A/N: Disclaimer etc.
I wrote this last summer, but I'm just putting it up now; some parts, I admit, are Mary Sue-ish, but I try to keep it down to a minimum (beware chapter 4)
CHAPTER ONE
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Lily Potter was mature for her grade. At eleven and eleven twelfths she was the oldest in her primary school class, and soon she would be the oldest of her Hogwarts class too. She sighed, tucking her sketchbook under her bed, her ginger red hair - just like her mother's - falling in a curtain over her resolved face. Flipping her head back up, she crossed to her calendar and used an old marker to cross off August tenth: only twenty three more days until her twelfth birthday. There was a knock at her door - a rare occurance only recently enforced by her mother's privacy charm - and she quickly tucked the marker into a tin and pushed her hair back behind her ears. "Come in." she called.
Her eldest brother, James, came in, looking annoyed. He had black hair, like their father, and Lily's same brown eyes. "That door's gotten rude." he mumbled, tossing himself onto Lily's pristine burgundy comforter.
Lily shrugged, wandering over to her night table to fiddle with her Hogwarts letter. "Tell mum, not me."
James fell back across the bed. "Shame you'll be the oldest in your class." he said, reading her mind. Of course he didn't understand just what a shame it was.
She'd had to bid farewell to her muggle friends from muggle school just three months previous, and now she'd be starting a new school just a day before her birthday. She'd have to make friends fast. At least her brothers would remember her birthday. "It can't be that bad." Lily said, quietly, hiding her fears.
"You're a brave girl." James laughed. He was one to talk - he'd be a fifth year this year and already had loads of friends. Even Albus, her other older brother, had established himself in his group of friends with two years - soon to be three - under his belt. "No one's going to like me." she whispered, feebly.
James looked appalled. "Lily Ginevra Potter. You stop that." he told her, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "You are a social butterfly. I'm sure you don't remember, but on your first day at muggle school you scraped your knee and had a tantrum - you told a wild enough excuse to get applause. Since then everyone has loved you. Don't expect to be without friends."
Lily smiled - for some reason she felt closest to James, even with the gaping age difference - and gave her brother a hug. "Thanks, James."
"Oh no... don't go all girly on me, Lil, I thought we taught you better than that." he shook his head in mock disappointment, but despite the tragedy, he managed to pull her hair on the way out, eliciting a shrill yelp from his sister.
"Ouch..." Lily grumbled, rubbing her scalp, gingerly. She read over her acceptance letter once again.
Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall
(Order of Merlin, first class, Representative of the Wizengamot)
Dear Ms. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
You sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
And, of course, along with that letter came the classic school supply list - though a bit different than her muggle school list.
Hogwarts Schoolof Witchcraft and Wizardry
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black)
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragonhide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
5. One traveling cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Hogwarts: A Revised Retelling of History
by Hermione Weasley
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
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
Third Edition Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander, edited by Luna Lovegood
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal philes
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl, rat, or other small dander-free non-dangerous creature
Parents are reminded that first years are not allowed their own broomsticks
Students should also have a store of quills, ink, and parchment, or notebook paper and pens. Muggle computers are permitted, but must be registered throgh school staff before use. No muggle phones are permitted.
Apparently, the rules had changed since her parents' years at Hogwarts. They were doubtful about sending their daughter with her prized MacBook computer, but Harry finally relented once Ginny assured him of Lily's competence. Now Lily could only wait impatiently until-
"Lily!" her mother called from downstairs, "We're leaving for Diagon Alley!"
Lily felt energized once more - for once she would be the shopper, not the tag along sister. "Coming." she called to her mother before checking herself in the mirror, throwing on a burgundy jumper, and rushing down the stairs.
"Lily what are you wearing?" Albus gaped at her. "Or should I say NOT wearing."
"It's just a skirt." Lily argued, but tugged it down self consciously.
"It's half a skirt - go change." Harry ordered from the doorway. It was striking how similar Albus and Harry were; both with the same dark, unruly hair, and green eyes. Lily secretly envied her brother's eyes. And they both had the same knack for overreacting.
"Sweet heart, let her be." Ginny placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "She's a young woman now." her look was pointed, and Harry dropped the scowl, adopting a half smile.
"Alright - in the car." he laughed, ruffling Albus's hair as he passed, and holding the door for his wife and daughter.
"Thanks mum." Lily mumbled, beaming at her mother.
"Believe me, I understand." Ginny smiled back, buckling into the muggle car.
"James!" Harry bellowed just as James walked out of the door, pulling a collared shirt on over his white tee.
"Keep your shirt on." James mumbled, locking the door behind him manually as his father cast an alarm jinx.
They were off to Diagon Alley.