A note:

The characters in this story are the sole property of JK Rowling. The purpose of this story is to explore the wonderful universe she created. This story was written purely for enjoyment and is not intended for sale.

Christmas Break

A tale of Petunia Evans Dursley

Chapter One—Meeting the Train

"Petunia, honey….do you want to come with us to the station?"… Petunia's mother called from the bottom of the stairs. Why does she cup her hand next to her mouth like that? Petunia wondered. Does she think her hand is a megaphone? That, by being there, it would somehow amplify her words? Or, maybe…heh, heh…she thinks it's magical.

Magical…right, that's probably it! Everything about this house is magical. Except, of course, Petunia.

"I'll be right down, Mum!" Running over to the mirror, Petunia took a last critical look. Hair? Good! Dress? Acceptable. Shoes? Awful…oh, well…maybe she wouldn't see him…maybe he wouldn't get off at the same time. But he usually did. He usually was right there, getting off when Lily did. Maybe he wouldn't look at her shoes.

Mum must have been really cupping that hand because the next call was definitely louder. "Petunia! NOW!"

Petunia gave herself one last glance, smoothed an eyebrow and went to join her parents.

They were headed for King's Cross Station to meet Petunia's younger sister, Lily, returning from school. Lily and Petunia had been inseparable as youngsters. They did everything together. It was almost like they were twins. Sure, Lily was a green eyed redhead--she got that from their mother--while Petunia looked decidedly like Dad, but that didn't matter. To the world, they were "the Evans Girls"…a team.

Then, Lily got the letter.

Dear Miss Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress

The next thing she knew, Lily had gone away to a private school—a private school that would teach her to become a Witch of all things!—while Petunia stayed home, attending the local public school.

"The Evans Girls" would never be the same.

Early on, it had seemed like it might be alright. Lily had come home anxious to be with Petunia. Winter breaks were full of fun and pranks, summers full of days at the pool and nights at the movies. But, increasingly, Lily came home distracted. She wanted to study her books. Practice her spells. To waste everyone's time talking about the weird things, the unnatural seeming things that she was studying.

Much to her horror, Petunia's parents wanted to hear it. They seemed to relish Lily's success at that school while ignoring, even discounting, Petunia's many accomplishments. Hadn't Petunia won the citywide spelling bee? Hadn't her poem been one of only twenty published by the newspaper in their annual contest?

No one seemed to want to talk about that. When Lily was home, conversation at the table was always "Did you really turn a tea cup into a ferret?" and "Oh, you must be wonderful to be best in Potions!"

Still…Petunia wanted to be there to meet the train.

Station 9 and ¾'s. How ludicrous…It would have made sense if it had been Station 9 and ½…then it would have been a place "in between" two others. But 9 and ¾'s? That just leaves it open to other, nonsensical stations.

The train (Why RED? Who paints a train RED?) pulled in…as usual, the steam seeming overly dramatic. Other trains managed to pull in without polluting the entire station, why did this train have to make such a show?

As always, a gaggle of unruly, oddly dressed young people were jumping off the train to be met by an equally odd looking group of adults. Here and there an uncomfortable family stood out waiting for their kids. Obviously, they, too, were families of "regular" people. Petunia refused to use the word her sister, Lily, now used to describe those who were like Petunia--totally lacking in magical ability. Muggles. What an ugly word. Petunia couldn't understand how her parents tolerated it. If she had used an insulting word to describe their family, she would have been punished for a month. Of course, from Lily, it was fine.

Petunia strained her neck, scanning the crowd, looking for that familiar head of hair. Suddenly her mother cried out "Oh, there she is! LILY!!! LILY!!! We're over here!" Petunia glanced to where her mother was pointing and just as Mom had said, there she was. But wait! Just past her sister. He was there. Petunia wasn't surprised to see he was alone. He didn't look around for anyone. She could see he wasn't expecting anyone to meet him at the train. He was just there, going through one of his bags, looking for something, maybe.

Petunia steeled herself to do this. Taking off toward Lily at somewhere between a walk and a skip…she called out—a bit breathless—"Lily, my dear sister!" Inwardly, Petunia groaned at how stupid that must have sounded. Lily looked up, taken aback at the sight of her sister rushing toward her. She hastily put her bags down, bracing for impact.

Petunia threw her arms around her sister. Over Lily's shoulder Petunia could see him watching. After what seemed like sufficient cooing and hugging, Petunia pushed past Lily to confront him.

"Severus".

"Petunia, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"I thought you would write."

"Yes, well. I apologize, I do not write."

"I wrote you."

"Yes, thank you."

Severus seemed to come to a decision. He moved forward, a smile on his face. Putting one hand on her shoulder, one under her chin, he gazed down into her eyes. "I am sorry, my dear, I wish I could be what you want, I truly do".

Petunia's lips quivered as she gazed into his dark eyes. She couldn't understand why he made her feel this way. It was almost as though her thoughts were not her own when she was with him. A shaky smile quivered on her lips. "That's….that's….thank you…um" She heard her parents making polite coughing noises behind her.

Pulling away from his touch, Petunia turned to them. "Mum, Dad, you remember Severus?" Mum looked a bit uncomfortable but Dad strode forward, his hand extended. "Yes, of course! You're that fellow the girls know from primary school…funny you ending up at the same school as our Lily".

"Hysterical." Petunia thought there was a harshness to the word, but she must have imagined it. The next moment his voice was smooth, almost oily. "Mr. Evans, I was hoping you would allow me the honor of visiting your lovely daughter during the winter break. I would be most grateful for the opportunity."

Petunia felt her heart leap. She hadn't been a fool after all. He did care for her.

Dad looked confused, as though he wasn't sure himself what he was going to say. But the words came out strong. "Of course, my boy! You're always welcome at our house!"

Suddenly Mum came forward, speaking in a rushed sort of way. "Supper. Come for supper tomorrow."

Severus's smile was tight. The look in his eyes might have been satisfaction. He tipped his head. "Thank you…ma'am. It would be my pleasure."

"Oh, but do you need a lift? Dad, can we give him a lift? He just lives a few blocks away from us." Petunia looked anxiously—maybe even a bit desperately—at her father.

Dad seemed to hesitate. Before he could speak, Severus turned to her. "No, thank you, Petunia, there is a car waiting for me." He turned back to the Evans's "Thank you again, I look forward to supper."

Glancing at Lily as he turned, he muttered "Excuse me" and, hefting his bags, took off towards an exit.