ARC I
- 05 -
SISTERS
Petunia Dursley was the same as Lily recalled her. Prim, proper with the same sort of waspishness she had begun associating her older sister to.
"I do not understand the meaning of this meeting." Petunia stated. "After our parents died we promised not to see each other again. It would be just like you to break your promise."
They were meeting clandestinely in a tiny café in Cokeworth. One they knew very well growing up and one that Lily could easily escape from should she be spotted. This would be the first time in the past three years that they actually had seen each other. Their parents had died in a car accident while both were away in school. At least that's what Lily told Petunia. She would never get the chance to tell her older sister that they both lost their parents due to being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The elder Evans' had been caught in a Death Eater raid attempting to help a young woman escape. Lily had held their mother in her arms as she smiled with tears in her eyes.
"Come off it Tuney," Lily growled. "I am in my last trimester and I needed to see you because things aren't going well in my world."
"Right, as if I would care!" Petunia scoffed. She stood up in frustration. "I have had enough of your world. If you will be drawing this meeting out longer than you have already, I will go back to my husband."
"No you will not." Lily hissed. Her green eyes flashed – the same kind of look struck her face that reminded the older woman of their father. "You will sit down and you will hear me out before you go back to your mundane, normal life."
The two sisters glared into each other's eyes. The pair had once been so close but now only spoke on terms of civility. Lily usually spoke with more patience and peace, having hoped one day of reclaiming what she had lost with her sister. However, after a while – she came to a realization – her older sister would never see past her own nose to the love she had. That in of itself hardened her resolve.
"What is this nonsense Lily?" Petunia finally asked through gritted teeth. Lily pushed forward an envelope to her sister.
"You will have this in your safe keeping. It will not open for you or your husband; but you will keep it in case – well in case something happens to me and mine." Lily stated.
The name Anthony Edward Stark graced the cover of the envelope in her hands. Petunia blinked, the name was familiar. It was a business man from the states that Vernon idolized. "Wh- what is this Lily."
"It's for my child should they happen to be placed in your custody." Lily replied calmly. She observed her sister pale and breathing getting short. Even after all this time the woman reacted the same way.
"LILY EVANGELINE EVANS!" Petunia exploded. Her fingers clinging to the envelope as her rage overtook her. "YOU HAVE A CHILD! YOU ARE PREGNANT? WHAT THE HELL GAVE YOU THE RIGHT? YOU COULD BARELY CARE FOR YOURSELF AND YOU GET YOURSELF KNOCKED UP! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU IRRESPONSIBLE TWAT!"
Lily was never more thankful for the silencing charm around the duo; even if it would have looked strange to any other muggle passing by. She was also more-so glad for the charm she learned to cause anyone (magical or muggle) looking their way to go back to what they were doing without further thought.
"Petunia."
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" Petunia flung herself back down on the seat, the envelope magically finding its way into her purse as she was too unconcerned about everything going around her with her sister's revelation.
The two sisters took a few moments to look at each other. Tears began filling the older sister's eyes. "How far along are you?"
"Eight months."
"Nine." Petunia revealed showing her own pregnant stomach. Well, Lily wasn't expecting that; then again – Petunia wearing longer dresses in a certain fashion that looked "normal" wasn't out of the ordinary. Green eyes scrutinized her older sister who sat up stiffly. She saw that her older sister's attire did manage to hide the burgeoning bump on her person. She sighed. The pair sat in silence from that point on. The envelope was still clutched between her sister's fingers.
"I am sorry Tuney," Lily whispered finally, verdant eyes locking on to cornflower blue with quiet resolution. "I wished things could have been different between us."
Petunia pursed her lips. No reconciliation would come from her, she was too proud. However, the slight nod would be all Lily would get in acknowledgment. They probably would not have time to truly repair what they had broken.
"What is your plan?" Petunia asked immediately after sipping a drink of her tea, the envelope now on the table between them. It didn't escape the redhead's gaze that her older sister's fingers were shaking.
"I plan on staying alive as best as I can." Lily replied. "However, my fiancé and I had a discussion. We have our options of whom we'd like to take our child in should we die in any event. There are my fiancé's friends and my own friend Alice. However, with the situation we are in – things may not go at all as planned. Someone in our government could take it upon themselves and leave you with an unwanted being on your doorstep. I do not wish for that to happen to you. I am giving you the courtesy of a forewarning."
The blonde nodded. "I cannot guarantee your spawn safety. Vernon and I – we can only have one child in the home. It would be – difficult if we had any other."
Lily frowned at her sister. As she looked even more closely she saw with dawning horror – bruises on Petunia's arms covered by what looked like powder.
"Has he hurt you?" Lily asked immediately.
"What?" Petunia looked askance.
"Has that fat walrus hurt you?"
"Nonsense," her older sister replied a slight too shrilly. "We are not discussing my circumstances but yours. In the event your child is placed at my doorstep; Vernon and I will do what we can to bring the child to this man."
She eyed the envelope and looked at her scrutinizing red-haired sister. "However, should that plan fail – we will need a plan in place than for the child to live with us. Vernon is not too good with children except perhaps his own."
The tremulous note in her older sister's voice broke Lily's heart. It also made her fear for the future. The Evans' sisters had been trained to vocalize things in subtlety. However, because of far too much distance and years of ill-communication; their trust for each other had dwindled magnificently. It was a miracle Petunia even grew curious enough to speak with Lily.
"Very well, if that plan does not work, I ask you to speak with this man." Lily procured another envelope with Clint's name on it. He was, according to James, the only other man to look after their son should things go arse over backwards. The last Potter was doing everything he could to provide for both of them; something admirable. He had even taken an interest in his family's fortunes – even though he had given a good portion of it to the Headmaster out of haste and blind trust. It was a wonder he got two separate accounts for their not yet born son's education as well as for any other children they may have. Lily had blushed madly at James' revelation.
"Agreed," Petunia took a sip of her tea. "It has been a pleasure Lily. I wish you well."
The blonde took her leave quickly as if she had been scalded and on fire. However as she stood, she clasped her stomach in pain. Her face grimaced and Lily frowned. In horror the pair realized.
"Call an ambulance!" Lily called, canceling her charms. "Her water has broken. Breathe Tuney, breathe."
Author's Note: I know this chapter is a short one. Really, super short but yeah - that's what we'll have for the time being until the next chapter. I'm trying to see where the characters will go.
To SLYNNR - I tried addressing a little bit of that relationship in the previous chapter. Right now; that friendship is very much severed.
To jadedquartz - Thank you!
To Silvermane1 - At this point; I'm going to say "no" just because of James' somewhat ambiguous reaction to the rune stone that Lily activated using his blood. He probably would need to know the consequences if he goes down that route before doing anything. Lily pulled a fast one on him last time.
To spk - Thank you! I know the time jumps; ugh - I can do something about it like clean it up a little bit but they're that way for a reason.
Once again thank you for the reviews, faves, and follows, would love more obviously and I'm working on longer chapters for you. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Ja ne!