Story title: At the beginning
Chapter one: So it begins
"Aargh!" The freshly woken redhead screamed, raising her hands up to shield her face. Immediately, footsteps could be heard along the hallway as the girls' parents rushed to the aid of their youngest daughter. The fear on their faces turned to confusion as they watched an owl swoop down upon their daughter as she shrunk towards the wall, in the hope that somehow she would blend into it.
"Calm down Lily," Daniel Evans said with a chuckle, "You're scaring your new friend!"
"Friend?!... Friend?!!...DAD HELP ME WOULD YOU?!" Lily begged.
In response Daniel Evans stretched out his right arm, onto which the owl swiftly landed, before using his left hand to remove the letter from the birds' beak. Lily sighed in annoyance; her father always had had a gift with birds.
"Lily dear, are you alright?", Sophie Evans questioned as she entered into the conversation.
"Yes mum, I'm fine.. I'll be getting up soon" She responded, before noticing the envelope in her father's hand. "It was carrying the post?"
"So it seems Lil. Some very odd friends you've got. Here you read it."
Adriana Hathway held her letter with shaking hands. She hoped her father hadn't heard the racket that the owl had made, or there would be hell to pay. She never really understood why her father hated her so much; she just wished she could be with her mother. Her mother would never have used magic to curse her the way her father did. Lucky for her she had been able to escape the cruel man by walking out on him.
With her heart in her throat, Adriana turned the envelope over, and there it was. The purple wax seal bearing a coat of arm; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'. This was her ticket to freedom; her chance to leave the violent controlled life; and a chance to make friends-real friends, not the children of her fathers consorts.
Adriana could not wait to go to Hogwarts. All her life she had been waiting for this letter, and here it finally was. Here was an opportunity to find out more about her mother, and maybe even contact her again. She could barely remember her mother, and her father had burnt all the pictures of her. All she could really remember was that day, the last time she'd ever seen her mother. The scene replayed in her mind.
"You bitch, how dare you talk to me like that?.. CRUCIO." But her mother had avoided that curse, and had already begun to edge toward a five year old Adriana.
"Get away from her, you mudblood lover, you don't have the right to be a pure blood, I will make you pay for your disloyalty." And with that, he shot another curse, a deadly curse.
This time there was no time to move, but her mother was a brilliant witch and she had immediately cast the 'protego' shield before backing toward the door.
"I'm leaving, I won't be a shame to you anymore," She cried, "and I'm taking my daughter with me!"
"Over my dead body you are!" And with that, he began to shoot the three illegal curses at her in rapid succession.
As she reached the door, Adriana's mother turned toward her daughter, while creating a shield to deflect her husband's curses.
"I love you Adriana," She mouthed, before slamming the door firmly behind her"
Now here was her chance. Her opportunity to get away. With tears of joys glistening in her eyes, and with joy filling her heart, Adriana Hathway finally began to open her letter.
Out fell two yellow parchments, which he dived upon quickly. Ripping the first open he skimmed it before whooping with joy.
"YES" he shouted, pumping his fist into the air, "Hogwarts here I come"
Throughout his childhood James Potter had heard his parents stories of their days off Hogwarts, referring to them as the best days of their lives. Not that James held their opinions in high regard. After all, their lives weren't really that interesting anyway. James' father was Minister for Magic, while his mother, many referred to, as the force behind the man. He knew both of them would be delighted to have their youngest child sent off to Hogwarts following in the steps of their eldest child Michael and their only daughter Caitlin.
Without further thought he jumped out of bed and hurried out of his spacious room into his sister's wing of their large roomy mansion. On arriving outside her bedroom, he flung open the door and ran in shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Caty, Caty I did it, I'm coming to Hogwarts with you!" He announced before jumping onto his sister's bed and commencing to hit her with a pillow.
"What... Jay... its too early...go back to bed" she responded as she blearily rubbed at her eyes
"But Caty!!.. I made it..." James repeated again, but was interrupted by a new voice into the conversation.
"Jay if you were planning to annoy our darling sister this fine morning you should have told me... you know id love to help. Anyway, what was your shouting about.. you made what?" said the young dark haired man standing by the doorway.
"HOGWARTS... IM GOIN TO HOGWARTS MICKY" James shouted to his brother at the top of his voice, and also conveniently for him, straight into his sister's ear.
"Wow jay congrats...Now you can take over my position of embarrasing Caty, seeing as I'm not going back."
"Ye... well done" added Cady sleepily "Now can we go back to sleep?!"
"No Way!" said her brothers in unison and as James proceeded to jump up and down on his sister's bed in excitement and anticipation, little did he realise that another boy would be experiencing a totally different reaction.
Sirius Black groaned in annoyance at the letter he now held in his hand. He had half hoped he would be a squib, then he wouldn't have had to follow in the steps of his parents, as he was now expected to do so. For he, Sirius Black was a pureblood, much to his resentment and pride in the pureblood wizarding world was as important as wealth. Of course, he reflected sarcastically, the Black family seemed to already have both, in excess. Nevertheless Sirius hopped off his bed and trudged down the stairs to tell his parents the "good" news; after all they were bound to find out eventually.
Sirius pecked his mother on the cheek, before greeting his father good morning, as he was well aware was expected of him. The only response he received was a grunt from his father.
'Well, here goes' he thought as he mentally prepared himself. "Mother, Father, I've been accepted to Hogwarts".
"Hogwarts boy?" his father repeated "I was hoping you'd be accepted to Durmstrang, Karkhoff's running a good institute up there, no mudbloods accepted."
"But he'll be in Slytherin of course" his mother counted, still ignoring Sirius' presence, not that he expected differently. "There'll be no need to associate with those types of people"
"Well I supposed it'll have to do, the boy has been accepted and he has to be taught to do magic. You'd better do us proud boy" he added abruptly turning to face Sirius, "I don't want you ruining the prestigious family name, you're a Black, you're better than the others, don't you forget that"
'Of course', Sirius thought sarcastically 'that's what its all about, family honour'. 'Boy would he be glad to get out of this place'.
Now Remus Lupin on the other hand, was being hugged by his tearful mother. Or rather, in Remus' opinion, squashed by his mother.
"Maybe you should let poor Remus go dear", John Lupin suggested and as Natalia Lupin finally let her only son go, her husband reached over to pat his son on the back.
"I can't believe it. I never thought you'd be accepted, not with your condition" Natalia squealed "we have to go and buy your stuff, you need a cauldron, your uniform, your telescope, your hat, your gloves..."
"Yes dear I think we get the jist" John Lupin said as he cut off his wife, "Better get moving son" he added, casting an amused look at Remus, who was smirking at his mothers unusual behaviour.
Remus ran upstairs to fetch his jacket, while his father wiped away the tears of joy that trickled down his wife's face.
"It's really happening isn't it? I can't believe he's going to Hogwarts" she whispered quietly.
"Shh honey I know, it's the opportunity of a life time" John soothed her
Remus heard these words as he quietly came downstairs, he might not have had the best luck in the world, with his condition but he certainly knew he had the best family a boy could ask for.
"Oh Peter, I'm so proud of you" said Natasha Pettigrew, "your father will be to when he returns".
"I'm proud already, what more is there to be added to my pride?" asked a voice from the doorway.
"Dad! I made it I'm going to Hogwarts!" announced Peter, as he ran to hug his father.
"Ahh the best days of my life those were, much easier than being an auror these days. You'll have a good time there son" replied Samuel Pettigrew.
"How were the raids last night?" questioned Natasha, "surely they are not that bad?"
"The numbers of arrests are increasing, especially for offences against muggles. Its odd though, there's no apparent reason for the increase. Anyway let's not talk of such things, this is Peter's big day and this calls for a celebration!
"Wow... really?" asked a delighted Peter ' Can we go to Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour?"
"Of course dear" answered his mother "let me just fetch my purse and we'll be off".
Diagon Alley was teeming with people. As all the Hogwarts letters had been sent out, many parents and soon-to-be first years, were rushing around in an attempt to buy all the items on the school list.
Lily Evans glanced around in shock, never had she seen half of these items, and now here she was contemplating buying them. She stared in fascination at the owls perched in cages outside the Magical Menagerie.
Even Sophie Evans was having trouble controlling her excitement, "come on Lily, we have to get you your wand... oooh that's going to be exciting."
"Do stop dawdling Petunia dear" said Mr Evans to his elder daughter. "I know its fascinating, but we do really have to get this all done today".
Petunia Evans was Lily's older sister, and as she glared around at this new world that her sister was entering her jealousy increased.
' Why couldn't it be me?' she asked herself. ' Lily's so lucky' a part of her mind added.
But petunia wasn't the type of girl to be pleased for her sister, instead she began trying to convince herself that she didn't want to be a witch because they were weird and unusual, and she didn't want to be a freak.
' Yes,' she told herself ' I'm normal and that's how I want to be, there's nothing freakish about me, Petunia Evans.'
As James and his parents, went from shop to shop, James' excitement increased.
"Jay dear, if you get anymore excited, you'll be bouncing of the walls" noted his mother in amusement. "Don't you think so Robert?"
"I have to say I agree" he said before turning to greet the man in front of him, "Morning John, fine day it is today. Your boys off to Hogwarts then eh?"
"Indeed Minister" replied John Lupin, "Seems like only yesterday that he was a toddler."
"Oh, its always like that, it seems like only yesterday that our Michael was born, and now he's already out of Hogwarts and it's James turn to go there" answered Fiona Potter, James' mother. "Why, Good morning Samuel, Natasha"
"It's lovely to see you again Fiona" greeted Natasha Pettigrew." I assume you're here for the same reason we are"
"Shopping for our sons' school necessities?" questioned Natalia Lupin, "yes, just finished actually"
"Excellent, well why don't we go and have a cup of tea together" suggested Mrs Potter, "the men will spend hours talking about events at the ministry, and I think the boys can wonder around on their own."
"Great idea mum" cut in James.
The three women handed their sons some money, before they and their husbands set off towards the café.
The boys stood awkwardly, before the thin sandy haired boy announced "I'm Remus Lupin."
"James Potter" replied the equally thin, black haired boy, before turning to the short plump brown haired boy to his left.
"p..p..peter p..pettigrew." stuttered the last boy and so the boys went off to have ice cream deep in lively conversation.
Adriana was by herself in Diagon Alley. On hearing of her acceptance to Hogwarts her father had replied "about time" before announcing that he would be unable to come with her today as he was entertaining guests.
For most children, this would have been heartbreaking, alone by themselves watching other children spend quality time with their parents, but Adriana was used to it. She walked quietly from shop to shop, answering questions from inquisitive shop owners politely, until, upon stepping out of 'Flourish and Blotts', she collided with a petite red head.
"I'm so sorry," both girls cried in unison before smiling shyly at each other.
"I'm Lily Evans" the red head said quietly. "What's your name?"
Adriana was a smart young witch, she knew, just by looking at the smartly dressed man and lady stood behind Lily that they were muggles, and therefore Lily, the girl who had just introduced herself, had to be a muggle born. If her father were there, he would never have permitted her to talk to Lily but, as Adriana quickly reminded herself, he wasn't and here was an opportunity for her to make herself a friend.
"Adriana Hathway" she eventually replied, smiling les awkwardly. "Would you like to join me for some ice cream?"
Lily glanced pleadingly at her parents who quickly agreed, and the two girls set off. On arriving there Lily ordered a 'double chocolate chip sundae', while Adriana order a 'peppermint delight'.
However no sooner had they sat down that Adriana noticed Mr and Mrs Black, two of her parents associates, along with their sons Regulas and Sirius. She attempted to shrink down into her seat knowing that if they noticed her, and found out that Lily was a muggle born, they would be sure to tell her father and then there would be trouble.
Unfortunately for her however, they had already spotted her and were rapidly making her way over.
"Adriana, so wonderful to see you again" greeted Camellia Black. "I'm afraid I've never met your friend".
"Lily Evans" announced the petite red head, sticking out her hand.
But neither Mr or Mrs Black took it. "Evans?, that's not a pureblood name, so then you must be a half blood?"
One look at Lily's face however assured Sirius that she wasn't, clearly it also said the same thing to his parents because Nicholai Black turned to Adriana and said "Come Adriana, you have no business associating with mudbloods."
Adriana would have liked to talk to Lily, but dared not disobey the Blacks, so she gathered up her shopping, being careful never to glance at lily, and obediently followed Camellia Black from the shop.
Adriana was upset, here she had had an opportunity to make a real friend, but it had been ruined. Camellia Black however misinterpreted the reason for her feelings and in an attempt to soothe the girl said
"Do not worry, it is not your fault you spoke to the mudblood, you didn't know. But next time you must be more careful."
However by now Adriana had had enough so she gathered up her courage.
"Actually I did know" she replied, before she walking swiftly away from the Blacks, knowing there would be trouble when she returned home.
Sirius watched this exchange between the Hathway girl and his mother in surprise. Here was a girl who felt the same way he did, and as she walked away he felt a new admiration for her, and was sure that they would be friends at Hogwarts.
In the meantime Lily was confused and upset as to what had just happened, what had she done wrong that that family hadn't like her? She sat there in solitude, absently eating her ice cream as she thought.
On the other side of the ice cream parlour, the three boys, Remus, James and Peter had watched the whole scene. James knew of the blacks and their obsession with purity of blood, therefore he had no doubt as to why they had disliked the petite red headed girl.
"she looks really lonely by herself" stated Remus sympathetically.
"ye," said James "she looks like she could use some company, why don't we go join her?" and so, without waiting for a response from the other two James hopped off the stool, and went to join Lily, with the other two following behind him.
"Hi, I'm James" greeting the black haired boy when he finally reached Lily, "do you mind if we join you?"
"We?" questioned Lily, but then on noticing Remus and Peter smiled shyly, "sure, have a seat."
"I'm Lily Evans by the way" she added, and then waited expectantly for Remus and Peter to introduce themselves which they swiftly did.
When Lily confirmed, as James had suspected, that she was a muggle born, James, Remus and Peter took it upon themselves to explain the wizarding world to her, even the obsession with purity of blood that certain wizards and witches held. But these more sinister matters were soon forgotten as they told her of their exploits as children and had her nearly crying with laughter.
And so the six children met, each hoping that they would all be friends in Hogwarts, but yet never realising how they're lives would be dramatically changed over the next seven years, or how short the lives of certain people were to be.
Chapter one: So it begins
"Aargh!" The freshly woken redhead screamed, raising her hands up to shield her face. Immediately, footsteps could be heard along the hallway as the girls' parents rushed to the aid of their youngest daughter. The fear on their faces turned to confusion as they watched an owl swoop down upon their daughter as she shrunk towards the wall, in the hope that somehow she would blend into it.
"Calm down Lily," Daniel Evans said with a chuckle, "You're scaring your new friend!"
"Friend?!... Friend?!!...DAD HELP ME WOULD YOU?!" Lily begged.
In response Daniel Evans stretched out his right arm, onto which the owl swiftly landed, before using his left hand to remove the letter from the birds' beak. Lily sighed in annoyance; her father always had had a gift with birds.
"Lily dear, are you alright?", Sophie Evans questioned as she entered into the conversation.
"Yes mum, I'm fine.. I'll be getting up soon" She responded, before noticing the envelope in her father's hand. "It was carrying the post?"
"So it seems Lil. Some very odd friends you've got. Here you read it."
Adriana Hathway held her letter with shaking hands. She hoped her father hadn't heard the racket that the owl had made, or there would be hell to pay. She never really understood why her father hated her so much; she just wished she could be with her mother. Her mother would never have used magic to curse her the way her father did. Lucky for her she had been able to escape the cruel man by walking out on him.
With her heart in her throat, Adriana turned the envelope over, and there it was. The purple wax seal bearing a coat of arm; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'. This was her ticket to freedom; her chance to leave the violent controlled life; and a chance to make friends-real friends, not the children of her fathers consorts.
Adriana could not wait to go to Hogwarts. All her life she had been waiting for this letter, and here it finally was. Here was an opportunity to find out more about her mother, and maybe even contact her again. She could barely remember her mother, and her father had burnt all the pictures of her. All she could really remember was that day, the last time she'd ever seen her mother. The scene replayed in her mind.
"You bitch, how dare you talk to me like that?.. CRUCIO." But her mother had avoided that curse, and had already begun to edge toward a five year old Adriana.
"Get away from her, you mudblood lover, you don't have the right to be a pure blood, I will make you pay for your disloyalty." And with that, he shot another curse, a deadly curse.
This time there was no time to move, but her mother was a brilliant witch and she had immediately cast the 'protego' shield before backing toward the door.
"I'm leaving, I won't be a shame to you anymore," She cried, "and I'm taking my daughter with me!"
"Over my dead body you are!" And with that, he began to shoot the three illegal curses at her in rapid succession.
As she reached the door, Adriana's mother turned toward her daughter, while creating a shield to deflect her husband's curses.
"I love you Adriana," She mouthed, before slamming the door firmly behind her"
Now here was her chance. Her opportunity to get away. With tears of joys glistening in her eyes, and with joy filling her heart, Adriana Hathway finally began to open her letter.
Out fell two yellow parchments, which he dived upon quickly. Ripping the first open he skimmed it before whooping with joy.
"YES" he shouted, pumping his fist into the air, "Hogwarts here I come"
Throughout his childhood James Potter had heard his parents stories of their days off Hogwarts, referring to them as the best days of their lives. Not that James held their opinions in high regard. After all, their lives weren't really that interesting anyway. James' father was Minister for Magic, while his mother, many referred to, as the force behind the man. He knew both of them would be delighted to have their youngest child sent off to Hogwarts following in the steps of their eldest child Michael and their only daughter Caitlin.
Without further thought he jumped out of bed and hurried out of his spacious room into his sister's wing of their large roomy mansion. On arriving outside her bedroom, he flung open the door and ran in shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Caty, Caty I did it, I'm coming to Hogwarts with you!" He announced before jumping onto his sister's bed and commencing to hit her with a pillow.
"What... Jay... its too early...go back to bed" she responded as she blearily rubbed at her eyes
"But Caty!!.. I made it..." James repeated again, but was interrupted by a new voice into the conversation.
"Jay if you were planning to annoy our darling sister this fine morning you should have told me... you know id love to help. Anyway, what was your shouting about.. you made what?" said the young dark haired man standing by the doorway.
"HOGWARTS... IM GOIN TO HOGWARTS MICKY" James shouted to his brother at the top of his voice, and also conveniently for him, straight into his sister's ear.
"Wow jay congrats...Now you can take over my position of embarrasing Caty, seeing as I'm not going back."
"Ye... well done" added Cady sleepily "Now can we go back to sleep?!"
"No Way!" said her brothers in unison and as James proceeded to jump up and down on his sister's bed in excitement and anticipation, little did he realise that another boy would be experiencing a totally different reaction.
Sirius Black groaned in annoyance at the letter he now held in his hand. He had half hoped he would be a squib, then he wouldn't have had to follow in the steps of his parents, as he was now expected to do so. For he, Sirius Black was a pureblood, much to his resentment and pride in the pureblood wizarding world was as important as wealth. Of course, he reflected sarcastically, the Black family seemed to already have both, in excess. Nevertheless Sirius hopped off his bed and trudged down the stairs to tell his parents the "good" news; after all they were bound to find out eventually.
Sirius pecked his mother on the cheek, before greeting his father good morning, as he was well aware was expected of him. The only response he received was a grunt from his father.
'Well, here goes' he thought as he mentally prepared himself. "Mother, Father, I've been accepted to Hogwarts".
"Hogwarts boy?" his father repeated "I was hoping you'd be accepted to Durmstrang, Karkhoff's running a good institute up there, no mudbloods accepted."
"But he'll be in Slytherin of course" his mother counted, still ignoring Sirius' presence, not that he expected differently. "There'll be no need to associate with those types of people"
"Well I supposed it'll have to do, the boy has been accepted and he has to be taught to do magic. You'd better do us proud boy" he added abruptly turning to face Sirius, "I don't want you ruining the prestigious family name, you're a Black, you're better than the others, don't you forget that"
'Of course', Sirius thought sarcastically 'that's what its all about, family honour'. 'Boy would he be glad to get out of this place'.
Now Remus Lupin on the other hand, was being hugged by his tearful mother. Or rather, in Remus' opinion, squashed by his mother.
"Maybe you should let poor Remus go dear", John Lupin suggested and as Natalia Lupin finally let her only son go, her husband reached over to pat his son on the back.
"I can't believe it. I never thought you'd be accepted, not with your condition" Natalia squealed "we have to go and buy your stuff, you need a cauldron, your uniform, your telescope, your hat, your gloves..."
"Yes dear I think we get the jist" John Lupin said as he cut off his wife, "Better get moving son" he added, casting an amused look at Remus, who was smirking at his mothers unusual behaviour.
Remus ran upstairs to fetch his jacket, while his father wiped away the tears of joy that trickled down his wife's face.
"It's really happening isn't it? I can't believe he's going to Hogwarts" she whispered quietly.
"Shh honey I know, it's the opportunity of a life time" John soothed her
Remus heard these words as he quietly came downstairs, he might not have had the best luck in the world, with his condition but he certainly knew he had the best family a boy could ask for.
"Oh Peter, I'm so proud of you" said Natasha Pettigrew, "your father will be to when he returns".
"I'm proud already, what more is there to be added to my pride?" asked a voice from the doorway.
"Dad! I made it I'm going to Hogwarts!" announced Peter, as he ran to hug his father.
"Ahh the best days of my life those were, much easier than being an auror these days. You'll have a good time there son" replied Samuel Pettigrew.
"How were the raids last night?" questioned Natasha, "surely they are not that bad?"
"The numbers of arrests are increasing, especially for offences against muggles. Its odd though, there's no apparent reason for the increase. Anyway let's not talk of such things, this is Peter's big day and this calls for a celebration!
"Wow... really?" asked a delighted Peter ' Can we go to Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour?"
"Of course dear" answered his mother "let me just fetch my purse and we'll be off".
Diagon Alley was teeming with people. As all the Hogwarts letters had been sent out, many parents and soon-to-be first years, were rushing around in an attempt to buy all the items on the school list.
Lily Evans glanced around in shock, never had she seen half of these items, and now here she was contemplating buying them. She stared in fascination at the owls perched in cages outside the Magical Menagerie.
Even Sophie Evans was having trouble controlling her excitement, "come on Lily, we have to get you your wand... oooh that's going to be exciting."
"Do stop dawdling Petunia dear" said Mr Evans to his elder daughter. "I know its fascinating, but we do really have to get this all done today".
Petunia Evans was Lily's older sister, and as she glared around at this new world that her sister was entering her jealousy increased.
' Why couldn't it be me?' she asked herself. ' Lily's so lucky' a part of her mind added.
But petunia wasn't the type of girl to be pleased for her sister, instead she began trying to convince herself that she didn't want to be a witch because they were weird and unusual, and she didn't want to be a freak.
' Yes,' she told herself ' I'm normal and that's how I want to be, there's nothing freakish about me, Petunia Evans.'
As James and his parents, went from shop to shop, James' excitement increased.
"Jay dear, if you get anymore excited, you'll be bouncing of the walls" noted his mother in amusement. "Don't you think so Robert?"
"I have to say I agree" he said before turning to greet the man in front of him, "Morning John, fine day it is today. Your boys off to Hogwarts then eh?"
"Indeed Minister" replied John Lupin, "Seems like only yesterday that he was a toddler."
"Oh, its always like that, it seems like only yesterday that our Michael was born, and now he's already out of Hogwarts and it's James turn to go there" answered Fiona Potter, James' mother. "Why, Good morning Samuel, Natasha"
"It's lovely to see you again Fiona" greeted Natasha Pettigrew." I assume you're here for the same reason we are"
"Shopping for our sons' school necessities?" questioned Natalia Lupin, "yes, just finished actually"
"Excellent, well why don't we go and have a cup of tea together" suggested Mrs Potter, "the men will spend hours talking about events at the ministry, and I think the boys can wonder around on their own."
"Great idea mum" cut in James.
The three women handed their sons some money, before they and their husbands set off towards the café.
The boys stood awkwardly, before the thin sandy haired boy announced "I'm Remus Lupin."
"James Potter" replied the equally thin, black haired boy, before turning to the short plump brown haired boy to his left.
"p..p..peter p..pettigrew." stuttered the last boy and so the boys went off to have ice cream deep in lively conversation.
Adriana was by herself in Diagon Alley. On hearing of her acceptance to Hogwarts her father had replied "about time" before announcing that he would be unable to come with her today as he was entertaining guests.
For most children, this would have been heartbreaking, alone by themselves watching other children spend quality time with their parents, but Adriana was used to it. She walked quietly from shop to shop, answering questions from inquisitive shop owners politely, until, upon stepping out of 'Flourish and Blotts', she collided with a petite red head.
"I'm so sorry," both girls cried in unison before smiling shyly at each other.
"I'm Lily Evans" the red head said quietly. "What's your name?"
Adriana was a smart young witch, she knew, just by looking at the smartly dressed man and lady stood behind Lily that they were muggles, and therefore Lily, the girl who had just introduced herself, had to be a muggle born. If her father were there, he would never have permitted her to talk to Lily but, as Adriana quickly reminded herself, he wasn't and here was an opportunity for her to make herself a friend.
"Adriana Hathway" she eventually replied, smiling les awkwardly. "Would you like to join me for some ice cream?"
Lily glanced pleadingly at her parents who quickly agreed, and the two girls set off. On arriving there Lily ordered a 'double chocolate chip sundae', while Adriana order a 'peppermint delight'.
However no sooner had they sat down that Adriana noticed Mr and Mrs Black, two of her parents associates, along with their sons Regulas and Sirius. She attempted to shrink down into her seat knowing that if they noticed her, and found out that Lily was a muggle born, they would be sure to tell her father and then there would be trouble.
Unfortunately for her however, they had already spotted her and were rapidly making her way over.
"Adriana, so wonderful to see you again" greeted Camellia Black. "I'm afraid I've never met your friend".
"Lily Evans" announced the petite red head, sticking out her hand.
But neither Mr or Mrs Black took it. "Evans?, that's not a pureblood name, so then you must be a half blood?"
One look at Lily's face however assured Sirius that she wasn't, clearly it also said the same thing to his parents because Nicholai Black turned to Adriana and said "Come Adriana, you have no business associating with mudbloods."
Adriana would have liked to talk to Lily, but dared not disobey the Blacks, so she gathered up her shopping, being careful never to glance at lily, and obediently followed Camellia Black from the shop.
Adriana was upset, here she had had an opportunity to make a real friend, but it had been ruined. Camellia Black however misinterpreted the reason for her feelings and in an attempt to soothe the girl said
"Do not worry, it is not your fault you spoke to the mudblood, you didn't know. But next time you must be more careful."
However by now Adriana had had enough so she gathered up her courage.
"Actually I did know" she replied, before she walking swiftly away from the Blacks, knowing there would be trouble when she returned home.
Sirius watched this exchange between the Hathway girl and his mother in surprise. Here was a girl who felt the same way he did, and as she walked away he felt a new admiration for her, and was sure that they would be friends at Hogwarts.
In the meantime Lily was confused and upset as to what had just happened, what had she done wrong that that family hadn't like her? She sat there in solitude, absently eating her ice cream as she thought.
On the other side of the ice cream parlour, the three boys, Remus, James and Peter had watched the whole scene. James knew of the blacks and their obsession with purity of blood, therefore he had no doubt as to why they had disliked the petite red headed girl.
"she looks really lonely by herself" stated Remus sympathetically.
"ye," said James "she looks like she could use some company, why don't we go join her?" and so, without waiting for a response from the other two James hopped off the stool, and went to join Lily, with the other two following behind him.
"Hi, I'm James" greeting the black haired boy when he finally reached Lily, "do you mind if we join you?"
"We?" questioned Lily, but then on noticing Remus and Peter smiled shyly, "sure, have a seat."
"I'm Lily Evans by the way" she added, and then waited expectantly for Remus and Peter to introduce themselves which they swiftly did.
When Lily confirmed, as James had suspected, that she was a muggle born, James, Remus and Peter took it upon themselves to explain the wizarding world to her, even the obsession with purity of blood that certain wizards and witches held. But these more sinister matters were soon forgotten as they told her of their exploits as children and had her nearly crying with laughter.
And so the six children met, each hoping that they would all be friends in Hogwarts, but yet never realising how they're lives would be dramatically changed over the next seven years, or how short the lives of certain people were to be.