Lost Passions and Regrets

Petunia sat outisde under the night sky musing over the omens that she read. It was true that she didn't hold with magic, but she couldn't dispense with the practicality it offered sometimes. Unbeknownst to her family, she used to be a marvel at stargazing and divination. This was how she usually knew what clients Vernon should work with, and which ones he should refuse. It was she who picked the Masons. She crept into his secretary while he slept. She used the time to alter the documents and portfolio information to make it favorable for her husband. Were Petunia to tell

the truth, she'd have to admit that Vernon wasn't exactly the smartest man in the world, but she was his better half. She knew that she had to be the power behind the throne. She suggested that Harry go to the movies the evening they hosted the Masons rather than remain in the house, but Vernon refused to offer the boy any money.

Sadly enough, they were a finger snap close to reaching their financial

goal. They were just that close to buying their coveted house in Majorca. Why didn't Vernon listen to her? She shook her head and mused painfully over the shattered moment of glory.

If she could trust the fact that Vernon wouldn't get rid of her as a wife for practicing magic, she'd deal a more forceful hand in his career matters. Petunia didn't get accepted to Hogwarts the first time as Lily did, but the headmaster informed her parents of a place in Canada that took common girls. It was called Cackles Academy.

To enter, a candidate of nonmagic parentage had to face a likeness of the muse Calliope. It weighed the gradient of the girl's talent. Were the level of talent substantial, then the muse would astrally endow the girl with special powers. Were the talent too slight, then the candidate didn't stand a chance. Needless to say, her natural domestic

ability impressed the statue. She spent a year there, and she loved it. It was great to make special things happen that nobody else could. Petunia had so many teachers and friends who liked her. Many of her friends sought her advice during confusing times. She cried like a baby when the year ended.

She was set to go into her second year when her parents showed her a Hogwarts letter. Petunia refused adamantly, but her mother and father said that she had to attend school with Lily. They both insisted that the Hogwarts education far surpassed that of Cackles Academy. She ran to her bedroom and slammed its door shut. The thought of leaving the warmth of Cackles was far too much for her.

Lily entered the room and tried to console her about it. She urged her to consider how much mum and dad wanted her to be closer to them. Petunia didn't care. She liked Cackles, and no one would dissuade her.

Petunia did one half term at Hogwarts and purposely did so badly that her parents sent her back to her beloved Cackles. She gave Lily her wand to use as a spare. It felt monumentally fabulous to don her hat and jumper again. Goodbye, long and dreary robe. So long, snotty teachers and pupils. She wished her deepest farewell to the grossly unpleasant subjects.

The only other time that she ever felt this good was the time that she returned to Canada to attend Weirdsister College. Petunia wanted nothing more than to escape having to help Lily in advent of the rising wizarding war. Petunia found that she loved college just as much as she loved Cackles. It felt great for her to have a life of her own. She was Petunia Evans, genius witch extraordinaire. Lily wrote as often as she could, but Petunia didn't respond. Instead, she busied herself with the fun activities at university. Life was so sweet for her. She had already dumped three boyfriends in just one term. People back home would never believe her luck. She knew that she was no raving beauty, but confidence and smarts helped a great deal. She wanted to stay in Canada forever, but graduation day came. She'd passed all of her licensing exams and received all her certificates. There was nothing to keep her there. Her parents insisted that she come home and help Lily.

She wanted to witch herself over, but she realized that it wouldn't do her any good to run from her responsibilities. She hated anticipating the situation, but she knew that she must respond to her duties as she'd advised others so many times before. Sitting under the night sky, she now wished that she had done just that, witched herself over. She'd be enjoying her life, flourishing at the height of her capacity. If she could, she'd change the way that it all happened.

"Evening, Petunia."

"Wha-"

It was that Albus Dumbledore. What in the name of all that was decent did he want?

"Yes, sir," she said.

"I know that you regret coming back here, but it was the right decision for you to make at the time. Lily needed you, and Harry couldn't survive without you."

"But what about my happiness, my needs? I'm dying here," she said crying.

"You married Vernon to escape your family's cry for help. I'm afraid that this trap that now surrounds you is of your own making," Dumbledore said calmly.

"I know. I know," she said sobbingly emphasizing each word.

"What do you think would have happened differently had you chosen to stay away?" he asked.

After so many seconds of heaving sobs she answered him. She had to bear her iron-laden soul to someone, even if that someone were the person who helped to burden her.

"I'd be happy. I'd be free. I'd live a full life and never look back to regret anything," she said pounding her fist rhythmically against her thigh.

He looked at her with great pity. It amazed him how so many of his former students still resmbled their former selves. She looked just as she had when she briefly attended Hogwarts. She was helpless and overly sentimental. He decided to grant her wish, even if she hadn't asked him to. He thought that it might help her to be more understanding toward Harry. His greatest hope was that she'd learn her lesson and leave all of her bitterness behind her.

"Very well, Petunia. I will give you the chance to go back. My only advice is this. Remember that all things are connected in some way or other, and also keep in mind that no entity exists without its antithesis. Having spoken my peace, I now slip this time turner around your neck to send you back to your college days. Good luck, Petunia," he said and then activated the device.