NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Chapter One: Lily Evans
Cokeworth, England.
Spring, June 1969.
That spring had been perfect. The yellow and white daffodils bloomed cheerfully along the park's path, offering their final burst of colour before the season came to an end.
The cool air was filled with their sweet fragrance, creating an oasis of beauty in the midst of busy Cokeworth, where brick factories and smoking chimneys dominated the skyline. There, among the trees and flowers, the city seemed to hold its breath in the serenity of the park. Despite the good weather, only two girls were playing that day.
Both were sisters, and being close in age, they shared a very close bond. They attended the same public school, although in different grades.
They were the daughters of a happy middle-class couple who had settled in Cokeworth, where Mr. Evans worked as a supervisor at one of the industrial plants. His job allowed them to live a comfortable, albeit modest, life.
The Evans were loving and kind, rarely arguing; and when they did, it was about matters such as the possibility of sending their daughters to a small private school in the city—a luxury that not many middle-class families could afford in that gray and noisy industrial town.
Although the idea excited both sisters, especially Petunia, the decision had not yet been made, as the cost was considerable.
Despite being very close, the differences between the sisters were evident, both in appearance and character. Petunia, the eldest, was serious and always obedient; she liked feeling responsible and often imitated her mother in the way she organized things. Her impeccable manners reflected her desire to please others.
Lily, on the other hand, with her infectious laughter, was playful and curious. She had a natural glow, and her quick mind made her stand out among children her age. Her mother would regularly say she was "too clever for her age," marvelling at how quickly she grasped things and how easily she found joy in the everyday.
"Just a little more, Petunia!" the younger girl pleaded from the swing; her eyes sparkled with excitement. Her red hair seemed to float in the wind each time she swung higher, as if trying to touch the sky.
Petunia laughed, enjoying the moment, though a small shadow of worry crossed her mind.
"That's enough," the blonde said in a bossy tone. As the older sister, it was her duty to look after her, a responsibility she took very seriously, as per her mother's orders; she had to be cautious.
"Alright, alright, I didn't say anything!" Lily said, accepting with a bit of disappointment. "But just a little push more, please, Petunia! I think I might be able to see our house from up here."
"Of course, you can't; the house is on the other side, Lily," Petunia responded, rolling her eyes. "But if you look closely, you might be able to see the river. Well… I suppose," she added with a hint of doubt in her voice.
So she gave her sister another push, but the swing went higher than she had intended. Everything happened in an instant: the creak of the swing intensified, and Lily's hands, which had been gripping the chains tightly, slipped, sending her body flying forward. Both girls screamed simultaneously.
Petunia covered her mouth with both hands, trying to stifle her own scream as Lily tumbled through the air. The look of disappointment on her mother's face flashed through her mind, only to be quickly replaced by the fear of seeing her sister hurt.
"Lily!" the taller girl, with short blonde hair, called from behind the swing. Her voice trembled slightly. "Oh, Lily! Are you alright?" she asked, overwhelmed with guilt as she ran toward her sister.
Not feeling the impact, Lily relaxed her eyes and slowly opened them. She found herself staring at the green grass covering the ground, but quickly realized she hadn't touched it. An invisible force was keeping her suspended in the air. She was floating as if by magic! Surprise, confusion, and excitement washed over her. When Petunia reached her, her eyes widened in shock; her sister was floating just above the ground.
"Blimey! What the—?" Petunia exclaimed, with a mix of surprise and fear in her voice. "How are you doing that?"
"I… I don't know. I'm flying, Tuney! Look, I can fly!" Lily said, full of excitement, as she slowly tried to stand up. Her feet still hadn't touched the ground, which made her giggle nervously with excitement. In contrast, Petunia looked pale and terrified.
"Tell me! What are you doing?" the older sister demanded again, regaining her composure. She waved her hands under Lily's feet, as if to make sure there was nothing hidden holding her up.
"There's nothing underneath, is there?" Lily asked, with a huge grin.
"No," her sister replied, frowning.
Only when Lily thought about reaching the ground did her feet touch it.
"Let's go home, Lily! Mum will fix everything!" the older sister exclaimed, running out of the park and leaving Lily behind.
"Wait for me, Tuney! Don't go so fast!" the younger one shouted, trying to keep up with her sister.
Neither of the two noticed the boy hiding among the bushes. His eyes still wide open, he watched the two sisters walk away from the park. He had been there for quite some time, as quiet as a mouse in the night, and had seen everything that had happened. Flying? That didn't surprise him in the least; in fact, he had a much clearer idea of what had really happened than the two girls.
When they got home, Petunia recounted everything that had happened in great detail. At first, their parents attributed it all to their daughters' overactive imaginations. But one morning, after several attempts, Lily floated slightly above the ground again, effortlessly. Their mother, her face pale with fright, was utterly astonished, while their father, though equally surprised, seemed more intrigued than unsettled.
Unable to find a logical explanation for what had occurred, they decided that the best solution was to keep the matter a secret.
"Even though what you're doing is something very special, Lily," her mother said softly, stroking her daughter's red hair, "you shouldn't do it any more. People don't just float around when they feel like it. This… isn't a talent that everyone has."
"Your mother's right, dear," her father added in an understanding tone. "People… tend to fear what they don't understand. It's better not to do it again."
Petunia, satisfied with the warning her parents had given her sister, showed a small smile of relief. Lily, on the other hand, though visibly sad and disappointed, simply nodded in silence, understanding that she had to obey.
Summer, July 1969.
That afternoon, Lily had gone to the park alone, as Petunia refused to accompany her. In recent days, Petunia had been somewhat upset, convinced that her sister was keeping a secret, some trick to do what she did, and didn't want to share it, despite being sisters. In response, Petunia constantly watched Lily, and every time she saw her floating, she scolded her, reminding her of what their parents had warned.
Sitting on the grass, Lily wondered why she could do such extraordinary things. Next to her, a small bush dropped some of its flowers, and she picked one up, placing it in the palm of her hand. With a mix of excitement and awe, she watched as the flower began to spin gently, its petals opening and closing as if it were alive. It was a beautiful sight, and the girl couldn't help but smile at how the flower seemed to dance in her hand.
In the distance, a dark-haired boy, who seemed to be the same age as Lily, watched her with fascination. Although he insisted he wasn't spying on her, he often sat at the park, hoping to see her and discover what other surprising things she could do. The first time he had seen her was that day on the swing, when she had hung in the air for a moment. Even though it was a simple spell, he was impressed that someone his age could do it, especially since, judging by her reaction, it seemed like she didn't even understand what had happened. Lily had talent, no doubt.
The boy thought about approaching her and introducing himself, but he was afraid of scaring her. How could he explain to her that she was a witch? He knew this was his chance, his only chance, as this time she wasn't accompanied by her bothersome sister, whom he had already classified as a simple Muggle.
However, just as he was thinking about introducing himself, he heard a voice calling the girl. It was her older sister, quickly approaching as Lily gently placed the flower back on the ground. The boy watched as the little redhead stood up and listened to what her sister whispered in her ear. Though he couldn't hear what she said, he noticed how the two sisters walked away from the park together, leaving the flower hovering just above the ground.