~Disclaimer~
Unfortunately for me, all the familiar characters in this fan fiction belong to Mrs J K Rowling, and I am merely borrowing them for my pleasure and hopefully the pleasure of my readers. I do not own any of them, and they are all the brainwork of Mrs Rowling. However, there will be some characters in this fan fiction you will not recognise, and they are entirely my own work.
~*~
If you didn't get this from the summary, this fic will be mainly Lily and James. It is set from the beginning (with James' and Lily's birth) right through, hopefully, to the end of their 7th year, and possibly through to their death. Expect plenty of Marauder fun, with Sirius, Lupin and Peter featuring rather a lot throughout. You will also meet Lily's friends, and other characters from their respective Houses.
Let's get to the story shall we? (This is my first Romance fic, so don't expect too much. Please Review, as I can only improve with the help of my readers' thoughts and ideas. And if you have the time, a long and detailed review would be much appreciated). Thanks Beforehand!
To Begin at the Beginning then…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~The Beginning-Chapter 1*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After twenty-four very long hours of pain, and many litres of sweat escaping the woman's body, a boy, already with a head full of messy black hair, entered the world, and Mr and Mrs Potter became proud father and caring mother they always wished to be.
Not long married, they now had a child that marked their love to one another better than any gesture had, or indeed could have done, before that day.
James Potter, they named their child. James, who they hoped would one day grow to be the man they would be proud to be the parents of.
***
A month later, and nearly fifty miles from the place where James Potter was born, another set of parents, Mr and Mrs Evans, became the parents of a little girl, so very tiny, yet she nearly screamed the ward down. Lily, they called her, for she was such a pretty baby, from the moment she left her mother on the day of her birth.
At the moment she had not a single strand of hair, as many newborns don't, but her eyes were already that sparkling green colour that would make many a person stop and look again, for it was those eyes that only grace this world once a generation. Those startling green eyes.
Neither of her parents had even the hint of green eyes; her mother's were the brightest blue, and her fathers, a stone grey. So where those eyes had originated was a complete mystery, and often a topic of conversation when the Evans's were short on small talk.
She was the second child of Mr and Mrs Evans, and also the prettiest of the pair. Petunia, her sister of three years, held her now, with a scowl on her face; now her parents would to divide their love between the two girls, something Petunia was used to having all of.
***
There was one difference between these families, one rather large difference in fact. The Potters' were witches and wizards, and had been for many a generation; they could trace their blood-line back through twenty and more magical beings. The Evans's, on the other hand, were muggles in every sense. There had never been any remote likelihood of even a spell through the Evans's line.
That was, until Lily graced the Evans family.
***
As the years passed, James Potter grew less vertically challenged and more handsome. He was an only child, and on occasions, wished he had the sibling love that many of his friends from the village had.
James, along with his parents, lived in Godric Hollow, not unlike a muggle mansion. It had nearly a hundred rooms, and, as there was just the three of them, such a big house could become lonesome for an eight-year-old boy.
Yes, there was much around the house to amuse him, for his parents were certainly not poor; much the opposite in fact, largely thanks to Mr Potters job as an Auror, and their prominent blood-line. For blood meant a lot in the wizarding world, though James never understood why, and it most certainly didn't mean anything to him, or indeed his parents.
His parents also tried hard to keep the outgoing boy amused. From an early age he had shown interest in the wizarding sport, quidditch, and at the young age of eight, had seen five world cups. For his eighth birthday, his parents had bought him a broom, the Cleansweep, the best broom around at the time. When James had opened it, he had been thrilled, and soon started flying around the gardens that surrounded the Hollow.
He first showed signs of magical ability around this time too. The first time was when he was shopping with his parents in a place called Diagon Alley. They were outside Quality Quidditch Supplies, where a larger crowd had congregated, but poor James couldn't see the new broom they were all gawking at over the heads of the crowd. Out of frustration, he wished that he were taller. That wasn't exactly what happened, but what did happen had the required effect. For James had managed to make himself levitate so that his feet were far enough off the ground so he could see above all the heads, and see the broom in the shop window.
When his parents had finally managed to get him down, back on the ground, they were so pleased with him, that they bought him an owl. And James smiled for the rest of the day.
***
Lily's home was not as happy as James'. Her elder sister loathed her, though she didn't entirely know why. In fact, she couldn't remember a time that Petunia Evans had actually been nice to her. Petunia was constantly bullying the younger sibling. Unfortunately for Lily, her parents saw none of this, and if they did, they assumed that Lily had done something to provoke it. And that really hurt.
Lily spent more and more of her time in her bedroom as she grew older. She, unlike James, had to go to muggle school, a place called Green Wood, and she hated it there. She had no friends there, for they all seemed to follow Petunia, and anything Petunia didn't like (and it was obvious she didn't like her sister), they didn't like.
Lily found school easy, though rather boring. She hardly bothered with her lessons, as they meant nothing to her, though if a teacher cared to ask her a math question, she would be able to answer it straight away. She was such a bright child, but kept that under lock-and-key, for she felt she didn't need to give Petunia another thing to bully her over, and didn't feel that being called the 'Teachers' Pet' and the like, would be a very inviting proposition.
The best thing (and probably the only good thing for Lily), about the school, was the vast library it held. Lily had learned to read at a very young age, as it gave her something to do, whilst being away from Petunia. How she loved to read. So much so that she would spend break and lunchtimes sitting in the corner, reading one of the thick volumes she had chosen. Then, after asking permission from the librarian, she would take one home for the night, returning it in the morning. The librarian was the only person in the whole school Lily felt she could relate to, and so she saved her smile for the woman who gave her such freedom, and let her forget about everything, by giving her a book. The librarian herself was regularly astounded by the speed Lily read; one day she would take home a book over a thousand pages long, and the next day return it.
The years past in the Evans's house, and with each, Lily began to feel more and more neglected. At school she had nobody, all because her stupid sister had to spoil it all for her. At home, she felt like an outsider; she didn't belong there. Along with her pretty green eyes, her long auburn hair didn't fit in with her parents or her sister.
Her mother and her sister both had mousy coloured hair, her father brown. She hated feeling, and looking, the outsider, and sometimes wondered if the hospital where she had been born had got it wrong, and she had been given to the wrong family. She sometimes hoped that her 'real' family was out there waiting for her.
But, of course, there was no chance she could change her family now. No, she was stuck with Petunia forever, wasn't she?
Lily cried to herself asleep in the night when she was sure everyone else couldn't her here. She wished somebody out there would take her away, maybe sweep her off her feet, like Prince Charming in that book she had read more than a year ago. But as the years moved on, the more unlikely it became. They would have done it years ago now.
By the time she was ten, she wanted more than anything just to escape. Escape from the world where she was forced to call Petunia her sister, escape from the world that caused her so much sadness.
She had now taken to practically living in her bedroom. The only time she'd leave it was to use the bathroom, or at mealtimes. With the pocket money she was given (and she was only given that because her parents thought it was only fair since Petunia was given it), she had purchased a number of books from the bookshop in town. These books had been well read, for they were where Lily could lose herself, and for that reason she read them nearly every day.
***
When James reached the age of ten, he became rather the troublemaker around the Hollow, though of course, his parents, who loved him so much, would never admit to this. He was constantly being a nuisance to the family House-elf, Elmers, but Elmers too, couldn't help but love the handsome James.
The day before James' 11th birthday however, James was nervous. More nervous than he had been when he first tried to fly on his broom. Even more nervous than he was when he had had to admit to his parents that he had set the lawn sprinklers on his aunt, two years previous. So, why was he so nervous? Shouldn't he be excited?
Well, James' 11th birthday was a really important day regarding James' future. James' 11th birthday would be the day he would find out whether he had been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. James was so anxious. If he wasn't accepted…well, the consequences were too horrible to think about. He'd be a Squib, forced to live like a muggle. As I said, horrible…not worth even thinking about…
***
Lily's birthday had been forgotten about again. When it had been Petunia's birthday, there were plans and ideas being formulated three weeks before. But when Lily woke on the 19th of August, the date of her birthday, she couldn't recall a single instance of her birthday being mentioned. Lily resignedly got dressed, fully expecting a day as uneventful as any normal Monday.
***
James was woken on the 19th of July by an odd drumming noise. He opened his eyes slowly, and picked up his glasses from the bedside table, curious as to where the noise had come from. There it was again…Tap tap tap. He guessed it was coming from the window. He climbed out of bed, and crossed the room, and pulled back the long curtains.
The bright sunlight made him squint for a few seconds before his eyes adjusted to the light. There, each trying to peck a hole through the window were three or four owls. Smiling to himself as he recalled that today was his birthday, he threw open the window, and the owls flew in, each perching themselves on James' bed.
***
Lily made her way down to breakfast, totally aware that she would not be getting any presents, even though it was her birthday. She couldn't say that this was unexpected, but her heart did fall a few notches; nobody likes to be forgotten.
As she took her seat at the end of the table, taking an apple from the fruit bowl in the centre, the rest of the family didn't make any recognition that the birthday girl had entered the room. She didn't even get so much as a nod, as the rest of the family were deeply concentrating on their Full English Breakfast of sausages, eggs, baked beans, mushrooms and fried toast.
Taking a bite from her apple, something strange happened, at rather lightening speed.
***
As the owls flew into his room, James suddenly remembered that today, if were ever to get one, was the day that he'd receive a letter from Hogwarts. James jumped on his bed after the owls, searching for the letter with the Hogwarts crest. And there, carried by a large Grey owl, was that letter…
He tore it from the owl's leg, and raced down two flights of stairs and into the kitchen, where he guessed his parents would be.
"Mum! Mum, dad, I've got it! The letter I've got it!"
***
A large Grey owl flew straight through the kitchen window, circled the breakfast table twice, and landed with a flop on Lily's lap.
As expected, three seconds later, there was a screech from Petunia's end of the table.
"Mother! What is…Oh my god!" and with that, Petunia fainted.
Mrs Evans shrieked, and rushed over to her eldest daughter, trying to wake her.
Mr Evans on the other hand, looked sternly at Lily.
"WHAT do you think your doing? An OWL in the house?" He raged at the little girl. When he saw her face however, he dropped his tone, and sighed before continuing, "Lily…can't you act like a normal child for once?"
"But…dad…I don't know what…why, it's here."
"Lily, DON'T lie to me! I HATE liars!"
"Dad, I'm not, I…"
It was then, after the owls constant kicking its leg out that Lily noticed something attached to its leg. Lily untied the envelope.
***
James was now ripping apart the yellow envelope, as his parents watched anxiously.
Then, as James pulled two sheets of yellow parchment from their envelope, and as he read the first few words, his face lit up. His parents breathed a sigh of relief for their son.
***
Miss Lily Evans
The Breakfast Table
10 Sea-View Road
Cheddar
Sommerset
The letter was addressed in long, green writing. Who would be writing to Lily? She didn't have any friends, let alone any who would write to her.
She turned the envelope over, and there, sealing the envelope was some kind of crest. There was a large 'H' in the centre of the seal, which was surrounded by a badger, a snake, a lion and an eagle. This intrigued Lily more. 'H'? Who did she know who like all those animals?
Lily opened the letter slowly. She would have guessed this to be some pranks of Petunias, but Petunia did not have the brains to get a random owl to fly into their kitchen, and, of course, it was doubtful, that if she'd planned it, she would have fainted at the sight of it.
***
"YES! I'm in! 'Dear Mr Potter, you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'. Mum! Dad!"
James was over the moon. His father sat at the kitchen table and smiled, while his mother was already in tears, full of pride.
"Son, that's great!" Mr Potter said, "We are so proud of you."
"Yes James, I KNEW you could do it!" she said, hugging him tightly, "I MUST go apparate to auntie Jayne's, to tell her the good news. I'll be back in five." And with that, Mrs Potter disappeared.
James' father looked at him then.
"James, your mother and I have got you a gift…"
"Yeah?" James' eyes lit up at the prospect. "Where?"
Mr Potter laughed slightly before continuing. "Come here," he said, drawing his son closer. "This," he produced the cloak that he had been sitting on. "…is an Invisibility Cloak. Try it on."
James took the cloak from his father. It didn't look as special as his father made it out to be. Actually, it looked rather old, and suddenly, James thought his father might be pulling his leg, to get James back for the many pranks he had played on him.
***
Inside were two yellowing sheets of parchment and some kind of booklet. Lily took out the first sheet of parchment.
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 Lily Evans,
You have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is a learning place for young witches and wizards like yourself. As you are from a muggle family (a family that before you possessed no magical powers, I have enclosed a Hogwarts Prospectus for you and your parents to read, to make it easier for your transition into the magical world.
Please read over the prospectus carefully, as it certainly will benefit you. Also enclosed is a list of required items for all First-years.
All students are to meet on Platform 9 ¾ (see prospectus for details on how to get onto the platform) on September 1st before the train leaving at 11.00am.
Please send the owl back with permission from your parent or guardian allowing you to attend Hogwarts A.S.A.P.
Yours sincerely,
Professor McGonagall (Deputy Headmistress)"
Lily read the letter about three times before any of the information sank in. One of the first was the part about getting permission of her parents allowing her to go.
"Er…mother?"
"WHAT Lily? You've caused enough trouble this morning. Why on earth did you tell that owl to fly in here?" Petunia's eyes fluttered slightly.
"I DIDN'T!" Lily took a deep breath, "Mum, can you read this?"
"No, I'm busy! Can't you see that? There there, baby, you're okay…"
"FINE! Dad, can you?" Lily felt her temperature rising.
"What is it?" Her father reached over the table and took the parchment that Lily had read.
There was a ten second pause before there was a reaction from her father. The first sign was the colour in his cheeks becoming a slight pink. Then his eyes started shining with tears. What did that mean?
"Dad?" she asked tentatively.
He placed the sheet of parchment on the table, and stared at Lily for a full minute.
"Honey?" he called to his wife, "Honey, can you come here for a moment?"
"Not now, dear. Petunia-"
"Leave her. She'll be fine. Now PLEASE come here?"
"WHAT?" she snapped, as she made her way towards her husband. She took the letter out of his hand.
There was a fifteen second reaction time from Mrs Evans. She put the parchment down on the table, and like her husband, stared at Lily.
Lily felt her cheeks burn from all the attention.
"So, can I…can I go? I'll be away from you for the whole school term, and maybe even the Christmas holidays, and-"
"Go?" Mrs Evans said, "Dear, of course you can go!" Tears were streaming down her cheeks now. "What a bright child! And I never knew! No, I never knew…Lily I'm sorry…"
Lily didn't know what to say. She was speechless, and apparently her father was too. He just sat there with a grin on his face.
"Lily? It said we had to send our permission…do we just tie it to the owl?" Mrs Evans asked slowly.
"I think so. Just write it on a piece of paper I think."
Her mother quickly wrote a reply and tied it to the leg of the Grey Owl, who at the moment, was tucking into Mr Evans's breakfast.
Mr Evans went back to waking up their elder daughter, but smiling to himself while he did so.
The owl left the kitchen with a flutter of its wings, and flew into the brightening sky.
***
James pulled the cloak over his shoulders.
"Now look in the mirror," Mr Potter said.
James made his way over to the mirror in the corner of the kitchen.
"Wow!" was all he could say.
Mr Potter chuckled again. "What you thought I'd lie to you?"
"But…but these are really rare…and VERY expensive," James smiled happily, before running over and jumping on his father in a paternal hug.
"Glad you like it! Go and thank your mother too, she should be back now," he said to his son.
James walked out to the hallway, and through to the lounge.
***
Thirty minutes had passed since the owl had left the Evans' residence. Lily and her parents were just finishing reading the Hogwarts Prospectus together.
"So, when can we go to this…Diagon Alley?" Lily asked her parents.
"Well, it says we have to change some money into wizarding money, so I think we should go pretty soon. How about tomorrow?" Mr Evans looked at his wife for confirmation.
"Sounds great!" Mrs Evans answered, "I must go to the bank then, if we're going to put some money in your fault."
Lily's mother left the room then, leaving Lily to find out what things she'd need for the year. She consulted the second piece of parchment.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM:
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain black work robes
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for daywear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry nametags.
BOOKS:
All first-year students require a copy of the following volumes:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) by Miranda Goshawk
Simple Transfiguration by Sylvester Change
Basic Wizarding Potions by Hilly Ploot
Defense Skills-The Practical and Theory by
A guide to Magical Beings by Leslie Hasting
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size two)
1 set crystal or glass phials
1 telescope
1 set scales
Students may also bring one of the following: an owl, cat, or toad.
Students MAY NOT bring their broomsticks.
***
"Thanks mum!" James shouted, as he kissed her on the cheek.
"It was nothing," she smiled.
"Um…mum? When are we going to get my school stuff?"
"Well, I think we'll wait until school's a bit closer. How about the 20th of August? Dads got a day off then too. We can go together."
"Great mum! Thanks for the cloak. Think of the fun I'll have in school…" James said, his mind elsewhere.
"You'd better behave there, James! I don't want Owls being sent to me everyday telling me how you are tormenting the professors!"
"Me Mum? Would your Jamsie EVER do that?" he said, putting on the sweetest smile he could muster.
All Mrs Potter could do was laugh. Her son had such a way of getting round her.
"Well, I hope not! Now, dads off to work, and I must clean that attic out. I'm sure you'll find something to amuse yourself with…"
"Of course mum!" he remembered the owls he had left upstairs. "BIRTHDAY PRESENTS!" and he left, bounding his way up the staircase.
***
Lily felt as though she were dreaming. Her parents suddenly cared. She had these powers. And, of course, she never had to be around those horrid friends of Petunia's again. Maybe Lily might have her own in Hogwarts…
How life had changed so much with that single letter…
***
James lay on his bed that night, thinking about how wonderful his eleventh birthday had been. Hogwarts had accepted him…he was now off to the best wizarding school in the world. How many new friends would he make there? The questions that rolled around in his head were endless, but he knew that within a couple of months, he'd be able to answer them all.
***
Lily couldn't wait for the month to end, to be going to Hogwarts, to learn magic, to make friends. To be who she was, not Petunia's younger sister, but Lily Evans.
***
~*~
Well, that's the end of Chapter 1 and I hope you liked it! If you did, I would much appreciate it if you were to review, telling me so, or otherwise, as comments and suggestions are always helpful.
Thanks!