CHAPTER 1
"WOOT, WOOT" The train at platform 9 ¾ pierced through the cacophony of frantic parents and enthusiastic students, ready to return for another year at Hogwarts.
"C'mon Lily!" Cried Albus through the billows of smoke.
" We don't want to miss the train, now do we?"
"Albus, we've got 15 minutes and we're already through the gate, what's the hurry?"
I replied.
"It's because he can't wait to spend the whole train ride snogging with Cassie Chang"
James retorted.
Faking a gasp I exclaimed,
"Who would've ever thought
our own Albus Potter, parent's favorite, teacher's pet, Mr. SmartyPants..has a girlfriend!"
"Oh shut up, you two!" Albus said while tugging James' ears.
I laughed to myself as I watched my two brothers playfully quarrel. But really, Cassie Chang? Hmmph, he might as well be a bloke snogging a platypus with those huge lips of hers. Blushing from my rude remark, I ran right into Patrick Finnegan.
"Oh! H-h-h-hiiiiii Patrick." I stammered. I'd had a ginormous crush on Patrick since I was a first year. The infatuation had only gotten worse over the past 3 years.
"Ello Lily, how are you?"
"Haha mighty fine, I must say."
Patrick grinned, his chocolate brown eyes lit up in doing so. A cool breeze gently ruffled his russet hair and I let out a wistful sigh. He acknowledged my parents.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Potter!" My mum and dad smiled. Harry; my dad said,
"Nice to see you Patrick! Tell Seamus and Lavender I said Hi!"
"I definitely will Mr. Potter! My parents never stop talking about you!"
"Well, want to share a train booth with me?" he asked.
My stomach flipped, I wanted to more than anything in the whole world. Keeping my cool, I spoke in a suave tone,
"Sure, why not? Just let me tell Albus and James to follow along…Hey! Albus, Ja-"
"Erm, Lily? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against those brothers of yours, but I was hoping we could have a train booth to ourselves?"
"Oh..heh", I said, quite taken aback by his words. Shaking my head, I quickly replied, "ooof course" dragging out the "o" for sarcastic effect.
Using my loudest voice, I shouted back,
"Nevermind!" Albus spotted Patrick standing by my side and raised an eyebrow as if to say, "Be careful". I stuck my tongue out at him. Very mature, Lily, very mature.
Patrick and I boarded the train; I took the window seat while he sat down on the opposite side. Waving out the window as the train set into motion, I blew a kiss to my mum and dad. Dad seemed to be trying to say something, but I couldn't hear him. He tried again,
"Lily! I must tell you, Albus and James something extremely important! I'll write you once you get there, be expecting the owl!"
"Alright! Goodbye!" I said.
My mother and father bid the train one last farewell and left with the mob of parents. Blending into the crowd until I couldn't distinguish them from the rest.
"I wonder what he wants to tell us", I said.
"Maybe it's because Hogwarts is introducing a new class required for 4th years and above." Patrick suggested.
"Oh? And what is that?"
"Hogwarts History", he replied.
"Why would my father be worried about such a class? Don't they already have a History of Magic class?" I wondered aloud.
Patrick expressed a look of concern, "Well, this class is supposed to be dedicated to just Hogwarts History…Wait, your mum and dad haven't told you?"
"Told me what?" What could my parents possibly be hiding from me?
"Lily, I'm afraid that spilling your family's secrets is not my job."
"Yes, I understand. I'm just troubled by the fact that my father has been keeping a secret from his kids for what? 16, 17 years?"
I remained silent for the duration of the trip. Sure, I felt bad for making things awkward between Patrick and me but my father's words kept nagging at the back of my head. I couldn't be at peace until I discovered what he was keeping from us.
Let's just say, it was the longest train ride of my life.
