AN: New story, oh yes! This story is slightly odd in its format but here's how it works: The firs t 3 or 4 chapters are going to be glances at their Hogwarts career just so the picture is set properly and then from chapter 5ish onwards they'll be at Auror Academy.

I hope you enjoy this new story. It's different to Still Fighting It as I thought I'd give AU stories a try!

Disclaimer: Nothing in this story belongs to me... sadly

The Bend in the Road

By yellowxxxlily

Chapter 1: Bosom Friends

"Look mummy! His trunk is flying! Oh mummy, how's he doing that? It's absolutely scrumptious. I'm going to learn how to do that aren't I mummy? Golly I can't wait!"

"Lily dear, breathe,"cooed Rilla Evans in a vain attempt to calm her daughter down. Rilla was as fascinated by what they were seeing as Lily was she, however, chose to express it in a less exuberant manner.

Lily Evans' green eyes glowed at what was in front of her: never had she been able to feast her eyes on so many new objects and listen to so many new sounds. Lily had been invited to a birthday party the day her mother went to buy her stationary at Diagon Alley. Lily had regretted not going when she saw all the wondrous things her mother brought back but her mother promptly reminded her that she was not going to see her school friends till Christmas so she'd best make time to see them as often as she could.

Petunia, the old hag, had been snide as ever and had made Lily cry just before they had come to the station. She'd commented on how she thought Lily looked like a sheet wearing black robes. Lily, who was very self-conscious about her appearance, had started sobbing. Petunia's continuous jibes had upset Lily greatly. She and her sister had always had a close bond but after Lily had received her acceptance letter from Hogwarts their relationship ended.

Lily's stupor was broken when she heard the train emit a sound. She rushed towards the train, her parents behind her. Charlie Evans handed Lily her trunk and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, "You be a good girl now and remember to write! We love you."

Rilla gave daughter a longing look, "Lily dear, are you sure you want to go? Don't you think you're a bit too young? You could always just stay home with us?" Charlie gave his wife a hard nudge. "I mean-" she sputtered, "I'll miss you lots but I hope you have a grand time there! Write to us about everything and remember we love you more than you could imagine."

Two small tears slid down Lily's face, "I'll miss you both too and I love you. Please..."

"Yes dear?"

"Tell 'Tuney I love her no matter what," whispered Lily

Rilla and Charlie shared a look. Rilla placed a hand on Lily's arm reassuringly, "We'll do that."

Just then a prefect came up behind the family and informed them that the train was about to leave. Charlie and Rilla gave Lily a quick hug before the train doors closed. Lily ran to the nearest window and blew kisses towards her parents, watching their erratic waving fade into the distance.

Lily picked up her trunk and walked down the corridor searching for an empty compartment. After passing a couple that were full of boisterous and intimidating students she found one that was only occupied by a small pale blonde girl.

Lily tentatively knocked on the door, "Hello, I would it be okay if I sat here with you?"

The blonde girl looked up in surprise, her brown eyes full of unshed tears, "Yeah-" she sniffed, "I don't really know anyone except for James and he's not here yet."

"So you're from a wizarding family?" Lily asked, trying to make light conversation.

"Mmhmm, we're pureblood. Why aren't you?"

"Oh no! I think I'm the first wizard in my family. Or so my mom tells me. I'm Lily by the way. Lily Evans."

The little girl wiped her eyes, "I'm Marlene McKinnon." The two stared out of the carriage window, watching the lush landscape go by in a blur. They settled into a comfortable silence with Lily sneezing every so often and Marlene letting out the occasional sniff.

After about 15 minutes or so the compartment door burst open and a sturdy well built boy walked into the carriage. "Marlene," he grunted, "You 'kay? Ma said I had te check on ya. She was scared you'd start crying without Aunty."

Marlene burst into tears at this statement. The 13 year old boy looked horrified, how was he supposed to know what to do with a sobbing 11 year old? He cautiously walked towards and awkwardly patted her on the back.

Lily watched the scene quietly and deemed it necessary to step in at this moment. She poked the boy on his back and primly ordered, "You go. I'll speak to her and if she doesn't stop I'll call you."

The boys brown eyes, similar to Marlene's, sparkled with gratitude and he scuttled out the door as fast as possible. Lily sat down next to Marlene and soothingly rubbed her back whispering, "It's okay now love. Don't you worry, you'll have a grand ball a Hogwarts."

Marlene looked at Lily astonished, "How can you be so calm? I mean you're a Muggle born and you don't know anything about Hogwarts!"

"Well," Lily smiled shyly, "I've read Hogwarts, A History and it sounds like a perfectly delightful place to be honest. Much nicer than staying with my sister!"

"Oh same here! My brothers have all graduated and I'm the baby. I can't wait to learn some spells so I can show the what I'm really made of!"

"I'm going to turn my sister into cat food and feed her to Shuffles, that's our cat. He's a bit mental to tell the truth. Loves eating polystyrene... you should see the fur balls he coughs up!"

And so the girls fell into casual conversation about anything and everything: from Lily's fear of being an outcast in the wizard world, her hatred of her red hair and her wish to be called Cordelia to Marlene's ambition to become a renowned Quidditch player. Lily was enthralled at the idea of floating high in the sky with nothing but a broom.

Finally the time came for the girls to get changed into their uniforms. Marlene turned to Lily and said, "I'm so glad you chose to sit with me! I think that we're going to be the best of friends!"

Lily smiled happily, she had found a friend in this unfamiliar world and that was so comforting.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lily clutched to the side of the boat in fear, rocking motions did not go well with her stomach. "Um Mister Hagrid sir?" she called out.

Hagrid waved his giant hand her way, "Yes miss with the red hair?"

"I don't feel so-" and out came all the delicious pumpkin pasties she had consumed with Marlene on the train.

"Eeew," cried all the surrounding first years as a puddle of green and orange particles spread in the lake. Lily clutched her face in embarrassment. As she did this she knocked her boat to the side and fell right into the lake in the mess she had just created.

All this really was too much for Lily and she began to sob as she climbed back into the boat with the help of Marlene. There were whispers all around her and Lily felt devastated, she had just ruined her chances at having a normal life in the wizarding world. She'd now forever be known as 'The Girl Who Fell in her Own Puke!' the thought of this made Lily even more upset and she started weeping even harder.

Marlene, thinking that the increase in Lily's grief had to do with her whispering classmates, cried, "Oh will all of you shut up! The poor girls embarrassed without your whispers! And if you don't I'll ask Theo to hex you all!"

No one ever mentioned the event again for the rest of the year. In fact the incident was never mentioned in the company of Marlene McKinnon again... Theodore McKinnon was one brutal dueller.

The other good thing that came from this aggravating incident was that it helped Marlene and Lily become, as Lily called them, bosom friends. Never had there been two girls more dedicated to each other.

They'd even sworn the following:

"I solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom friend, Marlene McKinnon, as long as the sun and moon shall endure."

Their tie of friendship was never broken throughout Hogwarts. They quarrelled often enough but the bond between the two was unbreakable.

Any comments welcome :)

AN:

Hope you enjoyed that! Next chapter will also be set in first year and then we start moving forwards in time!