Changing his mind about the bath, Vernon got into his pajamas and a thick woolen, purple dressing gown. He went into the bar of his living room and poured himself a large glass of Scotch. As he began sipping the golden coloured liquid, relief and warmth spread over his body. It was a nice feeling, but unfortunately for Vernon, it was momentary.
The lights suddenly went off.
"Oh, bugger!" thought Vernon, getting up and walking up towards the nearest window. Much to his surprise, the neighbours still had the lights, brightly illuminating their front yard.
Puzzled, Vernon went to the fuse box to see what the matter was. Adjusting wires had never been his favourite thing in the world, but no one would be available at this godforsaken hour. Also adding to his woes was the fact that it was Christmas Eve.
"Hello, Vernon," said a voice. "We haven't met since I attended your wedding."
Vernon froze. This was the second time that night where he heard a strange voice. While the first was familiar, he couldn't remember this voice and although the voice of a lady was extremely soothing, it couldn't help, but give him Goosebumps.
"Who is there?" he called trying to pick something; the same way he did for Petunia.
"Put that down, Vernon," said the lady's voice. "You can't use a weapon on someone who is already dead."
"D…d…dead?" stuttered Vernon. "There are no such things as ghosts!" he said, trying to sound braver.
"But you did see Petunia," said the voice with a lot of amusement.
"How do you know Petunia?" he demanded.
"Well, she is my sister. If I didn't know her, who would?"
Vernon spun around. He realised what Petunia meant by this night would be the one that would make or break him. Standing in front of him, in a white satin gown right up to her toes, covering every inch of her body; a complexion that radiated, despite the darkness; flaming red hair flowing down to her back; her emerald green eyes piercing through his body – Lily Evans Potter hadn't changed at all.
"You," exclaimed Vernon. The expression on his face showed fear mingled with fury. The object that he was holding slipped out of his hand and landed with a loud thud on the floor resulting in a loud echo reverberating through the house. "You're the reason that freak is still in my life."
"That 'freak' happens to be my son, Vernon," said Lily coldly.
"Well, you were never there for him, which makes no difference. He would have been a lunatic had you and that loser of a husband been alive," spat Vernon, animatedly moving his hands.
"Well, that 'lunatic' – as you so conveniently call him – is the reason you're still alive, Vernon," said Lily.
"What is that supposed to mean?" yelled Vernon.
"It means exactly what I said," said Lily, smiling at him. "It's so like Harry, isn't it? Saving someone's life and not letting them know."
"I don't believe you," said Vernon.
"Alright, I'll show you," replied Lily.
"Why would I trust anything you show me?" asked Vernon indignantly.
"Because, you've been here before, Vernon," said Lily. "Petunia requested me to come and speak to you. I needn't have, considering what you did to my child as he grew up,"
"What I did to that freak is none of your business, especially as he grew under my roof," screamed Vernon. His face had gone completely purple and his fists were clenched. His face was wet from sweat and tiny droplets were trickling onto his thick moustache, making him resemble an angry bull.
"Say one more thing about Harry and I'll show you what ghosts are capable of doing to mortals," said Lily in a deadly whisper.
All the aggressiveness from Vernon's face suddenly disappeared and he looked as white as a sheet. "Y…y…you dare threaten me? Me, Vernon Dursley? People shudder when they hear my name, and you have the audacity to threaten me? Ghost or not, I'm telling you to get out, now, freak!"
"I'm not leaving until I do what I was sent here to do," said Lily snapping her fingers. Immediately, the background of Number 4 disappeared and Vernon felt himself spinning with great force. He began screaming, but even he couldn't hear himself. Eventually, he landed in a rough clearing right on his buttocks.
OOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Vernon studied the surroundings around him. He had a feeling that he had come here before. The time looked like it was early evening and the house in front of him was illuminated, but not as bright as the other houses in the area. He looked around to see Lily looking at him, with a smile on her face.
"Where am I," said Vernon, clearly frightened now.
"This was where you grew up, Vernon," said Lily. "Why don't you look through the window?"
Vernon took a few paces in front, rubbed his hands on the pane to remove the fog and peered inside. The living room was brightly lit, but there was no sign of a Christmas tree.
"I remember this Christmas," muttered Vernon to himself. "It was just after mother passed away. She died two weeks earlier. It was the worst Christmas ever. Father took to drinking and Marge was out with some friends, since she couldn't celebrate Christmas at home. Father died a few days later of a broken heart and I vowed that I would never celebrate Christmas again. But then, Petunia and Dudley came into my life and I broke that vow. After she died and he left last year, I refuse to acknowledge this day."
"So, being mean and nasty to everyone else is the solution?" asked Lily.
"If you count that freak of a son of yours, then yes," snapped Vernon. He regretted that immediately because he found himself floating upside down a good ten feet above the ground. "Another word, Vernon, and you'll land on your skull," said Lily, as she ignored his cries for help.
"I'll do anything; just put me down," wept Vernon as Lily gently reversed the charm landing him on his feet again.
"Is this what you came to show me," bellowed Vernon. "The reason why I hate Christmas?"
"That and a lot more," said Lily curtly.
Again Vernon felt the swoosh, as Lily and he passed through what seemed like a movie played in super fast-forward mode.
"Now where are we?" demanded Vernon. He was interrupted by a voice.
"Harry, I need help," it said.
"That's Petunia's voice," he muttered in shock. "Why did she go to that f… him for help?" he said, flinching at Lily's look
"Hear and you'll know," she replied.
"What is it Aunt Petunia?" came Harry's voice. Vernon could now see both of them in the living room of what Vernon assumed was Harry's house.
"They can't see you. Don't worry," said Lily.
"I know I've been a horrible aunt to you," she said slowly. "I suppose it was because you were Lily's child and Lily was everything I always dreamt to be,"
Harry stared at his aunt. From what Vernon gathered, the boy didn't expect this at all.
"Harry, that old man told me everything about your world and what you've done to protect it," continued Petunia.
"When did he tell you this," said Harry in shock.
"Last Christmas, while you were at school,"
"Yeah, so?" asked Harry curiously.
"Like I said, I haven't been the best aunt and I am ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to make it up to you," she replied.
"Which is?"
"I know that monster who killed my sister and now is after you will target us. I have a feeling it will be pretty soon,"
Harry shrugged. This was something he was clearly not expecting. "Go on," he said.
"Well, I want to send Vernon and Dudley on holiday; do something to divert their attention. So that, they survive if anything happens to me,"
"I won't let anything happen to you Aunt Petunia," blurted Harry.
Petunia smiled. "You're so much like your mother, Harry. You would make her proud. But I've lived my life in way too much denial. It's time for me to move on. I want you to promise me that you won't come to help that day. Your life is way too important for someone non-magical like me,"
"She used the M word," blurted Vernon.
"Oh shut up and watch, Vernon," snapped Lily as they watched Harry take his aunt's hand in his and said, "I can't do this, Aunt Petunia."
"You have to do it, Harry," she replied. "You know it's a trap they want to set on you. You can't come here, but I want you to promise me something else,"
"Anything," said Harry slowly.
"Please be nice to Vernon and Dudley. I know it's going to be difficult for you, since both of them will treat you the same," she said.
"I'll try, Aunt Petunia," said Harry with a wry smile.
"Will you forgive me, Harry?" she asked.
"With the sacrifice you're making, I'm the one who has to apologise," he replied.
"I shall take your leave then. Good luck to you and take care of yourself, boy," said Petunia.
"I'll try, Aunt Petunia," said Harry. There was a lump in his throat. Sensing it, his aunt pulled him into a one-armed hug and said, "I'm not worth crying for, Harry. Not after all these years."
"Mmmhmm," was all Harry could muster.
"You've grown into a responsible young man, Harry," said his aunt. "I wish you all the happiness in the world."
"Thank you," said Harry.
"And Harry," said Petunia, as she walked out the front door. "Kick his arse in the final battle, won't you?"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia and thank you for everything."
OOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"So, Vernon," said Lily. "That is why Harry tolerates you,"
"He's not doing me any charity," said Vernon.
"Well, Petunia made the same request to you," said Lily.
"So, she did, but do you think I'd do something like that?" snapped Vernon.
"I could argue forever, but my time is up," said Lily suddenly. Vernon felt the familiar speed fast forward and suddenly landed back in his living room.
"I bid you farewell, Vernon and hope that you change for the better. It's never too late," said Lily.
"Bah!" said Vernon.
"And do not go to bed, for your night has not begun as yet," said Lily as she slowly disappeared into the night, leaving behind a very dazed-looking Vernon, who wondered what was in store for him.