Lily Evans and Marlene McKinnon
September 1, 1971
"Remember to write us every week!" Marlene McKinnon's mother called as her daughter broke away from her parents and younger siblings. Marlene turned back and gave her family a shaky smile before slowly stepping onto the train. She clutched her owl cage to her chest and looked around nervously as she climbed the few steps. The second she was all the way onto the train, a loud chatter surrounded her.
"Need some help?" a shaggy haired boy around sixteen asked her once he had noticed how bewildered she was. Marlene looked up at him and smiled feebly. Quickly, she looked back down at her brown owl and snuck a finger between the wires, where Bertha gently nipped her.
"Yes. I don't know where to put my owl or my luggage," Marlene mumbled and lifted her trunk off the ground and awkwardly held it in front of her. A blush crept up on her cheeks. She really did not enjoy talking to strangers. "I also don't know where to sit," she added hastily as she focused on her toes. The only people Marlene considered her friends were her little brother, Julius, and sister, Helena.
"Well, first of all, just take your luggage down there," the boy pointed to the luggage store in the back of the train. "But you should keep money for the trolley and your robes to change into, and anything else you might want on the train ride," he suggested. "I would say that you could sit with me, but I have to go to a prefect's meeting, so that wouldn't be the best idea. So just sit in any compartment with empty space and you're good to go," he winked at her. Marlene felt her cheeks flush and turned away with her face down to put away her luggage.
Every compartment that Marlene passed was full. She started to panic, as the train was scheduled to leave momentarily. Suddenly, she spotted a compartment with only two people in it. She took a step towards the door, when she face planted onto the ground. The blonde girl quickly pushed herself up off of the ground and found herself face to face with a redheaded girl about her age.
"Are you okay?" the girl asked Marlene. She stared back at the girl wide eyed and nodded her head.
"Could I maybe sit with you guys? Nowhere else has spots," Marlene stammered while avoiding eye contact.
"Of course!" the girl said with a bright smile and the black haired boy behind her groaned. "Sev, be nice!" she scolded over her shoulder. Marlene giggled slightly and held out a hand.
"I'm Marlene McKinnon, first year. Thanks," she said as she shook the redhead's hand. She stepped into the compartment and sat down. The other girl sat down next to Marlene and the boy called Sev sat across from them both.
"My name is Lily Evans. This is Sev. We're both first years," Lily said to Marlene as she pointed across the aisle to Sev.
"Severus Snape. Only Lily can call me Sev," Severus said with an eye roll. Lily giggled into her hand and playfully stuck her tongue out at him. Then, Lily tossed her book over to Snape and he caught it in midair. Suddenly, she turned to Marlene.
"So, Marlene, what house do you want to be in?" she asked with a contemplative look on her face.
"Uh… I haven't really thought about it much before. Both of my parents were in Gryffindor, and I would like to be in there, but I'm not brave enough. I'm not smart enough to be in Ravenclaw either. And, come to think of it, I am not cunning enough to be in Slytherin, even if I wanted to be in that house," Marlene said the last line with a shudder, much to the dismay of Severus. Marlene continued, "So, I'll probably be in Hufflepuff. Whoop-de-doo."
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with Hufflepuff!" Lily exclaimed. Severus let out a snort and Marlene raised her eyebrows at Lily. "Anyway, I want to be in Slytherin with Sev or in Gryffindor. I can't decide. I guess Ravenclaw would be good, too. Ah, forget it! I think it's wonderful to just be at Hogwarts! It's wonderful to just be magical!" Lily said with an exuberant smile. Marlene could tell that she was really excited for Hogwarts.
"So, are you a muggleborn then?" Marlene asked casually.
"Yes! I am!" Lily beamed and nodded her head, making her red curls bounce. "Are you one as well?" Lily asked her, and Marlene shook her head no.
"Half-blood. I think. My mum's mum was a muggleborn and she married a pureblood, so my mum is half-blood. My dad's dad was a muggleborn as well, and he married a pureblood, making my dad half. So, I guess that makes me half," Marlene said with concentration. For some reason people always got confused whenever Marlene tried to explain her heritage to people, but thankfully, Lily was nodding her head vigourously.
"Oh! That is so interesting! Sev's mother is a witch, and father is a muggle, so he is a half-blood as well!" Lily spoke quickly.
"Anything from the trolley?" the trolley lady suddenly called. Marlene hopped up from her seat and pulled out some money. She decided upon three chocolate frogs, one for each of her new friends. Friends, she thought to herself and smiled.
"I got Dumbledore!" Marlene called as she ripped open the package and got a firm grip on the chocolate frog.
"Me too!" Severus shouted with glee as he bit into his.
"Me three!" Lily yelled as she thrust her chocolate frog into the air and it went flying. It gave a loud croak and hopped up the window. Lily flung herself to the window and caught it. She then took a bite out of it and smiled wide, exposing her chocolate covered teeth. Severus and Marlene broke into laughter at the sight of Lily, and she glared at the two of them for laughing at her. Lily gave in to laughter when Marlene rolled off of the seat and fell onto the ground.
"Don't make falling a habit!" Lily said in between laughs while wagging her finger at Marlene.
"I'm afraid I already have!" Marlene said as she pulled Lily down with her.
Thanks for reading :) review?