Disclaimer: I own nothing, just playing with HP world in my mind, no money gained.
AN: Trigger warnings for this chapter; child abuse – not explicit
Chapter Three – The Start to BeginThe small back yard had just enough room for a table, four chairs, flowers and herbs bordering the fence, a miniature cherry tree and a shed housing a lawn mower, various lawn tools and three bikes.
"Mum, I can't get the shade to stay up!" yelled a struggling blonde haired five year old boy.
Giggling could be heard coming from underneath the shade as a smiling Petunia Evans walked from the back door of the house carrying plates and cutlery. "Oh my, we have a giggling shade. What a wonderful idea. I wonder if I asked, do you think it would sing?" asked Petunia.
Carefully placing the items down onto the table, she reached for the shade and popped it open. "Oh, Douglas look, a flower fairy has joined us for tea. Aren't we blessed today?"
"Mum, you know that's just Jamie." answered Douglas as he reached for the little black-haired green-eyed little girl and swung her down from the table. "She can't be a flower fairy 'cause then she'd go away and couldn't live with us."
With a kiss on her sons head, she replied, "Quite right son. Where would we be without your sister?"
"Hello, anyone here?" came a voice around the side of the house as a tall 30ish year old woman popped into view. "There you all are, am I late?"
"No Sally, we just had a little shade mishap. Do come in. Jamie and Doug please bring the crumpets and glasses from the kitchen table. Thank you." said Petunia with a smile. "Do have a seat Sally, I'll just get the tea and we can visit."
Musing over the changes this past year to this little family, Sally sat at the table, a gift bag by her feet. It feels so calm and peaceful here. She glanced at the small house behind her. Who would have thought that tears and terror would lead to this happiness. This result is why I continue being a social worker, for the far too few times it works out right.
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Twenty minutes later the two women continued to bask in the peaceful back yard as the children enjoyed a bike ride round to the park next block over.
"Sally, I can never repay you for helping me get my children back." said a quiet voice.
"Oh Petunia, it was my pleasure. It is a joy to see you all like this. You give me the fortitude to continue doing my job during the harshness I see in this world." Sally replied. Reaching for the gift bag by her feet she handed it to Petunia. "Here, this is for your family."
Carefully unwrapping the item inside the bag, Petunia had fresh tears spring into her eyes. Covered in painted flowers the wooden plaque had words written in gold script, "Family are those you gather into your heart". "Oh Sally, it is perfect." Hugging her friend Petunia continued, "Thank you for all you have done. The recommendation of a family psychologist, your support during the trial, helping me get the children back and teaching me how to be a good mother. Even the defense classes you recommended at the Community Centre have given us peace of mind. You have given me my life and you are a great friend."
With a smirk Sally said, "Well, it's good to be appreciated and valued. You are my good friend too. Who else would I tell dating horror stories to?"
Laughing the two women continued to talk of their lives. As Sally left, a bit later, Petunia reflected over the "bumps" with Jamie and Douglas.
Even after she had fought to bring the children back to live with her, Jamie had not believed she was loved.
Flashback:
Petunia was in the kitchen making breakfast, ecstatic that only two months after they were taken from her, both children were living with her in a trial run with weekly visits from their social worker, Sally.
Looking up she stared in astonishment…Lily! It can't be. Standing before her was the spitting image of her sister, Lily. Long auburn hair flowed down the girls back and hopeful brilliant green eyes gazed at her.
Flashing through her mind she remembered saying to Jamie yesterday, "I am so glad you have your mum's eyes. It feels like I still have a piece of her with me when I see you."
Petunia blinked and harshly said, "You will change back immediately young lady!"
With a sobbing cry of a wounded animal Jamie turned to run away just as Petunia caught her up in her arms and carried her to the couch. "Why did you change your hair?" Petunia asked softly.
Jamie relaxed in her arms and nestled her head against Petunia's chest. Slowly her hair changed into the raven black she was born with. "So you will love me too." the little voice whispered.
Lifting the little girls head with her cradled hands on either side of Jamie's face, Petunia looked into her eyes, "I do love you, exactly how you are – you're my daughter."
End flashback.
Shortly after that incident they had a family meeting. It was decided and unanimously agreed by all that their names would be changed. Petunia just could not call a little girl "Harry" and really "Dudley" – just what a boy needs, being called "dud". So, they became the Evans family: Petunia, Douglas Thomas (after Petunia's gentle father), and Jamie Lily.
Everything seemed to be settling down when, a few weeks later, Jamie had an accidental magical incident. Nothing too serious but Jamie was immediately terrified she would be punished.
Flashback:
Petunia sighed as she heard yelling upstairs, what could be the problem?
"You change me back right now Jamie Lily Evans or I'll tell Mum!" yelled Doug.
Opening the door to Jamie's room, Petunia couldn't stop a snort of laughter escaping her mouth. Her son was orange from the tip of his head to the toes of his shoes – he was bright neon orange. Then she caught sight of Jamie. Cowering in a corner as tight as her body could be, with her arms covering her head, Jamie was whimpering.
"Douglas, you didn't hit her, did you?" questioned their Mum.
"No Mum! I would never do that."
Petunia smiled reassuringly at her son and ruffled his hair, "I didn't think so but just had to ask. Go to your room now. We will talk in a bit."
"Yes, Mum." said a subdued, orange Douglas.
"Jamie, everything is ok. Come on, let me help you up. There we go, up on the bed. Now what is the problem? Why did you turn Doug orange?" said Petunia as she gently gathered Jamie into her arms and onto the bed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I just got mad at him and then all I could see was orange – and he was. Y-y-you're not going to hit me or lock me up are you?" came the terrified little voice.
"No Jamie, never ever will I do that. You are safe here." Petunia sighed, "Jamie it's ok that you do magic. It's your special gift. Magic chose you. Of course we can never tell anyone – it must be kept secret. Jamie, you can do anything with magic. Magic is neither good nor bad – it just is. But you must use magic with integrity, honour and morals. Your actions with magic make it good or bad. You must decide to use magic to be a help. Actions have consequences. Sometimes terrible things can happen if you don't stop and think before you do. Now, let's see you change your brother back."
End flashback.
Jamie wasn't the only one having to adjust significantly to their changed circumstances. A few days after that incident, Petunia had to punish a tantrum throwing Douglas.
Flashback:
At her wits end, Petunia watched a red-faced little boy, eerily reminding her of Vernon in a full snit, scream at her in full rage.
"But I want it! Give it to me right now! Dad would have given it to me. You hate me. I wish you were dead instead of him!"
Trying her hardest not to flinch and cry as the cruel barbs hit her heart, Petunia stood firm against Doug. After sending him to his room and telling him they would talk after he had calmed down and thought about what he had said, Petunia sat at her kitchen table with a cup of tea massaging her aching head. Being a good mum sure is hard, especially when I'm trying to correct my previous mistakes.
A gentle small hand was laid on her arm, "Mum, please don't cry. He didn't mean it."
Scooping up her daughter onto her lap, Petunia replied, "I know dear, but most times words hurt."
"Mum…I'm sorry. I really don't hate you, if-if you had died, it would have been awful. Please forgive me. I'll try to be good." said a soft voice from behind her.
Reaching to her son, she pulled him close to her side and hugged both her children. "Children, we must all be careful of what we say to others. Sometimes we don't get the chance to take the words back or ask for forgiveness. Douglas, you're grounded this week, no friends over, no park and extra chores too."
"Yes Mum."
End flashback.
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It was around ten o'clock at night and the children were safely tucked into bed. With a small smile at the words written on the plaque tacked onto the living room wall, Petunia wearily looked at the bills spread across the kitchen table. She really did watch what she spent money on; they didn't have television, cell phones or even eat out but on holidays, but somehow there just didn't seem enough. Jamie's birthday is coming up soon. She must have a party and cake. Now that she's at school and has friends, she deserves to have a few over to celebrate.
Glad for the interruption, Petunia picked up the ringing telephone. "Hello."
Sally bubbled on the other end, "Hey there, just calling to ask about Jamie's birthday. Any special gift she'd like or you'd like to go in together on?"
"Oh, well I haven't really started thinking on it yet. It is coming up soon though." Petunia said tiredly.
With a stern voice Sally replied, "Petunia, I'll be right there."
"Oh, no it's alri–" Petunia glanced at the phone. Sally had already hung up.
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"Now, what seems to be the trouble?" Sally asked kindly as she sipped on her cup of tea at the kitchen table. After all the intimate details Sally already knew about her family, Petunia had no worries about sharing her monetary concerns.
"It's just that I never expected the money from the life insurance and selling my old house to run through my fingers so fast." Petunia clenched her hands tightly.
"Well, you didn't get what you should have from your old place. Plus you had all the court costs, medical bills, psychologist visits, a new home to purchase and two children to take care of. I've been proud of how well you have been doing."
"I think I need to get a job." Petunia looked at Sally for approval.
Sally looked at Petunia gently and reached out her hand to hold Petunia's. "Petunia, with your migraines and the frequency you get them, I can't see you holding a full-time or even a part-time job outside your home. I think we need to explore a home based business or working from home instead. What about Jamie's parents, did they not leave her with anything to help you out?"
With startled eyes, Petunia replied, "Well, I really don't know. Nothing was ever given to us but just Jamie, a locket and a note. I just assumed there was nothing. Yes, maybe I could look into that further. Not that I'd take anything to live off of, just to help with raising Jamie, her schooling, just until I get my ducks in a row."
Smiling at each other the two women squeezed hands once more. There was now a possible light at the end of a dark tunnel called "the future".