Chapter 10: Chapter 9
Three months had passed, and it was now December. My magical powers continued to improve significantly. The books Severus' mother had lent me had been a great help, and though I hadn't yet had the chance to return them, they had been instrumental in my growth.
One frosty morning, an owl swooped into my window carrying a letter from Severus. I quickly untied it from the owl's leg and offered it a treat, stroking its soft feathers before settling down to read.
Severus' Letter:
Dear Petunia,
I hope this letter finds you well. I'm sorry it's taken me a while to write; things have been rather busy on my end. My grandparents have been teaching me proper etiquette—everything from table manners to how to address witches and wizards in high society. It's exhausting sometimes, but they insist it's important for someone of my background now that we've settled here at the manor.
Last week, they took me on a vacation to Paris. The magical society here is incredible—far beyond anything I imagined. We visited a wizarding district hidden within the streets of Montmartre. The cobblestone alleys are filled with shops selling enchanted art, potions, and even magical perfumes that change scents depending on your mood. There's a café called Café Lumière where the chairs float an inch off the ground, and the waiters are house-elves dressed in tiny tuxedos. It was surreal! Oh, and we stopped by a magical library that holds ancient tomes bound with spells to prevent aging. The magic here feels alive, almost like it has a personality of its own.
My mother, meanwhile, has been working with my grandparents on their business. She's been so happy, Petunia—truly happy, like I've never seen her before. She sends her regards and hopes you're doing well too.
Write back soon and let me know how you've been. I miss our talks by the hill.
Your friend,
Severus
His words warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile as I imagined him strolling through the magical streets of Paris, looking at all the wonders he described.
In the weeks since I started using the system to improve my magical knowledge, my skills had grown exponentially. My expertise in Charms had reached an expert level, and the system rewarded me with 1,000 Galleons deposited into my Gringotts account. My studies in Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts had also improved drastically—I could now perform wandless magic with ease.
The system had been instrumental in other ways, too. With its help, I wrote a book, Twilight, which became a massive hit. Sales soared to 10 million pounds, earning me a 70% share of the profits—a staggering 7 million pounds . My parents were ecstatic when they share the new to me.
"dad," I said one evening, "this money could change everything for us. We could even start our own business."
Dad nodded enthusiastically. "I was thinking the same thing, why not use this chance to create something of our own? We could manufacture and sell electronics, like fans and appliances."
My eyes lit up at the idea. "yeh that as great idea"
With his determination and my funding, we launched a small business that quickly boomed. Orders poured in from across Europe and even parts of Asia. As the business thrived, we moved into a larger house, one with room for all of us to pursue our dreams.
Meanwhile, my mother started her own venture, making soaps and cosmetics. With a bit of secret magical enhancement from me, her products became renowned for their effectiveness, and her business flourished.
Our family, once firmly middle-class, now found itself climbing into the ranks of the wealthy. But despite our newfound success, my parents remained grounded, keeping life as simple as possible.
With more resources at our disposal, Lily and I were able to explore hobbies we had always dreamed of. We enrolled in ballet, piano, and violin lessons, discovering joys in music and movement. Though life was busier than ever, it felt full and happy.
Severus and I continued to write to each other. Every letter he sent came with a small gift from his travels—last month it was a charm from Egypt, and this month he wrote from France.
As Christmas approached, Dad picked us up from school one afternoon.
"Petunia," he asked, glancing in the rearview mirror, "why do you have so many gifts?"
Before I could respond, Lily piped up, giggling, "They're from all the boys at school, Dad!"
Dad's eyes widened. "Boys? Do you have a boyfriend, Petunia?"
I rolled my eyes and groaned. "I'm ten, Dad. "
Lily burst into laughter, and Dad chuckled, shaking his head. "Good. No boyfriends until thirty, then."
Christmas morning came with the gentle pecking of an owl at my window. I rushed to let it in and greeted Severus' owl, Leon, who hooted softly as I offered him a treat.
Leon carried a small package and a letter. I opened the letter first.
Merry Christmas, Petunia,
I hope you're having a wonderful holiday. My grandparents, my mother, and I are currently in America, celebrating Yule . The magical society here is fascinating—so much diversity and unique spells. I'll tell you all about it in my next letter.
Enclosed is a gift for you—a hair clip carved from sapphire stone, shaped like a flower. I thought it would suit you. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. I miss our talks and can't wait to see you again.
Your friend,
Severus
The clip was beautiful, its deep blue catching the morning light. I smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness, and immediately sat down to write him a reply.
Dear Severus,
Merry Christmas to you too! Thank you so much for the lovely gift—it's absolutely stunning, and I'll cherish it always. I miss you so much and can't wait until we're at Hogwarts together.
I hope you're enjoying your time in America. It sounds amazing! I've sent you a gift as well—a scarf I knitted myself. I hope it keeps you warm on your travels.
Take care and write soon!
Your friend,
Petunia
As the day went on, our family gathered around the tree to exchange gifts, laughter filling the house. For the first time, I felt a deep sense of contentment. Life was changing, and for once, it felt like everything was moving in the right direction