Author's Note: This occurred to me after an argument with a sibling of mine.
To Apologize
I hate apologizing when I'm right.
Dear Petunia,
I'm sorry if I offended you last night.
Why do I always have to be the mature one? Can't I, just once, stay my ground and wait for someone to apologize to me?
I know you're under a lot of pressure right now with the wedding and all.
I'm stressed out too you know. It's not easy to come home expecting to announce the great news that you're engaged, only to have your sister beat you to it. (Vernon proposed at my welcome back dinner.) It's not easy keeping your engagement a secret from your whole family so that you don't steal your sister's thunder.
That's not even mentioning the unrest that's plaguing the wizarding world right now.
I know you can't do everything and you have your priorities. I didn't mean to accuse you of being selfish.
Selfish, what a luxury. Sometimes I wish we could just be selfish. When things are really tough, I close my eyes and let myself dream for a moment. James and I would drop out of the auror program, drop out of the Order, and run far away. We would find a quaint cottage on the edge of a small town. A place with a small garden where our nameless, faceless children can play. But as soon as the children enter the picture, I'm forced back into reality because it's them I'm fighting for. I'm fighting to make a better life for my children. I want them to live in a better world.
And that is worth all the stress in the world.
It was just that I knew how much Auntie wanted to see you try on the new dress she bought you. She just wanted to see how beautiful you would look and she would get so much happiness from that.
Why is happiness so elusive? Sometimes I feel that the harder I work to find it, the faster it runs away.
I guess I shouldn't have said anything. It wasn't my business.
I just wanted everyone to be happy. Is that so much to ask?
The Dursleys were expecting you and you do have to make a good impression on your future in-laws.
Was it so much for me to ask you to wait five minutes before running off to dinner with your new family?
I'm sorry.
Why am I even apologizing?
I love you sis.
It all comes down to love and family. That's why I'm fighting. That's why I'm writing this letter. That's why I'll apologize when I'm right. I'll fight for my family whatever it takes. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my family together. Whether it takes risking my life (and allowing James to risk his) as an Order member or dropping my pride and groveling at your feet if that's what it takes. It's up to me to fix this because you won't. Because no one else will.
-Lily
Author's Note: Love it? Hate it? Is it clear enough? Let me know. I think the bond between siblings is so important that Lily/Petunia's relationship begs to be written about. Thanks to Molly Raesly and her "Boyfriend" series for giving me a new perspective on what caused the rift between them and inspiring me to write about their connection. Go check her stories out! And tell her I sent you, lol.
Thanks for reading!