Second chance a new choice

Morning sun

Summer's early light graced the kitchen. It warmed Severus as he sat and sipped a nice cup of tea, a relaxed smile on his lips. He finished the cup and went to the counter to pour another.

"Well!"

He cringed at the screech. Petunia. So much for a good morning.

"You can walk just fine."

Severus grumbled under his breath but didn't face her. How can that scrawny, sour woman be related to Lily?

"Excuse me. I didn't hear you. Could you say that a bit louder?" Petunia whined.

"Morning, Miss Evans," he hissed through clenched teeth.

"I see you're back on your feet." Petunia snorted.

"Your sense of deduction is flawless as always, Miss Evans." Severus rolled his eyes at the half-filled tea kettle as he poured another cup and set it to the side.

"It's rude to turn your back to a person when you talk to them." Petunia sniffed.

Severus turned and sneered, "Indeed."

"Look at me when I'm talking to you!"

"I am."

"Well, how am I supposed to know with all that hair in the way?"

Severus tucked his hair behind his ears and stared at the ceiling for a five-count. With the horse-faced nineteen-year-old now in view he said, "You wanted something?" Definitely not a good morning.

"As I said, you're back on your feet." Petunia crossed her arms. "When are you leaving? Your house in down the road."

"I thought I had an understanding with your parents. They said I could stay until term starts." He glared at Petunia. "Or did you miss the part where I've no place else to go? Are you going to do something about me staying, Miss Evans?" Severus crossed his arms too and snapped, "Answer me!"

Petunia gulped and paled as she took a step back. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Severus raised a brow. I thought I'd been rather nice to her these past weeks. "Doing what? Please, elaborate, Miss Evans."

"I know you're up to something. You've always been mean to me. Just get it over with. Scare me! Do your worst!" She sucked in a shaky breath. "You're just a freak!"

"I'm not going to be mean." Severus retorted.

"But you used to–"

"I grew up! I don't plant spiders in peoples' hair anymore, Miss Evans. Or do I still seem that way to you? Have I done anything since my arrival to scare or harm you? Peace and quiet—that's all I want."

"You think I'll buy this? Listen to yourself, freak. You're telling me you don't intend to be scary? You're worse than my Math teacher! You are doing it on purpose, just like always. Admit it!"

"Miss Evans, may I remind you that you started this?"

"Stop calling me that!"

"Excuse me?"

"Why are you doing this to me?" Petunia screeched again. "Don't call me Miss Evans."

"You don't want me to call you Petunia, do you?"

Uncertainty filled her face. "No..." She twisted nervous fingers and looked away.

"And I take it, Tuney's out of the question."