Chapter two: "You're a witch!"
"Rose! Petunia!" Lily ran over to her two sisters who were waiting for her out side the school. "Hey Lily!" Petunia said, "The last day of school has finally come!"
"How does it feel Lilse? Your going to be in middle school next year! No more Elementary school!"
"I feel great. OK so, get out those report cards. Let's see who you guys got."
Every year Lily, Rose and Petunia opened their report cards at the same time to see what teachers they got after saying, at the same time 'we want good teachers' It was strange but Lily always seemed to get exactly what teacher she wanted.
They got out their report cards and held them out ready to open. They closed their eyes and said "We want good teachers." Then they opened their report cards and peeked at their teachers. Petunia let out a cry of joy and Rose groaned.
"Ms. Halenzee." Lily's shoulders dropped. "Poor Rose" She said and hugged her.
"Oh well." Rose said. "Who'd you get Petunia?"
"Mrs. McKensie! You're teacher this year!"
"Oh good!" Lily said happily.
"You're luuuuucky." Rose said to Petunia. She three of them then began walking home. They had the convenience of living less then a quarter of a mile away from the school meaning there house was directly down the street. They quickly got to their yard and walked in the front door to a welcoming smell.
"Brownies!" Petunia cried with delight while dropping her bag to the floor and running to the kitchen. She ran straight into her mothers awaiting arms,
"Hello my flowers girls! How was you last day of school?"
"Great!" Petunia said, "I got Mrs. McKensie!"
"Wonderful!" Her mother said smiling.
"It was good." Rose said.
"It was perfect." Lily said "That's good my middle school daughter!" Lily hugged her mother.
"And Rose... who did you get?"
"Halenzee" Rose said with disgust.
"You didn't." Her mother said sadly. "Oh I'm sorry hunny."
"That's OK. I'll live." Rose smiled.
"That's my daughter!" The girls mother said proudly. "Why don't you three go outside and I'll bring you some iced tea?"
"OK" They said and they went out the back door.
A couple moments later their mother came out with a pitcher of iced tea and three glasses. The girls took them and walked down the path in their back yard.
A few years ago the girls and their father had spent the whole summer making a tree house. This required wood and so when they were dragging the wood into the woods a path sort of formed. All that was noticeable of the tree house when you walked by, was a rope latter on the side of a tree. When you looked up though, there was a very fine looking tree house with three hammocks in it in case they ever felt like sleeping out side which they occasionally did.
So the girls climbed into the tree house after they had walked down the path. When up, they set the pitcher on a little table they had made and all laid down in their hammocks. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live here?" Lily asked her sisters.
"That would be awesome." Petunia said "I wish the summer would last for ever." Rose said. "That would be nice." Lily agreed "What did everyone say in your memory book Lilse?" Rose asked.
"I'm not sure. I didn't have time to read it yet." Lily answered.
"Oh then that'll be something fun to do tonight, or tomorrow." Rose said.
"Yeah."
The rest of the afternoon went the same. They lazed about enjoying their first day off. Then slept in the tree house. The next morning Lily woke up first. She climbed down from the tree house and walked down the path into her yard. She went in the back door to see her mother cooking pancakes and her father reading the news paper. "Morning Lil!" Her father said as he saw her come in. "Hey dad! I came into read my memory book. I didn't get a chance to yesterday."
"Alright. Are Petunia and Rose up yet?"
"Nope." She said then walk down the hall and reached into her bag. She got the book out and sat down right where she was in the hall way. The first one she opened to was Josh's. He wrote, Lil, Hey have a good vacation, I look forward to seeing you next year! Josh "Real sweet." Lily muttered to herself. She read the rest of them and they all basically said the same thing. Only Mr. Graham's was different. His said,
Lily, It's a rare occasion to be able to teach such a student as you. It was a pleasure. A couple words of advice as you begin your next few school years. Make and keep strong relationships. Friends are the roots of life and will be there if your having a hard time. No doubt you will lead a powerful and meaningful life. Best of luck to you and in times of sorrow don't dwell on the past. Mr. Graham.
Lily was confused at his note. It wasn't your usual last day of school happy note, in times of sorrow don't dwell on the past? What kind of middle school advice was that? Oh well. She sighed. She heard Rose and Petunia come in through the back door so she went to join them in the kitchen.
"Hey guys! Finally up?" Lily smiled at them.
"Yep." Rose said "Pancakes!" Petunia delightfully looked at the table.
"Yup. Sit down and dig in." Their mother said cheerfully.
Around fifteen minutes later when Lily was about to bite in to her second pancake something flew in to the window and dropped a letter right on to Lily's plate. Her mother screamed and Petunia ducked under the table but Lily was a little to surprised to move. When it dropped it's burden it simply flew back out the window. There was silence for a couple moments and Petunia finally cautiously stuck her head above the table. They were all staring at the envelope in front of Lily. Finally after about a minute of silence Rose said,
"That was so cool." In an amazed voice still staring at the letter. "An owl just delivered you a letter."
"Do you think it was remote control operated?" Lily said in barley above a whisper.
They were all quite again for a couple seconds then Petunia said,
"Are you going to open it?"
Lily's father tore his eyes from the envelope so they could rest on his daughter.
"It's addressed to you Lil."
"It's too thin to be a bomb." Rose pointed out.
Lily managed a smile at that comment. She reached out and grabbed the envelope. Looking at each of her family members she noticed Rose who looked excited, her mother who looked terrified, her father who looked bewildered and Petunia who was just looking at her anxiously.
"Well I guess we won't know what it is till I open it..." Lily said then ripped it open.
Out from the envelope she pulled two pieces of parchment. Unfolding the first she looked at it for a moment then laughed but seeming to think better of that reaction she change to plain old complete confusion. She mouthed something no one could quite make out then her mother getting slightly impatient said, "What does it say?"
"It says... Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore Order of Merlin first class, Grand sorc., Chief 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. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours Sincerely Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress. PS As we are aware you are a muggle born and come from a muggle family or to put it more plainly there are no witches or wizards in your family besides you, we have made arrangements for our owl to come back to your home at the same time tomorrow. Simply write your reply and give the letter to him or her. Thank you." Lily stopped and turned to the second page, "There's a list to! A History Of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot? one wand? No broomsticks for first years?!" Lily looked at her mother who had her hand up at her mouth and looked as though she would burst from confusion.
"Freaks." Lily heard a squeaky voice say. She looked down and saw Petunia with a horrified expression on her face. "They're freaks."
"Honey don't say that. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for all of this." Lily's father said.
"No. That- that owl is coming back. I'm getting out of here." With that she ran from the room. "Wait Petunia!" Lily tried to follow her but Petunia spun around and said,
"Don't you come near me." Her tone was frightening. To frightening for a nine year old. So Lily stopped dead in her tracks and just listened to her sister run up the stairs and slam the door to her room.
Lily turned back and went to the kitchen where Rose was reading the letter. Lily went up next to her and Rose asked,
"Do you think it's true? This school?"
"No..." Her mother gave a stressed laugh. "Right?" She asked her husband.
He looked like he was contemplating the situation. "Well it would certainly explain a lot Lily. Like as to why you always get the exact teacher you want. Or just getting what you want in general. It seems like you always have a way of getting what you want. Or staying out of danger."
"But darling it can't be possible... a- a school for magic? Come on now..."
"Well. I think that we should write a letter to this, this Albus Fervencoover-"
"Dumbledore. Dad" Lily corrected him "Dumbledore... right I think we should write him a letter and if that owl comes back tomorrow... than we'll give it to him and see what happens."
"That's sound good." Rose said. "Wow Lily. Wouldn't it be fabulous? A school for magic!"
Lily's father true to his word wrote a letter to Albus Dumbledore which stated the questions, where was this school located, where could they get the supplies and why was this letter sent to her. The next morning, true to McGonagalls word, an owl arrived while they were eating breakfast. Rose who was the only one not mortified by the bird gave the handsome tawny the letter and it flew off. Petunia still hadn't come out of her room and she wouldn't talk to Lily. Which greatly upset her because Petunia was basically one of Lily's best friends. She refused to come out of her room until they were positive no more owls were coming but considering one should be coming in response to their letter, her words didn't comfort them much.
The next morning the owl returned and dropped a letter in front of Lily's father. He opened it and read,
Dear Mr. Evans,
In response to your letter I am required to tell you that Hogwarts is located in the North. The supplies can be purchased in the wizarding village of Diagon alley which if you simply go to the leaky cauldron in London between a book shop and a record store. Tom will direct you to the alley. Your daughter Miss Lily Evans recieved a letter to our fine magic school for no other reason then she is a witch. She was born with the powers of a witch and when properly trained she can accomplish great things with these powers.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore After Lily's father read it out loud to the family Rose began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Her mother asked "Rather imprecise isn't he?" Rose giggled.
Her father let out a chuckle. "Yes I suppose so. This school Lily, it's in the north." Now her father just began to laugh. After a while Lily and her mother joined in. It felt good to laugh after two days of stress and so they took the chance whole heartedly. "Well" Lily's father cleared his throat. "Do you want to check it out? This Diagon alley. Do you want to go to this school? Because we aren't going to make you if you don't want to."
Lily thought for a moment then decided,
"I'd love to go."
"Brilliant. I'll just send this back then won't I? The owl I see conveniently stayed."
So he wrote a note saying Lily would go to the school, tied it to the owls leg and sent it off.
"This is awesome Lilse!" Rose said, "You're a witch!"
"Rose! Petunia!" Lily ran over to her two sisters who were waiting for her out side the school. "Hey Lily!" Petunia said, "The last day of school has finally come!"
"How does it feel Lilse? Your going to be in middle school next year! No more Elementary school!"
"I feel great. OK so, get out those report cards. Let's see who you guys got."
Every year Lily, Rose and Petunia opened their report cards at the same time to see what teachers they got after saying, at the same time 'we want good teachers' It was strange but Lily always seemed to get exactly what teacher she wanted.
They got out their report cards and held them out ready to open. They closed their eyes and said "We want good teachers." Then they opened their report cards and peeked at their teachers. Petunia let out a cry of joy and Rose groaned.
"Ms. Halenzee." Lily's shoulders dropped. "Poor Rose" She said and hugged her.
"Oh well." Rose said. "Who'd you get Petunia?"
"Mrs. McKensie! You're teacher this year!"
"Oh good!" Lily said happily.
"You're luuuuucky." Rose said to Petunia. She three of them then began walking home. They had the convenience of living less then a quarter of a mile away from the school meaning there house was directly down the street. They quickly got to their yard and walked in the front door to a welcoming smell.
"Brownies!" Petunia cried with delight while dropping her bag to the floor and running to the kitchen. She ran straight into her mothers awaiting arms,
"Hello my flowers girls! How was you last day of school?"
"Great!" Petunia said, "I got Mrs. McKensie!"
"Wonderful!" Her mother said smiling.
"It was good." Rose said.
"It was perfect." Lily said "That's good my middle school daughter!" Lily hugged her mother.
"And Rose... who did you get?"
"Halenzee" Rose said with disgust.
"You didn't." Her mother said sadly. "Oh I'm sorry hunny."
"That's OK. I'll live." Rose smiled.
"That's my daughter!" The girls mother said proudly. "Why don't you three go outside and I'll bring you some iced tea?"
"OK" They said and they went out the back door.
A couple moments later their mother came out with a pitcher of iced tea and three glasses. The girls took them and walked down the path in their back yard.
A few years ago the girls and their father had spent the whole summer making a tree house. This required wood and so when they were dragging the wood into the woods a path sort of formed. All that was noticeable of the tree house when you walked by, was a rope latter on the side of a tree. When you looked up though, there was a very fine looking tree house with three hammocks in it in case they ever felt like sleeping out side which they occasionally did.
So the girls climbed into the tree house after they had walked down the path. When up, they set the pitcher on a little table they had made and all laid down in their hammocks. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live here?" Lily asked her sisters.
"That would be awesome." Petunia said "I wish the summer would last for ever." Rose said. "That would be nice." Lily agreed "What did everyone say in your memory book Lilse?" Rose asked.
"I'm not sure. I didn't have time to read it yet." Lily answered.
"Oh then that'll be something fun to do tonight, or tomorrow." Rose said.
"Yeah."
The rest of the afternoon went the same. They lazed about enjoying their first day off. Then slept in the tree house. The next morning Lily woke up first. She climbed down from the tree house and walked down the path into her yard. She went in the back door to see her mother cooking pancakes and her father reading the news paper. "Morning Lil!" Her father said as he saw her come in. "Hey dad! I came into read my memory book. I didn't get a chance to yesterday."
"Alright. Are Petunia and Rose up yet?"
"Nope." She said then walk down the hall and reached into her bag. She got the book out and sat down right where she was in the hall way. The first one she opened to was Josh's. He wrote, Lil, Hey have a good vacation, I look forward to seeing you next year! Josh "Real sweet." Lily muttered to herself. She read the rest of them and they all basically said the same thing. Only Mr. Graham's was different. His said,
Lily, It's a rare occasion to be able to teach such a student as you. It was a pleasure. A couple words of advice as you begin your next few school years. Make and keep strong relationships. Friends are the roots of life and will be there if your having a hard time. No doubt you will lead a powerful and meaningful life. Best of luck to you and in times of sorrow don't dwell on the past. Mr. Graham.
Lily was confused at his note. It wasn't your usual last day of school happy note, in times of sorrow don't dwell on the past? What kind of middle school advice was that? Oh well. She sighed. She heard Rose and Petunia come in through the back door so she went to join them in the kitchen.
"Hey guys! Finally up?" Lily smiled at them.
"Yep." Rose said "Pancakes!" Petunia delightfully looked at the table.
"Yup. Sit down and dig in." Their mother said cheerfully.
Around fifteen minutes later when Lily was about to bite in to her second pancake something flew in to the window and dropped a letter right on to Lily's plate. Her mother screamed and Petunia ducked under the table but Lily was a little to surprised to move. When it dropped it's burden it simply flew back out the window. There was silence for a couple moments and Petunia finally cautiously stuck her head above the table. They were all staring at the envelope in front of Lily. Finally after about a minute of silence Rose said,
"That was so cool." In an amazed voice still staring at the letter. "An owl just delivered you a letter."
"Do you think it was remote control operated?" Lily said in barley above a whisper.
They were all quite again for a couple seconds then Petunia said,
"Are you going to open it?"
Lily's father tore his eyes from the envelope so they could rest on his daughter.
"It's addressed to you Lil."
"It's too thin to be a bomb." Rose pointed out.
Lily managed a smile at that comment. She reached out and grabbed the envelope. Looking at each of her family members she noticed Rose who looked excited, her mother who looked terrified, her father who looked bewildered and Petunia who was just looking at her anxiously.
"Well I guess we won't know what it is till I open it..." Lily said then ripped it open.
Out from the envelope she pulled two pieces of parchment. Unfolding the first she looked at it for a moment then laughed but seeming to think better of that reaction she change to plain old complete confusion. She mouthed something no one could quite make out then her mother getting slightly impatient said, "What does it say?"
"It says... Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore Order of Merlin first class, Grand sorc., Chief 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. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours Sincerely Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress. PS As we are aware you are a muggle born and come from a muggle family or to put it more plainly there are no witches or wizards in your family besides you, we have made arrangements for our owl to come back to your home at the same time tomorrow. Simply write your reply and give the letter to him or her. Thank you." Lily stopped and turned to the second page, "There's a list to! A History Of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot? one wand? No broomsticks for first years?!" Lily looked at her mother who had her hand up at her mouth and looked as though she would burst from confusion.
"Freaks." Lily heard a squeaky voice say. She looked down and saw Petunia with a horrified expression on her face. "They're freaks."
"Honey don't say that. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for all of this." Lily's father said.
"No. That- that owl is coming back. I'm getting out of here." With that she ran from the room. "Wait Petunia!" Lily tried to follow her but Petunia spun around and said,
"Don't you come near me." Her tone was frightening. To frightening for a nine year old. So Lily stopped dead in her tracks and just listened to her sister run up the stairs and slam the door to her room.
Lily turned back and went to the kitchen where Rose was reading the letter. Lily went up next to her and Rose asked,
"Do you think it's true? This school?"
"No..." Her mother gave a stressed laugh. "Right?" She asked her husband.
He looked like he was contemplating the situation. "Well it would certainly explain a lot Lily. Like as to why you always get the exact teacher you want. Or just getting what you want in general. It seems like you always have a way of getting what you want. Or staying out of danger."
"But darling it can't be possible... a- a school for magic? Come on now..."
"Well. I think that we should write a letter to this, this Albus Fervencoover-"
"Dumbledore. Dad" Lily corrected him "Dumbledore... right I think we should write him a letter and if that owl comes back tomorrow... than we'll give it to him and see what happens."
"That's sound good." Rose said. "Wow Lily. Wouldn't it be fabulous? A school for magic!"
Lily's father true to his word wrote a letter to Albus Dumbledore which stated the questions, where was this school located, where could they get the supplies and why was this letter sent to her. The next morning, true to McGonagalls word, an owl arrived while they were eating breakfast. Rose who was the only one not mortified by the bird gave the handsome tawny the letter and it flew off. Petunia still hadn't come out of her room and she wouldn't talk to Lily. Which greatly upset her because Petunia was basically one of Lily's best friends. She refused to come out of her room until they were positive no more owls were coming but considering one should be coming in response to their letter, her words didn't comfort them much.
The next morning the owl returned and dropped a letter in front of Lily's father. He opened it and read,
Dear Mr. Evans,
In response to your letter I am required to tell you that Hogwarts is located in the North. The supplies can be purchased in the wizarding village of Diagon alley which if you simply go to the leaky cauldron in London between a book shop and a record store. Tom will direct you to the alley. Your daughter Miss Lily Evans recieved a letter to our fine magic school for no other reason then she is a witch. She was born with the powers of a witch and when properly trained she can accomplish great things with these powers.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore After Lily's father read it out loud to the family Rose began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Her mother asked "Rather imprecise isn't he?" Rose giggled.
Her father let out a chuckle. "Yes I suppose so. This school Lily, it's in the north." Now her father just began to laugh. After a while Lily and her mother joined in. It felt good to laugh after two days of stress and so they took the chance whole heartedly. "Well" Lily's father cleared his throat. "Do you want to check it out? This Diagon alley. Do you want to go to this school? Because we aren't going to make you if you don't want to."
Lily thought for a moment then decided,
"I'd love to go."
"Brilliant. I'll just send this back then won't I? The owl I see conveniently stayed."
So he wrote a note saying Lily would go to the school, tied it to the owls leg and sent it off.
"This is awesome Lilse!" Rose said, "You're a witch!"