Disclaimer: I own nothing! I only wish I did!
A/N: Here's my attempt at the typical Lily/James story. I'll try to stick as close to the Order of the Phoenix and other books as possible. It's got Lily, the Marauders, and a few original characters as well.
Chapter One-A Receiving of Letters and the Start of a New Life
Lily and Petunia Evans both sat outside in the gardens of their parents' home, both enjoying the warm sunshine as it wash upon them. Petunia, the oldest, was telling her sister stories of the secondary school she attended, as she was two years older. Lily could only sigh. As wonderful as the school sounded, she always wished for something more, something she couldn't explain, as though it were just a part of her. And compared to what her sister was describing, finding out this missing piece of her HAD to be better.
She and her sister got along wonderfully. They just wanted and expected different things of life. While Petunia was into the upbeat social status to rule her life, Lily was a little more alone. She dearly loved to read and to discover new things. She treasured books about dragons, castles, and things that could never be.
Lily looked nothing like her sister, who was plain looking and dull. Lily had brilliant red hair with a hint of waviness cascading down to her shoulder blades and magnificent emerald green eyes, always filled with life and happiness. She had creamy white skin, which was framed nicely by her hair. She was also quite petite.
A shrill screaming from the house alerted their attention. It was obviously their mother, but they had no clue what she was screaming so horribly about. Both girls were on their feet in seconds, lunging for the back door. Stepping into the kitchen, they found something that completely took them by surprise: an owl was sitting on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, a letter attached to its leg.
The owl hooted and turned its gaze on Lily, and for some reason, she wasn't frightened or shocked at all. Just another one of those things she couldn't explain. Reaching her hand out slowly, she stroked the soft brown feathers of the owl's head and with the other hand reached for the letter.
On the front was:
Lily M. Evans The Kitchen The Jacob Evans' Household Surrey
Lily turned the letter over in her hands. It was made of some strange.parchment? Looking on the back, she found a crest, a rather odd one at that. It was a purple seal with four animals, a lion, a serpent, a badger, and an eagle, all surrounding a letter H.
She opened the letter with shaking hands, trying not to break the eccentric seal. Her eyes grew wide as they scanned the letter, and her heart beat perilously fast in her chest. The mysterious letter read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. 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 an enclosed list of 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
Lily quickly handed the letter to her mother, who simply looked disbelieving. Her eyes went from Lily, to the letter, to the owl that still perched on her fine kitchen chair. This had to be some sick joke, but the owl sitting tranquilly on the top of the chair was tribute to something more.
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The young James Potter sat a the foot of his bed, at the time trying to get his unruly black hair to cooperate, his chocolate brown eyes looking frustrated. He pushed his round glasses up to the bridge of his nose and read the letter again.
James had long been expecting his letter from Hogwarts; he was from a prominent wizarding family after all. The Potters hadn't seen a squib in years. His mother was overwhelmed with happiness, but his father seemed indifferent, which had upset him greatly. On September 1, he'd be going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After all, he was born to BE this.
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The heartened Sirius Black ran a hand through his black hair in anticipation, and his light blue eyes danced in his skull. He had handsomely tanned skin, and looked slightly out of place in the gloomy house he occupied with his parents and brother.
Sirius had long expected his letter as well, but his anticipation had many more reasons behind it. He was tired of his family trying to shove their beliefs down his throat. He, unlike his brother Regulus, didn't swallow them.
It was a relief when the owl swooped in, the letter tied to its leg. Sirius nearly let out a cry of happiness as he clutched the letter in hand and started making early preparations. He'd be able to leave his family, if only for the school year.
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Remus Lupin sat in a tired heap on his bed, his amber eyes frustrated, tired, and longing all at once. His shaking hand passed through his sandy blonde hair once more before he tentatively took the letter from the school owl.
Remus was a different story from his peers; he hadn't expected a letter at all. However, the new Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, was pretty much welcoming him with open arms. They'd have to take precautions, yes, but he'd actually be able to attend a school!
Ever since he'd been bitten and become a werewolf himself, he'd dreamt of an owl flying through his window to send him off to Hogwarts. Not that he'd ever thought that would actually happen, but it did! The eleven-year- old Remus punched the air with his fist and let out a triumphant cry.
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Peter Pettigrew had never shown signs of magical talent. He took his whole family by surprise when he strode in holding his Hogwarts letter. The slightly round boy was beaming with pride as his father ruffled his mousy- blonde hair. He wasn't a squib after all.
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Roselyn Wise stood by her window smiling. She was quite a pretty girl, with black hair falling down to her middle back and silver-gray eyes that were inquisitive and warm.
She was happy at the moment. She had finally gotten her Hogwarts letter. She'd waited her whole life to get away from the madness that was her family. Prominent wizarding family they may be, but their own daughter meant nothing to them. Her father was disappointed with her associating with Muggles, Muggle-borns, and others of the sort, he even occasionally beat her, and it was beginning to take a toll. Her mother never helped her, so that didn't matter either, and her two sisters treated her as a freak. She'd finally get to leave though, for something she hoped was better than this.
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"Freak," Petunia mumbled under her breath as she passed Lily on the stairs. The word struck like a whip and hung in the air. Ever since Lily had gotten her letter, Petunia wouldn't even touch her, and the word freak was now a common word in her vocabulary.
It hurt Lily more than she thought anything ever could. She and Petunia had gotten along wonderfully, and now she had lost her only friend, her only sister. Lily had long since gone to Diagon Alley to get her supplies. She'd even talked to a wizarding family who told her where to go once she got to King's Cross.
With a sigh, Lily heard her parents calling the girls for them to go. It was September 1, the first day of term. Lily's father heaved her trunk into the boot and they hastily got into the car with Petunia, who was forced to see her sister off to school.
King's Cross was packed with people, but she followed the instructions of the people she'd met. With a deep breath, she faced the barrier between platforms nine and ten. She started at a little bit of a run.
I'm gonna crash! She thought desperately. She closed her eyes and waited for impact, but it never came. She opened her eyes and looked before her at the beautiful scarlet Hogwarts Express. The owl her parents bought her, Nuncio hooted at her reassuringly. She gave a small smile and climbed aboard her train, dragging her trunk and owl cage.
Lily searched to the back of the train, but she didn't find a single empty compartment. Soon enough though, she came upon a compartment with just one passenger. Sitting nearest the window was a small girl, she was just below average height, and so skinny she almost looked frail. She had black semi- wavy hair falling down to her middle back. She turned around to regard the intruder with piercing silver-gray eyes that looked hostile. However, they instantly softened when she saw who it was.
"Sorry, you can come in if you like," she said in a soft tone. "I thought you were someone else, sorry for any hostility."
"That's alright. Would you mind if I shared your compartment? All the others are full," Lily replied kindly. She rather liked this stranger.
"Certainly. Here, let me help you with that." The girl helped Lily put her trunk and owl cage into the holding space. The snowy owl hooted his thanks. "I have an owl as well. Her name's Rhiannon. I thought it only appropriate since I was going to Hogwarts. My aunt said she's sending me a kitten for Christmas so that I won't get lonely whenever the owl's in the Owlery or making deliveries."
"SENDING a kitten?" Lily asked.
"Well, I'm hoping she's making the delivery herself. My name's Roselyn Marienna Wise," the girl said, extending her hand.
"Lily Marie Evans."
"I take it you're a Muggle-born?" Roselyn asked, taking in Lily's attire.
"A what?"
"A Muggle-born. Yes, I suppose you are. You'll find this as a really big change. Muggles are non-magic people. Muggle-born means that you are a witch or wizard born into a Muggle family."
"I just don't know anything about this world. I don't know what I'm doing, where I'm going. I feel lost."
"Everyone feels lost. Even me, and I come from a long line of wizards and witches. That's the wonder of it, the mystery really."
Lily could immediately tell that this girl was the adventurous type, though not that sociable. She could tell because she too wasn't too anxious to socialize quickly, but his girl broke down the barrier. From the moment of their handshake, she knew that she and Roselyn were forming a bond not to be broken easily.
The train ride was quite enjoyable as the two girls talked and laughed. Roselyn was even kind enough to explain many aspects of the wizarding world to Lily. They were immersed in a deep conversation about houses.
"I'd really like to get into Gryffindor," Roselyn said, "mostly just to spite my father."
"Gryffindor by far sounds the best, but I've always been slightly work- oriented. I suppose that might stick me in Ravenclaw," Lily thought aloud. "Do you know how they sort us?"
"My sisters all tell me that they make us take on a dragon, but that's my sisters' word. Don't trust it. They're all Slytherins by house and nature."
"Slytherin doesn't sound all that appealing."
"Oh does it not, my dear?" a smooth voice said from the door. A boy with sleek silver-blonde hair stood in the doorway to their compartment with a group of three boys behind him that Lily and Roselyn couldn't quite see. "Lucius Malfoy, please to meet you Ms.?"
"Evans," Lily said shortly, not taking his extended hand. She could tell that there was something about this boy that wasn't right.
"A Mudblood I see," Lucius said, his face contorting with disgust. "I'll thank you for NOT shaking my hand. Don't want that filth on me."
"Shut it, Malfoy," Roselyn said, standing in front of Lily.
"Ah, Roselyn Wise. I'll retire to my compartment. I now feel the need to alert your father to this," Malfoy said, gesturing towards Lily. He then left the compartment. Roselyn had gone quite white as he said that, paler than she was already.
"What did he call me?" Lily asked as the door slid shut.
"A Mudblood. It's a foul term for Muggle-borns. Malfoys pride themselves on being purebloods, having no Muggles in their families. It's rubbish really, but my family's like that too. You'll find a lot of families are, most of them are Slytherins though, all sticking together like glue, too afraid to act on their own."
"Why is he writing to your father?"
"So that my father will start a never-ending argument about who I choose as friends."
"The Wise and Malfoy families are usually friends. They think I'm the oddball in the family. My aunt and myself don't like the whole pureblood frenzy. Her daughter Jocelyn is somewhere, and she's a first year too."
The train was gradually slowing down, but the girls continued talking as they had long ago changed into their robes. When they finally halted at what Roselyn called Hogsmeade station, everyone began to file out into the narrow corridor. They'd walked a short distance when someone began calling after them.
"Rose! Rose, can't you wait for your own flesh and blood to catch up with you?" an exasperated voice called. Roselyn turned around and smiled widely.
"Hello, Josie. Lily, this is my cousin, Jocelyn Wise. Jocelyn, this is Lily."
"Call me Josie before I attack my cousin," the girl said, extending her hand to Lily. The two girls looked nothing alike. Josie was tall and not so frail looking. She had light blonde hair and brown eyes. "And may I introduce to you all.Paige and Gwen!"
The girl named Paige stepped forward and introduced herself as Paige Trite. She had curly brown hair that reached only her shoulders and amiable blue eyes. She was tall and lanky, not at all like the rest of them.
Gwen also extended her hand in friendship, introducing herself as Gwen Brown, which perfectly suited her. She was hyper and jumpy, her brown hair bouncing around her face and her brown eyes laughing as she joined them.
"Firs' years! Firs' years this way!" came a booming voice from up ahead. They followed the sound until they came up to a giant of a man. He led them down a rough beaten path to where an almost docile lake shimmered in front of them, reflecting the light coming from the castle windows ahead. There were gasps as they realized where they were headed.
"No more'n four to a boat!" the huge man who led them here called out. Gwen said she'd go with her twin brother, who was also here, so Lily, Roselyn, Josie, and Paige all clambered into one of the boats. The black surface of the lake passed beneath them as they began on their way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Upon reaching dry land, a few of the students climbed out quickly, others taking their time and having a good laugh at their nearly seasick companions. Waiting for them at the entrance to the school was a strict looking witch with her black hair in a neat bun. She led them into a side chamber off of the huge Entrance Hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor McGonagall, and head of Gryffindor house. In a few moments, I will lead you into the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your houses. While here, you will eat at your house table, and sleep in your house dormitories. Please wait here, and do try to make yourselves look presentable," the witch said before exiting the chamber.
"I'm so nervous," Josie squealed.
"I'm not, I'm just running away if they put me in Slytherin," Roselyn joked.
"Here, here to that," Josie cheered quietly.
Professor McGonagall entered the chamber again and motioned for them to follow her. From the back of the Great Hall, she grabbed a three-legged stool, a tattered hat, and a scroll. The first years' mouths hung wide open as they looked at all of the older students at their respective house table. Then their attention went to the ceiling, which looked exactly like the peaceful night outside.
The hat sat still for a moment before a tear near the brim began to.sing. The first year students stood motionless. All they had to do was put on a hat?
"When I call your name," Professor McGonagall said when the hat was finished, "you will come and put the sorting hat on your head and will then sit at your house table." She began reading from the scroll in her hand. "Albert, Daniel."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Atkinson, Samantha."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Baddon, Max."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Barr, Stewart."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Black, Sirius."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Brown, Gwen."
Lily, Roselyn, Josie, and Paige all held their breath.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Brown, Samuel." The boy who was obviously Gwen's brother strode forward.
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Tough luck, that is," Josie muttered amid the cheers from the Ravenclaw table.
This continued on for awhile until. "Evans, Lily."
Lily nervously walked up to the stool and slid the hat onto her head, having it slip down to cover her eyes. "Well, well.this IS a tough decision," a voice said in her ear. "My, you've definitely got brains, a desire NOT to be in Slytherin house.kindness, loyalty, bravery.hmm.I think.GRYFFINDOR!"
Cheering clouded Lily's thoughts as she removed the Sorting Hat and scurried over to the Gryffindor table. Lily sat down next to Gwen and was welcomed warmly by her to the table. The two waited in tense silence and clapped as the next Gryffindor down the line, "Lupin, Remus," joined them, looking tired but happy.
The rest of the Gryffindors were all "Newt, Frederick," "Pettigrew, Peter," and "Potter, James." Lily and Gwen waited tensely, as Roselyn, Josie, and Paige were some of the few up there. Out of those three, Paige was the first, becoming a Gryffindor almost as soon as the hat touched her head. The three girls then proceeded to wait for the Wise girls, who were the last two.
"Wise, Jocelyn."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Wise, Roselyn."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Josie and Roselyn were quick to join the group of three that sat at the end of the table. Most of the Hall seemed ready to eat, but the Headmaster stood up and nearly dashed those dreams.
"Now, as most of you are pestered every year by the Headmaster making a long pre-dinner speech, I'll change that tradition. Tuck in!"
"Boy, he seems to enjoy his new position," Josie joked as food appeared on the plates in front of them.
"Oy! Wise! Pass the bread!" James Potter yelled.
"Yes, Potter. I do live to serve you," Roselyn said sarcastically as she handed the plate stacked with bread to the enthusiastic 'Potter.'
"Come on, Rosie!" James exclaimed. "How 'bout you introduce me to your friends there?"
"Lily Evans, you know my cousin Josie, Paige Trite, and Gwen Brown," Roselyn mumbled. "You four, this is James Potter. Quite the big headed prat by the way."
"Pleased to meet all of you!" James said, sweeping into a bow, "I know how girls are, already swooning over my good looks!"
Lily and Roselyn snorted into their food. Maybe she's right about the big headed part Lily thought. Another boy stood up and bowed next to James.
"And I'm Sirius Black, you'll be swooning after James right after you finish swooning over me!" he said with a nod, crossing his arms across his chest as though determined. Luckily for all the chuckling Gryffindors, the Headmaster stood up.
"Now that we've all enjoyed our lovely feast, I'd suggest that you all head off to bed."
The first year Gryffindors all vacated the table and began to follow the sixth year prefect Arthur Weasley. He directed the girls and boys up to their proper dormitories. It didn't take long to have sleep overtake them.
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"Lily dearest friend, wake up!" Roselyn's voice echoed distantly.
"I can see you're a morning person, Rose," Lily said.
"Yes, it's a curse. Anyway, all the others already went down for breakfast. I was nice enough to wait for you!"
"It's too early, and you're too cheerful."
"I'm just glad to be at Hogwarts. I can't imagine another year with Benjamin."
"Who's Benjamin?"
"My father."
"What's so bad about him?"
"Come on Lil, we've got to get to breakfast."
Lily was ready in a matter of minutes. She and Rose nearly got lost on the way, but were pointed in the right direction by a ghost named Sir Nicholas. The Great Hall still wasn't all that crowded, and the few students that were up seemed dead tired.
"I can see the rush," Lily said sarcastically, sitting down and grabbing a piece of toast.
"I'm telling you, it's harsh here!" Rose replied cheerfully.
"Where's Josie and the rest?"
"They've been barricaded by second years." She nodded to a large group at the end of the table. "Don't get me wrong, I love my cousin dearly, but all she ever talks about are boys, make-up, and the latest wonders of the wizarding world," she said darkly.
"I've never been much interested in that sort of thing. I'll hate myself the day I put make-up on."
"Same here. Who knows what the rest of our Hogwarts years will be like though?"
"Who knows."
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"First day at Hogwarts!" Sirius cried, leaping out of bed.
"Home sweet home for the next nine months!" James added with vigor. "You feeling alright Remus?"
James was looking directly at Remus, who was standing by his bed rubbing his temples and looking pale, tired, and frustrated.
"I'm fine, just a little tired, you know?" a slight edge to Remus' voice indicated that it was not a topic he was keen to discuss.
"Yeah, I can't say I don't agree," the groggy Peter yawned.
"Why does Wise detest you?" Remus asked, looking at James now.
"Ah.well, it's not so much me as my family. My father tends to give off the 'We are almighty' impression. It doesn't sit well with her."
"Ah. Well, I'm off to breakfast."
"WAIT UP!" the three boys called.
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"Leave him alone, Potter!" the fiery red head said quietly from behind him.
"Come on, Evans! He asked for it!" James responded swiftly, his wand still on the Slytherin. This was a normal routine now. James attacks a Slytherin, Lily comes to their rescue, and James and Lily argue, James finally gives up, Slytherin leaves calling Lily a foul name. That was the routine, and Roselyn and the others had long since given up trying to stop it.
This was Hogwarts life.
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A/N: This is my first fanfic! PLEASE REVIEW! I'M BEGGING YOU!
A/N: Here's my attempt at the typical Lily/James story. I'll try to stick as close to the Order of the Phoenix and other books as possible. It's got Lily, the Marauders, and a few original characters as well.
Chapter One-A Receiving of Letters and the Start of a New Life
Lily and Petunia Evans both sat outside in the gardens of their parents' home, both enjoying the warm sunshine as it wash upon them. Petunia, the oldest, was telling her sister stories of the secondary school she attended, as she was two years older. Lily could only sigh. As wonderful as the school sounded, she always wished for something more, something she couldn't explain, as though it were just a part of her. And compared to what her sister was describing, finding out this missing piece of her HAD to be better.
She and her sister got along wonderfully. They just wanted and expected different things of life. While Petunia was into the upbeat social status to rule her life, Lily was a little more alone. She dearly loved to read and to discover new things. She treasured books about dragons, castles, and things that could never be.
Lily looked nothing like her sister, who was plain looking and dull. Lily had brilliant red hair with a hint of waviness cascading down to her shoulder blades and magnificent emerald green eyes, always filled with life and happiness. She had creamy white skin, which was framed nicely by her hair. She was also quite petite.
A shrill screaming from the house alerted their attention. It was obviously their mother, but they had no clue what she was screaming so horribly about. Both girls were on their feet in seconds, lunging for the back door. Stepping into the kitchen, they found something that completely took them by surprise: an owl was sitting on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, a letter attached to its leg.
The owl hooted and turned its gaze on Lily, and for some reason, she wasn't frightened or shocked at all. Just another one of those things she couldn't explain. Reaching her hand out slowly, she stroked the soft brown feathers of the owl's head and with the other hand reached for the letter.
On the front was:
Lily M. Evans The Kitchen The Jacob Evans' Household Surrey
Lily turned the letter over in her hands. It was made of some strange.parchment? Looking on the back, she found a crest, a rather odd one at that. It was a purple seal with four animals, a lion, a serpent, a badger, and an eagle, all surrounding a letter H.
She opened the letter with shaking hands, trying not to break the eccentric seal. Her eyes grew wide as they scanned the letter, and her heart beat perilously fast in her chest. The mysterious letter read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. 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 an enclosed list of 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
Lily quickly handed the letter to her mother, who simply looked disbelieving. Her eyes went from Lily, to the letter, to the owl that still perched on her fine kitchen chair. This had to be some sick joke, but the owl sitting tranquilly on the top of the chair was tribute to something more.
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The young James Potter sat a the foot of his bed, at the time trying to get his unruly black hair to cooperate, his chocolate brown eyes looking frustrated. He pushed his round glasses up to the bridge of his nose and read the letter again.
James had long been expecting his letter from Hogwarts; he was from a prominent wizarding family after all. The Potters hadn't seen a squib in years. His mother was overwhelmed with happiness, but his father seemed indifferent, which had upset him greatly. On September 1, he'd be going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After all, he was born to BE this.
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The heartened Sirius Black ran a hand through his black hair in anticipation, and his light blue eyes danced in his skull. He had handsomely tanned skin, and looked slightly out of place in the gloomy house he occupied with his parents and brother.
Sirius had long expected his letter as well, but his anticipation had many more reasons behind it. He was tired of his family trying to shove their beliefs down his throat. He, unlike his brother Regulus, didn't swallow them.
It was a relief when the owl swooped in, the letter tied to its leg. Sirius nearly let out a cry of happiness as he clutched the letter in hand and started making early preparations. He'd be able to leave his family, if only for the school year.
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Remus Lupin sat in a tired heap on his bed, his amber eyes frustrated, tired, and longing all at once. His shaking hand passed through his sandy blonde hair once more before he tentatively took the letter from the school owl.
Remus was a different story from his peers; he hadn't expected a letter at all. However, the new Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, was pretty much welcoming him with open arms. They'd have to take precautions, yes, but he'd actually be able to attend a school!
Ever since he'd been bitten and become a werewolf himself, he'd dreamt of an owl flying through his window to send him off to Hogwarts. Not that he'd ever thought that would actually happen, but it did! The eleven-year- old Remus punched the air with his fist and let out a triumphant cry.
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Peter Pettigrew had never shown signs of magical talent. He took his whole family by surprise when he strode in holding his Hogwarts letter. The slightly round boy was beaming with pride as his father ruffled his mousy- blonde hair. He wasn't a squib after all.
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Roselyn Wise stood by her window smiling. She was quite a pretty girl, with black hair falling down to her middle back and silver-gray eyes that were inquisitive and warm.
She was happy at the moment. She had finally gotten her Hogwarts letter. She'd waited her whole life to get away from the madness that was her family. Prominent wizarding family they may be, but their own daughter meant nothing to them. Her father was disappointed with her associating with Muggles, Muggle-borns, and others of the sort, he even occasionally beat her, and it was beginning to take a toll. Her mother never helped her, so that didn't matter either, and her two sisters treated her as a freak. She'd finally get to leave though, for something she hoped was better than this.
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"Freak," Petunia mumbled under her breath as she passed Lily on the stairs. The word struck like a whip and hung in the air. Ever since Lily had gotten her letter, Petunia wouldn't even touch her, and the word freak was now a common word in her vocabulary.
It hurt Lily more than she thought anything ever could. She and Petunia had gotten along wonderfully, and now she had lost her only friend, her only sister. Lily had long since gone to Diagon Alley to get her supplies. She'd even talked to a wizarding family who told her where to go once she got to King's Cross.
With a sigh, Lily heard her parents calling the girls for them to go. It was September 1, the first day of term. Lily's father heaved her trunk into the boot and they hastily got into the car with Petunia, who was forced to see her sister off to school.
King's Cross was packed with people, but she followed the instructions of the people she'd met. With a deep breath, she faced the barrier between platforms nine and ten. She started at a little bit of a run.
I'm gonna crash! She thought desperately. She closed her eyes and waited for impact, but it never came. She opened her eyes and looked before her at the beautiful scarlet Hogwarts Express. The owl her parents bought her, Nuncio hooted at her reassuringly. She gave a small smile and climbed aboard her train, dragging her trunk and owl cage.
Lily searched to the back of the train, but she didn't find a single empty compartment. Soon enough though, she came upon a compartment with just one passenger. Sitting nearest the window was a small girl, she was just below average height, and so skinny she almost looked frail. She had black semi- wavy hair falling down to her middle back. She turned around to regard the intruder with piercing silver-gray eyes that looked hostile. However, they instantly softened when she saw who it was.
"Sorry, you can come in if you like," she said in a soft tone. "I thought you were someone else, sorry for any hostility."
"That's alright. Would you mind if I shared your compartment? All the others are full," Lily replied kindly. She rather liked this stranger.
"Certainly. Here, let me help you with that." The girl helped Lily put her trunk and owl cage into the holding space. The snowy owl hooted his thanks. "I have an owl as well. Her name's Rhiannon. I thought it only appropriate since I was going to Hogwarts. My aunt said she's sending me a kitten for Christmas so that I won't get lonely whenever the owl's in the Owlery or making deliveries."
"SENDING a kitten?" Lily asked.
"Well, I'm hoping she's making the delivery herself. My name's Roselyn Marienna Wise," the girl said, extending her hand.
"Lily Marie Evans."
"I take it you're a Muggle-born?" Roselyn asked, taking in Lily's attire.
"A what?"
"A Muggle-born. Yes, I suppose you are. You'll find this as a really big change. Muggles are non-magic people. Muggle-born means that you are a witch or wizard born into a Muggle family."
"I just don't know anything about this world. I don't know what I'm doing, where I'm going. I feel lost."
"Everyone feels lost. Even me, and I come from a long line of wizards and witches. That's the wonder of it, the mystery really."
Lily could immediately tell that this girl was the adventurous type, though not that sociable. She could tell because she too wasn't too anxious to socialize quickly, but his girl broke down the barrier. From the moment of their handshake, she knew that she and Roselyn were forming a bond not to be broken easily.
The train ride was quite enjoyable as the two girls talked and laughed. Roselyn was even kind enough to explain many aspects of the wizarding world to Lily. They were immersed in a deep conversation about houses.
"I'd really like to get into Gryffindor," Roselyn said, "mostly just to spite my father."
"Gryffindor by far sounds the best, but I've always been slightly work- oriented. I suppose that might stick me in Ravenclaw," Lily thought aloud. "Do you know how they sort us?"
"My sisters all tell me that they make us take on a dragon, but that's my sisters' word. Don't trust it. They're all Slytherins by house and nature."
"Slytherin doesn't sound all that appealing."
"Oh does it not, my dear?" a smooth voice said from the door. A boy with sleek silver-blonde hair stood in the doorway to their compartment with a group of three boys behind him that Lily and Roselyn couldn't quite see. "Lucius Malfoy, please to meet you Ms.?"
"Evans," Lily said shortly, not taking his extended hand. She could tell that there was something about this boy that wasn't right.
"A Mudblood I see," Lucius said, his face contorting with disgust. "I'll thank you for NOT shaking my hand. Don't want that filth on me."
"Shut it, Malfoy," Roselyn said, standing in front of Lily.
"Ah, Roselyn Wise. I'll retire to my compartment. I now feel the need to alert your father to this," Malfoy said, gesturing towards Lily. He then left the compartment. Roselyn had gone quite white as he said that, paler than she was already.
"What did he call me?" Lily asked as the door slid shut.
"A Mudblood. It's a foul term for Muggle-borns. Malfoys pride themselves on being purebloods, having no Muggles in their families. It's rubbish really, but my family's like that too. You'll find a lot of families are, most of them are Slytherins though, all sticking together like glue, too afraid to act on their own."
"Why is he writing to your father?"
"So that my father will start a never-ending argument about who I choose as friends."
"The Wise and Malfoy families are usually friends. They think I'm the oddball in the family. My aunt and myself don't like the whole pureblood frenzy. Her daughter Jocelyn is somewhere, and she's a first year too."
The train was gradually slowing down, but the girls continued talking as they had long ago changed into their robes. When they finally halted at what Roselyn called Hogsmeade station, everyone began to file out into the narrow corridor. They'd walked a short distance when someone began calling after them.
"Rose! Rose, can't you wait for your own flesh and blood to catch up with you?" an exasperated voice called. Roselyn turned around and smiled widely.
"Hello, Josie. Lily, this is my cousin, Jocelyn Wise. Jocelyn, this is Lily."
"Call me Josie before I attack my cousin," the girl said, extending her hand to Lily. The two girls looked nothing alike. Josie was tall and not so frail looking. She had light blonde hair and brown eyes. "And may I introduce to you all.Paige and Gwen!"
The girl named Paige stepped forward and introduced herself as Paige Trite. She had curly brown hair that reached only her shoulders and amiable blue eyes. She was tall and lanky, not at all like the rest of them.
Gwen also extended her hand in friendship, introducing herself as Gwen Brown, which perfectly suited her. She was hyper and jumpy, her brown hair bouncing around her face and her brown eyes laughing as she joined them.
"Firs' years! Firs' years this way!" came a booming voice from up ahead. They followed the sound until they came up to a giant of a man. He led them down a rough beaten path to where an almost docile lake shimmered in front of them, reflecting the light coming from the castle windows ahead. There were gasps as they realized where they were headed.
"No more'n four to a boat!" the huge man who led them here called out. Gwen said she'd go with her twin brother, who was also here, so Lily, Roselyn, Josie, and Paige all clambered into one of the boats. The black surface of the lake passed beneath them as they began on their way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Upon reaching dry land, a few of the students climbed out quickly, others taking their time and having a good laugh at their nearly seasick companions. Waiting for them at the entrance to the school was a strict looking witch with her black hair in a neat bun. She led them into a side chamber off of the huge Entrance Hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor McGonagall, and head of Gryffindor house. In a few moments, I will lead you into the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your houses. While here, you will eat at your house table, and sleep in your house dormitories. Please wait here, and do try to make yourselves look presentable," the witch said before exiting the chamber.
"I'm so nervous," Josie squealed.
"I'm not, I'm just running away if they put me in Slytherin," Roselyn joked.
"Here, here to that," Josie cheered quietly.
Professor McGonagall entered the chamber again and motioned for them to follow her. From the back of the Great Hall, she grabbed a three-legged stool, a tattered hat, and a scroll. The first years' mouths hung wide open as they looked at all of the older students at their respective house table. Then their attention went to the ceiling, which looked exactly like the peaceful night outside.
The hat sat still for a moment before a tear near the brim began to.sing. The first year students stood motionless. All they had to do was put on a hat?
"When I call your name," Professor McGonagall said when the hat was finished, "you will come and put the sorting hat on your head and will then sit at your house table." She began reading from the scroll in her hand. "Albert, Daniel."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Atkinson, Samantha."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Baddon, Max."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Barr, Stewart."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Black, Sirius."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Brown, Gwen."
Lily, Roselyn, Josie, and Paige all held their breath.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Brown, Samuel." The boy who was obviously Gwen's brother strode forward.
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Tough luck, that is," Josie muttered amid the cheers from the Ravenclaw table.
This continued on for awhile until. "Evans, Lily."
Lily nervously walked up to the stool and slid the hat onto her head, having it slip down to cover her eyes. "Well, well.this IS a tough decision," a voice said in her ear. "My, you've definitely got brains, a desire NOT to be in Slytherin house.kindness, loyalty, bravery.hmm.I think.GRYFFINDOR!"
Cheering clouded Lily's thoughts as she removed the Sorting Hat and scurried over to the Gryffindor table. Lily sat down next to Gwen and was welcomed warmly by her to the table. The two waited in tense silence and clapped as the next Gryffindor down the line, "Lupin, Remus," joined them, looking tired but happy.
The rest of the Gryffindors were all "Newt, Frederick," "Pettigrew, Peter," and "Potter, James." Lily and Gwen waited tensely, as Roselyn, Josie, and Paige were some of the few up there. Out of those three, Paige was the first, becoming a Gryffindor almost as soon as the hat touched her head. The three girls then proceeded to wait for the Wise girls, who were the last two.
"Wise, Jocelyn."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Wise, Roselyn."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Josie and Roselyn were quick to join the group of three that sat at the end of the table. Most of the Hall seemed ready to eat, but the Headmaster stood up and nearly dashed those dreams.
"Now, as most of you are pestered every year by the Headmaster making a long pre-dinner speech, I'll change that tradition. Tuck in!"
"Boy, he seems to enjoy his new position," Josie joked as food appeared on the plates in front of them.
"Oy! Wise! Pass the bread!" James Potter yelled.
"Yes, Potter. I do live to serve you," Roselyn said sarcastically as she handed the plate stacked with bread to the enthusiastic 'Potter.'
"Come on, Rosie!" James exclaimed. "How 'bout you introduce me to your friends there?"
"Lily Evans, you know my cousin Josie, Paige Trite, and Gwen Brown," Roselyn mumbled. "You four, this is James Potter. Quite the big headed prat by the way."
"Pleased to meet all of you!" James said, sweeping into a bow, "I know how girls are, already swooning over my good looks!"
Lily and Roselyn snorted into their food. Maybe she's right about the big headed part Lily thought. Another boy stood up and bowed next to James.
"And I'm Sirius Black, you'll be swooning after James right after you finish swooning over me!" he said with a nod, crossing his arms across his chest as though determined. Luckily for all the chuckling Gryffindors, the Headmaster stood up.
"Now that we've all enjoyed our lovely feast, I'd suggest that you all head off to bed."
The first year Gryffindors all vacated the table and began to follow the sixth year prefect Arthur Weasley. He directed the girls and boys up to their proper dormitories. It didn't take long to have sleep overtake them.
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"Lily dearest friend, wake up!" Roselyn's voice echoed distantly.
"I can see you're a morning person, Rose," Lily said.
"Yes, it's a curse. Anyway, all the others already went down for breakfast. I was nice enough to wait for you!"
"It's too early, and you're too cheerful."
"I'm just glad to be at Hogwarts. I can't imagine another year with Benjamin."
"Who's Benjamin?"
"My father."
"What's so bad about him?"
"Come on Lil, we've got to get to breakfast."
Lily was ready in a matter of minutes. She and Rose nearly got lost on the way, but were pointed in the right direction by a ghost named Sir Nicholas. The Great Hall still wasn't all that crowded, and the few students that were up seemed dead tired.
"I can see the rush," Lily said sarcastically, sitting down and grabbing a piece of toast.
"I'm telling you, it's harsh here!" Rose replied cheerfully.
"Where's Josie and the rest?"
"They've been barricaded by second years." She nodded to a large group at the end of the table. "Don't get me wrong, I love my cousin dearly, but all she ever talks about are boys, make-up, and the latest wonders of the wizarding world," she said darkly.
"I've never been much interested in that sort of thing. I'll hate myself the day I put make-up on."
"Same here. Who knows what the rest of our Hogwarts years will be like though?"
"Who knows."
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"First day at Hogwarts!" Sirius cried, leaping out of bed.
"Home sweet home for the next nine months!" James added with vigor. "You feeling alright Remus?"
James was looking directly at Remus, who was standing by his bed rubbing his temples and looking pale, tired, and frustrated.
"I'm fine, just a little tired, you know?" a slight edge to Remus' voice indicated that it was not a topic he was keen to discuss.
"Yeah, I can't say I don't agree," the groggy Peter yawned.
"Why does Wise detest you?" Remus asked, looking at James now.
"Ah.well, it's not so much me as my family. My father tends to give off the 'We are almighty' impression. It doesn't sit well with her."
"Ah. Well, I'm off to breakfast."
"WAIT UP!" the three boys called.
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"Leave him alone, Potter!" the fiery red head said quietly from behind him.
"Come on, Evans! He asked for it!" James responded swiftly, his wand still on the Slytherin. This was a normal routine now. James attacks a Slytherin, Lily comes to their rescue, and James and Lily argue, James finally gives up, Slytherin leaves calling Lily a foul name. That was the routine, and Roselyn and the others had long since given up trying to stop it.
This was Hogwarts life.
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A/N: This is my first fanfic! PLEASE REVIEW! I'M BEGGING YOU!