Chapter 1 – The Journey Begins

Eleven years later, a girl with dark red hair and strikingly beautiful almond-shaped emerald eyes swept through a garden of flowers. She took no care of the things around her for that moment, and focussed on only the feeling of belonging she felt inside. She'd never felt such before, and it made her feel special inside; welcome, even. A smile came to her lips, and she jumped up and down, twirling her pretty green dress around with her. It wasn't until someone cleared their throat that she stopped, and turned to see who it was.

'Moony!' She exclaimed, glad to see that her "uncle" had indeed remembered that she'd wished to meet with him that afternoon.

Remus Lupin, with his brown haired flecked with grey, seemed to flinch ever so slightly at the childhood name, but forced out a chuckle nonetheless. 'Lily, you wished to speak with me?'

The little girl pouted, and nodded her head. 'I was wondering if you could tell me again why it is again that I can make things move without touching them.'

He smiled, and motioned for her to come closer. She obliged, and came to stand right before him, her green eyes so friendly and familiar staring into his deep brown. 'You're a witch, Lily.'

She giggled softly, like she had so many times, and the older man tugged at a strand of her red hair. Some days Remus still marvelled at how much she was like her mother, Lily – not that her name didn't help, of course. But she had the same hair, same eyes, and the same light-hearted personality. It made him often wonder if Harry looked like their father, James, as well. It was just a pity that he couldn't tell her about her parents, or that her name was even Potter! He'd been instructed to tell her that her name was Lily Evans – using her mother's maiden name as a surname.

The thought of his two old friends made Remus sad, and he remembered his other best friend who was still alive, Sirius Black. No doubt was he being drove to the brink of insanity in the wizard prison, Azkaban. It made him sad, and moreover angry. Sirius must have betrayed Lily and James to Voldemort – but why? James and Sirius had been best friends! Why would he have betrayed them?

'Moony – tell me about Hogwarts again. I'm so excited.'

Lupin turned back to the eleven year old in front of him, shaking himself back to reality. 'Oh, of course,' He beckoned for her to come yet closely, and she leaned down. He whispered. 'It's a school for witches and wizards. You learn various spells whilst you are there and make many friends, who are just like you!'

Lily paused. 'Just like me?'

A smile tugged at his lips. 'They will have the same abilities as you, Lily. They will be new to the school too, and learn to cast magic like you.'

She nodded. Lily was very excited about the prospect of going to Hogwarts to study, and had received her letter about a week or so ago. Herself and Lupin had decided that they should go shopping at Diagon Alley soon enough to buy some things for her like wands and school robes. However, just as she was about to ask when they'd go shopping for these very things, a brown owl flew down out of the sky and landed perfectly on Remus' shoulder, hooting loudly. The man reached up and tugged the white letter out of the owl's beak, and Lily knew from the stamp that it was from Hogwarts. However, it wasn't addressed to her this time.

Lupin opened it expectantly, and read it inside his head, so that Lily didn't have to hear anything that might upset her, or confuse her.

'Dear Remus,

Change of plans. Please don't bring Lily to Hogwarts this year. I'll send an owl with more news later. Teach Lily some basic magic for now. Get her a wand, too. Ministry has been informed.

Albus Dumbledore.'

The older man bit his lip in discomfort, and looked back down at the little girl. She was staring up at him, waiting for him to tell her what the letter was about. Remus gently pushed the piece of parchment back into the letter and folded it up, stuffing it into his pocket. He'd tell her later, when he knew how to go about doing so. She'd been so excited for Hogwarts, and he didn't want to disappoint her.

'Come, Lily; let's go to Diagon Alley and find you a wand and some sweets.'

The girl's mouth widened into a warm grin and she nodded eagerly, reaching forwards to grasp his hand. Lupin smiled in return and they walked back into his old ramshackle of a house, to find a broom that he could use to get them there quickly.

A week passed. Remus had still not informed Lily that she would not be going to Hogwarts this year, and still didn't know how he could tell her. He was sat at the kitchen table, a few letters spread across his desk, and a spell book that he had been looking at with suggestions to teach a first year.

It was then that the door swung open, and Lily herself burst through. She was carrying a little white envelope, and her face seemed to be flushed with anger. 'How could you keep this a secret, Moony? Why can't I go to Hogwarts?' Tears blurred her vision, and she dropped the envelope. It glided through the air for a moment, and then fell to the ground.

He stood up. 'Oh, Lily; I'm so sorry. I was going to speak with you later –'

Tears streamed down her cheeks. 'I read the letter, Moony. I'm so sorry – I thought it would be about me and I was right – I just wished it wasn't!'

Lupin reached out and pulled the girl into a soft embrace, hugging her close. Her locks of red hair drifted about his nose, and a sweet smell of strawberries filled the air. He stroked her head, and then reached into his inside pocket.

'Here,' he said, handing her the willow ten inch wand they'd brought previously. 'You've read the letter, so I assume you also know that I must teach you until you go to Hogwarts.' She nodded slowly, and he pulled out his own wand. 'Let's try a spell now, eh?'

She looked up, her eyes red and puffed up. She nodded he assumed, and then spoke. 'All right then. What are you going to teach me?'

Remus smiled, and then spoke. 'Lumos!' As soon as he'd said it, his wand lit up and illuminated any darkness in the room. He waved it around a bit for effect, before he quickly spoke again. 'Nox!' At once the light disappeared.

Lily gripped her wand. 'Lumos!' she repeated. At first it seemed that she did not expect anything to happen, and when a beam of white light erupted from her hand she squeaked in delight. 'Look, Moony! I'm doing magic!' She ran about the room, waving her wand happily. Finally, when she'd tired, she stopped and flicked her wand. 'Nox!'

He smiled for that time as he watched, and recalled how good of a witch Lily had been. He was sure that Lily was also destined for greatness, and Harry too, of course. He just hoped that the Ministry didn't send a letter to Lily for her using magic outside of school. Dumbledore had said he'd informed them, but you never really knew until the letter came.

Lupin shrugged, and sat back down again. He wondered for the thousandth time why Lily couldn't go to Hogwarts this year, and then wondered if he'd ever get a decent explanation from Dumbledore. But knowing that old wizard, he probably had more than a few secrets and plans up his sleeve.

Two years passed. Lupin continued to teach Lily in his spare time, and he had been kept posted at the situation at Hogwarts. Apparently, Harry and his new friends had taken on a Professor who had Voldemort harboured inside of him, recovered the philosopher's stone, and had taken on Tom Riddle – Voldemort but a memory – again in the Chamber of Secrets. The whole idea of it all sent his head spinning. No wonder Dumbledore didn't want Lily at Hogwarts – it didn't seem safe. Not that it was any safer with him, of course. He never forgot that he was a werewolf, and every time the full moon came round Lily would be sent to be looked after by Molly Weasley, the mother of a friend of Harry Potter, apparently. Before that, she'd been taken care of for a week or so by a friend of the Order of the Pheonix, Alastor Moody, which Remus himself hadn't been comfortable with. Of course he trusted Alastor utterly, but he could be a strange and unpredictable man at times. Not only that, but the ex-Auror hadn't exactly adopted the best methods of teaching in Remus' honest opinion; and being a dark wizard capturer, Remus shuddered to think of the conversations and spells Lily and the man could have discussed.

'Remus,' Lily said across the table. 'How are you feeling today?'

He looked up and smiled at the thirteen year old, who was now stirring her cup of tea with her spoon. Her green eyes twinkled and her long, curled red hair rested comfortably on her shoulders. He nodded. 'Much better than last week,' he scowled, recalling of how terrible the last week of the cycle was. Thankfully, it was now a new moon. 'It's good to see that you're back. I trust you and Molly have continued your training?'

Lily nodded, and smiled softly before pointing her wand at the kitchen side across the room. 'Accio spell book!' A book flew across the room, and the young girl caught it without a problem, opening it quickly to point at a page. 'She's been trying to teach me this one,' she turned the book to him, and he glanced down. 'It's called the Patronus charm, apparently. Some sort of shield, she explained.'

Remus nodded. 'It is indeed, and a very powerful one at that – way beyond the Ordinary Wizarding Level.' He privately wondered why Molly wanted Lily to attempt such a spell. Wizards and witches years on struggled to master the Patronus charm, so it seemed near impossible that Lily should succeed.

She seemed to think, but leaned forward on her palm. 'Oh, I know that. I was quite curious actually, you see. I saw it in this book, and couldn't help but ask. It seemed like a useful spell to know, but I just can't seem to do it.'

The man stood up, and gestured for her to copy him. 'You haven't tried with my instructions,' he winked. She smiled, and joined him. 'Now, tell me what Molly has told you to go about doing to procure the charm.'

'She told me to keep my wand pointed directly at the thing I want to shield myself from, think of a happy thought, and then say "Expecto Patronum".'

Remus nodded. 'That's correct,' he frowned slightly. 'So what is it that you are struggling with in the spell cast?'

Lily's face was downcast. 'I can't find a memory happy enough,' she whispered it almost, afraid that she might disappoint or hurt him. It seemed she thought that Remus may assume she hated the time she spent here, and she certainly didn't.

He had a sad yet accepting expression on his face. 'I see.' He would have said more, but another owl sped through the open window and landed on the wooden table. It, like before, had a white envelope in its beak. Lupin gingerly took it, and seeing the Hogwarts symbol, spared a glance at Lily. She was staring at the letter herself, seeming both confused and hopeful. He opened it, and decided to read it aloud. He kept no secrets from her these days, and she was old enough in his eyes to face such news.

'Dear Remus,

I was wondering if you might consider teaching at Hogwarts this coming year – Defence Against the Dark Arts I had thought. Also, I think it is high time that Lily started a proper education. It is time to bring her to Hogwarts. I look forward to hearing from you both soon. Term starts in three weeks, as you are probably well aware.

Albus Dumbledore.

P.S: I have spoken with the staff about your condition, and have persuaded them that you would be a lovely man to have on-board. However, I do believe there is one teacher that is still in disagreement. I have spoken with Severus, and he is to make you some Wolfsbane potion for you to take in the full moons.'

Remus stopped, his mouth open in shock. He looked up and Lily only so see that she had had a similar reaction. It was a moment, but then she jumped up and cried out in surprise and happiness. 'Hogwarts, Remus! We're going to Hogwarts!'

He didn't know what to say. Teach Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts? It was a wonderful idea, but would he be up to it? And what about his condition? Dumbledore had mentioned it and the newly invented potion to take, but it wasn't something that you could just fix like that. If any of the parents or children knew his secret, he'd be released from his post faster than someone could say "Nox". And, of course, Lily already knew his secret. She'd have to keep it quiet if they were to go.

But that wasn't the only problem to consider. Dumbledore had mentioned Severus in the letter, and he was clearly the teacher in disagreement. They'd been childhood enemies, despite Remus doing his best to persuade Sirius and James to leave Severus alone. And what would Severus make of Lily? Of course, Lupin had always known that Severus held deep feeling for his best friend Lily, the one who was now dead and gone. Her child Lily looked exactly like her, and no doubt this could have a serious reaction on Severus – unless he'd already been informed, of course. But Dumbledore wasn't the one to do so, so he suspected difficult times lay ahead in more ways than one.

'Remus!' Lily exclaimed suddenly, yanking him from his thoughts. She was watching him curiously, her eyebrows knitted together. 'You're not worried, are you?'

He stopped, and shook his head. 'No. It's just came as a surprise.'

She placed a comforting hand on his arm, 'There's no need to be worried, Remus. I won't tell anyone about your condition, and I'm fairly sure you'll be a great teacher.' She shook her head. 'No. I'm positive you will be.'

Remus smiled, and nodded. Lily knew just how to make someone feel reassured of themselves, and this was another quality she had adopted from her mother. 'Thank you, Lily.' He stood up, and offered her his hand. She took it. 'Come, we must go to Diagon Alley and buy you some robes for school.'

Lily grinned. 'I can't wait.'

The three weeks that separated them from Hogwarts passed relatively quickly. However, a week after they'd received the letter and been shopping, Remus had brought a Daily Prophet back from Diagon Alley. On the front cover it read in bold, 'Mass Murderer Sirius Black on the loose, Ministry astounded.' It turned Remus' stomach. How had Sirius escaped, and what did he plan to do now that he was free? Did he plan to find Harry and Lily, and finish the job he started? He had to protect them both. He would not allow anyone to hurt Lily – she was the only one in this world that understood him. And for now, he needed her comforting words and gestures, even if she was only a young thirteen year old.

Tomorrow they would be heading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He'd begin his teaching, and Lily would be a third year student. He hoped that he would be welcomed and accepted, and Lily would make some friends quickly, not to mention finally meet her brother. Dumbledore had explained that he would tell her when she arrived, as well as quite literally "Sort" her out.

Lily was once again sitting with him at the kitchen table, reading through her spells book. She'd done her best to catch up on any magic she could have missed in her absence from school these two years, but he was sure she'd need extra help when they arrived. No matter – he was willing to give her any help that she needed, and he hoped that the other teachers would too.

Lupin watched as his tea spoon stirred itself in his cup, and then looked up to meet Lily's gaze. She smiled ever so slightly, and then cleared her throat.

'You wouldn't happen to know anything about potions?'

He shrugged. 'One or two things. I wasn't the best at it in my class,' he smiled warmly. 'Your mother, Lily, was the best. But I'll try and help you.'

The young girl swayed at the comment of her mother, and then seemed to shrug it off, glancing back down at the book in her hands. 'Oh – yes. It's just I was wondering what kind of ingredients I'd expect to be using to make a Girding Potion, and the colour to which it should change.'

Lupin's eyes widened. He certainly had no idea about that, or if he had once made it he'd forgotten. 'I am afraid I cannot help you there. What exactly are the benefits of the potion? Perhaps it would spike my memory.'

Lily sighed, and rolled her eyes as someone with impatience would. 'It gives the consumer extra endurance, of course.'

With a raised eyebrow, he reached across and took the potion book into his hands, staring at the name of the potion in question with thought. It seemed that the ink had run from her book he'd brought her, so that the ingredients were no longer readable. He looked up, a scolding expression coming to his face. 'Lily, what happened to your potions book? How did you get it so wet?'

She reached across quickly and snatched it back, tucking it back into the bag at her side. 'I was just reading up in my window, and it was raining outside. I dropped it when I heard some sort of growl and saw a shadow down below in the garden, and then didn't go to collect it until this morning.' Lily paused, and swivelled to glance at the window in the kitchen. 'I have no idea what it was. Perhaps my imagination running away with me, I wonder. Anyway, my potions book has clearly suffered the consequences.'

Lupin leaned forwards in his chair, lifting his teacup to his mouth to sip a bit. 'You know, I'd try and write the ingredients and notes back in if I were you. Or try and replace the book.'

Lily shrugged. 'Why? I'm sure they'll have a spare one at the school I could perhaps borrow from the potions teacher without a fuss.'

The man laughed with amusement, and then glanced down at her perplexed expression. 'Do you know who the potions teacher at Hogwarts is, and what he is like?' When she shook her head, he continued. 'Professor Severus Snape. I knew him at school – he is unlikely to lend you a spare book, nor help you in any way with your potions. Expect nothing but the worst.'

She frowned. 'Surely he isn't so awful? Why would he have any just cause to hold such a grudge against me?'

Lupin laughed again. 'He is the type to hold a grudge no matter the person or circumstances, and it won't help that your father was James Potter.'

Lily's face turned to one of unease. 'He didn't like my father?'

'Despised him, in fact.'

She gulped, a lump forming in her throat. 'Oh, I see.' A longer pause that normal, causing Lupin to relax back into his chair. 'Why didn't he like my father?'

Lupin looked up, wondering whether he should explain or not. Thinking that it wasn't his place, he spoke firmly. 'Some things are better left in the unknown, Lily. You will come to learn that soon enough.'

Persistent as she was, the young girl picked up her tea and swivelled it around, sipping a bit slightly. 'Did he not like my mother, either?'

The man bit her lip, and then spoke in a pained whisper. 'Yes… yes, he liked her very much,' he said. Worried he may reveal too much, he looked down into his teacup. 'Like I said, Lily; some things are better left in the unknown.' He smiled warmly, and then met her startling emerald gaze. 'Just get the potions book sorted, all right?'

She nodded. 'If that is your suggestion, Remus.' With that, she stood up and exited the room the way she'd originally come.

The man watched her go, and then pointed his wand to her teacup. 'Wingardium Leviosa.' The cup then levitated into the air, and he directed it back to the sideboard, making sure it drifted down and landed in the washing up bowl before he looked away again.

The next day they'd packed all their belongings, were dressed in some reasonable muggle-looking clothing, and ready to go. Remus had suggested that they should Apparate to King's Cross Station, which they did with relative ease. Lily did feel slightly queasy after apparating due to her only doing so a couple of times with him. They stopped at a bench for a while and talked, but were soon on their way to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. It was only half past ten, but Remus had wanted to make sure they could get seats and have time to talk a bit before the Hogwarts Express left the station.

Arriving at the space between platforms nine and ten, they saw a few other people running through. Lily stood watching, her green eyes wide with excitement and she hated to admit it, fear. It seemed that they were running at an apparent brick wall, but watching them disappear through it told her that it was not the case. When it was their turn, Remus chucked his brown briefcase onto the other belongings he'd brought on his trolley, along with Lily's things. Taking a deep breath, the two of them charged forward into the not so hard brick wall. Lily was amazed when they appeared at the other side, a gleaming red and black train covering such a length it seemed quite unreal. But then, she supposed, this wasn't the muggle world anymore. She and Remus made their way over, where they each loaded their belongings into the storage cabins, and took their small bags with them. She herself had made sure to pack some money into her little purse, and her slip for Hogsmeade, which she was going to ask Lupin to sign for her whilst they were on the train. As well as this she'd brought her school robes so that she could change into them throughout the train journey, and be ready for where she was to be sorted into when she got there.

The thought of her being sorted into a house set her heart going. Would she go up with the first years and be sorted first? She'd surely be so embarrassed. According to Remus, the Great Hall would be full off people at the feast – students and professors alike. And which house would she be sorted into? Remus had told her quite a bit about the different houses, and she quite liked the sound of them all beside Slytherin. The mere thought of her going up in front of all of them made her blush profusely, and she focussed on finding a compartment on the train that she and Remus could sit in.

It wasn't long before they found an empty one, and together they sat down across from each other. By this time it was quarter to eleven. Gingerly, she opened her purse and pulled the Hogsmeade letter out.

'Remus, I was wondering if you might sign this for me. It says parent or guardian, and I'm assuming that you are my guardian.'

The soon-to-be professor met her gaze, and then shrugged softly. 'I haven't the faintest idea if I am aloud. I am neither your parent, nor proper guardian. You'd have to ask Dumbledore, and if it is allowed I will sign it without hesitation.'

Lily pouted, and folded the letter back up, shoving it back into her purse. It was a while before she spoke again. 'Which house do you think I'll be in then, Remus?'

The man shrugged a second time, but managed to smile this time. 'I'd like to think Gryffindor, but I suppose it doesn't particularly matter.'

She rolled her eyes. 'I won't have the choice anyway.'

He smiled mysteriously. 'Won't you?'

Lily didn't know what he meant by that, but if he was trying to imply that she could ask the Sorting Hat to put her in a certain house, he was madly mistaken. She'd be too worried about what people would be looking at her, and concentrating on getting down onto the benches as fast as possible, instead of thinking about what house she'd actually be in.

Soon the train started moving, and they set off. Lily took a last glance back at the muggle world behind them, but then moved her eyes forward to where Hogwarts and her future were waiting. She closed her eyes, leaning against the window. When their compartment door opened, Lily shot up and turned her head. Lupin was actually fast asleep across from her, so she was alone now. There were three more students – they looked roughly her age. One of them, the only girl, spoke.

'You don't mind if we sit in here, do you? It's just that there's no space anywhere else…'

Lily shook her head, unable to do much else. 'Oh, no. Please… sit down.'

The three came in a sat down. Now they were closer, Lily could examine them more thoroughly. The girl had curls of bushy brown hair resting just below her shoulders, deep brown eyes and a fairly peachy complexion. There was a boy with bright red hair, more orange tinted than Lily's, sitting beside her, freckles dotting his face. He had blue eyes, and a paler complexion. But it was the last boy who got her attention. He had pitch black hair with a fringe that covered most of his forehead, though there did seem to be some sort of scar underneath it. His eyes were emerald, almost identical to her own, though surely she must be mistaken. A pair of glasses he wore, and his skin was a similar tone to hers as well.

Once they'd tossed their bags onto the storage shelf above, the girl turned to her.

'I'm Hermione by the way. Hermione Granger.' She held out her hand, and Lily shook it.

'Ronald Weasley,' said the boy with ginger hair. He rubbed the back of his neck.

The other boy she'd taken most interest in was staring at her. It was a few moments before he murmured, 'Harry Potter.'

Lily, rather embarrassed, and then suddenly shocked, felt her eyes widen. Harry Potter? The famous wizard who had survived the killing curse that Voldemort had shot at him?

'My name's Lily.'

Hermione raised an eyebrow, and glanced at Harry, who seemed to stare at her appreciatively. 'How old are you?' he asked.

The red-haired girl smiled warmly. 'I'm fourteen.'

'We are too! It's nice to meet you.' Hermione stopped, calmed herself down and looked at Remus in the corner. 'Do you know him?' Her voice was now a whisper.

Lily nodded. 'He's my guardian… sort of.' She smiled, remembering their conversation not a few moments before. She wondered if the professor-to-be was actually asleep or just listening in.

Hermione smiled, and soon all of them had fallen into silence. Lily didn't want to give the impression that she was unsociable, but she suddenly felt a wave of tiredness sweep over her. In the hope of avoiding questions that would be asked, and as a means of rest, she curled up and rested her head against the window. No sooner had she closed her eyes than she had fell asleep, sweet dreams of the enchanted castle ahead filling her mind.