Perfection Lost


Prologue

Petunia Dursley, a tall, thin woman with ash blonde hair and light green eyes, opened her front door to pick up the morning newspaper from the step. Her eyes widened in disbelief for instead of her daily paper there was a sleeping baby in a basket. The poor child had nothing but a thin blue blanket tucked around him with a piece of paper pinned to the side of the basket. His whole little body was being racked by tremors from the cold. Without another thought, Petunia bent down and scooped the small child from the basket making sure to keep the blanket wrapped securely around him. He appeared to be just a little over a year old. She frowned in confusion as she suddenly felt the need to put the child down. He was disgusting! His blanket smelled of smoke, and he had a cut just above his right eye in the shape of a lightning bolt. The longer she held the child, the more disgusted and angry Petunia became, so she grabbed the basket and note and carried the child into the house. Her disgust and anger only intensified the closer she held the child to her.

She immediately unwrapped the baby and threw the blanket in the nearest trash bin. Almost instantly, the disgust and near hatred she'd been feeling faded away. Scrunching her brow, she realized that the baby was her own nephew, Harry, Lily's son. Why would he be left here like this? She unpinned the note all the while balancing the baby in one arm. He was quite the healthy little thing with chub rolls under his chin and on his little wrists. Quite cuddly, Petunia thought as she opened the note.

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,

I regret to inform you that your sister, Lily Jazmine Potter nee' Evans has been murdered. This child is her only son, Harry James Potter. I leave him to your care.

Sincerely,

Supreme Mugwump, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Cheif Warlock

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Petunia gasped and began trembling. NO! She thought. Lily couldn't be dead! Where was James? The note said nothing about James. Why was little Harry brought here? Petunia knew in that moment that something was fiercely wrong. She knew that, even in the wizarding world, that children were not just left on a doorstep when their mothers died. She decided to try to contact Lily and James' friends. Hopefully Sirius would know what was going on. She took the baby up to the room that she and Vernon had prepared for their own little one, Dudley. She blinked back the tears as she lay Harry down in the cot. First her little boy had been lost to sudden infant death syndrome, and now Lily had been murdered. She knew that with the profession Lily had chosen that she was always in danger, but murdered? Grief slammed into her heart with a ferocious force as she dressed Harry and tucked a green blanket around the small child left in her care. She swallowed back a sob as she turned on the unused baby monitor and left the room. She had a letter to write.

Sirius,

I don't know what's going on, but I just found little Harry in a basket on my doorstep. Who leaves a baby in nothing but a diaper with only a thin blanket outside in November?! There was a small note attached that said Lily is dead. Where is James? Why was Harry brought to me if his father is still alive? Please write back, or come by soon. I'm very distraught. I need you.

Tuney

Petunia folded the note up how Lily had shown her when they were children so that the owl could carry it. She then went out to the backyard and whistled. A small, tawny owl flew down from the roof and landed on her outstretched hand. She was so glad Lily had gifted her with Larry. Yes, it was a silly name, but Petunia had had a crush on a boy named Larry when Lily had given her the owl before she started her second year at Hogwarts. So the name stuck.

"Take this to Sirius Black. I don't know where he might be, but I hope you find him quickly."

The small owl nipped her fingers affectionately before taking flight. Petunia sighed and went back in the house to check on little Harry. She was terrified of leaving him alone for too long. Oh, how she missed her own child. Dudley had been such a quiet baby. She had thought nothing of it when she'd gone in to check on him and he hadn't made any noise. It was when she'd picked him up that she realized he wasn't breathing. She'd called an ambulance and sent a note off to Lily for help, but the ambulance was too late; and Lily had held her and cried with her after explaining that there was nothing even magic could do. It took a lot for Petunia not to blame her sister for her son's death. Magic could do the impossible! How could it not save her baby boy? But, in the end, she had realized that it wasn't Lily's fault. It still hurt deeply. It had only been a little over a year since Dudley had gone to sleep and not woken up. Petunia and Vernon both had left the nursery just as it was the last time her baby had been in there. They hadn't had the heart to change anything, yet. And now, she was grateful that she hadn't given all of the baby things away. She would die herself before she let anything happen to her nephew.

Petunia lifted Harry from the cot and noticed that his eyes were open. He was looking at her with his little head tilted to the side curiously. He knew this woman. She reminded him of his mummy. Where was his mummy?

"Mah!" Harry blurted at Petunia. Petunia smiled at him as he waved his short little arms at her.

"Mummy isn't here, my little Love." Petunia responded sadly. She wasn't sure if the boy would understand or not, so was a bit surprised when he scrunched up his nose and tried again.

"Dah!" Harry tried with a hopeful look in his eyes. The last he'd seen his mummy and daddy there had been a bad man yelling at them. His mummy had grabbed him and tried to run away, but Harry didn't know what happened after that.

"Oh, Harry," Petunia sighed softly. "I don't know where your daddy is right now, but I'm trying to find out. Would you like a plushy to play with?" She picked up a wolf plushy that Remus had given to Dudley when he was born and tickled the baby's nose with the false fur.

"Mooey!" Harry cried out happily and grabbed the stuffed wolf. If Moony was here, then everything was okay. He hugged the plushy to his chest with a big smile at the pretty lady.

"Mooey?" Petunia asked. "Do you mean Moony, Love?" She smiled down at the baby. He was quite vocal for his age. Maybe I should send a note off to Remus as well, Petunia thought to herself as she carried Harry downstairs. Maybe Remus would know what's going on. She was a little sad that her own nephew didn't seem to know her as well as he should have done. She sighed softly knowing it was because she had distanced herself a bit from Lily and her family after she and Vernon had lost Dudley.

Oh dear, she hoped Vernon would understand. He'd been so distant since Dudley. They had been so very happy when she'd found out she was pregnant, and Vernon couldn't have been more proud of their beautiful baby when he was born. Petunia feared that Vernon blamed her for his loss and was a bit afraid that he would demand she get rid of Harry. Vernon had never gotten quite comfortable with magic, being a muggle and all. Perhaps little Harry could help with that. Petunia so badly wanted to be there for her nephew like his mother had been there for her after her loss.

"No crwy," Harry said as he patted her cheeks with his chubby little hands. He didn't know why this nice lady was crying, but he didn't like seeing her so sad. She looked a lot like his mummy and he never wanted his mummy to be sad either. "Mooey make betta," Harry said while pushing the plushy against his aunt's shoulder like the stuffed wolf was giving her a hug.

Petunia smiled down at the sweet baby and went to the kitchen to write a letter to Remus.

Remus,

I sent a letter off to Sirius, but haven't heard back from him, yet. Please contact me as soon as you possibly are able. I have Harry. He was left on my doorstep this morning with a note from your old headmaster, Dumbledore. I can't believe the man would leave a baby outside in just a diaper with a thin blanket in November! Is he insane?! Please, please write back or come to the house. We still live at Number four Privet Drive in Surrey. I'm very confused about what is going on. Where is James?! The note Dumbledore left said Lily has been murdered, but there's nothing about James. Please, Remus, I need help.

Tuney


*****HP****

Petunia and Harry were sitting on a blanket in the living room floor playing with plastic blocks when Vernon arrived home from work that day. Petunia was absolutely amazed at the magic the child was already showing. Lily had told her that he was quite advanced already, but Petunia hadn't realized just how advanced. Little Harry was waving his chubby hands around making the blocks float to land on top of each other. They had a very precariously balanced block tower that tumbled to the ground when the front door opened. Harry's head whipped around to see who had come in the door. He was so hoping it was his mummy or daddy. When Vernon walked through the door, Harry threw his arms out wide and shouted, "Fernown!" Petunia gasped in surprised. Harry had only ever met Vernon once, but they had gotten on like a kitten with a box. Her anxiety eased when Vernon smiled happily at her nephew.

"Hello there, Little Man!" Vernon responded happily. He'd always adored babies, and missed his son so very much. Seeing his nephew with his wife playing brought a smile to his face. This little boy was just too adorable. "Hello, Pet," he said as he leaned down to brush a kiss against Petunia's cheek. Petunia smiled up at him.

"Vernon, something awful has happened," Petunia whispered shakily. "Li-Lily is d-dead!" she sobbed quietly.

"Oh, Pet," Vernon sighed, "what has happened?" He put his briefcase on the table and sat on the floor next to his wife and pulled her into his arms.

"I don't know!" Petunia wailed as she pressed her face into his chest. His strong arms tightened around her as he ran one hand through her hair comfortingly. "I went out to get the paper this morning, and found Harry in a basket! He was only in a diaper!"

"What?!" Vernon was outraged. Who in their bloody right mind left a one year old who was perfectly capable of walking, if a bit clumsily, on his own in a damned basket on a doorstep! In a diaper! In November! His face was quickly becoming a light puce color in his anger.

"Yes, I know. It's quite surprising, but I don't know where James is at, or why Harry was left here. I've sent off letters to Remus and Sirius, but no one has responded! We have to keep Harry here until we know what's happened to James. I won't let my nephew go anywhere without me!" Petunia was quite determined that her husband would allow her nephew to stay.

"Of course, Pet, of course!" Vernon exclaimed. He wasn't going to let anything happen to this child. He had already lost his own, he would not lose his nephew as well. "How long has it been since you sent off the letters? You know it can take some time before they are received, especially if Remus and Sirius are far from here."

"I sent them this morning as soon as I found Harry," Petunia answered softly. She was still in her husband's arms with little Harry sitting in her lap. The baby reached up and patted her cheeks again saying, "No Cwry, Uny."

Vernon smiled down at the little boy and wrapped his arms around him too. He was quite the precocious child. It made Vernon's heart soar when the baby reached up and patted his cheeks too.

"If we don't hear from them by tomorrow morning, I will go to that pub that Lily showed us in case of emergencies and try to find someone who knows what's happened." Vernon suggested to his distraught wife.

"Oh, thank you, Vernon!" Petunia exclaimed. She knew he was uncomfortable with magic, and for him to volunteer to go into the magical world meant he was just as concerned about Harry and his parents as she was herself.

"Here, I'll take Harry and you can go get dinner started, Pet." Vernon released his hold on his wife and picked up the cute baby and tossed him in the air making him squeal happily.

"Okay, thank you, Love." Petunia got up, straightened her clothes, wiped the tears from her face, and went to prepare dinner for the three of them. Hopefully they would hear from someone soon.


****HP****

Vernon had just secured Harry in the high chair to feed him when there was a loud knock on the door. He turned to Petunia and saw that she had her hands full with putting a small roast on the table and said, "I'll get the door."

When he opened the door he was surprised to see not only Remus, but Sirius and a teenage girl he had never met. His eyes widened slightly when the girl's hair slowly turned from mousy brown to a bright vivid blue.

"Oh my!" Vernon exclaimed in surprised. "Come in, come in!" His eyes never left the girl's hair as he ushered the two wizards and witch into the house. Magic still amazed him. Petunia thought he was adverse to it, but that wasn't the case. He'd just never been around it enough to become comfortable. It still amazed him that people could do so much with just a thought.

"Vernon," Sirius said with a polite nod. "This is my cousin, Nymph. She came with us to watch Harry while we talk."

"We were just sitting down to dinner. Would you like to join us?" Vernon responded politely. He had always gotten on with Remus, but didn't know Sirius quite as well as the other man. For some reason, Petunia didn't speak about Sirius as she did the others.

"Oh, we can't," Sirius began only to be interrupted by Remus.

"Is that Tuney's famous pot roast I smell?" Remus asked with a mischevious glance at his companions. He knew Sirius would give in as soon as he knew what was for dinner. It was well known amongst the Marauders that Lily's sister was an excellent cook. The woman could have been a famous chef if she'd so chosen.

"Tuney's roast?" Sirius asked with a grin. "Well, don't mind if I do." The animagus sauntered into the kitchen to the sound of exasperated chuckles from Remus.

Remus reached out and put a hand on Vernon's shoulder to get his attention before they entered the kitchen. "How is she taking it?"

Vernon sighed deeply and said, "She's torn up about her sister, but seems to be clinging to Harry to help displace her grief. I'm glad you could come. She's going to need you."

"We will always be here to help a friend. And you and Tuney are our friends."

"Thank you, Remus," Vernon said as he motioned for them to go into the kitchen. He looked over his shoulder at the young girl and chuckled when she tripped over some non-existant something. "Shall we?"


****HP****

"Pa'foo!" Harry hollered when Sirius entered the kitchen, his fat little arms waving madly.

"Hello there, munchkin!" Sirius said with a sad smile. This was going to be so hard. Lily was dead, and James was missing. It took all Sirius had to maintain his composure in front of the little tyke.

"Hi, Sirius," Petunia whispered. She'd always been shy around her sister's handsome friend. Sirius Black was the most gorgeous man she'd ever laid eyes on before. She remembered how Lily had convinced Sirius to go on a double date with her, James, and Petunia. It had been fun, but Sirius and Petunia just weren't meant to be. She was too shy. He was too boisterous. It just wouldn't have worked. Or, so she kept telling herself.

"Tuney, c'mere, Love." Sirius wrapped her in his arms as she collapsed against him. "It's going to be okay."

"N-no, it's not," Petunia sobbed quietly into his chest. Sirius had always given the best hugs. "Li-lily!"

"I got your letter and came right away. I brought Remus and my cousin, Nymph, with me to help out." Sirius said quietly as he watched Harry smashing peas and mashed potatoes into his hair. That was going to be fun getting out, he thought to himself.

"Nymph?" Petunia asked as she pulled away from the man who would always have a small part of her heart. For you see, she had never gotten over her attraction to Sirius, but knew it wasn't meant to be for them. She was content now with Vernon, but their relationship wasn't the fire and passion and lust and the oh-my-god-overwhelming-don't-leave-my-sight kind of relationship that she knew she would have had with Sirius. She pushed those thoughts away and turned to Harry and laughed sadly.

"Oh my! Look at you!" Petunia called out with a small smile and a sigh. "You're suppose to eat the veggies, not wear them, Love."

"Pa'foo! Up!" Sirius couldn't deny the chubby little arms reaching out to him and plucked the baby from the high chair tickling his tummy.

He sat down at the table and looked at Petunia expectantly. "I was told there was Tuney's famous roast that was in dire need of me eating it." He said seriously with a raised brow.

Petunia giggled at Sirius' antics and began serving him a plate piled high with roast, potatoes, peas, and garlic bread. He always had been able to make her feel better. Sirius reached out and grabbed her hand giving it a small squeeze in thanks. This is what the others saw as they entered the room.

"Ah, I see how it is, Sirius," Vernon said somberly, "you have taken it upon yourself to steal away my wife for her fabulous culinary skills!" His moustache twitched in amusement as Sirius jerked his hand away from Petunia with a sheepish smile at her husband.

"It wouldn't be because of her culinary skills that I stole her away," Sirius muttered under his breath. He still wished he could go back and convince Tuney that they would be good together. After all, it had been her decision to not explore a relationship between them. One night, and what a magnificent night it had been, was all she'd allowed him before telling him that it would never work. He sometimes wondered if she ever regretted that decision. He knew he did.

"What was that?" Vernon asked when he saw Sirius' lips moving, but couldn't hear what was said.

"Oh," Sirius stuttered as he fought down a blush at being caught out by the husband of the woman he wanted, "nothing. You are absolutely right!" Vernon gave him a funny look, but turned to take his own seat at the table.

Remus saw how Sirius was watching Petunia and he hoped that someday they would work things out, but he liked Vernon and didn't want to see him hurt. So, with that thought in mind, he found himself a seat and began eating the food that Petunia had placed in front of him.

"I already had dinner!" Nymphadora blurted out before blushing bright red at her rudeness. "But, I'll take Harry and get him cleaned up!" She quickly added scooping Harry out of Sirius' lap and laughing when the baby smeared peas across his godfather's nose.

"Oh, thank you, Dear," Petunia said, "The bathroom is upstairs and the second door to the right." She picked up a napkin to wipe of Siri's face, but just caught herself in time and handed it to him with a blush. He took it with a little smirk at her shyness.

As soon as Nymph had taken Harry to clean up, Petunia looked Sirius dead in the eye and demanded, "What the bloody hell is going on? What happened to Lily? Where the hell is James? And WHY was my nephew left on the doorstep!?"

It was Remus who answered because Sirius had a mouth full of roast and was hurriedly chewing so he could answer, but wasn't having much luck. That's what happens when you shove your mouth so full that you look like a chipmunk.

"The house in Godric's Hollow was destroyed. All we know is that they were attacked. Lily was hit with the killing curse protecting Harry, we found her body lying in front of the fireplace. It looked like she had been trying to floo away with Harry. And James is nowhere to be found. I got there just after Sirius when we felt the wards around the house go off. We'd been staying there to help Jamie with a project from work, and those wards are the only reason why we knew anything was wrong at all. Harry was already gone when I got there, but Sirius said Hagrid had agreed to bring him to you. I can't believe he just left him here like that though. It doesn't seem like Hagrid to do something so callous to a child. I tried to reach him after receiving your letter, but there's been no word or any sight of him since he left Godric's Hollow. I also tried to reach Dumbledore. No answer, or known whereabouts, of him either." Remus explained quietly.

"Oh." Petunia was wide eyed and terrified. What was so powerful to destroy a house besides a bomb? But this was a magical explosion. She wondered if maybe James had been kidnapped and decided to ask.

"Well, that's what we thought at first too. But, you see, his wand was on the floor. Even kidnapped, Jamie wouldn't have lost his wand." Sirius answered gruffly. "He has a special holster that prevents it from being removed from his person. If he'd been disarmed, the wand would have automatically returned to the holster."

"What do we do from here?" Vernon asked softly. "The boy can stay with us. I know you two are very busy most days, and I'm sure Pet would love to have a little one in the house again."

"Oh, Vernon!" Petunia exclaimed in happiness and roughly kissed his lips before pulling away to stare at Sirius. She saw the jealousy in his eyes but chose to ignore it. For now. "Please, Siri, please let him stay?!"

"Of course," Sirius said with a tight smile. There was no way in hell he was going to tell her no after she used his nickname in that pleading voice. The damned woman had him wrapped around her little finger without even trying hard. He sighed quietly. It didn't help that she'd looked at him longingly after kissing her husband either.

"Well, I think we must be going. There are still a lot of people that need to be informed of what has happened. Thank you for dinner, and I'm so very sorry." Remus said somberly as he rose from the table. "Give Harry hugs and kisses for me, please. I don't want to upset him when we leave."

"Any time, Remus," Vernon answered as his eyes traveled from his wife to Sirius. He knew there was something he was missing there, but didn't really care to figure out what it was at this time. "Please stay in touch. Harry is going to need all of us."

"Absolutely!" Sirius agreed as he too rose from the table. "I will be by every weekend, at least, to see Harry."

"We look forward to it," Petunia answered with a tiny smile to herself. Oh, yes, she would look forward to seeing Sirius Black anytime.

With a goodbye and a kiss to Harry's forehead, Sirius and Nymph left the little family to their evening.

"What's next?" Nymph asked.

"Now, we go find James."


AN: This is my first ever Harry Potter fanfiction. I hope you like it. I've read a lot of stories about how Harry is abused growing up, and decided to write one where he's treated well by his family. If you have questions, please pm me. Please review!