She smiled at one or two regulars who were always there when Lily visited. She sat there after ordering her Butterbeer, and pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment to write another letter to Scorpius. For the past three years, after they left Hogwarts and went back to Godric's hollow in their home, Lily had been writing a letter to Scorpius every month, but never receiving a reply. Her letter always came back to her with the owl. Scorpius and the Malfoys hadn't been found after having searched for them for months and months. They had given up hope later. Lily had gotten herself busy in studying with aunt Hermione, and seldom went out of the house aside from meeting Rose and Uncle George. The only person who had given Lily hope over Scorpius was George.
He often visited and told her that one day, that owl would come bearing a reply from Scorpius instead of her own unopened letter back. And that was all that gave Lily the motivation to send more and more letters to Scorpius as time passed. Three years had gone by yet she hadn't a trace of Scorpius. Lily often wrote in her letters during Christmastime informing Scorpius that she would be present in Hogsmeade if he ever wanted to see her when in town. So far, she had been sitting alone at her usual table and looking out the window to see people walk by, but none of them were Scorpius. Lily still hadn't lost hope, and as she recalled how she had penned another letter to Scorpius the previous day, she smiled recounting how Rose had gone to Romania with her brother Hugo to learn about dragons with their uncle Charlie. Hermione and Ron often visited, but most of the time they were at Godric's hollow with Harry and Ginny, where Hermione schooled Lily . It had been quite comforting for all of them to stay together after the battle. All of them were often worried as to the other's well being, and since James and Albus were now working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Harry and Ginny only saw them when George visited. Lily had written in the letter about how George had gotten Albus and James busy in the shop, preparing boxes and boxes of items that were to be sent out to those who had ordered, and as punishment for what they had done to the Malfoys, they were made to do most of the work as Muggles did. George had said that the moment Lily would be merciful and let them do the work as wizards, George allow them to do the same.
It had been over two years, and they were still working as Muggles, much to their dismay but Lily's delight. The punishment wasn't nearly as severe as it should have been, in Lily's opinion, owing to what they had done. She had forgiven them though, but she couldn't forgive herself for having Stunned Scorpius, and she apologised for it in every letter she wrote. This time, she was apologising again, hoping a reply would come. Lily sighed and took a sip of her Butterbeer, wondering whether or not this time the letter had reached him.
Taking another sip, Lily stared out to see the looming towers of Hogwarts that were no longer there. The destruction had been irreversible. She watched as the fog gathered and the temperature dropped, but when she took the last sip of her Butterbeer, she heard the chime of the bell, and her eyes found him at the door. Lily stared for longer than she was supposed to, blinking as she tried to comprehend whether it was whom she thought it was. He was ruffling his hair, letting the snowflakes fall as he walked in and the door shut behind him. He let out a breath, and then his eyes trailed around as though he was looking for someone until they landed on her.
Scorpius Malfoy looked more handsome than he should have, in Lily's opinion. She watched as he dusted the snow particles off of his shoulder clad in a coat as he looked straight into her eyes from the distance. His expression remained unchanged, and Lily had to hold her mug of Butterbeer tightly so as not to let it fall. Scorpius took measured steps towards her, and Lily's heart raced as she watched his predatory stance move in her direction until he reached her.
He took a seat across from her wordlessly as Lily stared at him unmoving. He let out a breath and placed the envelope he was holding, on the table between them. Lily stared at it at a loss of words. She had just sent that letter, a day ago, and here he was sitting across from her, not uttering a word. Lily wondered whether it was a dream. But then he leant forward, placing both his hands before them on the table, and Lily traced with her eyes, all of those intricate features of his face that she had so terribly missed.
Unknowingly, a smile grazed her lips as she looked at him, but Scorpius was looking down at his hands, unmindful of her gaze. And Lily wondered whether she'd still feel that tingling sensation if he were to touch her. She didn't have to wonder much longer because the moment she opened her mouth to say something, his fingers were entwined with those of hers.
"I thought I'd find you here," he said.
And it was all that took for Lily to fall hopelessly in love with those grey orbs once again.
Hi all! So this is the last and final chapter of this story, and there will be no more updates. I know I've left it abruptly and haven't explained as to where Scorpius had been all this while, but I just wanted to leave it at that point, and writing more just didn't make much sense. What happens after the epilogue is open for interpretation. So please don't hate me for leaving it there. I've loved the reviews you guys have given to me, and to each and every reader who wrote a review, a big, heartfelt thank you. I love you guys. Hope you've enjoyed this fanfic just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for all the love! And Happy Reading :)