Petunia Get's Rejected

Rating: K+

Summary: When Petunia learns of Lily's acceptance to Hogwarts, she writes to Dumbledore and gets rejected.

While the rest of the family celebrated Lily's news downstairs, Petunia ran up to her room. That lady, Professor McGonagall, had explained to the family how to get to Diagon Alley, and how to send a return owl accepting Lily's place at Hogwarts. Petunia planned to send her own owl surreptitiously while her parents were busy sending an acceptance owl. In order to do that, however, she needed a letter ready by this afternoon.

Petunia quickly shut herself in her room and pulled some of her best stationery out of her desk. She wanted to make a good impression. She wondered if her age would be a problem. She was two years older than Lily. Shrugging, she picked up her favorite purple pen and began her letter.

Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,

I doubt you currently know of my existence. My name is Petunia Evans, sister to Lily Evans, who just received an invite to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My family understandably was quite surprised by her letter, as there has never before been a witch in the family.

I, however, have been aware of her abilities for some time, and have tried to get her to exercise caution when displaying them. Imagine my surprised when I found out that there is a school for witchcraft! Seeing as magic is obviously a learned talent, I would greatly appreciate a chance to learn magic as well. Lily seems to have a head start on me, but perhaps that means she is more powerful.

I realize that my age may cause some problems, being two years older, but I would have no problem starting in the beginning classes with my sister. In fact, I think that would be best, as we have always been best friends. I am certain my parents would be ecstatic to learn that I would be joining my sister at Hogwarts.

I thank you for considering my request, and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Petunia Evans

Petunia reread her letter and smiled. It was the right tone. She didn't want to sound as desperate as she actually was. She glanced at the clock and realized it had taken her a full hour to write the letter. She folded it and addressed it to Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before putting it in her purse and heading downstairs.

"Tuney, there you are! Mum and Dad were about to go up and see if you were ok."

Petunia managed to smile. "I'm fine, I just decided to take a nap since today sounds like it's going to be busy, and someone woke me up early today."

Lily smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that, Tuney."

Petunia waved off her sister's apology. "Don't worry about it. Do you think I could borrow some of your books when we get back? I'm curious about the world you're joining."

Lily smiled. She had been worried that this difference would seriously affect their relationship. "Of course, Tuney."

They all left for Diagon Alley a few minutes later. Petunia was as amazed as the rest of the family by what it contained. When they all entered the Owl Post Office, she managed to post her letter while her parents thought she was exploring the store.

Fairly certain of a favorable response, Petunia happily followed her sister around, daydreaming of returning to buy all of the supplies for herself.

***One Week Later***

Petunia was awoken by an owl tapping on her window. A quick look at the clock revealed that it was still very early. She quelled a squeal of excitement as she ran to the window to let the bird in. The owl stuck out its leg to let her take the note, then hooted before flying out the open window.

Petunia eyed the letter happily. It was addressed to Miss Petunia Evans in an elaborate, loopy script. Her hands shook with giddiness as she tore open the thick parchment envelope. She pulled out the letter and sat on her bed to read.

Dear Miss Evans,

I cannot tell you how your enthusiasm to study magic has touched me. It is not often that the non-magical population is so willing to embrace the magical community. I thank you for that acceptance, and for the acceptance I am sure you have shown your sister.

Unfortunately, I must disabuse you of your belief that magic is a learned talent. While it is true that a magical child must go to school to learn how to control their magical skills, there is no way to give a non magical person a magical core. A magical core is what gives someone the ability to perform magic, and you must be born with one.

Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you, despite how elated I am sure your family would be to have you accepted, that I cannot offer you admission to Hogwarts, which is, and always will be, a school for magical children. An education at Hogwarts would not benefit a non magical person, as we do not offer courses which will teach non magical skills. You would not be prepared for a career were you to attend Hogwarts, nor would you be prepared to live in the non magical world, which, unless you someday marry a wizard, you would do.

I apologize for any hurt this may cause you, and hope that you will bear the magical world no ill will for not being born into it. I hope, especially, that you will not blame your sister for the accident of birth which gave her a magical core, but did not provide you with one.

With Regrets,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Order of Merlin, First Class

Supreme Mugwump

Chief Warlock

Petunia read the letter once, twice, three times, all in a state of shock. Whatever she had been expecting as a reply, this was not it. She could not believe she had been rejected.

Had she been older, Petunia might have been able to accept that Dumbledore was truly affected by what he had needed to write. She might have been able to accept that it was no one's fault. However, at thirteen, she read that she was rejected, and that it was an accident that gave Lily magic.

"She's a freak!" Petunia quickly gave herself over the anger and jealousy, both emotions much easier to stomach that disappointment and sadness. She needed someone to blame and her sister was the perfect person. As she thought it over some more, she realized that perhaps if that Snape boy had left them alone, Lily would never have been accepted, and she would never have been rejected.

"They're both freaks!" she hissed. "I didn't really want to go to that freak school anyway. I just wanted to watch over Lily because she's my little sister. Well, she'll have to protect herself." Petunia crumpled up the letter and threw it toward her wastebasket. It bounced off of the rim and rolled under her desk, where it lay forgotten.