A/N: I think I hate myself. Why do I do this to myself? I'm already working on five stories as is, why did I have to add a fifth one into the picture? Alright, so I had sat down to type up the seventh chapter of my other story, AMT, but I somehow ended up typing this instead. I guess this will be a sort of companion piece to A Marauder's Tale, told entirely from Lily and her friend's POV. Or maybe I'll take it in a different direction? Idk. We'll see.

Anywho, this is just the Prologue people. The chapters will definitely get longer. I'm not expecting much people to read this first chapter, so i don't know why I'm even bothering to add this A/N, but here you go.

Disclaimer: I could come up with something witty about me not owning Harry Potter, but I'm too tired right now-it's 2am where I'm from. And besides, I think I already did. So :p

Prologue

The sun set over the small town, as the people retreated into their large, brick homes for the day. A few streetlamps flickered to life here and there, lighting the streets with their warm glow. The darkened water flew peacefully, reflecting the warm rays of the setting sun, although nobody could have ever described it as beautiful.

Almost nothing about Cokeworth could be described as such. It was a town like any other, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing special about it.

If anyone ventured into the outskirts of the town, they would find the nicer part of Cokeworth, where the houses were just a tad nicer with better-kept lawns and happy families inhabiting them, full of laughter and love.

In such a house lived Mr and Mrs Evans. Mr Evans was a respected and admired man in the small town—being a police officer certainly had its perks. Mrs Evans, on the other hand, was a housewife, whose treacle tart recipe and rose garden were the envy of the town. They were remarkably friendly by nature and kept their house in tip-top shape. Everyone loved them; not one person had an ill thing to say about them.

The couple had two daughters, who were their pride and joy. Petunia was the eldest of the two, with hair as yellow as the sun that was always neatly combed and eyes a bright ocean blue. She was a well-behaved, smart, young girl and seemed to be quite popular amongst her peers.

Lily was their youngest and quite possible the prettiest of the two. She had lovely hair that flew down her back in dark red curls and emerald green eyes that often shone kindly. She was the livelier of the two and could always be counted on having a kind word for everyone she met. She didn't have many friends, save for that Snape boy who lived in Spinner's End. She could often be found with her nose stuck in a book down by the lake just north of her house, reading of untold adventures and spine-tingling mysteries.

Yes, the Evans' were just another normal family, nothing out special about them.

However, normal was the last thing on the Evans' mind on this particular summer evening.

Young Lily was sat on her small portion of garden her mother had allowed her. It was adorned with dozens of sunflowers which she had carefully planted and cared for since she was nine. They were her favourite kind of flowers. She loved their warm, yellow colour, which she often wore herself, despite the fact that it clashed horribly with her red hair. She loved the way they seemed to grow strong and proud and tall and oozed of confidence and happiness.

It was her favourite place to sit and draw, which she happened to be doing right now. She heard a knock on her front door and she paused momentarily, wondering who it could be. She knew it couldn't possibly be Severus, her best friend, because he had taken to open the door whenever he came over—only after much insistence from the Evans', of course.

She could hear her mother talking to someone, a man it appeared, only catching a gist of what they were saying. She was about to return to her work, when the man said something that caught her attention:

"I am Albus Percival Wulfric Dumbledore…"

She frowned; the name rang a bell. She was certain she had heard it somewhere before. She set her materials aside and rose from her seat, walking closer to the kitchen window so she could hear more clearly.

"Whatever about?" she heard her mother asking.

"It is concerning your youngest daughter." A woman's voice spoke now and Lily froze. "We've come to offer her a spot in one of the most prestigious wizarding schools in all of Britain."

Her eyes grew wide as she stepped away from the window, finally remembering where, or rather from whom, she had heard the name.

When Petunia had first told their parents about what Severus had said to them, they had dismissed it as a game. Lily's insistence that Hogwarts was real and that magic existed had also been dismissed as a childhood fantasy and they had even humoured her for a while, buying her a witch's costume and fake wand.

Now, at long last, they would have proof that Hogwarts was indeed real. That magic really did exist.

She stepped closer to the window, trying very hard to hear what was being discussed. She had missed half their conversation already and it took her a few moments to understand what they were talking about.

"Has your daughter shown any signs of magic?" the unfamiliar woman's voice asked.

"Well, our eldest daughter claims she can do…things. Like moving stuff around the room and makingthe petals of a flower open and close on their own. But, to be honest, we never paid much attention to it."

"Impressive," the woman murmured.

"Indeed. Ms Evans has shown to be a remarkably talented witch, despite her young age."

"Are you sure Lily's a witch?" she heard father asking. "I mean, isn't magic hereditary or something?"

"Certainly," the woman spoke once more. "But we have found that many Muggle-borns, which is a term used to describe magical beings with nonmagical parents, have at least one magical ancestor somewhere along the line."

"But I don't know anyone in my family who could possibly be magical," her father said, his confusion evident in his voice. "Do you, dear?"

"No, I don't—oh!" Her mother gasped and Lily frowned.

"What is it?"

"Well, I did have a relative, my great-great-great aunt or something like that," her mother spoke slowly. "She claimed to be a witch, but we never believed her. We all thought she was a bit mad."

"And you never thought to tell me that your great-great-great aunt was a witch?" her father asked and, although he didn't raise his voice, she could hear the sternness in it. "That there was the slightest chance one of our daughters could be like her?"

"Well, how I supposed to know she wasn't completely mental?" her mother asked hotly.

Her father sighed. "I'm sorry, dear. I'm a bit shocked, 's all."

"Well, she did try telling us Harold," her mother spoke softly, letting out a small sigh. "I suppose you'd like to speak to Lily now?"

"If it wouldn't be too much of a bother..."

"No, of course not. Lily!" her mother called and Lily automatically stepped away from the window, as if afraid her mother would know she had been eavesdropping.

"Yes, Mum?" she called back.

"Can you come here for a minute, dear?" her father's voice answered.

"Coming, Daddy," she said, walking slowly toward the backdoor.

Although she had been waiting for this day for years, dreaming about it just as much, she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. And excited, definitely excited. Today was the day she would receive her letter to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, would officially become a part of the Wizarding World.

She walked slowly to the sitting room, taking the opportunity to observe the newcomers. The man was one of the strangest men she had ever encountered. He was old, older than her grandfather was, with a long, silver beard and matching hair. Perhaps the strangest thing about him was his attire, which consisted of lime green robes with swirling galaxies and silver moons and a matching pointed hat. He was certainly a sight to see here in the small town of Cokeworth, where everyone talked, breathed and thought the same.

The woman was much younger than he, perhaps in her twenties and wore a dark blue business suit. She had black hair that was pulled into a bun and her eyes shone kindly behind her round spectacles.

The man smiled at her, his piercing blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles that sat on top of his long, crooked nose.

"You must be Ms Evans," he said, rising from his seat. "I am Professor Dumbledore of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Pleased to meet you," Lily responded softly, shaking the hand he was offering.

"Addison Brookes," the woman spoke, giving her a small smile as she too shook her hand. Once Lily had been seated between her parents, who both had equally awestruck expressions on their faces, she spoke again. "We are here because you have been accepted to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is one of Britain's most prestigious magical schools and you will find it has a lot to offer you, should you wish to attend."

Brookes looked at her expectantly, as if awaiting her affirmation that she indeed would attend the school. Lily bit her lip, turning to her parents.

"Mum, Dad?" she asked tentatively, looking to her mum. "C-can I attend?"

Mrs Evans bit her lip, before turning to look hopefully at her husband and Lily followed her gaze. Mr Evans frowned as he rested his hand on his chin, staring off into the distance, lost in thought. Lily recoiled slightly, afraid he might tell her no, she couldn't go, when she suddenly, his face lit up. He turned to her, giving her a smile.

"Of course you can go, pumpkin. You know I could never tell you no. It's just—my daughter's a witch!" He laughed, as if he were just getting over his shock. "You can do magic!"

Lily grinned, turning to look at Mrs Evans. "Mum?"

"Is it really what you want, dear?" Lily nodded fervently and her mother smiled warmly. "Then I don't see why not."

"Yes!" Lily squealed, barely able to contain her excitement.

"I believe you already knew about Hogwarts," Professor Dumbledore said, more than a statement than a question, his voice amused.

Lily turned to him, nodding a bit. "My friend Severus explained it to me a few years ago."

Brookes smiled. "I believe this is for you."

The dark-haired woman withdrew a letter from the small portfolio on her lap and handed it to Lily. She took it with excitement hands, grinning widely as she read the green words scrawled on the heavy parchment.

Ms Lily Renee Evans

The Second Bedroom

Number 3, Magnolia Street

Cokeworth

"Inside you will find a list of all the supplies needed for your first year and your train ticket," Brookes explained. "You can purchase your things at Diagon Alley."

"Diagon Alley?" Mrs Evans asked.

"It is where all Hogwarts students do their shopping," Professor Dumbledore explained. "It's located in London, but you needn't worry about that. I believe Brookes has already arranged for someone to show you around."

"Yes," Brookes said, consulting a list. "Many of our wizarding family's volunteer as guides for our Muggle-borns…ah here it is. The McKinnons will meet you August 7 in Charring Cross Road. It is on a Saturday, but if there is any inconvenience, we can rearrange a later date…"

"No, August 7 will be fine," Mrs Evans affirmed.

"Excellent. Now, you should bring along some money to exchange at Gringotts—that's the wizarding bank." Brookes paused, overlooking the Evans' confused expressions. Lily smiled. She would have to explain to her parent's all about the wizarding currency, not that she was an expert on the subject herself. "Now, what am I forgetting? Oh, yes. To get onto Platform 9¾, walk through the bricks between Platforms 9 and 10. The train leaves at 11:00 am on September 1st. Any questions?"

Lily shook her head and Brookes smiled. "Alright, then. I believe that is it." She stood up, leaving Lily's parents still sitting, looking equally confused. "It's been a pleasure meeting you all."

"What?" Mrs Evans looked up, a blank expression on her face. She noticed Brookes outstretched hand and it seemed to snap her out of her reverie. "Oh, yes. It was nice meeting you, too."

Lily stayed sitting as her parents' exchanged formal farewells with their guests. I'm going. I'm really, really going, she told herself over and over again.

"I believe I'll see you September 1st, Ms Evans?" a voice spoke and Lily looked up to see Professor Dumbledore standing over her, giving her a smile.

"Yes, Professor," Lily said, returning his smile.

He nodded, walking toward the door after Brooks. He turned, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Just a warning, Gringotts is run by goblins."

Lily let out a small squeal as she read the letter in her hands for what seemed like the umpteenth time. She couldn't believe she was really going to Hogwarts. She had known of Hogwarts, of course, but she was much like that Saint Thomas she had learnt about in Sunday school: she had to see it, to believe it.

Petunia, who was sat on her bed on the other side of the room, shot her an annoyed look. She had certainly been moody ever since her parents' had informed her of the exciting news.

Petunia had gone into a frenzy as usual, calling Lily a freak and whatnot, and Lily, being Lily, had fought back, calling her a snobbish prude, among other things. Needless to say, both girls had been sent to their room.

Not that Lily cared. She was too excited.

"Can you keep it down over there, freak?" she snapped snidely, before turning back to the telephone conversation she was having. "Oh, no, not you, Cynthia, I was talking to Lily. Yes, she's being a nuisance as always…"

Lily bit her lip as she tore her gaze away from her sister, trying very hard to ignore the longing inside of her. There had been a time when Petunia had been her best friend and both girls had been inseparable. But then Lily had met Severus and had learned of his world—her world, where magic was real and everything was possible. Things had never been the same between Petunia and her.

She missed her sister, sometimes.

At I still have Sev, Lily thought to herself as her gaze fell back to the letter in her hands. And Hogwarts. She smiled a bit at that thought.

Hogwarts was real and she was going to attend it and learn magic and be extraordinary.

Whatever her sister said, she wasn't a freak.

A/N: If, for some reason, you're reading AMT, then I have a question for you: should I make this a companion piece to that story, or make this a new story altogether?