Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: This is my first Lily and James story ever, and so far I am rather pleased with it. I know that some ideas have been used before, however some are my own as well. I'd really love to get some feedback on this as soon as possible so I can use anything I hear to improve future chapters. This story will go through the Marauder and Lily's 7th year at Hogwarts, but probably not much further than that seeing as I don't really want to kill them. lol. Please review!

When you wish upon a star
by Christabell


Chapter One: Of revelations and clumsiness

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. The redhead bowed her head, and made her wish, as her mother stood, waiting beside the little girl's bed. I wish that my life will always be this perfect, and that someday, I'll find my prince, just like in a fairy tale, and just like Mama did,' she thought. Mama, I wished that... she trailed off, a confused look on her face, seeing her mother put a finger to her lips.

Make sure you don't tell your wish to anyone, dear. It will only come true if it's a secret. That's part of the magic. The little girl nodded, and climbed into her bed.

Good night. I love you, Mama, the little girl whispered through a yawn. Her mother leaned down, and kissed her on the forehead.

Good night. I love you too, Lily. Get to sleep. The Easter Bunny will be here soon. You'll get to see everything that he brought you in the morning. She smiled on her little angel, and laughed silently, for Lily was already sound asleep. She crept out of the room, paused at the door, and blew a kiss to her sleeping daughter. With that, she walked out of the room, and closed the door.

In the next room, Petunia, Lily's older sister, lay in her bed, eavesdropping through the thin wall. Magic isn't real. It's just something babies believe in. Just like Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny,' she scoffed. She turned out her lamp, waiting for her mother or father to come tuck her in. They never came. Petunia drifted off into a fitful sleep, filled with dreams featuring nasty, evil witches and wizards, and bright pink Easter Bunnies from years past, who had forgotten to stop at her house, and all sorts of devilish, magical creatures that only the dark side of the imagination could think up. It wouldn't be until four years later that Petunia would learn how very mistaken she was.

******

You're a what? Petunia Evans' screech pushed any thoughts of sleep from the occupants of the neighboring houses. She had just arrived home from summer camp, and Lily had dropped the bomb.

I'm a witch, she repeated calmly. While you were away at camp, an owl came to deliver a letter to me. It was from Durmstrang, a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry. I leave tomorrow.

You're a freak, do you know that? You just made up that whole story to try to look better than me for once. Well, I don't believe it. There's no such thing as magic! Lily stared at her.

You want proof? Fine then, read this. She drew out the letter from her pocket, and held it out for Petunia to read. As she read, she got angrier and angrier.

You will regret the day you read this letter, she said, shredding the parchment into pieces. Petunia snickered at Lily. She swung her fist, connecting with the younger girl's jaw. Lily whimpered in pain, helpless. She had always been petite, and Petunia, well, wasn't. With four additional years to her life, a whole foot more than Lily had, plus several pounds more (accounting for several diets on Petunia's part), Petunia always had the advantage in fights, so Lily, wisely, had tried her hardest not to pick fights in the past. So now she stood there, crouched in a corner, unable to fight back, as Petunia practiced her boxing moves. Finally, Lily managed to escape to her room, sobbing, and locked the door. She curled up on her bed, and hugged her teddy bear.

Oh Teddy, she cried out loud. Why does this all have to happen to me? I didn't ask to be a witch. I didn't ask Petunia to hate me, when I hadn't even done anything. I didn't ask for my ex-stepfather to rub off on her. I didn't ask for her to take it out on me. It's not fair!

Lily sighed. The only thing that had gotten her through the past four years was her hope that someday, maybe, life would improve. Maybe, now, that chance would be at Durmstrang. She walked slowly over to the window, searching for the brightest star. Whispering a little prayer of hope, she said, Please, let me know what it is to have a good life. I need that so bad. She climbed painfully under her covers, knowing that she would need her rest for the next day.

Well, life was not better at Durmstrang. Everyday, Lily dealt with people teasing her about everything from her red hair, to her grades, good as they were, and having no friends. Finally, near the end of her sixth year, she went to the headmaster, Amadeus Maloney.

Sir, as you might have realized, I am still having a lot of trouble fitting in here. I have come to the point where I absolutely hate waking up everyday, know what I will have to deal with. I know that there is another school that I could attend, Hogwarts. Is it possible for me to go there for at least part of this year? As a transfer student? And if things work out, maybe stay there? Professor Maloney studied her, regarding what she had said quite seriously.

Are you sure that is what you want? He asked, looking her in the eyes. She nodded solemnly. Then I will contact Albus Dumbledore today, so you can go there next year. I hope that things will work out better there. Lily stared at him, shocked that he had actually agreed to her request.

Thanks you so much, sir. Thank you, she said, and grinned for the first time in months.

****

The end of that year flew by, and as did the following summer. And the day drew ever nearer. The day were Lily would start her new life.

Lily, dear, an owl came for you... it's from Hogwarts. Lily grinned gratefully at her mother and quickly opened her letter. As she scanned the contents, she gave a gasp of delight.

Mom! I'm Head Girl! They don't even know me and I became Head Girl! she exclaimed. Not even Petunia's sour face could ruin her good mood. Soon after, her mother left, for yet another date. She had been dating ever since Lily's stepdad had left the family. She had been married three times already, and even though Lily loved her mom dearly, she hated it when she would come home, giggling like a young school girl, drunk as hell. Lily would always be the one to wait up for her to come home, make sure she got to bed alright. In the mornings, it would be Lily making sure everything ran smoothly, all the while taking care of her mother's headaches and hangovers.

As her mother shut the door, Lily sighed. She hated being alone with Petunia. As long as her mother was there, she didn't have to worry about being safe. But when she was gone, it was a totally different case. Her thoughts were interrupted by Petunia's snarling voice.

You are a freak. How can you even think that you will fit in anywhere? Just look at you! That ugly red hair of yours, those creepy green eyes, you're gross! Lily winced, though in her mind, she questioned what Petunia was saying. Why would her sister lie to her? They were family. Then, suddenly, Petunia's fist came in hard contact with her stomach. The beatings had begun. Ten minutes late, a very sore Lily dragged herself up to her room. She sobbed on and on until a light caught her eye. It was the first star of the evening. And Lily closed her eyes and made her wish. The same wish that she had been wishing for five years. She needed a better life.

*****

Several hours later, Lily woke up to the sound of a door closing rather loudly, followed by a crash. She managed to get herself down the stairs, and in her state of soreness and sleepiness, she saw her mother lying at the foot of the stairs, fast asleep.

God, Mother. You have the worst timing, she said to no one in particular. She carefully picked up her mom, who woke up, and immediately started giggling. Lily sighed, and walked into the family room, half dragging, half carrying her mother. She lifted her up and placed her on the couch. Deciding that it would have to do for now, she slowly walked back up the stairs, and went fell back asleep.

*****

The next morning, Lily woke up early to feel the sun streaming down on her through the window. She stretched drowsily, and got up. As she rose to her feet, she could feel Petunia's marks taking their toll on her body, but she forced herself to smile. Today was the day she was going to Hogwarts, away from Petunia, her mother's problems, and Durmstrang. A fresh, new start for Lily Evans.

Lily waved good-bye to her mother, as the black convertible pulled away from the station.

Good bye baby! Have fun at school! her mother yelled out the window.

I love you too, Mom! See you for the holidays! she yelled at the quickly retreating car. She saw a window open, and a hand wave, and then the car was out of sight. She looked around, trying to determine where the train was. At least the muggles wouldn't recognize her for a witch. She was dressed in a pale pink tank top, and dark denim capris. She looked perfectly normal. She wandered around in circles, unable to find the train to Hogwarts. Just when she was about to give up hope, a boy about her age, with grayish-black hair a bit on the chubby side, but with a smile to warm any heart, ran into her. He glanced up, blushing slightly.

Oh god, I'm so sorry... I am such a klutz! I can never manage to make my feet go where they should. he said quickly, helping Lily to her feet. Are you ok? he asked, very concerned. Lily let out a slight giggle before introducing herself.

I'm fine. I'm Lily Evans. Do you think you could help me? Without waiting for an answer, she continued. I'm trying to find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters... but I'm having a bit of trouble. It doesn't seem to exist. The boy grinned.

Yeah. That tends to be a problem. I hate it when I look for something only to find it isn't real. His grin widened as he saw Lily's expression change.

Are you meaning to say that I am looking for something that isn't real? And then that means that this whole thing is a joke? she asked indignantly. The friendly boy laughed, but quickly reassured her.

Yes it's real, and of course I can help you. You asked the right person. I assume that you are a witch? Lily nodded.

Yes, I'm transferring from Durmstrang. It's weird. The train for Durmstrang leaves from this same station, for those who like to take it. Not many people do though. All you had to do was stand at one of the platforms and whisper a password, and you would be at the platform. It was always really quiet on the train, but that was better. I never had many friends there. They all made fun of me for one reason or another. I never had any problem finding that station though. It always seemed easy, even when I was a first year. Well, I'm a seventh year now. What about you?

Me too! My name is Peter Petrigrew. I'm a Gryffindor... hopefully you will be too that way we can have classes together. At least then you'd know somebody. Anyways, just follow me. I'll show you where the train is. So Lily followed Peter, the two of them chatting avidly the whole way, as though they had known each other for much longer than ten minutes.

See that wall straight ahead? All you have to do is walk straight through it. Yeah, I was scared the first time I did it. but it's fine, and I promise you won't get hurt. Why don't you go first. I'll be right behind you. Lily grinned nervously, but trusting him, did as he told her too. She ran straight at the wall, and was amazed to see the Hogwarts Express right there in front of her. Seconds later, Peter was standing behind her, laughing at her astonishment.

Come on Lils, lets get on the train. I want to introduce you to the guys. I'm sure you'll love them.


********

AN: So..... what do you think? I know that mostly everyone hates Peter, but he was a Marauder, and James and the gang obviously trusted him, so I'm making him nice. So if you don't like that, then I'm sorry, but I can;t have him be a total jerk and have Sirius, Remus, and James all hate him. Because otherwise James would have never trusted him with Lily and his lives later on. So yep. That's my reasoning. Review!!!!!