On December Something

The Imprinted Vow

November 16th, 1995
The Dursley Anniversary

This time of year was always a bit harder for Petunia to swallow. It was the same routine that she and Vernon had since their first anniversary. People always expected them to celebrate but Petunia was usually in mourning. She mourned for the things that could have been that weren't and for the things that should have been but never had the chance. She thumbed through the fabrics and sighed heavily to herself.

It was their twelfth wedding anniversary. It was the sorrowful reminder of what she had to do in order to keep herself and those around her safe. It was a reminder of why she couldn't never accept the happiness that she was due. She was thrust into a position that she never expected and definitely didn't want. However, she had to. She had to think of the things she wouldn't have if she hadn't gone through it. If she had accepted Sirius's offer she wouldn't have this house on Privet Drive. It wasn't something she was thankful for but she wouldn't have it. She wouldn't have her son, Dudley. She loved him even if she didn't romantically love his father. She loved her nephew even if she couldn't show it. She hated that she couldn't and never could but she did love him.

"Petunia, are you almost ready? The reservations were for seven," Vernon came in with a small smile on his face.

He was always excited about eating at Andrew's Italian BIstro in downtown London. It gave him the opportunity to break up the monotony so that he felt more sane when he had to return to it.

"I can't quite figure out which dress to wear," she said thoughtfully.

It was true. She didn't want to wear something revealing but she didn't want to look like she belonged in a convent. Half of her dresses reminded her of that.

"What about this blue one?" Vernon asked, looking at a couple of the dresses she had laid out on the bed.

She had thought about those dresses and they were still in the running. However, none of them screamed at the way she felt; distressed.

"No, it's a little bright," she said, picking it up and putting them in the closet.

They had gone through three dresses before they came across one that she hadn't seen in quite some time. It was a beautiful deep crimson dress that hugged every curve she believed she had or that she used to have. It was sleeveless but the neck dipped lower than she originally wanted. She remembered this dress. She remembered that she never got to wear it. She wanted to wear it on her first real date with Sirius but that was an event that never presented itself. Why shouldn't she wear it now? She could still fit in it. She won't look quite as beautiful in it as she would have back then but she was married now. It didn't matter.

"I've never seen you in this number," Vernon commented, eyeing the dress with a desire that made Petunia a little flushed.

Even if it wasn't who she wanted the attention from she was happy to receive it. It did make her feel like a woman again and she smiled at the dress. Lily would have told her to wear it.

"I think I might wear it then," Petunia flirted, ignoring the guilt that edged her stomach.

"I'll give you some privacy. Happy Anniversary, sweetheart," Vernon said, giving her a quick but tender peck on the cheek.

She smiled despite the sorrow. It was the anniversary of something. It was the anniversary of their long friendship and unrequited love. He loved her and she loved someone else. She was fond of Vernon now but back then she hadn't been.

-XOX-

November 16th, 1978
Their Wedding Day

She couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. There was no threat of rain in the sky. The white chairs were in straight lines and garnished with pink roses and baby's breath. The burgundy carpet that led her to the altar was being vacuumed as she sat on the soft chair in front of the elongated mirror. She didn't have bridesmaids to get ready with and Lily wouldn't be there for another hour. That's when the guests would start arriving. She glanced around the tent and smiled as the cool breeze fought through her curls. She hadn't wanted anyone in the tent with her. She wanted to get ready alone.