Their Journey to Realization

Chapter 2: Aftermath of the Landing

It is now nine in the morning and the sun has already risen. The entire family is up except for one very old mutt (part cocker spaniel) that lay fast asleep in the corner of the kitchen. There is a unnatural awkward silence in this room that no one seems to want to break and the only sound that reminds them of reality are the peaceful snores of Curly. The sun was now streaming through the windows of this small blue kitchen and it's warm daily greeting seemed to be completely ignored by this family still in a great deal of shock. But now it wasn't long before one very annoyed blond haired and horse-faced Petunia decided to break the silence.

"I am so sick of this!" she yelled slamming her thin boney hands on the shabby pine table causing all to sharply turn their heads in her direction, including Curly. "I always told you Lily was a freak and now we know that there even more freaks!"

"Petunia!" yelled Rebecca Evans, still in her green bathrobe but now with her auburn hair in a bun instead of a towel "How many times have I told you not to call your sister that! She is not a "freak" and you apologize to her, RIGHT. NOW!"

"Sorry" replied Petunia and then whispered so only Lily could hear "..freak."

Lily didn't mind her sister's name calling. She was used to it by now. She was really ecstatic over the fact of this letter. Is it real and am I really gonna go to a school for MAGIC?!? she thought excitedly.

"Well Lily" spoke her father Felix Evans a tall man with blond hair and bright green eyes, Lily's eyes, "The word your sister uses is horrid, and she should stop calling you that immediately unless she wishes to be grounded for the rest of the summer, (Petunia's face pales and she turns to leave the room)however I have to admit she is right about one thing. There are people who are more like you and I want you to know we are proud to have a witch in the family (Felix Evans smiles warmly at his daughter). If you really want to go to this school...uh..oh Hogwarts then we will send you there."

"Really dad, you mean it?!? YES!!!" She screamed, her bright green eyes now glowing with joy.

Lily began jumping up and down in the kitchen with such enthusiasm that she tripped right over our beloved Curly. Now the silence was completely gone and replaced with laughter from all, well all except Petunia who was sulking in the living room next door.

"Great.. Now they know what a freak she is but they still praise her." Petunia huffed and then dashed back to her room.

"Well dear." her mother said after about five minutes of laughing "We should get your school supplies soon because this letter says that your train for school leaves September 1st at eleven o' clock. I don't really know where to get these things... oh wait the letter says that we can purchase them at something called Diagon Alley."

"Wait, supplies?" Lily asked. Her mother handed her a second piece of paper that Lily must have missed in all the excitement. After reading it over, she was even more convinced that this was real. "A world of magic" she thought "Now this is an adventure. I can't wait to see it!"

"Mum, when are we getting the supplies?" asked Lily.

"Well dear your father has to go to work tomorrow but I'm free so we can go." answered her mother with a grin.

"Thank you Mum!" replied Lily ecstatically, she began skipping again and laughter reentered the little kitchen.

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On this Wednesday morning Lily was not sitting at her usual spot on the window sill watching the sunrise. Today she busily getting ready for her first encounter with wizarding world. After taking a quick shower and picking out her outfit, Lily ran to her parents' bedroom.

"MUM!" Lily yelled as she hopped on the bed "GET. UP. NOW. WE. ARE. GOING. Ahh!"

She was tackled by Curly who was also unnaturally energetic today.

"Lily it is still too early and why is Curly on your back?" said the sleepy Mrs. Evans.

"I think he's just as excited as me today!" replied Lily while trying to get the fluff ball they call a dog off her.

"Well dear since you woke me up I might as well get ready. Go and get breakfast started okay dear?" asked Mrs. Evans.

"Yes Mum." answered Lily with a grin the size of Big Ben itself.

Our hyperactive Lily bounced downstairs followed by Curly who at the moment was just as, if not more, hyperactive as Miss. Evans. Lily was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a navy t-shirt. Now it was 7 o' clock and her father had just woken up, late as usual.

"HONEY! Where are my bloody socks!" yelled Mr. Evans to Mrs. Evans, who had just entered the kitchen to help Lily with breakfast.

"Have you tried looking in the sock drawer?" replied Mrs. Evans.

"Ughhh..."

"The white chest next to the bed, 1st drawer." replied a most amused Mrs. Evans.

"Thank you dear. Where's the...." began Mr. Evans.

"The tie with the green spots is on your neck, dear." stated Mrs. Evans who seems to be VERY used to this routine. A soft chuckle could be heard coming from the bedroom. "Thank you, honey." replied Mr. Evans.

Lily just smiled. She was so used to her parents running about. Well to be more accurate, Felix Evans would be the one running around while Mrs. Evans would calmly tell him where everything is. Lily loves the fact that both of her parents were still very much in love after being married for so long and secretly wishes to find someone she could tell that the car keys are still in his hands. Well after the long search for the briefcase, a kiss on a check from Lily, swinging Mrs. Evans around, pecking her (Mrs. Evans) on the lips, and rushing to work with muffin in hand and car keys in his teeth, Mr. Evans was gone.

"God, Lily your father is quite the character." said Rebecca Evans trying to sound disapprovingly but a smile still found its way onto her face, while shaking her head.

"Mum, can we go now!?!?" asked Lily who was bouncing up and down in her seat with such enthusiasm it looked like she would implode! Curly feeling her excitement started barking quite loudly, that Mrs. Evans just had to laugh at this sight. She had never seen Lily this happy.

"Lily calm down." replied the smiling mother. "Since Petunia left last night to the slumber party at Becka's, we can leave as soon as you get your coat...."

Lily had just jumped of her seat and ran to the rack, grabbed her coat and put it on in record time. Mrs. Evans just smiled at her daughter and said, "I can see you won't be wasting time today. All right, let's get going. Curly you are guarding the house today so be on your watch for any trouble, got that?" The happy dog replied with a bark and soon Lily and her mother were off to fetch her school things at Diagon Alley.

The trip though the Underground was completely uneventful and when the got off on their stop, they went out to look for the Leaky Cauldron, which was supposed to be the entrance to Diagon Alley. After much searching through this London square Lily noticed a shabby sign reading "The Leaky Cauldron" above a even shabbier looking pub. Mrs. Evans did not notice the pub even after passing it right by until Lily pointed her to it.

"Why Lily?! There it is! I didn't even notice it!" stated the slightly perplexed Mrs. Evans

Lily had a strange feeling that only she could have noticed it.

As they entered the grubby-looking pub, the bartender came up from the bar. He was a creepy looking man with a toothless smile and a head so bald, one could use it as mirror. In Lily's opinion he looked like a toothless walnut. Lily was beginning to feel nervous. What if this is some sort of twisted joke? What if there is no Hogwarts and no magic? However her thoughts were soon interrupted by the toothless walnut of a bartender.

"Hello there Misses. How can dear old Tom help you ladies?" asked the landlord with his disturbing toothless smile.

Mrs. Evans so startled by his appearance that she nearly fell backwards. Lily was the first to speak.

"Um, sir I received a letter to a school called Hogwarts and it says I need to pick up my supplies at something called Diagon Alley."

"Ah, so you're muggle-born. I should of known, you looked a little out of place. Don't worry miss after you learn a bit of our world you'll fit in fine." replied Tom with another toothless smile.

"Um, thank you sir." replied Lily nervously "Can you tell me how to enter Diagon Alley?"

"Oh, of course. I'll show you the way. Come here through the bar and take your mother with you." answered Tom.

"Are you alright ma'am? You look paler than a ghost and I've met quite a few." asked Tom to the startled Mrs. Evans, who grew paler on the comment that there actually were ghosts. Lily however was amazed by the fact that ghosts that ghosts existed.

"You've met ghosts?" she asked.

"Why miss there are plenty of creatures you never saw out in the muggle world but like I said before you'll learn of our world, your world, soon enough." answered Tom.

"Wait a minute. You mentioned that word before. Muggle, what does that mean?" asked Lily.

"Ah, you're quite the curious one aren't you? Muggle is a term we folk call nonmagic people. Since you don't know about our world, I'm guessing you have no other witches or wizards in your family."

"Yes, I am the first."

"Well, that would mean you're muggle-born. So lets get going. You want your supplies and here I am gabbing like some old witch."

The three of them went through the bar and into a small, walled court yard. He pulled out a stick that Lily guessed was a wand.

"You two better head to Gringotts first and exchange your money for wizard money. I'm sure the goblins will explain everything to you." said Tom.

Lily's mouth dropped open. Goblins? Ghosts? THIS IS REAL!

"Now let's see... Three up...two across...tap thrice." Tom muttered as he did this strange task.

The brick he touched quivered-it wriggled-in the middle, a small hole appeared- it grew wider- a second later they were facing an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight.

"Well ladies, this is Diagon Alley." said Tom

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Haha, I am so mean! I left a cliffy! Don't worry the next chapter will be up soon! I would like to thank Marty and Wagtail for their reviews. THANK YOU! I want EVERBODY'S opinion on this chapter. Is it believable, did I make a mistake? Do you like it? Oh and I would like to continue the Cho Chang discussion, I know my reviewers hate her as do I so if anyone agrees or disagrees (yeah right) post up a review! Thanks to all! Goodbye from Whitepaw, also know as Footy and Empress of bunnies! (I am on a sugar rush and I am sort of crazy right now. Sorry! And if people want the next chappie you better review quick!) Disclaimer: Not mine. Do not want to be sued. I have no money so I can't be sued. This belongs to J.K. Rowling. Okay. Understand? Good.