Chapter 1
*Disclaimer*
All characters are the property of JK Rowling and not me.
The Evans household was buzzing with excitement the day that Lily received her owl. The eleven year-old girl could hardly believe that SHE was truly a witch. Her parents, both Muggles, could not have been more ecstatic. Lily's father couldn't help making lists, organizing, and planning her every move until she went to Hogwarts in the fall, while her mother was busy calling every friend and family member to brag about her daughter the witch!
"Well, honey," her father started, "I have made you two lists of all the things you will need for school- one is in alphabetical order while the other has what things you will be able to find at each store. See? You can find your robes and hat at the same store, so I put them together, same with all of your books-"
"I'm sure she can figure it out without you giving it to her on a silver platter," snarled a voice from the top of the staircase. Lily's sister Petunia was slinking down from her room, practically smoldering with jealousy at the attention Lily was receiving. Petunia had always lived in Lily's shadow and this was the last straw. Knowing her, Petunia thought, she probably hexed everyone into thinking she is so wonderful.
Lily's father dismissed his other daughter's foul mood with a small grunt, and went back to his planning, a fatherly smile of pride plastered on his face.
* * *
Lily had no idea what was in store for her the day she ventured to Diagon Alley to purchase her school supplies. Her parents had decided it was alright for her to make the trip alone, seeing as how she was going to be without them for the next several months anyway. Wizardry was her thing; who were they to cramp her style?
As she stepped through the brick wall in The Leaky Cauldron as the letter told her to, the sight took her breath away. The street was crowded with people bustling about like any other street, but she could just feel the magic in the air. A wave of emotion swept over her, and Lily knew she was home. All her life she had felt a slight bit out of place and now she knew why. It was all Lily Evans could do not to break into tears at the sight of all of the people she knew were just like her.
Her first step was to go to...she glanced down at her instructions...ah yes! Gringott's Bank! She had to exchange her Muggle money for something that could be used here. The bank could not be missed, as it towered above her, casting a shadow on the buildings below it.
She walked through the crowd, taking in everything there was to see, and suprisingly at ease to be alone in a brand new environment. When she entered the bank, Lily was a bit taken aback at the tellers. The ugly little creatures did not seem very friendly, and each time Lily tried to speak to one, they abruptly turned and walked away. She was getting a bit frustrated. It was practically lunch time and she had not yet even begun her shopping spree!
"Let me guess," came a voice from behind her. "Muggle- born...Hogwart's first year...first time in Diagon Alley. Am I right?"
Lily turned to see a tall, thin, regal-looking boy with long dark hair smiling down at her. She smiled sheepishly and replied, "Is it that obvious?"
"You just have to know how to talk to Goblins," the boy said. "Can't let them see they make you nervous. You have to command some respect, you know?"
Lily nodded, and with the boy standing behind her approached the nearest teller with confidence and a new-found bravery.
"I need to make a currency exchange, if you please," she stated firmly before the goblin had a chance to turn his back. She turned to the boy and saw him smiling with approval. Lily smiled back.
* * *
Lily's day in Diagon Alley proved to be full of new experiences. She could hardly contain her excitement when Mr. Ollivander handed her the wand. Her very own wand! Holding it in her hand, it felt like an extension of her body that had been missing up until now. Deep down Lily guessed she'd always known she was a witch. And her parents certainly knew she was special! She felt lucky to have a family with such an open mind.
Walking out of the wand shop, her arms weighted down with all of her supplies and her list clutched between her teeth, Lily looked around for somewhere to take a rest. The long day of shopping had drained her energy and it was all she could do to find her way back to The Leaky Cauldron. She plopped her things down at a corner table and, feeling adventurous, ordered something called a butterbeer with the last of her Wizard money.
As Lily slowly sipped on the delicious drink, she sat back and watched the people as they passed through the magical doorway back into the Muggle world. It was beginning to get dark so many families were returning home for the day. She watched as tiny children no more than five or six years old fought with their siblings about Wizard Cards or Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, smiling at the fact that this was normal for them! How it must feel to be raised in a magical household, she thought to herself.
Then from the doorway came a burst of light and a huge CRASH!! Lily jumped at the noise and turned to see what the ruckus was all about. Something was flying around the room, knocking everything over in it's path, while a short pudgy boy with blonde hair was frantically jumping up and down trying to catch the giant bat that looked even more frightened than he did.
"Hey, Peter!" came a shout from behind, "I'm really sorry! You know I didn't mean for THAT to happen!"
Somehow the boy who was speaking did not sound convincing, for he was trying to cover up his laughter while apologising. The boy named Peter did not seem so mad at his friend, but embarrassed at the fact everyone in the tavern had stopped what they were doing to stare at him. Blushing profusely, he managed to shoo the bat back into it's cage.
"Fix it!" Peter said to the tall, handsome boy who had given up trying to control his laughter.
"Fine! I just thought a giant bat was a whole lot more exciting than a mangy old rat," the tall boy said as he waved his wand and the bat turned back into a rat.
"I LIKE my rat! And besides, you know you aren't allowed to do magic yet! You aren't allowed!" Peter was still angry, but it was obvious he wasn't too mad as a smile broke out and both boys convulsed into giggles.
Lily's jaw was hanging open at the sight she had just witnessed. The rest of the customers turned back to what they were doing as if rats turning into bats were an everyday occurence. Well, Lily thought, I suppose it is! I had better get used to this kind of stuff!
"Is this seat taken, miss?"
Lily looked up to see the boy who had helped her in the bank smiling down at her.
"Of course not!" she replied. "Be my guest!"
Lily shifted her parcels to the ground to make room and the table and the boy sat down. She was still in awe of the magic she had just witnessed and took the opportunity to grill the boy about Hogwarts and the Wizarding world in general.
It was all he could do to pay attention to her, he was getting lost in her beautiful green eyes. But he realized she was questioning him and snapped himself out of it.
"Well, I am only a first year like you, but it's always been expected that I would go to Hogwarts, seeing as how my parents went there as well. I don't know what to tell you, I mean, everything will be explained when you get there. But I suppose you should know about the houses and the sorting hat and such-"
"Where the hell is he?! That lazy little good-for-nothing! I told him to be here at half past! Where the hell-"
The boy's face went even whiter than it already was as he turned to look at who was yelling so loudly. He turned to Lily, gave her a sad smile and said, "Well, that'd be my father. Guess I have to go. I'll see you at Hogwarts! It was nice talking to you!"
"Same here," Lily replied, as she watched the nasty looking man drag the boy out by his ear, berating him all the way.
I guess just because your family is magic doesn't mean it's not dysfunctional, Lily thought. She realized she had better be off as well, and gathered her things. There was still alot to do before she left for her new school!
*Disclaimer*
All characters are the property of JK Rowling and not me.
The Evans household was buzzing with excitement the day that Lily received her owl. The eleven year-old girl could hardly believe that SHE was truly a witch. Her parents, both Muggles, could not have been more ecstatic. Lily's father couldn't help making lists, organizing, and planning her every move until she went to Hogwarts in the fall, while her mother was busy calling every friend and family member to brag about her daughter the witch!
"Well, honey," her father started, "I have made you two lists of all the things you will need for school- one is in alphabetical order while the other has what things you will be able to find at each store. See? You can find your robes and hat at the same store, so I put them together, same with all of your books-"
"I'm sure she can figure it out without you giving it to her on a silver platter," snarled a voice from the top of the staircase. Lily's sister Petunia was slinking down from her room, practically smoldering with jealousy at the attention Lily was receiving. Petunia had always lived in Lily's shadow and this was the last straw. Knowing her, Petunia thought, she probably hexed everyone into thinking she is so wonderful.
Lily's father dismissed his other daughter's foul mood with a small grunt, and went back to his planning, a fatherly smile of pride plastered on his face.
* * *
Lily had no idea what was in store for her the day she ventured to Diagon Alley to purchase her school supplies. Her parents had decided it was alright for her to make the trip alone, seeing as how she was going to be without them for the next several months anyway. Wizardry was her thing; who were they to cramp her style?
As she stepped through the brick wall in The Leaky Cauldron as the letter told her to, the sight took her breath away. The street was crowded with people bustling about like any other street, but she could just feel the magic in the air. A wave of emotion swept over her, and Lily knew she was home. All her life she had felt a slight bit out of place and now she knew why. It was all Lily Evans could do not to break into tears at the sight of all of the people she knew were just like her.
Her first step was to go to...she glanced down at her instructions...ah yes! Gringott's Bank! She had to exchange her Muggle money for something that could be used here. The bank could not be missed, as it towered above her, casting a shadow on the buildings below it.
She walked through the crowd, taking in everything there was to see, and suprisingly at ease to be alone in a brand new environment. When she entered the bank, Lily was a bit taken aback at the tellers. The ugly little creatures did not seem very friendly, and each time Lily tried to speak to one, they abruptly turned and walked away. She was getting a bit frustrated. It was practically lunch time and she had not yet even begun her shopping spree!
"Let me guess," came a voice from behind her. "Muggle- born...Hogwart's first year...first time in Diagon Alley. Am I right?"
Lily turned to see a tall, thin, regal-looking boy with long dark hair smiling down at her. She smiled sheepishly and replied, "Is it that obvious?"
"You just have to know how to talk to Goblins," the boy said. "Can't let them see they make you nervous. You have to command some respect, you know?"
Lily nodded, and with the boy standing behind her approached the nearest teller with confidence and a new-found bravery.
"I need to make a currency exchange, if you please," she stated firmly before the goblin had a chance to turn his back. She turned to the boy and saw him smiling with approval. Lily smiled back.
* * *
Lily's day in Diagon Alley proved to be full of new experiences. She could hardly contain her excitement when Mr. Ollivander handed her the wand. Her very own wand! Holding it in her hand, it felt like an extension of her body that had been missing up until now. Deep down Lily guessed she'd always known she was a witch. And her parents certainly knew she was special! She felt lucky to have a family with such an open mind.
Walking out of the wand shop, her arms weighted down with all of her supplies and her list clutched between her teeth, Lily looked around for somewhere to take a rest. The long day of shopping had drained her energy and it was all she could do to find her way back to The Leaky Cauldron. She plopped her things down at a corner table and, feeling adventurous, ordered something called a butterbeer with the last of her Wizard money.
As Lily slowly sipped on the delicious drink, she sat back and watched the people as they passed through the magical doorway back into the Muggle world. It was beginning to get dark so many families were returning home for the day. She watched as tiny children no more than five or six years old fought with their siblings about Wizard Cards or Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, smiling at the fact that this was normal for them! How it must feel to be raised in a magical household, she thought to herself.
Then from the doorway came a burst of light and a huge CRASH!! Lily jumped at the noise and turned to see what the ruckus was all about. Something was flying around the room, knocking everything over in it's path, while a short pudgy boy with blonde hair was frantically jumping up and down trying to catch the giant bat that looked even more frightened than he did.
"Hey, Peter!" came a shout from behind, "I'm really sorry! You know I didn't mean for THAT to happen!"
Somehow the boy who was speaking did not sound convincing, for he was trying to cover up his laughter while apologising. The boy named Peter did not seem so mad at his friend, but embarrassed at the fact everyone in the tavern had stopped what they were doing to stare at him. Blushing profusely, he managed to shoo the bat back into it's cage.
"Fix it!" Peter said to the tall, handsome boy who had given up trying to control his laughter.
"Fine! I just thought a giant bat was a whole lot more exciting than a mangy old rat," the tall boy said as he waved his wand and the bat turned back into a rat.
"I LIKE my rat! And besides, you know you aren't allowed to do magic yet! You aren't allowed!" Peter was still angry, but it was obvious he wasn't too mad as a smile broke out and both boys convulsed into giggles.
Lily's jaw was hanging open at the sight she had just witnessed. The rest of the customers turned back to what they were doing as if rats turning into bats were an everyday occurence. Well, Lily thought, I suppose it is! I had better get used to this kind of stuff!
"Is this seat taken, miss?"
Lily looked up to see the boy who had helped her in the bank smiling down at her.
"Of course not!" she replied. "Be my guest!"
Lily shifted her parcels to the ground to make room and the table and the boy sat down. She was still in awe of the magic she had just witnessed and took the opportunity to grill the boy about Hogwarts and the Wizarding world in general.
It was all he could do to pay attention to her, he was getting lost in her beautiful green eyes. But he realized she was questioning him and snapped himself out of it.
"Well, I am only a first year like you, but it's always been expected that I would go to Hogwarts, seeing as how my parents went there as well. I don't know what to tell you, I mean, everything will be explained when you get there. But I suppose you should know about the houses and the sorting hat and such-"
"Where the hell is he?! That lazy little good-for-nothing! I told him to be here at half past! Where the hell-"
The boy's face went even whiter than it already was as he turned to look at who was yelling so loudly. He turned to Lily, gave her a sad smile and said, "Well, that'd be my father. Guess I have to go. I'll see you at Hogwarts! It was nice talking to you!"
"Same here," Lily replied, as she watched the nasty looking man drag the boy out by his ear, berating him all the way.
I guess just because your family is magic doesn't mean it's not dysfunctional, Lily thought. She realized she had better be off as well, and gathered her things. There was still alot to do before she left for her new school!
