Chapter One ~ Beginnings

She sat, staring blandly at the words in the book in front of her. The words bounced and jiggled under her stare as the wheels beneath her rumbled. She had wondered if the train was even running on a track, but that thought -- along with a wide panorama of new things that had recently been introduced to her -- just seemed to complicated to even start to contemplate.

For you see, this wasn't and ordinary girl riding an ordinary train. No, she was different, she was special.

She was a witch.

Or so she was told. It was hard to believe that letter she had received, the one that came with the green writing on it, the one that was brought by an owl, of all things. And now she was off to a school to teach her about magic, something she had always considered to be a big hoax. Sure, she had seen those television specials where a magician would perform some crazy stunt with their lovely assistant. Were those paltry tricks what she was to be taught? She didn't want to be a waste, spending her next seven years at a school just to join the circus.

She had visited Diagon Alley as the letter had told her. And what did she find when she got there? Nothing short of a freak show. The assortment of people (if you could call some of them people) she had found had not comforted her thoughts on this supposedly prestigious school. The goblins, the robes, and that crazy joke shop had not comforted her one bit.

Her parents had been ecstatic, they thought the name of her school -- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry -- sounded exciting. They thought it might be just the thing to bring their shy little girl out of her shell, their nice term to say that she avoided contact with anyone but close relatives at all costs.

Parents, however, sometimes get carried away, and this particular set of parents failed to notice that their daughter wasn't happy even remotely. She wouldn't admit it, but she was scared. She was a loner, she always had been. 'I expect school will be no different,' she thought sourly. 'No one thinking to give some attention to that shy girl in the corner.'

She had stopped reading long ago, and had been sitting with her eyes glazed and her stare fixed. In a burst of confidence she decided to quit it with the self-pity and occupied her mind with what her book, Standard Book of Spells, Year 1, might have to offer. As if these books were good for anything. She tucked her hair behind her ear, nudged her glasses up the ridge of her nose -- her signature move -- and buried herself in her book.

She was only interrupted when the door to her compartment swung open and an impressive looking boy with a bright badge strode in with a few of his friends. "Ok, everyone," he bellowed. "Important prefect inspection! A few questions, then I'll leave you alone." This particular compartment was filled mostly with first years, all of which regarded him quizzically. Seeing this the boy added, "No need to worry, this is all routine."

She had no desire to talk to this boy, and, seeing as he was starting in the front and she was seated near the back she seized the opportunity to slink back and sink deep into her chair. The boy talked very quietly with each person while his partners watched. He moved quickly from person to person, and was soon done. He opened the door to leave, and it looked as though she would be overlooked yet again. She felt triumphant, yet slightly disappointed, you'd think that with her bright mop of hair she be easy to pick out in a crowd. Was she truly that easy to overlook?

Her question suddenly answered one of the boys friends called the apparent ringleader back in. "Blake!! Blake you missed one." She cursed the boy, though it made her feel better to know that someone had actually noticed her, in the most microscopic way.

He reentered impressively, almost shortening the distance between the door and her seat by covering it in two large strides. He walked up to her and inquired very businesslike, "And what is your name?"

Definitely wondering what this was all about she answered, almost croaking, "Lily." Realizing she spoke in no more than a whisper she repeated, "my name is Lily."

The boy scowled at her, "I don't care about your first name, I want to know your last name." And, as if it explained all he added, "You know, the important part."

Bewildered by his question she answered simply, but meekly, "Why, its 'Evans.'"

"Evans!" He roared in mock horror, drawing the attention of the entire compartment to him and her. "Well that's not a proper name, now is it?" He snickered, and his friends joined in. "You must be one of the Muggles, those duffers that wouldn't know magic if you hit 'em with twenty spells at once." She stood, stock-still and silent. She had known that this was going to happen, she was never going to have any friends, not after she was publicly humiliated like this. "Too bad you'll never be as good as any of us with the real magical talent. Just be warned you don't belong here. Soon enough Dumbledore will realize the mistake and send you home."

She sat back down and continued to read. Having insults hurled at her didn't matter that much, at least she tried to convince herself of that. Having no friends wasn't that bad. She hadn't really had a friend in seven years, seven more couldn't hurt. And if she read a lot she could prove him wrong. She could get smart then curse him to humiliation and see how he liked it. She would just have to study. A lot.

And Blake just stood there. Here was a little first-year, a girl too, who he had just tormented. And she sat there and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, completely nonchalant. He just gaped. Muggles, go figure.

He tried to make a point of a fussy exit. "Come on now, I don't want to have to stay in a compartment with this riff-raff any longer than I have to. Lets get a move on." He didn't even look at her when he said it too. Being ignored, being taunted, and being put down were the three things that made Lily Evans' blood boil. Blake would have succeeded tremendously in getting her mad if she had only being paying attention.

She had always been a bit of a book worm, but she had never really studied. The homework she got was boring, it was just too simple. She probably could have done it in her sleep. Her teachers hadn't particularly liked her either. Ms. Peters hadn't been fond of her since the time they had been dissecting frogs in class. Lily's frog wasn't quite as dead as it had seemed, it tried to jump down the front of Ms. Peters blouse.

Of course, Lily didn't consider that to be magic. Magic was fake hats and flowers and little bunny rabbits. And those beautiful assistants who probably couldn't put a sentence together but were nonetheless perfect. She had loved magic until she found out it was a hoax, she had tuned into a "See How the Tricks are Done" programs on television. But she always noticed the magician had some beautiful assistant, and then she noticed not one of them ever had red hair.

Red wasn't such a bad color. Honestly, she loved her hair. But nobody seemed satisfied until they were positively sure she knew she resembled a fire engine, and carrots were indeed orange. 'Coppertop' was another favorite of particularly obnoxious boys. Girls had called her 'Raggedy-Ann' ever since she had gotten mad and sparks had starts flying through her hair, making it static and frizzy.

Girls had never said it to her face, but she had heard them talking about her. They had made fun of her. Her mother had said they were jealous, all of those blondes and brunettes, because she was special. After all, how many redheads do you see every day?

Boys teased her, and girls ignored her. It wasn't that bad, she always tried to tell herself. But, every time it got less convincing.

And true to her thoughts, after Blake left, everyone turned back to what they were doing. Not that she would have noticed, she was reading up on petrifying spells. But, if she had taken her time she might have noticed that one person's gaze lingered, and that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as invisible as she thought.

The train stopped not long after, and Lily closed her book with a long sigh. She watched as all the people filtered out. Maybe they will think everyone has gotten off, and just turn around and go home, she thought. Home. Even though she wouldn't admit it, she missed home terribly. Her mother, specifically. She had a sister, and even though her parents were under the delusion they got on great, it didn't exactly work that way. Petunia cared for her no more or no less than anyone else at their school. Petunia was just a little more than nine months older than her, and the timing was just right so they could be placed in the same grade. Or, from Lily's point of view, the timing was just wrong so they could be placed in the same grade.

Petunia had been on Honor Roll, she was very popular, she knew all the gossip and had opinions enough for the both of them. And she was a blond. No one in Lily's family had red hair, she guessed it was just some sort of joke on her. Did the cosmos just play an evil trick to see how she would take it? She continued to sit there and feel sorry for herself, she was so wrapped up in it that she didn't notice the compartment door open.

A boy who must have been at least sixteen was walking down the aisle and checking all the seats. Maybe he won't notice me, Lily thought for the second time that day. When he got her row he stopped and smiled. "Come on, you'd better hurry and get out or you'll miss the boats." She just looked down, she couldn't look at him. Boys weren't ever really nice to her, usually it was her defending herself against them. But a guy being nice? That just didn't happen. And she was embarrassed. Dreadfully so.

So she just sat there and swung her feet under the seat, acting like she didn't care. He stuck out his hand to help her up, and the simple gesture was enough to make her feel dumb, silly, and sad all at once. She desperately tried not to cry and turned her head away from the boy. His hand and his smile faltered for a moment. He withdrew his hand and looked at her quizzically for a moment, as if inspecting her. She felt nervous, but then he sat down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Nervous, eh?" He cracked a smile again. A very handsome smile. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and pushed her hair behind her ears once more. It was a very practiced motion for her. Insecurity made her do it, and never had she felt quite so insecure. She just nodded and replied quietly, "I don't belong here."

"Don't feel bad. You got the letter, otherwise you wouldn't be here. You deserve to be here just as much as the next person."

"You don't understand." It wasn't something that he had heard very often. He was very smart, practically in line to be Head Boy next year. And here was a little girl telling him he didn't understand. He chuckled a little. "Well, try me."

She turned to him, but cleverly swished her head so hair covered her eyes. She didn't want to actually make eye contact, she wasn't used to it. "I don't belong anywhere."

He stopped smiling. He had already guessed she was new, that wasn't hard. She was probably a Muggle too. And obviously a very unhappy one. "You should just leave," she continued. "You don't want to be stuck on the train with me."

"You shouldn't be left here all by yourself." It was natural for him to say something like that, but it wasn't natural for her to hear it. It made her angry and sad at the same time. Sad that there were people like him that she had never known, and angry they had never cared to know her.

"Why not? People have done it before." He stared at her again. Here was some girl, he didn't even know her name, and she was practically crying her eyes out. Well, she would be, if she hadn't been trying to hard to keep it in.

"Well, I wont. And it is my personal responsibility to make sure everyone gets off the train. And I'm not going to let you go." The girl suddenly stopped trying to stop herself from crying. She stopped crying all together and just looked at him.

"Why? Because someone told you to? Because it's your job to make sure no one is left on the train?" How bitter, how did a child become so bitter while so young? It was hard to imagine.

"Well, yes it's my job, so to speak. It doesn't mean I don't care. Listen, I have a little sister your age, she was nervous too. You'll get over it, I promise." He was so assured, she just had to believe him. She might have believed anything he said. At that moment, he was some odd version of her guardian angel. So devoid of pleasant human contact as she was, she was inclined to believe anything he said.

"Ok," she said, her voice shaking, "lets go to Hogwarts."

They crossed a magnificent lake in a boat that seemed to propel itself. She noticed there were oars, but they weren't using them.

"Are you doing it?" She asked him.

"Doing what?"

"Moving the boats, of course."

"Yes, you'll learn a great deal of charms before you leave Hogwarts, trust me." Maybe this whole magic thing won't be as bad as I thought, Lily considered. "Do you know anything about Hogwarts?" he asked.

"No." She looked ashamed for a moment, but then realized she really shouldn't care. She wasn't going to act like she cared, she had already promised herself that.

"There are four Houses: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. You stay with the people in your House for the seven years at school. You take classes with people from other Houses, though. I can't tell you how you get sorted into the Houses, though. It's a secret." He grinned, inviting her to share the joke. She smiled weakly. "Just remember, if you ever need help, I'm Eric Aster, someone would know how to find me."

"Right. I'm Lily Evans." He tried not to cringe at the name, so she had been the girl Blake had practically attacked. He had gone ranting into the Prefect compartment about some girl who didn't respect authority. Knowing Blake, however, he guessed it was Blake who was to blame.

They got out of the boat and ran towards the castle. She got there just in time to hear an impressive looking woman asking where on earth Lily Evans was. Suddenly she felt very small; she couldn't find her voice. Eric spoke for her. "I've got her right here professor. She got left behind by accident." The woman seemed to know what happened, but, to her relief, the other kids just thought there had been some slip-up.

"Very well, then. The Sorting is about to start, keep quiet and try to find your place in line." It was entirely impossible to keep quiet and find her place in line without asking someone where exactly she was supposed to go, so she just stood there and followed the boy next to her's gaze out to a hat sitting on a stool in the middle of the Hall.

The hat started to move. Lily rubbed her glasses to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. But, to her surprise it began to sing.

"Welcome, all, to Hogwarts School,

Don't gawk at me and think you've been fooled

You might think I'm just a simple talking hat

But listen, don't judge me simply on that.

For I know where you are meant to be

I course through your brains seeking your destiny

I'll search your mind right down to its core

To find your place in one of the Houses four.

Ravenclaw for those who have the brains

To solve any mystery, puzzle, or logic game

But the most prized Ravenclaws don't only have smarts

But are full of wit and determined of heart.

For those who are loyal, kind, and dear,

Fellow Hufflepuffs will certainly lend an ear

In this House you'll know you belong

If in your heart you play a friendly song.

To those who finish through and through

Slytherin is the House for you

Cunning and skillful you find your friends

With those you help you to meet your ends.

Gryffindor for those who harbor courage

And those who are righteous will certainly flourish

Face your fears and brave the facts

Your kindheartedness and spirit is not an act.

Though you may not know it you will see

That in one of these houses you are meant to be

I'll search your heart and open your eyes

To your true spirit that lays hidden inside."

People started to cheer as the Hat finished it's song, and Lily had to admit, it was quite good. She couldn't bring herself to clap along with the others, though. None of those Houses described her. She wasn't brave, or friendly, or cunning, and she had never gotten particularly good grades. She worried so much that she didn't notice the first dozen people had already gone before her. She heard her name being called and she almost turned and ran. She saw Eric smile and cross his fingers. She couldn't leave now.

Timidly, oh so timidly, she made her way up to the stool. She carefully placed the Hat over her head and was surrounded by darkness, the Sorting Hat covered her eyes.

IWell dearie, what have we here?/I

I don't know, she replied. The Sorting Hat was silent for a second as it examined her. It had the same feeling as someone looking her over and deciding she wasn't worth their time. She knew that feeling pretty well by now.

Well, you certainly don't belong in Hufflepuff. You need to learn how to trust, Lily. People will care about you when you let them, you can't just shut them out. No, definitely not Hufflepuff material.

Oh, great! Lily thought with exasperation. I'll bet I don't belong anywhere. They'll have to send me home for sure now. I should have just stayed on the train.

Well! The Hat exclaimed. That certainly isn't the way to go about it. You can't just give up at any little thing that blocks your path. I'm afraid that rules out Slytherin as well. Besides, I'm not sure if you would have gotten on well with them anyway. That boy who was mean to you on the train, he was a Slytherin, you know.

How did you know about the boy on the train? Lily asked.

Why, its all floating around in your brain, dearie. You seem terribly worried about him. But I'm sure he won't bother you anymore.

Well, that's encouraging, at least. She thought to the Sorting Hat, but it lacked any sort of vigor.

My dear Lily, never would you succeed in Ravenclaw with such lack of spirit and determination. I do believe Gryffindor is the best place for you.

Great, just great. I'm getting stuck in Gryffindor because I'm not good enough for anywhere else.

Now listen here! The Sorting hat talked to her sternly. I have been at this job for a thousand years. Never have I been wrong. There is something about you, Lily Evans, that I believe will bring good things to you. Gryffindor will cause you to brave the facts, therefore making you into the person I know you want to be. Self-assured, brave, and comfortable. Yes, Lily Evans GRYFFINDOR will bring you good things.

She got off the stool and looked around. She hadn't been paying attention to where all the different tables were located. She tried to determine if there was some sort if sign to tell her where to go. It was sort of hard to do while staring at your feet.

Stop trying so hard, dearie, and open up. Look with your heart, not your eyes.

It was unmistakably the Sorting Hat's voice. She turned around to see the flap for its mouth was curved up in a grin. When she looked back frontward she stopped trying to hide her face and calmed herself down. Then, she saw a table full of people cheering. Eric was there, waving her over towards him. She smiled and walked over, receiving many greetings of 'Welcome to Gryffindor' and a few pats on the back. Her smile almost cracked her face.

She belonged.

* * *

Well, how do you like it? I tried to make Lily different from other Lily's. She isn't beautiful, she isn't horrendous, but I think she is more like a normal person. Not connected with my other fic (but I'd love it if you took a look at it!) As always, you review me, and I'll review you back. Simple as that.

YES!! I did write the Sorting Song by myself, do you like it?

Also, Ive been having a bit of trouble with the italics. Just bear with me, ok?