The crisp autumn air greeted the Potters as they stepped out onto platform nine and three quarters. Lily's heart thumped in her chest as she caught her first glimpse of the Hogwarts Express. Steam poured from its whistle and its shining scarlet coat reflected the bright midday sun. All around her, she could hear the laughter of friends reuniting and the sobs of parents giving tearful goodbyes to their children. Pet owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and scraping of heavy trunks, while cats of every color and variety weaved their way between people's legs.

Lily stared in wonder at the hustle and bustle, at the colorful sights, at the faces of so many children all gathered together in one place. Maybe some of them would even be her friends. Excitement coursed through her veins.

She turned to her father and mother. They simply stood there, looking at her. With a sudden burst of emotion, Lily raced forward and hugged them tightly. She buried her face in her dad's untidy black hair, miserable that she would have to leave him and mom behind when she went to Hogwarts. Ginny patted her on the back reassuringly, almost as if she could read Lily's thought-process.

"It's going to be all right, dear," her mother comforted her. "We'll send you an owl every day!"

Harry grinned. "And if you get lonely, you always have James and Albus for company!"

Lily groaned. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to resort to spending time with her annoying brothers.

The family's touching goodbye was shattered by the piercing blast of the whistle. Lily's eyes widened. "Gotta go!" she whispered excitedly as she gave her mother and father fleeting hugs. She sprinted off and just managed to jump onto the train before it started chugging away.

It seemed that most compartments were full already. Walking down the narrow corridor, Lily caught a glimpse of James telling a very animated story to a gaggle of giggling fourth years in his compartment. In another, Lily spotted Albus having a very deep conversation with a fellow third year. Sighing, she strolled on. When it finally seemed like the train would go on forever, she found a half-full compartment containing two first year girls and a first year boy. They looked nice enough. Tentatively, she opened the door and stepped inside.

"Can I sit here?" Lily asked shyly. "Everywhere else is full."

The pretty, black-haired girl shook her head enthusiastically. "Sure!" she replied. Lily sighed in relief, and plopped down on the seat next to her.

"My name is Allison, but my friends call me Ally," the girl continued. She gave Lily a cocky wink and gestured to the other girl, who had curly brown hair and a sweet smile. "And apparently, this is Jenna. I have no idea who the boy is though, seeing as he hasn't told us his name yet."

The sandy-haired boy leaned back in his seat casually, his green eyes full of merriment. "I'm Russell." He turned his head to Lily, grinning appreciatively. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Lily," Lily said happily. "It's nice to meet you all!" Everyone exchanged cheerful glances, and Lily's spirits soared. She had made new friends already!

"So…" Ally began. "What House does everybody want to be sorted into? I want to be in Gryffndor!"

Lily smiled. "So do I!"

"Me too!" chimed in Russell quickly, eager to agree with Lily.

Everybody turned to look at Jenna. She blushed scarlet. "Uh...I want to be in Ravenclaw," she admitted. "But I guess Gryffindor would be okaaay..."

Everyone laughed, and after a moment's hesitation, Jenna joined in too. When the laughter ended, the new friends sat in contented silence, staring out the window at the gorgeous countryside that was streaming past them. The golden color of the wheat stalks contrasted beautifully with the cloudless, bright blue sky. It looked almost like a painting – a picture of unfathomable skill and expertise that would continue to delight many generations of Hogwarts-bound students to come.

The silence was shattered as the snack lady made her way down the aisle. "Anything off the cart dears?" she asked. Lily got out of her out of her seat and handed two silver sickles to the woman. "I'll have two Chocolate Cauldrons please."

The woman smiled and handed Lily her treats. "Here you go, dear," she said happily. "Anyone else?"

Russell cast a glance at Lily and stood up. "I'll have three Chocolate Frogs, please." He handed the woman three sickles and took his candy, then plopped back down into his seat with a huge grin.

"Have a nice day, darlings!" the woman called as she clattered away.

Russell began unwrapping his first Chocolate Frog. He sighed miserably when he saw the card, and shoved the frog into his mouth, tossing the wrapper aside. "Anyone need 'arry Potter?" he asked, mouth full. "I 'ave, like, thirty of him."

Lily tensed. Shoot, she thought to herself. Now I'm going to have to tell them. She drew a deep breath, then remarked nonchalantly, "Harry Potter? I have about forty of him…he's my dad."All breathing in the compartment stopped. Even Russell's owl stopped hooting. Oh well, Lily thought to herself. There goes my friends.

Alli was the first to speak. "So, like…uh…you're his daughter?"

Lily nodded, averting her eyes.

Alli's eyes grew huge. "No way!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs. "This is too cool! I'm friends with HARRY POTTER'S DAUGHTER! Did you hear that, guys?" she demanded of Jenna and Russell. "His DAUGHTER! Oh, this is simply too cool!"

Lily smiled. Okay. No need to panic anymore. Things were going to be just fine.

Alli continued to babble on about Harry Potter for the rest of the trip, often commenting on how much Lily must resemble Mrs. Potter, because she simply had no idea that Lily and Harry Potter were related in any way, and that oh, Lily must be so proud to have such an amazing person as a father, and oh, what Alli would trade to have a father like that, since her dad was just a plumber. Of course, Jenna and Russell pitched into the conversation a few times, but it was almost as if Alli had been put on high speed and simply couldn't slow down. This, evidentially, was fine with Lily, who rather liked listening to Alli talk.

The ride flew by much too fast, and soon the friends had arrived at Hogwarts, now changed into long black wizard's robes.

"Come on!" Alli squealed excitedly, grabbing Lily and Jenna's hands. "Let's go get Sorted!"

Professor McGonagall led them off of the train and into the Great Hall. Lily gasped. It was so…great. The Sorting Hat began calling names.

"Sophia Allen!"

"Randy Connor!"

"Allison Dupree!"

Alli gulped and took her seat on the stool. The Sorting Hat was placed on her head. After a few moments it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Everyone clapped as Alli took her seat with the scarlet and gold-clad Gryffindors. Russell and Jenna went next, and they both were sorted into Gryffindor as well.

"Lily Potter!"

It was Lily's turn. She walked up the aisle of all the staring, whispering faces and took her seat on the stool. Almost the second it touched her head, the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Lily was elated. She was so glad that she hadn't gone to Hufflepuff. Eyes alight with joy, she ran over to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Alli and Jenna.

"Good going, sis," Albus congratulated her. "James and I almost though you might not make it."

Lily punched him playfully. "I know what you're thinking Albus, but there's no way would I ever be a Slytherin." She glanced over her shoulder at James and pretended to puff out her chest. "I'm just too brave for that."

James walked over and ruffled her hair. "Sure, sure. But don't talk now. You won't be so brave when your O.W.L.S are right around the corner."

"Don't worry, I've got about five years left before that happens."

"Oh, you wish. Those years fly by way too fast." James said, feigning seriousness.

"Fine. In that case, I intend to make them last," snapped Lily. "You'd better watch out – Hogwarts will never know what hit it."