Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for Stickers; Hufflepuff, Barrels - A Secret.
Word Count - 459
Magic Can't Fix Everything
"I'm sorry, Aunt Petunia, but… he needs help. Real, hard work, help. Magic can't fix everything."
It started innocently, with a flutter on a horse while wooing a client. Twenty pound turned into one hundred and forty pound with absolutely no work. The high kept him smiling for days. Petunia remembered the nice restaurant he took her too on his winnings.
She'd thought nothing of it at the time.
Until Vernon started coming home late from work.
Until his moods started fluctuating wildly, from depression and anger to happiness and back again within days.
Until she got the first overdue bill through the door, the letter stamped with red, and no doubt, the postman judging them harshly.
She'd confronted him that night, and he'd been defensive and later, aggressive when she wouldn't let the matter drop.
He tried to keep it secret, and yet, she knew him. She knew there was something wrong, and eventually, she followed him.
Straight to the bookies.
She watched him through the window as he gripped betting slips, staring up the television as though it held the answers to every question in the world.
She didn't know what to do. That night, she confronted him again, and after arguing, after shouting and screaming throwing things, Vernon had broke down in the middle of their living room and admitted he had a problem.
She did the only thing she could think of. She wrote to the nephew she'd long swore she'd never contact.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Petunia, but… he needs help. Real, hard work, help. Magic can't fix everything."
To his credit, Harry had come as soon as he received the letter from her. She'd made tea to busy her hands, even asked after his family. He had three children now, he'd told her, and she'd been surprised at her own happiness for him.
He'd really got his life together.
She explained to him about Vernon, feeling the whole time like she was betraying her husband but at a loss as to how else help him.
He'd asked her what she wanted him to do about it. He offered to pay the overdue bills.
He offered.
She felt a wave of guilt overcome her. After the way she'd treated him, the way they'd all treated him… and he still wanted to help.
"I don't want charity, Harry. I just… there must be something you can do, a potion or a spell, to make him forget about his addiction."
Harry blinked. "You want me to use magic on him?"
"It's the only option I have," she confirmed. "He can't go to Gamblers Anonymous; can you imagine what people would say?"
"I'm sorry, Aunt Petunia, but… he needs help. Real, hard work, help. Magic can't fix everything."
