Disclaimer: All settings and characters belong to J.K Rowling.

Story title: Familiar with the eyes, but not with the owner

Chapter 6

Tuesday is just like any other day- despite being the day before my only sister's funeral- I strive for a sense of normality.

I rise early to see Vernon off to work before hurriedly rummaging through my cupboards and scribbling out a shopping list. Rather than braving the supermarket with two babies, I opt to leave them both at the home with a last minute babysitter- today it is Yvonne.

I see Lily five times in the supermarket. It takes only the slightest trigger- a glimpse of auburn hair, a similar voice, a tinkling laugh- even green eyes are enough, though I have yet to find anyone who has a pair as incandescent as Lily's were- that sparkling shade of emerald that she inherited from my father. Each time, my breath catches in my throat and hope starts to build- before it is bitterly crushed as I am forced back to the present, to the stranger who is bewildered by my prolonged attention.

It is one particular couple that catch my eye- those long auburn curls mixed with that messy, raven hair as they meander along the aisle. She is pregnant- a good 7 or 8 months along, and she glowed with the light of someone who knows what it is to love, and be loved in return. So strong is the resemblance to my sister and brother in law that they make me regretful. Regretful that I had missed out on my sister's pregnancy, and more than that, missed out on her wedded life, full stop. For she was my sister, my only sister and I had deserted her.

I still remember the year that James Potter came into Lily's life and impeded into mine. I remember it all as if it were just yesterday.

Flashback one

"MUM!" screamed Lily from the kitchen- her voice so high pitch that I had no doubt dogs could hear it.

"What Lily?" responded my mother as she hurried down the stairs- casting an anxious glance towards me, " Is everything alright?"

"I GOT IT" she screeched, thrusting a letter at my mother, and an envelope at my father who had just arrived from work.

Taking the envelope my father peered inside, before tipping the contents of the envelope onto his open palm. I saw something scarlet and gold fall into his palm.

"Head Girl!" whispered my mother with a teary glance at Lily's delighted face, " Oh Lily, I can't tell you how proud I am."

Proud? My foot. I could tell that the tears that glistened in my mother's eyes had nothing to do with pride and everything to do with sadness and shame. Not only was Lily a freak- she was clearly the biggest freak in the whole school.

Peering over my father's shoulder I caught sight of a badge- with the world Head Girl superimposed over the Hogwarts crest. Clenching the badge in his fist, my father pulled Lily into a big hug- even he felt guilty of the life that Lily was now condemned too.

The weeks before Lily returned to Hogwarts were some of the slowest ones in my memory. Both of us kept strictly out of the others way, but complete avoidance proved impossible. Those few weeks were the weeks in which our relationship deteriorated almost entirely.

Knowing that this was my sister's last year in her school, I worked hard to persuade her to return to the normal world, to persuade that all hope was not lost for a normal life. But my sister's bitterness and jealously towards me, proved to be far too strong. Oh, she wouldn't admit that she was jealous but, despite all the love she proclaimed to have for her world, I knew she was.

My sister returned to school on September the first, the same day that I began my new job as the private secretary of Vernon Dursley, son to the owner of Grunning's Drill manufacturers. It was just three short days before we heard from her.

Dear Mum, Daddy and Petti,

It's so strange to be back at Hogwarts and back in lessons, but they are as fascinating as ever. We're learning self-transfiguration this year, which is incredibly complicated, and McGonagall's certainly working us hard. Potions is brilliant as ever- we made felix felicius this afternoon- it's a potion that makes you lucky- and Sluggy said that mine was one of the best brewed that he'd ever seen.

Head Girl duties are keeping me busy, the prefects are incredibly difficult to organise and we have to keep tabs on points as well as cover lessons and sometimes even supervise detentions. You'll never guess who the Head Boy is…James Potter! Yes that's right, miscreant of the century. How Dumbledore expects him to be a good role model for ANYONE, I just don't know- just because he's brilliant at transfiguration and McGonagall's favourite, certainly does NOT mean he's a suitable Head Boy. Surprisingly he's been alright so far though, he's turned up to the all the meetings, supervised prefects (despite the fact that he never was one), and he hasn't hexed anyone yet- but yesterday was a close call when a 7th year Slytherin was bullying a 2nd year. Still, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it all goes down hill. James potter, Head Boy- who would have thought…

Anyway I have to run, I have patrol duty this evening with none other than our esteemed Head Boy. Send a letter back with Mozart!

Lots of love

Lily

As I sat there reading her letter- I almost laughed. I could just imagine Lily's face when she heard whom her male counterpart was to be. In actual fact, we had already known who the head boy was, as Mrs Potter- who was now a good friend of my mother's, had come round for tea the day before.

The autumn term flew by quickly and before I knew it Christmas was just around the corner and Lily was coming home. My mother went to meet her at the train station, as my father was working and I had a date with Vernon.

Vernon walked me home at around 7 O'clock, and I could tell from the cars on the driveway that my mother was home, but that my father had yet to return from work. Letting myself in with my keys, I hurried upstairs to my room, but stopped when I heard my sister's voice.

"We'd just come out from the Three Broomsticks when we heard the screaming- it was coming from the other end of Hogsmeade- near Zonko's and the post office but we already knew what the commotion was- we could the see the Dark Mark hovering above it"

"The Dark Mark? That's Voldemort's sign isn't it? The one they always talk about in the Daily Prophet?" asked my mother worriedly.

"Yes- except they call him, 'He who must not be named' now, or 'you know who', everyone's too frightened to say his name. Anyway, Liam and I ran towards the source-to try and help the younger years, and what we saw was awful. The death eaters- that's you know who's supporters- were attacking the students using some of the worst curses known to wizardkind. By that time, the other seventh year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors had shown up-including James, and it was James that started sorting everyone out. He told Liam and some other students to start escorting the 6th years and below back to the castle, and asked Sirius to run and get Dumbledore. The rest of us he organised to try and distract the Death Eaters in an attempt to rescue the students that were being attacked."

"Good God Lily," whispered my mother, "They were attacking the students- eleven and twelve year olds?"

From my position in the corridor, I could see Lily nod mutely- her face a mask of anger mingled with sadness.

"We managed to get most of them out, just by throwing basic protective charms and stunners. We couldn't risk levitating them back, and most were too shaky to stand- so each had to be carried back- with the younger ones it was easy enough- but some of the older ones required more than one person, so we were losing fighters pretty quickly- and in the end there was just Remus, James and I left and Sirius had yet to return with Dumbledore."

Here Lily faltered and I heard the bedsprings creak as she stood up. Knowing that I was in danger of being discovered, I stepped further back into the shadows, silently willing my sister to continue her story.

"There was only the post office left to be evacuated and thankfully there were only 4 students inside. But with no other point of focus, we found ourselves facing curses from all sides. I managed to produce a fairly stable protection charm around the three of us, but that's when someone set the Post Office alight."

"With the four children inside?"

"We had no choice then, someone had to go in for them, but in order to get them we had to break the protective charm. Remus and James were hit almost immediately causing large gashes on their legs. There injuries meant that the only person with a decent chance of survival in the building was me."

"You went into a burning building Lily, do you have a death wish?"

Both Lily and my mother looked around sharply and I was momentarily shocked to realise that those words had come from me.

"I had no choice Petunia! I'm Head Girl, those 3rd years were my responsibility. We'd already tried to put the fire out, but it was just too strong."

"What happened Lily?" asked my mother when Lily stopped abruptly.

"I used the bubblehead charm to prevent the smoke from choking me, and James protected my back. It was pretty slow going, as the 3rd years had all become separated due to the fire and I had to find each one and bring them out individually."

"But you got them all?" I asked frantically, anxious to know of the outcome.

Lily shook her head morosely, tears springing into her eyes.

"I managed to get two out fairly quickly, and they were ok. But I couldn't find the third, and by the time I did he'd passed out due to the smoke. I managed to get him out but before I could go in for the last, the building began to shake, and James grabbed my arm to prevent me from going back in. The Death eaters had disappeared while I was in the building and we all watched as the building collapsed with Robert still inside it- you could hear his screams, but there was nothing we could do."

"Oh Lily." Whispered my mother, as tears streamed down her face, "My poor little Lily."

" We had to start moving then, because Adam was still in fairly bad shape and both James and Remus was losing blood fast. Luckily the other two- Susan and Fiona were able to walk, so I carried Adam, while they supported James and Remus- both of whom could hardly walk. The aurors and McGonagall finally showed up as we walked back- apparently Dumbledore was in London, and between them they managed to take us all straight to the hospital wing."

"Did they make it? Remus, James and Adam I mean."

"Yes, Thank God. Robert didn't though- they think he was still alive when the fire reached him." Here Lily's voice broke, but she soldiered on. " The worse part was meeting Adam's aunt and uncle when they came to visit-Arthur and Molly Weasley. They thanked me for saving their nephew- they said they couldn't face losing him, after losing his parents not six months earlier, said I was a hero, but all I could think of was the other set of parents who had just lost their 13 year old son. Attending his memorial was the most painful thing I've ever done-so many memories for such a short life."

Here Lily broke down completely. Tears ran endlessly down her pale faced, as sobs wracked her body, and before I knew it I was next to her, my arms wrapped around her shaking frame and crying with her. I couldn't believe how close we'd come to losing her, and despite my sympathy for the other grieving family- all I could think of was how easily that could have been us.

As different as we were, and as difficult as things were between us, I couldn't imagine a life without my sister- even when she was at school- her presence lingered with us. Previously, I had resented that, but then- just at that moment I realised how precious she was to me.

End Flashback

Christmas that year, proved to be the best since Lily had gone to Hogwarts- mainly because Lily and I got on better than ever. Those two weeks passed incredibly quickly, and before I knew it, it was time to place Lily back on the train. As it turned out, this was to be our most amicable parting- as I accompanied my parents to the station, and gave Lily a quick hug before she boarded the train.

That Valentine's Day, Vernon proposed and I, of course, accepted. In celebration my parents decided to throw an engagement party over the Easter bank holiday, which then meant that Lily returned for that holiday as well.

This holiday however, turned out to be very different from the last, and not just because I was now very busy with the Wedding plans. My parents, had casually suggested that Lily bring a date for the party, and despite the casual hints dropped in her less than frequent letters, no one was more than surprised the me, when her date turned out to be none other than the infamous James Potter.

Flashback 2:

"Mum? Is everything ready?" yelled Lily, as she hurried down the stairs.

"Everything's fine dear" repeated my mother tiredly.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course she's sure." My father interrupted exasperatedly. " Just calm down."

My mother smiled conspiratorially at me. Seeing Lily in such a state told us how important James really was to her.

Ding-dong.

"That's him!" cried Lily, casting a frantic look around the room, before scrambling to the door with us following in her footsteps.

"Hi Jame…err…" Greeted Lily, as she pulled open the front door, only of course that it wasn't James.

Instead, there stood a tall boy, with dark blonde hair and grey eyes, whom looked to be about my age.

" Erm..Hello." He responded, clearly trying not to laugh, though his eyes twinkled merrily at us. " I hope this isn't a bad time, actually my names Luke, my family have just moved in across the street."

Seeing that Lily was still bright red, and in no position to respond, Mother neatly stepped in.

"It's lovely to meet you Luke. Please, do come in."

"Oh, well actually my mum's expecting my back. I was just sent over to introduce myself and ask if I could borrow some milk, Mrs…" Here, Luke trailed off looking slightly sheepish .

"Evans." Provided my father, " And this is Petunia, my eldest and Lily- the baby of the family."

"I'm nearly 18 years old, Daddy." Lily interrupted.

"So are you at School or University, Luke?" asked my mother, politely.

"Actually, I'm at Cambridge University at the moment. It's my first year."

"So you're one year older than Lily." Said my father, looking slightly impressed, "She's doing her final school year at a small boarding school in Scotland"

Just then, a black convertible drew up outside our house, and Lily's smile grew tremendously.

"So this must be James." Smiled Luke, managing to smother a chuckle as Lily blushed beetroot red again.

"Let me just get that milk for you," proposed my mother, as she disappeared inside the house briefly, before reappearing moments later a bottle of milk in her hand.

"If you need anything else, do come round." She offered. " It was lovely to meet you. I'll pop round tomorrow to meet your parents."

Meanwhile Lily, had excused herself and hurried up the garden path- where halfway she was met by none other than James Potter, who enfolded her in a quick hug.

As we watched, they chatted easily, big smiles lighting up both their faces at the sight of the other.

Finally, Lily grabbed his hand, and pulled him towards the house, and more importantly towards us.

"James Potter, it's nice to finally meet you." Announced my father as James finally reached us.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too sir," replied James, before turning to my mother, " It's lovely to see you again Mrs Evans, and you, Petunia- my mother sends her best wishes."

"Well, I'd best be off." Muttered Luke, looking slightly awkward. "Thanks for the milk."

As he walked away, I saw James looked quizzically at my sister and whisper hurriedly to her- making her laugh.

"NO! That's not Vernon!"

End Flashback

That visit, was the first of many that James made to our house, and with each visit I watched as my parents affection and acceptance of him grew.

The day of my engagement party was one of great joy for me. But, as I circled the halls and heard my guests talk of the beauty of my sister and the aura of love that surrounded her and James, I knew that my sister would always be better than me. Smarter than me, prettier than me, even marry better than me- for as much I loved- still love Vernon, it was clear that he was no James Potter-he lacked the charm, the boyish good looks and outgoing personality that made James the endearing young man that he was. And it filled me with anger- at my parents, at her, surprisingly at myself and even now, knowing the end that my sister and her husband reached- I still feel that same resentment that I felt that day- the jealously and bitterness that filled me then, still lingers in me today.