The Hogwarts train billowed pillars of smoke in the air which slowly floated down to the many people on the platform. Harry, James, Albus, and Lily were already there when Fred and Amelia arrived. Fleur had come to drop off Dominique and Louis but had to leave early to go to Victoire’s which is why the two kids were standing with Harry and his children.

‘James!’ Amelia nearly yelled when she saw him. Leaving her bags for Fred to drag behind her, she ran and flung her arms around James’ neck, ‘Merlin, I missed you so much!’

‘Is it too late to start telling people I don’t know you?’ James asked, smirking as she pulled back and hit his arm. He grinned, ‘you know, I’m joking.’

‘It’s alright, I’ll carry the bags,’ Fred muttered as he finally caught up to them. Dominique smiled and offered to help as Amelia bit her lip and apologised. Fred held his hand out for Harry, ‘good seeing you, mate. Hermione told me to ask you, or whoever else is dropping the kids off, to come over for some lunch. What do you say?’

‘I thought Mum was too busy to drop me off here let alone have guests over,’ Amelia interrupted, grabbing her trunk and bag. Fred gave her a look that clearly thought she was naive. Amelia sighed, ‘I’m going to put the bags in the train.’

‘I’ll help,’ James offered, taking her trunk from Amelia. Fred sighed, shaking his head as Amelia went into the train without a backwards glance.

Amelia got onto the train and realised that this would be her second last time on this Hogwarts train, the last being when she had completed her final year of studying and returned home. That thought made her a little uncomfortable just thinking about the future. Amelia followed James to the cabin where her cousins would be sitting and she dumped her stuff there.

‘So... are you going to tell me about it?’ James asked, walking across the compartment and towards the window where he could see Fred and Harry talking. James turned back to Amelia, ‘since you didn’t send me any letters after the engagement party.’

‘Tell you about what exactly?’ Amelia asked, taking a seat on the long chairs and crossing her legs. James smirked, sitting next to her and turning so that they were facing each other. Amelia laughed at the look on his face, ‘James, what are you talking about?’

‘I mean, Amelia, are you going to tell me about your mother and Malfoy? Their “affair”?’ James asked, frowning, ‘I can’t believe that was the reason your mum didn't want you to be with his kid.’

‘James, she’s being selfish and that’s the end of it,’ Amelia shook her hand, playing with a long strand of her hair as James followed her hand with his eyes. She glanced at him, ‘I do love him a lot but it’s hard when my own parents actively try to stop me from being with him especially after what they went through.’

‘So, what?’ James asked, glancing at her and then looking out the window uncomfortably. Amelia sighed, waiting until he looked back and asked, ‘does this mean you and Malfoy are officially together?’

‘Well... yeah,’ Amelia giggled, smiling at the thought, ‘Mum won’t be happy but whatever. I’m not doing this for her.’

The train sounded its alarm that it was going to leave soon. Amelia and James both heard the clamour of parents and students outside, saying goodbye and getting on the train. Amelia went over to the window and looked out, watching Fred walk over to her. 

‘You better behave, I don’t think I can convince your Mum not to storm down to Hogwarts if you do something bad,’ Fred said and kissed her cheek, ‘and don’t do anything stupid, alright?’

‘I would never,’ Amelia rolled her eyes but Fred only leaned his arms on the window sill and stared at her. Amelia sighed, ‘Dad, I’ll be fine!’

‘Don’t worry, sir,’ a voice said behind Amelia. She turned around and saw Scorpius walk into the compartment and come to the window, taking her hand, ‘I’ll take care of her.’

‘It’s you I’m worried about,’ Fred muttered, glaring at their hands until he slowly let Amelia’s hand go. James scoffed, having already said goodbye to his father, standing behind them. Scorpius glared at him but Fred leaned over and said, ‘James.’

‘I’ve got it under control, Uncle Fred. Trust me, she won’t do anything stupid when I’m around and he,’ James raised an eyebrow at Scorpius, staring him down, ‘won’t get a chance to hurt her.’

‘Sometimes I wish I had a son, you know,’ Fred said, grinning as James laughed at Amelia’s horrified expression. Fred chuckled and kissed her cheek again before ruffling her hair, ‘send me letters, sweetie, and stay out of trouble.’

‘Love you too, Dad,’ Amelia rolled her eyes, hearing Fred chuckle as he walked away and the train drowned out all of the noise. Amelia felt the train move and waved at her father who blew her a kiss. Soon, the train was hurtling out of the station and Dominique, Louis, Lily and Albus arrived at the compartment.

‘So, I’d better go...’ Scorpius said when Dominique started to stare at him. Louis and Lily paid no attention, gave him a little smile, and sat down as Lily already started to open the pack of cards that James had bought.

‘You don’t have to,’ Amelia said in a low voice and glared at Dominique who seemed to be checking him out. James furrowed his eyebrows, exchanging glances between Dominique and Scorpius as she turned red and looked away, joining in with Lily playing cards.

‘Is she alright?’ Scorpius whispered, glancing at Dominique.

‘Hey, Scorp,’ a seventh year who was walking past the door stopped and glanced in at him, frowning, ‘what are you doing here, man? Me, Tracy and Zabini got a compartment at the back. Come on!’

‘Yeah, I’ll be right there,’ Scorpius nodded, slyly letting go of Amelia’s hand which made her frown at him. Scorpius gave her an apologetic look but the boy, who she recognised as Thomas Crabbe, was snarling at James instead, ‘what are you doing here with this filth?’

‘Who are you calling filth, Crabbe?’ James muttered, taking a step forwards. Amelia sighed and grabbed James’ arm before pulling him back with a severe jerk. James took a couple of steps back and glared at Thomas as he winked at Amelia.

‘My favourite Weasley... and the hottest,’ Thomas said, taking a step closer to her but before James could interrupt, Scorpius fake laughed and clapped a hand on his back.

‘Let’s go, mate. Let’s try and find the trolley lady,’ Scorpius said, manoeuvring him out of the compartment and ignoring the frown on his face from Scorpius’ fake laugh. Thomas winked at Amelia who sighed and sat down.

‘Well, seems like Malfoy is a little bit embarrassed to be seen with you,’ James said it outright when the two Slytherin’s left the compartment.

‘Shut up,’ Amelia muttered, dipping  a hand into her bag and pulling out a book which she used to block out all of the others.

---

Amelia and the others arrived at Hogwarts in the evening, just like they always did. She hadn’t crossed paths with Scorpius or any of his other friends other than Tracy who she met at the toilets. She even tried looking at him on the platform but there were way too many people around to distinguish and some first years were running past her in a hurry.

She had dinner in the great hall, the sky was enchanted to show bright stars that formed constellations as though in a whole world of their own. Amelia had always admired the stars, they reminded her of Scorpius’ eyes but she refrained from saying that in fear of being mocked at. Instead, she just turned to the Slytherin table and saw Scorpius sitting with his ‘friends’.

There was no doubt that Scorpius Malfoy was a popular boy, even in first year he was more popular than Amelia ever was. Sure, Amelia had friends but not everyone knew her like they knew Scorpius. He had the girls after him as well but, she had to admit, that may just be his genetic gene pool. His father is obviously good looking and Amelia had seen his mother once and deemed her to be beautiful. Scorpius really did have everything other than a functioning relationship with his parents.

After dinner, she hurried out of the Great Hall when James said he’d catch up with her later. Scorpius was waiting for her just outside and Amelia smiled when she saw him, leaning in for a kiss. She glared at him as Scorpius leaned away and glanced at the people around them.

‘Okay, I know! Don’t give me that look!’ Scorpius muttered and lowered his voice, ‘just... meet me on the seventh floor after curfew and I’ll explain everything. Can you get out after curfew?’

‘You know I can,’ Amelia rolled her eyes and walked away without a backwards glance.

Amelia sighed, walking up the stairs alone. She really missed her father already. The Christmas holidays held so much drama and tension for her but she really missed staying at the Burrow and couldn’t wait until next year... or the summer. She wished they had been to the Burrow last year for Christmas.

Amelia got to the Gryffindor common room to find it warm and comforting. Most of the students had already gone to bed or were probably in their dorm chatting to their friends. They must have been really tired after the train ride. But as soon as Amelia appeared in there, Dominique, who was sitting near the fire, jumped up.

‘Oh, Amelia, hi,’ she said, giving her a brief smile that looked a little painful. She glanced at the stairs leading up to the girls dormitory, ‘well, I should go to bed now-’

‘Okay, Dominique, what’s up? Why are you acting so strange?’ Amelia asked, walking over to her and sitting down on the sofa, patting the seat next to her, ‘so we haven’t really been close, especially in Hogwarts. We never actually talked but I’d like to think we’re closer now. You can tell me, whatever it is.’

‘Okay, No,’ Dominique sighed, sitting on the sofa next to her and crossing her legs. Amelia sighed, feeling a little jealous that her legs weren’t as long as her cousins, but Dominique just shook her head, ‘if I tell you, you’ll just hate me.’

‘Not going to happen, honey,’ Amelia said, taking her hand in hers, ‘what is it, Dom?’

‘Scorpius is really... you know,’ Dominique raised her eyebrows but Amelia just stared at her blankly. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, looking away from Amelia, ‘okay, fine, I sort of... have an... attraction to Scorpius.’

‘Wait... what?’ Amelia asked, drawing her feet up onto the sofa and turning to face her. Dominique sighed and shrugged, looking at her trousers rather than at her cousin. Amelia frowned, ‘when did... what?’

‘Okay, you know how on Christmas day you were going to meet Scorpius at Diagon Alley?’ Dominique said, quietly, and Amelia just nodded, ‘well, I wanted to see him too which is why I insisted on coming with you! I just never thought it would work out between you and him which is why...’

‘You thought that?’ Amelia furrowed her eyebrows, getting to her feet. Dominique stood up too, frantically shaking her head and repeating that she didn't mean it that way. Amelia just shook her head, ‘I need to see my boyfriend. Goodbye.’

‘Amelia!’ Dominique tried to stop her to no avail.

Amelia walked out of the Gryffindor common room, pushing past a startled looking James who tried to stop her as well but she just glared at him. Amelia briskly walked down the corridor and took the stairs two at a time all the way up to the seventh floor and to the room she usually met Scorpius in. He was sitting there, propped up on a desk, and looking out the window as she came in.

‘Oh, you’re here,’ Scorpius said, getting up and jogging over to her. Amelia walked past him and went to the window, looking out, as Scorpius shut the door. He turned and walked forwards so that he was standing behind her. Scorpius took a strand of her hair and followed the length down to where it stopped at the small of her back, ‘you have the most beautiful hair.’

‘Why don’t you want people to know we’re together?’ Amelia asked, still not facing him as she looked up at the stars outside. Scorpius sighed and, having to stoop a little, leaned his head on her back, staying silent, ‘no, I’m being serious, Scorpius. After everything you don’t want your friends to know about me yet they hit on me! Are you... embarrassed of me?’

‘Of course not!’ Scorpius said, taking a few steps away from her and leaning against a desk. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the back of her head, ‘Amelia, I love you so much and you know that because... well, your Dad is kind of intimidating but I did stand up to him for you.’

‘You’re scared of my father?’ Amelia asked, and faced him with a small smile on her lips. She walked forwards and took his tie into her hands, playing with it.

‘He looked as though he would have killed me if I’d touched you,’ Scorpius said, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her closer, ‘can you imagine two of them, if your Uncle George had still been alive? They would have slaughtered me just by staring at me with their identical expressions.’

‘Well, Dad’s like that but he really loves me and he’ll do anything for me,’ Amelia said, resting her head on his shoulder, ‘and you still haven’t answered my question.’

‘I think we should keep our relationship a secret... just until we leave Hogwarts or else I’ll keep getting asked questions about whether you’re a good kisser, or good in bed, or if you really have that tattoo on your chest...’ Scorpius trailed off, ‘you should hear some of the stuff people say about you.’

‘They think I have a tattoo... on my chest?’ Amelia asked, pulling away a little to look at him incredulously, ‘like my mother wouldn’t implode at the mere thought.’

‘Yeah, right in the middle of...’ Scorpius’ eyes trailed downwards and a blush crept up his neck like small red webs interconnecting until it just became one colour, ‘um...’

‘There’s no tattoo there, love,’ Amelia smiled, waiting until Scorpius looked up at her face, the blush slowly creeping away. Amelia kissed his lips before saying, ‘I don’t want this relationship to be a secret. I want to be able to hold your hand when we walk down the corridors, I want to scare away the girls on Valentine’s day, and I don’t want guys asking me out since they know I’m with you.’

‘We don’t particularly need to hold hands when we walk together since we wouldn’t be walking together anyway,’ Scorpius said, ignoring the narrowed eyes, ‘and I’ll just reject the girls and I’m sure Potter will be trying to scare the guys to keep away from you, and failing at it, which is why I’ll be there. Don’t worry, no one will dare ask you out.’

‘I do need to hold your hand, alright?’ Amelia said, putting her hands on the side of his face, ‘please, let’s show people that we’re together!’

Scorpius stared at her, frowning a little. Amelia slowly smoothed out his frown lines and stared right back at him. The night outside gave them little light but it was enough for both of them to see each other.

‘You’re very much like your mother,’ Scorpius said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence between them with a slash. Amelia face changed from smiling to frowning in a split second as Scorpius held up a hand, ‘really, you are! Very stubborn, always have to be right.’

‘Scorpius, I’m not like her. Just... stop talking before you dig yourself in a deeper hole. I’m not going to be the one to get you out of it, love,’ Amelia said, and took a step backwards, twisting out of his hold, ‘you know what, I think I should go to bed now.’

‘I wish you’d stay,’ Scorpius said, twisting around on the desk and watching her walk towards the door, ‘Amelia... please, stay.’

Amelia stopped and turned on her heels, crossing her arms over her chest. The distance between them was quite small in feet but Scorpius felt so far away. He let out a breath and hopped off the desk before walking over to her. Scorpius smiled and leaned in to kiss her, closing his eyes and hoping she wouldn’t pull away.

Amelia didn't pull away, instead she leaned in and closed the space between their lips. Scorpius smiled against her lips and let his hands travel up her waist and to her hair, probably the best feature of her that he loved. Amelia’s hands caressed his neck, making him shiver a little, as she deepened the kiss for the first time since it was always Scorpius taking the next step.

Scorpius took a few steps forwards which forced Amelia to back up until she hit the desk behind her. She took the hint and propped herself up onto the desk, smiling as she pulled Scorpius closer and wrapped her legs around his waist. Scorpius grasped the back of her head and kissed her, rougher than before but Amelia didn't seem to mind. It only made her clutch him tighter.

‘A-Amelia... s-stop,’ Scorpius said but that didn't seem to be in Amelia’s vocabulary as she pulled him closer by his tie. Scorpius chuckled, ‘trust me, I want this more than you do but do you really want your first time to be on a desk in an empty classroom?’

‘Wait... how do you know it’s my first time?’ Amelia asked him, her hands still clutching the collar of his shirt and pulling his face close to hers.

‘I would have heard about it if someone from Hogwarts had slept with you,’ Scorpius shrugged, gently covering her hands with his and loosening the hold.

‘That doesn’t mean I’m a virgin. I could have done it with someone outside of Hogwarts, maybe during the summer. Oh, I know! That boy that lives down the street! Definitely would have if-’ as she talked, her hands kept tightening themselves on Scorpius’ shirt.

‘Definitely a virgin or else you wouldn’t be so easily aroused,’ Scorpius said, ‘but, I don’t have any protection with me and I promise I won’t let your first time be here in an empty classroom.’

‘As long as it’s with you, I don’t care where I am,’ Amelia said, truthfully, and kissed him again.

‘Hey, hey, hey,’ Scorpius said, pulling back a little, ‘what are you doing on Friday night?’

‘Um... I’m free,’ Amelia chuckled, ‘but we can’t exactly leave the castle so what do you have in mind?’

‘Just... wear something nice and met me up here at eight, okay?’ Scorpius asked and Amelia laughed and nodded, ‘great. You’ll love it.’

Soon Amelia and Scorpius decided to leave the classroom lest they got caught again like last time when their parents had to come down to Hogwarts. Scorpius planned out their date in his head perfectly while Amelia thought back to her strange behaviour while they were kissing. She usually wasn’t like that but she guessed she was excited for their date.

With that thought they both fell asleep in their dorms with the soft snoring of their fellow peers filling up the peaceful night.