Petunia Evans looked into the distance. Smoothing her hair, she felt a slimy thing in her braid. "Lily!" she shrieked.

Lily Evans was everything Petunia wanted to be. Everyone preferred Lily to Petunia, and as much as Petunia loved her sister, she despised her at the same time. Why couldn't boys leave Lily alone?

Petunia knew it wasn't Lily's fault. But what infuriated her was that her newest crush, Vernon, was sending love letters to Lily. When Lily first showed them to her sister, Petunia felt she wanted to grab the chandelier and clobber Lily over the head with it.

Even her parents loved Lily more. They were forever telling Petunia to be more like her sister.

I'm older! Petunia thought angrily. They should like me more!

Lily scrambled down the stairs. "Petunia?" she asked with concern. Petunia could have strangled her. "I heard you...oh, my!"

"What is it?" Petunia practically shouted.

"Jack must have put a worm in your hair. And there's no reason to snap at me, Petunia, I'm just trying to help."

Petunia scowled and removed the worm. "Thanks," she said grudgingly.

"Don't blame Jack," Lily pleaded. "He's only four, he loves bugs."

"I wasn't going to," Petunia muttered. For crying out loud! Even Petunia wouldn't blame their baby brother.

I should be nicer to her, Petunia thought once Lily had gone. It's her eleventh birthday tomorrow. But I can't feel the love I used to feel. She's not my friend anymore; she's my rival. But why do I feel this way? Why do I utterly detest her?
The next day, Petunia awoke to birds singing. Why does it have to be so nice on Lily's birthday? She wondered. It's always rained on mine.

"Petunia! Wake up!" Mrs. Evans called. "It's your sister's birthday, you know! Lily always got up before we called for her on your birthdays!"

Lily. Lily again. Petunia had an urge for Lily to drop dead.

Not even Jack at the breakfast table making funny faces could cheer Petunia up.

"Look, an owl!" Mr. Evans exclaimed, pointing out the window. Petunia gasped.

"Owls don't fly that close to the window," she whispered. "Owls don't peck at it...as if they want to get in!"

Lily strode to the window. Carefully she pushed it open. The owl flew in.

"It's alright, Petunia," Lily reassured her sister. A strange feeling welled up inside Petunia. It was fear for her sister. She had a strange feeling, but she didn't want to burden Lily. Immediately all hatred of her sister evaporated.

"Lily, what is it?" Petunia asked fearfully. "Is it a threat? Is some lunatic out to get you?"

Lily laughed. "No, Petunia. It's a letter from a school. But the title...Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

Petunia stepped back in alarm. "Witchcraft and Wizardry? It's a nutter school, Lily. They're probably trying to kidnap you or something. They must know you've always been obsessed with magic, remember when you were three? You tried to fly off the roof? It's a miracle you didn't break a bone..."

"I think Hogwarts will explain all that," Lily whispered. "I have to go to Diagon Alley to get my supplies, it says. Where's Diagon Alley?"

"Never heard of it," her sister said promptly.

"Mum, Dad?" Lily asked. "Will you let me?"

They stared at Lily for a moment. Petunia felt her insides tremble.

"Alright, Lily. Are you sure this isn't a fake? Are you really a witch?" Mrs. Evans asked.

"I know I am," Lily whispered, more to herself than to her mum. Petunia straightened.

"Lily, don't kid yourself. There aren't any witches or wizards. There's no such thing. Diagon Alley? This is some sort of joke. Lily, don't go."

"Petunia, that's where you're wrong," Lily informed her sister. "I know I belong there. I'm a witch," she added.

Mrs. Evans screamed. She caught Lily in an embrace, and Petunia felt more than a twinge of jealousy.

"We're so proud of you, Lily," Mr. Evans said.

Petunia threw her glass across the room. She stormed up to her room, slamming her door.

"Petunia! Petunia!" Mrs. Evans called.

Petunia had made up her mind. She hated Lily Evans with all her heart, and when and if Lily ever came home, Petunia would be sure to torment her sister. She didn't care about what her parents said. Petunia was more important. It was Petunia who would be remembered, not Lily.

"I swear that Lily shall never charm me over again," Petunia whispered to the ceiling. "I vow to hate Lily with all my heart. I vow to detest Lily's children. I vow to make Lily's life hell."