CHAPTER 7 - Accepting the Truth
When Petunia Dursley woke up on a normal morning to put out the usual milk bottles, she didn't expect to see a very not normal basket on her doorstep. As she peered inside, she couldn't help but let out a scream. A black haired infant was curled up in the basket, fast asleep. On his forehead was a fresh, red, jagged scar. She hurriedly brought the basket inside, calling for Vernon.
"Vernon! Vernon! Come down right away!". Petunia heard her husband thunder down the stairs as fast as he could. Meanwhile, she brought the basket into the kitchen and set it on the table.
"What is it Petunia dear? What's happened?" Vernon said, heaving.
"Look at what I found on the front steps!" As Vernon looked into the basket and gasped. She caught sight of a small piece of paper entangled in the blankets. With a shaking hand, she reached out and clasped the letter, pulling it away from the soft blankets. She had a sinking feeling in her gut as she opened it, with Vernon peering over her shoulder.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,
I am sorry to inform you that last night, on Hallow's Eve, Lily and James Potter were killed by a dark wizard who goes by the name Lord Voldemort. He also tried to kill their son, Harry, but he was protected by an ancient form of magic that has been long forgotten. When Lily threw herself in front of Harry to protect her son, the strength of her love essentially cast a shielding charm on Harry, making it impossible for Lord Voldemort to touch him. Lord Voldemort has vanished and many are celebrating his death. However, I know that he is not dead, merely lurking in the shadows. As Harry's only living blood relatives, I am entrusting you with his safety for the next 16 years. Since Lily's blood is alive in Petunia's, living under the same roof will protect Harry. The protection spell that Lily inadvertently cast will only be broken when Harry becomes unwelcome under your roof or when he turns 17. Again, I am truly sorry for your loss, the wizarding world has lost two of the most talented and noble people it has ever seen.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Order of Merlin, First Class
Petunia slowly took her eyes off of the sheet of parchment, two words swirling in her head. Lily, dead. Lily, dead. Lily, dead. Lily was dead, and so was her husband. Her beautiful little sister was dead. She felt tears pooling in her eyes as she looked at the small baby swaddled in blue blankets. He was the only piece of Lily she had left. He was Lily's legacy. She looked Vernon straight in the eyes and said, "He's staying."
"Petunia! We are not keeping that, that freak!"
"He's staying Vernon, and I will not argue about it! His mother has been killed and
we're his only family!"
"Please! We can leave him at an orphanage!"
"Vernon, he is staying and that is final!" With that, she spun, picked up her nephew and left the kitchen.
