I was reading a tumblr post, where Petunia didn't hate Harry, where she was the one who had to bury her sister and brother-in-law. It's a magnificent post, here is the link ink-splotch. tumblr post/106737310659/what-if-when-petunia-dursley-found-a-little-boy (Remove spaces) I really recommend reading it. But that post was what got me thinking, and this is the product of those thoughts. It's basically how I wish Petunia and Lily's relationship had worked out.

Petunia Evans, contrary to popular belief, did not hate her sister. Lily was everything Petunia was not. She was bold to Petunia's shy, she was vivacious to Petunia's reserved nature, and she was beautiful to Petunia's average looks. Their parents' friends would comment on how beautiful Lily was and how… poised Petunia could be. While Petunia did not enjoy how life had thus far turned out for the both of them, she couldn't begrudge her sister her innate talents. She merely shifted her approach, shielding Lily from the snobby older girls who envied Lily's vibrant red hair, patching up scraped knees when Lily disobeyed her mother's wishes and ran too quickly down the road, reading stories when Lily had nightmares that kept her awake for hours. She couldn't make stories up like Lily could, but Lily loved the fairy tales Petunia recited from books. She even kept a careful eye on Lily when she became friends with that Snape boy. She didn't trust him, Lily was so special and he was not. She could guess he came from a bad home and she didn't want Lily around that.

Then Lily received the letter. Delivered by an owl and followed by a visit from a professor, McGonagall, she thought the name was. Petunia had hidden at the top of the staircase when she had come. Her parents had said it was between them and Lily, but how could Petunia protect Lily from something she knew nothing about?

Lily bounded up the stairs after wishing the professor a safe trip back to Hogwarts, the castle where Lily was to attend school in September.

"Tuney! Did you hear all that? I'm magical!" Lily crowed excitedly once Petunia had led them to their shared bedroom. Lily's side of the room was cluttered, pictures hand-drawn stuck to the wall, toys strewn across her little desk and floor, bookshelf stuffed full of fantasy books. Petunia's was carefully sorted and clean, books organized alphabetically by author's last name, one poster hung exactly over her desk.

"I heard, Lily," Petunia said softly, flashing a smile at her when Lily turned her gaze upon her.

"This explains everything, Tuney! My flower tricks, how I fly off the swing," Lily cried as she flopped onto her bed on her back before scrambling to sit up and look at Petunia. She chattered on enthusiastically, about getting a wand and an owl, meeting other professors and students. Petunia just listened on, smiling every few sentences to show Lily she was listening. In reality, all she could think about was how she was going to lose her sister. Here, at home, Petunia could look after Lily; keep her out of trouble and the sights of anyone who wouldn't understand her. But Petunia knew that Lily would fit in at this magic school. She would no longer need protecting. And if Lily didn't need Petunia to protect her, would she need her at all?

…

"Tuney, maybe I can talk to Professor Dumbledore when I get there, convince him to let you come too!" Lily said anxiously as they stood on the 9 ¾ platform. Petunia forced a smile on her face as she turned to look at Lily, tearing her gaze from the train and platform full of people dressed in strange outfits.

"No, Lily. This school is where you belong. You're going to have so much fun, you'll forgot all about me," Petunia said, speaking her real thoughts but hoping it came across as a joke. To her inner relief, Lily took it seriously and hugged Petunia tightly, shaking her head.

"I'd never forget you, Tuney. You're my best friend!" Lily said, voice muffled from being buried in Petunia's chest.

"You're mine too, Lils. I love you. Promise to write?" she asked softly.

"Of course!" Lily promised, pulling back to beam at her older sister. Petunia withdrew to let Lily say goodbye to their parents and then waved half-heartedly at Lily through a window once she was on the train. Lily blew kisses at them and waved, head poked out of the window until she was a small dot on the landscape.

…

September 18th, 1971

Dear Tuney,

My first week has been absolutely wonderful. I got sorted into the Gryffindor House. Remember I told you about the houses? Gryffindor focuses on bravery. Then there's Ravenclaw, they like wit and smarts. Hufflepuff is the next, they're loyalty. And last is Slytherin, they are cunning, that's what Severus is. My classes are so cool, Potions is my favorite I think. Once we get into really making things, it will be even more fun. All of the professors are so smart and kind. Tuney, I really finally fit in here, not like at home. I miss you, and Mummy and Daddy. But if you three were here, it would be so grand. I would never need to come home if you were here. My dorm mates are lovely, there's Alice, Mary, and Marlene. We get along really well, which is good. I was worried about that.

There are ghosts! Real live, well, not live, but ghosts! The nicest one I've talked to so far is Nearly Headless Nick, he got his head chopped off but they didn't do it right, so his head is still attached a little. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have written that, I know you get sick at things like that. The food in the Great Hall is so good, and it just appears out of thin air! I love all of this magic, but it's taken some getting used to. There's this boy, his name is James Potter and I hate him. He is loud and obnoxious and thinks he's better than Sev. He likes to tease us, especially because Sev is a Slytherin. Apparently there's some kind of competition between those two houses. But I don't care. I'm friends with Sev and no one can make me change my mind. That's about all for now; I should get started on my homework. I love you lots, Tuney! Give my love to Mum and Dad as well.

Lily

September 25th, 1971

Dear Lils,

Your letter was really very nice. Mum and Dad and I are glad you like it there. It sounds like you're having a blast, but make sure you finish all of your homework too! Are you glad you're a Gryffindor? It sounds like it's the perfect match for you, Cherie. (I started French classes this year, I'm not terribly good at it though). I'm glad you like Potions, that sounds very cool. What are your dorm mates like? Do they like the same things as you do?

Ghosts sound terrifying! They don't haunt anyone, do they? And, Lily, you could have scratched that part of the letter out. You know how I get all faint when I think of things like that. Is this Potter boy bullying you? You should talk to a professor or someone about him, no one should push you around, Lils. I wish I was there to look after you. But you'll handle it, you're in your element there. Never forget that. Is Severus still being nice to you, if there is a rivalry between the two houses? Be careful. Good job on doing your homework, don't fall behind! I'm not there to prod you into doing it anymore. I love you a lot, too, Lily. As do Mum and Dad. Have fun!

Tuney

That is the beginning! The rest of the school year, with the exception of Christmas Break, will be done in letter format. I hope you liked it, and if so, please review and let me know! I'd be willing to write out the entirety of their relationship, including my version of how it kind of falls apart.