For the QLFC Season 8

Round: Practice (So Beautiful)

Position: Seeker

Team: Chudley Cannons

Prompt: Evanescent - Vanishing quickly, lasting only a short time

Word count:1,115 (excluding A/N)

Dandelion

30th August, 1972

The sky is a dusky blue as she drops herself down on the ground. It is a breezy afternoon and the rays filter through the branches of the trees, casting long shadows. She can see their house from here, and the colours of their little garden, and the rest of the neighbourhood, including the dingy-looking cottage that belongs to that boy who is no less than a thief.

He stole Lily from her. Honestly, she doesn't know what Lily sees in that boy. All day long she's 'Sev this' and 'Sev that.'

"Sev's my best friend, and I'm so upset he got sorted into Slytherin. I was hoping he'd be in Gryffindor with me.""

I don't like Potter and his stupid gang. They keep making fun of Sev.""

Severus and I went to Hogsmeade together and we had so much fun at Zonko's."

Then there are her parents. She can't stand the look of adoration on their faces as they listen with rapt attention to their younger daughter - precious, darling Lily - the pride of the family. It has been two years since Lily got her letter, but their parents still dote on her in the same way they did when they first found out Lily was special.

But then, she herself is as jealous of Lily today as she was the day Lily got her letter, even though she won't admit it to herself. She hates that Lily is the epitome of perfection to everyone, an angel incarnate. She hates the way Lily comes back home after every term teeming with the most interesting stories to tell. She hates the way Lily tries to talk to her, as if she doesn't know what she's feeling. She hates the way Severus Snape of all people has replaced her position as Lily's best friend.

The fragrant evening air calms her down. Heaving an almost inaudible sigh, she lies down on her back on the springy grass and looks up into the vast cloudless sky as a fresh wave of recollections from last night wash over her.

She storms out of the dining room, having heard enough of how her parents were the luckiest because they had a girl like Lily. She wipes angrily at her wet cheeks, ignoring her sister's earnest voice beckoning her back downstairs. She slams the door shut and sits down on the edge of the bed. She reaches for her textbook, intending to do some homework, when her eyes catch sight of a white box on her table. A small note is stuck to it: To Tuney, from Lily. Scowling, she crushes the piece of paper and tosses it across the room, before putting the box in her pocket.

She reaches into her pocket and takes out the box.

"Honeydukes' Special," she reads the label, then opens the box and pulls out the chocolate, and it looks delicious. So without a thought, she takes a bite.

It tastes incredible, and it's the best chocolate she's ever had and she finishes it all in no time. She wishes it wouldn't taste so good, because it makes her regret why she had spoken not a single kind word to her sister in the last two years, and she resolves to change that. She decides it doesn't matter if her sister is more special than her, and she won't let it dictate their relationship and starting today, she's going to be her sister's best friend, like she was before it all happened.

She sits up because she hears footsteps. Her sister is walking towards her with a basket in her hand, her fiery hair a streamer behind her. "Tuney?" she says softly when she reaches her. "Are you angry with me?" she asks, biting her lip. Tuney shakes her head and says, "Not anymore."

Lily's eyes light up, and she sits down beside her. "Mum made cookies. Do you want to have some?"

Tuney smiles and nods eagerly as Lily takes out their favourite oatmeal cookies out of the basket and hands her one.

"I've missed you, Tuney," Lily says softly after a beat of silence.

Tuney puts her arm around her and says, "I've missed you too. Can I go with you tomorrow to get your school supplies?"

"You don't have to ask," says Lily, offering her a second cookie.

"Did you eat the chocolate I brought for you?" she asks.

Tuney grins. "I did. It was the best thing ever. Do you get that stuff at your school?"

"We have a village near the school, it's called Hogsmeade. We're allowed to go down to the village on weekends, from third year onwards. It's a charming place."

"Wish I could see it," Tuney says wistfully and picks at the grass near her feet.

Lily touches her arm. "Don't worry, Tuney. One of my friends has a camera. I'll make sure to send you loads of pictures."

"I'd love that, Lily. And you'll bring back some more chocolate for your sister, won't you?"

Lily grins and says, "What if I don't?"

"Oh, I know you will. I'm the best big sister in the world and you love me," she says playfully, gently poking Lily in the stomach.

"And I'll bring you the best chocolate from Hogsmeade because I am the best little sister in the world," laughs Lily, tossing her long hair in mock haughtiness.

"I'm sorry for being such a prat," Tuney confesses.

"Oh, Tuney, don't be. I really wish Mum and Dad would stop fussing over me. I hate it, and it makes you hate me," Lily looks up at her sister and notices that her blue eyes are shining and a tear is rolling down her cheek. "Oh, Tuney, I'm so sorry," she whispers, wiping it away before pressing a kiss to her sister's cheek. Tuney pulls Lily to her side and kisses the top of her head in return.

A lone dandelion seed comes bobbing in the air, held up by the delicate, fuzzy strands on it. Lily puts out her hand, and the seed falls on her open palm. They watch it in awe, and then she blows on it. The little seed resumes its journey and soon floats out of sight.

And as they sit there on the meadow with their arms around each other, eating cookies and watching the sunset in the distance, Petunia realises that her jealousy is just like the dandelion seed - it'll disappear into nothingness in no time.

She doesn't hate her little sister, not really.

It's just a fleeting thing.

And at that moment, she decides she's going to see her sister off at King Cross on September 1st, and be there to welcome her with a great hug when she comes home at Christmas, Easter and during the summer, and be with her wherever she goes. Because her sister is the best sister in the world.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: A huge THANK YOU to hannahsoapy and Fire the Canon for beta-ing this little piece.

They are the best!This is my entry for the QLFC practice round, and guess what? I'm playing Seeker for Chudley Cannons. My teammates are an awesome lot and if you want to participate in the QLFC, check out the link in my profile.

Hope to see you again really soon.

In the meantime, stay safe and well.-- Miranda