Lily, Sev and Toony (was Re: CHAPTER DISCUSSION: PS/SS 2, The Vanishing Glass

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 187771


> Alla:

> 
> But I guess her jealousy of Lily being transferred to Harry counts as such, I was just having trouble seeing it.
> 

Potioncat:
I think there is a complicated dynamic between Petunia and Lily. The narrator says the Dursleys pretend Petunia does not have a sister. Vernon knows there was a son, but does not remember Harrry's name, and he does not recognise the wizarding fold as such. Yet, Petunia sent Lily a vase as a present (Christmas prestent? DH) I don't know if Petunia thought it was lovely and Lily thought it was horrid, of if Petunia knew perfectly well that Lily wouldn't like it. But she is still in contact with Lily when Harry is about a year old.

We also know she expresses disgust at magic now, but wanted to go to Hogwarts so badly she sent a letter to DD. She is truly conflicted.

Enter magical Harry. I would think all of Petunia's unhappy memories of Sev and Lily must have come back. She was the odd one in that group, the victim of their magic. Lily was performing intentional, wandless magic--so I'm not sure if Petunia understands that wizarding children cannot always control magic. Though I still don't understand the intensity of Petunia's treatment of Harry.

As for Snape--I know he hasn't entered the picture yet, but he was a part of Lily and Petunia's childhood. I've never been able to understand how he could love Lily so truly, madly, deeply yet treat Harry so badly. Not only that, he knows Petunia. He must have some idea of what Harry has experienced.

I realize James is a part of it; and I wonder if Snape would have felt differently about Harry if Lily had married a non-Marauder.