Boarding the Hogwarts Express
Lily POV
"I'm telling you, Lily, with all this studying we're doing, we'll be the best in the class," said Severus as they sat on Lily's bed, pouring over Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1.
Lily's bedroom had turned into their informal practice room. All of her decorations had been pushed aside as the two of them made space to practice magic. Lily's stuffed animals and dolls had been thrown into a precarious pile by her closet while the desk supplies were shoved unceremoniously into already-full drawers.
Signs of magic were already visible. There was a giant blotch of color on her wall when Severus had turned the light blue wall a green that matched Lily's eyes. While Severus had tried over and over again to apologize, Lily had found it hilarious, saying that it added character to her room with the different colors. Only Petunia had been furious at the colors changing in the house, regardless of the bedroom; Lily's parents were encouraging them to keep practicing, and Severus had been overjoyed when he saw how much it annoyed Petunia. Lily's brand new cauldron was in one corner with her potions ingredients ready to be used.
Lily smiled in reply. "It depends on how much the pure-bloods learn at home," she said while she flipped to the page of the Simple Lighting Spell.
A loud hoot caused Severus and Lily to jump. Her snowy owl landed in front of Lily, holding a dead mouse clamped in her beak. Lily stroked her soft feathers.
"Have you decided to name your owl yet, Lily? She needs a name," said Severus as he stared at Lily and her owl.
Lily's lower lip jutted forward a little, almost like she was pouting, but this was just how she looked when she was thinking hard. "I suppose…Marigold?"
"Marigold? Why Marigold?"
Lily grinned devilishly and said, "Because that is what Petunia would name her daughter if she ever had one. Imagine how she would react if she found out I called my owl Marigold, possibly the most witch-like thing besides the wand and cauldron."
Severus stared at her for one second and then started cracking up. "Only you, Lils, could change a conversation that fast with a few wisecrack jokes."
Lily quickly joined, but almost as soon as she had started, she stopped. "Really, though, how many pure-bloods study at home?" she asked as Marigold the owl nibbled affectionately on her ear after swallowing the mouse.
Severus snorted. "Most of those people just sit and order the house-elves around after trying and failing to play Quidditch, and-what's wrong?" he asked a frowning Lily.
"It's going to take a long time to get used to belonging to a world with legalized slavery," sighed Lily.
"The house-elves don't care."
"Yes, but still-" said Lily, "It's not right for wizards to take advantage of another race just because they can. At least give them sick days and vacations if they need them. Just because they're wizards' slaves doesn't mean that they shouldn't be happy." Lily looked to Severus in confirmation, but he was trying hard not to laugh.
"Lily," he started seriously, but Lily detected the smile in his eyes, "If you say that to one of Hogwarts house-elves, they'll be extremely insulted. If you want to do something for them, just be extremely nice and thankful to the elves. They'll probably end up falling over each other for your praise."
"Do they usually not get praised by wizards?"
"No, but their idea of happiness is how much their masters love their work."
"That isn't right!"
"I know, but it's the most you can do for them. Let's try some of these spells out."
She ran her finger down the page until she found what seemed like a simple incantation. Lily carefully mouthed the word lumos under her breath. Taking in a deep breath, she said clearly, "Lumos."
She watched with amazement as the tip of her willow wand sparked, went out for a moment, and then lit up. Severus cheered before trying the spell with his own wand.
"We did it! We did magic, Sev!" Lily squealed and pulled her friend in for a tight hug. Technically, it wasn't the first time for Lily, but saying the word out loud and causing her wand tip to light up like a very bright flashlight made Lily feel a sense of accomplishment that she hadn't been able to feel before.
Severus blushed faintly as Lily pulled away, but she ignored it, to caught up in her own joy. "Let's go down to the park for a little, Sev, before Mummy makes dinner."
"Sure. Whatever you say."
Grinning, Lily took Severus' hand and pulled him out of the door and down the hall. Nothing could happen to distract her from the happiness she felt as she and Severus made magic. She didn't care if her mother came up and said that supper was done thirty minutes early, she didn't care if a terrible storm below in and ruined any chance of playing at the park, and she didn't care if Petunia-
"What's that?" Severus asked, pointing to Petunia's room.
Lily's wall immediately went up just like they always did whenever Petunia was involved.
"What's what?" she asked cautiously, peering into Petunia's room. It was very tidy, the exact opposite of Lily's. Where Lily's was bursting with snapshots and little trinkets that showed her personality, Petunia's bedroom made Lily think of office buildings. There was a picture of Petunia and her parents and little else. A stab of misery cut into Lily as she noticed that there was no picture of Lily, no memory of her. When Lily was younger, she had always been awed by how neat Petunia was, but now she didn't like it: it was just another reminder of how different the two sisters were.
Lily saw an open letter sitting on Petunia's desk. With the lack of decorating, it stood out a mile, and Lily's curiosity got the better of her; it was Sunday, and no Muggle post came on Sunday, so it must have been a wizard's letter, but why would Petunia be writing to a wizard? She had made it quite clear that she hated Lily and the Wizarding World.
Lily walked forward with Severus scurrying behind her. "Um, Lily? I don't think we should be here 'cause we're probably going to get caught. Maybe we should come back when your sister isn't in the kitchen just down the stairs."
"So go," Lily said quietly, still focusing on the wizard letter that was laying on Petunia's desk, wide open, waiting to be read...
Lily picked it up cautiously and read,
Dear Ms. Petunia Evans,
I am so sorry that I cannot enroll you in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We can only accept students who have demonstrated the ability to use magic.
While you are a wonderful student, and Hogwarts could use somebody with your dedication and hard work, you wouldn't be able to complete most of the classes without the ability to perform magic.
I understand that you wish to be with your sister and be there for her like you have been in the past, but you must attend school in your own world. There are many opportunities awaiting somebody like you in your own world, and I am sure that you will succeed.
I wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
"She tried to get into Hogwarts!" Severus said loudly. "I thought she hated us, the hypocrite. How did she think that a Muggle could get into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." There was a scornful emphasis on Muggle, like he could hardly believe that Petunia tried to insult Hogwarts by making them waste their time on a Muggle.
Lily let Severus' words slide over her ears like water while she reread the line again and again.
…I understand that you wish to be with your sister and be there for her…
Petunia had wanted to go so she could be with Lily.
Lily held back the sad tears in front of Severus; if he could see her reaction to something that involved Petunia, well, it wasn't something that she needed now. Somehow, despite all the talk about how much Petunia hated her and had no wish to associate with a 'freak', Petunia had still sought out a way for them to be sisters and be together.
In Lily's mind, that spoke louder than anything that Petunia had ever said to her.
"So is it true?" Lily asked, swinging higher and higher with each word. It had been one week since Diagon Alley, and Lily was asking Severus the same thing over and over. And over and over she didn't get an answer.
Severus shrugged. "It depends. To some people it might appear extreme, but to others, it doesn't really matter." With all the subject changes and tricks to really avoid straight answers, Lily thought he sounded a bit like a politician.
"Sev, I really need to know how people really treat people like me," Lily said, dragging her feet on the ground to slow down the swing.
"You won't have to face that, Lils. You're too…" Severus looked down while he talked, and Lily knew he wasn't telling the full truth. Being friends for several years certainly had some advantages.
"What aren't you telling me?" Lily demanded.
He finally looked her in the eye. "There are some pure-blood families that won't like you as much."
"Who?"
Severus shrugged. "Just a couple. But when they know you, they won't care."
Lily was starting to get frustrated. What was so wrong about a straight answer for once? "Sev, just tell me who they are and what they have to do with Slytherin."
"Who said anything about Slytherin." Severus jerked his head up angrily. "That sounds like bias to me. Who told you this anyway?"
"Alice Prewett."
Lily was not expecting her friend to start laughing at the name. "Prewett?" he asked. "The Prewetts hate Slytherins and some of the families that are there."
Lily narrowed her eyes. "What do you have against Alice? Her family is really nice."
Severus backtracked immediately. "Alice? Since when are you on a first name basis with someone you've only known for a day? You're my friend."
Lily felt her temper flare slightly in defense for her newest friend. "We met at the Leaky Cauldron, and her family showed us around Diagon Alley. I think I can call her my friend. You're not the only person I'm going to be hanging around with," she said in a quiet voice.
Lily watched as Severus grew more uncomfortable. "You don't even know if you will be in the same House. Why would you be friends with her?"
"How do I know if I'll be in the same House as you? I have just as much right to choose new friends as you do."
Severus opened his mouth to respond, but Lily cut across him again. "I have to go. I'll be late for supper."
"Petunia, make sure you're ready to go tomorrow," Lily's father said, swallowing his last mouthful of lasagna.
"Why? My school doesn't start until next week," Petunia said.
"We're dropping your sister off at the train station to say good-bye," her father said sternly. Lily's parents had only heard a small bit of the fighting from the two sisters. They were under the impression that Petunia was only angry because Lily wasn't going to be around during the year. Lily knew full well that was the only thing Petunia was happy about. Her parents hadn't heard her sister call her a freak or weirdo. Petunia was quite the actress when her parents were listening.
"But, Mummy! I don't want to go," Petunia moaned.
"Now, now, Petunia," her mother said, "We should all be there to say good-bye to Lily. You're not going to see her until Christmas."
Petunia waited until her parents were out of earshot to hiss at her sister, "Don't you dare come home for Christmas. That will be my present. Stay at your freaky little school. Nobody wants you here."
All thoughts about the letter disappeared from Lily's mind quicker than a Vanishing Spell. While she knew that Petunia still cared deep down, the way Petunia was addressing her hurt and anger caused Lily's earlier forgiveness to evaporate with barely a second thought.
"Good thing I wasn't planning on getting you any presents, then. You'll see me in a couple of months," she shot back, and Lily ran upstairs before her sister could reply.
She slammed the door behind her while tears were threatening to fall. All week she had faced nothing but insults and suggestions to stay away. Her sister was jealous, and there was nothing Lily could do to get her sister back. She hadn't had a proper conversation with Petunia since last year. There had been too many arguments to count. The last time Petunia had had a play date with Lily was two years ago, when everybody had been both uneasy and worried of her 'mysterious' power.
It was impossible to see the connection between the Petunia who wrote the letter, her sister, and the jealous girl currently throwing a tantrum downstairs.
Lily wanted her sister back, but Petunia didn't seem to want Lily back, no matter what the letter said. Lily could see the letter as the last straw; the final hope at reconciliation, and it was gone. Poof. Disappeared into the wind forever.
She looked at her trunk. Her spell books were in a pile next to it with her wand lying next to the cauldron. Carefully, she took her Muggle clothes and set them on her school robes. The school books were packed in a tidy pile with several of her favorite Muggle stories next to them, including The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. Taking all the time in the world, she packed as slowly as she could, letting her eyes dry.
Lily started as someone knocked on the door.
"Lily?" she heard her mother's voice, quiet and cautious. "Lily, can I come in?"
"Sure," Lily's one word response got stuck halfway in her throat.
"Petunia's upset about something. Would you mind telling me what?"
Lily flushed. Petunia's upset? She was the one who didn't want her here. What gave her the right? "Petunia just wants me to leave."
"She said she had been trying to get you to talk to her. What did you tell her?"
"I didn't say anything! Tuney's the one who doesn't want to speak to me!" Lily was yelling before she could stop herself. If Petunia was trying to make herself out as the good daughter, Lily wouldn't stand for it. "All she does is tease me about not being normal. She thinks I'm a freak."
Her mother immediately pulled her youngest daughter into a consoling hug. "I'm sure you two are just at a misunderstanding. You'll get over it eventually."
Lily laughed, but there was no humor in the situation, and Lily knew it. "Tuney's jealous that she can't come with me." Lily flinched, remembering her sister's letter to Professor Dumbledore. How different it would have been if Petunia was also invited, she thought longingly. "And now she's taking it out on me and Severus."
Lily desperately wanted her mother to say something, to give Lily one of those little speeches she had given when Lily was younger, that everything was going to be alright, but her mother seemed lost for words, something that Lily had never known to happen to Rose Evans. Lily fought back tears and hugged her mother closer. Even a pat on the head would do.
"I'll help you pack. Goodness knows you would break your back with all those books." She gave Lily a small smile. Just the sight of the familiar gesture filled Lily with contentment, replacing the hurt and anger. She nodded, wanting the happiness to last as long as she could.
James POV
"Good-bye, sweetie. Don't forget to write to us," James' mother said, hugging him tightly.
"Mum, you're embarrassing me." James's voice was muffled. He was finally going to Hogwarts after years and years of waiting and planning (planning for excellent pranks, of course). Excitement bubbled in his stomach. Here was proof he was old enough to not be treated like a child. He was ready. With his wand in his pocket, his Invisibility Cloak, and all the prankster goodies from Zonko's, all he needed was the perfect partner-in-crime.
The platform was crowded with families. People all around him were yelling to catch the attention of friends or saying good-bye to their parents.
"Let him breathe, Dorea," Charlus Potter told his wife. He clapped his son on the shoulder and, peering down at him, said, "You make your old man proud, now. Try to keep from getting detentions and don't stick anymore Dungbombs in the toilet."
James grinned. He loved his parents, but he sometimes felt they didn't understand how to have fun. "Dad, you know me."
"And that's why I'm asking you not to stick Dungbombs in the toilet," he replied without missing a beat.
James huffed. "Fine. I won't stick Dungbombs in the toilet." Maybe under the desks. He pulled his trunk and owl onto the train.
Before he closed the door, he could hear his mother say disapprovingly, "You do realize he will probably stick Dungbombs somewhere else, right?"
Charlus laughed at his wife. "Then where is the fun in life, Dorea?"
James kept his trunk close to him. It was slightly disconcerting to be half as tall as most of the students. He hurried forward, squeezing through gaps that most fourth years wouldn't be able to get through. He ran, desperately hoping to find a fellow first year.
All the compartments were full of older students, some of whom stared at the running James. He was nearing the back of the train until he found one with only a single student so small she had to be a first year. Another boy was reaching to open the door.
"Hey, wait!" The boy turned. His long black hair was at his chin, and at first James was reminded of his less favorite cousins from his mother's side even though he had only seen some of them once at a Ministry party.
"Who are you?" the boy asked suspiciously
"James Potter," he said holding out his hand. It would be good to get on the friendly side of some people before he made any enemies.
"Sirius," the boy said, shaking the hand. James noticed that he didn't offer his last name, but he pushed it aside although he was sure the boy looked familiar.
James opened the door and poked his head through. "Can we sit here?" he asked the girl with a pretty mane of dark red hair that was wavy bordering on almost curly.
The girl nodded, not even bothering to look up at them. James tried to see her expression, but her hair shielded her face from any onlookers. Something about her was vaguely familiar. James knew he wouldn't forget someone with that color of hair completely.
Sirius noticed this too, but he didn't try to be subtle. "Hey, redhead. Got a name?"
"Lily." Short and simple. She didn't even ask who he and Sirius were.
Her name rung a bell, but he couldn't remember. "Got a last name?" James asked.
The girl still didn't turn around when she answered, "Evans."
Sirius shrugged at James who realized they were not going to get a second answer. "Know who the new Keeper for England is?" James asked, casting his mind around for a subject changer.
Before Sirius could answer, the door opened again.
"Sorry, everywhere else is full. Do you mind?" A pale boy with dirty blond hair asked. James couldn't help but notice the long scars on his neck and hands. James would have bet his broomstick that there were more lines on his arm, which were hidden under long sleeves.
"No problemo, compañero." Sirius said, scooting aside for the boy.
It had been thirty minutes since the train left the station, and James and Sirius were soon becoming the best of friends. The scarred boy, whom James had later learned was named Remus Lupin, was currently reading a book while James and Sirius played a rather vicious game of Exploding Snap. A plump boy with watery blue eyes called Peter Pettigrew had joined them a little while after Remus had. He watched the games, clapping whenever someone won a round. Nobody noticed that Lily still had not shifted positions.
"Are you kidding me?" Sirius yelled after James had won the tenth round. "This is sooo not fair."
James grinned at his new friend. "I'm just playing. Nothing is different from what you're doing."
"Well, you're obviously doing something different because your winning every friggen' time!"
"Call it luck." He and Sirius continued their argument, and James barely noticed as a first year boy with long, greasy black hair and an abnormally large, hooked nose enter and sit across from the redhead.
"Never, I tell you, never have I met anybody who won this much in Exploding Snap, a game mostly based on luck!" Sirius cried.
"Well, now you have," James said.
"...you better be in Slytherin," the boy with the greasy hair said to Lily.
James didn't mean to eavesdrop, but they were right next to them. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lily brighten a little.
He immediately knew he didn't like either of them. Anyone in Slytherin was a prejudice git as far as he was concerned, and James couldn't help himself. "Slytherin? Who wants to be in Slytherin? I'd think I leave, wouldn't you?" James saw with satisfaction a glare from the greasy haired boy.
James looked at Sirius, who wan't smiling. "My whole family's been in Slytherin."
What? But then why was he nice?
"Blimey, and I thought you seemed alright."
Sirius grinned. "Maybe I'll break the tradition,"
Ah, I think you will be my best friend now, James thought.
"Where are you heading, if you've got a choice?"
James imagined he was holding the legendary Sword of Gryffindor. "Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart, like my dad."
James heard a snort and had almost forgotten the two people sitting by the window. His dislike of the boy deepened even further, but James noticed Lily wasn't saying anything. "Got a problem with that?"
Lily was now glaring at James. He suddenly recognized her as the girl who Alice had been showing around Diagon Alley. He couldn't help but wonder why a Muggle-born would want to be in Slytherin, but the thought quickly vanished as he looked her in the eyes. They were the brightest green he had ever seen. The bright sun shining through the window only intensified the brilliance. James knew he would never see those kind of eyes on anybody else.
"No," said the greasy haired git, though his slight sneer said otherwise. James directed his attention back to him. "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy – "
James had a retort on the tip of his tongue, but Sirius beat him to it. "Where you're hoping to go, seeing as your neither."
Ah, I know you will be my best friend now.
Lily stood up, glaring angrily at both he and Sirius. James inwardly shivered. For an eleven-year-old, she certainly did have a fierce glower. "Come on, Severus, let's find another compartment," she told her pallid faced friend named Severus.
"Ooooo…" James and Sirius teased. Both Lily and Severus walked past them. James let Lily pass without interference, knowing it would not be very chivalrous to trip a lady, no matter how angry she was with him, but James held no reservations for Severus. He stuck his leg out, and Severus stumbled. Neither of them showed any sign toward them.
"See ya, Snivellus!" James called as Lily slammed the compartment door on their faces in anger.
"Ha! Brilliant name, James," Sirius said as they high-fived.
Lily POV
"Do you know who that was?" Lily asked as they made their way down to the end of the train.
Severus shook his head. "No, you?"
Lily huffed. "Unfortunately. I met him and a boy named Mulciber at Madame Malkin's." They weren't even to school yet, and people were already picking on Severus and her. Severus quickened his step as if determined to get as far away from Potter as possible. Lily couldn't blame him. He seemed like an arrogant bully to Lily.
"Lily!" a familiar voiced called behind her.
Alice Prewett was jumping at the sight of the redheaded witch. "Come and sit with us."
"Hi, Alice!" Lily beamed. She consented and motioned for Severus to follow. He did, though reluctantly.
Alice was practically bouncing with energy by the time Lily and Severus entered the open door.
"This is Dorcas Meadows." She motioned at a pretty brunette with wide eyes. Dorcas smiled shyly at Lily and Severus. Lily smiled back, trying to sooth the girl's nervousness. Severus merely nodded while Lily shot him a questioning look. Did Severus want to sit with other people besides Alice and the two girls?
Alice continued without noticing anything. "Marlene McKinnon." A girl taller than both Lily and Alice with intense eyes the color of chocolate and a shiny sheet of dark brown hair waved at both of them. Lily was reminded of the gazelles she saw at the zoo as a little girl; Marlene was certainly graceful enough, even when sitting, to match them. She felt a small pang of jealousy hit her. Marlene looked beautiful without even trying. Lily was suddenly disgusted with herself for thinking such thoughts before she even knew Marlene.
"This is Severus." Lily stepped aside so the girls could get a clear view of her childhood friend.
"Hello," he said. The look on his face clearly said he wanted to get away, particularly from Alice.
Alice stiffened, but Lily was grateful that she tried to be civil and polite. "How are you? Lily's told me about you." Lily noticed she didn't mention her own thoughts about him.
"Fine," he replied coolly.
Dorcas whistled quietly in the corner and muttered something that sounded like "Awkward".
"I'm Lily Evans," Lily introduced herself to the other girls. She sat and shot a warning look at Severus. Her meaning was clear. If you need to say something, wait. We can wait until we get to school. Severus just nodded and seated himself as far away from the other girls as he could.
Marlene smiled serenely. "Hello. It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
"So, anyone know which Houses you'll want to be in?" Dorcas said loudly, hoping to break some of the tension between Alice and Severus, for they were both glaring at each other.
"Gryffindor. Both of my parents were in it. I have to hold up the tradition, don't I?" Marlene replied in a joking manner. Dorcas giggled.
"My mother was in Hufflepuff. People say I'm a lot like my mother. I think I'm more like my father, and if he was a wizard, he probably would have been in Ravenclaw. I'm good in any House. As long as it's not Slytherin," she added hastily, "I've heard some of them can be nasty to Muggle-borns, and I have no wish hanging around people like that."
"Gryffindor," Alice said adamantly.
"What about you, Lily?" Marlene asked kindly. Lily felt all of her previous jealousy disappear. Marlene was obviously not somebody to flaunt her beautiful features with arrogance. She was genuinely kind.
Lily glanced at Severus before replying, "I think any House would be good."
"She's got a lot of Gryffindor qualities," Alice said proudly. "You should have seen her have a go at the Mulcibers."
"Really?" Dorcas asked, "I would have been terrified. The one time I saw them was when my mother pointed them out. How about you, Severus?"
Lily jumped slightly. Her friend had been so quiet she had nearly forgotten about him. He shrugged. "Don't really know."
"Oh," Dorcas said.
Lily sneaked a glance at the uncomfortable Severus while the girls started chatting about whether Honeydukes Sweet Shop was better than Zonko's. Lily couldn't help but thinking how uncomfortable this school year would be with both Alice and Severus as her friends.
