Petunia awoke abruptly to the familiar chime of the system resonating in her mind. A translucent screen materialized before her eyes, displaying a new task:
[System Task: Locate and Destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes.]
Her heart raced as she absorbed the gravity of the assignment. The joy of reliving her youth at Hogwarts had momentarily allowed her to forget the dark times looming ahead. The resurgence of Voldemort was imminent, and dismantling his Horcruxes was essential to thwart his return
The concept of Horcruxes was both fascinating and horrifying. Objects infused with fragments of a dark wizard's soul, anchoring them to life even when their body was destroyed. Destroying them was the only path to ensuring Voldemort's permanent defeat. The enormity of the task was daunting, but Petunia knew she couldn't shy away from it
Determined, she decided to start with the Horcrux rumored to be within the very walls of Hogwarts: Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem. Legends whispered that the diadem, a symbol of wisdom, had been missing for centuries. However, Petunia recalled tales of a secretive chamber known as the Room of Requirement—a place that transformed based on the seeker's need. If the diadem was hidden within the castle, that enigmatic room was a plausible hiding spot.
Later that afternoon, her circle of friends decided to enjoy the pleasant weather by organizing a picnic near the Black Lake. The sun cast a warm glow over the grounds, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. They spread out a large blanket on the soft grass, unpacking an assortment of treats from Honeydukes and homemade sandwiches. Laughter filled the air as they recounted amusing anecdotes and shared stories of their latest classroom mishaps.
Despite the cheerful atmosphere, Petunia remained unusually quiet, her thoughts preoccupied with the daunting task ahead. Severus, seated beside her, noticed her uncharacteristic silence. Leaning in, he asked softly, "Are you alright, Petunia?"
Snapped from her reverie, Petunia forced a smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just feeling a bit tired."
Severus arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Burning the midnight oil with those ancient tomes again? You know, some of us require sleep."
She chuckled softly, grateful for his attempt to lighten her mood. "Says the one who brewed an entire batch of Draught of Living Death just for 'practice'."
He feigned offense. "That was one time. And it was a successful endeavor."
Their playful banter drew the attention of their friends. Emmeline grinned, tossing a grape at Severus. "Are you two debating potion merits again? It's a picnic, not Potions class."
As they eat their feast, Emmeline's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Did you hear about the latest prank the James and his group pulled?" she began, referring to the notorious Gryffindor quartet known for their elaborate practical jokes.
Pandora giggled, brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face. "Oh, you mean the one where they enchanted all the suits of armor to recite sonnets whenever someone walked by? Professor McGonagall was not amused."
Severus, who had been pouring himself some pumpkin juice, frowned deeply. "Those troublemakers are always causing chaos. It's a wonder they haven't been expelled yet."
Petunia sighed, picking at a cauldron cake. "They're insufferable. Always disrupting classes and strutting around as if they own the place."
Emmeline exchanged a sly glance with Pandora before leaning in closer to Petunia. "Speaking of the Marauders, I couldn't help but notice a certain Sirius Black paying you extra attention lately."
Pandora's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Yes, didn't he gift you a rather exquisite hair clip recently? Sapphire-studded, wasn't it?"
Petunia' frown and said . "It's nothing," she murmured, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Severus's grip on his goblet tightened imperceptibly, his knuckles whitening. "Sirius Black gave you a gift?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral but his dark eyes betraying a flicker of emotion.
Petunia waved a dismissive hand. "It's just a trinket. Probably some joke of his."
Emmeline wasn't about to let the topic drop. "Oh, come on, Petunia. A sapphire hair clip isn't exactly a joke gift. Seems like someone's smitten."
Pandora nodded in agreement. "And he's quite the catch, or so half the girls in our year seem to think."
Petunia groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Please, let's talk about something else."
Severus set his goblet down with a tad more force than necessary. "Yes, let's," he agreed, his tone clipped.
Sensing the shift in mood, Emmeline decided to steer the conversation to lighter waters. "Alright, alright. Did you hear about the time the Marauders tried to sneak into the Slytherin common room disguised as house-elves? They ended up in the kitchens instead and got a week's worth of detention peeling flobberworms."
Pandora burst into laughter. "Serves them right. Though I must admit, their antics are sometimes entertaining—from a safe distance."
Petunia chuckled, grateful for the change in topic. "As long as they don't involve me, I'm content to hear about their misadventures secondhand."
Severus managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "They'll get their comeuppance eventually."
The group continued their picnic, sharing stories and laughter as the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over them. Despite the earlier teasing, the camaraderie among them was evident, and the bonds of friendship held strong.
Night descended upon Hogwarts, casting elongated shadows through the castle corridors. While her dormitory companions drifted into peaceful slumber, Petunia lay awake, anticipation coursing through her veins. Determined to locate the diadem, she decided to embark on a covert mission to the Room of Requirement.
Recalling a spell she'd read about, Petunia whispered, "Disillusionment." A sensation like cool liquid trickled down her body as her form blended seamlessly with her surroundings, rendering her nearly invisible. This charm would make her less detectable, though she knew she still needed to tread cautiously
Navigating the dimly lit corridors, Petunia was acutely aware of the myriad sounds that filled the castle at night—the distant hoot of an owl, the whispering portraits, and the ever-present creaks of the ancient structure. As she approached the staircase leading to the seventh floor, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Turning a corner, she spotted the unmistakable silhouette of Argus Filch, the cantankerous caretaker, accompanied by his ever-vigilant cat, Mrs. Norris. The feline's lamp-like eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness, scanning for any sign of mischief.
Holding her breath, Petunia pressed herself against the cold stone wall, willing her heartbeat to slow. Mrs. Norris paused, ears twitching, as if sensing an unseen presence. Footsteps echoed from around the corner. Filch's raspy voice muttered, "What's the miscreant up to now, my sweet?"
Petunia remained motionless until their footsteps faded into the distance.
Thinking quickly, Petunia flicked her wand towards a distant suit of armor, causing it to topple with a resounding crash. Seizing the distraction, she darted up the stairs, her concealed form blending with the shadows.
Reaching the seventh floor, she located the stretch of blank wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy attempting to teach trolls ballet. Recalling the instructions she'd come across, she paced before the wall three times, concentrating intently
"I need a place to find that which is hidden," she whispered fervently.
A seamless door materialized. With a deep breath, she entered the Room of Requirement.
Inside, she was met with a vast expanse resembling a cathedral, filled with towering piles of forgotten objects—centuries' worth of hidden artifacts, broken furniture, and discarded belongings. The air was thick with dust and the scent of aged parchment.