Revised and extended

CHAPTER TWO Lily Evans

Ophelia nervously followed James onto the Hogwarts Express. They quickly found an empty train compartment and threw themselves inside.

Remus began fiddling with his new wand; withdrawing it from his leather pouch, polishing off the flecks of dust and replacing it.

"Would you stop that?" Talia snapped. "I'm nervous enough as it is."

"Sorry."

Ophelia tried to make herself excited in order to calm her sister down , and within a few moments, the corners of Talia's mouth curved into a faint smile.

As soon as the train began to move, Sirius rummaged through his suitcase and retrieved a brown, burlap sack. The contents of the bag must have been leaking, as it was thoroughly soaked, and a heavy odour filled the compartment.

Ophelia rolled her eyes, "We haven't even been to school yet and you're already playing with dungbombs?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "They're for the Slytherins."

"But what if you're put in Slytherin?"

"Wouldn't that be a laugh?"said Ophelia. "A Black being sorted into a house other than Slytherin?"

"Well there's a first for everything," he replied, "And I appreciate your confidence in me, Phe. It's real heartening."

"I just don't see--"

A knock at the open glass door brought them out of their conversation. A girl was standing awkwardly in front of them. Her looks could be described as striking, as her fair, ivory skin was the perfect backdrop for her emerald green eyes and fiery red hair.

"I'm sorry to interrupt." she began, "but this is the only compartment that isn't quite full...or doesn't have skulking boys hanging about."

Ophelia pushed Remus over in an attempt to make room for the new arrival, "You're welcome to stay here," she said brightly.

The girl sat down next to her, smiling appreciatively. "Thank you. I was beginning to think I would have to sit up front with the conductor. My name is Lilian Evans."

Ophelia shook her slender hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ophelia Lupin." she began the round of introductions. "This is my brother Remus-"

"Hello."

"Our sister Talia."

"Hi there."

"And those two troublemakers over there are James Potter and Sirius Black."

"Hello."

"Are you a first year?"asked Ophelia. Lily nodded politely. "Do you have any older siblings at Hogwarts?"

"No,"she chuckled, "No, I'm the only witch in my family."

James grinned, "You're Muggle-born?"

"You'll have to forgive James, he's not house-trained," said Remus.

Lily dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "Don't think on it. I feel the same about all of you; I've never thought magic to be more than pulling a rabbit out of a hat."

Sirius frowned, deeply puzzled, "Why would you pull a rabbit out of a hat?"

"It's..well...never mind,"she said.

"So you don't know much about our world?" asked Sirius. "You've never played Quidditch then?"

"Pardon?"

Ophelia threw a Flavour Bean at him, hitting him in the nose. "Were you raised by hinkypunks, Sirius? Stop it!"

"How did you know where to find your school supplies?" asked Remus.

"Well, when I first received my letter and saw the list, I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to get what I needed. When I had needed to buy things for school before--"

"Wait," interrupted Sirius, "You've already been to school?"

"Yes, primary school. Didn't... never mind. Anyway, a representative from the Ministry of Magic came and escorted me to a place where I found everything I needed."

The snack trolley clattered by and they quickly filled up on sweets, ignoring Remus' comments about saving room for supper.

A while later, the train came to a halt. Ophelia's heart sank into her stomach as she realized that she was finally starting school.

But the initial excitement left and was replaced by the fear that she could get sorted into a different House than Remus and her friends.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ophelia saw Talia clutch for her stomach.

"Sorry,"she muttered, struggling to get her emotions in check and failing miserably.

They stepped off the train and onto the bustling platform.

"Al'righ, al'righ," a booming voice called, "Firs' years, thatta way. Com'on now. Don' doddle. Firs' years, follow me. To tha boats now."

Ophelia stood on the tips of her toes and peered over the throng of people to a black-bearded giant.

She looked to Lily, who quickly put on a brave smile as they made their way over to the man. They were put four to a boat. Talia hastily led Ophelia and Lily over to an empty boat.

"Phe?" Remus frowned.

"I'll catch up with you in the castle."she hollered, as Sirius pushed him and James into another boat, already occupied by a lanky, dark haired boy.

They were soon gliding smoothly across the water, inching closer to the castle with every stoke of the oar.

Remus peered into the calm, black water. He thought he caught something swimming beneath the surface, keeping up with the other rafts, but a moment later it was gone, and he dismissed it from his mind.

Sirius leaned over the boat's edge, letting his fingertips dip into the cool water. James grabbed him roughly by the shoulders, shaking him.

"Careful, Sirius, wouldn't want to fall in," he grinned devilishly.

Sirius splashed a bit of water at him, "I'd just use you as a raft, James, nothing to worry about."

James laughed and throwing a glance over to the fourth occupant of their boat. The boy was curled up at the back of the boat, trying his best to keep to himself. His dark eyes were downcast, and his thoughts were a million miles away.

"Hey mate," called Sirius, "What's your name?"

"Severus Orion Snape," he said, never daring to look up. The darkness that engulfed the lake was casting weird shadows upon the boy's face.

"I think my father knows your father," Sirius said.

The boy smiled, if what he did could be called a smile, "I won't hold that against you."