Lloyd, when he arrived, ignored the man in red. Instead, he slipped through the wards like water, no hesitance at all. The wards parted easily, knowing Lloyd’s magic as well as Petunia did.
Storming through the door to Petunia’s penthouse, Lloyd was shocked to find the woman looking as composed as ever.
“Ah, you’re here.”
Petunia’s voice was far away, and she was looking down into her wine af if the drink was all that existed in this room.
Lloyd could hear the boys running around deeper into the penthouse, but he wasn’t truly paying them any mind. No. Lloyd was focused on the way Petunia was carrying herself —with strength and grace in one.
“I’m here, Petty,” Lloyd said, his harsh tones not made softer by his concern for the woman.
“Please tell me what I’m supposed to do,” Petunia took a deep breath, “The King of Wizarding Britain is trying to abduct Harry and take him back across the pond —away from the only family Harry has.”
Lloyd, who knew Petunia had shaken her British accent ages ago now spoke as if she’d just crossed the Atlantic, was taken aback, “What do you want to do, Petty?”
“I want to send a killing curse so strong not even a mothers love could save Dumbledore,” Petunia said with a wry smile. “But that’ll just get me sent to the basement of the Woolworth building and both my boys left to fend for themselves.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Lloyd laughed, but it was a cruel thing, “Well now, how hard has he been pressing your wards for you to say something like that?”
“Nonstop,” Petunia took a deep drink of her wine, “They won’t break, of course. Not while I’m still breathing. Not while my family calls this building home. But I grow tired of Dumbledore’s meddling.”
Lloyd stepped closer to the blonde woman and kneeled before her, “What do you really want me to do, Petunia? Why did you call for me?”
Petunia leaned forward, her face dangerously close to Lloyd’s, and he swallowed thickly.
“You were coming with us to Salem anyway. I want you to come with us earlier than planned. We need to leave today.”
“That,” Lloyd breathed into her mouth, “Is entirely doable.”
And then they kissed. Because to Petunia, anyone who would drop their life to protect her boys was worth her. Because to Lloyd, there had always been something about Petunia worth waiting for.
Neither Petunia nor Lloyd pulled away, not for a long minute until Ursula appeared and cleared her throat.
“Bags are ready. Boys not so much.” And then she eyed Lloyd and nodded severely.
“Very well, I’ll get their morale up, then.” Petunia stood, using Lloyd’s shoulder as support. She squeezed once before heading off to find Dud and Harry.
Lloyd stood up and straightened his tie, Ursula narrowing her eyes at his every movement and causing his cheeks to pink as if he was a schoolboy.
Perhaps, when it came to Petunia, Lloyd was no better than a bumbling fool. But then again, Petunia would never settle for an incompetent. So he must have something going for him.
“Uncle Lloyd!” Came the shouts of the boys and a new smile spread across the man’s face.
“Dudley! Harry! Are you ready to see Hecate’s?”