The dinner
Chapter One
“Are you coming, Petunia?” Are you coming, Petunia, seriously was that all that man had to say? Petunia incredulously thought. Though Petunia had no right to judge considering the way she herself treated her own sister. But it was the audacity that Vernon had to do the same thing during a dinner that was supposed to be important to her family that did not sit right with her.
For the first two hours everything started out okay and everyone was getting along swimmingly if Petunia could say so herself, but it was James joking with Vernon that made everything turn ugly. In Petunia’s opinion it was just silly bantering and joking around from James’ end, but it was Vernon who took it to heart and had to make a distasteful comment about James’ personal life. About how he is on unemployment benefits and could not handle being bested in something for once in his insignificant life. Petunia could not blame Lily for being hurt or James getting angry and if they wanted to leave she would not be surprised. The comment Vernon made towards Lily about being a freak did hurt Petunia, which she did not expect to when she herself made that comment and many more since Lily was eleven.
“Are you coming, Petunia?” Vernon asked again. This time with more anger and urgency. “No,” said Petunia much to her sister and James’ shock. Both Lily and James expected Petunia to say yes and walk out leaving them behind and in an alternate universe, she did leave causing her and Lily to be strained until Lily’s death.
Vernon at this request was even angrier, to say the least, and looked like he could blow up again. “You can leave but do not expect me to go with you and you can forget about waiting up for me.” Again this response shocked Petunia that she was the one saying this, but it was something she had been wanting to say for a while and as awful as this sound this dinner was her excuse to leave Vernon.
“Petunia,”, Vernon said in chagrin manner. Petunia not wanting to leave the dinner was a turn that he had not expected considering he believed that Petunia hated her freak of a sister. “You can leave now,” said Petunia. It was becoming obvious to Vernon that she meant what she said and it was a clear indication to him that their relationship was over.
Vernon left out of embarrassment of this ordeal going down in front of not only her sister but her boyfriend as well. With his back being only a few feet away Vernon could hear James’ laughter causing his embarrassment to rise, even more, making him walk even faster to the exit.
Lily on the other hand was still shocked that Petunia in some way defended her and by association James. Lily much to her better judgment could feel a bout of hope rise within her that maybe after this dinner Petunia can finally be her sister again. Petunia on the other hand cannot believe in what happened almost as if she is in an out-of-body experience. James on the other hand thinks this whole ordeal is comical and almost as surprised as Lily that Petunia stood her ground against Vernon, considering that from what he heard from Lily that this is not the norm for Petunia. But can not help like Lily that maybe Petunia standing her ground can be a new leaf for her and Lily.
Once Vernon completely disappeared into the void, Petunia took a deep breath. “Can you guys give me a ride please?” Petunia said quietly, almost shyly like she was embarrassed as well.
“Of course!” Lily said before James could get a word in edgewise. James not wanting to refuse mumbled his agreeance and called the waiter over to pay for the dinner. As James was paying Lily pulled Petunia to the side and before Lily could ask Petunia how she was feeling Petunia pulled Lily in for a hug.
“I’m sorry,” mumbled Petunia almost in tears in Lily’s ears causing Lily to tear up as well. “It’s alright,” mumbled Lily back to Petunia. “Not it’s not but trust me I am going to make up for it.” Petunia answered back.
James could not hear the conversation but hung back to allow the sisters to have their time, but he is planning to reveal everything to Remus and Sirius once he and Lily get back home.