Sometimes things happen whether you like it or not.

That's fate.

Destiny… destiny is something different.

Destiny is what you set out to do, not what happens despite your most ardent efforts.

1985-5 years old

"Come on Lily, let's get you dressed for the party." My nanny said as she held up a poofy dress that I crinkled my nose at in distaste. I hated these dresses. They were poofy and stiff and uncomfortable. I much preferred my overalls, they let me play freely.

"I don't wanna go to the party." I replied, offering my biggest puppy dog eyes. The nanny, Veronica, smiled at me. She didn't give in though. I liked Veronica, she was younger than the last nanny I had. She was also nicer.

We were a half hour late for the party. Veronica was fired the next day.

I tried not to get attached to people. They always left in the end.

1987-7 years old

"Have a nice week Lily. Your father and I will be back for the New Years Ball." My mother stated as she handed her bags over to the driver. They were leaving me for the Christmas holiday.

At least I had a few of the staff members to keep me company.

The staff didn't work on Christmas day.

It was okay I was used to being alone.

1989-9 years old

"Come on Lily, play the game with us!" Amilia whined from her seat next to me. I didn't understand why the other girls were so obsessed with planning their weddings. We were only nine. What was the point?

"Why would I want to wear a big, poofy ball gown and waltz down the aisle in front of hundreds of people just to marry some guy? Besides, its not like I know who I want to marry. I'll plan my wedding when I get there." The other girls looked confused and angry.

"Fine." They turned their nose up at me and moved to sit in another part of the cafeteria.

Who wanted to get married and spend their lives relying on another person? It sounded exhausting.

1990-10 years old

It had happened again. Over the years these little incidents had happened more and more. Usually whenever I was alone and feeling lonely or sad, or if I was angry at one of the many dresses my mother had the maids leave out for me to stuff myself into.

It was one of those times. I stared at the pink monstrosity laid out on my bed and glared at it, wishing it would just catch on fire. Suddenly, it did exactly that. I gasped and leapt away, wishing the fire away. Sure enough, the fire went out, leaving a ruined dress behind.

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. I had changed my hair to blonde one day. I had also made things disappear and made things fly across the room to me when I wanted them. There was even one memorable instance when I forced a boy who was bullying me to the ground and rendered him mute for 10 minutes. I just wanted him to shut up.

It was terrifying, but I knew better than to bring it up to my parents. My problems were my own.

1991-11 years old

I was a witch. That…actually explained a lot.

I asked the dour man a series of questions, ignoring the disbelieving faces of my parents on the couch. Neither had believed the man at first, but he had proven it true by turning the coffee cup into a bat.

After the man had left my parents had me sit in the armchair across from them. They looked a little skeptical and a lot disapproving. I suddenly had the feeling I wouldn't be going to this school like I wanted to.

"We can't send you to this school. What would we tell the press?" My father stated, grabbing a drink and shaking his head.

"Tell them what you like, I'm going to that school." I stated, standing up for myself in front of my parents for the first time. I stood up for myself to the nannies and the other kids at my school, but I'd never done it to my parents, no matter how much I wanted to.

"Lily,"

"No. I don't belong in this world. I belong to that one. I have no control over the powers that I possess. With time it would just get dangerous. You need to send me to this school."

"I… she has a point…" My mother conceded, looking into my fathers eyes.

"Fine, say we send you to this school… what about the holidays and parties that you would end up missing?"

"Nobody would really miss me at the parties, its not like I do much other than sit on the sidelines. Let's be honest, we haven't spent any holidays together since I was 6. I will come home for the summers and that is all. You could send me with the driver and send him to pick me up as well. You don't even need to set foot in the Wizarding District either. Professor Snape told us he'd take me. All you need to do is let me use my trust fund and give me permission to go." They remained silent for a few moments before nodding, agreeing to let me go.

The next week I went to Diagon Ally with Severus Snape and got everything I would need for my first year at Hogwarts, sparing no expense to make myself comfortable, including buying a few extra books. I spent the rest of summer reading those books and preparing myself for the upcoming school year.

That was the day I chose myself over my duty.

1991-11 years old

I was a proud Slytherin, but even I needed to get away from my housemates sometimes. They were so annoying and seemed to have found ways to find me no matter where I ventured. I was storming through the castle, deciding to keep moving to avoid being talked to. I was in an empty corridor when a heard a loud boom from a classroom down the hall.

I approached slowly and recognized it as the one the twins had taken me to a few weeks ago. I remembered them offering me an open invitation to join them, and I had to admit I was curious about what they were up to.

I stood at the door, my hand on the knob, but couldn't make myself open it. I retracted my hand and raised it to knock instead. It went silent inside before two curious voices called for me to enter.

As I slid into the classroom I noticed the disarray it was in. I inspected the room closely. There were two couches pushed against one wall and a large table with cauldrons and other potion ingredients set up on it in the center of the room. Unfortunately the immediate area and the twins, who stood in front of one of the cauldrons, were covered in an orange goop of some kind. I stood, eyes wide, staring at the scene for a few moments.

"What kind of harebrained schemes have you two come up with now?" I asked, forgetting myself as I inched closer to the mess, trying to look at the parchment laid out on the table. They looked at each other before glancing at me.

"Well, we had an idea for a potion…"

"It would be really funny if we could figure out how to stabilize it." I blinked at them and wondered what they wanted the potion to do. I had reached the table now and leaned over to look at the parchment that was resting closest to them, making sure to keep myself clear of the goop.

"You're using too many newt's eyes." I stated as I read over the ingredient list. They both froze and looked at their recipe for a moment before pulling another piece of parchment and a quill closer to them and doing some calculations. They turned to look at me as one once they were finished.

"How did you catch that?" They asked in unison, both pouting at not catching the error themselves.

"We just finished learning about stabilizing agents in potions. Also I did a little extra reading."

"Hmm…"

"We might need to keep you…"

"You're just as smart as Granger…"

"Only you seem like you have a wicked side…"

"That decides it."

"We're keeping you."

"I'm not a person to be kept." I glared at both of them, they raised their hands in surrender, grinning all the while.

"This will be a beautiful partnership." For some reason, I found myself agreeing with that sentiment. Silently.

For the first time since I was a child, I got attached.

1992-12 years old

I wandered into the forest on a day in late February, dressed in warm clothing to fight off the chill from the Scotland winter. I had no destination in mind, but ended up at the centaur camp anyways. Ronan made his way over to me, him having been resting after a night of patrol.

"Hello Lily, are you here alone?" He asked, glancing behind me for the twins. I nodded to him and he gestured me towards the camp fire in the center of the settlement.

"They wont talk to me." I muttered some time later.

"They told me about what happened. If it makes you feel better, I think they feel sorry for what they implied."

"They weren't wrong though, were they? I'm a Slytherin for a reason."

"Tell me why you think you are a Slytherin."

"I don't like to get involved in the strife of others, I have self-preservation and ambitions, even if they are rather non-specific. I like to be self-sufficient." I shrugged slightly, weren't those qualities the same that bad people shared?

"And yet you help the camp whenever you find the opportunity. You've made friends and allies with most of this forest, and you came here when feeling isolated. That doesn't scream self-sufficient. If anything it sounds like you care about others from afar. You don't want the spotlight to be focused on you, so you hide yourself from the world, working in the background and helping where you can."

"I…"

"You will do great things Lily Moon. Of that I am certain." Ronan left me to warm in front of the fire on my own.

Soon enough I stood to walk back to the castle. Maybe… maybe I didn't need to be on my own to be safe. Allies could be nice, friends might be even better.

I had friends in the twins… I wasn't alone in the world like I used to be.

1998-18 years old

The Burrow was a state of chaos for the big party Molly was hosting in honor of the war ending. I stood on the sidelines and watched as she herded her children to do her bidding in a frantic manner before the party was set to begin.

It was, primarily, a dinner (feast), and the kitchen and dining table wasn't big enough for everyone who would be in attendance. As such, the Weasley's were setting up in the garden outside, several tables would be set and food would be served buffet style. Every member of the Order and DA were invited and told to bring friends.

The Malfoys (Narcissa and Draco) would be coming, as would Neville and Luna. Blaise and Daphne were inside helping to greet people at the floo (hiding from Molly) and Sirius was fawning over Teddy in the orchard while Tonks and Fleur were subjected to helping in the kitchen. Bill and Ginny were assembling and setting tables, respectively, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Charlie were charming the area with wards and lights for the evening.

"Lily! Why aren't you helping!" Charlie called from the far side of the garden. I waved slightly and grinned. Molly hadn't assigned Remus, the twins, or I a task for some reason. Fred and Remus were understandable considering their recovery was still ongoing, but George and I were surprised.

George had stole off to speak with Remus almost immediately. Fred had told me to come out and watch the prep from the sidelines, and to try and cause a little mischief in the process. I was doing them proud. I had already set three chairs, which I knew to belong to Ron, Charlie, and Bill, to collapse under their weight. I had also charmed the lights to go strobe at 8 p.m. and for the tables to wonder off after dinner was over. I thought they would be proud.

"Because I don't want to!" I called back. I heard Sirius' baby talk approaching from behind and turned to see him emerging from the orchard with little Teddy.

"Do you know where Tonks is?" He asked, gesturing to the baby that was starting to look fussy.

"Kitchen. Molly has her peeling various items at the table. Remus should be in there too." He nodded and walked toward the house, holding the baby close. I wondered if this was what he was like with Harry too.

"That's not an excuse." Charlie stated, now standing in front of me.

"I'm acting as the manager. Just making sure none of you cause any mischief of any kind."

"Yeah… right…" He drawled before going back to work before his mother caught him slacking. Arthur and Percy entered the garden, obviously just getting back from the Ministry, with Oliver Wood in tow. They spotted me standing off to the side and came to join me in order to avoid joining in on the work.

"Hello Lily." Percy said with a small smile. "Do you know Oliver?" He asked.

"I've heard plenty about you over the years from my housemates, nothing good, but I don't think we've ever actually met." I held out my hand for him and he shook it, squinting and trying to place me. "Lily Moon." I introduced, his eyes widened slightly in understanding before he offered me a smile in return.

"Oliver Wood. I've heard lots about you, as well, from various Weasleys." I smiled and looked at Percy. "I think Percy's accounts were the nicest behind the twins. Charlie seems to think you're insane, Bill is in a similar boat, and Ron and Ginny aren't your biggest fans."

"Well, I aim to displease." I said with a chuckle. He laughed and nodded.

"Oliver has gone to school with all of the Weasley brothers for at least a year." I nodded and looked between the men with scrutiny for a few moments.

"DAD! MOM WANTS YOU TO HELP PUT THE WARDS UP!" Ginny called from across the garden. Arthur sighed and left to offer aid.

"Congratulations on your relationship. I'm assuming your family doesn't know about it yet?" I asked Percy, who was now looking very shocked. Oliver's jaw had dropped.

"How-"

"I don't think anybody else will pick up on it. Well, nobody in your family. Daphne, Blaise, Draco, and Narcissa might but that's just because they're Slytherins. We're observant." They both nodded.

"We're going to tell them soon. We just aren't ready yet. It's still a fairly new development."

"I understand. I didn't tell people I was muggleborn for six years. I can keep a secret." I assured the two of them. They laughed and all three of us turned to greet George as he approached.

"Hello Lily Pad."

"How long do you plan on calling me that?"

"For as long as I want. Cause any mischief yet?" He asked glancing around the area as if he would be able to spot it.

"A little. Nothing that can be traced to me. How about you?"

"Fred and I have planted the seeds, now we just need to wait for the plants to grow."

"Should we be worried?" Oliver asked with a smile. Percy was looking very cautious and scared.

"Nope. Well, actually… maybe. Just be careful." Percy winced and nodded.

"Fred and I were wondering if you wanted to join us in spreading some laughter. We have something big in mind for later."

"I think I would rather be surprised. I'll leave it to you both. I have something big planned of my own." George grinned, gave me a quick kiss, and ran off to join his twin in the house.

"You're dating George?" Oliver asked in surprise.

"Nope. I'm dating the twins." He nodded in understanding and the topic was dropped as Molly beckoned both boys into the house and I got back to work.

Later, after much laughter was had and the tables were caught and the lights had stopped flashing, fireworks lit the sky. At first it was tame, but soon enough curse words and other interesting things filled the sky. Everyone was laughing their heads off at the twins antics. I guessed this was what George had been talking about earlier.

I glanced over to the edges of the garden where the ward lines were while everyone else was focused on the fireworks or, in Molly's case, yelling at the twins. Only moments after the fireworks ended, while the merriment was still fresh, I subtly cast shield charms on Teddy, Narcissa, Arthur, and Molly. Moments later, mere seconds after I put one on myself, the wards exploded inwards, showering all the guests not shielded in a goop-like substance that caused mass panic as it expanded on contact with a person, engulfing them in the slime.

"What the hell is this?!" Sirius yelled, glaring at the twins.

"Don't look at us, we didn't do this!" Fred yelped under the heavy stares from the assembled guests.

"Hey, boys, remember when you thought of adapting the failed patronus spell, with the maggots, into something with slime? I figured it out! Surprise!" Everyone turned to me in surprise. The twins were frozen in shock for a moment before turning to look at each other. They seemed to have an entire discussion between them before both raised their wands to clear themselves of the goop. I had made it easy to dispel for this use, considering it was a test run.

They each raised their wands towards the house and mumbled something. Each waited a moment before rushing towards me and falling to their knees and holding out their hands, palms up.

"Marry us?!" They both chimed in unison as rings appeared in each of their hands, landing from an accio they had presumably cast. In Fred's hand was a plastic ring that had a sucker attacked to it in place of a gem. In George's hand was a white gold ring with three gems, a green jade gemstone was the center piece and on either side were black diamonds. I gaped at the twins.

"Are you… are you serious right now?" I whispered, shock all over my face. The twins had been asking me to marry them since I was in first year, but this was the first time with a ring. To say I was shocked was an understatement.

"For once in our lives, we are very serious." George stated with a smile.

"Besides, who wouldn't want to marry you?" Fred continued.

"I wouldn't." I heard a voice to my left mutter. Seconds later I head a grunt of pain from the same direction.

"I will…" I whispered, probably too quiet for them to actually hear me.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I quite caught that." Fred had a massive grin on his face, telling me very well that he had indeed heard my response.

"Yes, could you repeat that, but much, much louder? Sorry Lily Pad, I'm hard of hearing, missing an ear you see." George was grinning as well. I rolled my eyes at these two.

"Actually, on second thought…"

"NO!" They both yelped.

"You already said yes!" George grabbed my left hand and slipped the ring on my finger.

"No take backs! You're stuck with us now." Fred grabbed my right hand and placed the candy ring on my other ring finger. I laughed as they both stood and pulled me into a hug.

I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with these morons.

1999-19 years old

My wedding day came with a bang. Probably due to the fireworks the twins set off outside my window, but that was neither here nor there. Seconds later my bed was dog piled by Daphne and Hermione. I glared at both of them and turned my head further to see Blaise leaning in my doorway.

The twins hadn't been able to agree on two best men and had ended up with three. Percy, Bill, and Charlie were going to be standing by them up at the alter, they had agreed on Percy but couldn't choose between Bill and Charlie. I had ended up telling them to ask both and I would find a third person to be my final bridesmaid.

I had already asked Daphne and Hermione to be my bridesmaids, but I hadn't wanted to ask Ginny to be my third and I had no clue who was going to be my maid of honor. I had almost asked Fleur, but I had decided to ask Blaise instead. He had glared, but ultimately agreed on the condition that he wasn't wearing a dress.

Now all three of them were urging me out of bed to get ready for the ceremony. Blaise had brought up breakfast for me to munch on as we chatted, and then it was time to do my hair and make-up.

Hours later, when it was time for me to slip into my dress, I stared at it for a few moments. I had always thought I wouldn't want to put on a poofy dress and waltz down the aisle.

I still didn't really want to. Poofy dresses and me did not agree. But I wasn't opposed to waltzing down the aisle. My dress was strapless, and lacy with a flared skirt that went to mid-calf. It wasn't white, I would not look good in white. Instead it was a mint green.

My bridesmaids were both wearing royal blue dresses, and Blaise wore a suit in the same color. The twins would each be wearing tuxes with dark purple (George) and magenta (Fred) shirts. No amount of pleading would get them to pick better colors.

Eventually we settled on making the entire wedding a catastrophe. It would be horribly mismatched and have cursing fireworks exploding all during the reception. I was looking forward to what the twins had come up with where those were concerned.

When I walked down the aisle to meet the twins I smiled at the gobsmacked expressions on their faces. They knew they were lucky to have me and I knew I was just as lucky to have them.

When it came time for the vows the twins surprised me with theirs. The plan had been to write our own one liners to be delivered at the alter. We had also made a pact that there would be no joking during the ceremony (mostly for Molly's sake). I delivered mine, bringing tears to the eyes of those who'd heard my whispered words, and waited for their responses.

"We love you and we will never abandon you." The twins chimed in unison, apparently deciding to forgo the individual vows and make one together.

Sometimes someone comes into your life so unexpectedly, and takes your heart by surprise. It can change your life forever.

The twins were my change and my forever. If there happened to be some mini Weasley's running around in a few years… well, I didn't need to deal with them on my own, I had my twin pranksters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. That's it, that's all folks. For those of you who read the entire story, thank you and I hope you enjoyed it.