Reborn as Petunia Evans with a System

Petunia, Lily, and Severus stepped off the train onto the dark platform of Hogsmeade Station. The cool night air was thick with excitement and a tinge of nervousness. Petunia tried not to let her unease show, clutching the strap of her satchel tightly as her younger sister, Lily, beamed beside her.

"First years! Over here, first years!" boomed a deep voice. A massive figure, silhouetted by the glow of a lantern, waved them over.

As they joined the crowd, Petunia felt a tug at her arm. It was Lily. "We're supposed to go in groups of four for the boats! Come on, Tuney!"

Petunia winced at the nickname but followed. They climbed into a small boat along with Severus and a nervous-looking boy with Black hair.

The boats glided silently over the still water, and as they rounded a bend, Hogwarts came into view. The castle was illuminated against the night sky, its many turrets and towers glistening in the moonlight. Petunia's breath caught.

"It's… beautiful," she murmured.

"Breathtaking," Lily added, leaning slightly over the edge of the boat.

"It's even better than the pictures," Severus said, his voice almost reverent.

As the boats reached the shore, Petunia couldn't take her eyes off the castle. seeing the castle with its glowing windows and majestic aura, 

The first years were ushered into a grand entrance hall with ceilings so high Petunia could barely make them out. They stood in a line, their chatter replaced with the echo of footsteps. Professor McGonagall appeared, her stern expression softened only by the faintest hint of a welcoming smile.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began. Her voice carried effortlessly over the room. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but first, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because your house will be like your family while you are here. The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards."

Petunia fidgeted as McGonagall explained the process. She glanced nervously at Severus, who gave her a small, encouraging nod. Lily looked completely at ease.

The doors to the Great Hall opened, and the first years gasped. The enchanted ceiling reflected a starry night sky, and floating candles cast a warm glow over the long tables filled with students. Petunia could feel her heart race as she took in the sight.

Professor McGonagall stood before the first years, her stern expression softened by the faintest glimmer of pride in her sharp eyes. The Great Hall loomed large and breathtaking, its enchanted ceiling mirroring the clear night sky dotted with stars. Candles floated serenely, casting a warm glow over the four long tables filled with students eagerly awaiting the new arrivals. At the far end of the hall stood the staff table, with the resplendent figure of Albus Dumbledore seated at its center.

"When I call your name," Professor McGonagall began crisply, holding a long parchment scroll, "you will come forward, sit on the stool, and I will place the Sorting Hat upon your head. It will decide your house."

The first name was called, and the Sorting Ceremony began.

"Abbott, Mary!"

A nervous-looking girl with light brown hair stepped forward. The Sorting Hat barely touched her head before shouting, "HUFFLEPUFF!" Applause erupted from the Hufflepuff table as Mary hurried over to join her house.

"Bones, Edward!"

A tall boy with sandy hair approached the stool. The hat deliberated for a moment before declaring, "HUFFLEPUFF!

"Black, Sirius!"

Sirius sauntered up to the stool, exuding confidence. The hat hesitated for a moment before shouting, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Gasps filled the hall. The Slytherin table stared in shock, while Gryffindor erupted in cheers. Sirius looked momentarily stunned before grinning and joining the Gryffindor table.

Evans, Lily!"

Lily walked up with determined strides, her vibrant red hair catching the candlelight. The hat was placed on her head, and after a few seconds of contemplation, it bellowed, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Cheers exploded from the Gryffindor table. Lily beamed as she joined her house, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Evans, Petunia!"

Petunia hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. She climbed onto the stool, and the Sorting Hat descended over her head. To her astonishment, a voice spoke directly into her mind.

"Ah, this is intriguing," the hat mused. "A soul that has seen death . Yes, yes, I see it now—determination, intellect, and a yearning to prove oneself. You would do well in Slytherin with your ambition… but no, that does not align with your heart. Perhaps Gryffindor, to join your sister? Loyalty, courage… yet, you seek understanding, knowledge, and clarity. Yes… Ravenclaw."

"Ravenclaw, please," Petunia thought firmly.

"As you wish," the hat replied. "RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaw table clapped politely, and Petunia slid off the stool. She glanced briefly at Lily, who was cheering enthusiastically for her, before taking a seat at the Ravenclaw table.

"Lupin, Remus!"

A quiet boy with light scars on his face approached the stool. The hat considered him for a moment before shouting, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Remus smiled shyly and joined the Gryffindor table, receiving welcoming pats on the back.

"Macdonald, Mary!"

Mary Macdonald stepped up next. The hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" almost instantly. She beamed and hurried to sit beside Lily.

"McKinnon, Marlene!"

Marlene's confident stride to the stool drew whispers. The hat deliberated briefly before announcing, "GRYFFINDOR!" She joined Lily and Mary at the table.

"Potter, James!"

James swaggered to the stool, his glasses glinting. The hat took only a second to decide. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Cheers erupted as James joined his friends, grinning broadly.

"Rosier, Evan!"

Evan approached with a cool demeanor. The hat declared, "SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table clapped enthusiastically as Evan joined them.

"Snape, Severus!"

Severus walked to the stool, glancing at Petunia at the Ravenclaw table. As the hat settled on his head, it began to speak.

"A complicated mind," it said. "Slytherin… yes, a thirst for power, but also… a desire for connection, belonging. Ravenclaw, perhaps? Ah, you wish to follow your friend… interesting."

"Ravenclaw," Severus thought desperately. "Please, Ravenclaw."

The hat paused before shouting, "RAVENCLAW!"

The hall murmured in surprise as Severus joined Petunia at the Ravenclaw table. He offered her a small smile, which she returned, 

After the sorting, Professor Dumbledore rose to give his speech. His eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles as he welcomed the students with warmth and humor. When the feast began, the first years marveled as the tables filled with an abundance of food.

At the Ravenclaw table, the prefect, Rowena Clearwater, gathered the new students after the feast. "Welcome to Ravenclaw," she said, her voice calm and encouraging. "Here, we value intelligence, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Our common room is in the west tower. To enter, you must answer a riddle posed by the eagle-shaped knocker."

The group followed her up the spiraling staircase to the tower. Rowena paused at the door and demonstrated. The eagle knocker asked, "What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up, up it goes, and yet it never grows?"

"A mountain," Rowena answered, and the door swung open.

The common room was breathtaking. A large, airy space with arched windows overlooked the grounds. Bookshelves lined the walls, and celestial blue and silver decor filled the room. The first years gazed in awe.

"Find your dormitory and settle in," Rowena instructed. "Girls to the left, boys to the right."

Petunia entered her dormitory for the first time, her trunk hovering behind her, courtesy of a Levitation Charm she'd practiced endlessly. The room was warm and inviting, with four-poster beds draped in blue and silver, matching the Ravenclaw house colors. The soft light from the enchanted ceiling gave the room an ethereal glow, casting gentle patterns of stars across the walls.

Two girls were already inside. One had a dreamy expression and long, wispy blonde hair that fell down her back like strands of moonlight. The other was a brunette with sharp, observant eyes and an air of quiet confidence.

The blonde girl noticed Petunia first and walked toward her with an almost otherworldly grace. "Hello," she said in a lilting voice. "You're very pretty. Are you part Veela?"

Petunia blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Oh… no," she stammered, feeling her cheeks heat. "Just… ordinary."

The blonde girl tilted her head, as if pondering this. "Ordinary? I don't think so. You have a glow about you, like starlight. Maybe you have Veela ancestry and just don't know it yet."

The brunette girl chuckled softly from her bed. "Pandora, let her settle in before you start spinning your theories."

Pandora waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, Emmeline, it's not a theory. It's an observation." She turned back to Petunia. "I'm Pandora "

Petunia froze for a moment.Could this be Luna's mother? The resemblance was striking—the same dreamy gaze, the way she spoke as if she were a step out of sync with the rest of the world.

"I'm Petunia Evans," she finally said, extending her hand. Pandora ignored the handshake and instead pulled her into a quick, unexpected hug.

"Petunia… like the flower?" Pandora asked, pulling back and studying her. "That makes sense. You have a floral energy."

Emmeline rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Don't mind her. She says things like that all the time. I'm Emmeline Vance, by the way. Welcome to Ravenclaw."

"Thanks," Petunia said, glancing between her new roommates. "I'm… excited to be here."

Pandora's eyes sparkled. "Of course you are. This is where you'll find the answers to all the questions you didn't even know you had. Ravenclaw is like a giant puzzle, and you're a piece that fits perfectly."

Petunia wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she simply smiled. Pandora returned the smile, then wandered over to her own bed, where she began unpacking a collection of strange objects—a jar filled with what looked like wriggling beetles, a shimmering scarf that seemed to change colors with the light, and a small brass telescope.

"What's that for?" Petunia asked, pointing to the telescope.

"Stargazing," Pandora replied, her tone wistful. "The stars have secrets, you know. You just have to listen carefully."

Emmeline shot Petunia a look that said, She's always like this, but there was no malice in it—just a hint of fondness.

As they settled in for the night, Pandora kept speaking, her voice soft and melodic. "I wonder if the ceiling in this room reflects the real sky or if it's enchanted to show something else entirely. Do you think we're looking at another world?"

Petunia lay back on her bed, listening to Pandora's musings. There was something comforting about her voice, like a lullaby. She couldn't help but smile. If this was the mother of Luna Lovegood, it made perfect sense.

Soon, the three girls drifted off to sleep, the glow of the enchanted ceiling casting gentle patterns across their faces. Their first night at Hogwarts had begun, and with it, the promise of endless possibilities.