Evans and Potter
Author's Note: This is a Harry Potter story set during Lily Evans', James Potter's and Severus Snape's time at Hogwarts. This is my first story in this format so I welcome any comments, if any.
Chapter 1
Lily Evans was talking to her sister, Petunia in the park in the town where she lived by the river that snaked through town. The town in question is called Cokeworth which was located in England, Great Britain.
Lily's sister and parents were ordinary to say the least. Lily wasn't. Lily was different from her family in small, insignificant ways at first but slowly built up much more noticeably, such as Lily's bright red hair compared to her sister's and parent's dark brown. Occasionally when she walked through the grass in fields, flowers and plants seemed to stand a little bit straighter and the world seemed a slight bit brighter. Lily didn't notice this for a long time
For ten years Lily and Petunia had a close relationship as you would hope for with sisters. Lily was a kind girl and people around her responded. Almost everyone she knew liked her for her warm personality. It was well known that the younger Evans girl was a sweet girl. A bit odd but sweet none the less.
It was on this day with Lily and Petunia talking in the meadow when a monotonous voice interrupted, "Hi Lily."
She turned to see her friend Severus Snape standing by a large, oddly shaped tree. His long, black hair and usual sombre expression gave the impression of a dark young man and to many people he was. But he considered Lily Potter his best friend and she considered him the same. Petunia grunted in disgust and ran off towards her mother and father. Lily smiled and walked up the hill to join Severus. "Hi Severus," she replied. Severus gave one of his rare smiles and beckoned Lily towards the river.
Later the two were lying side-by-side on the river bank as they often did when they were at the park. They were conversing around the centre topic… magic.
"You'll get your letter soon, Lily," Severus said, regarding the letter a magical child receives inviting them to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, "You can't hide magic from your family for much longer."
Lily had in fact been keeping her magical ability from her non-magical family, known as Muggles, apart from Petunia who had caught her experimenting with magic when she had first discovered it. She was in the back yard reviving a dead flower in the garden when Petunia saw her and demanded an explanation. What she got caught her on the edge of curiosity and jealousy. Lily made her swear not to tell their parents and Petunia was only just able to keep the secret.
Back to the present, Lily sighed deeply and responded, "I know Severus but I don't know how they'll take it."
"They'll be fine," Severus reassured her, "If they aren't I'll help you escape and we can go to Hogwarts, together."
Lily gave a small smile back at Severus but then frowned again, "I know you would but I love mummy and daddy and Tuney and I can't just leave them."
Severus just stared up at the sky, "Either way Lily, you're going to Hogwarts."
The day came finally when the letter came. Lily was playing with Petunia in the living room with their father reading a newspaper on his favourite armchair and Lily's mother was in the kitchen making lunch.
There was a knock on the door and Lily's father got up to answer it. Lily stood up tentatively and followed. Mr Evans opened the door to a strange looking man who looked like a government-type but wore strange robes instead of suits. He was tall and thin with a strong smile on his face. "Good morning to you. I assume you are Mr Calvin Evans am I correct?"
"You are, who wants to know?"
"Oh, my apologies. My name is Seymour Brennan, at your service. I am here because of one Lily Evans."
Lily felt the colour drain from her face. They were here.
"I assume this is her," Brennan nodded at Lily. "I would like to talk to all of you and deliver a message."
"I don't know who you are," Mr Evans began.
"I'm Seymour Brennan." Brennan interrupted.
"But I want you to get off my property before I call the police."
Mr Evans was about to close the door but Lily stood in the way, "Wait, Dad!" she exclaimed. "I've been expecting him."
Mr Evans held a look of shock and confusion, "What do you mean you were expecting him," he shot a glare at Brennan. "Have you been following her?" He growled.
"Oh no, nothing of the sorts," Brennan replied hastily, "But if you allow me into your home, I can explain."
Mr Evans looked at his daughter who nodded than grudgingly let Brennan inside. "Thank you, all of you." Brennan said putting emphasise on 'all'.
Mr Evans sat in his armchair and Brennan settled himself onto the couch. The two sisters sat on the opposite couch and Mrs Evans stood by her husband. Brennan began quickly, "I represent the Ministry of Magic, the government, in search of a better word, of my people."
"And who might that be?" Mr Evans muttered.
"Well, magical people." Brennan said as if it was the most obvious answer.
"What, like wizards?"
"Precisely, I was sent to introduce Ms Evans and her family to the world of magic and get her started towards preparing for school."
"What school?" Mr Evans asked, not quite following the conversation.
"Ah yes and that takes me to this," Brennan reached inside his robe and pulled out an envelope. "This should help clarify matters."
Brennan gave the envelope to Mr Evans who opened it and pulled out a letter. He began reading aloud,
"To the parents or guardians of Lily Evans,
"I, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry invites your daughter, Lily Evans, to our school.
"Your child has received the privilege to learn to control magic at Hogwarts School. She is required to obtain books and other required equipment including robes, textbooks and a wand at Diagon Alley. Equipment list are included with this letter.
"Your child must be present a King's Cross Station platform 9 and 3/4 by precisely 10 o'clock on September 1st to board the Hogwarts Express which will transport her to Hogwarts and back. Your child may return home for the Christmas and summer breaks and food and accommodation is provided. Yours sincerely, Albus Dumbledore."
The house had gone quite. Lily's family all looked at Lily who remained silent. Mr Evans looked back at Brennan, "So I am supposed to just believe that you are a wizard, that there is a society of similar people which my daughter is one of and that there is a school that sounds ridiculous waiting to teach her about magic." He said 'magic' as if it was a stupid notion.
Brennan just laughed, "Of course you're not, that would just make you look gullible. That's why I brought this," he pulled out a long, smooth stick. "This is a wand; my wand to be precise. I got this when I was eleven from Ollivander's in Diagon Alley. It allows me to use and control my magic, like this," he waved his wand and sparks flew out of it and spin around the room before returning to the wand, "or this," with another wave a teapot in Mrs Evans' hands turn into a sparrow and fly across into Brennan's free hand before changing back into a teacup, "or this." He pointed his wand at the fireplace and it lit with a bright orange fire. Just as quickly as it lit, Brennan flicked his wand again and it was extinguished.
Brennan looked at the bewildered faces of Mr and Mrs Evans and smiled, "Would you like me to repeat my demonstration."
Mr Evans seemed frozen but muttered, "I must be going mad."
Brennan shook his head, "No you are not. I apologise for sounding harsh all of a sudden but your daughter has a gift. If you let her, she can learn to control it and she could do wonderful things. If you don't you are just a small and selfish man."
All of the eccentric man at their doorstep and Brennan suddenly became very serious. Lily looked at her parents, "He's telling the truth, I've known for a year now and so has Petunia."
Mr and Mrs Evans looked at their eldest child and she seemed to shrink like a tortoise in its shell.
Several long moments later, Mr Evans exhaled slowly, "I trust you darling. I may not trust you," he looked at Brennan who just shrugged, "But I trust you."
Mrs Evans followed her husband's lead, "What do we do?" she asked Brennan.
Brennan smiled, "First, we have to go to Diagon Alley to get Ms Evans' books, robes and such. I suggest getting an owl, they are very good for messaging and she will need a wand, yes that is essential."
Brennan stood and held his hand for Mr Evans to shake and eventually, he did. "I will meet you tomorrow morning here to direct you to Diagon Alley and on September 1st to get Ms Evans to the Hogwarts Express. So until tomorrow, good day." And so Brennan left the Evans home leaving them much to ponder.
Later Lily ran out and towards the home of Severus Snape which was only a few streets away. She banged on the door and Severus opened it only to be knocked down by a running hug. "I got in! I got in!" Lily exclaimed to her friend and for the first time ever, a massive grin erupted on Severus' face.
"That's brilliant!" Severus said. The two slowly got up and hugged. "I knew this day would come but it is still brilliant."
The two walked to the park by the river and lay on their favourite spot.
"You had better be in Slytherin," Severus said, staring at the sky. "That's the one I am going to be in. I'm sure of it."
Lily looked at him and replied, "What else are there?"
"The four houses at Hogwarts are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I hope you're in Slytherin."
Lily didn't reply but just stared up at the sky.
