Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to the queen, J.K Rowling.

If you looked through the window, the only thing you could see was a blanket of pristine white snow. The sun had set early, leaving it cold, dark and windy outside. A young girl with dark red hair and bright green eyes sat by the window silently, smiling at the snow swirling around in the lamp's light. Anyone could tell it was a special day for her; she had been beaming and full of energy all day. It was her birthday today and she had received many wonderful gifts and well wishes from her friends at school, her parents and surprisingly, her sister (though she suspected the latter had been forced to buy a present).

"Sweetheart, come and help your sister set up the table!"

"Coming mum!" replied the girl, taking one last look outside before skipping towards the dining room.

"Can you stop that Lily? Your ecstasy is positively annoying," glared a thin, blonde hair girl, setting a knife down heavily on the table.

"It's my birthday Tuney. January 30th, a day for me," grinned Lily. The older girl rolled her eyes at her, frustrated at her sister's immaturity.

"Well…sometimes I wish you'd never been born. And don't call me that name. It's Petunia."

Lily stuck her tongue out at her sister, before the door bell rang loudly throughout the house, exciting Lily so much she dropped the plate she was holding.

"Lily!" cried their mother as she hurried into the room to see what the crash was about.

"I'll get the door," announced Petunia, watching her sister closely. Lily quickly helped her mother sweep up the remnants of the plate, taking care not to step on any pieces of china.

"Muuummmmmm!" screamed Petunia, running back down the hallway to the dining room. "There's this really strange woman out there with… with this black cloak and, and…" she panted hurriedly.

"And? What did you do?" their mother frowned.

"I… I closed the door," Petunia replied quickly, "She said her name was Professor Ma...Ma...something."

"Well let's go and see what she wants," she said calmly, walking towards the door. Lily followed her, eyes brighter than ever, eager to see if this Professor Ma-something was one of the teachers Sev had told her would come knocking. Petunia lingered behind them, watching the scene with her hawk like eyes.

"Ahhh, you must be Mrs Evans," greeted the woman kindly. With the tight bun on top of her head and a pair of square spectacles set neatly on her nose, she looked liked the stern and no-nonsense type - a teacher. Mrs Evans stood gaping at the woman who stood at least a head taller than her, speechless at her peculiar dress sense and sudden arrival.

"Umm… uh yes, yes I am Mrs Evans. But um… excuse me, who are you?"

"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. And I'm here to talk to you about your daughter, Lily, and a very special education opportunity for her," explained Professor McGonagall, looking pointedly at her arm blocking the doorway.

"Oh yes, please come in. The lounge room is through here," gestured Mrs Evans, gathering her wits about her. She knew at once this woman was to be pleased and immediately told Petunia to prepare some of their finest tea.

"Lily," whispered Mrs Evans, "Get your father please."

Lily bounded up the stairs towards her father's study, stopping to knock on the door.

"Come in."

She burst through the door impatiently, nearing tripping over the stool her father used to reach the books too high on the bookshelf.

"Lily watch where-"

"Come downstairs, pleeeease! We have a guest! And she's here to talk about my education!" begged Lily. Mr Evans looked at his daughter curiously. "This is a rather odd time to be calling, don't you think?"

"Yeah but she's a professor. Just come downstairs!" Her father laughed and followed her downstairs into the living room, startled by the appearance of the strangely dressed woman.

"Professor McGonagall, this is my husband," introduced Mrs Evans.

"Mr Evans," acknowledged Professor McGonagall politely. "Before I explain anything, I think it would be best if Lily reads her letter first." From within her robes, she brought out a yellowish envelope addressed to Lily and her parents, and gave it to her.

"Thank you," smiled Lily. She broke the red seal and opened the letter gingerly. She took a deep breath and read aloud:

Dear Mr, Mrs and Miss Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that your daughter, Lily Evans, has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than 31st July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Lily looked up at her parents slowly, who were staring at her in a mix of shock, confusion and disbelief. She glanced at Professor McGonagall sideways and saw her frowning slightly, bewildered that Lily didn't seem surprised, but her eyes were twinkling and Lily thought she saw a ghost of a smile.