Chapter 1: The Wrong Bridesmaid
Jason had just been at work moments ago now he was rushing to put his tuxedo on.
The wedding would start in an hour, and his brother James would not forgive him if he was late. He chuckled at the thought, recalling the times when James had been late for their own parents' wedding ceremony. Ah, the memories.
As he hurried down the grand staircase, he tried to smooth his hair with a pat of his hand, though it was already a mess of golden curls. His Ma would have disapproved, but she wasn't here to nag him anymore. He missed her fierceness, but he also loved the mischief that came with being the youngest of the Potters.
The sounds of laughter and music filled the air as he neared the entrance hall.
"About time you should up," his mother says as he walks outside.
"Sorry ma, was hunting a pack of werewolf in upper Quebec," he says walking up to her .
She shakes her head and gives him a hug. "I'm glad you didn't get hurt." Her hand then moves to smooth his hair. "And I thought you were going to clean this up. It's a wedding, not the Ministry of Magic."
"Yes, ma'am."
Jason is about to head to the dance floor when he sees Lily, James's wife, talking to her bridesmaids. She is lovely in her wedding dress, her laughter as vibrant as the flowers in her hair.
"Hey, Lily," he says as he approaches her. She turns to him, her eyes lighting up.
"Jason! There you are. James has been looking for you."
"Oh, he has, has he?" Jason grins, leaning against a nearby pillar. "And what for?"
Lily rolls her eyes playfully. "To make sure you're not getting into trouble, I'm sure." She leans in, lowering her voice. "But between you and me, I think he just wants to have a drink with his little brother before the night gets too crazy."
"Well, I can't refuse a request from my soon to be sister-in-law," Jason says , bowing dramatically. "Lead the way, sister dear."
Lily giggles, taking his arm as they make their way through the crowd. "You're such a charmer, Jason. I'm surprised you're not married yet."
"Ah, well, you see, luv, I'm waiting for the right witch to come along and sweep me off my feet," he says, winking at her.
Lily laughs again, but this time, there's a hint of sadness in her eyes. "You'll find her, Jason.
The right one always comes along when you least expect it," Lily says, her eyes scanning the crowd as they reach the edge of the dance floor.
Jason follows her gaze, his eyes landing on a woman standing alone at the edge of the revelry. She's not wearing a fancy gown like the other guests, opting instead for a simple black dress that accentuates her curves. Her eyes are fixed on the floating lanterns above, her expression calculating, like she's solving a complex equation in her head. She's a Muggle, Jason realizes, her presence among the magical crowd as out of place as a werewolf at a unicorn parade.
But there's something about her, something that makes him want to know more.
"Who's that?" Jason asks, nodding towards the woman.
Lily glances over, her expression softening. "That would be my older sister," she says, her voice barely audible over the music. "Petunia, she came all the way from London just for today."
"A Muggle, at a wizard wedding?" Jason raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "She must be either incredibly brave or incredibly lost."
Lily chuckles. "A bit of both, I think. She...and I did not have the greatest of relationships when I left to go to hogwarts, I am supirsed to see her here, we have not spoken in a while," Lily says, her voice laced with a hint of sadness.
Jason nods, studying the woman who had captivated his attention. “I’ve heard about her. The infamous muggle sister, right?” He grins, his eyes playful. “Well, I suppose it’s never a dull moment with the Potters.”
Lily laughs softly. “That’s one way to put it. Petunia has always been... complicated.”
“Is that so?” Jason’s curiosity is piqued. He turns to Lily, “Well, maybe I’ll go introduce myself.
Break the ice a bit.”
Lily looks at him, surprised. “You would do that?”
“Why not?” Jason shrugs. “Everyone could use a reminder that not all wizards are as stuffy as some of your Hogwarts professors.”
Lily smiles, a genuine one that lights up her face. “You’re a good brother, Jason. I’m lucky to have you.”
Jason winks at her. “Don’t tell James I said this, but you’re not so bad yourself, Lil.”
He steps away from Lily, making his way towards Petunia.
As he approaches, he can see her eyes darting around the room, taking in everything with a keen gaze. She looks like she’s trying to solve a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit together.
“Excuse me,” Jason says as he reaches her, his voice smooth and friendly. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jason, James’s brother.”
Petunia turns to face him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Petunia Evans,” she says, her voice cool. “Lily’s sister.”
Jason holds out his hand, smiling. “Nice to meet you, Petunia, Lily did not tell me how beautiful you are," he says shacking her hand .
Petunia hesitates for a moment before shaking his hand, a faint hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Thank you," she says, her voice a touch warmer. "You look like your brother."
"Is that a compliment?" Jason teases, taking a sip of his drink. "Because he's gotten himself into plenty of trouble over the years. I'm not sure I want to be associated with that."
Petunia laughs softly, a genuine sound that makes Jason's heart skip a beat. "Yes, it's a compliment. Lily always spoke highly of you both. I've.....not been the best of sisters, I'm still not sure what to think about all this magic business," Petunia confesses, gesturing vaguely to the floating candles and moving plants. "It's... a lot to take in."
Jason nods understandingly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, I've always found it helps to have a drink or two before diving into the deep end of the magical pool." He lifts his glass, a mischievous grin on his face. "Care to join me?"
Petunia looks at him, her eyes searching his face. She hesitates for a moment before nodding.
"Of course.....I have hear about your job....seems interesting, would you tell me about it," Petunia says, following Jason as he leads her to the bar.
"Ah, well, it's not as glamorous as it sounds, I assure you," Jason says, flagging down the bartender, a friendly-looking man with a bushy beard. "I'm, well.....they call.me a hunter. I go after demons, we call them," he says , leaning against the bar as the bartender approaches. "What can I get you, Miss Evans?"
Petunia looks at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Demons? Really?"
Jason grins, nodding. "Really. It's not as exciting as it sounds, but it pays hansomly and keeps me well off. Demons are what we call those things attached to dark magic," he says , waving off the bartender's inquiring look. "The usual for me, please. And for the lady?"
Petunia looks at him, her eyes searching. "A glass of elderflower cordial, please," she says, her voice steady.
The bartender nods and turns away to mix their drinks. Jason leans against the bar, his eyes on Petunia.
"So, a hunter, huh?" Petunia says, her tone skeptical. "Seems like something straight out of a fairy tale."
Jason laughs, a warm, genuine sound.
"It is......I.....and James have a very rare gift in the magic world, we can......see things even other wizards cannot," Jason says, his voice low as the bartender places their drinks in front of them. "And unlike the fairy tales, the monsters aren't always vanquished with a single spell."
Petunia picks up her glass, swirling the liquid gently. "So, you're a hunter and a seer?" she asks, her tone thoughtful. "That's... impressive."
Jason shrugs, taking a sip of his drink. "It has its perks. But it's not all glory and adventure, you know. It's dark, dangerous work, but like I said it's pays very well and a much need skill in these days," he says sipping his drink "Enough about me what about yourself," he asks turning towards her.
Petunia takes a sip of her elderflower cordial, her eyes thoughtful. "Well, I'm a nurse," she says, setting her glass down on the bar. "Work at St. Mungo's. It's not quite as exciting as hunting demons, but it has its moments."
Jason raises an eyebrow, impressed. "St. Mungo's? That's the muggle hospital, right? Isn't that... dangerous for you?"
Petunia chuckles. "Well, I wouldn't say dangerous, exactly. But it can be challenging, making sure patients have the correct medicine is dangerous as it gets," Petunia says with a smile. "I've always been more comfortable in the muggle world. Magic...it's a bit overwhelming."
Jason nods, understanding her sentiment. "I can imagine. It can take some getting used to, even for us. But hey, at least you're getting a taste of the magical world today, right?"
Petunia looks around the room, her gaze lingering on the floating candles and the whimsical decorations. "Yes, it's...something else," she admits. "I never thought I'd see anything like this."
Jason grins, leaning in a little closer to her.
"I could show you around the estate before the wedding if you would like," he offers, his voice low and inviting. "It's a nice mix of both worlds, really. Magic and muggle technology. James spared no expense." She seems to be weighing his offer, her lips pursed in thought.
"I... I don't know. I'm not sure I should," she says, her voice hesitant. "I'm already feeling a bit out of place here as it is."
Jason chuckles, shaking his head. "Come on, Petunia. You're among family now.
And from what I've heard, you're Lily's favorite sister. That has to count for something," Jason says, his voice warm and reassuring. He nudges her gently with his elbow, his eyes playful. "Besides, I promise I won't let any magical mishaps happen. Unless you want to see a few tricks, that is."
Petunia laughs, a genuine sound that makes Jason's heart flutter. "I'm her only sister, but sure lead the way," she says, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Jason extends his arm, motioning for her to lead the way out of the dance floor. "After you, milady."
As they walk through the grand ballroom, Petunia takes in every detail, from the enchanted flowers that bloom in mid-air to the talking portraits lining the walls. Jason watches her, amused, as she tries to hide her amazement.
"You know, it's fascinating," she says, her voice soft. "I've always known about the magical world, of course. But seeing it like this... it's like...
a different world entirely," Petunia finishes, her eyes wide as she takes in the grand staircase with its moving tapestries.
Jason grins, pleased with her reaction. "That's the idea, isn't it? To make the magical world a bit more... magical," he says, leading her up the stairs. "Here, let me show you something."
He walks her to a portrait of a plump, rosy-cheeked woman with a wide smile. "Excuse me, Auntie Hester," Jason says, tapping the frame.
The portrait turns towards them, the woman's eyebrows rising as she takes in the sight of Jason and Petunia.
"Jason, darling! And who is this lovely creature you've brought to see me?" she asks, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Auntie Hester, this is Petunia. She's Lily's sister," Jason introduces them.
"Ah, the muggle sister! How wonderful to meet you, dear. I've heard so much about you," Auntie Hester says, her voice warm.
Petunia blushes slightly, taken aback by the portrait's forwardness.
"It's nice to meet you too, Auntie Hester," she manages to say, her voice barely audible.
Auntie Hester chuckles, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Now, now, dear, don't be shy. We Potters are known for our charm, after all. And you, my boy, have certainly inherited your share of it," she says, turning her gaze to Jason.
Jason grins, bowing slightly. "Why, thank you, Auntie. I do my best."
"Yes, yes, you do," Auntie Hester agrees, her eyes turning back to Petunia.
"You must be something special to catch this one's interest, my dear."
Petunia blushes even deeper, and Jason chuckles, shaking his head. "Now, now, Auntie. Don't scare her off just yet. I was just about to show Petunia the moving staircases."
Auntie Hester waves a hand dismissively. "Go on, go on. I'll keep her company while you're gone." She turns her attention back to Petunia, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Now, tell me, dear.
What do you make of our little family?" Auntie Hester asks, her voice conspiratorial.
Petunia glances at Jason, who gives her an encouraging nod before continuing up the stairs. "It's... quite different from what I'm used to," she admits, turning back to the portrait. "Everything is so... alive."
Auntie Hester chuckles, nodding in agreement. "Indeed, it is. But don't worry, dear, you'll get used to it in no time, I can sense it," she states , her eyes twinkling with wisdom. "Now, tell me, what do you think of our Jason here? He's quite the charmer, isn't he?"
Petunia follows Jason's retreating figure with her eyes for a moment before turning back to Auntie Hester. "He seems... genuine," she answers carefully, not wanting to give too much away. "And he's clearly very close with both James and Lily."
Auntie Hester nods, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Oh, he is. The Potter boys are a close-knit bunch, as are the Evans sisters, I've heard. And to think you almost didn't make it. I heard of your difficult time....in understanding our world," Auntie Hester says, her voice softening. "But now that you're here, I hope you'll stay awhile, dear. Get to know us, see what we're all about."
Petunia nods, smiling slightly. "I'll try, Auntie Hester. I promise."
The portrait nods back, satisfied. "Excellent. Now, how about a little family secret before you go? Their is a map at the end of every walkway, it will show you where everyone is," Auntie Hester leans in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just tell it where you want to go, and it will take you there."
"Really?" Petunia's eyes widen in amazement. "That's incredible."
Auntie Hester chuckles. "Yes, it is. Now, off you go. I'm sure Jason is waiting for you."
Petunia smiles, a genuine smile that lights up her face. "Thank you, Auntie Hester. For everything."
As Petunia turns to leave, Auntie Hester calls out after her, "And dear, do try to keep an open mind. I was once a muggle like your sister and you, our world might be different but it is still the same world," she says, her voice warm and encouraging.
Petunia nods, smiling at the portrait before following the sound of Jason's laughter down the hall. She finds him at the end of the corridor, his hand placed on a moving map of the Potter estate. As she approaches, he looks up and grins.
"Ah, there you are. I was just about to head to the library. It's one of the most enchanting rooms in the house. You won't want to miss it," Jason says, stepping aside to let Petunia take a look at the map.
The parchment is filled with intricate drawings of the estate, with tiny dots representing people moving around.
"Is that... us?" Petunia asks, pointing at two dots near the library.
Jason nods. "Yep. That's us. And look, there's James and Lily, just arriving at the dance floor."
Petunia watches as the little dots dance together, her eyes wide with curiosity. "This is amazing," she whispers.
"Indeed, it is," Jason agrees, a proud smile on his face. "Now, come on.
The library awaits," Jason says, offering Petunia his arm. She hesitates for a moment before taking it, her fingers brushing gently against his sleeve.
As they walk down the corridor, Petunia asks, "So, what makes the library so special?"
Jason grins, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You'll see. It's not just a library, it's a... well, it's a library on magical steroids," he says, his voice filled with pride. "You'll see what I mean when we get there."
They turn a corner, and the library comes into view.
It's a grand room, filled with tall bookshelves that reach up to the ceiling, their spines glinting in the soft light cast by the crystal chandeliers. But what catches Petunia's eye are the books themselves—they're floating off the shelves, flipping pages as if reading themselves.
"Welcome to the Potter family library," Jason says, sweeping his arm out dramatically. "Isn't it something?"
Petunia steps into the room, her eyes wide with amazement. "This... This is incredible," she breathes, reaching out to touch a book as it floats by.
It pauses mid-air, its pages fluttering gently, as if acknowledging her presence. Jason smiles, pleased with her reaction.
"I told you it was special," he says, gesturing to a nearby couch. "Have a seat. You can watch the books for a while. They're quite the show."
Petunia sits down, her eyes never leaving the books as they glide through the air. "I can't believe it," she murmurs. "I mean, I've heard about magic, but seeing it in action like this...
it's like nothing I've ever seen," Petunia murmurs, her eyes tracing the paths of the floating books as they weave between the shelves.
Jason watches her, a soft smile playing on his lips. He can see the wonder and excitement in her eyes, and it's doing something to him, something he can't quite put his finger on. He clears his throat, trying to shake off the strange sensation.
"You know, I've always found that the library is one of the most magical places in the house. There's just something about the feel of the old parchment, the scent of the ink...
it's like you're holding a piece of history in your hands," Jason continues, taking a seat next to Petunia. "And the stories these books tell? Some of them are more magical than anything you could imagine."
Petunia turns to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Like what?"
Jason leans back against the couch, his eyes scanning the ceiling as he thinks. "Well, there's the tale of the Three Brothers, for instance. You know about the Deathly Hallows, right?"
Petunia shakes her head no "I might have heard of it a little form.my sister but I don't know it well," Petunia says her gaze wandering back to the floating books, a small smile playing on her lips.
Jason smiles, pleased to have her attention. "Well, it's a fascinating story. And one that's deeply rooted in our magical history. Would you like to hear it?"
Petunia nods, her eyes never leaving the floating books. "I'd love to."
Jason settles back into the couch, getting comfortable. "Alright, let's see... Where to begin? Ah, yes. Once upon a time, there were three brothers who were, as you might expect, very talented in the magical arts. They were also, however, incredibly arrogant.
They believed that they could outsmart death itself, and so they set out to create a spell that would allow them to cheat the Grim Reaper. The spell worked, but not in the way they had intended.
Instead of allowing them to live forever, the spell gave them each a powerful, magical artifact that would protect them from death in a unique way. The eldest brother received the Elder Wand, which would make him the most powerful wizard alive. The middle brother received the Resurrection Stone, which would allow him to bring back those he loved from the dead.
And the youngest brother received the Cloak of Invisibility, which would allow him to hide from death itself. But as the brothers journeyed through life, they came to realize that the power of these artifacts was also their greatest weakness. The eldest brother, consumed by his desire for power, was eventually killed by his own wand. The middle brother, unable to let go of his past, became a recluse, trapped in a world of shadows and ghosts. And the youngest brother, ever fearful of death, lived a life of solitude, never truly experiencing the world around him. In the end, the Deathly Hallows brought them no comfort, no peace.
Only the youngest brother managed to evade death, ultimately passing on the Cloak of Invisibility to his descendants. And so, the tale serves as a cautionary reminder that even the most powerful magic can be a double-edged sword," Jason finishes, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the floating books.
Petunia turns to him, her expression thoughtful. "That's quite the story. It's dark, but also... profound, in a way. It makes you think about the consequences of one's actions," she says, her fingers tracing the edge of the couch.
Jason nods in agreement. "Exactly.
It's a story that's been passed down through generations of Potters, a reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the illusions of power," Jason says, his voice soft. "But enough about dark tales, let's focus on the lighter side of magic. What do you think?"
Petunia takes a moment to consider, her eyes wandering over the dancing books. "I think... I think I'd like to learn more. About magic, about your world." She turns to him, her expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"But where do I even start? I mean, I'm a nurse, not a witch."
Jason leans forward, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Well, that's the beauty of it, Petunia. Magic isn't just about spells and potions. It's about curiosity, imagination, and a little bit of courage. And you've already shown that you have all three."
Petunia raises an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Is that so? And what makes you say that?"
Jason grins, his gaze sweeping over the library. "Because you're here, aren't you?
You could have stayed home, or at least kept to the sidelines, but you're not. You're right in the middle of it all, asking questions, taking it all in," Jason says, his voice eager. "That takes courage, and curiosity? Well, you've been observing everything since we met. You've asked about my job, about the magic, about the family. That's curiosity, Petunia." "You make it sound so simple," she says softly.
Jason leans in a little closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "It can be, if you let it.
But don't worry, you don't have to jump into the deep end right away," Jason says, his voice gentle. "Magic is like learning a new language. You start with the basics, then build from there."
Petunia nods, her expression thoughtful. She suddenly seems a lot less tense than when they first met. "So, what's the first lesson? How to make things float, maybe?" she asks, a small chuckle escaping her lips.
Jason grins, delighted by her enthusiasm, he is about to say something where he hears a sound. He pulls our something like a compass but it was not.
"We better hurry, the wedding ceremony is about to start," Jason says, standing up.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot," Petunia says, following him as they make their way out of the library.
As they walk down the hallway, Petunia asks, "So, what's it like, being a wizard? I mean, other than the magical stuff. What's your everyday life like?"
Jason pauses for a moment, his gaze distant. "Well, for the most part we mostly live near others with magical ability so it is never hard to fit in,"
he says, his voice thoughtful. "Growing up, I was always around magic, so it was just a part of my life. But I suppose it's different for everyone. Some find it easy to blend in, while others... well, others struggle a bit more."
He glances at Petunia, his eyes holding a question. She meets his gaze, her expression open and curious. "What about you, Petunia? What's your life like as a Muggle? I can't imagine it's all that different from mine, but I could be wrong."
Petunia's lips quirk up in a small smile.
"Well, my life has been a bit more...ordinary, I suppose. I grew up in a small town, where everyone knows everyone, and magic was just a story in books. It was a simple life, but it was comfortable. I went to school, got a job at Saint Mungo's, and that's about it."
Soon they exit out into the backyard where the wedding is taking place.
.It was beautiful with the fairy lights hanging from the trees, and the flowers surrounding the aisle.
"It doesn't sound so bad," Jason comments, glancing at her as they walk towards the empty seats in the front row.
They sit down and soon watch as Lilly and James walk down the aisle hand in hand.
"It's beautiful," Petunia whispers as James and Lilly exchange vows.
Jason nods, a soft smile on his face. "They're perfect for each other," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.
Petunia glances at him, a soft question in her eyes. "Do you ever wonder if you'll find someone like that? Someone who completes you?"
Jason looks at her, surprised by the personal question. He's about to respond when the priest asks everyone to rise for the exchange of rings.
Jason stands, his mind racing with thoughts of Petunia's question. He steals a glance at her, finding her eyes already fixed on him. She quickly looks away, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. He smiles inwardly, enjoying the brief moment of connection.
As the ceremony progresses, Jason finds his attention wandering from the priest's words to Petunia's profile. He's not sure what it is about her that draws him in, but he can't deny the pull. Perhaps it's her curiosity, her honesty, or the way she's unafraid to show her emotions.
Whatever it is, Jason finds himself more intrigued by her with each passing moment. He doesn't notice when the priest finishes his speech and everyone starts to clap. He only snaps back to reality when he feels a nudge from Petunia.
"You can applaud now," she whispers, her lips curved in a smile.
Jason laughs softly, realizing he's been lost in thought. He claps enthusiastically, watching as James and Lily share their first kiss as a married couple. The guests erupt in cheers and applause, and Jason can't help but feel a pang of envy.