September the first dawned bright and the Evans' household was a mix of excitable action and tearful hugs, trunks were loaded into the boot and they all piled in. Marie had to talk Lily out of wearing her new Hogwarts robes. Petunia twisted around as the car pulled away and watched her home disappear from view, she sighed and faced the front once more however the pause in the journey made her gasp. That Snape boy and his sallow-faced mother had somehow conned a ride out of her parents! Henry greeted them cheerfully, helping with the extra trunk and ordering the girls to budge up for the newcomers. She scowled at the boy as he sat by the window, his mother talking quietly to Henry, apparently soothing his concerns about Hogwarts, Snape ignored her, staring at Lily. He was already wearing his robes; then again, she thought sniffily, he probably didn't have anything nicer to wear.
A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven O'clock. Lily was jumping around, their parents were looking a little queasy, walking through a wall certainly hadn't agreed with them. Petunia looked behind herself and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it. A rush of happiness filled her, she was really going! She and Lily were really going to learn magic! The last shadows of doubts disappeared. Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every colour wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks. The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. Eileen called the Evans' over, she and Snape had found an empty carriage, Mr Evans helped load their luggage into the racks and then hugged his girls to him, tearily telling them to make him proud, Marie was already in floods, she made them promise to write and hugged them tightly, pressing numerous kisses to their cheeks and foreheads; Lily jumped into the compartment but Petunia remained on the platform for a moment longer, held her parents a little bit more then joined her sister; shattering the Snape boy's smirk of triumph.
More people joined them before the train had begun to move and still Petunia had not alighted much to Snape's disgust, she glanced at him then back at her sister, she was watching the scenery rushing by, trying to hide her tears. "What are you doing here? You're a muggle!" he snapped and she smirked at him
"Not according to Professor McGonagall" glowing on the inside she watched as Snape seethed, jealousy badly hidden as he glanced longingly at Lily once more. The girl in question turned and smiled at him, although it was a little wobbly
"Hi Sev." she said, voice cheerful "Isn't it great? Tuney's a witch too! Thanks for telling me all that stuff" He swallowed and nodded, she had been sneaking away from her sister to meet with him ever since their birthday but not once had she mentioned that both of the Evans girls would be at Hogwarts. Petunia was talking to a brunette whose curly haired sister was staring out of the carriage window into the corridor with a bored expression. "We're going!" he said, unable to suppress the exhilaration in his voice. "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!" She nodded and grinned, his excitement was catching
"You'd better be in Slytherin," said Snape, encouraged by the smile and Petunia's determined ignorance of their conversation
"Slytherin?"
One of the boys sharing the compartment, who had shown no interest at all in Lily or Snape until that point, looked around at the word, the boy was slight, black-haired like Snape, but with that indefinable air of having been well-cared-for, even adored, that Snape so conspicuously lacked. "Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" James asked the boy lounging on the seat next to him, the boy didn't smile.
"My whole family have been in Slytherin," he said, nodding to the two girls across from him, they nodded silently
"Blimey," said James, "and I thought you seemed all right!" Sirius grinned.
"Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you've got the choice?" The elder girl frowned, whilst the other looked torn between amusement and worry; James lifted an invisible sword.
"'Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!' Like my dad." Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him. "Got a problem with that?"
"No," said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy"
"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" interjected Sirius. James roared with laughter and Petunia hid a smile. Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike. "Come on, Severus, Tuney, let's find another compartment."
"Oooooo..." James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Snape as he passed. Petunia bit her lip and looked at her new friend, she smiled at her softly and stood, "Coming Bella?" she asked, the dark haired girl sighed
"Don't disgrace us Sirius!" She ordered and swept from the compartment as a voice called "See ya, Snivellus!"
As the view from the windows changed from urban to countryside and steadily darkened, students began changing, the four girls and Severus had gotten into a lively debate over the sweets on the trolley; Lily adored the chocolate frogs whilst Petunia preferred the Sugared Butterfly Wings (once assured that they were no longer made with actual butterflies). The blonde had drilled Andromeda and Bellatrix relentlessly on the wizarding world once they had explained they were from an all magical family. Andromeda had promised to coach Petunia; Bellatrix had insisted that the girl would be bored stiff, rolling her heavy-lidded eyes with a smirk as her sister scowled. Before any of them knew it the train had slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Shivers went up in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and they heard a gruff voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" The hairy face of the largest man the girls had ever seen beamed over the sea of heads. "C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path, leaves blanketed the floor. Forest seemed to surround every side of them. Nobody spoke much. "Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "Jus' round this bend here." There was a loud
"Oooooh!" The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Lily and Severus clambered into a boat and looked expectantly at Petunia, she shrugged apologetically at Andromeda and Bellatrix but followed her sister. They were joined by a pudgy, nervous boy "Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had an, obviously re-enforced, boat to himself. "Right then - FORWARD!" The fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Petunia ghosted her fingers over the surface until she saw a tentacle drift beneath their boat. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood. "Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were taken along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where they stumbled out onto rocks and pebbles. "Everyone ok?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them. They murmured an affirmative before clambering up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, occasionally running to keep with his wide strides, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, Oak front door. "Everyone here?" he smiled kindly down at them, his beetle-black eyes twinkling under his thick eyebrows and bushy tangles; nerves had knotted themselves uncomfortably into Petunia's stomach and Lily had grabbed Snape's hand, her new friends were trying to look unconcerned but were chewing their bottom lips. Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. Petunia felt herself relax a little at the familiar visage of Professor McGonagall. Bellatrix whispered something to her sister as Hagrid said needlessly "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall,"
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door wide and stepped back to let them troop past. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor and into a small, empty chamber off the hall. The drone of hundreds of voices were coming through the wooden door to their right. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously. "Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is very important because, while you are here, your house will be your family within Hogwarts."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes lingered disapprovingly for a moment on the small pudgy boy with dirt streaked across his face and then on to the upturned collar of a blushing strawberry haired girl. Petunia caught a flutter of movement as Andromeda's hands patted her expensive robes, smoothing them carefully. She tugged on the end of her own blonde plaits and straightened her back, standing tall. "I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber then several people screamed. They whirled around, Bellatrix muttering a muggle curse "Ghosts..?" Lily gasped. So did the people around her. Pearly-white and translucent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be heading for the hall. Through the walls. What looked like a fat little monk was saying: "Should be a wonderful night, shame the Baron is in such a bad mood.."
"My dear Friar, when is the Baron not in a foul temper, he makes all the students uncomfortable you know, if it wasn't for the fact he can control Peeves... Hello there!"A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had 'suddenly' noticed the first years in what seemed like a practised move. Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?" A few people nodded mutely. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall. "Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me." Feeling as though her legs had become jelly Petunia fell into line behind Lily and in front of Andromeda, Snape was in front of her sister. They walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
"Look at the ceiling" Dromeda whispered excitedly from behind her, Petunia glanced up and almost choked in shock, it was velvety black and dotted with golden stars, she felt wonder rise in her and delight at being part of this world. She would never regret this, she was sure of it. The hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. She glanced back up at the ceiling and breathed
"How?"
Bellatrix answered "Its bewitched to reflect the sky outside. My mother told me."
"It's like it isn't there isn't it?" Andromeda said quietly, Petunia nodded mutely, it was like that the Great Hall simply opened to the heavens. She quickly looked down as Lily nudged her, Professor McGonagall had silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. Lily glanced at her with a silent giggle, knowing the wrinkle that Petunia would already have in her nose.
She stared at it, again Andromeda and Bella seemed quite bored, so did James and Sirius. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth.. and the hat began to sing. Once it had finished and the applause had died away, Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment."When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said, a few of the students around her visibly relaxed. She felt relieved, all they had to do was try on that filthy hat. She paused. Then winced.
"Ackleport, Violet" A pug-faced, dark haired girl walked, shaking to the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on her head, it fell below her eyes before shouting
"SLYTHERIN!" the table to the far right clapped and Violet stood up, quaking gone, smirk in place as she joined her new house. "Bell, Thomas" a sandy-haired boy, scurried forward, all gangly limbs and awkwardness "HUFFLEPUFF!" the table on the closest right cheered this time as Thomas joined them, Petunia heard Andromeda's breath catch and she grabbed her hand on impulse giving it a squeeze, the girl gave her a weak smile. "Black, Andromeda" despite her nerves Andromeda steeled herself and moved forward with enforced grace, lowering herself onto the stool and waiting patiently as the hat deliberated "SLYTHERIN!" Petunia heard Sirius grumble behind her but Bellatrix clapped along with the Slytherin table, the dark, curly haired girl hissed something at her cousin before approaching the stool herself, a moment later she had joined her sister, relief shining in her dark eyes but a confident smirk on her lips. Sirius swaggered to the front as he was called and had the audacity to wink at her before the hat fell over his eyes. Silence settled on the hall as Sirius' sorting took longer than expected, nearly a full ten minutes later the hat announced in an almost resigned voice "GRYFFINDOR!" A volley of shocked gasps went up but Gryffindor house recovered and clapped their new member hesitantly as he grinned at James. Petunia glanced behind her and saw him give Sirius a thumbs up, an answering grin stretching his lips.
More names were called before Professor McGonagall reached the 'Es, Lily looked back at her sister, fright now in her face, Petunia squeezed her hand and whispered that it would be fine as McGonagall called "Evans, Lily!" she watched her sister walk forward on trembling legs and sit down upon the rickety stool. Professor McGonagall dropped the Sorting Hat onto her head, and barely a second after it had touched the dark red hair, the hat cried, "GRYFFINDOR!"Petunia clapped hard and shot a grin at Lily as her emerald eyes were revealed once more. Snape let out a tiny groan, Petunia sniffed, as if Lily would sink that low! However as Lily hurried toward the cheering Gryffindors, she glanced back at Snape with a sad little smile on her face. Sirius moved up the bench to make room for her but she took one look at him, seemed to recognize him from the train, folded her arms, and firmly turned her back on him. "Evans, Petunia" She looked back to the front, tried to compose herself like Andromeda had done and strode forward, she made eye contact with the other girl and she grinned, giving her a tiny wave from her table before the hat slipped over Petunia's eyes and it was darkness.
'Another Evance. Now where to put you? Not Slytherin. No, no. You'd be strangled in the snake pit. Not suited for the Lions either. Hmm, a sharp mind, eagerness to prove yourself, plenty of talent. I know just the place for you, my girl. You'll impress with...RAVENCLAW!" Light flooded her senses again and she blinked, standing and making her way to the clapping table, she took a seat behind Lily and clasped her sister's hand as she reached for her with a bright smile. Petunia glanced across the hall at Andromeda and Bellatrix, Andromeda looked delighted and Bellatrix gave her a warmish smile and approving nod. "Welcome to Ravenclaw" an older boy said with a grin as he leaned over to change the colours on her tie.
The roll call continued. Petunia watched as a scarred boy, Lupin, the pudgy boy named Pettigrew, and James Potter joined Lily and Sirius at the Gryffindor table. When only a dozen students remained to be sorted, Professor McGonagall called Snape. He walked to the stool, false arrogance in his step, the hat was lowered and quickly cried "SLYTHERIN!" And Severus Snape moved off to the other side of the Hall, away from Lily, to where the Slytherins were cheering him, to where a blonde boy with a badge gleaming upon his chest, patted Snape on the back as he sat down beside him. Petunia watched with a sense of relief, he couldn't spend time with her sister now, surely?
Petunia glanced down at her empty golden plate; now the nerves had disappeared hunger pangs had taken their place. The sweets seemed ages ago. Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there. "Welcome," he said. "Welcome new students and old! Tribop! Lebzle and Ethosein! In other words, tuck in!" He sat back down. The older students clapped and cheered. The first years looked uncertain, Petunia frowned, this man was supposed to be in charge of her education. The blonde at her elbow however nodded seriously and agreed "Well we must always keep those in mind"
"You understood that?" Petunia asked uncertainly, her new house-mate turned her head fixing her with a blue speckled green gaze
"Oh yes, very wise words to start a feast with" those around the girl exchanged wary glances and shifted away from her "Can you pass me the jelly babies?" She looked back at the table and gasped, the dishes were now piled high with food. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and.. Jelly babies. Wisely, Petunia thought, everyone was avoiding those but she did as asked and gave the small bowl of sweets to the girl who smiled delightedly.
A small shriek had the Ravenclaws peering at the table next to them, the Gryffindor ghost had pulled his head to the side, displaying the innards of his silvery neck; someone had obviously tried to behead him, badly. Petunia made a noise of shocked disgust. Sir Nicholas looked rather pleased at the effect he had and flipped his head back onto his neck, coughed, and said, "So - new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year? Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have been sharing the cup back and forth for six years in a row!" She turned back to her table and looked around the hall for the other ghosts, the new students in Hufflepuff were listening to a cheerful tale by the monk and their ghost, a young, sad woman was hovering behind one of the male first years, silently making her judgements. The Slytherin ghost had sat himself beside Snape, who rather than looking uncomfortable had engaged the unpleasant looking male in conversation, however his dark eyes kept travelling to the Gryffindor table, to where Lily sat. The Bloody Baron's blank stare caught her curious one and she looked down at her plate hurriedly, his gaunt face, and bloodstained robes put her on edge.
Only when the desserts had appeared (Blocks of ice cream in every flavour you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding...) did Petunia try to speak with her fellow students, the blonde she had spoken to before was absent-mindedly humming to herself, playing with a cork necklace but she introduced herself without a pause "My name's Vulpix. Yours is Petunia, they're quite a pretty flower you know." Petunia's mouth had opened in surprise and she nodded dumbly before blushing and stuttering thanks. A dark-haired snobbish looking girl across the table had a barely hidden sneer when she looked at Vulpix but she smiled sweetly at Petunia and said "I'm Lambia and that's Eadda and Felberta" the other two girls waved. Eadda was a slender brunette with a kind but timid face, she seemed rather cowed by Lambia's confidence. Felberta was strawberry haired with a wicked glint in her brown eyes and a secretive smile; she grinned at Petunia displaying braced white teeth and Petunia found herself laughing back, Felberta's mouth widened, she inclined her head towards Lambia, Petunia rolled her eyes discretely and the girl snorted with smothered laughter.
Talk amongst the boys had turned to their families. "We had no idea" Jack Spicer was saying "The letter was a total shock."
"I'm from an all magic family, been looking forward to my letter for years. Although we thought I might attend Camelot's College for awhile, got the paperwork and everything"
"There are other magic schools in England?" Petunia asked suddenly, Flynn nodded, angling his body to include the girls in the conversation, Lambia kept talking to Eadda but Felberta was listening interestedly, wiping her finger around her bowl and sucking the chocolate off "Yeh, they're mostly private schools though, they're almost entirely made up of purebloods. Are you muggleborn?" Petunia's skin prickled, wary
"Yes. Does that matter?" she told him stiffly, Flynn's eyebrows rose but a slight blush stained his face "No. No! Not at all!" he protested quickly "I just wondered. What's your name?"
"Petunia Evans" her tone was prim but friendly, her posture relaxed once more, Flynn grinned at her boyishly
"Flynn Bern. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Evans" he extended a hand, she took it but blushed when he brushed his lips over her knuckles. The curly-haired boy to his left laughed and shook her hand when Flynn released it "I'm Quinten Kirren and this is Archer Boyse and Jack Spicer." Felberta stuck her hand out suddenly, drawing their attention her way as her lips stretched into a grin again "Felberta King. Friend of Miss Evans" Quinten just laughed and shook her hand as well.
"This is Vulpix" Petunia said when Flynn and Quinten looked at the blonde expectantly, Vulpix hadn't noticed. A hush fell over the hall. Professor Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. The plates and dishes were sparkling clean and empty once more. "I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils." Felberta's eyes were glittering and she looked at Petunia questioningly, she shook her head, Felberta pouted. Whispers, sounding like Black and Potter, were discussing plans to sneak into the forest behind her. Her lips thinned in a disapproving purse. Dumbledore's twinkling eyes had flashed in the direction of the Gryffindor table as though he could hear every word. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, our new caretaker, to inform you all that no magic should be used in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone, second year and above, interested in playing for their house teams should contact Professor Snidget. Now, sleep well. Toodlepip!" Archer stretched and stood up as the boy who had changed their ties and robes announced "First years follow me!"
"Meet you at the doors Pet!" Andromeda called cheerfully as the four houses mingled in the entrance hall, older students already disappearing up and down staircases, Petunia waved as Bellatrix strode up to her sister scowling; a frown took over the brunette's face but she waved back before the Slytherins departed through a door to the left of the marble staircase, the Hufflepuffs had taken the door on the right. A small hand grabbed hers and she jumped, Lily was smiling at her. "This is my sister Tuney!" she told her friends as Petunia freed her fingers
"Petunia" she corrected, Lily shook her head fondly
"Tuney, this is Marlene, Alice, Mary and Sheana" she nodded to each in turn and gave Lily a quick hug as the prefects led the students in opposite directions. They had reached a door. There was no handle and no keyhole: nothing but a plain expanse of aged, soft to the touch wood, and a bronze knocker in the shape an eagle. The female prefect turned to the students "This is the Ravenclaw common room, we don't have a password, we must answer a riddle to enter. If you get it wrong then you have to wait until the next person gets it right. It encourages learning."
She knocked once, startling a few portraits out of a doze, and the beak of the eagle opened, but instead of a bird's call, a soft, musical voice said, "At night they come without being fetched, and by day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?" the prefect remained silent; Petunia glanced around, the boys looked confused, Vulpix was thoughtful, Felberta was muttering the riddle to herself and Lambia wasn't even attempting to solve the question. "Hmm ... What do you think, Petunia?" Vulpix asked, the blonde was watching her. She cleared her throat, Vulpix's gaze was a little unnerving, "Erm, well 'stolen' implies that the objects are precious or at least have the appearance of being precious. Coming without being called could mean that it is an automatic process or perhaps one that is natural but the objects cannot be found during the day." she paused, chewing on her lip, thinking before the ceiling of the Great Hall flashed before her eyes and she said hesitantly "I think the answer is the stars."
"Correct." said the voice, and the door swung inward. The male prefect gave her a thumbs up and stepped into the common room, the boys clapped her on the shoulder roughly and disappeared, Vulpix nodded "Well done Petunia" she said. Petunia watched as she went inside, unsure of what to make of her, Felberta's strawberry head popped out of the doorway "Come on Pet!" Their common room was a wide, circular room, airier than any Petunia had ever been in. Graceful arched windows punctuated the walls, which were hung with blue-and-bronze silks. By day, they would have a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. The ceiling was domed and painted with the constellations, which were echoed in the midnight-blue carpet. There were tables, chairs, and bookcases, and in a niche opposite the door stood a tall statue of white marble.
Their prefect waited by a door next to the statue, they gathered around her again, the boy had already wandered up the stairs. The statue seemed to look over them with a quizzical half smile on her face, beautiful yet slightly intimidating. A delicate-looking circlet had been reproduced in marble on top of her head. There were tiny words etched into it.
'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure.'