A/N hey everyone, this is my first fanfic ever, I hope you like it and feel free to comment if you want to! Thanks!

On that chilly September morning there was not one girl on the whole of platform 9¾ happier than Lily Olivia Evans. From the time she could remember Lily had known she was different from everyone around her. Certainly she loved her family very much but they could not understand her. Now here she stood surrounded by people who were just like her and she was convinced she would finally fit in.

As excited as Lily was there was a young boy whose anticipation just about equaled hers. James Potter was finally old enough to attend Hogwarts. He had waited for eleven long years and was completely thrilled to finally be taking his first steps into the organized wizarding world.

The whistle sounded one final time indicating the train was about to leave. Lily quickly shuffled into any empty compartment and sat down. She pulled a book from her bag and began to read when the door opened and a young boy walked in,

"I'm Lily Evans," she said sticking out her hand, determined to make new friends. "What's your name?"

"Charles Davenport, Charlie for short," he replied shaking her hand politely "Is it your first year here?"

"Yes."

"Mine as well."

The two young students chatted for a while about their books and their wands. Charles, being a pureblood and having an older brother, explained to Lily about the houses and being sorted as well as the ins and outs of Hogwarts.

Just as the train began to move two girls opened the compartment and peered in. One had long brown hair that lay flay down her back and bright blue eyes while the had medium length golden hair that fell into perfect ringlets and large chocolate colored eyes.

"I-is there any room for more in here?" the brunette asked tentatively.

"Of course" replied Charlie smoothly and the two girls entered.

"I'm Emily," said the girl who had spoken already, "and this is Addison."

Lily and Charlie introduced themselves and the four continued talking about what was to be expected, since they were all first years, and what they were most excited about.

Across the hallway Lily spotted a compartment that held four young boys, first years too she thought. They had looks on their faces that reminded her of the boisterous boys from her old school. 'This is going to be one crazy year, but I think I'll enjoy it' she thought, as the train pulled into the station.

Upon arriving by boat at the castle Lily's suspicions were confirmed, those four boys were first years as well, along with about forty other students.

Lily didn't know which house she wanted to be placed in, however from what she had gathered on the train she knew Slytherin wouldn't be the house for her. Charlie was hoping for Ravenclaw as that had been his mother and father's house and Lily thought she might fit in there, after all she was quite clever, although she wasn't thoroughly convinced.

Lost in thought Lily had missed most of what was being said in the Great Hall and only tuned back in to hear what she knew to be the sorting hat finish singing a song; then a professor began reading the names of the new students.

First was Alyssa Abel, who was sorted as a Hufflepuff. After a few more students the first person Lily knew was sorted. Emily Bennet, who she had shared a cabin with on the train was declared a Gryffindor, and so was the boy who followed her. He, Lily noticed was one of the four who had been seated across the hall from her.

Soon after that, Charles Davenport was called. Charlie marched up and was placed as he expected in Ravenclaw. Then, it was Lily's turn. She sat on the stool and was surprised to hear the hat talk to her.

"Well what do we have here?" it began "You are definitely intelligent, no doubt about that…but there is more, you posses courage and strong will…Gryffindor it is!" Lily scampered from the seat towards the Gryffindor table, she was slightly sad to be separated from Charlie but figured she would still see him.

She took a seat next to Emily and relaxed as the rest of the students were sorted. Soon Addison joined Lily and Emily at the Gryffindor table and finally the feast began.

Lily had not been paying any attention to the sorting after her turn and so was quite surprised to look up and see that all four of those boys who she had seen on the train had been sorted into Gryffindor as well.

As the meal came to an end one of them spoke up. He had jet-black hair that looked a little messy and hazel eyes that were covered by round glasses.

"Hello Ladies," he said sounding as smooth as an eleven year old could, "I'm James Potter, and you are?"

"I'm Lily Evans, " replied Lily boldly, "and these are my new friends Emily Bennet and Addison Rhodes." she said gesturing to the girls seated on either side of her.

"Evans," he said as if rolling the name around on his tongue, "Well, Evans, I guess I'll be seeing you." And with that he stood up as did the three other boys around him and strolled out of the Hall.

Lily was confused. She had never been called by her last name and she didn't understand what he wanted or why he even talked to her. There was something about him though that made him different from any other boy she had ever met, she just couldn't say what.