Though her face was streaked with tears for Dudley, she was actually thinking of something other than Dudley, Vernon, and her lawn for a second as she buried her face in her handkerchief. She was thinking of…Harry. How odd. But it was a rather special occasion. The nephew she had never spoken a kind word to, whom she had neglected, whom she had forced to work in the hot summers he spent at Privet Drive, was leaving. Forever. What do you say, what do you do? How can you say good-bye to him…forever?

Tell him. Tell him everything. Tell him you're SORRY.

No. She couldn't do it. How do you tell someone you've neglected, mistreated, and shown no love towards for years 'sorry'? No. She couldn't do it.

Tell him. TELL him!

He would never understand. Even she did not understand the almost unexplainable jealousy and hate she held towards her late sister sometimes, though she preferred not to think about it. Not to think about anything from that time, really. It was easier that way...right?

You have to tell him. Say you're sorry. He'll never know otherwise. You'll never see him again.

No! It's too late. Too many harsh words, signs of spite, malicious gestures. The apology is too late. Too late.

It's never too late. He may not understand or forgive you now, but in time, he would. Just tell him. Two words, that's all. Tell him.

It was a wonder Petunia was still standing, with the unnaturally sentimental, penitent thoughts in her head. All these thoughts could have taken ten minutes or ten seconds; she was lost in the raging battle of her mind. She felt torn. The words wouldn't force themselves out. How could she say it?

How can you not say it? Deep down, you don't hate him. Don't leave him with that impression. Tell him.

Time was running out. She could feel her will to apologize shrink in the face of her giant desire to get out of the room.

Tell him. Tell him NOW!

The door was only fifteen feet away. It looked so far yet so close. She had to leave this place, leave Harry, leave the magical world.

TELL HIM!

She had to do it. She couldn't do it. It was so necessary. So impossible. Why was this so hard? She couldn't do this. She had to.

YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM!

Her mind was screaming at her. Her mouth began to open against her will.

YES!

Her mouth closed and she began to turn.

NO! YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM! YOU HAVE TO APOLOGIZE!

No. It was too late. Five feet from the door…

...You have to tell him…you love him. Deep down…you love him…tell him…

Even though she wanted to deny it, she couldn't. Everytime she looked into those green eyes, so, so like Lily's, her heart wrenched.

...tell...

The moral voice began to fade. It was too late. She stepped out of the front door of Privet Drive, shivering despite the summer heat. She hadn't done it. Her foolish pride and reserved nature had stopped her…again. One more thing in her life she would always, always regret. Though she had never been late for a wrestling match for her son or a gardening club meeting, she had been too late for the big things. Lily. James. Harry. She had been too late for all of them. Too late.