The first word that came to my mind when I read this was "clever." It really is, especially since I hadn't looked at the pairing and I thought it was going to be about Lily and Snape, and then it wasn't... but was, kind of. I liked it, and it made me think. A very interesting parallel. I don't normally read drabbles because they're just too short for me, but this was honestly exceptional and shows you don't always need a lot of words to say a lot... if that makes sense.

I like this, because it presented me with a viewpoint that I'm not used to seeing. Petunia Dursley strikes me as one of the characters that fanfiction forgot. For a drabble this really establishes a humanity in P & V that I think most readers/writers gloss over in using them only as accessory characters.

It's beautiful. I never saw Vernon that way, but your explanation makes sense and the comparison of the sisters gives a perspective I neve rhad before. Thank you.

I like this one; it's really sweet and shows another side of Petunia

Very well written, good job

This one reminds me of your Hagrid/Salazar parallel; equally unexpected and true. And the last line is *so* right.

Oh, my, yes. And Petunia was far more loyal than Lily ever was.

Nice little twist! And a nice little jab to Lily... ;-)

I find it very likely that Vernon came from a violent home. I like the way you give Petunia the characteristics of being understanding, forgiving and loyal, but I can't help thinking that she maybe was all this in the wrong way in the end, as she never seems to oppose Vernon's behaviour. But then it's hard to tell, as the Dursleys aren't more than parodies in the books. It's nice to read fanfiction that depict them as human beings.

Gah ! this unnerved me so much. Probably because I suspect that you might be right...

Ooh, nice one! Kind of scary to think that Petunia would be more loyal than Lily, but I think you're right. She certainly stood by Vernon later on in life. Good stuff, ma'am! Cat

Aw, that's kind of sweet!

If only this cycle could be forever broken and permanently ended. :( Great vignette.

I don't recall if I have read that particular Asimovian story though if I have I've forgotten and might do again.

Very insightful start. Please continue.

As always, I love your feel for characters and economy of words. The scenario you've described is quite believable. If Petunia had a bit more on the ball she might have encouraged Vernon to deal with his anger issues, but she's the type of all-or-nothing person who refuses to acknowledge flaws in the people she loves - if they're flawed, she needs to hate, as she did with Lily and Harry. Lily also has an all-or-nothing attitude (she doesn't just fight with Snape, she banishes him) and it would be interesting to see how she would have raised Harry if she'd lived. I'm betting he'd be as spoiled as Draco and Dudley.

This was wonderful. In a hundred words you have suddenly made these characters three-dimensional. Thank you.

I like it a lot. Very sweet indeed.