Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all except for Rose Stanford who is mine :D Enjoy!
Chapter Two
Paths Entwine
5 August 1971
Sirius Black ran down Diagon Alley, his full-to-bursting money bag making a racket. It wasn't until he reached Madam Malkin's that he stopped running and pulled out his supplies list. He was walking through the door when a shout made him turn.
" Hey Black!"
A smirking Lucius Malfoy waltzed over, his Prefect badge glinting in the sun.
" Sirius Black, all grown up," Malfoy cocked an eyebrow, " Why you all alone?"
" I don't need my mother to take me shopping," Sirius retorted, " Now if you don't mind, I have some robes to buy,"
" Don't play smart with me, Black," Malfoy growled, " You better pull your act together before you get to school. We don't like people who sympathises with half-bloods and Mudbloods in Slytherin,"
" Who said I am going to be in Slytherin," Sirius grinned and shut the door in Malfoy's face.
Sirius took a deep breath and walked up to the counter. Madam Malkin showed him through to the measuring room. Inside there was a boy of his age with messy black hair and glasses.
" Hello, I'm James Potter,"
" Sirius Black,"
The two boys shook hands.
" Lily! Slow down!," Mrs Evans called after her youngest daughter.
" But Mum! There is so much to see!" Lily squealed.
" Mum can we go home?" Petunia whined.
" Tuney, this is your sister's day today. Tomorrow we can do something you want to do okay? But today is Lily's day," Mr Evans said.
" It's always her day," Petunia mumbled.
" Ooh, Mum! Can I get my wand?" Lily asked.
" Alright love,"
The Evans family traipsed into Olivanders.
" Ah, Miss Evans. Here to get your first wand,"
An old spindly man climbed down from a ladder resting on shelves upon shelves of long, thin boxes.
Lily grinned, " Yes!"
" Alright then, hold still. I need your measurements,"
With a wave of his wand, Olivander's measuring tape flew into the air and started to take Lily's measurements. Her parents were stunned, Petunia looked furious but Lily, well, Lily looked blissful.
A tinkle bought Olivanders attention to the door where a young boy Lily's age was walking in with his family.
" Ah John Lupin, elm, 10 inches with a dragon heartstring if I recall correctly?"
" Right you are Sir,"
" And Margret, holly, 9 ½ inches with unicorn tail?"
" Of course,"
Lily watched transfixed at the magical family. She caught the boy's eye and they smiled timidly at each other. Remus walked over.
" Hi," Lily said.
" Hey, Remus Lupin," he said holding out his hand.
" Lily Evans," she replied clasping his and shaking it.
" Is it your first year at Hogwarts too?"
" Yes, I am so excited. Because my mum and dad never went and I am the first witch in my family and, oh gosh. I'm babbling. Sorry!"
" You're a Muggleborn?"
" Is that bad?"
" No, not at all. Well, I have to go back to my parents but … I'll see you at school?"
" I would like that," Lily smiled. Remus grinned and walked back to his parents.
" Ah Miss Evans, what about this one.? Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow, unicorn hair core," Olivander said handing her a long piece of wood.
1 September 1971
" You'll be fine Mum. I promise. I'll write every week," Peter Pettigrew kissed his mother on the cheek.
" And you'll be fine too Petey. I promise!" Mrs Pettigrew replied.
" Love you Mum,"
" Love you too,"
Peter smiled and lugged his trunk onto the train. He sat down in an empty compartment. He was soon joined by Remus Lupin.
" Peter Pettigrew,"
" Remus Lupin,"
The two boys shook hands and started to talk.
"…I'm sorry Tuney, I'm sorry. Listen - " Lily caught Petunia's hand and swung her around, " Maybe once I'm there – no listen Tuney. Maybe once I'm there, I'll be able to go to Professor Dumbledore and persuade him to change his mind!"
" I don't – want – to go!" Petunia snarled, snatching her hand out of Lily's grasp, " You think I want to go to some stupid castle and learn to be a – a…"
Lily's eyes widened as her sister pulled her away from their parents.
" You think I want to be a – a freak?"
Lily's eyes filled with tears as Petunia smirked.
" I'm not a freak," Lily sniffed, " That's a horrible thing to say!"
" That's where you're going, " Petunia said with relish, " A special school for freaks. You and that Snape boy … you're weirdos, that's what you two are. It's good you're being separated from normal people. It's for our safety,"
Lily looked back at their parents who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. She sighed and looked back to her sister with narrowed eyes.
" You didn't think it was such a freak's school when you wrote to the Headmaster and begged him to take you,"
Petunia turned scarlet.
" Beg? I didn't beg!"
" I saw his reply. It was very kind,"
" You shouldn't have read …" whispered Petunia, " That was my private – how could you?"
Lily glanced down and blushed. Petunia growled.
" That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking in my room!"
" No – not sneaking! Severus saw the envelope and he couldn't believe a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all! He says there must be wizards working undercover in the postal service who take care of – "
" Apparently wizards poke their noses into everywhere," said Petunia, now as pale as she had been flushed, " Freak" she spat at her sister, and then flounced off to where her parents stood.
A little way away Severus Snape stood with his mother watching his best friend fight with her sister. He was about to walk over when the family of four started to load Lily and her trunk onto the train.
Lily's bottom lip trembled as she kissed her parents goodbye and hoped on the train. Petunia just glared at walked away.
Close to tears, Lily stumbled along the train and collapsed into the nearest cabin which held two rather rowdy boys. They didn't notice her. Tucking herself into the corner of the cabin, Lily started to cry.
Snape ran along the corridor of the Hogwarts Express. He had already changed into his school robes having taken the first chance to dispose of his embarrassing Muggle clothes. He found Lily in a cabin with two laughing boys hunched against the corner of the compartment. He slipped inside and sat down opposite her. Lily glanced at him and then looked back out the window.
" I don't want to talk to you," she whispered, wiping tears from her cheeks.
" Why not?" Severus looked downcast.
" Tuney h-hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore,"
" So what?"
Lily threw him a look of deep dislike.
" So! She's my sister!"
Severus rolled his eyes but did so that Lily could not see.
" But we're going!" he said, unable to keep the exhilaration out of his voice, " This is it! We're off to Hogwarts,"
Lily couldn't contain the half-smile.
" You'd better be in Slytherin," he said.
" Slytherin?"
James Potter had been ignoring the Lily and Snape until her heard that word. Snape glared at him, taking in his profile. Next to James, Severus looked exceptionally poor and abandoned.
" Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" James asked Sirius Black who was lounging opposite. Sirius didn't smile.
" My whole family has been in Slytherin," he said.
" Blimey," James said, " and I thought you were alright!"
Sirius gave a bark like laugh.
" Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you've got the choice?"
James grinned and lifted an invisible sword.
" 'Gryffindor, where dwell the brace at heart!' Like my dad,"
Severus snorted. James turned on him.
" Got a problem with that?"
" No," Severus said, his sneer contradicted his answer, " If you'd rather be brawny than brainy,"
" Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" Sirius shot at Severus.
James roared with laughter as Severus went bright red. Lily scowled and looked from James to Sirius with deep dislike.
" Come on Severus, let's find another compartment,"
" Ooooooo, let's find another compartment!" Sirius imitated her lofty voice and James tried to trip Severus as he went out the door.
" See ya Snivellus," James called as Lily slammed the compartment door.
" Oh those boys! They are just so – so – so…,"
" Pig-headed?" Severus offered.
Lily glanced at him and burst out laughing, " Come on Sev,"
Back in the compartment James tried to control his laughter, " Are you really from a Slytherin family?"
" Yeah but I'm hoping to not get in Slytherin as it will annoy my mother to no end!" Sirius grinned.
James smirked and slapped him on the back, " I like you!"
The rest of the trip passed by quickly and soon Sirius and James were hoping off the train in Hogsmeade.
" Finally," James sighed.
" Tell me about it! I've been counting down the days till I could leave home,"
" You're family can't be that bad Sirius,"
" You haven't met them Jamie-boy,"
Their discussion was cut short by a yell.
" Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
James and Sirius stared dumbstruck at the giant.
" Tha' names Rebeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Now any more firs' years! C'mon, follow me. Mind yer step! Follow me!"
Slipping and sliding down to the water, it was James that was bowled over as an out-of-control Lily slid into him.
" Oh I'm so sor –" she cut off when she saw his face. Scowling she stood up and flounced off.
" No problem," James mumbled as Sirius helped him up.
" She's delightful," Sirius chuckled.
" Isn't she just,"
Laughing they continued their way down to the boats.
" No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called.
James and Sirius were followed into their boat by two boys.
" Hey there, I'm Sirius Black,"
The taller one held out his hand, " Remus Lupin,"
The shorter one look slightly like a mouse, " Peter, Peter Pettigrew,"
" James Potter,"
They all smiled as their boat set off.
Over in another boat, Lily and Severus were joined in their boat by two girls.
" The name's Mary MacDonald," one said as their boat sailed through the water.
" Rose Stanford," the other said, tucking her long blonde hair behind her ear.
Lily and Severus introduced themselves and the four started chatting.
As the fleet of boats rounded a corner, the towering castle of Hogwarts came into view.
" Wow," Lily sighed. Sev looked at her adoringly.
" It's beautiful isn't it?"
All Lily could do was stare.
When the boat bumped against the shore, all the first years exited the boats and traipsed up to the castle following Hagrid. Across the grounds and up the stone steps, the first years were completely silent, taking in the grounds.
Raising his gigantic fist, Hagrid knocked on the huge front door. It swung open to reveal a tall, imposing witch.
" Professor McGonagall," James, Sirius and Lily whispered to themselves.
" Welcome children. Thank you Hagrid,"
Hagrid bowed his head, waved to the students and walked through to the Great Hall.
McGonagall led the children to a chamber off the Great Hall.
" Wait here. I will come back when we are ready for you,"
When she left it was silent for two seconds before chatter broke out.
Sirius and James were talking to their new friends when a group of sneering guys walked over. Severus tensed beside Lily.
" Hey Black, why you over here?" the obvious leader asked.
" Why shouldn't I be Avery?" Sirius retorted.
" You should be with us. Us purebloods," Avery sneered looking around at everyone else.
" I'm pureblood so I'd say he is in the right place," James put in. Peter nodded. Remus just stayed to the side.
" What's so important about being pureblood anyway?" Lily spoke up. Severus hit her and Rose and Mary's eyes widened as Avery stalked over.
" Being pureblood is the only way to be, Mudblood," he growled.
Severus narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.
" Hey, don't say that word!" James called out.
Avery spun around.
" Why not? What's your name anyway?"
" James Potter. And because it is a filthy word that should not be used to describe a lovely girl, nor in company such as this,"
" And if being pureblood means being you, I'd rather be a werewolf," Sirius scorned. Remus' eyes widened.
" Why you filthy blood traitor," Avery growled.
" What does Mudblood mean Sev?" Lily asked her friend.
He gulped, " Um, well Mudblood is a cruel word for someone with Muggle parents,"
" Someone like me," Lily whispered, her eyes smarting. She stepped forward.
" Hey Avery. Don't call me that again!"
Avery turned slowly back around.
" What you gonna do about it, Mudblood," he scoffed.
Lily raised her hand to slap him.
" Miss Evans. What do you think you're doing?"
Lily gulped, " I – ah – I was just….,"
" Avery called her a Mudblood Professor," James called out.
McGonagall turned to Avery, " Is that so Mr Avery? Well then, after the feast I will talk to you. Now everyone please follow me. They are ready for you,"
Lily wiped her tears away and glared at James.
" You're welcome," he said sarcastically. Lily just huffed and walked through with Severus in tow.
" I don't like her very much," James said to Sirius as they walked through with Remus and Peter behind them.
All conversations were halted as the first years walked through to the Great Hall and took in the sight. The ceiling glinted with stars and the hovering candles flickered. Hundreds of students turned to watch as the first years silent walked up the aisle between two long tables. Once they reached the top, they stopped.
McGonagall pulled out a ratty old hat and placed it on a three-legged stool.
Lily looked quizzically at Severus who just smiled and looked back at the hat. For a beat there was silence before a rip in the hat opened and it began to sing.
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindor's apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
The Great Hall erupted in cheers. Lily giggled and hugged Severus. Sev stared dumbstruck and then started to grin. Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a long scroll of parchment.
" Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, you will be sorted into yours houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in our house dormitory and spend free time in your house common-room.
" The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house point. At the end of the year, the house with the most point is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
" Now, when I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted,"
Lily gulped.
" Aubrey, Bertram,"
A rather large, bumbling boy waddled up to the stool and sat down.
" HUFFLEPUFF" the hat shouted and Bertram waddled off to the Hufflepuff table.
" Avery, Phineas"
The sneering Avery waltzed up to the stool.
The hat hardly touched his head before it yelled out 'SLYTHERIN'.
A two more people were called up and placed in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff before Professor McGonagall called out 'Black, Sirius'.
For the first time Sirius looked pale as he walked up. Sitting gingerly on the stool, Sirius closed his eyes as the hat was placed on his head. James crossed his fingers.
" Ah, another Black. This should be easy. But no, there is no serious ambition in you, just a need to, what's this, show up your mother. You don't seem like a Slytherin and you definitely wouldn't fit in Hufflepuff. You're very intelligent but you have a strong sense of bravery so I think I'll have to put you in…
" GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius sighed in relief and James grinned from the floor.
Sirius ran to the Gryffindor table.
" Evans, Lily,"
Lily took a deep breath, squeezed Severus' hand and walked up to the stool. The hat was placed on her head and it slipped over her eyes.
" Ah, an easy one!
" GRYFFINDOR!"
Severus let out a tiny groan as Lily handed the Hat back to Professor McGonagall and walked to the cheering Gryffindor table. But as she walked she looked back at Severus and gave him a sad smile. Sirius moved up the bench to make room for her but she took one look at him and turned away with arms folded.
" The pleasure is all mine Lily Evans," Sirius smirked. She ignored him.
Next up was Lupin, Remus.
Remus gulped and walked up to the stool.
' What if it's all a mistake? What if I have to go home?'
Remus fretted all the way up to the stool and even as the Hat slid over his eyes.
" You are very stressed. Don't worry small one, you belong here. And because of your 'condition' you have exceptional courage so it seems fitting for me to place you in…
" GRYFFINDOR!"
Four more students were Sorted into Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw before 'MacDonald, Mary' was placed in 'GRYFFINDOR!' Lily grinned as her new friend sat next to her.
Right after Mary was 'Mulciber, Martin' who was Sorted into 'SLYTHERIN'. Mulciber, Lily recognised was one of Avery's buddies. Sirius seemed to recognise him too because his knuckled went white.
Two more to Hufflepuff and one more to Gryffindor, before it was 'Pettigrew, Peter's' turn.
Little Peter was nearly having heart palpitations as he sat on the stool.
"Oh, where to put you? You have ambition. Yes, lots and lots of ambition and a thirst to prove yourself. You want to make a name for yourself. That seems the guidelines for Slytherin. But you will get hurt there. So I will put you in…
" GRYFFINDOR!"
Peter nearly fainted with relief and ran all the way to the Gryffindor table with the Hat on his head. He had to run all the way back. Once is was returned it was 'Potter, James'' turn.
Sirius crossed his fingers and Lily gave him a burning look. James just smirked.
" Too easy!"
" GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius cheered the loudest as his new best friend joined him, Remus, Peter and a slightly disgruntled Lily.
" Sorry, Evans. Looks like you're stuck with me for seven years," James grinned.
Lily speared him with an icy look, " And never after that,"
She looked back in time to see Severus get placed in Slytherin. She gave a little wave as he sat down next to Avery.
Lily's other new friend Rose Stanford was the last placed in Gryffindor and the last student (Vance, Emmeline ) went to Ravenclaw.
Dumbledore stood up.
" Congratulations on your houses, let the feast begin!"
With a wave of his arms, the empty plates, dishes and jugs filled to the brim with chicken wings, potatoes, chips, roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, steak, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup and Sirius' favourite pumpkin juice.
Lily look dumbfounded at the food.
" It's not poisonous Evans. You can eat it!" James laughed taking a chicken wing.
" But – where did it come from?" she gasped.
" Probably the house-elves,"
Lily's eyes widened even further.
" This is crazy!" Rose whispered.
" You can say that again!" Lily whispered back.
" So what is everyone's background?" Sirius asked, tucking into a lamb chop.
" Gryffindor's all the way to the beginning of Hogwarts!" James said proudly.
" My mum's a witch and my dad's a Muggle. So that makes me a half-blood," Mary offered.
" Well, I am a pureblood but more like a Ravenclaw family. Except for me obviously," Peter grinned.
" Erm, pureblood," Remus said quietly.
" I never knew about Hogwarts until about two months ago. So that makes me a Muggleborn?" Rose asked.
" Yep, like me," Lily grinned, " What about you Sirius?" Lily still seemed cautious when she addressed the boys.
" Slytherins all the way back. Pureblood family since forever. I belong to the 'Noble House of Black',"
" What is the big deal with blood here?" Lily asked.
" To some people, blood defines who you are," Remus explained, " They are normally purebloods who believe that if you do not have perfect blood all the way through your family, you are not a true witch or wizard. It's stupid really. No offence Sirius,"
" None taken mate. My whole family's nuts. That's why I am in Gryffindor. To show my mother that blood isn't everything," Sirius replied.
" Will my being Muggleborn affect my grades?" Lily asked anxiously.
" No, not at all," Mary replied, " The professor's aren't like that,"
" Good," Lily sighed with relief.
Dinner ended quickly as the new Gryffindors became friends. Although Lily still seemed weary of James and Sirius, she quickly grew to like Remus, Peter and Mary and she could see a true friend on Rose.
Dumbledore dismissed everyone and the Gryffindor first years followed their Prefects up to the Gryffindor tower.
" Keep up follow me everyone," Fabian Prewett, the Gryffindor Prefect said.
Up and up they went. Sirius tried to keep a map in his head but after the fourth staircase he was already lost.
" We are going to need a map," he whispered to James who nodded fervently.
Soon they came to a portrait of an old, fat lady,
" Password?"
" Animus," Fabian replied, " Listen up first years. This is the password for now, but beware it changes all the time. Do not forget the password,"
They all nodded eagerly.
" Alright follow me,"
Everyone clambered through the portrait hole though Peter needed a leg up.
Inside was a cosy, red common-room. Armchairs of all shapes and sizes littered the room and a crackling fire sent out heat from the corner. A couple of older students were lounging around but most were walking up a staircase at the back of the room.
" Through there is a staircase which will lead you up to your dormitories. Girls up and to the right and boys up and to the left. Welcome to Hogwarts. Have a good night," Fabian said and took his leave walking over to a boy who looked very much like him.
" Well good night," Lily said and she, Mary and Rose all walked up the staircase.
The four boys stared after them.
" Girls are so strange!" James said.
" Amen mate," Sirius chuckled and the boys walked up the stairs.
As Lily lay in her bed that night she couldn't wipe the grin off her face. She was lying in a four-poster bed in a castle. She had already made friends in her new house. Hopefully she and Sev could continue their friendship. Petunia already seemed a million miles away. Chucking to herself, Lily Evans snuggled further into her blankets and fell fast asleep.
After saying good night to the guys, Sirius got into bed and sighed with happiness. He was in Gryffindor, which his mother would not be pleased with. He was friends with people who weren't pure-blooded, which his mother would be furious with and he was happy, which his mother would turn speechless at. Sirius Black smiled as he fell fast asleep.
James rolled over in his bed and grinned at his red and gold tie. His father would be so proud. He was carrying on the family tradition. And amazingly he had made friends with a Slytherin of all things. But Sirius seemed really cool and he was in Gryffindor. James Potter grinned and fell fast asleep.
Yawning and snuggling under his blankets, Remus was so happy. He finally had friends. How long they would stay he didn't know, but tonight he almost didn't care. It was still four days until the next full moon and although Remus was nervous about the arrangements, he forgot about it tonight. Remus Lupin was happy as he fell fast asleep.
Kissing a picture of his mother, Peter rubbed his eyes and pulled up his blankets. He took one more look at his new House-mates and hopefully new friends before lying down and sighing with happiness. Peter Pettigrew didn't feel alone for the first time in years as he fell fast asleep.
Folding his new silver and green tie, Severus sighed as he got ready for bed. Avery and Mulciber were chuckling in the corner and his other dormitory mates were already asleep. Severus hopped into his bed and sighed again. Wishing Lily was in Slytherin with him, Severus Snape fell fast asleep.
A/N: Okay! What do you think! I am thinking of making this a series of a couple of stories to get their full school years across properly. I was thinking three stories while they are at Hogwarts and then one with the Order and such, ending with the Halloween James and Lily die. Please review.