#The dursleys AND the Evans being awful in this one

[yallthemwitches]

Ch. 18 The Dinner Part One

“So—family.” “Family,” she repeated. “You have to go see them.” “I reckon that is the case,” she sighed, fiddling with the knot of his tie.  “Do you…” James took a moment to consider his next words, “Do you need moral support? A sympathetic ear? An obnoxious but fit date?” Lily laughed, and James grin widened. “Ah, there she is.” He placed a kiss on her nose which she crinkled playfully. “So what is it, Evans? I’m a very versatile bloke as you know. I’m happy to be of assistance.”

First of all, Thank you SO much to everyone who voted Catch the Wind to the FINALS for best long Canon fic for the Jily Awards 2024. I am beyond grateful. Secondly, thanks for waiting on this one, I hope to be quicker on the next chapter as Christmas holidays rolls around---but I think this one is my longest chapter yet, so it wasn't for nothing!

Read on AO3 or under the cut!

Even before they got out of bed, before their small cocoon was disturbed by the peeking sunlight and the creaky jostles of their bodies uniting before facing the day, James could tell Lily was unwell. 

“Alright, alright—I have practice to get to so let's make this quick shall we?” 

James stood in front of the group of prefects with shirt sleeves rolled up, hair pulled in every direction from when, just an hour earlier, Lily had done just that—both too late to their own meeting to do anything about it. 

He tried not to let his eyes linger on her, but it was difficult. Ever since she had rolled away from him and out of his bed curtains, a heavy cloud had hung over her. The other prefects clocked it too, the twitter of whispers going around the group as eyes darted between the two heads with conspiratorial looks.  

“It’s come to our attention that the dungeons have been getting left unchecked most nights–now I know we all agreed to let everyone work in their own territory, but if things aren’t going to be done properly we are going to have to make some changes.”

He directed his voice to Sophia Parkinson and Alecto Carrow, the two standing Slytherin prefects. 

“So what is it, you two? Am I going to have to deal with this issue further or are you both capable of doing your job?”

The two exchanged glances, Alecto’s eyes flicking over to where Lily sat in the corner, face lowered to her notes.

“Sorry Potter. Wouldn’t want to upset you and the missus.” 

Sophia cackled. “Yeah, wouldn’t want you to have some sort of outburst– that would just be embarrassing.”

For fuck’s sake. 

In another life, he would have hexed them without hesitation—but now he just saw their antics for what it was: an instigation. Heaving a sigh, he opened his mouth to respond, but from the corner of his eye a flash of red moved with a jerk. Lily had stood up, hands balled at her side. 

“If you two have something to say, then say it.”

James’ jaw tightened. There it was again: that thing, that aura that had followed her all morning.  She was poised like a rubberband, stretched to its moment of crisis. 

Alecto let a lecherous eye drift over her body before cracking the smallest of grins. 

“Nothing to say Evans. Just curious if you plan to show any of your head talent to the rest of us any time soon, or if you’re just going to waste it all on Potter’s undeserving prick—”

She moved quickly, taking three deep strides until her wand pointed just inches away from Alecto’s forehead. He eyed the tip warily, but the other prefects jumped back, clearing away for the fight.

“Lily, let it go.”

But James’ voice fell on deaf ears, Lily’s pointed wand shaking slightly with rage. 

“What did you say to me?” She spat out, eyes sinking into slits. 

Alecto and Sophia pulled their wands too, a glimmer of doubt edging on both of their smiles. 

“Now that we are on the topic,” sneered Alecto, “Us Slytherins are a bit concerned. You see we’ve gathered that Potter here probably is keen on sharing you with his traitor of a best mate…we were just hoping even a mudblood like you would have the sense to let Black fuck you in the ass—wouldn’t want to muddle up that perfect bloodline you see—”

Wingardium Leviosa.

There was a flash, then a scream. Alecto shot up into the rafters, hitting the ceiling with a thunk. Sofia followed after, hitting her head against a wood beam and hanging unconscious in midair. Both of their wands clattered back to the ground and Lily moved to pick them up with an air of indifference. 

The silence was deafening. The prefects juggled a gaze between Lily and the two Slytherins suspended against the roof, all looking more shocked and terrified than the next. James felt their eyes turn on him next, demanding the same question he had been asking himself since the altercation began: are you going to do anything?

“Anyone care to give me detention?” Lily spat, pocketing the two wands. She turned to James, her eyes still harboring anger. “You can let them down when you want but I’m keeping their wands.”

James brow furrowed, unable to find the words that could quell whatever anger was stirred in her. She turned back to the crowd, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“Lily, are you—” But she clipped off his sentence.

“Ravenclaw’s patrol the dungeons from now on. Your new schedule will be posted later this evening. You’re dismissed.”

She walked through the crowd and out the door, not turning to give anyone a second glance. 

* * * * *

Marlene told him that she didn’t show up in her potions lesson, then again in charms. By lunch, James stared at the empty bench beside him. The cold, vacant space taunting him like a spectre. 

“What are you talking about, mate? I would have paid good money to see that.” Sirius bit into a scone and some of the crumbs fell into his hair. “What did good ole’ Carrow even say to her to get such a performance?”

James hesitated. “Er—I don’t remember verbatim, but something about me sharing her with you…some choice sex acts that won’t muddle the pureblood line….”

“Christ,” Sirius snorted, borrowing a muggle swear. “At least they could come up with something more original.”

James looked down at his untouched plate of food. He wanted to get the map from Peter and see where Lily had run off to, but something about that felt like a breach of privacy. He had spent most of practice running through the past few weeks, trying to find the source of her sudden anger, but things had been good—at least with all things considered. Snape was still a swot, but that was to be expected, and now that she was aware of all of his secrets, he was feeling closer to her more than ever. So how was it, that she could wake up, have a bleary-eyed, morning shag with him, then fall into some sort of stupor of contempt?

“I wish she would just talk to me. I’m her boyfriend,” he mumbled, not directing the words to anyone in particular. 

“Well I think she’s got a lot going on. Can’t say I would be in the best mood if I had to go see my shite family either.”

James' eyes shot up and Sirius froze as if being caught in headlights. 

“What do you mean?”

Sirius looked side to side, frowning slightly. “What do you mean, what do I mean?”

“You said she had to see her family.”

“Yeah, because she does. Next week I think—why am I getting the feeling that you didn’t know about this…”

James stood up at such a speed that he practically took out his goblet of pumpkin juice. Fuck it—I’m getting the map.

 Bounding out the door he could hear Sirius yell after him, “You and your girlfriend should really work on communication! It’s the cornerstone to all relationships!”

* * * * *

In all, she was surprised how long it took for him to come looking for her. 

“You know, I don’t really love finding out what’s bothering my girlfriend from my best mate.”

She didn’t turn, continuing to chop up pieces of fennel to the beat of the music that wafted from the corner turntable. 

“I was going to tell you—I just forgot.”

She could hear James scoff then walk over to the player, scratching the record to a halt. 

“Forgot…Evans, when have you ever forgotten anything remotely important.”

“So I’m Evans again?”

He walked beside her and placed his hand to stall her cutting.

“Lily. C’mon. Tell me what’s eating at you—why didn’t you tell me about having to see your family? Is that why you pulled that stunt today at the prefects meeting?”

She pulled her hand out from under his, face twisting into a frown. “A stunt? Last time I checked, defending myself from being sexually harassed could hardly be labeled as a stunt.”

James sighed, rubbing his temples. How long had it been since he had seen her like this—stubborn, confrontational, unable to see when someone was trying to be on her side…it felt like being back in fifth year again. 

“You know that’s not what I meant. I just—the Lily Evans I know and love usually has a little more restraint than that.”

“Well maybe I’m tired,” she whispered, voice thick. “Everyone else seems to have forgotten their restraint, so why am I always the one expected to have it.”

James stared at her for a moment, eyes going soft. Slowly, he reached his arms out to her, long fingers extended in invitation. 

“Lily, can you just—come here.”

It seemed so childish, like the baser need of a wounded animal, but she immediately fell into him—the irresistible vortex of James Potter always finding a way to have the upperhand.

Pressing into his chest, she felt his arms close up behind her like the fall of an enormous wave. He was warm and she pushed herself deeper, trying to gather up all the energy that he had to be so composed despite it all and take it for herself. 

“You need to tell me these things. I can’t just guess,” he breathed into her hair, pressing small kisses into the top of her head. “I love you. You are…the most important thing to me.”

“More than Quidditch,” she hummed against his chest.

“More than Quidditch.”

“More than Sirius?”

James let out a laugh and the vibration felt good against her. “More than Sirius—though don’t tell him, he will be devastated.”

He pulled her over to a seat and placed her on his lap, hand caressing the side of her thigh while the other stayed warm against her cheek. 

“So—family.”

“Family,” she repeated.

“You have to go see them.”

“I reckon that is the case,” she sighed, fiddling with the knot of his tie. 

“Do you…” James took a moment to consider his next words, “Do you need moral support? A sympathetic ear? An obnoxious but fit date?”

Lily laughed, and James grin widened.

“Ah, there she is.” He placed a kiss on her nose which she crinkled playfully. “So what is it, Evans? I’m a very versatile bloke as you know. I’m happy to be of assistance.”

She looked at him for a while. Where did this boy come from? She thought back to just a year ago, to the obnoxious boy who was crass and egotistical. If she put the boy from then next to the one she sat with now, would she even see the same person? Years of her life were spent lamenting his actions to anyone who would listen, agreeing with Severus when he would spit his name like it was a plague on the world. How did the world flip on its head so quickly and without her noticing? And how cruel to know that the person she was fighting for so long was exactly what she needed to feel like a real person: seen and understood and loved.

“All of those things, if you can manage,” she murmured. She let her head fall to the side and he quickly pressed his lips to the exposed skin, feathering kisses up to her ear. 

“Whatever you want, Evans,” he whispered onto her lips, “I’m yours.”

* * * * *

“Should I call them mum and dad? My in-laws?”

“Definitely not.” Remus didn’t look up from his book, reclining on his bed while Peter laid on his stomach at his feet, flipping through the newest copy of Seductive Sorcery. 

“I should at least bring them a gift—what do muggles like?” James twisted his torso in front of the mirror with a frown, trying to judge if Remus' muggle jumper was too plain for such an occasion. 

“I thought the point of you going was to be supportive—not to meet her parents,” Peter yawned, flipping the page with a bored flick. 

“I second that Wormtail—really Prongs, don’t go and make this about yourself. Petunia is bad enough as it is—”

James turned quick on his heel, facing the boys. “Wait. Moony—have you met them already?”

Peter’s head jerked from James to Remus with anticipation. Remus sighed and marked the page of his book, sitting up on the bed. 

“Yeah—been to her house a few times. Thought you knew that.”

From the floor, Sirius made a loud groan and covered his face with his forearms. “Fucking hell. And I thought you were smart Moony—at least smart enough to keep your trap shut when information doesn’t serve things.”

James put a silencing hand out to Sirius, eyeing Remus with an unreadable expression. 

“C’mon mate. You can’t possibly be jealous. I have to hear you two shagging every day, I don’t think you have anything to worry about—I just brought it up because Lily’s family, namely her sister, can be…difficult,” Remus finished, sounding blunt.  

“Correction—we have to hear you shagging every day,” Sirius quipped from the ground, rolling onto his side to prop himself onto his arm. 

James swallowed the twinge of jealousy that was indeed rising out of his stomach and let his shoulders drop. He didn’t have time to comb through all the harbored jealousy from a time when Lily was closer to Remus than she was to him. He was right—he was her boyfriend now, and he was the one now staring down an evening in which the cards all seemed to be stacked against him.

“It’s fine, forget it,” he said quickly, passing his hand through his hair, effectively mussing up any attempt to fix it earlier. “I just don’t want to muck it up. Lily seems really anxious about tonight and I really can’t be the reason it goes south.”

“Bad luck, then,” Sirius hummed. “If there’s one thing you do impeccably, it’s muck things up.”

He stepped down into the common room to find Lily waiting for him by the fireside. A smattering of students had been eyeing her with interest and as she turned to face him, he almost doubled over.

She looked good. Too good. Better than she looked at Slughorn’s party and that was already a record breaking level of fit. Now, she was radiant, her dress showing off every irresistible curve of her body and her hair falling in waves to frame her face. 

It was bloody torture. 

“Well well well,” Lily whistled as he walked to her, unable to help himself as he snaked an arm around her back and pulled her into him, “Someone has been shopping in Remus’ closet.”

“And someone didn’t mention that they were going to pick the most shaggable outfit they owned to go to their sister’s bloody engagement party.”

Lily stepped back and James felt his pants become tighter watching the curve of her breast peek out of the cut of her dress as she bent forward. 

“You think it’s too much? Marlene also said it was a bit sexy and I tried to tone it down but–”

“Hold on, Evans. If this,” he gestured to her whole body, eyes sweeping over her hungrily, “is the toned down version, what on Merlin’s green earth was the regular one.”

“You think I should change?”

“No, I think we should go upstairs and kick out the lads so I can show you how much I like it.”

“Yeah?”

Lily pulled him in this time, arching her back a little to press their chests together. One of her hands found its way between them and she made a quick pass over his pants which were beginning to tent. 

“Maybe if you’re good.”

She stepped away, walking over to a corner desk where a small honey pot sat idly and conjured her cloak to resemble a muggle coat. 

James took a long breath, hoping that none of the students surrounding him were close enough to see the absolute struggle he was going through to keep his composure. It wasn’t helping they hadn’t been seeing much of each other the past day because of quidditch practice and class—now he was about to meet her family…randy as hell.

“You ready,” she called, holding her hand out to him while the other hovered over the pot. A look of uncertainty passed across her face, the anxiety of the evening slipping onto her features for a flash before being tamped down again somewhere deep within her. 

“As much as I can be.” 

He took her hand, and the room spun. 

* * * * * *

Ok, so maybe she had done it on purpose.

Though it wasn’t for the fact that she knew it would drive James absolutely mad (though, the feeling of being wanted while otherwise being in a hostile environment did have its appeal), nor was it to out-dress her sister—what she was really looking for was agency. 

 She had truly meant what she said to James after the prefects meeting—she was tired. The Slytherins, her sister, the war—the days were starting to feel like a never ending parade in which her identity was stolen from her. The dress, as inappropriate as it was for the evening they were about to have, was her way of taking up some much needed space– at least that’s what second wave feminism told her.

They landed in a small wooded area just breaching what looked like a muggle neighborhood. Lily took a woozy step and then felt another rush from a new form of spinning, this time not from magic but from the grasp of her boyfriend who had gotten his bearings quick enough to pin her to a nearby tree.  

“Lily,” he pleaded, eyes round and glassy. “If you want me to behave myself tonight, you are going to have to shore up some of your irresistibility—I’m dying here.”

She could feel he wasn’t lying. Something hard and warm pressing against her abdomen as his body slotted between her legs. Up until this point she had just considered teasing him a little to keep him on edge until they could rush home at the end of the night, but now that they were so close, It was a tempting thought—shagging in the woods until the proper amount of time had passed and then returning back to school…it would be so easy to do…”

“Ok, yeah sure.” 

Calling his bluff, she pressed against him, mouth already open and letting her tongue lavish at the part of his collarbone which peaked out of his shirt. Taken off guard, his response was sluggish, hands moving tentatively to her bum and giving it a hard squeeze. 

“Fuck it,” she whispered against his pulse point, nipping there until James let out a soft groan. “Take me here—now and as long as you like. Fuck my family, you’re my family now.”

It left her mouth before she could think of the consequences. To James’ credit, he didn’t acknowledge it—perhaps understanding that this was not the time or place to unpack such grand thoughts. She was thankful because she wouldn’t know what to say otherwise— the thought really hadn’t occurred to her before, but now that  the idea of actually becoming his family was let into the world, it sat between them like a glowing entity.

James’ hand moved to the back of her neck, holding it softly while his mouth found hers, kissing her as deeply as he could muster.

“Fuck—Lily. Ah, fuck.” James groaned against her lips. 

“As much as it’s against everything I stand for to say this—I didn’t beg Remus for muggle clothes to not get use out of them.”

He gave her one last kiss to her mouth, then to her neck, before ripping himself away from her, clearly struggling with his own decision.

She eyed him warily, swollen lips parted and wishing to be enveloped again. 

“James Potter…turning down the opportunity to break rules and shag?” 

His eyes darkened, staring at her with a sort of hungry intensity. 

“Who said I was turning those things down?” A mischievous smile spread on his lips, eyes twinkling under his glasses. “I fully intend to do one or both of those things before the evening ends, thanks.”

He turned on his heel and walked away, whistling a small tune while wandering towards the treeline. She watched him retreat, a part of her wishing he would be himself for once and come press her back up against the tree. He stopped just at the clearing and his head tilted upwards toward something glowing coming from one of the nearby houses. His mannerism felt almost animalike. 

“Brilliant–TVs,” he said as she walked up beside him. She turned to look at his profile. His eyes were basked in wonder and the glow reflected in his glasses only added to the awe that riddled his face. 

“I didn’t realize you were a fan,” she murmured, keeping her eyes on him. It was moments like this that surprised her. At this point she thought she knew everything about him, having spent enough intimate time to be convinced that there was nothing left to learn. But he was tricky in that way—he presented himself like an open book when in actuality, he contained things beyond anyone’s imagination.

“Love ‘em,” he said matter of fact, not turning away from the screen.

“I love you.” The words slipped from her mouth and it caught his attention, turning to gaze at her with as much joy as he was staring into the muggle home. 

“Good, then it's settled.” His grin turned mischievous, eyes alight. “We’ll make sure to have a TV in our house after school.”

It was only fair, given what she said about him being family before, but it still made something in her chest soar. 

They started on a brisk walk down a row of houses that got wider as they passed, each one taking on a more estately look than the last. 

“Is this where your house is? James asked, eyes scanning the windows of each passing house to catch a glimpse of some muggle going about their daily lives. 

“Er–no,” Lily mumbled. It occurred to her that James probably didn’t get a real look at where she lived when he had visited– something that was probably for the best.

“This is a…nicer part of town.” 

James looked around, his brow knitted. “I guess I’ll take your word for it—can’t say I was focused on the scenery that day to be honest.” He gave her hand a playful squeeze. 

“Do you think your family will like me?” 

“No.”

His shoulders sagged, and she scrambled to reassure him. 

“I didn’t mean it like that—my sister and her boyfriend hate me so I just imagine they will share the same feelings towards you—”

James’ jaw tightened. ���Hate you? How does anyone hate you?”

Lily shrugged, “How do the Slytherins hate me? They think I’m different and that makes me a blight on society apparently.”

She could tell he wanted to say something more, but they reached the address before he could continue. Lily hadn’t known what to expect—she knew that Vernon came from at least more money than her family, but Marge’s home was nicer than she expected.

On the stoop leading up to the home there were two grand statues of bulldogs and for a second Lily tried to recall if there were any football teams that a similar mascot. The surrounding houses were still decorated for Halloween with smiling jack-o-lanterns and orange and black streamers adorning columns, but Marge’s home was noticeably vacant of any festivity. The only thing inviting was the soft glow of inside light pouring through the front window. 

“Well–” Lily turned to James, taking a big sigh. “Into the belly of the beast.”

James cupped both her cheeks, stroking her jaw lightly with his thumb. 

“It’s going to be fine.The second you say the word we can be right out that door and safely back in my bed–or at least against that tree from earlier.”

Lily hummed, both options sounding way better than mounting the stone steps in front of them. She pulled herself up, slanting their lips together. James deepened the kiss, the urgency of his mouth proving that his collected demeanor was just for show—he also was looking forward to the moment they could be alone again.

“Alright, c’mon.”

Mounting the front steps, Lily knocked loudly and stood back to wait. Despite lights indicating that someone was home, there was no sound of a party from within, just the distant jingle of a wind chime from nearby. She knocked again.

By the third knock, James had wrapped his arms around her waist, entertaining himself by nibbling lightly at her neck while they waited. In some respects it was too good to be true—maybe no one would come and they could abandon the evening, get back to his bed or that tree or –hell– right here on the stoop and take advantage of some time alone. She didn’t knock again, closing her eyes and letting the feel of James mouth take over, his hands starting to wander farther down to the hem of her dress—

“About time!”

The door swung open and the light from the inside poured around Petunia’s figure, giving her a pallid and sunken complexion. James' hands stalled at the bottom of Lily’s hemline and he leaned his chin against her shoulder, a smug grin plastering his face, more amused than sheepish from almost getting caught. 

“What do you mean, we knocked three times–” Lily started in, but Petunia was already cutting her off, stepping out into the chilly evening.. 

“For God’s sake, Lily honestly.” Petunia scanned her whole body in such a way that resembled someone buying cattle. “This is what you’ve decided to wear to my pre-engagement.”

“I quite like it,” James piped up and both sisters froze, his voice breaking through what seemed to be a well understood dance between the two. 

“You like it?” Petunia spat. Lily watched as her sister’s stare raked over James, but unlike her own sizing up, her eyes lingered on his arms and shoulders. 

Interesting.

Petunia straightened slightly and stuck her nose in the air. 

“Who’s this?” She didn’t remove her eyes from James’ collarbone. 

“This is my boyfriend, James.”

“Boyfriend?” she spat, any lingering attraction to James smashed against a proverbial rock. “You brought your bloody boyfriend?”

Petunia’s face turned bright red under a mop of straw hair and from behind, Lily felt James give her bum a playful squeeze. Randy git.

“Look—I invited myself,” James said, straightening and taking a more appropriate stance next to Lily. “We didn’t mean anything by it— just figured the more the merrier. Nice to meet you, by the way.”

He sounded sincere and Petunia sized him up again, eyes blazing. She took a breath.

“Fine–but you don’t talk,” she pointed at James, “and you,” she turned to Lily, “don’t ruin this.”

Without another word, she turned on her heel and entered the house, leaving Lily and James to watch through the open door after her. 

James gave a low whistle. “Can’t say for certain, but I think you and Sirius might have a pretty close ‘worst family’ competition on your hands.”

“Maybe we should get both our families in a room and make them fight it out,” Lily jeered.

James barked out a laugh which echoed down the empty hall. Having forgotten about Lily’s outfit for the brief period of meeting her sister, his eyes dragged up her body as they took off their coats.

“Alright, I'll take it back—is it too late to walk out?” He pulled her in against the hard line of his chest, body emanating heat. 

Lily giggled, “Too bad. I gave you an out earlier and you didn’t take it.”

He made a groaning noise, pressing his lips to her ear. “The next time we are alone, Evans. I swear to Merlin—”

The door at the end of the hall opened again and an older woman stepped out. Her eyes zeroed in on James, a too sweet smile slowly unfurling.

“My,” she clicked her tongue, walking towards the couple. “And I thought the only surprise was that you decided to show up, Lily—now who is this gentleman?”

Lily placed her hand in his and gave a very sharp squeeze. 

“Phoebe—this is James. James—Phoebe, my stepmum.”

James blinked a few times, the cogs in his brain working overtime.

“Step…mum?” James repeated, very distant. 

Phoebe forced a high pitched laugh. “Oh it’s no surprise Lily didn’t tell you about me—she loves to keep her secrets.” She reached out and pinched at Lily’s cheek who recoiled.

“You’re looking tired dear—late nights?” Her eyes darted up again to James with a discerning look. “The last boy she brought home from your little school looked very tired as well but not you–”

“We should be joining the party, yeah?” Lily cut her off, giving another squeeze to James’ hand. 

With another sly glance at James, Phoebe turned and walked back to the door at the end of the hall.

“Oh and Lily dear, I meant to say. Let’s not have any…ah, flairs of dramatics this evening, shall we? Tuney is very stressed and you know how Vernon’s family are…”

“Right,” Lily responded, wooden and cold. The moment Phoebe slipped back through the door, James turned on her, eyes wide.

“Alright—which question do you want first?”

Lily blinked up at him. “Are none an option?”

“You never told me you had a stepmum,” James accused, frowning. 

“You never asked.”

James sighed. “Ok, valid—but correction, you never told me you had an absolute nutter stepmum.”

Lily nodded in agreement, and he continued. “And was she referring to Remus or—”

“Potter, if you are getting rattled by my family’s antics now, just you wait.”

James gave her a discerning stare, trying to size up the situation, trying to not look at her bloody tits. 

“So give it to me straight—how much do they know about us?”

James made a motion to his and her body as though that explained his question further. 

“D’you mean magic or our relationship?”

“How about both?”

Lily gave a defeated sigh, chewing at her bottom lip. “Let’s put it this way: my sister is right, the less you say, the better.”

* * * * * *

Before he visited Lily that Summer, James had never stepped foot in a muggle home. Yes, he would visit Remus who had the occasional muggle invention lying around from his mum, but  otherwise he had not put much thought into what could possibly be so different from the two worlds—homes were homes, muggles just as human as any wizard. What could be more different than just a few pieces of metal machinery and a lack of a house elf to aid with the chores?

Stepping through the door, he was overtaken with an otherworldly sensation. The room was a clash of interests: walls filled with static photos of bulldogs opposing an ornate dining table that was dressed with gaudy flower arrangements of pinks and reds. On the table were plates of food that seemed to be encased in some kind of gelatin, some of which were shaped in various molds that jiggled lightly from even the smallest change in the air. Various meats were ground and molded to look like their animals of origin, most notably a pig's head which used olives for eyes. If that wasn’t enough, a buzzing sound poured down on them from a chandelier filled with bulbous glass tubes, leaving the candle sticks adorning the spread unlit and unneeded.

James instinctively wrapped an arm around Lily’s waist, buoying her against him as the only sense of stability in his new surroundings. 

The rest of the guests congregated in a small sitting area on the far side of the room. James’ eye immediately went to the modest TV set, wishing that it was on and creating a distraction. Seven sets of eyes pierced back at them.

“Ahem. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Marge—this is my sister, Lily.”

James took stock of the group. Even if he didn’t already have the pleasure of meeting Petunia and Phoebe beforehand, he could have easily parsed who was from Vernon’s side and who wasn’t. The Dursleys all were heavier set with a distinct air of haughtiness not unlike the many pureblood wizarding families he had been forced to rub shoulders with in his lifetime. A thin, loping sort of man hovered by the drink cart, using their entrance as a distraction to pour a clear liquid far too close to the top of his glass before dropping in two olives. 

“Thank you for inviting us—so sorry we are late,” Lily said. He could hear the fake sincerity in her voice, masking an anxiety he imagined was similar to his own.

“This is James—I hope you don’t mind that I brought him along.”

James ignored the distinct feeling of being up for auction and flashed his most convincing smile–the kind he reserved for dinner parties with his parent’s colleagues. 

“Charmed to meet you all,” he said, but as the words left his mouth, he felt Lily’s hand stiffen against his back. Of all the faces in front of him, the only amicable one was Phoebe’s, who took the chance to rake her eyes over his body again like a piece of meat. 

“Lily didn’t realize this was a closed invitation for family only,” Petunia spat, crossing her arms against her chest. “But it can’t be helped—please, let's take our seats.”

As the group moved over to the dinner table, the thin man with the drink plodded his way over to them, taking Lily’s face with a heavier hand than needed and planting a wet kiss on her cheek. 

“And how’s my lovely Lily doing? You alright at your special school?”

Lily’s eyes darted around the room, lowering her voice. “It’s fine, Dad. Uhm, could we not talk about my sch–”

But Lily’s dad turned on James, eyes lingering on where his hand had not left her waist. 

“And you—can’t say I knew about you. Imagine you also do the same kind of funny little things that—”

Phoebe appeared beside her husband, grabbing at his drink arm so it sloshed a bit onto the carpet. “Oh, what are we talking about in such low voices? Hopefully not scaring poor James off already—Lily will never be able to find another like him.”

She gave James a wink that made him wish he was the one with the over poured drink. 

“That’s kind of you to say, but I’d be the sore loser if she ever left me,” James said with a casual ease. “Lily is the biggest catch of our school.”

“And what school is that, exactly?” One of the portly women who James had figured was from Vernon’s side walked up to the group, casting a discerning eye at Lily’s dress.

“Er–” All the fake confidence and ease James had mustered flushed out of him. Normally he was an impeccable liar, but that was when he was in his element. It dawned on him that lying to muggles might not be in his wheelhouse…

“An alternative school—it’s in the Scottish highlands. Very exclusive,” Lily retorted. The response sounded rehearsed, like she had said it many times before this. 

The portly woman gave a smile that looked more hostile than warm. “Alternative, you say? What, is it some kind of hippie, new age bunk then?”

“I guess you could say that,” Lily murmured through gritted teeth. James could feel her hand tighten again on his back. 

“ A boy this handsome at a hippie school?” Phoebe retorted. “Then I was right, Lily really is very very lucky to have found you—you’re much to fit to be–”

“We should sit.” Lily broke in, pulling James in the direction of the table. He wished he could get five seconds alone with her to regroup what the bloody hell was going on. He knew that Petunia would be bad—Vernon similar—but Remus had not let on that Lily’s home life would be as colorful as it was. Now it was making more sense why she had always been so tight lipped about them.

Up until this point James had been treading water—not safely coasting on the surface, but not drowning either. With various wizarding dinner parties his parents threw and the occasional kooky relative three times removed, James figured he could stand about anything barring a full on sexual assault from the stepmum or a verbal attack towards Lily on her sister’s part. But the thing he had not planned for was Lily herself. As they sat for dinner, the deep V in her dress fanned out a bit more, letting a full glimpse of the side of her breast peek out. Just the suggestion of her soft skin and hardened nipple being right there doing something awful to the wiring in his brain. She had to have done it on purpose—taking a page out of Sirius’ book and sabotaging an already cursed evening with the express intent of chaos. Whatever the case, he could hardly focus on the food in front of him, watching the dress shift as she moved, giving and removing bits of swelled skin like a teasing act.

“So, Lily. What are your plans for after school? Your father says you will be graduating soon.”

 It was the first time James had heard Vernon speak all evening. For a bloke who was attending his own engagement party, he seemed more annoyed by the event than anything else. 

“Uhm, I–” But Petunia cut her off ( a common occurrence, it seemed) taking her fiancé-to-be’s hand and squeezing it tightly. 

“Nothing—Unlike some of us, Lily has not always been so zealous with her future.”

It was enough for James to peel his eyes away from his girlfriend. 

“What do you mean,” James stared quizzically, “Lily is the hardest working person I know. She’s absolutely brilliant.”

A hush went through the room. Under the table, a hand moved onto his thigh, giving him a loving squeeze. 

Petunia’s eyes glowered back, her voice going low. “I would hardly call the things that go on at that school hard working.”

James stared incredulously, looking around the room at each person. No one said anything, eating their food in a tense silence, letting Petunia take her jabs as she saw fit. 

Vernon spoke up again, dabbing some gravy from his moustache. “I agree. I don’t know what goes on at your particular school but this alternative lifestyle bunk that has been sweeping the world these days is absolutely mad—just an excuse for freeloaders to take drugs and leech off their hard working families.”

“Is that what you think I do? Leech?” Lily seethed under her breath. The heat of her hand on his thigh disappeared and she began to stand up. 

“Excuse me—I need to use the toilet.”

She wandered out of the door, leaving James unguarded. 

“An interesting girl, your sister,” the younger of the Dursley’s piped up, chewing her food loudly. “A shame really. She could have such a good future—”

James coughed loudly, wondering if they were dumb or just didn’t care that he was still there. 

From across the table, Lily’s father rolled the bottom of his tumbler around the table idly, watching the olives spin in the liquid.

“You know James, must say you are a step up from the other boy that kept coming around–what was that bloke’s name again, Tuney? Seth? Severell?

Snape. He’s talking about Snape. 

James wiped his mouth and stood up, pushing an anxious hand through his hair. 

“Er, sorry. Mind if I go out for a smoke?” It was a solid lie that he was quite proud of himself for. 

Petunia scrunched up her nose in disgust, but otherwise said nothing. James slipped out the door into the hall. 

* * * * *

She felt bad leaving him in there to fend for himself, but she didn’t have any other option. 

Her family was easy to manage when she was just by herself—she could let their mean spiritedness and her Dad’s ignorance wash over her like an evening chill, but with James there, it took on a whole new life. What could he possibly think of her now? Of where she had come from? She thought back to everything she knew about James' upbringing: a wealthy, well-to-do wizarding family that was kind hearted enough to take in strays like Sirius and Remus whenever they needed…she wouldn’t be shocked to find James fled by the time she made it back to the table.

A sharp knock pounded at the door, awakening her from her spiral. 

“Lily–open up.” 

There was another bang, and she turned to open the door, wondering if he was mad he was left with such horrid company or worse, no longer wanted anything to do with her. 

He’ll probably be a blood purist after tonight—seeing the state of this lot. 

She opened the door and James slid in, eyes wide and dark.

“James I’m so sorry, I–”

He crowded her against the sink, pressing his hips flush against hers. His hands moved quickly, one reaching around to grab her bum and lift her onto the countertop and the other around her waist to keep her from falling back. He pressed his face into the open slot of her dress, dragging wet kisses down her sternum.

“You are so fucking incredible,” he panted into her skin, turning his head to nose at the fabric hiding one breast. “Your family are a bunch of arseholes. How can they not to see how fucking fantastic you are.”

A finger hooked the lining of her dress and pulled it aside. The creamy curve of her breast culminating in the rosy peak of her tit, hard just like he had imagined while watching her at the dinner table. He dragged his teeth lightly over the blunt tip, gaining a moan from Lily before taking it into his mouth and flattening his tongue against it. 

She hummed in response, her legs wrapping around his waist, pooling her dress up to her hips so the lace of her knickers peeked out. All the fear of losing him melted from his touch and she leaned back farther, arching her back to the cyclical movement of his tongue on her nipple, his other hand now hitching her thigh higher.

“Now I know I was right. They are just jealous. It’s the only explanation–”

The memory of him calling Petunia jealous in that empty classroom flashed through her mind. It had only been a year since they had been in that room, learning to be vulnerable and open and friendly for the first time. Could the Lily in that memory even comprehend the idea of being pressed up against Marge Dursley’s powder room sink by the same boy a year later?

“James–” 

From her chest, his eyes glanced upwards, “If you are about to ask me to stop, then just don’t, Evans,” he called up to her, moving to the other side of her chest. 

“It’s clear you don’t get the recognition you deserve around here—I’m about to change that.I’m about to fucking worship you.”

Something hard pressed against the center of her knickers, making her gasp. James had leaned forward, the straining outline of his erection putting pressure right where her body was already begging for him.

Surprising both of them, she reached down and tugged at his belt, chest heaving under James’ open mouth which had begun adding teeth into the equation as he wandered from breast to breast. 

“You better make it quick then, Potter. I’ve been wanting you all day.”

Something clicked inside him and he moved up to her mouth, holding the back of her neck with a firm hand as they melted together, teeth and tongue fighting for dominance. She made quick work of his belt, shoving a hand down the front of his open trousers to palm the thick base of his cock. The moan he made inside her mouth was absolutely sinful, eyes snapping open, then widening in realization. 

He wrenched her hand out of his pants, but before she could let her confidence waver, she was being flipped around, feet placed back on cold tile and eyes meeting a matching pair through the reflection of the mirror. 

“Look how lovely you are. How lovely and perfect and bloody sexy…”

Her hands grasped the basin of the sink as his hips pressed in from behind, his cock flush again against her center. His hips waved forward, bucking instinctively and she watched the friction zap all the way to her face, her mouth unhinging and eyes going glassy in the mirror. From above her bent body, James stared down at her reflection with a blown out expression, wetting his lips from the sight of her watching herself, rosy tits peeking out from the sides of the fabric in heaving gasps.

“Fucking hell,” James panted out, hands grasping at her waist while his hips make another wave against her. “Just look at you—I can’t believe I get to kiss you—to shag you. I’m the luckiest man alive.”

He leaned forward, a hand finding the small of her back and pressing down with a light touch so she arched underneath. Swollen lips reaching her ear, he gave a soft flick to her earlobe. 

“I didn’t put a silencing spell on the room so we are going to have to be quiet—but fuck Lily. I need to touch you now. Please say I can touch you.”

She watched his face in the mirror, eyes completely dilated and darkened with a want that went beyond any earthly possession. 

“Yes—fuck me.”

His chuckle quickly disintegrated into a moan, not waiting any longer to pull aside her knickers and sink an exploratory finger into her. She let out a mewling gasp, mouth opening wider in the mirror to the feel of another finger entering her, then curling in tandem inside. 

“Christ, that feels good,” she called out, not realizing how loud her voice would carry. James shushed her, a haughty smile lingering on his lips and fingers working diligently, pressing in and out of her. His other hand moved slowly to grasp at the front of her neck and his eyes looked to her reflection for approval.

“Is this ok?” 

Contrary to the striking look of his hand around her, there was no pressure from his grasp other than the support to keep her head up to watch through the mirror.

“Yes—fuck James. I—”

“Lily!”

Three sharp knocks rapped on the door behind them. 

“What are you doing in there? It’s been ages.”

The handle shook and in the mirror she could see James’ eyes flick over to it for a second before skirting back to her face. His hand twisted inside her, a thumb reaching behind until it found the tight entrance of her ass and pushed in slightly. A triumphant grin reflected back as he watched eyes dilate into a heady darkness, head falling against his chest.

“Quiet, Evans,” he whispered. His eyes roamed her reflection, taking in the image of her gasping against him like it was the most treasured image in the world. She struggled to keep her eyes open, his fingers relentlessly working her. “You don’t want your sister to hear—“

“Lily! Vernon’s family is starting to worry! And where did your bloody boyfriend run off to…”

The handle rattled again, but James was quick, removing the hand from around her neck and grasping the door knob still. His hand continued to move inside her, thumb now carefully dipping in and pressing through her anal wall to tighten the work of his fingers on the other side. 

“James–Fuck, what the fuck—that feels—” 

She didn’t even know how to describe it. Good was an understatement—the pressure of his thumb only added to the mounting fire that burned inside her, pushing her to the complete edge.

“Come for me Lils,” He murmured, his breath tickling her skin. “Watch yourself come on my hand—be as loud as you want, I don’t care anymore. Let your pathetic asshole of a sister hear how good you have it. She might be the one getting engaged but I guarantee she will never be fucked half as good as you are now.”

If Lily had even a single coherent thought to use outside of the way James’ fingers filled her, she would have probably told him to check his ego. The door handle tried to turn again, but James kept it still, his voice chanting in time with the thrusts and curls of his fingers. 

“Come Lily. I can feel you’re close. Let me feel it, baby. God you are so wet—the second you come I’m going to be inside you, the second.”

It was as though watching herself in slow motion. Her eyes dilated, jaw going slack, and then she keeled over, a burst of pleasure rippling through her, mounting endlessly to oblivion. Her eyes tried to flutter closed, but in an instant James’ hand was back on her neck, his voice breaking through the haze.

“No, keep your eyes open. Look at how beautiful you are when you come. Look, Lily. Look.”

Her eyes blinked open. Heavy and clouded in imminent climax, her nerves crackled with pleasure. The sound of her sister just beyond the door, probably now able to hear them completely lost to her–only able to focus on her own face staring back and the complete fullness of James’ fingers filling every part of her.

“Come, baby. That’s it. Do you see how beautiful you are? I love you.”

She didn’t say anything back to that, but when he twisted his fingers one last time, his thumb adding more pressure from behind, all her synapses fired at once, and she did—she saw it.

[whinlatter]

The broken family bond between Harry and Petunia!

wow while usher was dancing his socks off at half-time you were thinking about petunia dursley née evans' malicious treatment of everyone's favourite grouchy knobbly-kneed jock... what does this say about you anon? look inwards

i feel terrible that i do not have too many thoughts about the broken family bond between harry and petunia but i DO have thoughts about what harry represents as a challenge to the nuclear family unit and its associated class connotations that petunia cares so much about. one thing i have been thinking A Lot about recently is petunia's description of snape as 'that awful boy' in ootp (which ofc, at the time, harry thinks is a reference to james), and how petunia's ideas about class and social mobility colour her view of wizards and, by extension, her resentment and contempt for harry. sooo i have talked about that instead......... ctrl + f neoliberal renders 2 results below i'm so sorry

when we meet petunia in the canon timeline, she's a parody of a tory home counties suburban housewife, striving middle class in the very thatcherite neoliberal sense, all about the house prices and the pension pot, with her perfectly maintained peach home decor and pristine garden, with a husband who has made his money through a managerial position in industrial manufacturing, who sends her son to private school and monitors the material wealth of her neighbours and associates very acutely. we know that young petunia wanted to join wizarding society and was rejected by it, and we know that adult petunia now holds wizarding world and its culture in open contempt. we particularly know that petunia hated snape, and that, other than lily, snape was the first wizard she ever really met. to young petunia's eyes, snape had all the visible markers of poverty and of being working class ("They live down Spinner’s End by the river," she told Lily, and it was evident from her tone that she considered the address a poor recommendation.') nevertheless, by virtue of being a wizard, this shabby poor-looking boy was elevated above petunia as something particularly special, and sneered at petunia as lesser than him as a result. i think this is interesting, because i think young petunia processes her rejection from magic by starting to think of magic and wizarding culture as a perverse subversion of the class system she knows and believes in, where a visibly working class person can somehow be special and worthy. (we can speculate what she would make of james potter as her son-in-law - james, while obviously wealthy, is old money posh coded - he doesn't work for a living! - aka not at all invested in the hard-work discourse, keeping-up-with-appearances that the new money suburban types that petunia strives for).

why does this matter? i just think it's very striking that petunia's complaints about harry are so often expressed less in terms of the danger of his magic, than his threat to external perceptions of her and her family, and, especially, as a challenge to their class position

petunia makes critiques of harry's messy appearance, his misbehaviour at primary school (caused by his magic), his association with the criminal (sirius black) and the shabby (the weasleys), and his refusal to respect or show any deference to vernon and the family despite their great attempts to maintain the trappings of respectability. the particular horror of harry's presence in the dursleys' life, in petunia's mind, is that his existence makes her family an alternative blended family, which compromises all that petunia holds dear in terms of the trappings of middle class respectability that puts a great deal of social capital on the nuclear family unit and no deviation from it. i don't mean to suggest petunia only perceives magic as a class threat, or that she doesn't fear harry's magic as something dangerous. her response to dudley's dementor run-in proves how much she fears what magic can do (and, ofc, she knows what happened to lily). but what's striking in DH is that petunia is still umming and ahhing, as vernon is, about whether to go into hiding. unlike movie!petunia in that deleted scene, book!petunia still isn't convinced about 'what these people are capable of'. for this reason, i think petunia has come to think of wizarding culture in terms of a fundamental challenge to the class system she understands and upholds, and to the primacy of middle class new money neoliberal suburban identity that is petunia's entire worldview. and that's really the source of her beef with harry: not his threat to her safety, but to her class identity, which is adult petunia's whole world.

[vazaha-tya]

i spent a bit of time trying to figure out what kind of creature fic i'd write. i did a bit of research, and settled on empusai, the servants of hecate, goddess of magic, necromancy, crossroads, graveyards and the moon. in greek mythology they're described as having a single copper leg, but this is the harry potter universe where a spin on folklore is not only expected but required, so i had fun with it. it's a bit rushed since this is me just getting a feel for it. i'd expand a few things if i publish it.

i'm not sure this fits the creature!fic requirements, i haven't read one of those since i was sixteen, but do tell me what you think.

trigger warning: descriptions of violence and gore

*

Everyone seemed to be under the impression that Aunt Petunia was a muggle woman. Harry found out at a young age that this was not quite right. 

Aunt Petunia loved being mundane and she played the part well, but Harry spent more time in the house than both her husband and son combined by virtue of being considered their chore boy. Early into this arrangement, he’d had to be taught how to cook, clean and generally meet the expectations of the Dursley household. He learnt at her knee, and it was unpleasant for both of them, but he found out a lot about how to read his aunt and her habits.

Which is how he noticed Aunt Petunia took care to always have her nails painted an understated salmon pink colour and that underneath the polish she conscientiously applied, her nails naturally grew copper. Not just the colour of copper, but the hardness of it too. Her nails were sharp as knives.

He never asked about it, and never mentioned it to anyone.

Ultimately, it didn’t change anything. Did it make his aunt a hypocrite? Yes. Would pointing it out change her behaviour? Hah. Good joke.

When he received his Hogwarts letter, he thought he’d finally found an explanation. He was wrong, and Aunt Petunia’s disdain for wizards was the only proof he needed. During his free time, Harry’s curiosity pushed him to research in the library for any sign of a magical creature or a condition that would cause one’s nails to grow copper. He was after all pretty sure it wasn’t any sort of muggle illness.

Then he saw the image of his mother inside the Mirror of Erised and a suspicion grew, which was only confirmed when he received an album full of photos of his parents.

Lily Evans had copper hair, which she took pains to conceal and disguise as mundane as much as Aunt Petunia did her nails.

Harry didn’t know what pushed him to keep it to himself. He could have asked Hermione and received an answer, but something stopped him from telling anyone else. 

Intuition, maybe. A desire to keep this small family secret private.

He wasn't sure.

But he had kept it to himself and saw no reason to change, until he found himself in a graveyard, Cedric died in front of him, and he returned to Hogwarts to announce that Voldemort was back. Sirius had embraced him, and then he’d been carted off to the Dursleys, alone with his nightmares.

Beyond the grief and the horror, there was an ache in his chest since it happened. He found himself pressing a hand to his sternum often, his brows furrowing in pain.

The bad dreams never stopped, so the Dursleys didn’t pay attention the night it all came to a head. Uncle Vernon had come to howl at him to shut up before going back to bed, grumbling under his breath about ungrateful orphans disrupting hard-working people’s sleep.

That was when the ache turned into sharp needles stabbing into his heart, and cold started spreading through his veins. Harry grunted in discomfort, then the screaming started. At first, he couldn’t even tell it was his own voice making these awful sounds. He’d just been startled awake by a sharp sensation that sliced through his dreams and the pain had steadily increased until he was writhing on his bed. He'd been deaf to anything but his own terror. He clawed at his own chest, desperately trying to rid himself at the sensation, until a voice broke through the fog of anguish.

“Ξύπνα, Χαρίλαος!”

Wake up, Harilaos!

Harry abruptly opened his eyes. His aunt was standing over him, a pinched expression on her face. 

“Remove your shirt,” she instructed.

“Aunt Petu– what…?”

She repeated, unmoved, “I will not say it another time, remove your shirt.”

Harry numbly followed her orders. His aunt grabbed his arm and forcibly sat him up, which made him realise that she wasn’t wearing nail polish today. Doubt began to creep in, but the pain was too intense for him to think. He was sweating and shivering, whimpers pouring out of his lips, his voice hoarse from the previous screaming.

When his aunt’s hand hovered over his chest, he barely had the presence of mind to weakly raise his arms up, hoping to fold them over himself in a protective gesture. He did not get the chance. A second later, his aunt was digging her copper nails into his skin and forcing his ribs open, clicking her tongue all the while.

“Damn you all the way to Tartarus, Lilika.” She rolled her eyes as he howled in pain. “But no, that goody-two-shoes went straight back to Elysium, didn’t she?” She stopped moving, and narrowed her eyes, scrutinising something inside of the gaping hole in of his chest. “Now that’s curious. And certainly not how things are done.”

She sniffed, then kept on rummaging inside Harry’s ribcage. He faintly thought he should be able to break free, but some instinct was telling him to keep still and he was listening despite himself. Besides, strange as it was, it seemed like whatever his aunt was doing was working: the pain was receding.

Which made no sense, considering Aunt Petunia had just plucked his heart out of his chest. The blood dripping from it was falling on his hips and thighs as she brandished her prize over him.

The woman hummed as Harry stared on in horror, unable to speak.

“Perhaps your kooky headmaster is right and your true power is love. A copper heart, really? I suppose it is the alchemical element of Aphrodite. Only Lilika’s child could cause me this much trouble.”

“You’re not Aunt Petunia,” he whispered.

She laughed sharply. “Oh, I am. But I am also an empusa, undead servant of Hecate.” She flashed her blood-covered copper nails at him with her empty hand. “And you, Harilaos, are the child I was charged with rearing in exchange for this life, since your useless mother was apparently Fated to die a mere year after birthing you.”

What about Dudley? Where did he fit into all this, he wanted to ask, but his strength was leaving him. He looked at the heart she was still holding in one hand, then down at himself. As his aunt said, in place of his heart of flesh laid a copper mimicry of it. He wondered if the blood it pumped through his veins was still red, or if it was made of metal too. 

That was the last thought he could muster before he lost consciousness.

*

When he woke up, his chest was sewn shut. It looked like the wound was days old rather than the consequence of an amateur’s late night surgery. He brushed against it disbelievingly. He turned to his right. His aunt was painting her nails at his bedside. His discarded heart of flesh laid on a pillow at the bottom of the bed.

“You certainly took your time, lazy boy,” she sneered. “I suppose you want your explanation now.”

Harry nodded warily, and sat up.

“Do you know what empusai are?” she asked.

He shook his head.

She clicked his tongue. “Of course. What else did I expect? An empusa is a spectre, revived and put into flesh by the first necromancer, the goddess of magic herself. They are generally restless spirits malcontent with their lot and willing to serve in exchange for their wish to be granted. They are also generally female, but the Lady sometimes makes exceptions. You are one of them.”

Harry blinked.

“I am dead?”

Aunt Petunia rolled her eyes. “You were born dead from an undead mother. That makes you a liminal being, I suppose. But you are alive. That was Lilika’s wish. Your mother. She wanted her son, Harilaos, to get another chance. He died in infancy, and she hated that his life was cut short before it could even begin. But it’s not enough to make us serve, Hecate’s gifts always come with caveats; Lilika had to die again for you to live. But that was fine by her, she’d only bargained for your soul. Her own is now at peace, and her service over. I'm sure she hadn't expected her husband to die as well, though,” she added snidely.

Harry digested that. His mother had pledged herself to a goddess so she could birth the same son again and give him a chance at life, only for him to spend it abused and haunted by the bad choices of others. He understood what Aunt Petunia meant by caveats.

“Why did you make a show of hating magic?”

“That wasn’t a show,” she spat out. “I promised to serve in exchange for the chance to raise a normal child.” She paused. “Lilika and I weren’t truly sisters, but empusai with similar wishes serve together. I should have known when she received that damn letter that the freak I’d be saddled with in exchange for my wish would be her get. Thirteen years, I’ve raised you.”

She nodded at the heart on the pillow. “The heart on your chest was your mother’s. That it rejected you means that Lady Hecate will soon call on you. The copper within us is how we get in and out of Hades, the realm of the dead. Dead mortals pay the toll: an obol of copper for Charon to cross the river Styx. The undead carry a copper attribute to avoid being confused with them.”

“Mum’s heart was in my chest," he said faintly.

She nodded, unconcerned.

“I recommend bringing it with you when the Lady calls. It will be during the Dark Moon.” The last remaining crescent of a waning moon, remembered Harry. He knew at least this much from Astronomy class. “And after that, don’t come back. My service will be done, so you won’t be welcome here anymore.”

people who despair over the fact that i keep posting new wips instead of finishing what i've started, i want you to be aware that the next cliché i'll try to turn into something i'd find readable is probably the "creature inheritance" one

idk how i'll manage it, but subverting cliché is so fun, i wanna try so bad

[jilytho]

Dinner with the Dursleys

The Dursley Family joins the Evans for dinner. James is not invited but that doesn't stop Lily from mentally comparing everything Vernon does with how James would do it. Happy Jilytober!! 

Read below or on AO3 or FFNT :)

When Lily was told the Dursley family would be joining them for dinner, she immediately stood to send James an owl and request he join as well. She barely made it out of her chair when she was stopped by bony fingers wrapping around her wrist, sharp nails digging into the skin. Petunia said she didn’t need any more freaks joining them at the table, she didn’t seem to understand that she needed James by her side to hold her back in case she finally just does it and sticks her dinner fork into Vernon’s massive neck. Additionally, it would be a great opportunity to properly introduce the boyfriend she missed so much. A real introduction to the parents instead of the quick meet and greet performed at the Platform as they left for winter holidays, Petunia tapping her foot impatiently while James shook her Father’s hand.  

Lily and James had finally gotten together in mid-October after being in a flirty friend state for a full year prior.  It had only been 6 days since she hugged him goodbye but she missed him more than she thought possible. 

Lily was quickly told that James was not invited to join them tonight as this was a family only occasion. Her retort of Vernon or any of his family not being Evans' family quickly died on her lips as she saw the sparkling diamond resting on Petunia’s hand that was still wrapped tightly around her. 

No, not a typical dinner at all. A dinner with the family and with Petunia’s new family. With her Fiance. Lily almost threw up just thinking of the word. Thankfully she was able to hold it down this time. She hadn’t been nearly so successful back when she first got the letter with news of the engagement on the first of December. 

Big special ‘Family’ dinner to celebrate the new addition of Vernon to their happy little family. Wrong, wrong, wrong. There was nothing outright terrible about Vernon. As far as Lily could tell, he seemed to be decent to Petunia and to the whole Evans family. In fact, he seemed to love Petty an awful lot, which should have been enough for Lily to accept the union, but it just didn’t feel like enough. Sure, Vernon loved Petunia and Petunia loved Vernon but it felt like such a surface level love. No warmth or passion or deeper layer. No fireworks went off when they looked at each other, the way they did when Lily looked at James, no electricity passed when their fingers brushed each other, no words passed with just a look. Dursley’s version of love was something different, something that Lily could understand the appeal of especially to Petty, but it was just normal. There was nothing electric or special or magical about Petunia and Vernon together. 

Their life together would be fine but just so hollow. Vernon’s idea of love seemed to be guaranteeing that he would be able to buy her things. Guaranteeing that she could live in a nice three bedroom house, with a full fridge, a big telly and car in the driveway. He was a guarantee of safety but not of happiness. 

Lily could certainly see the appeal of safety considering the war that waged just beyond her window. She mused on the benefits of it as she pushed potatoes around her plate, eyes flitting between Petunia and Vernon, who had gone purple while explaining some golf club injustice that he had endured. Lily could have found a safety guarantee boyfriend. She could have dated Amos Diggory, with his big round blue eyes, perfectly manicured smile. Half-blood, decent, smart, Hufflepuff prefect. There was nothing wrong with Amos. Life with him would be pleasant and quiet and safe. There wouldn’t be any waves or fires in her life but there would be peace. 

James was not safe. James was a promise of dancing in hurricanes and laughing in the face of calm. James was fireworks on a Tuesday morning and pub fights just because some tosser favored the Chudley Cannons over James’s beloved Puddlemore. 

No, James was not necessarily safe, but he was fun. He was fun and he was loving and Lily knew just like how no day would be boring or mundane, they would also be filled with love and joy and protection. James would never stop her from walking into danger, rather, he’d hold her hand and walk straight into it. He’d jump in front of a wand for her anyday without question, and would never make her feel anything but electric. 

Lily knew deep down that safety and complacency was probably enough for Petunia. That was probably all she’d ever want in a relationship and she would be perfectly content spending her life as Mrs. Dursley. Lily just wanted more for her, didn’t understand how Petunia could be satisfied with so little. Petunia deserved to have her world set ablaze everytime her love looked at her, instead of the cool breeze that Vernon probably elicited in her. 

Lily watched Vernon make some remark about how Mr. Evan’s car was truly ‘perfectly functional, but it really can’t compare to those newer models like mine, you see?’ and couldn’t help but think of how if James was there he’d undoubtedly start to argue with Vernon on the functionality of any car, new or old, compared to the floo network. 

Certainly James wouldn’t eat like that, Lily thought to herself, nose wrinkling up in distaste as Vernon practically shoveled roast into his mouth while not pausing his speech for a moment. James would never have done that. Instead, he’d be schmoozing Lily’s father. James had taken to following muggle football simply for the ability to do just that. She knew he would have spent time carefully crafting opinions on strategy and current players to discuss with her father, who in turn would ask one thousand detailed questions of Quidditch beyond what Lily could hope to answer. By the end of the night James would have Mr. Evans seal of approval, a seal that had taken Vernon half a year to procure. 

She knew that he would have Mrs. Evans’s full, undivided attention the whole time. He would charm her immediately, the same way he charmed every single professor, and drop some cheesy line about her being Lily’s older sister rather than her mum. He would follow the cliche with real compliments about her ability to raise such strong, opinionated daughters like Lily, simultaneously charming the both of them, while complimenting the superb meal she had spent hours on. It didn’t matter how it tasted at all, he would compliment each bit of it and lick his plate clean, rather than critique the slight burn on the carrots with a raised eyebrow like Vernon. 

Furthermore, no sibling of James would sit elbows halfway across the table and use their napkin as a tissue before waving it around the room. No, Sirius was nothing like Marge. If Sirius were there, sitting alongside imaginary James, he would be the perfect wingman to James. Not only would he encourage James’s compliments of Mrs. Evans, Sirius would downright come onto her. He would charm and schmooze and on anyone else it would look disgustingly smarmy but with Sirius’s perfect posh accent and calm smirk, her mother would be blushing like a preteen.

James wouldn’t monopolize the conversation with golf course talk. Rather, he would ask kind questions about her parents and their lives or, if the conversation had been focused on him, would tell enthralling stories about his adventures with his friends. James would be present and engaged in any conversation, even if that meant discussing bridal gowns with Petunia. He would enthusiastically compare the merits of a sweetheart gown to a high neck, even if he didn’t understand what any of the words he was saying meant. Sirius would likely offer to go with her to pick some out and would make some mocking remark about a light up gown that would come off as a perfectly serious and kind suggestion. 

Lily had always felt that one of James’s superpowers was the ability to listen to anyone and give his full undivided attention. He could make anyone feel heard and understood and feel like he was truly interested in what they were saying, regardless of subject matter. Lily used to think it was all a farce and he was just feigning interest but now that she actually knew him she knew that interest was real and genuine. 

Not to mention that the way James looked at Lily would have positively made all the room melt. Vernon looked at Petunia with affection, but it felt like a patronizing sort. The way one looks at a beloved pet or something that belonged to them. No, James didn’t look at her like that. James looked at her like she was a beam of sunlight and warmth. He looked at her so deeply and intensely like if he dared to look away, she’d disappear. The affection in his eyes was hot and warm and deep, he knew she did not belong to anyone but herself and he loved her for that. 

If Mr. Evans saw the way James looked at Lily, really looked at her, there would be no way he would misunderstand his intentions. James looked at Lily like she was the only thing he wanted to look at for the rest of his life and Lily knew the sentiment was echoed on her own face. 

Lily watched as Marge strutted out the door without so much as a goodbye tossed over her shoulder. Sirius would have undoubtedly tried to kiss Petunia and Mrs. Evans before leaving with a chastising but affectionate pat on the head from Mr. Evans. Vernon was somehow worse. He was about to join their family but the polite handshake Vernon gave to her father and the uncomfortable kiss on the cheek he gave Mrs. Evans and then Petunia as he exited showed no form of familiarity. He could have given Petunia a high five for all the affection that was in his kiss. He barely even looked at Lily, just grunted in her direction as he shuffled out the door. No that was not how James would exit. He would have stood strong and maintained eye contact with Lily’s father as he shook his hand, would have hugged her mother in that tight, wonderful, ‘I feel I’ve known you for my whole life’ way that James hugs, he would have even tried to hug Petunia but gracefully settled for a light handshake. And no way would James give her that paltry kiss on the cheek and run out. The thought made Lily laugh. James did not know how to hide his emotions and felt no need to hide his affection for Lily. If James didn’t try to completely pull Lily up to her room, she’d be surprised. Still, in front of her parents he would be polite. Nothing too explicit but Lily had no doubt that he would hug her tightly, one arm wrapped around her neck and into her hair, the other tightly around her back pulling her closer and burning her with every touch. Then he’d slowly lean down and kiss her, just once so as to not offend the family, and soft but utterly mind robbing. Even without deepening the kiss, she knew he could make her toes curl and her brain go numb. Then he’d pull away, kiss her lightly on the forehead, which was somehow even more intimate, and whisper goodbye before walking out slowly, looking back at her just the once, hazel eyes glowing, before apparating. 

No, perhaps it was best James wasn’t invited that night. He would positively blow Vernon out of the water. Best to let Petunia shine for the night. James would help Lily shine for the rest of her life. 

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 136: Will and Won't

It happened, again. Eight quickly became seven, but even Wormtail at his smallest alleviated nothing of the pain the rest of the teenagers felt at being shoved into each other's faces in a small, cramped space.

There was the sound of broken glass beneath their feet, Regulus was desperately trying the door handle, but there was no winning such a thing. Many of them bashed their heads together as they knelt for the book at once, but it was Lily who came up triumphant with the spine and pleaded someone to give her light to get them out of each other's personal space.

Sirius got his wand out first and did as such, but it was the wrong Black who recognized their current prison.

The pile of rags, the many pictures of his family his house-elf would treasure most, the shards of Bellatrix's was beneath Frank's boots appropriately enough.

They were in Kreacher's cupboard.

Sirius would know no such thing, he wasn't even convinced his brother knew such a place existed, and Regulus wasn't going to choose now to inform him.

The miserable chapter made this a good call on his part.

Harry, back at the Dursley's once more, but having to listen to those awful Muggles care nothing for Sirius's death while his will was read out by Dumbledore and still not permanently taking the boy away from there for good. The promise of one last year there while they all suffered this cramped, dank, and dusty place was as horrid as it was possible to be, and nobody waisted a breath saying otherwise to Evan's to stop her getting them out of this place.

HPHPHPHP

I do apologize for the 'non' chapters, but they can't all be epic adventures. The next one will more than make up for it.

[ghostofthefourforest]

You’ve all known the story of Harry Potter. A magical child who lost his parents way too soon, then stay with his aunt Petunia, uncle Vernon and cousin Dursley. Its a pretty dark and sad story. It wasn’t until Harry was 11 and receive a letter from Hogwarts School of Witch and Wizardry that this story began to have spots of lightness and joy, even though there’ll be much tragedy along the way before it finally does have a happy ending.

Some people find that story too light. Others find it too dark. And so, stories of Harry Potter grew faster than fungus. In some, he will find happiness sooner. In others, he never really did. Some had him placed with different people, some had him met and angel (and a demon), and some had him transported to a different time or different worlds.

 In another story, he simply got transported to a different place, and in turn, found happiness a whole lot sooner

  Another Harry Potter What If

 What if, once, at the age of 5, after one awful first day at kindergarten where Dudley yelled at Harry, and Harry yelled back, and yelling turned to brawls and the teacher called Petunia to school, a day that end up with Petunia hit Harry with a pan and Vernon practically threw him into the cupboard under the stairs, Harry did not end the day with crying himself to sleep. Instead, what he did was crying so hard, crying and begged to every Powers That Be so he would be taken away from this awful, wretched family and got a new, kinder, happier family.

What if the Powers That Be heard, and granted that wish, that in the morning Harry woke up, still in his ratty previous day’s clothes, at a bench in a park, 300 miles away from Surrey.

What if the first person he ran to was a kind milkman, a married-man, father-of-two who had just finished his delivery. And this milkman was both outraged and concerned that a young child in inadequate clothes was alone in the park with split lip and half his face bruised.

What if the milkman is friends with the closest pediatrics and in good relationship with half of the policemen on town (partially because he’d been delivering their milk for years), and so when he came to them with a wounded, half-emaciated boy, they believed his story without question.

What if, partly due to the concussion and part by having his relatives calling him derogatory names for years instead of his real name, when asked for his name, Harry immediately answered with ‘freak’. An answer that at first confuse but then with further explanation enraged everyone who heard, milkman, doctor, nurses and policemen alike.

What if, when gently persuaded to give the names of his relatives (in good intention, mind you, the policemen did meant to investigate these individuals and have them charged with child abuse) Harry panicked and burst into tears and tell them “I don’t want to go back please don’t make me” that they eventually give up on questioning.

What if said milkman was so worried about this poor, poor thin child who was only a smidge larger than his eldest 4 years old kid a that he discussed with his wife whether they could foster said child for a while than letting him stay in an orphanage.

What if said wife agreed, and the milkman brought the boy home, and the sight of this kind red-haired lady offering him warm soup, bath and pyjamas nearly made him cry.

What if said milkman was a John Creevey who lived in Allendale Town, UK with his wife Bethany and two sons, Colin and Dennis.

What if Bethany had an Evans somewhere on her family tree although the family had fallen out of contact with the Evans side sometimes after the second world war.

What if, in the morning, Colin Creevey enthusiastically welcome the kid his father brought home. After all, his mom was busy with Dennis and cooking and cleaning most of the time, therefore, someone to play with *in the house* is very welcome. Chores were easier with four hands, he’ll gladly found.

What if, after nearly three months living with the Creeveys, Harry found himself *never* wanted another family. Authorities had placed him oficially with the Creeveys, he’d started to attend year one at local school (and Colin *finally* want to go to pre-school now that Harry has to go).

What if, after months of evading questions of Harry’s whereabouts, Vernon and Petunia Dursley finally told their neighbours that they’d sent Harry away to stay with Vernon’s sister in order to ‘fix his abhorrent attitude.’

What if, finally, after wondering and then hearing from the Dursleys, Arabella Figg finally report Harry’s whereabouts to Albus Dumbledore.

What if magic, while in most part, constant, it can also be fickle; and blood magic is no exception. While Albus Dumbledore had altered Lily Evan’s protection over her son and tied it to her sister Petunia, the magic had transferred to Bethany Creevey; slowly, gradually as love grew between Harry and the Creeveys. It had completed its transfer so thoroughly in quite short amount of time for such a complicated nature of magic that when Dumbledore checked on Harry magically, the protection was in such perfect condition he refrained from visiting to see Harry’s condition with his own eyes. Something he will come to regret in later years.

What if, five years past and not a single word heard about Harry’s relatives. No one had came forward with information either. He’d forgotten his name Harry and had gotten used to being called Arthur (Artie) for five years. Compared with his previous life with the Dursleys (whose names he still has not mention to anyone) recent years had been a walk in the park, minor improbabilities aside, ones that John and Bethany (and sometimes Colin) disregard as ‘minor miracles’ while looking fondly at an oblivious Dennis. Artie privately think that it wasn’t all Dennis but he kept quiet.

What if, finally, John and Bethany finally got approval to adopt Artie and they talked to him about it. Artie cried and hugged them and agreed wholeheartedly. Not long afterwards, Arthur Smith officially became Arthur Creevey.

What if, at July the next year, a letter came to the Creevey’s residence, delivered by a brown owl, addressed to

Harry James Arthur Potter-Creevey

2nd bedroom,

11th Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge

Northumberland

[leah-halliwell92]

Princeling

Summary: After seeing what the Dursley’s are when it comes to Muggles, Professor Minerva McGonagall makes the judgement call to take Harry in before the worse can happen. 

"He just left him there Abe," Minerva McGonagall told Aberforth Dumbledore after hours at the Hog's Head.

It is November the first, way to early in the morning to be drinking fire whiskey and yet the occasion called for it.

"What did he say about the muggles who are supposed to be the boy's family?" Aberforth asked in awe at what his brother was doing.

Minerva shrugged as she sipped at her drink.

"Did he not care?" He asked at awe, "He's just a boy!"

Minerva shrugged again and said, "There needs to be a way for the blood wards to protect the boy without leaving him there.”

“I’ll call Severus,” Aberforth said and moved the floor leaving a flabbergasted Minerva at the bar wondering why Severus was needed. 

“I knew I should have taken the boy,” an exasperated Severus said taking a seat next Minerva. 

“Did you warn Albus against having Harry placed there as well?” Minerva asked in awe at the Severus who’s shoulders would hit the floor if they could. 

Severus nodded mutely at her before thanking Aberforth for his drink. 

“I warned him that leaving Harry there would end with the child in more than some trouble through his life,” he said downing half his measure in one swallow. 

“It can’t truly be because they are muggles Severus,” she said affronted that it was a blood problem. 

“Petunia Durslely nee Evans,” he said voice dark as his eyes looked far away, “She was horribly jealous of Lily, to the point where it led to horrible angry envy.”

Her eyes widened at this revelation and sputtered, “You don’t really think that–”

“She will take out her anger on a harmless, guiltless child?” Severus finished for her, “Yes.”

Aberforth, who was standing behind the bar in front of the duo shook his head at this remember how it was for his dear Arianna. How her attack led to worse and how the same could happen to Harry for the fact that he is magic. 

“Which bring’s forth the question of, what are were going to do?” Minerva said after downing the last of her drink.

“It’s still dark out,” Aberforth said voice filled with conviction at what he was about to propose, “If you want to stop something before it happens now is the time to take him while in the cover of darkness.”

“Aberforth, are you suggesting what I think you are?” Minerva asked incredulously. 

Meanwhile Severus stood and transfigured his handkerchief into a Moses basket being mindful that it was well insulated. A thestrals would have to do it would look odd if he was seen getting a broom at this time of the night especially by the Headmaster. 

“I am Min,” the older man said, “I’ve seen what can happen if a child withholds their magic once, I'll not have this happen a second time if I can help it.”

Minerva nodded and gave him a soft grateful grin before shifting to her animals form. The tabby jumped in the basket, much to the dark wizard’s chagrin, and settled.

“What will you do Aberforth?” Severus asked before leaving the establishment. 

“We’re going to need a place to keep the babe,” Aberforth said thoughtfully, “I’ll take the time to see where we can go that is quiet enough for a babe to be raised. It will most likely have to be a muggle town.”

“We will discuss it when we return,” Severus said, “Go to my home in Spinner’s End. Should be a good place to start before your brother catches wind of anything.”

Aberforth nodded and began closing and locking down the place before flopping away. 

Severus looked down at the tabby and said, “This war has taken enough lives. Let’s not waste another.”

Minerva nodded and lay down letting the man make his way to the Forbidden Forest to the heard of thestrals that was there. 

00//00//00

A/N: Like and reblog if you liked the first part!! Let me know if you want to be tagged. 

Tag list: @disneymarina​ @hoefordarkness​ @thebeautyofdisorder​ @lets-talk-about-claes-baby​ @toooftenobsessed​

[slytherin-team]

On Petunia Evans Dursley, or how I imagine & re-imagine her character

So, I re-read HP and Snape’s memories of Lily and Petunia really stood out to me. 

Since re-reading the whole series, I’ve become a bit obsessed with Snape and Petunia.

I want to talk about Petunia’s character.

Now, I like starving-her- nephew- and -locking- him -in- a- cupboard Aunt Petunia as much as the next person (which is to say, not at all)

However, Petunia’s character has to be one of the things that bothers me most about HP or one of the things that I see as the biggest missed opportunity on JKR’s part.

Now, I don’t entirely blame JKR for making Petunia a one-dimensional villain. HP started out as a children’s book and the Dursleys are very much like Matilda’s family. They’re just there to be entirely awful and also to contrast muggle “ordinariness” with wizard “specialness.” Additionally, everyone is familiar with the fairytale evil stepmother and Petunia fills that cliched trope as well.

But as the series becomes darker and less for children and as we learn more about the complicated history between muggles and wizards, the presence of only one-dimensional (Dursleys, at least the parents) or barely present (the Grangers) muggles becomes rather irksome, considering how the war is all about prejudice towards muggles and muggle-borns.

These things didn’t bother me or even occur to me so much as a kid reading the series and that’s why I can’t entirely blame JKR on this one thing. She knew her target audience (kids) would identify with the witches and wizards, see the muggles as boring and dull like the adults around them, and not care so much about the broader picture. 

I don’t know if my new way of looking at the series comes from simply re-reading it, or more specifically, from being an adult re-reading it, but I find myself super interested in examining what it means to be a muggle who is aware of the magical world and this what draws me to Aunt Petunia.

If I could make any change to the series, I would make Petunia a more gray, nuanced and fleshed out character, much like Snape (who I actually think she is very similar to and I’ll get into that). She would still give preferential treatment to her own son, but she would not outright abuse Harry by starving him or locking him up. She would ensure he’s well-fed and healthy but she would not be affectionate with him, but rather cold and distant, so similar to how she already acts but minus the serious abuse. 

 I would pepper in moments where Petunia stares at Harry with empty eyes or glances at him while he’s not looking. I would have Harry notice these small moments from time to time and wonder why his Aunt takes care of him yet is so cold towards him. He would unravel this mystery of her behavior, just as he unraveled Snape’s and Petunia would get a redemption arc, like Snape. I haven’t thought of all the details but I like the idea of her getting more involved later in the series and being a useful muggle character. Eventually, she would open up about Lily as well and reveal her regrets. She would also have a heart to heart with Harry and wish him luck before going into hiding.

Vernon would still be a jerk but not outright abusive because Petunia wouldn’t allow for that. Dudley would still get away with his bullying, particularly when Petunia is out of sight, but maintain the growth he did show in the series, perhaps taking it a bit further.

As much as I prefer my version of Petunia, the actual Petunia we get, while not a good or redeemable person by any means, is still really great as a character and as a villain, she has a good origin story.

Hate adult Petunia all you want, but child Petunia, in my opinion, is nothing but sympathetic and probably one of the most relatable characters in the series, and I will go through this.

We all wish the HP world was real, but of course, if it was, we’d all want to be witches and wizards. We all want to go to Hogwarts. 

Severus tells Lily, “It’s real for us, not for her.”

He’s right and he’s wrong. It’s real for Petunia, she just can’t be a part of it.

Now, personally, I think being a squib would feel a lot more unfair than being a muggle with muggle parents whose sibling just happens to be a witch and even if Petunia’s parents did favor Lily for being a witch, they can’t be prejudice towards Petunia for her lack of magic when they lack magic themselves. 

But squibs might actually be looked down upon by their magical parents and they seem to have no choice but to enter the muggle world even though they grew up in the magical world, and if they do stay in the magical world, they’re seen as lesser and I can’t imagine there’s much for them to do. Maybe they could work in Muggle relations but that’s not given much prestige (even though it should be an important thing) Petunia feels barred from the magical world but at least she doesn’t have to leave her own world. 

Still, Petunia is just a kid and she doesn’t know about all the intricacies of the magical world or about squibs. She just sees that her sister has abilities that she doesn’t and access to a really exciting world that she doesn’t. So, her jealousy and feelings of inferiority are totally understandable. 

Of course, in her jealousy of Lily, lack of knowledge about the intricacies of the magical world, and overall myopic view because of her youth, I think there’s something that Petunia doesn’t realize.

Lily is also in a difficult position, perhaps in some ways more difficult than Petunia. At least Petunia has a clear line. She’s a muggle and can fit into the muggle world.

Lily is a witch, so despite being born into the muggle world, she’s different, but that doesn’t mean she can fully integrate into the magical world. In some ways, the prejudice against muggle-borns and the specific slur for them makes them seem more hated and distrusted by certain segments of the wizarding world than even muggles themselves. 

And Lily graduated Hogwarts at the time of Voldemort’s rise and we’re told that the first wizarding war was much more intense than the second. Marlene Mckinnon and her entire family were killed. Voldemort had a bunch of creatures on his side. Petunia could be blissfully ignorant of all this and cocoon herself in her safe “ordinary” world at least. Safety didn’t seem like a choice for Lily, although she certainly had agency and chose to fight for the Order. But it seems that muggleborns would be hunted regardless.

Perhaps if Petunia had realized this, she would have had more sympathy for her sister and also realize that she herself  is lucky in some regards. Maybe she could have cultivated her own talents and focused on them instead of putting all of her energy into being jealous and petty.

I also have this other idea I like, of Petunia developing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with her jealousy and then finally embracing the magical world - instead of turning away from it entirely to be as “ordinary” as possible- and then becoming the muggle version of Arthur Weasley- that is, a muggle who is a bit of a “magicphile” 

Getting back on track, Petunia’s ordinariness could be her strength, at least as a character, it makes her relatable. Young Petunia, like young Severus, is the underdog, and that sort of makes you want to cheer for her or at least see her get a slice of the cake at least once in her life.

While I’ve grown to like Lily as a character more because of my re-analysis of her situation - which makes her an underdog too- I used to really hate her, for the same reason Petunia hated her. Like really? This girl has powerful magic, is beautiful, gregarious, kind, brave, strong, loved and desired by everyone...yadda yadda yadda...gimme a break! 

And so many fans who love Lily don’t realize that they’re probably Petunias, not Lilies.

Even looking at the flowers themselves- petunias are actually really beautiful and come in such a wide variety (the night sky petunia is my favorite) - and yet they’re often overlooked because they’re so common.

James is an awful bully but at least that counteracts his perfectness in every other area (looks, school, sports, etc) What are Lily’s flaws? What does she struggle with other than being muggleborn? It seems that maybe both she and James were too naive and trusting (not to victim-blame her for her own death or anything) but what else? We’re not told and so she just seems perfect, not very interesting for a character.

A lot of the things Petunia says as a child that fans interpret as mean or revealing of her hatred of magic from a young age, are actually things she seems to regurgitate from the adults around her. 

For example, when Lily is flying from a swing, Petunia chides her by saying, “mom, told you not to do that!” Although we know Petunia’s parents favored Lily, I get the sense that their favoritism and even awareness of Lily’s magic didn’t come until after the Hogwarts letter, which is when a representative would have come to the family to explain things. Before then...I’m not sure but maybe her parents didn’t realize what was going on and just didn’t want her jumping out of swings? Anyway, I think Petunia is just trying to be the responsible older sister and is repeating her mother.

I’m pretty sure when Lily makes the flower grow, Petunia gets a bit freaked out and maybe also says something about how she shouldn’t be doing that but she’s also described as asking Lily how she does it, with “longing” in her voice. So she’s juggling trying to be the responsible older sister with being totally weirded out because how the heck is her sister making flowers grow in her hand, to being curious, and this is when her burgeoning envy (totally understandable) starts to emerge as well.

Then little Snape enters the picture to unintentionally erode the sisters’ relationship even further. It’s also here that Petunia makes another comment that fans point to as proof of her snobbery and cruelty from a young age, but actually, it’s just proof that she took what adults told her to heart, and since she was older than Lily, she probably heard more gossip and knew more about their town in general.

After Snape pops out to tell Lily she’s a witch and that he’s a wizard, Petunia is the first of the sisters to speak.

Here’s the direct quote from Petunia: “Wizard! I know who you are. You’re that Snape boy! They live down Spinner’s End by the river,” 

This little statement is endlessly fascinating to me, it raises so many questions.

Why does Petunia know who Snape is? Why does she recognize him? How does she know his name and what he looks like? We know adult Petunia is nosy and loves watching all the neighbors. Was child Petunia snooping around, if so then how close did Snape live to the sisters? How close is the sisters’ house to Spinner’s End and the river? 

If she was snooping around, then it’s kind of ironic that she was spying on Snape while he was spying on her and Lily ( he says he’s been watching Lily but Lily is always with Petunia outside so even if it’s not intentional, he’s watching Petunia too) Even if she was snooping around, why would Petunia wander to Spinner’s End? Does she share Harry’s deathly curiosity and adventurous streak? She says “they” so does she know what Snape’s parents look like? How much does she know about the family and his home life?

My first thought actually wasn’t that she was snooping around but rather, that she was regurgitating the nasty things that adults had said. But this raises another question, which adults? We’re told later that Snape and Lily sneak into Petunia’s room to read her letter to Dumbledore, which means that Snape was in the Evan’s family’s home, and we also know that the Evans parents are impressed by witches and wizards, so it would seem that they approved of Snape. 

So then, who would have told Petunia about the Snape family? Did she just hear rumors and gossip about them from older townsfolk? I always imagine Lily as either 9 or 10 and Petunia as either 11 or 12 in this scene, only a two year difference between them but at that age, it’s enough for Petunia to be more involved in what adults are saying and for Lily to be oblivious.

From here, Petunia asks Severus why he’s been spying, and again, she seems like the protective sister. I really like her in this scene. I don’t interpret her as snobby or classist. She’s too young. I see her as a kid influenced by the adults around her and as sort of a gryffindor/slytherin hybrid, bravely stepping between her sister and the strange boy calling her a witch, while also being judgemental of outsiders.I think she possesses a lot of the qualities of both Lily and Severus.

This scene is also when Sev spitefully calls Petunia a muggle, a word she had never heard before but immediately recognizes as inferior. 

“Haven’t been spying. Wouldn’t spy on you any. You’re a muggle.”

It’s shown later that all three of these kids love to spy and snoop around (not unlike the golden trio - except they’re not spying with each other but on each other) but Sev and Petunia definitely share a heightened nosiness, a certain degree of haughtiness, a superiority complex coupled with an inferiority complex, and a strong sense of self-preservation and pride that is very slytherin. Opposites may attract but I think it’s the couples with common ground that last, and enemies-friends-lovers will never go out of style, so the potential set-up for Snetunia is just too good to pass over and plays a big role in why I love shipping them together.

Okay, and after this, Petunia then spies on Lily and Sev. The “she’s jealous. You're special. She’s ordinary” line is in the movie not the book but I love it because it encapsulates Petunia’s insecurities perfectly and also shows how Sev puts Lily on a pedestal, and the magical world as a whole on a pedestal. It’s sad that he gets abused at Hogwarts after being abused at home but it also just goes to show that wizards, witches and muggles are all just people and not necessarily inferior or superior to one another.

Petunia overhears Sev telling Lily about the dementors and that’s when she loses her footing and gets caught spying. Sev then shouts, “Who’s spying now! What d’you want?” I find it interesting how Sev and Petunia mirror each other so much.

This is when Petunia insults Sev by saying “What are you wearing anyway? Your mother’s blouse?” She obviously has nothing to say in regards to the spying accusation because she was so obviously spying, so she tried to deflect it with an insult. She’s just as defensive as Sev. After she says, the infamous tree branch incident happens, in which Sev gets revenge by making a tree branch fall over her head. This is what prompted Petunia, years later, to refer to Sev as “that awful boy” when she reveals to Harry that she knows what the dementors are because she “overheard that awful boy talking about them.”

Okay, onto the Hogwarts letter, which raises many questions as well.

“You shouldn’t have read – ”  Petunia had whispered, “that was my private – how could you – ?”.

Lily gave herself away by half-glancing toward where Severus stood nearby. 

Petunia gasped. “That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking in my room!” 

“No – not sneaking – ” Now Lily was on the defensive. “Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all! He says there must be wizards working undercover in the postal service who take care of – ”

Okay, so this is soooo interesting. 

Adult Petunia is presented as a woman with a long neck who always has her nose in other people’s business and she’s not much different as a child. But despite this trait being used to amplify her villain role, it seems the “good guys” and the “grey guys” love meddling in this way as well. 

I really feel for Petunia in this scene. I think that Hogwarts letter and Dumbledore’s reply rejecting her (even if it was kind) was one of the biggest moments of failure, disappointment and embarrassment in her life and remember, she’s probably about 2 years older than Lily so she would be 13 here and that’s just not a nice age either and I think that makes losing her sister and being rejected hurt even more. Privacy is such a big deal when you’re 13 too, that’s like peak private diary age, so to have your little sister and her gross friend sneaking into your room at that time, what an invasion that must feel like.

But….what the heck was going through Sev’s mind?!?

I doubt Lily suggested that she and Sev sneak into Petunia’s room. Why would Sev want to go into Petunia’s room? She’s just a muggle after all. He sees the letter, but how? After going into her room?

He couldn’t believe a muggle contacted Hogwarts? Was he secretly impressed by her? He thinks there must be wizards undercover in the muggle postal service...well we’re never told how Petunia sends the letter but it’s often said that there’s more to her than meets the eye. I like to think she was cunning, determined, smart and slytherin enough to find out how to send the letter on her own and that’s probably what made Dumbldore even reply. I think she’s someone who always had a lot of potential but was crippled by feelings of inferiority and self-doubt, much like Severus.

Petunia and Severus both obsess over Lily to the point that it destroys them. Petunia, in her jealousy, deep down worries that Lily is better than her and compensates for this by calling her a freak. Sev never takes Lily off the pedestal even as they begin to grow apart and just as Petunia sinks deeper into her “ultra ordinary” prejudiced persona, Sev sinks deeper into his half-blood prince persona. He hates muggles because of his father, while Petunia hates magic (or pretends to) because of her sister. Sev and Petunia are two sides of the same coin then. They both also never go on to reconcile with Lily and they go on to resent her son while also protecting him.

I said it at the beginning of all this rambling, but I’ll say it again - I wish Petunia had been as layered and grey as Sev, instead of just the bland evil stepmother figure.

So, just to be clear, the adult Petunia we get in the actual books is deplorable but I still love her character because I love how many more satisfying ways there are to re-imagine her and what she could have been. Snape’s memories - the only time we see Petunia’s past - are so rich and revealing and just have me endlessly fascinated about Petunia’s potential.

This was super long but I’ve been dying to word vomit about this character - and I’ll probably do some more word vomit meta about Snape & Petunia later on ~

Oh and regarding what it means to be a muggle in the magical world or adjacent to the magical world - don’t even get me started on the statute of secrecy! Maybe one of the reasons Petunia did turn out so awful was because she had to bear the burden of knowing about magic but not being part of it all by herself, like she couldn’t just tell her friends her sister is a witch and vent. So, maybe she had to bottle everything up.

She also mentions in the book, her sister bringing home frogs and turning them into tea cups - to an outsider maybe that looks like animal abuse or raises ethical questions.

Obliviating muggles certainly seems unethical to me and the ministry does it with great abandon.

I wish this was explored more in the series.

Petunia has a right to be skeptical it would seem, and naturally fearful as well.

[chaoswillfallrpg]

LILY EVANS is TWENTY-TWO YEARS OLD and a JUNIOR RESEARCHER in THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC RESEARCH WING at THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC. She looks remarkably like ELLIE BAMBER and considers herself aligned with THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX. She is currently TAKEN.

→ OVERVIEW:

Lily Evans always had a suspicion she was special. Raised in Cokeworth to librarian JILL EVANS and school teacher JOHN EVANS, Lily had a relatively simple upbringing. The Evans house was like something out of a storybook, with a white picket fence and a gate that slammed hard on it’s hinges every as she ran through it on their way to school. In the garden various types of flowers bloomed including water lilies which floated on their pond and petunias lining the garden all after which both Lily and her older sister PETUNIA were named. Having a sister was a special connection to Lily. Petunia was her best friend and her protector from the day she was born, never once leaving her side. Petunia helped Lily to ride a bike for the first time without stabilizers across the green towards Spinners End and shared with her all of her favourite toys. Although the Evans house had enough bedrooms to house both the girls separately, Lily and Petunia were happiest together and shared a pale pink bedroom with glowing stars on the ceiling they stared at as they whispered secrets to one another before they slept. Lily’s childhood was magical before she even knew that real magic existed in the world. She saw beauty in the first snowflake to fall in their garden in December to the dragonflies that danced upon their pond in the spring. 

Her life truly began to change when Lily was around seven years old. The flowers Lily and her sister danced around had a funny way of dancing too when Lily twirled around them. As she grew older she realised it was not simply the wind that coerced them into a waltz. Cupping a flower her sister had picked for her in her hand, Lily could make it flourish and bloom before the petals turned to butterflies that flew away into the sky. Lily’s magic was beautiful and although such abilities would frighten most Muggle children it only made her more eager to look at things in her world more closely. Petunia became jealous of Lily’s magic, saying cruel and spiteful things which made tears fill her eyes and roll down her cheeks. It hadn’t been so bad at first, but when Lily befriended SEVERUS SNAPE from Spinners End it signalled the beginning of the end for the Evans girls friendship. Severus Snape was an awkwardly quiet boy, very different from the outgoing and frienly Lily Evans. He was hesitant to be her friend at first, avoiding her gaze as he sat alone on the green by his house, until slowly but surely Lily managed to coax him out of his shell. 

Severus didn’t seem to mind when Lily made odd things happen, in fact he found the things she could do quite wonderful. A look of awe in his eyes each time she would blush apologetically for making it snow which often happened when she spoke about her sister with a heavy heart. Severus was the first person to explain magic to Lily, giving context to the strange things she could do. She was a witch and one day she would arrive home from school to a letter from PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE telling her she had been selected to attend a magical school for people just like them. Of course when Lily’s letter came, Petunia was delighted to find out her sister would be attending boarding school, upstting Lily more than Petuina was aware. Collectng her books from Diagon Alley was a magical experience for Lily that Petuina also seemed intent on ruining, from her nasty comments to constant complaining that shocked passers by. Before she boarded the train to Hogwarts Lily hugged Petunia once, knowing it was quite possibly the last hug she would ever give her again and shed one small tear into the crook of Severus’ cloak before vowing to fully embrace her new life away from home.

Sorted into Gryffindor, Lily quickly befriended MARLENE MCKINNON, MARY MACDONALD and DORCAS MEADOWES who were very unique characters. Although Mary was also a Muggle-Born, they were bubbly and friendly, seemingly unphased by the hustle and bustle of this new world that Lily felt slightly intimidated by. The beginning of classes signalled a new found confidence for Lily as she quickly established herself amongst her peers as an incredibly talented witch. A firm favourite of her professors, particularly PROFESSOR SLUGHORN and PROFESSOR FLITWICK, Lily’s talents began to attract her both positive and negative attention at school, as people flocked to be her friend and ask for her help with their studies. Others began to feel disdain toward her brilliance. JASPER AVERY in particular enjoyed bullying Lily calling her a “mudblood” and encouraging his friends to do the same as she repeatedly bested him academically. Lily had a very thick skin, however and was known to aim a plethora of cleverly orchestrated insults and the occasional hex back his way. Garnering a reputation as someone that although was gentle hearted was not to be underestimated, JAMES POTTER was someone who learned this of Lily the hard way. 

A fellow Gryffindor, James Potter was a terribly arrogant boy who seemed to believe his good looks made him entitled to any attention he desired. Though she had seen glimmers of kindness within him, Lily believed James and his best friends SIRIUS BLACK and PETER PETTIGREW were self-entitled bullies and spent the majority of her time at school attempting to remind James that he was an arrogant toerag. REMUS LUPIN, the other member of their group, was nothing like his friends. A quiet and studious boy, Lily was very fond of him and eventually came round to the idea of James, Sirius and Peter being more than just a thorn in her side after both Lily and Remus became prefects in their fourth year. Around the same time Lily began to notice a shift in her relationship with Severus who seemed saddened by Lily’s acceptance of a group of boys who enjoyed bullying him, although Lily had always stepped in to defend Severus whenever it was brought to her attention. Having always thought it important to defend Severus, Lily had no idea he secretly despised her getting involved until it was too late. A more skilled duellist than Severus with a more confident facade, Lily thought nothing of throwing herself forward to defend Severus until the day he turned on her for it. Referring to her as a “filthy mudblood” in front of his dorm mates. The two had been drifting apart for some time, though she had still considered him her best friend. 

Lily had never been phased by people discussing her blood status, but for Severus to suggest she was lesser than everyone else because of it shook Lily to her core and pierced her heart beyond repair. The remainder of her time at school was spent firmly with the Gryffindors, with Lily focusing on her school work and enjoying her final years at Hogwarts. Graduating top of her class and as Head Girl, Lily quickly applied for a job as a Junior Researcher at The Ministry of Magic, hoping to continue her academic career studying experimental Charms. Taking up a little apartment with Marlene in Diagon Alley, Lily had adjusted to her new life outside of Hogwarts, frequenting the pub with Peter and going to and from work each day. That was until Professor Dumbledore approached her. Lily had experienced first hand the hatred the hatred of Muggle-Borns. The Order of The Phoenix was set up by Dumbledore to act as a line of defence to protect those like Lily and expressed an interest in joining as soon as the idea was floated. Assigned EMMELINE VANCE as her mentor, Lily has enjoyed training with The Order and sharpening her skills under a highly experienced and intelligent witch. With the prospect of a war looming as more people go missing in London, Lily is determined to stand up for what she believes is right and has found herself being more open to developing new and existing relationships in light of what’s to come.

→ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Blood Status → Muggle-Born

Pronouns → She/Her

Identification → Cis Female 

Sexuality  →  Up to Roleplayer 

Relationship Status → Single

Previous Education → Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Gryffindor)

Societies → N/A

Family → Petunia Dursley (sister)

Connections  → Marlene McKinnon (best friend/room mate), Dorcas Meadowes (best friend) Mary MacDonald (best friend), Peter Pettigrew (best friend), Remus Lupin (best friend), Sirius Black (close friend), James Potter (close friend/potential love interest), Maren Linwood (friend), Emilia Grey (friend), Cassiopeia Kim (friend), Cressida Abercrombie (friend), Gilfred Abbott (friend), Caradoc Dearborn (friend), Poppy Hookum (friend), Aurora Sinistra (friend), Emmeline Vance (mentor), Severus Snape (former best friend/adversary), Jasper Avery (adversary) 

Future Information → Wife of James Potter, Mother of Harry Potter

LILY EVANS IS A LEVEL 7 WITCH.

[tackletofset]

list of best tom/harry fanfic

Uuummmm…. Okay

*is actually excited*

Tomarry Fic Rec List

Disclaimer: Mind that this is my version of favorite Tomarry fanfics and I might have missed some others doesn’t mean that they’re less phenomenal.Also, the list is by random order.

Click on the titles for links :3

Don’t Fuck With Florists (They’ll Fuck You Up) by MayMarlow

Teen And Up | 13944 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | One-Shot | Completed

Characters: Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Mr Borgin

Relationships : Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Summary: Unsatisfied with his post-war life, Harry decides to get to the root of all of his problems when that root was still working at Borgin and Burkes shop in the late 40s. He’s the Master of Death, damn it, he can do what he wants for once in his life.Tom Riddle isn’t particularly happy about working at a small, dingy shop for magical artifacts, no matter how interesting those artifacts are. He’s even less happy when an insufferable stranger sets up the most obnoxious flower shop right across the street.What follows would be a romantic comedy, if it weren’t for politics.

My notes: I love this fic because of the political undertone, and not-so-subtle reference for Trump. I love how Harry could sway Tom’s from being a Dark Lord into Minister for Magic. If you like dark humor you’d enjoy this fic ;)

Rumpelstiltskin by Gallons_of_the_Stuff

General | 8884 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Chapter 2/4 | Ongoing

Characters: Merope Gaunt, Tom Riddle Sr., Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Fem!Harry Character

Relationships : Merope Gaunt/Tom Riddle Sr., Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Summary: He was all she ever wanted, and she knew exactly how she could have him - even if it would not be real. Then a stranger made her an offer she could not refuse, for a price that seemed like a joke at the time. Was it really just a teasing remark though? Or would her deal cost her more than she ever wanted to give up?

My notes: This is how Merope/Tom Sr relationship goes without a love potion. Merope is aided by Fem!Harry who ‘only’ asks for her firstborn in return.

The Dark Serpent and The Dark Horse by Kaede Ravensdale

Mature | 104187 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Chapter 40/? | Ongoing

Characters: Tom Riddle Sr., Tom Riddle, Harry Potter

Relationships : Tom Riddle Sr. & Tom Riddle Jr, Tom Riddle/Harry Potter, Tom Riddle Sr./Severus Snape

Summary: In which Tom Riddle Senior never could fully put Merope’s claims of being pregnant out of his mind and set out to bring his child home, unwittingly changing the fate of both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds and laying waste to the machinations of a certain scheming old man.

My notes: THIS IS LIKE BY FAR, MY MOST FAVORITE TOM RIDDLE FIC EVER!!! LIKE, EVER!!! THIS IS SO PHENOMENAL! I mean Tomarry + TomSr/Jr bonding is perf Spoiler! Tom is related to the Targaryens in this fic.  Baby Tom gets the Father’s love that he deserves. Also openlymanipulative!Dumbledore and Slytherin!Harry. Best ever. I hope the author will update soon before my head starts flooding with imagines of this fic, such as Tom Sr. stands in between the little Tom (and Harry, so he’s protecting them both) and the killing curse (a curse probably by Grindelwald or Dumbledore). Also, now I like to listen to Targaryen theme music while musing about Tom Sr :3 I also imagine him trying to ride a dragon for the first time, awkwardly in muggle clothes while his son watches in awe. Him riding a dragon to a war against Grindelwald, also arriving in Hogsmeade alongside his son bringing dragons :3 ahh the Tomgaryens.

Little Red Riding Hood by BigJellyMonster (orphan_account)

Teen and Up | 1256 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle

Relationships : Harry Potter/Tom Riddle/Voldemort

Summary: Harry has to deliver a basket of treats to his neighbors on the other side of the forest. He was told never to talk to strangers. Too bad he doesn’t listen.

My notes: Very cute Harry. Manipulative Tom. Fluff. Definitely should read.

I Speak Parseltounge by BigJellyMonster (orphan_account)

General | 1602 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle

Relationships : Harry Potter/Tom Riddle

Summary: Tom keeps hitting on Harry in parseltounge but he doesn’t know that Harry speaks it too.

My notes: Another light fic. Sneaky Harry. Reccommended!

Pass the salt, Daddy by DarkkBluee

Not Rated | 1569 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle | Voldemort, James Potter, Lily Evans Potter, Tom Riddle Sr., Thomas Riddle, Mary Riddle, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

Summary :Tom and Harry have a family dinner.“Daddy, can you pass the salt?”Or not.Seven pairs of eyes swivel in his direction.

My notes: Harry has seven Daddies. Nuff said.

Meeting the Parents by temptresslove

Teen and Up | 4113 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Lily Evans Potter, Tom Riddle Sr., James Potter, Narcissa Black Malfoy

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle, Harry Potter/Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Harry Potter/Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Harry Potter & Tom Riddle, Harry Potter & Tom Riddle | Voldemort

Summary :“It’s nice to finally meet you, Tom,” Lily says with a big smile. “I’ve heard so much about you.”Beside her, Harry noticeably stiffens.“Oh?” Tom asks, one eyebrow raised elegantly, looking at Harry amusedly. “Only good things, I hope.”“Oh yes,” Lily gushes. “Very good things, indeed.”Harry grabs Lily by the arm that almost hurt and smiles at her tightly. “Mom, shouldn’t you be going to Headmaster Dippet’s office by now?” The way his grip threatened Lily made her grin even larger.

My note: Another oneshot I really, really like! This is an omegaverse, fluff, very cute Tomarry interactions. I like how they write the relationships to their parents as well. Love this one.

To Be Set Free by Merrinpippy

Teen and Up | 35831 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Chapter 14/14 | Completed

Characters: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Dudley Dursley, Petunia Evans Dursley, Vernon Dursley, Tom Riddle Sr., Albus Dumbledore, Gellert Grindelwald, Dobby, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Bartemius Crouch Jr., The Brazilian Boa Constrictor (Harry Potter), Lucius Malfoy, Dolores Umbridge

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle,

Summary : Harry Potter, raised and abused by the Dursleys ever since his parents died, lives in the cupboard under the stairs. He has no friends or family who love him and his life is dull until one day a letter arrives arrives for him, written in green ink, that promises freedom. Sounds familiar, right?King Thomas Riddle’s illness combined with his political paranoia pushes him to arrange three royal balls, after which his son, Prince Tom Riddle, must choose a guest to marry, thereby securing the kingdom’s future and solidifying their strength in the eyes of their allies/enemies. Tom is convinced that he will be able to defy his father and choose no-one, or at least he is until at the first ball he meets an attractive stranger with dark hair and glasses who won’t tell anyone his name…

My notes: A really sweet Cinderella AU! You’d love the chemistry between Tomarry here.

Ice Cream Stalker by Watermelonsmellinfellon

Teen and Up | 750 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle,

Summary : @vertibirdo on Tumblr Prompted: Yo, would you be up to doing some Tomarry non-magic Modern AU? Something cute?

My notes: A lighthearted, fluff AU. Love it, and how Hermione’s helping Tom to approach Harry.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker by Watermelonsmellinfellon

Teen and Up | 1948 words | No Archive Warnings Apply | Oneshot | Completed

Characters: Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Nagini

Relationship: Harry Potter/Tom Riddle,

Summary : Nagini acts as a messenger for Harry and Tom, carrying insulting messages between the Slytherin dungeon and Gryffindor Tower. Eventually, Nagini gets bored and starts making up stuff, and the messages just become confusing. Nagini becomes a matchmaker. Unwittingly.

My notes: Tomarry shippers are Nagini.

Diablerie by Oceanbreeze7

Teen and Up | 156584 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings | Chapter: 22/25 | Ongoing

Characters: Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix, Hogwarts Students, Hogwarts Staff, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Albus Dumbledore

Relationship: Harry Potter & Tom Riddle,

Summary : Moody reclined in his chair, his prosthetic scratched over the floor. “What year is it, Riddle.”It wasn’t phrased like a question, maybe that was why Tom finally answered.“September.” Tom clipped out coldly. “1942. You know this.”’Harry inhaled so sharply he choked on his spit. He hurriedly turned away, hacking and wheezing as he nearly asphyxiated on his own saliva.“Yeah,” Moody grimaced with a slight disgruntled noise hidden in his tone, “that’s a problem.”

Tom Riddle, 15 years old, in the middle of the London Blitz suddenly finds himself in a future with no allies, resources, information, and everyone he knows treats him with enough restraint to not murder him on the spot. It takes a lot to truly ruin a human being, to rot them so thoroughly even fruit flies avoid the stench. Tom doesn’t want this bullshit, Tom only wants to-‘Please God, let me live.

My notes: I haven’t finished reading this one, but it’s really good. This fic could capture the terrifying essence of devastation of war and death. It contains a graphic and detailed description about Tom trying to survive in the blitz, so it’s not for those who aren’t into those heavy materials.

[ao3feed-jily]

Bound by the Snake's Tongue

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3btBPEu

by creativlee

Euphemia Josephine Potter was an anomaly that no one, least of all the Dark Lord, could have predicted.

Euphemia, after her grandmother (“Call me Effie”, she’d always insist). Josephine, after her mother’s late aunt (“A freak, just like my awful sister!”, Aunt Petunia would shriek the one time that Effie dared to ask). Potter, after her father’s family, a family she never knew (“Those ruddy Potters”, Uncle Vernon had muttered darkly under his breath when he thought a five-year-old Effie couldn’t hear him).

When Voldemort arrives to take the life of the Chosen One, and finds two snivelling infants trembling behind their mother, he merely sneers and aims his wand, thinking of filthy half-bloods and blood traitors as green explodes from his wand.

Twin wails pierce through his skull as agony shudders through his being, his withered remains vanishing into the shadow of night while two infants sob and grasp each other with tiny fingers, unaware of the scars etched into their skin beyond a deep throbbing ache.

On his forehead, a thin lightning bolt, scarlet and freshly marked into his pale skin. On her shoulder, a storm cloud, mottled and dark red.

Words: 2165, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Harry Potter, Euphemia "Effie" Josephine Potter (OC), Original Female Character(s), James Potter, Lily Evans Potter, Sirius Black, Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Dursley Family (Harry Potter), Rubeus Hagrid

Relationships: James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Harry Potter & Effie Potter, Harry Potter & Original Female Character(s)

Additional Tags: Harry Potter Has a Twin, Harry Potter's Twin Sister au, Original Female Character(s) - Freeform, Character Death, (the usual; james and lily ;-;), Protective Siblings, Sibling Love, Nightmares, Scars, Bullying, Angst, Fluff, One Shot

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3btBPEu

[calligraphist-artemisia]

Harry Potter and the Best Summer ( 2 | Inheritance)

Summary: AU - canon divergence. Harry had barely been back at the Dursley’s for two weeks, when an unexpected visitor arrived at the door. He quickly finds himself spirited away back to the wizarding world and learns some secrets that have long been kept from him.

A sequel to Of Family and Unexpected Friendship. Also posted on AO3 under the username Kishirokitsune.

- - - - - - - 

2 | Inheritance

Harry managed a few bites of fruit and most of a sandwich for lunch and then Andromeda gathered them all up in order to floo into Diagon Alley. Leona hurriedly whispered to him that it was yet another form of magical transportation – one which apparently involved traveling by fireplace and made Harry think of all of the stories about Santa Claus – and that he needed to enunciate properly as well as focus on where he was going.

Harry could easily picture the twisting cobblestone streets, the Quidditch Supply shop, and the gleaming white building of Gringotts. Diagon Alley had left a strong impression on him after only a single visit and he doubted he would ever forget the way it looked.

“Don't breathe in once you step into the fireplace or else you'll choke a little on the smoke. Breathe in first and then step in and speak,” Leona advised as she reached out and took a pinch of sparkling powder from the pot Andromeda was holding. She winked at Harry and tossed it into the flames, pointedly breathing in before stepping into the fireplace. “Diagon Alley.”

Andromeda held the pot out towards Harry. “Would you like to go next?”

Harry felt a little nervous as he pinched some of the powder between his fingers. He followed Leona's directions to the letter, breathing in before tossing the powder and stepping into the flames. “Diagon Alley!”

The flames flared green and then suddenly everything was spinning and Harry had to close his eyes to keep from getting sick. It didn't last for long and then he was being thrown out of a fireplace, landing hard on a wooden floor in front of Leona's feet. He groaned in mild pain.

“It gets easier after you've done it a few times. Lets get you out of the way so everyone else can come through,” she said, bending over to help him up.

Harry gratefully accepted her hand, letting her pull him back up to his feet and a short distance away from the fireplace, which flared green as Aquarius stumbled out. She didn't fall over like he did, as she quickly righted herself and smoothed out her skirt before hurrying to join Harry and Leona. The three of them didn't have to wait long as Remy came through next, followed shortly by Andromeda.

“We're all here,” Andromeda looked over the three children with a pleased expression. “Harry, you and I will go to the bank to get everything squared away and we'll meet back up with everyone once we are through.”

The thought of being left alone with Andromeda made Harry nervous. She'd been nothing but polite and kind to him, but she was still an intimidating woman who he'd only met an hour or so ago. “Leona's not coming?” he asked, hopeful that his friend would step in and agree to go along too.

Leona shook her head. “Sorry, Harry. I need to go get fitted for new robes and I want to look into replenishing some of my supplies before the school crowd hits.”

“I could go,” Aquarius said quietly, gray-green eyes flickering from Harry to her cousin. “I don't need anything right now and it would make me feel less nervous about getting my test done next year if I could see Harry go through his. If that's alright with you, Harry.”

Although Aquarius was equally a stranger to him, she was also Leona's little sister and he wanted to make an effort to get to know her better, especially considering that it looked like he'd be staying with them for the remainder of the summer. Maybe having someone near his age would help calm his nerves.

Harry nodded in agreement and Aquarius beamed at him.

Remy bent to kiss Aquarius on the cheek, making her promise to behave for Andy, to which Aquarius responded with a sweet smile before skipping over and taking Harry's hand; an act which made her mother fondly sigh and shake her head.

They didn't dawdle near the Floo, quickly splitting up and walking towards their destination. Aquarius held onto Harry's hand as they followed behind Andromeda, who explained a few things about proper etiquette around the goblins and answered questions that Harry never would have thought to ask.

It wasn't unlike what he practiced in order to apologize to Malfoy the year before.

Harry fought back a cringe at the memory. Apologizing to Malfoy was his least favorite thing that came from learning more about the magical world, but he had to admit it hadn't been completely awful. The look of surprise on Malfoy's face when he approached and properly introduced himself was one he would cherish for years to come, and it was nice to be able to walk through the halls without worrying about being hexed by his sort-of nemesis or any of his cronies.

Evidently one of the few differences between greeting a wizard and greeting a goblin was in the way he was meant to bow. With wizards, he would place one hand over his sternum in a lightly clenched fist, while with goblins he was meant to keep both hands open at his sides when he bowed. It was meant to show that he was unarmed and something about goblins and wands that Harry didn't fully understand.

At least it would be easy to remember. Not that it helped with his nerves at all.

Aquarius squeezed his hands. “Goblins are kind of grumpy no matter what, but as long as you're polite they won't hate you!”

Harry attempted a smile, but he was sure it came across as more of a grimace. He didn't say anything as they entered Gringotts and he tried to hold his head high even with the attention that fell on the three of them as they strode over to one of the tellers.

Andromeda stopped and bowed before addressing the goblin there. “We are here about Mr. Harry Potter's inheritance test and to see about the unsealing of the Wills' of James and Lily Potter.”

The goblin, whose nameplate read “Narok”, regarded her with steel in his eyes before nodding. “Ganrig has been assigned to your case. He is waiting for you in Testing Room Three.” He gestured towards the opposite side of the hall, where there were several solid stone doors. A goblin stood at attention at each one.

“Thank you,” Andromeda said before ushering the children across the hall, carefully stepping around other witches and wizards as they hurried to-and-fro. They all stopped in front of a door with a “three” carved into the surface and bowed in greeting to the goblin there, who then knocked on the door and stepped aside, allowing them to enter as the door opened.

The office was done in varying types of stone; white floors marbled with green and walls of a darker brown. The shelves were made of something similar to the floor and had bold geometric shapes carved into them. Books and parchment took up most of the space, though there were also chunks of glittering gems. A sturdy desk sat in the center of the room, the top cleared of items aside from a simple metal bin, a roll of parchment, and a jeweled dagger. All-in-all, it was a space that showcased the talents of goblin builders and Harry found himself properly awed.

They all bowed to Ganrig and then sat once they were told to, with Harry in the center.

“The process to determine inheritance is simple. You will offer three drops of blood to the parchment and once your family's magic has finished, it will unroll and you will have proof of your claim as Heir of House Potter,” Ganrig said. He waited for Harry to acknowledge his statement, his expression unchanging, and then gestured towards the blade. “A finger will do, Mr. Potter.”

Harry could feel his arm trembling as he leaned forward and took up the dagger. He held his left hand over the roll of parchment, braced himself for the pain, and then quickly guided the tip of the blade to his index finger. It pierced through easily and Harry quickly let three drops of blood fall before pulling his hand away and returning the dagger to the table. His finger warmed and when he looked at it, the cut had already healed.

The roll of parchment seemed to glow as it slowly unfurled, revealing Harry's full inheritance.

Ganrig looked it over first and his only reaction was a subtle raising of one eyebrow. He seemed to think everything was in order and turned it so Harry, Andromeda, and Aquarius could read it as well.

Harrison James Potter

Father - James Charlus Potter (deceased)

Mother - Lily Marie Potter (deceased)

Godfather - Sirius Orion Black

Godmother - Alice Guinevere Longbottom

Magical Guardian - Remus Jane Lupin-Black

Heir of House Emrys (chosen by Magic)

Heir of House Slytherin (conquest, approved by Magic)

Heir of House Peverell (paternal line)

Heir of House Potter (paternal line)

  Recessive Lines -

House Evans (maternal line - newblood)

House Larkspur (maternal line)

House Eerie (paternal line)

Magical Interference -

Magic Dampener (applied at 11 months by Lily Potter)

Core Damage (curse scar)

  Inheritance:

  Properties -

Scale Tower (6-story tower)

Slytherin Manor (heavily damaged - cursebreaker required)

1/4 share in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Peverell Estate (main family home)

Potter Manor (traditional family home)

Cottage at Godric’s Hollow (heavily damaged. Cursebreaker and Wardlayer recommended.)

Potter Bungalow (secondary family home in West Bengal, India)

  Abilities -

Dragonspeak (House Emrys)

Parseltongue (House Slytherin)

Dark Core

  Vaults -

Historic Vault of Emrys (locked until age of majority)

Emrys Family Vault (locked until age of majority)

Emrys Heir Trust Vault

Slytherin Family Vault (locked until age of majority)

1/4 Hogwarts School Vault (for use of funding for Hogwarts only)

Peverell Family Vault (locked until age of majority)

Peverell Family Historic Vault (locked until age of majority)

Peverell Heir Trust Vault

Potter Family Vault (locked until age of majority)

Potter Heir Trust Vault

While Aquarius gleefully latched onto the part where her mum was listed as Harry's magical guardian, Andromeda was more focused on a few of the troubling aspects that were revealed in Harry's inheritance.

“We will have to schedule a full cleansing,” she murmured, her eyes fixed on the section labeled: Magical Interference. “The dampener never should have been allowed to remain on you for so long. Typically they're removed by the age of five. And now it's clear that no healer was able to examine your scar for any residual magic.” Andromeda pursed her lips. “Ganrig, what are the goblin means of determining who took it upon themselves to illegally act as Harry's magical guardian?”

“There are several options that I am aware of, but I would recommend an appointment with the Judiciary Task Force.”

Harry found he cared less about the interference part and more about the bit where he was evidently the Heir of Slytherin. And what did it mean that he was chosen by Magic? Was that something significant? Did it mean it he wasn't blood related to those lines? If that was the case, then how could he inherit those Houses?

He didn't remember reading anything about Magically chosen Houses.

“What's House Emrys?” Harry asked.

There was a moment of stunned silence before Andromeda collected herself and was able to respond. “House Emrys is among the oldest wizarding families in the United Kingdom and is considered a Royal House by our modern rankings. It sits alongside of House Pendragon, House le Fay, and House Caer Lleon. We will speak more about this once we return home.” She turned her attention back to Ganrig. “I would like to request a copy to take with us, charmed to be unreadable by anyone without Harry's permission.”

Ganrig promptly agreed and removed a second scroll from beneath his desk. While he cast the necessary spells to create a protected duplicate, Andromeda took the time to explain a few more things about the Houses he inherited.

“Your Primary Lines show which houses you directly inherit. You are the Heir of four different Houses and will need to take time to learn about each of them. Recessive Lines are those you carry in your blood but have not been named as Heir. You should still study them in case that changes when you take your second inheritance test when you turn seventeen,” Andromeda said. “As far as properties go, you will spend the summer meeting with the goblins in charge of each of your holdings and then you may go and visit the ones that do not require repairs.”

Harry wanted to ask about his magical abilities, but before he had the chance to do so, Ganrig finished making a copy of his test and was preparing to move on to unsealing the Potters' Will. He filed away the original test and cleared away the dagger before a hidden door opened to admit a younger-looking goblin. He placed an ornate box on the desk and then hurried on his way without saying a word.

“I ask Mr. Potter to place his hand on the box, which will use a sample of his magic to verify that he is the son of James and Lily Potter. The contents of their Will are charmed to speak in their voices and a pensieve will be required as proof to the ministry that it has been read and fulfilled,” Ganrig told them.

“As a neutral third party, I will provide the pensieve,” Andromeda volunteered.

With that settled, Harry leaned forward in order to reach the box and laid his hand over the lid. It rapidly warmed and then there was a clicking sound that he took to mean it was unlocked, so he withdrew and sat back, letting Ganrig open the box.

At once, the voices of his parents filled the room.

“I, James Charlus Potter.”

“And I, Lily Marie Potter.”

“Of sound mind and body, do declare this to be my Last Will and Testament,” they spoke together, their combined voices making a powerful statement.

Harry struggled to listen to what they were saying, but was so taken aback by hearing their voices for the first time in his memory that most of his attention was on trying not to break down and cry. Most of it seemed to be straightforward anyway.

He was listed as their sole heir and beneficiary. All of the Potter properties and vaults belonged to him, which was reflected in his inheritance test. There were a few other names listed who would receive either galleons or personal belongings; Leona was named specifically by Lily, who left her a series of childrens stories. (A reminder of just how long ago their Will was meant to be read.)

“We name Remus Jane Lupin-Black as the magical guardian of our son, fully aware of the condition she is afflicted with. In the event that neither she, nor Harry's godparents - Sirius Orion Black and Alice Guinevere Longbottom – are able to take Harry in, guardianship will be passed to another approved name on the list we have tied to our Will,” James said.

“Under no circumstances is Harry to be left in the care of my sister, Petunia Evans Dursley, nor any member of my family,” Lily spoke up, her sweet voice firm.

“Furthermore, we must address the matter of our passing. If you are hearing this Will, then that means we have been betrayed by one we have long considered family. The Fidelius Charm performed on our house is one that is only broken by the death of the Secret Keeper. Should the charm be unbroken, it means they willingly gave us up to the one who calls himself Lord Voldemort.”

“We name Peter Benjamin Pettigrew as our Secret Keeper and forewarn that he has an animagus form of a common brown rat. Further details are listed in a letter tied to our Will.”

Aquarius gasped in shock, her hands rising to cover her mouth. Even Andromeda looked pale and shaken by the news, though Harry could only begin to guess why.

“With Harry's permission,  I request a written copy of the Potters' Will to be sent to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and be placed directly in the hands of Madam Amelia Bones, along with a duplicate pensieve so she may view my memories as well,” Andromeda said, taking obvious care with her words.

Once Harry gave permission for the copy, Ganrig agreed to have it sent, though he had one more question for them before he could do so: “Which House Crest will be placed upon your message?”

“I believe Potter and Black will be enough to garner her immediate attention.”

While Andromeda handled things with the letter, Harry leaned over to talk to Aquarius, who appeared to be on the verge of openly sobbing into her hands. Heavy tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping from her chin and onto her blue skirt.

“Are you okay?” he quietly asked her.

Aquarius shook her head. “W-we didn't know. Everyone thought... everyone thought someone else was their Secret Keeper. Everyone blamed him.”

Harry frowned, slowly piecing together why Andromeda was so intent on sending a copy of the Will. If everyone thought Peter Pettigrew was innocent, then that meant he was walking around freely. If everyone blamed someone else for betraying the location of James and Lily, then that meant there was an innocent person in jail.

“They can get him out, right?” Harry asked.

“I hope so.”

It only took Andromeda a few more minutes to get everything settled and then the three of them stood to thank Ganrig for his time and left his office. Aquarius and Harry had to nearly run in order to keep up with Andromeda's swift pace.

“Andy, what do we do now?” Aquarius asked.

“We go home and wait for news. I'll send a message to Remy and Leona from there,” Andromeda responded tersely. Her gaze flickered to Harry and she slowed down when she realized she was moving too quickly for them. “We have a great deal to talk about. There are things about our family we have deliberate kept quiet about and you need to know about them in order to understand the situation we are in now. Do not speak of anything that we have learned until we return to Oakstone, do you understand?”

“Yes,” Harry and Aquarius responded.

Andromeda nodded in satisfaction and the three of them silently walked through the streets and back to the building that held the Floo network.

Once there, Andromeda stopped for a moment to write a quick note. She tapped her wand to it and it folded itself up into the shape of a bird, which fluttered its wings as it took to the sky and went off in search of Remy and Leona.

They sent Aquarius through first and then Harry reluctantly tossed a pinch of floo powder into the flames and stepped through. He hoped Leona was right about getting used to traveling that way. It was very uncomfortable.

“Oakstone Manor,” he breathed out and was whisked away to his new home.

[smore-fables]

Harry Potter and the Loving Dursleys

This started off with my best friend telling me about all the Harry Potter fics she was reading. And after hearing how horrible some au’s made the Dursleys, I deiced to try and make one where they turn into decent human beings, and Harry is raised by a caring family.  Also this is not proof read.

It all started with a knock on the door. A knock that would forever change the lives of the Dursley’s. 

The small baby was fast asleep in a crib after being brought in, bundled in a blanket. A note was attached to him. Handwriting that she remembered seeing when she was a child, handwriting that had informed her that unfortunately, she could not attend the same magical school as her sister. She could feel the same rage that she felt back then build back up. 

Dear Petunia Evans, I regret to inform you of the passing of your sister Lily Evans and her husband James Potter. They died in a war against a most grievous wizard that would have seen the end of non-magical humans, along with those born of non-magical humans. Due to Ms. Evans and her bravery, and motherly love, the dark lord was defeated. However, she left behind a son, your nephew,  Harry James Potter. He is only a year old, about the same age as the child you have. 

He will be known in the wizarding world as the boy who lived, as thanks to the spell your sister had placed on him, he was able to defeat the dark lord Voldemort. 

Petunia had to pause from reading the letter. She remembered hearing about a horrible wizard from her sister, the very same one that had apparently caused the demise of her sister. 

She looked at her husband, Vernon. He had a worried expression on his face, and he quickly pulled his wife into a tight hug. “What does the letter say, darling?” He asked while stroking Petunia’s hair.

“Lily... She...” Petunia sobbed it took her a few beats before she could properly answer. “She has died.” It stung to say that out loud. 

Sure. Petunia and Lily had not been on even decent terms, Petunia had grown to very much dislike her sister. But she didn’t want her dead. She had always thought maybe one day.. Maybe one day they would make up and be sisters again. 

It was funny how one thought they had all the time in the world, only to discover its fleeting nature.

“I’m sorry to hear that dear.” Vernon tried to soothe his wife, but this wasn’t his strong suit. 

Petunia sniffed a bit, wiping her face. She forced herself to continue reading the letter.

The boy needs to be raised away from a world that would celebrate him as a hero, he needs to be raised by family. 

The dark lord may one day return, even if others doubt he will. We need to be prepared. 

Protection will be placed upon Harry and your family, if you adopt him into your home, and allow him to live there. He must live there until he is Seventeen for the spell to be effective, it can only be done with someone that is of his blood. 

Petunia Dursley, née Evans, I Albus Dumbledore, ask you to take Harry James Potter, born on July 31, 1980, into your home and raise him as your own. Care for him, and love him as if he were your own son. 

You are the only kin he has left.

Please remember this promise to protect him, and keep him safe.

Sincerely, 

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin (First Class), Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot

Petunia read the letter. And then she read it again, and again. She felt a mixture of emotions after reading the letter in its entirety. 

She felt sorrow. Anger. How dare this man invade the home she had made for herself and drop off another mouth to feed, without any source of income! How dare her sister go and get herself killed leaving the baby (and her) behind!

Then she felt regret.

And once more she felt anger.

“Petunia dear, what are we going to do about the baby? Should we take him to an orphanage?” Vernon asked, unsure of the situation. He wasn’t too keen on the idea of raising another baby boy after all the one they had was already perfect enough. 

Petunia looked at the baby boy that had been dropped on their doorsteps. Dark hair and a lightning-shaped scar. He looked like a younger version of the man Lily had married in the photos she had been sent. 

Petunia stared at the sleeping face of the baby, he looked peaceful, unaware of the awful events that had transpired.

“Petunia, what had the letter said about the child?” “We need to keep him. For the protection of him and our family.” 

“That no-good sister of yours causing trouble with that magic nonsense and ruining our lives.” He grumbled. “Our peaceful home will be ruined, the neighbors will talk! We’ll struggle to afford two children along with ourselves! Are you sure you want to take him in?” Petunia had thought what he said over. And he was right, the neighbors would gossip, and they would struggle financially. But every time she thought about not keeping her nephew, she remembered the words in the letter. Looking from her husband to the infant, she let out a deep sigh. He was her blood, even if she hadn’t liked her sister, this boy was the child of that sister, and was related to herself, and her son. 

“We will find a way, your job pays pretty well still, we’ll just have to make a few cutbacks.. It will be like Dudley got a new little brother, the neighbors will probably think us very generous opening up our home.” She reasoned, watching the expression on her husband change. He seemed to process all this, before finally seeming to accept it.

“He won’t be- I mean there’s a chance he might not be- funny like your sister right?”

“There is a chance he won’t be- but if he is.” Oh, that was a thought, what if she had to deal with magic coming from that boy. That was not something she was ready for, she would quickly find a way to maybe squash out the magic from the boy. “We’ll find a way to stop it when the time comes.” Vernon nodded, seeming to approve of that answer. With all that figured out and decided, the two of them decided to leave the baby asleep in the crib, and turn in for the night.

Although, Petunia couldn’t seem to sleep at all through the night. She had such trouble sleeping, meanwhile her husband had no such trouble, snoring away right beside her. 

The woman got up from her bed, and traveled into the living room, seeing the baby was still fast asleep. 

She sat in the chair closest to the crib, watching the baby sleep. 

“You better not cause a lot of trouble, and you better be good for my son.” She tried to imagine the boy older along with her son, and the idea of two normal boys playing and getting along was a nice thought. 

They could go to school together, be the best of friends… It was a nice thought. And finally, with all that, sleep took her.

A/N: Okay, I promise they will get better, but I had to start with them still kind of bad. I swear this isn’t false advertisement. They will get better. 

This will also be posted on my AO3.  

[vivypotter]

Vivy’s Harry Potter Fic Recs

I’ve had a load of people ask me for my favourite tomarry fics, so I thought I’d compile a fic rec! This will probably be updated as I think of things. However, I have a lot of favourite fics which aren’t Tomarry, so I thought I’d add a few other pairings as well. I think I’ll put up a few recs of other fandoms as well when I get ‘round to it, like Hannibal or the Hobbit (I have weird reading habits okay?) It’ll help me find them too xD.

Tom Riddle or Voldemort/Harry Potter

Consuming Shadows by Child_OTKW (WIP)

On the night of the attack, Lily managed to escape with her infant son, but at the cost of her husband’s life. Distraught and distrusting of her friends, she fled to France with Harry, to raise him away from the corruption in Britain and the rising influence of the Dark Lord. She trains him to the best of her abilities, shaping him into a dangerous, intelligent and powerful wizard.

But when Britain re-establishes the Triwizard Tournament, and Harry is forced to return to his once-home, he finds himself questioning whether he really wants to kill the Dark Lord. Voldemort finds an unexpected challenge in the child, and as his intrigue and amusement grows, so too does the desire to possess the spark in those defiant green eyes.

I feel this is genuinely one of the best Tomarry fanfics maybe ever written, and I’m sure you’ve probably read it since it’s so popular - but I thought I’d recommend it anyway! It’s not finished, but there’s enough of it to really sink your teeth into and action is properly going down right now. Harry is such an interesting character and his cat and mouse dynamic with Voldemort is so entertaining. I anxiously wait for every update!

Set the Sails (and don’t look back) by Terrific Lunacy (Complete)

1724. All Harry wanted to do was to cross the Atlantic and start his apprenticeship under one of the most renowned physicians. Tom Riddle is convinced everything floating in the seven seas belongs to him. That includes ship-wrecked, green-eyed youths. Especially if they tell him to fuck off.

This is a fic that’s really stuck with me. It’s complete (a miracle in the tomarry fandom) and there’s a fun back-and-forth between Voldemort and Harry. Our goodhearted Harry is a doctor! And for some reason, I’ve been really into Pirate AUs recently.

A Thousand Paths Among The Stars by haplesshippo (Complete)

Harry Potter, newly appointed Captain of the Marauder and son of the famous Captain James Potter, was falling apart at the seams. His crew didn’t respect him, he was lost in the empty expanse of space, nightmares plagued his sleep, and his Commander deserved the Captain position more than he did. Good thing multiple attempts on his life and a vicious warlord after his head was all it took to turn it all around.

Alternatively, that space fic in which Harry Potter almost dies too many times, Tom Riddle slowly becomes the most smitten fool on the ship, and the rest of the crew are all just a bunch of assholes with popcorn watching the show. And exploding ships, don't forget the exploding ships.

Another pirate AU, kind of! But this one is in space! And it’s actually more of a Star Trek AU. Okay, it’s not really a pirate AU but I wanted to keep the theme going. This is such a freaking good fic- the relationship between Tom and Harry is very unusual (not as combative as the last two fics) and there are some nice twists, as well as combination of HP lore and what I assume is Star Trek (I’ve never seen it okay). And the extended cast is excellent. I fully recommend!

The Dragon's Mate by Strange_Soulmates (Complete fics but WIP series)

Harry Potter has recently escaped from his dragon-guarded tower. So has his fellow prisoner - the dragon who was enchanted to guard him. Harry's friend is missing, however, and so he sets off to assure himself of his well-being before he finds the person responsible for imprisoning them both. Accompanied by a stranger with a familiar name, Harry finds himself with more questions than answers as he slowly learns about the customs of dragons and the history of the dragon he befriended, the fearsome Voldemort.

I really love pretty much all of Strange_Soulmates’ fics, but this is definitely my favourite (and maybe the only complete one? Don’t quote me on that.) The characters are so well done, and although I love the first fic a little more than the second, they are both excellent reads! Dragons and wizards? Yes, please!

Everything's Fine in the Beast Division by Merrinpippy (Complete)

Harry's lifelong ambition is to become an auror, but as his knowledge of Dangerous Beasts is somewhat lacking, Newt Scamander agrees to take him on as an apprentice. Contrary to the Weasley twins' predictions that Harry would die of boredom, Harry finds his time at the Ministry very interesting, and befriending the very attractive Tom Riddle doesn't hurt at all- in fact, quite the opposite.

This is such a fantastic fanfiction, and a crossover with Fantastic Beasts (a franchise I can’t stand but that’s a conversation for another time). It manages to be fluffy without going OOC which is difficult for tomarry fics, and the supporting cast are adorable!

To Be Set Free by Merrinpippy

Harry Potter, raised and abused by the Dursleys ever since his parents died, lives in the cupboard under the stairs. He has no friends or family who love him and his life is dull until one day a letter arrives arrives for him, written in green ink, that promises freedom. Sounds familiar, right?

King Thomas Riddle's illness combined with his political paranoia pushes him to arrange three royal balls, after which his son, Prince Tom Riddle, must choose a guest to marry, thereby securing the kingdom's future and solidifying their strength in the eyes of their allies/enemies. Tom is convinced that he will be able to defy his father and choose no-one, or at least he is until at the first ball he meets an attractive stranger with dark hair and glasses who won't tell anyone his name...

This is also excellent, and I love a good Fairytale AU. Merrinpippy has some really good stuff. I love all of it!

As Clichéd as Clichés Go by thecrimsonmonarch (One-shot)

Harry Potter wasn't known for his social skills, mainly because they were practically non-existent.

This is a bit random but very fun. Harry is a fucking dork. That’s all there is to say. A thoroughly amusing Lawyer AU.

Lily and the Art of Being Sisyphus by The Carnivorous Muffin (WIP)

As the unwitting personification of Death, reality exists to Lily through the veil of a backstage curtain, a transient stage show performed by actors who take their roles only too seriously. But as the Girl-Who-Lived, Lily's role to play is the most important of all, and come hell or high water play it she will, regardless of how awful Wizard Lenin seems to think she is at her job.

This is a still-uploading fanfic and one of my faves. It’s not for everyone- it’s a fem!Harry and she’s so different that she’s really an OC to be honest, and the story is slightly complicated. This is certainly not a fic to go for if you want IC characters. But I really love the writing and the ideas and it’s basically a new, fascinating universe. And even if they’re not IC, I love the characters all dearly. The Carnivorous Muffin is certainly an extremely talented writer- all of her stuff is excellent.

Little Bits by lordmarvoloriddle

Inspired by Cinderella. Only there's no prince and surely no one is singing about their feelings and Harry's life could be a lot worse than having three step-brothers and a father who didn't liked him. He's going to be proven right.

This is such a bloody creepy fic and so so good. The ending is a complete twist and you should definitely read it!

Drarry

Draw a Line from Your Heart to Mine by CreateImagineWrite (Complete)

Being Harry Potter's best friend isn't always fame and beating off raving fans. It's also the anxiety of hearing your best mate's been cursed by another Dark Lord, or love potioned by some crazy woman. Or having his boyfriend you knew nothing about turn up on the Burrow's doorstep.

This is a bit of a random inclusion, but I was just reading this and it is SO GOOD. Perhaps a bit cliched in places, but Ron Weasley’s inner monologue makes up for it.

Turn by Saras_Girl

One good turn always deserves another. Apparently.

This is an also an excellent fic that I read bloody ages ago and has apparently stuck with me. There’s this whole Harry going into an alternate dimension where he’s married to Draco Malfoy plot, but the really beautiful thing is Harry exploring his dissatisfaction with his life- through carpentry! I know it sounds like a crack fic, but it’s not- it’s a gorgeously written fic.

Away Childish Things by lettered

Harry gets de-aged. Malfoy has to help him.

This does the ‘Harry was abused’ revelation so well and really interestingly explores both Harry and Draco’s childhood. The overarching plot is also excellently done, which can’t always be said for character-focused fics!

Jily

#Jily by Chie (Chierafied) (One-shot)

Twitter seemed awash with the hashtag Jily. Lily blinked at in confusion, until she realised it was one of those silly couple monikers people had bestowed on her and Potter. …Though there was a small dissenting crowd following a tweet from Potter’s bandmate Sirius Black: Jily? Hah! More like LAMES.

This is such a fucking cute one-shot. I love social media AUs (if you find any, send them my way), so I loved this!

The Rise and Fall of the Extraordinary Jilysanschilly: Including Excerpts of their Best Collected Works by elanev91 (One-shot)

James Potter and Lily Evans are both wildly successful YouTubers and Sirius cannot believe that people ship them enough to write erotic fanfiction about them. 

You might be picking up on my love of modern Jily AUs. This is so cute, Sirius is weirdly IC as he gets caught up in a smut addiction and James and Lily don’t hate each other from the beginning so that’s fun. A very sweet YouTuber AU.

Hit the Like Button by elixirsoflife (One-shot)

YouTube star James Potter is living it up at uni: filming videos, getting drunk and professing his love for aspiring singer Lily Evans to anyone who'll listen.

It’s another modern AU, but this time, Lily is a famous singer! This was fucking adorable, enough said.

The White Album by cgner (Complete)

James poses as an advice charm in Lily's diary. He's really got to start thinking through his shenanigans.

This is the strangest mix of angst and fluff that I’ve ever read, but it really, really works. It’s also kind of a crossover, as it’s written by the co-author of:

Haggis from Algernon by Rude Gus (Complete)

The fic about nothing.

Everything written by both Rude Gus and cgner is brilliant (not a surprise as they’re almost the same person), but Haggis really is a classic. And check out their Bachelor AU fic! It’s surprisingly brilliant.

Gen and Misc

Kid by Anonymous (Completed)

A Potion's "accident" turns Harry into an eight year old. Draco Malfoy begins planning his kidnapping/conversion to the Dark Side. But Harry's a passive-aggressive, revenge-obsessed little bastard. Maybe Draco will wait on that whole Dark Lord thing… 

Such a cute fic! A really nice character study of Draco and cute kid Harry is always a bonus. I’m not usually a Draco Malfoy fan, but this is a great fic.

Harveste by kyaru-chan (Complete fics but WIP series - probs abandoned)

He's done it. He's just five years old, but he's finally done it. The Dursleys are gone. And now he's with a new family who seems just as twisted as he is. How strange.

This is a really weird fic series. It’s actually an Addams family AU? Harry kills the Dursleys and gets adopted by the Addams family, and then there’s a separate fic for each HP book up to Half-Blood Prince, where I think they stopped. It definitely still worth a read though. Harry is certainly not IC but it’s a fascinating combination of the two universes with all the quirky Addams family humour. It’s certainly a bit of a crack fic to read when you’re down.

Sarcasm and Slytherin by sunmoonandstars (Complete stories but WIP series)

After ten years of misery with the Dursleys, Harry Potter learns that he has magic. Except, in this story, it's not a surprise-the only surprise is that there are others like him. Including his twin brother, Julian Potter, the savior of the Wizarding world.

This isn't the Harry you think you know.

This is WBWL kind of story (although we don’t know if Harry actually is the BWL yet. Harry is a really interesting character and his relationship with his family- especially Jules - is very well developed and nuanced. Harry’s friendships and the authors interpretation of Slytherin house is also a new twist on old tropes- it feels very fresh! I’m eagerly waiting for updates!

So there it is. Just some of my HP faves. I’m considering doing one for Hannibal, Yuri on Ice, The Hobbit, Labyrinth (my tastes are so weird) etc, so let me know if you’re interested!

[bigfan-fanfic]

A Vase (Harry Potter Thoughts)

Spoilers for Harry Potter 1-7

I remembered that Lily Potter writes to Sirius about Harry’s baby toy broom, and how he broke a horrible old vase that Petunia sent her, and it got me thinking:

I sympathize with Petunia Dursley. Now, in no way does that excuse her for her part in her child abuse of Harry, but I still feel sorry for her, and here’s why:

I don’t think a single one of us, when putting ourselves in the Harry Potter world, would ever not give ourselves magic. No one imagines themselves as a Muggle; no one wants to be a Squib. So imagine now, if you will, dear reader, being in the Wizarding World just as you are - separated from it. You know of its existence, it is there and real and tangible - but it is not for you.

And now imagine your closest friend, a sibling, someone who is always supposed to support you - has access to it. They will be able to do things you can only dream of. They have been given the keys to a whole world of wonder and power and dreams, and you have been passed over.

Why? Is it because you aren’t good enough? Have you done something wrong? Maybe every doubt you’ve ever had about yourself is right, and it is made manifest by the fact that you cannot enter this new world. The gates are closed to you.

And I don’t think Petunia was entirely exaggerating her parents’ favoritism of Lily. Lily’s the pretty one, the smart one. She makes friends effortlessly, wins hearts and minds by the sole virtue of being herself, and Petunia... doesn’t. Even before Lily’s power was awakened, she was better, and Petunia knew it. But it didn’t matter, because Lily and her shared everything. Petunia Evans always looked out for her little sister. 

And now suddenly her sister is able to hang in the air, gliding like a trapeze artist, and control plants, and countless other little miracles. And Petunia stifles her sister, tries to get her to hide it because it hurts that Petunia can’t do it too. And now her sister is being drawn to that awful Snape boy. Now Lily has more in common with Severus Snape from Spinner’s End than with her, and that hurts more than anything.

Petunia makes the effort, follows her sister to her and Severus’ spot to join in, have fun the way she and her sister used to. But they’re talking, and Severus prods, and Petunia gets defensive, and the next thing anyone knows is that a branch hits her, and Petunia’s heart cracks with it.

When Lily finally gets her letter, Petunia can’t be in the same room, but she listens at the door all the same when Professor McGonagall simply appears at the door to explain that Lily really is a witch. Before the mysterious woman in her emerald robes disappears again, Petunia grabs her sleeve and wonders if she might be able to speak to the Headmaster.

McGonagall knows this will be fruitless, that the girl is too old, but tells her to send a letter with the owl that comes for Lily’s response to her acceptance letter. She cannot bear to break this girl’s heart. And when Petunia gets a kindly-worded reply from Professor Dumbledore himself, her heart finally breaks.

Years later, despite her resentment towards magic and her sister, she is pregnant and hoping against hope that maybe whatever ancestor she and her sister share is watching over her right now and blessing her child with magic. Maybe he or she will come out, and all of Petunia’s sorrow will be worth it because the baby will be able to go through those gates.

But she knows instantly when Dudley is born that it is not to be. And so she swears that her son will want for nothing. That nothing it is in her power to give him will be refused. Because she loves him. And she can’t bear to see him crushed as she was.

And the next year Petunia wraps a plain cream-colored vase in plain wrapping paper and puts it in a plain box shut with a plain ribbon and places a letter in the box, too. A letter saying that she wishes to see her sister again. Saying that even despite their last meeting, she hopes Lily and her husband are well. Saying that Dudley is growing, and is getting so big now, and he might like to meet his cousin... Harold? Was that the name? And Lily sends a note back, by Muggle post, because even she’s afraid to scare off this tentative new start, that she would like that, and so would Harry.

But the next Christmas is not to be. Petunia finds not a note from her sister but a baby and another kindly-worded letter from Dumbledore.

And now every time Petunia looks at her nephew who has his mother’s eyes, she sees not only her childhood resentment and anger and loss, but is now renewed in her distrust because the same magical world that broke her and her sister’s relationship also took away her sister forever.

And yes, she hurts Harry, partially for revenge, but also because some small part of her wants to beat the magic out of him, prevent this last small vestige of Lily from being taken away from her. And she encourages Dudley to distance himself from Harry to protect him, so that he won’t have his heart broken like hers.

And magic hurts her again and again, not just every time she looks at Harry, but when she fears Dudley’s pig tail will grow back, when she has nightmares of house-elves sneaking around her room while she’s asleep, when she has flashbacks of wanting to murder Marge for talking about her sister (even Vernon knows to either keep away from the subject of Harry’s mother, or at least wrap up the jibes in the blanket of “your parents” so that Petunia can pretend he just means James) and seeing her balloon up and float aways. When she sees her son’s tongue swell up to a thousand times its size, when her son shows up with part of his soul sucked out, when she remembers that awful cold voice saying “REMEMBER MY LAST.”

And when she has to leave her life behind because the people who killed her sister are not just back, but taking over the magical world Petunia once dearly wished to join, Petunia looks at her son. Dudley has suffered, in his way, with wounds inflicted by magic, wounds Dumbledore has told her were inflicted by her and Vernon. But he has the strength to overcome, to cross the divide, to become better.

And when Dudley shakes Harry’s hand, Petunia doesn’t see them. She sees herself shaking Lily’s hand when they were both young and had so much time before them to be sisters. And she cries and hugs Dudley because he has done what she can’t. He has forgiven, and in his own small way, he has accepted himself as who he is, even if he can’t truly be part of that other world. She considers speaking to Harry. Apologizing for all she has done. Explaining herself. Saying how much she truly misses his mother. But she can’t bear it. She can’t see Lily’s eyes judging her again, is too afraid to. Knows she doesn’t deserve to apologize.

And so she leaves. But just once before she dies, after the Second Wizarding War is over, she goes with Dudley to Godric’s Hollow. They pass by the old war memorial looking for the Potter’s headstone. And it changes for them, though they are not wizards. For one small instant, they are allowed beyond the gates

And Petunia sees her sister honored beyond death, having vanquished the final enemy. She turns to Dudley, and she has a smile on her face he has never seen before.

“That was my sister,” she says, tears in her eyes, pride in her voice. “That was my sister.”

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 96: Dudley Demented

Sirius was jolted and bounced around painfully for several moments before the world finally stilled, and then he let out an ooph of pain as something not very small but plenty hard landed right on his gut. He shoved whatever it was off, and heard the unsatisfying clunk of the book hitting the floor and pages being ruffled as he finally sat up, and grimaced with further hate. They were in his room.

This was, unofficially, the worst location they'd yet been in. He'd take the Devil's Snare over here! Okay, maybe not the basilisk...or Azkaban...or certainly those dragons...okay, so it was a hard toss instead.

He sat up properly and held his head high, unintentionally the perfect posture of the Black prince as he surveyed the place from his bed once more.

He'd taken the liberty of putting some dignity in this place, just like James had always brought out the best in him, he'd endeavored to do the same here. The Gryffindor banners hung along the walls did well to hide the silver wallpaper, and he noted with high amusement Evans had landed right under a particularly busty picture of a broad with similar coloring. His eyes sought out his friends though, and he saw them taking it in with the same ill look as he usually did.

The pattern wasn't always exact, this wasn't proof Harry was going to be in this miserable place for any reason, Sirius certainly wasn't going to bring him here voluntarily, but the fact that they were here meant something to do with him was afoot, and none of them were looking forward to that after the last few disastrous mentions of Remus and Peter were left in the air.

Finally his eyes landed on the book he'd personally discarded, and it had once again changed, though the size remained relative to the last one, depressingly. Now though, it was almost solid black. Sirius only just made out the faint, purple five in the flickering candle light of his room. He fought the urge to swat it right out of Evans's hand as she started.

Dudley Demented? Had that useless Muggle cousin already lost his mind? He would have thought that would have happened years ago, but he couldn't really bring himself to care regardless.

He fought back the urge to snap at Alice Smith for the advice she'd given him now, to try considering other sides of a problem other than the immediate solution. It was easy for her to say, the biggest obstacle she ever had in her life was finishing a homework assignment on time. His earliest memories however were of this room, and how much the place gave him the creeps.

Regulus hunched his shoulders, feeling more wrong-footed here in his own home than he had at every other location mixed together. This was insane, he should have been grateful to be back here! Instead, all he felt was a deep-seated worry as he was forced once again to imagine what Mother and Father would say to him during the coming summer holidays, now in more vivid detail than ever here in Sirius's room. He did not want to end up like his brother, the idea of his parents looking at him with such disappointment nearly had him sick on the plush carpet. He still had no idea what to do though, there seemed no solution to exist how to keep his parents in his life and yet not follow along with the path they'd set in motion for him.

He listened to Harry Potter's life at the miserable Muggle household being deprived of news from his friends, the fifteen-year-old now actually older than Regulus himself and knowing exactly what he wanted. He cringed against the floor at the idea of a Muggle attacking him like that Vernon was to his own nephew, he watched his brother and friends, even Evans and her friends light up with pure hatred at this happening to Harry Potter and fought the urge to crawl under Sirius's bed again until the nightmares and shouting faded. He wished Kreacher were here, at least his house-elf was someone who had never shouted in his life.

James flopped down on the too hard bed next to Sirius and threw an uneasy arm around his shoulders, but better to finally act on a motion he could do rather than murdering that awful Muggle. "How is it this trip is actually worse than the last time I was here?" James asked in a too loud, forced conversational tone of voice.

"I'm sorry Kreacher can't be here for you to set him on fire again," Sirius almost managed to answer without clenched teeth.

"Don't pin that on me, it was your fault for wanting to burn the bed sheets instead of just changing their color like I wanted to," James corrected with an unnatural laugh as he kept watching. Evans's face was more red with anger than he'd ever seen, a true feat in itself, and all directed at those awful excuses for extended family. Harry was finally able to make a temporary escape to some local playground and mull it all over, but the fact that Harry wasn't even thinking about nearly being strangled but instead more fixated on his forced isolation really spoke volumes.

Lily couldn't help but start to relax against the wall a bit as she saw how this situation was going to play out when Dudley himself entered the scene, she nearly wanted to laugh at it all, despite the fact nothing was very funny. Harry knew his godfather well, her child did indeed do the exact opposite of what Sirius Black would have done in that situation and walked away from a fight. The idea only reinforced in her the adult Harry needed in his life was Sev, who knew just as well as her but what a pampered idiot like Black could never understand about a miserable home life.

She took the time to look around again at the extravagant bed he was lounging on, the tacky posters and grandiose chandelier with still alight green flames. It was no wonder he did whatever he wanted. Like Dudley instead of Harry, he was clearly used to getting it outside of school as well.

The following conversation actually went about as well as if James Potter himself had been there, taunting Dudley. Both boys were honestly in the wrong, Dudley had started that fight, but Harry was making it all worse by verbally vexing his cousin. She'd been forced to acknowledge a while ago Harry was not his father, but it was still all too easy to picture him instead of Harry during that mess, until the Dementors arrived.

No one, not a single soul was left untouched by what happened next. Harry saved his miserable excuse for a cousin from those festered soul-eaters, with every reason and chance in the world not to. Would any of them have done the same in that moment, after all those Dursleys had put Harry through?