Like Magic

Chapter Eleven

It didn't take long for Remus to return to James with the information he found on Vernon. While what Remus had discovered settled James' mind about Vernon's suspicions regarding himself, James was now a bit more concerned about other intentions Vernon had towards the Evans family.

But this was somewhat beside the point. James, knowing the dinner with Lily, Petunia, and Vernon had been less than a roaring success, realised that Lily was driving a wedge between her and her sister. Therefore, he took a step Lily could never have anticipated.

James had endured a week of Lily fuming about "Vermin" and how the man had obviously "seduced" her sister or that Petunia was surely insane, blind or just plain stupid. James could only shake his head at his beloved Lily's own insanity. Love her as he did, he knew once she had made a decision, it was near to impossible to change her mind.

So, about a week after the ill-fated dinner as he was walking alone through Regents Park (his favourite spot to stretch his legs), he spied a telephone box near the concession stand. In his close contact with Lily, James had observed telephones in use. There was even a telephone in their flat for Lily to use when calling her family. When James remembered the Grunnings brochure in his pocket with Vernon Dursley's extension number (what ever that was) listed as head of sales, he slipped into the box without a second thought.

James picked up the receiver as he had seen many Muggles do and looked at the buttons and dials on the machine. None of it made much sense to him. "Hello, I'd like to speak to Vernon Dursley," he said clearly, and was greeted only by a buzzing noise. James frowned.

Then he noticed the little slot at the top of the machine. Oh, money, he thought. I don't think my sickles will fit in there. He gave a quick look around himself and seeing no Muggles in the immediate vicinity he look out his wand whispered "Bellspacio Amplifico."

"Vernon Dursley, please," said James, but the buzzing noise didn't go away. Huh. Maybe those numbers - James took out the brochure and studied it. He put his fingers in the corresponding holes in the dial and spun it around. It whirred back to place, and James laughed. Oh, this is fun! he thought gleefully to himself.

The buzzing noise had finally stopped and was replaced by a ringing sound. James waited patiently for something to happen, and was mildly startled when a female voice spoke. "Grunnings Drills," she said chirpily.

"Er - I thought this was Vernon Dursley?" asked James, a bit startled. Had he missed one of the numbers?

"I'll connect you, sir," said the woman, and the line went silent again. James saw several Muggles pass by, looking at him oddly, and he tried to look like he used a telephone every day.

"Dursley," said a no-nonsense voice on the other end of the phone.

"No, I'm not Mr Dursley," said James, surprised. "I want to speak to him."

There was a pause. "Er, right, and you are," said the man, a bit annoyed. James nearly groaned. This is much more difficult than Floo powder, he thought miserably.

"Oh, hello, Mr Dursley" James said slowly enunciating each word carefully.

"Speaking. What can I do for you?"

"This is James Potter. Do you remember me? A week ago - dinner with Lily Evans and her sister?"

Vernon frowned. His phone didn't ring terribly often - and he didn't like to use it himself for fear that he might miss an important call. Now with this bloody idiot on the other end of the line, he didn't want to think of who might be trying to talk to him. What does he think, that I'm an idiot? "Yes, of course," said Vernon.

"Well, I know how fond you are of the younger Miss Evans, as I am of her older sister. I know the dinner was less than comfortable for any of us and I think it might be nice if they saw you and I were - "

"Comfortable with one another?"

"Yes, exactly." James realised he was being less than eloquent in this conversation. "I would really like it if we could all meet again in more comfortable circumstances. A more - casual setting?"

"Look, I'm rather busy here at Grunnings today. Lots of orders going out," said Vernon shortly, tapping his pencil impatiently on his desk. He glanced at the clock and then at the overflowing desk before him. He frowned as he spotted his secretary buffing her nails.

"Sorry, could we go on one of those walks in the country? The four of us? Maybe in Yorkshire Dales or at Hadrian's Wall?"

"Good God man! One has to plan a journey like that - takes hours just to get there."

"Oh. Right. Maybe closer like near Bath? Lots of nice hills there and ..."

"Hmm. Well, that's an idea. It's closer. Still, I'd need to speak to Mr Evans about this." Vernon began to ponder the possibilities. Petunia and myself, alone in the wilderness with me to protect her from the ravages of Nature. This idiot might have some brains in him after all.

"Oh? Well, of course we should - "

"Petunia is still in school, Mr Potter," Vernon interrupted. "She cannot simply go gallivanting in the countryside on a whim."

"No, of course not - "

"Hang on a moment, will you Potter? I'll just ring through to Mr Evans and sound him out on this." The line was quiet again.

Vernon put James on hold and quickly switched to another line. "Mr Evans, I had the most splendid notion. The weather is quite fine and Petunia had mentioned to me how much she'd like to visit Bath ... yes, just for a night, and I thought to invite Lily and her man along ... yes, of course Lily and Petunia would share a room, I wouldn't have it any other way ... one of the company cars? That's quite generous of you, sir ... yes, of course. I'll supply you with an itinerary immediately. Thank you, sir."

Vernon switched lines. "Mr Evans gives his permission and he will allow me the use of one of the Grunnings fleet to motor there. I am free a week from Saturday. Shall we leave at noon sharp from the Evans home?"

"I - yes, that will be fine," said James, a bit flustered. "Lily and I will be at the Evans home noon sharp."

"Good. Saturday. One week from tomorrow. Good-bye." And the line went dead.

James looked at the silent receiver in his hand and began to feel dislike for Vernon Dursley. It had been almost too easy. Or, maybe it's just this telly-funny thing, and James shook his head.

* * *

"You what? James! How could you?" Lily dropped the basket of laundry on the floor.

"Lily, I just think we should make an effort here. Petunia really does like him." He picked the basket up.

"Don't you say that."

"Lily," James groaned. He put the basket on the bed.

"I don't want to hear it, James. I don't like him - I loathe him - he nauseates me." She glared at James.

"Lily, I think we need to give him a chance."

"We gave him one already at dinner!"

"That hardly qualifies as a chance."

"I'm not going to pretend that I like that reptile. It'll just make Pets like him more."

"Lily! You're not being fair to him. He can't help not being Peter. You need to stop living in the past."

"I'm unfair? You're the one who went and called him behind my back! Making me spend more time with that creep - why don't you just use Crucio on me, James, it's faster!"

Lily stopped short when she saw James' shocked face. He'd paled nearly white. "James?" Lily said hesitatingly. "I - I didn't mean that. I know you wouldn't - "

James put his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. "Lily, it's just that sometimes you are beyond reason."

"I know."

"You have to learn to accept that you can not control everything."

"I know."

"No, Lily, I don't think you do sometimes. Remember in potions class? You tried so hard, studied it infinitum, but still you were bad."

"Awful, actually. I would have blown up my cauldron if Severus hadn't been there." James snorted, and Lily looked at him sharply. "James, he helped me more than once. Dumbledore himself said he was the finest potions student Hogwarts had ever seen. And you're a fine one to talk about being unreasonable. The way you go on about him you'd think he was all four Horsemen of the Apocalypse rolled into one."

"We aren't talking about me. Snape is not my brother. But Petunia is your sister."

Lily pulled away from James and began to fold the laundry. James took her by the shoulder.

"Please - Lily. I didn't mean to betray your trust."

Lily had turned toward the fireplace. The firelight glowed behind her in a warm orange glow. She shrugged slightly in acknowledgement. "Why can't Petunia and Peter be together, James? I want it so much."

"I know you do. But you have to allow her to follow her own heart and fate."

"I'm trying, James," said Lily quietly, and then even softer, "but she should be with Peter."

"What, Lily? I couldn't hear you."

"I said I was trying." In defeat, she sighed. "So, when do we go on this little outing?"

James rolled his eyes behind her back, not believing her for one minute.

* * *

The mid July sun was high above the horizon when Lily and James Floo'd into the parlour of the Evans home (temporarily hooked to the Floo network). Petunia looked up from the cooker when she heard the fire roar loudly from the front of the house.

"Lily!" Petunia chastised. "He'll be here any minute. You should have come earlier - what if Vernon had been here early and seen you do - that?"

"My fault, Petunia," James said before Lily could speak. "I was looking for my jersey, sorry."

Petunia still looking at Lily said, "It's alright, James. I'm just a bit nervous. Here's a brush for your hair, it's sticking up all over the place." Petunia reached into a drawer to take out the brush.

"It sticks up all the time," James replied taking the offered brush.

"When are you going to tell him about us, Pets?" Lily charged in.

James winced at Lily's aggressive tone. "Lily," he warned.

Lily sighed, and heard the warning in James' voice. She barely glanced at him, keeping focus on Petunia.

"So, Pets, I Bath is beautiful," she said, trying to be casual. "Roman baths, the Crescent. I've heard that the view from Pulteney Bridge is mildly interesting. It's the city where Jane Austen wrote all those romantic stories. I hear from Peter that's where those buns his mother makes are from. You remember those buns, don't you? Does she still make them?"

"I don't know, Lily."

"Mrs Pettigrew's garden looks so nice."

"I guess so."

Lily was getting nowhere with this line of conversation so she shifted. "Is Mum still upstairs?"

"She's still asleep. Mum doesn't get up every morning. Some days she prefers to remain in bed."

"Why haven't you or Papa sent me an owl?"

"We didn't ring you because Dr. Mueller said it isn't unexpected or a sudden progression of her illness. Besides, you are always welcome to telephone or write for information. Papa isn't keeping anything from you."

"This isn't too much for you is it, Petunia?" James asked. Petunia turned to look at him for the first time, and he was struck how tired she looked - or maybe it was just the strain of dodging Lily's questions.

"I could ask for time to be here and help with Mum, Pets," Lily said. "You shouldn't be trapped here. You should see something of the world."

"Mum likes me taking care of the house. I like it, too. It's a nice quiet life here - taking care of some one. Making sure everything is clean, and that meals are made and shopping done. I like it."

Lily made to speak, but James put a restraining hand on her arm and said, "I think I hear the otter mobile."

A horn tooted from the front of the house followed shortly by a sharp rap at the door. Petunia went out into the hallway to open the door and greet Vernon. Lily stood in the kitchen with a defiant look in her eye.

"Lily," said James quietly, "let her make her own decisions."

Lily turned to the hallway and said over her shoulder to James, "I'll be good I swear." James had a skeptical look in his eye as they followed Petunia out to the waiting automobile.

Vernon had the doors of the vehicle open and motioned Petunia and Lily to sit in the rear seats while directing James to take the front. "No, Potter, you sit in the front seat. You can navigate for me."

James walked around the car and got in. He sat in the seat and began to look around the interior of the automobile in curiosity. It certainly is enclosing, James thought. All those strange dials. I wonder what that stick with the numbers is for? Hmm, odd odour in here. It's rather chemical. The seat is quite comfortable though. James hadn't noticed the rest of the group looking at him expectantly.

"Erm, shall we go, then?" he asked cheerily.

"Maybe your family's motor is too old," said Vernon dryly, "but the rule at Grunnings is that every passenger wears their seat belt."

"James," Petunia said softly. "You need to put the seat belt on - it's on your left side and just put the end into the clip on the right side of your seat."

"We don't have an otter mobile," James said sheepishly, fastening the seat belt.

Petunia squeaked before realising that Vernon hadn't paid any attention to what James was saying. Lily smirked to herself.

Vernon gunned the engine and the tyres squealed as the Grunnings vehicle sped out onto the motorway. James clutched at the door handle, prepared to leap if the car did anything too odd. Lily and Petunia were slung about the rear seat as Vernon Dursley pressed ever more firmly down on the accelerator. The vehicle hugged the curves in the road while Vernon enjoyed watching James' death grip on the handle.

"Potter - you really need to learn to drive. Nothing quite like the power of an engine throbbing beneath you. Your hands guiding it firmly. Wanting you to master it. Like a woman - eh?"

Lily rolled her eyes. I can't stand it. How will I get through a weekend's worth of his idiotic sexual innuendoes?

"I guess," said James.

The small group continued out of town and on to the A30. James became more accustomed to the strange weaving and began to relax. He listened to the droning throb of the engine and made the occasional response to Vernon's comments. For the most part he just watched the scenery flash past his window.

"Damn!" The car lurched across the road. Vernon slowed the car down, and edged it over to the verg.

"Damn - damn." The car rolled slowly to a stop. Vernon's face was red with irritation. "Must have punctured the tyre. Ladies, if you would be so kind to wait over there, I can fix it in short order."

Lily and Petunia climbed out of the car and began walking towards the shady area. James was just following them when Vernon called out, "Potter, are you a lady or what? You can assist me in this."

James looked at Lily questioningly. She nodded at the car, smiling a bit. James turned back to the car, where Vernon was rustling around in the boot. "Here, Potter, why don't you take off the hub cap while I get the spare out?"

James ignored the offered socket wrench and looked at the rear right tyre. It was indeed flat, but James hadn't the slightest notion what a "hud cat" was. He looked back to Lily with a very helpless expression on his face. Lily pointed to the tyre and mouthed, "That metal thing."

James grinned and without thinking took out his wand aimed it at the tyre and off the cover flew into his hand.

"You'll need this, Potter," said Vernon testily, tired of holding out the tyre iron. He lifted his head from the boot and his mouth dropped open, seeing the hubcap already in James' hands. "How'd you get that off?"

James shrugged. Vernon looked curiously at him, and knelt to the ground, fiddling with the jack. He tried several different configurations. Nothing seemed to work correctly and Vernon's face became increasingly brighter shades of red.

James had been watching in fascination. "Ah, Vernon," asked a puzzled James, "what are you doing?"

"Trying to get this bloody jack to work properly to lift this bloody thing so we can change the bloody tyre."

James looked over his shoulder at the girls, who weren't paying any attention to them, and he decided it might be time to play with Vernon a little. James aimed his wand again at the jack and the rear of the car rose gently and steadily up. Vernon looked in astonishment. "What the - " he gasped, looking at James.

"What?"

"How'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Make the car go up like that?"

"You wanted it to, didn't you?" was James' innocent reply.

"Y-yes."

"What's next?"

"If you want." James wandered over to the girls.

Hmm, Vernon thought. That was damned odd. Must be some trick. Trying to show me up in front of the girls. He jerked at the lug nuts and removed the tyre with some struggle and replaced it. He threw everything back into the boot. Roughly, Vernon waved the trio sitting under the tree back into the automobile.

"Vernon," Petunia said, looking lovingly at him, "that looked like such hard work. I think you can change a tyre even faster than Papa can."

"Thank you, my sweet Petunia," Vernon replied smiling broadly at the compliment. He ground the gearbox and released the clutch sending the group on its way again. The car was once again swaying as it hugged the curves and stomachs lurched as the car flew over hills.

"Say," ventured Vernon, "I have a wonderful idea."

Lily's heart began to sink.

"What say we drive on to Dartmoor instead of Bath? Not quite so hilly - nice and flat; it would be easier on you ladies. What d'you think, ladies?" Vernon hoped he sounded casual enough - he hadn't been terribly keen when James had suggested Bath. Hills had never been Vernon's forte.

"But we planned on Bath," Lily stammered, her voice rising in pitch. Lily kicked James' seat, hoping he would speak up about the dangers moors presented.

"Hey, did you kick my seat?" James asked.

Lily glared at him, realising James was oblivious. Men! I'll have to dissuade him myself. "Vernon, Dartmoor isn't a really good place to walk unprepared, is it? We haven't the gear. Isn't it supposed to be rugged? Aren't there some fairly rocky hills like Great Mis Tor? And all sorts of bogs. We don't have reservations anywhere and it's the height of the season."

Vernon ignored Lily's reservations. "Petunia?"

"It sounds like a very pleasant idea, Vernon. Those hills did sound just a bit too much."

"Good." Vernon was confident that he would be able to out walk Lily and her friend on level ground. He might, if he were lucky, be able to get Petunia away from the prying eyes of her sister while still being technically chaperoned. He had a notion James had similar plans for the elder sister. The little car sped further down the motorway towards Dartmoor. "Potter, look on the map for the directions to Two Bridges. It's supposed to be the best place to begin a nice walk."

Lily began to chew on her thumbnail. Petunia reached across and pulled Lily's hand from her mouth in silence. Lily turned to look at her sister. Mum always did that too - she's spending too much time at home. She'll turn into Mum if she's not careful.

James looked at the map, quite confused until he realised the lines and numbers next to them were the roads, while the arrows at the maps edges were directions of the compass.

"Two Bridges," he said, hoping that the map would somehow tell him which direction to go. But the only thing that happened was Vernon looking at him like he was an idiot. James turned the map several ways. He shook it and nothing showed. Vernon looked at James in disgust.

"Which way, Potter?"

"Er, left?"

After several wrong turns, a few choice words from Vernon and some hasty apologies from James, the group finally arrived in Two Bridges around four in the afternoon. Vernon swung the car into a lot and they gingerly climbed out of it.

"We should find accommodations first thing," said Vernon. "We'll divide into pairs, I think. Petunia?" He offered the girl his arm and the two set off.

"I'll just stay with the car, shall I?" called Lily after them, and frowned. James gulped.

"I'll go that way," he said quickly, and left before he had to endure any scathing remarks regarding the drive. Lily sat on the fender, fuming silently to herself.

* * * * *

Thirty minutes later, Vernon and Petunia returned defeated. Lily hoped James would have the same bad luck that Vernon and Petunia had had. But James had a smile on his face as he walked back and told them he'd managed to find a nice place five streets over. Lily cursed under her breath.

"Easy walk and we can leave the otter mobile here," said James happily, "and the hosteller will come for our things."

"Is it expensive?" Lily asked, ever cautious of money and knowing James' complete lack of comprehension of the pound.

"Nah. They gave us a great rate. Only ten for all of us with breakfast and a lunch to carry tomorrow."

"Maybe Mr Evans should hire you to negotiate for Grunnings, Potter," Vernon said, irritated that James had found what he could not.

"No, I like what I am doing," said James. "Much more like me needed in the world today, you know."

"That's right, law enforcement, wasn't it?"

"Not exactly your traditional law enforcement, Dursley."

"Oh? What sort is it?"

"Vernon," Lily interrupted, "don't you think we should go to the hotel? I would like to freshen up, and I'm sure Petunia would as well."

"Of course. Petunia, take my arm; this ground is a tad uneven."

Lily sighed and squeezed her arm around James' elbow. "You had to find us rooms, didn't you?" said Lily irritably as they began walking.

"Yes," said James, confused. "You're upset?"

"Of course I am! It would have been the perfect ploy to get us back to Bath. You remember what we learned in our third year DADA classes. Vernon's certain to get in trouble and us with him. Dartmoor is the most notorious of all the moors. Conan Doyle didn't write about it for nothing."

"He's too arrogant, James."

"Well, we have to warn him."

"Pets, you don't think Papa would be upset that we changed our plans, do you? What if he needs to get in contact with us?" Lily hoped that Petunia would take the extremely subtle hint.

It was too subtle. "I don't think he'll mind at all, Lily."

"Erm, Vernon," James said. "Doesn't the Royal Navy use Dartmoor as a dueling place?"

Lily, Petunia, and Vernon looked at James in amazement.

"It's a firing range, James," Lily said.

"Navy?" scoffed Vernon. "A ship? In the middle of the West Country? Strange sense of humour there, Potter."

"Well, aren't there lots of those explosives out there?"

"You frightened, Potter?" Vernon grinned hopefully.

"Explosives?" Petunia squeaked.

"No need to worry, sweetheart," Vernon said patting Petunia's arm. "I've been here many times - perfectly safe if you follow the path."

"Mr Dursley," said Lily. "I have been told Dartmoor can be very dangerous."

"No need to worry, Lily, I have a great deal of experience in rambling," Vernon said.

Rambling on in stupidity, Lily thought to herself. You don't even know what Dartmoor looks like, you simpleton.

"Just leave it to me," Vernon said, smiling over at the admiring Petunia.

"Just what sort of compass do you have, Vernon?" Lily asked, wondering if she could put a charm on it to keep Vernon from getting them lost.

He patted his pocket smiling smugly. "Let's just say I've had it since I was a Scout."

"Lily," Petunia spoke up, "I'm sure that Vernon's compass is a very fine one like everything else he owns."

"I'm certain it is, Pets. I just have never seen a really nice one before. Might I have a peek, Vernon?"

Vernon began to rummage through his pockets. "Must be in the car. I'll show it to you later."

"James, what's the name of the place you found?" Petunia asked.

"It's the Winking Hound," he said. They were close to the hotel when Vernon remembered their bags in the auto.

"The man from the inn was getting them for us, remember?" said James.

"Right." Vernon continued walking thinking there was something just evading him when it occurred to him what the problem was. "Wait. I have the keys to the car - how can they get the baggage?"

"He said it would be no trouble." James said continuing on his way.

"Oh," said Vernon. There is just something so odd about those two. He glanced over at Lily and James holding hands.

"Here we are," James announced. The building they stood in front of had the distinct appearance of dereliction. He heard Lily gasp.

Turning back he saw Petunia and Vernon had looks of utter dismay on their faces. The roof's slates were in ill repair and many of the windows were broken or had ill-fitting shutters over them. Even the garden was overgrown with weeds.

Lily hissed to James, "A wizarding hotel? James, it has a charm on it. All Petunia and Vernon can see is a ruin."

"Is this a joke, Potter? If it is, I don't think it is very humorous," Vernon said in an annoyed tone.

"Lily?" Petunia whispered.

James spoke quickly before she could reply. "This was the only place I could find with room for us."

"But it's a wreck, James," Petunia said.

"Just wait until you see it inside. You'll love it," James replied pushing them towards the door.

"I don't know, Potter. It has a no trespassing sign posted."

The door to the ruin opened and the hosteller appeared. He looked a bit like a windfall apple with red cheeks. Strands of wispy hair fell across his head. His legs were covered in a wide whale cinnamon corduroy britches, and were a bit bowed out below the knees. Heavy hob nailed shoes were on his feet. The jacket was made from moleskin cloth and had many pockets and buttons on it.

"So, yur ere Mr Pottur. We brung yur bagdage. Yur rooms re reddy fur yur. Say ta of yur taren't - der - " The hosteller pointed to Vernon and Petunia.

Lily noticed that Petunia was utterly quiet and staring at the man. Vernon Dursley had a look of astonishment on his face. His mouth was working and nothing was coming out.

"They are with us. My sister and her friend," Lily said quickly hoping to forestall further questions from the man.

The man was gazing at Petunia and Vernon as if they were wild beasts. "Well, stip ter ere." He swept his hand to the door.

Vernon stepped forward, a bit suspicious and ready to bolt if it proved too dangerous.

Petunia held back a bit to whisper to Lily. "What is this place? We can't stay here."

Lily whispered back, "A wizard's inn."

Aloud Petunia said, "What?"

Vernon Dursley turned around to see about the commotion behind him. "What Petunia? Oh, say," he said, looking around the Winking Hounds hallway, "this is very fine. Good choice, Potter. Well done."

Upon crossing the thresh hold the true Winking Hound emerged. The derelict exterior was gone and replaced with a cosy interior. The fire was ing in the hearth, snapping and cracking. There was a small sitting area to the right with over stuffed very comfortable upholstered chairs. Rags rugs were on the floor. Yellow sunbeams shone through heavily leaded windows. A black dog was curled in front of the fire, head resting on paws and twitching slightly as it slept. Several people were in the adjacent room, some with drinks and others just having quiet talks.

Vernon was entranced by the place. "If the suites are anything like this - well, Potter, you'll have done us very well."

"I can't believe you brought us here," said Petunia in a whisper. "I told you I didn't want him to know yet."

"Know what, Petunia?" Vernon asked, still enraptured by his surroundings.

"Well - I - "

"She doesn't want to stay here," Lily said weakly.

"I'm deathly afraid of dogs," Petunia said pointing to the dog. "I just cannot stay if there is a dog here."

The hosteller smiled broadly and grabbed the dog by the scruff and pulled him from the room. "Ill git im oot ter ere. Na nid ta wurry yer. Yu dag oot."

Lily watched the dog as it was pulled from its warm spot. As it passed her she could have sworn it smirked at her. She shot a look over to James who was beginning to lead Petunia and Vernon up the stairs towards their rooms.

"Petunia, Lily, this is your room," James said, opening the door.

It was a lovely room. A curtained bed and a small settee were along one wall, and a large wardrobe in one corner. A large bowed window with window seat was on two sides of the room with a fireplace on the other side. Heavy toile drapes hung from both the bed and the window. Their bags were resting on the bed.

Petunia looked around and said, "Interesting. This room is a triangle. It's like the bow of a ship." She couldn't keep the anger from her tone.

Lily sighed to herself, noticing the wizard's mirror and the jar of Floo powder on the mantle. She'd have to do some really quick thinking to keep Vernon from noticing odd things happening. That, or convince Petunia to allow her to tell Vernon that she and James were wizards. James, what have you gotten me into? What am I going to do? Pets is going to be furious with us.

"Our room is just two doors down, Lily," James said. "Vernon and I will just leave you to freshen up. Shall we meet downstairs in twenty minutes for dinner?" He pushed Vernon into the hallway again and shut the door.

Petunia turned on Lily as soon as the door shut behind the two men. "What do you and James think you're doing, Lily?"

"It was an accident that we ended up here, Pets."

"You could have prevented us ending up in a wizard hotel, Lily."

"How was I to know Vernon would change our destination?"

"Oh! So it's his fault, then?"

"I didn't say that, Pets - "

Petunia slammed her bag on the floor. "I wish you wouldn't keep calling me that baby name, Lily - Vernon and Papa call me by Petunia. I wish you would, too."

Lily didn't answer, and the girls began to un-pack their bags and look for skirts to wear to dinner. Petunia combed through her hair roughly, making it start to crackle. A tear began its journey down her thin cheek. Lily saw it trail down and balance on her jaw before falling to the floor.

Lily tried to speak, making an effort not to use Petunia's nick name. "I'm sorry, Petunia. We - I didn't mean for this to happen. James is just sometimes so eager to please he doesn't realise that he puts others in an uncomfortable situation. Honestly, if he had realised ... "

"Forget it, Lily," Petunia said shortly. "You want to tell Vernon so badly that you can taste it. I know it. I want him to know, too. But I just don't think he will understand. I love him so much, Lily." She began to cry, and Lily walked over and put her arms about her shoulders. "Don't, Lily."

Lily froze. "Don't what, Petunia?"

"I know you dislike Vernon. Don't pretend concern. I just wish you could see that Vernon is a wonderful man. You just don't want to admit there is a lot of goodness in him. He adores me. Worships me. Is like me."

"He is going to find out, Pets," said Lily. "You know he is. Wouldn't you rather he finds out on purpose rather than by accident?" Lily dropped onto the window seat.

"I am just afraid to tell him," Petunia whispered back.

"Why?" challenged Lily. "Are you afraid he'll leave you if he knows? If he does then he really doesn't love you."

"He does love me Lily, I know he does. It's just that, oh, I can't explain what I'm feeling."

"If he ever hurts you, Pets - Peter and I would - " Lily trembled.

"I don't love Peter," Petunia cried. "Why do you insist on bringing him up? I love Vernon and he loves me." Petunia slammed the brush onto the vanity.

"Pets, please, I don't mean to upset you." Lily crossed back over to Petunia. "Pets, from the moment I first saw you so tiny and helpless in your crib I have wanted nothing more than to love and protect you."

"I know that deep down you care about me, Lily. It just seems that sometimes you forget I'm grown up and don't need you there to protect me from the world. I know what it is I want. Let me have my chance, Lily."

"I will try, Pets."

Petunia quickly embraced Lily. "I love you, Lily, but you have to let someone else be there to protect me now. We better go downstairs - Vernon and James are sure to be hungry and Vernon would rather not eat olives for dinner." She smiled weakly at Lily.

The two girls went down to the lobby and looked for Vernon and James. They found the boys in the bar sipping on tankards. James spotted them and waved them over to join them.

"Would you both like something to drink?" he asked.

Lily glanced at the smoking tankard and frowned. "Maybe we should think about eating something, James. Vernon must be very hungry after that long drive."

Vernon looked up from his smoking tankard giving Lily and Petunia a silly smile. "Nincents. I'm purrfeckly hippy rite hur."

Both Petunia and Lily stared at Vernon.

"James? Just what did Vernon drink?" Lily asked.

"A flaming cannonball," James replied innocently.

"Do you think it was wise to let him have one on an empty stomach? They're fairly strong, aren't they?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say so much strong as just a bit of a sensory spell - "

"There's magic in that?" Petunia began to panic. "He's not poisoned is he? Vernon, Vernon - can you hear me?"

"Shur I can Puttoonah," Vernon grinned at her lopsidedly.

"James, that was totally irresponsible of you," Lily reprimanded.

"It's just a little drink, Lily. You're over-reacting," James said defensively.

"Don't tell me I am over-reacting, James."

"Waz the madder?" Vernon said puzzled by the charge of anger.

James realised that he might have inadvertently erred again. "Petunia, I am very sorry if I have in any way upset you. It never occurred to me Vernon would be so - affected."

Petunia gave James a stony stare.

"We better go get something to eat," Lily said. "Once he eats, Petunia, he'll be fine. I saw one pub on the way here - let's go there."

Petunia gave James another angry look and seized Vernon's arm, dragging him out of the bar and toward the front door. Lily nodded to James to follow.

As they left Vernon tripped over the dog sleeping on the stoop and fell to the walkway. The dog stood over and lifted its leg on Vernon's trouser leg. Petunia shrieked at the dog. Lily and James battled the giggles. Petunia looked coldly at them. Lily looked down at her feet. James glanced at the dog and gave a quick double take. He stiffened. Under his breath he mumbled something.

"What, James?" Petunia asked her voice brittle.

"Just asked Vernon if he needed help getting up," James replied guiltily, glancing back at the dog.

"What was that dog doing there?" Petunia complained. "I thought the man got rid of him."

"I guess he just put it outside, Petunia." Lily said.

"Why do I get the feeling that dog is laughing at us?" Petunia said frowning.

"Petunia, it's just a dog," Lily responded. "They can't laugh."

James had helped Vernon to his feet and supported him down the walk to the street. He turned. "Aren't you two coming? Vernon needs some food - now."

In chorus Lily and Petunia said, "Yes, yes. We're coming."

Lily glanced back at the dog, now scratching its ear. Peculiar.

Dinner was quiet and uneventful, particularly once Vernon had something to eat. Upon returning to the Winking Hound, he was nearly completely revived and suffering no ill effects from the Flaming Cannonball. He was also very chatty.

"How did you ever find this place anyway, Potter? From the exterior you'd never suspect what was on the other side of the door until, like magic, you're in a first class accommodation. Let's face facts, Potter, it's not like you're the sort of chap a selective place would welcome with open arms."

Petunia held her breath at Vernon's words.

James, feeling Lily start to tense, tightened his grip on her arm. "I remembered seeing it written up in the Daily Prophet last year sometime."

"That some trade paper?"

"Y-yes," James said, cursing himself. Lily is right - I keep stepping right into trouble.

"You're sure you're not in one of those sects, are you?" Vernon asked suspiciously. "Daily Prophet? Lily, don't let him lead you into something ... suspect. If you don't mind my saying, you two do some odd things."

"Odd?"

"Vernon, I'm tired," Petunia interrupted. "I want to go to bed now, especially if we're getting up to walk tomorrow. Don't let James take you back into the bar. Lily, I think we should go upstairs."

"Yes, Petunia," Lily and Vernon said in chorus.

Once in their room, Petunia said, "Not a word Lily - not a word."

As Petunia went to wash her face Lily felt her stomach drop. This is awful. This is an unmitigated disaster. Surely, nothing else can go wrong. God, don't let anything else go wrong.

She turned to the fire to stoke it a bit, and nearly jumped back in shock. Vernon Dursely's face had appeared in the flames. "Oh!" she cried, and quickly extinguished the flames with her wand.

"Lily?" called Petunia from the loo. "Is everything all right?"

"Of course," said Lily, and fell to her knees and prayed like she hadn't in years. I know I don't ask for much, but please, let tomorrow go smoothly. Let none of us be eaten by anything. Let nothing else happen tonight!

* * *

The gentlemen were no more communicative in their room.

"Mind if I use the bath first," James asked.

"Not at all," Vernon replied, poking at the fire.

James disappeared into the bath with his kit. Vernon heard the door shut and strolled to the bed where James' rucksack rested. He peeked in the open bag. Didn't look at all peculiar. Quite ordinary. A spare jersey, shirt, and socks.

Bored, Vernon walked to the fireplace. He saw a jar on the mantel and fingered it. Must be some sort of room deodorizer, he thought. Convenient - the room smells a bit stuffy, I'll just toss a bit in the fire.

The flames burned green for a moment as the powder fell on the logs, and Vernon leaned against the mantle, his mind drifting to Petunia. Tomorrow should be a good day. Maybe we'll wander off a bit and spend some ... quality time together. She's a good girl, I like her more every time we're together. She's really quite sharp, for someone so young.

"Petunia," he murmured to himself. The flames flared high and Vernon blinked. Quite distinctly, he saw Lily Evans' features in the flames. It was as if her head was floating in the middle of the fire itself.

Vernon closed his eyes, thinking that the deodorant was perhaps making him hallucinate. When he opened them, all he could see in the fireplace was the flames. Vernon shook his head and turned to his own bag and began to unpack.