The Lily Evans Story (Experiment 2)

The Letter

Lily Evans had made it a habit of waking up at early hours of the morning. The reason she is doing this was mainly because her sister, Petunia, had always left her radio on until about two or three in the morning to annoy Lily, but partly because Lily needed to study to improve her grades.
She woke particularly early as it was her eleventh birthday and she had been looking forward to it all week. As she changed into her jeans and t-shirt, she heard a strange flapping noise from outside her window. She stared blankly at the window and somewhat reluctantly walks towards it. She got there in time to see a large barn owl fly across her front yard.
She sighed in relief as the owl vanished from sight. She stared out her window to see the sunrise. She quickly walked towards her mirror and took a good look at herself. A girl with dark red hair and beautiful green eyes stared back at her.
After a few minutes of silence Lily went out of her bedroom and dashed downstairs to start making breakfast. As she was about to fry the eggs, her mother and father stepped into the kitchen.
“ Good Morning, Mum and Dad ,”she said in a cheerful tone.
Mrs Evans mirrored Lily’s tone, ” I see we’re having exams today.
What subject ? Science ? History ? Social Studies ? Or maybe Maths ? ”
“ All of the above, “ Lily answered with a grin as she serve a glass of orange juice to her father. Mr Evans just shook his head.
“ If only you had exams everyday, Lily, it will be easier for your mothe … ,” Mrs Evans interrupted him.
“ Lily dear, go and wake Petunia up or you’ll both be late for school,”
“ Okay, Mum, can you watch the eggs for me, please ? “ Lily answered, pointing towards the frying pan on the stove. Mrs Evans nodded.
Lily went up the oak staircase, walked towards the end of the hall and knocked on the door twice.
“ Petunia, Mum said to get - ,” she opened the door ,“ ready for school ,”
She stopped short at the sight of her sister’s normally expressionless face as it redden with anger.
“ How many times do I have to tell you never come into my room unannounced and uninvited ? ” Petunia slammed the door into Lily’s face.

“ You’re Welcome,” Lily said loudly. She then went to her room, grabbed her backpack and headed back to the kitchen. After she had finished her breakfast, Lily got out and walked to school.

*

That wasn’t so bad, Lily said to herself as she went to the cafeteria at recess. At least there weren’t any questions on percentage this time.
Lily lay down her books beside a chair and sat down to wait for her best-and-only friend, Christine, to come and sit with her. When Christine had put her books down, Lily dragged her to the counter.
”Spaghetti again ?” she said miserably as she took a plateful of it, “I hate spaghetti.”
“Me too,” Christine said as they both walked back to the table and ate their lunch miserably. After she finished her spaghetti, Lily stood up to put her tray at the sink near the cafeteria’s front door when somebody crashed into her, on purpose. There she stood, her jeans dripping in strawberry milkshake. Vernon Dursley, one of Petunia’s friends, had purposely crashed into her. He roared with laughter along with all the other students. Among the laughter, Petunia shouted,“ Looking good, Sis, “ and laughed with everybody else.
Lily’s face reddens, half humiliated, half furious. As she ran towards the cafeteria door, Christine called her, but Lily only managed to take a few steps before a foot stuck out of the table nearest to the door. Lily fell clumsily as the student laughed again.
Unable to control her anger, she stood on her feet and faced Petunia.
“You, you planned this all along, didn’t you ! Just to humiliate me, ” she said loudly.
“ Of course ! You didn’t think is was an accident, did you ? I’ve been planning this for weeks. Consider it a birthday present from your loving sister!“ Petunia said as she continued to laugh.
Lily lifted her finger towards Petunia’s face, “ You’ll pay for this ! ”
Suddenly all the food at the cafeteria started levitating. One by one the students stopped laughing at the sight of the floating food and drinks, even Petunia. Then, without warning, the food flew across the cafeteria and smashed into Petunia. But Petunia didn’t scream or gasp, she just stood there, staring blankly at Lily, her mouth hanging slightly open. So did everyone else’s.
Lily was shocked and stared down at her fingertips. Now did I do that ?.
Her mind in turmoil, Lily ran out of the cafeteria without a backward glance.

*
It was almost dark when Lily finally found her way home. As soon as she reached her front yard, the first thing that she saw was a letter, neatly placed on her doorstep. She picked it up. The envelope was thick and heavy, made of yellowish parchment and the address was written in emerald-green ink.
It was addressed;

Ms Lily Evans
2, Park Avenue Drive,
Little Whinging,
Surrey

Lily was surprised to see her name on that letter. She turned the letter over and saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms ; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter ‘H’ as she went upstairs towards her room. Once inside, she quickly and excitedly opened the letter and read aloud :


Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry


Headmaster:
Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer,
Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump,
International Confederation of Wizards)



Dear Ms Evans,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You can find a list of all your necessary books and equipment which comes along with this letter.
Term begins on the first of September. We await your reply by no later than 31 July. Our school owls will be coming to your house every Saturday until that date comes. Just send in whatever questions you might have along with the reply.

Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress


Lily, both happy and surprised at the same time, screamed and ran until she found her parents and read the letter to them, without even noticing that the house was fully decorated for her birthday celebration.
“ …. along with the reply. Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress– Oh Mum, Dad, you know what this means ? I have magical powers and stuff,” she said with a wide smile on her face.
Mrs Evans exchanged glances with Mr Evans and then slowly turned to face Lily again.
“ Honey, maybe it’s just one of your sister’s pranks …. ,” Mrs Evans said, finally breaking the silence between the three of them.
But Lily protested, “ No, it’s not, I know it’s for real….this time, I’m sure of it. I know it sounds crazy but I think they’re telling the truth. How else can I can do things I didn’t even know I could do…like today, at the cafeteria, something weird happened. Petunia played a pretty nasty joke on me… and I got angry… and I just lifted my finger – “ she lifted her right forefinger, ” – when suddenly all the food started flying…. and smashed right at Petunia! And all I did was lift a finger…”


The Giant

Dear Mr Dumbledore,
I would love to join your school and my parents have given their consent. As you might have guessed, I do not have a clue about where to start nor where to find my school things. So, I would dearly appreciate some help in this matter.

Please send your answer as soon as possible.

Your future student,
Lily Evans


Lily reread her reply just as a large snowy owl came swooping down and perched on her left shoulder. The owl hooted merrily as Lily patted her beak and gave the envelope to her. The owl stretched her wings and flew across the horizon. No sooner that the owl was out of sight that Mrs Evans voice echoed from inside the house.
“ Lily, your lunch is getting stone cold. Come in and finish it, dear ! “
“ Okay, Mum, coming. ”
Lily went inside her house to finish her meal.

*

Lily spent all week waiting for Dumbledore’s reply but it never came. Even at night she would stare out her bedroom window, hoping to catch a glimpse of an owl. By Sunday, Lily was beginning to doubt whether the Hogwarts acceptance letter was for real.
I should have known that this was all a big hoax, Lily thought as she drew shut the curtains of her window at one o’clock at Monday morning; it was all Petunia’s work.
She walked towards her bed, tears smarting her eyes. She pulled on her bed cover and tried to go to sleep. But she was suddenly woken by a funny clicking noise coming from her window. She quickly jumped out of bed straining her ears to catch another sound. The clicking noise stopped. Maybe it was the wind …!!? She was about to return to bed when she heard it again.
She ran to her window and drew apart the curtain. The sight of something out the window made her stop crying at once.
It was the snowy owl from last week. Lily flung the windows wide open and the owl came flying in. She dropped the letter on Lily’s bed as she landed wearily on the bedpost. Lily went to get a bowl and some water for the owl. As the owl gulped down the water, Lily tore her letter open;


Dear Lily,
I apologize for the late reply. I would gladly send someone to assist you. The Hogwarts Gamekeeper, Hagrid, will be more than happy to accompany you buy your school things. He’ll fetch you at your house at ten o’clock sharp on Wednesday morning. I hope the arrangements I made are suitable for you.

Please give my regards to your family.

Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore


Lily nearly leaped with happiness as she took the snowy owl and put her on the windowsill out the window and the owl flew away, hooting graciously.

*

At last, Wednesday came. Again Lily woke up early because she was so excited about what was going to happen today. Her parents of course, were as proud as can be. They were still suspicious though, but seeing Lily being so happy about this, they threw aside any doubts and fears.
As Lily gulped down her glass of milk, the doorbell rang. Mr Evans nearly chocked on his toast as Lily jumped out of her seat, pushing the dining table in the process. As she opened the door, she had tried a hundred times to guess how Hagrid will look like. Lily gasped as she saw the figure at the door.
A giant of a man was standing in the doorway. His face was almost completely hidden by a long shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but Lily could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.
“ Are yeh Lily Evans ? I assume yeh know who I am, but it would be rude not to introduce meself firs’. Ehem – Rubeus Hagrid-“ he gestured his and in front of him. As Lily shook his hand, he continued,” Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Yeh can call me Hagrid if yeh wan’ to, an’ if yeh don’ mind, we must be goin’. We’re way behin’ schedule, “Hagrid said as he took out his pocket watch and took a long glance at it.
“Why don’t you come in first and I can introduce you to my parents, “ Lily said as she made way for Hagrid. Hagrid came inside and looked around.
“Yeh have a very comfortable home here, Lily, “ Hagrid said after a few minutes of staring around. Hagrid was busy looking at Lily’s family photos. He kept prodding the pictures.
“ Why don’ they move?” asked Hagrid.
“Sorry? Move?” replied Lily. Hagrid didn’t have time to answer because Lily’s parents came at that exact moment
“ Ah - you must be Hagrid, “ Mr Evans shook Hagrid’s hand , “ I’m Charles. This is my wife, Amy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” As he continued, his mustache twitched a little.
“ Come on Lily, we mus’ be goin’ now. Wouldn’ wan’ to be back late, do yeh?”
Lily said goodbye to her father and hugged her mother. Finally, Lily let go and followed Hagrid out the front door.


Diagon Alley

Lily showed Hagrid the way to the London underground. He almost fell when he tripped as they chased a train that was about to leave. Hagrid and Lily chose seats that were nearest to the exit doors. Hagrid complained about the seats being to small but Lily wasn’t surprised as Hagrid was twice as tall and twice as wide as everybody else.
“ So, yeh excited ? “
Lily turned to face Hagrid. He was busy reading a big green book.
“I’m a little nervous. I don’t know anything about magic at all –“ She sucked in a deep breath and continued “ - to tell you the truth, Hagrid, I’m really surprised when I got the acceptance letter, because at first, I thought that it was one of my sister’s sick jokes, believe it or not, but after a while I started to believe it’s true…”
Hagrid put down his book and said.
“ Don’ yeh worry. There’s a lot o’ other kids who – like yeh – they don’ know nothin’ abou’ them bein’ witches or wizards. You’ll learn all abou’ castin’ spells at school, with kids yeh own age. And – by the way, did you check yer list o’ school things ?”
Lily shook her head as she pulled out her letter from her pocket, opened the envelope and unfolded the list ;


Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Uniform
First-years will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One winter clock (black or silver fastenings)
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide etc)

Note that all students’ robes should carry nametags


Set Books
All students should have a copy of each the following :
Standard Books of Spells Grade 1
by Miranda Goshawk
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
A History of Magic by Batilda Bagshot
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Astronomy Made Easy By Miranda Molviksi
One Thousand Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
The Dark Arts and How to fight them by Lia Frost


Other Equipment
A wand
A pewter cauldron (standard size 2)
A set of glass or crystal phials
A telescope
A set of brass scales
Quills and ink bottles
Rolls of parchment


Students may also bring an owl or a cat or a toad

Parents please note that first-years are not allowed their own broomsticks.

Signed,
Deputy Headmistress.

Lily stared as she read the list once again and looked up at Hagrid.
“ Um - Hagrid, how are we going to find all this in London? “
“You’ll see, “ Hagrid answered with a mischievous grin on his face.

*

“We’re here. The Leaky Cauldron.” Hagrid said as he stopped in front of a tiny, grubby-looking bar. Lily would not have noticed it was there if Hagrid hadn’t pointed it out. After a moment’s pause, Hagrid reached for the doorknob, opened it and steered Lily inside.
The interior of the bar was very dark and shabby. A few people were sitting
in a corner, drinking and chatting happily with each other. The barman, Lily noticed was nearly bald and looked like a tacky walnut,
“What will it be, Hagrid ?” he said with a toothless grin after he saw Hagrid coming in.
“ Why don’ we have a drink first before we go, eh ?” Hagrid asked Lily. She nodded. Hagrid ordered two bottles of Butterbeer from Tom, the barman. Tom immediately took two tankards, filled them with Butterbeer and gave them to Hagrid and Lily, who drank deeply. It was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted and it seemed to heat every bit of her from the inside.
After finishing his own Butterbeer, Hagrid said, “ So, ready to go ?”
Lily nodded as she quickly emptied her tankard. Hagrid paid Tom with strange looking coins and walked towards a door on the back of the bar. Hagrid opened the door and brought them both into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a dustbin and a few weeds.
Hagrid took out a pink umbrella and kept muttering to himself.
“Three up…two across - okay. Stand back, Lily.”
Hagrid tapped the wall three times with the point of his umbrella.
The brick he had touched quivered - it wriggled in the middle and a second later, an archway appeared, large enough even for Hagrid. The archway led the way on to a cobbled street which twisted and turned out of sight.
Lily stared around in amazement as Hagrid walked through the archway. Lily hurried through to follow Hagrid and the archway slowly shrinks back to solid wall behind her. Lily continued to stare around as she followed Hagrid down the path.
The nearest shop had a sign that said Caldron - all sizes – Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver – Self-Stirring – Collapsible. And there were shops that sells robes, potion
Ingredients, telescopes, piles of spell books, quills and rolls of parchment, broomsticks …….

“Gringotts, the wizard’s bank,” said Hagrid.
They had reached a snowy-white building which towered over other little shops. A most weird creature was standing beside the burnished bronze doors. The creature was a head shorter than Lily. He had a swarthy, clever face and very long fingers and feet. As he bowed as they walked inside, Lily heard Hagrid muttered “ Goblins. “ They found themselves facing another door with writings on them;


Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors,
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasures there.


A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall. There were about a hundred counters with goblins behind each of them, scribbling in large ledger books, weighing coins on brass scales and some even had eyeglasses, busy examining stones.
Hagrid whispered to Lily, “So, did yeh parents give you any money ?”
“ They gave me about a hundred pounds,” answered Lily, checking her purse.
Hagrid said, “ Give all o’ them to me. And wait here, by the door.”
Lily handed him the money and he walked towards one of the counters. Hagrid gave the money to the goblin. The goblin jumped down from his stool and opened a safe behind him. He then took out a small leather bag and climbed on the stool. After a few minutes of stamping he gave the small bag to Hagrid.
Hagrid handed the bag to Lily and said, “Here yeh go, ninety-eight galleons, thirty-three sickles and twenty-nine knuts. Now that yeh have yer money, we can go buy yer school things. Let’s get started, shall we? ” Hagrid said as he walked out of Gringotts.
“ Hagrid, I want to buy a wand first,” said Lily.
“ A wand it is, “ answered Hagrid as he took a turning down the street.
They walked until they found the last shop, narrow and shabby looking. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivander : Maker of Fine wands since 382 BC.
Lily opened the door and they both went inside. The shop was empty. Hagrid sat on a spindly chair to wait.
“ Hello….” Lily said to alert the shopkeeper.
“Good afternoon,” said a soft voice. Lily almost jumped as she turned to face a man, standing behind the seat Hagrid is in.
“…G -good afternoon,” Lily answered awkwardly.
“Ah, a customer searching for a wand. Welcome, Miss…,”
Lily answered him, “ Evans. Lily Evans.”
“… Miss Evans. Welcome. I am Mr Ollivander,“ he paused and bowed to Lily, “Now – let’s see – which one will it be ? “ he added, half to himself.
“ Right, Ms Evans, try this one,” he handed Lily a wand, “ Beachwood, seven and a half inches, containing one unicorn hair, quite flexible.”
Lily examine it. Lily was about to wave it when Mr Ollivander snatched it back.
“ No ? Well try this then. Oak, eleven inches, whippy, containing one phoenix feather, try.”
Again Lily tried but Mr Ollivander snatched it, too.
“ No , no – here, ebony and dragon heartstring, eight and a quarter inches. Go on, go on, try it out.” Lily waved it. Nothing happened. Lily gave it back to Mr Ollivander.
“ I know, why don’t you try this ? Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made out of willow, containing a single unicorn hair.”
Lily, now very feeling stupid, waved it. The dark shop was suddenly lit by a bright white light, coming from the tip of Lily’s wand. Hagrid clapped and cheered. Mr Ollivander took the wand and muttered, “ Nox, “ and the light went out instantly.
“Well done, Ms Evans. You have found a wand that matched you.”
He then put the wand in a box and wrapped it. Lily paid seven galleons for her wand and Mr Ollivander bowed to her.

*

Lily walked out of a bookstore called Flourish and Blotts after finished buying her school books. The bookstore had shelves that were stacked to the ceiling with interesting books cramped full of spells, curses and charms.
Later that day, Hagrid brought Lily to the apothecary and bought a supply of some basic potion ingredients for her. Then they went and bought a pewter cauldron, a big trunk, a set of scales for weighing potion ingredients, ink bottles, quills, rolls of parchment and a brass telescope. Lily even bought a beautiful tawny owl from the Eeylops Owl Emporium.
“ I still need … my school robes, a hat and a winter cloak,” said Lily after checking her list.
“ Yeh can get those in Madam Malkin’s Robes fer All Occasions. Listen – Lily –
can you go there alone ? I gotta meet someone. Once you’ve gotten your uniform, go to the Leaky Cauldron and wait for me there, okay,” Hagrid said.
Seeing the look on Lily face, he added, “ Don’ worry, I won’ be long. – Here – why don’t I carry yer stuff for yeh - ,” Hagrid paused to take the owl cage and the trunk and continued, “ – and Madam Malkin’s shop is that way, somewhere near Gringotts,” he said, pointing to the direction of the bank. Then Hagrid went to the wall, tapped it three times and the archway began to form. Hagrid went trough it. As the archway started to shrink, Hagrid waved and said, “See yeh later, Lily ! ”
Lily, feeling extremely nervous, walked down the alley. As she walked, she stared again at the shops and the people in it. She was too busy staring around that she walked right into a boy, who was coming out of Flourish and Blotts, knocking him down.
“ Opss – I am so sorry. A-are you okay ? “ asked Lily.
“ Yes, I’m fine. No, really, I’m fine,” the boy said, as he brushed dirt from his shirt and jeans.
Lily picked up the boy’s glasses and gave them back to him, “Here you go. - Well, you do seem okay, so, see you around. ” she turned and continued walking.
“ Hey – wait ! You – You dropped your bag.”
Lily turned, took her bag and said, “Thanks. My name’s Lily, by the way.”
The boy straightens his glasses and then said, “Nice to meet you, Lily. I’m James. James Potter.”
Lily was about to ask the boy whether he will be attending Hogwarts or not when a woman’s voice came echoing from inside the shop.
“James, James. Come in here and help me find for your Hogwarts books!”
“Coming, mum. - Lily, have you gotten your uniform? ” James asked.
Lily shook her head.
“ Then why don’t you follow me and my mum, we hadn’t bought them either.
We can buy our uniforms together. I just need to find some books first.”
Lily quickly nodded. As James was about to go inside, Lily said, “Let me help you find some of your school books.”
“Okay,” answered James as they both went inside the shop.

*

Lily and James walked out of Flourish and Blotts with paper bags full of James school things. Mrs Potter asked happily, “James, who’s your new friend? “
“ Oh – I forgot to introduce both of you. Mum, this is Lily. Lily, my mother,” James said, nodding towards her mother.
“ Very happy to meet you, dear. Going to start Hogwarts as well ?”
“ Yes,” Lily answered with a smile.
“Well, here we are. Madam Malkin’s robe shop. James, can I wait for you there? I’m a little dizzy from all the shopping,” Mrs Potter said, pointing towards a bench under a tall apple tree.
James nodded as he walked towards the bench to put down his things.
James and Lily went into the shop. The first thing they saw was a squat witch wearing all in mauve dress.
“Hogwarts, dears ? ” she said when James was about to speak. Lily nodded.
She then led them both to the back of the shop. Madam Malkin asked, “Which one of you wants to go first ? ”
James and Lily exchanged glances. After a few seconds, James walked towards Madam Malkin, who had put a stool for James to stand on. She then slipped a long robe over his head and started to pin it to the right length.

*

After they both had paid for their robes, they went outside to find that Mrs Potter was holding two large chocolate ice creams with a wide smile on her face. Lily and James took them and ate them happily as they walked towards the archway.
Mrs Potter took out her wand and tapped the wall three times, just like Hagrid did, and the archway opened. They went through it and headed for the Leaky Caldron. Lily found Hagrid drinking merrily at the counter.
“ Ah – Hagrid. Long time no see. How’s everyone at Hogwarts doing ? ” Mrs Potter asked .
“They’re doing great, Diane. And how are you doing ? “
“ Just fine.”
Hagrid said to Lily, “We better get going, Lily. It’s almost six o’clock. Yer parents will be worried if we don’ hurry.”
Lily nodded as she said goodbye to James and Mrs Potter.



Platform Nine
And Three Quarters

Lily had finished packing her trunk yesterday. Tomorrow will the day that Lily will be starting her first-year at Hogwarts. She woke up and like always, double checked the things that she’s bringing along.
Books, check, robes, check, cloak, check…. She went through all her stuff and ticking a small list as she did. It was well after dawn when she finished. After that, she pocketed her wand and went downstairs to have breakfast with her parents. But when she got there, she saw Petunia, who was clutching something, being scolded by her father.
“ Dad, what have she done this time ? “ asked Lily.
Mr Evans’s ears lost its color at once, so did Mrs Evans’s face, who quickly turned to the sink as she heard Lily’s voice.
Mr Evans turned and said “ Lily, why don’t you sit down first,” he said as he drew a chair in front of him. Lily sat down and faced her father.
“ Lily – did you check your - your ticket this morning ? “ Mr Evans said.
“ No – I put it on my desk yesterd…. day,” her face become pale as her father
slowly showed her little bits of paper what had been her school train ticket.
“ We found Petunia - ripping your ticket - apparently trying to stop you going to Hogwarts, “ continued Mr Evans as he gave the bits of paper to Lily.
Lily looked down at the remains of her ticket, forcing back her tears. Lily got up and walked miserably towards her room. Unable to control her feelings, she burst into tears on her bed.

*

That night, it rained very heavily. Lily’s eyes had swollen from all her crying.
Her owl, Leah (a name that she found in one of her books) was standing on Lily’s bedpost, screeching loudly.
A few minutes later, there was a knocked on the door. Her mother and came in. Mrs Evans sat beside Lily while Mr Evans stood watching.
“ Honey, don’t be sad. Maybe your father can buy another ticket at the train station tomorrow,” Mrs Evans said softly.
Mr Evans picked up a book from Lily’s trunk and gave it to her. Lily took it and skimmed through it. Then something that Lily read made her face shone with happiness.
“ Mum, get my wand, quick !” Lily shouted happily.
Her shocked mother ran to her desk, picked up Lily’s wand and gave it to her. Lily took it immediately and then said, “ Okay, now stand back, Mum, Dad.”
Mr and Mrs Evans quickly took a few steps backwards and stared at Lily.
Lily rolled up the sleeves of her nightgown, raised her wand above her head. As she waved her wand, she muttered, “ Reparo,” and pointed her wand to her left palm.
Suddenly, the room was filled by a cold breeze. Mrs Evans gasped as she saw the bits of paper on Lily’s palm floated and spun around. Finally, all the bits joined together and formed the rectangular shape of a ticket.
When the cold breeze was gone, Lily shouted, “ Mum ! Dad ! I did it. I fixed my ticket. Look! ” as she showed them her ticket.
Mrs Evans glance at Lily’s clock over her bed and said, “ That’s great, Lily ! And now it’s eleven o’clock and you better get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day for you. “
Lily nodded as she gave her father her wand, ticket and book. Mrs Evans put the book back inside the trunk, but he pocketed the wand and ticket.
“ I think I better keep these. I’ll give them back to you tomorrow morning, okay. Try to get some rest,” Mr Evans said, as he tucked Lily in and kissed her forehead.
“ Goodnight, my sweet little witch,” said Mrs Evans as she turned off the lights and closed the door behind her.

*

Lily was unable to sleep the night before, so she read all her books nearly two times and even memorized some of them. Then she packed her trunk again until dawn. When she heard the familiar sound of the stove been turned on, she quickly brushed her hair, changed her clothes and went downstairs.
Mr Evans was reading the newspaper, while Mrs Evans was busy with her cooking. Lily went inside the kitchen and said “Good morning, family.”
Mr Evans peered above his newspaper and answered, “ Good morning, dear.”
“ Lily, have you finished packing you things ? “ said Mrs Evans.
Lily nodded and said, “All done, Mum.”
“ Good girl – oh - I almost forgot. Charles, give back Lily’s wand and ticket ! “
Mr Evans gave Lily her wand and her ticket and said, “ Sorry, I forgot to give them back to you.”
Lily ate her breakfast happily as she chatted with her parents. When she had finished, it was almost ten o’clock.
“ I’ll go and get your trunk, okay, “ said Mr Evans.
“ Don’t forget to bring down her owl too, dear,” Mrs Evans shouted.
Lily went to the living room to open the front door for her father. Mr Evans dragged Lily’s trunk to the car and gave Leah to Lily. Once the trunk is loaded, Mr Evans shouted to Lily, “ Ready to go, dear ? ”
“ Just a minute, Dad – Mum – see you next year, okay, “ Lily said as she hugged her mother.
“ Do take care, Lily, “ Mrs Evans said as she let Lily go.
Lily waved to her mother as both Mr Evans drove Lily away into the day.

*

Lily stared down at her wristwatch. It was fifteen minutes to eleven. She looked up, her eyes glinting in search of the entrance to Platform nine and three-quarters. Her father had helped her find it for a while, but Lily told him to go home and she’ll find it herself.
What a dumb thing to do, sending back dad when I can’t even find the entrance, Lily said to herself as she turned again at platform number ten. Lily tried to remember what Hagrid had told her before he left her at her front door.
‘ “It’s very simple. Once yeh find the entrance, just go through it and you’ll find the train,” ’ he said.
Why is it so hard to find a platform? She asked herself again as she turned at platform number nine. She stopped right between the platforms and stared around her. But there was no one she saw was possibly a witch or wizard. Everyone looked perfectly normal to her.
Then, she saw him. The boy that she had bumped into at Diagon Alley. James. She quickly wheeled towards him and said, “Hi, James.”
James, who was deep in conversation with another black- haired boy, stopped and faced Lily. Both of them looked so much alike that they must have been twins.
“ Lily, what are you doing here ? It’s almost eleven. Why aren’t you on the train ? “ James asked repeatedly.
Lily was about to open her mouth when the black- haired boy answered for her.
“ Maybe Hagrid forgot to tell her how to get on to the platform.”
“ Is it true, Lily ? ” James asked again.
Lily nodded and said, “ I’ve been circling around platforms nine and ten since ten o’clock and I still couldn’t find it.”
James just shook his head as he wheeled his trolley towards the barrier which divided the two platforms and said, “ It’s very simple.”
Ya, right. That’s what Hagrid said, thought Lily as she stared James, who was busy rearranging his trunk.
“ First, you need to make sure your stuff are in a perfect position so it’ll not fall off. Then, you have to walk straight at the wall. It’s best if you run. Don’t be afraid you’d crashed into it – I know – Sirius,” he turned to face the black-haired boy and continued, “ Why don’t you go first ? You must have watched your sister do it.”
“ Okay, then.”
James made way for Sirius. After a few minutes arranging his things, Sirius ran straight into the wall. Lily gasped as she saw Sirius vanished into the wall.
“ Right – there, you see, it’s not so hard. Why don’t you go now ? I can wait, ”
said James.
Lily nodded as she quickly secured her trunk and Leia. She then jogged up to the wall and eventually broke into a run - Lily closed her eyes, ready for the crash -
It didn’t come…she kept running…she open her eyes.
An unblemished scarlet train was waiting next to a platform filled with strange looking people. Lily read a sign that said Hogwarts Express 11 o’clock. She turned her head to look back, just in time to see James coming through it.
“ That was fun – Oh, Lily. Why don’t we leave our things here and look for an empty compartment first,” James asked.
“ Okay, ” answered Lily.

*

No sooner that they settled down their things in the compartment that the train began to move. Soon they were joined by Sirius, whose face was still red after helping Lily heaved her trunk inside.
“ I don’t think we have been formally introduced. Hi, I’m Sirius Black. Call me Sirius,” said Sirius, after a few minutes of silence.
“ I’m Lily Evans. Nice to meet you, Sirius.”
Lily waited for Sirius to sit down. Then she said, “Do you mind if I asked you guys a question? Are – are you like – twins or something? Because I swear you looked identical.”
James and Sirius took a glance at each other and laughed.
At last, James spoke, “No, we’re not twins. But we’re best buds, right?”
“ Right – but almost everywhere we go, people asked us the same question.
So – Lily, know what house you’ll be in ? ”asked Sirius.
“ S – sorry ? House? “

“ Sirius, Lily’s Muggle–born. She just knew that she’s a witch. Sorry ‘bout that.
Forgot to tell you about the school houses. There are four,” said James.
Sirius continued for him, “Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. We will be sorted into one of the houses. My father and mother were in Gryffindor. So I must be in it too.”
Lily turned to James, “You ?”
“ My mother was a Gryffindor and my father was in Ravenclaw, so I don’t know what house I’ll be in yet,” said James.
Lily paused for a while and then asked Sirius, “ Do each house has their own specialties or something? ”
Sirius answered, “ Yes, they are all special in different ways. Gryffindor represents bravery and kindness while Ravenclaw represents knowledge and wisdom. Hufflepuff represents loyalty. Only the Slytherin house has the bad traits.
Cunning and sly, it not a mystery why almost all of the Slytherins turned up to be bad.”
“Bad – what do you mean, bad? “
“Lily, you must first understand that there are some wizards who use magic for evil purposes, like stealing, or worse – killing people. The best example is the wizard Grindawold, who once used magic to try and conquer the world. Luckily Professor Dumbledore managed to defeat him in a duel and sent him to Azkaban, the prison for wizards. And he died there while trying to escape the dreaded Dementors,” finished James. Seeing the peculiar look on Lily’s face, he continued, “The prison guards of Azkaban.”
Lily finally turned to watch the scenery. Not long after that, a smiling, dimpled woman slipped their compartment door open and said, “Anything off the trolley, dears? ”
Lily, who wasn’t hungry, shook her head, while Sirius and James quickly stood up and went outside. After they had finished paying for their food, they went inside, spread all the food on the empty seat beside Lily and began to eat. Lily looked at them as they ate their snacks happily.
James opened a pack of Bertie Botts Every Flavour beans and offered them to Lily. Lily took some and smiled at James.

*

The Hogwarts Express slowed down and finally stopped at Hogsmeade Station. Lily, James and Sirius had already changed into their school robes. As James opened their compartment door, a voice echoed trough the train;
“We have reached Hogwarts. Please leave all your belongings on the train, as it will be taken to the school separately.”
Lily quickly followed James and Sirius, who had already gotten out of the train. Lily looked around the tiny platform. It was so dark that she can’t even see James and Sirius anymore. Then she spotted Hagrid holding a lantern and shouting, “ Firs’-years. Over here, now. Quickly, firs’-years. Don’t be shy. C’mon.” .
After all the first years had gathered around Hagrid, he lead them down a very narrow path. The trees around them were thick and dark. Lily quickly followed the rest of the first-years towards what look like a great black lake. Lily, who didn’t notice Hogwarts yet, wondered why the others were whispering and pointing towards the mountain top. She turned and gasped.
Atop the high mountain was a vast castle with many turrets and windows that sparkled in the starry night.
It took a while for Lily to hear Hagrid shout, “ Only four to a boat,” and pointed towards a fleet of small boats waiting at the edge of the lake. Lily went towards them and noticed James and Sirius hurrying into a boat. She quickly ran and joined them. A short while later, they were joined by a pale, brown-haired boy. Lily stared at him as he scrambled to get in. His brown hair was flecked with grey.
“Everyone in ? “ called Hagrid, who had a boat to himself, “Right then – FORWARD !”
All the boats suddenly glided across the lake at once. Lily stared up at the castle silently as they moved towards it. They went through a wide opening in the cliff’s face, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where they clambered out on to rocks and pebbles.
After he went out of his boat, Hagrid went up a stone staircase. The students followed him. They went through a pathway in the forest and found themselves facing the huge, oak front doors.
“ Everybody ready ? ” said Hagrid. He then raised a gigantic fist and knocked a few times on the door.



The Sorting Hat

The front door opened at once and a tall, black-haired witch dressed in emerald-green robes stood in its place. She had a very stern face and Lily’s first thought was that this was not someone to cross.
“ Here are the firs’-years, Professor McGonagall,” said Hagrid.
“ Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.”
She pulled the door wide open. The Entrance Hall was huge and looked stunningly beautiful with stone walls that were lit by flaming torches. There was a lot of paintings; paintings of peoples, paintings of scenery and some that didn’t have content at all. Then Lily realized that the people in it are alive.
The first-years followed Professor McGonagall as she led them up a magnificent marble staircase. Lily could make out the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right end of the hall, which means that all the other students had already arrived.
Professor McGonagall stopped right in front of the door and said, “Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term feast will begin shortly, but before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The Sorting is a very important ceremony, because while you’re here, your house will be like your family. You triumphs will earn you points,” she paused, putting on her hat, “ Do any rule-breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup. I must go and arrange the ceremony in the Great Hall. Please wait here. We will call you when we are ready.”
She then went inside the hall. Lily was hoping to catch a glimpse of the other students but Professor McGonagall closed the door behind her. A murmur of whispering broke out.
“How do they sort us into the houses again?” Lily asked James. James shook his head and turned to Sirius.
“ I remember my sister saying that we must try some sort of Hat that will tell us what house we’ll be in,” Sirius answered Lily.
Several people tried to smarten themselves up a little bit. So did James and Sirius. Lily took out a rubber band, pulled her hair back and tied it into a knot behind her head. She looked down at her shoes, which was full of water and tried to shake it out. As she did so, Professor McGonagall came back outside, a scroll held tightly in her left hand.
“ We’re ready for you now. Follow me.”
She then pushed the door open and led them into the Great Hall. Lily could never imagine a more splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of floating candles. Lily looked upwards and saw that the black, velvety ceiling was dotted with stars.
It must have been bewitched to like the sky outside, Lily thought, as she continued to stare around the Hall. There were long tables and on them lay glittering silver plates and goblets. Professor McGonagall then stopped in front of a table where the teachers were sitting. She then put a pointed wizard’s hat on a four-legged stool.
Professor McGonagall then unrolled a long piece of parchment and the Great Hall went suddenly silent.
“ When I call your name, you will put the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be placed into your houses,” she paused to read the long list.
“ Alan Right !”
A blonde boy stepped forward and put the hat on his head. A minute then…
“ RAVENCLAW !” shouted the hat.
The table on the left clapped and cheered as Alan went to join the Ravenclaw table.
“Alex Fumblemen !”
“ HUFFLEPUFF !”
This time, the table on the far right clapped loudly. Some of them even got up to shake Alex’s hand.
“Alice Fumblemen !”
“HUFFLEPUFF !”
“Anna Rutlemore !”
“GRYFFINDOR !”
The table on the right burst into applause.
Lily felt sick. As ‘Bruce Chan’ was declared a Hufflepuff, a horrible thought struck her. What if she wasn’t chosen at all ? But that thought was shattered when Professor McGonagall mentioned a very familiar name.
“Christine Young !”
As a girl with pretty blond hair walked towards the stool, Lily still couldn’t believe her ears. Christine ! My best friend… here ? She went closer to the stool, but she could not make out the face because the Sorting Hat was covering the girl’s face. She waited and the hat shouted -
“GRYFFINDOR !”
Christine went to join the Gryffindor table. Lily paused as she saw that it was really her best friend. Then Lily noticed that Christine was smiling at her. She smiled back and turned back to Professor McGonagall.
Sometimes, Lily noticed, the hat took longer to decide for some people than others. ‘Dorian Pawel’ sat on the stool for almost two minutes when at last the hat declared him a Slytherin. The table on the far left didn’t clap or cheer as loudly as the others did.
There’re not many people left…Dana…Daniel…Elizabeth …Ellen…Ewan… Hallie… Ian… then it was James’s turn. He went and sat on the stool wearing the hat. A moment’s pause…
“ GRYFFINDOR !” the hat shouted.
James went to sit beside a prefect. He waved at Lily as the others cheered for him.
“Kelly Raymore !”
“RAVENCLAW !”
Lily waited as ‘Karen Lanchester’ was made a Slytherin. Then came…
“Lily Evans !”
Lily stepped forward and put the hat on her head. She waited patiently.
A voice whispered in her ears, “Good – Very good. I see a lot of bravery in you, girl. And wisdom too - Hmm, this is a difficult student to sort, and I wonder where to put you? Maybe Ravenclaw - I know – GRYFFINDOR !”
Lily sighed with relive as she went towards the Gryffindor table, cheers and applause followed her.
She looked back at the stool just in time to see a boy with dark brown hair been sorted to Gryffindor. Lily clapped and cheered with the others.
“Remus Lupin !”
The pale boy with the light-brown hair tried on the hat, and had also been made a Gryffindor a second later.
Lily looked up to the teacher’s table and saw a very old man with a long silver beard sitting on a chair fashioned as a throne in the middle.
“ That’s Professor Dumbledore,” James whispered to her.
“Samantha Halloway!“ called Professor McGonagall.
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Sara Marks!”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Severus Snape !”
A boy with a hooked nose and shoulder-length black hair took the hat and put it on. After a few minutes the hat shouted, “SLYTHERIN!”
Next was Sirius, who was pale white now. Just as he had predicted, he was made a Gryffindor.
Then there were a few more students, but Lily was too tired and starved to take notice.
Professor McGonagall took the stool and the Sorting Hat and went out of the Hall silently.
“ Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Now, before we begin the banquet, I would like to give a few notices,” Dumbledore said after he got to his feet.
“ The first-years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. And I also want to remind you that no magic should be used in the corridors between classes. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house should contact Madam Hooch.”
He paused, beamed at his students and continued, “And this year, our school will be having a Wizard’s Duel Competition. It will start on the first of January and all students are welcomed to enter. More information will be given from time to time. I guess that’s all. Let the feast begin !”
Professor Dumbledore sat down and suddenly all the plates and goblets were filled with food at once. There were dozens of turkeys, roast chicken, roast beef, steaks and lamb chops boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, chips, peas, carrots and gravy. Lily couldn’t believe it.
“ Well, don’t just sit there. Eat, you must be famished from your train ride, ”
a voice said behind Lily. Lily turned and saw a pale transparent figure wearing a ruff and thighs.
“ That’s a ghost, Lily. “
Lily turned and found herself face to face with Christine.
Lily opened her mouth to say some thing but Christine cut her short.
“ Listen, listen, I know you want to ask me a lot of questions, but can you please wait until we’re in our dorm ? ”
Lily nodded, but she couldn’t help staring Christine, who had already begun to pile food on her plate.
Finally she took her eyes off Christine, took a little bit of everything and began to eat. It was the most delicious meal Lily had ever had. The other students chatted merrily with each other while Lily was busy eating. Once all the students finished eating, the food disappeared. But desserts took their place. Blocks of ice-creams in every flavor you could think of, puddings, apple pies, chocolate éclairs and doughnuts.
Lily scanned the High Table as she helped herself to a jelly doughnut. A handsome blonde man was busy chatting with Professor McGonagall, while Professor Dumbledore was laughing softly at a tiny, old wizard, who had a rabbit on his head. A very old-looking witch, wearing a most peculiar expression, was watching another witch waving her wand around. Hagrid was drinking deeply out of his goblet.
At last all the desserts too, disappeared. Professor Dumbledore stood up and took out his wand.
“And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song together. Everyone pick their favourite tune, and off we go !”
And the school bellowed;

‘ Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with some filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they’re bare and full of air,
Dead flies and a bit of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we forgot,
Just do your best, we’ll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot ‘


After everyone had finished singing, Dumbledore clapped and said, “ Good, very good. And now, bedtime. Off you go ! ”
Everyone dragged themselves slowly out of the hall. All the other Gryffindor first-years followed a slightly chubby prefect out the Great Hall and Lily followed them quietly.

*

The group of Gryffindor first-years stopped in front of an oil painting of a fat lady wearing a pink silk dress.
After a few minutes of silence, the lady said, “ Password ? ”
“ Chocolate Frog !” said the prefect.
The painting swung opened and revealed a round hole in the wall. The all scrambled through it. The room was cozy and full of squishy armchairs.
Once they all were settled down, the prefect said loudly, “This is the Gryffindor Common. Boy’s dormitory is up the staircase and to your left, the girls the same on your right. You’ll find that all your belongings had already been brought up for you.”
The prefect went up the staircase. Some of the first-years followed her. Lily, who was feeling very tired and sleepy, was amongst them. At the very top of the staircase, there was a door with a sign saying; First-year Girls. Lily said goodnight to James and Sirius and went inside. She found herself facing five four-poster beds hung with deep-red velvet curtains. Her trunk was at the foot of the bed between two windows. Lily opened the trunk and changed into her nightgown. She was about to get into bed when the door opened and in came the other first-year girls.
A girl with black hair came to Lily’s bed. She had her hair tied in a knot just like Lily’s.
“ Hi ! I’m Sara Marks,” she said as she held out and shook Lily’s hand.
Lily smiled and answered politely, “ Nice to meet you, Sara. I’m Lily Evans.”
“ Oh - that’s Dana -” Sara pointed towards a blonde-haired girl, “- that’s Lizzie and that’s Christine over there.”
Lily nodded and went towards Christine.
“ Why didn’t you tell me ? ” Lily said in a whisper.
Christine’s eyes shone as she said, “ I didn’t know that you were a witch, I thought that you were one of the Muggles – non magic people – although I did hear a rumor that a muggle-born was found near Park Avenue, I cannot assume that it was you. Muggles aren’t supposed to know about us, you know.”
“ Well - in that case – I’m glad that you’re here with me. I can really use some help with - spell casting and - and stuff,” Lily answered and hugged Christine. After she let go, she continued, “ Okay, we better get some sleep, or we’ll wake up late tomorrow. Night all ! ”
“ Goodnight, Lily,” the others answered.
Lily snuggled in her bed and fell asleep at once.


Magical Lessons

Lily gulped down her breakfast as she chatted blissfully with Christine. Lily was about have way finished when James came into the Hall and sat down beside her and started on his breakfast.
“So, ready for our first class ?”
Lily turned to James, who was pouring some pumpkin juice into his goblet, and said, “ Can’t wait another minute !”
Lily turned and ate her porridge. Once she had finished, Professor McGonagall came down from the High Table and gave the students their timetable for the term. Lily took hers and scanned it.
“ We got Defense Against the Dark Arts first,” she said to James.
“ Goody. I’m been looking forward to that – Oh, mail’s here.” James smiled and looked upwards.
Lily did the same and let out a gasp. There were hundreds of different-colored owls, circling high above the four house tables until they found their owners, dropping packages and letters on their laps.
Leah swooped down beside Lily’s goblet, dropped a letter on her lap. Lily opened the envelope and read;

Dear Lily,
How are you doing? We thought we’d write to check up on you. Remember, if you need anything, just write to us.

Lots of love,
Mum

Lily’s frowned, puzzled by her mother letter. How did she give this to Leia? Oh well, Lily smiled and she put the letter in her robes. As she did, James and Sirius both stood up. Sirius looked at his wristwatch and scowled. She remembered that she wanted a copy of the Daily Prophet; she quickly turned and whispered to Leia,
“Leia, can you go buy me a copy of today’s paper? Here’s a knut.”
Leia blinked her amber eyes as Lily put the money in the envelope and gave it to Leia. Then she, Leia, fluttered out of the Great Hall.
“It’s almost nine. We’d better hurry. I can’t wait any longer !”
Lily grabbed her bag and followed James and Sirius out the hall.

*

“ Let’s try this way,” James said, pointing a finger towards a corridor on the right-hand side.
They went down the corridor and went up a staircase. Finally, they found the other Gryffindor first-years were waiting outside the classroom. Lily, James and Sirius got in line just as the teacher opened the door.
“ You’re all early. That’s the spirit ! Come in, come in,”
He then opened the door wide open. The student went inside and sat down. Lily, James and Sirius chose a seat right in front of the teacher. Later on they were joined by a boy, who sat down beside Lily.
“ Nothing makes me more happy than to teach younglings like yourselves the art of witchcraft and wizardry !” he said cheerfully. He stared around a bit and continued, “I think I’d better introduce myself first. I am Professor Alexander Lockhart. And now to business,” he reached inside his robes and took out his wand, “The Dark Arts is a very dangerous branch of magic. That is why you need to defend yourselves against them.”
He walked to the center of the classroom and said, “ Today, I’ll teach you how to duel and a spell that will become very useful in one. For this I need an assistant. Who’s willing to volunteer ?”
Quite a number of students raised their hands.
“ Maybe I’d better pick one of you myself,” he went to his table and opened a large book. After going through some names, he paused on one and continued,
“Is there a Mr James Potter here ? ”
James quickly got up from his chair.
“You’ll do just fine. Come here, Mr Potter, don’t be shy.”
James walked quietly towards the center of the class.
Lockhart smiled at James and said, “Maybe he need some support from his friends,” Lockhart said, as he clapped his hands. All the students did the same.
“Alright, alright. Enough procrastinating. James, do you know how to duel ?”
James shook his head slowly and said, “Not really.”
“ Okay then, firstly, we start with a combative position, like so, and after the count to three, we will start casting our first spells. Ready ? One…two…three ! ”
Lockhart raised his wand and Lily heard Lockhart shout, “Expelliarmus ! ”
James was thrown backwards, his wand slipping out of his hand and he was about to hit the wall when Lockhart quickly waved up his wand casually.
A large pink bubble appeared in front of the wall and blocked James from hitting it. James fell on another bubble, which was on the floor.
James quickly stood up as the bubbles disappeared with a pop. Lockhart picked up James’s wand and gave it to him. Lockhart smiled to James.
Lockhart turned to face the other students and said, “ Like I said, the Disarming Charm is very useful in dueling as it will force the opponents’ wand out of their grasp. Why don’t we give another round of applause to Mr Potter for that extraordinary performance. You had just earned ten points for Gryffindor, Mr Potter.”
The bell rang. Lockhart said, “ Homework. Practice the Disarming Charm. I will test you all on Monday next week. That is all. You may go. Oh - and James, may I have a word ?”
Lily and Sirius waited for James, while the others walked out from the classroom. After James had finished, he went to his seat and grabbed his bag. When they were outside the classroom, Sirius dragged James to a corner.
“ What did Lockhart say ?” Sirius whispered to James, just loud enough for Lily to hear.
“ He asked me if I’d consider entering the Duel Competition.”
“ And…you said ?”
“ I said I haven’t made my mind yet. And then he said, if I wanted to enter,
he will recommend me to Professor McGonagall. That’s all. Now enough, we’ll already late for Potions.”
Then the three of them ran as quickly as they could down to the dungeons.
But when they arrived, the class had indeed started. They went to the teacher’s table and apologized to her.
“Why were you three late when the others were early? Because of your selfishness, I will have to take five points from Gryffindor. Now go and sit down, the three of you, before I lose my temper,” the teacher said, half-whispering.
Lily, James and Sirius walked towards their seats at the very back of the class and started to set their caldron on their table. The teacher got up and went in front of her desk.
“Now that all of you are here, I will finally have the chance to introduce myself. My name is Professor Avery Jones. I will be teaching you all that you need to know about Potions. Now copy this down. All of you!” barked Professor Jones as she went to the blackboard and started writing.
There was a sudden rummage of quills and parchment as the students copied down notes on how to make an Invisible Potion. After she had finished with the notes, Professor Jones walked around the class, inspecting and helping out some students. Lily, who had finished making her Invisible potion, was helping Remus with his potion. The Slytherins sniggered stupidly as Professor Jones scolded another Gryffindor boy, Peter Pettigrew, who had put the wrong ingredients in his potion and his caldron blew up, turning some students into rats and mice. When the bell rang, the students packed up their things and went to the Great Hall for lunch.
Lily was so hungry that she finished her lunch as quickly as she could. Then she opened her copy of Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration and started reading it as she waited for James and Sirius to finish their lunches.
“Did you hear, someone from the Ministry was attacked in his house last night? They reckon a dark wizard was behind this, as he is now in a coma. The victim, that is,” a boy sitting at the Ravenclaw table. Lily snapped her book shut and tried to listen more closely. She didn’t realize that Leah had swooped down beside her. The owl had to peck Lily’s hand softly before Lily turned and took the paper.
“Oh - thanks Leah.”
Leah took off and swooped out of the hall. Lily pulled the sting opened and unrolled the paper. A picture of a man sprawled on the floor was on the front page. A few Law Enforcement Wizards came into view, checking here and there for clues of any kind. The article below the picture read;


Mysterious Attack on Ministry Worker

Twenty-three year old David Tigris, an Auror-in-training working in the
Office of Aurors, was found unconscious in his house at Number Eleven,
Windsor Garden, London late last night. His mother, ex-Auror Aurora Tigris
said that her son had come home quite late. She also mentioned that she
heard some strange noises in his son’s bedroom but she ignored it. When she
heard a crash, she went immediately to her son’s bedroom. She was startled when
she saw a figure pointing a wand towards her son.

“I couldn’t make out his features, because the room was in total darkness. I
was too shock to do anything at that time. David told me to get help, but the figure
pointed his wand towards me and tried to hex me. But David jumped in the
way and the hex hit him and - I took out my wand and repel the figure just as
Mara, David’s sister came with some of the Law Enforcements Wizards,” commented
Aurora.

The Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold, was unavailable to make a statement.
His Assistant however said that the Minister is trying his best to solve the situation.
“There is no need for worry and panic, the Law Enforcements Wizards are investigating
this attack as we speak.”


Lily put down the paper and stared at James.
“It’s horrible, attacking people in their own house,” he said.
“Well, whoever’s doing it seems to enjoy this…torture. There had been several attacks before, but none had been this bold,” said Sirius.
At last, James and Sirius finished their lunches. Lily rolled the paper and tucked it under her arm. They turned and followed some older students out to the entrance hall. Then Lily heard a call.
“Hey, wait up, Lily!”
Christine rushed over towards Lily.
Lily introduced Christine to James and Sirius and they turned around a corridor and went towards the first door to the right.
James pushed the door opened and peered inside McGonagall’s classroom. The room was practically empty except for a Gryffindor student with dark brown hair, who was busy reading a thick book sitting at the very front of the room.
Was he in any of the other classes today? Lily asked herself
Sirius and James chose the seats at the back of the class, but Lily walked past them and sat somewhere in the middle with Christine.
Lily put her books down in the table just as the rest of the first-year girls filled the seats beside them. They chatted happily while they took their seats.
A couple of minutes later, the door opened. The chattering died out instantly. Lily turned towards the door just as a small tabby cat walked into the room.
Lily was still gazing at the cat, who was staring around the room. The others, James and Sirius included, however continued on with what they were doing. The cat sprinted down the aisle towards McGonagall’s desk, and Lily, who was still looking at it, gasped as the cat slowly became bigger and changed into the shape of Professor McGonagall in mid-walk.
The students stopped talking at the sight of Professor McGonagall stern face. She took out a pair of square-framed glasses and put them on while she picked up a big red book.
“Is everybody here?”
Everyone looked around to check among themselves.
Then the boy at the front shot his hand up.
“Lupin isn’t here yet, Professor.”
“I see. Thank you, Mr Matthews. While waiting for him, will you - ” she was cut short by the sounds of hurried footsteps outside the class. The door swung open and Lupin stood there, out of breath and his face flushed.
“I’m so sorry, Professor. The Headmaster wanted to see me.”
“Don’t worry about it, Remus. Please take your seat,” said Professor McGonagall before continuing, “As I was saying, will you take out your quills and parchment and copy this down.”
She turned and, as she took out her wand, went towards the blackboard. She then tapped it once with her wand and a few gold-colored words appeared. The students quickly took out their quills and parchment and copied down what was on the board.
When finally Professor McGonagall spoke again, “I will give each one of you a matchstick, and you task is to transfigure them into needles, like so,” she tapped a small transparent glass chalice on her desk and said very clearly, “Veralius.”
The glass was instantly engulfed in a bright light and it changed shape and formed a golden goblet.
She looked up and said, “As you can see, the Switching spell is very simple to cast. But if you don’t follow the correct instructions, I should warn you, you’ll regret it.”
Lily looked down at her own matchstick. How on earth am I supposed to do this, she thought. Then she heard James’s voice muttering the incantation and there was a loud ‘wow’ from behind, and Lily took it that James had succeeded in transfiguring his.
She then took a deep breath and uttered the incantation.
Her matchstick was indeed engulfed by the bright light, but to her horror, her matchstick changed into a string of yellow noodle.
Professor McGonagall shook her head.
“Ms Evans, you’re supposed to be transfiguring your matchstick into a needle, not a piece of noodle,” she said as she pointed her wand at it and it changed back into a matchstick.
The bell rang a few minutes later. All the students gathered up their things and...



The Wizards Duel Competition
Qualifying Duel Test

Because of the great number of Hogwarts students who wished to enter the Wizards Duel Competition, the Headmaster had decided to make a Qualifying Duel Test, to see which one of you is the best. Each house will only be permitted twenty-eight contestants, four from each year. They will be selected by the Head of Houses tomorrow, after breakfast. Because of this, today’s before dinner lessons and tomorrow’s lessons will be canceled. The following is the venues of the Qualifying Duel Test for each house :

Gryffindor - The Great Hall
Ravenclaws - Charms Classroom 01
Hufflepuffs - Hogwarts Grounds
Slytherins - Upper Dungeons


Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry



“Tomorrow is a bit early, don’t you think? They ought to give us more time to practice,” Lily said to James.
They were near Hagrid’s hut, practicing for the qualifying test.
Lily and James were starting a duel while Sirius was the referee.
“Ready, one…two…THREE!” Sirius shouted.
Lily had barely waved her wand when James cried, “Expelliarmus !” and Lily was thrown backwards. She was about to fall when Hagrid caught her in his arms.
“Yeh gotta be more careful, Lily,” Hagrid said as he lowered Lily down to the grass.
“Oh, hello Hagrid,” James said as he handed Lily her wand, “Let’s try again, shall we ?”
“Okay,” said Lily, brushing a leaf out of her hair.
This time, Hagrid was refereeing, “On the count o’ three, one…two…three!”
James tried to performed the Disarming Charm again, but Lily jumped aside and shout, “Locomotor Mortis !” and the curse hit James’s left leg. At once, James legs sort of clammed together.
Lily cried, “Finite Incantatem!” as she waved her wand and pointed it towards James. After a few minutes, James was able to stand up again.
“Let’s start again, shall we? Hagrid, can you do the honors,” Lily said
Some of the students passing by had stopped to watch them
“ On the count of three, One…two… three !”
Lily yelled “Illucius !” and a great big spider appeared in front of James. A group of fifth-year girls screamed and quite a few others gasped at the sight of it.
But James shouted “Wingardium Leviosa !” and brandished his wand towards the spider. The spider flew upwards and then James muttered, almost-lazily, “Arania Exhume!” and a ray of yellow light hit the spider and it flew towards the Forbidden Forest. James bowed around the crowd, who were all cheering for him.
Lily took advantage of James’s carelessness and bellowed “ Immobulize !” and a burst of white shot out of Lily’s wand.
James clearly didn’t expect it coming. He quickly waved his wand to counter her spell, but he was too late. The spell hit him and he froze in place.
Hagrid waited a few minutes and then he walked forward and waved his hand towards James, “ James is unable to compete any longer. Lily wins the Duel !” and clapped with the others.
Lily looked around with a big smile across her face. When at last the crowd and Hagrid parted, Lily walked towards James and said, “So, how does it feel like to be frozen ?”
“ Quite good actually – oh – come on…! Please do the counter-curse already, my arms are killing me,” James answered. Lily laughed as she waved her wand and pointed it towards James. At once James’s body relaxed a little and he was able to move again.
“ One down, one to go. Sirius – fancy a duel ?” Lily asked Sirius. Sirius shook his head at once.
“No thanks, I - I don’t duel with girls, thank you very much,” he said, but Lily could not help but notice a note of quiver in his voice. She giggled some more.
“ What – afraid I’ll kick your butt?” said Lily. “ Well – if you don’t want to duel with me, why don’t you duel with…”
Lily looked around for someone she knows, and her eyes settled down at Remus, who was just passing by. Lily went towards him and said, “Hi Remus. Wanna duel?”
Lily then noticed that Remus’s face was paler than usual, but she was distracted when Remus nodded. He then took out his wand, but Lily pushed it down and said, “ No, not with me – with Sirius.”
She quickly dragged Remus towards Sirius and began the duel with, “ Okay, wands at ready.”
Remus and Sirius both held up their wands like a sword in front of them and bowed. Then they took a few steps backward and took the duel position.
Lily waited a few minutes and then said, “ One, two – THREE !”
At once, Sirius shoved his wand in front of him.



Qualifying Test

Lily woke up rather early because she was so looking forward to the Qualifying Duel test. She went down to the common room and waited for James and Sirius to wake up. About half and hour later, the first-year boys finally woke up and all of them walked rather groggily down the staircase, with James and Sirius bringing up the rear.
Lily had to drag both of them to the Great Hall. After having a few spoonfuls of hot porridge and a gobletful of pumpkin juice, they quickly become wide awake.
After breakfast was done, Professor McGonagall called all the Gryffindors to gather at one corner of the hall, while the other Head-of–Houses called to their own house.
After all the other houses were gone, Professor McGonagall said, “Alright. We’ll start with the first-years. First-years, gather around here please, and I’ll tell each of you your opponents. Our test will go on like so,” she unrolled a scroll;

Elizabeth Barmen vs. Peter Pettigrew

Leonardo Matthews vs. Lily Evans

Dana Richmore vs. Remus Lupin

James Potter vs. Christine Young

Sara Marks vs. Sirius Black


“Okay, does anyone want to change their opponent? No one? Alright, let’s get started. Elizabeth, Peter, whenever you two are ready.”
Both Peter and Elizabeth climbed on the Gryffindor Table. After a few minutes, Professor McGonagall started the duel. Peter tried to wave his wand, but it somehow managed to slip out of his grasp and flings its way towards Elizabeth. It hit her squarely across the forehead. After staring blankly at Peter, Elizabeth collapsed to the ground. Before Professor McGonagall got to her feet, the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey was already there; she magicked Elizabeth onto a stretcher and off she went to the Hospital Wing, taking Peter with her.
Professor McGonagall sat down again with a sigh of relief and said, “Now, let’s have Mr Matthews and Ms Evans, please. Leonardo, Lily.”
Lily nodded as she took out her wand. She clambered up the table and walked towards the center. Both of them saluted each other with their wands.
“Best of luck, Leonardo!” Lily said, perkily.
The boy smiled kindly, “It’s Leo, and you too, Lily.”
They then took a few steps back and took up each a defensive position.
“Wands at ready. Okay, one…two…THREE!!!” shouted Professor McGonagall.
“Luminous Horem!” shouted Leo.
A blinding ray of sunlight flashed, blocking Lily’s sight of Leo. But she muttered, “Palation Élan!” and pointed her wand towards Leo. Immediately, a few goblets changed into pigeons, which flew in his direction and attacked him, causing the light to vanish. In a blink of an eye, the pigeons turned back into goblets and fell onto the floor with a clang.
Leonardo quickly raised his wand, but Lily had the upper-hand. She shouted, “Expelliarmus!” and Leo was thrown off his feet. He fell hard onto the table and just lay there, motionless.
Lily walked slowly towards him to check if he’s okay. But Leo took this chance and shoved his wand.
Lily tripped and fell on her back. She grunted in pain as she tried to get up. When she at last had gotten up, he was already way ahead of her. He yelled an incantation and a few sparks ignited on his wand. Leo sent the sparks flying towards Lily, but she jumped aside in time to avoid it.
With a sweep of her wand, Lily sent Leo soaring through the air and landed a few feet backwards.


by
WhiteWizard/ 2004/ rewrite.