The Cursed Creature

Chapter 13

Challenge Accepted

Relieved, for her judgement of the boy turned out to be justified, Petunia made to stand. That he hadn’t even hesitated before answering her last question, increased her respect for him immensely. Equally important, he had described her as being brave for doing something that was highly difficult for her, while her own sister had sided with her friend against her on the matter.

Even if his assessment wouldn’t necessarily be right, she still felt pride that he saw a trait of the exact house in her that Lily hoped to end up in. She dusted herself down to get her dress in its previous impeccable state and looked down to the boy to say her goodbyes. For a moment she just looked at him, considering the last part of their conversation. An idea had been occurring to her and now she was determined to see it through.

“I need to head home for lunch. I apologise again for shouting at you earlier. What is your name by the way?” Surprisingly, with her objective in mind, the apology didn’t take a lot of effort the second time around.

“Er, it’s alright. I’m Remus Lupin.” Okay. Remus Lupin, Remus Lupin, Remus Lupin. She had to remember that unusual name until she got home and could write it down.

“Alright, Remus Lupin. It was nice to meet you. See you around.” With a last smile and a short wave she left the bemused looking boy behind. Repeating his name in her mind continuously, she hurried home. Upon arrival, she walked straight into her room, locked it and sat at her desk. Petunia had promised Remus not to say a word to anyone.

However, she hadn’t promised him not to write about it. Her action may be considered a wee bit sneaky, but her reasons were not selfish. She really wanted to help the boy, after he had admitted that he was not brave enough to stand up for himself. Previously, she had not intended to answer Dumbledore's rejection letter, though with what she had learned earlier that day, her opinion had changed.

With what magic had taken from her, Petunia had started to hate it and all that goes with it, no matter how fascinating it was. What she hated more, however, was being looked down at by them for not being as special as they were. The boy, Remus, even stated to have magic and he was still not good enough in their eyes. She would tell Dumbledore what she thought of him and their stupid school excluding most people, whether he liked it or not.

To:

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

Hogwarts School

Scotland

Mr. Dumbledore,

I have to admit that until today I had no intention to write a response. I am most disappointed by your decision to decline my enrolment. Lily being so far away from me for such a long time feels just wrong and I can not imagine that if your magic really is so powerful that you could not make it happen somehow.

This letter, however, is not about Lily or me. No, I am writing to you about a wizard boy I met today. I can not tell you how surprised I was, when I heard that you are even excluding people from your precious school who could do magic if they were allowed to.

The boy told me that he would not be accepted in Hogwarts because he had a magical condition. Are you people really that nasty, that you have to reject people for being sick? He told me that he would be called a dangerous monster by your people for turning unwillingly into a wolf for one bloody night a month.

I would have thought with all the magic and the big castle you people have got you would find a place for your sick people to stay away from the others for a single night a month.

In any case, since the boy was less dangerous than an actual dog and he was in tears as soon as I got a bit snappy, I see no logic nor sense in his exclusion. Aside from my displeasure for the answer I got for myself, I am deeply disgusted to learn how you treat people in general.

In case you find a heart somewhere at least for people that are magical but not perfectly healthy. His name is Remus Lupin.

Petunia Evans

Satisfied with her work, she went straight to the next post box. She had to hurry to make it before lunch and it wouldn’t do for Lily to see her with another letter addressed to her future Headmaster after all.