Filling in the Spaces
JackieJLH119 Reviews | 8.21/10 (119 Ratings, 0 Likes, 12 Favorites )
During the second war against Voldemort, Petunia Dursley spent nearly a year in hiding with her family. This is her story.
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About JackieJLH
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JackieJLH
Member Since 2006 | 41 Stories | Favorited by 40 | 2 Reviews Written | 177 Review Responses
Eh, I'm too boring to have a proper bio.
Reviews for Filling in the Spaces
I'm glad to see Petunia thinking about other things than herself. This situation may be the making of that woman.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
It really might. I've always thought that if given the opportunity to interact with the magical world in a way that doesn't upset or terrify her, she'd learn tolerance and maybe even acceptance. And here in this house, she really has no other option--she can be bitter and angry, but what good would it do her? It'd only make things more difficult for her family, and they seem to be her main focus most of the time--most especially, Dudley.
Nice to see Petunia is maturing a bit. Perhaps she isn't a total waste.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
Aw, lol. You never know, she just may surprise you. :) I have faith in Petunia's abilities to learn and grow. Lol.
Although she is scared, she reads the books and hangs on every word Hestia writes her. Soon she will know enough to actually understand some things.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
Yes, definitely. I think if Petunia could get past her fears, she'd probably be much more open to things--she never seems to be very surprised by magic, just terrified of it. I suppose, growing up with a witch for a sister, it became fairly commonplace in her life, if not any less horrifying for her.
I love your story. You describe so well what life was like that year. Both for the Dursley's in their confinement, and the rest of the wizarding world. What a wonderful birthday present. I also love your frequently updates.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it! It's been really interesting to research and write. The next chapter should be up later today!
Sounds like Petunia is depressed, hopefully Hestia will be kinder to her than she was to her sister.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
Poor Petunia, she really is in an awful situation. Hestia's response is up now!
I look forward to seeing where this will go. It's interesting to be walking in their shoes so to speak.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
I'm glad you're enjoying it! I'll have chapters 12 & 13 up tonight, and 14 & 15 up on Thursday or Friday. :D
Well, at least Petunia and Dudley are showing some signs of emotional growth. Since Petunia's hatred of magic stems from fear I wonder how all of this will effect her?
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
That's part of the really fun part of writing Petunia. Everything she's done seems to stem from either fear or jealousy, and if she is given reason to not be afraid, and she can get past her jealousy... well, she'd be capable of some pretty amazing stuff, I think.
I can understand her desire for keeping some kind of routine, it's so easy to let things fall apart when a catastrophe of some sort hits.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
I agree. Routine and monotonous but constant tasks would probably be the only way to maintain some sort of sanity in a situation like this.
Hopefully, they will learn tolerance from their situation. Will they ever regret their treatment of Harry?
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
I think they'd have to learn some tolerance, if only so as not to be stressed out and seething with anger for the entire year.And they just might regret things! :D
I suspect she is more worried about her own skin than anything else.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
Probably, at least right now. You have to admit, it'd be pretty horrifying... :)
I think it's funny that people who shunned magic are now dependent on it for their very survival.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
I know, right! I was in love with JKR for creating that situation because it seemed like it had so many possibilities... and then the Dursleys were entirely forgotton about in canon. :( So after sulking about that for a little while, I decided to fix it. Lol.
Dudley wondering about Harry's well-being made me smile. And as I'm nearly identifying with Petunia in your story (and that says something), a little bit proud as well.
Response from JackieJLH (Author of Filling in the Spaces)
*grins**spreads the Petunia-tolerance*Lol. Dudley's scene in DH touched my heart and nearly entirely redeemed him in my eyes. I think it helps that he's still a kid--he grew up, he learned from his mistakes, he grew beyond the attitude he was brought up to have, and I suddenly found myself adoring him when I'd never much liked him before. :D I didn't start to adore Petunia until learning her backstory because suddenly, even if her actions weren't really justifiable, I could at least understand her possible reasons. By the end of DH, I had a new aversion for camping and a new obsession with exploring Petunia's motives. Lol.
I started reading this story on OWL, but as I come to this
site more often, I'm picking it up again here. I like your
insights into Petuna - perhaps she's realising now just
what Lily had to contend with, and that's why she's seeing
her in a different light. I enjoy Hestia too - she's not
fully written in the books, so there's a lot to play with, and
she's both practical and kind. I'm sure Dudley will slowly
beging to understand more, but I doubt there's much
hope for Vernon!
I'm so glad to see you continuing this story; I really am enjoying reading it. Sorry to hear you've been ill; I hope you are feeling much better.
So, are we seeing a new side of Vernon? Or was his little foray into cooking breakfast a one-off? He could certainly do to be nicer, though it doen't seem to be his nature.
Thanks for a good chapter.
I'm so happy you updated. I loved the chapter, but I am wondering about Vernon's change of heart...
Hmm, so Vernon is thawing out a bit...very interesting. He's not changing his tune regarding wizards at all, so it doesn't seem as though much can come of this, but maybe he can unbend a little further if he gets lonely enough.
Glad you're feeling better!
Glad you are back. I like this story very much.
Good chapter. Please update soon!
I remember reading this chapter. I'm sorry I forgot to leave a review. Very good.