Disclaimer: Not Mine. Not Yours. JKR's, and hers alone.
Thrice Defied
By Katharine Sintonia
Prologue
Holding tight to her parents' hands, the slim eleven year old stared at the train yards before her. Impossible, she thought to herself, even as they walked closer and closer to the brick barrier between the platforms. Despite what they'd been told, Lily was inclined to doubt.
She looked over at her older sister, whose horsy face was set in a look of mixed revulsion and disdain. She heaved a sigh and stepped forward again, carrying a bag slung over her shoulder. Petunia gasped loudly and pointed at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Lily grinned. So it was true. She looked in the direction and saw a young boy with messy black hair disappearing through what appeared to be a solid brick wall.
Her father sighed when he saw the look of disgust on Petunia's face. "I'll wait out here with Petunia." He pulled Lily into a hug, kissing her forehead. "Good luck, Lils. I'll miss you."
She grinned up at her father. "Thanks, Daddy." She hugged him again and picked up the handle to her trunk. "I'll miss you, too." She hugged Petunia quickly, trying to smile through the tears welling in her bright green eyes.
Her mother took her hand and the two leaned against the barrier, and Lily felt a tear drip down her cheek. Then they were through the barrier, and Lily's jaw dropped as she beheld the spectacle that was Platform 9 ¾. Hundreds of people milled about the massive train that awaited them. Her mother smiled down at her and reached to brush a piece of hair out of the girl's eyes. "You look lovely, dear." She helped Lily carry her trunk over to the train, glancing up at the clock periodically. At five minutes 'til eleven, Mrs Evans took her daughter aside, secluding them slightly from the mass of parents and students. "Lily," she whispered, tears now welling in her eyes too. "Your father and I will miss you so very much, but we have no doubt that you will make a very fine witch." She kissed the girl on the forehead, stroking her fiery hair. "Good luck, and I love you."
Lily threw her arms around her mother's waist, now crying openly. "I'll miss you so much, Mummy!"
Mrs Evans bent over to dry Lily's tears. "Be strong, Lily. Show them that you're the best." Looking up at her mother, Lily nodded, a trace of pride and determination shining in her eyes. "I'll be the best." Her mother nodded then lightly steered her toward the train. "You don't want to be late, love. Good bye."
Lily nodded, her young face set. "Good bye, Mum." She turned, picked up her trunk, and boarded the train.
As the train lurched forward, Lily walked though the corridor, trying to find an empty compartment. She smiled shyly at the boy coming the opposite direction, obviously doing the same exact thing. He grinned and held out his hand, leaning his trunk against the wall. "You a first year, too?" he asked, his thick black hair falling messily into his eyes.
She nodded. His grin blossomed into a smile. "My name's James Potter. I saw some first year girls sitting a few compartments back that way." He gestured vaguely behind him, his hazel eyes looking her over.
"I'm Lily Evans," she said quietly. "Thank you." She smiled again and walked past him. A few compartments down, two girls sat gossiping merrily. Lily knocked, and she was beckoned in by a girl with long brown hair. "Hello!" she said cheerily. "Are you a first year?" she asked politely.
Lily nodded and was pulled into the compartment. Her trunk was stuffed in amongst the other two before she could blink, and the other girl grinned winningly at her. "I'm Alice Nichols. All of my older brothers and sisters have already been here. I hope I'm in Gryffindor," she said wistfully. "I've heard Dumbledore himself was in it."
Lily looked at her, slightly confused. "I'm sorry…I'm the first witch in my family. I haven't the foggiest as to what you're talking about."
Alice smiled knowingly. "Ah, you're muggle-born. Don't worry, you'll catch on in no time. Some of the best witches and wizards are muggle-born. What's your name?"
"Evans. Lily Evans." Lily smiled shyly at the other girl. "I never would have guessed that I was a witch. My family's got to be the most straight-laced ever!"
"I know," said the other girl, a petite blonde. "My pa's a wizard and my mam's a muggle. They kept it quiet from me for ten years, acting like normal muggles. Ruddy gits." She held out a hand to Lily. "Tara Ainsley."
The three girls became fast friends on the journey northward. After hours of trading stories and gossiping merrily, the train came to a halt in Hogsmeade station. A loud voice called out, "Firs' years! Firs' years this way!"
The forty first years clambered into the boats that awaited them, and as the castle came into view overhead, Lily knew beyond a doubt that her life would never be the same.