Chapter 1: Lily’s Presence:

“Hey guys, wait up for me!” squeaked a pudgy faced 16 year old boy, amongst the throng of students. He desperately shoved his way through a group of 5th years, who shot deathly glares at the loathsome boy interrupting their conversation. But Peter Pettigrew had lost his friends once again and sluggishly made his way through the endless rows of compartments.

Even in his 7th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Peter was fascinated by the atmosphere the Hogwarts express brought to all the students, new and old. He enjoyed seeing the intimidated faces of the 1st years as they desperately searched for an open seat, afraid of being pulled back into the cluster of older students. And all the eager voices of his fellow classmates, greeting each other after a long painstaking summer away from one another.

“Excuse me. Excuse me!” said a highly irritated, voice behind him.

“Huh, what?” mumbled Peter as he was thrust from his thoughts. He glanced around to see a small, blonde haired, 3rd year girl from his house, drumming her polished nails impatiently on the door frame.

“You're blocking my way, can you please move?” she asked sternly, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Oh sure, sorry,” he said absentmindedly and continued his search for an empty compartment down the aisle.

“Hey, Wormtail! Get over here before someone decides to use you as target practice!” shouted a sarcastic voice, followed by roars of laughter two compartments down. Peter quickly shuffled his feet down towards the familiar voices floating from the compartment. He slid open the glass door to reveal three handsome young men, all carrying a smug look on their face.

“See I told you he was fine, Remus, huh, weren’t you Wormtail?” said the boy closest to Peter, as he nudged him in the ribs. Sirius Black had long, black hair that flipped around in the perfect manner that would make any girl crazy over him. Peter adored the attention and popularity Sirius got especially for coming from a wealthy, pureblood family.

“I only said it wasn’t very nice of us to leave him, Sirius,” snapped Remus, irritation showing through in his voice. Neither Sirius nor James could care less about Peter, but Remus Lupin was different. Somewhere amongst those amber eyes hidden behind his scruffy brown hair he slightly cared about Peter, or at least more than James and Sirius ever would.

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter, he’s here now,” explained James, quickly changing the subject as Peter took the seat across from him. “Besides, here comes Evans!” he announced, excitement dripping with his every word.

Sirius smirked a grin at him as James ruffled his jet black hair, only causing it to stick out more wildly and uncontrolled then before. His deep, hazel eyes full of enthusiasm and eagerness, shown radiantly.

“You don’t really think she’s going to fall for you, do you?” asked Remus concealing an amused laugh, as James eyed himself in the window. “You’ve been after her for six years now!”

“I know, I know, but I bet she secretly can’t get her mind off me,” sighed James as he stared out the train window, oblivious to everything but his own thoughts of Lily.

“Sure, ok mate,” responded Sirius sarcastically. “But you better get out of dream world because here she comes.”

Just as the door clicked and slid open, James spun his head around to face a dazzling figure, framed in the wooden door way. Lily Evans was just as gorgeous and charming as the first day James laid his eyes on her. Her flawless skin and mystical emerald eyes stole his heart since their first year on the Hogwarts Express. Lily’s long amber hair fell gently to her slender shoulders and her hands were upon her hips.

“James Potter!” she scowled, eyeing him sternly. “What do you think you’re doing? Professor McGonagall told you half an hour ago to patrol the aisles, but instead you’re lying around here, forcing me to do it all!” Her now fierce eyes bore into him, but he wasn’t slightly fazed by her outburst.

“But Evans you’re so good at it. Besides I wouldn’t want to get in your way,” James replied smoothly as a broad grin spread across his face in amusement.

“You’re such a git, you know that?” she said with disgust.

“Of course, how could I forget? You tell that to me everyday and twice in Potions lesson,” he snickered as he stood up to follow her.

A small smile split across her face, but she hastily removed it when she remembered why she was there. Lily swiftly spun on her heels and scurried out of the compartment leaving her cloak flowing behind her.

James reluctantly turned to his friends, “Well I guess I’ll see you guys up at the castle, duty calls you know, being a Head Boy and all.” He stifled a grin and set off after Lily.


For the rest of the train ride Sirius, Remus, and Peter exchanged detailed stories of their summer adventures and played a few rounds of exploding Snap. They were all very eager to be returning back to Hogwarts for their 7th year. Even though it meant taking the excruciating N.E.W.T exams, it also meant their final chapter as a Hogwarts student and moving on to greater goals. None of the close friends knew what to expect beyond the sheltered school life, or if they would stay in contact with one another. All they were sure of was that if their fellow classmates before them could make a decent life for themselves, so could they.

Remus glanced outside, slow trickles of water fell from the dingy clouds covering the sun and the train windows gradually fogged over. Flashes of trees and small, rustic houses scarcely shown through the glass and the train wheels clattered against the tracks, jostling the compartments. In the far distance a large building, illuminated with dim lights, slowly came into view through the silver mist.

“We're almost home,” whispered Remus comfortingly under his breath.

A half hour later the Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt in front of a tiny red building. Scraps of paint clung to the walls and above the door hung a weather beaten sign reading;

“WELCOME TO HOGSMEADE STATION
Hogwarts to your left
and
Hogsmeade Village to your right”

Remus, Peter, and Sirius scurried over to the nearest, empty carriage, trying to dodge the muddy puddles as they went. In front of every carriage small puffs of smoke emerged out of thin air and then quickly disappeared as several students pointed in astonishment. The trio climbed in, sat on the black satin seats, and enjoyed their last ride to the castle entrance.

Once all returning students were comfortably seated at their house tables, Professor McGonagall escorted the arriving first years to the front of the Great Hall. Amongst the cluster of black robes, nervous faces could be seen peeking a look around the magnificent room. There were four long wooden tables, seated with a variety of students all supporting their house colors. At the front of the room was a similar table, filled with teachers and staff beaming down enthusiastically. But in the center of all the excitement stood a single stool with an old weathered hat placed on top.

From behind, large doors creaked open once again as all heads turned to see the arrival. Lily and James swiftly scurried through the opening and over to the Gryffindor table, mouthing an apology to the stern face of Professor McGonagall.

“Where have you been? I was worried that you were going to miss the sorting,” asked Remus irritably as Lily departed to the other end of the table to join her friends.

“Sorry, mate. Some forth year jerk named Wilbert Scarpin decided it would be funny to push a first year into the lake.” He sighed, sitting down, and pointing over to the group of first years. At the very back a damp head of blonde hair could be slightly seen. “We had to give him detention, and I think the first year almost died from shock when the Giant Squid pushed him out.”

“Well that’s not the best way to start out your first day at Hogwarts, now is it? But I’ve really got to get to know this Wilbert, he sounds like a genius,” snickered Sirius as Remus and James also chuckled at the thought of all the trouble the two would cause. Peter grinned from across the table and then directed his attention on the Sorting Hat. The colorfully patched hat slumped on the stool and opened its mouth to break into song.

Oh, you may all know the story
From a thousand years past,
When I was newly sewn
To assist our Hogwarts at last.

The four founders of the time
All held the same dream,
To create a magical learning school
By uniting as a team.

But they favored separate traits
All important for learning,
So they created four houses
Just the better to fill their yearning.

Now step up, don’t be afraid,
Your goals may be high
But the others are just the same,
So let's see were you truly lie.

You may belong with the loyal Hufflepuffs,
Where hard work and patience is a must,
Or perhaps the clever Ravenclaws,
Where your brain will never rust,

For the bold Gryffindors,
Bravery and daring must lie in your heart,
And shall you belong with the ambitious Slytherins,
Cunning and trickery will set you apart,

Now you know the tale
You’ve heard what I have seen,
So slip me snug on your head
Don’t worry, I’m not mean!

The whole room burst into applause of the new song and many comments could be heard being passed around. Professor McGonagall quickly explained the Sorting procedures to the new students and pulled out a piece of parchment from her robe. She cleared her throat, unrolled the paper, and waited for the Great Hall to quiet down. All eyes were now full of excitement to welcome the new students into their houses.

“I will now call the last names in alphabetical order, so when you hear your name please step forward,“ instructed Professor McGonagall firmly. “Abbott, Emily!”

A small girl with brunet pigtails stepped up and sat on the rickety stool. Professor McGonagall gently placed the Sorting Hat onto her head. Emily’s knees buckled against one another and she tightened her grip on the hem of her skirt. She stared up at the hat in eagerness as it evaluated her inside and out.

“Well, aren’t you a lucky little one, first in your year to be sorted. I will have to say, Ravenclaw!” bellowed the Sorting Hat and Emily quickly jumped from the stool as McGonagall removed the hat. She proceeded over to her fellow Ravenclaws and took a seat, as they congratulated her.

“She looks like a bright one, that one does,” whispered Remus to the unconcerned Sirius who was fumbling with his golden goblet.

“Yeah, uh huh,“ mumbled Sirius as he surveyed his appearance in the blurred reflection. Remus smirked and turned his attention back to the sorting.

“Harkiss, Oliver! Jorkins, Amelia! Kiely, Dagbert!” One after another the intimidated and excited faces strode up to have the Sorting hat placed on their heads. Soon the house tables looked full and blissful once again with many new faces amongst the crowd.

Last Update: 02-24-2008