I'm a third-year, in case you're wondering. Maybe you already knew that. It is in the papers every once in a while; "Children of Harry Potter, Hogwarts at Last!" Anyway, who cares. Me, myself, I much prefer: "Lily Luna Potter, Odd One Out?" Ha ha.

I don't know. Maybe I should take it as a compliment. I don't want to be "average". but when I walk around all day every day with a muggle video camcorder attached to my hand, I guess they just assume that I'm "strange" somehow.

But I enjoy it! Mum and Dad thinks it's "wonderful". At least that's why they say. Whatever they think, they are very supportive of my "hobby". They bought me the camcorder, as well as a muggle computer, complete with video editing software, and a full CD rack of muggle DVDs. Don't get me wrong, with all my dad's money, my parents are always careful not to spoil us. I had to give up last year's back-to-school shopping trip as well as not getting my own owl like Albus and James did.

But it's worth it. It's not a small CD rack either. I have about two hundred muggle DVDs, everything from old silent films to TV sitcoms; from action to horror to romance. I like watching them, taking notes on the special effects, forming opinions about the different actors, toying with ideas in possible changes in the screenplays. It's really fun. Except…

Well, I can't talk to any of my family about it, except maybe Aunt Hermione. Even Dad doesn't really enjoy sitting through and entire muggle film. I guess I can't blame him. His muggle days weren't exactly the best of his life. But even Aunt Hermione is more interested in books than films.

But whatever. I have my movies and my camera. I'm happy.

I just sort of feel like the "Odd One Out" as Rita Skeeter once wrote. Aunt Hermione had a fit when she read it, calling Rita and reminding her of something she would only tell me was an "old favor" she wanted to cash in. Rita didn't write anything else about me or my family after that. Oddly enough, she's moved onto writing papers about magical insects…

So anyway, I'm a third-year, in case you were wondering. I'm in Gryffindor, just like the rest of my family. Dad always says that he doesn't care one way or the other, as long as we're happy, as does Mum, but I guess our families combined set a tradition that's not likely to be broken any time soon.

But I guess you didn't really need to know all of this quite yet, but it's better have it out of the way, don't you think? I don't particularly like thinking about it all, as if gives me a headache. So now it's just out of the way. Done.

So I guess this particular story (the one about my life, that is) would begin today, the day I was about to go to the Great Hall after Muggle Studies, and Professor Glint stopped me.

"Lily," she said to me. "Of all my students, you seem to be the most interested in my class by far."

I smiled sheepishly. "I guess I'm just interested in muggles is all," I replied, though that's wasn't it al all.

"No," Professor Glint argued, shaking her head. "No, it's more than that. You have some, distaste for the wizarding world?"

"I-I…" but that was all I could say. No one had ever guessed before. No one.

"I see," was all she said. "Well, I have something to tell you, but you must promise me you won't go getting your hopes up, as I would have to pull some very tight strings to make it happen."

My ears perked up (hypothetically, of course). "Yes, Professor?" I asked. This sounded like it had to be good.

"Well, as you know, there is a magic school in America," she said. Of course. It was called Wethertons. I nodded. "Well, they've been toying with the idea of studying amongst muggles. And, well, this year, they're having a trial program. Ten students from their school are going to be studying at a muggle school, living in the muggle community, the whole nine yards. If you'd like, and if it were okay with your parents, I could try--emphasis on try, Lily, you have to remember that this might not be possible--to get you a spot in that group. You'd be staying in New York City for the whole of next semester, possibly some of the summer. Does that sound like something you'd like me to try and do?"

I was speechless. This was amazing. New York City! I'd always wanted to go! And living among muggles! No one would know my name! no one would look at me like I was some kind of freak! I would fit in there!…Sort of.

"I'll take that as a yes then?" Professor asked, smiling. I nodded, still stunned. A definite yes.

*****

The first thing I did that night was write to Mum and Dad about what Professor Glint had said. I didn't say anything to my brothers yet. I wanted to wait and find out if I would even get to go.

But I didn't sleep that night. I was too excited. I couldn't even sit still. So I got up and went into the common room. And there was James.

James is a sixth year, if you're wondering, and Albus is a fifth year.

"Oh, hi James," I said, plopping down on the couch across from him. Why are you still awake. It's after one in the morning.

"I could ask you the same question little sister," he said teasingly. "Waiting for your secret lover?"

I rolled my eyes. "Could you be anymore crude?"

Even if I had time to have a boyfriend, I probably couldn't get one. I mean, I have pretty eyes I suppose, emerald green just like my dad's and my Grandma Lily. But my hair's sort of reddish-blonde, the effect being more radish than strawberry-blonde. I'm pretty skinny and pale, with a lot of freckles, like the rest of my family. Not to mention I have two older brothers who would beat up any guy who tried to ask me out.

But, you know, whatever.

"I'm just saying," he said, throwing his hands up in surrender.

"What are you doing awake anyway?" I asked again. "Don't try to dodge the question."

He bit his lip. "I'm actually…thinking."

I snorted. "Don't get lost in thought. It's unfamiliar territory for you."

He looked hurt. "Kayla dumped me."

I instantly regretted my words. "James, I'm so sorry! I-I didn't mean to-I just…"

He grinned. "Don't worry. It was hardly the great romance of the century, was it?"

I shook my head. "What was her IQ, like 3?" I asked. He laughed.

"Anyway," he continued. "I was just thinking about what I'm gonna do after school, ya know? I mean, everyone expects so much of us. You and me and Albus, I mean. I mean, you don't have anything to worry about. You're gonna be a brilliant Healer or Auror or Researcher of whatever you want to be. But I'm not good at anything. Except maybe Quidditch."

I bit my lip, willing myself not to mention that I didn't want to be any of those things, nothing even remotely magic related even. But I didn't. instead, I looked at him and said, "You are good at things. You are great in potions, something I do not understand at all. You are also good in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and, as you said, Quidditch. You can do whatever you want."

"You think, Lily?" he asked. I nodded. "Thanks," he added, grinning. "I really appreciate it. But now you should get to bed. It's late."

And with that we both went up to our dormitories, though I couldn't help but notice that he didn't bother asking me what it was that was keeping me awake.