The familiar flame of red rushed down the stairs. It lingered here and there, slowly stopping in the still deserted kitchen. Lily Evans swiftly pulled herself together, before her temper got the best of her. With a bit more self control, she ate her cereal furiously while looking in the pantry for any leftover books or quills. The rest of the Evans household ate breakfast, watching Lily's owl eat its fresh picked rats and frogs with great fascination. All except Lily's sister, Petunia, who had her slate-gray eyes opened in dislike at the animal.
Lily rushed up the stairs, and was back down in two minutes, dressed, with her trunk and owl in hand.
"Mum, can we go now?" she said, taking a quick glance at the grandfather clock in a corner.
"Sure, dear. Give me a minute, that's all I ask," came her mother's voice from up the stairs. Anxiously counting seconds, Lily waited, wondering how the beginning of the year could get any worse, without her even at the school yet! And seventh year too…with headgirl duties and all. Lovely. Busy thinking to herself, she didn't notice her sister furtively enter the foyer, a smirk on her mouth, and glare in her eyes. "Don't you have to go to that freak school of yours? Please get a move on, before my friends arrive. I can't explain you then."
"Like you have anyone to explain to." Lily replied quickly. Looking at the watch again, she added, "I don't have time, Petunia, for you and your pathetic remarks." Petunia's dull eyes grew dark, and she shut her mouth and threw hateful glances as she always did.
"Mum!" Lily said loudly once again. Damn, it's 10:45. "Coming, Lily." Her mother finally reappeared, calm and collected, not noticing her daughter slowly counting seconds like a time bomb. Lily was out the door before her mother could say anything else. "Mother, why does Lily even go to that awful school? It seems very horrible. Why, who would have thought magic to be real!" Petunia said, shuddering. Her mother picked up the car keys and her purse, and followed Lily, answering, "Who would have that magic was real! But it is amazing." She looked back at Petunia. "Be blessed with a perfect sister like that. I am so proud of her." She said fondly, before shutting the door in Petunia's outraged face. She vowed to spend the year convincing herself that she didn't have a sister.