The days at Hogwarts passed in a whirlwind of lessons, mischief, and growing camaraderie. Despite the magic that filled the air, there was one constant annoyance: Sirius Black and his band of troublemakers—James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.
Sirius, in particular, seemed to have made it his mission to pester Petunia. No matter how many times she sent him to the hospital wing with a well-aimed hex or charm, he always came back, smirking as though her retaliation only encouraged him. It didn't help that their little group, now famously known as the Marauders, had an uncanny talent for pranks. They spared no one—not even the teachers.
Petunia was walking down a dimly lit corridor on her way to the library, her arms laden with books. The faint sound of laughter echoed from behind her, and she immediately knew who it was.
"Well, if it isn't my angel," Sirius Black's mocking voice drawled from behind her.
Petunia sighed, turning to face Sirius and his usual entourage—James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. James was spinning his wand idly, a mischievous smirk on his face, while Peter chuckled nervously at whatever Sirius said.
"What do you want, Black?" Petunia asked, her voice sharp. "Don't you have something better to do, like setting your hair on fire?"
Sirius grinned widely, ignoring the barb. "Oh, I couldn't pass up the chance to chat with my favorite Ravenclaw. How's Snivellus? Still hiding in your shadow?"
Petunia's eyes narrowed. "Severus is twice the wizard you'll ever be, Black. And for the record, your jokes are as dull as your brain."
"Ouch," Sirius said, clutching his chest dramatically. "Evans has claws! Did you hear that, James? She's got claws."
James laughed and nudged Sirius. "Careful, sirius. She might hex you again like last time."
"Ah, the infamous Bat-Bogey Hex," Sirius said, smirking. "Impressive work, Evans. Though, if you wanted my attention, you could've just asked. No need for theatrics."
Petunia rolled her eyes. "As if anyone would want your attention. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than entertain a pack of bored Gryffindors."
She turned to leave, but James flicked his wand, causing her books to levitate out of her arms and hover just out of reach. "Now, now, no need to be rude," James said, his tone teasing. "We're just having a bit of fun."
Petunia glared at him, her hand tightening around her wand. "Give them back, Potter."
"Say 'please,'" Sirius interjected with a mocking grin.
Petunia didn't hesitate. She pointed her wand and shouted, "Accio books!" The books flew back into her arms, nearly knocking James over in the process and shocking him by the advance spell. "Next time you pull a stunt like that, I won't hold back," she warned.
Sirius stepped closer, his grin widening. "Is that a threat, Evans? Or a promise?"
Before Petunia could respond, Severus appeared from around the corner, his expression cold and menacing. "Leave her alone, Black," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Sirius's smirk faltered for a moment, but then he laughed. "Oh, look, Snivellus to the rescue. How touching."
"Come on, Sirius," Remus said quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We've had our fun. Let's go."
Sirius glanced at Petunia one last time, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "See you around, Evans. Try not to miss me too much."
As the group walked away, Petunia let out a frustrated sigh. "I swear, they're insufferable."
Severus looked at her, his dark eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she replied, adjusting her books. "Thanks for stepping in, though."
He nodded, his expression softening slightly. "They're idiots. Don't let them get to you."
"I won't," Petunia said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Besides, I've got better things like practicing new spell"
"Then let's head to the library," Severus said. "We can practice together."
Petunia nodded, and the two walked off, their heads held high despite the earlier encounter. The faint sound of Sirius's laughter still echoed in the distance, but she chose to ignore it, determined not to let him ruin her day
Classes continued to progress, and Petunia found herself fully immersed in her studies. The system had gifted her mastery in Transfiguration and Charms, which gave her a significant edge. Under Professor McGonagall's guidance, her Transfiguration skills flourished. She could now transform objects with precision and ease, earning her admiration from her classmates and even grudging respect from some Slytherins.
In Charms, her spells were near-flawless, and Professor Flitwick often used her as an example during lessons.
Though her schedule was packed, Petunia made it a point to spend time with Lily. Despite being in different houses and having separate circles of friends, the sisters carved out moments for one another, often meeting in the courtyard or sharing meals. Their bond remained strong, a source of comfort for both as they navigated their first year.
Petunia also grew closer to her roommates, Pandora and Emmeline, who were quickly becoming her best friends. Pandora's quirky observations and Emmeline's steady kindness balanced Petunia's more pragmatic nature. The three often studied together in the library, joined by Severus and his roommates. These group sessions were filled with laughter, whispered gossip, and the occasional bout of frustration over tricky assignments.
Time flew by, and soon, the castle was adorned with festive decorations. The Great Hall sparkled with floating candles, garlands of holly, and twelve towering Christmas trees. The air was filled with the scent of pine and the sound of enchanted carols.
As the term wound down, students began packing their trunks to head home for the holidays. Petunia felt a bittersweet tug in her chest; while she looked forward to seeing her family, she knew she would miss the enchantment of Hogwarts.
On the last day of term, Petunia and Lily met in the Entrance Hall, their trunks packed and ready. Severus joined them, his own trunk floating behind him with a flick of his wand.
"Ready to go home?" Lily asked, smiling warmly.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Petunia replied, though her heart ached at the thought of leaving the castle.
As the Hogwarts Express carried them back to the Muggle world, Petunia stared out the window at the snow-covered hills, a deep sense of gratitude settling over her. Her first term at Hogwarts had been everything she could have hoped for and more.