Boston, both magical and mundane, is old.
And so, Petunia chooses to stick to the nicer mundane bits. They take a trolley around the town, and walk some historical paths, and eat at some restaurant based on a television show.
“When do we head to Hecate’s?” Harry asked over a plate of fries.
Petunia looked down at her salad before taking a bite of tomato, slowly chewing as the two boys eyes widened in anticipation.
“Houdini, Pet,” Lloyd sighed fondly, then looked back to the boys. “We’ll make the trip out in the morning.”
Something crossed Harry’s face when Lloyd answered instead of Petunia, but the only one who caught it was Dudley, and he shoved his elbow into Harry’s ribcage as quickly as he recognized it.
“Mom, when does school start again?” Dudley asked, ignoring the indignant squawking coming from Harry.
Petunia eyed the two boys curiously but swallowed her food and went to answer—
“August 15th, just a few more days, boys,” Lloyd said lightly.
This time, it was Dud who had an odd expression and Petunia caught it.
“Lloyd, darling,” she said lightly. “I believe they were asking me.”
Lloyd, who heard the warning in Petunia’s voice, straightened up.
“My apologies, Petty, I forget myself.”
Petunia gave the man a smile, patting his shoulder and then allowing her hand to grip it lightly, “Yes, well, it’s an exciting time.”
Her hand rested on his shoulder for a long moment, before she clapped her hands together.
“So, darlings, what are we most excited about for Hecate’s?”
“Finally being able to use my own wand,” Dud grumbled.
“Tsk, don’t act like you haven’t been using the practice wands since you were old enough to know what a swish was,” Petunia laughed, turning to Harry. “And you, dear?”
“I can’t wait to take Alchemy and Potioneering!” He said haughtily, as if his goal was more noble that Dudley’s.
A fond smile spread across her face. “Oh, how wonderful. I remember the days when you and Dud would play with your children’s potion sets! Don’t you, Lloyd? Can you believe they’re so grown?”
Lloyd knocked into Petunia’s shoulder with her own, “Not to mention how ace at flying the boys have become.”
Dudley preened at the praise, but Harry had another odd look about him that, this time, Petunia caught.
Despite her general detachment, Petunia understood people at a fundamental level. Though she didn’t often think of the past, she couldn’t help but be reminded of a kid not of here or now, but of then and there.
It meant she’d have to send Lloyd away for a bit.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Lloyd, darling, would you mind going and hunting down a draught of dreamless sleep?” Petunia lowered her voice but continued nonetheless. “I’m doing fine but I’m worried about tonight.”
“Yes, of course, Petty.” Lloyd smiled, sliding out of the old leather booth. “I’ll meet you back at the hotel.”
“Thank you dearly.”
Once Lloyd made it out of the restaurant, Petunia narrowed her eyes at her boys.
“All right, out with it,” she said, perching her chin in her hand, “what’s the matter with you two?”
Harry looked away and ate another fry, and Dudley bit his lip. Neither of her boys would, usually, be called shy.
“I’m tiring of the looks and snickers and solemn glances,” Petunia warned. “Use your words, so you don’t hurt Uncle Lloyd’s feelings.”
“You would be worried about his feelings,” Harry grumbled.
Petunia leaned forward and mussed up Harry’s hair.
“None of that. I didn’t raise you to make snide remarks under your breath.”
“You definitely did,” Dudley said smartly.
Petunia shot him a betrayed look, “Dud!”
A pause, as Petunia pursed her lips.
“Okay, maybe I did. But still.”
That caused both boys to grin. Harry with his dark hair and glittering green eyes, and Dudley with his blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. They were handsome young men, Harry with his wild on top hair that’d been shaved down on the sides, and Dudley with the curls that framed his face. Petunia wasn’t one to shy away from mundane beauty care or magical beauty charms, so both boys had immaculate skincare habits and perfect
Dudley was taller and more muscular than Harry, but Harry’s height was only an inch behind and his lithe frame was healthy. In that moment, Petunia felt warm.
“Now, the both of you, are you upset with Lloyd —or are you upset with me?” Petunia said primly.
“You.” Was Dud’s lowered voice.
“Uncle Lloyd.” Was Harry’s.
“I see,” Petunia said slowly.
“Well, let’s begin with me. Dudley Evans, use your words.”
Dudley crossed his arms, “Uncle Lloyd is just… not who I expected.”
“Bad or good?” Petunia asked simply.
“Both? I love him, but what if he doesn’t love us?” Dudley said sadly. “There’s a reason he hasn’t been around quite like this before.”
Petunia nodded, “So you’re worried I’m not thinking of you two, correct?”
Dud hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“Well, to be honest, even if that was the case you wouldn’t need to worry. Lloyd loves you both dearly. Rivals Auntie Lyla and Uncle Prim, even. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be here escorting us to Hecate’s together.”
Petunia met Dudley’s watery eyes with a small smile before dropping it and turning to Harry.
“Now, air your grievances, son.”
At that, Petunia watched Harry’s green eyes flare.
She came to regret ever asking.
“—-And, did you hear how he was talking over you!”
It was five minutes, Petunia bemoaned internally. Five minutes of complaining of everything Lloyd had ever done.
He mentioned that time when the boys were 8 and Lloyd had one too many drinks and broke her record player. And when he fell off his training broom when he was four —which makes no sense because he’s only ever heard that story.
“Harry, please, take a breath. Lloyd treasures our family,” Petunia said solemnly.
Because it was a solemn affair. Petunia hardly brought men around the past ten years, and save for Lloyd and Prim they’d surely never stuck around to become family. Thus, Petunia was sure of where her and the boys stood with Lloyd. She wouldn’t entertain anything less.
Harry did not look mollified in the least.
So, Petunia ushered the boys out of the restaurant and back to the hotel.
Where Lloyd was waiting with the draught of dreamless sleep.
Petunia, who had passed her potioneering certification not even two years before, quietly measured a teaspoon for each boy and slipped it into their hot chocolates.
As they began dozing off, Petunia brought them to their beds and tucked them in.
“Sleep tight, boys. It’s a big day tomorrow.” She said, kissing each of them atop their forehead.
And then it was just Lloyd, Petunia, and a king sized bed.