PETUNIA: CHAPTER 8: ALMOST PERFECT

a/n: oh wow I haven't written anything for this in ages!

Petunia right out shrieked. Lily recoiled, alarmed at her sisters reaction. "I…I thought you'd be happy for me." She said uncertainly.

"Happy for you? How could I be happy when you're always…when you…you're always getting what you want, what's new?" Petunia managed to calm herself to a quiet fury.

"Well I'm sorry." Lily said softly, though she wasn't sure if she really meant it. "But, you've got Vernon. Isn't that what you want?"

"…yes. Of course it's what I want." And it was…but … "But…I didn't get it first."

"Sure you did…James and I aren't married yet."

"But you met him first! You couldn't even let me get married without overshadowing me with your engagement! I don't want to discuss this now…this is supposed to be the best day of my life! So please go away."

"Fine" and she did.

Shortly after she left Marge came back in. "I don't much like her." She averred. "She looked huffy when she came out. Jealous of your good fortune I have no doubt. That boy she came with is scrawny…and he looks insolent besides. She can certainly do better…but I guess you my dear got all the good sense."

………………………………………………………………………………

The marriage ceremony went beautifully. Not a sign of abnormality from Lily or James was detected. Everything was in perfect order and everyone was in their proper place. It all lived up to even Mrs. Dursley's exacting expectations. The banquet went equally as well. Everybody ate their fill (the catering bill had been quite large to satisfy the collective appetite of the Dursley clan). The conversation was boring but that didn't matter because the guests didn't realize it and even if they did they wouldn't have known how to spice it up in the least.

At first James and Lily tried to talk pleasantly with the others but were very soon bored so they betook their selves to far off corner. The Durselys interpreted this as stand-offishness. Petunia however did not try to remedy this. She had no desire to provoke any unpleasant incidences between them. So what if they thought her sister was stuck up…at least they didn't know what was really wrong with her.

But it happened when all the wedding party was gathered around the bride and groom just before they left. Petunia turned her back on the crowd and heaved her bouquet behind her. She heard an odd popping sound and then some gasps. She rapidly swung around.

She beheld a young man she had never seen before staring bemusedly at the bouquet that was in his arms. He grinned roguishly and said "So Prongs, it seems I am to be married too."

"Sirius!" Lily cried.

"We told you not to come here!" hissed James.

"Ah, but you actually said don't come unless there was an emergency."

"Emergency?" said James nervously putting his arm protectively around Lily and drawing her to his side. Sirius sighed and the look of mirth left his face. "James…your parents…well Dumbledore went to check on them and…the dark mark was hovering over their house…I'm so sorry."

As the three of them hugged Mrs Dursley (the elder) boomed "Who is this outrageous person?"

"One of James' friends I'm assuming" muttered Petunia.

"Did you invite him Petunia?"

"…no."

"Then what is he doing here? You now!" she approached him "Leave at once!"

"Well don't shoot the messenger!" was his response.

"I think we had better go" said James somewhat dazed. Lily went over and hugged her sister.

"I wish you and Vernon all the happiness in the world." She kissed her on the cheek and went back to stand by James and Sirius. There were three consecutive popping sounds and they were gone.