FORGET ME NOT / T. Nott "WTM"

Snow White But With Snakes

His heart ached, and a wave of fury surged through him, coloring his cheeks a deep shade of red. Clenching his fists tightly, he fought against the overwhelming impulse to reach through the screen, to pull the twins into his arms, shielding them from the terrors of the world that seemed poised to engulf them. All he wanted was to offer them safety and love, to protect them from any and all dangers that lurked just beyond their fragile beginnings.

The morning stillness was shattered by the sharp, demanding voice of Petunia Dursley, slicing through the lethargy of the moment. "Up! Get up! Now!" Her voice was grating, echoing through the confines of the cupboard. She knocked her knuckles insistently against the wooden door, the sound sharp and penetrating, before storming off into the living room, leaving a wake of tension behind her.

"Petunia?" Lily whispered her sister's name, her voice barely above a murmur, as confusion etched deeper lines into her forehead. She furrowed her eyebrows, her mind racing to piece together the puzzling situation. What could have possibly brought Petunia into the lives of James Potter's children? The thought alone felt jarring, a stark contrast to the animosity that had historically marked their relationship.

Her heart raced as she tried to make sense of the implications; Petunia, of all people, 'looking after them'? It didn't add up. With a sudden, jarring realization, she shook her head violently, trying to dispel the thought that had intruded upon her reason. No, she couldn't entertain that notion—not now, not ever. Yet as vivid images began to flood her mind, of her sister stepping seamlessly into a role she could scarcely imagine, doubt crept in. Could it be possible?

With a groggy groan, Harry stirred awake, gently shaking his sister to rouse her from slumber. Amaryllis blinked groggily, her eyes fluttering open at the gentle nudge from her twin. Using the little light that filtered into their cramped space, Harry reached for his glasses, fumbling slightly as he put them on. The bridge of the glasses, a makeshift repair with tape, reinforced the frayed conditions of their lives.

Suddenly, a loud thump echoed from above as Dudley Dursley barreled down the staircase, a concoction of excitement and impatience. He halted mid-step, an impish grin plastered across his face, and with a gleeful holler, proclaimed, "Wake up, cousins! We're going to the zoo!" His voice, thick with arrogance, reverberated off the walls, and Harry looked up, squinting against the dust that had settled from Dudley's raucous antics.

"Cousins?!" Lillian Evans's voice echoed through the hall, her words piercing the chatter like a sudden gust of wind. Everyone turned to her, curiosity etched on their faces as they absorbed the shock radiating from her features. She sat there, her brow furrowed, shaking her head in disbelief, as if trying to deny the reality before her — a reality she had secretly suspected but never fully accepted.

Her exclamation acted as a catalyst, a missing piece in the intricate puzzle forming in the minds of those present. It became abundantly clear: Lily was the twins' mother, which meant she had shared her life and love with James Potter, the very man she had so often claimed to despise. The revelation lingered in the air, heavy yet full of unanticipated warmth.

Laughter erupted, a bubbling current of amusement that swept through the crowd, their faces lighting up with glee at the unexpected twist. Gentle ribbing erupted around them, with a few bold souls shouting out "Congratulations!" to James, while others playfully teased Lily about her surprising connection to the one she often argued with. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks, a vivid crimson that deepened as she grappled with her own mixed emotions — happiness, confusion, and a hint of fear mingled within her.

But beneath the laughter and the joyous atmosphere hung an unmistakable weight. James, despite the lightheartedness surrounding him, found little room for celebration. His heart thudded uneasily in his chest as he contemplated the looming shadows of fate that threatened not just himself but the very lives of his children.