A/N: That wasn't the first time Sirius had appeared on her doorstep. So, I had an idea to extend this a bit (to satisfy another challenge). So in this AU, Sirius' relationship with a Muggle is the straw that broke the camel's back and instead of going to the Potters' after the incident with his parents, Sirius goes to Petunia's house. This can be read without reading the first chapter.

Submission for:

Unusual Ship Bingo [Game 1]: Sirius/Petunia

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

There was a knock on the Evans' front door, causing the inhabitants of the small living room to turn their gazes from the television towards it.

Mr Evans rose from his seat, softly muttering under his breath about careless visitors this late at night, but Petunia noticed the slight caution in her father's step. Late visitors usually never meant any good.

The women turned back to the flickering screen, the noise drowning out the soft opening of the door. However, they all heard Mr Evans exclamation of "Good Lord," before a low thud followed.

The women ran from the room, Mrs Evans trailing behind her two daughters as they all took in the sight. Mr Evans crouched down, supporting the hanging head of their visitor, his mop of black hair covering his face. His body lay limply in the threshold of the home, the exposed parts of his skin revealing deep red cuts and purpling skin.

"Sirius!" Petunia cried, rushing to the boy's side. She frantically slapped his cheek, trying desparately to keep him from passing out.

His eyes flickered open, focusing on her face for a moment before he closed them back, the effort too much for him. But he pushed himself to say, "I told them..."

Tears streamed down Petunia's cheek as she cradled the boy to her body, her father taking a step back. He told them, his parents about his and her relationship, his affections for a filthy Muggle.

They had been exchanging letters over the course of the year. At first, she hated everything about him and his magic, just like she hated Lily, and she couldn't understand why he wouldn't leave her alone. However, over time he wore her down, his perserverance enough to win her heart.

But they're relationship was forbidden. He warned her this would happen if he told them. She had told him to stay away then, for his safety, and she stopped responding to him, ignoring the owls that tapped on her window.

That had been two weeks ago, before Lily's school year had finished, and tonight he showed up on her doorstep bloody.

"Why did you come here?" she asked. "Why not go to Potter's or Lupin's or..."

He took another hard breath before he said, "First place they'd look, but not here. It's too... filthy." He spat the last word like a curse before he let out a painful groan.

Petunia looked towards her father, her mother and then her sister, wondering what were they to do now.

"I'll make up the guest bed," Lily said.