I do not own H.P.

A Quick thanks to those reading, and my apologies for the delay in this chapter. My computer changer broke and unfortunately this is the first time I've been able to write due to that. I would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!

Lily read the note again. The message was simple, but every time she looked at the cursive writing her heart skipped a beat. Drawing the blue curtains around her bed for privacy, she opened the letter again, reading the simple note:

Hogsmead this weekend?

She wanted to send a note back with a resounding yes, but, thinking of the consequences, she knew she could not agree. There was no doubt in her mind that being seen with Scorpius in Hogsmead would raise too many questions, questions that she couldn't answer. Reluctantly, she pulled out a piece of parchment and scribbled an apology, and voiced her desire to say yes, but ultimately she just couldn't. Early the next morning Lily went to the owlery to send of the letter without giving it too much thought, knowing that she might change her mind if she gave herself the chance. Since breakfast was still a couple of hours away, Lily took a walk around the castle, appreciating the morning air. Her emotions were confusing, as she thought of Malfoy's steely grey eyes, remembering how he peered at her intently as they sat so close to each other in the Astronomy Tower. She desired his company, but knew that both would suffer if others suspected a friendship growing between the two of them.

She lost track of time during her wondering, and when she finally went to breakfast her eyes scanned the Great Hall, searching for a pair of grey eyes. She sat down and made a plate of food, and began eating slower than normal. She was almost finished with her breakfast when Scorpius finally made an appearance. She tried desperately to lock eyes with him, but he didn't acknowledge her, and she was sure he was avoiding her gaze. She watched him intently as he loaded his plate with food and sat silently. He seemed to be ignoring those around him as they tried to speak to him, and Lily felt that she was probably to blame due to the note she'd sent him that morning.

Finally, Lily got up to leave, knowing there was little point in watching the Slytherin, especially since Bryant Finnigan was sitting across from her. He'd been sitting at the Ravenclaw table more often, and though at first she attributed it to his new girlfriend who was a housemate of Lily's, it soon became clear that the two were hardly talking. Lily tried to ignore the rumors that surrounded the couple, and assumed that the Gryffindor was sitting at the Ravenclaw table to make amends with Jaycee. However, it didn't escape Lily's attention that whenever he sat at the table, he always managed to find a seat close to Lily, which she assumed was probably to make Jaycee jealous. Although a month ago she would have been flattered and hopeful by his actions, Lily was no longer sure that she harbored any feelings for Bryant, especially when since the image of him snogging Jaycee was burned into her memory.

Not long after exiting the Great Hall, Lily heard someone follow. She smiled to herself thinking it must be the blond Slytherin. When she turned around, however it was not a pair a grey eyes that scanned her. Giving herself a mental kick for who she had hoped to see, she plastered a forced smile on her face before speaking.

"Finnigan," she greeted curtly, choosing purposefully to use his surname. He grinned at her, which made her heart leap despite herself. He was extremely handsome, and though she wanted to, she couldn't deny that. His smile didn't falter at Lily's hostile tone, and his brown eyes danced as he took a step toward her.

"Why so formal, Potter?" His voice was light, and he clearly didn't see how tense the red head was. He said her surname in an amused tone, clearly mimicking her use of his. Remembering how he used her surname when breaking up with her, she worked to control her emotions. She thought of Scorpius, always so calm and composed, as she shrugged nonchalantly, hoping to imitate him in some manner. It felt strange, as she realized that Malfoy was almost always on her mind, and in this moment it was clear that she admired him in so many ways.

"I have somewhere to be," she said turning her back to him. Before she could get away he caught her wrist and pulled her back to him forcefully, causing her body to crash into his. Her calm demeanor wavered, which her companion quickly sensed, causing him to smile even wider. His grip on her arm tightened, but she refused to acknowledge his physical advantage over her. She cursed herself for not being able to reach her wand discreetly.

"Come on, Lily." She hated that he used her name, and even more, she hated the way he licked his lips before smiling as his eyes scanned her body, which was still unbearably close to his. She hated to think of the games he'd once played with her emotions, and when he said "Don't be like that," her hand twitched, itching to pull out her wand and curse him. She was quickly losing her composure, and with one last attempt to steady her emotions, she took a deep breath.

"Please just leave me alone," she finally sputtered out unsteadily. Before he could respond, they heard a door slam behind them and both turned in the direction of the noise. Lily couldn't see past Bryant's large form, though she did notice his body tense.

"Damn snake." Finnigan hissed just loud enough for Lily to hear.

Relief flooded through Lily as Scorpius walked into her line of sight, though it was short lived. She could only imagine how Bryant would react if he found that Lily and Scorpius were friends…if that is even what they were. She knew he would be swift to tell her entire family. Her eyes quickly sought Scorpius's, but there was no emotion, only a cold look of indifference.

Annoyance shone on the slightly shorter brunette boys face as Scorpius strutted toward them. "Can we help you?" There was no mistaking the irritation in Finnigan's voice, and his emphasis as he said we irritated Lily. They were certainly no longer a "we". Where Scorpius allowed no emotion to penetrate his cold stare, Bryant's face was turning red as he was unable to hide his irritation.

Scorpius didn't look directly at Lily, but instead smirked at the other boy. "Just passing through." His grey eyes darkened though Lily still could not detect any emotion on his stony face as he walked past the two. "Please," he said, still not looking at Lily, "continue." He turned away and resumed walking down the corridor, without looking back at Lily or Bryant.

Malfoy had managed to distract the other boy just long enough for Lily to grab her wand, though it was unnecessary as students began exiting the Great Hall and filling the corridor, leaving Finnigan no time to speak another word to Lily. She took the opportunity and turned her back and scampered off.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Scorpius was irritated, thinking of the events from only moments ago. In the Great Hall, he watched intently as Finnigan forced himself into Lily's presence, first by simply sitting near her. However, after Lily exited the Great Hall Scorpius could not remain seated as he watched Finnigan stand, and after briefly looking around to see if any one was watching him, follow Lily out.

His thoughts were cut off as Professor Thompson cleared his throat.

"Mr. Malfoy," the Runes professor said in a stern voice.

"Yes, professor?" He looked up at Professor Thompson, who could see that the seventh year was clearly not paying attention.

He huffed slightly, before handing over a piece of parchment. "You're needed in Professor Garmond's office."

Scorpius took the parchment, slightly confused. He couldn't fathom why the Head of his house would need him in particular. He thought about a few reasons after he'd exited the classroom. He walked through the corridors racking his brain when suddenly he was yanked into a classroom. Acting on his initial reaction, Scorpius reached for his wand, but after seeing a flash or red hair he quickly stopped himself. He composed his features and faced the girl with a stony look.

"I'm sorry to startle you," she huffed. "Professor Garmund doesn't need you," she grinned, "I sent the note." She was clearly proud of herself, and Scorpius had to admit he found her sneakiness worthy of Slytherin praise. Her cheeks were tinged pink, and Scorpius appreciated the color on her. She looked at him almost beseechingly. "I really just wanted to say thank you and explain," she started, but he shook his head, stopping her.

"You owe me nothing," he said, "least of all an explanation." He couldn't deny the fact that he had spent the morning trying to ignore her after receiving her note, but in truth he was ignoring everyone. He knew she wouldn't be able to say yes. Their friendship would do either of them little good. From the look of things between her and FInnigan earlier he wasn't even sure that they were over. He was about to voice these concerns when Lily spoke first.

"I didn't know it was Finnigan that followed me out of the Great Hall earlier," she said. She was glaring down at the floor with her hands on her hips. "I thought it was you," she finally admitted, her features softening, though she didn't look up from the spot on the floor that her eyes were transfixed on. "Or rather," she paused hesitant to continue, but she looked up and Scorpius's gaze finally softened, urging her to continue, "I hoped it was you." They were both quiet, and Lily averted her eyes. Knowing he was still staring at her, she blushed.

"Why?" He finally asked.

"I don't know…" her voice trailed off. "I guess," she said sighing and pulling at her loose strands of hair anxiously. "I suppose I was hoping for the chance to apologize for not being able to go to Hogsmeade.

He smirked. "About that," he raked his hands through his messy platinum hair, "I had an idea." Lily perked up, listening intently as he continued. "What if we didn't go?" He paused, waiting for her response.

Confusion crept onto her face before responding. "I thought that was the problem."

"I mean we could stay behind. The two of us could stay here instead, and we wouldn't have to worry about anyone seeing us together because they will all be out of the castle."

Lily's smile lit up her face. "That's brilliant!"