Chapter 493 - Petunia Evans

The two of them walked down the warm sidewalk as they saw children rushing out to play on the street. The Evans did not live too far from here only about a fifteen-minute walk. As they walk along the street, Rowan says, "I do not mean to be rude, Andrew. But what exactly made you think it would be a good idea to live as a muggle in a household with three children?"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Andrew mumbled in embarrassment as his cheeks turned pink.

Rowan sighs and shake her head muttering something about lack of common sense under her breath. The shade of the trees is still about cool in the morning air as they turn the street corner to see the street filled with rows of red bricked homes with small green yards full of flowers.

"This is nice," Andrew observed as they passed the houses full of flowers in plain bloom.

Rowan led the way up a front path past petunia's and lilies to knock on the front door. The two of them wait for the door to be Mrs. Evans answers the door and blinks at seeing Rowan and a friendly looking with light colored hair. "Rowan, what are you doing here?" Mrs. Evans asked in surprise. "And where's Severus?"

"Severus is grounded for the entire summer, Mrs. Evans," Rowan replied with great satisfaction. Served the brat right for everything he put her during the last school year.

Quickly changing the subject, Mrs. Evans pretends not to notice the smug gleam in Rowan's eyes. Knowing how siblings could be vindictive at times, Mrs. Evans instead says, "I'm sorry, hon, but Lily is currently sleeping over at a friend's house in the next town for the next two weeks."

"That's perfectly right, Mrs. Evans," Rowan cheerfully answered. "Actually, I'm here for Petunia. We have been corresponding ever since last year and since then have renewed our friendship. I'll be in town for two weeks staying at Mr. and Mrs. Abbot's place the uncle and aunt of my friend her at my side, Andrew Abbot."

"A pleasure to meet you, young man," Mrs. Evans said.

"A pleasure as well, Mrs. Evans," Andrew politely said. "And might I say that you're just as pretty as your daughter, Lily."

"Nonsense," Mrs. Evans protested the flattery as she pattered her light-colored hair back into place.

"Is that you, Row?" The voice of Petunia could be heard saying.

"Row?" Andrew whispered in utter shock. Not even Severus dared call his twin sister that.

Rowan shrugs and says, "I've never minded that Petunia's called me that ever since we were children. Severus hates calling me that and Lily never much liked that pet name." However, a steely gleam in Rowan's eyes warned otherwise for him to dare call her that.

Andrew tactfully puts the nickname out of mind as his mouth flops open at seeing the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. Her hair was light colored, pale eyes, and pink glossy lips. She wore a light-colored blouse and a plaid skirt with sandals.

Rowan did not miss the besotted gaze of Andrew. The poor guy had fallen head over heels for Petunia Evans. She certainly had not expected that would occur when she accepted Andrew's invitation. But then again, Andrew Abbott was a far better choice for Petunia than Vernon Dursley.

With a shudder, Rowan turns and smiles warmly at Petunia. Clearly finding her talent for cooking had been doing wonders for Petunia's self-confidence. Not only did Petunia look much happier than ever before, but she even walked with her head held high.

Always taller than Lily, Petunia had always felt inferior by the fact she was so much taller and less pretty. But ever since she had begun to dress up, she had received a ton of compliments. But most especially about her legs, her height was now one of her proudest features.

"Mum, I'll be back by dinnertime," Petunia said.

"Mm have fun dear's," Mrs. Evan's called out after them as she made her way down the sidewalk.

Petunia raised an eyebrow to stare at Rowan, who was still that much taller than her despite their singe year in age difference. "What do they feed you that you're freakishly tall?" Petunia snorted rather good natured unlike her previous sour self.

"The same can be said about you, beanpole," Rowan smirked back. The two girls shared a similar grin given their similar like grim humor. But then again, Rowan and Petunia had always gotten much better along than Rowan and Lily ever had.

Intertwining her arm with that of Rowan, Petunia glances over the shoulder of Rowan. "So, who's the fatty?"

"I'm pleasantly plump!" Andrew protested awakened from his stupor.

"His name is Andrew Abbot, Petunia," Rowan warned. "Please be nice to him, he's a friend."

"Oh, what kind of friend?" Petunia asked with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

"Just a good friend," Rowan said, before leaning over to whisper. "And besides, he's already fallen for your charms."

Petunia flushed bright pink as she peeked over at the round-faced boy, who really was not all that chubby. He was fair, light haired, and had a kind smile. But most of all, he stared at her like no other boy had ever stared at her before; like she was a star in the sky.

Blushing a bit more, Petunia leans over to whisper, "It's just a phase. I am a muggle and he is a wizard, isn't he? Plus, he's a year younger!"

"His uncle is a squib and married a muggleborn witch like Lily," Rowan softly replied. "And unlike most boy's, he's rather open minded and knows how to live in the muggle world. He would not be a bad choice. And it certainly helps that he has money. Plus, if I recall correctly your mother is two years older than your father."

Petunia snorts, but still does not resist peeking at the shorter boy from time to time. The three of them finally arrive at the center street as Petunia says, "The Cinema won't be open for a bit, but what should we watch?"

"Jaws," Rowan instantly replied.

"But that's an a.d.u.l.t film!" Petunia protested.

"Don't be such a goody two shoes," Rowan smirked. "Beside I've got a wand."

"I thought you're not allowed to use that over the summer?" Petunia blinked in surprise.

"We're not supposed to," Andrew eagerly interrupted in order to answer the beauty's question. "But Rowan and Severus are both apprentices and as such are allowed too."

"I'd forgotten about that," Petunia said with a frown. "The both of you are basically geniuses, huh?"

"I suppose you could say that," Rowan muttered as she eagerly sniffed around. "It's lunch time, let's have a cheeseburger with ch.i.p.s."

"A vanilla malt for me," Petunia sniffed.

"And you, Andrew?" Rowan asked.

"Mm, I think, I'll have the same," Andrew flushed in reply.

The three of them walked over to the open shack and ordered food and drinks, before taking a seat and wait for their order to be called. The three of them chat over common topic's which they all can discuss. Such as what was going on in the news as of late with the new female leader of the conservative party, Margaret Thatcher. Or how the American's had finally pulled out of Vietnam in April, and all the terrible things that were presently still occurring with the occupying regime. Either way, there was plenty to converse about.