Full summery – She stood protectively in front of her only child. She knew this was the end. A sob rose in her throat. She knew she would be dead in a few seconds and forced herself to think back to how it all began, back to the beginning, the beginning of the end.
A story about love and loss, good and evil, friendship and hatred, war and family, trust and betrayal, life and death about the choices you make and the lines that must be drawn in order to survive. A story about two teenagers just trying to find their place in this world.
*The beginning of the end*
Where it all began
She stood protectively in front of her only child, she would let no harm happened to him. There right before her eyes stood pure evil, her breath caught in her throat, the hair on the back of her neck stood on ends. If this man, could you call him a man anymore? His red eyes glared at her in disgust. If he was here, that meant he was…dead. But he couldn't be. Because a life without him, was no life at all. She heard the soft whimper of her only son in the background. His son the only thing she had left, she loved the child with all her heart and more, and would not let him die, not now not ever. She knew this was the end. For her, but not for him. There was no denying it; she had been a fool not to expect this was the way it would end. She would do everything in her power to keep her boy alive, and she would never let harm come to him.
But as the green light hurtled towards her, she thought how she would never watch her son grow, never see her grandchildren, never see her best friends again, never make amends with her sister, never have a big family, never see this war to the end.
In that moment she knew she was going be dead in a few seconds and forced herself to think back to how this all began, back to the beginning, the beginning of the end.
Platform 9 and 3/4 the crisp September air had many people wrapping their clocks round them tighter. A small girl, only eleven years old, stood her bright red hair blowing in the wind. She watched the others around her in awe.
They're real, witches and wizards are real. She thought to herself. A smile spread across her lips, she was going! She was going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Owls hooted, cats hissed, but the family of four stayed silent.
The young girl turned to look at another girl; she could only have been a few years older then the red-head. Her blonde hair passed her shoulders, her piercing grey eyes glared at everything and everyone in sight, unlike her little sister whose bright green eyes were filled with joy. The older of the two, sucked in a deep, shaky breath "Can we go now?" she asked impatiently
"Petunia!" An older women that was a striking image of the blonde girl, but this women's eyes were green, just like her youngest daughters, and were filled with a warmth that was not present in the blonde girls, shrieked "We came here to watch your sister off, so be nice!" she turned back to watching all the wizards and witches doing extraordinary things.
Her, being a Muggle, had never believed in magic until a few weeks ago when her youngest daughter had been asked to join Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Of course at first she thought it was a joke, but then Professor McGonagall had turned up at their house in little, old Spinner's End. And now they were about to watch her leave for her very first year at the school.
"Tuney," whispered the small red-head.
"What, Lily?" asked Petunia harshly.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Lily asked her big sister, to which her sister replied by sighing heavily and stalking a short distance away from their parents.
"I know you're upset" Lily began
"I am not upset" Petunia snarled in an animalistic kind of way.
"I'm sorry, that I'm going and you're not…Tuney, I'm sorry! Listen -" She caught her sister's hand and held tight to it, even though Petunia tried to pull it away. "Maybe once I'm there - no, listen, Tuney! Maybe once I'm there, I'll be able to go to Professor Dumbledore and persuade him to change his mind!"
"I don't – want – to – go!" said Petunia, and she attempted dragged her hand back out of her little sister's grasp. "You think I want to go to some stupid castle and learn to be a – a –"
Her deadly grey eyes roamed over the platform, with the cats mewling, the owls hooting, the men dressed in funny dresses "- you think I want to be a - freak?"
Lily's eyes filled with unshed tears and Petunia finally succeeded in tugging her hand away. "I'm not a freak," Lily said "That's a horrible thing to say."
"That's where you're going," said Petunia, with delight in the fact she had gotten arise out of her baby sister "A special school for freaks. You and that Snape boy…weirdos, that's what you two are. It's good you're being separated from normal people. It's for our safety"
Lily's eyes changed from their normal joy to fierce anger, her voice matched perfectly "You didn't think it was such a freak school when you wrote to the Headmaster and begged him to take you."
The statement had the effect Lily wanted it to and Petunia turned scarlet. "Beg? I didn't beg!"
"I saw his reply. It was very kind."
"You shouldn't have read –" whispered Petunia "That was my private – how could you -?"
Lily gave herself away by half glancing to where her best friend, the one who had introduced her to this world, a boy with greasy black hair and miss match clothes stood, his cold black eyes searching the station. Petunia gasped. "That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking into my room!"
"No – not sneaking –" Lily said defensively "Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all! He says there must be a wizards working undercover in the postal service who take care of –"
"Apparently wizards poke their noses in everywhere!" said Petunia, she had paled considerable "Freak!" she spat and flounced off to where their parents stood. Lily followed slower than her sister had.
Petunia had not spoken to Lily after that, not even as she boarded the train or when she waved goodbye. Lily changed into her robes and found a compartment that was nearly empty; the only other people in there were two boys, obviously starting their first year too. One had messy black hair and glasses; whilst the other also black hair but his was lighter and had a hint of brown in it. They ignored her so she sat with them.
Lily pressed her face against the window, the tears silently rolling down her cheeks. Tuney hated her! They were always so close when they were younger and now…now…what were they now? Tuney hated Lily, and Lily was on a train to who knows where to learn who knows what! Maybe this was a bad idea.
Lily didn't know how long it was before she heard the door to the compartment open; she glanced up to see Severus. "I don't want to talk to you," she spat
"Why not?" he asked, he sounded hurt.
"Tuney h-hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore."
"So what?" Severus asked confused
Lily threw him a look of pure annoyance "So she's my sister!"
"She's only a –" he caught himself; he knew how Lily reacted when it came to her sister. Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, didn't hear him.
"But we're going!" he cheered "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!" Lily nodded, mopping her eyes, but in spite of herself she smiled.
"You'd better be in Slytherin" Severus said seriously
"Slytherin?" asked the boy in the glasses who had taken no interest in them before "Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" he asked the other boy who was lounging on the seat opposite him. He didn't smile.
"My whole family have been in Slytherin," he said
"Blimey," said the first boy "and I thought you seemed alright!"
The second boy grinned "Maybe I'll break tradition. Where are you heading, if you've got a choice?"
The first boy lifted an invisible sword "Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart! Like my dad."
Severus made a small disapproving noise. The kid with glasses turned on him. "Got a problem with that?" he snarled
"No" sneered Severus "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy –"
"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" interjected the second boy, the first roared with laughter.
Lily stood, looking between the two boys with disgust. "Come on Severus, let's find another compartment."
"Oooooooo…" the two boys imitated her voice. The boy with glasses tried to trip Severus as he passed. "See ya, Snivellus!" one of the two called as the compartment door slammed.
Lily and Severus found a different compartment with no other people inside. They spoke about anything and everything. From Hogwarts houses, to their own houses and families they had left in Spinner's end.
Before long it was time to exit the Hogwarts express. A huge man, way taller than any human Lily had ever seen, told all first years to follow him. Severus grabbed her arm and dragged her through crowd. Then the huge man started to speak "All Firs'-years follow me!" he boomed. All the first years followed him down a narrow path; it was a surprise the man could fit. "You'll gunna get yeh firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec"
The path opened onto a cliff next to a vast black lake. Lily leaned back slightly she did not want to fall into it, who knows what could be in it!
"Lily look" Severus whispered into her ear, she looked up from the lake to see an amazing caste with turrets and towers, Lily thought it looked as though it had come right out of a fairytale.
"No more'n four in each boat" the big man called. Severus grabbed Lily's arm again and pulled her to one of the boats, two other people joined them but Lily didn't recognise them. "OFF WE GO!"
The small fleet of boats glided across the water. They moved as if by magic, which they probably did seeing as though this was a magical school. Everyone was silent; no one dared to make a noise. Everyone stared at the castle that loomed overhead. It was mysterious and powerful and Lily couldn't take her eyes off of it.
After a moment of fumbling trying to get out of the boat all the first years stood in front of a huge door. The huge man raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in mahogany robes stood there. She had a very stern face, but was obviously very pretty once. This was the lady who had come to Lily's house and explained the wizarding world to her and her family.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall" said the giant
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." she replied. Hagrid turned and walked away, smiling at each of the first years. Professor McGonagall pulled the door wide to allow all the students in. The Entrance Hall was huge so huge you could have probably fit the whole of Lily's house in, probably more than once. The stone walls were fitted with flaming torches. The ceiling was so high Lily couldn't even see it, the magnificent marble staircase facing them lead to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the stone floor. Lily could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right. The rest of the school must already have been there. But Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small chamber. They crowded together, peering around nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts" she began "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most house points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few short minutes in front if the whole school. I shall return when we are ready for you, please wait quietly" she left the chamber.
"I can't wait" Severus whispered in Lily's ear. "We better be together"
"In what house?" Lily whispered back
"Slytherin, of course" Severus answered her in a duh kind of way. Lily jumped when the doors reopened and Professor McGonagall was once again standing before them.
"Form a line, now" she said "and follow me" Lily stood behind Severus and followed him thought the double doors and into the Great Hall.
When Lily had thought of this place she had never thought it would be this…amazing! The room was lit by thousands of candles floating mid-air above four long tables, where the rest of the students sat. These tables were laid with golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers sat. Professor McGonagall led the first years up there, so that they came into a halt facing the other students and the teachers behind them. "Lily, look up" Severus hissed so Lily did. It was a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars, it looked just like the sky outside, was there even a ceiling? "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside" Severus whispered again.
Lily watched Professor McGonagall as she silently placed a stool in front of the first years on top of it she put a pointed wizards hat. It was very dirty and Lily knew if she brought it home her mother would kill her.
Everything was silent for a few moments before the hat began to sing:
I may not be too pretty,
But smart is what I am,
I know what house you belong
Place me on your head and BAM!
There's nothing in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on
You're not scared
Show me your thoughts
All your secrets will be bared.
The hall burst into applause. "So that's it? Try on the hat?" Lily asked, Severus nodded but said nothing. Lily didn't know where she belonged, it's not like she was that smart or brave or loyal or cunning. Maybe when she sat on the stool the hat will just say she doesn't belong anywhere and send her home!
Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a roll of parchment. "When I call your name, your will put the hat on, sit on the stool and wait to be sorted" she said "Ashfort, Henry!"
A small boy that was bright red stumbled out of line towards the chair. After a short while the hat cried "HUFFLEPUFF!" the boy took the hat off and ran to the cheering table.
Lily watch as the boy on the train, the one without the glasses went to the chair and got sorted into Gryffindor turns out he was called Sirius Black and she watched as another person went to Hufflepuff, she watched a girl go to Ravenclaw, a boy go to Slytherin. And finally Professor McGonagall called "Evans, Lily!" she walked over on trembling legs and sat down. Not even a second had passed before the hat cried "GRYFFINDOR!" Lily took off the hat passed it back to Professor McGonagall, then hurried to the cheering Gryffindors, but as she went she glanced back at Severus there was a small sad smile on her lips. As she got to the table Sirius moved up the bench to make room for her. She took one look at him, recognised him from the train, folded her arms and firmly turned her back on him.
The roll call continued. Lily watched as other people joined her new house including James Potter the first boy on the train. Others got sorted into different houses. And finally the moment Lily had been waiting for "Snape Severus!" Lily leaned forward in her chair "SLYTHERIN!" cried the Sorting Hat. Lily sighed in frustration.
Severus moved off to the other side of the Hall, away from Lily, to where the Slytherins cheered.
An old man who sat in the middle of all the teachers, on the nicest almost throne like chair, stood. His long white beard almost touching the floor. "Welcome to Hogwarts all young students and welcome back to the rest! Before we begin our banquet I would just like to say, don't run though the rain in your socks. Okay you may begin!" All the students clapped as he sat back down.
As Lily looked down at the table it was suddenly filled high with food. Everyone started helping themselves, so Lily did too. The food tasted delicious, like nothing Lily had ever tasted before.
Lily looked at all the people in her house; they were all talking, laughing and joking. She had never felt so lonely; she didn't know anyone in her house! She looked at the people next to her on one side was Sirius who she did NOT want to talk to one the other side was a girl, a first year like Lily. She had black hair that stopped just above her shoulders. "Hey" Lily said to her. The girl turned to face her. She smiled warmly. "Hey, I'm Alice" she said, her soft features glowing in the candle light.
"Lily, so did you know about all this magic stuff before you came?"
"Yeah, I've grown up with it. Are you Muggle-born?" she asked, sounding intrigued
"If that means I was born having no idea there was magic, and I thought all witches were green, then guilty as charged." Alice laughed.
"That is so cool!"
"As long as you think so,"
Soon the feast finished and they were sent to follow their prefects to their new houses. Alice grabbed Lily's hand so that they wouldn't lose each other.
The common room was warm and cozy, it was all covered in the Gryffindors colours. Red and gold, there were a bunch of comfy looking armchairs and sofas covered in pillows and throws. The circular room also had games such as what Lily thought was an ordinary chess set. The fire crackled. Lily had already fallen in love with this place. And she had no regrets about coming.
Of course she was upset that Severus wasn't in her house. But she wouldn't dwell on it. Not when Alice was looking at her with big brown eyes and asking her if she'd ever played explosive snap.
What even was that game anyway? Lily had a lot to learn!
This is my first Harry Potter fan fic so tell me if it sucks. I've already wrote till chapter nine but I still need to go back and change some stuff. This is complete cannon and the things will probs go how J.K said they did, so if I get anything wrong please say!
I would love to hear comments!
Also if anyone can come up with good pranks put them in your review and I'll give you credit!
Thanks review next chap should be up very soon!
Emily xxx