Chapter 1: First Impressions

"Oh dear, we're late!" exclaimed Elaine Potter as she pulled up to King's Cross Station at 1:23. They were supposed to meet Lily at one o'clock. Quickly parking the car, Elaine and her husband got all the kids out of the car and with one last warning from their mother to be on their best behavior, the 5 Potter children followed their parents into the station.

Lily appeared to be absorbed in her book, but she kept glancing down at her watch. Worried that maybe the Potters weren't coming at all and that she'd be left all alone in this gloomy train station.

Just when she had given up hope, she saw 7 people rush through the station doors. They looked as if they were attempting to blend in with the muggles, but had done a rather poor job of it. Smiling, Lily put down her book and stood up.

"Ah, there she is," said Alex as he spotted the pretty red-haired girl close her book. The family walked over to her, Alex extending his arm towards her. " It's good to see you Lily," He said in a gentle voice, torn between being fomal or friendly. " I'm Alexander Potter, Minister of Magic, I hope you have a lovely stay with us and enjoy your time at Hogwarts.

James stood staring in awe at Lily. He hadn't meet many witches his age, and never had he meet one so pretty. He was at a lose for words. He was so caught up in staring at Lily that he hardly noticed his family leaving. " James? Going to join us?" asked his father.

"What, oh yeah, coming dad," He said, and jogged to catch up.

"What's gotten into you today James? Usually its near impossible to get you to stop talking, and yet you haven't said a word since we got here. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, really,"

"Alright, then. Come on." and with that they joined the rest of the family in the car.

They arrived home, James still oblivious to the world around him. " James? James? JAMES!" his father attempted to bring him back to reality

"What?" James replied startled.

"I've only said your name nearly 10 times. Now, be a gentleman and carry Ms. Evans's bag inside.

Her checks slightly red she shook her head, " I can manage, really." but Mr. Potter insisted that James carry it.

" It's good for him to learn some manners once in a while, " He said smiling. And with this James scowled, picked up the bag and walked inside.

Lily too was in awe, not because of James, but because of the house. It was strangely lopsided, and looked almost as if it had been built by magic. Then, she remembered that it probably was.

She was even more amazed as she stepped inside the house. All around there were things doing things by themselves. Dishes washing themselves, needles knitting sweaters, a brush brushing boots. Lily had never witnessed magic before, and felt that it was even more amazing than it had been described in her letter or the books she had read.

She was so enthraled in the house, that she hardly noticed Mrs. Potter talking to her. " Now, I'm sure you will want to get some sleep. I bet you are tired from your trip, and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow, we're going to shop for school supplies. Lets see, you can have James's room..."

At this James interjected, " But mum..."

But his father cut him off. " Yes, that's a wonderful idea. Lily will stay in James's room, and James can have the floor downstairs." and James said no more, he knew when his father meant what he said, and now was one of those times. Scowling slightly, he carried Lily's bag into his room, Lily followed.

" Well...uh...here it is...I...uh...make your self at home..." and with that he set down her bag and turned to leave the room.

" James?" said Lily tentivley.

"Yeah?" he replied.

" Um...thanks for letting me share your room,"

And, with this, James felt all annoyance at giving up his room leave him. " It was nothing, really," he said and he walked out of the room.

Lily was confused as to the way James was acting. I wonder what's up with him? she though to herself. He sure is acting strange. She sat down on James's bed and looked around. His room was covered from head to toe in quidditch stuff. There were posters all over his dark blue walls. There were all of the same seven wizards in their green robes. And they were moving! She didn't know much about quidditch, except that it involved a bunch of wizards on broomsticks. There was a broom leaning against his wall and a variety of books, some school some quidditch, littering the floor. On his desk was a stack of parchment, and an open copy of A Beginners's Guide to Transfiguration, along with a variety of quills and potion ingredients. A picture of the Potters's was set on the dresser, and they too, were moving. Along with a sleeping snitch and a couple of other random objects, that included a variety of magical sweets, and a wand, was one thing that stood out. A gorgeous tawny owl slept in a large iron cage. She was asleep, but all the same Lily fell instantly in love with her.

Remembering that she needed to unpack, Lily shook herself from the trance she was in. She unzipped her duffel and pulled out the couple of outfits she brought along. With a flick of her wand she hung up the clothes spread her blankets on the bed. She pulled out the picture of her family she had brought along and placed it on the dresser. Alongside the moving picture of the Potters, Lily's family looked extremely dull and boring. That's us, she thought quietly. Normal old boring muggles. Finally, she took out a few of her school books that she'd run out of room for in her trunk and the book she'd been reading at the train station, The Lord of the Rings. She carefully slid a few of James's belongings to the side of the desk, and placed her books down on it.

Exhausted from her trip, Lily sank down onto the bed. In a matter of minutes, she was asleep, and dreaming of all the wonderful things that would await her at Hogwarts.