Petunia was at the kitchen table when the post entered through her front mail slot. Hearing a thud she walked to pick it up. The two boys were napping and she had just settled down for a simple cup of coffee.

"Lets see… electric bill, gas bill, mortgage… a… a letter?" Setting the bills and other mail on the counter she looked at the plain envelope. "Ms. Petunia Evans-Dursley". Opening the letter she was quickly shocked.

Petunia,

I hope this letter finds you well, but fear it may not.

I want you to be aware that if things are to continue per the norm, certain liabilities will take their hold. It is in your best interest to meet me at the leaky cauldron, tomorrow, at 9pm or risk consequences most severe.

S

Petunia's voice was caught in her throat. This was unexpected, and unknown. Dumbledore was explicit in stating that no one would know their whereabouts, yet here she was, facing this unknown person. Should she stay? Should she go? What witch or wizard would send this via regular post? Her eyes squinted. She had an idea, and anger quickly filled her.

"Vernon, I have a book club tonight." Petunia said as she grabbed her coat out of the closet. "Oh yes. Book club. How lovely." Vernon said as sat in his armchair. "The boys are with Ms. Figg." "Oh yes. Lovely." "Go to bed Vernon." She said as she closed the door, well aware the potion she used would send him to bed without a second thought.

She arrived at the leaky cauldron via apparition. She took her seat at the bar when the bar keep walked over. "Ms. Evans?" She nodded, acknowlaging her maiden name. "He said to meet in room 4." And winked. She smiled and walked towards the stairs.

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Come in." She opened the door to a dark room and took a tentative step inside. "Shut the door." Closing it behind her she gripped her wand. "Do not take me lightly." She said daringly, "If you intend to do anything I swear-." "Don't take me for a fool, Petunia, I'm well aware of your abilities." Her blood froze. "Severus Snape!" Instantly her want was directed in the dark room. "Lumos!" Instantly the room was illuminated at the end of her want and Severus was there at its end.

"There is no need for that. I came here to be of service." "I want NOTHING from you! You failed and my sister is dead because of you!" "Don't you DARE blame me for her death. The moment I was aware I took off to find Dumbledore. I fulfilled my duty to you. Had I not done what I had done it would have been you to-." "Enough! What do you want Snape?" "I am aware you have the boy in your home."

"And? I am his only living family, it would make sense he is with me." "Do you treat him well?" "Excuse you?" "Answer. Do you treat him well?" Petunia lowered her wand in shame. "Vernon makes it difficult, but yes I do treat him like my own son." "Hmm. How old is he now?" "Almost four." Severus walked over to the bed. "His memories will begin to solidify soon." Sitting down he patted the bed. "This cannot continue." Taking a seat in the chair at the desk, Petunia sat. "What do you mean?" "The Dark Lord has not been vanquished for good Petunia. You know this." Nodding her head solumly she allowed Severus to continue.

"He will come back, and when that does happen you will be called into play." "Snape, I have no intentions to allow him to hurt Harry." "Nor do I, but if you continue to treat him like this, he will grow to love you and the Dark Lord will use this. The weaker your connection, the less likely that he-who-must-not-be-named will tap into it to find Harry. He must believe that Harry is with Dumbledore."

"What are you saying, Severus?" "You need to teach him to hate you. You need to be the very last thing on his mind."

When Petunia arrived home that evening she spent the majority of it crying on the couch. Her flesh and bone, the only link left of her sister, needed to hate her. She wasn't sure how to do it to be honest. She loved the child and went out of her way to make sure he felt loved, regardless of Vernon. Just the other day she had the two boys in their matching overalls and having the time of their lives at the park.

Walking over to the cupboard under the stairs she pulled it open to look at the clothes she had stacked in there. It was almost comical the way the cupboard was set up. Clothes on the shelves and a few toys in the corner, along with a pillow and blanket on the bottom. It was almost reminiscent of a small bedroom. Brief laughter turned into a moment of realization. She could start here.

It was big enough for him to sleep in, which is really all he needed. This would provide the first step for her to separate herself from Harry. If he was physically away maybe she could make this work. She went to work quickly dusting the small room and adding a small bed. Yes, this would be his room starting tomorrow. Wiping the dusty tears from her eyes she smiled, "Please forgive me Harry, but I need you to hate me."

"Vernon?" Petunia said as she sat down with her coffee. "What is it?" "I've been thinking lately," "That's a dangerous thing Petunia." Holding back scoff she continued, "I don't think it's fair for Douglas," "Dudley. I've told you before a hundred times. I like for him to be called Dudley." "Right, I'm sorry. As I was saying, I don't think it's fair for Dudley to have to share a room with Harry." "Well Bloody hell, it's not fair for me to share a house with the damn brat, yet here I am." "Well, Vernon, I was thinking about moving him to the cupboard under the stairs."

It seemed time had stopped for Vernon and glee suddenly filled his eyes. "Under… under the stairs?" "Yes. It's not fair for him to take up all this space when he's not even your son." "Oh Petunia!" Vernon said as he rushed up and embraced her, "I've been waiting for you to see my side." And with that Petunia sighed. Of course Vernon would be happy, but how could she?

AN: So that's my take on how she became an asshole to Harry. Of course it's not cannon, but hey, this is my story. Thanks for reading!