"A broom!" exclaimed Vernon, his bushy eyebrows quirking in disbelief.
"A racing broom," replied James, biting his lip to control his laughter. Vernon's ignorance amused him. Hadn't Petunia told him anything about the Wizarding world?
"Can't afford a car…" Vernon muttered, shaking his head. "You wizards must live on unemployment benefits!"
"My family…"
"Outside now," interjected Lily, placing a firm hand on James's forearm. He flung his napkin on the table and stormed out.
xxx
"Ladies' room," Vernon stated, explaining Petunia's disappearance.
"You didn't have to get into an altercation with James," Lily quietly intoned, "We travel differently, is all."
He raised his head, taking full stock of her. The dim lights bounced off her bright green eyes, highlighting the tiny gold flecks.
Lily held his gaze and wasn't intimidated by him. He severed their eye contact, not wanting to get caught staring.
"Brooms, huh?" Vernon cursed himself for having spoken without thinking. He had been content to sit silently and wait for Petunia to return so they could make their excuses and leave.
"Yes. There are other ways."
"Like what?"
Lily's eyes widened, surprised that he'd shown interest.
He hadn't meant to let her run on. He hadn't meant to ask her more questions about Apparition, the Floo Network, and Portkeys. He most certainly hadn't meant to voice his desire to Apparate to work.
He fell captive - fascinated by the excitement in her voice and the movement of her hands while she talked.
xxx
"Ahem," announced Petunia. She sat down and slammed her handbag on the table. Vernon wrapped an arm around her, his fingers stroking her upper arm. His eyes remained on Lily, watching as she crumbled under Petunia's glare.
"Excuse me," Lily mumbled, making for the door.
"Should we get dessert?" asked James as he and Lily sat back down.
Vernon had no idea what prompted him to say yes, but he regretted it the minute he and Petunia walked out the door.
"You like her!" Petunia accused, her dull brown eyes welling with tears. "I saw how you two were talking and laughing together!"
"I don't," Vernon lied. He wiped away a tear that had fallen down Petunia's face. "You told me to be nice."
"I did… just not that nice," sniffed Petunia.
"How could I possibly like a freak like that when I've got you, darling?"
He sighed, grateful, as Petunia flung her thin arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
xxx
A month later, Vernon shifted uncomfortably in his wedding tuxedo. Typically, he would have relished being the center of attention, but he could barely focus on the conversation from the well-wishers gathered around him.
He could not take his gaze off her, clad in a simple navy dress. The morning sun shone off her copper locks. He wished she'd talk to him, congratulate him on his marriage at least.
But, he knew it wasn't meant to be, and he wasn't about to spoil the best day of Petunia's life by speaking to her sister.
A/N: Word Count: 500. Written for the Pairing the Character Drabble Competition - Week 11 Lily Evans. Also written for the Conversation Starter Prompt Challenge #15. Use the prompts 'grateful', 'altercation' and 'copper' in your fic.