Author's Note: So, there was suppoed to be more to this chapter... but then I realized how long it was already, so I deided not to keep you guys waiting and post what I've got. It's a bit less cheerful, but it was necessary for backstory - and before you ask questions, more will be cleared up in later chapters.

As always, thank you to all my lovely reviewers! You guys rock! (hands out German chocolate)

Chapter 6: Memories and Flying Mice

Most students' greatest hardships involve trouble in school and issues involving members of the opposite sex (at least, in most cases…). A bad day for them may involve a bad mark on a paper or an exam, an embarrassing moment involving that certain someone, or simply lack of sleep or general irritation. Nevertheless, everyone has their deep, dark secrets, and for some people, those entailed a lot more than others could even imagine. Some things in life are neither fair nor preventable. There are problems, circumstances that cause certain fears and dislikes that could seem… unusual. And sometimes, there are blows that strike out of the blue. Secretly, some teens deal with more than should ever be expected, and no one knows… few even guess.

Lily Evans was always a good guesser, and she had the kindness and charisma that allowed her to get through and help people, no matter how defensive they might be. Because of her open and accepting way, people just felt… safe around her, knowing that no matter what, she was willing to listen. Chloe Patterson would never forget their very first ride on the Hogwarts Express.

---

Lily Evans sat down in an empty train compartment, nerves overcoming her. This is it, she thought. I'm going to a new school… a magic school. Even in the clearly magical aura of Platform 9 ¾ ("What an odd name!" her sister had scoffed in her childish, immature way. "Maybe you'll take train 4 3/8, to get to school 0 ½, so you can educate that nonexistent brain!" Whereupon her mother and thrown her a sharp glance and said "Petunia, that's enough!"), aboard a train like the Hogwarts Express, the thought seemed farfetched. Surreal; as if she would suddenly wake up and find it was all a dream.

She opened her trunk and looked through her school books again. "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1," she read aloud. Carefully, as though afraid the book would be damaged if she gripped it too tight, she took it out and opened it, reading the odd descriptions. "Wave your wand slightly to the left, and then flick down." Poke your sister's eyes out while you're at it, she added. The brat was always sniffing around. It was a miracle she hadn't run off with any of her school things.

The compartment door slid open, and a girl about her age with reddish-brown hair looked in.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" she asked. Her voice was soft – sad, maybe – as if she thought Lily was going to chase her away.

"Of course not!" she said cheerfully, giving her a smile. She got up and helped her move her trunk into the luggage rack. "I'm Lily Evans. I'm a first year… muggle born, I hope you don't mind."

"No, why would I?" the girl gave her a curious look. "My name's Chloe Patterson... I'm a first year too. My dad's a muggle… my mom was a witch, but she left when I was really young."

"Oh, I'm sorry." There was an awkward silence in which Lily looked out the window and Chloe toyed nervously with her hair in an unspoken wish not to pursue the topic further.

"So how did your dad feel?" she said finally. Chloe looked questioningly at her. "About your letter," she clarified.

"Oh." For a moment a dark look passed over Chloe's face – it was so fast she could have imagined it – and then it was gone. "He was… surprised, I guess. He wasn't too happy, to tell you the truth. Wanted me to go to one of those high level boarding schools." Lily nodded sympathetically.

"My parents thought it was a joke at first." A slight smile spread across her face. "They didn't believe me… but I convinced them to at least follow the directions, and when we found Diagon Alley…" she giggled. "My sister wasn't too happy. She's jealous, I think."

"I never had any siblings," Chloe sighed. "It was just me with my dad." Again something seemed to pass over her face and then it was gone.

Chloe noticed Lily's curious glance and wondered if she had been too obvious. Come to think of it, she was surprised that the other girl hadn't mentioned her black eye. The studying look in her green eyes made her feel unquiet. "So," she said, more to change the subject than anything else, "What do you think it'll be like? The school and the magic and stuff."

"I dunno," said Lily at once, welcoming a break in the awkward atmosphere. "It doesn't seem like they have our modern technology or anything. They probably don't need it. But I wonder if they know about the same stuff. You know, like movies and musical groups."

"Hmm." Chloe stared out at the passing fields. "I wonder if they've even heard of the Beatles."

"You like the Beatles?" Lily cried. Chloe nodded. "No way! Me too! Who's your favorite?"

"John."

"I like George. He writes the best lyrics."

It was an ice breaker. The girls talked for the whole train ride. When the lunch trolley came, Lily treated Chloe, who had no money, to all the most interesting sounding foods. They had fun with Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, specifically one Lily got which looked like Vanilla, but which made her go pale and spit it into an empty Chocolate Frog box. Chloe swore she had never seen someone make such a face, and sent Lily into gales of laughter trying to imitate her.

By the time the train came to a stop, they felt like they had known each other for ages.

---

Lily ever did mention the black eye, or the fact that Chloe never talked about her father again. Nor did she ask when they returned from the first Christmas holiday and Chloe was sporting a split lip and numerous bruises. But when she came to visit in the summer with a swollen face and cuts on her forearm, she was quick to invite her to spend the rest of the holiday with them. And subsequent holidays after that. And eventually Chloe trusted her enough to open up on her own accord and tell her everything about her father and his "discipline" habits, and Lily told her none of it was her fault and that she didn't deserve to have a father like that. Needless to say Chloe rarely ever went home again. And when she did, Lily was always ready with healing spells and supporting words when she returned, inevitably injured.

Now, sitting in class and staring at the back of her best friend's head, Lily felt like crying. She couldn't believe she'd lost her head like that yesterday and said the things she did. What's more, she felt guilty for the pain she'd obviously caused her – if the cuts of last night were any indication. Chloe might get a little irritating at times, but the girl needed her – depended on her strength and support to help deal with the things that were so much harder because of the pain she had to live through. Silently, she vowed she'd make it up to Chloe somehow – as soon as she found a way.

Despite her preoccupation, she still couldn't help but notice that James – she wasn't sure when it had become 'James' and not 'Potter,' but there it was - hadn't returned from wherever it was McGonagall took him, and her concern was slowly growing. Supposedly he wasn't in trouble, but then, what could it be? She glanced over at Black, Pettigrew, and Remus, all three of whom seemed concerned as well.

"He was at breakfast, wasn't he?" she head Remus ask.

"Yeah, I guess," Black replied. "Peter said he was…."

"He was sitting with Evans!" Pettigrew piped in eagerly. Lily groaned. Apparently she had started quite the gossip with her early morning antics.

"But Evans is here." All three boys glanced her way, and she dropped her gaze quickly to the mouse that she was supposed to make invisible. "It's not like they…"

"Sirius! Lily wouldn't do that, you know she wouldn't."

She allowed herself a small smile. Remus always seemed to stand up for her to everyone. He told her that he owed it to her… she had been the first to figure out his secret, and as she did with Chloe, she'd offered silent support whenever he needed it. The two of them had spent many a fun afternoon in the Prefects' room, just talking about anything that came to mind. And together with Chloe and their dorm mate Riley, they had many memorable Hogsmeade weekend.

"Well, you never know…."

Lily's mouse suddenly flew off the desk and hit Black smack in the face.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Lily cried, retrieving the mouse. Black simply gave her a smirk, while Remus grinned knowingly and gave her a secret thumbs up under his desk.

Professor Flitwick glanced over from his seat and called, "A little more of a circling motion with your wand, Miss Evans, not as much force." She nodded, and he gave her a knowing wink, causing her grin to grow larger. Charms was sooooo her favorite class!

---

J…Potter (yes, it HAD to be Potter, or all was not right with the world) returned with five minutes left of class and sat down beside Black. "Ah, Mr. Potter, your… business is done, then?" Professor Flitwick asked, giving Ja… giving Potter what seemed to be a knowing look.

"Yes, sir. Thank you." There was a definite stress on the last two words.

"Well, as there are only five minutes left of class, it would be pointless for you to start now. Perhaps – Mr. Lupin, could you fill Mr. Potter in on invisibility charms before next class?"

"Of course, Professor." Black was grinning widely for some reason as Remus spoke. "I'll make sure he knows how to… make things invisible." All four of them shared grins. Lily rolled her eyes. They were always the same.

"What'd I miss?" James asked once Flitwick had turned away.

"Evans hit Sirius in the face with a mouse!" Pettigrew said eagerly. James' (ergh, Potter's!) eyes caught hers and gave her a small nod and grin. She rolled her eyes at him and turned away.

"Well, we were just theorizing about whether or not you and Evans were off snogging in a broom cupboard…"

"And I, of course, pointed out that it was very un-Lily-like to skip class at all, let alone snog in a broom cupboard…"

"Whereupon Sirius pointed out that you never know."

"Give me that!" Potter (hah!) snatched Pettigrew's mouse, which looked semi-transparent, and flicked his wand at it. Sirius groaned as the second mouse of the day smacked him right in the nose.