IMPORTANT I hope you enjoy the story of Lily Luna Potter and her adventures. The first chapter, "The Warning," functions as a Prologue and takes place from the perspective of Harry Potter. Furthermore, this is the updated version of my story. There have been a few cosmetic changes to old chapters with the assistance of amazing reviews and feedback from readers like you! For a list of changes please see my profile page, as I don't want to clutter up the story with tedious author's notes. Also, thanks to my amazing beta, TwilightMoonbeams. You should check out her stories. Any remaining mistakes are mine after I messed around a bit more. Without further ado...

Harry Potter could not believe that his daughter was already eleven years old. This was the year that Lily Luna Potter would attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first time. Harry's heart was fit to bursting with pride and worry as he looked over his daughter. Lily was a precocious eleven-year-old girl, tall for her age, with dark brown eyes and an untamed mane of copper hair. She wore dark jeans, an unzipped white jumper, and a blue shirt with a moving picture of a Swedish Short-Snout.

"There's the train! There's the train, Daddy!" Lily yelled.

She was jumping up and down with joy. Steam drifted over the top of the crowd from the gleaming Hogwarts Express. The Wiz-Speed locomotive was an aerodynamic crimson bullet with black and gold wings painted on either side of the unlit headlamp. Harry remembered the heartbreak, and pride, that he had felt when James and Albus had boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time. Harry suppressed a chuckle. Ginny was much less amused.

"Please don't shout, Lily," Ginny said, "You've seen the train a dozen times already."

"But now I'm going on the train!" Lily retorted.

"So is everyone else so try not to yell it at them," Ginny said irritably.

The Platform was packed with witches, wizards, and their children, most of whom were indeed set to board the Hogwarts Express, some for the very first time. A few people were glancing at them, at Harry Potter, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the man who defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort. But most people were moving about their business on the platform, concentrating on the more important things in life, their children and their families. House-elf porters in red and black uniforms were collecting heavy trunks and delivering them to the train. Owls hooted disgruntledly, cats yowled in annoyance, and Harry heard the distinctive croak of a toad. Lily laughed as a cat screeched and escaped from a wicker hamper in a streak of black fur. "Look at that, Mummy! Can I have a cat?"

"Not yet," Ginny said, "Now come here, somehow between here and the house your hair..." Ginny brandished a Hag Health Hairbrush threateningly. "Now don't move!"

"Aw, Mummy, come on, don't..."

The Swedish Short-Snout sent out a jet of fire that glittered on Lily's shirt for a moment and then fled behind her back as Ginny struggled to draw the brush through Lily's tangled locks. "Stay still!"

Harry grinned. "Let your mother help you, Lily, there's no escape."

"That's not helping, Harry," Ginny muttered, "Honestly, Lily, sometimes I swear you make a mess on purpose!"

This was an old battle and, as usual, Ginny reserved some of her ongoing commentary on the matter for Harry. "It's your father that turned my lovely hair into tangled broom-twigs!" Ginny growled, scraping the aggressive brush along Lily's copper mane.

"I like it!" Lily scowled, twisting her head from side to side.

Harry practiced the better part of valour and said nothing. It still took a handful of Sleakeasy Hair Potion to tame Harry's dark hair, now streaked with silver at the temples, into the respectable cut of a senior Ministry of Magic official. And he often forgot to do it despite Ginny's best efforts.

Lily squirmed. "Mummy..." she moaned, "I'm eleven, you're embarrassing me!"

"You're eleven and you're embarrassing me!" Ginny shot back, "Stay...still...I keep...missing the knots!"

"People are watching!" Lily moaned.

Hogwarts students were indeed sticking their heads out of the windows, but they were waving at distant parents or receiving forgotten bags, lunches, or sweaters. James dangled out of the nearest window. He was a tall, skinny fourteen-year-old with long mane of black hair. Harry couldn't believe that he was growing up so fast. James grinned. "Bye Mum! Bye Dad! I'll see you at Hallowe'en!"

"Bye James, don't you dare lose track of Albus and Lily at school!" Ginny called out to him, waving with the hairbrush. "And behave on the train!"

James pushed his long hair out of his eyes. "Don't worry Mum! They can't dock House Points until term starts!"

"Behave James!" Ginny yelled.

Harry laughed as James disappeared into the train. "Ginny, did we ever behave ourselves on the train?"

Ginny shot Harry a rueful look and whispered, "When did I become my mother?"

"Not quite," Harry said dryly.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Mum, I don't need James to look after me."

Harry frowned. "He won't be looking after you, Princess, but he is your brother."

Lily bit her lip. "But James is such a prat, Daddy."

"Don't call your brother a prat, Princess. Do you want me to ask Neville to keep an eye on you instead?"

Lily pouted. "I don't need anyone looking after me, Daddy!"

"If you behave," Harry said, trying to remain stern.

Lily threw up her hands. "Fine!"

Ginny gave Harry an exasperated look.

"She got it from you," Harry whispered.

Ginny's lips quirked, she put her lips to Harry's ear. "I think it took the two of us."

Harry grinned. Ginny kissed him.

"Gross!" Lily giggled.

"Too right!" Ron Weasley made a retching sound as he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Wotcha, Harry! Ginny! And how's my favorite niece?"

Lily beamed, "Uncle Ron!"

Ron grinned at everyone as he brought his trolley to a halt. Hugo Weasley, half-hidden behind a golden cage containing a large owl, tottered up behind his father. The same age as Lily, Hugo was also about to attend Hogwarts for the first time. He was a small boy with thin features, sandy brown hair, large brown eyes. Hugo smiled shyly as he set down the golden cage.

Ron held out his arms. "C'mere, Lily! I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Uncle Ron!" Lily threw herself into her uncle's arms. Ron laughed and tucked Lily under his arm, tussling her hair and spinning her in a circle. Lily laughed, kicking her feet wildly. "Wee!"

"'Ere we go!" Ron set Lily back down.

"Ron, look what you've done to Lily's hair!" Ginny sighed. "Lily, come here!"

"Aw, Mummy—"

"Just one minute, Lily!" As Ginny fought to keep Lily still long enough to brush her hair once again, Ron turned and clapped Harry on the back.

"Last batch off to Hogwarts, mate," Ron said proudly, "Thought I'd never see the day. Rose's already on the train, she couldn't wait."

"Of course," Harry said, watching Lily struggle with her mother. Ginny was emerging victorious. "It's going to be quiet at home." Harry added with a wistful smile.

"Sure thing. Can't wait!"

Harry rolled his eyes. Ron had bawled like a baby when Rose, his eldest daughter, had gone off to school. Ginny still brought it up for a good laugh every time they had a visit.

Lily finally escaped her mother and accosted Hugo. "I haven't seen you in ages, Hugo! We have to find a compartment on the train together."

"Uh, sure," Hugo smiled.

"Yay!" Lily squealed, "And you have an owl, Mummy, can I touch him?"

"If Hugo says it's alright, it's his owl, Lily," Ginny said.

"Yeah," Hugo nodded, and opened the door containing his owl. The beautiful bird of prey bobbed her tufted, feathered head in and out of the cage door, looking from side to side as she did so. The owl was brown, white, and black, her feathers sleek and well-cleaned.

"Her name's Athena," Hugo said, "She's a Great Horned Owl."

Lily gently put out her hand. Athena swirled her head around to inspect the finger, huge golden eyes blinking. The owl had tufted black ears and a tiny beak. She nipped Lily's finger lightly. Lily laughed.

"Be careful, Lily," Ginny said.

"She's a nice owl, Mummy."

"Athena is nice," Hugo said, "But I can put her away if you want, Mrs Potter."

"No!" Lily tossed her head. "I like her."

"Call me Aunt Ginny, Hugo, and, no you can keep playing with your owl. Just be safe, you two, don't poke her or frustrate her."

Athena hooted and ruffled her feathers.

"We wouldn't do that, she's a good owl," Lily said, tossing her head, "Hugo?"

"Uh, never!" Hugo nodded repeatedly.

"Alright then," Ginny turned away from the two children and rejoining Harry and Ron. "She's going to be a handful," Ginny whispered to Harry and kissed him swiftly.

"Yeah," Harry said, watching Lily and Hugo crooning to Athena. Lily had been unable to decide on a pet, and Harry didn't want her to get bored of a pet she didn't want and stop taking care of it. So Lily would have to wait till next year, if she could make up her mind. Harry thought fondly of Hedwig, his very first friend and companion. It had just been him and Hedwig, at least until Ron had joined him on the train. Harry was so glad that Lily would never have to be alone. Harry felt a tickling sensation in his eyes and blinked rapidly. To distract himself, Harry looked around the crowded platform. He nodded briefly at the witches and wizards that waved or tried to catch his attention. Down the platform on the right Harry spotted Draco Malfoy, his wife Astoria, and their son Scorpius. Harry frowned curiously at an unexpected sight: Charlie Weasley and his family were standing with the Malfoys.

"Still don't like her, Harry," Ron said, noticing his attention. "Daphne Greengrass. Galleon-digger if I ever saw one."

"Charlie can take care of himself," Ginny said, but she glanced at Daphne Greengrass with a sour look.

Daphne Greengrass stood beside Charlie Weasley and their two dark-haired children. She was a tall, slender brunette with bright green eyes and slightly darker eyebrows and thick eyelashes, giving her a startling and unaffected beauty. She was wearing tight cyan jeans and a sapphire dragon-scale jacket.

Harry chuckled at a sudden thought.

"What?"

"Just the thought of a galleon digger going after a Weasley."

Ron smirked, throwing out his chest. He wore golden robes over a striped blue suit. Small red Quidditch players danced around the bottom of his robes, tossing an animated Quaffle back and forth. Ron was Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports—and, to Ginny's enormous annoyance, had successfully convinced the entire ministry to call him 'Big Chief.'

"Quite a catch for a galleon digger now," Ron muttered, turning a glower on his older brother's wife. "Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin. I mean, she's a looker, but honestly."

"I suppose," Harry admitted cautiously, "If you think she's a looker."

"Who's a looker, Harry?" Hermione Granger asked with an amused note in her voice.

Harry flushed, "Uh, Hermione—"

Ginny snickered at his discomfort and she and Hermione shared a hug.

"I'm joking, honestly, Harry," Hermione smiled at him when Ginny released her.

Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and a long hug. She looked tired. She wore a fashionable charcoal coat, belted around her waist. Her long brown hair was swept back in an knot but a few curly wisps, as always, managed to stick out at odd ends. Hermione leant back, holding Harry gently by the arms and examining him. Harry hoped he passed her inspection.

"Hermione, you look wonderful. But Ron was just, uh, I mean—"

"Daphne Greengrass," Hermione pursed her lips as glanced over at Charlie Weasley and the Malfoys. "Yes, I know, Ron thinks she's attractive."

"Oi!" Ron sputtered, "She's a Slytherin."

"Ronald, we've talked about prejudicing our children. Besides, you don't like her just because Gideon and Melia ended up with black hair."

"Well, it's not natural, is it? Weasleys without red hair?"

"Well, our niece and nephew are Daphne's children, and they have dark hair." Hermione said flatly to her husband, "So don't be rude."

Harry watched his two best friends sniping at each other and frowned. When Harry took a closer look Hermione wasn't tired—she looked exhausted. While the International Floo was never fun, Ron and Hugo seemed to have managed the trip quite well. Harry wondered what was wrong. Harry suffered a sudden surge of melancholy as Ron and Hermione bickered. Just like old times...

"...who were those people anyways, I never saw them before in my life!"

"You don't need me to push a trolley, Ronald. I stopped for just a minute with Mr Li, he's Special Representative for Hong Kong."

Ron shrugged disdainfully, "And why do you need to talk to that bloke?"

"Because I wanted—no, that's enough, Ronald! Please, let's talk later. It's been ages since I've seen Harry."

Ron grunted. "Fine."

"Ron—never mind," Hermione crossed her arms and turned Harry, jaw set. "How are you Harry? Are you well? The Ministry?"

Harry frowned, "Hermione, what's—"

"Hold up, Harry," Ron said mulishly, "Here comes Charlie and I haven't seen him in years. You two catch up later."

Harry and Ginny exchanged a frustrated look. Harry glanced at Ron, and then at Hermione, who looked tired and angry. Ron raised a hand and hollered, "Oi, Charlie, come over here, mate!"

Hermione hissed like a teakettle, "Ronald Bilius Weasly, this is not over!"

Charlie looked up and raised a hand in greeting and Ron waved vigorously. Harry waved as well but he kept his eye on Hermione, who looked pained and short-tempered and had adopted a fixed smile. Charlie bent to Daphne's ear and murmured something. Daphne shook her head.

Ron scowled, "What's that about?"

"Don't know," Harry said.

Ron grunted. "We'll see."

His eyes were narrowed as he watched Charlie and Daphne shake hands with Draco and Astoria and then walk over to them, shepherding their two children between them.

Charlie nodded shortly when they arrived, looking serious. "Ron, Hermione, Harry, good to see you all again."

Charlie was wearing brown wizard robes across his broad shoulders. He had cropped red hair and a half-moon scar on his left cheek. Harry held out his hand and Charlie shook it. "Charlie, how's Romania?"

"Spent most of the summer in Hungary dealing with a rather vicious Horntail, barely spent any time at home." Charlie said, "Harry, you remember Daphne and our children, Gideon and Melia?"

Charlie patted his two children on the shoulder. Gideon was a tall, gangly eleven-year-old that looked as calm and collected as his mother always had been; Melia looked two years younger and seemed curious at first, but when Harry glanced at her she buried her face in her father's robes. Both children had wavy dark hair, pale skin, and freckles. Harry noticed that Gideon had one blue and one green eye.

Harry noticed Ron's face was set and cold. Hermione was pink with embarrassment. Harry cleared his throat awkwardly. He had last seen Daphne several years ago at a particularly traumatizing dinner at the Burrow. He was confident everyone remembered that night and how it had ended. Ginny had seized Harry's elbow and she squeezed. Harry coughed. "Daphne, yes, I remember. How are you, Mrs Weasley?"

Harry held out his hand.

"I'm fine, Mr Potter, but it's Ms Greengrass if you don't mind," Daphne replied, and shook his hand. "We never saw much of each other at Hogwarts, Mr Potter, even though we were in the same year. I'm sorry about that, now."

"Call me Harry, Ms Greengrass."

Daphne paused, then smiled, "Then you can call me Daphne."

Charlie shot Harry a grateful look, then Ron and Charlie shook hands stiffly, Ginny hugged her brother shook her sister-in-law's hand, and Hermione reintroduced herself to Daphne. In the meantime Harry smiled at the two children. Gideon had a glint in his eye and a small smile that reminded Harry of Fred and George. The promise of mischief. Harry smiled. "Hello, Gideon, I'm Harry. Excited to start First Year?"

"I'm going too!" Melia said immediately, sticking her tongue out at her brother.

"You're going in two years, sweetheart," Daphne replied.

Gideon ignored his sister with the haughty arrogance of an elder sibling and gave Harry a lopsided smile. "Yeah, I'm excited Mr Potter, though I almost went to Durmstrang."

"Durmstrang?" Ron choked—Charlie and Daphne stiffened—"Charlie, what the hell, mate?"

Harry ignored him. "Durmstrang is a decent school, but I'm glad you're going to Hogwarts. My daughter Lily is going to be in your year. Why don't you say hello?"

Gideon brightened and looked over at Lily and Hugo.

Melia's lip quivered. "What about me, Mum, can I say hello? Can I, please?"

"Go along and say hello," Daphne said gravely, "Gideon, take your sister with you, please."

Gideon sighed heavily and, with his sister, joined Lily and Hugo and Athena. Harry grinned. "He seems like a smart kid, Charlie."

"Thanks, Harry," Charlie said quietly, one eye on his son and daughter as they introduced themselves to Lily and Hugo. Seeming satisfied that their children were getting along, Charlie shifted his attention to Harry. "Daphne and I were concerned, given how far Hogwarts is from us, and he'd met a lot of children his age in Europe."

"But we didn't want Gideon and Melia to be too far from their families," Daphne said, taking Charlie's arm.

"I'm glad you decided on Hogwarts," Harry said.

Ron spluttered, "I can't believe you even...thought...once, ouch, Ginny!"

"Oh, pardon me," Ginny had elbowed Ron savagely in the side, "Did I do something incredibly rude?"

Harry suppressed a laugh.

Ron adjusted his robes and glared at Ginny, while Charlie looked frustrated. "It's a good school, Ron, it's not like it was in our day."

"It doesn't matter anyways," Hermione said shrilly, "They're going to Hogwarts, that's what matters, right, Ronald?"

"Yeah," Ron said mulishly, "Fine."

"Good," Ginny said, thumping her brother's arm with her own.

Percy Weasley strode up to them in that moment, casting an exasperated look at his younger siblings.

"Hello all! Ron, Ginny, you aren't children anymore, for Merlin's sake. And Hermione, good to see you! Charlie, Daphne, it's been too long. And dear Harry—meaning to find you all morning I need a word with you, soon."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Hi, Percy. Good to see you too."

"Percy," Harry groaned, "Can't it wait till after the train leaves?"

Percy had a top hat that matched his pinstriped orange suit. The hat was tucked under one arm and his wife, Audrey, held the other. "If you insist," Percy glanced at his watch, "Won't be long now. But I do really need to talk. I have something very important to tell you, Harry, trust me."

Harry stared at Percy for a moment. There were small lines around his eyes and mouth and drop of sweat on his forehead. Harry frowned. "Five minutes, Percy, then you have my undivided attention."

Percy nodded jerkily. While Percy had been talking with Harry his wife Audrey had been greeting everyone. Audrey said, breathilly, "Oh, Molly and Lucy are on the train already, of course. Molly's Head Girl, you know, and Lucy just made Prefect."

"We've heard, Audrey!" Ginny groaned, "Give it a rest already!"

There was a sudden whistle. The train was getting ready to depart. The platform became even busier. The last few Hogwarts students started boarding. Witches and wizards began and blowing kisses and waving goodbyes. Harry and the others separated to say their last farewells to their children. Harry and Ginny took Lily a few steps to the side.

Ginny hugged Lily fiercely, "Oh, I can't believe you're leaving so soon!"

"Mummy! Don't!" Lily shrieked.

Albus had disembarked from the train, "Hey, Dad."

Harry ruffled his son's hair, smiling. "Back already?"

"We already have our compartment."

"Excited for Third Year?"

Albus nodded gravely, "Yeah, I'm excited, we get to learn some really interesting stuff this year, and I finally get to take the classes I want."

"Good work," Harry said, "You write every week-end, now, not like James, you hear me? I rely on your letters, you know."

"Of course, Dad," Albus smiled.

Albus hesitated. Harry smiled gently and held out his arms. Albus hugged him tightly. Harry felt something tickle the back of his throat again. "I'll see you at Hallowe'en."

Albus nodded, smiling, and then returned to the train.

Ginny and Lily had finished their farewells, and Ginny was wiping her nose frantically. Lily grinned and looked up at her father. "Daddy, can I have an owl, please? Hugo has an amazing owl and I've decided that I really want one!"

Harry knelt and held his only daughter gently by the shoulders.

"Lily Luna Potter," Harry said proudly, "If you still want an owl by Christmas we'll get you one. If your mother agrees, of course."

Lily rolled her eyes, "Fine, Daddy."

"Don't roll your eyes at your mother, Princess," Harry said gently.

Lily pouted. Harry stayed firm. He loved giving Lily whatever she wanted, but Lily drove Ginny so crazy.

When Harry didn't give in Lily sighed. "Sorry."

"That's better," Harry grinned, "Is your luggage on the train?"

"The porters took it, but Hugo kept his owl," Lily said.

"And what did you say?"

Lily sighed elaborately, "I said thank you, Daddy, I promise!"

"Good," Harry said, "Now come here!"

Harry hugged his daughter fiercely. At first, Lily squirmed. "Daddy! I'm eleven years old!"

"I know, Princess," Harry squeezed his eyes shut as he stroked her hair. "But you'll always be my little girl. I want you to be good—don't drive your brothers too crazy. Listen to your teachers. And...and..." Harry swallowed.

Lily melted into his arms and threw her hands around his neck. "I love you too, Daddy."

"When did you get so big? And...so wise." Harry leant back. His daughter's brown eyes were liquid. "I love you, Lily."

And Harry had to let her go. Everyone was waving and crying now. Ron was tearing up as he lifted Hugo onto the train. Hermione was sniffling. Percy was nodding seriously. Harry and Ginny clutched at each other.

Lily Luna Potter, eyes shining, clambered aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, and hundreds of other parents crowded the edge of the platform. Steam billowed overhead as the morning sun caught on the windows of the train. The whistle shrieked again.

The train lurched into motion. The wheels slowly began to turn. Hugo stuck his head out the window as Hermione, lip quivering, reached out a hand. A compartment ahead of them, James Potter and Dominique Weasley appeared. James whooped excitedly. "Fourth Year here we come! Look out, Hogwarts!"

Lily's face appeared in the window. "Bye Mummy!" she screamed, "Bye Daddy!"

The train picked up speed, compartments clattering into motion, and Lily Potter was off to Hogwarts.

Harry blinked back tears. He held Ginny tightly by his side. Ginny sniffled and held his hand tightly. First James, then Albus, and now Lily. The nest was empty. Harry couldn't move or speak, caught between panic and pride. He watched the train until it disappeared, and Lily was off to Hogwarts.