The Beginnings of the Marauders

Six children were sleeping peacefully across the country. Five of them knew what the next week would entail. The sixth, a young girl, was blissfully unaware. For the first time their paths would cross, as they took the first steps on the journey of life.

*****

Lily Evans awoke with a start to find her older sister, Petunia, smacking her repeatedly with a pillow. "Get UP! Mum needs help in the garden and I can't do it seeing as Mara Tunley is expecting me in an hour," she said quickly. As Petunia headed for the door, she threw the pillow behind her so it landed square on Lily's face.

She sat up and slowly made her way to the dresser, where she changed into old shorts and a t-shirt. She stared at her face in the mirror as she brushed her fire-read hair back into a ponytail. Lily's face was skinny and fair but covered in freckles. She had always hated her freckles and wanted to rid herself of them, but there was nothing she could do. As she looked into her own brilliant green eyes she wondered for the millionth time why they were that colour. After all, her mum's were blue and her dad's were brown. I guess I was just born different, she thought to herself.

Lily sighed before putting the brush away and heading downstairs to the kitchen. Her mum was sitting at the table eating what looked like fresh-baked muffins. Lily glanced at the clock, which read 10:30, and realized her dad was at work. She sat down across from her mum and grabbed a warm banana nut muffin. They both ate in silence, Lily still feeling a tad groggy from being woken up. As she cleaned up, her mum said, "I suppose we should start before the storms roll in." She nodded in agreement and they left through the door to the garden. They worked until nearly 1:00, stopping only for a brief lunch. During that time, Lily and Mrs. Evans chatted about many things, mostly the upcoming school year. Lily was excited; in less than a week she would start grade 6 as an eleven-year-old. Her mum was planning on taking her shopping for school supplies tomorrow, and they were making a list of things she would need when an unusual thing happened.

"HOOO!" came an unfamiliar cry. Mother and daughter looked up to see a tawny barn owl a foot from where they sat. Both looked at it in surprise before glancing at each other to make sure it was real. During their spell of speechlessness it walked up to them and stuck out one of its scaly legs. It was then that Lily noticed a piece of parchment tied to its right leg.

"Mum . . . I think he wants us to take that," she said cautiously.

"Don't be silly, darling, it could be dangerous."

"But why else would he come out here?"

"Where, child, have you ever heard of an owl delivering post?"

Lily shrugged but remained silent. The owl gave another impatient hoot and climbed on one of Mrs. Evans' feet. Reluctantly, she untied the parchment from its leg and it flew off again. As she unrolled it, she noticed a strange crest bearing a lion, a raven, a snake, and a badger stamped at the top. "That's strange, she thought aloud. "It looks like a school crest, but I don't recognize it."

"What is it, mum?" Lily asked as she moved closer to read it. After only a few lines, both were gaping at the letter with their mouths hanging wide open. They stared at each other and proceeded to read the following:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

OF WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

They found the other sheet and looked over it, seeing many unrecognizable items. "A witch, mum? They think I'm a witch?"

"They must have the wrong address, dear. There's no such thing as witches, are there?"

As if in response to her question came a loud CRACK! And old man with a beard was standing before them, having appeared out of thin air. He wore long, dark robes, embellished with the same crest as the letter, which gave him an air of importance. His eyes were twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles as he smiled at them. His finger twirled the bottom of his long beard, and he said, "I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, I suppose you have many questions. Would you mind if I came in for a spot of tea?"

Their eyes never left his as he stepped forward and offered his hand, which Mrs. Evans shook slowly. "Of . . . of course . . . come on in. We'll just clean up a bit first."

"Oh, that won't be necessary," he said while pulling out a thin wooden stick. He flicked it and the two were instantly washed and wearing clean clothes. Lily couldn't hold back a surprised gasp, and she noticed her mother about to faint. Let's go inside, shall we?" the old man asked.

They walked into the kitchen, where he flicked his stick again and conjured a pot of tea. Somehow, the kettle levitated through midair and poured tea into each of the three cups he had conjured with it. Dumbledore reached for one and took a slow sip. "My favourite," he said with a wink. "Well then, I can tell by the looks on your faces that this must come as an enormous shock to you. There is always so much to explain to Muggles, so let the questions begin!"

*****

The Questions

*****

Mrs. Evans: Muggles?

Dumbledore: Non-magic folk.

Mrs. Evans: Oh . . . well . . .

Lily: How did you do that, with the clothes and the kettle? Was it some kind of magic trick with that stick of yours?

Dumbledore: It was magic, but certainly no trick. I am a wizard, and this is my wand.

Mrs. Evans: So . . . you're telling us that witches and wizards actually exist?

Dumbledore: That is correct, and young Lily here has been born one.

Mrs. Evans: Wouldn't we have known when she was born, then?

Dumbledore: Not necessarily. Children don't tend to begin showing magical properties until ages 6 or 7. Usually they are marked by inexplicable occurrences, such as when Lillian grew three inches in one day.

Mrs. Evans: I knew there was something odd going on. I thought I had been going crazy.

Lily: Oh, is this like when old Mrs. Lannising's cat turned bright purple?

Dumbledore: (chuckling) Precisely. Did you know it took us a week to change her back and erase the memories?

(Everybody laughs)

Mrs. Evans: So, how many witches are there, really?

Dumbledore: Sadly, we magic folk only make up a small percentage of the world population, concentrated mostly in Western Europe. We have the opportunity to increase in numbers, however, since many wizards have begun to accept Muggles as equals. But despite that, most wizards are rather prejudiced, and several pureblood families will have nothing to do with anyone who isn't pureblood.

Lily: What is the difference with pureblood?

Dumbledore: Some feel they are better, or cleaner, than other families because the wizarding blood goes back many generations, unperturbed by Muggle blood. They like to marry only other pureblood wizard families.

Lily: What kinds of things can I do as a witch?

Dumbledore: At Hogwarts, you will learn how to fly a broom, charming objects, defense against dark forces, potion-making, and much, much more. The wizarding world is a whole new life, filled with many surprises.

Mrs. Evans: Are there other wizarding schools as well?

Dumbledore: There are a few across Europe believed to be in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and other countries.

Mrs. Evans: What do you mean by "believed to be?"

Dumbledore: The exact location of all wizarding schools is undetectable for security reasons.

Mrs. Evans: Then it must be a safe environment.

Dumbledore: Oh yes, extremely. Hogwarts is the absolute securest location on the British Isles. Not even Voldemort could penetrate it.

Lily: Vol- who?

Dumbledore: Voldemort. Many fear to say his name, he is so evil. But fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself. Voldemort is what we call a dark wizard. In the past few years he has bee gaining followers to essentially take over the world. We are doing all we can to stop him, but many will die at his hand.

Mrs. Evans: He sounds dreadful.

Dumbledore: Oh, he is. But do not worry; he is not foolish enough to come where I'm around. (Pause) On a lighter note, you will need to take a trip to Diagon Alley to purchase your school supplies.

Mrs. Evans: Why, I've never heard of any Diagon Alley. Where's this?"

Dumbledore: It is a wizarding shopping center in downtown London hidden from Muggle view. There are many ways to enter, but you will be going in through the pub called "The Leaky Cauldron."

Mrs. Evans: How will we find it?

Dumbledore: Another wizarding family has volunteered to help a Muggle family this year, and they will show you. They were planning on arriving here tomorrow at noon. Is that convenient for you?

Mrs. Evans: Yes, that would do nicely. My husband is off tomorrow, will he and my eldest daughter be allowed to come along?

Dumbledore: Of course, the more the merrier, I'm sure! Now, there are just a few more things you will need to know . . .

*****

End Questions

*****

Dumbledore proceeded to explain to them other wizarding necessities, such as wands ("I want one like yours!" exclaimed Lily), Galleons ("You mean to say," asked Mrs. Evans, "there's an entirely different currency?"), and owls ("Can I get one, Mum?"). They talked for two hours, Lily growing more and more excited. They were interrupted by the front door opening and closing and Mr. Evans' voice from the hallway.

"I'm home, dear, and I picked up Petunia on the way like you-" He stopped short when he saw the stranger in the kitchen, but quickly regained his composure. "Hello there, who might you be?"

Petunia stood next to him looking completely baffled.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was just explaining to your wife that your daughter is a witch."

"I AM?" shrieked Petunia. "That is so . . . wait until . . . oooooh!" She looked very pleased and was no longer standing still.

"I'm sorry, dear, but it's Lillian," said Dumbledore in a sincere voice.

"But . . . if she's one . . . I'm her sister!" she insisted.

"Yes, but since neither of your parents are magical, this is not an issue of heredity. Sometimes children with the magic gene are born to Muggles, or non-magical people. It is very rare for more than one magical child will be born to Muggle parents."

With that, Petunia let out a mix between a grunt and a scream and turned to leave the room. They remained silent as they heard her angry footsteps walking up the stairs to her room. She slammed her door shut with a loud bang.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way," Dumbledore said with true sympathy. "I must be going now. I trust the two of you will explain the rest to your family? If you have any more questions, the Potters will be more than happy to answer them tomorrow." He then proceeded to disappear with a very loud crack, loud enough that all three of them jumped in surprise.

It was, to say the least, an interesting evening in the Evans household.

*****

"Mum, why can't you just get it for me?" young James was complaining to his parents. "I don't want to go to Diagon Alley again. Besides, this girl will probably be just another one of those gawking Muggles."

"James Potter, you do not talk about Muggles that way in this household. Do you understand?" asked Mrs. Potter in an exasperated tone. "She had never even heard of the wizarding world until recently, and look how you're already treating her!" She walked away to her bedroom mumbling something that sounded like, "Why, yes, Mrs. Evans, that's my git of a son over there . . . "

They waited until 11:55, gathering anything they thought they might need. James and his parents, along with his older sister Carmen, gathered by the fireplace and took turns using the floo powder. When it was James' turn, he walked into the emerald green flames and yelled "Evans residence." He felt a rather uncomfortable jerk, and just when he thought he couldn't get dizzier, he clumsily fell out of another fireplace. He stood up brush himself off and noticed his mother talking chatting with another woman about her same age. As he shook the soot out of his messy black hair, he spotted a red-headed girl standing anxiously next to her mother, and another blonde girl glaring daggers at everyone in the room. This will certainly be an adventure, he thought to himself.

Once all the Potter family arrived, Mr. Potter explained that they would be entering Diagon Alley through the Leaky Cauldron, as floo powder might not be a good idea just yet. Mr. Evans drove the family minivan, carefully following the directions given to him. They arrived in about an hour and made their way into the pub. The Evans family looked around rather uneasily, made even more so when Mr. Potter leaned in and whispered, "Best not to look anybody in the eye, just make your way to the back." They went out a back entrance and were amazed to see the brick wall open up before them at a few taps of the wand.

The busy hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley was an amazing sight. Little shops lined the streets, and people in robes rushed in and out, some carrying large packages while others were leisurely strolling about. They saw owls flying into a building with a sign reading "The Daily Prophet," and brightly coloured, umbrella-covered tables outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

Mr. Potter noticed the astonished look on their faces; he opened his arms wide and said, "Welcome, to Diagon Alley!"

"Oh dear me, I don't know where to begin . . ." Mrs. Potter was busy rummaging through her purse for the list of supplies and a pen to mark them off with. "Let's see . . . we'll need some robes . . . and a cauldron with a beginner potion set . . . and, oh! I don't know where to find these things!"

Carmen laughed and replied, "Well, it's a good thing you have us here. I suggest we start with the robes. The fittings can take a while, and I'll go with you to pick up some of the other things while it's being done."

The two families spent the day gathering various supplies and getting to know each other. By the end of the afternoon, the Evans family had become more familiar with the wizarding world. Lily was extremely anxious to find out what this new life could offer her. She took a long time looking through all the odd new gadgets in the different stores. Through the whole time, however, James kept his distance. He seemed rather prideful, but Lily just brushed it off as being shy.

"James, right?"

"Yeah."

"What is it like, being a wizard?"

"It's great, I suppose. Better than being a Muggle," he added with a sideways glance.

"Oh."

"We should take these things to mum. We need to pay and get going before it gets too late."

The two walked in silence to the front of the store, where the rest of their families were waiting to leave. They stood in line and paid with the new money the Potter's had showed them and headed out the door. Everybody was knackered from shopping all day, so they decided to stop for some dinner at a Muggle restaurant, Mr. Evans' treat.

They were careful not to talk too loudly as the Potters admired the Muggle decorations. It was decided that they would pick Lily up in the morning to take her to King's Cross Station with them, since her family had no idea how to board Platform 9 ¾. After dinner, they took the Evans family home so they could start packing.

Lily spent most of the night gathering the things she needed and carefully fitting them into her trunk. She didn't want to forget anything, so she ended up triple- and quadruple-checking everything. Once she was satisfied, she went downstairs to say goodnight to her parents.

Mrs. Evans looked up at her and smiled warmly. "We're going to miss you, dear. Don't worry, though, everything is all right." She hugged her mother tightly, realizing for the first time that she wouldn't see her for months. Lily knew that it was for the best, but it still hurt to say goodbye, if only for a short time.

"We're so proud of you, honey," Mr. Evans said. "Always remember that. We'll wake you up in the morning to say goodbye. Good night, sweetie." He kissed her on the head as she hugged him before she turned to go back up the stairs.

The last thing Lily remembered before falling asleep was wondering how this would affect her whole life. Little did she truly know how much her decision to attend Hogwarts would change her forever.