A little disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor would I want to take anything away from the wonderful J. K. Rowling.

My notes: I am now accepting anonymous reviews. I hadn't realized that my settings weren't taking them. Also, everyone cheer out loud, for we now have another Harry Potter book! How many of us have already finished Order of the Phoenix  (raise your hands, everyone!) Also, thank you very much to my wonderful friends for helping me with my story. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2:  Beginning of the Rise

            "Knock, Knock!"

            "Who's there?"

            "Boo!"

            "Boo who?"

            "There's no need to cry about it, it's only a joke!"

            Remus rolled over in his seat laughing. Severus was chuckling softly as he shook his head in disbelief. "Lily!" Remus tried to speak. "That joke is so stupid!"

            "I know," Lily grinned. "That's what makes them so funny."

            "What were those Muggles thinking?" Severus said.

            "I don't know," Lily shrugged. "They must have been high on something at the time."

            The journey to Hogwarts was nearly over, and Lily, Remus, and Severus had spent the time teaching each other things about their different worlds. Remus and Severus had several questions about Muggles. Likewise, there were many things Lily wanted to know about the wizard world. All three of them had a wonderful time.

Unfortunately, no journey lasts forever. Soon the train started slowing down. They had finally arrived. Severus and Remus walked off the train first. Lily paused for a moment to take one final look around. It had been her first train ride to Hogwarts, a ride that she would remember for the rest of her life.

"And now it begins," she whispered to herself.

Lily made her way off the train and into the large crowd of students on the platform. Now it's common knowledge that most first years have a serious disadvantage because of their height. It's not amusing to find yourself in the middle of a group of towering teenagers. Lily found herself in this exact situation. She could barely see over anyone's head.

"Remus? Severus?" Lily called out into the crowd but no one answered. "Oh, just wonderful. Where did those two run off to?"

Suddenly a booming voice could be heard over the noisy students. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here. Mind yer step, now. Firs' years follow me!"

Lily turned towards the voice and saw something that was taller than the tallest student. When she looked closer she realized that it wasn't a something, it was a someone! Standing by the edge of the crowd was the biggest man Lily had ever seen in her life. And he was making some kind of beckoning gesture with his hand. "Firs' years this way!"

Lily fought her way through the crowd towards the great giant of a man. After all, she didn't want to get left behind. As the people began to clear away Lily saw the first year students following the giant man down a steep and narrow path. Lily quickly joined the end of the line as everyone slowly made his or her way down. Suddenly Lily heard gasps and "ooooohs" and "aaaaaahs" from up ahead. She wondered what was happening until she rounded a corner. Lily almost froze right then and there in the middle of the path. Now she felt like "ooooohing" and "aaaaaahing" herself. There across a dark lake was the most spectacular sight Lily had ever seen. An incredible castle with turrets and towers galore stood high upon a mountain. Light flooded through every tall window, making the whole place shimmer. "That's Hogwarts?" Lily thought to herself. "We get to live in a castle?!"

Lily shook herself awake and noticed that the other students were heading towards the water. Most of them were starting to climb into the small boats that lined the edge of the lake. Lily ran over to join the group. She scanned the first years for any sign of Remus or Severus but she couldn't see either of them.

"Oy, red head girl!" Lily heard someone shouting from the boat area. She wondered where the voice was coming when suddenly she saw a boat with three girls in it. One of the girls was waving frantically at Lily. "Over here!" the girl called.

Lily gave one last look for Remus and Severus but decided that they must have already found a boat. So Lily wandered over to the boat with the girls. The one who had called her was now jumping up and down like a Mexican jumping bean. Lily got closer and realized that it was the same girl she had met before in Flourish and Blotts.

"Hi!" the girl exclaimed with a big smile. "Wow, I knew it was you! Do you remember me? We met when we were getting our books the other day! I know I'd never be able to forget you and your red hair! I think it looks amazing! I wish I had red hair like yours!"

Lily couldn't help but smile at the girl's enthusiasm. She was a pretty girl with long black hair and beautiful blue eyes. In fact, all three girls had long hair and blue eyes, except one of the other girls had blonde hair and the other had brown.

"Oh, and I'd never forget what you were wearing either," the girl continued. "We must do our shopping at the same place because I saw your shirt and said to myself, 'No way, I have a shirt just like that at home!' Even when you need to dress as a muggle you still need to look your best, right? What's your name, by the way?"

"I'm Lily Evans," Lily extended her hand for the girl to shake. Of course, she took it eagerly.

"Wow, Lily, that's such a pretty name!" the girl said. "I'm Merlina McKinnon and this blonde girl is Prudence Patil and this brunette is Alison Webb."

Each girl said a polite hello in response. "Would you like to sit with us?" Alison asked. "There's one more seat here."

"Sure, why not," Lily shrugged. She climbed over the side of the boat and sat right next to Merlina.

"Everyone in?" the giant man called. "Right then – FORWARD!"

And so the boats started to glide across the lake to the other side, where Hogwarts stood glistening like starlight. Soon the first years would be home.

*****

Remus and Severus manoeuvred their way through the crowd of older students when they heard, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here. Mind your step now. Firs' years follow me!"

"Whoa!" Remus whistled when he saw the giant man. "Talk about big!"

"Now there's an understatement," Severus looked slightly surprised. They continued to make their way towards him until Severus happened to look back over his shoulder…and saw that Lily wasn't behind them! "Now where did that girl go?"

"What?" Remus asked, slightly alarmed. "Lily's not behind you? But I thought she left the train with us. What are we going to do?"

"Honestly, use your head!" Severus rolled his eyes. "We can't fight our way back through the crowd. Surely she'll be headed this way as well. We'll find her once we're clear of this mob."

But Remus and Severus still hadn't found her by the time they reached the lake. Severus was scanning the crowd of first years that was gathered by the boats. Suddenly, he spotted her way over on the other side of the group. Severus headed in her direction but sensed that no one was following him. He turned around only to find that Remus was now gone. "What is it with these people?" Severus sighed.

"I agree. Most of these people are complete imbeciles," said a voice from the boats.

"Absolutely," Severus noticed that the voice belonged to a boy with long hair that was so blonde it was almost white. He was sitting in one of the boats with two other people. The boy gave Severus a serious look.

"I don't recall seeing you on the train," he said sternly. "What is you name?"

"Severus Snape."

"My name is Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy," the boy said proudly. Then he looked at Severus with his cold, grey eyes. "You will join us in this boat, Severus."

"Alright," Severus held his head up high like he was very important. After all, Severus could tell that this Lucius was a strong person, both physically and socially. And there was no way that Severus was going to let anyone be stronger than him. Maybe as strong, but not stronger.

*****

Remus turned around for just one second. When he turned back, Severus had disappeared. "Oh, wonderful," Remus muttered miserably. "Now I've lost the other one. And they were the only two people that I knew."

Remus stood for a while by the boats, not knowing what to do. Most of the boats already had four people in them and they were getting ready to leave. Remus decided that he'd better act quickly if he didn't want to be left behind. But did he have the nerve to just walk up to any group and ask if he could sit in their boat?

 "You know, you'd better find a seat right fast," said a boy from a nearby boat. "Don't want to be caught on the beach all by yourself. Why don't you come sit here with us?"

Remus noticed three boys sitting in the boat. Two of the boys had dark hair and the other had lighter, sandy hair. Taking a big risk, Remus walked over to the boat. "Really, you don't mind?" Remus asked.

"Of course we don't mind," said one of the boys with dark hair. "We've only got three people, as you can see. Besides, the more the merrier, right?"

"Thanks!" Remus had to stop himself from sighing in relief. He climbed into the boat and sat next to the boy with sandy hair.

"Oh, by the way, I'm James Potter. That's Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew."

"Remus Lupin, pleased to meet you."

*****

            The first years soon found out that the giant man's name was Hagrid. Not that that bit of information was really useful since Hagrid had left them! Actually, they had arrived at the castle and a very stern looking witch came through the doors to greet them. She wore emerald green robes and square glasses and her black hair was done up in a neat bun. She took them inside, past the Great Hall and into another chamber, only to turn around and leave them there! Of course, she said she would return for them. But some of the students felt very nervous about being left alone in this large, strange castle. Then again, some felt perfectly fine.

            Lily was scanning the group again and soon found that one of the two people she was looking for was right behind her. There was Remus, standing there talking to three other boys. Lily caught his attention by reaching over and giving his shoulder a poke with her finger. His head whipped around but when he saw that it was only Lily he gave her a huge smile. Lily gave him a wink in return. She tilted her head towards the three boys, like she was asking what they were about. Remus just rolled his eyes and made a little face that made Lily chuckle.

            "What's so funny?" asked Prudence.

            "Oh, nothing," though Lily was still grinning to herself as she turned around.

            Just then, the stern witch, also know as Professor McGonagall, came back to the chamber to take them to the sorting ceremony. She led them across the hall and through the double doors of the Great Hall. The first years took their positions up at the front, near the High Table. Lily hadn't really been paying much attention to those around her (she was admiring the beautiful ceiling) so she was surprised when she saw that Severus was practically standing next to her.

            "There you are," Lily whispered to him, but she had to whisper around another boy who was standing between them. "I was being to think you hadn't made it."

            "What are you going on about," Severus hissed. "You are the one who got lost!"

            "I'm joking Sev…"

            "Excuse me," the boy in between them sneered at Lily. Unfortunately it was the one and only Lucius Malfoy. "But could you refrain from your girly gossip while I am in the middle here."

            "Severus was talking to me too, you know," Lily said softly but with venom. "And unless you didn't notice, he's a boy and not a girl."

            "Why you little…" Lucius was seething. "How dare you talk to me like that!"

            He looked her up and down and decided then and there that she was the equivalent of dirt. Lily gave Lucius the exact same look that he gave her, except with a hint of sarcasm. "Get over yourself," Lily said like she was disgusted, before turning her back on Lucius.

             Merlina, Prudence, and Alison started snickering, since they had been right beside Lily and had heard the entire exchange. Severus wanted very much to laugh as well, but not with Lucius standing right beside him. So Severus settled for a satisfied smirk. He had certain never met a girl like Lily Evans before. And for a short moment, Severus prayed that he and Lily would be sorted into the same house. He had a feeling that he knew which house he was going into. If only she would go there too.

            Professor McGonagall came forward and placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. Then an old hat, which sang quite a remarkable song, was placed on top of the stool. One by one, the first years were called forward to put on the hat.

            Lily noticed that Sirius Black, one of the boys with Remus, was sorted into Gryffindor. The names rolled on until…

            "Evans, Lily," McGonagall called.

            Lily kept looking straight ahead. She didn't really pay attention to Merlina, Prudence, and Alison as they whispered words of encouragement. She didn't really pay attention to anything as she coolly made her way over to the stool. Lily took the hat and spun around to face the crowd. As she lowered the hat onto her head, Lily caught a glimpse of Remus. He was smiling for her. But Lily didn't see the hopeful look in Severus's eyes.

            "Well now!" Lily could hear a small voice right near her ear. "You are most interesting. I believe you're one of the most challenging decisions I've had in a long time. Hmm. I see you have a lot of spirit. Yes, very spunky. But also very grounded. What a combination! You also have a gift, oh, my goodness, yes you do. I see many elements of Slytherin in you."

            "You mean the folks who'll do anything to get what they want?" Lily thought. "You'd be horribly WRONG then. If you look a little deeper you'll find that I am not that kind of person."

            "Ah, I see," the voice said after a second. "Now it is very clear. I can see everything now. Well, now there's no question about it. With all that you will have to face there can only be one place for you. GRYFFINDOR!"

            Lily reached up and pulled the hat off her head. She was a little puzzled by the hat's words, but she didn't think about it for long. As Lily made her way over to the Gryffindor table she caught a glimpse of Severus. Lily was almost shocked to see a look of pure disappointment on his face. It looked like he just lost his best friend. But why?

            The sorting ceremony continued and more first years made their way over to Gryffindor. By the time the S's came around, Frank Longbottom, Remus Lupin (Lily cheered very loudly for Remus), Peter Pettigrew, and James Potter had already joined Gryffindor as first year boys. Merlina and Prudence were further additions for the girl's side.

            Then Lily noticed that Severus was sitting on the stool. She didn't have to wait long before the hat shouted out, "SLYTHERIN!" Lily didn't know what to think. Her jaw dropped slightly as she looked over to where Remus was sitting. He looked like he was equally stunned. Surely they must have been thinking the same thing. They'd met Severus and he didn't seem that bad. Lily wished that he would look her but when he took the hat off he simply walked over to the Slytherin table…and sat right next to Lucius Malfoy. There was no expression on Severus's face, but it seemed to Lily that his eyes were very cold. And any joy or happiness that she saw in them before was gone.

*****

The Next Morning At Breakfast

            "I still can't believe that things worked out the way they did!" Merlina said as she pilled some scrambled eggs onto her plate. "I mean what are the chances that the four of us would get sorted into the same house!"

            "Don't ask me," Alison warned. "Math was always my worst subject!"

            "Then I highly suggest that you don't take Arithmancy," Prudence said with a flip of her blonde hair. "When the time comes, stick with Divination, sweetie. You can't go wrong there."

            "I wouldn't say that yet," Alison mumbled.

            "Don't worry Alison," Lily said. "We're not there yet. Just wait until the time comes. I'm sure you'll be really good in something."

            "Yeah," Alison sighed. "Or maybe I can take Muggle Studies and get someone like you to help me."

            Lily gave a little nod but looked very apprehensive. "Are you sure you three don't mind that I'm Muggle-born? You all seemed to take it surprisingly well."

            "Sure we don't mind," Prudence said. "I'd much rather hang out with you than some of those Hufflepuff girls."

            "Yeah, Lily," Merlina agreed. "You're way cooler than them and the Ravenclaw girls too."

            "Thanks," Lily gave the girls a grateful smile. She couldn't say how happy she was that she made some friends. Sure, they could be quirky, but they were still friends.

            The next moment there came a huge sound flapping wings and a chorus of hooting and screeching. Lily looked upwards as a flood of owls came pouring into the Great Hall. Different colored owls of all shapes and sizes we bringing in letters and packages filled with things that had been carelessly forgotten at home. The owls were dropping their loads onto every table in the hall. Lily noticed that Merlina received what looked like a rolled up newspaper.

            "Oh, good," Merlina said as she undid the paper. "Mom remembered. I simply must read my weekly Dear Mattie column!"

            Merlina spread the newspaper across the table and was about to turn the page, but something peculiar caught Lily's eye. There on the front page was a bizarre picture. Lily could see a house, but there was something that looked like a skull floating about it. "What's that all about?"

            "Hum, oh, that?" Merlina read the first paragraph of the article. "Says here it's some kind of murder. Ministry officials aren't saying what kind of cruse was used but they're not finished with their investigation."

            "Does this kind of stuff happen often?" Lily asked with some concern.

            "Well on occasion," Prudence said. "Doesn't happen too often since the killers would have to use magic which can sometimes be easily traced."

            "What does it say about that skull sign?" Lily pointed to the picture.

            "Uh, officials think that it's like the killer's trademark or something," Merlina continued scanning the article. "He left it behind so that people would know it was him."

            "Seriously?" Prudence nearly laughed. "How pathetic is that. Could there even be a bigger cry for publicity and attention."

            "I know!" Merlina agreed. "Who does this guy thinks he is, the next Grindelwald?"

            Prudence and Alice both laughed at Merlina's joke but Lily wasn't focusing on them. She was focusing on the skull in the picture and how it seemed to be looking directly into her eyes. Suddenly Lily remembered her own words back on the train.

            And now it begins

            If only they knew…