lily luna potter

She had never particularly been one of his favorite students, but was probably the most tolerable of the bunch. “I see you’ve learned a lesson from all of your father’s rule breaking, then.” He said, smirking coyly. 

“But perhaps, Ms. Potter, you should be a little less suspicious of your professors. It does not do well for someone to believe that they own the place just because of their last name.” There was a fair bit of irony (or perhaps, hypocrisy) in Draco’s statement - after all, had it not been he who believed he owned Hogwarts when they were students?

Lily had navigated under the radar in Malfoy’s classes during her time at Hogwarts for this exact reason. She had no reason to doubt he would be any different than how her parents had painted him -- though they tried to do it in a kind manner, there was always an underlying sourness to their years at school.

“Yes, professor,” Lily said, not wanting this specific interaction to go on much longer. She felt it unfair to be treated in such a way when she had only proven herself to be a capable student. “Well since I am here, I would like to ask you for an explanation on a couple of things for the upcoming NEWTs, if you have a moment?”

“when did you learn to apparate?” scout asked, genuinely impressed. apparation had always been both fascinating and a little terrifying to her. yet, she hasn’t quite bothered to learn it yet. “you don’t have to, though. you’re totally welcome to stay here. you can even borrow some jammies.” she said, stuffing yet another bite into her mouth. “not to my knowledge, but things seem to be going to shit and I haven’t actually left the house in two days so I figured I’d get an update on the important things.”

“I’m taking the extra curricular course at Hogwarts that’s offered for the seventh years,” she said. Lily ate another piece to distract her face from giving away anymore of the lie she had just told. She smiled, “Well thank you, Scout. That’s very kind of you. And I know what you mean, but I have yet to see anything suspicious roaming the streets, so maybe going outside for a few minutes would be a good idea?”

“This is the hallway to my office, Ms. Potter. It seems that my presence certainly does not warrant suspicion. Unless,” Draco paused (always one for dramatic effect) “You are doing something that you’d rather not a professor see.”

Lily suddenly wished she had spent more time caring about arithmancy to remember that she was indeed in the hallway of Draco’s office. She was not as outspoken has her brother nor was she a troublemaker like her uncles had been, but Lily knew the history between her father and Malfoy.

“Of course, professor Malfoy,” Lily said. “Certainly I know it’s your hallway. I was merely taking a stroll. This castle seems to always have corridors that one never sees even when we believe we’ve seen every inch of it. I take it your day is going well?”

She smiled and shook her head. “I would never do something a professor might not approve of,” she said with a playful smile. “Who do you think I am? My father?”

“Same as you….. buying potions supplies?” Skye frowned, staring down the other girl.

Lily furrowed her eyebrows at the aggression of the girl. She nodded once, slowly. “What, um, ... potions are you brewing?”

Oliver blushed. “Thank you. I think the same about you and everyone. And I’m sure you’re right. But I don’t want to overwhelm her even more than she already is, you know? I guess I would just have to catch her at the right time.” Oliver raised his eyebrows, considering Lily’s proposal. He sighed. “I will get back to you. It’s very tempting.”

“Oh, trust me, I know all about SPEW. It’s been written about in countless books. It’s funny because your dad and Uncle Ron were the first couple of members of SPEW, and they laughed it off at the beginning. I’m sure you know that though.” Oliver grinned, looking down at the table. “I-I’ll talk to someone. I promise. I’ve just been busy. I’m lucky to have so many resources at my disposal, being so close to the most famous wizard family at the moment. I think it’s just me. Maybe I’m not ready.”

Lily laughed a real laugh thinking about her father and uncle being children and writing off SPEW. “What a couple of boneheads, honestly,” she said. “And honestly, Oliver. You have nothing to be nervous about. We’re all here for you,” she said, smiling.

She glanced down at her watch and groaned. “I’m so sorry to leave you, but my privileges only go so far and I do believe I had a common room meeting with a couple of people in my House regarding a roommate issue.” Lily turned in her chair to throw the cup of ice cream soup away in the bin behind her. She grabbed her bag from the back of the chair.

“Promise me you’ll at least ask somebody about this. Somebody who’s an adult and has real resources, OK?”

“crisps and chocolate chips. standard healthy snack.” scout swallowed her bite and offered the bag out to lily luna. “want some?” she asked casually. “have a nice walk? out of curiosity, there weren’t any ominous looking lads with black cloaks on anywhere, right?”

“It’s nice out, but quite dark, so I will probably... apparate home,” she said, hesitating, knowing well that she has yet to fully learn how to do that. “And yes I would love some.” Lily took a few pieces in between her fingers and ate them one by one. She tilted her head quizzically. “I didn’t, should I be concerned? Are there dementors roaming the streets now?”

James jabbed at the ice cream with the little spoon but didn’t actually pick any of it up and simply stared at it in his hand before he spoke. “I guess he just doesn’t want us to worry? I kind of get it… but I also feel like we need to prepare for the worst, just in case. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

Lily watched his actions and sighed. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt either.” She took another quiet minute before shrugging. “Anyway, I should be getting back to the castle sometime soon.”

She had always admired the demeanor of her aunt, but she would never admit out loud that it could be a bit intimidating. Still, she loved Fleur dearly and was very interested in being a more proper, chic lady, and what better way to learn than by somebody from the poshest country on the planet?

Lily knocked on the door of the home and was greeted by Bill and, after they chatted a bit, headed in the direction of the room Fleur was in. Lily took a breath and knocked on the ajar door.

“Aunt Fleur?” she asked, opening the door more than it already was. “Are you busy?” @bcvubvtons​

Oliver slightly flinched as Lily’s hand touched his. He wasn’t sure why he suspected her to jump over the table and tackle him, but that was the energy she was giving off. “Yeah, I figured. But, uh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her, let alone talk to her. And every time I do, she seems so overwhelmed. I’m sure it’s just all the pressure of being the Minister of freaking Magic.” Oliver tucked some stray hairs behind his ear. “Oh, man. What would I even say? Wow. This is all so…”

“I’ve just read a lot about certain civil rights issues. Like with the goblins, house elves, and of course…the whole blood purity thing. And you know, things have gotten way better. But I just feel like there’s more that can be done. I want to change something. I just don’t know what yet. I don’t know where to look. I don’t know how much more specific I can get right now. I’m sorry.”

“You’re like family to us, Oliver,” Lily said. “I’m positive she’ll help you out somehow. Ooh that’s so exciting. And you can write about whatever you want! The paper is looking for controversial voices right now anyway, and even if your writing is a popular opinion, it’s a controversy to at least somebody.” Lily smiled at him. “Please least tell me you’ll consider it.”

Lily rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Um... hello? Civil rights? If you don’t go talk to Hermione right now I might just drag you to her office. Has she never told you about her campaign for SPEW when she was at Hogwarts?” Lily was beaming at the idea of helping Oliver become involved in activism. “You can also talk to my dad, I’m sure he’ll have some ideas on how to start small. He and mum did it.”

“I mean. I guess so,” Oliver stumbled. “It’s more of an interest really. I don’t think I’m allowed to call activism a passion until I really do something, you know? Like Aunt Hermione or Carlotta Pinkstone. People who made real change in the world.” Oliver always felt weird calling Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny his aunts and uncles in front of their actual blood relatives. But that’s who they felt like to him. His family. “But I guess I haven’t really lived through any sort of horrible injustice like our parents or our grandparents did. I should be thankful for that. And I know there are little things I could try to change. I don’t know. Sometimes I think I’m more in it for some grand recognition than the actual outcome. And that’s shitty. Fuck. Sorry. I’m rambling again.”

Sometimes Oliver wished he was back at Hogwarts, where his only care was making it to the Great Hall in time for breakfast, his Prefect badge pinned to his robes. “Oh, yeah. The privileges are great. But there’s something about having the power but not actually using it that feels so exhilarating. Now I sound like I’ve gone mental.” Oliver laughed.  

Lily gasped and reached across the table to put her hand on his. “Oliver! If you want to get into activism, you should absolutely talk to Aunt Hermione.” She straightened her posture higher than it was already and smiled. “Also, if you’d like to, I could probably get you a spot in the op-ed section of the Daily Prophet, maybe... if you’re interested.” Lily clapped a couple of times. “OK, OK. This is good, this is so good.”

“What sort of activism specifically? Like what topic or issue?”

“Yeah, he is,” Oliver replied, biting the inside of his cheek. “Guess that’s what happens when you’re really passionate about something.” Oliver thought about his latest activism endeavors and realized it had been a while since he had really tried to do anything he was passionate about. 

Oliver watched her trail off and thought it best not to poke any further. There’s no telling where that conversation could lead. And even though Oliver loved having deep conversations, the one where he and the daughter of Harry Potter talk about the emotional and psychological implications of Lord Voldemort’s return may be a bit too early. 

“Prefect, huh?” Oliver smiled, staring at the familiar badge. “Not going to lie to you, I miss this. Not that I was power hungry or anything. But the fact that I was bestowed with some kind of responsibility was really rewarding, you know?”

“Aren’t you really passionate about something?” she asked. Lily had spent most of her life so far enjoying being young, but she realized having a passion for partying and drinking wasn’t an acceptable personality trait for an adult, which she was soon becoming. But as an intern with the Prophet, a passion for politics has slowly bubbled up into her -- but it was more of a passion for reporting on politics rather than being a part of it.

Lily blushed at having tried to brag to somebody who had graduated years ago and has probably very much moved on from that part of their life, she suddenly felt like a child and put the badge back in her bag. “I enjoy it,” she said. “And I may enjoy the power, too? Not for bad things or anything, just... the privileges. Walking around the halls when I want to, being a leader, that bathtub,” she said, laughing a little.

“Well, of course Dad doesn’t seem shaken up when he’s with his plants. I swear, sometimes I think he loves plants more than us.” Oliver let his head hang, then immediately shot it back up and said, “I don’t actually think that though. Just a joke. Merlin, could you imagine if that was my childhood trauma. Being second best to plants?” Oliver laughed. “True. Plus, I just really don’t want to take time off at all. Working takes my mind off…everything.”

Oliver tilted his head and ran his fingers through his hair in deep thought. “I can’t imagine what he must be thinking. After all this time…” Oliver sighed. “Oh. What? No. I fancied a walk before heading home. Now I’m here. Obviously. I guess I was just dreading immediately going home and being alone with my thoughts. Even though that’s what I want most of the time. Wow. I’m talking a lot. Do you need to be somewhere?”

Lily laughed at his joke and shook her head. “I’d say being second best to plants would be a childhood trauma your dad wished for as well. And he’s lucky to have something to take his mind off of things,” she said, smiling at him. “And yeah, he’s been quiet, so he’s probably thinking a lot. He’s usually not so...,” she trailed off, shaking her head again.

“Oh, I -- I don’t need to be anywhere,” she said, shrugging and reaching into her purse. She pulled out a small, silver badge and flashed it. “Prefect privileges. I can sneak back in if I need to.”