Petunia Elaine Dursley (née Evans) (b. 1955/1956) is a Muggle, the older daughter of Mr and Edie Evans and sister of Muggle-born witch, Lily Evans. She resents Lily for her magic, calling her a "freak". Petunia does not seem to understand what the magical world means to Lily, and how "real" it is, at one point, asking Lily when she is going to stop, and go study something in the real world.
She marries a Muggle, Vernon Dursley, in chapter 26, "The Wedding".
Biography[]
Early life (1955/1956-1975)[]
In secondary school, Petunia—the tallest, prettiest and first to develop a figure—was the de facto leader of the trio, including Nancy and Yvonne St. Clair.
The Evans' were not wealthy and while they managed to put Petunia and Lily through school, Petunia worked through her last year at University.
While at university, she started dating and became engaged to Vernon Dursley.
Throughout "The Life and Times"[]
1975[]
"Merrily, Merrily, Merrily"[]
- Lily Evans: "So, I was the one who started calling you a 'freak?' I derided everything you did and believed in? I mocked your friends? And every time you accomplished anything, I suppose I was the one who trivialized it and made you feel rotten about it?"
- Petunia Evans: "You were the one that left, Lily."
- — Lily and Petunia argue on the magical world
Petunia's fiancé, Vernon Dursley, visits the Evans household and is approved by her relatives aside from Lily. In a moment with Lily, Petunia tells her that she knows that the both of them don't like each other. Lily asks if Petunia's told him about her magic to which Petunia replies that she doesn't see the point. Petunia presses Lily on when she'll give up her magic, and Lily tries to explain it but they end up arguing.
1976[]
"Contra Mundum"[]
Petunia's flat lease runs up at the start of June and since she is marrying Vernon in July, she moves home for two months. As part of the wedding preparations, Petunia decides to host a "Bridal Luncheon", attended by her bridesmaids—Yvonne, Nancy (Petunia's friends from secondary school), Lily and Marjorie Dursley—, some female relatives and more than a dozen of Petunia's friends.
"The Week of The Demands"[]
- Petunia Durlsey: "I don't have anything to do with you anymore, Lily! You're off at school all year... you weren't here for anything. When I finished school, you hadn't come home yet... you were supposed to be here for things—to talk to me after my first date, to console me after a break up... when Dad died..."
- Lily Evans: "Don't you dare, Petunia..."
- Petunia Durlsey: "The point is we're not sisters, Lily. We're not even friends. You left, and I don't have anything to do with you anymore! And neither should Vernon. You can't both belong in my life, and..."
- Lily Evans: "And you choose him?"
- "Petunia did not answer at once. Finally, she murmured: "You left.""
- — Petunia and Lily
Petunia argues with Lily about Petunia not telling Vernon that Lily is a witch. Petunia later tells Lily that she will inform Vernon about Lily's magical abilities that night. When Petunia does tell Vernon, he states that he wants Lily out of the wedding. Petunia tells Lily this and that she can attend but she won't be a bridesmaid and must sit with their mother during the ceremony. Lily shouts at her about how she could let Vernon do this and Petunia snaps that Vernon is not doing this and that she knew this would happen. She goes on, saying that Lily isn't here for Petunia to talk to after major events. Lily continues to beg Petunia to be her bridesmaid but Petunia refuses to budge.
Later, Lily enters Petunia's room and begs Petunia to not marry Vernon. Petunia immediately grows cold and Lily carries on that she's sorry but that they'll never be able to fix their relationship if Petunia carries on with the wedding. Petunia only continues with her nightly routine without a response to Lily.
"The Wedding"[]
While preparing for Petunia's wedding, Marge Dursley sits on Petunia's bouquet, ruining them. Petunia's mother asks Lily to head to a nearby florist. When Lily returns, Petunia is alone, and she agrees with Lily that she wishes their father was here. Petunia confirms with Lily that she used magic to fix the flowers and admits that they are pretty. Half an hour later, Petunia and Vernon are officially married.
During the wedding, Lily overhears Marge Dursley bad-mouths Lily's parents, causing Lily to throw her drink at Marge and insult her. This frustrates Petunia, further strengthened by Lily's non-answer to Petunia's question about what Marge said. Petunia scowls, and Lily mentions that she doesn't know when they'll ever see each other again. Petunia leaves for her honeymoon, saying that they had each chosen their paths.
Physical Description[]
She has ash blond hair and a pale, narrow face.