Hi guys! So I've been on and off with the idea of publishing a fic for a while, and I finally did on a different account. Unfortunately, that account got deleted some how, so I decided to start fresh with two new stories. This is the first, a story of a gender bent Harry, something that has always interested me. Lily Mary Potter, the girl who lived and resident witch of number 4 Privet Drive.
A bit about me, I'm a high school student who plays 5 instruments, takes all honors and APs, and fences, so as such I don't have a whole load of free time. So instead of posting multiple times a week, I will mostly be posting on Sundays, but please please please don't get mad if I miss a few. I bet all of you know how hectic life can be so don't blame me.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the story or want to talk, and please follow favorite and review
Chapter 1-
Lily Potter woke up, not for the first time, to a flash of green light slashing its way across her dreams.
And then she proceeded to smack her head against a low lying bar in her cupboard under the stairs.
Groaning, she groped around for her glasses while rubbing the now bruising spot on her head. Finding her circular frames, she shoved them onto her face and brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes.
A large 6 shone on the clock in red block letters causing Lily to sigh. Ever since summer break had started, she couldn't shake her internal alarm. She had never been a girl to get a solid amount of sleeping, sometimes sleeping for 2 hours and sometimes for 12. Today, it had been more like 3.
Lily grabbed a pair of her old, too big jeans and a ratty shirt that had once belonged to petunia and got up, making her way through the silent house up into the bathroom.
Lily hated her appearance, she realized as she looked in the mirror. She was tall for ten years, and all limbs that poked out in weird angles. Her midnight black hair was long and plaited with wisps falling out into her hazel eyes. But the thing that Lily hated most about her appearance was a thin scar, the shape of a lightning bolt, cut it's way down the right side of her forehead.
Along with being the thing that Lily hated the most, it was also the thing that caused the most controversy in the Dursleys house. Vernon and Petunia seemed to despise the sight of it, Petunia even going so far as to cut bangs into Lily's hair to hide them (miraculously they were gone the next day, much to her aunts annoyance). It made sense as to why they hated it, though. Lily had gotten the scar in the car crash that had killed both her parents and left the young girl with her relatives. Her mother was Petunia's sister, and one that she seemed to despise about as much as Lily despised her.
"Get out of the bathroom!" came the voice of Lily's cousin, something that shocked her right out of her thoughts. What in the world was Dudley doing up so early? Checking the clock on the bathroom wall, Lily realized with a start that she had been sitting here for 2 hours, trapped in thought.
Heaving herself up, she quickly tidied her stuff and opened the door to a glaring Dudley.
"Mum and dad want you in the kitchen," Dudley sneered, pushing her aside. Lily stumbled and caught herself on the stair railing, glaring daggers at her cousin's back. "Better hurry," Dudley continued shutting the door, "they seemed mad."
The door shut with a snap and Lily turned, a sour look on her face as she made her way down to the kitchen, kicking the door to her cupboard shut while she went.
"Get in here," Petunia said when Lily pushed the door open. "It's about time. What were you even doing up there? Never mind. I want you to look after the bacon. And don't you dare let it burn. I want everything perfect for Duddy's birthday."
Lily groaned, finally noticing the stack of presents so large that the kitchen table seemed to be groaning under their weight. It seemed that Dudley had gotten everything he had wanted again this year. A new computer, that television, and for some odd reason, a racing bike. The last present made no sense to Lily, because Dudley was very, very fat and hated all forms of exercise- well, unless you counted beating up Lily as exercise.
That seemed to be Dudley's sole form of enjoyment. Him and his gang would frequently taunt Lily and attempt to beat on her. However, Lily happened to be very fast and could normally get away from their attempts. She had taken up running at a young age for this very reason, something that Petunia also seemed to despise, much to Lily's joy. She frequently would come home covered in sweat to Petunia shrieking about how she was going to get the foyer dirty.
Lily flipped the bacon, sulking slightly. It wasn't as if they had ever gotten her anything for her birthday. They seemed to conveniently forget every time it came around, usually planning some obscene family outing that included leaving Lily at Mrs. Figgs, their old cat loving neighbor's, house.
"Cover up that scar," Vernon barked as a way of greeting to Lily when he stalked into the kitchen. Lily ignored him, instead moving onto frying the eggs.
By the time Dudley entered with Petunia, Lily was attempting to find places to put the food which was incredibly difficult since the entire table was covered in presents.
"Why are there only thirty six?" Dudley seemed to be asking, his face turning pink.
"Sweetums, you forgot Auntie Marges, look- it's under the big one from mummy and daddy," Petunia said, shifting some presents around.
"But that's still only thirty seven!" Dudley whined. "And last year, I got thirty eight!"
Sensing a Dudley tantrum coming on, Lily hastily put the plates down and went back to the oven, pouring cups of tea.
"Now popkins," Petunia said hastily, "when we go out, daddy and I will buy you two more presents! How does that sound- two more presents?"
"Then that will make… um…"
"Thirty nine, love bug," Petunia offered, patting down Dudley's blonde hair.
Lily snorted, earning a look of loathing from Petunia as Dudley sat down and pulled the nearest parcel towards him.
"I guess that's alright," Dudley replied, ripping off the paper from the present.
Lily delivered the tea to the table before taking one for herself and leaning on one of the kitchen counters, pushing her glasses farther up her nose. Dudley seemed engrossed in his presents, ignoring his parent's idle conversation.
The ringing of the phone broke through the sounds of Dudley ripping paper.
"Go get that, girl," Vernon barked at Lily, taking a sip of coffee.
"Hullo," Lily said, pressing the phone to her ear.
"Who is this?" came the voice from the other end.
"Lily. Who's this?"
"Oh hello Lily dear. This is Mrs. Figg. Could you let your aunt and uncle know that there's been an accident? I can't take you today, I'm afraid."
Lily's stomach bloomed with excitement. Mrs. Figg couldn't take her! That meant that maybe they would leave her home alone. She could use the t.v or reread one of her books, or even-
"Lily dear, are you there?"
"Yes," Lily said quickly. "I am. I'll let them know. Thank you." Quickly, she hung up and turned towards Petunia.
"Mrs. Figg can't take me," she blurted out.
"What did you say?" Petunia asked, turning towards her niece.
"Mrs. Figg was in an accident. She can't take me today."
The reaction was immediate. Petunia and Vernon shared a scandalized look while Dudley started to whimper.
"What are we going to do, Vernon?" Petunia was acting like this was the worst news she had ever gotten.
"What about that friend of yours?" Vernon grunted.
"She's away in Madrid," Petunia sighed. "Well, can we get Marge to look after her?"
"Don't be silly, Petunia. Marge hates the girl."
"You could just leave me here," Lily said, trying to keep out all hints of hope from her voice.
Petunia looked aghast at the very thought. "And come back to the house in flames?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Like I would burn the house down." But both seemed to be ignoring her again.
"We could take her with us and leave her in the car," Petunia offered.
"That's a new car. There is no way I'm leaving her in it."
At this point, Dudley's whimpering turned into full fledged tears and he started to ball very loudly. Of course, he wasn't really crying. It was a trick he did, to get his parents to do what he wanted.
And of course, like every time in the past, it worked.
"Oh Dinky Duddydums, don't cry! Mummy won't let her spoil your special day!" Petunia cried, flinging her arms around her son.
"I… don't… want… her… to… c-c-come!" Dudley wailed between fake sobs. "She always sp-sp-sp-spoils everything!" He shot Lily a nasty grin between his mother's arms. Lily shot one right back at him.
Just then, the doorbell rang, causing Dudley to immediately stop his crying while both his parents jumped to their feet.
"They're here," Petunia whispered. "Vernon what are we going to do?"
"We're just going to have to take her with us," Vernon replied gruffly, turning away to go open the door.
Petunia hurried around the entry, trying to clean up the already clean house, leaving Dudley and Lily alone in the kitchen.
"What do you think your friends would say if they saw big bad Duddy diny dums crying?" Lily taunted.
Before Dudley could respond, Piers Polkiss, Dudley's best friend, sauntered into the kitchen, Petunia and Vernon on his heels.
"Alright!" Petunia said, her voice way to cheerful. "Who's ready to go to the zoo?"
Two hours later, Lily found herself sitting outside of an exhibit in the Reptile House, Piers and Dudley off looking at the biggest animal they could find.
She still wasn't quite sure how she had managed to be allowed to come. This was the first time she had been out of the house for a reason that wasn't school, and she was at the zoo of all places! Even if she was exiled to sit on a bench all day, thanks to how she baited Vernon in the car. But in her defense, she couldn't help but be curious. The Dursleys just had a strict, "Don't ask questions" rule in their house, something that got Lily into the most trouble.
"Look at this one, Big D!" Piers said, coming over to where Lily was seated. "It's huge!"
Dudley came bounding over, gazing into the glass. Within two seconds, however, all interest seemed to fade. "It's so boring," Dudley said, pushing off the glass and stalking away, Piers hurrying after him.
Lily sighed and turned towards the glass, gazing in on the snake. Boa Constrictor, Bred in Captivity.
"Hullo," she mumbled to the snake. She paused before sighing and turning away. "What am I doing. Talking to a snake? I really am going crazy."
:We're all crazy here, mi amigo: came a new voice, causing Hope to jump at least a foot in the air.
"Did you just- did you just speak?" Lily whispered, turning back towards the serpent.
:Si, mi amigo.: Lily could have sworn that there was a glint in it's eyes.
"Stupid question," Lilly continued, "but do you normally talk to people?"
:I'm a snake: the serpent said. :What do you think?:
"No need to be a twat about it," Lily said. "I was just wondering."
The snake huffed, or at least Lily thought it did.
"What are you talking to me for anyway?"
:You started talking to me first, amigo:
Lily opened her mouth to answer, but it closed rather quickly as Piers and Dudley shoved her to the ground, pushing their own noses up against the glass.
"MR. DURSLEY! MRS. DURSLEY! COME SEE WHAT THIS SNAKE IS DOING!" Piers shouted as Dudley pushed harder on the glass.
If glares could kill, the one Lily sent the way of the boys would have caused two funerals.
Lily jolted with surprise as the two boys leapt back with howls of horor, gaping at the tank.
What was once solid glass was now gone. The boa constrictor uncoiled itself rapidly before slithering onto the floor. People everywhere began to scream and run for exits, adamant on leaving the zoo.
As the snake passed by Lily, she could have sworn a small voice hissed :Brazil, here I come! Thanksss, amigo:
"Good luck," Lily whispered back, moving out of the way.
"But the glass? Where did the glass go?" was all Dudley could seem to say as Piers shook, racked with fear. The zoo director himself came over to assure a hysterical Vernon that the family would be reimbursed in full for anything purchased that day, before making Petunia a strong cup of tea and apologizing over and over again.
On the car ride home, Piers Finally found his voice and said, "Lily was talking to it, weren't you, Lily?"
"That's absurd," Vernon said. "Snakes don't talk." But the look he gave Lily in the mirror screamed that she could be punished. So it didn't come as a big surprise when she was thrown into the cupboard under the stairs as soon as Piers left with his mother.
The sun was shining brightly down on Lily who was perched on the roof of number twelve privet drive, currently hiding from Dudley and his gang.
They had been around pretty much non stop lately, causing Lily more often than not to hide away on the roof, or better yet get out of the house as a whole.
As much as she was enjoying summer, she couldn't wait for school to start back up again. Lily had always excelled when it came to academics, managing to beat Dudley with her 'A's in every subject. Of course, Vernon and Petunia never cared about how well she did, instead praising Dudley anytime he managed constant 'C's.
But the main reason Lily was excited to go back was, for the first time ever, she wouldn't be in the same school as Dudley.
Dudley and most of his gang were going to Smeltings, a private school that Vernon also had attended (with a uniform so ridiculous that Lily didn't trust herself not to laugh the first time Dudley had downed it). The prospect of finally getting away from Dudley shone bright. Maybe she would have friends, something that had rarely happened thanks to Dudley's constant threats.
An owl soared overhead, shaking Lily from her thoughts. What were owls doing out in broad daylight? Seemed rather strange. From what Lily had read, owls were nocturnal, only coming out at night.
Looking down at her watch, Lily saw that at any moment, Petunia would come looking for her for lunch, and if she was found on the roof she was bounded to get locked in the cupboard. Sighing, she maneuvered her way down and through the bathroom window, walking out and down into the kitchen.
A horrible smell greeted her. Lily couldn't help but crinkle her nose as she gazed at Petunia who looked to be hovering over a pan of gray liquid.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked.
"What have we told you about asking questions?" Petunia scowled. Of course, the number one rule at the Dursleys was "don't ask questions", something that had always troubled the rather curious Lily. "If you must know," Petunia continued, turning up her nose, "it's your new school uniform. I'm dying some of Dudley's old clothing."
"Are you kidding me?" Lily blurted, earning a glare from Petunia. "But I'm a fraction of the size of Dudley! They'll never fit me!" Looking down at her tall and willowy frame, Lily could only imagine the horrors that would occur if she had to wear Dudley's clothing. Suddenly, the aspect of going to school didn't seem so appealing.
"They'll fit you just fine," Petunia sniffed. "Now go get the salad."
Dudley and Vernon filed into the kitchen eventually, both also cringing at the smell. The sound of the mail being delivered broke the casual lunch conversation between the three Dursleys as Vernon looked towards the silent Lily.
"What are you waiting for, Liliana? Get the mail!" Petunia snarled, using the name she insisted on giving to Lily, refusing to call her by her real one.
"No, Petunia, I need her to get the lemonade," Vernon stated. "Have Dudley get the mail."
"Fine, Duddykins, would you mind getting the mail?" After minimal argument, Dudley heaved himself up with a sigh and Lily was quick to follow, moving to the counter to grab the drink.
Dudley came back in, twirling a parchment envelop between his fingers.
"Dad," he drawled, "Lily's got a letter."
Startled, Lily looked up from her plate of food. She had never gotten mail before, never even had anyone to write to.
Vernon snatched the letter out of his son's hands, his face purple.
"Both of you," he growled. "Out of this kitchen. Now."
Lily and Dudley both immediately began to protest.
"What is it? I want to know! Dad!" Dudley whined.
"It's my letter, I have a right to know what it says!" Lily was protesting.
"OUT!" shouted Vernon.
Lily and Dudley scrambled out, and, after a quick scuffle to decide who would get to listen at the keyhole, Lily was lying flat on her stomach, an ear pressed against the crack of the doorway by the floor.
"Vernon," Petunia seemed to be saying, her voice laced with fear, "look at the address- how could they possibly know where she sleeps? Do you think they're watching the house?"
"Watching it? Spying, more likely. They may even be following us-" Vernon muttered widely.
"But what should we do, Vernon?" Petunia's voice quivered. "Should we write back? Tell them we don't want-"
"We do nothing," Vernon replied. Lily could see his black polished shoes pace up and down the floors. "Maybe if we just ignore it, they'll stop writing… yes, that's best… we'll ignore it…"
"But-"
"I'm not having one in this house, Petunia, end of discussion! Didn't we swear when we took him in, we'd stomp out all that nonsense?"
The next day, Lily found herself walking into Dudley's room. Her cousin was sprawled on his bed, the t.v. blaring some idiotic show.
"What are you doing here?" Dudley asked stupidly.
"I live here," Lily drawled back.
"Not in my room, you don't. All you have is a cupboard." A smirk was playing on Dudley's face, causing Lily's glare to deepen.
"I want to know what that letter said. What was it addressed to?"
"Why would I tell you?" Dudley asked. "Who'd be writing to you, anyway?"
"If I knew, would I be asking?" Lily snarled. She had already decided to ask Vernon when he came back from work. She had tried the other night, but he had brushed her off and sent her to her cupboard.
"Does little miss perfect not like knowing something for once?" Dudley taunted.
"Wow, Duds, you managed to string together more than five words! Congrats!" Lily retorted, turning and slamming the door behind her.
She stormed to her cupboard and pulled out a book, attempting to get her mind off of the mysterious letter.