Tenacity & Timidity

Disclaimer : All the usual stuff. Lily & James, Remus & Sirius, Petunia etc, are all creations of JK Rowling. But you guys all know that already. Now, beginning with this story. Naturally, I crave responses & reviews etc, so please let me know what you think, and whether I should continue. I'm thinking it will fairly much jump to the later years quite soon. Right! On with the story!

Part 1

"When first we met we did not guess That Love would prove so hard a master." ~ Robert Bridges

~~~

Her name was Lily Evans. For the first eleven years of her life, things had been as regular as they could be. She had a sister, Petunia, who tyrannised over her, because she had the virtue of an older age. But she also had acquaintances from school, who, although never looking quite like her, shared similar interests and consequently formed a haph-hazard alliance under the bond of friendship. Her parents were entirely average, middle-class Britons, her mother staying at home to cook and gossip with the neighbours, and her father working in the town as a moderately successful shop owner.

Then, one day quite soon after her eleventh birthday, the owl arrived. Lily was astounded to sight it upon her windowsill, which she always kept open, because she loved the feel of the wind and fresh air in her room. She had never seen an owl so close that she could touch it before. Lily stealthily crept towards the owl, inching closer and closer, until she realised with astonishment that the owl was carrying something. A letter.

"Is that for me?" She asked the owl, not expecting a reply. The owl nodded sagely at her. Tripping over her gangly legs in haste, Lily rushed to the owl, and recovered the letter. The address on the letter was quite specific.

Miss Lily Evans,

The Yellow Bedroom next to the Staircase,

17 Harrison Square

Kensington.

Hurriedly Lily turned the letter over, and she instantly spotted an unusual seal, bearing the letter 'H', and four small images of animals. They appeared to be a snake, a lion, a bear and something she couldn't make out. Lily broke the seal and opened the letter.

"Dear Miss Evans, you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry" the letter read, and Lily, her eyes wide with puzzlement, no sooner read the contents than she tore downstairs to where her parents and Petunia were supping.

"Mum!! Dad!! You have to read this!!" She cried out, ignoring Petunia's glare at her outburst. It wasn't everyday you got a letter from a place pertaining to Witchcraft and wizardry, which gloried in the name Hogwarts. It was a funny name, that, but Lily thought it didn't distract from the aura of mystery that was surrounding this whole idea of a college specifically for witches and wizards. What a magical and mysterious place it must be. Lily wagered there had to be turrets and forbidden rooms, and all sorts of things that you read about in fairy tales, but never thought true.

Lily's parents each read the letter over once, then a second time. Mrs. Evans began to read a third time, but Lily was getting impatient. Petunia, although somewhat curious, continued buttering her toast, occasionally looking up to glare at Lily, or smile sanctimoniously.

"Well?" Lily asked. "What do you think? Can I go? You know I don't really want to go to Featherdale."

Lily's parents looked at each other, as though in a trance. "I've never heard of the place before." Said Mr. Evans, finally. "I have no objection, if after doing some research on the place, we find it is not dangerous, or a lure for innocent children."

"Yes, you must be sure it isn't a hoax, Lily, so we'll still continue with our plans for Featherdale, but if it's not, and, when your father says it is permissible, you shall be able to go to this Hogwarts place." Lily's mother replied.

"What," Petunia broke her silence "Are you on about?"

"Lily's been offered a place at a school for witches."

"WITCHES???" Petunia hollered. "There's no such thing!"

"Maybe there is." Lily said reasonably.

"And you think you are one?? You freak!"

"Petunia! That's enough. Try and encourage your little sister today. It's not everyday you find out you might be a witch! Oh Lily! We'll have to take you shopping today, for a treat!"

Petunia slammed down her knife, enraged. Then she tore out of the room, snarling at Lily.

"Probably gone to ring up Vernon, and tell him the news." Mrs. Evans deduced.

"He's not a very nice person, is he?" Lily asked, speaking of her sixteen year old sister's boyfriend of three months. "And his chin is too large."

"That's enough, Missy." Mr. Evans smiled indulgently at his daughter. "Now, where do you think we can find out about this Hogwarts place? I've got a day off today, as you know."

"Um, should we try the Leaky Cauldron? They mention it here, and say that is where I should go to get my uniform and things."

"Very suspicious, but if we all go, it's safety in numbers." Mr. Evans said after a few moments thought.

"And we must remember this is the seventies, darling." Mrs. Evans told her husband. "We may seem radical at times, but things aren't dangerous.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Mum! The owl's arrived!!! I'm not a squib!!!!!" James Potter's voice could be heard reverberating through the two-storey house in Hertfordshire, as he ran down the grand staircase. "Look! Hogwarts has sent me a letter!! Oh, I hope I'm in Gryffindor!!"

"I never thought you were a squib, dearest." Mrs. Potter replied, emerging from her sitting room, where she had been casually writing letters to her general acquaintances. "Remember when you were six, how you managed to get Lady Russel's hair to look exactly like Paul McCartney's?? And you know you've never fallen and hurt yourself while on your broomstick. And even more especially, if you were a squib, I'm sure you couldn't ride the broomstick with such flair as you do."

"Well, yeah." James admitted "But I was still worried, just in case Hogwarts didn't send me a letter. Can we go to Diagon Alley now?"

"But I'm so busy! We haven't the time!"

"Use floo powder. It'll be quick." James recommended.

"But it's so common! Mrs. Potter sniffed. "How about we go tomorrow, when your father can come as well. He'll know just which broomstick to get you."

"First years aren't allowed a broomstick, mum." James told her.

"Ah yes, but your father and I will need something special of yours to remain here, just to ensure we get you back during the holidays! We don't want to lose you, you know James. You're our precious and only son."

James reddened, but his mother's wheedling had worked. He was content to go tomorrow, and promised to come home during the holidays.

"Wait till I tell Sirius!! I hope he gets a letter too. His parents were in Gryffindor, weren't they mama?"

"Yes. The Blacks and the Potters have been in Gryffindor almost since good old Godric died. I can't see how you two would get into any other house, but if you do, make sure it's not Slytherin. In these dangerous days, there are too many threats in that house."

"What will Voldemort do next, do you think mama? He scares me at times. We're safe, aren't we?"

"We're only as safe as all other wizards and witches who have resisted the Dark Side. Our enemies numbers are increasing, and our friends decreasing, but there is no place safer than Hogwarts, you know that."

"But you're not going to be at Hogwarts, mother." James replied, worriedly.

"Your father and I will be fine. Don't worry your little head over us. Now go tell Sirius your news! I daresay he will be as excited as yourself." Mrs. Potter smiled at her son, who could be heard slamming the door and jumping over the fence to the next house, which had been the home of the Blacks for as long as anyone could remember.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Lily didn't know how she managed to survive the four weeks between her first visit to Diagon Alley and the time when she was to go to Kings Cross Station, to depart for Hogwarts. The visit to Diagon Alley had been very illuminating for Lily and Mr. & Mrs. Evans (Petunia had refused to accompany them), and after Mrs. Evans and Lily had poured through Hogwarts : a History, it was evident beyond all shadow of a doubt that the Evan's considered their daughter as a very special girl, and that there was no way she would not be going to such a prestigious school, if they wanted her. Mrs. Evans actually beamed with pride when Lily picked her wand at Ollivanders, even if she remained confused about what made each wand so unique. Mr. Evans then treated them to ice-cream at Florean Fortescue the Elder's shop. Lily was surprised to see someone her own age working in the shop, but somehow or another she discovered that the boy was Fortescue's own son.

There were other children walking around Diagon Alley, and occasionally Lily heard the word 'Hogwarts' slip from their mouths. She guessed they too would be at Hogwarts for the next term, and wondered how many of them were like her - people who didn't even know they were magic, until the letter came? Hogwarts : A History had defined such people as Muggles. Mr. & Mrs. Evans looked very much out of place, staring at the strange buildings and people, but Lily was beginning to take it in her stride.

Until she encountered a horrible excuse for a person. Someone who obviously saw she was a muggle, and started to taunt her about it, while her parents were over at Gringotts, trying to figure out what sort of Wizard coinage fifty pounds would give them. The boy who accosted her was tall and wiry, but had a mean face. "Malfoy." was the name he introduced himself with, and Lily rather thought that she didn't much like this Malfoy creature at all. A niggling thought suddenly came into being in her head. Would all the witches and wizards at Hogwarts treat her like this? And what about the Professors? She would have to be cautious. Very, very cautious.

But although the visit to Diagon Alley had instilled caution in her, it had also filled Lily with a bubbling excitement, not to be matched by anything. She had never expected school to be brilliant, but this school might be just simply amazing. She couldn't wait to find out. Her parents were encouraging this spiel of thought, becoming excessively proud of their little Lily, which soured Petunia completely. The last couple of weeks with Petunia were utterly hideous, and Lily regarded them as a sign of what was to come. Petunia was alternately appalled and jealous, and these confused emotions caused her to treat her sister with less than her usual bare civility - now, Lily was received by her sister with contemptuous disdain. So in a way she was also relieved to be leaving home, and the days passed by rapidly.

Finally the day came, when Lily was to be at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Once again, Petunia had refused to come, merely sneering when Lily asked her parents to take her. Getting to the platform was no trouble, once Lily had asked someone who, like herself, was carrying an owl.

She waved good-bye to her parents, and walked through the wall, to find the boy who had told her what to do waiting for her. "Just wanted to make sure you got through. You a first year, then?"

Lily nodded, and the two got into the train, and found an empty compartment..

"So am I." The boy answered. "I'm an only child, but my parents went here, so they knew how to get through."

Your mother's a witch?" Lily asked with interest. What's it like? And having a wizard for a father! It must be so strange!"

"Not when you don't know any different. I take it you're a full muggle then?"

"Yes. And my name's Lily Evans. I can't think why I didn't tell you earlier."

The boy smiled, and the lids of his eyes drooped over his eyelids, giving one the idea that he was tired, though his eyes were brilliantly dilated, and full of eagerness. "Remus Lupin."

"Oh! That sounds a bit mythological, if you ask me. After all, Remus was the twin of Romulus, and those two were credited with being the founders of ancient Rome."

"I take it you are a great reader, or have an interest in history." Remus grinned. "Am I to believe you will be one of those girls that seek the highest scores in all subjects?"

"Well, I did always do relatively well, but I don't think Hogwarts is going to be teaching things like mathematics, are they? No, my textbooks are very different." Lily answered. "And besides, I haven't been brought up as a witch, so I can't know nearly as much as everyone else already! I shall be so far behind!"

"You'll catch up. At least, that's what they always tell you. Do you know about all the houses?"

"I read about them in one of my additional texts. Um, History of something or other. Which one would you like to be in?"

"Not smart enough for Ravenclaw, not ambitious enough for Slytherin, so it'll be Gryffindor or Hufflepuff."

"How do they sort you?"

"I don't know. Hopefully it doesn't hurt. But we'll find out when we get there, and I'm sure that's not going to be long." Remus answered, as he looked at a sundial which was on his wrist. Lily tried hard not to stare at it, but was unsuccessful. It looked too archaic in style for an eleven year old, but the imprint of the seventies was evident in the retro colours of the shadows. Swirls of lime green and purple, alongside bright orange had replaced the traditional dark colour of the shadow.

The conversation they adopted following this was commonplace, or filled with questions concerning muggles (Remus' questions) and wizards (Lily's). But by the end of the journey, each felt that even if they didn't find anyone else, they had at least one friend to turn to.

~*~*~*~*~*~

James and Sirius spent their time on the train eating, talking and dreaming. Dreaming of things that had happened, and which were to happen.

"Naturally, we'll be in Gryffindor." Sirius remarked. "I just wonder what everyone else is going to be like. Hopefully we'll find some friends, because after all, we're going to be spending the next seven years of our life here, so we'd better make the most of it."

"Yeah." James agreed, as he usually did. He was too busy thinking of how his parents had farewelled him. They were hiding something. They had to be. It seemed so strange that his parents would deliberately conceal something from him, causing James to be perplexed. But the smile with which they parted had not met their eyes, it was rather perfunctory - as though it was an age old custom, rather than a separation wrought with emotion. But perhaps that was just the way people in his family behaved. It seemed his parents were so steeped up in family traditions and customs, that he was just another Potter going to school, nothing out of the ordinary there. Except that this was the first time that he'd ever done it, and, well, he'd thought his parents would react differently. Instead they remained so passive!

Come to think of it, though, his parents had been acting a bit strange for about a week before his departure. James didn't connect this change with the letter which came by owl post, being more concerned with trying out his new broomstick, a Silver Arrow 150, one of the best quidditch sticks of the time. Not that James was really old enough to play proper quidditch - and that didn't stop him from pretending in the backyard that he was. Compared with Sirius' woeful attempts, he was an excellent seeker. James always won at this game, but Sirius soundly thrashed him when it came to wizard duels or wizard crackers. All James could ever conjure up was a sorry excuse for an explosion, which didn't even scare the family elf, who was renowned for its perpetually petrified look. But no, if James was around, the thing actually smiled!

And as for spells, James' perennial favourite (in other words, the only one which was guaranteed to work for him) managed to turn whatever a person was holding to a raspberry custard which splurted all over the place (unless it was a wand, in which case the custard became an interesting concoction - coloured blue, but flavoured with something like vanilla essence). This spell was the delight of Sirius' life, and the bane of James', because Sirius was so much better at spells, and he had at least four which worked for him.

But the letter in question had not seemed irregular in any way, and thus had never drawn the attention of James. So the journey to Hogwarts, rather than being filled with pranks, as anyone might have expected, passed uneventfully. That was, until Lily Evans tripped into the compartment.

"Oh! So sorry!" She replied, a blush beginning to transform her pale features. She had been searching for the bathroom, and accidentally stumbled into the wrong room. It was the second time she had done this, too. The first time had introduced her to a nice bunch of girls, one of whom had introduced herself as Arabella Figg.

But the boys in this room, rather than being accommodating and kind, appeared shocked.

"What are you doing in here?" The taller, and more swarthy of the two demanded, while the middle height boy with round rimmed glasses and dark hair simply looked over at her with a sort of vacant gaze. She couldn't fathom what his thoughts might have been.

"I was looking for the bathroom." Lily uttered before running out of the door again. Those two boys unnerved her, reminding her that she needed to be cautious, so people didn't treat her like that Malfoy had. She hadn't been her relatively shy self with Remus, because in him she saw a kindred spirit, or a beacon or something which shouted out 'friend.' But there was something disquieting in that boy with glasses gaze. It wasn't approving, but it wasn't a Petunia type glare either.

Lily had barely got out of the room before she heard one of them speak. She thought it was the taller of the two - he had a deeper voice. "Well, I don't know that I'll be trying to beat dad's dating record now. What did you think, James?"

There was but a moments pause.

"Well, I suppose someone might find her okay, but... She's not really our type, is she?" The boy named James spoke in a decidedly arrogant fashion, as though he had been brought up to treat people like that.

Lily stifled a gasp, and indignantly tiptoed away. He had seemed unnerving but nice, but oh! She would make sure she never went near that boy if she could help it. She didn't hate him - he hadn't completely mortified her, because she had experienced that sort of thing at her primary school, and besides, she hardly knew him, and how could you hate someone you barely knew?

It still hadn't been a very nice thing to do, though. Obviously, he was not the sort of person she'd want to befriend. And he would never know she had heard his words, but she would never forget them. She was that sort of person.

~*~*~*~*~*~