Like Magic

Chapter Fourteen

Autumn 1977

It looked to be a wonderful week for Petunia. The sun was shining brightly and the temperature was promising to be nicely warm. The autumn leaves were covering the trees in sunset shades, and the air smelled of burning logs and peat, and crisp cinnamon. Not only this, but the Grunnings Open House was coming up, and Mr Evans had asked Petunia to act as "hostess" again.

On Wednesday, Petunia met Vernon Dursley on the train from London. He had been in town for the day on Grunnings business, and he watched Petunia in the midst of the frumpy business commuters, her bright eyes shining with excitement. She was bouncing with joy, and Vernon placed a steadying hand on her knee. Instantly she calmed and smiled at him, a bit sheepishly.

"I act like a giddy schoolgirl, don't I, Vernon?" she said, her voice still betraying her pleasure. "If I embarrass you any further, you should have to tie me up!"

"Ah, that won't be necessary," said Vernon. "You're very mature, I think, and you hold yourself well - why, you've hosted for you father before - "

"Never hosted, Vernon; before Papa's secretary made all the arrangements and I merely showed up. But this time I've chosen the food and entertainment and decorations - if I weren't so excited I might be nervous that it will all be a flop!"

"No worries, Petunia, my dear," said Vernon, patting her hand. "It will all be perfect."

"If you say it will be perfect, then that's all I need," laughed Petunia. "I feel better already."

"I want you to feel better for always, Petunia."

"Always? Oh my, that's a long time -"

"Yes, Petunia, it is," said Vernon, and his voice was very serious. "Petunia, I would like to ask your permission to speak to your father."

"Vernon, you talk to him every day at work."

"You misunderstand me," he said, charmed by her innocence. "I would like to ask him for permission to marry you."

Petunia's mouth fell open in surprise. "Vernon?"

"Petunia, you certainly must have been aware that my attentions towards you were more than those of just a friend?"

Petunia blushed a deep rose. She peered at Vernon from beneath long lashes. "I had only hoped, Vernon, that you liked me."

Vernon smiled indulgently. "May I take that as a yes, then, my dearest Petunia?"

Petunia felt a lump in her throat, and she couldn't answer, but nodded her head. Vernon reached for her thin hand, and clasped it between his own pudgy fingers, and held it for the rest of the trip, neither of them saying more. Petunia couldn't take her eyes off their clasped hands. Never before had she felt so loved.

* * *

Dinner that evening was a very odd experience. Violet Evans was still feeling weak, and unknown to either Petunia or Vernon, she had requested Mr Evans to retrieve dinner from a restaurant so she wouldn't have to cook. Mr Evans was more than concerned for his wife, and was beginning to regret having asked Vernon Dursley for dinner that evening. Petunia was in her own little world, unable to participate in the evening's conversation, and had to be asked three times to pass the potatoes.

"Mrs Evans," said Vernon, while downing his third helping of roast beef, "this meal is sumptuous. You have outdone yourself."

"It's all right," said Mrs Evans quietly. She was still picking at her own meal. Mr Evans kept glancing at her, not liking her colour. "Not like my Lily's cooking. You must come over for dinner when Lily is home - she is quite a expert chef."

Vernon smiled indulgently. "Both your daughters are marvelous cooks, Mrs Evans," he said. "Petunia, didn't you win an award for your blueberry fool last summer?"

"Only from the local paper," said Petunia, her voice very small, but she was pleased that Vernon remembered.

"Now Vi," chided Mr Evans gently, "you know that Petunia is marvelous in the kitchen. In fact her preserves won the county red ribbon. Never been awarded to a person so young before."

Vernon saw the wink that Mr Evans gave to Petunia who smiled weakly at him in return.

"Thank you, Papa."

"Not more than you deserve dear heart. Now," he said, beginning to rise, "why don't you clear the table and let your mum rest a bit, and we can have a port in the study?"

"Sir," said Vernon quickly, "I was hoping to have a private word with you and Mrs Evans this evening regarding Petunia."

Mr Evans looked from Vernon to his daughter, who blushed beet red.

"I'll just clear these away," she said, stacking the dishes and fleeing to the kitchen. Mr Evans sat in his chair again.

So, Dursley," said Mr Evans slowly. "What is this about?"

"Well," began Vernon, and for the first time in his life he wasn't certain how to begin. "I hope you realise that my friendship with your daughter Petunia is quite strong on both our parts."

"Yes, I have been pleased to see how you have brought Petunia out. She is such a shy dear thing." Mr Evans leaned back in his chair, and waited.

"She's not as lovely as my Lily though," said Mrs Evans quite suddenly, having kept to herself for most of the dinner. Mr Evans glanced at her sharply, and Vernon shook his head very slightly.

"On the contrary, Mrs Evans, I find Petunia to be a charming young woman," said Vernon. "She is the ideal sort of girl. Modest with a loving heart. I have become very fond of her and I - dash it all, I love her. I hope you will allow me to offer her my hand in marriage."

Mr Evans sat straight up in his seat. He set his hands on the table and stared at his youngest salesman. "Good heavens, Dursley, Petunia is only sixteen."

"I understand, sir," said Vernon quickly. "I know we can't be married for some time yet, but I just don't want to lose her. You know how those young lads at school can be. "

"Do you think she loves you too?" asked Mr Evans.

"Yes, yes I do," said Vernon, quite sincerely. "We have a special respect for one another. We seem to understand what the other is thinking and I really believe that together Petunia and I will have as strong a marriage as you both do."

Mr Evans looked to Mrs Evans and thought a bit. He wasn't certain that it was wise for his daughter to make such an important commitment so early in her life. True, it was her last year of school, and he and Mrs Evans had become engaged when in their last years of school - but Mr Evans couldn't help but wish for more for his own daughters. Lily was leading such a fine life for herself, on her own in London. Even with the young Potter chap - Mr Evans had recently had a long chat with the boy about his intentions towards Lily, and though he approved of the match, he wondered if Lily wasn't growing farther and farther away from her family, further drawn into a world none of them quite understood.

Which was why Petunia was such a relief. She was more of a homebody, and from the time Mr Evans had spent with his younger daughter, he also knew that Petunia would not want to be away from home and family. She would stay in Surrey for the rest of her life; she would stay near him. The thing that frightened Mr Evans the most was the possibility of losing both his daughters, of growing old without either of them near. Of all the young men that Mr Evans knew, he felt that Vernon was perhaps the best partner for his youngest daughter. Vernon was so determined and capable, and in his company Petunia had only become more self-confident herself.

Of course, Lily didn't like the man at all, and she had never really given him a good reason why. Oh, there had been that talk of Arithmancy a year or so ago, when Lily had thrown those numbers at him, but Mr Evans had never held much stock in fortune-telling, and truth be told had been disappointed that his eldest daughter - normally so steadfast and sensible - would believe what Mr Evans considered at best mumbo-jumbo. Of course, Mr Evans hadn't forgotten that Lily's additions had been incorrect either.

As well, Lily had been set on Petunia marrying young Peter Pettigrew next door. But time changes everything, and Mr Evans hadn't seen Peter Pettigrew more than three times in the past year. Petunia certainly hadn't mentioned him in nearly as long. Mr Evans was now convinced that whatever Petunia had felt for Peter at one time had been just a childhood crush.

Mr Evans realised with a start that he'd kept Vernon waiting in silence for a bit, and couldn't help but think that it was a good thing. "Violet," he said, turning to his wife, "what do you think of Mr Dursley's announcement?"

"Lily wanted her to marry Peter," said Mrs Evans petulantly. But she said it quietly, and Mr Evans realised that his wife was only half listening to the conversation, and was very tired.

"It isn't Lily's choice, dear, and I think Vernon and our daughter will make a splendid couple, Violet," said Mr Evans. "It would make me quite pleased to know that Petunia is married to a man with such a strong commitment to her."

"Then I have your approval, sir?" asked Vernon.

"Of course, if the girl says yes," said Mr Evans. "I will go a step further and stipulate a long engagement - at least one year. Is that amenable?"

"Of course," said Vernon, his head spinning. He agreed, it's done, I have Grunnings within my grasp!

"Now, Dursley, I don't want you trying to advance the wedding night," continued Mr Evans.

"Of course not, sir," said Vernon, trying his best to sound dignified, but nonetheless disappointed. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Excellent," said Mr Evans, rising from his chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Dursley, it really is time for my wife to return to bed."

"Oh, Geoffrey," sighed Mrs Evans.

"I cannot have you wearing yourself out," scolded Mr Evans gently, and he helped Mrs Evans from her chair. Vernon rose as well, but Mr Evans brushed him aside. "I'll return shortly, Dursley. Why don't you assist Petunia in the kitchen?" He smiled at Vernon before leaving the room.

Vernon smiled to himself before looking for Petunia. He found her standing at the sink in the kitchen, humming cheerily to herself and completely unaware of his presence. Sliding behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly.

"Vernon - " she said nervously, and he spun her around and kissed her soundly. "My parents," she gasped when he released her.

"Are upstairs, and I think your father is amenable to leaving us for a moment alone," said Vernon quietly.

"You mean - "

Vernon bent before Petunia onto his knees and held tightly to her hand (still covered in dish soap). "Petunia, my darling, my love. All my life I have been waiting to find the one woman I would spend my life with. I have looked over the world and I have found her here. Now I kneel before the one flower I find the most beautiful, and I ask her - darling,

marry me and be mine for always!"

Petunia felt her eyes fill up with tears. "Oh, Vernon - "

She didn't need to say more. Vernon jumped up and took her in his arms again. By the time he had let her go, the dishwater had gone quite cold.

* * *

When the telephone rang, it startled James enough that he fell out of his chair. The telephone in the little London apartment didn't ring terribly often, and when it did it was always for Lily. He was under strict orders never to answer it himself, and so he didn't feel the least bit guilty letting Lily do the honours, nor did he feel guilty about eavesdropping on her side of the conversation.

"Hello? Oh, Papa, how are you ... yes, of course, I'm taking the train on Thursday evening. I asked and was given Friday off, quite nice of them really since we're rather busy at the moment ... oh, just a good deal of overtime, nothing terrible. Nothing you should worry over at any rate."

Lily made a face at James and he made a face in return.

Leave it to her parents to call and interrupt the one evening I have at home this week, thought James. Never a moment since getting my Auror's certificate, not with this Voldemort person on the loose, and she's busy enough herself.

"Yes, of course I recall Mr Dursley," Lily was saying. "He - what? Engaged? But Pets isn't seventeen yet!"

James pricked his ears. Wish Moony was here - he could hear the other side of the conversation.

"No, no, I understand. Yes, of course put her on ... Pets! Papa's just told me ... I don't know what to say, Pets ... it's such a surprise ... of course I'm happy for you."

James snorted. He could see Lily's fingers crossed.

"I'll be there this weekend, Pets ... we'll talk then. Yes, of course, goodbye." Lily hung up the phone and stood quite still for a moment.

"Lily," said James.

Lily turned around. Her face was set in the expression that James had come to call "Lily on the Warpath."

"She will not marry Vernon Dursley," said Lily firmly.

"Erm, Lily," said James, a bit nervous now. "How exactly do you propose to stop her?"

"First, I'm going to light the fire," said Lily, marching to the fireplace. "And then I'm going to talk to Peter."

James sighed. He hated the phelly-tone.

* * *

Vernon Dursley was a very smug man. His plans were falling into place perfectly. If he could have clapped his plump hands together and jumped up and down, he would have. Upon leaving Cambridge, he'd had exactly two goals in life, and he had very nearly completed both of them.

First, he had a good job. No, a great job. Vernon was the new head of sales at Grunnings. Mr Evans trusted Vernon with his company and his employees, and Vernon made quite certain that his employer never saw him anything but busy and efficient. After all, Mr Evans wasn't young anymore, and did not have a son to inherit the company. Vernon knew perfectly well that this was his golden opportunity for success, and it lay right in the hands of Petunia Evans.

That, of course, was his second goal. In Petunia Evans, Vernon had found a gold mine. Despite her youth, Petunia was intelligent but modest. She was slender, and though she wasn't a great beauty she was rather striking in her own right. Vernon rather liked her - he thought she complemented his own dashing looks quite well.

True, he had originally intend to woo the elder Evans girl - after all, Petunia had been a mere fifteen year old slip of a girl when he first started at Grunnings. Lily, being eighteen, was far more suitable to his mind. This was, of course, before he had actually met the red-headed devil-woman, and Vernon had come to the conclusion that the girl was insufferable. Not only did she sport a "better-than-thou" complex, but Lily had royally snubbed him just because he had tried to be friendly.

What's more, Lily was decisively ... odd. That school she claimed to have attended - Vernon had looked it up and as far as he could tell, it didn't exist. She had never truly come clean about her place of employment in London, and he'd spent some hours trying to locate her in the various registers of nurses, without finding her name. Then there was that Potter chap who seemed to follow Lily around like a stray dog - messy hair, never seemed comfortable in any sort of surroundings, and he didn't seem to have regular employment either.

Vernon preferred not to think about the events in Dartmoor. A wizard? Magic? Nonsense. Rubbish! And fancy a motorcycle simply flying out of the sky like that! Vernon supposed he'd had something funny to eat that morning at the bed and breakfast that the Potter chap had found for them. Certainly that place wasn't listed on any tour guide Vernon had been

able to find! For that matter, Vernon had never found a copy of the Daily Prophet either!

Vernon knew perfectly well that Lily did not approve of him. He was perfectly all right with that. After all, he had Mr Evans' approval, and Petunia's unconditional love. If necessary, he knew he could easily sway Petunia away from her sister and cut the elder girl out of their lives. If necessary. There was no need to be hasty. Mr Evans had years left in him, surely.

* * *

The day of the Grunnings picnic dawned bright and clear. Petunia threw open her window and leaned out, taking in a deep breath of crisp autumn air. Oh, it will be a perfect day, she thought to herself, smiling and leaning into the breeze. She was looking forward to having fun at the Grunnings open house. Her father had even arranged for a marquee to be set up and fairy lights to adorn the trees. A small band was set up in the

lobby of Grunnings for dancing after dark. There were even fireworks arranged for later.

Petunia's smile grew as she thought about sitting beneath the night sky, and opened her eyes to see Peter Pettigrew staring out from his own window directly at her.

Petunia gasped and slammed her window shut, throwing the curtains across it. She was shaking. What is he doing here? she thought angrily to herself. Shouldn't he be off auror-or-ring or whatever it is he does?

Petunia left her room hastily, thinking a nice hot shower would drive Peter out of her head, when she ran into Lily, just coming out of the loo herself. "Morning Pets," said Lily cheerily. "Sleep well?"

"Until I saw that Peeping Tom of a Peter Pettigrew looking at me from his window," snapped Petunia, frowning. "Shouldn't he be in London saving the world from evil?"

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Now, Pets, he can't see that far into your room from his," she chided her sister. "And he's here for the same reason I am, to attend the picnic today."

"He wouldn't!" cried Petunia, her eyes growing wide. "It's for Grunnings employees and their families only!"

"Papa told me that the Pettigrews were coming ages ago, Pets," said Lily. "Mr Pettigrew wanted a look at how a Muggle company is run, something about modeling it within the wizarding community."

Petunia pursed her lips. "Well, he could have told me," she said huffily. "I'm only planning the event!"

"Now Pets, you've been so busy with the details you couldn't possibly have thought of the guest list too," soothed Lily, not realising that she was hardly being comforting at all. "Don't worry, I'm sure it will all go splendidly."

Petunia brushed past her and into the loo, slamming the door behind her. Lily sighed.

This is going to be harder than I expected, thought Lily grimly. It only became worse about an hour later when Vernon Dursley pulled up to the curb outside and honked his horn. Petunia came flying down the stairs from her bedroom, pausing briefly to check her hair and makeup in the front hall mirror.

"You and Papa will follow us, won't you, Lily?" asked Petunia breathlessly.

"Can't I go with you and Vernon?" asked Lily. "Papa's car will be rather full, with the Pettigrews and me."

"I can ask," said Petunia doubtfully. She peered out the window. "Oh, Lily, look at him! Doesn't Vernon look dashing today?"

Lily peered out the window. There was Vernon Dursley, sitting in a two-seat coupe that was possibly smaller than he was. The many dinners at the Evans home had resulted in a neck that nearly disappeared into his shoulders. He wore a linen jacket in navy with white stripes, and white trousers. A paisley ascot was tied at his neck, and to top it off he

had on a straw boater.

He looks, thought Lily, like a reject from a bad BBC shoot of a clever university student in the 1930's.

Petunia threw open the door. "Vernon!" she called gaily. "Lily would like to come with us!"

Vernon Dursley thought quickly. The last thing he wanted was a tagalong. "Sorry, dear heart," he called back. "There's only room for two, I'm afraid."

"Sorry, Lily," whispered Petunia quickly, and flew out the door. Lily peered out the window to see her sister settle herself in Vernon's small red coupe, before the car screeched down the street. A quick glance at the Pettigrew's house showed Peter glaring at them from his own front window, before hastily shoving the curtains back in place.

That bloody Dursley, grumbled Lily, biting her fingernail. He's got all of Sirius' ego and all of Severus Snape's charm! Why am I the only one who sees that?

Lily was distracted by the sound of her father descending the stairs. "Petunia is on her way, then?" he asked cheerily. "Excellent, she should be there a bit early to make sure everything goes smoothly."

"Vernon Dursley drives awfully fast, doesn't he?" asked Lily. She couldn't hide the disapproval in her voice, and Mr Evans raised an eyebrow at her.

"I suppose," he said. "But Petunia knows to always buckle her safety belt, so I'd not worry."

"Hmph," snorted Lily. "Mum's asleep?"

"Yes," said Mr Evans, "and we'll just pop over to the Pettigrew's for a bit of tea and then we'll be off ourselves. Ready?"

Lily could never quite get over the sight of her father in the company of other witches and wizards. Her mother was always a bit nervous, as though at any moment something around her would burst into flame. But Mr Evans always seemed perfectly comfortable amidst floating teacups and talking mirrors. Once, while over at the Pettigrews for supper, Mr Evans had been sitting near the fireplace when Polaris Black had called by Floo powder. When Polaris's head appeared in the flames, Mr Evans merely asked him

how his day had been, and continued sipping his tea.

Mr Pettigrew instantly took Mr Evans aside, and the two men were quickly immersed in a discussion of the finer points of business management. Mrs Pettigrew was somewhere fixing her hair, and Lily found herself dragged into the front parlour by Peter.

"Who was that with Pets," he demanded. Peter was unusually pale, and his eyes had circles beneath them. Lily couldn't help but notice the tremble in his hands, or how cool they were.

"That was Vernon Dursley, one of Papa's salesmen," said Lily. "Haven't you paid attention? He's been chasing after Petunia since our last year at Hogwarts."

"What can she possibly see in him," snorted Peter. "He's - he's - "

"Horrid," agreed Lily. "Peter, this may be your last chance. You have to show Pets you're better than he is."

Peter bit his lip. "How the hell am I supposed to do that?"

"We'll think of something," said Lily.

* * *

"It's such a sweet little car, Vernon," said Petunia as the coupe raced from street to street. Vernon grinned at her.

"No sweeter than you, my little chickadee," he said gallantly, and Petunia laughed merrily. "You're lovely today. In fact, I saw some neighbour spying on you this morning."

Petunia frowned. "Oh, that Peter Pettigrew - he's such a Peeping Tom. Someone ought to smack him."

"Peter ... he's a friend of your sister's, isn't he?" asked Vernon casually, his mind racing.

"Yes, he went to Hogwarts with Lily and James," said Petunia glumly. "He and his parents will be at the picnic today."

"I thought this was for Grunnings employees only!" said Vernon.

"It is, but apparently Mr Pettigrew wants to see how the business is run, and Papa thought that today would be a lovely day to show him the grounds and machinery under casual circumstances. I only wish someone had told me that Peter would be there."

"Don't care for him, then?"

Petunia didn't answer at first. "It's more complicated than that," she finally said. "Peter and I were quite close when we were younger, but now ... I don't know."

"Well, I know the perfect way to dissuade him from bothering you any more," said Vernon firmly.

"Oh?"

"We can announce our engagement at the picnic," said Vernon. "What do you say?"

Petunia turned to him. "Oh! I thought - I thought you didn't want to say anything just yet? Wait until I was a bit older?"

"Why keep it secret?" scoffed Vernon. "It's not as though either of us will change our minds."

"No, of course not."

Vernon quickly pulled the coupe to the side of the road. "Well then," he said, turning to Petunia and taking her hands in his. "Petunia, my sweet dove, will you allow your father to announce our engagement today?"

Petunia's eyes shone. "Oh, yes! I can't think of any place more perfect."

Vernon leaned in towards her, kissing her very gently. Since she didn't giggle, he started to intensify his kisses, and gradually moved his hands up her arms, onto her shoulders, and soon was beginning to unbutton her blouse.

Upon reflection, Vernon decided it had been a good idea to park the car on a less trafficked street.

* * *

It was a slightly disheveled Petunia who arrived at the picnic about fifteen minutes later than expected. Luckily, most of the guests had not yet arrived, and so she quickly began her hostess duties, ensuring that all of the games for the children were set up, the tables of food and drink were properly stocked, and that the various seating areas and tents were sparkling clean.

When Lily tumbled from her father's rather cramped car, she quickly scanned the yard looking for her sister. She found her standing by the punch bowl, laughing with some nameless Grunnings employee. Lily frowned to see Petunia unusually cheerful and expectant. Something's not right - something happened on the car ride here - oh, dear.

Lily marched over to Petunia and leaned to her sister's ear. "Pets," she hissed. "Go find the ladies and fix your blouse! You've mis-buttoned it!"

Petunia jumped. "Oh!" she said, feigning innocence. "My, I wonder how that could have happened. Thank you, Lily." She smiled at her sister and slipped away.

"I wonder indeed," grumbled Lily. She caught sight of Vernon Dursley near the refreshment station, and he raised his glass of punch to her, smirking, as though he dared her to accuse him of anything.

"Vernon!" said Mr Evans, walking up to him. "There you are! Let me introduce you to our neighbours. This is Maurice and Beatrice Pettigrew, and their son Peter."

"How do you do?" asked Vernon, shaking hands with the father and mother, but his eyes were centred on Peter. "A pleasure to see you here. Mrs Pettigrew, I must congratulate you on your peonies. I've never seen flowers so fine in the autumn."

Mrs Pettigrew smiled widely, and was about to answer when Lily jumped in. "Mrs P, Pets asked me to keep an eye on the food while she stepped inside, won't you help me over here?" She grabbed the older lady by the hand and proceeded to drag her away from Vernon, taking a last look at Peter.

Talk to him! she mouthed. Peter looked at Vernon, eyes narrowing. He noticed that the two fathers had turned away from them, as Mr Evans pointed out various Grunnings employees to Mr Pettigrew.

"Drive a bit fast, don't you?" said Peter. His voice was sharp. "Thought you left skid marks on the road this morning."

Vernon smiled gamely at the younger man. "You're Peter, right? A school chum of Lily's?"

"I'm sure Pets has told you all about me," said Peter.

"Actually, no, I don't believe she has mentioned you at all," said Vernon smoothly, and was gratified to see Peter clench his fists.

"I'm sure she has; I've been friends with Pets since she was born," said Peter, belligerent. "Perhaps your attentions were focused - elsewhere."

Vernon's face grew red, and his eyes narrowed. "You've a lot of nerve for a young pup," he sneered. "Jealous?"

"In your dreams," said Peter.

Vernon smiled. "I'm afraid my dreams might give you a heart attack, Petey boy," he said, and Peter glowered. He felt for his wand in his pocket, but resisted removing it. "Mr Evans," continued Vernon, raising his voice. "Might I have a word with you a moment?"

Peter watched as Mr Evans and Vernon crossed the lawn and went into the building. He was shaking so hard his hands trembled. That idiotic fat Muggle has a lot of nerve! He's oversexed, overgrown ... and he's got Pets.

Out of the corner of his eye, Peter saw Petunia standing by a table, smoothing the tablecloth and laughing with some other young man. Peter frowned, and walked over to her.

"Pets," he said shortly, and winced at his tone, instantly softening it. "Pets, I haven't seen you in a while."

Petunia turned to him, and her smile wavered a bit. "Peter! I would have said you saw me this morning, really."

Peter blushed, remembering how she had looked, leaning out the window dressed only in a semi-sheer nightgown, hair blowing in the morning breeze. "An accident. I forgot our windows were so close."

"You're back for the weekend, then?" asked Petunia, and she turned to face him. For Peter, it was as though every other person at the picnic fell away, and there were only the two of them in the world.

"Yes, until tomorrow afternoon. I have to be back at work on Monday; precious little time we have off these days."

"Lily has been working a good deal too," said Petunia. "There isn't anything wrong, is there?"

Peter paused. Should I tell her? No, what's she have to worry over? The whole thing is about Mudbloods anyway, not Muggles like Petunia. "No, not something you should have to worry over."

"Oh," said Petunia quietly. She almost thought Peter was about to confide in her, and then changed his mind. He still can't trust me. He still thinks I'm too different. "Well - "

"I met your friend," blurted Peter, desperate to keep her near.

"Vernon?"

"Yes," said Peter. "Pets - do you like him?"

Petunia looked up at Peter. Her eyes were very round and very blue, and Peter realised that he was waiting with bated breath to hear what she had to say. "Yes," she said hesitatingly. "I do, I think." Petunia wondered why the words had been so difficult to say to Peter, when she'd been fairly shouting them at Lily daily.

"Oh," said Peter. He felt his heart fall to the floor with a thud. "I only ... I want you to be happy, Pets, is all."

Petunia didn't answer, and glanced to where her father was clapping his hands loudly to command the attention of the crowd. Peter looked in the same direction, and saw Mr Evans standing on a stool, with Vernon Dursley at his elbow.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Grunnings family, and friends," Mr Evans was saying, "welcome to our annual Grunnings picnic! I hope you all enjoy today's activities, and in a moment we'll be serving lunch for everyone, but first I have a happy announcement to make!"

Petunia inhaled sharply, and Peter glanced at her, with an uneasy feeling that she knew what the announcement was. "Pets?" he asked, reaching for her arm. "Are you all right?"

"I am sure you are all aware," continued Mr Evans, "that our head of the sales division, Mr Vernon Dursley, has been seeing my daughter Petunia for some time now, and it is my extreme pleasure to announce to you all that she has consented to marry him!"

Peter's entire world stopped. He didn't hear the applause of the crowd; he didn't notice the crush of well-wishers coming up to shake Petunia's hand. He only saw Petunia's eyes looking up at him full of apology, he only heard the blood roaring in his ears, and he only felt her arm slip from his hand as she was pulled away from him.

"Peter," said Lily from behind him, and Peter spun around.

"This is why you brought me here, isn't it?" he hissed at her, eyes blazing. "This is what you meant by last chance, Lily? Fine last chance - I got to meet the man she's going to marry."

"No, Peter, you don't understand," said Lily, frantic. She grabbed his arm and held it tightly. "I didn't know they were to announce it! Pets told me they wouldn't say anything until she'd finished school! I thought perhaps - "

"Perhaps what, Lily?" snapped Peter. "I'd show up like a knight rescuing the princess from the clutches of the overweight dragon? You've a lot of nerve, Lily Evans. Just stay out of my love life why don't you! I don't need a matchmaker." He wrenched his arm away and stormed towards the nearby factory building, hoping to find some sort of solitude apart from the chattering crowd.

Damn you, Petunia Evans, he thought to himself as he found his way to the factory floor, resting between several large stamping presses. Damn you and that overweight slob. I wish you happiness and that you choke on it.

* * *

Lily made her way through the crowd of people, finally finding her father on the fringes of the crowd. "Papa, why did you announce it today?" she nearly wailed at him.

Mr Evans looked at Lily in surprise. "They asked me to do so," he said. "I didn't think it mattered to you quite so much."

"Papa, you know it matters! Pets shouldn't be marrying Vernon at all!"

Mr Evans frowned. "Now Lily, Petunia is a nearly grown woman and she deserves every happiness you yourself have. I see no reason to stop this marriage."

"Papa," urged Lily, "she and Peter are supposed to be together, remember? They are meant for one another. You and I both know it."

Mr Evans took Lily's arm and led her away from the crowd. Once they were far enough away that their voices could no longer be heard, Mr Evans turned to Lily and spoke low. "This is about your Arithmancy, isn't it? You should double-check your numbers more carefully, Lily - Peter Pettigrew is not the man you think he is."

Lily's mouth dropped open. "I don't understand - my math was correct - wasn't it?"

"Petunia's childhood crush is over. You must learn to accept this. Whatever you think of him, she loves Vernon Dursley and she needs your support."

"But Papa!"

"Lily, Vernon is a nice steady reliable young man," said Mr Evans sharply. "Stop this foolish prattling about Peter Pettigrew. Had he truly wanted to court Petunia, he should have been doing so before now."

Mr Evans left Lily to rejoin the festivities, and Lily stood stock still in the middle of the yard. She stared over at Petunia in the centre of the crowd, talking with her well-wishers, but Lily thought she could hear a bit of hollowness in her laughter. And she noticed that every so often, Petunia would glance around the area, as if looking for someone who seemed to have disappeared ...

"I suppose that's over, then," said Mrs Pettigrew from beside Lily. Lily jumped and looked at the older woman. In the distance, Lily could see Vernon Dursley watching her. Vernon raised his glass to her and winked. Lily felt her blood boil.

"It's never over," she said to Mrs Pettigrew, and stormed off to find her sister.

* * *

Vernon had been looking for Petunia for nearly half an hour when he realised that his fiancée was being held hostage by her elder sister on the factory floor.

"Lily, would you please mind your own business?" he heard Petunia snap at Lily as he entered the room. Vernon quickly slipped behind some of the machinery, thinking to eavesdrop just a bit more before presenting himself. "Just because I choose to marry someone who isn't anything like you is no reason for you to try to talk Papa into withholding his permission."

"That has nothing to do with it, Pets!" cried Lily.

"It has everything to do with it! You're still trying to treat me like a baby - even down to what you call me! I've told you again and again, Lily. Why can't you remember to call me Petunia?"

"Petunia - I'm sorry. But you're meant to be with Peter, not Vernon - why can't you see that?"

Petunia let out a hollow laugh. "Why can't you see you're wrong?" she asked. "I don't love Peter - how could I ever love him? He's - he's not normal."

Peter, still sitting on the other side of the factory floor, lowered his head to his knees. This isn't happening. I'm not hearing this. But he could hear every word, and more than that, he could hear the uncertainty in Petunia's voice and the fear in Lily's.

Lily was quiet for a moment. "Pets," she finally said, "are you saying that I'm not normal, either?"

Vernon tried to look around the machine to see the girls. What is she talking about Pettigrew like that for? And Pettigrew and Lily have something in common? There's something no one is telling me about that sister of Petunia's - and I'm going to find out what it is!

Petunia looked away uncertainly. "No, Lily, I mean - Vernon loves me. He's good and kind and he cares for me. He talks to me and listens to me, and he respects what I have to say."

Peter cringed. When was the last time I did any of that?

Lily snorted. "He tried to hit on me, Petunia, after Mum first became ill."

Vernon winced.

Petunia's eyes blazed. "That's not true, Lily!" she said angrily. "Vernon doesn't even look at other girls when I'm around. You can't say the same for Peter."

Vernon smirked. Peter stifled a groan.

Lily shook. "I - I didn't think you knew - "

"Of course I know," snapped Petunia. "Your friend Narcissa told me everything."

Peter's head snapped up. Narcissa? Talking to Pets? What the -

"Narcissa? You were talking with her?" asked Lily, confused. "But - "

"You're just jealous that your plans for me didn't work out," continued Petunia. "But I don't think you realised that I was just a pastime for Peter. You ought to ask him how many girls he really was shagging at Hogwarts - I know the truth!"

Peter could barely hold himself down. That lying cheating whore - she was stuffing Pets' head full of nonsense the whole time - why I ought to -

"The truth!" cried Lily. "You don't know anything about it! Vernon's only marrying you to get control of Grunnings!"

Vernon gulped.

Petunia stared at Lily. "How dare you say that," she said flatly. "I can't believe you'd even think that."

"Wake up, Pets."

"Take it back!"

"No! You know it's true!"

"You can't prove it," snapped Petunia. But even Peter could tell that Petunia was feeling unusually tense, as though she was very much afraid that Lily could possibly be correct.

Vernon decided it was time to put a stop to the argument - another five minutes and the girls might actually decide to start pulling each other's hair. "Petunia, sweetings," he called, stepping from his hiding place. "Ah, there you are. I was just looking for you."

"Vernon," said Lily calmly. "Pets and I were just discussing your motives."

Vernon looked at Lily, his eyes narrowed. "Petunia, darling, run and find your father, I think he had something to say to you."

Petunia looked at Vernon a bit oddly, and then nodded. She glanced at Lily once before she left. Once she was gone, Vernon turned to Lily.

"Trying to set my girl against me, eh?" he sneered at Lily. "It won't work. She loves me."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "Might I ask you a question, Vernon?"

"Of course," said Vernon.

Lily reached into her pocket, and began to pull out her wand. Vernon took a step back, his eyes focusing on the wand. "That's a wand," he said quite clearly, remembering the trip to Dartmoor. Vernon began to feel extremely nervous. No. She can't be. Not both her and that Potter!

"Yes, Vernon, it is," said Lily, calmly. She held it up and pointed it at Vernon, who held his hands up to protect himself.

"What are you going to do with it?" he asked, eyes growing wider. She wouldn't - she couldn't - this is not happening!

"Nothing that will hurt you," said Lily sweetly, and pointed the wand at him. Vernon's eyes grew wide, and he took another step back, only to find himself blocked by the conveyer belt. "Veritisae!"

Vernon gasped, and went rigid. Peter peered out from his hiding place. His eyes were wide with shock. What the hell is Lily thinking?

Lily didn't quite know herself what she was thinking. It was odd, this strange urge flowing through her. She felt strangely powerful, and part of her liked it. But she also felt as though this power was out of her control, and Lily couldn't stop from pointing her wand, or saying the words, or advancing on Vernon to ask him the question she most needed to know.

"Do you care for my sister, Mr Dursley?" Lily demanded.

Vernon gaped at her. His chest was burning, and his head was spinning. He could see Lily quite clearly, bright against the dimness of the rest of the room, as if the sun had set far too early. Vernon couldn't help himself, he knew he had to answer and answer truthfully.

"I do," he heard himself say. "I want to protect her from all harm."

Lily reeled back a bit. This clearly was not the answer she'd been expecting. She quickly found her bearings, however, and focused once more. "I - do you want to control Grunnings some day?" she asked him, but her voice was a little less sure.

"I want Grunnings to succeed," said Vernon clearly.

"But - " said Lily, confused. "I don't understand - "

Peter had had enough, and he stood. "Stop it, Lily!" he shouted, breaking Lily's concentration. "Leave it alone!"

Lily stood, motionless, her mouth forming words that she could not say. She swallowed, and raised the wand a bit. "Finite Incantatum," she murmured, and Vernon slumped over, released from the spell. He looked weakly up at Lily and Peter, who had now joined her.

"Peter - I didn't know you were here - "

"Are you deranged?" asked Peter angrily. "I asked you to leave it. If Pets is happy with him, then so be it!"

"But Peter - " said Lily urgently. "You don't understand - "

"No, Lily, you don't understand. You can't keep playing with our hearts like this," said Peter. "Life doesn't work according to some master plan. If you keep heading like this, Lily, you're going to destroy everything!"

Vernon coughed, and broke their attention. "What are you?" he gasped.

"A witch," said Lily blankly. And she took a step backwards. Peter could see she was about to break into tears, and he stepped closer to Vernon.

"And I'm a wizard," he said smoothly, darkly. "And if you ever lay a wrong hand on Petunia Evans, so help me God I'll destroy you."

Peter turned and walked briskly away from the two of them. He wasn't thinking anything. He wasn't certain where he was going. All he knew was he wanted to be as far away from everyone as possible.

* * *

"Pets."

Petunia turned and saw her sister standing behind her. "Lily, I was just saying - are you all right?" Petunia took hold of Lily's arm. "You look like you're about to be sick."

"Pets, I'm sorry," said Lily. "I didn't mean to argue with you."

Petunia glanced around at the crowd surrounding them, and pulled Lily away from them. On the fringes of the activities, she turned back to her sister. "I know," she said quietly. "I didn't mean most of what I said, either."

"I want you to be happy, that's all I've ever wanted. I think Vernon will try to make you happy."

Petunia broke out in a smile, and took her sister's hands. "Oh, Lily. I'm so glad to hear you say that."

Lily smiled. "If I tell you something, will you promise to keep it to yourself for a bit - not tell Mum or Dad yet?"

"Of course," said Petunia, her smile growing wider. "But I think I know already ... "

"James asked me to marry him last week," said Lily. "I didn't want to say anything just yet, because I know you only just got engaged, and I didn't want to intrude."

"Oh, Lily!" Petunia wrapped her arms around her sister. "That's marvelous! But you must tell them, they'll both be so pleased. I know Mum likes James, she'll be over the moon."

"Petunia, I want you to be my maid of honour - you will, won't you?"

Petunia paused. "But you'll have a magical ceremony?"

"Of course - but you needn't worry. It's only a bit. And I want you by my side." Lily's voice was very firm, and Petunia bit her lip.

"On one condition - "

"What's that, Pets?" asked Lily, quite puzzled.

"I'll stand for you at your wedding, if you stand for me at mine," said Petunia.

Lily laughed. "For you, anything. You're my sister - I wouldn't ever leave you hanging."

* * *

"And this is our factory floor," said Mr Evans cheerily, throwing the wide double doors open. A group of about ten people, including the Pettigrews, followed after him.

Peter, having found a comfortable corner behind a storage cabinet, was shaken from his reverie at the sound of the echoing footsteps. He frowned, and pulled himself up a bit to get a better look at the proceedings.

"Vernon! I thought you were outside with the party?" Mr Evans was asking the young man.

"Lily was giving me a bit of a sneak preview, so to speak, sir," said Vernon Dursley after a moment. Peter smirked to himself, pleased to hear that Vernon was still a bit shaky from his magical encounter.

"Just as well you're here - would you be a chap and start up the line?" asked Mr Evans, and after a brief pause, Vernon nodded and began walking briskly to the far end of the floor. Turning to the group, Mr Evans regained his tour-guide persona. "I like all of the staff to know every job here at Grunnings. You never know when a couple of extra hands will help get an order shipped, and of course on-time deliveries are our most important concern."

Vernon jogged up the metal staircase to the control switches, his mind racing. Oh, this isn't good, he thought, dismayed to see that few of the switches were labeled with more than letters. Perhaps I shouldn't have dodged that foreman who was trying to show me how to work these. Really, like sales staff should dirty their hands on the factory floor! I'm management - not common labour!

Vernon glanced to the factory floor and saw that Mr Evans was deep in a conversation about the mechanics of the drill press, and not paying much attention to him at all. Vernon studied the control switches carefully. He set his finger on one of the switches, and flicked it, glancing back at the floor quickly. A conveyer belt had begun moving, and Vernon smiled. This isn't so difficult - that Pettigrew git could do it just as well! Soon Vernon had flicked all of the switches in turn, except for one or two of the larger ones.

The room was quite noisy now, and Vernon was feeling extremely pleased with himself. He leaned on the metal railing, watching as his soon-to-be father-in-law moved the tour group about the room, showing them the various bits of machinery, and demonstrating what each did. Vernon couldn't hear him over the din, and so didn't have any idea of what he was saying, but he could tell that Mr Evans was quite knowledgeable about what the machines actually did. Impressive. Perhaps it would be a good idea to look into how these machines go - I might learn how to make them go faster!

Peter was beginning to get nervous again. The group was quickly approaching his corner, and he was certain that he did not want either his mother or his father to see him in his present state. He managed to crouch behind the cabinet, still able to hear everything, but unable to actually see his parents or Mr Evans. He was, however, able to see Vernon Dursley quite easily, and even with the distance, Peter could tell that Vernon wasn't paying a bit of attention to the switches he played with.

Vernon was in fact day-dreaming about how he'd control the company one day. He had just imagined himself on the cover of Forbes when he noticed Mr Evans waving to catch his attention. Vernon strained to hear what the man was saying to him.

"Turn the grinder on, Vernon!" Vernon gave him a thumbs up, and turned back to the control panel, only to see that every switch had already been turned on. Vernon turned back to the group.

"Which one's the grinder?" shouted Vernon.

Peter snorted. Stupid Muggle, he oughtn't to pretend he knows what he's doing when he's obviously incompetent.

"It's the one on the right," called Mr Evans, and Peter watched Vernon turn back to the control panel.

"It's the one on the - " Vernon couldn't quite hear the rest, and looked back at the panel. He noticed that there was one dial on the left that was pointing towards "off," and decided that must be the switch for the grinder. Vernon shrugged, and spun the dial. He turned back to look at the factory floor.

Peter stared in horror as Vernon reached for the dial on the left. As Vernon began to turn it, Peter jumped from his hiding place, ready to shout out a warning. But something moving caught his eye.

For the rest of their lives, Peter and Vernon had a single memory that they shared. In their minds, the events that unfolded were forever set in a strange sort of slow-motion, far better for reliving when either man awoke at 3 a.m. to reflect over his life.

The dial that Vernon had turned had loosened a large metallic arm - usually used to balance heavy barrels of drill bits. However, as there were no drill bits for it to carry, the arm swung in an arc down towards the factory floor, directly towards the tour group.

Mr Evans saw the arm first, and quickly shoved the nearest tourist out of the arm's path -

Mr Pettigrew shoved his wife out of the way and reached for his wand -

Vernon found himself clenching the guard rails until his knuckles turned white -

Peter thought he might have shouted "No" but could not hear a sound -

Mr Evans turned to see the arm racing towards him -

Mr Pettigrew, standing directly behind him, thought to Apparate away -

The arm swung like a pendulum, down to the factory floor of Grunnings. It barely stopped, and continued its swing back up to the heavens, leaving a combination of shocked faces and horrified screams in its wake.

The screams spilled out onto the lawn. Lily and Petunia, each pouring punch for some younger children, dropped their glasses in shock. The blood drained from Petunia's face as she stared at Lily.

"Papa," she said, her voice strangely frozen. Lily was gone like a shot, running towards the factory, barely noticing as she tumbled over small children and elderly visitors in her path. She flew through the doors leading to the factory floor, and saw the mechanical arm as it slowly came to a rest perpendicular to the floor. There were some ten people surrounding the arm, located on the far side of the room, but something made Lily stop where she was, and look around the room she had been in only minutes before.

She saw Peter holding Mrs Pettigrew, who was breaking down in hysterics.

She saw Vernon Dursley on the catwalk above her, pale and shaking, mouthing words that would not come out.

She saw a dark stain on the base of the mechanical arm, and she saw someone rise from the floor, shaking his head, wiping his bloodied hands on a towel.

She saw Mrs Pettigrew break away from Peter, and fall to the floor beneath the mechanical arm, where Lily could not see anything at all.

She saw Peter look up and see her, and Lily saw that the look on Peter's face was the look of pure hatred and sorrow itself.

Lily blinked, and tried to breathe. She barely noticed when she was jostled to the side of the door by several other people running into the room. She found herself walking closer to the scene, as though someone was leading her to it by force.

It seemed like several thousand years before Lily reached the far end of the factory floor. She had to force herself to look down, and when she did she had to hold onto the nearby conveyer belt for support.

"Oh, Papa."

Lily heard her sister scream, and saw Petunia fall to the floor beside her father's body. And Lily did not see anything after that.

* * *

Mr Pettigrew knew one thing, and that was that appearances mean everything. He had lived most of his adult life keeping up appearances, attempting to convince the public that he was something he was not. Mr Pettigrew did not consider it living a lie; he considered it simply disregarding what was unnecessary for the public to know.

Mr Pettigrew thought about this as he lay on the factory floor. He wondered briefly if his wand was still in his pocket, or if it was lying near him for the Muggles to see.

Mr Pettigrew was not surprised to see Peter when he opened his eyes, though Peter hadn't come into the factory with them. "Hullo, Father," whispered Peter.

"Peter," said Mr Pettigrew, and thought his voice was very faint. Perhaps Peter would have the sense to pick up his wand. Peter - a good lad, really, considering the trouble they'd had with him as a youngster. Always showing off for the neighbourhood kids - magically speaking. But a sound boy, sensitive, smart.

"You could have Disapparated," said Peter, and Mr Pettigrew noticed that the boy's voice was shaking quite badly. Odd, too, that while Peter seemed to be holding his hands, Mr Pettigrew could not feel the sensation at all. As though the nerves simply refused to work at all -

"Muggles about," said Mr Pettigrew, and blinked. Everything was growing red ...

"Father," said Peter, urging, trying to speak through the lump in his throat, squeezing his father's hand, though he was failing to get a response. "No, Father, hold on, the medi-wizards are coming. I sent the signal just a moment ago, you have to hold on for them."

Mr Pettigrew looked up at Peter and blinked once more. "Sorry," he whispered, and he closed his eyes. It was terribly bright in the factory, Mr Pettigrew was thinking, and really just a bit of a rest, and he'd be all -

Peter could feel the exact moment when his father died, and he dropped his father's hand. He saw the wand lying on the ground next to his father, and picked it up, knowing very well that Maurice Pettigrew would never have left his wand lying about. Peter stood and walked over to his mother, and handed her the wand. Mrs Pettigrew took it, her eyes red,

tears running down her face.

"Peter," she said, and reached for him. But Peter took a step away.

"No, Mum," he said quietly, an eerie calmness to his voice. And he walked past her to where Vernon Dursley stood, staring open-mouthed at the scene before him.

Peter stared at Vernon Dursley for a long moment before Vernon realised that he stood there. "Do you see what you've done?" Peter asked quietly.

"I didn't do it - " gasped Vernon.

"You killed my father with your stupidity," said Peter, his voice still calm, but even in his shocked state Vernon could detect the hidden undertone of anger ready to boil. "You stupid idiot Muggle."

And Peter left the factory to wait for the medi-wizards to arrive.

* * *

One week later

"Narcissa!"

Narcissa de Winter sat straight up in her bed, instantly awake. The voice shouting from the main hall of her London flat was familiar, although it belonged to someone she certainly never expected to crash into her apartment early on a Sunday morning.

"Narcissa!"

Narcissa swung her legs from bed and reached for her wrap. She had barely finished tying it on when Peter Pettigrew threw the door open to her room.

"Peter," said Narcissa, trying to hold onto her composure. "I'm barely dressed - "

Peter did not answer - he only slammed the newspaper he'd been carrying on Narcissa's desk. Narcissa picked up the page, curious what it said.

Muggle Police and Aurors Agree

Muggle Cleared of Minister's Death

"Oh, dear," was all she could manage.

"You said it yourself, Narcissa," said Peter, breathing heavily. Narcissa looked up from the newspaper and saw Peter clearly for the first time since he'd come in. Peter's face was pale with flushed cheeks, and he heaved with each breath, as though he'd run the entire length of London to find her. His eyes were cold and dark, and Narcissa began to nurse a small hope that perhaps finally she had succeeded.

"What did I say?" asked Narcissa quietly.

"Hand a Muggle your heart ..." I gave mine to Petunia, and Vernon Dursley has killed it.

"What do you want me to do about it, Peter?" asked Narcissa coldly. "I can hardly kill Vernon Dursley for you - "

Peter took a step towards Narcissa, his body scarcely touching hers. Narcissa found herself unable to control her breathing, and she found herself wondering if he'd always been so much taller than she, or if he'd grown several meters in the last two years.

"Tell me where He is, Narcissa."

Narcissa licked her lips. "Who?"

Peter growled - growled, thought Narcissa. Oh my, he has changed!

"You know who. You've been waiting for me to ask all this time. I'm ready for Him now."

Narcissa didn't wait a beat. She took Peter by the left forearm and smiled thinly.

"I knew you would be, eventually," she whispered seductively, and she reached for the hood on his cloak, throwing it over his head. Narcissa took the massive black robes from behind her door, and the two of them disappeared.

* * *

Remus Lupin knocked on the door softly at first. When no one answered, he knocked harder. When he realised that there was no one moving about inside the flat (superior hearing allowed him to hear footsteps through the thin walls), he decided it was high time to break the door down. After all, it had been one week since Peter's father had died, and four days since anyone had seen him - his mother included.

Remus stood in the middle of Peter's empty flat. It was freezing inside, and the curtains were blowing in through the open windows, blowing papers around the room. Remus stepped over the broken remains of the door, and walked into the centre of the room, looking around him much as one might enter a building that had only recently been condemned.

"Peter?" he said, testing the waters, but did not hear so much as a squeak. Then he saw the letter sitting on the table:

Remus,

I have been transferred to Albania for a year. I'm glad for it really - I have no wish to remain in England right now. I know you'll come looking for me and find this. I spoke to my mum; she knows why I have to go. Please look in on her for me. You're a good friend, Moony.

Wormtail

Remus sat on the couch heavily, holding the paper in his hands. "Oh, Peter."

* * *

There simply could be no other course of action, as far as Vernon Dursley could see. Yes, Geoffrey Evans was gone, and there would never be an adequate replacement, but most everyone knew that he had been grooming Vernon to be his replacement for the last year.

Of course, Vernon could not think of these things at this time. He had Petunia to think of, and her grief - not to mention that of Mrs Evans, who was quickly growing sicker as each day passed.

Then there was the problem of Lily Evans and her ... kind.

So Vernon could hardly be bothered with the affairs of Grunnings at this point in time. It could wait a day. Or two.

After a full week, however, Vernon decided that enough was enough. He needed to know how Grunnings stood, despite the untimely death of its managing director. Vernon marched to the administrative offices and made his case known.

"Yes, we understand," the Board of Directors told him. "But Mr Evans made no such provisions with us regarding your installment as future managing director of this company. We understand you were to be his son-in-law - and perhaps we shall take that into consideration in the future - but we cannot allow this company to founder."

And so Vernon Dursley learned the very hard way that he was quite trapped. He would be forever bound to Grunnings on the hope of becoming managing director ... he was forever bound to Petunia because of the promise he had made to James Potter ... and perhaps worst of all, he was stuck with Lily Evans as a sister-in-law, the evil witch who had drawn him in.

For that, Vernon decided, Lily Evans would pay.