CW: domestic abuse, alcohol, food, conflict, violence
:SIXTEEN:
By the time Petunia returned, Remus had done some work on his home. Leaving Mrs. Walters to watch the children, he had transfigured another bed for Dudley in Harry's room. He'd put Harry's toys away in the closet so he wouldn't feel pressured to share any more than he wanted. He also transfigured his couch to something more comfortable, unsure whether Petunia would be more comfortable using his room or the living room.
Petunia had explained to the children that they'd be having a sleepover before she left, so they weren't surprised when it got later into the evening. Harry had smirked slightly when he saw the extra bed in his room, but hadn't said anything about it. Remus hadn't taken the time to really consider it, but they'd have to readdress the magic situation if Dudley and Petunia were to stay here long term. They'd have to address a lot of things, come to think of it.
She came into the living room, carrying several suitcases. Both boys were in Harry's bedroom, fast asleep, but Remus was waiting for her and helped her carry in her things.
"Thank you." She murmured hoarsely. It was clear she'd been crying more, though Remus didn't bring any attention to it. "I left a note, but he showed up right before I finished packing."
Remus nodded. "I know this might be a stupid question, but are you okay?"
Petunia laughed humorlessly. "Is Dudley asleep?"
"Yes," Remus nodded. "I read to them both and gave Dudley some pajamas."
Petunia sat down on the couch, letting her body sink into the furniture. It was the most relaxed Remus had ever seen her. He gingerly sat down next to her.
"If you would like to stay in my room, I don't mind taking the couch." Remus said quietly. "I just want you to be comfortable."
"I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep." Petunia murmured honestly.
Remus nodded. "I'll make some tea then."
He left, returning with two mugs of tea and some leftover cake. Petunia immediately took a long drink, wincing as she tasted alcohol. Looking at him in shock, Remus chuckled.
"It's whiskey." Remus explained. "I think it's appropriate, don't you?"
Petunia just stared at him for a moment, then started...laughing. It was incredulous and borderline hysterical, but she was laughing. Remus found himself joining her, laughing until tears sprang in the corners of his eyes.
"It's very appropriate." Petunia eventually acknowledged, taking another sip of her drink. "What sort of cake is this?"
"Chocolate, which I also think is appropriate for us to have right now."
He handed her a slice, taking one for himself as well. They ate together quietly for a few minutes, but then Petunia looked at Remus again.
"Do...do you think you could tell me more about Lily?"
Remus looked at her carefully.
"I can, but I must admit that I only really got to know her when we became prefects together."
"She was a prefect?"
"Yes," Remus gave Petunia a small smile. "A much better one than I was. She was great with the younger students."
"What about...James? Is that his name?"
Remus nodded. "He was talented, but a bit of a rebel growing up. They started dating towards the end of our time at school, but James really only ever had eyes for your sister."
"Why didn't she like him right off?"
"Well," Remus hedged. "He was one of my best friends, but he was also a bit of a prat. He grew out of it though, that's when Lily gave him a chance."
"Was she...good in school? At magic?"
"I'd say she was talented, yes." Remus thought about it. "She did really well in potions and charms. She really liked making flowers turn into other things."
Petunia smiled. "She did that when we were kids too."
She took another long drink.
"Did she...did she ever mention me?"
Remus was afraid of this question. There really was no good answer though.
"I knew she had a sister." He said slowly. "But she didn't share much of her private life with me if I'm honest. I really only became part of her life when she started dating James."
Petunia nodded slowly. "I suppose that makes sense."
She seemed to be thinking hard about something, chewing on another bite of cake before speaking again.
"That...Snape. He used to be around her every holiday." She grimaced. "But after her 5th year, he didn't come around anymore, and she wouldn't say a word about it."
Remus nodded. "I don't know if Lily told you, but some wizards are rather unkind to people with non-magical family members."
"Snape called her, well he called her a bad name in our world, and she never forgave him. He was getting mixed up with a bad crowd besides and I think she'd had enough."
"I always thought he was bad news." Petunia said darkly. "But I didn't know she was treated differently because of her family."
"Yes, well," Remus said awkwardly. "It's gotten a little better since the dark wizard I mentioned before went into hiding. But she never let that stop her, and she was always proud of her family."
Petunia finished her cup. "I haven't done much to be proud of."
She turned to look at Remus, setting the cup down on the coffee table.
"Thank you, for opening your home to us. I think I'm going to try sleeping now."
Remus nodded and smiled at her slightly. "Okay. Do you need me to show you where the room is?"
"No," Petunia murmured, standing up. "I can manage. Thank you."
She took one of her suitcases and left the room. Remus sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. But he picked up the dishes and cake to put in the kitchen before crawling back onto the transfigured couch. What an incredibly long day.
...
Which seemed like it would never end. It was just after midnight and Remus had only barely fallen asleep when he heard a loud tapping on his front door. Instantly put on alert, Remus picked up his wand and went over to the door to see who it was.
It was Mr. Dursley, and he looked furious.
Rubbing his hand over his tired face and taking a deep breath, Remus finally opened the door.
"I don't know who the hell you think you -" Mr. Dursley began storming at Remus.
"I'm not talking to you if you are going to behave that way." Remus stated clearly, closing the door behind himself. He would not let any of the other people in the house hear this man's blustering. Not anymore.
"Then let me in and I'll speak to Petunia!" He raged, though he made no move to push Remus from the door. "You've probably brainwashed her with your...your...freak act!"
Remus just stared back at him calmly. He'd been called worse.
"Would you like to take a seat?" Remus gestured to his porch. "You will not be entering my home."
And, very slightly, Remus showed Mr. Dursley the wand in his hand.
The man in front of him instantly paled. His eyes never leaving the wand, Mr. Dursley took one of the porch seats Remus had gestured to. Seeing that Mr. Dursley was not an immediate threat, Remus went to sit a few chairs away from him.
"To challenge your assumption," Remus said quietly. "I have not brain-washed anyone. Is that what Petunia told you I had done?"
Mr. Dursley eyed his wand again, so Remus answered the unspoken question.
"I will not use magic on you unless you attempt to enter my home or hurt the people inside of it."
"I haven't hurt anyone!" Mr. Dursley cried, outraged.
Remus looked at him with contempt. "Do not lie to me, Mr. Dursley. I know what you have done to Harry. I have seen it for myself."
"Let me rephrase it then." Mr. Dursley said nastily. "I haven't hurt anyone who didn't deserve it."
Remus stood up abruptly, knocking over the chair.
"Leave." Remus said authoritatively. "Leave now, or you will regret it."
Mr. Dursley jumped to his feet as well, pointing a meaty finger in Remus' face.
"I'll get them back! You just wait!" He yelled, spit flying around the corners of his mouth. "And you'll never see that freak child -"
BANG!
Mr. Dursley found himself thrown by an invisible force onto the lawn, the air completely knocked out of him.
"Let me make this clear." Remus continued, icy calm. "That was me being gentle. If you ever come near Harry again, I will not be so forgiving."
And he turned away, closing and locking the door. If Mr. Dursley was stupid enough to try coming back, then he wouldn't feel even a little bad about hexing him into the ocean. Remus ground his teeth together, brushing loose hair out of his face.
He looked back up, surprised to find Petunia standing in the hallway. She looked pale as a ghost.
"I...I heard him." She whispered. "So I came out and I saw you."
"I'm sorry." Remus sighed, pocketing his wand. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Petunia fidgeted with her nightshirt anxiously.
"I...I need to clean something. Did you clean those dishes? I'm going to clean those."
She abruptly left the room, heading for the kitchen. Sighing, Remus followed her, wondering if he'd ever get to sleep. He showed her where the cleaning supplies were, told her to come get him if he needed anything, and that they would talk more in the morning. She nodded, already washing the dishes with a vengeance.
So Remus stumbled back to his couch, putting his head in his hands. He knew he ought not to have used magic on Vernon, but he really couldn't find it in himself to regret doing it. And, maybe this could be a good thing for Petunia. She saw magic being used to protect her and she hadn't reacted fearfully when Remus had re-entered the house. That was a really good sign.
With this last thought, Remus fell onto the couch and dropped back off to sleep.
Notes:
Well. That happened.
Watching Petunia's character unfold is really interesting for me. I've never really looked closely at her before, but now that I am I have a lot of questions. Her parents are given absolutely no background besides that one phrase in the books and we know they've passed by the time Harry is one year old. So, I'm the captain now, this is the backstory we're rolling with for Petunia pre-Harry.
She married young because her parents passed away. JKR says they met James and Lily once for dinner, so I'm interpreting that as the first time they'd really gotten together because their parents had just passed away. Vernon and James ruined that interaction, and Lily stopped writing soon after that because they went into hiding. Boom, context.
Happy Reading!