The Hogwarts Express

Before Lily Evan's knew what was happening she had been thrown into a magical world that she could not have even dreamt of in her wildest fantasies. Somehow she had survived a very eventful trip to Diagon Ally with her parents; it was a miracle to think they had gotten through the trip to be truthful. Between her mother who had looked positively terrified by everything magical and had attempted to hide behind Lily's father, who himself had been completely enthralled with everything in Diagon Ally.

In fact he had stopped every couple steps to examine a trinket or a window display, all the while muttering things like "fascinating" and "unbelievable" under his breath. After the trip in which she had purchased her school books, with a rather remarkable set of currency, or remarkable had been the word George Evans had used to describe the gold, silver and bronze coins that the "astonishing" Goblins at the "remarkable" Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Every day since their trip to Diagon Ally Lily had kept a countdown on her Herman's Hermits Wall Calendar. George Evans had spoken non stop about Diagon Ally for most of August and was possibly more excited then Lily for her to leave for Hogwarts. Linnea Evans had made a strange noise in her throat whenever Hogwarts was brought up and proceeded to retreat to the kitchen and begin baking without stop for several hours. Needless to say between the constant discussions about Hogwarts between Lily and her father, the Evans family home was overflowing with an abundance of biscuits, cakes, casseroles and tarts by the time September 1st rolled around.

Petunia had been another case entirely, all though she and Lily had never been the best of friends once Lily had gotten her letter by owl that fateful morning in the kitchen, Petunia would hardly look at Lily. She would hardly make eye contact with her sister in fact. George Evans told Lily not to worry, that it was just a phase and surely Petunia would grow out of it. Lily had nothing to do but listen to her father. Besides Lily had other things to worry about then her sister's petulant mood swings, for September 1st was fast approaching. Then finally one day it came.

On the morning of September 1st Lily found her self standing all alone on Platform 9 ¾. Looking around nervously she realized the older boy whom she had shyly asked for directions to get on the platform and disappeared. Clutching the cart which she was pushing her trunk on as though her life depended on it, her green eyes darted from one side of the platform to the next.

Lily was slightly unnerved to say the very least, especially when a woman next to her pulled out her wand to clean the dirt off of her sons cheek. Although she had seen quite a bit of magic when she had been in Diagon Ally she still was not used to seeing it performed. "Really Fabian," the woman who had pulled out her wand reprimanded her blonde haired son, "you're a seventh year yet you must run around like a twelve year old. However are all the other Gryffindor students supposed to respect their Quidditch captain if he acts like an imbecile?"

The boy merely grinned merrily at the woman, who was obviously his mother. Lily's mind reeled, what in the world is Quidditch, she thought uneasily, or a Gryffindor. This whole strange world which she had been suddenly thrown into seemed completely unbelievable. Had it really been a little less then a month and a half before that she had gotten her Hogwarts letter?

Taking a deep breath Lily hoisted her bag upon her back and pushed her trunk forward, all the while keenly aware that no one was faintly aware of the small eleven year old girl making her way through throngs of happy families. She had the sudden urge to run back through the barrier which she had some how managed to get through, despite not having the slightest clue how, and find her parents. No, she told herself, you wanted to come here you're going to do this. As she boarded the shiny black train sitting along side the platform she observed the words, HOGWARTS EXPRESS, which were emblazoned in red along the side.

Thankfully she quickly found an unoccupied compartment and slid inside. Sitting down she looked out the window. Immediately her eyes fell upon a dark haired family standing directly below her window. The father and the son looked remarkably similar, each wearing glasses and sporting a messy mop of dark hair. Next to them stood two girls and what Lily could only assume was their mother.

The woman was obviously lecturing the older of the two girls, who had the same colored hair as the man and the son. The older girl had her hands on her hips and was rolling her eyes at her mother in clear annoyance. The younger girl was attempting to hold in laughter as she looked away from the two other females.

As Lily examined the younger girl more carefully she saw that despite initial appearances she was obviously not a member of the dark haired family. The girl was much shorter then everyone else in the family for one thing, but on top of that the dark hair color was the only thing she had in common with any of them. She had long dark eyelashes and sky blue eyes. Her hair was wavy and she had an exotic look to her. She was quite pretty even for a young girl. Finally Lily looked away and down at the floor. She wondered if anyone was going to sit by her. Probably not, she decided.

She realized that she really was on her own once the train started to move away from the station and no one had ventured into her compartment. What if no one likes me, worried Lily, what if everyone already knows each other and they all just laugh at me. Getting close to hysterics Lily attempted to calm herself down, by breathing deeply and loudly.

She was so worked up she didn't even notice the compartment door slide open. Lily was startled from her state of panic by a voice, "Are you alright?"

Lily whipped her head around to see the pretty girl from below the window earlier. "Oh yes I'm fine sorry," Lily said feeling her worry evaporate around her. "Do you mind if I sit in here?" The girl asked she had a definite accent that Lily couldn't quite place. "Oh no not at all" Lily replied at once starring at the girl, trying to figure out why this girl wanted to sit in the same compartment as she. "I'm Lily Evans" Lily said.

The girl did not immediately take it however as she observed Lily with squinted eyes, "Lily are you a Muggle?" she finally asked. "Er…am I a what?" asked Lily nervously. "Obviously" said the girl with a matter of fact tone to her voice. "It is what we call witches and wizards who don't come from magical families. I certainly could care less, but you will find there are some people who care quite a bit." Lily still continued to stare at the girl not having the slightest clue what to say. "No matter" said the girl with a grin. Suddenly realizing Lily's hand was outstretched she giggled and shook it heartily. "Sorry I'm Arabella, Arabella Chiavatti."

"So are you a first year" Arabella asked. Lily nodded emphatically. "I bet you don't know anyone do you?" said Arabella, "No, not a soul" Lily said shyly. "Well that's no matter" Arabella said, " I don't really know anyone either well except for the Potter's that is" Arabella paused here to look at Lily again, Lily made no movement, and Arabella went back to talking, "No of course you wouldn't know them either. Well that's fine you know me now and I know you". Lily smiled and thought to herself, yes and I am beginning to think that will be a very good thing.

"Well we moved here from Italy this summer. My Dad is the Italian Ambassador to the Ministry of Magic" Arabella paused as she took a bite from her cauldron cake and looked inquisitively up at Lily from where she lay across the opposite train compartment seat. "Ah I keep forgetting you don't know anything!" she said exasperatedly.

"Well I know some things" muttered Lily indignantly, "I can do addition and subtraction and such." Arabella rolled her eyes, "Not quite what I meant Lily but anyway, the Ministry of Magic is the government- you have a government in the Muggle world right?" Lily nodded, "It's called Parliament and we have a Prime Minister, he is in charge of everything."

"Yeah I think I have heard about that" said Arabella thoughtfully as she took another bite of her Cauldron Cake. "Well then you know what Im talking about at least. Anyway we moved here this summer, my parents have been building this house here all last year. Its really something, a bit much if you ask me and I like big houses don't get me wrong.

But the thing I was really happy about is that it's down the street from the Potters, ill introduce you later Im sure you will love them. I spent most of my summer with them. There the nicest people ever. The have one son James, he is in the same year as us, then there is Mary Alice she is a third year."

Lily found it a bit strange that Arabella spent most of the rest of the train ride talking about this Potter family and didn't give her family one more mention but quickly forget once the compartment door opened again.

"Oh there you are Bella" cried the boy Lily recognized from the scene outside her window earlier in the day. He did indeed have exceptionally messy hair and his glasses appeared to be sitting a bit lopsided on his face. He was looking about quite excitedly. "I've been looking for you for a good hour! I wanted to tell you that I met the Blacks!

You know that family Dad was telling us about! They really are all completely stuck up. There is this one boy I think about our age, Sirius, I think his name is, and let me tell you what, this kid is a real piece of work!"

James looked up suddenly realizing there was someone else in the compartment. Staring at Lily he asked, "Who are you?" Lily was slightly taken back by the boy's rude greeting. "Um Lily Evans" she said with a bit of an edge to her normally tranquil tone. The boy was either to stupid or far to preoccupied to notice, "Oh James Potter" he said quickly before turning back to Arabella.

"Do you want to come see?" he asked Arabella excitedly. Arabella shook her head, "Not right now James Im talking to Lily". James stared at her with obvious surprise written across his face. "Erm..." he looked at Lily and back at Arabella, "Why" he said in a loud stage whisper. Lily opened her mouth in shock at the rude boy. "James" cried Arabella, "Get out!" James shrugged his shoulders, grinned and left the compartment. "Sorry" muttered Arabella, "He must have had too much sugar or something. He is usually very nice."

"I bet" muttered Lily obliviously unconvinced, however she was interrupted as the train began to slow down. Arabella jumped from her seat as squealed, "were here!" Both young girls quickly threw their robes on over their clothes and pressed their noses to the window. "I can't believe this is actually happening" Lily said more to herself then anyone else. Arabella laughed.

A bit later after Lily was shocked by several unexpected events including witnessing the largest man she had ever seen, having to ride in boats that were self powered, or "magic" as Arabella had whispered in her ear with another laugh, and being thoroughly intimidated by several no nonsense looking professors in the Entry Hall Lily and the other first years had made it into the Great Hall.

She knew it was called the Great Hall because Arabella had told her. Arabella seemed to know everything. At the moment she was completely grateful that someone, anyone in fact had taken pity on her and decided to guide her through the events at hand.

James looked around the Great Hall in awe. Mary Alice had told him how extravagant the gigantic room was but she hadn't really done it justice. He looked at the impossibly long tables that sat running the length of the room.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Fabian Prewett a sixth year Gryffindor if he remembered correctly, who waved to him and grinned widely. James smiled back all through out of nervousness he was sure it look much more like a grimace. A little bit farther down the Gryffindor table he saw several girls that he knew very well, his sisters best friends in fact, Emmeline Vance a third year girl with long blondish brown hair and a reserved attitude.

Next to her sat Alice Whitman, who James had always thought was one of the best looking girls he knew. Apparently from stories that Mary Alice told most of the Hogwarts male population below fifth year also agreed with him. Across from both of them sat his sister who was making faces at him. All three girls waved at him, well Mary Alice rolled her eyes at him but Emmeline and Alice waved. James waved back as inconspicuously as he could, trying to not let anyone else see the three girls waving at him.

He could feel a blush creeping up his cheeks, on fantastic; he thought to himself, Mary Alice was sure not to let him forget that.

Arabella looked around the room. She had already spotted Mary Alice attempting to make James completely miserable and embarrass him as much a possible before the year even began. With a grin Arabella had realized that Mary Alice was succeeding marvelously.

The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin apparently because Arabella had noticed the Professor who had led them into the Great Hall had set a hat out upon a old wooden rickety stool at the front of the Hall.

Arabella was pleased to realize that she was one of the only first years who had been expecting the hat, thank god for Mary Alice, she thought to herself. In deed a boy next to her leaned over to his friend beside him and whispered, "Is that how their planning on sorting us into houses? My brother told me it involved a troll!" Arabella couldn't help but laugh to herself.

"Did you hear the hat's song?" asked Lily breathlessly from next to her. "Huh" said Arabella. "The song, didn't you hear the song?" Lily took this to mean no and shook her head. Arabella frowned as she realized she had some how managed to miss the entire introduction.

It was no matter though since the Professor had stepped up next to the stool with a long list and was calling the first student's name to come forward. Anderson, Savion nervously stepped up to the stool and placed the hat over his head. Quickly he became a Ravenclaw.

The table to her far right erupted into applause and cheers. Barber, Gada became a Hufflepuff as she watched. "Black, Sirius" called the teacher, a tall boy lazily stepped up to the stool. So this is Sirius Black, thought Arabella, well James certainly seemed right about him he does look like a bit of a prat.

However Arabella and the rest of the Great Hall joined her in complete silence when the hat atop Black, Sirius's head screamed "Gryffindor!"

"Huh" said James Potter aloud as he stared in surprise at the boy in front of the room.

Looking around the great hall he realized that he wasn't the only one who seemed very confused by the hat's unexpected declaration. The hall was completely silent for a good ten seconds before whispers began to erupt all over. "Did you hear that?" "Sirius Black the cousin of Bellatrix? A Gryffindor? Oh that wont go over to well I imagine."

James caught several snippets of conversation around him. Across the room Mary Alice caught his eye a sort of understanding passed between the two sibling's eyes and Mary Alice stood up and began to applaud. Gideon Prewett half way down the table, realizing what Mary Alice was doing jumped up and began to clap as well. Up and down the Gryffindor table sporadic applause became audible until the entire table was cheering.

Sirius Black who had previously been looking quite uncomfortable at the silence which had met the announcement of which house he would be part of grinned widely as he realized the Gryffindor's were cheering for him.

"Chiavatti, Arabella" the strict looking Professor cried out over the din of noise coming from the Gryffindor table. James watched his friend hold her head high as she stepped up to the stage and place the hat upon her head. "Gryffindor" yelled out the hat nearly the second it touched her head. Looking very pleased with herself Arabella joined Mary Alice at the table. James told himself not to be nervous; of course he would be in Gryffindor. I mean everyone in his family had been in Gryffindor, well not his Mum. Oh bloody hell what if he took after his Mum? That would be just his luck.

Feeling panic come over him he tried to remember to breath. In his state of panic James hardly saw any other part of the sorting. He didn't notice a certain red head who looked possibly more terrified then he was who answered to the name, "Evans, Lily" become a Gryffindor. Nor a certain pale, sandy blonde haired, "Lupin, Remus" or short and chubby, "Pettigrew, Peter" both become Gryffindors as well. No the only thing James Potter noticed was when a good fifteen minutes later he heard his own name, "Potter, James" echo through the Great Hall.

Nervously he made his way up to the front of the room reminding him self to breathe every couple of steps; he slid on to the stool. The last thing he saw before letting the hat fall across his line of vision was Mary Alice's smiling face.

"Ah another Potter" said a voice inside his head. "Quite of few of you there have been. Sorted every single one of you, all have done great things" "Yeah I know" thought James a little bitterly, "Would you mind just getting on with the sorting?" The voice chuckled, "Impatient aren't we? Well that certainly discounts Hufflepuff I have to say. What have we got here? Quite smart I can clearly see that, oh and what talent, my dear boy. Loyal to those you love, that is quite obvious. Oh my I have to say, what bravery. Well I think the answer here is clear…It has to be…" James took a deep breathe and exhaled as he heard the hat yell out, "GRYFFINDOR".

The last chapter was a bit short...so I am hoping this makes up for it! Thank you so much to everyone who has reveiwed so far!