Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to J.K. Rowling (the Queen). The plot and idea is mine.
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On January 30, 1960, a baby girl was born to a family of muggles, Lily Jane Evans. A few months later, a baby boy was born on March 27 to the Potter's, James Fleamont Potter. Not far away in Wizarding London, a book sat, neglected in the Ministry. This book was not any ordinary book. It recorded the most rare of things and today it recorded something that had not happened for a couple centuries.
March 27, 1960: On this date Mr. James Fleamont Potter was soulbonded to Ms. Lily Jane Evans.
Eleven Years Later:
It was a peaceful morning in the Evans house. Mrs. Evans was up and making breakfast wondering if she should go and wake up the girls. Mr. Evans was sitting in the living room reading the morning paper wondering what Mrs. Evans was making for breakfast. The eldest Evans daughter, Petunia, was sleeping soundly in her bedroom dreaming of what it would be like to have everything in her life absolutely perfect. The youngest Evans, Lily, was up and wondering what this new year in her life would bring. It wasn't everyday that you turned eleven.
A few minutes later, Lily could hear her mother climbing up the stairs to wake up her and Petunia. Giggling to herself, she pretended to be asleep, snuggling down under her quilts and closing her eyes as her mother opened the door.
"Good morning, Silly Lily." Her mother spoke softly as she walked over to her supposedly sleeping daughter. Sitting down on the edge of her bed, Mrs. Evans reached out a hand and began to tickle Lily. Within seconds Lily was screaming with laughter and trying her hardest to escape from her mother.
"Mom! Stop! I'm awake!" Lily was trying desperately to wiggle her way out of her mom's grasp, but found herself unable to. Mrs. Evans just laughed and continued to tickle her despite her pleas to stop. "If you're awake, Silly Lily, then why were you pretending to sleep when I walked in. Huh?" Mrs. Evans stopped tickling Lily to give her a light kiss on the forehead.
"Happy Birthday, Lily." Lily, still giggling, reached up to give her mother a hug as her mother began to tickle her sides again. Soon both Lily and Mrs. Evans were laughing and failed to notice the two figures standing in the doorway to Lily's room. It wasn't until Mr. Evans crept up behind Mrs. Evans and began to tickle her that they realized that he and Petunia were standing there.
Once the commotion had calmed down and everyone was breathing normally, Mr. Evans went over to Lily and picked her up out of her bed spinning her around her room. Lily soon began screaming with delight as her father swung her around and around. "Happy Birthday my Giggly Lily!" He stopped spinning her to give her a kiss on her forehead and then set her down. Everyone laughed as Lily toppled over slightly, still dizzy from being spun around. It was then Petunia's turn for greetings and she quickly ran over and gave Lily a hug.
"Happy Birthday Lillies!" Lily hugged Petunia back with so much force that Petunia shrieked with surprise. "Lily!" Soon Lily and Petunia were giggling and chasing each other around Lily's room in attempt to squeeze each other with hugs. Their parents sat on Lily's bed watching for awhile and then announced that if they wanted a warm breakfast they should go downstairs. Still giggling, the girls rushed down the stairs to the kitchen where a special birthday breakfast awaited Lily.
Every birthday in the Evans house meant pancakes with syrup, fruit and whipped cream and every year the Evans birthday tradition turned into a food fight between Lily and Petunia. Within a couple of minutes, Lily and Petunia were throwing small berries covered in whipped cream at each other. Neither of them were very good at throwing so the berries ended up landing on the center of the table with a few hitting their opponents plate and even fewer actually hitting their opponent.
The birthday food fight hadn't been going for very long when there was a knock at the door. Lily and Petunia quit throwing food and immediately glanced at their parents who glanced at each other, just as confused.
"George, why don't you go and answer the door while the girls and I clean things up." Mrs. Evans looked from her husband who began to head to the door to her daughters who had begun to clean off the table. The cleaning didn't take that long because Mrs. Evans had been prepared. These birthday food fights had been happening for so long that on every birthday she would cover the table in a plastic tablecloth that would be thrown away at the end of every meal. The girls would clear off the plates, taking them to the sink as their mother took the dishes. Mrs. Evans would then clean the plates and dishes, putting all the leftover food in containers. The girls would fold up the tablecloth and throw it away and then cleaning would be done.
While the girls and Mrs. Evans were cleaning up, Mr. Evans had gone to answer the door. Opening it, he found a stern, older woman dressed in emerald green robes with a matching pointed hat. Her hair was swept back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck and on the bridge of her nose rested a pair of square glasses. At first Mr. Evans could do nothing, but stare at the strange woman, but he eventually gathered himself together to say a few words.
"Hello. Can I help you?" The older woman immediately nodded and took out a small envelope. On the back was a red seal with the image of castle. Surrounding it were the words, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On the front of the envelope was the most peculiar address.
To Ms. Lily Jane Evans
Cokeworth, England
First bedroom to the left, second floor
Mr. Evans stared at this most peculiar address for quite some time before the stern older woman cleared her throat.
"Excuse me, sir. I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Am I correct in assuming you are Ms. Lily Jane Evans' father?" Mr. Evans looked back up at Professor McGonagall and gave a small, curt nod. "Wonderful. Now, is Ms. Lily Evans here at the moment?" Mr. Evans responded with the same nod, completely dumbfounded. "Would it be possible for me to talk with her as well as you, your wife and her sister? There is much to be discussed." Mr. Evans nodded again and motioned for her to come inside. After closing the door, he lead her to the living room and then left to get his wife and the girls.
"Lily, there is someone her to talk to you and, well, the rest of us about some school." Mr. Evans handed Lily the peculiar envelope and then walked back out to the living room with the rest of them following. Mr and Mrs Evans sat on the couch with Petunia, while Lily sat in the chair across from Professor McGonagall. Lily didn't speak at first because she much too interested in the woman sitting across the way from her. She had never seen an outfit like it and thought it most peculiar. Her mother and Petunia were also very curious and wondered about this strange woman.
"You must be Lily." The older lady smiled kindly towards Lily who nodded as she shrunk back into her chair. Petunia huddled closer to her mother as she had become very afraid of this woman.
"I am Professor McGonagall. Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one of the finest wizarding schools in the world." Lily looked at Professor McGonagall with even more curiosity. "Hogwarts? I've never heard of that school and what exactly does this have to do with me?" Professor McGonagall adjusted herself in her seat before speaking.
"Ms. Lily Evans. Hogwarts is a school that educates witches and wizards, helping them learn to control their magic and allowing them to reach their full magical potential. Hogwarts only accepts students with magical abilities and you are one of them. If you had no magical abilities, Hogwarts would have not contacted you and therefore you would have never known about the school." Professor McGonagall paused to look at Lily who was regarding her with much confusion and suspicion. "How do you know that I have these magical abilities and that I belong at Hogwarts?" Lily was very confused and couldn't wrap her head around what was happening.
"My dear, Hogwarts has known that you were a witch from the day you were born and if you need further evidence, let me ask you this. Have you ever done something that you absolutely could not explain?" Professor McGonagall let her words sink in as Lily thought. Yes, she had. All those times when Petunia and her would play with their toy horses and they would somehow begin to fly and canter around the room. Those times when those ucky peas disappeared from plate when she didn't want to eat them. Everything was starting to make sense. Slowly, Lily turned her attention back to Professor McGonagall and nodded.
"So because I was able to make all sorts of things happen with no explanation, I'm a witch?" Professor McGonagall nodded. "And because I'm a witch, I have been accepted into Hogwarts, a school for people like me, which will help me?" Professor McGonagall nodded again. "What exactly will I be doing at Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall pointed to her letter.
"That letter holds some answers to that question, but I have a feeling you will be needing some examples." With this she pulled out her wand and a simple sock. Lily was immediately interested and leaned forward to get a better look. Her parent's looked slightly afraid, but were also intrigued by what Professor McGonagall was about to do. Petunia however was completely frightened and burrowed herself further into her mother as to get away from whatever Professor McGonagall was doing. Before Professor McGonagall did anything though, she explained to Lily what her classes would be in her first year.
"In your first year, your classes will include Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, Astronomy, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, Charms, and you will also have a classes instructing you on how to fly a broomstick. Potions is where you will be combining ingredients to create products that could help someone heal faster, enable you to turn into another person, and much more. Transfiguration is taking one object and making it into another, like this." Wish a swish and loop of her wand, Professor McGonagall transfigured the sock into a small vase and then back. "Herbology is where you will study magical plants and their abilities. Astronomy is the study of the heavens. Defense Against the Dark Arts works with the darker side of magic and is about protecting yourself. History of Magic is about the history of magic, self-explanatory. Charms is where you learn spells that could be used in duels, everyday tasks, or in future jobs. For example, the Cheering Charm would make a person happy. The flying classes will teach you how to fly on a broomstick and are only during the first term. Questions?" Professor McGonagall looked over at Lily and her family while putting away her wand and the sock. Lily was so excited, nervous, curious, overwhelmed. There were so many questions about this and that she wasn't sure where to begin. Her family on the other hand was looking at her with curiosity and wonder.
"I suggest that you take a look at the letter Ms. Evans before you ask any questions." Lily nodded and looked down at her letter.
Ms. Lily Jane Evans,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is most pleased to say that you have been accepted. Term starts on September 1st and your response as to whether or not you shall be attending is requested no later than August 1st. The following pages include your supply lists for your first year as well as your ticket to come to Hogwarts. We anticipate your decision.
Sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Looking at the following pages, Lily found her school supply list as well as her ticket. Quickly scanning the list, Lily was immediately curious as to where she would be getting her supplies.
"Professor, where am I going to get all of these supplies? I haven't seen any stores that sell wands, cauldrons, or books like these." Professor McGonagall smiled at Lily. "All of your supplies can be bought in Diagon Alley, a wizarding shopping center. In two months time, myself or another professor at Hogwarts will help you get your supplies, that is if you accept our invitation to go to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall looked from Lily to her family and back. "I suggest that you and your parents should talk about this LIly, but I will let you know that this is the only school in the United Kingdom that will allow you to learn the arts of witchcraft and wizardry. When you have made your decision, send your response back with the owl that brought you your letter. Now, I'm so sorry to rush off, but I have to meet with some other students. Good day Evans' family, I trust that I shall be seeing you soon Lily." With that McGonagall left and Lily began to excitedly read through her letter again.
"Isn't it exciting mum and dad? Me, a witch." Lily's parents looked at each other and then smiled at her. "Yes, sweetie, it is."
And from that moment on, Lily marked down on her calendar the days until she got her school supplies and the days until term started. Her parents were worried, but proud and Petunia? Well she was scared out of her wits and would have nothing to do with Lily for the rest of the summer.
A few months late, across England in the Potter's Manor...
James Potter came rushing down the stairs into the kitchen the morning of March 27. His parents were both sitting in the kitchen with their morning pumpkin juice. His father was reading the paper while his mother was discussing the plans for the day with the family house elf, Bitzy. They both looked up as James bounded in and smiled.
"Well look who decided to wake up finally." His mother smiled and walked over to him giving him a hug. "Happy Birthday sweetheart." James snuggled into his mother's hug and breathed in her warm, familiar scent of vanilla. "What are we going to do about your hair?" His mother reached up a hand and began to unsuccessfully try and tame it. James and his father began to laugh at her failed attempts. "Mom, stop! It never will be tamed." This caused his parents to laugh as he began to wiggle and squirm out of his mother's grasp.
He immediately began to scan the table. "Did it come, Dad? Did it come?" He began to jump up and down around the table as his dad slowly put down his paper, laughing. "Not yet son, but knowing Dumbledore, it will be here as soon as you finish your breakfast." James gave a sigh of defeat and sat in his chair. He began to scoop eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes onto his plate as his mother looked on with wide eyes. "Goodness, James. You're not going to eat all of that are you?" His father began to laugh as he looked at the piles on James' plate. "Nonsense Euphemia, he's a growing boy. He needs his food." He began to laugh again as he reached over and ruffled James' hair before going back to his paper.
There was a few minutes of silence in the Potter's as Mr. Potter continued to read his paper, Mrs. Potter replied to letters and James tore through his pile of food. After a few minutes, Mr. Potter set down his paper with a sigh causing Mrs. Potter and James to look over at him. "What it is Fleamont?" Mrs. Potter looked worriedly at her husband while James continued to eat his food and stare at his parents. "Another attack on muggles. That's the third one this month and he is becoming more violent about it." James knew that he referred to Voldemort, the Dark Lord who had been steadily growing stronger the past few years.
"Fleamont, I thought I told you we weren't going to discuss this in front of James." Mrs. Potter looked at her husband and then motioned to James to tell him to stop. "Honey, he's going to find out sooner or later and I would rather he found out through us than some kid at school who doesn't know what he is talking about. Besides, Dumbledore will probably mention something about him during the welcoming feast." Mrs. Potter gave an exasperated glare to her husband and then sighed with defeat. "I know he will Fleamont, but I don't want James to be frightened about going to school or doing anything. He deserves a happy life for a while and that's hard having parents that are constantly gone on this mission or that mission. He is still a child, for Merlin's sake, Fleamont!" James was looking from his mother to his father and back while still putting food in his mouth.
"Ummm, Mum? Dad? You know I'm sitting right here, right?" Mrs. Potter stopped her rant and looked over at her son. "Yes, James, and please do not talk with your mouth full of food. It is repulsive." Turning back to her husband, Mrs. Potter shook her head and muttered something along the lines of 'I wanted a daughter'. Mr. Potter began to laugh as James faked dejection. Mrs. Potter just shook her head and returned to her letters and Bitzy cleared off the table. "Young Mister Potter is having a letter for him." Bitzy returned from the kitchen holding a letter and gave it to James. His parents both stopped what they were doing to watch him open it up.
The front of the letter read
To Mister James Fleamont Potter
Potter Manor, England, United Kingdom
2nd bedroom to the left, 2nd story
With shaky hands James opened the envelope and pulled out the letter's inside.
To Mister James Fleamont Potter,
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is most pleased to say that you have been accepted. Term starts on September 1st and your response as to whether or not you shall be attending is requested no later than August 1st. The following pages include your supply lists for your first year as well as your ticket to come to Hogwarts. We anticipate your decision.
Sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
The second page held the list of supplies he would need during his first year at Hogwarts.
Uniform- three sets of plain work robes (black)
one plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
one pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
one winter cloak (black with silver fastenings)
Set Books- The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffing
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self- Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment- one wand
one cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
one set of glass phials or crystal phials
one telescope
one set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
Parents are reminded that first years are NOT allowed their own broomsticks
"I'm not allowed to bring a broomstick?! Does that mean I can't try out for Quidditch?" Mr. Potter laughed at James outburst as Mrs. Potter began to look over the list. "I should think that they wouldn't allow first years to being a broomstick much less play Quidditch. They are still young and may not be very good flyers. Much better this way, dear." Mrs. Potter patted James cheek as she sat down with the list. "Don't it bother you too much James. Next year you'll be able to try out for the team." Mr. Potter ruffled James' hair as he left the kitchen. Mrs. Potter looked up at her son and smiled. "He's right, sweetheart. There will always be next year. Now, when shall we go get your supplies and you still have to write back to Hogwarts letting them know you'll be attending."
A few months later in Diagon Alley
The Evans' family followed Professor McGonagall as they walked through Diagon Alley. Professor McGonagall told them that Lily's seven years of tuition would be paid in full by the school, but they would need to pay for all of her school supplies. After going to Gringotts to exchange their muggle money for wizarding money, Professor McGonagall showed them from store to store and helped Lily get her supplies. They first went to Flourish and Blotts where Lily got all of her textbooks and then headed over to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions where Lily was fitted in her Hogwarts robes. The next stop was Potage's Cauldron Shop and Scribbulus Writing Instruments before heading to Ollivander's where Lily received her wand, 10 1/4" made of willow with a core of unicorn hair. After getting her wand, Professor McGonagall lead her family to Eeylops Owl Emporium before excusing herself to go help another muggle family.
Lily wandered up and down the aisles of owls looking at each one. Her parents and Petunia were waiting outside for her as the shop wasn't very big. She had stopped in front of a beautiful tawny owl and was watching it when she heard a voice next to her. "Pretty isn't it?" Looking over to the voice, she saw a skinny boy with messy, jet black hair and brown eyes that shone bright behind a pair of round rimmed spectacles. She nodded shyly before turning back to the owl, not noticing that the boy was still standing there watching her.
"Are you starting Hogwarts?" His voice pulled her out of her gaze at the bird and she nodded again. "Do you speak?" She nodded again and then let out a small laugh. He laughed too before running through a hand through his already messy hair. "Sorry, I must be scaring you. I'm James, James Potter." He stuck out his hand and she shyly shook it. "Lily, Lily Evans." After stating her name, she turned her attention back to the tawny owl which had flown over to her shoulder. "She likes you." James noted and Lily giggled, slightly frightened of the bird on her shoulder.
"Are you a first year?" James looked at her as she interacted with the bird. "Yeah, are you?" James nodded. "I'm hoping that I'll be placed in Gryffindor. The rest of my family has been in Gryffindor. What house do you think you'll be placed in?" Lily looked at him curiously. "House? I'm sorry, but I don't understand." James blushed as he realized she was a muggle-born. "Sorry, you must be a muggle-born. Hogwarts has four houses. Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart. Slytherin, where dwell the cunning. Ravenclaw, where the knowledgeable are found. Hufflepuff, where dwell the loyal." Lily nodded after his explanation and then contemplated each of the houses. "Well, I'm not exactly cunning or brave, but I am loyal and intelligent so maybe Ravenclaw?" James nodded back at her. "Ravenclaw's a good house, but I think you'd be a Gryffindor seeing as you were brave enough to not freak when that owl landed on you." Lily blushed and then looked at the owl on her shoulder.
"I'm sure they do this to everyone so I can't be brave." She turned back to look at James who shook his head. "I wish. They rarely do that. Even the owls my family has back at home don't do that. Either that bird really likes you or you've got a thing with animals." Lily blushed again and then thanked him. "Lily dear! Have you picked out your owl?" Lily looked up as her mother walked in. "Sweetheart, we need to leave soon.. Oh, hello there. I'm Lily's mother and you are?" James stuck out his hand. "James, James Potter. Sorry for keeping Lily, we were talking." James turned to look at Lily and smiled. "I guess I'll see you when term starts Lily. I'd better go before my parents wonder where I am." He waved good-bye to Lily and her mother before exiting the shop.
"Well wasn't he a sweet gentleman." Mrs. Evans turned and looked back at her daughter who was staring off in the direction the James had just walked. "Did you find an owl dear?" Lily snapped out of her gaze and nodded to her mother before motioning to her shoulder where the tawny owl sat. Together, they went up and payed for the owl, a cage and some treats before meeting her father and sister and heading back home.
"James, dear! There you are! Where have you been? We still have to get you your robes, wand and owl?" James smiled, his mind wandering back to the red haired girl with emerald green eyes he had met in the Owl Emporium. "I've been looking at the owls, mum. I met another first year there." His mother looked up from her list to stare at him. "Oh, really? Who? Anyone we would know?" James shook his head. "No, she was a muggle-born." His mother looked back at him with greater interest. "A muggle-born? She wasn't with a guide?" James shook his head again. "No, she was looking at all the owls. It was weird, mum. She's a muggle-born and one of the tawny owls just up and flies over to her shoulder. I've never seen an owl do that before, even to a half-blood or pure-blood wizard." His mother looked up very interested. "Really? Well, that's fascinating. Did you find an owl that you'd like while you were there?" "No, I was too busy watching her interact with the tawny owl and talking her to look." His mother laughed as she walked towards Madam Malkin's.