Preparing For School
Petunia sat in the quiet of her room, her mind racing as she looked at the parchment in front of her. The decision had been made. She couldn’t just leave her family behind without making sure they would be taken care of, particularly Severus. Despite the strange and new life she had inherited, there were still bonds she couldn’t ignore—ones that ran deeper than blood. And one of those bonds was with Eileen.
Eileen had been there for her through all of the chaos, offering quiet support and practical help when Petunia had needed it most. It was one thing to have magic flowing through her veins, but it was another thing entirely to navigate the complexities of this new world without someone who could be a steady guide. Eileen had been the one to help her adjust, to be the adult figure she needed in those moments when everything seemed too overwhelming.
Without Eileen, Petunia knew she wouldn’t have survived these past two years. And so, it was only right that she ensured Severus had the same kind of support, especially now that he was going to Hogwarts. As much as Petunia was leaving everything behind, she wasn’t abandoning Severus.
She had already decided to transfer 15,000 Galleons to Eileen’s account. The money was meant for Severus’ education, to help him with his school supplies, tuition, and whatever else he would need to succeed at Hogwarts. It was a practical gesture, but it was also a way to acknowledge the debt she owed Eileen.
When the transaction was completed, Petunia planned to sit down with Eileen to make sure there was clarity on what the money was for.
As she walked into the sitting room, where Eileen was sitting quietly by the window, Petunia felt a surge of gratitude. She had learned so much from Eileen—not just in terms of the magical world, but in terms of human decency, kindness, and loyalty.
"Eileen," Petunia began, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of warmth, "I’ve transferred money to your account—15,000 Galleons. It’s for Severus. For his schooling, for whatever he needs. Know I'm not doing this for any kind of pity, but I’m doing this because it’s right. Severus is my friend, and I want to help him as much as you’ve helped me. If the situation were reversed, you would do the same for me."
Eileen turned toward her, her expression softening, though there was a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Petunia... You don’t have to do that. Severus will be fine. You’ve already done so much for us."
"I know I don’t have to," Petunia replied. "But I want to. Severus will need help in more ways than one. I won’t be there to look out for Lily at Hogwarts—so that’s why I’m asking you. Keep an eye on her for me. Not just for Lily, but for Severus too. I know he will be looking out for her in his own way, but he needs someone he can rely on. I can’t be there, but you... you’ll make sure they both are okay, won’t you?"
Eileen nodded, her lips pressed together in a thin line. "Of course, Petunia. I’ll do whatever it takes, Severus is my son and Lily is your sister."
Petunia took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief. "This isn’t charity. I’m giving this to Severus, and I’m giving it to you because you’ve done more for me than I could ever repay. He’s going to need guidance—especially in his first year at Hogwarts. Just as you were there for me, be there for him. Help him adjust, help him understand this world. He won’t have anyone else like you."
Eileen’s eyes softened, the corners of her lips curling up in a rare, genuine smile. "I’ll do what I can, Petunia. I know what you mean. I’ve seen what the two of them are capable of, and they’ll need each other in the years to come. You’re right, Severus will need all the support he can get."
"Exactly." Petunia felt a wave of emotion wash over her as she spoke. "And I need to know that he’s looked after, just as much as Lily. They both deserve the best start they can get. I may be going to Japan, but I’ll always care about them. I’ll always care about you, Eileen. You’ve given me a home when I didn’t have one, and I won’t forget that."
Eileen looked at Petunia, her expression more earnest now, as if she were seeing something in Petunia that she hadn’t fully understood until now. "I won’t forget either. You’ve been like family to me. I’m proud of you, Petunia. For everything you’ve done, and for standing up for what you believe in."
Petunia’s heart swelled at the words, even as uncertainty still lingered. She couldn’t help but feel that her life was still in flux, but she knew she was doing the right thing. She might be walking a different path, but it was one that she had to follow for her own sake.
"Take care of Severus. Take care of Lily. I’ll always be here if they need me, even if I’m far away."
Eileen nodded, her eyes glistening slightly with unshed emotion. "I will. You take care of yourself, Petunia. You deserve to live the life you’ve chosen."
With that, Petunia left the sitting room, feeling a bit lighter than she had before. She had done what she needed to do for Severus, for Eileen, and for herself. Now, she could finally take the steps toward her future, knowing that the people she cared about would be looked after, even if she wasn’t physically there to do it herself.
Her life was her own now, and the future was hers to shape—one decision at a time.
As the months rolled on, Petunia found herself in a whirlwind of decisions, interactions, and transitions, each step solidifying her new identity in the magical world. The chaos was overwhelming at times, but it was also a period of growth and adaptation. With the goblins facilitating her connections with Mahoutokoro, everything was coming together for her to attend the prestigious Japanese school. The acceptance letter had arrived, and her future was finally taking shape.
While Petunia was excited for the chance to attend Mahoutokoro and explore her magical heritage in a new setting, she had made the decision to hold off on leaving until Lily and Severus were set to begin their journeys at Hogwarts. Part of this decision came from a desire to ease her parents’ anxiety, knowing that sending both their daughters off to different parts of the world at once would be a heavy burden to bear. She could have easily started earlier, but there was something comforting about staying behind, at least for a little while longer.
This period gave Petunia a chance to visit the Prewett and Macmillan family estates and begin her magical education under their tutelage. These visits, which had initially filled her with uncertainty, soon proved to be some of the most intriguing and eye-opening experiences of her life. The Prewett estate was everything she’d imagined—warm, chaotic, and brimming with love. Ignatius and Lucretia Prewett welcomed her and Lily with open arms, their mischievous energy quickly drawing them both in.
Petunia found herself instantly charmed by Lucretia Black, a former Slytherin who was just as sharp, witty, and sarcastic as Petunia had imagined. She felt a kind of unspoken kinship with her—a woman who could balance biting humor with a surprising softness. It was a side of the Black family that Petunia had never encountered before, and she couldn’t help but be fascinated by the dynamic Lucretia shared with her family.
The twins, Gideon and Fabian, were equally amusing and accepted her and Lily as if they were long-lost cousins. Their antics made it hard not to smile, and the energy they brought to the family gatherings was contagious. Lily, in contrast, was enchanted by the entire Prewett family. She loved every moment of being in their lively home, though there was a certain coolness between her and Lucretia. Petunia noticed it right away—while Lucretia was warm and humorous with her, Lily seemed slightly put off by the Black woman’s sharp wit. Petunia didn’t mind; in fact, she found it fascinating.
The real tension, however, came from Molly Prewett. Petunia had a difficult time reconciling her polite, overbearing behavior with the ideal of the strong, independent woman that Petunia had always admired. Molly’s tendency to hover over Lily, offering unsolicited advice and pushing her to take part in activities she wasn't entirely interested in, made Petunia uncomfortable. It wasn’t necessarily malicious—Molly just had a tendency to try to control everything in sight. Petunia couldn’t help but notice how much Molly resembled her own mother in this regard, and she found herself wanting to distance herself from the intense “motherly” energy.
The Macmillan family estate, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to the Prewetts. The house was orderly, structured, and almost formal in a way that made Petunia feel like she was stepping into a different world entirely. Ernest and Penelope Macmillan were kind but distant, very much rooted in their roles within the wizarding establishment. Their son, Harold, worked for the Ministry and was pleasant, though Petunia didn’t find herself as drawn to him as she had been to the Prewetts. His quiet, reserved nature made her feel like an outsider at times, though he was always courteous and seemed genuinely interested in her well-being.
Despite the difference in atmospheres, both families were eager to share their magic with Petunia. She found herself learning new spells, discovering hidden family magic, and feeling the weight of her new legacy. It was an exhilarating experience, but it also came with a sense of responsibility that she hadn’t anticipated. With each passing day, Petunia’s connection to the magical world deepened, and so did the expectations placed upon her.
During this time, Petunia also realized that she would need to learn to control the overwhelming Shafiq family magic that had been slowly rebuilding within her. The sudden onset of her magical abilities had been nothing short of startling, and she knew that her powers would only grow stronger as time passed. Recognizing her need for guidance, Petunia arranged for a tutor to help her control the intense flow of magic and begin channeling it properly. The magic was a part of her now—an undeniable force, but one that needed to be managed carefully if she hoped to thrive.
As Petunia busied herself with her preparations, her mind often wandered back to her decision to stay behind until Lily and Severus were set to start at Hogwarts. While it meant postponing her own departure to Japan, she knew it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t just about supporting her family—it was about putting her own needs and future on hold to be there for the people she cared about. She knew that it was a temporary sacrifice, but it was one she was willing to make.
And so, the months passed quickly, filled with a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and preparation. Petunia’s magical journey was just beginning, and with each new lesson, each new family connection, she was inching closer to finding her place in the magical world. Even though it wasn’t the life she’d imagined, she was beginning to accept it as her own. The unknowns that had once terrified her were slowly turning into possibilities, and Petunia was ready to face whatever came next.
Her time at Mahoutokoro would soon begin, and with it, a new chapter in her life—one where she would continue to learn, grow, and embrace her newfound magical legacy. And when the time came for Lily, Severus, and her to part ways, Petunia knew that they would always carry a piece of each other, no matter where their paths took them.