I
5th of September, 1980
"Petunia, it's necessary, trust me", Lily pleaded. She stood at the centralized, thoroughly cleaned doormat.
Petunia thought she had noticed a quiver in the red-head's tone, as she bit her lower lip until the spot where her teeth met skin was white. Her sister had just told her there would be savages keeping her safe, from now on. Keeping her safe! It had to be a very unpleasant joke.
"You're in danger as much as I am! I would never come here if this wasn't true! I know I'm not welcome."
Lily had never begged. She endured the chastising Petunia did about her problem when they were younger, ignored the scowls and cursing that were thrown at her, paid no heed to the mockery about her new world and its traditions. Only sometimes did she fight back, but she had never once implored for kindness and consideration towards herself.
But she was begging now – and it felt great, Petunia noticed.
However, she had made a point. They hadn't seen each other in years and, for Petunia, Lily was no one to have in mind.
That was, until her world stumbled upon the correct and civilized world of Petunia, the one without lunatics and… It did not matter. Now, even if she did not look for Lily, her presence lurked the street corners as the news sprouted ominously with inexplicable events. But Petunia knew what they meant. She hated that knowledge, but she could not dismiss it. She had lived enough with a witch to understand what was happening, and it frightened her.
Petunia sighed in disgust, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance. "And still you've made your way", she said coldly. Lily frowned and stepped away from her. "Leave. Take your filthy people with you. If I'm in danger, it's your fault."
She closed the door, panic spreading through her skin as an endless goosebump. You have no other choice, she kept telling herself the rest of the day. No other choice.