The doorbell chimed, once and again in quick succession.

Tut, tut, Petunia thought, setting aside the silverware she had set herself to polishing for the second time that day and gliding to the door. Such lamentable impatience, she thought, expecting another vacuum salesman or Neighborhood Welcome Wagon. 

Petunia cracked open the door to see James Potter slumped against the doorframe. He was plainly exhausted, dark circles rimmed his hazel eyes and scratches crisscrossed his neck and hands.

“Is Lily here?” he croaked.

“You’re not taking her away again,” Petunia said firmly. “She came here a wreck – an absolute wreck – and she’s not going back–”

“No, it’s not like that. You wouldn’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly well, you home-wrecker!”

James stared at her in bewilderment.

“Lily wouldn’t confess to it – no – but I know better—”

A cry from the top of the stairs cut her short.

Lily glided down the banister and into her husband’s waiting arms.   Momentarily, the worry lines etched on James Potter’s handsome face seemed to fade, and elation replaced the anxiety in Lily’s emerald eyes. The couple spun slowly on the spot, beholding each other and seemingly unable to believe their good fortune. Jealousy welled up within Petunia, for had Vernon ever so much as glanced at her with such affection in his pouchy eyes? Had he so much as looked at her over the top of his Grunning’s drill manual since receiving his promotion nearly two months ago?

She cleared her throat and the moment was broken.

“We must be going, Lily. You’ll have to fetch Harry and your things – I don’t want to track mud through your sister’s spotless house,” James Potter smiled apologetically at Petunia.

Petunia watched with incredulity as Lily emerged from the spare bedroom, baby Harry in the crook of her arm and suitcase floating beside her.

“Don’t you dare go back, Lily,” Petunia said warningly. “Don’t you dare take yourself and that baby back into harm’s way.”

“Please, sister, forgive me.” Lily made to kiss her sister on the cheek but Petunia jerked away.

“Go.”

“Petunia—” Lily was shocked and hurt.

“Go! Get out of my house!” Petunia snapped and the Potter entourage retreated down the garden path…away from her…away from her heart… She slammed the door behind them in a fit of rage, but it was with tears in her eyes that she slumped against the coat tree, for she knew – deep down – that she would never see her sister again.