Author's Note: So sorry this took so long, everyone! I've been incredibly busy! But I've uploaded 2 new chapters! I'm afraid the James chapter is a bit shorter than this one, but you get the idea. In this one, you get to find out (finally) what the paper said, because I simply couldn't keep you waiting any longer! And I assure you, it's nothing of what any of you thought! So enjoy!

~*~

Lily made her way back home at a run, trying not to break down into tears again. She still wondered just how good of a friend Lola was…for all she knew, she had already read the paper.

Oh well, if she has it'll only hurt her, she thought almost angrily. And when I find out that she has, I'll just read her paper…

Once she reached her house again, she found that her parents were up. "Lily, where were you?" Violet asked worriedly.

"I went over to Lola's house to say goodbye. Sorry, but no one was awake, so I just went," Lily said apologetically.

"It's okay Lily, it's just, we need to know where you are. In the last few hours that you're here, that is…" Nicolas added. Lily's eyes again watered.

"Oh Dad! Mum! I want to stay here!" she cried, rushing into her father's arms.

A half hour later, they were in the car on their way to King's Cross. "Dad, how do I get on Platform 9 ¾?"

"You'll have to ask your mother that Lily, because I can't."

"Er, I'll explain it when we get there Lil, ok?" Violet offered, trying not to hurt Nicolas's feelings.

Finally, it was time. Lily took a deep breath, fighting yet more tears. She ran back to the car for one more hug and kiss from her dad before running back to her mum. "Can't I just stay here?" she begged.

"Lily, don't be ridiculous. Come now, I'll come through with you." She gently took Lily's hand (she had already explained how to get through), gripped her luggage, and took off at a run towards the barrier.

Lily closed her eyes, trusting her mother's guiding hand to lead her safely through. Then suddenly her mum stopped, and she opened her eyes.

She saw for the first time the enormous Hogwarts Express. All over the place there were kids crying, people laughing, old friends reuniting, and people desperately finding compartments.

"Come on Lily, we've got to find you a section of the train to ride in." Lily slowly picked up her owl cage and listened as Cassandra hooted softly at her. She took a deep breath and said, "All right Mum. It's time to make some friends."

They wandered up and down the train looking for girls around Lily's age. Finally they found a compartment with two first years in it. Violet tentatively opened it up and allowed Lily to step inside.

"H-hullo. Can I stay in here?" she asked shyly.

"Yeah, sure! Come on in!" one girl said politely. Smiling, Lily climbed out and allowed her mother to lift her bags up into it. She gave her mum a quick hug and kiss and hastily climbed back into the compartment.

"Oooh! Is that an owl? A snowy owl?" the other girl asked curiously. Just then the train began to move.

"Er, yes, hang on please," Lily said quickly, rising toward the window. She stuck her head out and waved to her mum until she was gone from sight.

"So, are you a first year too?" the first girl asked.

"Yes. My name's Lily! What's yours?"

"Oh, I'm Hestia and this is Crystal. We're both first years too."

"Really? How do you two know eachother?"

"We've known eachother since, forever! Our mums are good friends, and when we both got our letters, we were ecstatic!" Crystal answered.

"Cool! Well, my older sister is a Muggle, so I've never really been exposed to magic or anything…"

"Oh that's okay, we'll help you out! Hope we're in the same house!"

"House?"

~*~

Back at Lola's House…

~*~

Lola finally regained her composure and sat down at her desk to write Lily a letter.

Dear Lily,

You've only just left, but I miss you already. Be sure to write and tell me all about the school and what you've learned.

She sniggered to herself.

Even though there's not much that could possibly change in the course of a few days, I can tell you some plans.

We might get a new stove and such, mum's been complaining nonstop about our old one.

The house is quiet too often, we've all noticed it since Spice died, so we'll probably get a new pet soon (yay!).

Hey, did you say goodbye to anyone else? If not, I suggest you write them.

Well, not much more to say is there? So see you!

Love, Lola!!

She set down her pen, got an envelope and wrote down the address Lily had given her to Hogwarts. She would put it in the mail later. She again opened the paper Lily had written her secret on to read it again. Perhaps it wasn't even true. How could she keep something so hurtful from Lola?

The paper read:

I never wanted to tell you this, Lola, because I knew it would hurt you so much. You know your old dog, Spice? When he died and I found him? That's because my dad hit him with his car. The dog was sitting right outside our garage! Father couldn't even see him! I'm so sorry…

P.S. You were better off not reading this, so hope you haven't! I'll know if you did, you can't hide things from me.

Tears welled again in Lola's eyes at the memory of her old dog. How could Lily do such a thing!? And keep it from her!? She thought. She decided to go mail the letter.

She walked out to the mailbox, stuck the letter spitefully in, and didn't even notice the owl that sat on her rooftop. The owl swooped down, opened the mailbox, removed the letter to Lily, and flew off, bound for Hogwarts.

The Hogwarts Express began to slow as they approached Hogwarts. "Oh, I can't believe it!" Lily exclaimed.

"Me neither, the trip was fast!" Crystal added.

"Now we'll make the trip across the lake with the groundskeeper, I've heard. It'll be three or four to a boat, I can't remember," Hestia explained. Nervousness swelled within Lily. She wasn't at all sure what to expect.

"Then what?" she asked honestly.

"Then we are sorted. My sister refused to tell me how, she said that was one of the best surprises you'll ever encounter," Hestia said further. "I certainly can't wait!"

Oh no, Lily thought, what if we have to pass some awful test? What if I don't pass? Will they stick me back on the train along with the rest of the kids who don't pass? My mum and dad will be so disappointed… She tried to calm herself as they changed into their robes and stepped off the train.

They grabbed a boat along with another girl, named Jenny. They were wordless on the ride (the boats moved themselves), all of them either nervous, excited, or scared. Lily felt a mix of them all.

They neared the school and were greeted by a young but stern-looking witch. "Hello, I am Professor McGonagall (AN: Senior, her daughter would be the one that teaches Harry, for anyone who's wondering), and I will be helping you first-years along for the time being."

She led them quickly into a small room. "The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly. Please wait here." She left abruptly, leaving them to be afraid amongst themselves. As they each looked worriedly around, one boy, with black, unruly hair and bright blue eyes, caught Lily's eye. She looked at him with great interest; she wanted to know this boy. He turned suddenly to her and their eyes met. His blue eyes pierced into her green ones with intensity.

Suddenly Professor McGonagall re-entered. "It's time. Follow me."