It was a cloudy day, just as any ordinary day on 7th Campbell Street. However one girl could say different.
Even though she was only almost 11 years old, Lily Evans had senses and abilities rarely found in any ordinary child. It was true her family was nothing special. Her father worked as a doctor in the Memoria Hospital south of their home, and her mother kept house, and had developed hobbies of her own just as any normal mother would. Petunia, Lily's sister, wasn't exactly normal, but was bossy and self centered, like some sisters are. That's normal. Isn't it?
Lily sat on her blue and white checkered bed, built in the frame of her window. Staring as the rain fell in the light of cars passing by, illuminating the whiskers of a stray tabby cat sitting on her front porch. She was pondering on what the reporter had said in the daily newspaper, The Memoria Morning Edition. The front photo had been of a beautiful snowy owl with an envelope in its beak, flying through the air.
"…These birds have been known to deliver such things as this envelope to humans just like the popular Carrier pigeon. These birds have been known to make an appearance all over England every year during the end of July since at least the 1700's, and this year isn't any different."
Lily recalled news articles like this every late July since she was three years old. However, even Lily didn't know the purpose of these owls flying about England.
Then, as if reading her thoughts, a silvery-brown barn owl swooped down in front of her window. There was something in its beak.
Lily jumped up instantly, swung the silky blue curtains aside, unbolted the lock, and threw open her rain-dashed window. Drops of rain spattered her face as Lily stuck her head out the window to see the barn owl gracefully drop the letter, which soared into the slot in the door for the mail.
Without bothering to close her window, Lily raced down the hallway, red hair trailing behind her, as she ran down the long stairway bumping into Petunia on the middle step. Petunia gave a scream, but Lily didn't care she had a feeling, just a feeling, that the letter was for her. But when she rounded the last step she saw no letters in front of the door, but heard a familiar whistle in the parlor. Father was home.
She daintily walked into the parlor, greeting her mother, who was silently washing dishes in the corner of the kitchen where the sink was located, as if nothing had happened, and waltzed up to the table where her father sat reading a letter.
"Hello, Father. How was your day?" Lily asked innocently.
Her father paused, only just noticing she was there. "Busy darling, had quite a few appointments to take care of."
"That's to bad. I know you don't like to stay to late. What are you reading?" Lily replied.
"Just the bills. Nothing special, but I don't know why Aunt Natalie hasn't sent us her monthly letter!" Mr. Evans exclaimed.
Taking the chance, Lily replied " Maybe it's in here." Lily made a gesture to the four letters lying on the table.
Mr. Evans decided to accept this suggestion and picked up the pile of mail next to him. He put the first two aside. (Both of which were bills.) Lily panicked, only two letters left! Then he removed the front letter, and there in his hand was a rain-stained envelope. The address read,
Miss Lily Evans7th Campbell Street
4th House Down, Memoria, England
Farthermost Room UpstairsMr. Evans read the address again before giving it a peculiar look, and handing it to his daughter.
Lily couldn't believe it. Yet it was staring her in the face embossed in emerald green writing. She turned it over to see a seal. On the front were a lion, a raven, a serpent, and something of a badger. All of these animals were printed in black on a background of a coat of arms, with a majestic "H" in the very center.
It was then, just as she was about to open the strange letter, when she heard a knock at the door.
Her mother dashed to the door and opened it to reveal a woman in green robes.
Planted a top her head was a slanted green Witches hat, which bore a peacock feather. She wore green robes of velveteen, which covered her feet. The sleeves were long and wide, and they revealed slender hands, one of which held another bundle of four letters.
"Good evening. I have some business to take care of about a letter, which was sent to a Miss Lily Evans." The woman stated.
Lily's mother allowed the woman in, and called for the rest of the family. (Petunia objected, but was forced by her father to join her family in the parlor.)
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I've introduced myself. I'm Professor Minerva McGonagall, I wrote a letter to this young lady a few weeks ago." She gestured to Lily.
"I'm sorry, but I only just received it, I haven't read any of it." Lily answered before her parents could question the professor, "That is, if it's this letter." She held up the letter, addressed to her.
"The very same." The Professor answered, "Why don't you read it?" She said.
Lily did as she was told, and opened the letter. What was inside she couldn't believe. It said,
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 1st. We await your owl by no later then July 31st.
Yours Sincerely,
Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
Lily heard her mother gasp, and saw her father staring at the letter, open-mouthed, but Petunia glared at Lily.
Petunia had always been spoiled. So Lily couldn't help but feel victorious as her mother squealed and hugged her in delight.
Now the woman spoke again.
"Lily, you must realize that you are very lucky to be chosen as a witch from a family of non-magic folk, also known as muggles in the wizarding world." She paused, "Because you have been raised by muggles, you will therefore have a magic family to guide you, they having more knowledge than your parents about the world of magic." She then took the top letter of her bundle, and handed it to Lily. "Your family is the Turner family. Also, you have to agree to the laws of the wizarding world, and Hogwarts or you will be expelled from the school, or perhaps even the wizarding community."
Lily was becoming nervous. There were so many rules! Then the Professor handed each of her parents a letter.
"Being the responsible guardians of Miss Lily Evans, you both must also agree to the rules of secrecy of the wizarding world." The Professor said. "We will be giving you updates on your daughters progress for the first two months, then it will be up to your daughter to write."
Both parents scanned the letters given, before each signing their name on their letter, which they handed back to the Professor.
"And, this letter is private business from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore." And the Professor handed her the final letter.
The Professor told Lily that she was the Turners responsibility now, and she shook the Evans' hands before leaving in a ray of light.