CHAPTER TWO: GROWING UP

Petunia Evans was now 12 years old; her sister Lily was 10. Petunia still envied her sister, hated her parents, and despised abnormality. Petunia had begun secondary school, and was, of course, the top of her class. She punched her pillow bitterly. Lily was top of her class and was in her last year of primary school. For the past 4 years, Petunia had tried time and again to prove her worth to her parents. They still managed to ignore her accomplishments. They were determined to focus on Lily and forget that Petunia even existed.

Lily had received a whole new wardrobe for her 7th birthday; Petunia had received a plastic watch for her 9th. Lily had received a set of 12 books for her 8th birthday; Petunia had received a collection of coat hangers for her 10th. Lily had received three cassette tapes of her favorite singers for her 9th birthday; Petunia had received a new pillowcase for her 11th birthday. Lily had received a full-line of hair care products for her 10th birthday; Petunia had received a set of foam hair rollers for her 12th.

Though Petunia had finished each year at school as the top of her class, her parents never noticed. They did, however, notice that Lily managed to finish top of her class every year. Petunia could do nothing but watch with sorrow and bitterness as her sister was given the world and Petunia was given nothing. Lily got a new set of clothes every year before the beginning of school; Petunia only got one new skirt and one new blouse.

It was a bright, cheerful Sunday morning in late June. Petunia had just joined her family for breakfast. Lily's plate was piled high with eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Petunia's plate had one piece of toast and half of a piece of bacon. She picked up her bacon and chewed it angrily. She hated her parents. They were abnormal in quite a few senses. One, they obviously favored their younger daughter over their firstborn. Two, they danced with the mops and brooms as they cleaned. Petunia hated such abnormality.

Petunia had just taken a drink of orange juice when an owl flew through the open dining room window. The owl landed on the table with a loud hoot, which caused Petunia to spit out her drink. It was the first time she could recall not being happy to see a bird. Mayhap she liked them only when she could admire them from afar; now that she saw one up close, she hated the large eyes of the owl, and she hated the rotation of its head. She glanced down at the owl's leg and gasped.

Tied to the owl's leg was a letter. A letter! Tied to the owl's leg! Petunia glared at this bitterly; this was too abnormal! She decided that she no longer liked birds. And she definitely did not like owls. Petunia's mother untied the letter and looked at the envelope. The envelope read: 'Lily Evans, 14 Harold Lane, Cambridge' in green letters. There was a seal of red wax on the back of the envelope. Mrs. Evans handed the letter to Lily.

Lily looked up at her parents with confusion in her eyes. She asked if she should really open it. Her parents nodded, looking curious. Petunia stared at the letter as though it were highly dangerous or very ugly. Lily opened the letter with trembling hands (you know, it is not everyday that you receive a letter by owl post, especially when your family is Muggles). She read through the letter then handed it to her parents to read over. They read over it and looked at their daughter with delight in their smiles.

They hugged Lily, letting the letter fall to the table. Petunia picked up the letter and read it. She laughed scornfully at what the letter said. According to the letter, Lily Evans had been accepted into 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'. Petunia just smirked. Magic was not real. This was obviously a prank of some kind. But her parents seemed to take it seriously.

Included with the letter were a list of supplies, a list of books, and a train ticket. The ticket read "Platform 9 ¾, Kings Cross Station, London". Petunia laughed mirthlessly. Kings Cross Station was real enough, but she was pretty sure there was no such thing as a Platform 9 ¾. She pointed this out to her parents, who were, of course, delighted. "You are so abnormal!" Petunia screamed, leaving the dining room and running up to her room.

She punched her pillow bitterly over and over again. Life was so unfair. She was better than her sister. She was! Petunia had never gotten in trouble at school her entire life; Lily, though usually well behaved, had caused a few phone calls to her parents. Petunia's teachers disliked Petunia's plain and boring approach to learning. Petunia learned because she had to, not because she wanted to. Petunia wanted to prove herself to her parents and her sister.

Lily, on the other hand, enjoyed learning and could not wait to go to school. Lily's teachers loved her enthusiastic, energetic approach to learning. Lily could not have cared less about proving herself; she just enjoyed having knowledge. Lily studied every night, did her homework on time, and read her schoolbooks before she had to. Petunia studied, did her homework, and read her schoolbooks before she had to, but Petunia did not enjoy it. In fact, she hated it.

The rest of the summer passed rather quickly. Before she knew it, late August had rolled around. It was one week before the beginning of September, and Petunia was in the living room listening to a cassette of Lily's. She heard a knock on the door and got up to answer it. She opened the door, looked over the woman standing on her welcome mat, and closed the door.

Her parents came to the door and opened it, glaring at Petunia. They greeted the oddly dressed stranger warmly when they were informed the stranger was a member of the Hogwarts staff and was going to help Lily get her school supplies. The woman, who was wearing a green robe, pointed hat, and square glasses, introduced herself as McGonagall and took a seat beside Petunia.

Petunia scooted as far away from McGonagall as she possibly could. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with this abnormal woman. Lily jumped down the stairs and looked over to the couch. She smiled politely at the guest and took a seat in an armchair. Her parents explained whom McGonagall was and Lily excitedly rushed over and shook her hand. McGonagall chuckled at Lily's childlike energy.

McGonagall left that night with Lily. Lily would be gone for 4 days, then she would return, and leave for school 2 days after that. Mr. and Mrs. Evans waved to Lily as her and McGonagall walked down the street. Petunia sneered angrily. At least Lily would be gone for a few days. Petunia knew that her parents would ignore her while Lily was gone, so Petunia rushed up to her room and began to hit her pillow yet again. Her sister was far too abnormal for her own good. Going off to study magic? Why, that was just ridiculous! Petunia hated her parents, hated magic, and hated Lily.