"I told you not to open it! I told her, Mummy, I promise I did. I told her not to open it and this is why because now she's a-a-FREAK." Petunia wailed as Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, sat looking at them all kindly.
"Oh no, Petunia, your sister is not a freak," Dumbledore smiled, "she is actually quite normal by wizard standards. She has amazing magic, lots of it, for a Muggle."
"Muggle? What is with you people and insulting us?" Petunia demanded.
"I'm sorry, non magical heritage." Dumbledore smiled.
Lily sat down in front of him and looked up at him through her beautiful emerald eyes. His blue ones twinkled down at her.
"Is it all real? All of it?" she whispered.
"Quite real, yes." he nodded.
"I haven't got any money," she frowned.
"Oh that's quite fine. I can change your Muggle money into wizarding money. Quite simple, really. If you can afford it--"
"Oh, we can. Money won't be a problem. If you take pounds--" Mr. Evans started.
"Ah, but we don't. We have our own currency. I will happily transfer it for you, though. Would you like for me to accompany you to Diagon Alley?" Dumbledore now asked Lily.
"We would have to come," Mrs. Evans broke in quickly.
Dumbledore smiled at her,
"Of course. I wouldn't want my child running around by herself. Especially not at such a young age."
Lily couldn't help but smile. He was very charming, and she liked him.
"Well…I suppose so. Are we going to have to pay to get her into this--erm--school?" Mr. Evans asked.
Lily frowned.
"Of course not, it is completely free of charge except for her school books and what not. She might also want an owl to keep in touch with you. That's what our normal post is. Nothing dangerous. I promise. The Muggle mailman doesn't come to Hogwarts, we're located far out and away from everyone else." Dumbledore stood.
Lily stood up quickly with him. She had taken a liking to this strange man and didn't want him to go. Even though she had Severus, it would still feel unreal once he left. Her parents follow after her as they walked Professor Albus Dumbledore to the door. Lily took hold of the cuff link on his suit.
"Thank you, sir." she whispered to him.
"No," he smiled, "thank you. I am also under the impression that you are friends with a Mr. Severus Snape of Spinner's End?"
"Yes sir. He's my best friend." Lily nodded.
"Well he knows all about this and if you have any questions you may ask him. I shall be back in a week with your ticket for the Hogwarts Express and for your trip to Diagon Alley. Would a Thursday be nice for you all or shall we make a different time?" he asked Mr. And Mrs. Evans.
"No, no, Thursday is fine." Mr. Evans shook his head.
"Perfect," Dumbledore smiled.
He bade them good night and walked out the door. Lily ran over to the front window and watched as the man with his long silver hair and beard walked down the sidewalk in long strides. He turned on the spot and disappeared.
"Oh, Lily, there was always something wonderful about you!" Mrs. Evans sniffed as she pulled her daughter into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you," Mr. Evans beamed.
Petunia sat, quite forgotten, in the living room where she listened wet eyes to her parents praising.
All for being a freak, Petunia thought bitterly.
[X]
"Sorry to burst in here. I should introduce meself. Rubes Hagrid, Keeper of Key and Grounds at Hogwarts." a giant man with crazy hair and bettle black eyes said on Thursday a week later.
Severus Snape merely looked at him but Lily bubbled,
"Oh that's amazing! You work for the school? But where is Professor Dumbledore? I thought he was coming to escort us. Mummy! Hurry up! Someone else is here to take us! Is Petunia coming? Oh I do hope she is--"
"Lil," Severus interrupted, "stop."
Lily fell silent but stood looking up at Hagrid with wide, happy eyes.
"Aren't yeh a strange Muggle," he beamed.
"Strange is one word," Lily laughed.
Hagrid let out his own booming laugh as Mrs. Evans appeared, calling to her eldest daughter over her shoulder,
"Hurry up now, Tuney, we've got to get goin--oh!"
She had just caught side of the large giant standing on her doorstep.
"Sorry to burs' up in here, ma'am," he apologized, "here on Hogwarts business. Dumbledore couldn' make it. Good man, Dumbledore. Anyway, I'm here to take yeh on yer way to Diagon Alley. Easy place to reach if yeh know what yer doin'. We all ready then? Good."
Hagrid led the way down the steps and towards a very large taxi sitting in the road. Petunia, Lily, and Mrs. Evans all eyed it cautiously. Severus slid right into it as Hagrid walked around and climbed in on the passenger side, still having to squeeze himself in.
"Come on, Lily, we better get going." Severus called.
Lily hesitated for another moment before climbing in after him. Mrs. Evans followed quickly after her daughter, pulling Petunia along behind her.
Lily watched as the scenery flashed by as they drove further and further down town. Soon they were passing filthy little places. Lily didn't say anything but watched in wonder as she quickly left the Muggle world behind her unconsciously. She was excited at the prospect of finally finding why she was so different from the rest. She was ready to open up to this new experience--and she was going to be a witch!
"Isn't this exciting, Tuney?" she whispered to her sister.
"No. I want to go home." she snapped.
Lily sighed,
"What is it Tuney? Surely there isn't--"
"Just leave me alone, Lily."
Lily fell silent and indeed left her sister alone. She didn't want Petunia any more mad at her then she already seemed to be. Slowly the car pulled to a halt in front of a grimy old pub.
"I'm goin' to stay out here with yeh mum and sister. Go on, Severus, yeh know what to do. Don't let her get too los'." Hagrid ordered. He handed Lily a sheet of paper and said gruffly, "Dumbledore already knows yer comin'. No need to worry 'bout any of that."
Lily nodded and stepped out of the taxi with Severus.
"Go ahead and read it," he urged.
Lily slit open the top of the yellowish envelope. Before she read it she asked,
"Is this parchment?"
"Of course." Severus sounded surprised then he teased, "Did you even listen to what I told you?"
Lily smiled and pulled another sheet of parchment out and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss. Evans,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minvera McGonagall
Minvera McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
She smiled up at Severus and whispered,
"Best day of my life."
He laughed,
"I knew you were going to say something like that."
Lily pulled out another sheet of paper and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothing should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
By Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
By Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them
By Newst Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
By Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Lily looked up curiously at Severus.
"And we can buy all of this in London?" she asked.
Severus grinned at her before heading into the pub with Lily at his heels,
"Of course. That's why we're here."