Chapter Three: Crossing Paths

  Lily sat alone in a window-side compartment on the Hogwarts Express, knees tucked under her, her face half-hidden behind a thick, leather-bound copy of Hogwarts: A History. She wasn’t really reading anymore—her eyes had glazed over sometime after page seventeen. Her mind buzzed with thoughts she couldn’t quite name, stirred by the low rumble of the train and the muffled chatter of students drifting through the corridor.

  Ash was curled up beside her, his tail twitching slowly. He’d been oddly alert ever since they boarded the train, his silver eyes watching the door like he was expecting something—or someone—to arrive.

  She reached down, fingers brushing behind his ears, pausing briefly over the two strange, smooth bumps on his forehead. They hadn’t gone away.

  She didn’t mention it. She never did. Just like her dreams. Just like the way spells had begun to flicker from her fingertips even without a wand.

  The compartment door slid open with a soft clatter, and Lily’s head snapped up.

  A boy with messy black hair, round glasses, and a slightly lost expression peeked inside. He had a smudge on his nose and his clothes looked a bit too big, like they’d once belonged to someone else.

  “Er—sorry,” he said. “Do you mind if I sit in here? Everywhere else is kind of full.”

  Lily shook her head quickly, her voice stuck in her throat. “No—go ahead.”

  He gave a small, grateful smile and pulled the door closed behind him, setting his trunk down before collapsing into the seat across from her. “Thanks. I’m Harry. Harry Potter.”

  Lily blinked. Of all the names she’d been reading about this past week, that one she recognized.

  “I’m Lily,” she said, her voice quiet. “Just… Lily.”

  Harry glanced down at the cat now eyeing him from across the seat. “What’s his name?”

  “Ash,” she replied, stroking his back. “He’s… particular.”

  Ash stood, stretched lazily, then padded across the seat to inspect Harry. To Lily’s astonishment, he hopped onto the boy’s lap and sat, his tail curling around his paws.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Harry blinked. “Huh. I think he likes me.”

  “He doesn’t usually do that,” Lily admitted, her voice softening. “He ignores everyone else.”

  Harry chuckled and gently petted the sleek creature. “Well, maybe I’m special.”

  Lily managed a small smile, looking out the window again.

  There was a knock on the door before it slid open once more. A tall, lanky boy with a mop of red hair stuck his head in. “Oi, have you seen a toad? My brother’s friend Neville’s lost his again.”

  Harry shook his head. “No, sorry.”

  “Figures,” the boy muttered. Then he looked around. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Sure,” Harry said.

  The redhead plopped into the seat beside Harry and gave a sigh of relief. “I’m Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley.”

  “I’m Harry,” Harry offered.

  Lily hesitated, then added quietly, “I’m Lily.”

  Ron grinned. “Nice to meet you both. First years, yeah?”

  They both nodded.

  Ron pulled a slightly squished sandwich from his pocket and offered it. “Want half? Mum packed too much.”

  Harry took a piece gratefully. “Thanks. Haven’t had much since breakfast.”

  “What about you, Lily?” Ron asked through a mouthful of bread. “You hungry?”

  “I’m fine,” she said quickly, looking down.

  There was a short silence.

  “So… what House do you reckon you’ll be in?” Ron asked casually.

  “I don’t know,” Harry said. “I didn’t even know I was a wizard until a few weeks ago.”

  Lily looked up at that, surprised.

  “Wait—you didn’t?” she asked before she could stop herself.

  Harry shook his head. “Nope. Grew up with Muggles—my aunt and uncle, actually. Horrible people.”

  Ron made a face. “Blimey. That’s rough. I’ve got five older brothers. They all went to Hogwarts before me. If I end up in Slytherin, they’ll never let me live it down.”

  “What’s wrong with Slytherin?” Lily asked, more curious than confrontational.

  “They’re not all bad,” Harry said slowly, remembering Hagrid’s words. “But… some people think they’re where most of the dark wizards came from.”

  Ron nodded. “And they’re kind of… smug about it.”

  Lily thought for a moment, then murmured, “I read that Ravenclaw values intelligence and creativity.”

  “Wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up there,” Ron said. “You’ve got that quiet-book-smart look.”

  She flushed and looked away, but something about Ron’s casual tone made it feel less like teasing and more like noticing.

  “Have you tried any spells yet?” Harry asked, changing the subject.

  Lily hesitated. “Some. From the books. They sort of… work.”

  “You’ve done magic already?” Ron’s eyebrows shot up. “Without a wand?”

  “Only small things,” she added quickly, as if afraid she’d said too much. “And only when I was alone.”

  Harry smiled. “That’s brilliant.”

  Before Lily could respond, the compartment door slid open again.

  “Has anyone seen a toad?” said a confident voice. A girl with a mass of bushy brown hair stood in the doorway, holding a thick book in one hand. “Neville’s lost it again, and I’ve looked in nearly every compartment.”

  “No toads,” Ron grumbled.

  “Oh,” she said. “Well, I’m Hermione Granger. You’re first years too, right?”

  “Yeah,” Harry replied. “I’m Harry. This is Ron, and that’s Lily.”

  Hermione stepped inside and gave them each a quick glance. “Lovely to meet you. I do hope we’re sorted into the same House. I’ve read all about them—did you know the Sorting Hat uses Legilimency to read your thoughts?”

  Lily sat up slightly. “Legilimency?”

  “It’s a magical method of reading someone’s mind. It’s mentioned briefly in Hogwarts: A History,” Hermione replied, pleased someone recognized the term. “Oh! You’ve got that book too?”

  Lily nodded, her hand resting lightly on its spine.

  “We’ll be great friends,” Hermione beamed.

  Ron sighed and muttered under his breath, “Here we go…”

  The conversation drifted after that—Hermione launching into facts about Hogwarts, Ron complaining about his brothers, Harry occasionally adding a story about Dudley, and Lily listening more than she spoke. But every so often, she would offer a thought, a question, or even a quiet joke. And each time, the boys responded, not with mockery or impatience, but with easy, unthinking acceptance.

  And slowly, Lily felt something shift—like the walls she’d always kept up were cracking just a little.

  Outside the window, the hills were growing dark. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting everything in twilight. Soon, the Hogwarts Express would arrive.

  And for the first time in her life, Lily wasn’t watching the world from a window.

  She was part of it.