"Tuney! Tuney" Severus shouted as he dodged several hexes. I'm in for it now. Damn, I can't calm her her down like I used to, or can I? Where's her ring gone? He though to himself, before placing his hands up to surrender.
Smirking, Petunia sat down in one of the vacant seats and put her feet up on top his desk. "Well, boy, going to call up some tea or am I going to have to wash your mouth out like I did when we were fifteen?"
"Please, sit down, let me order some tea from the kitchens," Severus grumbled as he knelt down by the floo to place the order. That done, he sat behind his desk, still grumbling to himself as the tea set appeared on his desk. "Bloody harpy, taking liberties in my own office."
Raising her eyebrow, Petunia poured herself some tea. "So do tell me what my supposedly arrogant nephew has done this time. Or does he just have the audacity to look like his father?" She stated, more than asked - even one of the elves of Hogwarts would know the answer, it was so plain for everyone to see. She tittered as his usual scowl adorned his face. "You don't quite get it, Severus, do you? Surely after all these years you'd know how to get into my good books. Shall I give you a reminder?" Petunia sat up, watching as he paled - oh, he knew what was coming.
"TELLING A BOY, NAY, MY NEPHEW, HIS DEAD FATHER WAS A BULLY IS DEFINITELY NOT HOW." She screamed before leaning back again. "I know how James was, both to you and everyone else. And yes, he was unfair to you, and many others. Harry knows this, I have impressed this on him how he went too far sometimes. Whatever his faults, that is what made James, James." Pausing to sip her tea, she carefully composed her next words.
"Harry is not James. Harry is not the man who gave his life, to give his wife and child a chance. You know this. He's also not Lily, Severus. He is not out Lily-flower. He is a sweet boy." Petunia made to leave
"Really, with your oaf of a husband, the one you left me for Tuney?" Severus called to her, stopping her in her tracks.
Turning around, Petunia masked her face. "We're no longer married," she said with a bland tone to her voice. She didn't stay to see the set of mournful expressions to grace Severus' face.
HARRY JAMES EVANS POTTER!
WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING, FIGHTING A TROLL? ONCE AGAIN YOU'VE PULLED ANOTHER RECKLESS, DANGEROUS STUNT; I don't care if your friend was in danger, you should have told a teacher, even a prefect would have done! If you were at home you can bet all the galleons in Gringotts that I'd be tanning your backside with a slipper! Just wait until you get home young man - not only will you be doing laundry with the elves, you'll also be grounded and spending your writing essays and lines; I don't care that it's Christmas!
I cannot believe your teacher would have the audacity to suggest placing you on the Quidditch team. There is a reason that first years are not placed on it, while I understand it is an exciting sport, you are too young to play on the Hogwarts team. Furthermore, why did you not address this in your last letter to me? I would certainly have appreciated it and you may have had a chance then, young man, but not anymore. Clearly Professor McGonagall is going soft if she is rewarding you for such a reckless act rather than punishing you - don't bother, I know you weren't given a detention. You most certainly do not have my permission - I've already told your head of house and headmaster - you can wait until you're a second year, if you stop pulling stunts at the risk of your safety.
I've once again had words with Severus. Again, owl me if there is any trouble. He is being a spiteful, jealous man at the moment and is thinking purely of himself. He is acting exactly like Dudley's father did when you came to live with us. You know it wasn't your fault Harry, Vernon and me hadn't been on the best of terms since Dudley was born - we'd lost interest in each other. It was just the last straw, Vernon resenting you. He wouldn't have somebody elses child - family or not - under his roof, especially if it gave him less time with his wife. Don't you dare blame yourself, I will not have a man like that in my life, never mind my home - nobody owns me, or us, and we shall do as we please where they are concerned.
Severus should leave you alone now.
Speaking of Vernon, Dudley will be spending Boxing Day and the days up to New Years Eve with him. I know you aren't very fond of Vernon, but we must be civil for Dudley's sake, so he'll most likely have dinner with us before he leaves with Dudley. Just grin and bear it lad.
Now, I've enclosed a picture I found in the attic of myself, Lily and Severus during our Hogwarts years. In case Severus is still giving you trouble I wouldn't let him catch sight of it, nonetheless, it's yours.
I'm so sorry I couldn't take you to Godric's Hollow for your parents anniversary Harry, I asked Professor McGonagall and while she was sympathetic (meaning she cried like a blithering idiot and couldn't look me in the face for ten minutes), apparently Headmaster Dumbledore saw fit to overrule it. He fears that the Death Eaters who escaped prosecution would want to avenge their master.
That one day may happen, but you do not necessarily need to visit your parents to pay your respects Harry. As much as I despise the manipulative old coot, we do need to err on the side of caution; Voldemort may be gone from the world forever, but there will always be those who want their fifteen minutes of fame.
On a happier note, I've found a new potions master to brew for the apothecary, so we can have a lot more time together during the summer. We certainly need more trips to the cinema.
Love,
Your Aunt Tuney.
