Disclaimer: All settings and characters belong to J.K Rowling.
Story title: Familiar with the eyes, but not with the owner
Chapter 7
By the time I return home, it's naptime for my son and nephew. As I step into my house, laden with shopping, I am surprised to find an elderly man sitting there with Yvonne, clearly awaiting my arrival.
"Good Morning, Mrs Dursley," he begins, as I stare wordlessly at him, " I am sorry to intrude like this, especially at what must be a very difficult time for you."
" My name is Bartemius Crouch. I come, on behalf of Professor Dumbledore," he continues after a brief pause, "to settle the affairs of your sister- Mrs Lily Potter and her husband Mr James Ciaran Potter."
Here, again he pauses, glancing briefly at Yvonne before turning his focus back at me.
"Perhaps, you'd like to do this in private?"
"Of course." Replied Yvonne, standing up although the question is clearly not addressed at her, " I'd better be off anyway."
Nodding, I follow her to the door, where she stops to look at me curiously.
"I was going to ask you about the boy." She begins awkwardly, clearly not entirely sure what to say, " I'm really sorry about your sister."
"They died in a car crash on Halloween." I lie, desperate to offer a reason- any reason other than the truth, to her unasked questioned. "I hadn't seen her in 3 years."
Suddenly I feel tears brimming in my eyes. Whether it's for my sister, or the guilt of lying or even the shame of having to lie, I'm not sure, but Yvonne takes them as tears for my sister and gently pulls me into a hug before letting herself out.
When I finally return to my living room and the strange little man sat there, I blush slightly; awkwardly aware that he had probably heard the lie I had told Yvonne.
"Your sister's will and that of her husband's is fairly straight forward. Everything they owned goes to their son, and only heir Harry Potter, with you as trustee until he reaches the age of seventeen."
"Seventeen?" I question, surprised by this unusual choice of age. " Surely you mean eighteen."
"No." corrects Mr Crouch, idly straightening his moustache, " In the Wizarding world a young wizard or witch comes of age at seventeen."
"They also state that their son must go to Hogwarts when he reaches the age of eleven."
I nod mutely at this, knowing that this is something that can be discussed later. We shall have to see whether or not my nephew wants to go to Hogwarts.
"I have brought with me a number of your sister and brother in laws personal belongings." He continues, indicating to 3 boxes stacked beside the sofa, " I'm afraid that very little else could be salvaged from the house."
"Salvaged?" I repeat aghast, " Why? What has happened to their house?"
Now Mr Crouch looks taken aback. Taking off his glasses, he peers at me hard before cleaning them with a small cloth.
"Mrs Dursley, I had hoped that someone would have told you." He begins cautiously, "Given the strength of the spell that backfired in the house that night, the foundations of the house were shaken and the house collapsed just after the Dark Lord fled from it. We were lucky to find Harry unharmed. Your sister's body too was unharmed, however her husband's body had to be cut from the rubble, even with magic we just couldn't remove him in one piece."
A tremor runs through my body at this new piece of knowledge. Was it not enough that my brother in law had been murdered in his own house? He then suffered the indignity of having his body desecrated- all because of magic. My sister, killed by magic. The little boy, now in my care had suffered so much- all because of the evil that magic could achieve in the hands of a mad man.
But my sister had been given a choice, and in choosing the path that she did- she made the most selfish decision in her whole life. A decision that wreaked misery on so many lives.
Shaking with anger, I am surprised to discover that Mr Crouch has stood up and is preparing to leave.
"Thank you for your time, Mrs Dursley." He begins, pulling a letter from his breast pocket, "Professor Dumbledore asked that I give this to you."
Taking the letter, I smile tightly before a sudden thought strikes me.
" Mr Crouch." I begin abruptly, just as he is exiting the door. " Surely my sister and her husband left behind some money. Something for the boy's upkeep?"
Shaking his head, Mr Crouch now looks extremely awkward.
"It is believed that they have a vault at the wizarding bank." He explains, " But the goblins refuse to give us entry without the key, and no one knows where the key is. Some say that Mr Potter left it in the care of one of his friends, but given the horror and tragedy that has unfolded within that group- we feel that now is not the time to broach the topic- indeed two of the three are rather indisposed at this time."
There is something ominous about this man. Something in the way that he finishes that sentence that leaves me curious yet unwilling to ask, simply because I fear the truth will relate to Lily and James somehow, it always does.
Having nothing more to say, I simply wait silently at he disappears from sight before shutting the door.
It is as I am unpacking my shopping that I remember the boxes that he brought with him. Boxes that contain possessions that once belonged to Lily.
Suddenly I am so eager to complete my task that I am almost throwing my purchases into the cupboard. No sooner have I finished that I hurry through to the living room and carefully prise open the first box.
The first item I come across is a photo album. Carefully lifting it from the box, I open it and am delighted to discover that it is Lily's wedding album.
On the inside of the front cover is an inscription- in writing that I recognise almost immediately.
To my darling James,
May all our days as Mr and Mrs Potter, be as perfect as the first.
I read these two simple lines over and over again. I use my fingers to follow the letters, exactly the way Lily would have written it.
Seeing her handwriting brings all the memories flooding back to me. I still remember the last letter she sent from Hogwarts all those years ago.
Flashback 1:
Dear Mum, Dad and Petti,
It's hard to believe that these will be my last ever weeks as a Hogwarts Student. It is strange now that the exams are over. We are now receiving lessons to prepare us for life outside of Hogwarts. Culinary lessons, cleaning lessons, even dancing lessons- though goodness knows why we would ever need that. Perhaps most frightening of all, we are also receiving duelling lessons- lessons that Dumbledore feels we need to ensure we stay alive once outside these walls. It's just one of the many signs that signify the turmoil of the Wizarding world.
Students are disappearing daily- many parents want their families together in these difficult times, while other students leave to attend funerals- only to be attacked while mourning family and close friends.
Nevertheless most of my year still remain, many of us simply so sad at the thought of leaving this castle that has become like a second home to us.
On a brighter note, I do have some wonderful news. Professor Dumbledore has offered me a teaching position here at Hogwarts. I will be a charms and potions teacher alongside Slughorn and Flitwick. I have already accepted the position as it is a great privilege and I much prefer to this to the alternative of a job within the ministry.
James is hoping to take up a position in the ministry next year. They are certainly very interested in him, and Dumbledore has admitted he is certain that James will be accepted. No one is quite sure what branch he'll go into yet, but I suspect it will be a position of some authority.
Anyway, I must run- I have patrol duty. Missing you lots!
All my love,
Lily.
P.s: James says that his mother has invited us all to dinner the Wednesday after I get back for the summer. I assume she's inviting you directly, and has probably done so already but if she hasn't, please make sure you keep the day free!
At the time I was busy planning my wedding, and the last few weeks without Lily flew by. Before I knew it I had somehow been coerced into accompanying my mother to go to the train station.
"Hurry up, Petti!" shouted my mother, as I procrastinated in my room, " We don't want to keep Lily waiting!"
" Heaven forbid Queen Lily ever has to wait for anything." I muttered, under my breath sarcastically as I traipsed down the stairs, "Lily the freak more like."
"I heard that Petunia Evans," Reprimanded my mother when I finally reached her, "You're to be at least civil to your sister. I really don't understand why you both refuse to get along- you see each other so little!"
'And that's the problem,' I thought to myself, 'For ten months of the year, my sister- the perfect miss Lily Evans- was at her weird boarding school- learning how to be abnormal. Well, more so that she was already anyway.'
The car ride passed in silence, with my mother clearly excited about she Lily again. When we finally reached Kings Cross, my mother insisted that I come with her to the platform- before virtually running there, so I had no choice but to hurry after her.
The platform was packed with people- no doubt most of them witches and wizards given their strange attire. What interested me most, was not that but their behaviour. Most people glanced around furtively, while families huddled close together- speaking in low voices. Few people were smiling, and there was none of the excitement that I remembered from my last experience, instead something else hung in the air- something more…sinister.
Finally there was a commotion near the wall- which I knew separated their platform from our normal ones. First came the younger ones, enthusiastically bounding up to their parents- either dragging trunks behind them or in some cases I suspect- forgetting them all together. Then came the slightly older ones- who looked to be 14 or 15. Their reunions seemed to be more emotional- as if it was a relief to be home. Could the school really be that bad?
The platform was starting to clear by then- with only a few parents still waiting for their children.
"They must be saying their goodbyes." Whispered my mother quietly, " After seven years that train must have many memories for them."
Nodding I remained silent, watching as they eventually appeared. The oldest students- the ones who knew they would not be returning next year- and were busy saying heartfelt good byes to their friends, while others pulled their respective other halves aside for a private moment.
And then- finally- I saw her- looking wistfully back at the barrier as she came through behind a small blonde that I recognised as her friend Alice. Following her came James Potter- talking animatedly to a tall boy, with light brown hair, Remus.
I watched as she waved at my mother- and motioned frantically that she would be around five minutes. That was Lily all right, always keeping everyone waiting.
First she hugged all her friends- starting with the girls- Katherine, Alice, Dorcas and Jackie and then the boys- Remus, Peter, Sirius, till finally it was just her and James left.
I should have looked away then-my mother did, but there was something riveting about watching the two of them together. Those rich red locks mixing with that messy black hair as they kissed.
Just watching them then, I knew that I'd lost her. To magic, to that world, to him. Forever.
"Now remember," repeated my father, glancing up into the rear view mirror, " I want you on your best behaviour."
Nodding, but refusing to utter a word, I pointedly looked out the window of our car- away from my father's omniscient gaze.
When we finally arrived, Lily was out of the car and into James' waiting arms in a heartbeat- leaving us to follow rather more slowly- a clear sign that this visit was not my parents idea.
"It's nice to see you again, Mr and Mrs Evans," greeted James, as we eventually reached them, " and you, Petunia."
As we followed him through the house, I gaped at the splendour of it all. There was other word for it- James Potter was loaded.
"Oh, you're here." smiled Mrs Potter, as she emerged from a room I took to be the kitchen, " Please come through to the parlour and make your selves comfortable."
No sooner had we sat down, that an owl arrived- dropping a letter neatly on James's lap.
To my surprise, he very rudely opened it- completely ignoring his guests, while the owl perched on the arm of his chair, clearly waiting for something.
It was disgusting having a creature like that in a house, especially in a house so beautifully furnished and well kept. I knew at that moment that I would never allow anything as unhygienic as that in my house, and made a mental note to myself to wash my clothes the second I got home. Just in case.
As I sat there, engrossed in my own thoughts- Mrs Potter suddenly drew her wand and tapped sharply on an ornament to her left.
A sharp crack instantly, filled the room, startling me out of my thoughts. Looking around I was unable to identify the source of the sound and exchanged worried looks with my parents
"Lottie, I want you to bring drinks and refreshments for Lily and her family, please." Instructed Mrs Potter, " And, could you possibly fetch Mr Potter. I think he's in his study."
Now I stared at the familiar lady. Who on earth was she talking to? There was certainly no one in the room called Lottie.
"Of course, Mrs Potter." Announced a high-pitched voice, nearly causing me to fall out of my chair.
Looking down, I immediately located the source of the noise, for standing in front of Mrs Potter, no more than three quarters of a meter high- was a… thing. It had a squashed nose, overly protruding eyes and was wearing a… tea towel.
I had no more than a few seconds to stare, before it disappeared with another crack.
"What was that?" whispered my mother her eyes round with shock.
"She's a house elf. Your reaction was exactly the same as mine, when I first saw one." Explained Lily, laughing
"Except that Lily almost screamed the house down." Interjected James, with a smile, "I'm surprised I wasn't deafened by that particular experience."
"Sirius isn't going to make it to dinner, Mum." Continued James, now addressing his mother, "He's been tied up at Remus's."
"Not literally, I hope. I'm not sure, I'd put it past you boys."
Glancing up, I recognised the newcomer as Mr Potter, who I had only met once, on my visit to Hogwarts the previous year.
During dinner, the conversation turned to employment.
"So what do you do for a living, David." Enquired my mother.
" I work at the ministry. I'm the Minister for The Statute and Defence." He answered, before seeing my parents confused faces, "Basically, I work to ensure that the wizarding world remains a secrete to non magical people, except those who need to know, such as your Prime Minister and his cabinet."
"The Prime Minister knows?" gasped Lily, surprised written across her features, "But why?"
"Well, in times like these, it's more of a precaution. Ensures that security is extra tight. Normally, it's for agreement for imports and exports. Say, if someone is bringing a dragon in, we need his approval."
"That's why the house has two entrances." Pointed out James, " We get a lot of muggle visitors, so we have one entrance for them and one entrance for wizards. There are even certain rooms that have anti muggle charms- just as a precaution."
Anti Muggle? Dragon? The whole family sounded like lunatics. And the way they spoke, it was as if they thought they were above us- above us normal people. Staring around the table, I immediately spotted my parents fear, hidden behind forced smiles and polite conversation. What had Lily gotten us all into?
Three weeks passed since that fiasco, before the Wizarding world tainted my life again. Perhaps that was because I no longer lived at home. I had finally become Mrs Petunia Dursley.
We had just sat down to dinner with my parents and Lily, when we heard a sharp crack.
I had come to recognise that crack. Every time we heard it- it meant that Lily was either returning from a visit to see her freaky little friends, or one of them was coming here.
"Lily? Lily!" shouted a female voice, which sounded like she was crying. " Oh God Lily, where are you?"
"Katherine?" replied Lily, as she got up from the table, and hurried into the living room. " What's wrong?"
Absolute silence descended as we sat at the dinner table, listening to their muffled conversation, which was punctured with sobs.
Lily eventually returned, just as Vernon and I were getting ready to leave.
"What happened, Lily?" asked my mother, the instant she saw Lily's ashened face.
"Katherine's sister was murdered." She muttered, staring blankly at the wall, "All because she was seen with a mug- a non magical person."
Vernon and I left straight after that, not least because I had not yet told him about my sister's abnormality, though I had a strong feeling he was starting to suspect something.
I told him that night, and the look on his face said it all. My sister was a freak, and I was lucky not to be tainted with the same brush.
Later that week, Vernon was called on an emergency business trip to Amsterdam, and being so recently married- I decided to spend that time with my parents, in our family home.
I arrived there a little after 8 o'clock, and was relieved to be told that my sister was out with James and better than that wasn't expected anytime soon.
"He's going to ask her to marry him." Confided my mother, excitedly, " He came round a few days ago and asked your father for permission."
'And Daddy said yes?' I thought to myself, wondering why my father would agree to such a thing. He really must dislike Lily more than I thought. Either that or he doubted that Lily would get any other offers- and I suppose he did have point.
It was around 8.30, when we heard the keys turning in the lock.
"Lily?" called my mother, hurrying excitedly from the kitchen to the reception, leaving me to follow behind her.
Lily looked beautiful that night. Her red hair glistening, freckles dancing across the bridge of her nose.
"James asked me to marry him." Lily blurted out, sounding slightly dazed, as she stared unseeingly in front of her.
"And…" I prompted carefully, sorry to see my sister destined to such an awful life.
"And… I said no." she announced as she began to cry.
Flashback ends
Shutting the photo album with a snap, I glance quickly at the clock, 4 o'clock. Vernon will be home soon, and I haven't woken up the children or began to make dinner.
When Vernon returns home that night, I see him glance hopefully into the playpen, hoping that our unwelcome visitor has disappeared.
"I've said it once, and I'll say it again." He repeats tiredly, " The boy has to go, Petunia. I will not have one of those in my house."
"Too late, Vernon." I announce bitterly, for the knowledge that the child had no income coupled with recent memories of my sister had made me much less willing to keep him, " Yvonne's already seen him."
"So? Just tell her he was here for a visit or something!"
"I can't. One of Dumbledore's men was here, when I got back. I had to tell her that my sister had died."
He freezes then, half way through removing his tie.
"You didn't tell her the truth." He breathes, staring incredulously at me.
"Of course not." I responded curtly, "I told her, she died in a car crash."
Having finished removing his tie, Vernon carefully puts it downs and comes over to me.
"Oh Petti," he whispered, tilting my chin so that he could see the tears glistening in my eyes, " I know you miss them."
"I know it's been a year, but I still can't believe they're both gone. All because of some stupid alcoholic who wanted to go to see his mistress!" I shouted suddenly, "He killed my parents…"
Finally Vernon takes me into his arms.
"…And now I've lost Lily." I finish, my voice no more than a whisper and completely inaudible with my face nestled in his shirt.
Coming up: What does Dumbledore's letter say? Why did Lily break up with James?What happens to our favourite couple now?
Authors note: This was supposed to be a ten part fic, but i am thinking of revising that so there are only nine parts- in which case there are only two parts to go! For those of you who are reading LOTS of hp fanfics in prep for the final book, please please head over to my authors page and read my other two fics, esp Standing up to be counted- as it is-at least partially- linked to this fic!!! For those of you who do, please be aware that parts of ' the Art of Grief' are in the process of being updated as some of the earlier chapters were written 3 years ago- ( i only hope that my writing style has improved!)- so if the earlier chapters seem a little long winded please keep reading- it does improve!!!
Anyway, keep reading, writing and enjoying the sun! My heart goes out to anyone who's revising atm- i really do understand your pain!
PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW- as your thoughts and critiscms, help make me a better writer
love, Triple-trouble