Accepting All Letters

Petunia had no idea how long she had been in her room crying, but it was beginning to look like dusk outside.

Why did this happen to her? Why couldn't she be special like Lily? Why did she have to receive the biggest disappointment of her life on her birthday? Why, why, why?!?

Just then Petunia heard noise outside. An owl with a letter attached to its leg was on the windowsill. It was an owl from Hogwarts.

Petunia got a bit of hope when she saw where the owl had come from. She walked over to the owl, which in turn stuck out its leg for her to untie the letter. Then she noticed who it was from. Lily. It wasn't an official Hogwarts letter. Maybe Lily was telling her that the school made a mistake today? Her letter would accidentally come tomorrow instead? Curiously, Petunia opened up the letter. Petunia made her way back to her bed, sat down, and began to read.

Dear Petunia,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! You're 11 years old now! I can't believe it! So we're technically the same age now (but of course, not for long haha) But it's fun while it lasts. I hope you've had a wonderful day! I want to hear all about it! I told everyone in my dormitory that today was your birthday and you were going to receive your letter. They were all excited and send you their best wishes!

Soooo, tell me everything! How was it? Were mum and dad excited? How did you feel when you found out? How...

Petunia stopped reading. She couldn't go on. The letter was making her feel all the more worse about the situation. She was sad. Bitter, even. How dare Lily?

Petunia ran across the room and grabbed some paper and a pen. She started scribbling back a response to her sister.

Dear Lily,

Thanks for the wishes. But one thing didn't happen according to plan... I didn't get my Hogwarts letter. I received nothing. Nothing at all! It hasn't been the best day, you know. This was probably better off, I suppose. I wasn't supposed to go to the place. I guess they only pick the freaks to send there. Why would I want to go to a place like that? I don't want to be a freak. I'm not really into that stuff anyway, it's not normal. I hope you have fun with all your weird friends, I'll stay back here with the normal people, where I'll find real friends. Sorry to have to break that to you. Okay, I am going to go now. Goodbye.

Petunia

Petunia tied the letter to the owls leg, and off into the night the letter went.

That owl Petunia received from Lily was the last she would ever get from her sister again. Their relationship after that night was strained forever. Their tight past was forever a dark shadow.

Over the years, Petunia convinced herself that she honestly did not want to be a part of the wizarding world and it was a load of rubbish. Her bitterness from that 11^th birthday never left her. Lily was deeply hurt by her sister. The person whose opinion she most valued in life had brought her down in such a derogatory way.

And so they went - from sisters and best friends - to sisters nearly strangers.