letters to lily (petunia evans)

Summer 1980

On a sunny day under a shaded table outside Café Fleur sat two visibly pregnant women. One had blazing red hair, with a smile brighter than the sun and the other with dull blonde hair, much like her fading spirit. The two had vast differences in their appearances, but seemed to be enjoying each other's company.

"I'm so excited Tunie! The world is terrifying but terrifyingly enough, I am hopeful."

"Always with the dramatics, Lily," Petunia said dryly, looking off into the distance. She knew her sister was right. Being a witch, from a non-magical family, Lily wasn't safe. Despite her fears of Vernon, she felt the same. Hopeful. Their children gave them hope. Even in the ever darkening world around them, Petunia and Lily were together at last and they had a chance.

"Tunie?" Lily asked, snapping Petunia back into reality, "I think our boys should be friends. We let petty feuds separate us, but they deserve a chance."

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"You lying bitch."

She knew this would happen. The back, she had told Lily that they should have sat in the back of the Café so that on one would see them. Her sister had argued her, it was a beautiful day she said. Vernon was working he would never know she said.

"Mrs. Hanson down the street saw you with that witch. I told you to stop speaking to her. She's not your family, I am."

"I-It was once. I-I-I wo-o-n't do it again."

"You won't? Hell, you're never leaving this house again. Not alone at least," Vernon stepped closer, poised to strike her.

"The baby! Think of him!" Petunia shouted in panic. Her face paled at what she had just done. She never spoke up, she knew she would only get hurt. It was just her baby and the hope, she needed him to survive.

"Fine. But just you wait."

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Her days were numbered. Vernon wouldn't harm her if she was pregnant. It would be his son's life on the line. But soon, she was due and her baby, her shield would disappear. That morning when she was cleaning up after breakfast, she cried. Beneath her, the floor was wet.

She spent hours alone in the delivery room. There were nurses and doctors, but nobody came to be with her. No one she knew that was.

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Lily,

I can no longer write to you in confidence. Vernon knows. Yesterday, I spent my entire afternoon in labor, a healthy boy. Blond like dad with green eyes like you and mom. Thankfully, our genes won over that monster's. His name is Dudley, just like you and I decided.

Love,

Petunia.

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Petunia,

Don't worry. Everything will be okay. Remember how we felt in the café that morning? Hope. Hold on to it.

Love,

Lily.

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Today was the day. After a month of anxiously waiting, Lily was going into labor. With her loving husband James, and all his obnoxious brothers by his side, she was going to do it today.

"Sirius you bastard! Just you wait, when we get home I will hex you into oblivion." Lily had thought delivering her child would have been easier. Her mother had done it twice and Petunia had done it too. What she didn't expect was the snickers and comments coming from Sirius about how long it was taking.

"Padfoot, maybe take it down a notch. You're doing great sweetie!" James cooed, trying to calm his raging wife. He was going to die later due to the actions of his idiot best friend. Peter and Remus chuckled from outside the room, hearing all the commotion from their little family.