Petunia Evans & A Witch

The first class of the year was Potions, a challenging subject. Out of the 120 students in Petunia's year, only 30 were taking it. The class was held in a dark dungeon, where Petunia could see moss on the walls. She wondered whether it was intentional for aesthetic purposes or simply negligence.

She, Eloise, Pandora, and, to her surprise, Gwen (who had received an "E" and was convinced to enroll in the course) sat at a table near the cauldron. The pearly pink liquid inside exuded a scent of black tea, new books, and honey—the smell of Aster. It felt as if she were embracing him. She wanted to ask what scent the Amortentia potion had for the others, but the professor began the lesson before she could.

Petunia knew that Aster's Amortentia smelled of fabric, lavender, and damp earth. He had a vial of it at home to sniff whenever he missed her. She also knew he used it for other purposes, a fact that greatly boosted her ego. Even so, the idea of a love potion unsettled her. It was frighteningly easy to control someone's mind with it.

Petunia was glad to have dropped Transfiguration after witnessing the disaster that was human transfiguration that year. Practically all the students were struggling with silent spells; speaking aloud helped with focus, and without it, visualizing the spells became difficult. If one lacked confidence, the results were even worse.

Herbology was therapeutic—gardening, alongside sewing, was one of Petunia's favorite activities. The class also allowed them to curse aloud, helping to vent frustrations.

The Ancient Runes class had only ten students, giving the professor enough time to focus on each individually. Besides the material for the Runes N.E.W.T., they also explored other applications. Petunia was fascinated by how runes could be incorporated into clothing. Other students showed interest in becoming curse-breakers or crafting magical artifacts.

She wasn't sure why she had agreed to take Defense Against the Dark Arts—it was likely just to achieve five N.E.W.T.s without having to pick another subject. Despite Eloise being a great study partner, the professor that year was terrible, meaning her grades would depend on self-study.

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Dear Petunia, how is your first month of sixth year going?

It must be tough dealing with the increased homework. Is the Defense professor bad? If you'd like, I can send you some useful books.

Each passing month makes me happier because 1975 will be the year we can finally be together.

I know it's still far off, but it's comforting to see time moving forward. I was coerced into officially joining the Library Guards' Quidditch team. It's nice to have people to hang out with.

Don't worry—I made it clear I'm committed, and they're already tired of hearing me talk about you.

.

She felt the same way, excited about the day they could finally live together. Petunia wanted to leave the country. It saddened her to think of leaving Lily and Severus behind, but they could come to Alexandria if they wished once she graduated. Severus was almost guaranteed to join, but Lily was another story.

Whenever she had the chance, Petunia wore pointed hats—not the plain black, brimless kind, but a beautiful deep-blue hat with a silver ribbon and wide brims. She had made one in burgundy for Lily, and both wore them during Lily's first visit to the village. While Lily and Severus found the place exciting, Petunia had grown indifferent to it, finding little to do there.

Still, it was pleasant to stroll around with them. They visited the Three Broomsticks for butterbeer but didn't stay long—it was crowded and noisy. They wandered into several shops, browsing through the items. While inside a stationary stand, the screams started outside. Through the door, Petunia saw a green light flash.

The shopkeeper attempted to Disapparate and use the fireplace, but neither worked. Thinking quickly, Petunia spotted an empty space and transfigured a cabinet with a false back and a soundproofing spell. She ushered the four of them inside. Lily protested, arguing they could save more people, but Petunia silenced her with a spell. Severus entered without complaint, and the elderly shopkeeper messily transfigured some blood and debris to make it seem like a fight had already occurred.

They stayed hidden for about an hour. Petunia kept her wand ready, tense. She recognized a crazed laugh—it was Bellatrix Black's. She prayed to anyone listening. The shopkeeper beside her was visibly nervous but said nothing. Explosions gradually subsided until the Aurors arrived. One of the Aurors, the shopkeeper's grandson, interrogated them, but ultimately thanked Petunia for saving his grandfather.

Lily was upset that Petunia hadn't tried to save more people, but Petunia saw no need to explain herself to her thirteen-year-old sister. She wouldn't risk her life for a situation she didn't understand or for responsibilities that weren't hers. Could she have saved someone? Maybe. But she could also have died from an Avada Kedavra—or worse, been tortured to death.

Eloise had stayed behind in the library, studying. Pandora had remained in the castle, likely with her boyfriend, judging by her absence. Gwen had been at the Three Broomsticks during the attack. She survived, but was bleeding from her arm. The two embraced as Gwen wept in Petunia's arms, traumatized by witnessing a friend's death. Petunia comforted her.

Five students died, and nearly everyone else was injured. The cheerful, laughing group that had gone to the village returned silent and somber. At the gates, Eloise and Pandora met them, escorting Gwen to the infirmary. Petunia said goodbye to Severus and Lily, both shaken by the deaths, but she didn't stay to comfort them. Exhausted and hungry, she headed to the kitchen, where she conjured a box for a meat pie and a bottle for soup.

She wrote a letter to Aster at the Owlery, then returned to her dorm. In the bathroom, she took a long bath, ate the food she had prepared, and went to sleep.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞?

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