Chapter 106: Family of All Kinds
Days after their return from Spain, Sirius and Regulus visited the other members of the Marauders at Lily's home. Because there were so many witches and wizards around, Petunia had difficulty being neutral. She failed miserably.
"Lily, why did you invite THEM over?" Petunia asked coldly.
"Because, Petunia, they are my friends," Lily responded firmly. "Please be respectful."
Petunia sniffed in disapproval. "I cannot believe you're going to have a bunch of FREAKS hang out at OUR house," Petunia continued.
Lily shook her head. "Mum! Dad!" she called out. "Tuney's calling my friends Freaks again!"
Mrs. Evans came out of the kitchen and gave Petunia a disapproving look. "Petunia! We've talked about this! You will NOT call people names in this house!" she scolded sternly. "Apologize! Now!"
"But Mum, I..." Petunia started, but her mother cut her off.
"Petunia Rose Evans! You can either be polite like a proper young lady, or you can go to your room! Your choice," Mrs. Evans stated firmly.
"Fine," Petunia muttered. She turned to Lily and her friends. "I'm sorry," she said flatly, not sounding slightly sorry.
"Petunia..." Mrs. Evans warned.
"What?! I said SORRY!" Petunia snapped.
"Go to your room, now!" Mrs. Evans ordered. "And no television for the rest of the day!"
"But Top of the Pops is going to be on tonight!" Petunia exclaimed.
"Don't worry Tuney, I'll tell you all about it tomorrow," Lily said with a smile, knowing this would upset Petunia.
"I hate you!" Petunia spat, turning and storming up the stairs to her room. She slammed her door in anger.
"Don't slam the door!" Mrs. Evans shouted. She then turned to the Marauders. "I do apologize. Petunia's a teenager now, and she's only getting more moody," she sighed. "She knows better than to be rude."
"Well, she better get her act together," Milo said coolly.
"Oh, she will," Mrs. Evans said with confidence.
Milo rolled his eyes, clearly not believing that Petunia Rose Evans would ever learn to be polite.
"She's jealous," Sirius spoke up. "She doesn't have magic. People are giving Lily more attention because she has magic. Petunia wants to fit in, but she doesn't, so she takes it out on Lily and anyone magical."
"Sirius is right," Milo stated. "I remember Petunia before Lily went off to Hogwarts, and she was more tolerant of Lily. She's going to always act like this because Lily has magic and she doesn't."
"It doesn't have to be that way," Remus said. "Let's go talk to her."
"Talk to her?" James asked. "Why? She's just a..."
"James...'!" Lily warned. "I agree. Let's go talk to her." James snorted. "Not going to work," he muttered. "But fine."
The Marauders followed Lily upstairs where they found Petunia at her desk, drawing.
"What are you drawing?" Lily asked curiously.
"It's none of your business!" Petunia snapped, crumbling up the paper and throwing it into the trash can. "What do you want?"
"You just threw away your drawing!" Alice exclaimed. "I would have liked to see it!"
"I don't need FREAKS seeing a NORMAL drawing!" Petunia said angrily.
"Petunia, my friends are just curious," Lily said gently. "Alice and Mary like to draw, and Regulus draws sometimes."
"I like drawing too," Lyanna said. "I draw every night before I go to bed. It's calming. If I don't draw, then I tend to have more trouble falling asleep."
"Same here," Mary added.
Petunia frowned. Lily knew that look. "You do it too," Lily said softly. "I've seen you do it."
"I do not!" Petunia exclaimed.
"Yes, you do," Lily responded. "There's nothing wrong with drawing before bed. A lot of people do that."
"Yeah, it's normal," Regulus chimed in.
"Normal doesn't just mean you don't have magic," Remus pointed out. "A lot of us do things that are normal."
"We all do," Sirius corrected.
"Yeah, like we all use the restroom and we all take showers," Capella said with a straight face. "If we didn't, we'd stink, just like Muggles would if they didn't take showers!"
"And we all know how to cook," James said with a grin, remembering the various lessons they've had in Muggle Studies on cooking and baking.
"And we all know how to go shopping," Sirius added, which made James burst out laughing. "Oh, and we all cry and bleed."
Petunia stared at James. "What is so funny about shopping?" she asked curiously. There was no harshness to her voice, just curiosity.
James grinned. "In the first year, our Muggle Studies class went to the supermarket, and we were given a list of things to buy," he began. "We were going to bake a cake. You see, Sirius and I had never been in a supermarket before. So when we read the list, we either got things that were not related to what we needed, or we got way too much of everything. We even dropped the carton of eggs into the cart. When we went to pay for our things, it was a lot of money, and it was money we did not have. Our professor had to put some of it back for us. Oops!"
"But we've been shopping plenty of times since, and we've got the hang of it now," Sirius added.
Petunia did something no one was expecting. She laughed. "W-what?!" she asked in between gasps. "You… you seriously...?!"
"Yes, seriously," Remus confirmed. "Milo and I saw their cart… it was so bad! It was full to the brim!"
Petunia rolled her eyes. "Boys," she muttered.
"Hey, your boyfriend does some very odd things too," Lily said with a smirk.
"Vernon does not do anything odd!" Petunia defended him.
"Oh, please, what about his habit of talking with his mouth full at the table while yelling at whoever he can?" Lily reminded her. "Then all the food flies out of his mouth!" She paused. She then added, "That's not exactly normal, is it?"
"Well, I guess not," Petunia conceded.
"And how overweight he is!" Lily added. "Wait, overweight isn't the right word. It's more like being overly obese! I mean, I've seen people overweight before, but him, he's got to be at least 350 pounds! He's the size of a pig!"
"How dare you!" Petunia exclaimed. "And for your information, he's 362 pounds!"
"Wow! That's even more obese than we thought!" James joked.
"Hey, you are always the one saying that people should stay fit and healthy," Lily reminded her sister.
Petunia couldn't argue with that. She sighed. "Alright, fine, you have a point," she admitted. "He is odd too."
"So you see? We all do normal things, even those of us with magic, but everyone is at least a little odd, even Muggles," Capella summarized. "We're all the same. Even in the Wizarding World, we do some Muggle things, and while Muggles cannot do magic, there are other talents, like singing, drawing, playing music, spending time with nature, and so much more."
Petunia sighed and said, "I'm sorry for calling all of you a freak. I… I never thought of things this way before."
"And hey," Sirius said with a grin. "Even Muggles can do some magic. Not the same kind of magic as us, but it's magic when you care about the people you love."
"And," Regulus added. "Muggles can be brave too, like protecting their children."
"True," Petunia said slowly. She got up and hugged her sister. "I'm sorry," she said again.
"It's alright," Lily said with a smile. "Just, no more calling me or my friends Freaks, alright?"
"Deal!" Petunia said with a smile of her own. "No more calling people Freaks." The Marauders smiled.
"Hey, Lily, Petunia, what have you two done this summer?" Sirius asked.
"Oh, not much," Lily said with a shrug. "Just Hogwarts homework… like always."
"For me, just trying to get into an art competition," Petunia revealed. "I'm a horrible artist though, so I doubt I'll ever get into it."
"I'm sure you will," Lily pointed out. "You're a good artist. By the way, I know you know who Milo is, formerly Severus, but do you know the rest of my friends' names?"
"No, I do not," Petunia admitted.
"Probably because you've always called us Freaks," James said. "My name is James."
"James is a normal name, but don't let that fool you," Capella said with a smile. "He's pure-blood. Oh, and I'm Capella Black, and this is my sister Lyanna."
"And James did not introduce himself properly," Sirius said. "He's James Potter, Heir to the House of Potter. Right, James?"
"Yeah, but Capella and Lyanna didn't mention that they are from the House of Black," James shot back. "And Sirius here is the Heir to the House of Black. He always claims to be more mature than me."
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
"Cut it out, both of you!" Remus interjected. "Those two drive us all crazy sometimes. I'm sure you've done that with Lily. By the way, I am Remus Lupin." The older girl nodded.
"Remus John Lupin," Milo corrected.
The others laughed. Petunia's eyes lit up. "Lily's middle name starts with a J as well!" she exclaimed. "It's Jasmine."
Alice spoke up next. "My name is Alice Fortescue," she introduced herself. "By the way, Petunia, I think you can get into the art competition. I got into one once when I was ten. It was a lot of fun!"
"And yes, people with magic do art too," Mary stated. "I'm Mary Macdonald, by the way. I did an art competition, painting, when I was eleven, just before I went to Hogwarts."
"And lastly, my name is Regulus Black, the younger brother to Sirius," Regulus introduced himself. "You know, this whole interaction reminds me of something from earlier this summer."
"Wait, are you talking about what I think you're talking about?" Sirius asked.
"Maybe?" Regulus said with a smile.
Flashback:
The members of the Black family sat around the large table in the dining room of Black Manor. The core of the family had come over for this day. It was Regulus I's birthday, and they planned to make sure he knew just how loved he was.
Arcturus brought out Regulus I's portrait and set it down at the front of the table. "Aslan, you do know what today is, do you not?" he asked.
"How could I not know?" Aslan responded with a roll of his eyes. "It's my birthday."
"We're glad that you haven't forgotten," Melania continued. "Especially since the younger generation have decided to wear clothes from your time at Hogwarts." She gestured at Sirius.
"Wow! You look like you should be from the early 1900s, not the 1970s," Regulus I said, staring at Sirius and Regulus, who was right beside him.
"I'm glad you were, er, available today," Regulus said with a grin. Aslan laughed.
"Well, what else does a portrait have to do?" Aslan asked.
"True," Regulus conceded.
"Well, we have something special for you," Sirius said.
"What? A present? You do know there is no point of presents for a portrait, right?" Aslan asked with another eye roll.
"It's not the kind you open," Capella stated. "There's no way you can ever lose these. They will be with you forever."
"Oh? And what would that be?" Aslan asked curiously.
The younger generation of the family took out pieces of parchment from their pockets, or in Narcissa's case, a bag. One at a time, they held up their pieces of parchment. Sirius was first.
You are perfect in your unique way. -Sirius
"Perfect, you say?" Aslan asked with a chuckle. "I was raised not to be unique, just perfect." The others laughed.
"But there's a reason why we are the way we are and we are all perfect in our imperfections," Sirius replied. "We would be boring if we were truly perfect."
"Try telling my father that," Aslan said, rolling his eyes. The other shuddered. "But you do have a point." Leo nodded. Then he revealed his note.
You inspire me every day. -Regulus
"Oh, I'm not all that impressive," Aslan argued.
"Oh, come on! You know that's not true," Regulus said.
"What? I am just another Black, one who was expected to be a blood purist… you know, the boring stuff," Aslan pointed out. Leo sent Padfoot a helpless look, dropping his head on his brother's shoulder.
"Help me, please!"
"Well, he's your namesake, so... good luck!" Padfoot answered. Regulus lifted his head and half-growled and half-roared in frustration before sighing deeply.
"We'll get you to the point of understanding even if it takes my whole life…Ugh, self-worth issues are awful!"
Aslan rolled his eyes. "Oh, we'll see," he said. "We'll see." Andromeda smiled knowingly as she held up her note.
You are more than deserving of unconditional love. -Andromeda
"Do you know how many times people have told me that?" Aslan asked. "Only several dozen times from my siblings. But no one else."
"Until now," Andromeda finished for him.
"Yes, yes, until now," Aslan said dismissively.
"I repeat what my cousin said," she said.
"You're all going to drive me crazy by the end of this," Aslan said. "Just get on with your next bloody note or whatever they are!"
"Affirmations," Bellatrix corrected, rolling her eyes uncannily like the birthday man.
"Yes, affirmations," Aslan said with a sigh. "What? Are you next, Bellatrix?" A sharp, toothy grin appeared on her face as she proved him right.
Your love for the family is something to aspire to share. -Bellatrix
"You younger ones understand this whole love thing more than I do," Aslan said.
"Well, wouldn't you do anything and everything for your family?" Bellatrix asked.
"Well, yes, but now I'm just a portrait," Aslan replied.
"We don't need tangibles," Leo stated. "All we need is your support and you do that already. You've taught us Spanish and listen when we have a bad day; that's all we need from you."
"Er, thank you, I suppose," Aslan said awkwardly. Leo groaned. Narcissa came around the table and embraced him, his head dropping just beneath her chin.
"I wish our family wasn't half as traumatized as we are, then this would go better," she whispered. "He's not letting them have full effect."
"Then I guess we will have to repeat them over, over, and over again until it sticks," he whispered back.
"Essentially what you said earlier," was her giggling reply. They pulled apart and it was her turn.
I am grateful that you are a part of my family, our family. -Narcissa
"Well, that's nice," Aslan said awkwardly. "Our family is… interesting, to say the least."
"Well, you're one of the most safe members from earlier generations," Andromeda said.
"Well, more members than not are pretty unsafe for a child to be around, so I guess I understand that," Aslan said.
"Like the time we told you about my namesake and you had an impressive cow," Sirius reminded him.
"True," Aslan said. Lyanna smirked.
"Like my sister would," she commented. "Capella, is he the one you got your fiery temper from?"
"You never know," Capella replied. "I am from a huge family, so who knows where I got it from."
"That would be hilarious," Milo remarked as Lyanna held up her note.
All the things we're telling you are true, however, the validation has to come from yourself. -Lyanna
Aslan stared at her and rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh," he said, not sounding convinced. "Whatever you say." The young girl whirled on her grandfather.
"Grandfather Basil, you are helping us punch bloody holes in his issues!" she declared. "If you don't I will pour ice cold water over you!"
"Of course, I'm helping you," he assured her. "I've been wanting to set a few things straight for decades."
"So, it's the opposite?" Milo asked.
Arcturus only chuckled in response. "Aslan, this younger generation knows love and compassion more than we ever did growing up," he said. "How about you listen to them? They may have some good ideas that you're not listening to."
"You know how we grew up, Arcturus," Aslan said with a sigh. "Old habits die hard."
"More like old traditions," Capella groused in disgust. "We love you more than enough to help you break them. Te queremos muchísimo."
"Er, gracias," Aslan responded.
"Ay caramba," she grumbled, holding up her note.
If there was anyone in this family that I wish that I could've been able to hug, it would be you. -Capella
"It's too late now, because if you try hugging me, you may ruin the portrait," Aslan said.
"That's not true," Melania spoke up. "Your portrait is magical for a reason."
"You want a hug?" Capella asked.
"No thank you," Aslan responded quickly.
"Oh, yes you do," Arcturus countered. "Do you remember all the times Lycoris and I would give you hugs?"
"Yes, but no thank you," Aslan said grumpily.
"But what if it was from me?" Leo prompted warmly.
"¡No gracias!" Aslan exclaimed. Leo's shoulders dropped dejectedly. He hugged his brother instead.
"Maybe we'll convince him one of these days," Sirius said, hugging his brother back. "But for now, I think it's Milo's turn." Milo had been thoroughly amused by everyone's antics. His read:
Your knowledge is like a wonder-like the great library of Alexandria. -Miaplacidus
Aslan stared at Milo and smiled. "Thank you," he said simply. "Thank you, all of you. Those were… er, nice words."
The Blacks smiled. "You're welcome," Regulus said warmly.
End of Flashback
"That was a really fun day," Regulus said as he finished telling the story. "But we have a lot to work on with him."
"You're telling me," Capella said. "He's stubborn."
"All Blacks are," Sirius said with a grin. "Just in different ways."
"Your family's complicated," Petunia commented. The Blacks laughed.
"Petunia, how about you show us your drawings, and we can work together to make sure you can get into the competition?" Alice offered. Petunia blinked.
"You mean it?" she asked. "You'd help me, the same person who was so rude to you just an hour ago?"
"Sure, why not?" Mary said with a smile. "We'll help you."
"Besides," Regulus added. "All you've ever wanted was to be included, and now you have the chance to be. What do you say?"
"I… thank you," Petunia said, tears in her eyes. "I would love that. Let's go downstairs. I have more art supplies down there." The Marauders headed downstairs, where they found Mrs. Evans in the kitchen, baking biscuits.
"Mum, I'm going to draw in here," Petunia informed her mother. "Alice, Mary, Lyanna, and Regulus are going to help me." Mrs. Evans stared at her in bewilderment.
"Wait, you are going to work with them?" she asked, sounding surprised. "But I thought you hated people with magic."
"Not anymore," Petunia said with a smile. "Let's just say, I learned some things about witches and wizards."
Mrs. Evans smiled widely and hugged Petunia. "I am so glad," she said quietly. "I will make sure you all have some chocolate biscuits as soon as they are cool enough. Have fun!"
"Oh, and Mum?" Petunia asked.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I can do magic too, just a different kind," Petunia said with a smile. "Art is my kind of magic." Mrs. Evans smiled softly.
"I'm glad," she said. "I'm so glad." With that, the Marauders and Petunia sat at the table and Petunia, Alice, Mary, Regulus, and Lyanna started drawing.
Mrs. Evans observed her daughters, relishing that the barriers between them had seemed to be broken. They could be like they had been when they were very young. She also learned that they did have magic, but it manifested differently, but took Petunia's realization to see it. People were magical no matter if it was literally or figuratively. This moment was. Two worlds were being bridged in her house.
Translations:
No, gracias- No, thank you
Te queremos muchísimo- We love you very much
Ay caramba- Goodness gracious
Gracias- Thank you