Chapter One: A Magical Discovery
The passing of four long years brought little change to the Evans household. The largest difference was that fifteen-year-old Petunia had lost much of her childhood beauty. But no one noticed the change; Petunia's appearance now matched her personality. How she stayed popular was a complete mystery to Lily.
As for the younger Evans daughter, she also had changed considerably from her seven-year-old self. She had learned more languages, for one: French to understand Jacqueline Monique's diary, Hebrew in early preparation for her bat mitzvah in two years. Upon reading Jacqueline's diary, Lily had begun to idolize the young woman. The diary was written when Jacqueline was seventeen, before she had married Lily's great-grandfather. In trying to be more like Jacqueline, Lily had converted to being a vegetarian, (How can you eat something that once thought for itself?) grown more outspoken, read more, and wrote more. Lily had to cut her hair, after the unfortunate nail polish fiasco, but she was working like mad to make it grow again. She dreamt of the day it would be down to her knees like Jacqueline's.
Her family, teachers, and peers continued to be disgusted with the opinionated girl, whose hair was as fiery as her temper. But Lily didn't mind. In fact, she liked it better this way.
But not all the effects of Lily's slightly altered personality were good ones, especially according to the people who experienced Lily's attitude. The July she was eleven, six weeks before she would be starting secondary school, Lily's mother pulled her aside.
"Lily?"
"Yes, Mum?" Lily was too shocked to be rude to her mother, who never came into the attic.
"Can I talk to you?"
"You are right now, unless I'm very much mistaken. Though perhaps not, now that you mention it. A dissimilar reality could actually be the correct reality, and in that reality we might not be conversing with one another. Were that the circumstance, I still would not know, because I have no motivation to believe that you are capable of carrying on a conversation with me."
Mrs. Evans blinked. Lily turned back to the rising sun.
"Um.what?"
"I fail to see why it is compulsory that I elucidate my logic and philosophies to someone who evidently cannot comprehend them."
Mrs. Evans blinked again.
Lily smiled inwardly at her mother's confusion. It rather frightened her, but Lily found strange confidence, strange satisfaction, at seeing her mother suffer. After a few moments passed, Lily turned to see the woman staring uncomfortably at her.
"Did you need something?"
"Lily Jacqueline Evans, your rude and uncontrollable tongue is exactly what we need to discuss. Your father, sister, and I have grown very annoyed with all of your antics. They are disrespectful, they are unnecessary, and we are sick of them. We have tried to punish you, we have tried to reason with you, but everything has failed. So that's why, come September, we're sending you to St. Catherine's Institute for Unreasonably Discourteous and Improper Girls."
"What?" Lily spluttered. This was horrible, this was awful, this was terrible news. Lily had been counting on going to Fairview, the small private school that Petunia had attended, for it was well renowned for having both a fabulous library and very good teachers. And now she'd miss out on that experience, as well as the experience to meet someone who cared about something other than the direct angle your hair must be pinned up to qualify for a 'bob.'(Lily had actually witnessed Petunia and a friend having a blazing row about this very subject.)
"Mum-you-you can't do this to me!" Lily wailed.
"I can and I will. Lily Jacqueline Evans, you must be taught that your behavior is unacceptable!" She rapped the doorframe sharply with her knuckles for each syllable of 'unacceptable'. After she'd finished her little drumming escapade, she turned and strode as dignified as she could down the rickety stairs.
"You don't have to call me by my entire name whenever you speak to me! I'm your own daughter!" Lily shouted after her before collapsing onto the small cot that had been her tenth birthday present. "Not that you'd know it." she mumbled softly, before burrowing her head into the pillow.
Lily had screamed, pleaded, cried, cursed, yelled, and done just about everything in her power to try to convince her family not to send her to 'impending doom', as she called it, but nothing worked. Lily was willing to do just about anything to convince her parents not to send her to someplace like St. Catherine's. Little did she know that the one tiny opportunity was headed her way at that very moment.
A tense silence pervaded the dinner table two nights after Mrs. Evans had told Lily what was happening. It was the first meal Lily had come down to eat with the family. As Lily was still absolutely furious at the lot of them, she kept looking up from her minestrone and glaring forcefully at her parents and Petunia. Whenever Lily so much as laid an eye on Petunia, the older girl would make frightened squeaks and manage to upset something on the table. Out of the corner of her eye, Lily could see how much Mrs. Evans wanted to send Lily to her room, but she didn't because, angry as she was at her daughter, she didn't want to be detested indefinitely. So Mrs. Evans, in turn, glared at the shakers of salt and other condiments that continued to upend themselves in Petunia's vicinity.
It took a very long time to get through the soup; it would have felt long even if it hadn't lasted for the time that it did. As Lily mopped up the remaining soup with a piece of bread, she could see a muscle going in Mrs. Evans cheek, undoubtedly caused by the condiments all over the floor.
Lily chewed the soup-covered bread and stood up, slowly, pointedly not asking to be excused, but before she could retreat to the attic, a sight through the open kitchen window caused her to pause and stare. Slowly noticing the direction of Lily's gaze and the frozen attitude of the girl, the rest of the family glanced in the same direction Lily was. Mr. Evans still had his spoon in hand, Mrs. Evans gripped her tea cup incredibly hard, Petunia's eyes had doubled in size and she seemed too frightened to scream, and Lily stood with her arm extended, about to push in her chair. As the Evanses stood, transfixed, a large barn owl that Lily recognized from one of her grandfather's birding books sailed in and landed on Lily's arm. Each head turned to stare at Lily, though no other part of their body moved. Lily herself glanced nervously down at the bird on her forearm and gave a small inward gasp. The owl was shaking its leg at her, in what might have been some absurd jig - if owls could do jigs - except for the fact that there was a letter of yellowed parchment attached to it. The owl seemed to want it off.
Trembling slightly, Lily reached down with her spare hand and untied the letter. The owl nipped her fingers lightly, though it didn't hurt, and sailed off into the night. Lily dropped the letter onto the table and sank down into her seat once more. The Evans' stared at the letter, which had landed address-down. The strange seal on the back was made up of a badger, a lion, a serpent, and an eagle, all surrounding a large H. In the few seconds they stared at it, Lily wondered vaguely what H could stand for. Hampshire? That was where they lived, certainly, but since when had Hampshire adopted such an unusual seal? However, before Lily could contemplate on the matter any further, her father reached forward and turned the envelope over so that the whole table could see what it said. Written on the front in emerald green ink were the words:
Miss L. Evans The Kitchen Table, Northwest Seat 12 Magdalen Hill Winchester, Hampshire England
Lily read this a couple of times, to be sure she understood right. Glancing around the table, she realized that she was in the northwest seat. There could be no mistake. This letter was for her. She peered in her father's direction, wondering vaguely whether she should open it. Instead of the annoyed, ashamed expression that normally adorned his countenance when seeing her, he seemed curious and interested. The expression on her mother's face was similar; she appeared to even have forgotten about the salt on the table, which was a big deal, for her. Petunia seemed terrified that the letter would explode, but then again, this was Petunia.
In a movement that everyone in the kitchen watched with immense interest, Lily reached across the table and picked up the envelope, turning it once more so that the seal was visible. As Lily slit the envelope, her mother let out an audible gasp. Lily might have been inclined to laugh, but she was just as excited so felt it would be hypocritical. She had also never received so much attention that wasn't negative before. It was a nice feeling.
Inside the envelope were two sheets of paper. Trying to exercise self- control over the hands that wanted to rip out this mysterious letter, she pulled the top one out first and peered down upon the writing there:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Evans, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is a most esteemed school at which the students are taught the magical arts.
We understand that all members of your family are not of magical power (Muggles), so we ask that, do you decide to attend Hogwarts, you also attend a short seminar on July 27th at 2 pm about the magical world. Parents are welcome. The seminar is located at the Leaky Cauldron Pub in London. As long as you keep the name of this area in mind, you will find the pub easily.
Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1.
Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Lily stared at the parchment, wondering, hoping, wishing that this place truly existed. But even if it were, she realized, heart sinking sadly, she was destined to spend the rest of her time at St. Catherine's. She breathed a deep, world-weary sigh and chanced a look at her parents. Both seemed simply itching to see the letter; after all, how many people get mail delivered to them by an owl?
Lily resolutely handed her father the parchment, a tiny fragment of her mind still hoping fervently that he would let her go. She was too preoccupied to even be amused at the way her mother had dashed around the table to see what was going on. However, Petunia's bony neck peering over Mr. Evans's shoulder was enough to make Lily crack a smile. As much as Petunia hated things out of the unexpected, she was incredibly nosy.
While the other members of her family poured over the letter, Lily drew out the next slip of paper within. This was, apparently, the list of necessary books and equipment the first letter had opened. Across the top was the same imposing title that the letter had:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM: First-year students will require: Three sets of plain black work robes One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS:
All first-year students should have a copy of the following volumes:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) by Miranda Goshawk
Wizarding Events in Early History by Clayton Batten
Transfiguration for the Young by Frank Gadders
Common Wizarding Plants and Organisms for Basic Potions by Fungillus Garter
Basic Wizarding Potions by Fungillus Garter
Danger Where You Least Expect it: Rudimentary Defense Skills by Herman Horsepepper
Fifteen Hundred Magical Creatures; a guide to survival by Leslie Hasting
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size two) 1 set crystal or glass phials 1 telescope 1 [I]Miniature Guide to the Night Skies[/I], by Orion Moonstone (optional) 1 set scales
Students may bring one of the following: an owl, cat, or toad
Broomsticks must be left at home until second year.
It didn't sound very sane to Lily, but she had spent so much of her life immersed in fantasy novels that she half believed in this anyway. And, she would welcome virtually anything that might rescue her from impending doom.
Lily looked up at her parents, to see if they had finished reading the letter yet. Both had, apparently; they were looking at their youngest daughter as though they had never really seen anything like her. Petunia was nowhere to be sight, which made sense, Lily supposed; even her nosy nature would be quelled by seeing a title like "HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY." Lily waited for her parents to say something, but silence continued to encompass the atmosphere of the kitchen.
"Mum, dad, I'd really like to go," Lily spoke softly after a few more moments of unbearable silence passed. "I-I understand that I haven't been.cooperative.but I can change that. I'll do my best - which I must admit, I haven't been doing - to be a good daughter: if I want to, I can get good grades, be nicer to people, anything you want - if you'll just please, please, please let me go." She breathed heavily after speaking, laced her fingers together, and gazed hopefully at her parents.
"Oh, sweetie -" her father began. Lily was amazed to hear his tone of voice; that was how he spoke to Petunia, not to Lily. Lily's heart rose a little. Before her father could continue, however, Mrs. Evans let out an indecipherable noise, across between a scream and a gasp, and ran around the edge of the table to wrap her arms tightly around Lily.
"I'm-I'm so sorry," she said, drawing away from her daughter. "I can't believe I was about to send you off to that horrible place, when you could instead go - go here! A witch - oh honey, we're ever so proud!" She exchanged a look with her husband, who stood up as well.
"Of course you can go!" he announced. "A witch...oh this is too amazing! The twenty-seventh, did they say? We have a week, then," he finished briskly, smiling down at Lily.
"Oh.oh, thank you so much!" Lily told them. "You won't regret it, I'll do better than my best at-at Hogwarts." She gave each of them a hug and walked out of the kitchen, pausing only to say an additional thank you before she turned up the stairs.
For the rest of the week, Lily was content to simply read and occasionally engage in conversations with her parents. The only noticeable difference between Lily's life before and after the letter had arrived was that Lily's parents loved talking to her. Before Lily knew it, it was eleven o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 27th. She and Petunia piled into the back of the car and they were on their way to London.
As they entered the city, Lily closed The Hobbit and reminded her parents of what the letter had said: keep in mind where they were going, The Leaky Cauldron, and they would find it. Remarkably, this worked: later on Mr. Evans told his family of the odd feeling that passed over him, as though his mind weren't his own, and helped him to reach the parking space outside of a large bookstore to the right of the small, grungy, Leaky Cauldron.
Lily pointed out the shabby pub to her family; for some strange reason, they had a lot of trouble focusing on its being there, particularly Petunia. Once everyone had seen the pub and understood that it was there, Lily checked her back pocket to make sure that she still had the letter, took a deep breath, and strode through the door. The pub was no more extravagant within than it was on the outside. All that was good to be said about it was that it was large, moderately clean, and the bartender, despite rather crude dental health, appeared kind.
As the door shut behind Petunia, the small bell at its summit jingling slightly, the bartender glanced up and saw Lily and her family standing awkwardly, not sure what to do next. Lily opened her mouth to ask where the seminar was, but the bartender spoke first.
"Ah, you must be another first-year!" He exclaimed. "The seminar for muggle- born students is right down this hall," He pointed at a room behind a closed door at the end of the corridor. "The instructor should already be there." He smiled encouragingly, and waved as Lily started off across the rough wooden floor, followed rather more closely than was necessary by her parents, and less closely than was polite by Petunia.
Taking a deep breath, Lily pushed the door open and walked inside. For someone who had been expecting a place of deep mystery or obvious magic, Lily was greatly disappointed. The room was fairly large and sun-filled by the great windows on the sides. A good number of tables were arranged, all chairs facing a tall, thin-lipped woman. The only sign of the unusual purpose of the meeting was the woman herself: she was wearing long, black robes, and a hat was pinned over the tight bun that was her hair.
She looked up as Lily and her family walked in, and nodded at Lily in what was probably supposed to be an encouraging gesture, though it was ruined by the fact that she wasn't smiling.
"Welcome to Hogwarts' Introductory Seminar. Please cross your name off the list so that we know that you have decided to attend our school," she pointed to the table in the corner, in front of which the only other family in the room was gathered.
While they waited for the family in front to finish crossing off the names of their twin daughters, Lily and her parents observed the scene through the windows. Each pane of glass was almost the full length of the walls, but Lily wished they were bigger. Through each one was an incredibly detailed, moving sight. Each view was so different that Lily was sure they couldn't be actual windows; even in the magical world, she doubted that the bottom of the ocean could be found next to a bazaar from ancient Egypt.
Lily's parents were just as fascinated by the panoramas as their daughter was. Mr. Evans kept excitedly pointing out the moving figures. He seemed particularly amazed by a miniature scene of numerous people on broomsticks playing some kind of sport. There were two colors of their robes, so Lily assumed that there were two teams. Three players from each team were tossing a red soccer ball-like ball to each other, trying to get it into one of the three opposing goals. A single player from each team guarded the team's goals. Two members of each team were carrying short clubs that they used to hit the independently moving black balls toward members of the opposite team. These cannonball-like objects seemed intent on unseating the players. And lastly, one person on each team sailed high above their teammates. Lily wondered what they were doing for a few moments, then saw the two go into a spectacular dive for a tiny, speedy gold ball.
A loud, forced cough from behind Mr. Evans brought the family back to reality: they were now holding up the sizable line. Smiling apologetically at the people behind her, Lily found her name and drew a trembling line across it. The line's unsteady aspect portrayed Lily's frazzled nerves quite well.
A last glance at the windows was all that Lily allowed herself before following her parents to join Petunia at the table in the far back. Petunia had clearly chosen this spot because it was as far away as possible from the witch in the front of the room. Feeling slightly annoyed at her sister for choosing such obviously inconvenient seating, particularly when so many better tables were available, Lily tried her best to observe the windows further. She had so little luck that she finally gave up and instead spent the remaining minutes watching the other nervous first-years. Finally, the witch in the front of the room cleared her throat, stood up, and began to speak.
"Hello, and welcome. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am the Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am pleased to see that so many people have turned out for our seminar; it's nice that most people are sane enough to not throw away their letter the moment they get it." There were nervous titters through the surrounding families, and Petunia, on Lily's left, gave a derisive snort. Clearly, she didn't think that someone who wore robes and a witch's hat in public was anywhere near being sane.
"First, to assure the less convinced families, I have prepared a short demonstration of magic," she pulled out her wand and waved it at the sign- in sheet. The small leaflet of papers rose quite unaided and sailed over to Professor McGonagall, who caught them deftly. Nearly everyone in the room 'oohed.' But McGonagall wasn't done: next she turned the papers into a parakeet and back, turned them purple, shrank them to a quarter of their original size, and finally, she turned the language into Arabic.
Merely for her own amusement, Lily chanced a glance at Petunia. The blonde was staring, openmouthed, at Professor McGonagall, mouthing wordlessly and managing to glare as forcefully as possible at the witch. Snorting inwardly, Lily turned back to see the papers disappear with a poof of orange smoke.
"Now that we have cleared up that this isn't some kind of nonsense-" Professor McGonagall smiled at the looks on people's faces, ranging from surprised to awed to alarmed. "-let me continue by saying that you should be most proud that your child has qualified to attend Hogwarts. As your letter mentioned, our school is very prestigious. Unlike in the non-magical world, we accept everyone we can, but let me say to you right now that it will be hard work. Students must be serious at getting a magical education. It isn't all wand-waving and Quidditch playing." A few people looked very confused at this word. McGonagall quickly indicated the pane of window Lily and her parents had been watching, then continued to speak.
"In order to attend Hogwarts, students must have all that is on the list we sent out with your acceptance letters. Don't worry," she continued as some people looked nervous. A few families had begun muttering to one another, including a boy in front of Lily, who murmured to his mother that he didn't know they were supposed to bring the letter. "Don't worry, we have spare first-year lists for those who did not think to bring their own."
"As those of you who read the letters know, the objects on the list could hardly be found in downtown London. The wizarding world has an alternative shopping center, comprised of various marketplaces. For buying school materials, Hogwarts recommends Diagon Alley. The shops along this street have everything that you could possibly need in your days at Hogwarts, and the shopkeepers are known to be most helpful if you may have any questions. We have small maps of the alleyway, pointing out the most helpful stores." The witch pointed to the table that had held the sign-up sheet. "As for the belongings you wish to bring to school, Hogwarts asks that all students have a trunk of some kind."
"As for the school year itself, the Hogwarts Express leaves from King's Cross, Platform Nine and Three Quarters, on September first at eleven in the morning. We have tickets here for every student taking the train. In order to get onto the platform, which is entirely impenetrable to Muggles - nonmagic folk," she explained to the numerous confused faces. "In order to get onto the platform, one must simply walk through the wall between platforms nine and ten. This wall is solid only to Mugg - nonmagic people," she corrected herself just in time, "and to those who are frightened of colliding with it. Students must remember not to be afraid that they'll crash into the wall, or nasty things can happen." She didn't go into any details. "Nonmagic parents may enter, but only when accompanied by their magical children. It is essential that no one sees you entering the platform."
"Now, are there any questions?" She surveyed the soon-to-be students, again smiling slightly at the mixtures of expressions that adorned their faces. At these words, a good number of hands went up. "Yes? You, in the back?" Professor McGonagall pointed to the boy sitting in front of Lily, who had muttered to his mother earlier.
"This whole wizarding thing sounds right magical," he spoke loudly, in a strong Irish accent. "But how do we know that we actually are wizards? That we actually do have the power to do stuff like what you showed?"
"Ah, I'm glad you asked," Professor McGonagall smiled at him approvingly. "It is often a matter of doubt between students who come from Mug - non- magical backgrounds." She peered at the boy from across the room, examining him closely through her spectacles. "Have you ever made something unusual happen? Something out of the ordinary that you couldn't explain, when you were angry or feeling some other magnified emotion? Witches and wizards, young and old, have been known to use magic when they are feeling particularly distressed, often unknowingly."
At these words, a new bout of murmurs broke out across the hall. Thinking back, Lily thought of the bowl landing so perfectly on her sister's head. It was the only real sign of any magic she'd done - unless she counted having the wonderful talent of making people mad at herself without trying. Trying desperately to think of something else to prove that she was magic, Lily remembered Petunia's complaints of Lily making her unable to speak, back when they were younger. Could that, perhaps, be another show of Lily's true magical self?
Lily shook her mind free of those thoughts and turned back to see Professor McGonagall call on another unsure student, who asked about the word 'Muggle.' Lily only half paid attention as McGonagall explained that the word 'Muggle' is the wizarding reference to non-magical people.
"Where's Diagon Alley?" the next girl asked bluntly.
"Diagon Alley is located right behind this very pub. You must go into the small courtyard and use your wand to tap the brick three up and two across from the trashcan. You obviously cannot do that until you get a wand - also available in Diagon Alley - but any witch or wizard would be glad to help you."
"I will answer one final question, then let you get on your way. I would be happy to answer or discuss any other concerns that you have; I will be here all afternoon, so feel free to come back from Diagon Alley if you can think of anything that I've missed." McGonagall paused briefly, then pointed at one of the twin girls Lily's family had stood behind earlier. "Yes?"
"I was just wondering.you said that we needed a trunk, right? Well, where are we supposed to get those? How big do they need to be?"
"Just like anything else necessary for Hogwarts, trunks can be found in Diagon Alley. There is a standard school size that we prefer our students stick to; however, if you find it absolutely necessary, you may go one size smaller or larger."
"Now, if that is all, the seminar has come to an end. Any pamphlets, maps, train tickets, or spare letter information you might need are on this table." She waved her wand carelessly and stacks of brightly colored papers appeared. "Wait," she held up her hand to prevent a few people from rising. "Let me just say, welcome to Hogwarts!"
She stepped back and walked over to a corner where she and any who had questions would be more isolated from the rest of the families present. A number of people ambushed her, but Lily had no more reservations. Instead, the redhead walked briskly up to the table that held information and used her small height to reach through the jostling parents. Finding the map and ticket she had been looking for, Lily turned and joined her parents at the doorway, following them out into the small courtyard McGonagall had described. Unsure of what to do next, the family waited uncomfortably, noticing that the only people who joined them in the courtyard were from the other wandless families from the Hogwarts seminar.
But they didn't have to wait long; just as the courtyard was becoming very full of first-year families, the innkeeper came out and did them all the favor of tapping the brick McGonagall had mentioned. A small hole appeared where the innkeeper's wand had been. It grew larger and larger until it was a giant archway into a bustling shopping center. Trying to calm her nerves and excitement, Lily took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The passing of four long years brought little change to the Evans household. The largest difference was that fifteen-year-old Petunia had lost much of her childhood beauty. But no one noticed the change; Petunia's appearance now matched her personality. How she stayed popular was a complete mystery to Lily.
As for the younger Evans daughter, she also had changed considerably from her seven-year-old self. She had learned more languages, for one: French to understand Jacqueline Monique's diary, Hebrew in early preparation for her bat mitzvah in two years. Upon reading Jacqueline's diary, Lily had begun to idolize the young woman. The diary was written when Jacqueline was seventeen, before she had married Lily's great-grandfather. In trying to be more like Jacqueline, Lily had converted to being a vegetarian, (How can you eat something that once thought for itself?) grown more outspoken, read more, and wrote more. Lily had to cut her hair, after the unfortunate nail polish fiasco, but she was working like mad to make it grow again. She dreamt of the day it would be down to her knees like Jacqueline's.
Her family, teachers, and peers continued to be disgusted with the opinionated girl, whose hair was as fiery as her temper. But Lily didn't mind. In fact, she liked it better this way.
But not all the effects of Lily's slightly altered personality were good ones, especially according to the people who experienced Lily's attitude. The July she was eleven, six weeks before she would be starting secondary school, Lily's mother pulled her aside.
"Lily?"
"Yes, Mum?" Lily was too shocked to be rude to her mother, who never came into the attic.
"Can I talk to you?"
"You are right now, unless I'm very much mistaken. Though perhaps not, now that you mention it. A dissimilar reality could actually be the correct reality, and in that reality we might not be conversing with one another. Were that the circumstance, I still would not know, because I have no motivation to believe that you are capable of carrying on a conversation with me."
Mrs. Evans blinked. Lily turned back to the rising sun.
"Um.what?"
"I fail to see why it is compulsory that I elucidate my logic and philosophies to someone who evidently cannot comprehend them."
Mrs. Evans blinked again.
Lily smiled inwardly at her mother's confusion. It rather frightened her, but Lily found strange confidence, strange satisfaction, at seeing her mother suffer. After a few moments passed, Lily turned to see the woman staring uncomfortably at her.
"Did you need something?"
"Lily Jacqueline Evans, your rude and uncontrollable tongue is exactly what we need to discuss. Your father, sister, and I have grown very annoyed with all of your antics. They are disrespectful, they are unnecessary, and we are sick of them. We have tried to punish you, we have tried to reason with you, but everything has failed. So that's why, come September, we're sending you to St. Catherine's Institute for Unreasonably Discourteous and Improper Girls."
"What?" Lily spluttered. This was horrible, this was awful, this was terrible news. Lily had been counting on going to Fairview, the small private school that Petunia had attended, for it was well renowned for having both a fabulous library and very good teachers. And now she'd miss out on that experience, as well as the experience to meet someone who cared about something other than the direct angle your hair must be pinned up to qualify for a 'bob.'(Lily had actually witnessed Petunia and a friend having a blazing row about this very subject.)
"Mum-you-you can't do this to me!" Lily wailed.
"I can and I will. Lily Jacqueline Evans, you must be taught that your behavior is unacceptable!" She rapped the doorframe sharply with her knuckles for each syllable of 'unacceptable'. After she'd finished her little drumming escapade, she turned and strode as dignified as she could down the rickety stairs.
"You don't have to call me by my entire name whenever you speak to me! I'm your own daughter!" Lily shouted after her before collapsing onto the small cot that had been her tenth birthday present. "Not that you'd know it." she mumbled softly, before burrowing her head into the pillow.
Lily had screamed, pleaded, cried, cursed, yelled, and done just about everything in her power to try to convince her family not to send her to 'impending doom', as she called it, but nothing worked. Lily was willing to do just about anything to convince her parents not to send her to someplace like St. Catherine's. Little did she know that the one tiny opportunity was headed her way at that very moment.
A tense silence pervaded the dinner table two nights after Mrs. Evans had told Lily what was happening. It was the first meal Lily had come down to eat with the family. As Lily was still absolutely furious at the lot of them, she kept looking up from her minestrone and glaring forcefully at her parents and Petunia. Whenever Lily so much as laid an eye on Petunia, the older girl would make frightened squeaks and manage to upset something on the table. Out of the corner of her eye, Lily could see how much Mrs. Evans wanted to send Lily to her room, but she didn't because, angry as she was at her daughter, she didn't want to be detested indefinitely. So Mrs. Evans, in turn, glared at the shakers of salt and other condiments that continued to upend themselves in Petunia's vicinity.
It took a very long time to get through the soup; it would have felt long even if it hadn't lasted for the time that it did. As Lily mopped up the remaining soup with a piece of bread, she could see a muscle going in Mrs. Evans cheek, undoubtedly caused by the condiments all over the floor.
Lily chewed the soup-covered bread and stood up, slowly, pointedly not asking to be excused, but before she could retreat to the attic, a sight through the open kitchen window caused her to pause and stare. Slowly noticing the direction of Lily's gaze and the frozen attitude of the girl, the rest of the family glanced in the same direction Lily was. Mr. Evans still had his spoon in hand, Mrs. Evans gripped her tea cup incredibly hard, Petunia's eyes had doubled in size and she seemed too frightened to scream, and Lily stood with her arm extended, about to push in her chair. As the Evanses stood, transfixed, a large barn owl that Lily recognized from one of her grandfather's birding books sailed in and landed on Lily's arm. Each head turned to stare at Lily, though no other part of their body moved. Lily herself glanced nervously down at the bird on her forearm and gave a small inward gasp. The owl was shaking its leg at her, in what might have been some absurd jig - if owls could do jigs - except for the fact that there was a letter of yellowed parchment attached to it. The owl seemed to want it off.
Trembling slightly, Lily reached down with her spare hand and untied the letter. The owl nipped her fingers lightly, though it didn't hurt, and sailed off into the night. Lily dropped the letter onto the table and sank down into her seat once more. The Evans' stared at the letter, which had landed address-down. The strange seal on the back was made up of a badger, a lion, a serpent, and an eagle, all surrounding a large H. In the few seconds they stared at it, Lily wondered vaguely what H could stand for. Hampshire? That was where they lived, certainly, but since when had Hampshire adopted such an unusual seal? However, before Lily could contemplate on the matter any further, her father reached forward and turned the envelope over so that the whole table could see what it said. Written on the front in emerald green ink were the words:
Miss L. Evans The Kitchen Table, Northwest Seat 12 Magdalen Hill Winchester, Hampshire England
Lily read this a couple of times, to be sure she understood right. Glancing around the table, she realized that she was in the northwest seat. There could be no mistake. This letter was for her. She peered in her father's direction, wondering vaguely whether she should open it. Instead of the annoyed, ashamed expression that normally adorned his countenance when seeing her, he seemed curious and interested. The expression on her mother's face was similar; she appeared to even have forgotten about the salt on the table, which was a big deal, for her. Petunia seemed terrified that the letter would explode, but then again, this was Petunia.
In a movement that everyone in the kitchen watched with immense interest, Lily reached across the table and picked up the envelope, turning it once more so that the seal was visible. As Lily slit the envelope, her mother let out an audible gasp. Lily might have been inclined to laugh, but she was just as excited so felt it would be hypocritical. She had also never received so much attention that wasn't negative before. It was a nice feeling.
Inside the envelope were two sheets of paper. Trying to exercise self- control over the hands that wanted to rip out this mysterious letter, she pulled the top one out first and peered down upon the writing there:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Evans, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is a most esteemed school at which the students are taught the magical arts.
We understand that all members of your family are not of magical power (Muggles), so we ask that, do you decide to attend Hogwarts, you also attend a short seminar on July 27th at 2 pm about the magical world. Parents are welcome. The seminar is located at the Leaky Cauldron Pub in London. As long as you keep the name of this area in mind, you will find the pub easily.
Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1.
Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Lily stared at the parchment, wondering, hoping, wishing that this place truly existed. But even if it were, she realized, heart sinking sadly, she was destined to spend the rest of her time at St. Catherine's. She breathed a deep, world-weary sigh and chanced a look at her parents. Both seemed simply itching to see the letter; after all, how many people get mail delivered to them by an owl?
Lily resolutely handed her father the parchment, a tiny fragment of her mind still hoping fervently that he would let her go. She was too preoccupied to even be amused at the way her mother had dashed around the table to see what was going on. However, Petunia's bony neck peering over Mr. Evans's shoulder was enough to make Lily crack a smile. As much as Petunia hated things out of the unexpected, she was incredibly nosy.
While the other members of her family poured over the letter, Lily drew out the next slip of paper within. This was, apparently, the list of necessary books and equipment the first letter had opened. Across the top was the same imposing title that the letter had:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM: First-year students will require: Three sets of plain black work robes One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS:
All first-year students should have a copy of the following volumes:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) by Miranda Goshawk
Wizarding Events in Early History by Clayton Batten
Transfiguration for the Young by Frank Gadders
Common Wizarding Plants and Organisms for Basic Potions by Fungillus Garter
Basic Wizarding Potions by Fungillus Garter
Danger Where You Least Expect it: Rudimentary Defense Skills by Herman Horsepepper
Fifteen Hundred Magical Creatures; a guide to survival by Leslie Hasting
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size two) 1 set crystal or glass phials 1 telescope 1 [I]Miniature Guide to the Night Skies[/I], by Orion Moonstone (optional) 1 set scales
Students may bring one of the following: an owl, cat, or toad
Broomsticks must be left at home until second year.
It didn't sound very sane to Lily, but she had spent so much of her life immersed in fantasy novels that she half believed in this anyway. And, she would welcome virtually anything that might rescue her from impending doom.
Lily looked up at her parents, to see if they had finished reading the letter yet. Both had, apparently; they were looking at their youngest daughter as though they had never really seen anything like her. Petunia was nowhere to be sight, which made sense, Lily supposed; even her nosy nature would be quelled by seeing a title like "HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY." Lily waited for her parents to say something, but silence continued to encompass the atmosphere of the kitchen.
"Mum, dad, I'd really like to go," Lily spoke softly after a few more moments of unbearable silence passed. "I-I understand that I haven't been.cooperative.but I can change that. I'll do my best - which I must admit, I haven't been doing - to be a good daughter: if I want to, I can get good grades, be nicer to people, anything you want - if you'll just please, please, please let me go." She breathed heavily after speaking, laced her fingers together, and gazed hopefully at her parents.
"Oh, sweetie -" her father began. Lily was amazed to hear his tone of voice; that was how he spoke to Petunia, not to Lily. Lily's heart rose a little. Before her father could continue, however, Mrs. Evans let out an indecipherable noise, across between a scream and a gasp, and ran around the edge of the table to wrap her arms tightly around Lily.
"I'm-I'm so sorry," she said, drawing away from her daughter. "I can't believe I was about to send you off to that horrible place, when you could instead go - go here! A witch - oh honey, we're ever so proud!" She exchanged a look with her husband, who stood up as well.
"Of course you can go!" he announced. "A witch...oh this is too amazing! The twenty-seventh, did they say? We have a week, then," he finished briskly, smiling down at Lily.
"Oh.oh, thank you so much!" Lily told them. "You won't regret it, I'll do better than my best at-at Hogwarts." She gave each of them a hug and walked out of the kitchen, pausing only to say an additional thank you before she turned up the stairs.
For the rest of the week, Lily was content to simply read and occasionally engage in conversations with her parents. The only noticeable difference between Lily's life before and after the letter had arrived was that Lily's parents loved talking to her. Before Lily knew it, it was eleven o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 27th. She and Petunia piled into the back of the car and they were on their way to London.
As they entered the city, Lily closed The Hobbit and reminded her parents of what the letter had said: keep in mind where they were going, The Leaky Cauldron, and they would find it. Remarkably, this worked: later on Mr. Evans told his family of the odd feeling that passed over him, as though his mind weren't his own, and helped him to reach the parking space outside of a large bookstore to the right of the small, grungy, Leaky Cauldron.
Lily pointed out the shabby pub to her family; for some strange reason, they had a lot of trouble focusing on its being there, particularly Petunia. Once everyone had seen the pub and understood that it was there, Lily checked her back pocket to make sure that she still had the letter, took a deep breath, and strode through the door. The pub was no more extravagant within than it was on the outside. All that was good to be said about it was that it was large, moderately clean, and the bartender, despite rather crude dental health, appeared kind.
As the door shut behind Petunia, the small bell at its summit jingling slightly, the bartender glanced up and saw Lily and her family standing awkwardly, not sure what to do next. Lily opened her mouth to ask where the seminar was, but the bartender spoke first.
"Ah, you must be another first-year!" He exclaimed. "The seminar for muggle- born students is right down this hall," He pointed at a room behind a closed door at the end of the corridor. "The instructor should already be there." He smiled encouragingly, and waved as Lily started off across the rough wooden floor, followed rather more closely than was necessary by her parents, and less closely than was polite by Petunia.
Taking a deep breath, Lily pushed the door open and walked inside. For someone who had been expecting a place of deep mystery or obvious magic, Lily was greatly disappointed. The room was fairly large and sun-filled by the great windows on the sides. A good number of tables were arranged, all chairs facing a tall, thin-lipped woman. The only sign of the unusual purpose of the meeting was the woman herself: she was wearing long, black robes, and a hat was pinned over the tight bun that was her hair.
She looked up as Lily and her family walked in, and nodded at Lily in what was probably supposed to be an encouraging gesture, though it was ruined by the fact that she wasn't smiling.
"Welcome to Hogwarts' Introductory Seminar. Please cross your name off the list so that we know that you have decided to attend our school," she pointed to the table in the corner, in front of which the only other family in the room was gathered.
While they waited for the family in front to finish crossing off the names of their twin daughters, Lily and her parents observed the scene through the windows. Each pane of glass was almost the full length of the walls, but Lily wished they were bigger. Through each one was an incredibly detailed, moving sight. Each view was so different that Lily was sure they couldn't be actual windows; even in the magical world, she doubted that the bottom of the ocean could be found next to a bazaar from ancient Egypt.
Lily's parents were just as fascinated by the panoramas as their daughter was. Mr. Evans kept excitedly pointing out the moving figures. He seemed particularly amazed by a miniature scene of numerous people on broomsticks playing some kind of sport. There were two colors of their robes, so Lily assumed that there were two teams. Three players from each team were tossing a red soccer ball-like ball to each other, trying to get it into one of the three opposing goals. A single player from each team guarded the team's goals. Two members of each team were carrying short clubs that they used to hit the independently moving black balls toward members of the opposite team. These cannonball-like objects seemed intent on unseating the players. And lastly, one person on each team sailed high above their teammates. Lily wondered what they were doing for a few moments, then saw the two go into a spectacular dive for a tiny, speedy gold ball.
A loud, forced cough from behind Mr. Evans brought the family back to reality: they were now holding up the sizable line. Smiling apologetically at the people behind her, Lily found her name and drew a trembling line across it. The line's unsteady aspect portrayed Lily's frazzled nerves quite well.
A last glance at the windows was all that Lily allowed herself before following her parents to join Petunia at the table in the far back. Petunia had clearly chosen this spot because it was as far away as possible from the witch in the front of the room. Feeling slightly annoyed at her sister for choosing such obviously inconvenient seating, particularly when so many better tables were available, Lily tried her best to observe the windows further. She had so little luck that she finally gave up and instead spent the remaining minutes watching the other nervous first-years. Finally, the witch in the front of the room cleared her throat, stood up, and began to speak.
"Hello, and welcome. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am the Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am pleased to see that so many people have turned out for our seminar; it's nice that most people are sane enough to not throw away their letter the moment they get it." There were nervous titters through the surrounding families, and Petunia, on Lily's left, gave a derisive snort. Clearly, she didn't think that someone who wore robes and a witch's hat in public was anywhere near being sane.
"First, to assure the less convinced families, I have prepared a short demonstration of magic," she pulled out her wand and waved it at the sign- in sheet. The small leaflet of papers rose quite unaided and sailed over to Professor McGonagall, who caught them deftly. Nearly everyone in the room 'oohed.' But McGonagall wasn't done: next she turned the papers into a parakeet and back, turned them purple, shrank them to a quarter of their original size, and finally, she turned the language into Arabic.
Merely for her own amusement, Lily chanced a glance at Petunia. The blonde was staring, openmouthed, at Professor McGonagall, mouthing wordlessly and managing to glare as forcefully as possible at the witch. Snorting inwardly, Lily turned back to see the papers disappear with a poof of orange smoke.
"Now that we have cleared up that this isn't some kind of nonsense-" Professor McGonagall smiled at the looks on people's faces, ranging from surprised to awed to alarmed. "-let me continue by saying that you should be most proud that your child has qualified to attend Hogwarts. As your letter mentioned, our school is very prestigious. Unlike in the non-magical world, we accept everyone we can, but let me say to you right now that it will be hard work. Students must be serious at getting a magical education. It isn't all wand-waving and Quidditch playing." A few people looked very confused at this word. McGonagall quickly indicated the pane of window Lily and her parents had been watching, then continued to speak.
"In order to attend Hogwarts, students must have all that is on the list we sent out with your acceptance letters. Don't worry," she continued as some people looked nervous. A few families had begun muttering to one another, including a boy in front of Lily, who murmured to his mother that he didn't know they were supposed to bring the letter. "Don't worry, we have spare first-year lists for those who did not think to bring their own."
"As those of you who read the letters know, the objects on the list could hardly be found in downtown London. The wizarding world has an alternative shopping center, comprised of various marketplaces. For buying school materials, Hogwarts recommends Diagon Alley. The shops along this street have everything that you could possibly need in your days at Hogwarts, and the shopkeepers are known to be most helpful if you may have any questions. We have small maps of the alleyway, pointing out the most helpful stores." The witch pointed to the table that had held the sign-up sheet. "As for the belongings you wish to bring to school, Hogwarts asks that all students have a trunk of some kind."
"As for the school year itself, the Hogwarts Express leaves from King's Cross, Platform Nine and Three Quarters, on September first at eleven in the morning. We have tickets here for every student taking the train. In order to get onto the platform, which is entirely impenetrable to Muggles - nonmagic folk," she explained to the numerous confused faces. "In order to get onto the platform, one must simply walk through the wall between platforms nine and ten. This wall is solid only to Mugg - nonmagic people," she corrected herself just in time, "and to those who are frightened of colliding with it. Students must remember not to be afraid that they'll crash into the wall, or nasty things can happen." She didn't go into any details. "Nonmagic parents may enter, but only when accompanied by their magical children. It is essential that no one sees you entering the platform."
"Now, are there any questions?" She surveyed the soon-to-be students, again smiling slightly at the mixtures of expressions that adorned their faces. At these words, a good number of hands went up. "Yes? You, in the back?" Professor McGonagall pointed to the boy sitting in front of Lily, who had muttered to his mother earlier.
"This whole wizarding thing sounds right magical," he spoke loudly, in a strong Irish accent. "But how do we know that we actually are wizards? That we actually do have the power to do stuff like what you showed?"
"Ah, I'm glad you asked," Professor McGonagall smiled at him approvingly. "It is often a matter of doubt between students who come from Mug - non- magical backgrounds." She peered at the boy from across the room, examining him closely through her spectacles. "Have you ever made something unusual happen? Something out of the ordinary that you couldn't explain, when you were angry or feeling some other magnified emotion? Witches and wizards, young and old, have been known to use magic when they are feeling particularly distressed, often unknowingly."
At these words, a new bout of murmurs broke out across the hall. Thinking back, Lily thought of the bowl landing so perfectly on her sister's head. It was the only real sign of any magic she'd done - unless she counted having the wonderful talent of making people mad at herself without trying. Trying desperately to think of something else to prove that she was magic, Lily remembered Petunia's complaints of Lily making her unable to speak, back when they were younger. Could that, perhaps, be another show of Lily's true magical self?
Lily shook her mind free of those thoughts and turned back to see Professor McGonagall call on another unsure student, who asked about the word 'Muggle.' Lily only half paid attention as McGonagall explained that the word 'Muggle' is the wizarding reference to non-magical people.
"Where's Diagon Alley?" the next girl asked bluntly.
"Diagon Alley is located right behind this very pub. You must go into the small courtyard and use your wand to tap the brick three up and two across from the trashcan. You obviously cannot do that until you get a wand - also available in Diagon Alley - but any witch or wizard would be glad to help you."
"I will answer one final question, then let you get on your way. I would be happy to answer or discuss any other concerns that you have; I will be here all afternoon, so feel free to come back from Diagon Alley if you can think of anything that I've missed." McGonagall paused briefly, then pointed at one of the twin girls Lily's family had stood behind earlier. "Yes?"
"I was just wondering.you said that we needed a trunk, right? Well, where are we supposed to get those? How big do they need to be?"
"Just like anything else necessary for Hogwarts, trunks can be found in Diagon Alley. There is a standard school size that we prefer our students stick to; however, if you find it absolutely necessary, you may go one size smaller or larger."
"Now, if that is all, the seminar has come to an end. Any pamphlets, maps, train tickets, or spare letter information you might need are on this table." She waved her wand carelessly and stacks of brightly colored papers appeared. "Wait," she held up her hand to prevent a few people from rising. "Let me just say, welcome to Hogwarts!"
She stepped back and walked over to a corner where she and any who had questions would be more isolated from the rest of the families present. A number of people ambushed her, but Lily had no more reservations. Instead, the redhead walked briskly up to the table that held information and used her small height to reach through the jostling parents. Finding the map and ticket she had been looking for, Lily turned and joined her parents at the doorway, following them out into the small courtyard McGonagall had described. Unsure of what to do next, the family waited uncomfortably, noticing that the only people who joined them in the courtyard were from the other wandless families from the Hogwarts seminar.
But they didn't have to wait long; just as the courtyard was becoming very full of first-year families, the innkeeper came out and did them all the favor of tapping the brick McGonagall had mentioned. A small hole appeared where the innkeeper's wand had been. It grew larger and larger until it was a giant archway into a bustling shopping center. Trying to calm her nerves and excitement, Lily took a deep breath and stepped forward.