Disclaimer: The characters, most of the settings and anything else that you may recognise belongs to the amazing J.K Rowling.

Chapter 1 - To Know a Flower

Lily stepped cautiously down the carpeted staircase, avoiding the cans of beer and pieces of sharp, broken glass. She walked ever so carefully too, not wanting to be heard. She, however, could hear a lot. Terrible noises were coming from downstairs. They were sounds that sent shivers down her pale back. These shivers had nothing to do with the temperature - for it was a warm night.

Lily reached the end of the long, defiled staircase and tiptoed down the hallway to the doorway of the small living room in which the noises appeared to be coming from. There was a faint light coming from the room, illuminating the area where she was standing.

The noises were much louder now; much clearer. They consisted of muffled screams ... a voice crying for help. There was the noise of a fist hitting a body, slaps were resounding and bouncing around the small room. A worried Lily peered around the corner, and winced at the sight.

He was drunk again. His red hair was ruffled and messy, eyes raging. His teeth were clenched. This man was in a frenzy. He stood over a girl who was on the ground, whimpering and crying. She would shriek when a fist hit her skin, or when a hand slapped across her face. Her blonde hair stuck to her sweaty face, and her pale eyes were widened in absolute terror. She was past trying to scurry away from the man, and so the girl lay on the ground propped up on an elbow, completely powerless.

Lily closed her eyes and turned from the doorway, resting upon the wall. She took several deep breaths. A line resounded in her head, something her mother had told her before she passed away.

'Lily, you must learn to not only be yourself, but do what you believe in. Do not be like those sheep who follow the latest trends and try so hard to be people they aren't. Be yourself; be the person you want to be ... and most importantly, you must follow your beliefs and dreams. They will lead you to success...' Her mother had told her in the hospital when Lily asked if there was any advice she ought to know. Her mother had shortly passed after that, making those words her last.

'Petunia...' Lily thought. 'Mother...'

Lily stood there, hopelessly listening to her sister Petunia crying and screaming. She also listened to the man, her father, in his crazed, drunken rage. In this moment, Lily was filled with a surge a adrenaline and bravery. It travelled up and down her body, from her bare feet to the tips of her fiery red hair. She had to protect her sister, for she was someone she loved ever so dearly, despite the fact that fought almost constantly. Lily was a Gryffindor, and she could most definitely not stand one more night of this abuse. She would follow her beliefs. She believed in no harm to be done to anyone, and she believed that no one should lay a finger on her fragile sister. So, she did something she wouldn't usually do, something she would never normally have the courage to execute.

Lily fearlessly stepped into the doorway, speaking in a clear voice.

"Father, stop it." She said determinedly.

Her father looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, my lovely, lovely flower." He smiled, kicking Petunia away.

Petunia used the little energy she had left to stand up and rush to where Lily was standing. Lily touched her arm nicely, and Petunia hobbled as far away as she could from her father and sister.

"Come on, pretty flower." He smiled and drunkenly stumbled over to his daughter, grabbing her and kissing her fiercely.

"It's either you, or her! Who do you choose?" Her father sang once he pulled away.

"What do you think?" Lily said weakly.

"Yoooouu!" Her father exclaimed.

The adrenaline had left Lily's body, and she was left shaking in fear and discomfort. Still, Lily did not scream or cry, nor did she make an attempt to stop her father. She would not let this man get to her. She bit her tongue and endured the pain. She let him use her; let him hurt her and infiltrate her.

After awhile, everything grew hazy. A black cloud moved into her vision, gradually blocking her sight. It was a painless world; a beautiful darkness. She welcomed it gratefully.

'I miss you...' Was the last thought that was consciously made inside Lily's brain.

A/N: Hello! I have been contemplating writing a James and Lily fanfiction for a while, as I love that pairing. After a long time of writing and rewriting, this idea struck me. I'm not sure where I really want to go with this right now, as I have a few different ideas for plotlines. This is indeed a very short chapter, and I can promise you that the chapters to come will be much longer. This chapter is more of an introduction in a way ... yeah ... if that even makes sense ... XD. Reviews would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for reading!

~igniteabluestar