The Stag and The Doe

Unexpected Visitor

DISCLAIMER: ALL PUBLICLY RECOGNIZED CHARACTERS, SETTINGS, ETC. ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. THE ORIGINAL CHARACTERS AND PLOT ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE OWNERS, CREATORS, OR PRODUCERS OF ANY MEDIA FRANCHISE. NO COPYRIGHT INFRIGMENT IS INTENDED.

Sister,

I regret to inform you that you are invited to my wedding. In all honesty, I would rather have committed sin than invite you to see me get married, however mother threatened to murder me if I didn't send an invitation. She said something about getting to bond with you before I leave forever. I guess our dear mother has never understood that I don't like you. In fact, if it were up to me you wouldn't even be allowed to attend within a ten mile radius. But at this point, I have no choice but to comply with mother's wishes. She paid for my wedding dress so I have a debt to repay. I don't want you getting the impression that I missed you or anything.

The wedding is in four months. I would've given you the invitation at a later date but I'd rather just get it over with right now. After all, there is no point walking into a freezing pool slowly. You need to jump in and get out as quickly as you can so you don't dwell on the matter for long. For me, inviting you is like jumping into a freezing pool. I want you to show up in a presentable manner. Pin back that awful red hair of yours and wear something appropriate. You need to bring a date with you as well. I don't care who you pick as long as he shows up with some sort of style and charisma. If you can't find anyone you like, I'll arrange you to go with one of Vernon's cousins. But do not make a great ordeal for me like you normally do. I don't want to be swallowing down chagrin on my wedding day.

Whatever you do, don't respond to this letter. I've had up to my high ends with these bloody owls. It's not normal the way they deliver mail. I have it hard as it is during the summer when you come home and write letters to your pathetic little friends. I'd rather not deal with owls or any type of birds for the rest of my life. Thankfully, I can be happy this summer because by the time you come home for the holidays, I will be long gone. Vernon and I will be happily married and moving into a very expensive house in a neighborhood far away from you. Your abnormality will be a thing of the past. But until then, I must continue to pretend like you don't exist. Make it easier for me and don't contact me in any forms of communication. Don't even write to mum and dad. Unlike them, I don't look forward to your letters. I pray that four months will go by a lot faster than I hope.

- Petunia Evans

This was the reason that Lily Evans had abruptly gotten up from the Great Hall and stormed away with her friends staring after her. Her heart, although very strong and caring, had a vital soft spot for Petunia. No matter what her sister said or did to her she never stopped caring. That was exactly why minutes before she opened the letter she grew excited that Petunia had written to her. She could even wager that her heart turned into an inflated balloon.

But after reading what was written, that balloon got punctured and tears were threatening to pool out of her eyes. She could not face her friends and continue eating dinner, pretending that nothing had happened after a stab like that. So her arm snapped up to dry her eyes and she rounded the corners of the castle, not very concerned with where she was going.

Unintentionally, she got to a corridor and walked in on the Marauders laughing hysterically at some joke while holding onto bottles of butterbeer from The Three Broomsticks. A separate part of her mind wondered how on earth they were able to sneak in goods from Hogsmeade into the castle so easily. It was very risky and frankly, easily punishable. If any prefect or teacher had caught them, they'd be in for a week of detention. Sweets from Hogsmeade were only allowed during their visits. The next Hogsmeade weekend wasn't due for another four weeks. She could use her power as a prefect to punish them and take away their fun, but she wasn't that cruel.