Is Petunia older or younger than Lily?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 118371


Rissa:
> Is Petunia older or younger than Lily?

Jen: I was curious about your question and looked on the Lexicon and 
in PS/SS, but couldn't find a definitive answer. I've always 
imagined Petunia to be older. Since Lily married right after leaving 
Hogwarts and had Harry approximately a year later (according to 
Lexicon), that would leave a younger Petunia still finishing school. 
So if Petunia *is* younger, she left school to marry and have 
Dudley. She just doesn't seem the type to be impulsive that way. 

Rissa: 
> Or she might have been older and everyone's favourite, and then 
Lily
> marries James, who is from an old family, has money, and even in 
term
> of the muggle world that has a certain cachet. Vernon is a 
salesman,
> and doesn't have any of the style or grace of the impression of 
James.
> This is supported by their belittling of James and Lily's place in 
the
> world - It makes Petunia feel herself more; less of a small person,
> though it only creates her one.

Jen: I do hope we hear more about Petunia's resentment of Lily. Was 
it simply Lily's magical ability and admission to Hogwarts that 
caused the rift? That's what Petunia seems to be saying in SS, when 
she gives Harry her big speech after Hagrid's arrival. Makes you 
wonder if they were close before that, or were always too different 
to get along. Lily may have been a handful to live with if she 
started showing magical ability at an early age! And then Petunia 
sees the same powers in Harry. That may be all the explanation there 
is.

Jen Reese