A/N: This is technically part 2 of the first chapter. Please feel free to critique and ask questions!
O/O\O
Vernon and Petunia were found on a picnic bench near to the car. In the cooling sun of the June afternoon the two were the picture of a perfect couple, both relaxed and smiling as they discussed the details of the party in quiet voices.
Petunia noticed Dudley and the zookeeper first. A curious frown overtook the smile on her face as the shaken pair approached. Vernon, wrapped in his enthusiasm failed to notice them until his wife stepped away from him and went to embrace her trembling son.
"Where's Harry?" Petunia's voice shook, finally realising Harry wasn't with them; out of habit she glanced at her husband noting his flared nostrils at the mention of her nephew. It was a sign of his thinning patience at the thought of having to look after him- again.
The zookeeper broke her train of thought with a nervous cough, and proceeded to introduce himself in a quiet voice that sounded unsure of itself.
The contrast between the couple's countenance became more and more pronounced as the zookeeper explained the upset; Petunia's pinched expression sharpened as her fear and worry for the children overtook her.
Vernon's mood on the other hand shrivelled rapidly at the start of the keeper's tale only to be replaced by burning fury towards the boy for attempting to endanger his son. Like a maddened bull his features seemed to enlarge as he grew angrier, hands clenching into fists as his impulse to break something increased.
"Vernon." Petunia hissed tearing herself from her son, drawing closer to him in the hope her presence will remind him where he was.
Her warning went unheeded; as Vernon lost all composure.
"He tried to kill Dudley!"
Petunia's face paled, shocked at her husband's public insensitivity. She knew he didn't share her worry for Harry but to so callously dismiss his life when he had lived with the child was something else.
Luckily the keeper took Vernon's outburst as if the 'he' referred to the snake, helpfully reminding them that the snake was female and she had not gone anywhere near their other son.
In any case Harry was safe and the bite appeared to be a 'dry bite' but he was to be on watch with the on-site first aider until the ambulance arrived –Just in case.
His speech was littered with apologies for the boy being hurt on their premises, hasty reassurances that there was nothing to worry about, and was occasionally broken up by incredulous mutterings as to how the glass 'simply disappeared'.
Still bumbling over his words the keeper failed to realise his audience had long stopped listening by the time he got around to offering a cup of tea.
Pulling on her powers of composure and managing to get a rein on her nerves, Petunia cut off the well-meaning zoo keeper mid-word to ask for her nephew's whereabouts.
Anticipating her husband's indignant cry her hand was already linked around his wrist to administer a sharp squeeze, silently warning him against making a scene.
Damn the consequences; Harry's life had been in danger.
"Sit in the car." Her suggestion sounded calm and sweet but even the by-standing zookeeper knew this wasn't a polite request.
"I'm going to find Harry."
She'd deal with the fallout later.
O/O\O
Dudley followed them to the hospital, a fact Petunia kept forgetting due to his uncharacteristic silence and her own worry. The blond stared at his cousin with such a guilt-filled expression Petunia knew that there was more to this story than either boy was letting on.
He hadn't said a word since the car park and Harry kept on diverting the conversation to other subjects when she tried to ask him. When asked in a (truthfully) harsh manner why he was avoiding the subject he admitted he was trying to distract himself from panic.
Ashamed at her own thoughtlessness Petunia quickly shut up, but she was unable to shake the feeling that Harry was lying; as inattentive towards Lily's son as she could be, she knew him to be resilient, almost stupidly so... to break after a near-miss but to remain calm after being locked in a cupboard for eight hours without food or drink, simply didn't add up.
The Paramedic was a friendly Lady, and was constantly trying to engage the quiet family in chatter to distract them from the upsetting event; but her witty remarks went mostly unheard.
Only Harry responded to her babble, but he too succumbed to the thought filled cloud leaving the last 10 minutes of the ambulance drive in a heavy silence.
Unsurprisingly Vernon didn't come; he'd made his feelings about the accident very clear when the family reunited in the back of one of the offices.
Upon arriving at the hospital the family were ushered into a side room in which the nurses bustled like bees checking Harry's vitals.
Petunia and Dudley slunk to the side; neither able to offer comfort for Harry. He was their responsibility and they had almost failed him. In times like this it usually fell to Dudley to make light of the situation but he was not anywhere near up for light conversation.
O/O\O
The consultation with the doctor was brief but informative and the news that the cobra bite really was nothing to worry about instantly put everyone in a better mood. Giddy with relief, the boys and Petunia decided to head to a cafe for some much-needed tea and cake; the receptionist had recommended a family business a short walk from the hospital grounds that served a 'decent spread' in her words.
They left the hospital together; Petunia navigating the car park and the busy roads firmly holding the boys hands as she did so- ignoring their protests.
"I'll keep with the hand holding until I say you're old enough to keep out of trouble."
Neither boy took well to that but at least they were beginning to act like the trouble making duo she was used to.
On the back road towards the town centre Petunia finally released her charges and they raced ahead.
Quickly, the break away from their overbearing carer turned into a race to the end of the lane and the boys dashed along, darting around the few pedestrians and laughing at the glares they received.
Petunia let them have their fun- mostly because they were in another town a good hour away from home and any judging eyes, but also because they hadn't been just children in a long time.
It was clear as she finally reached them that Dudley and Harry had shelved whatever disagreement they had, as they were now involved in a playful banter as they made plans for the rest of the afternoon.
"I had better call Vernon." Petunia announced spotting a phone-box on the road across from a corner shop.
Taking full advantage of her post-panic daze the two managed to wheedle money out of her for sweets, leaving a laughing Petunia to call home whilst they went ahead.
Her call went to voicemail. Was he still sulking?
Exhaling through her nose she dialled Mrs Figg's number to check if her husband's car was in the driveway.
"I thought you left for the zoo together?" Came her elderly neighbour's confused reply.
"Yes, but-"
A jolt shot through her as she remembered the party, immediately a silent string of curses spilled out as she fumbled for the note with all the contact details she brought along in case of any setbacks. How on earth could Vernon possibly go through with the party when his nephew had been in danger of dying not half an hour ago?
"Hello? ...Mrs Dursley? Are you still there?"
Absentmindedly Petunia nodded, yanking the note out of her organiser when she finally found it.
"Mrs Dursley?-"
Cutting the poor woman off abruptly, Petunia thanked her for her time and assured her that she was alright, just a little distracted. Gathering strength Petunia cancelled the call and dialled the number of the bowling alley that was supposed to hold Dudley's surprise party, fully intent on calling it off in favour of the boys relaxing after the ordeal.
"Hello, Tenpin Bowling. Josie at your service! How may I help?"
"Hi Josie, my name is Mrs Dursley. My son was supposed to have a party here at 5 today?"
"Let's see... Dudley Dursley?"
"Oh good. By any chance is my husband already at the venue?"
"He is, yes. Would you like me to get him on the phone?"
In the background of Josie's call came a high pitched shriek of laughter.
At once Petunia pictured the embarrassing scene that would follow, and how disappointed the guests would be if they cancelled the party.
"...No thank you, that's fine. Please can you tell him that we'll be on our way now?"
"Of course Mrs Dursley."
Frustrated, Petunia slammed the receiver into its cradle. Chewing her lip, her mind raced through her list of people she knew in this area who owned a car... and a telephone.
Nothing came to mind.
Suppressing panic; she pulled out her address book and flicked through the list, her finger stopping on the 'L's'... Desperately she hoped an old friend will pick up.
O/O\O
Thankfully their late arrival went without comment, and despite Dudley and Harry needing to be informed of the surprise in order to get them to the party, the first hour went without a hitch.
Always ready to don the picture of a perfect family; the Dursley's threw Dudley a splendid party that all of their guests enjoyed immensely. Both Dudley's and Harry's friends attended (though Vernon didn't need to know that last part); the food was as only Petunia could have made it; plenty of drinks for those of age and not designated drivers; and minimal adult supervision needed as the entertainment they'd booked took care of it.
Even better; Vernon didn't comment on the extra guest, although he did glare pointedly at Lupin's choice of clothes. Petunia had long gotten used to the perpetually shaggy get-up, simply rolling her eyes when he came to get them in an ill-fitting jumper and faded jeans.
Werewolf or not there wasn't an excuse for scruffy dress.
In all honesty, she was lucky it wasn't a full moon for two more weeks, otherwise... Sirius. Innocence aside, she still couldn't trust that dog to behave for more than half an hour and that's if he hadn't started on Vernon by then.
"Wow! Is that an owl?"
"Cool!"
Petunia turned from socialising with the adults to see what had got the children so flustered. It didn't take her long to match the whispered excitement with a small white pygmy owl following Harry like a duckling.
Noticing the stares the boy stopped and looked behind him to see the tiny bird hopping quickly to keep up. At first he assumed the bird wanted something with the package he was holding, raising the brown-paper wrapped parcel high above his head, but the chick didn't even pause in its rhythmic hops.
Fruitlessly he tried to shoo the bird but the creature doggedly continued to bound towards him.
Finally Harry stopped, the party guests forming a semi circle around him- many pulling out cameras to capture the charming scene.
Stopping about a foot away from its target the animal waved one wing towards the buffet on the table and crooked it towards its now gaping mouth.
The Party watched in stunned silence as it mimed the universal sign for 'feed me now!' complete with rubbing its tummy in an exaggerated manner and finishing with an overdramatic faint.
It's audience laughed, yet the mirth was shallow and uncertain- a knee jerk reaction to a strange sight.
This was unsettling. Owls were rarely seen- especially in towns, yet one acting so human had crashed the party and remained undaunted by the number of people about. How had it managed to get inside the party room of the bowling alley?
"I didn't know owls were so smart."
"It's been trained to do tricks."
"Oh of course, but where's its owner?"
"Petunia did you hire him?"
The hostess didn't answer, mind whirring as she tried to make up a suitable excuse for the blatant act of magic. The longer people stared at her the blanker her mind grew, she knew the time limit for plausible explanations was shrinking and her reaction to the event already gave hint to the deeper strangeness of the sight.
What if they realised it was real magic?
And they have evidence on camera. Oh god.
Petunia was on the brink of hyperventilation when a soft voice broke through the crowd.
"Marnie!"
The owl turned in response to its name.
Remus Lupin held out a cocktail sausage (well seasoned and wrapped in bacon) in the direction of the baby bird. Letting out a cheerful chirp the owl flew over to the scruffy teacher performing a barrel roll on his way over.
"Stay..." Like he was training a dog Lupin pointed one finger at the excitable bird, holding the cocktail sausage behind him so it was obscured from the bird's view. Miraculously the bird landed on the floor in front of him and assumed an almost 'beg'-like position.
"Catch!"
The owl took off catching the sausage in its talons and perched on Remus's shoulder to eat.
Placated by the idea of the owl being a talented show bird many party guests congregate around Lupin fawning over the intelligent bird.
"Cake!" Petunia announced, donning the smile and theatrical arms of a TV show host. Firmly she guided Dudley to the table where his robot-shaped cake sat.
Borrowing a lighter from one of the guests, she set about lighting the candles.
The guests quickly scrambled around the table to wish the birthday boy a happy birthday and sing as obnoxiously as possible; as per tradition. Vernon took his place as the proud father, albeit with a sour tinge to his breath; boisterously thumping Dudley on the back when the song finished.
"Make a wish." She whispered to her boy, pressing the handle of the knife into his hand before leaving his side to join the mass and take pictures.
Dudley stared intently at the candles for a moment before leaning down and expelling them all with a single breath.
The guests cheered enthusiastically at the simple moment, the kids rushing forward to see what type of cake the bright sugar paste hid.
As usual they were not disappointed; an awed gasp followed as Dudley made the first slice and a stream of mini smarties spilled out of the cut.
"Cool," He breathed, succeeding in making a mess as he removed his slice.
"Thanks Mum!"
"I'll do the rest." Petunia smiled taking the knife off the birthday boy and handing him some napkins.
"Now go have fun!" she motioned him towards the activity leaders who were ready to start the next game.
Soon, the kids were split into teams to play laser tag; leaving the adults to mill about while Petunia cut the cake and organise the party bags.
Once done she surveyed the room, pleased that the party seemed to be continuing without a hitch, then she noticed Vernon in the corner by himself, what might have been his fifth drink in hand.
"Good party?" She smiled as she approached her husband, carrying a cup of water for him and juice for herself.
He nodded accepting the drink. "I thought that Lupin fellow was a Maths teacher." He enounced slowly, speech slightly slurred.
Petunia raised an eyebrow at Vernon's question, was he finally going to ask how they got to the venue so quickly?
Following Vernon's gaze she saw his intent gaze on the owl Lupin had befriended, it was still perched on his shoulder.
"He is." She assured Vernon, thinking of his offer to teach Harry at his school to manage his accidental magic.
Something in her tone calmed him, and Lupin's unfamiliarity with the creature seemed to reassure Vernon's image of the nature-loving Maths teacher he'd once grown used to popping up in his house.
That didn't excuse the owl's appearance at his son's party and the one responsible for that was...
His brown eyes scanned the room and spied the freeloading witch spawn standing with a bunch of other children as one of the staff began distributing the laser vests to the children
This was the third use of magic.
The final strike.
O/O\O
For a few short hours everything was perfect.
Unfortunately, at ten to nine the last guest left, taking with them a party bag stuffed with snacks, games, and cake as well as the last rein of control over Vernon's temper.
Mood returning to the place it had been earlier that morning, Vernon returned to the car leaving Petunia to wrap up things at the venue.
Not wanting another fight, she found herself doing more tasks than necessary in order to delay confronting her husband. But eventually she had given the last of the party food to the bowling alley staff and helped to clean up the last of the confetti.
Even the surprise drink spillage from Dudley and the umpteenth bathroom break from Harry had them sitting in the car a mere half hour after the party ended.
The drive back home was thick with tension, mostly provided by Vernon; yet Petunia added her own strain with the sinking reminder of the magical clocks left on full display at home.
She glanced over as the thought struck; a needless check as she already knew the blow up that would come if he remembered the clocks as well as the party incident...
Despite her distracted thoughts Petunia was able to steer the car home without incident, and she was finally pulled from her musing by the realisation that they'd reached Privet drive.
There was a unanimous decision to get the inevitable over and done with; for once Vernon was the last out of the car.
Petunia raced ahead to clear the path to the kitchen from any signs of magic; kicking the misplaced wall clock into the cupboard under the stairs, she briefly considered throwing a sheet over the grandfather clock but decided against it knowing it would draw more attention.
She was just able to turn the TV in the kitchen towards the wall and stand in front of it when Vernon entered, his heavy face puffed up with rage.
"Boy!"
He didn't need to shout; Harry was already in the kitchen green eyes glaring defiantly, even though he knew how much Vernon hated insolence.
Surprisingly Vernon ignored this challenge.
With an ease that Petunia would be ashamed to admit came with years of practice; the family manoeuvred into position- Dudley had retreated into the living room -TV volume turned up to drown out the noise of the screaming that would follow, Petunia stayed in the kitchen 'cleaning' ready to intervene when necessary, and lastly Harry attempted to school his face into one of neutrality to bear the brunt of the head of the house's yelling.
The tirade was the same as it always was, perhaps that was the reason why it sounded clear despite Vernon's drunk state; first came the slurs against Harry's parents, how they lived their lives as 'pitiful excuses for human beings' and how they died in an 'equally stupid way'- Petunia had yet to inform her husband she had told both of the boys of the true cause of Lilly and James's death.
Then he preached on Harry's faults; his smarminess, laziness, uselessness and how 'he couldn't understand how he had gotten lumped with the freak who was ruining his life, his wife's life, and his son's life without so much as a thank you for putting up with him for all this time'.
All this Harry took with a blank expression which irritated Vernon but did not turn his anger to violence.
Then he started the rant on the places they should have left Harry the night they found him, the orphanage, the mental asylum, some ditch in an alleyway perhaps?
At this Harry's green eyes brightened with tears; today had been tiring and it was clear he didn't have the mental energy to put up with his Uncle any longer.
Finally finished with the preamble, Vernon started on Harry's latest offence- but this is when Petunia cut him off.
"Vernon that's enough it's getting late." She was firm on this matter.
"No it's not! His type shouldn't even be here! It's not natural"
With visible effort Petunia bit back her retort.
"Get up to bed Harry." She gave the boy a gentle shove out the kitchen, only remembering to squeeze his shoulder as an afterthought.
"It's going to far now. He almost killed our son today!"
Indignation rose in response to that comment.
"No, Harry was bit by a cobra. And it was an accident." She hissed through clenched teeth.
"And when it's on purpose?" Vernon prodded.
She froze, wind taken out from her sails; old fears starting a storm in her stomach. Her skin prickled with the phantom memory of hexes, pulling her arms into a protective shield around her chest.
Memories of her family's deaths washed over her like a stream, accompanied with the echoes of their screams, and a chilling laugh she'd heard whilst witness to a death eater rampage on Halloween years ago ringing in her ears.
Not Harry.
She couldn't expand on why it would never be him.
To this day she couldn't claim she knew him, not really; so much of her perception of him was based on Lily- her mind wouldn't, it couldn't take that back.
Did she truly know her nephew? Could he be capable?
...Maybe it was more that her mind couldn't pair Harry with dangerous, evil magic, and the reality was completely different.
After all, she'd once misjudged Peter.
Her silence was taken as an admittance of a possibility. Red with rage Vernon spluttered again "And when it's on purpose we could be-"
Petunia cut him off. "-And when it's on purpose there won't be incidents like this! Harry's a good child. Harry wouldn't hurt us." She wanted to believe that.
"He's dangerous!"
Anything could be dangerous.
"I am not having someone like him under my roof one moment longer. Not if I can help it."
"For goodness sake Vernon. He can't help it! There's a reason why it's called accidental." It'll get better when he goes to that school, he'll learn to control it, and it will all be ok!"
"...Like him or not he's family. And he'll be with us a lot longer than seven more years."
A dangerous glint flashed across Vernon's eyes reminding her that she had 'forgot' to inform Vernon of that part, she'd been planning to ease him into the idea when Harry was away.
"He won't be entering my house the second he's turns 17." Vernon promised darkly.
At least he'd forgotten about kicking Harry out tonight.
Sensing her victory as now Vernon was angrier with her than Harry; Petunia conceded, hiding her smile by turning her attention to rewashing the dishes.
"Fine. We'll discuss it more later."
Vernon pounded the table with more force.
"No 'discussion' is not needed. Harry leaves when he is 17 and does not return."
Stubbornly Petunia held up her chin refusing to continue the argument. Obviously she'd agree with him later to maintain the peace, but for now his anger at her was the only thing stopping him harming Harry.
"You'll kick him out because he's a Wizard?" Dudley's question came out in a halting voice that seemed unsure if it was truly awake.
Surprised by the sudden interjection Petunia whirled around to see her son standing at the kitchen door, in his hand he clutched a letter with a familiar seal.
Vernon stared at his son in shock.
"How do you know about them?" He demanded his voice a raspy whisper:- a mixture of not wanting to shout at his boy and anger that Dudley knew the truth about his cousin and thus the truth of that world.
Dudley didn't answer, his face was red with numerous emotions; his eyes glassy with unshed tears.
Petunia crossed the room and took the letter from her son's trembling hands; one hand clutching the table to keep her from falling over in shock:
Mr D. Dursley
The Largest Bedroom,
4 Privet Drive,
Little Whinging,
Surrey.
For a moment she felt transported to her childhood kitchen; staring at the letter that would destroy her world.
Emotions reeling, she stared at her son as if seeing him for the first time.
It couldn't be.
"What if I were a wizard?"
A/N: You've made it to the end well done!
More to the point I've started to drop (obvious) hints as to how the butterfly effect has occurred in this universe I'll get around to explaining all these changes in story later but for now just accept that because Petunia had a different relationship with Lily due to reasons I'll get to eventually; she knows Remus, Sirius and Peter.
This is the first time we're seeing Petunia stand up against Vernon for Harry's sake! I hoped to get across a little more insight into Petunia's feelings on Harry so I hope it read ok on your end. I admit the first part concluding the zoo and the hospital are pretty rushed so if you have any ideas on how to better flesh out that scene feel free to suggest ideas (maybe on a day that I'm not feeling lazy I'll edit this chapter).
