The Tale of the Three Sisters (A Lily and Petunia fanfic) (Book 2)

Chapter 8: The Offer At Dinner

Petunia followed her sisters and new friends down to the Great Hall. She still needed to get more used to the moving staircases, but it was all fun and exciting. She could never be bored at Hogwarts. Something then sprung to mind. Something that both relieved her, but greatly disappointed and upset her. But she didn't dare bring it up when things were going so well.

They arrived and by the time that Petunia saw the tables covered in shiny, clean, silver plates and cutlery and realised that their feast would be bigger than she had anticipated, she dismissed the dilemma she was in for the time being.

James and Lily Potter sat down first and were followed by Severus and Lily Snape. The sisters had a space from in-between each other and they beckoned for Petunia to sit there, which she did eagerly.

Opposite them sat Sirius and Peter, with Remus and Tonks sat close together. They offered a space for Albus to sit next to Sirius and Tonks, but he declined.

"No, no. Dobby can sit there once he's arranged all the food. I don't care much for uneven seating. If me and Dobby both sat there, there'd be six there and only five on the other. Besides, I much prefer my seat at the High Table."

His friends nodded respectfully. They knew how to love a table in the Great Hall. They rarely sat at the High Table as they preferred their comforts at the Gryffindor Table. Severus felt honoured to be able to sit at that table after his school years at the Slytherin Table, and his many after years sat at the High Table as the unwanted, infamous Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin, sarcastic Potions Master and later killer of Albus Dumbledore.

As everyone was seated, though Albus was a little isolated, but seemed happy enough observing from a distance, Dobby appeared via Apparition. He said squeakily, "Dinner's ready, sirs and madams."

"How many times must we ask you, Dobby, to just call us by our names?" asked Tonks.

"Sorry, um, Tonks." replied Dobby with a grateful tone of voice, full of honour at being given such a privilege, which would to a human seem so trivial.

"That's better." smiled Tonks teasingly.

"We're ready, Dobby." said James.

And with that, Dobby snapped his fingers and a absolutely massive feast was laid before the friends. Petunia had never seen such wonder and magic, nor such succulent looking food and drink in all her afterlife, let alone past life.

Once Dobby was seated between Sirius and Tonks, everyone tucked into their feast. Petunia seemed hesitant as to whether or not she deserved to eat here; she wasn't even sure if she belonged here. But after some non-verbal encouragement from her sisters, she eventually joined in and helped herself to several chicken wings, plenty of vegetables, onion gravy, a jacket potato and some orangeade.

Eventually, when everyone had finished their meals, with Petunia of course being the last to finish, the two Lilys looked at each other, nodded and Lily Potter spoke to Dobby.

"Dobby, before you bring our pudding, could you excuse us a moment?"

"Um, yes, of course, Lily." said Dobby. Sadly, he looked like he was restraining himself from beating himself with his dinner plate for addressing someone by their first name. His time with the Malfoys still disturbed his ability to use his free will.

"Thank you, Dobby." said both Lilys and then they approached Albus at the High Table.

"Albus." said Lily Snape, "Could you please talk with us in the other room?"

"Albus smiled as he said, "Of course I will."

So together Albus and the two Lilys disappeared into the room behind the Great Hall where Harry had gone when his name was called from the Goblet of Fire in his fourth year.