The train ride had ended hours ago, and the gentle hum of the car engine filled the quiet as we drove through the familiar streets Mum was chatting softly with Dad about the drive, Lily was humming along to some Muggle tune on the radio, and I sat by the window, watching the world blur by
I sighed quietly, leaning my cheek against the cool window. My thoughts wandered when a soft chime rang in my mind
The System had returned.
[System Notification: Congratulations, Petunia Evans.]
[You have successfully completed your Third Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.]
[Evaluating growth and performance...]
[Academic Performance: Outstanding]
[Social Development: Balanced and empathetic]
[Emotional Stability: Improved]
[Rewards Granted:]
100,000 Galleons"
Deposited directly into your Gringotts vault.
Magical Enhancement – Core Amplification
Your magical core has expanded by 30%, allowing greater spell control and energy efficiency.
Legilimency
Grants the ability to perceive surface thoughts and emotions when focusing on an individual. Prolonged use increases proficiency.
[Note: This ability requires emotional balance and control to use effectively.]
My breath caught. Legilimency.
The ability to look into someone's mind to sense their truth beyond words.
I blinked and looked down at my hands, which suddenly felt heavier, as if the air around them shimmered faintly with new power.
"Petunia?" Lily's voice broke my thoughts. "You okay?"
"I'm okay," I said quickly, offering her a small smile. "Just a little tired"
Before I could drift too far into my thoughts, Mum's cheerful voice filled the car.
"All right, girls where do we want to eat? It's a bit late to cook."
I turned from the window. "You can choose, Mum," I said lightly. "Anywhere's fine."
"Yeah," Lily agreed, stretching her arms. "I'm starving."
Mum smiled, glancing at Dad. "Well, there's a new Italian restaurant that opened in the area. We could try that."
Dad nodded. "Sounds good to me."
We arrived a few minutes later, the warm glow of golden lights spilling from the windows of the little restaurant. The smell of garlic and baked bread filled the air the moment we stepped inside. A waiter led us to a cozy booth near the corner, and soon we were seated, flipping through menus that all looked far too delicious.
After we ordered pasta for Lily, lasagna for me, and something called pollo alla crema for Mum she leaned back and smiled.
"So, how was school this year, girls?"
"It was fun," Lily said brightly. "Busy, but good."
I nodded, keeping my tone even. "Challenging, but I liked it."
Dad smiled, but then his eyes narrowed playfully. "So... are there any boys I should be concerned about?"
Lily let out a laugh. "You mean me or her?" She tilted her head toward me with a teasing grin. "Because if you're asking about Petunia, Dad, she has plenty of admirers."
My eyes widened. "That's not true!" I protested, giving her a light nudge with my elbow.
Dad chuckled. "Plenty, huh?"
Mum shook her head, laughing. "Oh, don't listen to your father," she said, waving her fork dismissively. "It's perfectly fine to have a crush or two. Just don't forget to finish school first, get married before having children and please, for my sanity, don't let your father scare anyone away."
"Mum!" Lily groaned, turning red. "You make it sound like we're getting married next week!"
Dad grinned mischievously. "Well, I'm just saying, if any boy shows up at our door, I'll have a talk with him first."
Lily rolled her eyes. "You mean interrogate him."
Before Dad could respond, Mum turned to me with a curious smile. "What about your friend Severus, dear? How's he doing?"
I straightened a little, my tone softening. "He's fine. Actually, he's expecting a new sibling soon."
Mum's expression warmed instantly. "Oh, that's lovely. I do hope his mother and he are both truly happy. They've been through so much."
I nodded, stirring the edge of my pasta absentmindedly. "Yeah he is happy. "
"Well," Mum said "I hope he'll come visit sometime. You two always seem to bring out the best in each other."
Lily snorted softly. "Or the most competitive part."
I smirked. "That too."
After dinner, we finally headed home. The car ride was quiet, warm, and peaceful the kind of silence that only came after a long, good day. When we arrived, Mum and Dad wished us both goodnight before heading to their room.
"Goodnight," I said softly as I climbed the stairs.
The moment I stepped into my bedroom, a wave of comfort washed over me.
God, I missed my room.
Everything was just as I'd left it the pale curtains, the small bookshelf by the window, the desk scattered with old notes and quills I'd forgotten to pack away. I set my trunk down and started to unpack slowly, savoring the quiet.
As I reached into my bag, I found the small photo Andrew had given me this year all of us smiling by the Black Lake, wind in our hair, sunlight glinting off the water. I smiled softly and went to my drawer, where I kept a small stash of photo frames. Every summer, I made it a tradition to frame one new picture from Hogwarts one memory to mark each passing year.
I arranged them neatly on my shelf: first year, second, and now third.
Looking at them side by side, I could see how much had changed. Not just in our faces, but in who we'd become.
Three years gone. Four more to go.
And then... everything would fall apart, if I failed.
My fingers brushed lightly over the new frame. I needed to stay focused —to finish the tasks the System had given me.
Find and destroy the Horcruxes.
Right now, I already had one the lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, hidden away under layers of enchantments. But there were more. And time was moving faster than ever
I was so deep in thought that I almost didn't notice Lily knock softly on my door.
"Hey," she said, poking her head in. "Do you want to go shopping tomorrow? I think most of my summer clothes don't fit anymore they've gotten shorter somehow."
I smiled faintly. "Yeah, sure. That sounds nice."
"Great!" Lily said brightly. "I'll tell Mum."
"Alright. Goodnight, Lily," I replied, returning her smile.
Once she left, I decided to take a quick bath and get ready for bed. After finishing my packing, I slipped under the covers, feeling the soft familiarity of home surround me. Within minutes, I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I was woken by a loud knock on my door.
"Petunia! Breakfast is ready! We're leaving at nine!" Lily's voice called.
"I'm awake!" I shouted back, though she kept knocking for a few more seconds just to make sure. Smiling to myself, I slipped out of bed, washed up, and dressed before heading downstairs.
The familiar scent of toast, eggs, and freshly brewed coffee filled the air as I entered the kitchen. Mum was by the stove, humming softly as she flipped pancakes, while Lily was already halfway through her orange juice.
"Morning, sweetheart," Mum greeted warmly. "Sit down before everything gets cold."
"Morning," I said, sliding into my usual seat. The table was cozy—sunlight spilled through the curtains, catching the golden edges of buttered toast and syrup.
"Where's Dad?" I asked, noticing his chair was empty.
"He had an early meeting at work," Mum replied as she set down another plate of pancakes. "He said to tell you both to behave and not to buy out the entire store today."
Lily snorted. "No promises."
I laughed softly, taking a bite of my breakfast just as Mum sat across from us. "So," she began casually, "I was thinking... how would you two like to spend part of the summer at the French Riviera?"
Lily's eyes lit up immediately grinning. "That sounds brilliant!
"That sounds wonderful," I said quickly, excitement bubbling in my chest. "Are we staying for a month?"
"Oh, no, honey," Mum said with a fond smile. "Your father and I both have work, so probably just a week or two."
"Great!" I said, unable to hide my grin. "Then... can I visit Severus's house this summer too? We've got a new project we're working on."
Lily raised a brow, smirking. "Another project? You two never stop."
I shrugged with mock seriousness. "We're making it a yearly tradition," I said, grinning.
I shrugged with mock seriousness, though a smile tugged at my lips. "We're making it a yearly tradition," I said lightly, earning a small laugh from Mum.
"Well, sure, honey," Mum said, reaching for her tea. "If his parents allow it, I don't see why not. Just make sure you don't spend your whole summer indoors brewing potions."
"I won't," I promised, though Lily's skeptical look made it hard not to laugh.
"So," I said, turning to her, "do you want to come along?"
Lily shook her head immediately, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear. "No, thanks. I was actually planning to do some advanced reading for next term. Maybe work ahead in Charms and Transfiguration."
I smirked. "Of course you are."
Lily shot me a mock glare, half fierce and half grin. "I plan to beat you next school year top student for the whole fourth year, mark my words."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You can try."
She tapped the table like she was signing a contract. "Oh, I will. Start practicing now."
"Fine," I said, leaning back. "Then I'll be extra annoying and study with you. We'll both make each other miserable and brilliant."
Lily groaned dramatically. "Ugh, that's the worst punishment."
Mum smiled across the table. "Look at you two competitors and study buddies. Just don't forget to enjoy the summer."
I glanced at Lily, then at Mum, and felt that warm, steady contentment again. "Deal," I said. "But first shopping."
Lily sprang up, already plotting outfits. "Race you to the car!" she called, and in a heartbeat we were on our feet, laughter spilling into the bright morning as we hurried out the door.
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