Chapter one

My name is Lily Potter and I'm the youngest child of "oh so famous" Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley. Being the youngest has its advantages and disadvantages - I have my daddy pretty well wrapped round my finger but on the other hand my brothers get to do everything first and openly flaunt it. Today is my brother Albus' first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For weeks on end all everyone has spoken about is Hogwarts. Everyone has their own stories, from every generation. Sometimes it feels like everything that could ever happen at Hogwarts has happened already. It can be hard being in a family like ours; it comes with a lot of expectations and reputations to live up to. James is apparently very much like his namesake, a prankster but a loyal friend. He looks like the perfect mix of mum and dad, but somehow ended up with dark brown hair with a reddish tinge. He is well on his way to living up to that prankster reputation having blown up a total of 7 toilets during his first two years at Hogwarts. Albus is the smart dependable one but he's also got a lot of Weasley in his personality - loving all things sports, pranks and food related. He could pass as my dad's twin when he was 11, minus the glasses and add some book smarts. Then there is me, I don't really look that much like my parents, aside from the sparkling green eyes. Supposedly I look like my namesake Lily Evans but my hair is a gingery strawberry blonde colour, different to all the other Weasley's colouring. I'm also passionately creative, with a more reserved nature. Unlike the rest of my family I delight in our occasional trips to France to visit the Delacours, our extended family. Despite having to listen to my mother and brothers complain about our relatives I always enjoy my time in France. I love everything about their culture and from a young age I threw myself into learning to speak French as fluently as English. I would love to learn other languages as well since I would love to travel when I'm older.

As you can see I'm nothing like my family. They are athletic and I am artistic. Even Auntie Fleur's kids don't speak French very well so I'm fairly alone in my cultural interests. I've heard all the Hogwarts stories and read many of the books but honestly my favourite stories are Aunt Fleur's tales about her days growing up in France. Since Albus got his Hogwarts letter I've been thinking about breaking the trend and not going to Hogwarts. It's not that I'm a Squib; I'm actually fairly advanced for my age. Many magical children my age cannot control their magic but I've been controlling mine since I was six. When I was five I ended up in the paper because a reporter had witnessed me appariting out of Diagon Alley because James dumped his ice cream all over me. Since then it's all been under tight wraps but will I really fulfil my potential at Hogwarts? I want to be different, to start my own legacy instead of following tradition, to try new things as opposed to rediscovering what everyone has already experienced. But how do I explain this to my family, especially my Dad, Hogwarts is like a second home to him [well third if you count the Burrow]. He's always telling us stories about his childhood and Hogwarts. Like right now he is telling Albus the story of the sorting hat again because James keeps saying Albus is going to end up in Slytherin. Dad doesn't mind where Albus ends up, nor do I. Of all the houses Slytherin sounds the most interesting but I still don't think I would fit in there. Earlier in the summer James when through the values of each house, although he added that Slytherins were evil and Albus would end up there, he was fairly honest about the other houses. I didn't fit in anywhere, I had some of the different qualities of each house but I didn't suit any one house. Anyway I think having separate houses encourages excessive competition and detracts from school unity, but hey what do I know, I'm just a kid. I pulled myself from my musing to realise the train had pulled away from the station. Mum gave me a quick hug and apparited off to work. I guess it's now or never to talk to dad alone regarding where I go to school.

"You look deep in thought, honey, it'll soon be your turn to go off to school, and then I'll be all alone. What will I do without you? At least I have you all to myself for the next two years" Dad joked with his beaming smile. He was a constant ray of sunshine to our entire family, quick to provide a laugh or an encouraging word. To many people in the wizarding world he was a hero or some celebrity but he really was just a family man who loved his wife and kids. He was the only person I could confide in.

"Daddy, did you always know Hogwarts was where you wanted to go to school?" I asked nervously. I could confide in my father but he is an innately loyal individual, not just to me but to many things, Hogwarts included.

"Is that what you're thinking so hard about? Honestly Lily, it was the only Wizarding School I knew of, and I wouldn't even have known about it if it weren't for Albus Dumbledore and Hagrid. It wasn't until 4th year I heard of other schools like Beauxbaton where your Aunt Fleur went. Why do you ask?" Of all his children, Harry Potter felt closest to his only daughter, Lily but sometimes he didn't understand her at all. Her thought process often seemed mature beyond her years. Harry often thought of her as his little enigma, she was smart to be sure but not typical book smart, rather she was curious as saw things from a different point of view, not unlike her namesake Luna Lovegood.

"I've been thinking, daddy. All this talk about Hogwarts and I'm not sure if it's right for me. I know James loves it and I'm sure Albus will too but I'm different, I always have been. I'm not into pulling pranks like James, or really smart like Rose nor obsessed with Quidditch like Albus. From all the stories Hogwarts seems great for that stuff, but what about the things I'm interested in like dance or music? Do wizarding schools not cater for other interests? Is it even possible to choose another school?"

"Wow, you're really serious about this, Lilybear, aren't you? Let me talk to your mum, and we can see what options are available. I don't even know what all Wizarding Schools are out there." Daddy answered casually but I could tell inside he was beyond confused. To him Hogwarts was the place he found himself and he couldn't understand why anyone would want to go anywhere else. But I've broached the subject now all I can do is hope. Maybe I should brush up on my French just in case there are schools in France that would take me.


Later when Lily was in bed fast asleep Harry took the opportunity to talk to Ginny about his previous conversation regarding school. It had been a busy day of shopping and playing for Harry and Lily. They wasted the evening away making an elaborate dinner even though it was just for the two of them. As usual Ginny worked late and it was only when Lily went to bed that Harry got the time to talk about the day. They stood in the kitchen talking in hushed tones while Harry finished the dishes from earlier.

"I don't understand either Ginny. I guess we both grew up with Hogwarts, never imagining sending our kids elsewhere. What other school are there besides Hogwarts? We've relatives in France so maybe we should look into Beauxbaton Academy; at least Gabby and the rest of the Delacours would be nearby if anything happened. I mean Beauxbaton must be in or near France if Gabby and Fleur went there."

"I guess you're right Harry, I never imagined Lily would want to go elsewhere. Oh I hope Albus and James are happy at Hogwarts, we didn't force them there, did we? No, no, their happy, or they will be but I wouldn't want Lily to be unhappy at Hogwarts for 7 years. She's right in a way; Hogwarts doesn't have much to offer in the way of arts. Perhaps we should look into other schools and Beauxbaton would be ideal...Wait, Uh! Does this mean I have to have a conversation with Fleur voluntarily if Lily wants to go to Beauxbaton? I mean really she's lived here 20years, she should have lost "zee" French accent by now!" Ginny complained as she paced the kitchen in front of the sink.

"You know she is family and you love her, accent or no accent." Harry said drying his hands and pulling Ginny into his arms. He leaned in, kissing her on the forehead. After 20 years Harry Potter still loved his wife as much as the day he said "I do".

"I'd prefer no accent!" Ginny mumbled against Harry's chest which began to reverb with soft chuckles.


~* ~ Nearly Two Years Later ~ * ~

I can't believe its July! In two months I, Lily Luna Potter, will be going away to school for the very first time! After months of searching and writing to schools, today the Headmistress of Beauxbaton Academy of Magic, Madame de Chagny, is coming here to interview me! I was pacing in the kitchen wearing my favourite white summer dress waiting, none too patiently, for her to arrive. This is the moment I had been longing for the past two years since daddy told me, he and mummy would look into other wizarding schools. The "pop" of apparition and the chime of the doorbell stirred me from my frantic pacing. As I moved swiftly to answer the door, I found myself face to face with the formidable yet heart-warming Madame de Chagny standing with my parents in the hallway of our home.

"Bonjour Madame de Chagny, what a pleasure to have you here. Venez, entrez s'il vous plait [Please come on in.]" I said in the best French I could manage through my excitement. Aunt Fleur told me that my French was very good, although my accent was very muddled; however I became somewhat incoherent when I was overtly excited.

"Merci, mon petit chère, vous avez une maison de beau [Thank you, my dear, you have a beautiful home.]" she replied in her rich French alto voice.

"Merci beaucoup, irons-nous dans la cuisine? [Thank you very much, shall we go into the kitchen ?]" I responded known full well my parents had no intention of attempting any French and that I was responsible for the hospitality. Having been brought up around many friends and family I wasn't overly shy and knew how to be a good host. Parties and gatherings were frequented and frequently held by our family.

Over tea and pumpkin seed scones Headmistress de Chagny told me about Beauxbaton Academy, the classes and the grounds but I felt like she was holding back. Being the straightforward person I am, I questioned her about it, in the most gracious manner I could. She countered that I wasn't a student there yet and could pass on secrets to other schools. Aunt Fleur had been the same when she told stories of Beauxbaton, there always seemed so much left unsaid. This intrigued me even more and I knew Beauxbaton was a place of mystery and fantasy; it was the place for me. However the question remained would there be a place for me at Beauxbaton Academy?