A Different Beginning

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, or any of the other stuff, just the plot

A/N: This is our first fanfic so please tell us what we could do to make the story better. This chapter is a bit short but the chapters will be longer in the future.

Ch. 1-The Letter

Lily Evans was sitting on her bed reading a book when she heard a soft 'tap' on her window. Lily went over to her window and looked outside, she was surprised to see an owl at her window. "Oh my…" she said. She quickly opened her window and let the owl in. It dropped a letter on her bed and then flew out the window.

Lily opened the letter and read it,

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Ms Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Lily gaped at the letter and pinched herself many times, trying to see if she was dreaming. She then took the next piece of paper that was in the envelope and read it also.

"Lily, Dinner!" Iris, her mother said. "Just a minute mum!" Lily responded.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Uniform

First year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

Set Books

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 3)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

Iris wondered why Lily hadn't come down to dinner yet since it had already been more than 5 minutes since she called her down. "Petunia, why don't you go get your sister so we can eat." Lily's father, Henry said.

"Alright" Petunia said grumpily.

Petunia got up from the table and went upstairs.

"LILY! Come down to eat now." Petunia yelled.

"Ok I'm coming!" Lily said.

Lily then rushed down the stairs

"Mum! Dad! Look at this!" Lily said.

"What is it honey?" Iris Evans asked.

"It's a letter, and according to the letter…I'm a witch!" Lily replied.

It took a minute for Iris and Henry to register what Lily had said, "That's wonderful!" Henry said after finally understanding, but hardly believing his ears.

It had been a few days since Lily had received her letter. She was in the middle of reading her school's book list when she realized something. She jumped off her bed and went to the living room, where her father was reading the paper.

"Dad, I was just wondering…When are we going to go to London and buy my school things?" Lily asked.

"Oh my! Well we can go tomorrow if you like." Henry said.

"Okay, thanks Dad!" Lily said, she gave her father a kiss then went back to her bedroom.

"Lily! We're going to London now." Henry told Lily.

"I'm coming!" Lily said. Lily finished getting dressed and went to the front door.

Her father went to the car and unlocked the doors.

When Lily and her father arrived in London, Lily immediately spotted a sign that said 'The Leaky Cauldron'. "Well Lily, where do we go?" Henry asked. "Over there" Lily said, pointing to the sign saying 'The Leaky Cauldron'. "The records store?" her father said. "No, in between the records and the books" Lily said. She then suddenly realized something. "Hang on! Maybe only magical people can see it!" Lily said.

"Yes that must be it" Henry said. "Here, I'll give you some money to buy whatever you need."

"Alright thanks Dad." Lily said with a smile on her face.

Lily then opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron and went off into the wizard part of London.

Next: Lily's time in Diagon Alley

We hope you liked the first chapter of our story. Please review and leave your comments for us. We would really appreciate it if you told us what would help us and things like that.

NadznCath