The difference of love?
--------
[The day before, in a pub near #4 Privet Street.]
Petunia fussed as she set her one year old son into a high chair. It had been such a nice day that she just had to get out. And then she'd lost track of time. For a change, she was in a remarkably good mood.
"Dudlikins all set?" she said in that language all mothers seem to be able to use at will with their children.
"Cute little tyke, Mrs. Dursley. Is he up to eating solid foods yet?" the proprietor said from behind the bar.
"Not quite yet, Mr. Hurnst. Perhaps some cottage cheese and some sticks?" she replied.
A woman wearing the most outrageous outfit of hotpants, midriff baring t-shirts and a jacket that made mostly of leather straps raised her head from the bar. "Annuuuther wunnne, Biiill!" Her skin was deeply tanned, but her hair was almost silver-blonde.
Petunia just gave the woman a concealed looked of contempt, but even brushed that away. It was just too good a day. Bill Hurnst just sighed as he refilled her drink. At least she was a happy drunk.
"So your sister got hitched and you are celebrating, hmm?" Bill said as he filled her glass.
"Yuup! Finaaallly! It'sh shooo schweeet. Luuuuv wooooon!" the young looking woman said. She sipped at the ale with great skill. Dudley made an unhappy noise that drew her attention to the tyke. "Oh, cuwute!"
Petunia's face almost looked like she had swallowed a pint of prune juice unexpectedly. "Er, yes. This is my son Dudley! I am Petunia Dursley."
Navigating over to her table, the woman leaned forward to look at the chubby baby. "Rollipolli cwutie!" She stood back up, swaying dangerously. "I'm Urd. Nice-sh to meetcha. I'm gunna be an aunt schoon, you know? I'm hoping itsh gunna be a girl, sho we can go shopping togesther."
Petunia smiled to herself, a touch bitter and a touch whimsical suddenly at the memory. "I wished for a daughter, you know, but I'm very happy with Dudley here."
"Lotsha time, have lotsha kids!" Urd replied happily.
A pang of sadness stabbed at the smile on Petunia's face. "My husband only wants a son. So that's that." A wistful tone over took her next reply. "I do wish sometimes, that I had a daughter."
Urd started to pat her on the back. "I'm scho shworry." Urd stood suddenly. "Gottsa do shomething. I promise. Mothers shwould have daughters to raise up." Unknown to herself, her hidden tattoos had flared to life at the words of 'I promise'.
Petunia's face went absolutely white and she grabbed her son close as the strange woman started to float into the air. Lightning crackled about her when suddenly a bar of light struck from above.
Blank unseeing eyes set themselves upon her. "Wish granted." And with that Urd collapsed to the ground bonelessly.
"Blimey! She's been struck by lightning! Someone call an ambulance!" a patron from further back in the pub shouted. Bill immediately snagged the phone.
With trembling hands, Petunia grabbed her son and her things and almost ran out the door. She had been one of those sorts of people! Like her sister! And she had seemed so nice, before!
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(Posted Mon, 18 Oct 2004 17:36)
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