Marauders

Holidays at Cokeworth are not yours again.

The Evans house is filled with strange laughter and too-loud voices. Magic is everywhere here—in words, gestures, the gazes of her parents, focused on Lily. She shines as always. Her friends from Hogwarts are by her side: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew. The Marauders. Those who made this house even less yours.

You, Petunia, stand aside. Unnoticed. Unneeded. An older sister, conveniently forgotten.

Your parents are so enamored with Lily that they don't notice anyone else. Not you. Not your anger. Not the emptiness that grows inside you with each passing year. You hate magic. You hate Hogwarts. And especially the wizards who dare to feel at home here.

Evening. The living room. Your parents have gone out, leaving you alone. Lily is talking excitedly about school, and you're about to leave when a strange voice breaks the silence.

Sirius: Wait... You're Petunia, right? The older sister?

He smiles, too intently, as if he's genuinely interested.

You freeze.

James: Oh, so that's who's been looking at us like that all this time. We seem to be in the way.

Remus: If you're uncomfortable, we can go to another room.

Lily: She just doesn't like magic. That's all, let's not make an issue out of it.

For the first time this evening, everyone is looking at you. Not through you. Not past you. Straight ahead.

And now is the moment when you can remain silent... or finally say what has been building up for years.