Chapter One: Lily's News

"An arranged marriage?"

Lily Evans sat at the small round table in her family's kitchen. Across the table, her mother was shredding a napkin into tiny pieces of paper fluff with nervous hands. Beside her was her father, eyeing Lily nervously, wincing slightly in the aftermath of her rage-filled outburst. Next to her father sat her sister Petunia, whose horse-like face was contorted into an open-mouthed look of gleeful shock.

"What on earth do you mean, arranged marriage!" Lily fumed.

Her mother opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted. Nigel Evans felt it was his duty, as head of the household, to try to reign in his youngest daughter's fury.

"Lily-flower, please try to understand. We're trying our best to embrace your culture. It has been very difficult on your mother and I, and your sister to come to terms with the fact that you're…well…different." Beside him, Petunia made a noise that sounded something like she was clearing her throat, but also suspiciously like the word freak'. Lily glared at Petunia before turning her angry frown back towards her parents.

"Lily, please. We really are trying. We went and met with that headmaster of yours, Bumblesomething…We asked him what we could do to help you after you were done with your schooling. This was his suggestion!" Her mother pleaded, her voice rising in desperation.

"Professor Dumbledore" - she enunciated pointedly - "suggested that you arrange for me to be married? That's how he thinks you can be of the most assistance to me after I graduate from Hogwarts?" Mr. and Mrs. Evans cringed at the mention of the school's name and the oddly calm manner their daughter's voice had adopted.

"Yes, Lily. He said it was an age-old tradition', didn't he Nigel? Said that most…er…families arrange marriages for their children, in your culture." Her father nodded in accord.

Lily looked back and forth between her parents in utter amazement. In front of her mother on the table lay a soft pile of shredded paper, her hands now wringing anxiously. Her father's face was pale and she let her gaze follow a bead of sweat that started at his temple and tracked down his neck into the crisp white collar of his shirt. She couldn't believe that Dumbledore would tell her parents - her muggle parents - something like that! They didn't know any better. She just hoped they hadn't entered into any sort of agreement yet. Anxiety began to overtake her.

"Mum, dad, please tell me you didn't agree to anything. Please, tell me I can get out of this!" Her parents refused to make eye contact with her. "No! You didn't! Please, mum, please tell me you didn't choose someone already!" Beside her, Petunia sniggered quietly.

"Sweetheart, we thought it would be best to just choose while we were there. Professor Deedledum had a lovely young man picked out already. He called him a bright lad', and apparently he is quite well-off." Lily bit her lip to prevent a scream.

"Did you sign anything? Did he make you sign anything!" She asked frantically.

Her father met her fiery gaze, and averted his eyes ashamedly. "Yes, dear…We signed a contract releasing you to the boy as soon as you come of age."

"WHAT!"

Her mother let out a small frightened peep as Lily's angry yell reverberated through the small kitchen. Her father cleared his throat nervously.

"Now, Lily. I'll have none of that unnecessary noise in my house. Your mother and I have done what we feel is best for you and for your future. We have arranged to meet with the boy's family tomorrow morning. They will be arriving here shortly after eleven."

Lily spluttered furiously, "UNNECESSARY…BEST…TOMORROW!" Petunia let out a peal of malicious laughter. "NO!"

"I'm sorry, dear. Everything has already been decided," her father declared.

"But - but - what on earth would any pure-blooded family, and I assume the family is pure-blooded, want with a muggle-born like me?" Lily demanded. Her parents looked momentarily confused by the terms pure-blood' and muggle'. Lily sighed.

"Ah, right. Yes. The family is pure…blooded. And Professor Humblebumble assured us that the family feels that mixing…er…bloodlines…is the best option for their future." Lily felt her face grow hot.

"FOR MERLIN'S SAKE THE MAN'S NAME IS DUMBLEDORE!"

"Yes, Lily, of course it is. Now stop your silly yelling and go clean your bedroom. No doubt your fiancé will want to see it." Lily let out a horrified squeak. She got up from the table in something of a daze, and turned to leave the room. She stopped in her tracks, however, as something resembling realization dawned on her.

"Wait. Mum, who is he?" she asked slowly. Her mother raised her head.

"Who is who, dear?" Lily hit her forehead with the palm of her hand.

"The boy, mum! The boy you've just legally bound me to? The boy I'm supposed to marry? Your bloody future SON-IN-LAW!" she cried in exasperation, her voice rising.

"Lily, please. There's no need to curse," replied her father. Lily ground her teeth together. Petunia watched the exchange as if it were a ping-pong match. Her mother grinned in a way she though was mischievous, but was really just plain creepy.

"You'll find out tomorrow, Lily-love! I know how much you love surprises!"

Lily gave a strangled cry of rage and stalked irately out of the room.