It was the last day of August, a particularly cool and quiet night. The trees were starting to change color, and the nights were getting longer. But this was not an ordinary night: it was the night before Hogwarts letters were sent.
It was bound to be an evening full of sleepless 11-year-olds, and this was especially true for the youngest of the famous Potter family. Lily Potter had locked herself in her bedroom, hugging her knees close to her chest, and was staring out of her window. Her dark red hair fell into her eyes, as it often did, but she did not move to fix it. Her eyes were affixed onto the horizon, as if at any moment an owl would appear. This was ridiculous, of course. The owls wouldn't start delivering until morning the following day. Lily knew this, but still did not move from her position on the window seat.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Lily? It's time for supper, dear."
Her mother's voice was soft, knowing. But she didn't understand the fear that gripped Lily, paralyzed her.
"I'm not hungry, Mum." Lily answered, not moving from her position.
Ginny sighed. "Darling, you haven't eaten all day. And I haven't seen your lovely face since this morning. Come on, open up."
Lily looked away from the window and toward the door. She considered leaving her bedroom for a moment, but decided against it. She could not handle another night of being taunted by her older brother about her lack of showing magic. She would be better off staying in her room until the next day, where surely her mother would have breakfast ready, and her letter sitting next to her plate. Just as she had for the other children.
"I'm not hungry."
For a while, there was silence. She heard her mother slowly retreat down the stairs, and murmuring came up through the floor boards. Then a louder pair of feet climbed the stairs. "Lily?"
Her father always had a way of lifting her spirits when no one else could. Lily watched the sky for a few more moments before she found herself standing up and walking over to the door, unlocking it slowly. When she peaked out, her dad had a small smile on his face. She smiled back at him and moved out of the way, opening the door wider so he could come in.
He sat down on her bed and patted the place next to him. "Now. Why don't you tell me what's on your mind?"
Lily felt her eyebrows crinkle, and tears pricked her eyes. She looked down at her hands. "What if I don't get a letter?"
"Is that what this is about?"
She looked up at him and his smile had fallen, a look of surprise replaced it. He pulled his youngest child into his arms. "Oh, Lily. That is ridiculous! Of course you're going to get a letter!"
Her tears were flowing freely now, and she felt like a blathering idiot. "Albus and James showed so much more magic than I ever have. I have barely done any magic at all. Hugo can do all sorts of things, but me- I- I can't-"
"Lily Luna Potter. Look at me."
She looked up into her father's bright green eyes. She knew he had gotten them from her grandmother. The woman she had been named for.
He tucked her hair away from her eyes and smiled at her. "Some kids don't show a lot of magic before they go to Hogwarts. Tomorrow, you're going to get your letter, and this is going to something you look back and laugh about. I have no doubt you're going to be amazing at magic."
