Before the End

LILY III

July 24^th, 1971

"All right," said Lily's father. "Magic is real?"

"Yes," said Katherine More, sounding as though she had explained this at least a hundred times.

"And Lily is a witch," Lily's mother said.

"Yes," said Mrs. More again.

They were sitting at the table in the kitchen. Mrs. More had explained the letter that had been delivered to Lily. Lily's parents were still having trouble believing it. Lily had no trouble. After all, there had been Josephine's nose...

"And there's a school where she can learn magic," Lily's mother continued.

"Yes."

"And she's going?"

"That's for Lily to decide."

"Yes," said Lily immediately.

"Are you sure?" her mother asked. "It's a boarding school; you won't be able to see us for the entire year."

"I'm sure," said Lily. It hadn't been much of a decision - she could go to Hollow School for Refined Ladies, where Petunia went, or she could go to Hogwarts, which was what the magical school was called.

"Well, if you must," said her mother.

Petunia had gone back upstairs right after Mrs. More had started talking about witches. She had never believed in magic.

"Now," said Mrs. More. "Lily, look in your letter again."

Lily did, and pulled out a list.

HOGWARTS SCHOOLS OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Uniform

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

All students' clothing should carry nametags.

Course Books

All students should own a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

An Explanation of Potion-Making by Vindictus Viridian

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

Facing the Dark Forces by Mordicus Egg

Other Equipment

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 3)

1 set crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

1 standard beginner's potions kit

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.

"We'll be going to London to get your supplies," Mrs. More said.

"London? But that's miles away!" Lily's mother protested.

"We have our ways of getting there," said Mrs. More. "Now, if I could have a word with you about the money?"

"Do we have to pay for Lily to go to Hogwarts?" Lily's father asked.

"No, but she'll need some money to get her supplies."

Lily's parents followed Mrs. More into the next room. Lily went upstairs.

She paused at Petunia's door, but decided it would not be a good idea to bother her sister now, and headed to her own room.

PETER II

July 24^th, 1971

"I've got my letter!" Peter shouted.

"Oh, lovely," said his mother. Anne Pettigrew worked for the Department of International Magical Co-operation. She was very intelligent. Peter found it rather annoying sometimes. "Shouldn't you be up a tree now?"

Peter's mother knew about his fights at school. She had tried to stop them. It hadn't worked.

"I got down, somehow."

"Ah, yes. Latent magical energy often manifests itself upon reception of..."

"Right, Mum. When are we going to Diagon Alley?"

"We're going to Diagon Alley?" asked his younger sister Phoebe, coming down the stairs. Phoebe was an absolute genius.

It was not fun to have an absolute genius as your little sister.

"Peter has his letter."

"Oh, good. I need some more books - I've almost finished the ones I got last time."

"We went to Diagon Alley a month ago, and you got fifteen books, with titles like A History of Muggle Awareness and Perceptions of Magic!" Peter protested.

"Actually," said Phoebe, "That one isn't very good. It deliberately glosses over -"

"When will we be going to Diagon Alley, Mum?" Peter asked before Phoebe could start analysing everything that she'd read for the last three months, which was a lot.

"I think sometime next week, probably," said his mother. "Wednesday, perhaps, I've got that day off."

REMUS III

July 25^th, 1971

Remus had received his letter the day before. He would be going to Hogwarts.

As he had never believed this would happen since he was four, he was having trouble believing it now.

He believed it when Albus Dumbledore showed up on the doorstep and explained he was there because of Remus' "condition" and the precautions that would be taken. Remus' mother invited him in.

"Now," said Dumbledore, "I suppose you were rather surprised when you got your letter?" He smiled at Remus. Remus nodded.

"I assure," said Dumbledore, "it was not sent to you by mistake. I am aware that you are a werewolf, but I believe that certain precautions can be taken to allow you to attend Hogwarts in spite of that fact."

"What precautions?" asked Remus' father. He worked at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Being Division, Goblin Liaison Office. His working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was rather unfortunate, as, as has been mentioned, his son was a werewolf.

"Outside of Hogsmeade, - the town near Hogwarts, of course - a small building has been built. It is completely impossible to get in or out of this building except through a tunnel that leads to the Hogwarts grounds. If Remus goes to this building through the tunnel every full moon, he will be absolutely no danger to anyone at Hogwarts."

"But the opening of the tunnel..." Mrs. Lupin trailed off, looking at her son.

"It will be covered by a Whomping Willow, which I will have transplanted from the Forbidden Forest if your son decides to come to Hogwarts."

"A Whomping Willow?" Remus' father exclaimed. He had studied some herbology.

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "I believe we have several in the Forbidden Forest."

"But - putting up a tree which - the students -" Mr. Lupin trailed off.

"I will forbid them from going near it - although," Dumbledore smiled at Remus, who tried to smile back, "I don't know if that will keep them away from it. Do not worry. It is impossible to get past a Whomping Willow, unless, of course, you know how to Suspend it. The matter is entirely under control. Now, the only thing left is whether Remus wants to go to Hogwarts."

Remus stared. The chance to go to Hogwarts - Hogwarts - where he'd never dreamed of going in his life - and they thought he might not want to go?

"Of course I want to go."

LILY IV

July 24^th, 1971

Lily had been waiting what seemed like two months for Mrs. More. She was going to come take her to London to get supplies for wizarding. It hadn't been two months. About eight hours, actually.

Petunia had spent the entire eight hours in her room. Lily had had the sense not to bother her.

Petunia was now in the kitchen, making derogatory remarks about magic. Lily left to go look out the window for a car for the seven millionth time. The doorbell rang before she got there. Lily flew to the door and opened it quickly.

Mrs. More was standing there, with a tall, thin girl Lily didn't know. She had glasses, brown eyes, and very long brown hair tied in a braid, and was holding several books.

"Hello, Lily," said Mrs. More, smiling. "This is my daughter Annetta."

"Hi," said Lily, smiling.

"Hello," said Annetta. She had a slight Cornish accent. She smiled a little, but then Petunia came down the hallway from the kitchen.

"Oh, the freaks are here," she said. Lily stared at her, aghast. Had she actually said that?

Annetta glared at Petunia. "Ton cheveux est noir et blanc et vert et jaune et -"

Petunia yelped and ran up the stairs. Lily decided she liked Annetta.

"That wasn't nice," said Mrs. More, frowning at her daughter.

"She wasn't nice," said Annetta unrepentantly.

"That's my sister Petunia," Lily said. "She doesn't like - um..."

"She doesn't like impossible things happening?" Annetta suggested, smiling.

"Exactly," Lily answered, grinning. "Um ... what did you say to her?"

"It was French," said Annetta. "'Your hair is black and white and green and yellow...' It wouldn't have really done anything to her."

"Oh, well," said Lily. Annetta grinned. She looked rather surprised at herself, but Lily barely noticed.

"Now," said Mrs. More, "we'd better go to London. Are your parents here, Lily?"

"Yes." said Lily. "Mum! Dad!"

"So you're going?" Mrs. Evans asked, coming into the foyer. No one knew why, but everyone somehow trusted Mrs. More without question. "Robert! Mrs. More is here."

"How much money was it?" asked Mr. Evans. He was an accountant. He looked at Annetta. "Who's this?"

"My daughter Annetta," said Mrs. More. "Two hundred pounds."

"Scandalous amount of money," said Mr. Evans. "Really -"

"Dad, you pay more than that for Petunia to go to school. And there's no cost for tuition."

"Exactly," said Mrs. More. "Now, Lily, come on."

"Bye!" said Lily. She and Annetta and Mrs. More walked down the driveway as Lily's mother closed the door.

"How are we getting to London?" asked Lily, as they began walking up Griffin Drive.

"There are a lot of wizards and witches on this street. I've arranged with one of them to use their fireplace."

Lily was shocked. There were wizards in Godric's Hollow? And ... fireplace?

Mrs. More turned towards number 12. Lily and Annetta followed her. Mrs. More knocked.

The door was opened by a woman holding a cat. Several more cats twined around her ankles.

"Hello," she said. "You'll be Mrs. More and her daughter and Lily Evans. Come in. The fireplace is over there." She pointed at the largest fireplace Lily had ever seen. They walked over to it.

Mrs. More took a small pouch out of her pocket. "This is Floo Powder," she told Lily. She pointed her wand at the fireplace. "Incendio!" Flames shot out of her wand into the fireplace. "You put some of it on to the fire, step in, and say the location you wish to travel to. Say it clearly -"

"Otherwise you'll end up in Wales," said Annetta.

"You step in to the fireplace?" asked Lily.

"Of course. Annetta, you first. Lily, we're going to Diagon Alley."

"All right," said Annetta. She took some of the Floo Powder and tossed it into the fireplace. The flames instantly turned bright green.

Annetta walked into the fireplace, holding her books.

She did not instantly go up in smoke. Neither did the books.

"Diagon Alley!" she said, very clearly. She seemed to shoot up the chimney flue, and disappeared.

"Go on, Lily," said Mrs. More.

Lily gulped. She didn't like fire...

She took some Floo Powder and tossed it into the fireplace. Then, slowly, she stepped in. It felt more like she was in an oven than a fireplace, and it wasn't very hot, more like warm breath.

"Diagon Alley," she said, and she seemed to fly upwards along a long tunnel. She could see glimpses of houses speeding past her, as if she was looking out through the fireplace ... and she suddenly realised she was. Then there was a sudden jerk, and she fell out of a fireplace and into a large room with tables and lots of people.

Lily blinked. She was lying on her back in front of a fireplace in a small pub.

"Here," said Annetta, reaching down. Lily took her hand and pulled herself up. Annetta was holding her glasses. They were broken.

"I hate Floo Powder," said Annetta. "That long tunnel and there's nothing beneath you..."

"Are you afraid of heights?" Lily asked.

"Of course not," said Annetta, blushing.

Annetta's mother stepped out of the fireplace. "Oh, good, you made it," she said. "I was afraid you wouldn't. Annetta, must you break your glasses every time you use Floo Powder?"

"Just most," said Annetta.

"Reparo!" said her mother, tapping Annetta's glasses with her wand. The lenses put themselves together again and jumped into the frames. Annetta put them on. Lily was beginning to understand how useful magic would be.

"Come," said Mrs. More. She led them out the back door of the pub to a small, empty yard with nothing in it but a rubbish bin against one wall. Lily stared.

Mrs. More went over to the dustbin and tapped a brick a little up a to the left of it. The brick disappeared, and then so did the bricks around it, until there was a large hole in the wall leading to a narrow, twisting street.

It was astonishingly magical. A shop with a sign saying "Apothecary" had barrels of tiny black beetles eyes and green lizards tails in front of it with signs saying "3 knuts a scoop" and "1 sickle each - SALE. A shop a little farther on had windows displaying huge cauldrons and very small models of them, pewter cauldrons and ones made of solid gold, under a sign saying "Cauldrons: All sizes. Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver, and Gold. Self-Stirring, Collapsible, Self-Supporting." A newer looking shop proclaimed itself "Gambol and Japes" in large letters that wrote themselves over and over again. A firework exploded at the end of the sign. Lily stared.

"Welcome," said Mrs. More, "to Diagon Alley."

"Wow," said Lily.

"We'll have to get you some real money first. Follow me, Gringotts is this way."

"What's Gringotts?"

"It's a bank. It's run by goblins."

"Goblins?"

"It's so no one will rob it," Annetta explained. "Goblins are really careful of money."

Gringotts was at the end of the long, twisting alley. Lily wished she had several more eyes so she could see everything as they walked down the street. A store called Quality Quidditch Supplies had a large window with brooms on display - apparently witches and wizards did fly on brooms. "What's Quidditch?" Lily asked.

"Sport played on broomsticks," said Annetta. "It's really popular."

"Oh," Lily muttered, as they passed the Magical Menagerie. She was sure those were overlarge ferrets in the window. Some people were setting up tables with umbrellas outside another small building, with a sign saying "Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour - OPENING SOON." Gladrag's Wizardwear had displays of robes in the front window, and Lily could here hooting from inside Eeylop's Owl Emporium. A young woman washing a display window at Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions waved at Annetta's mother, smiling. And then they turned one final corner, and Lily saw Gringotts.

"Wow," she said again.

Gringotts was absolutely huge, made of white marble. It reminded Lily of Greek temples, with huge columns and steps leading to huge, burnished bronze double doors. They ascended the steps, and there, by the doors, was a creature in a red and gold uniform that had to be a goblin. It was very short, with a long, pointed beard and long fingers. Mrs. More nodded at the goblin, which nodded back, and opened the doors.

Inside the doors was another set of double doors, these ones made of silver. Engraved on them was the rhyme:

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 treasure there.

"You'd be mad to rob this place," Mrs. More muttered, as two more goblins opened the doors for them. "They say they've got dragons guarding some of the vaults."

"Dragons?" Lily asked. Oh, no.

"Yes. Don't worry, we won't be going to any of those."

They entered a large lobby, full of more white marble. Mrs. More walked over to the counters, where more goblins sat, weighing gems, writing orders, and examining small pieces of paper. They looked as though none of them would want to give any of their gold away.

"Hello," said Mrs. More. "Could we change some Muggle money in?" Lily made a mental note to ask what a Muggle was as soon as possible.

"How much?" asked the goblin.

Mrs. More put down the two one hundred pound notes Lily's father had given her. The goblin peered at them.

"Here," he said finally, placing a large heap of gold and silver onto the counter. "Thirty-nine Galleons, sixteen Sickles, twenty-two Knuts." Mrs. More swept the money into a large bag and handed it to Lily.

"And I'll need to go to vault number six hundred eight-two," she said, pulling a small key out of her pocket. The goblin looked carefully at the key.

"That will be in order," he answered. "Bladvak!"

Another goblin appeared.

"Vault number six hundred eighty-two," said the first goblin.

"Follow me," Bladvak told them. He led them to a small door.

Lily had expected more white marble, but the door led to a small tunnel, with tracks on the floor. The goblin whistled, and a small cart came up the tracks. The four of them got in.

The cart sped along the tunnel by itself - Bladvak wasn't steering. It had to be impossible to go this fast. Lily caught glimpses of other tunnels as they sped past them, and was certain she saw an explosion of fire at the end of one. Stalactites and stalagmites lined the tunnel, and they hurtled deeper and deeper underground. Lily noticed that Annetta was very carefully not looking ahead of them. The cart whirled around turns so sharp that Lily was certain they were going to fall off, but they never did. She didn't see how anyone could even think of robbing this place - they'd never get out.

The cart stopped very suddenly, and they all lurched forward. "Key," said Bladvak. Mrs. More gave it to him, and he opened the vault.

Inside was a huge pile of gold and silver. Mrs. More pulled some of it into another bag. "A little slower this time?" she asked.

"One speed only," said Bladvak, and they got back into the cart.

They sped back up to the lobby.