Characters: Petunia, Vernon
Summary: Petunia wanted many children.
Author's Note: I can't hate Petunia. She's an unpleasant human being but she's just sympathetic enough that I can't hate her. Now, Vernon, on the other hand…z
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
When Petunia is young, a child who still has a child's dreams, she dreams of having children. A boy and a girl, the boy naturally older so he can protect his baby sister when they go to school. Children who will play together and always get along and love her.
It would be nice to have someone who loves her unstintingly, without it coming across as begrudging. Her parents seem to regret the fact that they have two children, because this means they can't pour all their love and affection on "perfect" Lily. Petunia clenches her large, strong teeth when her parents don't even notice that she's made another perfect score on a math test because they've gotten a letter from Lily.
What does she have that I don't?
With a boy and a girl to love her, it would be different. Yes, they would divide their love between her and her husband; however, there would still be more love for her from them than there is from her parents.
Petunia dreams of having children. At least two. Maybe many.
-0-
Petunia is so relieved when her precious Dudley still shows no sign of being anything but normal at just over a year old. He's strong, he's healthy, and best of all, he's normal.
Vernon's hand is on her shoulder as he speaks. "He's normal; we got lucky. However, I don't think we should be pushing our luck again, should we, Petunia dear?"
What he's really saying is: We were just lucky that a child with your blood in it turned out normal and didn't inherit your taint. Or maybe he isn't saying it; it's hard to tell. Vernon's never been anything less than understanding concerning the 'taint' of her family; he recognizes that just because Lily's a freak doesn't mean her sister is.
Petunia swallows hard and nods.
She wanted many children. She still wants many children.
But it looks like she won't be having any more at all, and she never comes quite so close to hating her husband as when he all but says that any more children out of her and freaks will start popping up.
It'll just be Dudley to fill in for the rest of them.