Authors Notes- I own nothing but a few characters, so don't think I do (disclamer). I got the title "Lily's Lake" from Dawson's Creek (hehe). Creek, Lake, same thing. This is the first part of my L/J fanfic (i've already written 5 parts). For those who don't know L/J stands for Lily and James. It's Harry Potter (which belongs to J.K. Rowling and people). I hope you enjoy, and will update as soon as possible, especially since I have all, well, ok, most, of the ideas in my head.now, if anyone asks were Harry Potter is, I will get really really mad! Ok, start the story allready! By the way, does it ever say what Lily's madien name is?
Lily's Lake
Chapter 1
"Lily Ann Denver! I told you to get up and hour ago!" Mum yelled from my doorway.
I tore my head from the pillow and looked up. My name is Lily Ann Denver. I live in Bushwicks, England, a small town most people have never heard of. Mum and Dad liked their privacy.
"But it's the summer, Mum. Can't I sleep in?" I asked.
"No. You have to help Petunia in the yard," Mum said, with my four year old sister grabbing at her skirt.
That was Violet, the youngest of us three. Mum and Dad had only girls. Petunia was three years older than I. I was 11, Petunia was 14.
"I'm coming," I whispered, and threw the covers off my bed. Mum nodded, and led Violet away, closing the door behind her.
I threw on some jeans and a no-sleeve shirt, and went downstairs. Dad had left for work, and Petunia was just finishing her breakfast. Violet was in the living room watching cartoons.
"Morning," Petunia said to me.
We had never really gotten along. Mum and Dad constantly refreed fights between us two.
"Weeding and water is all for today girls," Mum said.
She was a garden finatic. That's why she had named all her children after flowers, the petunia, the lily, and the violet. It was really strange. Now, she had us working in the garden.
"I have... homework?" I said, not sure of my voice.
"Nice try, you did your homework the first night home, remember?" Mum asked, handing me my plate.
I sank into my chair.
There was a knock at the door. Mum went to open it while Petunia put her plate in the sink.
"Hello?" Mum asked.
A woman stood in the door. She was tall, and very nice.
"Hello. I'm here for a Miss Lily Denver. Does she live here?" the woman asked Mum.
"Yes. That's my daughter, Lily. Lily, will you come here?" Mum said her last sentence to me.
I walked over to the door. Mum put her hand on my shoulder.
"This is my Lily," she said.
"Hello, Lily. My name is Amanda Dumbledore. I'm here to talk to you about a school that you have been excepted too. May I come in?" the woman asked.
Mum nodded, and opened the door wider. Mum led Amanda into the living room, and turned the t.v. off.
"Yes. Now, you wanted to talk to us about a school?" Mum asked.
"I must ask you first not to freak out. Our school if very nice, and very safe," Amanda said.
"I won't freak out," I said, and Mum nodded.
"The school is called Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and your daughter Lily, has been excepted in," Amanda said.
"Is this some sort of joke? Witchcraft and wizardry, there are no such things!" Mum laughed.
"May I demonsrate?" Amanda asked, pulling out a long and polished stick.
She whispered something and our family album, which always sits on our shelf, flew right into her arms.
"You're... you're not joking, are you?" Mum asked.
"Wow! That was cool! How did you do it?" I asked.
"With my wand. I am here to give Lily a letter from my Uncle, Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster," Amanda said.
She handed me a letter. I took it and opened it. More proof that it did exist.
"Mum! Can I go, please? I really want to go!" I cried, taking my Mum's hands in plea.
"Let Lily go to a school for witches! That's insane! She's going to a regular school!" Petunia cried from the kitchen.
"My uncle will be very disappointed if she does not come," Amanda said, calmly.
"Will I be a witch?" I asked Amanda excitedly.
"That's just it, Lily. You are a witch. We just want to train you," Amanda said taking my hand.
"Please Mum, may I go?" I asked again.
"I guess so. I'll call your father and tell him to come home," Mum said.
She stood up and went into the kitchen. Violet ran into the room and sat next to me.
"Is Lil' a witch? A bad one?" Violet asked.
"Oh no, Lily here is not a bad witch at all! She is a very good one. You should be proud," Amanda said.
"Uph!" I heard Petunia sayd from the kitchen.
"Quiet Petunia! At least I won't be going to your school!" I yelled to her, and then said to Amanda, "Where is this school?"
"Far from London. Only are kind can find it. That's why it's a boarding school," Amanda said.
"Then how do we get there?" I asked.
"A special train will bring you there, along with all the other students," Amanda said.
"What do I bring?" I asked.
"I have to take you shopping, to London. We can go today, if your parents will let you," Amanda said.
I cheered, and ran into the kitchen to ask Mum.
A half an hour later Mum, Dad, Violet, Amanda, and I were sitting in the car on our way to London (Petunia refused to go).
Dad was asking Amanda everything about this school, Hogwarts. Amanda said there would be plenty of children my age, and told me what to expect.
"Amanda, where exactly in London do we go?" I asked suddenly.
"You'll see, Lily. You'll have to go here every year to get things for your school year," Amanda said.
I squirmed in my seat, too excited to sit still.
"Lily, sit still right now," Mum scolded when she noticed what I was doing in the backseat.
We drove into London, and Amanda showed us where to park. The streets were crowded, so I held Violet's hand.
"There!" Amanda said, pointing to a grubby old pub.
"Where?" Mum asked.
"Think hard, Mrs. Denver. Do you see the little pub over there?" Amanda said, directing them.
"Oh yes," Mum and Dad said.
We walked inside, and hurried to the back courtyard.
"Lily, remember this or you won't be able to get in," Amanda said, and tapped a brick with her wand.
It sprung up and revieled an archway onto a long street lined with shops where people stood outside.
"First stop is to get you money," Amanda said.
We walked into a huge building, where Amanda walked up to a desk and told the thing behind it what we wanted to do.
"That's a goblin," Amanda said to me.
Violet and I sat outside on the steps, gazing around while Amanda worked with Mum and Dad to exchange our money into wizard money.
"This place is different, but it's so nice," Violet said.
"Yeah, it is. Can you believe it, Violet? I don't have to live in Petunia the Great's shadow anymore," I said, stretching out.
Petunia had been good at everything. I was expected to do as well as her, if not better. Petunia was always the favorite.
Five minutes later Amanda, Mum, and Dad emerged from the building with a purse of wizard money.
"This is all yours, and you even have a bank account. Now, before you go overboard, by the things on your list," Amanda said.
"List? What list? I don't have a list," I said.
"This list, Lily. Let's get you your robes first, and then your books, supplies, and then your wand," Amanda said.
We went into a little shop, where I was fitted and given robes by a squat woman, who had one green eye and one blue.
Then we went into the bookstore. I bought nearly everything I would need, and a few other things.
Last, was my wand.
I had been looking forward to this, but it was unexpected when we walked into the wand shop, which was gloomy.
"Ah, another customer. Let's see," a man said, emerging from the shadows making us jump.
He started taking measurements of all sorts. Violet was so scared she hid behind Mum. I didn't move, as much as I wanted too.
"That's good. Try this one," he said, and handed me a wand.
After three trys, I finally had a wand. It felt nice in my hands, normal, as if the wand was made for me.
Outside, Amanda turned to us.
"Now, Lily, I think I'll take your parents to buy some things you might need in your house. You're free to roam, but don't go through that arch over there. It's bad news," Amanda said.
Mum, Dad, Violet, and Amanda walked off. I turned to the arches, and saw a small boy walk out from under it, and then I turned away.
I grew interested in one shop, the shop where the animals were kept. I walked in and began to look around.
There was everything. Then I saw a baby owl, which took right too me. The shop keeper came up behind me.
"That's our newest baby. Born just two weeks ago, and so cute," she said.
"How much is it?" I asked, stroking the owl's feathers.
"Not that much, actually. Toads are much more popular now, of course. They dropped the prices of owls down, especailly babies," the shop keeper said.
"How much?" I asked again.
She told me. I pulled the money from my purse, and took the cage she gave me. I put the owl in it, and left the building.
I sat down on a bench, and began to play with the owl, feeding it pellets I had bought.
A young girl sat next to me, and looked at my owl.
"She's a cutie," the girl said.
"Isn't she? Just two weeks old, I couldn't resist," I said.
"My name is Anya Jones. What's yours?" the girl said.
"Lily Denver, I start Hogwarts this year," I said.
"So do I! I hope I see you there," Anya said, and stood up and left to join some other people.
"Lily! Lily!" Mum yelled.
I turned around and ran over to my family with my owl.
"You bought an owl?" Mum asked.
"I couldn't resist. It's just a baby, and she's soo cute, don't you think?" I asked.
"Yes, of course. Amanda told us that owls are useful pets. They can carry mail for you. Now you can mail us while you are at Hogwarts," Mum said.
Amanda said good-bye to us, and we road home without her. When we got back Petunia took one look at the owl and said that it either stayed in it's cage, or she left. I couldn't help but laugh.
I named my owl Amanda, but called her Mandy. Petunia complained of nothing else but the hooting of the owl at night, when it returned from it's hunting.
I looked over all my books, and tried a few spells, all that worked. It was really fun. Petunia threw a fit a lot, but never carried out any of her threats.
The day when I had to leave for the school came. We sat in the car on our way to London, without Petunia. Violet played with Mandy the whole way, begging for her own owl.
When we reached the platforms, I looked at my ticket. Platform 9 3/4 didn't exist, at least not here.
I was confused where it was.
"Lily! Lily!" a voice behind me yelled.
I turned around and saw Anya Jones walking up, pushing a cart like me.
"Anya, I don't know how to get to..." I said, embarassed.
"Oh, that's simple. Just walked right up to the barrier between the two platforms, and lean on it. Come on, I'll do it with you," Anya said.
We pushed our carts up. I waved goodbye to everyone, and leaned on the barrier. But it wasn't there. I fell right through.
"Wo, Lily. Don't fall down," Anya said, and caught me before I fell.
"Thanks," I said.
She helped me onto the train, and I helped her. We pushed ourselves into the back carrige, into an empty compartment.
"This is strange," I said.
"Oh, your muggle born," Anya said, smiling.
"Muggle, what's a muggle?" I asked.
"Someone with no magical blood. My parents are both witches and wizards," Anya said.
"Really, well I hope I'm not that far behind," I said.
"Oh, you won't be. Everyone starts at the beginning here," Anya said.
The door opened and two faces peeked in, and one of them said, "Can we join you? Everyone else is full."
"Sure," we said.
The girls sat. Their names were Andrea McKinnon and Netta Prewett. They were both really nice.
"How long have you two known each other?" I asked.
"Since we were babies. Our families are really close," Andrea said.
"Hey, I have a camera. Can I take a picture of us, on our ride to Hogwarts?" Netta asked.
"Sure, why not? Let's have something to remember this ride by," Anya said.
Netta pulled out a camera. We put our heads together, so it was like a little mush. Netta held the camera in front of us, her head also in the picture.
"Smile!" she cried.
We grinned, and the flash nearly blinded us, but our eyes stayed open.
Later into the ride we played tons of games, including exploding snap and hilly rode, both card games.
The compartment door opened.
"Nope, not in here," a voice said.
We looked up. Three boys stood in the doorway.
"Hey, what do you want? Do you mind, we are playing a game?" I said, going to close the door.
"Have any of you seen a kid, about so tall, about so wide?" one of them asked.
"No! Now go!" I cried, and shut the door.
Outside the compartment two of the boys whispered, "Put her and her friends on the list of prank victims."
We finished our game, and changed into our robes. Still bored, we combed each other's hair.
We had a whole big rainbow of hair. Andrea's shoulder length blonde hair, Netta's short brown hair, Anya's short black hair, and my long red hair.
"You should wear your hair up more, it look's better," Netta said.
"Do you think so? I usually don't have time to put it up in the morning," I said, pulling it into a ponytail.
"But doesn't it get hot in the summer?" Anya asked.
"Yeah, a little. Doesn't your neck get cold in the winter?" I asked.
Anya giggled, and finished my ponytail for me, since I wasn't very good at it.
"What houses do you guys want to get in?" Andrea asked.
"Gryffindor sounds the best, other than Ravenclaw," I said.
Anya, Netta, and Andrea nodded in agreement.
Half and hour later we got off the train in the pouring rain. A booming voice called for the first years (us). We followed it, and reached a lake.
"Wow, it's beauitiful, despite the rain," Anya said.
I nodded. The four of us got into a little boat, and began to glide across the water. Suddenly water splashed us.
We turned. The boys from the train were splashing us.
"Hey! That's cold!" Netta cried, covering her head.
I splashed them back right before we went under the bridge. When we were out from under it it started again, until we reached the shore.
"Ok, everyone stay close to the light!" the voice said.
We did, and followed the lantern up onto a rolling plain, muddy from the rain. The figure who had led us here knocked on the door, and we were let inside.
It was dry and warm, something each of us wanted. The room we were led to was equally as nice.
"Lily, Anya, Netta, I like this place so far, but I do not like those boys," Andrea grummbled.
We nodded in agreement. Everyone was drenched in rain water, but we were the only ones who smelled of lake water. It was embarrassing.
"Thanks a lot, girls. We really needed a shower," a voice said from behind us.
I turned around to see the boys. I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hipps.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"To thank you. They really had no reason to splash you," one of the boys said.
I turned my back to them, and waited until we were called from the room and into another.
Then the names were called to be sorted by a wizard's hat, which clearly hadn't been cleaned for years.
It started.
A b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Anya Jones, Andrea McKinnon, Netta Prewett, Lily Denver, James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin.
One of the boys, "Black, Sirius" was called up. He put the hat on and waited a second until it called out "Gryffindor!"
I groaned, and waited until my name was called up.
I sat down on the stool and put the hat on my head. I was surprised when a little voice whispered in my ear.
"Hum, you are nice and smart, good you will do. I think I will put you in... GRYFFINDOR!" the voice yelled the last word.
I stood up, set the hat down, and hurried to the Gryffindor table.
Anya was the next to go. She put the hat on, and second later sat down next to me, grinning intently.
The next was the boy who had actually apologized, "Lupin, Remus". He also made it to Gryffindor.
Andrea was next, followed by the last boy "Potter, James" and then Netta. They all made it to Gryffindor.
The feast was wonderful. I ate everything in sight (which was a lot). We all did, since the rain had made us hungry. The boys were argueing about their next prank (they didn't know we could hear them).
Afterwards a prefect led us upstairs, his name was Bill Weasley (James laughed at his last name, under his breath of course).
Andrea, Netta, Anya, and I went up to our dorm, which was shared with a girl named Jenna Longs.
"I call the shower first!" I cried, grabbed my towel and ran into the bathroom.
"No! I do!" Andrea, Netta, and Anya yelled at the same time.
Jenna sighed, and sat down on her bed.
After my shower I got out my nightdress, and changed to go to sleep. Anya, Netta, and Andrea were fighting over the bathroom, with each of them crammed in the doorway.
"Keep it down! I'm going to sleep!" I cried.
The waved, and whispered the rest, with a few outcries in either pain or anger. After a few cries I sat up in bed.
"If you don't stop, not only will neither of you get into the bathroom, but I swear I will learn any curse I can and use it on each of you!" I said.
That stopped them. Finally I got back into my bed, and repeated the day's events in my mind, passing over the part of getting splashed by those annoying boys.
"Goodnight," I whispered, and fell asleep.
"Wake up, Lil'! You're going to be late!" Anya yelled right in my ear.
I jumped up, and when I regained my senses, got out of bed and chased Anya around the room.
"Where's Jenna?" I asked when Anya had given up.
"In the shower, I think. Or she might be downstairs already. Who knows?" Netta asked, putting more film in her camera.
"Great. Ok, where did you guys put my comb?" I asked.
"Andrea used it. I don't know where she put it," Anya said.
I took it off her bedside table, and began to comb my hair.
"I'll develop this film later. Lily, your barette is still in your trunk," Netta said when she saw me looking for it.
"Thanks," I said.
Soon I was dressed. I wore black pants with a black shirt over my robe, with my hat. No matter how much the others tried to convince me, I didn't put my hair in anything hard, just a simple ponytail.
"Good, let's go. We probably missed most of breakfast," Andrea said.
Everyone was already down there, eating. I sat down and helped myself to some toast. The usual talking continued.
"We have History first. Anra, my older sister, said that's a boring subject," Anya said, looking at our scehdules.
Professor Binns, our teacher, was a ghost, who didn't mind if you fell asleep or walked in late. Half the class fell asleep, and one fourth of the whole class walked in late.
"Now, that everyone is here, I will begin," Professor Binns said.
In the end, I was among those who left dragging their feet in tiredness. Anya was perky, but still sleepy. She kept us awake, by pinching us or pushing us downstair cases to test our awakeness.
"Potions, will be nice and awake after this," Anya said, looking into the classroom.
It wasn't at all cheery. We walked in and took our seats. When the Professor entered we held our breaths. He was a pale man, bald, but wore a cap, and had startling red eyes. He wasn't nice to anyone, not even the Slytherins. Each of us shivered when he walked by.
Potions wasn't a great experience. We all hated it,
At lunch each of us ate and talked about how horrible he was.
"Anra said that he just hit her table in a quick movement and snarled at her. She broke out crying," Anya said, telling us a story about her sister Anra and her friends.
"Wow, I can't believe a Professor could be that mean," I said.
"Me either," Andrea agreed.
I wasn't aware of Sirius Black sneaking up behind me and dropping something into my juice.
I went to take a sip, and my friend's eyes went wide as they saw it. I didn't see it until the goblet was at my face. It was a rat.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Oh my goshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed, and jumped out of my seat.
The goblet and it's contents (including the dead rat) spilled all over the floor. When I looked around I saw James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin laughing. Remus was trying to scold them at the same time.
Professor Noste, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, ran over and helped me up.
I just glared at James Potter. From that moment on, I hated him with all my heart.
Lily's Lake
Chapter 1
"Lily Ann Denver! I told you to get up and hour ago!" Mum yelled from my doorway.
I tore my head from the pillow and looked up. My name is Lily Ann Denver. I live in Bushwicks, England, a small town most people have never heard of. Mum and Dad liked their privacy.
"But it's the summer, Mum. Can't I sleep in?" I asked.
"No. You have to help Petunia in the yard," Mum said, with my four year old sister grabbing at her skirt.
That was Violet, the youngest of us three. Mum and Dad had only girls. Petunia was three years older than I. I was 11, Petunia was 14.
"I'm coming," I whispered, and threw the covers off my bed. Mum nodded, and led Violet away, closing the door behind her.
I threw on some jeans and a no-sleeve shirt, and went downstairs. Dad had left for work, and Petunia was just finishing her breakfast. Violet was in the living room watching cartoons.
"Morning," Petunia said to me.
We had never really gotten along. Mum and Dad constantly refreed fights between us two.
"Weeding and water is all for today girls," Mum said.
She was a garden finatic. That's why she had named all her children after flowers, the petunia, the lily, and the violet. It was really strange. Now, she had us working in the garden.
"I have... homework?" I said, not sure of my voice.
"Nice try, you did your homework the first night home, remember?" Mum asked, handing me my plate.
I sank into my chair.
There was a knock at the door. Mum went to open it while Petunia put her plate in the sink.
"Hello?" Mum asked.
A woman stood in the door. She was tall, and very nice.
"Hello. I'm here for a Miss Lily Denver. Does she live here?" the woman asked Mum.
"Yes. That's my daughter, Lily. Lily, will you come here?" Mum said her last sentence to me.
I walked over to the door. Mum put her hand on my shoulder.
"This is my Lily," she said.
"Hello, Lily. My name is Amanda Dumbledore. I'm here to talk to you about a school that you have been excepted too. May I come in?" the woman asked.
Mum nodded, and opened the door wider. Mum led Amanda into the living room, and turned the t.v. off.
"Yes. Now, you wanted to talk to us about a school?" Mum asked.
"I must ask you first not to freak out. Our school if very nice, and very safe," Amanda said.
"I won't freak out," I said, and Mum nodded.
"The school is called Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and your daughter Lily, has been excepted in," Amanda said.
"Is this some sort of joke? Witchcraft and wizardry, there are no such things!" Mum laughed.
"May I demonsrate?" Amanda asked, pulling out a long and polished stick.
She whispered something and our family album, which always sits on our shelf, flew right into her arms.
"You're... you're not joking, are you?" Mum asked.
"Wow! That was cool! How did you do it?" I asked.
"With my wand. I am here to give Lily a letter from my Uncle, Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster," Amanda said.
She handed me a letter. I took it and opened it. More proof that it did exist.
"Mum! Can I go, please? I really want to go!" I cried, taking my Mum's hands in plea.
"Let Lily go to a school for witches! That's insane! She's going to a regular school!" Petunia cried from the kitchen.
"My uncle will be very disappointed if she does not come," Amanda said, calmly.
"Will I be a witch?" I asked Amanda excitedly.
"That's just it, Lily. You are a witch. We just want to train you," Amanda said taking my hand.
"Please Mum, may I go?" I asked again.
"I guess so. I'll call your father and tell him to come home," Mum said.
She stood up and went into the kitchen. Violet ran into the room and sat next to me.
"Is Lil' a witch? A bad one?" Violet asked.
"Oh no, Lily here is not a bad witch at all! She is a very good one. You should be proud," Amanda said.
"Uph!" I heard Petunia sayd from the kitchen.
"Quiet Petunia! At least I won't be going to your school!" I yelled to her, and then said to Amanda, "Where is this school?"
"Far from London. Only are kind can find it. That's why it's a boarding school," Amanda said.
"Then how do we get there?" I asked.
"A special train will bring you there, along with all the other students," Amanda said.
"What do I bring?" I asked.
"I have to take you shopping, to London. We can go today, if your parents will let you," Amanda said.
I cheered, and ran into the kitchen to ask Mum.
A half an hour later Mum, Dad, Violet, Amanda, and I were sitting in the car on our way to London (Petunia refused to go).
Dad was asking Amanda everything about this school, Hogwarts. Amanda said there would be plenty of children my age, and told me what to expect.
"Amanda, where exactly in London do we go?" I asked suddenly.
"You'll see, Lily. You'll have to go here every year to get things for your school year," Amanda said.
I squirmed in my seat, too excited to sit still.
"Lily, sit still right now," Mum scolded when she noticed what I was doing in the backseat.
We drove into London, and Amanda showed us where to park. The streets were crowded, so I held Violet's hand.
"There!" Amanda said, pointing to a grubby old pub.
"Where?" Mum asked.
"Think hard, Mrs. Denver. Do you see the little pub over there?" Amanda said, directing them.
"Oh yes," Mum and Dad said.
We walked inside, and hurried to the back courtyard.
"Lily, remember this or you won't be able to get in," Amanda said, and tapped a brick with her wand.
It sprung up and revieled an archway onto a long street lined with shops where people stood outside.
"First stop is to get you money," Amanda said.
We walked into a huge building, where Amanda walked up to a desk and told the thing behind it what we wanted to do.
"That's a goblin," Amanda said to me.
Violet and I sat outside on the steps, gazing around while Amanda worked with Mum and Dad to exchange our money into wizard money.
"This place is different, but it's so nice," Violet said.
"Yeah, it is. Can you believe it, Violet? I don't have to live in Petunia the Great's shadow anymore," I said, stretching out.
Petunia had been good at everything. I was expected to do as well as her, if not better. Petunia was always the favorite.
Five minutes later Amanda, Mum, and Dad emerged from the building with a purse of wizard money.
"This is all yours, and you even have a bank account. Now, before you go overboard, by the things on your list," Amanda said.
"List? What list? I don't have a list," I said.
"This list, Lily. Let's get you your robes first, and then your books, supplies, and then your wand," Amanda said.
We went into a little shop, where I was fitted and given robes by a squat woman, who had one green eye and one blue.
Then we went into the bookstore. I bought nearly everything I would need, and a few other things.
Last, was my wand.
I had been looking forward to this, but it was unexpected when we walked into the wand shop, which was gloomy.
"Ah, another customer. Let's see," a man said, emerging from the shadows making us jump.
He started taking measurements of all sorts. Violet was so scared she hid behind Mum. I didn't move, as much as I wanted too.
"That's good. Try this one," he said, and handed me a wand.
After three trys, I finally had a wand. It felt nice in my hands, normal, as if the wand was made for me.
Outside, Amanda turned to us.
"Now, Lily, I think I'll take your parents to buy some things you might need in your house. You're free to roam, but don't go through that arch over there. It's bad news," Amanda said.
Mum, Dad, Violet, and Amanda walked off. I turned to the arches, and saw a small boy walk out from under it, and then I turned away.
I grew interested in one shop, the shop where the animals were kept. I walked in and began to look around.
There was everything. Then I saw a baby owl, which took right too me. The shop keeper came up behind me.
"That's our newest baby. Born just two weeks ago, and so cute," she said.
"How much is it?" I asked, stroking the owl's feathers.
"Not that much, actually. Toads are much more popular now, of course. They dropped the prices of owls down, especailly babies," the shop keeper said.
"How much?" I asked again.
She told me. I pulled the money from my purse, and took the cage she gave me. I put the owl in it, and left the building.
I sat down on a bench, and began to play with the owl, feeding it pellets I had bought.
A young girl sat next to me, and looked at my owl.
"She's a cutie," the girl said.
"Isn't she? Just two weeks old, I couldn't resist," I said.
"My name is Anya Jones. What's yours?" the girl said.
"Lily Denver, I start Hogwarts this year," I said.
"So do I! I hope I see you there," Anya said, and stood up and left to join some other people.
"Lily! Lily!" Mum yelled.
I turned around and ran over to my family with my owl.
"You bought an owl?" Mum asked.
"I couldn't resist. It's just a baby, and she's soo cute, don't you think?" I asked.
"Yes, of course. Amanda told us that owls are useful pets. They can carry mail for you. Now you can mail us while you are at Hogwarts," Mum said.
Amanda said good-bye to us, and we road home without her. When we got back Petunia took one look at the owl and said that it either stayed in it's cage, or she left. I couldn't help but laugh.
I named my owl Amanda, but called her Mandy. Petunia complained of nothing else but the hooting of the owl at night, when it returned from it's hunting.
I looked over all my books, and tried a few spells, all that worked. It was really fun. Petunia threw a fit a lot, but never carried out any of her threats.
The day when I had to leave for the school came. We sat in the car on our way to London, without Petunia. Violet played with Mandy the whole way, begging for her own owl.
When we reached the platforms, I looked at my ticket. Platform 9 3/4 didn't exist, at least not here.
I was confused where it was.
"Lily! Lily!" a voice behind me yelled.
I turned around and saw Anya Jones walking up, pushing a cart like me.
"Anya, I don't know how to get to..." I said, embarassed.
"Oh, that's simple. Just walked right up to the barrier between the two platforms, and lean on it. Come on, I'll do it with you," Anya said.
We pushed our carts up. I waved goodbye to everyone, and leaned on the barrier. But it wasn't there. I fell right through.
"Wo, Lily. Don't fall down," Anya said, and caught me before I fell.
"Thanks," I said.
She helped me onto the train, and I helped her. We pushed ourselves into the back carrige, into an empty compartment.
"This is strange," I said.
"Oh, your muggle born," Anya said, smiling.
"Muggle, what's a muggle?" I asked.
"Someone with no magical blood. My parents are both witches and wizards," Anya said.
"Really, well I hope I'm not that far behind," I said.
"Oh, you won't be. Everyone starts at the beginning here," Anya said.
The door opened and two faces peeked in, and one of them said, "Can we join you? Everyone else is full."
"Sure," we said.
The girls sat. Their names were Andrea McKinnon and Netta Prewett. They were both really nice.
"How long have you two known each other?" I asked.
"Since we were babies. Our families are really close," Andrea said.
"Hey, I have a camera. Can I take a picture of us, on our ride to Hogwarts?" Netta asked.
"Sure, why not? Let's have something to remember this ride by," Anya said.
Netta pulled out a camera. We put our heads together, so it was like a little mush. Netta held the camera in front of us, her head also in the picture.
"Smile!" she cried.
We grinned, and the flash nearly blinded us, but our eyes stayed open.
Later into the ride we played tons of games, including exploding snap and hilly rode, both card games.
The compartment door opened.
"Nope, not in here," a voice said.
We looked up. Three boys stood in the doorway.
"Hey, what do you want? Do you mind, we are playing a game?" I said, going to close the door.
"Have any of you seen a kid, about so tall, about so wide?" one of them asked.
"No! Now go!" I cried, and shut the door.
Outside the compartment two of the boys whispered, "Put her and her friends on the list of prank victims."
We finished our game, and changed into our robes. Still bored, we combed each other's hair.
We had a whole big rainbow of hair. Andrea's shoulder length blonde hair, Netta's short brown hair, Anya's short black hair, and my long red hair.
"You should wear your hair up more, it look's better," Netta said.
"Do you think so? I usually don't have time to put it up in the morning," I said, pulling it into a ponytail.
"But doesn't it get hot in the summer?" Anya asked.
"Yeah, a little. Doesn't your neck get cold in the winter?" I asked.
Anya giggled, and finished my ponytail for me, since I wasn't very good at it.
"What houses do you guys want to get in?" Andrea asked.
"Gryffindor sounds the best, other than Ravenclaw," I said.
Anya, Netta, and Andrea nodded in agreement.
Half and hour later we got off the train in the pouring rain. A booming voice called for the first years (us). We followed it, and reached a lake.
"Wow, it's beauitiful, despite the rain," Anya said.
I nodded. The four of us got into a little boat, and began to glide across the water. Suddenly water splashed us.
We turned. The boys from the train were splashing us.
"Hey! That's cold!" Netta cried, covering her head.
I splashed them back right before we went under the bridge. When we were out from under it it started again, until we reached the shore.
"Ok, everyone stay close to the light!" the voice said.
We did, and followed the lantern up onto a rolling plain, muddy from the rain. The figure who had led us here knocked on the door, and we were let inside.
It was dry and warm, something each of us wanted. The room we were led to was equally as nice.
"Lily, Anya, Netta, I like this place so far, but I do not like those boys," Andrea grummbled.
We nodded in agreement. Everyone was drenched in rain water, but we were the only ones who smelled of lake water. It was embarrassing.
"Thanks a lot, girls. We really needed a shower," a voice said from behind us.
I turned around to see the boys. I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hipps.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"To thank you. They really had no reason to splash you," one of the boys said.
I turned my back to them, and waited until we were called from the room and into another.
Then the names were called to be sorted by a wizard's hat, which clearly hadn't been cleaned for years.
It started.
A b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Anya Jones, Andrea McKinnon, Netta Prewett, Lily Denver, James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin.
One of the boys, "Black, Sirius" was called up. He put the hat on and waited a second until it called out "Gryffindor!"
I groaned, and waited until my name was called up.
I sat down on the stool and put the hat on my head. I was surprised when a little voice whispered in my ear.
"Hum, you are nice and smart, good you will do. I think I will put you in... GRYFFINDOR!" the voice yelled the last word.
I stood up, set the hat down, and hurried to the Gryffindor table.
Anya was the next to go. She put the hat on, and second later sat down next to me, grinning intently.
The next was the boy who had actually apologized, "Lupin, Remus". He also made it to Gryffindor.
Andrea was next, followed by the last boy "Potter, James" and then Netta. They all made it to Gryffindor.
The feast was wonderful. I ate everything in sight (which was a lot). We all did, since the rain had made us hungry. The boys were argueing about their next prank (they didn't know we could hear them).
Afterwards a prefect led us upstairs, his name was Bill Weasley (James laughed at his last name, under his breath of course).
Andrea, Netta, Anya, and I went up to our dorm, which was shared with a girl named Jenna Longs.
"I call the shower first!" I cried, grabbed my towel and ran into the bathroom.
"No! I do!" Andrea, Netta, and Anya yelled at the same time.
Jenna sighed, and sat down on her bed.
After my shower I got out my nightdress, and changed to go to sleep. Anya, Netta, and Andrea were fighting over the bathroom, with each of them crammed in the doorway.
"Keep it down! I'm going to sleep!" I cried.
The waved, and whispered the rest, with a few outcries in either pain or anger. After a few cries I sat up in bed.
"If you don't stop, not only will neither of you get into the bathroom, but I swear I will learn any curse I can and use it on each of you!" I said.
That stopped them. Finally I got back into my bed, and repeated the day's events in my mind, passing over the part of getting splashed by those annoying boys.
"Goodnight," I whispered, and fell asleep.
"Wake up, Lil'! You're going to be late!" Anya yelled right in my ear.
I jumped up, and when I regained my senses, got out of bed and chased Anya around the room.
"Where's Jenna?" I asked when Anya had given up.
"In the shower, I think. Or she might be downstairs already. Who knows?" Netta asked, putting more film in her camera.
"Great. Ok, where did you guys put my comb?" I asked.
"Andrea used it. I don't know where she put it," Anya said.
I took it off her bedside table, and began to comb my hair.
"I'll develop this film later. Lily, your barette is still in your trunk," Netta said when she saw me looking for it.
"Thanks," I said.
Soon I was dressed. I wore black pants with a black shirt over my robe, with my hat. No matter how much the others tried to convince me, I didn't put my hair in anything hard, just a simple ponytail.
"Good, let's go. We probably missed most of breakfast," Andrea said.
Everyone was already down there, eating. I sat down and helped myself to some toast. The usual talking continued.
"We have History first. Anra, my older sister, said that's a boring subject," Anya said, looking at our scehdules.
Professor Binns, our teacher, was a ghost, who didn't mind if you fell asleep or walked in late. Half the class fell asleep, and one fourth of the whole class walked in late.
"Now, that everyone is here, I will begin," Professor Binns said.
In the end, I was among those who left dragging their feet in tiredness. Anya was perky, but still sleepy. She kept us awake, by pinching us or pushing us downstair cases to test our awakeness.
"Potions, will be nice and awake after this," Anya said, looking into the classroom.
It wasn't at all cheery. We walked in and took our seats. When the Professor entered we held our breaths. He was a pale man, bald, but wore a cap, and had startling red eyes. He wasn't nice to anyone, not even the Slytherins. Each of us shivered when he walked by.
Potions wasn't a great experience. We all hated it,
At lunch each of us ate and talked about how horrible he was.
"Anra said that he just hit her table in a quick movement and snarled at her. She broke out crying," Anya said, telling us a story about her sister Anra and her friends.
"Wow, I can't believe a Professor could be that mean," I said.
"Me either," Andrea agreed.
I wasn't aware of Sirius Black sneaking up behind me and dropping something into my juice.
I went to take a sip, and my friend's eyes went wide as they saw it. I didn't see it until the goblet was at my face. It was a rat.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Oh my goshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed, and jumped out of my seat.
The goblet and it's contents (including the dead rat) spilled all over the floor. When I looked around I saw James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin laughing. Remus was trying to scold them at the same time.
Professor Noste, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, ran over and helped me up.
I just glared at James Potter. From that moment on, I hated him with all my heart.