On August 14, Lily was packing her trunk, making sure that everything was packed and ready to go the next day when everyone was to take the portkey to the USA. A mini-family vacation is what their parents called it. Grandma Weasley wanted to throw a big dinner for her, but Lily wouldn't' allow it, saying that she would be home for Christmas, that it wasn't like she was going to be gone forever.
Grandma Weasley understood that Lily didn't want a fuss. So she gave her a few things to take with her including an extra set of parchment and ink, a diary, and a few other things. George gave her some products from his shop, Hermione a book, and other family members contributed to it. Luna Scamander provided her with a book that allowed her to write to her parents without the use of an owl. It was a new invention that her and her husband had created to help lessen the need on the animals. Lily liked that idea, especially if she needed someone to write back and forth to every day if she got lonely.
On August 15 the Potter Family was to take a portkey to the Americas. Harry and Ginny were using this opportunity to educate their kids on different things. They did some research and found that there was a wizarding part of New York City that would be a great place to visit as a family on a vacation.
Once in the United States, Harry used Lily's owl and sent a message to Professor Allen saying that they would require more information or assistance on getting to the right area the next day at the bus terminal and that they were staying in New York City at the New York City branch of the Leaky Cauldron.
At the Leaky Cauldron in New York City, Harry booked five rooms. Lily thought the innkeep would have a heart attack right there on the spot when he said that. It didn't look that busy, well not as busy as the Leaky Cauldron back home. After they had a quick freshen up, the Potters went exploring with some directions from the innkeep on where to go.
Cauldron Square was located in the midst of the muggle Times Square. Harry noticed the entrance that Donald, the keep told them about, and herded his family that way. The statue located at the entrance noticed them, and moved aside as they approached.
Harry waited back as Ginny went first and then the kids, he followed behind. His finger always on his wand which is something he learned back when he was in school and fighting Voldermort.
"Wow."
Harry looked at their surroundings. It was very similar to the Times Square where they left. Buildings high above them, and spread out with tickers on them, some announcing the days stock holdings, others announcing the news including the non-magical news also. Harry chuckled at that.
Harry said, "Well guys. We have our hands full. They strode along the side streets, every now and then spotting a shop that interested them. They would go in and browse.
"Wait, is that Harry Potter?"
Harry groaned. They side stepped into an alley, and Ginny performed transfiguration on his scar, so that he could be unrecognized on this trip. His scar and name is one of the reasons why they really never went on vacation. To hide his scar, was hard so that they didn't want to do it very often.
Back out in the main strip, the kids noticed a Quidditch shop. Well, at least the boys did. Lily was across the street at a book shop. Harry went into the quidditch place with the boys, while Ginny went with Lily.
Inside the book store, Lily looked around.
A man approached. He said, "Here to get your Ilvermorny books?"
Lily said, "No, thank you sir. I'm just browsing. I'm on vacation with my parents."
The man said, "Vacation huh? Where you from?"
Ginny said approaching and putting her hand on Lily's shoulder, "London."
The man said, "Ginerva Weasley, Quidditch extroardinar! Welcome to our shop. Don't worry, Mrs. Potter, your identity is safe with me. Beautiful daughter you have."
Ginny smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. This is Lily."
Lily got a few new books, some to ride on the bus to the school.
Outside, Lily said, "Mum, can we go to the robe shop? I want to get some extra robes for school. Madam Malkin only gave me two sets. I think it would be best if I have two more."
Ginny said, "Hmm, I agree. Let's find a good shop."
This is where the Potters end up separating. With some searching, they found a shop that showed some good craftmanship on robes. Lily and Ginny entered. The shop was busy. Another girl was there being fitted and appeared to be around Lily's age.
An assistant came up and said, "Welcome! What can I do for you?"
Ginny said, "I'm looking for a couple of sets of Ilvermorny robes. Our shop closer to home only had two sets."
The assistant said, "Of course. Got a lot of last minute shoppers for those coming in. Come, young lady. We'll get you all fixed up."
Next thing, Lily knew she was fitted up with a whole new wardrobe for Ilvermorny. Lily pulled out her list and saw that they were required to have a satchel to carry their books. They must've overlooked that in London. Lily and Ginny looked for a store that sold those.
They found one. After browsing the satchels, Lily and Ginny found a cranberry with blue trim one. Lily was pleased with her decision. As they made their way back towards the spot that they agreed to meet the boys at an hour earlier.
The next day, they explored the non-magical community, including the statue of liberty, and many other areas. Harry also wanted to head to the bus terminal at the Port Authority to scope it out for when it was time to get there the next day so that they knew where to go, as Professor Allen had yet to responds to his letter.
Harry noticed a guard watching them with interest. Harry strode over to him and mentioned Ilvermorny's bus line.
The guard said, "New student eh? What time does the bus run?" Harry replied, "9 am." The guard continued, "I suggest you come at least half hour early, so that she can be here if the bus gets here early/and receive information."
Harry thanked the guard. He was pleased to think of this.
Back at the leaky cauldron that night, Harry smiled at his family. He turned to Lily. He said, "No worries, Lily, we know exactly where you need to go. I went and looked at the bus terminal. Found exactly where we need to go. We need to be there by 830 according to the guard."
Lily thanked her father.
The next day, Lily and the rest of the Potter family traveled via taxi to the bus terminal. Harry gave Lily some American muggle money along with wizard money for the trip and anything else she needs.
At the bus terminal, Harry gripped, Lily's shoulders and led the way over to the guard. He was busy directing people to the right bus. Harry took the ticket in Lily's hand and handed it to him.
He smiled. He pushed a button next to him and a doorway appeared beside him only seen by them. He winked at Lily's shocked expression. Harry ushered the family through the door. Inside, there were a few other families gathered. There were stations marked 1-7 as it had said in her letter. There was another spot that mentioned that luggage was to go there.
Lily and Harry dropped her luggage off at the luggage rack and walked over to the bus line for the number one bus. Lily saw that a lot of the other students gathered had already changed into their robes. So she grabbed a set from her trunk, and went to the nearby bathroom to change. There were still girls there chatting. Many looked at her, but didn't say a thing.
Back out with her family, Lily noticed that other families had arrived. At 15 til 10, an announcement was made that the buses were now to be boarded. Lily bid good-bye to her family.
Harry hugged her long and hard. He said, "Study hard and we'll see you at Christmas. Don't forget that gift that Luna gave you and write with Hedwig every now and then."
Lily said, "I plan on using Hedwig more often than the journal type thing. The journal type thing I'll use if I need help making a decision and/or feel lonely for home."
Harry nodded. He said, "If the weather is too bad, like winter time, don't use her. I'm sure she'll probably get bored, but she'll understand. Most owls will."
"First-years, please line up!"
Lily grabbed her satchel that had her money and reading material in it, and lined up.
When she was at the door, the man said took her ticket, punched it and said, "Seat 15, Ms. Potter."
Lily nodded, and got on the bus. She noticed not only were the ones that were in front of her on the bus, but others. Lily realized that this wasn't the only bus stop on the route. Lily found her seat. It was next to a girl who looked to be asleep. Lily sat down, and pulled out her book.
After everyone was on board, the driver and another person got on the bus. The driver closed the doors and waited.
The other person went through the list to make sure that everyone that was supposed to be on board was on board. The girl said here when they mentioned her name, Julia Donaldson.
Julia turned to Lily and said, "Hi."
Lily said, "I thought you were asleep."
Julia said, "Bored. Been on the bus since midnight. I'm from Savannah, Georgia. Name is Julia Donaldson."
Lily said, "Lily Potter from London, England."
Julia sputtered. She said, "I heard that Ilvermorny was for North America."
Lily said, "Sometimes people go abroad for school, such was my case. My brothers go to Hogwarts."
A girl across the aisle snickered. She said, "Hogwarts! What a joke of a school! They're behind the times. I heard they still travel by train!"
Several snickered. Lily said, "My parents are alumni of the school along with my ancestors. Hogwarts was behind the times. They may still travel by train, but they are working on updating everything else."
The other girl said, "Sure they are. Tell me another joke."
Lily ignored the girl, praying that they don't end up in the same house.
Julia said, "Hogwarts is another wizarding school?"
Lily said, "Yep. Its Great Britains equivalent of Ilvermorny but has been around much longer."
Julia said, "Cool. Sorry for all the questions. I only found out in July that I'm a witch. My parents are farmers."
Lily said, "Farmers?"
Julia said, "Non-magicals. They grow things from the land to make a living. If it weren't for the scholarship fund, I wouldn't be going to Ilvermorny. My parents are hardly able to keep the roof over our heads let alone send me away for school. There are several of us children."
Lily said, "I'm sorry to hear that."
Throughout the day, Lily told everything that she knew about the wizarding world to Julia, but she told her that things could be different in the United States than in her home country. In turn, Julia told her all about the non-magical community and what it was like growing up on a farm.
About three thirty that afternoon, they made their last stop. After everyone was back on the bus, their guide stood up and said, "We're going to sit here about another fifteen minutes to give the other buses time to get ahead of us. We are very close to Ilvermorny. Many of you are wondering who I am. My name is Professor Thompson. I teach Charms, but today, I am your guide to make sure you get on the buses and safely arrive at the school. While we are waiting, I'll explain a few things." Everyone was more alert. "Once you arrive at Ilvermorny, you will be sorted into your houses. The houses are Horned Serpent, Wampus, Pukwudgie, and Thunderbird. At the sorting ceremony, you will be called by name at the time of arrival. Some buses, may have arrived ahead of us, so you will have to wait to be sorted even if they are in the middle of the P last name. They do it according to the bus. To be sorted, you step onto the Gordian Knot in the middle of the entrance hall, only when your name is called. A house will respond only if they want you. Trust me, you will be chosen by a house. Horned Serpent's crystal glows, the wampus roars, the Thunderbird beats its wings, and the Pukwudgie raises its bow. After the sorting ceremony, if you have not had the opportunity before today to get a wand, you will go and get your wand from Mr. Oleander. Any questions?"
The lady that spoke ill of Hogwarts earlier raised her hand.
Professor Thompson said, "Yes?"
She said, "What if more than one house wants you?"
Professor Thompson said, "Anyone care to answer that?"
Lily raised her hand.
Professor Thompson said, "Please care to explain, miss."
Lily said, "Potter, Professor. If you are chosen by more than one house, you are able to choose the house that you are given the choice to choose on your own from those houses that want you."
Professor Thompson said, "Well said. After you are sorted and have a wand, we will feast. There is a point system at Ilvermorny. Do good, you get points, and any wrongdoing you loose points. Each house is also assigned colors. Horned Serpent is Blue and Bronze, Wampus is red and gold, Thunderbird has yellow and black, and finally the Pukwudgie colors are green and silver. When you are chosen by one of these houses, there will be a third color added to your robes, depending on your house. Any questions?"
Nobody said or did anything.
At five o'clock that afternoon, they arrived at Ilvermorny.
A/N:
I got the journal idea from the fanfiction: An Aunt's Love. Wanna give credit where credit is due! It was a good idea. The robes adding/changing colors was another idea from another fanfic, I've read, but don't remember the name. The whole robe had changed colors in that one, but I decided to just add the colors to their current robe colors. I tried to model the house colors after the houses at Hogwarts. I tried to match them with the equivalency of the houses. Horned Serpent/Ravenclaw, Wampus/Gryffindor, Thunderbird/Hufflepuff, and Pukwudgie/Slytherin.
I didn't get to the sorting ceremony this time around, I'm sorry! But the sorting ceremony is coming. I'm still trying to sort out which house to put Lily in, along with her friend, and the other girl. Alot of planning to do! Also, up next, Harry visits Potter Manor as a little off shoot from the main story. What will he find there? Can't wait for you to find out!
