Chapter 20: Protection
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, England
It had been two days since she had met Marius Black. It had been two very long days since she had heard his ridiculous proposal. The day after his visit she had been accosted by the ladies of the neighborhood. Well, that is to say that the ladies who had seen Marius Black come to her home had taken it upon themselves to come uninvited to tea so they might appease their curiosity. They were at least kind enough to bring biscuits and cake. She had been dismayed to realize that most of the women knew more about her visitor than she did. It seemed that Marius Black was some sort of millionaire and a confirmed bachelor at that. He had never been married and his name was linked to only the wealthiest and most influential of women. A man such as Marius Black would never look twice at someone like Petunia unless under extreme circumstances.
Petunia supposed she should be grateful for extreme circumstances then. She had been mulling over his words about Dumbledore, the Blacks, and his rash proposal ever since he had left her home.
Vernon had come home in a temper not two hours after Marius had left. He had spent the evening screaming at her and making the babies cry. Last night he had been in a good mood until he saw her holding Harry and then he had scowled and growled at her that the little "Freak" would be going to an orphanage by the end of the week.
Their fight only escalated after she had managed to put Dudley and Harry to bed. She raised a hand to her bruised cheek and once more fought against the urge to cry. Her face hurt almost as fiercely now as it did when Vernon had chosen to punch her. She had examined herself in the mirror and knew she looked hideous. Her cheek was an ugly dark purpled bruise. There was a cut along her cheek as well that had come from Vernon's Wedding Ring. His Wedding Ring, the same ring that she had placed on his finger as he had promised to love her and to treasure her.
She was leaving Vernon. Leaving him that very day. Petunia feared that Marius Black might not quite be salvation but he had promised to protect her, Dudley, and Harry. They needed protection. She had no other options.
She slowly caressed the card with Marius Black's name and a phone number printed beneath it. She nodded her head once as though to convince herself that it was the right thing to do. Then she found herself slowly dialing the number. It felt like she heard the phone ring and ring and she almost lost her nerve, almost hung up the phone when finally, someone picked up on the other line. The voice was feminine and Petunia felt an irrational sense of irritation about that.
"Mr. Black's office, Mary speaking," came the voice on the other end of the line.
"Hello Mary, this is Petunia Dursley, I need to speak with Mr. Black right away please," Petunia said in a nervous rush. She winced. She had not meant to come across as nervous.
"Dursley, of course ma'am. I have been ordered to alert him if you called," Mary informed her. "Just a moment more ma'am."
Petunia was put on hold for a few minutes before she heard the deep voice of Marius Black murmur her name, "My dear Petunia, what can I do for you?"
Petunia slowly sank into the chair beside the phone and asked him, "Are you still sincere in your proposal to me?"
"Yes," Marius said simply.
"That you will take care Harry, Dudley, and I?" Petunia asked of him.
"Of course. Time is of the essence and you quite stubbornly made it clear that you, Dudley, and Harry were all a package deal," he said with a chuckle. His voice was full of amusement.
"You, do you really mean it Mr. Black?" Petunia asked again because his offer still seemed too good to be true.
"Would you like for me to deliver my offer to you in writing?" his voice was soothing as he asked, trying to allay her frazzled nerves.
"I, I would yes," Petunia admitted to him. "I do not mean any insult Mr. Black, but your offer really was a shock."
She heard him chuckle then. "I am sure it was," he said and then after a moment of silence he added "I'll have the paperwork drawn up for your pleasure and send it over to Privet Drive."
"No!" She exclaimed then winced. "That is to say, I will no longer be in residence at Privet Drive," she informed him in a gentler tone.
"Petunia?" Marius queried, his tone of voice having gone from amused to worried. "Where shall you be? Why will you no longer be in residence at Privet Drive?"
"The boys and I shall be staying briefly at the Maiden's Head Pub and Inn in Cokeworth," she informed him.
"The devil you will," Marius seethed. "Petunia, you are not taking the boys to stay in some Pub."
"I am not your wife yet," Petunia bristled. "Shouldn't you at the least get my name on this contract before you start giving me orders?" Really the nerve of the man. He was ordering her around already. Was this really a good idea? She glanced toward the stairs. The boys were upstairs asleep and she nodded to herself. Yes, it was a good idea. She had to make this work.
"No," Marius said firmly, "Not when you clearly are running scared and have not thought things through properly."
She frowned at that. She was running scared. She knew it. Tomorrow was the deadline. Vernon intended to take Harry to an Orphanage and she had no more delusions that he would give in to her protests to keep Harry. Vernon would take him away by force, she wouldn't be able to stop him. She kept having nightmares of it and she kept dreaming of Lily. Her little sister begging her to save Harry to protect him. Fate was so cruel! Lily was a Witch; she would have been far better able to protect Harry than Petunia was. What could Petunia do?
Give up everything she had ever known to protect both Harry and Dudley apparently. She was after all on the phone making a deal with a man who she barely knew. He could be the devil but she was choosing him over the devil that she did know. It was truly frightening.
"Petunia go pack if you haven't already. I am sending my man around with the car to collect you and the boys. You and I will hammer out the details of our marriage contract in the next few days." Marius' voice was soothing now, cajoling.
She frowned at that but found herself nodding her agreement. She did need to leave Vernon and yes she did need a safe haven. She really could not think of her reputation at this point. In the coming years many would find her actions scandalous. They would think her a gold digger for leaving Vernon for a much greater financial catch. "Alright," Petunia said softly. "I suppose I will see you later this evening?"
"Of course," Marius assured her. "I will see you for dinner Petunia. My driver should be round to get you in two hours."
With that he hung up and Petunia slowly lowered the phone back into its cradle. She then took a deep breath and then another trying to force back the urge to cry, to sob, to scream. "Please," she whispered into the empty room. "Oh please let this be the right decision."
With that she pulled herself together and left the lounge in order to head upstairs. She dug out a suitcase and packed some clothes to take with her. She then went through her jewelry box. She carefully and meticulously picked out only those pieces of jewelry that she had been given by her parents and by Lily. She left the pieces that Vernon had bought her. She knew he was the sort of man that would insist she had no right to them as she was leaving him, despite how they had been gifts. She put the suitcase downstairs in the hall closet and then she crept into the nursery and packed Dudley and Harry's things. She frowned realizing that she had few things that were truly Harry's own but fortunately he and Dudley were of an age that it was easy enough for the two to share. It would do for now. She would speak with Marius about funds for Harry later to get him more clothing and some toys.
With their things packed up she went downstairs to the kitchen. She sighed knowing she could not take it all with her, but there was no chance she was willing to leave her mother's best china with Vernon. At least, there wasn't now that she was not fleeing to some inn in her old hometown.
She was just finishing repacking the China when the doorbell rang. She cautious crept into the hall and to the door. She answered it with a polite smile, "Yes?"
"Miss Petunia, I am here on behalf of Marius Black to collect you and your two boys," the man said politely.
Petunia sighed in relief. "Yes, of course. I just have to wake the boys from their nap and get them ready to travel," she told him. Then she looked to the suitcases in the closet. "These two suitcases shall go with us and there is a box of China that I was finishing packing in the Kitchen," she said.
"I will see to the suitcases and the China, Miss Petunia," he declared, and then picked up the suitcases and took them toward the car.
Petunia rushed upstairs to the nursery and gently lifted Dudley from the crib. He began to truly awaken and fuss as she began to dress him. "Oh I know, how dare Mummy wake you from your beauty sleep?" she said in a sing song voice to her cranky son. Once she had his diaper changed and him dressed in clothes better suited for winter travel she turned her attention to Harry. Her nephew did not like being awakened any more than Dudley had and he made his displeasure known by waving his fists and causing little sparks to jump from his fingers.
"Harry!" Petunia scolded in a surprised tone. The sparks from the fingers was new. If anything he proved that she was doing the right thing. Marius and his family would be able to help Harry. At the least she would surely not have to fear Harry accidentally burning the house down in the night if he got fussy.
When Harry was dressed she carried the children downstairs to the lounge. Once there she got out the old baby bassinet stroller that her mother had gifted her with before her death. There was currently enough room in it to fit both Dudley and Harry, though with how both boys were growing she knew that would not last for long. She placed Harry first and then Dudley into it. She glanced around the lounge to see if she had forgotten anything and spotted the two plush bears on the floor by her favorite chair. She grabbed both bears and put them into the bassinet for Harry and Dudley. She smiled as each boy grasped a bear.
"Are you ready Miss Petunia?" the man asked her.
"Yes, I am ready," she said. She hoped she could make herself truly believe it. With that she allowed him to assist her with the bassinet stroller out of the house and to the car. She held her head high and tried to ignore the gossips that were out in mass as she exited number 4. She was relieved to get settled into the back of the stately black car and have the boys in their basinet put in the seat beside her.
Longview Manor was not what she was expecting, though Petunia had no idea why she had not really thought about where it was that Marius Black lived. She had seen TV shows about the Rich and the Famous and while Longview Manor was not quite as ostentatious as the majority of those homes, it still spoke of an old world opulence that Petunia had only dreamt of when she was a child.
Ivy grew thick over the archway of the porch and she paused to admire it before she reminded herself that she would have to maneuver the basinet up the steps to reach the porch. Just as she reached the first step a man came forward to assist her.
"Greetings, Mistress Petunia. My name is Timothy Stanley. I am the Butler and Head of Staff here at Longview," the man greeted her with a kind smile. "Should you need anything from the staff do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you very much," Petunia said sincerely as she was forced to release the basinet and allow Mr. Stanley to lift it and maneuver the little vehicle into the Manor. She followed him in and gasped at the beauty around her. How would she ever get used to living in such splendor? The floor beneath her feet was solid marble. The walls were stone. There were ancient looking tapestries hanging along the walls and old portraits. Everywhere she looked the house spoke of old ancient power and grace.
"If Mistress Petunia will follow me, I will escort her to her suite," Stanley spoke again.
Petunia nodded and then stated, "I would like to know where the boys shall be placed."
"Master Marius has ordered the nursery to be cleaned and made ready for their use. It was finished yesterday," he said pleasantly. "Your rooms shall be just down the hall and around the corner from the Nursery."
Petunia frowned at that. "I do not wish to be a burden, but is it possible for me to somehow be closer to the boys?"
Mr. Stanley's lips curved into a kind smile. "I am afraid not, Mistress. We have placed you as close as can be. However, do not let yourself fear that they will be neglected. The Master has bought House-Elves for the purpose of taking care of the young Masters."
Petunia frowned as she mulled that over. 'House-Elves.' In all of the times that she had spied upon Lily and that horrid Snape boy as they spoke of Hogwarts and Magic, at no point could she remember the mention of House-Elves. She continued to wonder about House-Elves as they entered the nursery. She froze just inside of the doorway at the sight of two little creatures who were organizing various toys and books upon the bookcases in the room and within a toy box.
"Mistress Petunia, these two are Rathty and Dobby," he said as he indicated the two creatures with big heads, floppy ears, and big eyes. Rathty had large violet eyes while Dobby's eyes were a pale blue. "Dobby was a gift from the Esteemed House of Malfoy to Master Harry. It is their hope that Dobby's temperament would best suit young Master Harry due to the trauma the young Master has suffered."
"I," Petunia paused for a moment at a loss for words. Then she summoned up the manners that her mother had drilled into her and smiled politely at the little House-Elf. "How do you do Dobby? My name is Petunia. I am Harry's aunt. It is my pleasure to meet you and I hope that we shall get along well as we take care of Harry together."
Petunia was dismayed when Dobby became teary eyed and rushed forward to hug her legs. "Mistress Tuney is so kind," Dobby praised.
She looked toward Mr. Stanley hoping he had some advice of what to do but he just looked on the situation with humor. She sighed and patted the Elf on the head. "Thank you Dobby."
"Rathty was born in service to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black," Mr. Stanley wisely decided to change the subject. It had the desired effect of Dobby slowly releasing his hold on Petunia. "Rathty shall be taking care of young Master Dudley."
"It is my pleasure to meet you Rathty," Petunia declared. "I am Dudley's mother and as I told Dobby, I really do hope we can work together to take care of Dudley and Harry and make these boys happy and healthy."
Rathty smiled at Petunia and nodded so enthusiastically that his big ears flapped. "Rathty is honored and happy to be serving Master Dudley. Rathty will do all he can to ensure no harm befalls the young Master."
Petunia smiled at the little creature and nodded and then she brought the basinet holding her boys into the center of the room. "It looks like you have set up their cribs. So far the boys have been sleeping together in one crib. We shall try the two for the night, as I don't want them to become too co-dependent upon each other," She informed Rathty and Dobby. "However, Harry still has night terrors from that night, so if he awakens please fetch me immediately and I can show you the best ways to help soothe him. Also at times like that if either of the boys are terribly distressed placing them together in the same crib seems to give them comfort," she explained.
"Yes Mistress Tuney," Rathty said while Dobby nodded. Then she was shocked to see Dudley and then Harry hover out of the basinet and slowly move in the air until they were lowered gently into the cribs.
Petunia felt faint and she swayed on her feet. Fortunately for her, Mr. Stanley caught her arms and steadied her. "Mistress Petunia, are you alright?"
"They," she paused and licked her lips nervously. "They floated," she said softly.
Mr. Stanley nodded his head in the affirmative and then smiled kindly at her. "I take it as a Squib brought up in the Muggle World you never were a witness to such magic."
"Squib? Oh yes, that is what Mr. Black called me," she said and then she nodded in agreement with Mr. Stanley. "I have not seen much when it comes to magic."
"You will in this house Mistress," Mr. Stanley was kind enough to inform her. "The majority of the staff are witches and wizards."
Petunia was not sure how she felt about that at the moment. Intimidated? Yes, she felt intimidated, but also a small part of her was relieved. They would be able to help Harry then, and the little House-Elves would be able to look after the boys, at least for a little while.
"Let me show you to your room Mistress Petunia," Mr. Stanley said and then with a smile he guided Petunia to her suite. She barely paid attention as Mr. Stanley explained about the lavish suite. She only knew that it was as glorious as though she had entered the pages of a magazine spread in "Splendid Homes."
"This is," she paused as she noted her suitcases before what must be the closet. "Are you sure this is really my suite to use as long as I remain here?" she asked hating the note of vulnerability she heard in her voice.
"Yes Mistress. The Master picked it out for you knowing you would want to be close to the young Masters." Mr. Stanley assured her.
She nodded slowly unable to say more. She let her blue eyes roam the room and smiled softly to herself.
"I shall leave you to unpack Mistress. Dinner shall be served at seven this evening," he informed her and then he did depart leaving her alone in the room.
Petunia sank slowly down onto the luxurious mattress. Her mattress back in Little Whinging had been a hard one because it was what Vernon preferred. This mattress was soft and Petunia felt as though she were within a cloud. She brought a freshly laundered pillow to her chest and she let her nose breathe in the scent of lavender soap. Her mother had used lavender soap when she was a child. She and Lily had liked the scent of it and they used to help to put the clothes and the linens out on the clothes line to hang in the warm summer sunshine. Suddenly Petunia burst into tears and she clung to the pillow as she allowed herself to fall back onto the bed.
She awoke hours later and felt as though her head were going to explode. She groaned and slowly sat up. The clock on her bedroom mantelpiece told her that she had twenty minutes before she was due to be escorted downstairs for dinner. With a gasp Petunia raced to her suitcase and swiftly managed to open it up. She rummaged in the case until she found the outfit she had worn the last time she had dined with Vernon's sister Marge. She fingered the silken blouse and brightened at the thought of never having to dine with Marge Dursley ever again. The woman was truly worse than Vernon.
She dashed into her bathroom, a large and opulent space with a standing shower stall in one corner and a large oval bathtub in the center of the room. She looked longingly at the tub but knew that she did not have the time. Another time perhaps. She went to the mirror and examined her face and winced. She gently pressed her fingers to the bruise and whimpered in pain. She ran a finger over the cut and shivered. She knew better than to try to conceal the bruise with cosmetics. In fact, with the cut there, she ran the risk of harming herself. She let out a chagrined sigh. Well one side of her face was purple. She had purple designs and splashes in her white silk blouse. At least she would match. She combed her hair and swiftly styled it to try to cover much of the bruise. Then she swiftly stripped out of her old attire and donned the newer outfit.
She did not bother with jewelry because she knew she would just agonize over whether she should wear mother's pearls or the pretty silver and diamond necklace that Lily had bought her that last Christmas that they were living under the same roof. Both were beautiful pieces of jewelry and both had sentimental value for Petunia.
The knock at the door was a relief. "Come in," she called a moment after clearing her throat.
A tall and slim woman came into the room and smiled at her. "Good evening Mistress Petunia. My name is Emily Darrow. I won the right to escort you to the dining hall for the evening meal?"
"Won the right?" Petunia asked even as she smoothed her hands down her purple skirt. "I don't understand."
"Oh most of the staff are curious about you and the Young Masters. We are very happy to have you here," Emily said. "And well, to that end there was some argument over who would get to escort you to dinner."
"I see," Petunia said though really she didn't. "Please, do lead on Ms. Darrow."
"Emily please," Emily insisted.
"Petunia then," Petunia insisted as they walked down the hall and Petunia began to once again memorize her surroundings.
"Petunia," Emily said with a smile. "Did your family like flowers?" she asked and at Petunia's questioning look she shrugged. "Your sister was named Lily and you are Petunia."
"Yes, it was a bit of a tradition to give the daughters flower names," Petunia admitted.
"Strange," Emily said. "That sounds a lot like a wizarding tradition. I didn't know that muggles had them."
Petunia thought of pointing out that Marius Black thought she could be a squib but decided against it. It was a relief to enter the dining hall, as Emily had called it, and see that Marius Black was there awaiting her. "Mr. Black it is a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for your hospitality."
Marius looked at Petunia but did not speak for several moments. Instead he stared at her, taking in each and every detail. When at last he spoke he called for Mr. Stanley much to her confusion. "Stanley, why does Mistress Petunia bear a bruise upon her face?"
"I do not know how she acquired it Master, only that she had it when she came to us today," he informed Marius.
Petunia raised a self-conscious hand to hover over her bruised cheek. She almost took a step back when Marius strode forward to stand directly in front of her. He gently but firmly took a hold of her wrist and began to pull it away from her face. When he had succeeded he then gently used his other hand to push her hair away from the bruised area. "There is a cut as well," his voice had turned stern and it sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
"Why was she not healed the moment you saw this bruise?" Marius demanded to know. It was not like his staff to let others suffer.
"Forgive me Master, but we thought you might need to see her bruise for evidence against the brute who did this to her," With Stanley's explanation some of Marius' anger faded.
"Yes of course," Marius said and then he told Stanley to fetch a camera. "It will help with the divorce. I do promise to have Stanley heal it once we have documented this bit of evidence against him."
She nodded her head in agreement because really she felt she had no choice. Petunia began to think that was much of what life would be like with Marius Black. The illusion of choice when really no choice existed at all.
She submitted to being sat in a chair and cameras both muggle and magical, she was told, took several photos of her. Then Mr. Stanley earned her gratitude when he actually did heal her cheek. Then she endured three grueling hours of hashing out a marriage contract that both Petunia and Marius could live with. She had not sworn off sexual gratification altogether. She had agreed to share a couples' passion with Marius. It helped that he was quite attractive despite how much older he was than her. Petunia supposed that meant he had far more time to perfect the act of love-making. The thought made her blush. Vernon had seemed to enjoy the act while Petunia had reminded herself of the old saying that it was a woman's place to endure. The day she realized that other woman actually enjoyed laying with their husbands had been a miserable one.
"You will not see Vernon Dursley again unless it is due to legalities, and then it shall be in a clerk's office or a courtroom," Marius demanded.
She fought the urge to smile at the anger that was in his voice. It amazed her to think that this man was angry on her behalf. "Of course, Marius," she said eagerly. "I would rather never see Vernon again if it can be avoided, but I know that I must for the divorce proceedings."
Marius's mouth tightened but he did not contradict her there. She had a good point after all. As he escorted her back to her room they spoke of Rathty and Dobby. Petunia surprised him by desiring to check into the nursery to make sure the boys were alright. He watched her caress the hair on each of their heads and whisper words of love to each of them before she was ready for Marius to escort her to her suite. She complimented the choices in House-Elves and in the choice of suite for her.
"I'll have the papers drawn up tomorrow," he promised her before he bid her a goodnight.
Petunia watched him walk down the hall and turn to the left and then she closed herself off into her suite. She rummaged into her suit case for her gown and she swiftly rushed to the bathroom and filled the tub with warm water. She stripped out of her outfit and then sighed only too happy to pamper herself with a luxurious bath before bed.
After her bath she had to fight hard against the urge to go and see to the boys herself. The House-Elves helping to take care of the boys was really a good idea. She did not want to seem over anxious, as though she did not trust the House-Elves to mind the boys. What if the poor little things became offended? She had no idea how an offended House-Elf would act? Teeth and claws? She was not sure. There was so much she did not know.
"That has to change," she said aloud to the darkness of the room once she was tucked into her bed.