The wet April day came to an end and the shadows thrown by the streetlights grew longer; a light, warm breeze drifted through the dark streets of Privet Drive, making the bushes rustles and a stray leaf blow away until it unceremoniously stuck to a gate. The neighbourhood itself was made up of identical houses with neat, square gardens and driveways, slightly damp from the mild rain earlier in the day. Curtains had been drawn across, and a few were illuminated by the light inside the houses.

There was a slight creak as a door opened to reveal a woman, holding what seemed like a bundle of blankets as she stepped past the threshold. She was a tall, bony woman with blonde hair, pale blue eyes and a horse like face. She looked around nervously as though expecting a neighbour to jump out of the bushes and start asking questions. When she saw no one, Petunia Dursley made her way onto the pavement, her heels clicking against the wet pavement. The street lights illuminated a baby's face peeking out of the blankets, his bright green eyes wide open and a lightning bolt shaped scar barely hidden under a knot of jet black hair.

Petunia stared ahead determinedly, looking everywhere but at the baby. The last thing she wanted was to have one of the neighbours peek out the window and watch her go by carrying a baby who was not her son.

Twenty four hours nearly passed since Albus Dumbledore had showed up at her doorstep, to hand over her nine month old nephew over to her after persuading her that it was for the best. Her niece was nowhere in sight but the old headmaster had assured Petunia that the girl was safe, and that she would arrive soon - not that she had cared. If anything, she hadn't been happy to realise that she now she had to take care of two children she didn't want.

But a few hours later, Petunia had changed her mind, unable to look at the child without the old feelings of resentment rising to the surface. If one reminder was bad, two would be much worse, and she didn't think she could take it. And while she might've taken them in, they weren't welcome to share the comforts that belonged to her son only.

She continued to hurry down the road, and it wasn't long before her destination came in sight. She stopped in front of the door of a house that was similar to every other one in Little Whinging.

Dumbledore had said that the man living here would be there to help. But help was not what she needed. She needed to be rid of the child in her arms. She took a deep breathe and knocked.

A moment later she heard a chair scraping against the floor and the sound of scurrying feet that stopped just behind the door.

"W-who is it?" said a skittish voice.

Petunia scowled, but answered. "Petunia Dursley."

There was the familiar click of the lock and the door opened to reveal a short, nervous looking man. She took in his appearance with a sneer on her face. He had small watery, blue eyes and a thick patch of mousy brown hair and didn't look to be much younger than her. There was a spot of dirt on his temple and his clothing was as nondescript as his features. His eyes grew wide as he took in the bundle in her arms.

"Peter Pettigrew?" she asked, barely keeping the derision out of her voice.

"M-Mrs. Dursley," he said, his voice squeaking slightly. "What can I do for you? W-would you like to come in?

He moved away from the door and held it open for her. She stepped past the threshold and Pettigrew closed the door behind. He led her through the dimly lit hallway and into the living room.

She stopped short at the doorway.

This wasn't what she was expecting. She knew that Pettigrew had only moved in this evening, and yet, the room looked like he had been living here for years.

A couple of photos were already hung up on the bland, cream coloured walls. The brown sofa and patched, stuffy armchairs had already been arranged around the fireplace. Worn cabinets, bookshelves and the mantelpiece were already filled up. There was no sign of dust at all. Petunia couldn't help but feel unnerved.

"Please sit," squeaked Pettigrew. Still edgy, she moved to an armchair and sat down. It was then she noticed a bassinet on the floor, facing her so that she could see the other child, the tuft of red hair glinting from the fire.

The girl looked rather frail and sickly, far too delicate even for a baby. Like her brother, she was awake, her wide hazel eyes taking in the sight of her Aunt. Then, the girl's mouth stretched into a toothless smile, and there was a small noise that sounded like laughter. Petunia almost smiled back. Almost.

"Would you like some tea?"

She near jumped at the voice and looked back at Pettigrew, who was frowning as his eyes darted between Petunia and the girl.

"No, thank you," said Petunia crisply; she wanted this over with quickly. She held the boy out to him, forcing Pettigrew to take him; he held the baby rather awkwardly. "I've only come here to leave the boy here. Vernon and I can't keep either of them."

The man stared at her for a moment. He looked like he was expecting something like this."Dumbledore explained - "

"I know what he said," she snapped. The man flinched a little. "But I can't do this. I'm not going to look after three children at a time. I have my own son to look after and we can't afford to care for them as well."

"Dumbledore - " he began again but Petunia cut him off again.

"They're your Godchildren. You can take them. I don't see why your kind can't look after them! And these two are just going to be exactly like you and L -Lil - " she took a deep breath as her voice cracked. "Well, Vernon and I don't want to deal with any of this. You're their Godfather."

Pettigrew was silent for a bit. He glanced down at the boy with an unreadable expression, and then at the girl, his eyes softening.

"I could take them," he said quietly. "But I won't be able to protect them the way you can. Dumbledore told you what L-Lily did, how she and J-J-James died. You don't understand the danger the two of them are in. None of us can give them the protection you can. I know how you feel about us, but they're your niece and nephew, your blood. Are you really going to leave them to their fate?" She flushed angrily but Pettigrew plunged on. "If you and your sister had your positions reversed, you know what Lily - and for that matter, J-James - would've done."

"Our positions would never have been reversed because I would never have joined your freakish world! I would never have put myself or my family in danger like that!" snapped Petunia.

Pettigrew flinched violently at swallowed and said "Nevertheless. What's happened has happened, and Harry and Kate are danger and you are the only person who can protect them fully, now and later. Will you let your sister's children die because of your refusal to protect them?"

"It was Petunia's turn to flinch. "I..." She took a deep breathe. "I cannot look after all of them at once. My Dudley needs me and I can't spend all my time attending these two."

That's what I'm here for," said Pettigrew. "I may not be able to take them in, but the least I can do is to keep an eye on them. It's why Dumbledore helped me find a house close to them. I-I will make sure they're provided for and give you any help you need."

She didn't think much about the idea of him helping her but who was she to complain if she didn't have to spend anymore than necessary for the two of them.

"Fine," she said, primly. "Fine. Vernon and I will provide them a roof of their head and feed them, but that's it. You can pay for the clothes or anything else. But we will not tolerate anything that has to do with your lot. You can keep it limited to your house. We don't want the neighbours asking any questions. And you will not interfere with the way we deal with these two. And most importantly, you keep far away from my Dudders. I don't want your kind anywhere near him and I will not have you at my home or come over here unless absolutely required."

"I can agree to that," said Pettigrew instantly, and handled the boy back to her. He went over to the girl and picked her up, looking far more comfortable as he held her. He smiled down at her when she let out a small squeal and waved around two small arms.

They sat there in an tense silence for about two minutes, staring at each other.

"I will bring Kate over in a few days," said Pettigrew, finally, "once we're sure she's going to be alright."

"Very well, then," said Petunia, standing up. "I have to go back home now, but we'll need to make arrangements tomorrow. If you'll give me your telephone number - "

Tella - phone?" said Pettigrew, his brows furrowed.

Petunia stared at him, her disgust and astonishment at his ignorance plain on her face. She pursed her lips. "I expect that you will come home tomorrow morning. You can at least find your way there, I presume."

Pettigrew scowled but nodded.

Without another word, Petunia turned and walked off still cradling her nephew in her arms,a sour look on her face. She had just stepped out the front door when he called to her, standing at the door frame, bouncing the gurgling child in his arms.

"The funeral is in two days," Pettigrew said and Petunia flinched. "You'll be attending?"

Petunia opened her mouth and closed it again, trying to reign in the tears that suddenly threatened to fall. She took a deep breath.

"No," she replied, a slight tremor in her voice. She slammed the door shut behind her as she walked back the way she came.