The Masks We Wear
December 1985
Petunia's memories of dealing with Lily's grave and the house at Godric's Hollow are deeply tied to her growing disdain for the wizarding world. The thought of wizards wanting to create a monument to "celebrate" her sister's death struck her as a grotesque misunderstanding of the gravity of the situation. The absurdity of a baby supposedly defeating an adult wizard like Voldemort only heightened her resentment. This memory lingers in her mind, adding to the many reasons she finds the magical world baffling and infuriating.
The possibility that Molly Weasley, whom Theo Prewett mentioned, might be the same Molly she encountered at Godric's Hollow is a source of lingering unease. The connection between the two Mollys seems too coincidental to dismiss, reinforcing Petunia's wariness of the magical community and its intentions. She cannot shake the feeling that the magical world, with all its peculiarities, remains foreign to her despite her increasing involvement.
These memories fuel a sense of sadness and resentment within Petunia. She finds herself trapped between two worlds—one she can never fully understand and another she protects because it is her country. Despite her growing role within the magical community, she cannot forgive its idiocy. If she had her way, she would deal with Voldemort in a straightforward, Muggle fashion—putting a bullet in his head and ending the threat once and for all. But she knows that the wizarding world is not that accommodating. As an MI5 intelligence officer in the Magical Branch, she remains deeply frustrated by the wizards' lack of common sense and practicality.
August 1986
Around June 1983, Narcissa Malfoy extended an invitation that would subtly, yet significantly, shape the future of Petunia’s family. Recognising the potential benefits for both their children, Narcissa recommended a tutor for Harry and Alexander and suggested they join the lessons with other children in her social circle. Narcissa framed the suggestion as beneficial for the children's development, mentioning how Draco, her son, would be delighted to have more friends to play and learn with. This proposal opened a door for Petunia, presenting an opportunity to integrate her family more deeply into the magical world. This world still felt foreign and dangerous to her despite her growing involvement.
Ever the strategist, Petunia immediately saw the potential in Narcissa's suggestion. This was a chance to provide Harry and Alexander with a quality education and to closely monitor the environments in which her children would grow up. By participating in these lessons, Harry and Alexander would learn the basics of magic and build relationships with other magical children—relationships that could shape their futures. Petunia understood that these early connections could influence the boys' perspectives, values, and alliances as they grew older.
However, Petunia did not accept the offer lightly. She was acutely aware that this integration into the magical social circles came with risks. The Malfoy family, while outwardly gracious, held beliefs and ambitions that Petunia found troubling. Narcissa's invitation, though presented as a friendly gesture, was also a way to bring Harry and Alexander closer to the pure-blood elite, a group whose ideals Petunia knew could be insidious. Yet, Petunia also recognised the necessity of navigating these circles if her children were to survive and thrive in the magical world.
Petunia weighed the advantages against the risks and ultimately accepted Narcissa's offer. She reasoned that by allowing Harry and Alexander to attend these lessons, she could keep a close eye on the influences they were exposed to. By being part of this exclusive educational setting, Petunia could monitor what her children were learning and the values being imparted to them. She was determined that the prejudices of others would not sway her children but would instead develop their strong sense of identity and morality.
Moreover, Petunia saw this as a way to prepare Harry and Alexander for the challenges they would inevitably face as they grew older. The magical world, with all its complexities and dangers, required a level of understanding and preparedness that Petunia was determined to instil in her children. By exposing them to magical and non-magical education, she aimed to equip them with the tools they needed to navigate both worlds successfully.
Narcissa’s suggestion also offered Petunia a unique vantage point from which to observe the dynamics of the magical community. Through the children's interactions, she could gain insights into the social hierarchies and power structures that governed this world. This knowledge would be invaluable as she continued to protect her family and plan for their future.
As Harry and Alexander began attending these lessons, Petunia became more frequent in the magical social scene. She tried to accompany her children whenever possible, engaging with the other parents and subtly gathering information. She remained vigilant, always watching for signs of undue influence or potential threats.
Despite her initial reservations, Petunia found that the experience was not without its benefits. Harry and Alexander quickly adapted to their new environment, showing a natural aptitude for learning and forming bonds with the other children. Draco, in particular, seemed to take to Harry and Alexander, and the three boys soon became close friends. This development pleased Narcissa, who saw the potential for a strong alliance between their families.
Around May 1986, the dynamics between Harry, Draco, and Alexander became a central focus in Petunia's life. The three boys, close in age, form a natural trio, with Harry and Draco often taking the lead while Alexander eagerly follows his older brother and their new friend. Petunia observes their growing bond with a mix of warmth and caution. While she appreciates the positive aspects of their friendship, such as the way Draco challenges Harry intellectually and socially, she cannot ignore the potential dangers.
Petunia is acutely aware that Draco's upbringing differs significantly from that of her children. Raised in the Malfoy family, Draco is steeped in the ideals of pure-blood superiority, a notion that runs contrary to everything Petunia wishes to instil in Harry and Alexander. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, though polite and even friendly toward Petunia, represent a world of privilege and prejudice that she distrusts. She knows that the Malfoys' influence could lead Harry down a path that is not only dangerous but also antithetical to the values she is trying to instil.
Balancing her protective instincts with her recognition of the benefits of the boys' friendship is a delicate task. Petunia doesn't want to stifle Harry's natural curiosity or ability to form bonds with others, but she is determined to ensure that Draco's influence does not lead him astray. To this end, she carefully monitors their interactions, paying close attention to the conversations and games that the boys engage in. She subtly steers them away from discussions or activities that might reinforce Draco's more troubling views.
Petunia also fosters positive values in all three boys, using their time together to teach kindness, empathy, and critical thinking lessons. She encourages them to question assumptions and understand their actions' consequences, hoping these early lessons will help shape them into thoughtful and responsible young men. Petunia finds subtle ways to counter harmful ideas, using stories and examples that resonate with the boys' experiences.
In private, Petunia reflects on the challenges of guiding Harry and Alexander in a world still largely foreign to her. She knows she cannot shield them from every potential influence, especially as they grow older and their ties to the magical world deepen. However, she is committed to doing everything in her power to ensure they grow up with strong moral compasses and the ability to think for themselves.
October 1987
For Petunia, the arrangement was a delicate balancing act. She was determined to ensure that her children grow up with a healthy understanding of both worlds, grounded in their values and principles. By accepting Narcissa’s offer, she had taken a calculated risk, but she was confident that with careful oversight, it would pay off in the long run.
As she watched her children thrive in their new educational environment, Petunia knew she had made the right decision. The lessons, while challenging, provided Harry and Alexander with a foundation that would serve them well in the years to come.
As they grew older, Petunia hoped to be there every step of the way, guiding them through the complexities of the magical world with the same determination and strength that had always defined her.
November 1987
When Harry was seven, and Alexander was six, Petunia decided it was time to explain the truth about Harry’s parentage. Sitting them down, she gently told Harry that while she loved him as her own, she was his aunt, and his mother was her sister, Lily. It was a delicate conversation, but one she felt necessary as they grew older and began asking more questions.
Petunia also began planting the seeds of a strategic mindset in the boys. Knowing their eventuality of attending Hogwarts, she started subtly steering them towards considering Hufflepuff House. She explained to them that Hufflepuff was often overlooked, but that fact made it the safest choice—no one would expect anything remarkable from a Hufflepuff, giving them the element of surprise. Petunia hoped that by the time they were ready to go to Hogwarts, this advice would be ingrained in their minds, giving them an edge in a world where danger and expectations loomed.
December 1987
Around this time of the year, it made Petunia reminisce about how life have gotten to this point. For Lucius Malfoy, it made him remember the first time he met Petunia.
He remembers everything as if it was yesterday; that is how unexpected that day went. Who would have thought that everything started one find and mundane afternoon around November 1981?
He would not have believed anyone if they had told him his life would be going in this direction.
Petunia's relationship with Lucius Malfoy is complex. It is now rooted in mutual understanding and respect, but not initially. Their alliance is still tinged with underlying tension. When they first met, Petunia clarified that her position within the magical community was far from what Lucius might have assumed. She had revealed to him that the magical world, while hidden from the general populace, was not entirely unknown to certain levels of non-magical authorities.
1981 Meeting Malfoy
Their first meeting in 1981 marked a significant shift in Lucius Malfoy’s perception of the non-magical world and, more specifically, his relationship with Petunia Evans Dankworth. Lucius, a man who had always prided himself on his ability to read people and situations, found himself in uncharted territory when confronted with Petunia. What was supposed to be an ordinary day of enjoying dessert at the exclusive French café turned into a pivotal moment, shaping their alliance and understanding of power dynamics between the magical and non-magical worlds.
Petunia wasted no time in asserting her dominance during their first encounter. As Lucius entered the café, expecting the usual deference from those he deemed inferior, he was met with a cold, calculating presence that took him by surprise. Petunia had booked the café in advance, ensuring they would not be disturbed, but it wasn’t the setting that unsettled him. It was the way she calmly placed a gun on the table, a mundane object that suddenly held immense power in the hands of someone who knew how to use it. This simple yet audacious act left Lucius momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence for the usually composed aristocrat.
“Hello, Lucius Malfoy,” Petunia began, her voice steady and emotionless. “Please don’t rush. I will fire if you try to reach for your wand.”
Lucius, taken aback, instinctively reached for his wand but stopped short, realising the gravity of the situation. He had underestimated her—a mistake he would not make again. This was no ordinary Muggle. “What do you want, Muggle?” he spat out, though a newfound wariness tempered his usual arrogance.
Petunia did not flinch. She told Lucius in no uncertain terms that the magical world’s secrecy was not as impenetrable as he might have believed. The British government, she revealed, was well aware of the existence of magic, with varying levels of classified information depending on their clearance. As Lucius listened, he quickly realised that Petunia was not bluffing. Her knowledge of the magical world and her strategic understanding of both worlds was far beyond what he had anticipated.
“Believe it or not, Lucius, the government does know about the magical communities and does consider them citizens,” she said with a calmness that not only belied the weight of her words but also underscored her complete control over the situation.
This revelation was a thunderbolt to Lucius, who had continuously operated under the assumption that the wizarding world existed in a bubble, safely insulated from the non-magical authorities. Petunia shattered that illusion, revealing that the British government, particularly those with the proper clearance, knew more than enough about the magical community and its activities. The implications were staggering. Lucius, who had always considered the Muggle world beneath his notice, was now faced with the reality that they were not as ignorant or powerless as he had believed.
The meeting took on a new tone after this revelation. Seeing the shock in Lucius’s eyes, Petunia continued to press her advantage. She brought up the issue of Squibs—those born into magical families without the ability to perform magic. Petunia pointed out that the wizarding world’s practice of expelling Squibs was cruel and a significant security risk. These individuals, cast out and disregarded by their community, were now potential informants for the non-magical authorities. Petunia hinted that this vulnerability was already being exploited by certain factions within the government, a statement that made Lucius sit up and take notice.
Lucius realised that Petunia was not just a Muggle; she was a strategist who comprehended the broader implications of magical society’s insular policies. Her insight into the weaknesses of the magical world was profound, leaving Lucius and the audience in awe of her intelligence.
By the end of their first meeting, Petunia not only hinted about the existence of MI5’s Magical Branch but confirmed it, letting him know that she was operating within the legal limit of the organisation and that she was only confirming its existence because he had the Malfoys' seat at the Witenagemot.
He understood the level of access to information that could shake the foundations of the wizarding world made her a powerful and dangerous ally. Lucius’s decision to align with her was driven by a desire for power, a deep respect for her intelligence, and the dangerous game she was playing.
*
Petunia addressed Lucius's motivations during one of their regular meetings, cutting through his aristocratic façade. She acknowledges that she knows he joined the Death Eaters not out of ideology but for power. Petunia, with her training and access to intelligence, has pieced together Lucius’s true motivations and intentions. She offers him a deal: as long as he remains loyal to their alliance, he will have power—not the chaotic, destructive power promised by Voldemort, but a more controlled, sustainable influence within the magical and Muggle worlds. However, she warns him there will be severe consequences if he betrays her trust. Petunia’s calm demeanour and the steely resolve in her eyes leave Lucius with no doubt that she means what she says.
Lucius, recognising the value of such an alliance, agrees. By the end of their first meeting, he was the only one who knew the full extent of Petunia's role in MI5’s Magical Intelligence Branch, a secret he kept closely guarded. This knowledge gives him a unique insight into the intersection of the magical and non-magical worlds, a vantage point that he can use to his advantage if he adheres to Petunia's conditions.
This alliance is crucial for Petunia as she needs to maintain influence with the Malfoys, who are a great asset to her plans. It also helps her keep her covered as a mundane housewife. Outwardly, she is the ordinary suburban wife and mother, while secretly, she is an intelligence officer with deep ties to the magical world. Petunia’s outer appearance as a simple housewife belies her significant role in maintaining the delicate balance between the magical and Muggle worlds while protecting Harry and her family from the dangers lurking in the shadows.
Thanks to their initial meeting in 1981, Lucius Malfoy had a rare and privileged insight into who Petunia truly was. Unlike everyone else who underestimated her, Lucius understood that a woman of formidable intelligence and strategic acumen lay beneath her external appearance of a typical suburban housewife. The irony of it all was a source of dark amusement for Lucius—how the magical world, so self-assured in its superiority, had completely missed the true nature of Petunia.
To the rest of the wizarding community, Petunia was nothing more than a Muggle who happened to be aware of magic because of her sister, Lily. She was perceived as an ordinary woman who, by sheer coincidence, was connected to a few magical individuals. Her social circle, they assumed, was the result of luck, a fluke of geography and circumstance. Many assumed her ties to the magical world were superficial at best, resulting from running a humble bed and breakfast—a cover for MI5 Magical Branch operations—that just happened to attract a few magical guests.
This misperception resulted from Petunia's careful and deliberate planning. She played her role perfectly, blending into the background as an unremarkable Muggle.
While secretly leveraging her position within MI5's Magical Branch, Petunia built an extensive and effective intelligence network. This network, which appeared accidental to outsiders, was anything but. Petunia had carefully cultivated contacts and connections that spanned both the magical and non-magical worlds, using the bed and breakfast as a discreet meeting point for her various operatives and allies.
With his keen eye for power dynamics and manipulation, Lucius saw through the façade immediately. Their first meeting left an indelible impression on him, revealing the depth of Petunia's influence and her ability to navigate the complexities of both worlds easily. He recognised the bed and breakfast for what it truly was—a strategic hub for intelligence gathering and covert operations, hidden in plain sight. The idea that so many in the wizarding world, particularly those who prided themselves on their knowledge and power, were oblivious to this reality was a source of endless irony for Lucius.
The hilarity of it all was not lost on him. Here was a woman who, by all appearances, should have been powerless and uninformed, yet she wielded significant influence over some of the most critical matters in the magical world. Petunia’s success in maintaining her cover only reinforced Lucius’s respect for her. He knew that her true strength lay in her ability to be underestimated—a dangerous trait in someone who held such valuable and potentially explosive information.
For Lucius, the knowledge that he was one of the few who truly understood Petunia's role added a layer of intrigue to their alliance. It also made him acutely aware of the delicate balance he had to maintain. While others might dismiss Petunia as inconsequential, Lucius knew better than to make that mistake. He saw the potential for great power in their collaboration and great peril if he ever underestimated her.
In the eyes of the wizarding world, Petunia remained the unassuming wife of an accountant, living a quiet life on the fringes of magic. But to Lucius, she was a formidable ally, a master of deception who had outfoxed everyone else by simply letting them believe what they wanted. The irony was delicious, and Lucius couldn’t help but admire its brilliance, even as he remained cautious about it.
Lucius Malfoy often reflected on the strange events that had brought him into an alliance with Petunia. Their initial meeting in 1981 had revealed to him a side of the non-magical world that he had never imagined, let alone respected. Before that day, he had considered Muggles and their world beneath his notice—a simplistic society without an understanding of true power. But Petunia had shattered that illusion.
From the outside, Petunia seemed like a typical housewife, living an unremarkable life in an ordinary suburb. Her connection to the magical world was known only through her sister, Lily Potter, who had been a witch of some renown. The few who knew of Petunia assumed she was bitter and resentful of her sister's magical abilities, and her occasional brushes with the magical world were dismissed as mere accidents or coincidences.
But Lucius knew better.
He was the only one who understood the truth behind Petunia's mask. The bed and breakfast she supposedly ran was a front for MI5’s Magical Branch operations, a hub of intelligence gathering and covert activities that monitored the wizarding world’s interactions with the non-magical one. Petunia’s seemingly ordinary life was, in fact, a carefully crafted cover, concealing her role as a high-level operative in the British government’s most secretive division.
The irony of it all was not lost on Lucius. While the rest of the magical community might have dismissed her as a mere Muggle with no understanding of their world, Lucius saw Petunia's web of influence and power. The fact that her so-called "accidental" connections were anything but random amused him to no end. Each person she encountered was carefully vetted and placed, part of a vast network of spies, informants, and allies who ensured that the magical world was never out of reach for the non-magical authorities.
Lucius found it particularly amusing that Petunia's network, by extension the British government, often watched and monitored the people who thought themselves superior, wizards and witches who looked down on Muggles. He shudders to think he was like that before meeting Petunia. The idea that they could be oblivious to the threat she and the muggle government posed was hilarious and sobering to him. He knew the magical world would be horrified and terrified if they ever realised who Petunia was.
But Petunia’s genius lay in her ability to maintain her cover flawlessly. She played the role of the dutiful housewife to perfection, her every action designed to deflect suspicion and keep her true identity hidden. Even those who regularly interacted with her had no idea of her involvement in the magical world. They saw only what she wanted them to see—a woman who had been touched by magic through her sister but had no real power or influence.
Lucius, however, knew that Petunia was a force to be reckoned with. Her knowledge of the magical world and her intelligence training made her a formidable ally—and even more dangerous enemy. He respected her for how she navigated both worlds, playing a long game that few could even comprehend.
In many ways, their alliance was built on mutual respect. Lucius appreciated the skill and cunning that Petunia brought to the table, while Petunia understood the value of having someone like Lucius on her side. He knew she could crush him if he betrayed her, but he also knew that he would benefit from her extensive network and insider knowledge as long as he remained loyal.
As he watched her maintain her cover, effortlessly blending into the ordinary life she had crafted for herself, Lucius couldn’t help but marvel at the brilliance of it all. The magical world had no idea what Petunia was capable of, and that was exactly how she wanted it.