The first whispers of spring drifted through the stone corridors of Hogwarts, softening everything. The air no longer carried the knife-edge bite of winter but something gentler, a suggestion of warmth still tangled with cool drafts that swept in from the open doors. Students had begun abandoning their cloaks between classes, pulling jumpers loose around their waists and laughing in the sudden bursts of sunlight that broke through the clouds.
For Lily, the change in season mirrored something deeper, something she and Scorpius had both tiptoed around for months. They had stolen moments under the golden light of the Tree, brushed fingers in hidden corners of the library, exchanged glances across classrooms when no one was looking.
But hiding had grown heavier than she realised. And now, walking down the long corridor toward the Great Hall with Scorpius at her side, she tightened her grip on his hand.
The oak doors loomed open ahead. Noise spilled out: the clang of cutlery, the hum of voices, laughter bursting like sparks across the vaulted ceiling. Normally, she slipped into this sound without a thought. But today, with his palm warm against hers, her heart thudded like a drum.
Scorpius squeezed her hand once. "Ready?"
"No," Lily whispered back, a nervous laugh escaping her. "But let's do it anyway."
Together, they stepped inside.
The shift was instant. Conversations faltered. Forks paused mid-air. Heads turned as though pulled by the same invisible thread. Their joined hands caught the light of the floating candles above, the pale of his against the freckled flush of hers, undeniable and plain for everyone to see.
Whispers erupted, soft at first, then swelling into a murmur that rolled through the hall like a current.
"Potter and Malfoy-"
"...are they really-?"
"Since when-?"
Lily felt her cheeks burn, but she didn't look away. She held her chin high, matching her steps to Scorpius's steady stride as they walked between the rows of tables. The sound of her own heartbeat seemed louder than the scrape of benches and the rustle of robes.
At the Gryffindor table, Albus's eyes went wide, pumpkin juice halfway to his lips. Kara nudged him so hard his elbow clattered against the jug. Both of them were grinning like idiots by the time Lily passed.
But not every face was smiling.
Rose Weasley, seated halfway down the Gryffindor bench with her usual neat pile of books stacked beside her plate, froze. Her eyes found their hands immediately, lingering there for one sharp, startled second. Then her face smoothed into careful neutrality, but Lily caught the flicker beneath it, a flash of something brittle, quickly hidden. Rose bent over her toast, but her fingers tightened hard around the crust until it crumbled.
The moment passed, but the weight of it clung to Lily like smoke. She didn't let go of Scorpius's hand.
They slid into seats at the Ravenclaw table. Conversation slowly resumed around them, though not without curious looks tossed their way. Scorpius released her hand only long enough to reach for the teapot, his movements calm, deliberate, as though nothing unusual had happened.
Albus appeared almost immediately, Kara in tow, both balancing plates piled too high.
"Well," Albus said cheerfully, dropping onto the bench across from them. "That answers a lot of questions."
Lily shot him a glare. "Don't."
Kara leaned her chin into her hands, eyes bright. "You two do realise you're terrible at being subtle, right? The way you stare at each other-"
YOU ARE READING
Obliviate
FanfictionA unicorn tail hair core surrounded by an ash wood was my wand. Who knew the wand that chose you could have the power to destroy you so much emotionally? - Lily This is a story about two friends who fall in love at the most unexpected time. Lily Lun...
