Chapter 1: Prolog

~ November 2nd 1981 ~

"Vernon! Come quickly, there is something on our front porch!" Petunia Dursley nee Evans screeched over her shoulder towards her husband and the kitchen at the back of the house.

Mrs. Dursley was the perfect housewife, thank you very much. She had the perfect husband and the perfect one-year-old little boy named Dudley. Such a dignified name for such a lovely boy. She had the perfect house at 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging. Her lovely house was a gift from her parents when she married Vernon, the house was 2 stories, perfectly matching all the other homes on the same block. Perfection.

Mrs. Dursley has a secret that her dear sweet husband does not know even after years of marriage. Soon, however, she will be unable to keep it any longer.

"What is it Petunia?" Vernon bellows from the kitchen. "Can't you see I am eating? I need to be at work early for the meeting with the directors about the new drill line."

"Please dear just come take ca-"

"WAAHHHH Mama! Papa! Dafoo! 'arry wan Mama!" Petunia hears a small boy crying from the bundle of blankets on her front step and before she knows what she is doing; she is bouncing the poor child trying to calm- him?- down, more out of shock than anything else at the moment. Normally she would not dare think of touching something that is obviously filthy! Sitting on her front stoop like that probably all night. She looks into the small boy's eyes and sees Lily's looking back with completely black hair flopping over his forehead. Could this be lily's child? Nonsense! Not here.

She doesn't seem to notice the small note floating to the stoop and being blown away by the early morning breeze. Just a bit of thick looking paper with a red wax seal.

"Impossible." Petunia breathed looking into the emerald green eyes. I haven't seen Lily in years. I knew she had a son, we did try to keep up with the important things. Why would they drop him off here. With another cry from the little bundle Petunia's attention is pulled back to it. "Poor Harry, Shhh, it's alright. We need to get you inside! You must be freezing, oh when I find out who put a little baby, let alone Lily's son, outside in the morning like this I'll give them what for!" Petunia murmured to herself and little Harry in her arms. "Vernon! Some idiot put a poor little boy on our front step! What on earth should I do?"

"Woman! "Vernon starts with an angry sneer. "How should I know? I have to go to work! It's a woman's place to take care of it before I come home tonight though, I can't have distractions about this house." Vernon does not leave Petunia time to question this decision though has he is already up and lumbering out the door.

Stunned by the callous attitude of her dear husband, Petunia decides to ignore it in favor of making sure the adorable bundle is cared for. "Well we should get you something to eat little guy, something must have happened to Lily, and until I find out what I'll put you right next to my Dudders, you two will get along so well! I'll do for you like she would do for my Dudders." Petunia says with a fiery flash of determination in her eyes. "She would have stopped at nothing for him so I will find someone who knows what to do about you." Petunia proceeds to set the little boy in a chair and untangle him from the blanket he was wrapped in.

"Mama! 'arry wan Mama!"

"Oh Mama will be right back dear! She dropped you off to play with a new friend!" Petunia says soothingly, trying to head off a temper tantrum. Last thing I need is two upset toddlers on my hands while trying to find Lily! Not to mention he is probably a... witch. Not freak. Something so little and sweet could never be a freak. "Now you stay right here and eat your apple sauce while Aunt Petunia does a little work." after making sure her charges were eating contently - if not a little messy- she turns and walks into the hallway.

Petunia hurries up to the attic to a small trunk, Purple with silver metal corners and a delicately carved latch in the front, unassuming and normal as could be. She gently pricks her finger on the small needle and presses it into the lock indentation. Oh Lily, I miss that Christmas... Petunia gently lifts a few odd pieces of clothing, a box or two and all the way in the back covered in a small layer of dust. Upon opening it she sees a small pile of books, letters to lily from long ago...

"...Oh the Castle is lovely! We got in these boats that moved all on their own and the castle was lit up by what had to of been millions of candles..." September 3, 1971

"...Can't wait to come home and see you and Mum for Christmas! I've missed you! I found out that Witches practice Yule traditions this book ..." November 30, 1971

"...Exams are going well, Sev is a life saver as a study partner! His new friends seem odd around me though. I'll be home soon!..." March 28, 1972

"... Petunia? I know it wasn't the best summer but I would still appreciate talking with you, I''m still the same person! I have so much to tell you..." September 1, 1972

"...I can't be that girl anymore! I need to learn how to do this or else the stuff that happened when I was little will start to happen again!..." January 23, 1973

"... Please don't give up on us, It's not the same without you Petunia, I miss us as a family. No one here can replace you and I just thought that..." February 2, 1973

"... I guess we can't fix this, I'll try to tell you about the big things. Don't worry, I won't expose you to my "freakness"..." April 18, 1973

"... Yes of course. I won't unless it's something big. I still love you big sis, I guess this is Goodbye..." March 5, 1973

"... You are invited to attend the bonding in marriage of one Heir James Charles Potter and Lily Jane Evans..." October 24, 1978

"... He was born just yesterday, he has my eyes! I wish you would come visit or something. I still miss you..." August 1, 1980

Petunia sat there with cloudy eyes looking through the letters. Where did I go wrong? She was my little sister... I just pushed her away! for what? Petunia sat there reading some of the letter with small tear tracks on her cheeks. She took a deep breath and turned back to the trunk looking at the bottom there was a well worn piece of parchment with green writing on it...

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class; Grand Sorc., Chf Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Evans

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Petunia sets the letter aside and returns the larger stack of letters to their original spot. Closing the lid as she stands Petunia returns to the kitchen.

"Hello my handsome boys!" Petunia cleans up from breakfast and tends to the boys. She sets them down to play in the living room for the time being.

Petunia sits at the kitchen table staring at the letter. I want to keep the boy but Vernon will not like the idea. Tomorrow I'll get a babysitter for Dudders and take Harry to London. I'm sure I'll find someone who can tell me. Robes and all that. Shouldn't be too hard, if not I'll find that Leaky Cup place. I remember going there to get Lily's books. Yes, that is what I'll do. I'll find out what happened and find Lily. For little Harry. With that decision firmly in mind Petunia calls up Mrs. Pawalin from up the lane to arrange the play date/ babysitting and go about cleaning up after the boys.

~ Later that same day ~

"Petunia! I'm home, where's dinner?" Vernon bellowed as he walked in the door.

"oh good you're home dear! Dinner will be on the table in just a bit. How was work? Did Mr. Ecent finish that new drill line proposal?"

"No, damn buzzard needed more trials he says. Hmf I say. Just a waste of time and money! Director agreed to stay on the safe side though." Vernon sets down his keys and briefcase while walking towards the back, but he catches sight of the two boys playing in the living room before he even gets halfway to the kitchen. "Petunia! Why is the little filth still here! I thought I told you to take care of it."

Don't you call my dear nephew filth you miserable man!

"Ah well dear, actually I was so busy today I didn't have time… so I set it up that Dudders would have a play date tomorrow while I took care of it then." Petunia replied after having to take a deep breath to stop from snapping at her dear husband.

"Humf. I told you to take care of it today!" He rages through the hallway towards the dining room.

"I'm sorry honey, but I just didn't find the time, it was so sudden you know?" and I refuse to give up my nephew to some half baked rundown orphanage! "I didn't want to drag poor Dudders everywhere."

"Well if I come home tomorrow and it isn't gone there will be hell to pay." Vernon says sternly.

"Well no need to rush everything sweetheart! Dinner's on the table dear." Petunia walks over and gives Vernon a consolatory kiss on the cheek.

~ November 3rd 1981 ~

That morning Petunia walks up just a bit earlier in order to get her charges ready in time to be out the door just after Vernon. Too much to do that day with so little time it seems. Petunia drops off Dudley at Mrs. Pawalin's house on Magnolia Crescent and starts her drive to London just after 8:20.

Walking through London with Harry in a baby carrier, Petunia Evans is constantly looking for the Leaky Cup or those Robes she would see Lily wear from time to time. It was just past eleven in the morning. She was slowly making her way towards where she remembered the bar being, soon however she was too tired to keep walking with little Harry and ducked into an inconspicuous looking restaurant off the main street. looking around she spots a table off to the left and- wait. What were these people wearing! Robes... That's what they are called. With renewed energy she walks up to the bar and gets the attention of the barkeep.

"Hello can you show me the way to the alley please?" Petunia says with the most confidence she can muster. It wouldn't do well for these people to see how little she knew or how nervous she was about this trip.

"O' course, names' Tom! I'll be right wi'ch ya!" Tom says with an easy smile while getting some drinks for those sitting at the counter.

"Thank you, Tom."

After about five minutes Petunia sees Tom coming out from the bar and she walks over to meet him.

"Follow me." Tom says when he spots her from the crowd and leads her towards the back and into a back door. "Now it's easy, you take your wand and tap this brick three times like so." Tom moves to tap a brick five right and three up from a large crack in the face of the wall. "and wala! There's the ally."

Petunia nearly forgot to answer him as she looked at the whimsical shopping district laid out before her. with a quick thank you to the friendly barkeep she made her way to the bank she remembered from her few visits to the Alley. The tall pure white marble building in the back middle of the Alley was hard to miss.

~inside the bank~

Petunia steps into the bank and takes a deep breath while holding Harry a touch closer she walks carefully up to a free teller. "Good Morning, sir"

The goblin behind the counter has a quick flash of surprise flicker across his pointed face. No one was been that polite to him in years. With renewed interest for the day he replies "Good Morning to you Madam. How may Gringotts help you?"

"Um, well sir you see. This poor little boy was dropped off on my stoop yesterday morning and I have a feeling it's my nephew. His name would be Harry Potter and as my sister was a witch, I knew this was the place to go in order to figure out how to proceed. First I would like to know where my sister is." Petunia said, halting at first but gaining confidence as she continued to speak.

The goblin nearly fell off his chair at this. "Of course. Miss Evans?"

"Mrs. Dursley now thank you for asking, and your name?" She replies swiftly with a kind smile.

"Brimlow, is my name. Very well, Mrs. Dursley I think it would be best to confirm the child's identity before proceeding as well as your own. If you have any questions just ask." The goblin brings out two sheets of paper and a small knife. "This will confirm your identity as well as the child's. it only requires a drop of blood on the parchment. if you do not mind going first."

"Of course, Lily explained quite a bit about this world to me before we grew apart." Petunia carefully pricks the end of her ring finger and lets a small drop fall onto the parchment. After Brimlow gives her a stoney nod she quickly returns the dagger and cleans her finger.

"Now we wait a minute for the spell work to complete." Brimlow says. Petunia bounces Harry while they wait. "Now, you are Petunia Dursley nee Evans. confirmed. On to the child now." Petunia holds Harry's fist up closer to the counter and once again takes up the small knife. Harry cries once the knife pricks his finger and tries to squirm but Petunia manages to hold him still until a drop falls on the second parchment. Another minute passes with the goblin waiting patiently and Petunia trying to calm Harry down. "And Harry James Potter." The goblin reads in disbelief. quickly collecting himself he continues on. "Mrs. Dursley I would recommend requesting to meet with the Potter Account Manager before you do anything else."

"Yes please, Brimlow. That sounds lovely. What time would be best for his convenience?"

"For him" Brimlow points to Harry. "Manager Borenok will be available immediately. Allow me to place summons and I'll show you to a meeting room." After quickly writing something on a parchment, Brimlow rolls it up and places it seemingly in the corner of his desk. Brimlow then gets off his seat and comes around motioning for Petunia to follow him.

Brimlow walks quickly through a tall doorway and down the long hallway, more halls branch off and random intervals, many different shaped doors break up the smooth stone wall. Tall, round, wooden, stone, metal, open, arches, all manner of them pass in a blur as Petunia walks. Petunia finds herself unable to follow where Brimlow is taking her rather quickly. After about ten minutes of walking Brimlow stops in front of a round wooden door and knocks.

A gruff voice answers. "Enter." Brimlow steps forward and opens the door beckoning Petunia to enter before himself.

Anything you recognize isn't mine! Jk Rowling is our queen! Special note to the Hogwarts Acceptance letter.

This is my first fanfiction. I hope to get reviews with good notes (no bashing for no reason or they will be removed!) on where you would like to see this story go. As of right now I don't have any pairings planned but there might be later with rating subject to change (you have been warned!).