Balloon - 1/5 for the Five Drabbles Competition at HPFC.


Petunia was a very stubborn child. She had "strong" opinions and visions of the way events should run, at least according to her mother.

Should happenings unfold her way, she rewarded everyone with happy smiles and a warm personality. On the other hand, if she was disobeyed - her parents did so annoyingly often, favouring Lily, it always seemed - then the tantrums began. Her favourite move was an imitation of her mother - a pursing of the lips, lengthening of the body, and slow reddening of cheeks with pent-up frustration.

Of course, shouting and crying still did the trick in a pinch.

None of that on such a special day.

She hoped for a good afternoon. So far, so good.

All the balloons decorating their small living room were pink, as per her instructions. Streamers - also pink - were strung around the room, and the small table in the centre was adorned with pink petunias.

Some friends of the family had been invited for her sixth birthday, and Petunia was eager to show off her decorations. She'd spent so long imagining them that it was a matter of pride to her that she manage to squeeze compliments from every guest.

Vernon Dursley was the first to arrive, just as she'd expected. His parents always arrived early for the get-togethers her parents organized, and though she'd hardly seen him since they both learned to talk, the memory of him was freshest in her mind. She was pleased when his first act in her house was to lift a vase of flowers to his nose. He smiled at the scent.

He looked nice. Ordinary, even.

He smelled of cologne, probably his mother's handiwork, and he held himself with strength. He'd be a proper man.

Even after the guests came, her eyes followed his every movement. Every one of his hairs was gelled back, combed carefully into place. Petunia thought that kind of order was just what everyone needed, carefully noting her observations of the quiet - though hungry - boy that made stilted conversation with her until her other guests arrived.

When he asked politely, she passed him more sandwiches.