After Bella had said goodbye to Bella, they revisited the Leaky Cauldron, littered with various bags and articles. Here they picked up Lily's presents.

"I'm sorry Lilee, I cannot cum 'ome wid yoo! I do not work at your 'ouse anymore! They won't 'urt yoo, cause they know what will 'appen, I'll personally kill dem." Bella hugged Lily, who still didn't look very convinced. "Ah Lilee! Don't be sad! Please!" she said in her French accent, "Come and 'ave dinner wid me before you go, yes!"

So forgetting all her worries, Lily sat down with Bella to enjoy a delightful dinner at the pub. When all conversation had extinguished between bites of food, the little girl took advantage of this silence to ask Bella about the question that had been annoying her all day. "Bella? Can you tell me why you became a maid at my household even though you had enough money to buy a large town in Russia? Why was it that you just left your magical life in a separate realm?"

Bella laid down her fork and surveyed Lily, "Well, my little friend, I 'ad orders from de Ministry to do so." She said stonily, looking as if she didn't want to give anything away.

"What types of things?" asked Lily.

"Ah, well just not'ing much, a little assignment thingy." The small eleven- year-old girl snorted into her drink, "Well, okay. Lilee whatever I tell yoo is not to be repeated to anyone, unless yoo can trust them one 'undred percent!"

Lily nodded and waited in anticipation. "Okay den! Well I was sent to look after yoo Lilee, and watch over you, to see if you showed any progress in becoming a witch. Everyday I 'ad to report da little things dat you did which were, well unmuggle. And yes, every week you seemed to do something strange, that made it look even more like you were a witch. Yoo are very important, Lilee, you 'ave 'er blood."

Lily was now looking very surprised and bemused, "Ah Bella why exactly am I important and whose blood do I have?"

"Lilee, yoo and your familee are the closest living relative to Azure O'Conner, she is your great, great, great, great, great grandmother. Azure was the most famous of sorceress's in the magic realm. But you and her are the only two witches in you're family history with magic blood. De Ministry 'as been tracing you're ancestors for more than a century!"

"What types of things can a sorceress do?"

"Well, dey can do magic without wands, dey live twice as long as most wizards and witches. Sometimes dey even 'ave a magic link to animals. They are also very beautiful, just like your self Lilee, but de last one died fifty years ago!"

"So basically you mean I could be one of those people, wicked!" Lily exclaimed.

"Dats good yoo are 'appy because you are starting to resemble Azure O'Connor more and more each day! I think maybe Lilee, yoo should leave for 'ome. I will try and owl yoo, but I will be very busy. Remember 'ow I told yoo 'ow to get onto de platform 9¾!"

"Yes, yes Bella don't fuss! Oh I can't wait for Hogwarts! One whole month! Thanks so much for the clothes Bell'! Send an owl to me if you are going to catch up!" Lily said as she stepped into the fireplace, "Bye Bella!" she waved.

"Bye, bye Lilee, don't let those muggles get you down!" and with that green flames engulfed her body and Lily whipped out of sight.

()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*( )*()*()*()*()

It was the day before she was to arrive at Hogwarts and Lily was running around her room in a mad panic looking for everything. She had completely forgot about packing ever since Diagon Alley since she had been reading all her schoolbooks and had managed to memorise most of them. Her owl swooped through the window a dead mouse in its beak, Lily had changed her mind about calling her Jade and instead called her Tiger. This was actually quite appropriate seen as the owl was just as viscus and her feathers were tinted red.

Lily smiled to herself. The whole Evans Household had been in an absolute uproar ever since Bella had left. The big house was spacious and needed a lot of devotion to be cleaned. Lily guessed that Bella must have used magic to complete the chores. Simon and Amanda Evans had to employ three new maids but still the work wasn't getting done. Neither of them ever asked Lily to do something seen as they were scared stiff that she would curse them into the prehistoric ages, without the little girl doing work it also added to the stress. Lily had practically been the cook, and so now that she wasn't working they had to employ one.

The eleven-year-old had been beside herself with glee when she had seen Petunia have to clean her own bedroom (after many hours of tantrums), Lily however with her small room had found it very easy to clean hers and then do what she pleased. But even though Lily felt happy she didn't have to work, the way her parents were treating her was unbearable.

Every time she entered a room that one of the Evans were in they would abruptly leave and if she past the in a corridor they would back up against the wall and snarl at her. Lily could hear them complaining about her at night with the walkie-talkie she had installed while they were out. Petunia always whispered that she was a freak under her breath, just loud enough for Lily to hear. Obviously Lily wasn't the only one desperate for her departure for Hogwarts.

She tossed her clothes into her trunk then started to neatly wrap her books in bubble wrap so they wouldn't snag each other.

()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*( )*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()

Later that day after polishing Tiger's cage she was sitting on the edge of the lawn under a shady oak tree in the Evan's colossal backyard. She was reading the last of her schoolbooks yet to be examined. Taking notes about what subjects that she thought would be necessary, she suddenly looked up. There stood a huge figure clad in a blue, silk robe. She could not see the shapes face.

Then he spoke in a deep baritone voice. "Hush child do not scream, I am you're messenger you are the only mortal human being that can see me. I have been sent from the realms of the endless powers to be your adviser. You are the last sorceress."

"W-what, I know that there have been sorceresses before but- me little, old me? No sorry dude you have the wrong person." Lily stuttered.

"Shush, little one. Speak to me through your mind, other wise outsiders of this conversation will think you are mad." The figure straightened to a full height on 7'6. "You must accept your role or the world might fall into shadow. The high-ones tell me you are powerful, you look exactly the same as my last client, except for the eyes vivid green, hers were brown, green and red a very strange but nice concoction. Come now would you like to hear of your responsibility and of what you can do?"

He sat down beside her and took of his hood, she could see he was older than middle aged. His white hair was still thick and had light blue eyes and a mystical smile. He took out a piece of parchment.

Unrolling the paper he placed it in front of her, written in blood-red ink were the names:

Gwenivellar Estever 456 B.C... Swan of deepest loch, unicorn

Rowena Ravenclaw 200 B.C...Raven of southern skies, Pegasus

Jewel Starling 1228 A.D... Green snake of jungle, fairy

Azure O'Conner1690 A.D... Horse of Irish hills, dragon
Lanna Potter 1878...Lioness of warrior art, veeela

"Are these all the sorceresses before me?" Asked Lily.

"Yes," replied the old man, "All of which could choose two animals to be their servants. One had to be an animal with no magic, mainly birds, and the other was an animal that possessed a different magic unknown to wizards."

"Lana Potter, hey! Is she by any chance related to JAMES Potter!" the young girl enquired.

"Um, well yes, I have heard from the high-ones that you don't get on to well with him. Well all that may change. He might be the closest being that knows of what you must go through. Give it time."

"I-CAN'T-STAND-JAMES-POTTER!" Lily commented through clenched teeth. The man just chuckled.

"Come know we must see what animals you are like, what is your wand made from, centaurs soul? Hmm? Yes, yes, if you were going to be a bird then you would be a peacock, but wait I do not think a bird would be of value to you. Ah maybe a wood animal, what about a snake, or brumby, hmm a spider, a doe, a-"

"A doe! That would be a fabulous animal, what colour?" Lily was now very excited as was the man.

"Well once the ceremony is complete you can transform into the animal, we do not know what you will look like until then." The chap said flatly, "But know what magical creature would you like to be? I shall help you seen as you probably don't know, being muggle-born and all."

"Can I take the shape of the magical beast like I can the stag?"

"Well, only rarely, when you are in great danger you might, but it is a very atypical occurrence." He told her. "Anyway, hmm your hair... that reminds me of an animal, yes how 'bout a phoenix?"

Lily was lost for words at this moment in time and was just staring up at the old man impersonating a gold fish, finally she came to her senses and blurted out, "No offence but I'm not sure if I am awake, maybe I am dreaming or you have the wrong girl, I mean I Lily, just plain old Lily."

"That's exactly what Azure said. Now I assure you that you are a sorceress, come now my little one, a phoenix? Is that not so bad?"

"Okay, okay, when and what exactly is the ceremony?" Lily's head was so full she thought it might explode.

"Well, this ceremony takes place on Christmas Eve, you are welcomed into the hall of endless powers, and named by your creatures. You will also be marked by the high ones, and shall be a redeemer and a knight to the earth."

"Ooooo-kay, now that all this is settled I guess I'll just jump off a cliff. WHY ME?"

"Calm down, everything is alright, few people can see me, your Headmaster at Hogwarts can, he will employ an instructor to train you against the dark arts, for now you must stay calm. I will talk to you soon; sometimes you will only hear me. I must ask you only to talk to me through your mind. Okay?" He nodded his head, and So Lily followed suit. "Until we meet again." With that he disappeared.

"What on earth was all that about?" Lily pondered out loud "I don't even know his name!"

()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*( )*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()

The next morning Lily woke with a start, she looked at her aged alarm clock and saw the time was five-thirty. She groaned, quite suddenly she sat bolt upright, Hogwarts! She was going to catch a taxi with some muggle money Bella had given her.

Firstly she decided to have a big breakfast, just encase they didn't feed her very well at her new school. Unfortunately she didn't enjoy the meal as much as she would have liked to because her family kept coming into the kitchen smiling broadly, probably showing that they were extremely pleased to see her go. To make sure that she didn't ask for any money her father sullenly gave her five pounds, which probably wouldn't have got her very far in the magic realm.

"You WILL be staying at your school over Christmas."

"Try not to send post to us, we will be busy."

"Don't ask us for money, five pounds will be enough."

"When you come back at the summer holidays catch a taxi back here so you won't disturb us."

"We might be going on holidays over summer, but you will be staying here. Try not to break the place."

"Don't forget anything, it costs to much to send it to you."

These remarks stung Lily terribly so she left them and went into her room to make sure everything was packed. She placed Tiger in her newly polished cage and put her pyjamas, bedspread and pillow into her trunk and attempted to seal it shut after sitting on the lid and wrestling the clasp shut she pulled it out of her room and downstairs to the front door.

The young redhead waited for a long time for the taxi to arrive, her tension was building. Lily lived about half an hour away from Kings Cross and the time was know ten past ten. Finally at twenty past the cab arrived the driver was very bemused as to why she had an owl.

"Ah, this owl is for a play that I am doing." Lily said feebly, while Tiger gave her enraged glares and hooted loudly.

The cab made it in good time to the train station leaving the young girl with fifteen minutes, she paid and the driver shouted after her, "Good luck for your performance with that owl!" Lily chuckled; it was good that many muggles were so gullible.

Lily stared at the barrier separating platform nine and ten, Bella had informed her that if she ran straight for it she would land up on platform nine and three quarters. "Humph!" Lily sighed and ran directly towards the barrier. She had expected to bounce back from it but instead Lily found herself being pulled through the wall and onto a flat surface.

In front of her stood a massive train, steam billowed out of the top and the words 'Hogwarts Express' had been engraved over the front. Discovering she only had ten minutes left she picked up her trunk and Tiger's cage and lifted them onto the train, she found many compartments towards the back of the vehicle, but she picked the one at the very rear, hoping for some peace and quiet so she could write down some notes from her books and try-out some spells she had learnt. Lily had not been allowed to use magic out of school, but she was sure she would be able to do so on the train.

Just as she had sat down with a book the train started to move, it was exactly eleven o'clock, she had about eight hours before the train reached Hogwarts at seven in the evening. Lily was practising shrinking the seat across from her when the compartment door opened revealing four boys, one of them she knew. He was none other than James Potter.

They were laughing madly about something and it was only until they had calmed down that they noticed Lily sitting there looking up at them haughtily.

"AH! Oh hello Evans!" said James through gritted teeth. "How absolutely horrible to see you again."

"The horror is all mine, I can assure you Potter." Lily shot back. "Who are your ickle cronies Pompous?"

Ignoring this comment he indicated to a boy who looked very much like himself only that his friend was taller with brown hair, "Meet Sirius Black, this bloke is Remus Lupin," he indicated to a shorter boy with dark honey hair and blue eyes, "and this is Peter Pettigrew," he pointed towards a short and plump boy with sandy hair and light-brown eyes.

"I am afraid to inform you that we are not ickle cronies," said the boy called Sirius.

"Ah, that's what you think," she said simply, "Anyway you seem to be wetting yourself with laughter, what have you done?"

Furious that a girl was talking back to them the boy by the name of Remus said, "We won't tell you!"

"Well in that case you can leave!" Lily indicated to a door. All the boys gaped a GIRL was talking to them like this! It was simply outrageous, but before they could say anything the compartment door slid open and there in the entrance stood a boy with greasy hair dressed in a pink pinafore. He growled when he saw the four boys, who laughed merrily at the sight of him.

"I guess you four did this to him?" she said to James, Sirius, Remus and Peter who all nodded between howls of laughter. "Redorna." Lily muttered and the greasy-haired boy's pink dress turned to a Hogwarts cloak.

"Aw, Evans you ruined our fun, Snape here deserved what he got." James declared pompously.

"Small things amuse small minds, why may I ask did he deserve such a thing?" Lily spat.

"I dunno, when I find an answer to that question I'll let you know Evans!"

"Evans," said Snape, "Never heard of the name, you must be a mudblood."

"And to think I care from a person such as yourself!" Lily retorted.

"Watch your back, Evans." Snape said coolly

"Watch yours!" Lily was not pleased she could feel anger rise in her stomach. Snape curled his lip and turned heel departing the room. "One down, four to go. Would you four please abscond this compartment?"

"What if we say no?" asked the little, fat Peter.

"I simply do this," she held her wand up at them, "Cockrando!" there was a flash of purple light and the next second instead of there being four boys there were four cockroaches lying stunned on the ground. Lily collected them up in a jar and set it on a seat far away from her and began to read 'Quidditch Through the Ages'.

For three hours Lily was lost in a world of Quidditch she had completely forgotten about the three cockroaches, until she had finished her book and was looking for 'Standard book of Spells' when her eyes fell on the jar. Inside stood four disgruntled looking insects glaring up at her.

"Oops!" Lily stated as she picked up the container, she unscrewed it and canted the counter curse.

"You'll be sorry, Evans!" cried the dishevelled foursome in unison.

"Aw, ickle Pothead and cronies having a little tannty!" Lily said evilly. James took a step towards her looking as if he was about to slap her.

"You take a step closer Pompous and I will use the self-defence I've learnt for most of my life!" Lily warned.

"I'd like to see a midget such as yourself try!" James retorted.

"Is that an offer?"

"Maybe!" He took another enraged step towards her. Lily so mad by now was not going to let Potter get the better of her. She swung her left leg into a high-kick and struck his eye with the back of her foot. He fell to the ground with a BUMP and lay on the floor groaning.

The tree other dudes looked at her in awe, "You'd better move. Unless of corse you want the same treatment as Pothead here, cause I'd be more than happy!" They didn't need to be told twice, the trio hauled James to his feet and left.

Lily sighed happily and curled up in her seat and began to read yet another book.

()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*( )*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()

The train had just slowed to a stop, Lily felt nice and warm in her school cloak as she exited the train out into the frosty night air at Hogsmead Station. A tall, wide man could be seen, silhouetted against the pale-blue sun. "Firs' years! Over 'ere!" he hollered over the noisy students. "Are we all 'ere? Yep, good, good!"

The man led them down a winding path as they turned the corner they caught sight of a colossal castle in the distance. Torrents and towers poked out in an odd fashion. Lights could be seen from windows, a bridge was slung between two walls and at the front stood a pair of massive, oak doors. But in front of the castle was a huge flat lake; at the edge were about twenty boats.

"Four to a boa'!" said the enormous man taking up a whole boat for himself. Lily ended up having a one to herself, which unfortunately was right behind Potter and his cronies. "Are we all in! Righ' FORWARD!" shouted the man.

The boats glided across the flat surface of the water, in front of her all the boys were being stupid, James and Sirius were splashing water at each other. Quite suddenly Sirius fell stumbled backwards into Peter. The fat boy tried to regain his balance but fell headfirst into the water. The other three boys crowded around trying to see if he would reappear. Lily, however didn't wait, she kicked of her shoes and dived in, ignoring the giant man's shouts of protest.

Underneath the water, it was murky and dark she caught sight of Peter's blonde hair, holding him under the armpits, Lily heaved him to the surface of the water, her lungs were tight with lack of oxygen. Her head reached the surface of the water. The young girl whipped out her wand and muttered, "Revidea!" he blinked up at her, Lily threw up into his boat with James, Sirius and Remus the assembly of first years let out an applause.

The redhead was just about to drag herself into her own boat when a pair of strong arms lifted her out of the water, pulling her under the water, she screamed until water met her mouth, she struggled but the pressure of her lungs was overpowering her consciousness, she felt herself laps into oblivion, all was dark.