PETUNIA:CHAPTER 5: JAMES

Petunia's head jerked up as her mother gasped, a letter from Lily in her hands. A flash of panic streaked through her. Was her sister ok?

"What is it dear?" asked Mr. Evans.

"Oh Harold! Lily's bringing her boyfriend for Christmas!"

Her panic and worry evaporated. She was bringing another weirdo home. Oh joy. So she's got a boy friend does she? Petunia felt jealous, the nearest thing she had to a boyfriend was "that Dursely chap" who kept making eyes at her in the book shop where she worked. That pokey little bookshop that I have to work in because I'm not smart enough to get accepted to a university! She thought bitterly. Oh Lily got high marks on all her…whatever tests she took…owls? Of course we already knew she was the smart one and she gets a man to boot!

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Petunia stared at the good looking young man sitting with his arm around Lily's shoulders. His hair looked as if he had not combed it and he wore thin framed glasses. "So, how do you like James so far?" Lily inquired breathlessly.

"He seems wonderful!" Thrilled Mrs. Evans.

"Top drawer!" Boomed Mr. Evans.

They all turned to look at Petunia; awaiting her answer. "He seems nice." Was all she could bring herself to say. She did think he was nice, but her jealousy kept surfacing.

He was trying to take her sister from her. He told her things…things about the wizarding world she did not know. Petunia tried to ignore what he was saying as she ate her dinner but one thing she heard made her feel all shivery.

"Dementors? What are those?" Lily asked him.

"They guard Azkaban, the wizard prison…"

"I know what Azkaban is!"

"They guard it. And they feed off the prisoner's happiness and only leave them with bad memories. You begin to feel you'll never be happy again. Most of them go mad in the end." Petunia dropped her fork with a clatter. Everyone turned to look at her.

"Are you alright dear?" her mother inquired worriedly.

"I'm quite alright thank you. My fork just slipped out of my hand." She lied.

"But that's not all," James continued, "In really tough cases they kiss the prisoners."

Lily giggled. "They kiss them? You have to be pulling my leg!"

James shook his head. "I didn't explain it well enough. It's not really a kiss, that's just what they call it. They lower their hoods and suck out your soul through your mouth."

Petunia let out a gasp and nearly spilled her plate onto her lap. "How horrid!"

"Yes," said James, turning to Petunia, "I'm not sure I approve. But there are certain people, evil people, who may deserve it. But that's a terrible thing to say." That was the end of that conversation. The others went on talking as if nothing unpleasant had been mentioned. Petunia no longer wanted her dinner.

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Petunia waited for Lily in the kitchen, ingredients at the ready. All the joy had gone out of the gingerbread making but tradition must be upheld. Finally she arrived…with James.
Petunia felt it was a slap in the face, that she wasn't enough for Lily. She hid her displeasure and the baking commenced.

James pointed to one of his men, "Guess who?" The man had long hair made out of black licorice. Petunia had no idea who it was supposed to be.

"Why it's Sirius!" Lily chuckled. James set to work on more men who apparently resembled people they both knew. Petunia worked silently on hers not paying attention to details. One of hers ended up with three eyes and a tail. James and Lily's on the other hand were perfect. They even made one together of them with their arms around each other. Petunia's fingers itched to make it crumble.

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Petunia positioned a doily on the coffee table four the fifth time that evening. The house had never looked so neat and orderly. She had spent the past few hours fidgeting around and cleaning. House work calmed her. Her mind teemed with horrible possibilities. She shook her head to try and clear it. Her parents should have been home hours ago. Seeing Lily off had never taken this long. Their supper had long since gone cold in the kitchen.

She jumped when the doorbell jangled. She ran to the door and pulled it open. A police mad stood there and as she stared blankly at him he removed his hat and placed it over his heart, a mournful look on his face. This was not a good sign.