Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Sorry about that.
A/N: Hi, Megan, I usually update on the weekends but as I am free at the moment I have been updating a lot more, hence the double update in one day! Lucky you! I love Lily and James, and I love writing about them because we don't know very much about them, so I can be creative. James and Vernon will meet in this chapter and trust me, it doesn't go well!
Enjoy xx
My previous experiences with Vernon Dursley have not been the best.
The first time I met him, at Petunia's birthday party in the summer holidays, he asked me why my hair was red.
I promptly replied, "Genetics."
He went on to ignore me for the rest of the evening.
The second time I met Vernon Dursley, he brought his single friend, who had even less neck than Vernon, but a not quite as impressive moustache. He asked my father whether I could date him, to which my father replied, "Ask her yourself."
Needless to say, we never dated.
So I am not feeling particularly enthusiastic about our third meeting.
James and I approach the table, and Petunia stands up, hurrying round to kiss my cheek and shake James' hand. At least she's trying.
Vernon, however, just sits there, and I'm starting to worry that he might be stuck in his chair when he hefts himself up to standing and leans across the table to shake James' hand, completely ignoring me.
"I'm James," My boyfriend says charmingly. "James Potter. And you must be Vernon."
"That's right." Vernon grunts, and continues to complete ignore my presence.
"Of course, you know, Lily, and you must be Petunia." He nods respectfully at my sister and pulls out my chair.
Thank Merlin for pureblood etiquette lessons.
"So, Petunia, how have you been?" I start off formally and she nods stiffly.
"Very well, thank you. And yourself?"
"As well as can be expected."
Vernon merely looks me up and down scornfully, and I feel James bristle.
"So you're Petunia's sister? The abnormal one?"
"Yes, and we met at the party last year."
He doesn't acknowledge what I've said, just sits there, and Petunia jumps in, in a desperate attempt to save the conversation.
"So, Vernon, why don't you tell them about your job?"
"Ah yes, excellent idea Petunia."
The way he says Petunia is wrong; he elongates it until it doesn't sound like her name anymore.
"I am the assistant financing officer at Grunnings."
"And what do you sell...at Grunnings?" I ask tentatively.
"Drills."
James snorts, and I kick him under the table, but it's too late.
"Find that funny, do you, boy?"
"Not in the slightest, man."
Despite how tense I'm getting, I have to fight the urge to giggle at that one.
A scarily neat-looking waiter comes over and asks what we'd like to drink. Petunia orders sparkling water, Vernon rattles off a long complicated name of something that is presumably alcohol, and they both look at us expectantly. James picks up the drinks menu and scans it, eyes widening as he realises that there is nothing he recognizes. "I'll have water," I say desperately. "James will too."
"Thank you."
The waiter leaves with our orders, and Vernon grunts, turning to Petunia.
"Boy doesn't even order beer. What kind of nutters are these people?"
"Nutters with ears." I say coldly, and James grabs my hand under the table, squeezing it reassuringly.
"So what vehicle do you use, boy?"
"Excuse me?"
"What model is it?"
"Uhh...it's a Silver Arrow 230, one of the best in the business."
I have the urge to hit my head against the fashionably-decorated wall next to me.
"I've never heard of them." Vernon declares, as though the fact that he has never heard of it makes it non-existent.
"Well, what model do you use?"
"I'm on a Jaguar at the moment."
James tries to stifle his laughter, and I just know that he's imagining Vernon riding on a jaguar.
"Do you think that's funny, boy?"
"No..."
"Do you have a job yet?"
"No, but-"
"But then, I suppose that people like you and your girlfriend here must have to be on unemployment benefits."
"Oh no. You see, in Gringotts, but then, a respectable man like you wouldn't have heard of Gringotts, it's the bank where us magical folk keep our money, my parents have saved a fortune, in solid gold, so we won't have to rely on the government's charity, as kind as it is. I have enough money to live comfortably, but then I suppose you must do too, you know, with your work with drills."
I kick James under the table again, and he winces apologetically.
Vernon seems to swell with anger, so he now, combined with his ridiculous blonde moustache, resembles an angry walrus. I look over at Petunia, who's fighting back tears, and I feel a pang of pity for her. Once again, I try to fix the situation.
"The waiter is coming, look, with the drinks."
Vernon turns to look at the waiter, and I mouth 'I'm sorry' to Petunia, but I don't think she understands me, because she just shakes her head, lips pressed tightly together.
"So, when is the wedding planned for?" I ask, biting my lip.
"The 24th of May."
"Lovely." I comment, fiddling with my napkin nervously.
"Oh, Lulu, about that," Vernon starts.
"It's Lily." James interrupts, but Vernon keeps going.
"Petunia and I have decided that you won't be a bridesmaid at the wedding."
That stings.
"Why not?"
"Well, Lulu, Petunia and I-"
"You and Petunia? Shouldn't it be Tuney's decision?"
"We don't approve of nicknames."
"You don't sound like you approve of much." James mutters, and Vernon swells again, piggy eyes rolling.
"Are you mocking me, boy?"
"Maybe." James mumbles, and Vernon stands up with great difficulty.
"Petunia dear, I don't think we should be in the company of this riff-raff any longer."
With that, he slams his napkin down on the table like it's a declaration of war and storms out of the restaurant, Petunia close behind him.
I look at the waiter, who's standing, shocked, next to the table. I look at James, who's looking at me anxiously. I look at the door, which is still swinging from when Vernon slammed it shut behind him. I fish a £20 note out of my bag, lay it on the table carefully and stand up, tucking my bag under my arm.
I'm only two steps out of the restaurant when I burst into tears.
James pulls me into a hug.
"Hey, Lily, it's okay..."
"But, it's not... She's...she's my sister, and now she hates me, and you having your argument with Vernon didn't exactly help..."
"I'm sorry, Lily, I really am. It's just when he was insulting you...I wanted to punch him in his very large face."
"Me too." I giggle weakly, and he bends down to look me in the eyes.
"I'll promise you, I'll make things up to the whale, I mean, Vernon. At the earliest opportunity."
"Good." I nod at him, wiping my eyes, not caring that I've probably smudged my make-up.
"There's a café round the corner, if you want something to eat...?"
"That would be nice." I agree, and we link arms, walking down to the cosy-looking café.
Hee hee hee. Vernon riding on a jaguar.
I hope the way I wrote that was okay!
Let me know what you thought, or if you have any questions, in a review.
Asante,
She-who-loves-fanfiction xx
