Petunia Evans & A Witch

Chapter 7: Chapter Seven - She Doesn’t Regret Speaking Ill of Slytherin



When Petunia returned home, she decided to make some clothes for Lily. She wanted her little sister to fit in with the wizarding world. Petunia took old dresses and altered them to look like they belonged to another era, fitting the style of wizards. She even planned to make a corset for herself, using a spell they had found that could create small, precise stitches.

Petunia then tested the handwriting of both Lily and Severus. She wasn't surprised that their writing was terrible, so she made them practice until it became readable.

Whenever Severus asked about the Hogwarts houses, it gave Petunia an excuse to badmouth Slytherin. She told them about how many Slytherins were classist and prejudiced against Muggle-borns, and how the house had strange internal politics. Petunia knew that some wealthier boys had already bullied Severus, which had left him deeply hurt, and she didn't want him to end up in a house where that could happen again.

Petunia was aware that trying to influence a ten-year-old boy wasn't exactly right, but she'd heard rumors about what was going on, and Slytherin was involved. Attacks on Muggles were happening, though The Daily Prophet barely covered them. Petunia only knew about this because of her friend Aster, whose brother worked as an Obliviator. Some pureblood wizards didn't even bother hiding their disgust toward Muggle-borns. 

Petunia's saving grace was that she was naturally antisocial. People didn't notice her much. She had an average look, wasn't the top student, and dressed plainly, though like any other witch. Everyone in her year at Ravenclaw knew she had a younger sister, and Margaret, her friend from a wizarding family, made sure Lily believed their parents were Squibs with wizarding heritage.

Lily, however, was quite different. Even without a wand, she stood out. She already understood how to do basic spells and had memorized most of Petunia's books, even reading through all her homework. Lily was smart enough not to make social blunders in the wizarding world. Petunia was sure that Lily would be invited to Slughorn's club for talented students, and she would excel in any area she focused on. Severus was also gifted but much more withdrawn, keeping his emotions to himself.

One day, Lily went out with Margaret, leaving Severus and Petunia alone. Severus was reading one of her poetry books while she knitted a hat. He suddenly asked her a question she wasn't expecting.

"Doesn't it bother you that your parents favor Lily?"

Petunia was a little annoyed but decided to answer.

"Honestly, I stopped caring a long time ago. They give me food, clothes, and a place to stay. It's not perfect, but it could be worse. I'm at school most of the year anyway, and once you and Lily are there, I won't have to go back home for the holidays."

Severus seemed thoughtful and slightly embarrassed.

"You know what it's like to have a complicated family. Lily's still too young and innocent to understand all of this. She'll figure it out eventually, but for now, don't tell her. It'll only make things awkward."

Severus nodded. Petunia knew he wouldn't say anything. His own family was toxic, and he found some peace and comfort at the Evans' house. He wouldn't want to risk losing that, and he didn't bring up the subject again for the rest of the summer.

Back at school, Petunia had to deal with a heavier workload. She started new subjects and found she enjoyed Ancient Runes, especially since it involved learning a new language. The class was small, with only fifteen students, and it would get even smaller after the O.W.L.s. It was a quiet, focused class where students cared about the material, and Petunia found herself engaging more with her classmates.

Care of Magical Creatures, however, didn't interest Petunia as much. The professor was good, explaining the subject well, and students were warned about the dangers in advance. Any injuries were due to the student's own mistakes. The class was interesting enough, but it wasn't for Petunia. She would aim for an Acceptable grade and drop it after her O.W.L.s.

Eloise, one of Petunia's classmates, had spent most of her childhood alone. Her parents were always busy, and she saw them only a few hours each week. She was the youngest in her family, but her brother was thirteen years older. He was too wrapped up in his own life, first with school, then healer training, and later, his marriage. The year Eloise started at Hogwarts was the same year her niece was born. Unlike with her, her parents adored their granddaughter. They spent hours with her, telling stories about her brother's childhood but never mentioning Eloise. To make it worse, her niece was born on Eloise's birthday, leaving her feeling jealous of a baby for getting the love and attention she had always craved. Watching them act like a happy family without her was painful.

Coming to Hogwarts was a relief for Eloise. It gave her a break from her family, and she could focus on her studies. She got along well with her roommates. Pandora was a dreamer, always lost in her own world, with strange theories and a fascination with spells. Gwen was obsessed with Quidditch, and Eloise often wondered how someone so fixated on a sport had ended up in Ravenclaw. But out of everyone, Eloise connected most with Petunia. Petunia wasn't overly clingy and had a kind of maturity that Eloise admired.

Petunia didn't seem close to her parents either. She never received letters from them, only from her sister, Lily, who was starting at Hogwarts the next year. Petunia often talked about how brilliant Lily was and how well she would do at school. Eloise wondered about Petunia's family problems, but Petunia rarely spoke about them. All Eloise knew was that Petunia's parents were Squibs.

Eloise developed her own theory: Squibs were often rejected by their families, and Petunia and Lily were four years apart. Lily must have shown accidental magic early, while Petunia might not have shown any, or not enough to be noticed. Eloise admired how well Petunia got along with Lily, despite what must have been a difficult situation, having a magical sibling when she herself wasn't as gifted.

Petunia, meanwhile, had no idea that Eloise had come up with such an elaborate explanation for her family life.

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