"His theory was that a traumatic experience would trigger it." I suspect that it was probably the traumatic experience more than the surge in magic that caused people to go mad - it's amazing that Neville is as sane as he is, under the circumstances.

Why indeed wasn't there a wizard around to keep an eye on Harry? I wonder what would have happened if Severus Snape had decided, instead of becoming a teacher at Hogwarts, to move to Surrey so that he could make sure Harry was safe before he turned eleven, and in the holidays. After all, protecting him at school should theoretically be the job of all the Hogwarts staff anyway.

Poor Petunia! This is such a believable portrait of her sleepwalking into marrying Vernon, and I like the way you develop her character here.

Wow! The very different family dynamic here, in an AU where Dudley also has magic, is an intriguing start to the story, and I like this version of Petunia.

I wonder whether canon!Petunia and Vernon would have chosen to have a second child, if they hadn't had one dumped on them. Maybe not; having both grown up overshadowed by a sibling themselves, they might feel that being an only child is ideal, and might have preferred to be able to indulge Dudley with presents and an expensive education without having to forego family holidays and birthday parties to be able to afford it (as it is, even though they blatantly spoil Dudley and neglect Harry, Dudley is only ever allowed to invite one friend on a birthday treat, not have a proper birthday party, when he'd probably want to menace his entire class into attending his birthday parties and all buying him lots of sweets and toys).

I just found this story and am enjoying it immensely! You have done an unbelievable job at redeeming Petunia while keeping some of her characteristic insecurities and bitter nature. Your Severitus plot is clever and works beautifully into the story. I adore your sport dragons and Petunia's wonderful menagerie of strays. As you say, the main plot strays a bit, but I've found the detours very charming!

You are an amazing writer and I look forward to more of this story at whatever pace works for you. Cheers!

"Because he treated me like somebody whose opinions didn't matter, someone not to be taken seriously."

And isn't that just a succinct encapsulation of misogyny?

Fantastic plotting! I think you do a really great job of capturing Sirius's shortcomings (and quick-fix pay-later attitude to all problems).

So... The exorcist got rid of the horcrux? Unicorn hair, not phoenix feather? The changes are adding up, and I'm looking forward to seeing the knock-on effects at Hogwarts.

I really oughtn't to leave a note on every chapter of a 130 chapter story that's only going to pester your inbox, but ... I have the queasy feeling that the phrase "attract another Vernon" is foreshadowing, perhaps for Snape (who is, even when redeemed, a right arse and bully) if not definitely for others. With one phrase (and my own ten years of seeing my friends make similar bad choices in men one after the other), you have me peeking through my fingers and my heart in my throat! So: compliments on word-smithing. I'm so glad there's more to read!

I feel like since you've done another hundred and thirty chapters after this you don't need the reassurance, but I'm speaking from your relatively young chapter 11 to say: I'm so happy you've written this Petunia story! Yes, it's listed as a Snape appearance, but even if Snape doesn't appear until chapter 128, your writing style is so lovely and your characterizations so emotionally true to life, anyone should be charmed enough not to mind a little subterfuge. Great world-building with gypsies having familiarity with magic, and with squibs and surges and nuance about magical ability. I'm so happy you've written so much after this: I'm looking forward to enjoying it!

The listing says you've completed this story in 2019, so it's been five years, but as it's still giving readers joy, I hope you've received plenty of joy yourself in recompense, in the interim!

Interesting background for the Evans family, and I loved everyone dumping on Snape.

Snarky Petunia is awesome.

I had way too much fun reading BBSS* up through 2nd-3rd year. Previously I'd never gotten the appeal of crack or power fantasy, but now I do, deeply. When written by and for grown ass women, with prose this clever, it's glorious
At some point the plot became too wild for me, but I love the beginning to bits.

(*) double BS?

I - pretty much an ewe lamb in most social settings - need a Marcella in my life.

I'm only 2 chapters in but loving this already! Your turns of phrase are so witty I've been snorting out loud every couple sentences. Real life is a dumpster fire right now; thank you for this escapade.

What a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to see what happens next