Hi all!

Ok well I should start by saying that this story is a direct sequel to my other fanfic Seasons May Change and it might make more sense to read that one first just to know what's happened so far.

Right well this is basically set roughly a year after the last chapter of SMC and will follow the lives of Lily, Scorpius and the others through life after Hogwarts and yet more trials that await them :)

I really hope you enjoy it and if you're a reader who has stuck by Lily and Scorpius from the last story then thank you, so very much :)

Just a quick disclaimer for this and every chapter that will follow, I don't own any of the characters or the world of Harry Potter, it all belongs to the brilliant mind of J.K.

Chapter one – Things have Changed

We didn't sit in our usual place at the Gryffindor table for the new school year meal, instead Emma, Hugo and I moved along to sit at the head of the table where all seventh years sat. We were the oldest students in school now, except for those who had returned to redo the year after failing, and to be honest it felt wrong. I didn't belong at this end of the table, I didn't deserve the greetings of my teachers who told me how proud they were to have witnessed me growing into a skilled and powerful witch, I shouldn't be getting attention off the new first years who were staring at me in awe. I wasn't ready to be here at the end of it all, I just wanted to go back a year and bring Al and Scorpius to Hogwarts again, things had changed and I didn't want them to.

I wasn't the only one who was suffering, beside me Emma was staring sadly into her plate and opposite us Hugo was eyeing his Quidditch captain badge glumly knowing who had worn it before him. Lucy was sat on the table across from us surrounded by her fellow Ravenclaw students but not involved in any of their conversations, she glanced up meeting my gaze and managed a small smile. I couldn't smile back.

I looked over my shoulder at the Slytherin table and couldn't help but glance at the end where Scorpius had sat last year, of course he wasn't there, a tall dark haired boy sat in his old seat laughing with his friends and I sighed. I felt Emma place a hand on my arm comfortingly and turned to face my best friend, her bright blue eyes had lost their sparkle and her smile was a ghost of what it used to be.

"It doesn't feel right, any of it." I mumbled sadly, she nodded and shifted a bit closer to me so that she could link her arm through mine.

"I know." She said simply, Professor Sprout, who was acting as headmistress until a permanent replacement was found, began giving her speech but I heard none of it.

"It's only for one year, the time will fly by." Hugo assured us trying his hardest to sound optimistic, somehow I managed a tiny smile and nodded.

"I hope so."

"Lily please stop it you're driving me insane." Emma grumbled miserably, I scowled and forced myself to stop tapping my feet anxiously as I mentally urged the train to go faster.

"Can you believe it's Christmas already?" Hugo mused as we watched the scenery whipping past the window.

"I know, it's crazy, it feels like it was only last week that we got back to Hogwarts and now it's December. Where did the months go?" it was Lucy who replied from behind the pages of her book, she was the only one of us who seemed entirely relaxed about returning home.

"I think it's all the N.E.W.T.s work myself, I've had so much to do I haven't even had chance to think about the date." She wasn't exaggerating either, since the start of the year Emma had actually spent ninety percent of her spare time in the library and the other ten percent with piles of parchment in her hands as she frantically tried to work whilst she walked, honestly the girl was insane when exams were concerned.

"I haven't started revising much yet, mum's going to kill me when she finds out." Hugo grumbled miserably, Lucy giggled and patted his knee sympathetically.

"Why aren't we there yet?" I groaned leaning against the window to see further ahead of us for any glimpse of the station, Emma rolled her eyes and shoved me back into my chair.

"Hey!" I complained scrambling back into an upright position.

"For heaven's sake calm down! Obsessively staring out of the window isn't going to make the train go any faster!" the three of us stared at her with raised eyebrows and she shrugged.

"Don't look at me like that, you two only have to put up with her in lessons and breaks, I'm stuck with her at night time too." She argued defensively, Hugo and Lucy laughed and I gave her a playful shove.

"I'm not that bad! Besides you're as guilty as I am."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded and I scoffed at her attempt at innocence.

"Come off it Em, all I hear is 'oh I wonder how Al is' and 'do you think Al's up to much?' and let's not forget your favourite 'you don't think he has a girlfriend do you Lily?'" I retorted mimicking her voice whenever she asked me those questions, she flushed bright red and slapped my arm.

"Stop it, I was only concerned!"

"Oh please, you're just as obsessed as I am so zip it." she opened her mouth to argue but failed to find any words and folded her arms across her chest instead huffing furiously, I giggled and glanced back out of the window at the exact second the train lurched to a stop at it's destination.

"Oh my god we're here!" I squealed leaping out of my seat and making a beeline for the door.

"Lily wait up!" Emma called after me as I shoved my way through the crowds of students and burst onto the platform, I thrust myself onto my tiptoes eagerly scanning the crowds until I spotted him waiting beside my family. I weaved my way through the many people running clumsily towards the familiar faces, I ran straight past James who up until now had always gotten the first hug and threw myself into Scorpius. His strong arms pinned me to his body and I felt myself relax now that I was back with him, pulling away from the hug slightly he brought our lips together and I kissed him back tenderly.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you." He told me with a relieved sigh and I laughed lightly.

"I think I can guess." It was probably the same painful amount that I'd missed him, I remembered the rest of my family were waiting to greet me and managed to tear myself out of his arms reluctantly.

"Oh I see what's going on, first you snog the boyfriend and then you remember your brother, I think you got your priorities mixed up Lils." James announced wagging a disapproving finger in my direction, I scowled at him slapping his hand away and he grabbed me in a tight hug.

"Look how grown up my little sister is, she's a seventh year!" he crooned sarcastically, I laughed and slapped his back playfully.

"Good to have you back." He added more sincerely as he set me back down on my feet, I smiled at him gratefully and someone collided with me knocking me off balance, Scorpius grabbed my arm steadying me as Emma bent over clutching her stomach and panting breathlessly.

"Blimey Lily didn't you hear me shouting? I asked you to wait, then I lost you and went the wrong way, I had to run away from a swarm of muggle boys who kept asking for my number, whatever that means." She blurted out the words in a frantic rush trying to catch her breath, most of us just laughed at her except for one person. Al stepped forward from behind James and I felt Emma stiffen beside me, she stood up straight again all efforts to catch her breath forgotten, they stood silently staring at each other for a few seconds before she launched herself at him throwing her arms around his shoulders and locking him in a fierce hug.

"Whoa careful Em." He chuckled but she didn't relax her grip, I knew he was shy because of our presence and as if by cue everyone turned away and started talking amongst themselves, reassured by the small amount of privacy I saw him wrap his arms around her and return her hug.

"So what's up?" he asked casually with his usual lopsided grin, she stared at him incredulously and then pushed him.

"What the heck?" he exclaimed startled by the sudden outburst, Emma sighed so angrily it sounded more like a growl and Al look worried.

"Damn you Albus Potter, I haven't seen you in months and all you can say is what's up?" she spluttered in a strained voice, I could see her eyes glazed with unshed tears but didn't know if they were from anger or sadness.

"I just…" He started to defend himself but she cut him off.

"I missed you, you idiot. I missed your sarcastic remarks and your constant complaints about being hungry!" she shouted at him angrily, he looked at her apologetically and reached out for her hand.

"Emma…" he began softly but she snatched her hand away.

"Oh forget it, what's the point." She said sadly, I watched as she turned and walked away over to where her parents waited and Al met my gaze, his eyes sought some comfort in mine but I couldn't give him any, I was on Emma's side in all of this. It wasn't fair for him to keep holding her at a distance when they both wanted to be together just because of his stupid travelling plans.

"Come on let's get home." My dad suggested in an attempt to clear the tense atmosphere.

"You've actually got it then?" I sounded a bit more shocked than I should have after my brothers announced that they'd put down a deposit on the cottage over the hill.

"Well we haven't bought it but we'll be renting it as of next week." James clarified, looking rather proud of their decision. We were sat by the crackling fire discussing what I'd missed over the past months at Hogwarts, James and Al were sat on the floor leant back against the sofa with Scorpius opposite, his back to the armchair with me nestled between his legs and leaning back against his chest. It was getting late now and our parents had long since gone to bed but none of us felt tired.

"What's it like?" I asked curiously, I wasn't thrilled at their decision to leave home so soon but that was only because it meant more change and I just didn't want more things to be different.

"It's big actually, considering it's supposed to be a cottage." James began, looking to his younger brother for confirmation.

"Yeah there are two floors and then a third level but it only has one room so it doesn't really count as another floor." Al continued and I tried to visualize the building.

"How many bedrooms does it have?" I asked wondering if they would have to share or if there would be room for others to stay over.

"Well three officially but the room at the top is big enough to be a fourth I reckon."

"We were thinking of offering Hughie the spare one, after he leaves Hogwarts of course." James told me, it was nice that they considered Hugo a part of our circle of friends even though he was younger than them.

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out." I said with a sad smile.

"Pretty much, it'll need decorating but that wont take long unless aunt Hermione gets wind of it and makes us paint it by hand."

"Mmm." I mumbled unable to share their enthusiasm, I turned and gazed into the crackling flames in the fireplace and James let out a long yawn.

"Right well I'm going to hit the sack, the Auror training is getting harder now so I'm knackered." he trudged off up the stairs and Al moved to follow him.

"Tell Emma I'm sorry." He said gravely, I raised my eyebrows and resisted the urge to tell him to sod off.

"Tell her yourself." I replied icily, I wasn't going to try and mend the situation when he was being an idiot, he sighed and stomped off to bed muttering under his breath.

Scorpius and I were alone now that they'd left, he tightened his arms around me and pressed a couple of light kisses to my forehead, I swivelled in his arms until I was facing him and sighed.

"Why are you sad?" he asked lifting my chin and forcing my eyes to meet his.

"It's silly really…" I laughed anxiously but his serious expression did not falter, "I just feel like I'm being left behind." I shrugged at my own pathetic fears and he gave me a gentle smile.

"I can't go anywhere without you Lily, you're my future remember?"

"Yes but things are different now, you're not at Hogwarts anymore you're free to go off and…"

"Lily stop." I had no choice but to obey because his fingers sealed my lips closed, he waited for a few seconds staring at me imploringly until he was sure I wouldn't continue my rant and then he removed his hand freeing my mouth again.

"Come and live with me," he said bluntly, I stared at him bug eyed and completely stunned, "Well I suppose it's more like come and live with us as it wont be just my house but still…" he trailed off letting his nervous eyes fall to the floor and I scrambled to regain my posture.

"I…I can't…" his eyes flew back to mine filled with hurt and confusion. "There isn't enough space, Hugo is getting the last bedroom." His expression quickly changed to one of intensity as he took my hand in his.

"I didn't mean for you to move into a separate room Lily," and I was back to being bug eyed. "Move in with me." I could hardly believe it, his words rang through my head echoing from ear to ear as I struggled to grasp what they meant.

"You're serious." I spluttered breathlessly and he nodded, deliberately slowly as if to make sure I fully understood.

Move in with him, into the same house as him and in the same room, sleep in the same bed as him every night! I started to feel dizzy with euphoria until more realization began to hit me, did I trust myself to be alone with him and in the same bed? My emotions had taken such a drastic turn recently whenever we found ourselves alone, such powerful urges and desires seemed to grip me and I was scared of where they might take us if we were together in such unrestricted circumstances.

Sex was a subject we'd always avoided, I used to shy away from it whenever it entered my mind and I knew that as much as I loved him I wasn't ready for things to go down that road yet. But now I wasn't so sure, the intensity of some of the moments we'd shared together recently had opened my eyes to a whole new range of feelings that I couldn't ignore and now I found myself wanting those things with Scorpius. That scared me more than anything.

"Ok," my lips seemed to utter the agreement without my permission, my overactive mind was still racing leaving me stunned but somehow the words slipped from my lips. His face transformed into a huge beaming smile and I couldn't help but grin back.

"Really?" he begged needing to hear me confirm it, I laughed anxiously and nodded.

"Yes." He drew me into his arms and kissed me fervently, the slow and rhythmic movement of his lips quickly silenced any doubts I had that moving in with him wasn't what I wanted. Of course it meant I would have to put up with my insufferable brothers for a few more years but I'd pay that price if it meant I got to see Scorpius every day and wake up beside him every morning. It was going to be fantastic!

I smiled against his lips as the joy began to set in and I could feel him grinning back refusing to break away from the kiss, it was one of the rare times we managed to kiss without any interruptions or complaints, but we'd be able to do it as much as we wanted to once we were living together – the thought of it had a fresh wave of euphoria blazing through my veins.

"Lily…" he whispered gazing deeply into my eyes and causing my body to tremble weakly under his intense stare.

"Mmm?" I hummed unsure of how to form actual words when he looked at me that way, he took my hands gently in his and dropped his eyes to the floor.

"Um…" he paused for a moment and then laughed, it was a sound of disbelief.

"What?" I begged eagerly, he just gave me a small smile and shook his head.

"Nothing sweetheart." I would have argued but he pressed a gentle kiss to my mouth and my head was sent spinning out of control again taking all thoughts of disagreeing with it.

"What's life at Hogwarts like these days?" he asked lightly trying to steer the conversation down a more casual direction, I sighed heavily and slumped in his arms.

"Miserable." I said simply, he frowned and gave me a sympathetic look.

"Aw…"

"It's just not the same with you two gone, plus the workload is getting huge with the exams coming."

"Mmm I remember that part."

"Emma is driving me crazy too."

"Because of Al?" he guessed, but he wasn't entirely right so I shook my head.

"No, well yes but not just that, she's going completely mental trying to revise for the exams and is determined to drag us along with her. Honestly she fell asleep while she was writing a Charms essay the other night and woke up to find she'd drooled on the parchment and smudged all the ink, you should have seen how stressed out she got, I thought she was going to hyperventilate or something."

"Scary…" he mumbled with wide eyes.

"It was, then on top of all the revision craziness I have to put up with her never-ending prattling about Al, it's driving me insane!" I clutched at my hair in frustration and he chuckled, gently he tugged my hands away and smoothed down my now messy locks.

"Are you sure you don't drive her just as insane when we're apart?" he asked with one raised eyebrow, I squinted at him seriously for a moment until I couldn't fight the smile any longer.

"Yeah I do…" I admitted with a sigh, he laughed again and kissed my forehead. "I guess I shouldn't complain but it's so much more frustrating for me, I just wish Al would get a grip and ask her out already." I hung my head miserably and sighed, it was painful for me to listen to Emma frantically trying to figure out what she could possibly do to make my brother love her when all along I knew he already loved her but he was just being an idiot. I couldn't tell her that though, it wasn't my place to talk about Al's private decisions, he would have to tell her when he was ready and until then I just had to try and be the best friend I could.

"Anyway let's talk about something more cheerful, what's it like working with your dad?" since leaving Hogwarts Scorpius had gone on to work with his dad at Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, of course I had no doubt that he would be a natural because of his flair for potions.

"It's alright, a bit boring but I guess that's to be expected, it is a job after all."

"Why don't you try and find a position as a potioneer?" I suggested, hoping it might be a bit more interesting that working at the apothecary.

"I've been looking but there aren't many vacancies, I'm counting on my experience at Slug and Jiggers to give me a bit of an advantage if I eventually do find an opening."

"I bet its nice getting paid." I mused, he laughed lightly and patted his trouser pocket so I could hear the coins clatter together.

"I don't think I've ever had this much money before and I've only been paid a few times."

"Well it'll all be gone soon when you have rent and stuff to pay."

"Yeah but I don't mind really, I don't need the money for anything yet so it's fine." I knew he was right, when I eventually started getting paid I would have absolutely nothing to spend my wages on, I could buy a load of pointless things like clothes or books but I had enough of those already so I'd probably just end up saving it.

"I am saving up for something though so hopefully not all my money will be gone when we get this cottage." I looked at him curiously but his eyes were focussed on the crackling fire and his thoughts far away.

"What are you saving up for?" I asked unable to curb my curiosity for any longer, his attention snapped back and he gave me a small smile.

"Just something small, I might need it one day." I was utterly befuddled, so much so that I couldn't even ask more probing questions about this mysterious item before he got up lifting me to my feet with him.

"Come on it's late, we should get to bed." With a flick of his wand the fire went out and he led me upstairs while my mind reeled from what he'd said. What could he possibly be saving up for?