. We need to focus on defending ourselves, against forces seen or unseen."

Wind whipped around Lily's face and through her hair. Practice was long over, but she'd waved Scorpius and Albus on towards the promise of dinner and a warm fire. She wanted to be in the air a little bit longer, after all- who knew how much more days like these she would have? She certainly didn't.

There wasn't anything quite like soaring through the sky, being one of the birds. She dived around the goalposts and her stomach gave that familiar "whoosh" as the sensation of freefall took over. She waited until she could make out single blades of grass, and pulled up just short of colliding with the ground. She could hear her blood pumping in her ears as she sped upward, higher than even the goalposts. She looked over over the Black Lake and admired the setting sun reflected in it's waters.

She sighed. Another day over. They seemed to be passing faster than ever. What she wouldn't give for them to slow down… if she could just have a little more time. She wanted more. She wanted more time with Scorpius, and her friends. She wanted more time with her brothers. When was the last time she saw James, like really saw him? And her parents… their relationship had been strained the last couple of years. Did they know how much she loved them?

It was almost the end of February. She and Scorpius had spent the last Hogsmeade weekend in Gryffindor Tower, not caring who saw them. What did it matter anymore? What could anyone do to them that was worse than what they were already facing? They curled up on the best armchair together with a book, and didn't care one bit if it drew looks, or people whispered behind their hands. Pretty much everyone suspected they were an item, anyway. They were just confirming.

"I've just received a very interesting letter from Neville," Ginny smirked, ruffling her husband's hair, and falling into his lap on the armchair.

He grumbled goodnaturedly and put his arms around her.

"Al and Scorpius up to no good again, I take it?" He chuckled. "If I ever could've imagined Draco Malfoy's son being my son's best mate… I would've felt hell had frozen over, first. Still, I'm glad. Scorpius is a good sort."

"Mmm, it was about Scorpius, yes. But not our son, though our daughter was mentioned… you owe me several galleons, Harry Potter."

Harry closed his eyes and groaned.

"Oh no."

"Oh yes!" Was her delighted reply. "I told you something was up. A mother always knows, particularly, a mother who was once- is still- in love with her brother's best mate. It was written all over their faces, clear as day. I told you; they didn't mind kissing, only that we were going to see it."

"Ugh. I suppose she could do worse. Why'd she have to take so much after you?"

"And what? Be more like you? Alicia hasn't got a brother," she grinned wickedly, "Not like she could fall in with her best mate's sibling."

"You think your dad felt like this when you and I got together?"

"Please," she rolled her eyes. "He would've accepted you and Ron together, as long as you were still patient enough to listen to him wax poetic about sprak plugs."

"It's spark plugs, my love," Harry laughed.

Draco Malfoy's hand was shaking as he put down the letter. This could not, no- would not- be tolerated. His son, cavorting about with the Potter girl? Well, of course he didn't hold the same opinions about blood purity as he did in his youth. But this? It's was Potter's daughter! Despite everything that happened, everything they both had done, he couldn't abide it. Harry Potter was still the golden prat, and he couldn't quite let go of the schooltime rivalry that had started so long ago.

"Astoria!" He shouted, his voice rising in panic. "Astoria!"

"Yes, dear?" She said lightly, slinking in from the corridor beyond. "Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not! I've just received a, a quite disturbing letter, insinuating that our son is somehow involved with the Potter girl! Romantically!"

Astoria eyed her husband astutely, and rolled her eyes.

"The Potter girl? Please, Draco, Scorpius has been friends with Lily for several years now- he speaks of her often enough- I know you know her name."

"But…" he flailed. "Romantically!"

"Hush, darling. So? She's a good girl. Scorpius wouldn't speak so highly of her if he didn't think so. He's best friends with her brother, they play Quidditch together… is it really so shocking to you?"
"Yes!" He shouted. "What will… what will everyone say? What will people say when they know my son is so far removed from his Malfoy heritage that he's entertaining Harry Potter's daughter?"

"And who is everyone?" She replied shrewdly. "Certainly you don't mean mum and dad, or Daph, who don't have a prejudiced bone between them. You don't mean me, and I have never heard him talk about a witch so highly as he talks about Lily, even if he doesn't realize he's doing it- who do you mean, Draco? Who's opinion could matter so much?"
"People," he spat.

"People?" She sneered. "People like Blaise and Greg and your parents' old friends? People like your ex-girlfriend Pansy and Marcus?"

"I knew you'd go there," he bit out.

"Go where? I thought we'd put the old ways behind us."

"There is a difference between pride and prejudice." he spoke lowly, dangerously soft.

"But maybe there's not!" She seethed. "You care of what these- these nobodies- think about your son? About us? That's ridiculous, Draco Malfoy, and I think you know it."

"It's about reputation-"

"It's about your ignorance and your silly little rivalries!"

"I won't be having my son be with Potter's daughter. You mark my words. This isn't right."

For the first time Astoria Malfoy looked at her husband, and she wasn't sure of the man she was seeing. This was different, it was mad, and she didn't like it. Had he not changed so much?

"Fine," she told him, hollowly. "You tell him he can't be with her. You tell him that you don't really care what makes him happy. On your own head be it."

She turned sharply and exited the room. Perhaps he'd like sleeping in the guest room for awhile.

Lily,

Hope your term is going well, darling! Minerva- I'm sorry, the Headmistress- could hardly contain her enthusiasm about your win over Slytherin last match. Only, mind not to mention that to anyone else, as she isn't supposed to play favorites. Gwenog was quite curious about this Seeker-daughter mine when we had tea last week, but I told her she would have to wait a few more years before trying to coax you into the league- you're only a fourth year, after all! ...and then she reminds me of what everyone knew I was doing in my fourth year, and the conversation becomes quite circular, but I digress.

Your aunt Hermione says preparations are coming along splendidly for the ball, and I guess that's what I really wanted to talk to you about.

It's okay, love. Your father and I know. Even if Neville hadn't sent us a letter spilling the proverbial "tea," as you kids say, (Do kids still say that? That was a thing in Teddy's day), I already knew. We love Scorpius. He is a lovely young man, and I hate that you think you have to hide your affection from us. I know this might come as quite a shock to you, but we were once young! I hope Albus isn't taking it too harshly, as I know brothers can be quite a bother, and your uncle Ron didn't take too kindly to it when your father and I got together. Not to say you guys are going to be married! Or not married… I'm going about this all wrong, aren't I? What I'm trying to say is, if he wants to take you to the ball, that's marvelous, and we have no objections. Not that it would matter if we did… you're your own witch, Lily Luna. You always have been.

Love Always,

Mum

Scorpius Hyperion,

I hope you are well. As I have not received a disciplinary notice from your head of house in quite some time, I assume you are staying out of trouble, or that you at least have the discretion to keep your malhappenings beneath the notice of the staff. However, it has come to my attention that you have not been so discrete in all your carrying-ons.

I have allowed you to be friends with the Potter boy, because of the unique disadvantage with which you entered Hogwarts, I have allowed you to spend holidays and summers at their home, because I knew how important it was to you to form connections outside of your family sphere.

But to be involved with the girl? That is unacceptable, Scorpius. I am not a blood purist, but the Malfoy family has a reputation to uphold. It is one thing to be friends, and it is entirely another to entertain the notion of- you are not a child anymore. You must understand that you have a duty to your family and your ancestors to do what is proper and expected.

It must end at once. I will not hear another word about it, do you understand me? It is to end, and you will escort one of the delightful young ladies who attended your party to the ball. End of story, no argument.

I await your owl, and the name of your date.

Your father,

Draco Malfoy

Scorpius,

If I recall correctly, it is very much frustrating being 16, and being beholden to your father's whims. My father wanted me to marry a stranger, did you know that? Some son of a friend whom I had never met, much older than me. I played along, for awhile.

Your father doesn't know I'm writing you, too. I know what he's telling you, darling. I told him if he wanted to be that way, it was on his own head. Despite his best intentions, I know he's not quite the father he wanted to be. Some scars run deeper than others, and I don't think I'm even speaking about The War. Play along. If he doesn't know you like I do, if he doesn't accept that you are very much your own person, that's his own fault.

My advice to you, my beautiful boy: be patient my love. If your heart is strong and true, if Lily thinks half as much of you as I know you do her- be patient. Love will out.

Love Forever,

Mum

"So, mum knows, and dad," Lily said as casually as she could muster, taking a large bite of cereal to mask the awkwardness she felt. "They, erm, said they're okay with it."

Albus frowned and washed down his toast with a glass a pumpkin juice.

"And he's not allowed to come over for holidays anymore, right? Fun ruiner."

"Actually, she said you should get over it!" She said, fibbing just a little. "She said that brothers suck and I shouldn't pay you any mind."

"She did not!" He insisted.

They were still squabbling when Scorpius joined them at the table, sinking into the space between them and looking forlorn.