"So, Lily," Severus was walking with Esmie towards the London Underground. "What do you know about the magical community of Great Britain?"

"Well," Esmie started, still trying to get used to the fact that she was being called Lily. When she agreed that Severus could call her that, Severus, a man that she thought didn't know how to express positive emotions, actually smiled at her. "I remember that my dad, J-James," She faltered. Severus looked dangerously murderous at that name. "Ahem. Dad, he had an invisibility cloak, and it was as soft as... I don't really know how to express it. It was like woven water, but not the kind of heavy water. Like it was made out of droplets of water, pressed into a thin layer, then spun into a cloak, except it was more like a bed sheet, but smaller."

"Interesting..." Severus wondered. "Do go on about what else you know."

"My mom, Lily-" Esmie paused to see if Severus would glower at her again. He didn't. "She was a very kind woman. She would always entertain Harry and I with cool tricks, while getting me (Harry was too young) to do the laundry.

"Sometimes, there would be injured animals outside. As long as it wasn't dangerous to us, her family, she would brew up a potion, and fix the animal right up. That's how we got our cat."

They entered the underground. It was strange, seeing Severus in full robes, and little Esmie scrambling to keep up with him.

Severus (surprisingly) gave the ticket seller the right amount of money. When Esmie asked about it, Severus said something like.

"My father was a puddle."

"Wait. Your father was a puddle?" Esmie asked, confused.

Severus scowled playfully. "Not a puddle. A muggle."

"Oh! A muddle!" Esmie frowned. "That still doesn't make any sense what so ever."

"Muggle. M-U-G-G-L-E. Muggle." Severus spelled it out.

"Haha! I'm so sorry, that's funny, a muggle, I mean, is that even a word, and plus, I can't even-" Esmie doubled over laughing.

"Shhhh!" Severus shushed, handing Esmie her ticket. "Lily, muggles aren't supposed to know about the word muggle!"

Esmie looked confused. "Huh. So you did say 'muggle'." Esmie tried out the word. It sounded strange in her mouth.

Severus pulled Esmie along in silence, giving Esmie time to process this information. "Muggle, muggle, muggle..." Esmie repeated quietly.

"Muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle..." They reached the waiting place. "Muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle..."

"Lily..." Severus warned. She didn't hear him.

"Muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle, muggle."

"Lily."

"So I'm assuming that-"

"Lily!" Severus hissed.

"Wha- huh?" Lily asked, looking around. The compartment door was about to close. The two squeezed through the door and found seats.

"Now, what were you saying?" Severus asked.

"Oh, right! I was saying..." Esmie lowered her voice. "I'm assuming that the word muggle means non-magical people?" Severus nodded yes.

"How'd you know?" Severus Snape asked.

"Well, Mom and Dad always talked about them back at home. It just took-" Esmie counted. "50 times repeating that word for it to jog my memory." Esmie beamed at Severus.

Severus sighed. "What am I going to do with you, Lily?" Grinning, Esmie took out her acceptance letter. She reread it several times.

"Enclosed," Her attention focused on that word. She reached into the envelope and pulled out a list of supplies and books.

First-year students would require:

Uniform
Three sets of plain work robes (black).
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar).

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings).
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL STUDENT'S CLOTHES SHOULD CARRY NAME TAGS AT ALL TIMES.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Caudron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set of brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"We're here," Severus shook Esmie. She put her envelope and acceptance letter away, only holding the list of supplies. Esmie picked up her suitcase.

"Okay." Esmie took a deep breath. "Let's go."