A Flower: The Lily Evans Story
Part One: The change
Chapter one: Mr. Wheaterby
Summery: Lily Evans is fighting with her best friend and her crush. She is miserable until a strange visitor arrives. Suddenly she isn't who she thought she was and she is on her way to a new life.
Disclaimer: I do not own any original characters from the Harry Potter books, nor do I own any original details.
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In downtown London a girl was in lying on her bed in tears. She lay face down to muffle the sound of her crying. It was not only to keep her grief from her parents. She didn't like the sound of her sobs echoing through the air. They would only make her feel worse.
She had been this way all weekend for trivial reasons really. At least that's what she would tell you when something really mattered to her. This did really matter to her though to others it would seem less than worthy of such sorrow. For one, her long time crush had just found some one. She had thought they might get together soon, but she had been wrong. The only thing that could have made it worse was the fact that the new girl was her former best friend. The usual yelling match had ensued and naturally they were not on speaking terms.
"Lily, dinner!" her father called up the stairs.
"Kay," she shouted in a slightly choked voice.
Lily sat up and looked into the mirror across from her bed. Her dark red hair hung limply at the sides of her paled face and her emerald eyes were dull. Usually her face would have seemed kindly, but now it was splotched with red and empty of any happy feelings. After she wiped her tears and pulled back her hair she hurried down to the kitchen.
"Hey Hun," came her mother's gentle voice. "What have you been up to?"
"Err...reading," she lied. It was believable enough. Lily was somewhat of a bookworm.
Her mother nodded and busied herself serving dinner. Baked potatoes, salad, and leg of lamb were on the menu, a typical meal at the Evans household. A minute later a long necked snobby looking girl walked in.
"Petunia, where have you been all day without calling?" Lily's father gave Petunia a look of reprimand.
"Out," she said shortly.
"Don't take that tone with me," he warned.
The horse-faced girl rolled her eyes. "I was with Vernon." She looked at him as if she was the one who should be angry.
"Call next time." He started eating to signify the end of the conversation and the rest of the family followed in tense silence. Fights like this were common since Petunia and Vernon had started to go together. The family figured he had found some way to convince her we all hated her or something of the sort. Lily honestly didn't understand her sister's behavior. Even the most relaxed rule had to be broken and no matter what it was always Lily's fault. Once Petunia was late coming home and she had tried to blame Lily for not reminding her of curfew.
Lily on the other hand lived by the rules. She was in moderation. The way she dressed was conservative, her grades were good, she helped around the house. She was pretty much her parent's dream, besides the times that strange things happened around her. Delicate objects could never be left anyway where Lily spent time. Some how she always managed to break them. Lily had told her parents over and over that she couldn't help it, but they did not agree.
The phone rang and Lily jumped up to answer it. Answering the phone had always made her smile. Someone a thousand miles away could be on the other line and you could speak with him or her as if they were right next to him or her. The person on the other end this time was not quite as pleasing as she had hoped. Lindsey, her ex-best friend, was calling.
"Hello? Lily?"
Lily just crossed her arms and stared at the floor with the corners of her mouth pulled in tight.
"Look, I'm really sorry about Josh. I didn't mean to like him, these things just happen."
"You weren't sorry when you were all over him at the mall," she thought, still listening to the voice she had come to dread.
"We just found each other. I mean, you can't deny we are a good couple."
Lily snorted and hung up the phone. "Who was is?" her mother asked.
"Just some survey about cheese. You wouldn't believe some of the questions they asked." She laughed a bit. "What other purpose, besides eating, might you use cheese for?" she imitated an announcer voice. She hated to lie to her parents, but it was better than having them worrying over her. Best to let them think everything was fine.
Her family, minus Petunia, laughed with her and then her father went into a rant about surveyors. "Calling during dinner? Where is their decency?" He couldn't be diverted to from the subject until the end of dinner.
They cleared the table and went into the den. Their nightly tradition was to watch the news together. If they didn't watch the news the day never seemed to have closure. The family had even gotten a special 24/7 news channel.
"Whose turn for dishes?"
Petunia immediately pointed at Lily, who gave her an indignant look. Before she could defend herself Petunia shouted, "It's Thursday! Her day!"
"No way!" she retorted. "I have taken her turn twice in a row because she was out with Vernon." She added a disgusted inflection to his name. Lily absolutely despised him. He was loud, rude and the fact that he had almost no neck bothered her for some reason.
Her father gave her a look. They wanted the two of them to be supportive of each other. Yeah right. Petunia would call Lily a freak for the rest of her life and Lily would never be able to stand her arrogant ways.
"Petunia, go wash them," their mother ordered. She jumped up and stormed into the kitchen muttering. Just then the cheesy new music started to blare from the TV. Lily smiled. The news let her forget she had problems by focusing on those of the rest of the world.
"Tonight's breaking news is the mysterious death of Michael Higgins. He was found in an empty ally with an expression of fear on his face. After the autopsy no cause of death could be found--"
The doorbell rang. Again. And then three times more.
"Some one answer it before the idiot breaks it," he father said irritably. He hated interruptions. Already today the "surveyor" had called and now some one was having a carnival with the doorbell.
"I'll get it." Lily jumped up as the doorbell rang four more times. With a few long strides she pulled the door open. "Yes?" she asked more harshly than she really meant.
Standing at the door was the most unusual person she had ever seen. There was a man wearing a yellow pinstriped suite, an orange tie with ladybugs on it, and a Christmas green shirt. His feet were adorned with messy sneakers and under his too-short pants were brown and black mismatched socks. His clothes weren't even the strangest things about him. He was carrying a letter addressed to Lily Evans, the den, the pillow, the floor (her usual news watching spot). In the other hand was a birdcage with a live tawny owl sleeping inside.
"Hello," said his oddly high and excited voice. "I am here to speak with Lily Evans and family."
"Okay. This is the right place." She stepped aside with a curious expression. "Come in I suppose." She led him into the den. "Mom, dad, this man," she gestured to him and watched their faces change, "wants to speak to Lily Evans and family."
Her father raised an eyebrow. "Sit down sir."
"Call me Mr. Wheaterby."
"Okay Mr. W-"
"Mr. Wheaterby."
"Mr. Wheaterby, how can I help you?"
"Well, this is something for the whole family to hear. My records indicate that a Miss Petunia Evans resides here as well."
Petunia, being as nosy as she was, had been listening in the other room and stuck her head around the corner, "Yes?"
"You must be Petunia," he said unnecessarily. "Join us."
She was already sitting in a soft green armchair and she had just noticed the man strange attire and was staring at him with mild distaste. The curiosity in the room could have killed a million cats and Mr. Evans nodded for the man to continue.
Mr. Wheaterby smiled at each of them before he went on. "What I am about to tell you will hardly seem possible, but I assure you it is entirely true. This is not a joke. Not a prank." He saw their faces stricken with concern. "I do believe it is good news though." By their unchanging faces, his effort to comfort them had failed.
"Your daughter Lily," he paused for effect "is a witch. Everyone stared at him open mouthed. "We would like to congratulate her." He held out his hand to shake. Instead he received four blank stares.
Finally Lily's father managed to regain some of his composure. "What?!"
"We have a way we like to use to help you accept this."
"Who exactly is 'we'?" Mr. Evans asked incredulously.
"I'm sorry. We as in the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Oh." He was temporarily mute though the answer hardly satisfied him.
Lily sat with her freckled nose wrinkled deep in thought. Petunia had an ugly and intense look of disapproval on her face and her large eyes were narrowed.
The man paused until he thought the moment was right. "Hogwarts school..." He was cut off.
Mr. Evans cut him off after he had found his voice again. "Wait a minute. Before you for on you better tell us what the hell you mean by witch." He rarely used any form of foul language and even this one word gave a clue that he was distressed.
"Well, she can do magic, you see. She will have a wand, use potions, fly on broomsticks..."
"So your telling me that something we have brought our daughters up thinking it make believe is real. Something we have thought a myth most of our lives is in fact the truth? You expect us to believe she is a fairy tale creature? Forgive me if I don't understand."
"That is why I was sent. I am supposed to explain everything to you and answer any questions."
"First of all, where is the proof you are not making this up? Go on, turn us all to toads or whatnot."
"Mr. Evans, I do have a few demonstrations I can do for you and your family if you would like."
"Please do. Demonstrate away," he said pulling his arms apart as if to say "act freely."
The man pulled out a long thin piece off wood and Lily's father laughed. "A wand? How cliché."
The man ignored his skepticism. "Does anyone have a glass of water?" He looked around the room. Petunia, edger to see the trick, moved to get a glass. "Never mind," said Mr. Wheaterby. She relaxed back into her chair.
"Messing up already?" Mr. Evans accused.
"No, no," the man said coolly. He flicked his wand and instantly a full glass of clear water appeared on the table.
Now the family was amazed. None of the could figure how he could have done such a thing. Their minds raced for possible solutions, but found none. It was silently resolved to keep watching.
He pointed his wand at the glass again. With a quiet mutter it was filled with a pleasant brown liquid. "Tea," he explained. "Perfectly made, if I do say so myself. Try it if you like." They all politely declined the offer. Well, except Petunia who glared at it. "Would you like to see one more?" he offered.
This time Lily spoke, nodding vigorously. "Yes, please Mr. Wheaterby."
The man's eyes lit up at her positive response. "This one is a little more difficult." Petunia looked at him as if he had said; "Now I will set out a wild boar to maul you." He pulled out a small footstool from under a wicker chair. He aimed his wand and closed his eyes, seemingly concentrating. Soon the silence in the room was broken with the barks of a puppy. He opened his eyes to watch it bound up to Petunia. After it received a deathly glare in turned, tail between its legs, to Ms. Evans. She patted behind his eyes before the man turned it back into the immobile piece of furniture. Petunia eyed it as if it could still bark.
Finally, Lily's father looked at his family to assess their reactions. Without speaking he nodded his belief to Mr. Wheaterby. The corners of Lily's mouth twitched as if to smile. "So I can do all of that?" she asked.
"Well, not yet..."
"But how? I'm not magical at all." Lily was quite ordinary. Nothing about her seemed to be this special. "You must be mistaken." She looked disappointed.
"But you are," he said quickly. "You're name has been down for a long time. Think back. Has anything strange ever happened when you were angry or upset?"
Lily thought for a moment and a thousand incidents came to mind. Her lunch tray had once exploded in a bullies face. A book of hers had been ruined by a teasing classmate and then mysteriously repaired the next day. Things did seem to happen around her. People at school shunned her and her own sister thought her diseased.
Lily nodded slowly. "But why haven't you come before?"
"As you know, you turned eleven a few weeks ago. The magical word starts school at that age. I am here to invite you to attend Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here," he handed her the letter she had noticed earlier. "This will explain a little more."
Dear Ms. Lilian Evans,
You are hereby invited to attend Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. This is a prestigious honor and we hope that you will accept
our offer. Here you will learn the skill necessary to become a fully
qualified witch. If you chose to accept the invitation let us know
promptly. The term starts September first. The train will depart from
platform 9 and ¾ at 11:00 Kings Cross station.
Thank you.
Attached was a list of supplies.
1 pewter cauldron
1 pair dragon hide or better gloves
1 telescope
1 black hat for daywear
2 sets of plain black robes
Uniform Clothes
1 basic potions set
Books
Potions for All
One Form to Another
Charms to Charm You
Defensive: Dangerous Arts
A Directory of Plants
Optional: Broom sticking
Lily handed the letter to her father to read. He went through the pages blankly while Mrs. Evans looked over his shoulder intrigued and confused. Lastly Petunia was offered the letter, but she refused it immediately.
They sat in silence until her mother asked the question on all of their minds. "Where is she going to get this cauldron...and 'dragon' gloves? I have never heard of anywhere that sells items like this."
"On the contrary ma'am. If you chose to let her attend someone will be over in a week to take her shopping."
Lily was once again lost in thought. "This is a boarding school, I suppose?"
"Yes, it is," the man replied proudly.
"If I go I will be apart from my mother. My father. Petunia. Well, the last one isn't so bad," she thought. "I won't see Lindsey or Josh. I will leave all of my classmates." The idea started to grow on her. "I wouldn't have to deal with Petunia's snide remarks about how freakish I am. I won't have to see Lindsey and Josh together. My classmates won't be able to prank me or call me rude names...I could start over."
She looked up at her parents. Her mother was a little nervous and kept tapping her foot and idly moving her hands. Her father held more of a concerned look with his arms crossed.
"How long will she be gone?" asked Petunia hopefully.
Mr. Wheaterby took her tone to be one of worry. "Well, a year at a time. Christmas and summer and other holidays off so she can visit. It is seven years long."
Mrs. Evans furrowed her brow. "That's quite a long time."
"Actually it is only as long as she would be in regular non-magical school. Besides she can stay in touch through letters." He nodded several times with a large grin.
This time Lily chimed in. "So can I go? I mean, it sounds so interesting and fun. The experience might be very beneficial as well." She chose her words to seem mature. Her eyes varied between her mother and father. "Please?"
"I'm not sure. This is so sudden. Not to mention strange," her father said skeptically.
"-But think of the benefits," begged Lily.
"Like what?" her mother inquired.
"Well, like..." she trailed off unable to name any.
Mr. Wheaterby jumped in. "Well for starters she will be able to help out with house hold chores. Cooking, cleaning, gardening. Making them much quicker. She will learn skills to help her start a career and support herself."
"Sounds just like regular school to me," Petunia sneered. The idea of her sister getting special attention for nothing irked her.
"Well she will also be learning to better control her magical abilities. The odd things that happen to her may be suppressed with coaching."
"Finally she can stop being such a freak," Petunia said mock joyously.
Her mother gave her a look before turning to Mr. Evans. "Charlie, I think she should go." She was still thinking about the time Lily had managed to break half of her good china without moving an inch. "She isn't the only one who will benefit."
Her father paused for a moment obviously thinking through a few occasions on which Lily had caused assorted dinner dishes to break before they hit the table. "Lily, is this what you really want?"
"Yes. I know this is the right way to go," she replied immediately.
"And how much will this cost us?"
"About 300 pounds." Mr. Wheaterby seemed to answer this question a lot.
"If we do the gardening ourselves and buy a few generic brands..." he looked at Lily, "We can just about swing it."
It took her a moment to realize what he meant. "You mean," she hesitated, "I'm going?" After an assuring nod from her parents she sprang up and pulled them both into a very tight hug. "Thank you, thank you! I am going to get the best grades ever and write you at least once a week," she said in one breath. Fantasies of her new life were running through her head.
"Right then," said the man, interrupting the scene. "Someone will be by to take her shopping in a week. One pm sharp." He pulled a feathered quill and a scrap of parchment out of some invisible pocket. "I just need to..." he scribbled something down and opened the owl's cage. It hooted quietly and hopped into his lap with a leg extended. He folded the parchment and tied it to the leg and then opened the door and let the owl fly into the darkening sky. "Just had to let them know you accepted."
His actions made Lily even more curious. Her stomach had excited butterflies fluttering inside and thoughts of this change clouded her mind. Apparently the rest of the family had similar feelings because none of them noticed the man leaving. "I must be going," he said. He left a silent family of gargoyles sitting with the T.V. blaring and no effort was made to turn it off.
Part One: The change
Chapter one: Mr. Wheaterby
Summery: Lily Evans is fighting with her best friend and her crush. She is miserable until a strange visitor arrives. Suddenly she isn't who she thought she was and she is on her way to a new life.
Disclaimer: I do not own any original characters from the Harry Potter books, nor do I own any original details.
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In downtown London a girl was in lying on her bed in tears. She lay face down to muffle the sound of her crying. It was not only to keep her grief from her parents. She didn't like the sound of her sobs echoing through the air. They would only make her feel worse.
She had been this way all weekend for trivial reasons really. At least that's what she would tell you when something really mattered to her. This did really matter to her though to others it would seem less than worthy of such sorrow. For one, her long time crush had just found some one. She had thought they might get together soon, but she had been wrong. The only thing that could have made it worse was the fact that the new girl was her former best friend. The usual yelling match had ensued and naturally they were not on speaking terms.
"Lily, dinner!" her father called up the stairs.
"Kay," she shouted in a slightly choked voice.
Lily sat up and looked into the mirror across from her bed. Her dark red hair hung limply at the sides of her paled face and her emerald eyes were dull. Usually her face would have seemed kindly, but now it was splotched with red and empty of any happy feelings. After she wiped her tears and pulled back her hair she hurried down to the kitchen.
"Hey Hun," came her mother's gentle voice. "What have you been up to?"
"Err...reading," she lied. It was believable enough. Lily was somewhat of a bookworm.
Her mother nodded and busied herself serving dinner. Baked potatoes, salad, and leg of lamb were on the menu, a typical meal at the Evans household. A minute later a long necked snobby looking girl walked in.
"Petunia, where have you been all day without calling?" Lily's father gave Petunia a look of reprimand.
"Out," she said shortly.
"Don't take that tone with me," he warned.
The horse-faced girl rolled her eyes. "I was with Vernon." She looked at him as if she was the one who should be angry.
"Call next time." He started eating to signify the end of the conversation and the rest of the family followed in tense silence. Fights like this were common since Petunia and Vernon had started to go together. The family figured he had found some way to convince her we all hated her or something of the sort. Lily honestly didn't understand her sister's behavior. Even the most relaxed rule had to be broken and no matter what it was always Lily's fault. Once Petunia was late coming home and she had tried to blame Lily for not reminding her of curfew.
Lily on the other hand lived by the rules. She was in moderation. The way she dressed was conservative, her grades were good, she helped around the house. She was pretty much her parent's dream, besides the times that strange things happened around her. Delicate objects could never be left anyway where Lily spent time. Some how she always managed to break them. Lily had told her parents over and over that she couldn't help it, but they did not agree.
The phone rang and Lily jumped up to answer it. Answering the phone had always made her smile. Someone a thousand miles away could be on the other line and you could speak with him or her as if they were right next to him or her. The person on the other end this time was not quite as pleasing as she had hoped. Lindsey, her ex-best friend, was calling.
"Hello? Lily?"
Lily just crossed her arms and stared at the floor with the corners of her mouth pulled in tight.
"Look, I'm really sorry about Josh. I didn't mean to like him, these things just happen."
"You weren't sorry when you were all over him at the mall," she thought, still listening to the voice she had come to dread.
"We just found each other. I mean, you can't deny we are a good couple."
Lily snorted and hung up the phone. "Who was is?" her mother asked.
"Just some survey about cheese. You wouldn't believe some of the questions they asked." She laughed a bit. "What other purpose, besides eating, might you use cheese for?" she imitated an announcer voice. She hated to lie to her parents, but it was better than having them worrying over her. Best to let them think everything was fine.
Her family, minus Petunia, laughed with her and then her father went into a rant about surveyors. "Calling during dinner? Where is their decency?" He couldn't be diverted to from the subject until the end of dinner.
They cleared the table and went into the den. Their nightly tradition was to watch the news together. If they didn't watch the news the day never seemed to have closure. The family had even gotten a special 24/7 news channel.
"Whose turn for dishes?"
Petunia immediately pointed at Lily, who gave her an indignant look. Before she could defend herself Petunia shouted, "It's Thursday! Her day!"
"No way!" she retorted. "I have taken her turn twice in a row because she was out with Vernon." She added a disgusted inflection to his name. Lily absolutely despised him. He was loud, rude and the fact that he had almost no neck bothered her for some reason.
Her father gave her a look. They wanted the two of them to be supportive of each other. Yeah right. Petunia would call Lily a freak for the rest of her life and Lily would never be able to stand her arrogant ways.
"Petunia, go wash them," their mother ordered. She jumped up and stormed into the kitchen muttering. Just then the cheesy new music started to blare from the TV. Lily smiled. The news let her forget she had problems by focusing on those of the rest of the world.
"Tonight's breaking news is the mysterious death of Michael Higgins. He was found in an empty ally with an expression of fear on his face. After the autopsy no cause of death could be found--"
The doorbell rang. Again. And then three times more.
"Some one answer it before the idiot breaks it," he father said irritably. He hated interruptions. Already today the "surveyor" had called and now some one was having a carnival with the doorbell.
"I'll get it." Lily jumped up as the doorbell rang four more times. With a few long strides she pulled the door open. "Yes?" she asked more harshly than she really meant.
Standing at the door was the most unusual person she had ever seen. There was a man wearing a yellow pinstriped suite, an orange tie with ladybugs on it, and a Christmas green shirt. His feet were adorned with messy sneakers and under his too-short pants were brown and black mismatched socks. His clothes weren't even the strangest things about him. He was carrying a letter addressed to Lily Evans, the den, the pillow, the floor (her usual news watching spot). In the other hand was a birdcage with a live tawny owl sleeping inside.
"Hello," said his oddly high and excited voice. "I am here to speak with Lily Evans and family."
"Okay. This is the right place." She stepped aside with a curious expression. "Come in I suppose." She led him into the den. "Mom, dad, this man," she gestured to him and watched their faces change, "wants to speak to Lily Evans and family."
Her father raised an eyebrow. "Sit down sir."
"Call me Mr. Wheaterby."
"Okay Mr. W-"
"Mr. Wheaterby."
"Mr. Wheaterby, how can I help you?"
"Well, this is something for the whole family to hear. My records indicate that a Miss Petunia Evans resides here as well."
Petunia, being as nosy as she was, had been listening in the other room and stuck her head around the corner, "Yes?"
"You must be Petunia," he said unnecessarily. "Join us."
She was already sitting in a soft green armchair and she had just noticed the man strange attire and was staring at him with mild distaste. The curiosity in the room could have killed a million cats and Mr. Evans nodded for the man to continue.
Mr. Wheaterby smiled at each of them before he went on. "What I am about to tell you will hardly seem possible, but I assure you it is entirely true. This is not a joke. Not a prank." He saw their faces stricken with concern. "I do believe it is good news though." By their unchanging faces, his effort to comfort them had failed.
"Your daughter Lily," he paused for effect "is a witch. Everyone stared at him open mouthed. "We would like to congratulate her." He held out his hand to shake. Instead he received four blank stares.
Finally Lily's father managed to regain some of his composure. "What?!"
"We have a way we like to use to help you accept this."
"Who exactly is 'we'?" Mr. Evans asked incredulously.
"I'm sorry. We as in the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Oh." He was temporarily mute though the answer hardly satisfied him.
Lily sat with her freckled nose wrinkled deep in thought. Petunia had an ugly and intense look of disapproval on her face and her large eyes were narrowed.
The man paused until he thought the moment was right. "Hogwarts school..." He was cut off.
Mr. Evans cut him off after he had found his voice again. "Wait a minute. Before you for on you better tell us what the hell you mean by witch." He rarely used any form of foul language and even this one word gave a clue that he was distressed.
"Well, she can do magic, you see. She will have a wand, use potions, fly on broomsticks..."
"So your telling me that something we have brought our daughters up thinking it make believe is real. Something we have thought a myth most of our lives is in fact the truth? You expect us to believe she is a fairy tale creature? Forgive me if I don't understand."
"That is why I was sent. I am supposed to explain everything to you and answer any questions."
"First of all, where is the proof you are not making this up? Go on, turn us all to toads or whatnot."
"Mr. Evans, I do have a few demonstrations I can do for you and your family if you would like."
"Please do. Demonstrate away," he said pulling his arms apart as if to say "act freely."
The man pulled out a long thin piece off wood and Lily's father laughed. "A wand? How cliché."
The man ignored his skepticism. "Does anyone have a glass of water?" He looked around the room. Petunia, edger to see the trick, moved to get a glass. "Never mind," said Mr. Wheaterby. She relaxed back into her chair.
"Messing up already?" Mr. Evans accused.
"No, no," the man said coolly. He flicked his wand and instantly a full glass of clear water appeared on the table.
Now the family was amazed. None of the could figure how he could have done such a thing. Their minds raced for possible solutions, but found none. It was silently resolved to keep watching.
He pointed his wand at the glass again. With a quiet mutter it was filled with a pleasant brown liquid. "Tea," he explained. "Perfectly made, if I do say so myself. Try it if you like." They all politely declined the offer. Well, except Petunia who glared at it. "Would you like to see one more?" he offered.
This time Lily spoke, nodding vigorously. "Yes, please Mr. Wheaterby."
The man's eyes lit up at her positive response. "This one is a little more difficult." Petunia looked at him as if he had said; "Now I will set out a wild boar to maul you." He pulled out a small footstool from under a wicker chair. He aimed his wand and closed his eyes, seemingly concentrating. Soon the silence in the room was broken with the barks of a puppy. He opened his eyes to watch it bound up to Petunia. After it received a deathly glare in turned, tail between its legs, to Ms. Evans. She patted behind his eyes before the man turned it back into the immobile piece of furniture. Petunia eyed it as if it could still bark.
Finally, Lily's father looked at his family to assess their reactions. Without speaking he nodded his belief to Mr. Wheaterby. The corners of Lily's mouth twitched as if to smile. "So I can do all of that?" she asked.
"Well, not yet..."
"But how? I'm not magical at all." Lily was quite ordinary. Nothing about her seemed to be this special. "You must be mistaken." She looked disappointed.
"But you are," he said quickly. "You're name has been down for a long time. Think back. Has anything strange ever happened when you were angry or upset?"
Lily thought for a moment and a thousand incidents came to mind. Her lunch tray had once exploded in a bullies face. A book of hers had been ruined by a teasing classmate and then mysteriously repaired the next day. Things did seem to happen around her. People at school shunned her and her own sister thought her diseased.
Lily nodded slowly. "But why haven't you come before?"
"As you know, you turned eleven a few weeks ago. The magical word starts school at that age. I am here to invite you to attend Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here," he handed her the letter she had noticed earlier. "This will explain a little more."
Dear Ms. Lilian Evans,
You are hereby invited to attend Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. This is a prestigious honor and we hope that you will accept
our offer. Here you will learn the skill necessary to become a fully
qualified witch. If you chose to accept the invitation let us know
promptly. The term starts September first. The train will depart from
platform 9 and ¾ at 11:00 Kings Cross station.
Thank you.
Attached was a list of supplies.
1 pewter cauldron
1 pair dragon hide or better gloves
1 telescope
1 black hat for daywear
2 sets of plain black robes
Uniform Clothes
1 basic potions set
Books
Potions for All
One Form to Another
Charms to Charm You
Defensive: Dangerous Arts
A Directory of Plants
Optional: Broom sticking
Lily handed the letter to her father to read. He went through the pages blankly while Mrs. Evans looked over his shoulder intrigued and confused. Lastly Petunia was offered the letter, but she refused it immediately.
They sat in silence until her mother asked the question on all of their minds. "Where is she going to get this cauldron...and 'dragon' gloves? I have never heard of anywhere that sells items like this."
"On the contrary ma'am. If you chose to let her attend someone will be over in a week to take her shopping."
Lily was once again lost in thought. "This is a boarding school, I suppose?"
"Yes, it is," the man replied proudly.
"If I go I will be apart from my mother. My father. Petunia. Well, the last one isn't so bad," she thought. "I won't see Lindsey or Josh. I will leave all of my classmates." The idea started to grow on her. "I wouldn't have to deal with Petunia's snide remarks about how freakish I am. I won't have to see Lindsey and Josh together. My classmates won't be able to prank me or call me rude names...I could start over."
She looked up at her parents. Her mother was a little nervous and kept tapping her foot and idly moving her hands. Her father held more of a concerned look with his arms crossed.
"How long will she be gone?" asked Petunia hopefully.
Mr. Wheaterby took her tone to be one of worry. "Well, a year at a time. Christmas and summer and other holidays off so she can visit. It is seven years long."
Mrs. Evans furrowed her brow. "That's quite a long time."
"Actually it is only as long as she would be in regular non-magical school. Besides she can stay in touch through letters." He nodded several times with a large grin.
This time Lily chimed in. "So can I go? I mean, it sounds so interesting and fun. The experience might be very beneficial as well." She chose her words to seem mature. Her eyes varied between her mother and father. "Please?"
"I'm not sure. This is so sudden. Not to mention strange," her father said skeptically.
"-But think of the benefits," begged Lily.
"Like what?" her mother inquired.
"Well, like..." she trailed off unable to name any.
Mr. Wheaterby jumped in. "Well for starters she will be able to help out with house hold chores. Cooking, cleaning, gardening. Making them much quicker. She will learn skills to help her start a career and support herself."
"Sounds just like regular school to me," Petunia sneered. The idea of her sister getting special attention for nothing irked her.
"Well she will also be learning to better control her magical abilities. The odd things that happen to her may be suppressed with coaching."
"Finally she can stop being such a freak," Petunia said mock joyously.
Her mother gave her a look before turning to Mr. Evans. "Charlie, I think she should go." She was still thinking about the time Lily had managed to break half of her good china without moving an inch. "She isn't the only one who will benefit."
Her father paused for a moment obviously thinking through a few occasions on which Lily had caused assorted dinner dishes to break before they hit the table. "Lily, is this what you really want?"
"Yes. I know this is the right way to go," she replied immediately.
"And how much will this cost us?"
"About 300 pounds." Mr. Wheaterby seemed to answer this question a lot.
"If we do the gardening ourselves and buy a few generic brands..." he looked at Lily, "We can just about swing it."
It took her a moment to realize what he meant. "You mean," she hesitated, "I'm going?" After an assuring nod from her parents she sprang up and pulled them both into a very tight hug. "Thank you, thank you! I am going to get the best grades ever and write you at least once a week," she said in one breath. Fantasies of her new life were running through her head.
"Right then," said the man, interrupting the scene. "Someone will be by to take her shopping in a week. One pm sharp." He pulled a feathered quill and a scrap of parchment out of some invisible pocket. "I just need to..." he scribbled something down and opened the owl's cage. It hooted quietly and hopped into his lap with a leg extended. He folded the parchment and tied it to the leg and then opened the door and let the owl fly into the darkening sky. "Just had to let them know you accepted."
His actions made Lily even more curious. Her stomach had excited butterflies fluttering inside and thoughts of this change clouded her mind. Apparently the rest of the family had similar feelings because none of them noticed the man leaving. "I must be going," he said. He left a silent family of gargoyles sitting with the T.V. blaring and no effort was made to turn it off.
