Previously;

"Eeek!" Petunia squeaked as her body hit the wall.

Lily thought she heard something crack.

"Tuney!" Lily cried, panicking. She hoped and prayed it had only been her imagination. "Mum! Mummy, Tuney's hurt!"

Lily stood, petrified in place, not knowing what else to do, or how to help her sister, when she had been the one to do the damage. Feeling helpless, Lily began to cry, without realizing.


...

...


You Have Been Accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

(The Lillian Evans and Marauders Story)

Chapter 2

Letters Not Necessarily from No One

Lily sat once more by the windowsill she had been previously occupying, this time with her emerald diary made of velvet with a golden locket on her lap as she seldom looked through its pages until she found the entry she had been looking for. Taking a moment to glance at the two ends of her street with a dying surge of hope and finding nothing but the still deserted suburb, Lily allowed the pages of her diary to recapture her attention and began to read.



Summer, 1966

Dear Diary,

I've known for a while now that my sister doesn't always like me, but today, I proved myself wrong. Tuney, she hates me, really hates me! I think she wishes to never, ever speak to me again and I don't understand why.

She says she won't play with me anymore if I keep doing "funny" things… "It's not natural," she says. But I really don't know how to stop… or if I want it to stop. Is there something terribly wrong with me?


...


Fall, 1996

Dear Diary,

Something strange happened to me today, and I'm really scared...

While we were having dinner as a family and I was tasked with setting up the table Petunia made me trip while mummy and daddy weren't looking. Then she said the foulest thing, she said that I didn't belong…

…Maybe she's right?

That's what I was thinking when, all of a sudden, I was very, very cross with Tuney and I felt very powerful, like I could do anything. And then, everything around me started to rattle until every glass was in pieces and suspended in the air as if by magic! Some of them aimed at Petunia and cut her, but surprisingly none of them cut me or mum or dad. Why was that? And how did it happen?

I think… I think I made it happen, somehow. At least, Petunia thinks I did. She really hates me now, because I really hurt her… But I know I didn't mean to, at least, I think I didn't. Honest, I didn't.


...


Lily ran her fingers over the chicken-scratches of her penmanship and smiled ruefully as her fingers came to a stop where the words were slightly blurred from her tears. She had been crying as she recorded her day and poured her heart into the pages of her diary, which held all her secrets, dreams, and fears, Lily remembered.

She also remembered that that day Petunia had called her a freak for the first time, right in front of their mum and dad, who seemed unfazed by the accident. As if what had happened was something natural that could just happen to anyone. They had also admonished Petunia on using the F word when referring to Lily, her little sister. Reminding her that she was to be Lily's keeper and protect her at all times, because she was the oldest.

Later, Lily learned that she had done several things of that same magical nature when she had been much younger, though nothing quite as catastrophic as braking china. After Lily managed to persuade her mum and dad to tell her about all the other times she had done something unusual in the past, not that they had needed much persuading, she learned plenty about herself.

Lily learned that, as her parents kept pointing out, she was special and that she could do things that others couldn't. Like, make a withering bloom again in the palm of her hand… become weightless, re-grow her hair from one day to the next and so many other things. Everything Lily learned was enough to make her feel as special as her parents thought her to be.

Also, knowing that no matter what her parents would always love and support her, something that became apparent with each retelling they revealed, helped Lily deal immensely. Lily could tell that Mr. and Mrs. Evans were highly amused and proud of their youngest daughter no matter how outrageous each occasion they could recall and retell her ended up being. Strangeness and all, they simply accepted their youngest daughter for whom she was and couldn't love her any more if they tried.

But then, why is my sister any different? Lily often found herself wondering.

As far as the story telling went, Lily learned the following:

Once, she had set a yellow dress that she really did not want to wear and was going to be forced into wearing for some important dinner or other on fire (apparently she hates the color yellow, and even to present day, or so her mum said).

Then, when Lily got her first haircut at the age of three, the hairdresser had cut her hair too short for her liking and given her a fringe on top of it all. Needless to say, when Lily looked at her reflection in the mirror she instantly started to cry, making it obvious that she didn't like her new look one bit. Her mum had tried to calm her down of course, saying it would grow, but it didn't really get through to her.

Mrs. Evans, seeing how inconsolable her daughter was promised her daughter some ice-cream on the way home to sooth Lily in some small way. Though it worked for a little while, the matter was made worse by Petunia poking fun at Lily once they were home and she'd started to cry anew. Having no other choice but to let Lily sleep in their bed that night, Mr. and Mrs. Evans had woken up to quite a surprise the following morning. Lily's hair had grown back to its previous length overnight! …It was a long time after that and a lot of bribing from her parents before Lily would let someone touch her hair again.

"You wouldn't even so much as pick up your own scissors to cup up your homework! You'd simply cry as soon as you saw any scissors up close, now that I remember…" her parents had told her as they chuckled. "At least you to skip through that hair cutting phase children go through," her mother had added, "which made things so much easier for us… Not Petunia, though. We ended up having to cut most of her hair. Do you remember, Elliot?"

There was also the time when a boy older than Lily had kept on teasing, nudging, and pushing her around every chance he got, until it became one too many times. Eventually, his little game grew old and the moment came when Lily decided she had had enough of his insistent bullying after a crappy day of bruises and scrapes from being pushed down.

The following day, Lily had tried to avoid the boy, but soon found it impossible to continue doing so. With Lily's resolve to putting an end to the boy's bullying running through her determined mind, Lily found it easier to be brave and hold her ground by the time he came around to try and make her miserable again.

Lily had faced him bravely, shoulders squared, though she was terrified the moment he sneered at her. Still, she wouldn't back down! The boy advanced on her, Lily closed her eyes in an attempt to steel herself for the blow. However, the blow never came. Inexplicably, when he reached out to push Lily down, he was zapped with some sort of electricity and his hair began to smoke! And after that, he never went near Lily again, though she hadn't really harmed him.

Lily sighed as she read the last entry she had been looking for; her handwriting was almost unreadable for it looked like it had been smudged by spilled tears, and mainly, because she still had very bad handwriting at the time, being a first grader and all.

She smiled and decided that she would not take to heart what Petunia said to her anymore, not if her parents still approved of her. Lily sighed, yet again, and stared out the window. A strange sight met her; there was a black speck in the sky growing larger and larger the longer she stared at it… Lily's heart hammered with anticipation… It can't be! Lily thought, though she hoped it was. She had been waiting for this since, well, since her birthday!

Lily squinted and pressed her nose against the glass of the open window, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. It was undeniable, a bird was flying straight at her and it seemed to be holding something in its beak. Something that would change life as Lily knew it forever… On closer inspection, Lily realized with a jolt that the "bird" was actually an owl. Strange, the owl, a barn owl, kept loosing height and flying her way…

Noyes! Blimey, can it really be? Lily held her breath.

Had Severus been telling her the truth all along? Would this finally proof Petunia wrong? Lily had hoped that Severus had been telling her the truth, after all. But now… Closer and closer the owl flew, loosing altitude and once it came too close, Lily docked and slid off her seat with her hands over her head, thinking that the owl might not be able to stop on time and crash with her in its attempt to sweep in through the open window and land.

A moment of silence passed… Lily had been expecting to hear a crash, indicating that the owl had hit the opposite wall, but it never came. What she did hear was a low, important hoot from behind her. Turning, Lily noticed that the owl was perched casually on the open windowsill, still holding its package in its beak: a letter.

Lily giggled at the peculiar sight. The owl looked comical with its too big parcel. The owl blinked slowly up at Lily and gave her another soft hoot. Lily reached out; stroking its soft, brown feathers tentatively and then froze as she realized that the letter was actually addressed to her. Lily's heart skipped a beat and then jack hammered against her chest, leaving her breathless.

In spidery letters it read:

Miss L. R. Evans

Windowsill by the First Corridor

7 Rosetta Road,

Cokeworth,

England

The envelope was thick and heavy, made of a yellowish parchment, and the address was written in emerald–green ink that gleamed. There seemed to be no returning address or stamp. That was very strange and curious. And yet, she couldn't help but think that she knew exactly what that envelope held…

For a moment Lily sat motionless, staring at the envelope with suspicion and the owl eyed her, telling her with its eyes to take the ominous envelope. Lily shook her head. After months of hoping and dreaming, she didn't think she was brave enough to know, after all, if Severus had been lying to her, like Petunia suspected, or not.

"That's right, Lillian," Lily told herself. "You are reading too much into things. You simply needed to calm down…" Taking a deep breath, Lily looked warily at the envelope and glared at the owl. The owl hooted encouragingly. Lily had to giggle; the owl just took away the danger from it all with its comical appearance.

Deciding to take a risk and put an end to her mounting exhilaration and curiosity, Lily took the envelope form the beak of the owl. Another deep breathe. The owl hooted, turned, spread its wings, and jumped into the air, and left, its task done. Lily turned the envelope over and her hand trembled with the course of her anticipation. She saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake surrounding a large elegant letter H.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Just as Severus had described it… Lily couldn't take it anymore, she carefully slid the envelope open, causing the seal to crumble, and took out the heavy letter from within with trembling hands. Almost afraid to do so, Lily flattened the contents of the letter on her lap and began to read:

Dear Miss Lillian Rose Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress


...


Lily was gaping at the letter in disbelief and yet a big part of her knew that it was, somehow, believable, and her heart began racing as she thought of everything Severus had ever told her about Hogwarts and the Wizarding World. Shaking her head, Lily went on and proceeded to read the second piece of parchment attached to the first:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First–year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry nametags


...

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self–Protection by Quentin Trimble


...

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS


...


"M– M–Mum, D– D– Dad!" Lily gasped, stuttering with disbelief.

"In the kitchen, Lily dear!" said Mrs. Evans. "What's wrong?"

"Please let this be true, please, please…," prayed Lily as she ran to the kitchen to find her parents and make sure that they, too, could read what she was reading. Otherwise, they would need to pinch her and let her know that she had only been dreaming. Even if it crushed her spirit, she needed to find out before she got her hopes up.

Had Severus, too, gotten a letter like this one? Lily could not help but wonder, though she all ready knew the answer. And if he had, what did that mean? Again, another question that she knew the answer to, but it all seemed so unreal. Because, it was written there in plain, legible green ink: I am a witch!

"Mum! Mum look!" said Lily the moment she spied her mother's dress.

"Lillian, honey, what's the matter?" a harassed looking Mrs. Evans asked as her daughter appeared by the kitchen doorframe. Her daughter looked on the verge of a nervous breakdown, her eyes too bright and wide. Clearly, there was something of great distress going on and Mrs. Evans was worried as she hurried to her daughter's side, wiping her hands dry on her apron as she went.

"Look at this Mum!" Lily said entrusting her mother with the letter of acceptance from Hogwarts. "An–owl–just–flew–in–through–the–window–carrying–this–and–it–was–addressed–to–me–and–it–says–I'm–a–I'm–a–witch!" Lily said in one breath, blood pooling at her cheeks.

Mrs. Evans blinked at her daughter, frowning.

"Lily, honey, you need to slow down, I can't understand a–" Mrs. Evans stopped in mid sentence as she read the letter's first line. A jolt went through her.

"Where's dad?" wondered Lily, only just noticing that Mr. Evans wasn't in the kitchen.

"Elliot! Oh my goodness– Elliot, come quick!" Celine exclaimed with joy, as her eyes quickly scanned the rest of the letter and the next, flushed with excitement.

"Celine, Lily, what's going on?" Mr. Evans asked as he came rushing back into the house, entering from the side door that lead to the garage.

Taking in the sight of his wife and daughter's wide, bright eyes as they poured over a letter, he frowned and hurried over to the pair as his curiosity mounted. Peering curiously over his wife's shoulder at the letter she was holding and wrapping an arm around her waist, he read the content of the letter.

Immediately, he read the rest of the letter in a hurried, eager haze and his emerald eyes went wide as they found Lily's.

For a moment Lily fidgeted under the unwavering gleam of her father's stare, scared of what she might find there, but then she realized that she had been silly to have such worries. Her father's eyes had a proud gleam to them and so did Celine's chocolate one's.

"Blimey!" It finally came! He couldn't believe it! Even though he had been expecting the letter since January… The only thing he could do was gaze at his daughter in wonderment and appraisal.

"I know!" breathed Mrs. Evans.

There was a moment's silence and it was broken as the Evans simultaneously hugged and kissed their daughter, a cacophony of jubilant chatter expressing what they felt in the moment.

"Our daughter's a witch!"

Though words failed them, they tried to convey how very proud of Lily they were and explained that they had heard all about Hogwarts from McGonagall herself… she had come to them on January 30th, the night of Lily's eleventh birthday, to inform them that their daughter was a witch and needed schooling. Therefore, they were to expect an acceptance letter by owl post sometime in July.

After their astonishment of this news wore off, it gave way to excitement. It was only logical, after all, for their daughter to end up being someone this special. They were beside themselves with elation but had decided to let their daughter to find out all on her own just how extraordinary she truly was.

Of course, they've been hearing Lily talk in passing about this new friend she had made by the name of Severus Snape, who claimed to be a wizard and then had told Lily that she was a witch like his mum, and eventually told Lily all about Hogwarts. But that had been nearly a year ago, and this wasn't the same. No, now Lily and her parents had undeniable proof in their hands!



"Am I really going to get to go, Mum, Dad?" Lily asked nervously with a hopeful gleam in her emerald eyes. "Is– Is it true then, I'm a… I'm a w–witch?"

The word felt awkward and right to her tongue, it sent electric vibrations of elation through her entire petite frame as if asserting their conviction.

"Of course you are." Like they could say no to that face! "You'll be learning magic at Hogwarts, the greatest Wizarding School in Britain!" her father assured her excitedly, rambling on. "And not only that, you'll be under the supervision of the greatest headmaster Hogwarts has ever had, Albus Dumbledore!"

Lily and her mother beamed.

"Or so we've heard about Dumbledore, from his deputy Headmistress," added Mrs. Evans. "I mean, we haven't met the man personally or anything but…we've met Professor McGonagall and what she showed us… The things she could do!"

Lily did not question why her parents had kept quiet about meeting McGonagall and finding out that their daughter was a witch or that there was a school where she could go study the craft or that there was a whole world hidden from view, the Wizarding World, right in the open without anyone being none the wiser. Lily decided, though she was curious to know the answer, that it was irrelevant to ask now, but she promised herself she would find out eventually.

In that same decisive manner, Lily made up her mind about another thing. She needed to talk to Severus. And she would, hopefully, before September first came around. She just had to. She needed to make sure that he had gotten his letter too and to let him know that he was right and she had gotten hers too! He would be just as thrilled as she was, she was sure of it!

"Yay!" Lily exclaimed, gaining another set of hugs and kisses from her parents as she hoped up and down with ecstasy. "Oooh, I can't wait to tell Severus!" She also could not wait to learn and ask him more about Hogwarts.

"You've got to invite him over some time," said her mother.

"That would be a brilliant idea, darling!" agreed her father. "If we are to assume that he'll be attending as well, it'll be great to know that you've all ready made a friend before getting there."

"I'll be sure to let him know when I see him. I'm sure he'd like to meet you…" said Lily, glad that her parents were so keen on the idea.

"Do you know where the school is?" Lily wondered.

"Scotland, I believe," her father answered.

"How will I be getting there?"

"By train. The Hogwarts Express, if I remember correctly," said Mr. Evans.

Lily had never been on a train, but she couldn't wait to find out what that experience would be like.

"Listen," said Mrs. Evans, "you've got to promise to tell us everything you see and learn the moment you get home!"

"Of–"

"What's going on?" interrupted Petunia, her hoarsely voice laced with wariness. "What's with all the excitement?" Petunia eyed them suspiciously, envious of the fact that the 'little freak' was getting so much attention from their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans glanced between one another and shrugged as they chorused happily, "Your sister's a witch!"

At the words Petunia's eyes widened as she mouthed the words 'what?' over and over again as her parents handed her the letter of acceptance for her to read.

"She just got her letter," said Mrs. Evans. "Now your sister will be going away this September to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy to learn how to be a proper witch."

Petunia accepted the letter in a haze and stared from the letter to her parents to Lily and back again in utter disbelief… She had been so sure that that awful boy had been lying to Lily, so sure… But then, here was the proof! How is this possible!

"This is a lie…" Petunia simply refused to believe otherwise. "This is probably all that– that boy's doing... this is rubbish… it has to be!"

"No, Tuney!" Lily giggled. "Mummy and Daddy said that one of the teachers came to see them the night of my birthday and told them everything! And my letter just came today, by owl post!"

Petunia glanced at her parents, hoping to hear otherwise but they simply nodded and Petunia only managed to shake her head in denial before finally fainting.


...


When Petunia came about she was lying on the living room sofa and Lily and her parents where peering down at her worriedly. Sitting bolt upright, Petunia felt momentarily lightheaded. Pushing through the fog in her head she stared from her parents to Lily in turn and back again, trying to piece together why they were all staring at her like she might start spitting fire any moment.

"What happened?" asked Petunia shakily, confused.

"Umm… Mum and Dad mentioned, well– they told you that I was to attend Hogwarts, a Wizarding School, and, then, you sort of fainted," Lily stated bluntly as she smiled broadly. Petunia's eyes widened and then narrowed.

"You're joking?" she begged but her family shook their heads and pulled her into a family hug. Petunia tried to shy away from it, an impossible task it proved to be.

"Isn't it brilliant?" Mr. Evans commented. "We have a witch in the family!" he added, laughing merrily.

"A freak is–"

"Petunia Davidia Evans! If you have nothing nice to say to your sister, do not say anything at all," snapped Celine. "And if I may add, your father and I are very proud of Lily. She will now be going to boarding school at Hogwarts come the first of September. Though, we'll miss her terribly… since she'll be gone for about ten months out of the year..."

"But she'll be home for the holidays!" Mr. Evans reminded his wife brightly, before she could get her spirits down with that train of thought. "And we can hear all about Hogwarts from Lily then, right, Celine, dear?"

"That's right, Elliot," agreed Mrs. Evans, her smile returning.

"And you'll just send off Lily to some strange place to learn… witchcraft?" asked Petunia, alarmed. Despite herself, Lily was her little sister and she worried about her. And right now, though she wouldn't say it out loud, Petunia was feeling rather jealous of her sister and her unnaturalness. She always had been. It really wasn't fair, why couldn't she do what Lily could too.

"Well, your sister needs to learn how to hone and control her gifts in a safe environment," her father explained. "Hogwarts is that place. From what we've been told and shown, it's the best school there is for her."

"Yes," her mother agreed, readily. "We've been assured that any problems that might arise, we'll be contacted immediately."

"–And Lily will be able to contact us as often as she'd like by, get this, owl post," said Mr. Evans enthusiastically.

"Just like how my letter came to me today?" wondered Lily, her tone awed.

"Just like that," agreed Mr. Evans. "Professor McGonagall said that even if you don't have an owl there are school owls that any student can use at any time to contact home."

"Wicked!"

"But– but," Petunia tried to protest, though her attempt was rather feeble as the anticipation of her family mounted.

"What sort of subjects do you think they'll teach me at Hogwarts, mum?" Lily mused. "I hope I don't still have to take math! That'll be a downright bummer!"

This question also interested Petunia so she paid attention despite herself, feeling a twinge of jealousy once again. Mr. and Mrs. Evans chuckled, approving of the eagerness their youngest was exhibiting.

"Well, we'll be going to buy all your school materials in about two weeks, when we get our weeks' vacation, and I guess we can look through the books and see what sort of subjects you'll be looking forward to," said Mrs. Evans sagely.

"Ooooh!" Lily couldn't be more elated. "I can't wait! I'll still have plenty of time to read through some of the books during the month of August …"

"Now that you mention," mumbled Mrs. Evans, "where do we go to shop for all these?"

"Petunia, if you want to come with us, you may. If not, you are to stay here, and do your chores for you'll still be grounded," Mr. Evans added sternly, pulling Petunia aside from the festivities of the moment while Lily and Celine talked.

Petunia looked as if she had been doused in cold water, her perfect home was turning into a nightmare, and she could not believe that her parents were actually supporting her dratted sister, as far as she knew her sister did not exist.

"I'll rather stay," Petunia spat with her jaw clenched, "and do my chores."

"You don't think they sell that at the mall, do you mum?"

"No, no I don't…," said Mrs. Evans, "Perhaps we ought to contact Professor McGonagall a few days before we go get your things… I'm sure she'll be able to tell us."

"What will you be telling the neighbors once they start noticing Lily's gone?" sneered Petunia.

"This is all very secret and you are to tell no one about your sister being a witch and if anyone asks, you'll say that your sister was admitted to a Private Boarding School," her father warned. "And watch your tone young lady."

"Like I would like to tell anyone, no one would believe me anyway," scoffed Petunia indignantly, that seemed to be good enough reassurance for her parents, they were satisfied. Now that she thought about it, Lily would be gone for most of the year… she fidgeted nervously at the thought. Why couldn't she go too? "May I go back to my room now?"

"Go," said her father, turning from her and pulling Lily into a tight embrace.

Petunia's chin quivered as she tried not to cry. It just wouldn't do for Lily or her parents to see her cry, they wouldn't care anyway. It really wasn't fair… Petunia began to make her way upstairs, certain that she could make it to her room without being missed or breaking down.

"Supper will be ready at seven. Come down by then," Celine informed Petunia as she started to climb the stairs back to her room, just when she thought she had left unnoticed. That simple acknowledgment eased Petunia's pain a fraction.

"All right," said Petunia as she climbed the stairs two at a time. Once out of sight, she slipped into her room and closed the door, sinking to the floor with her back against the door and bursting into tears.

'Why is this happening? All I wanted was a normal life…' cried Petunia. 'I'll make sure no one ever knows. If they were to find out, they'll ridicule me too.' Petunia reasoned, resolute.


...


Downstairs…

"You know… it says here that I can take a pet…" commented Lily airily.

"We'll see about that," chuckled her mother, seeing right through her daughter's implications; she sure was cunningly clever sometimes.



A/N: Now, this is the improved version of chapter two. Thank you for reading, I'll be working on chapter three now. I'd love to hear some feedback if you can provide it.