This story was written for The Houses Competition, Year 6, Round 6.

House: Gryffindor

Class: Head of House

Prompts: 10. [Negative Pairing] Petunia Evans/ Severus Snape

Drabble/Standard: Standard

Word Count: 2978 words (Google docs and wordcounterdotnet)

Betas: NerdGirl92, VeeGrahams

Warning: Contains mentions of child abuse (implied, not explicit)

Shattered Windows

Petunia held the glass tumbler up to the light, turning it to the left, then turning it to the right. The smooth surface sparkled; with pursed lips, she placed it on the wire rack to dry. Ordinarily, her nephew would be tasked with cleaning the dishes, but she didn't trust the useless boy to do the job to her high standards.

Satisfied that all the other glasses and plates were gleaming, she pulled out the plug, grimacing as the water gurgled, and took off her gloves. There was nothing she liked more than perfection.

Smash!

The blonde shrieked and covered her face as shards of glass littered the kitchen.

Trembling, she slowly lowered her arms and looked around. She was dismayed to find that her pristine kitchen was now a mess. A couple of glasses and a plate had been knocked to the ground, now reduced to nothing more than broken pieces of glass and china. Amongst the pieces sat a cricket ball, and as she stooped down and picked it up, she knew exactly who to blame.

Turning her glare back to the window with the intention of reprimanding the culprit, her heart skipped a beat. There was nothing unusual about the ball-sized hole in the glass, yet her mouth had suddenly gone dry and she found she couldn't look away…

Eighteen years earlier…

"If you twist only the bottom of the stems, you get a longer chain… See?" Petunia held up the daisies she'd been knotting together for the last ten minutes.

"Like this?"

"Yes… Like that."

Her younger sister had already managed to work several flowers together, finishing at least half her necklace. Lily's knots were neat and tight, no doubt from the help of her freakish magic.

"Anyway, I'm bored," Petunia said, standing and casting her daisies aside.

"Agreed. Making daisy chains is so Muggle."

Petunia whipped around, her eyes narrowed even before they clapped on the newcomer. His dark hair was as lank and greasy as ever, and his too-big clothes were covered in tears and dirt as though he'd already been playing all morning.

"Hi, Severus!" Lily said, pulling herself up off the grass. "How have your holidays been so far?"

Snape kicked at the ground. "As expected... Want to start our summer homework?"

Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, Petunia glowered at the intruder. "Do you mind? We're busy."

"You just said you were bored," the boy said, and she found herself wanting nothing more than to wipe the smug look off his face. "Anyway, Lily, what do you think?"

Lily's eyes lit up. Of course they did; studying magic was better than making stupid daisy chains.

"That'd be—" she began, but when she turned to her, her smile slipped. "Maybe we could do something else instead?"

Petunia knew Lily was trying; she hadn't even mentioned Hogwarts once in her presence, even when their parents had prompted her to tell tales of her magical adventures during dinner. If Petunia walked past her room, Lily would be sure to stash away her books and wand. She couldn't hide the look of pity in her eyes, though, and it was this look that made her nostrils flare.

"No, don't worry about me. Play your stupid freak games; I've got better things to do," she said.

"Suit yourself," Snape said, shrugging.

He plopped down onto the grass, pulling Lily down with him. Lily looked up at her, an apology forming on her lips, but Petunia turned her glare to Snape, trying to burn a hole into his back with her eyes.

"Tuney—"

"Whatever."

Petunia turned on her heel and stomped away. Before she'd even got across the meadow, she could hear the usurper's laughter echoing behind her, mixed in with Lily's giggles. When she dared look back, she saw that their foreheads were touching, no doubt deep in discussion about their stupid freak school.

It was all Snape's fault. If that disgusting boy hadn't stalked his sister, she'd be the one still sitting there, wiling away the summer days without a care in the world. Why did he have to bother them?

"Stupid freaks," she said, kicking a pebble as she headed down the street to her house.

Kicking it didn't make her feel any better, but she imagined it was the boy's face; if only she could kick him for real.

"Stupid Hogwarts." She kicked it again.

"Stupid magic." Another kick.

"Stupid Snape!"

She gave the pebble an extra kick—and immediately wished she hadn't.

She watched in horror as the little stone sailed through the air and straight through the Evans' living room window. The tinkling of shattered glass falling rang through her ears, soon followed by the opening of the front door.

"Petunia!"

She winced as her mother's shrill voice filled the front yard, already knowing she was in deep trouble.

Stupid Snape.

...

Petunia huffed, watching as an ant wound its way along the concrete path. Lily had offered to keep her company, but their mother had sent her on an errand, leaving the thirteen-year-old with nothing else to do but sit on the front steps and wait. She could probably have read a book, but nothing really appealed to her.

She glanced up hopefully at the sound of approaching footsteps, only to scowl when she realised it wasn't Lily.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest. "You don't belong on this side of town."

With his hands in his shorts pockets, the black-haired boy shrugged. "I'm looking for Lily."

"Well, she's busy."

"Oh."

Snape didn't leave, though. He simply stood there, scuffing his foot on the concrete as he stared at the house, then around the neatly manicured lawn and flowerbeds. Petunia glowered at him, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

"Well? What are you still doing here?"

"Why were you upset?" he asked, turning his dark eyes towards her.

"What do you mean?"

"You were sitting there, frowning, and—"

"It's none of your business what I was doing," she snapped. "You shouldn't even be here."

"Whatever." Snape rolled his eyes.

It only made her blood boil, and she descended the front steps. "If you must know, it's all your fault."

"My fault?"

"Yes. If you hadn't disturbed us yesterday, I wouldn't be grounded."

"Grounded?"

"Yes!" She stomped her foot, infuriated by just how dim-witted he was. How could Lily choose to hang out with him over her?

Snape rolled his eyes again. "Whatever helps you sleep. Anyway, can you tell Lily I'm waiting for her? I have something to show her."

"As if—" she began, but upon seeing his stubborn stance, she knew telling him 'no' wouldn't do anything. She tried another tack. "Sure. Wait here."

Turning, she walked inside the house, slamming the door behind her. Heading straight into the kitchen, she grabbed the bread, butter, and jam, and sat down at the table. As she made herself a sandwich, she glanced out the window. The urchin was still standing out the front, looking around the yard, and she rolled her eyes.

It was half an hour later that Snape finally got the hint and left. She watched him walk down the street as far as she could see, before sighing. She may have gotten rid of him for now, but she knew he'd be back.

...

"Do you think this year will be harder?"

"Maybe, but I'm sure we can handle anything."

Petunia rolled her eyes as Snape smiled at her sister. She'd spent the last half-hour watching the pair of them talking and laughing, mostly about their secret little world. With every little thing that came out of Snape's mouth, her hatred for him grew. It should've been her sitting there, talking and laughing with her sister in the few weeks they had left before she went off to school again.

She watched as he heaved himself off the ground, dusting off his clothes. There wasn't much point to it; his untucked shirt and baggy jeans were just as filthy as they always were.

"I'll just go get the books, alright?" he said.

Petunia watched him walk across the meadow and down past the banks of the dirty brown river. She knew it was her opportunity to steal some time with her sister before he came back—and more so, before their mother returned from the shops and discovered her gone—and yet, she didn't walk over to the red-head. Instead, she found herself following the younger boy.

She needed to see exactly where he lived. She was sure his house was just as run-down and unsuitable as he was, but if she could prove he wasn't from a good family, then perhaps her parents would stop Lily from seeing him. Or perhaps they wouldn't care, and would simply continue being proud of Lily for making so many new friends in her world.

Although it was summer, Petunia shivered as she tailed the boy. Being on this side of Cokeworth made her uncomfortable. Dogs barked as she walked past broken wire fences and smashed street lamps. Whilst there was a flower here and there, most of the residents of Spinner's End hadn't bothered to maintain their gardens. Many of the houses sported boarded up windows and concrete footpaths, where the only spot of colour was the weeds poking up through the cracks.

Still, she continued until she reached Snape's house, smirking as she saw that it was no better than she'd expected. Although the house's grimy windows were not cracked and someone had made an attempt to create a little garden by the front door, it was far from perfect. She watched Snape slip inside, smirking at the door's peeling paint.

She could've left it there and returned home, but seeing his run-down house wasn't satisfying enough. She needed to let him know he wasn't welcome back; perhaps if she did so here, in his own environment, he'd be embarrassed enough to see reason.

"Are you spying on me?"

Squealing, Petunia spun around. Snape was behind her, clutching a few books to his chest.

"Freak! You were just inside… Don't use magic around me!"

"I didn't use magic," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm just good at not being seen. Anyway, I asked you a question. Are you spying on me?"

"I'm not spying on you. I just happened to be running an errand," she said.

Although she knew he could do magic, she drew herself up to her full height, refusing to back down. Snape narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying the excuse.

"I hate spies," he said quietly.

It unnerved her, but she wouldn't let him win. "What do you want with my sister? Can't you just leave us alone?"

Snape's laughter was hollow. "I see. You don't like that she likes me better, do you?" His eyes roamed over his house for a moment, before he added more softly, "It's nice being someone's favourite."

He continued looking at the house, his gaze almost staring through it. Petunia shuffled on the spot, his words echoing in her head. Did Lily really like him better? Or was he just trying to get under her skin?

When Snape looked back at her, his thin lips were twisted into a smirk. "Sorry, but I guess you'll have to put up with me. I'm planning to spend all summer with your sister," he said.

Then, holding his spell books up for her to see, he turned on his heel and stalked away.

Petunia glowered after him, curling her fists by her side.

...

"Aren't you hungry, love?"

Petunia sighed, pushing her plate away. She was sick of jam sandwiches, but that wasn't what was eating her up. Lily was out playing with Snape again, leaving her to listen to her mother's petty gossip about the neighbours. There were now only a few days left before school began again, meaning her sister would be gone until Easter whilst she'd be left to hear about the Pattersons' new car for months to come.

"Why don't you go and play with Lily and her friend?" her mother said, walking off to do the laundry.

Petunia heaved another sigh. There was no point to being ungrounded when the one person she did want to spend time with had well and truly forgotten about her. If only Snape had been grounded instead, she wouldn't have this problem…

Scraping back her chair, Petunia stood and ran to the front door. She knew exactly what she could do.

...

Petunia's heart thudded in her chest as she stared at the shabby house. She turned the pebble she held over and over in her hand; even though it was small, it felt heavy in her palm.

Would her plan really work? What if someone saw her? Would his parents even care?

She paused for a moment, listening as dogs barked and children squealed in the distance. She could hear voices inside the house, and when she heard one person in particular shout, "I'll pick some up for you when I come home," she sighed.

No, she had to do it, otherwise she could kiss any time with Lily goodbye. Taking a deep breath, she whipped her hand forward, hurling the pebble at one of the house's front windows.

It gave a satisfying crack as it soared through the glass. She ducked down just in time as the front door swung open and Snape ran out. His face was paler than usual and his eyes wide as he stared at the shattered window, shaking his head.

"No, no, no…"

"What have you done now, boy?"

Petunia snuck away just as a man, likely Snape's father, came tumbling out onto the overgrown lawn, his face flushed with anger. As she rounded the corner out of Spinner's End, a smirk crossed her face, and she dusted off her hands.

She shouldn't have worried; the plan had worked as intended, and with luck, Snape would be grounded for the rest of the holidays.

...

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, hi, Tuney. Just making some daisy chains."

Although there was a smile on her face, Petunia could hear the sadness in Lily's voice. As her eyes trailed down to the daisies in her hand, she saw that the stems were bent and twisted.

"Where's your little friend?"

Lily sighed. "I don't know. He was supposed to meet me an hour ago. I hope nothing has happened to him."

Petunia could barely keep the smirk off her face. Her plan really had worked. Still, she knew people like Snape could be very unreliable, and didn't want to get her hopes up just yet in case he showed up late.

"Where are you going?" Lily asked, squinting up at her.

She shrugged. "I'll be back. Just going to get a drink."

"Oh, okay."

—

Petunia all but skipped to Spinner's End. She felt like humming, even more so when she stopped in front of the Snape residence and saw that the boy was still there. A frown marred his face as he sat on the cracked front steps, one she knew all too well from her own punishment.

She turned on her heel to leave, but something made her pause. Looking more closely at the boy, she noticed that there was a large purple bruise just below his left eye. As her eyes trailed down to his arms, she saw that they, too, were discoloured with red and purple splotches, a stark contrast to his white skin.

As she stared, wondering what on Earth he'd done to himself—perhaps a spell had gone wrong?—the front door opened and Snape jumped up. He winced, clutching his side, as the man she'd seen the day before stumbled out. His face was still red, but this time, she noticed that his dark eyes were unfocused as he glared at the boy.

Snape took a few steps back from him, his hands raised. "H-hi, Dad."

"Hi Dad?" The man roared with laughter before taking a sip from the brown bottle in his hand.

His dark eyes roamed from Snape to the window, where jagged shards of glass still clung to the pane, before returning to the boy again. Even though Snape stared straight back at him, there was no mistaking the fear filling his black orbs.

"Useless," the man said, spitting at Snape's feet.

Petunia turned away, the smile slipping from her face. Her heart thudded in her chest as she headed back down the road, trying to block out the yelling and cries coming from the house.

Snape hadn't been grounded after all…

1989…

"It wasn't me!"

Petunia blinked, finally drawing her eyes from the kitchen window. Dudley was in the kitchen, his round face red as he panted from the exertion of running. His blue eyes widened as he spotted the ball in her hand, and he pointed a thick finger at Harry, who'd trailed inside behind him.

"It was Harry!"

"It was not! You wouldn't even let me touch your ball. It was you."

"Was not!" Dudley said, raising his fist. He then turned to her. "Mummy, it was Harry who broke the window."

She pursed her lips, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm sure it was, Popkin."

Dudley grinned and left the room, shoving into Harry as he walked past.

The scruffy-haired boy sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "So, what's my punishment then?"

Petunia felt a lump in her throat as she clutched the ball, suddenly realising how heavy it felt. Clearing her throat, she said, "Grounded. For a month."

Her nephew blinked. "Grounded? But that's no different—whatever." Harry shrugged, leaving the room.

Turning back to the shattered window, Petunia sighed, clutching the ball more tightly. The window, and indeed, the glasses and plates, could be fixed, but other things couldn't.