Chapter Fifteen : An early birthday present

'Why are you happy? Don't you hate the Potters?' Scorpius asked his grandfather who smirked.

'Let's just say I'm happy that the heir of Malfoy family knows how to keep the enemy close.' Scorpius wasn't even surprised at Lucius because a change of heart was the least of things he expected from him.

'They are not my enemy.'

'Then what are they? Your alleys? Are you sure they think that about you too?' The way he smiled it irked Scorpius.

'It doesn't matter what they think of me. I don't mean any harm to them.'

'Stop talking nonsense! There is no way a Potter and a Malfoy can be friends.'

'In case you don't know, I'm already friends with a Potter.'

'Ah! You mean that Albus? You think he's going to still want to be friends with you when he finds out about you and his sister?' Lucius hit the right spot and Scorpius lowered his head. 'I guess he already knows and it didn't turn out well.'

'He'll understand.'

'Not if he knows on whose side you really are.'

Scorpius raised his head and met his grandfather's eyes, 'I am not on your side.'

Lucius stepped forward and grabbed Scorpius by the collar and said in a threatening tone, 'Listen to me carefully boy. The day you decided to come with me to that ceremony, was the day your fate sealed. You are and are supposed to be on the dark lord's side, no matter what!'

'What if I don't want to?'

'Then it won't end up good for either you or your lovely Potters, especially that girl.'

'Leave Lily out of this!' Scorpius shouted.

Lucius laughed devilishly. 'You can't keep her out of it even if you want to.'

'What does that mean?' This time it was Scorpius who was grabbing Lucius's collar.

'Scorpius!' Both of them turned to see a fuming Draco standing in the doorway, his eyes livid. 'Leave your grandfather.' And his son did.

'Teach him better. His actions clearly show he lacks a mother.' Lucius said and Draco winced at the mention of his dead wife.

'Dad! Please.' Draco said.

'I'll be going now. Make sure your son knows where his loyalties lies.' Lucius said, glanced at Scorpius who stared back, and left.

When his father left, Draco turned to his son. 'Do you really have to argue with him?'

'He's planning something. Stop him before it's too late.' Scorpius warned.

'Don't worry, he can't do anything. We're keeping tabs on him and other death eaters.'

'We?'

'Me and some of the aurors from the ministry.'

'Did you guys find out something?' Scorpius asked not to raise Draco's suspicions about him attending the ceremony of death eaters with his grandfather.

'I've been asked to not reveal the findings to anyone.'

'Oh.'

'Just make sure you stay away from these activities. I don't want you to be any kind of trouble.' Scorpius nodded quietly.

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'Do we really need to do this every year?' A tired Lily asked her cousin who was busy moving her eyes around to find the right dress for the beach house. They were in a shopping mall, a muggle one because Rose loved to shop from there.

'Of course. Every new vacation requires new apparel.'

'Whatever.' Lily sighed for her legs were already hurting from going around looking for perfect clothes that Rose wanted.

'By the way what are planning for the big day?' Rose asked and Lily gave her a confused look. 'Please don't tell me you forgot?'

'Forgot what?'

'Lily! It's Scorpius's birthday day after tomorrow.'

Lily bit her lip in realization that she'd forgot her boyfriend's birthday. 'Shit. I'm a pathetic girlfriend, aren't I? How can I forget that?'

'There's still time. You can plan something.'

'But how? All of us are going to the beach house. I'm sure Albus might've already been planning..... or may be not.' She was reminded of the fact that her brother was still upset with his best friend.

'I think he will. He might be angry but he wouldn't let Scorpius be alone on his birthday.'

'But with everyone there how will I get to surprise Scorpius?'

Rose put her hands on Lily's shoulders and said, 'Don't worry Lilykins, leave everything on your awesome cousin.'

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After a long day from shopping and lunch with Rose, Lily finally returned to her apartment only to find Scorpius waiting there for her.

'Hi there. Here to surprise me?'

He turned to her and smiled. 'Surprise.' He said in a low voice.

'Is something wrong?' She asked as she noticed his long face. He said nothing, just wrapped his arms around her. She caress his back softly trying to pacify him from whatever he was feeling at the moment.

'I missed you.' He whispered.

'I missed you too.' Lily broke the hug and took his hands to lead him inside the apartment. She sat him down on the couch and asked again, 'What happened Scorpius?'

Unable to tell her the real reason behind his distressed he deflected. 'Nothing. Just not seeing you much this week made me miss you even more.'

'You sound like a puppy who got lost.'

'May be I am. Why don't you pat me to make me feel better.' He said putting a smile with a lot of efforts. Lily sat next to him and he laid his head in her lap as she caressed his hair.

'Whatever it is you can tell me. Even if it is about my family, I'm here to listen.' Lily said.

'It's actually about my family.'

'Did something happen back at home?'

'Let's just say my grandfather isn't in his right frame of mind these days.'

Lily started massaging Scorpius's head. 'Did you argue because of me?' When he didn't answer, she knew the answer. 'I'm sorry.'

Scorpius got up and took her face in his hands, 'Lily you don't have to be sorry for anything. It's not your fault if my family still can't get over their obsession with yours.'

Lily pecked Scorpius on lips and they shared a sweet kiss, a reassurance which Scorpius needed to know that Lily trusted him. She asked him to stay with her and he did.

As she lay her head on his chest while they laid on her bed, she still caressed his hair. 'You love my hair don't you?' Scorpius couldn't help but ask.

She smiled and nodded lightly. A little later she remembered something and got up much to Scorpius's protest. 'Just wait here, I've got something for you.'

'What is it?' He called out as she opened the cupboard and took out a box. Returning to the bed she gave it to him. Scorpius tore the paper packaging and opened the box. 'What is this? He asked as he took out the contents of the box.

'An early birthday present.' Lily said and kissed him on the cheek.