If you want me to add something, leave a comment or send me a PM, I'll try to add it, and if you don't want to see explicit mature scenes please tell me, because I don't want to traumatize you by being too dirty or too describing. Please, review, it means a lot :)
Propped on a gigantic mount of fluffy pillows Petunia was resting after the emotional morning she had had. Molly had tried to calm her down, but she only wanted Lily or Severus, and as soon as he entered the room, she threw herself in his arms. He didn't press her, didn't try anything, he just sat there and let her cry, scream, insult him and love him. He took it all, waiting for her to stop on her own. After a couple of hours she fell asleep in his arms, and as gently as he could he placed her back in bed, by then Molly had left and was trying to explain everything to Harry and her children, Hermione had been taken by Arthur back to her house to spend Christmas with her family. He remained by Petunia's side until she woke up, near three o'clock in the evening. She had opened her eyes, hoping everything had been a nightmare, and for a minute she really believed it; the first thing she met was Severus' face, but as she examined the room she saw school books and girls things scattered around the room her happy bubble exploded in her chest and a sorrowful feeling took over. After crying for a bit more she settled down in his arms and so he took the book out of his pocket and started reading to her.
-"Just close your eyes- the wizard told her" "But if I close them I won't see – answered the muggle girl" "Quite contrary, you'll see much more than you do now" "But if I don't see I will-"
-"-fall" "The only chance of falling you have is the chance of… falling in love"
-You remember.
-You used to read it to me when you were courting me, of course, I remember. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Those quiet nights by the fire in your house.
-Shall we continue?
-I'm tired, maybe tomorrow if you are free after all it'll be Christmas and you'll want to celebrate it with your friends.
-Petunia, today is Christmas, not tomorrow.
-What? Today? But I haven't prepared anything for Dudley.
-Don't worry I'm sure your sister in law will do just fine.
-She doesn't know how to cook, with twelve dogs she doesn't have much time.
-Petunia, tell me, you want them here with you, don't you?
-I… Yes. It'll be our first Christmas without Vernon, and after what happened I don't know how they will be feeling. I'm pretty sure Marge won't be feeling up to doing anything after what Vernon did to her.
-We bandaged her arm and it should be doing way better now.
-Well… I want them here. With me.
-With us.
-Us?
-I'll be staying here with you of course.
-But in all these years you haven't found someone?
-I do have a girl back at Hogwarts.
-And?
-It's a bit complicated, but I'm going to try and explain it to you. She's the matron, do you remember the woman that came to your house?
-The blond one?
-Yes. She's my friend, but she's married to this Auror. You remember what an Auror is?
-Yes, they hunt dark wizards.
-Exactly. Well, when the Dark Lord returned Alastor came to me. He knew I was in good terms with his wife, Poppy, but being what he is he could not assure her safety, and that was the most important thing for him. So, he asked me to… to protect her, at all costs. I didn't expect anything to happen, but apparently, he had talked with her, and she seemed okay with it. I was just to tell the rest of Death Eaters she was my woman, spend time with her, make it look as if we were really together, but I guess that spending time with her made me realise how lovely she really was.
-You love her.
-No. I love you.
-People get that wrong. You love me but you are in love with her. It's not the same.
-What difference is there?
-You could see yourself with me, on a regular basis, you would even die for me, but if I were to leave you, you would get over it. It would hurt, of course, but you would end up getting over it. But if she were to leave you, you would hold her memory forever, you would never really forget her, and the mere thought of someone else occupying her place would be horrible. I loved Vernon at first, but I was always in love with you.
-Then I think you got it wrong.
-What did I get wrong?
-Do you think I forgot about you? What I felt back then hasn't changed, not even for once I've considered Poppy to be what you were. You were everything Lily was not, everything I never knew I needed. The simple thought of what might have happened to you if I had not left was too much to bear. Sometimes leaving is the best option, but believe me, I didn't want to. I've always and shall always be in love with you. I love Poppy, I'm not going to lie about it, but you are not her, I'm not in love with her. I see that now.
-Severus, if she's important to you, she's important to me and I don't mind sharing you with her.
-Sharing me?
-That's what… Alastor I think you said, is doing with his wife. He's sharing her with you, and believe me, he knows you are more than friends. If he can do it, so can I, even though I'm nothing to you right now.
-Harry's friend, Ronald, called me your boyfriend.
-My boyfriend? Something tells me you didn't correct him.
-I didn't want to.
-Then I guess you are my… boyfriend?
-Yes, and you are my girlfriend. – closing the book and leaving it on the nightstand he held her hand. It wasn't a movement that meant anything sexual, it was a simple thing, but it was as important as breathing. Finding out he still had thought about her during all these years gave her a new reason, a new will to go on.
-That's normally what comes when you get a partner. But I'm still married to Vernon.
-If you do become a witch the laws you will have to follow will be different, and if you can prove that you were forced to marry him it could be annulled.
-But if I don't become a witch, I will have to get a divorce.
-Why didn't you get one when he started beating you?
-Being married to Vernon meant stability, financial security, it meant not having to worry about Dudley not having whatever he wanted, and I needed a home for Harry. Now that you are here though, we are free.
-You think I'm going to play father to your son and Harry?
-Not really, but some sort of father figure, it'll do them good. You have a lot to teach them.
-Harry and I are not very good friends.
-He hates you, right?
-Yes. Almost as much as I hate his father.
-You'll have to work with him if we are all going to be a family.
-Don't rush it, you and I might start our relationship from where we left off but Harry and Dudley might not like the idea. They might accept that you and I are together, but not that we are a family.
-After this, you are better than my Uncle.
-Harry!- the boy startled them, he had knocked but they hadn't heard it. From her position in bed, Petunia smiled at him, surprised at how much more relaxed he seemed here. Of course, he seemed relaxed, here he was loved by everyone.
-Professor, Mrs. Weasley wants to know if you are staying for dinner tonight?
-Tell her that I will be. But can you ask Mr. Weasley to do me a favour?
-What favour?
-Tell him to go to Poppy's cousin's house. He must ask for his sweetheart.
-Okay. What is he exactly to do when he gets there?
-Invite them to come. He will understand.
-Professor, I just wanted to tell you… thank you. For saving her. We might not have the best relationship, but I'm very grateful for what you did.
-You are welcome, Mr. Potter. Now go, or you'll end up having dinner at midnight.
-Who is Poppy's cousin? – Harry closed the door, leaving them all alone again.
-Someone. Don't worry.
-Severus… I've meaning to ask you, I think for many years… Why did they think it had been Sirius?
-Harry told you about-?
-No. I knew them. Lily introduced me to them, but Sirius didn't strike me as the sort of man who would betray them.
-He didn't. Peter sold them to the Dark Lord. He got scared and told him where they were. They trusted the wrong person.
-Does Harry know about the prophecy then?
-You remember!
-Well, you came to my house at two o'clock in the morning to tell me about it. It was obvious I would not forget it.
-And you warned her?
-I might not have been in very good terms with her, but I didn't want her to die. I told her and shortly after they went into hiding. But Severus, why did they blame him?
-He was their best friend, and Peter set him up. They thought Sirius had killed Peter and those thirteen muggles to quiet him down. To silence him. It never occurred to them the possibility of him being an animagus.
-A what?
-A wizard or witch that chooses to become an animal at his own will. Peter turned into a rat after cutting one of his own fingers and so Sirius was sent to Azkaban.
-And now he's dead.
-Yes.
-And Harry witnessed it.
-I'm afraid he did. To the Dark Lord, the woman who killed him is a hero. He told her so.
-Wait a minute. How the hell do you know that? You are, after all, he's done to us, in his side? – she pushed herself upwards, away from him. They had killed her sister, they had destroyed her life, Harry's life…
-No, no listen. I'm a double agent Petunia. I'm on your side.
-I don't understand.
-I'm on your side, but I'm a spy inside enemy lines. I'm the Dark Lord's right hand but I would never ever be with those who killed Lily.
-How did you find out? About Lily.
-The same way all of us found out about the Dark Lord's defeat.
-No. I know you are lying. How did you find out Severus? – she was staring hard at him, her lovely semblance had turned into one of hate and disgust, but her eyes shone with hurt and love.
-I followed him to Godrics Hollow. I wanted to stop him even if it cost me my life, but when I got there everything had already happened.
-Tell me. – her voice was quiet, soft, the hate dissipating as she held his hands once again. Maybe she had judged him a bit too harshly.
-The house was ruined, simply destroyed. He killed James first, he was laying on the stairs. I could hear Harry crying in his room and knew she was gone. She would have never left Harry unattended, crying in such desperation. She was laying on the floor, surrounded by debris and Harry was sitting in his cot. I…
-Go on. You…?
-I held her in my arms. It hurt too much I thought I would die. She was my friend, the only person who defended me, and I insulted her. She died hating me.
-She didn't hate you. She couldn't hate.
-But I hurt her. I called her a… a mudblood.
-You were her friend, even if you insulted her. But… I knew something. She had convinced James to talk with you.
-Whatever for?
-Lily was pregnant. She wanted you to be the baby's Godfather. – she couldn't hold his gaze, it hurt too much to see in his eyes how horrible the scene had been, how his agony had been reflected in her sister dying for her son.
-She was what?
-A few days before she… died she sent me a letter. She knew they were on to them, that they would find them, but she wanted to tell me about it. I must admit it brought a smile to my face. I wish I could have held him or her, but… Severus, you meant so much to her. You ought to know.
-I'm sorry. I was a coward.
-You did what thought was right after realising you had been on the wrong side. You are here with me now, and that says a lot more than any other thing could say.
-You don't know what I've done.
-And I don't need to. You came to me to tell me about the prophecy, it wasn't a real visit, you just came for ten minutes and then you were gone, but you told me.
-I don't regret leaving you because I don't know if you would be alive today if I had stayed.
-One thing I've been thinking about since he returned… You told me that the woman had said "and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal". It's not about the scar, I know. Does that mean Harry and… Voldemort… are connected?
-What do you mean by connected?
-That some part of Harry attached itself to Voldemort or vice versa that night at Godrics Hollow.
-Dumbledore seems to think so, but Harry must not know.
-Why?
-Because not even Albus is fully sure of what that connection involves. If Harry were to find out it might become too dangerous.
-Dangerous in what sense? Severus, please, tell me the truth, how much in danger is Harry?
-A lot, but he must not know. Please, tell me you are not going to tell him.
-I won't but explain everything to me. Please.
-This is a war only Harry can win. We can try and help him, but in the end, it must be him who must destroy Voldemort. That's what the prophecy says, and yes, Harry does know about it, but he doesn't fully understand what it implies. He knows he must be the one to kill him, but he doesn't understand that…
-That what?
-That… About what I'm going to tell you, you really can't breathe a word about it do you understand? – Petunia nodded as her hands squeezed his, encouraging him to continue. She had a duty to Harry and needed to know as much as they could tell her, the rest she would find out on her own. – There's another spy inside the castle. A boy in Harry's year, in Slytherin. He has a mission to complete.
-Kill Harry?
-No. The Dark Lord has ordered Malfoy, that's the boy, to kill Dumbledore.
-What? If Dumbledore dies Harry's first protection will be gone! He will be vulnerable!
-No, his first protection is you.
-Me? I thought I was only providing him with a temporary shelter.
-Yes, but it's the most important of them all. With Dumbledore gone the next step would be to kill you, but the blood protection will wear off after his seventeenth birthday. To the Death Eaters, you won't be important, but to Harry, you still will provide him with a love protection.
-A what? No one has ever told me about that.
-When Lily died, she placed some sort of charm around him, ancient magic no one preceded, but since the same blood runs through your veins that love enchantment still works and will keep Harry safe for as long as you are alive. It's very powerful magic, and those who are filled with darkness will succumb to it. He doesn't understand that with Dumbledore gone you will be his only source of protection.
-And so I must stay with Harry.
-You just need to stay close to him for it to be powerful enough, but not by his side all the time or they will kill you. He just needs to be in the same room with you for a few hours, which will be more than enough to make it strong for a couple of months maybe. I'm not sure.
-That's one of the reasons as to why he must come home every summer?
-Yes. Dumbledore insisted on it.
-But why does it have to be the boy? I mean the one to kill Dumbledore.
-His father failed to bring him the prophecy.
-What? I thought the only people that knew about it were the woman that did it, you and I.
-No, Dumbledore knew as well but someone inside the Ministry told Voldemort of its existence. There's a room inside the Department of Mysteries that holds every single prophecy that has ever been made. Malfoy's father failed to bring it and so he's punishing him by having the boy do this. But I couldn't let him do it so I made an Unbreakable Vow with Malfoy's mother as to protect the boy. He doesn't want to do it, but if he doesn't Voldemort will kill him. Do you know what an Unbreakable Vow is?
-I… I do- she couldn't hold his gaze as she showed him her right arm where thin lines marked her skin so fairly that only a wizard would identify it as a mark made by such advanced wizardry. Two lines embraced her limb which Severus touched sweetly and softly, wondering…
-Who?
-Remus Lupin.
-When?
-Shortly after Sirius escaped from Azkaban. He came to my house when Vernon was at work. He didn't believe I would actually be able to protect Harry, so I asked him to perform one.
-You asked for it?
-Yes. It would be the only way he would really believe me. I swore I would protect Harry until the day I die and would save him from anyone who tried to kill him.
-But… you won't make it. Voldemort could kill Harry, you would break the vow!
-I know, but if it's the only way I can protect him, please, let me have this.
-No. You are too valuable. I will find a way to break it.
-Severus you... Severus listen... Severus! You know the only way for it to break is by Remus dying, and I won't allow it. You need every great wizard there is. You need him.
-But I don't want to lose you.
-You don't really know if I'm going to die. Voldemort might not get to kill Harry. Have faith, Severus. You could die as well, but I trust your good judgment and I know you won't leave because of it. Besides, you and I have a lot to do together.
-Like what?
-I remember a man who once said to me "I want to have a big garden with roses and beautiful daisies and hyacinths". I think you and I need to start working on that garden.
-And where exactly would our little house be?
-I think Hogsmeade might be a very nice place.
-Lily told you about it, didn't she?
-Oh yes, and if I become a witch what a better place than a little cottage in a wizarding village?
-You think of everything.
-I'm not the president of the housewife club for nothing. Lily used to say that if I had gone to Hogwarts, I would have ended up in Ravenclaw.
-I couldn't agree more. But after what you've been doing for Harry all these years, I think you would be in Gryffindor.
-Do you really think I'm going to end up going to… Hogwarts as a real… witch?
-You want my most honest opinion, right?
-Of course, I do, I don't want you to lie to me.
-You have absorbed my magic well, so it's quite probable that you… will become a witch. I have also heard that you have a bit of magic yourself, Lily said once that you had shattered a glass even though you were not touching it.
-I always thought that had been her. It was me?
-Apparently yes.
-I'm going to be a witch? A real witch?
-Yes. I'm almost a hundred percent sure.
A knock on the door disturbed them, but she didn't mind it, whoever it was was more than welcome. She didn't fear anyone in that house, not even the magic that seemed to pour out of every wall, every crack, even the air around her. In slow motion the door creaked open, shadows moving on the other side.
-Mum! – a huge figure ran inside and enfolded her in the tightest embrace anyone had given her so far. Dudley had feared for his mother's life, but if he had tried to approach her his father would have killed him, and she was doing all this so he would be safe.
-Dudders, oh my sweet boy! Are you okay? They took you away so fast… - Tears running down her cheeks, her shaky hands on his face as she tried not to laugh. She felt do full, so happy as if nothing could destroy her today. Marge had her arm bandaged, but she seemed far more relaxed now that she had seen her sister-in-law.
-I'm fine, we are both okay.
-Okay, okay. How did you get here?
-Oh, mum, it was so cool! We came through the chimney! Yeah, a chimney!
-It was okay, I don't think I will be taking another chimney to go back though. – Marge was standing close to the foot of the bed, Harry was by the door which he had just closed to prevent Ron and the twins from bothering them, at least for a couple of minutes.
-Hello Marge. How are you doing? How's your arm?
-Doing much better, I think that by tomorrow I'll take the bandage off. Where's Vernon? I asked yesterday but no one answered. They were all worried about you.
-I know, and I'm sorry.
-You don't have to be sorry Petunia, what he did… I haven't slept a wink all night trying to get the image off my mind. Dudley on the other hand… the lady said that she had modified his memories.
-It was the best option, he's too young to be traumatised by something like this.
-And you are? – The disdain in her voice could have matched Severus' normal tone with the students, but he didn't want to cause a scene, it almost amused him. She could bite his head off so easily… They would get along just fine.
-I'm Severus Snape, and if you turn that tone down, I will gladly explain everything that has happened to your brother.
-You saved her.
-Yes.
-If you hadn't come he would have killed her.
-Probably, yes. Or she would have died from her wounds, but all in all, yes.
-Thank you.
-There's no need to thank me. She's very important for Harry, for you and for me.
-What happened to my brother?
-He was under the influence of a dark spell. That's why he behaved that way, but yesterday it did more harm to him than ever before. He's been taken to St. Mungo's, which is a hospital because he's… he's lost his mind.
-Cursed? As in dark magic was used on him?
-You are not surprised about the fact that they used magic on him?! Magic, Marge. Magic!
-Of course, not Petunia. Frank explained everything to me about the boy and magic and all that when he asked me out.
-Hold on, Frank? Colonel Frank Fubster is a wizard?
-Absolutely not!
-Tuney, I asked Arthur to bring them, try to remember what I said.
-He's Poppy's cousin?! Colonel Fubster is her cousin, Severus? Oh, sweet Lord. He's a squib then.
-No, he's a muggle. Not every wizarding family has witches and wizards. But that's not important. They used a darker version of the Imperius curse and his mind just couldn't handle it.
-He won't recover, will he?
-I don't think so Ms. Dursley. There are some things even magic can't fix.
-Marge, I swear I never wanted-
-This is not your fault Petunia.
-No. It's mine. – Harry was now sitting on a chair not very far from he had just been standing, but his eyes had lost that spark they had had all day as he looked for the first time at his family. He wondered how many more things he didn't really know about them. – If it hadn't been for me defeating Voldemort he wouldn't be doing this now.
-No, Potter. This is not just about you, this is way bigger than any of us could have imagined.
-But I must be the one to kill him. I'm the chosen one.
-The boy who lived. – Petunia didn't hold an angry expression when looking at him, the first time he had seen real pain in her eyes and not the mask she had been wearing all these years. -If it's true you are supposed to kill him, you and just you, I think you should know that… that your parents were a very brave and strong couple, and… I have Lily's things in a trunk hidden at home. You can use Lily's wand if you ever need to or your father's, I have both.
-Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you give Dumbledore the wands?
-Because he brought them to my home. But it's about time you had them, after all, they belonged to your parents.
-Aunt Petunia, I never thought he was doing this to you. What other things are you keeping from me? Why do you know Snape? What the hell did you two have?
-Harry, there are so many things I can't explain, some of them I just can't others I don't even understand them, but one thing I do know is that you know what this war implies. You know what you have to do, you are a smart boy and you've saved Hogwarts more than once. You know what you must do.
-You mean I know things that you don't know.
-Yes, and if you haven't told us it must be very important. You know what you have to do, you don't need anyone to explain things to you. You'll connect the dots when the time is right.
-You put a lot of faith in me, Aunt Petunia.
-That's because I have faith in you. Others before you have died trying to defeat him, but I know you won't. You are meeting your destiny Harry, you'll do well.
-But what about Snape?
-That is private Harry. You just need to know that when you were young were a couple and now that Vernon is… well, you know, I'm going to give him another opportunity. Just be happy for me, please.
-Petunia, being your sister-in-law, I should be mad at you for all this, but Dudley told me as much as he remembers, and I must admit that if I were you I would do the same.
-Being in love certainly has changed you.
-You know more about that than I do, you've had, and you lost but he's back and you would be a very foolish woman if you were to let him go. But it's Christmas, and we should be enjoying ourselves, so how about going downstairs to have some dinner?
-Is this the trunk you were talking about? – Harry pointed at an old looking object beneath her suitcases and boxes. Crawling out of bed with Severus holding her just to make sure she didn't fall and accompanied her to the foot of the bed.
-Yes, how did you get it?
-Mr. Weasley used a spell to gather all your things, I suppose it must have flown down the hall.
-Then it's yours. Everything inside is yours to do with as you please.
Harry took the boxes out of the way, the suitcases landing on the floor next to the trunk. It looked quite old and rusty, but in good condition nevertheless. Opening the top, it creaked as a soft red light filled the room. Robes and scarfs were on top of the books and other things, but the source of light was coming from underneath a pair of gloves. It smelled of vanilla and oak, his mother's perfume filling his chest as he took the robes in his hands. It surprised him how light they felt in his hands. Noticing the red light he lifted the gloves to meet a wand, the small sphere at the tip. He didn't need anyone to tell him that this was his mother's wand.
-Why is it doing that? I have never seen a wand do that before.
-Don't touch it, Harry.
-Why?
-Petunia, - Severus continued as if the boy hadn't said a word. – take it.
-What? No. What if it burns my hand?
-It won't, it's calling you.
-Calling? You talk as if the wand had a mind of its own.
-In a way they do. For those who study wands, they are like another being. What's happening to Lily's is that since you didn't have magic before it just laid untouched, but now that things have changed…
-It belongs to me?
-In part, yes. You have enough magic to control it so its loyalty has changed from your sister to you. You can touch it now.
-I'm scared.
-Don't be, it won't harm you.
She had seen what that wand could do when Lily was alive and couldn't imagine it working for her now. She had never ever imagined she would become a witch now, a witch… and much less that she would be using her sister's… With shaky hands, she reached for it, but she was just a few inches away when she felt as if she was not worthy. She had let her husband hurt Harry, breaking every promise she had ever made. Another hand took hold of hers and with a new-found strength she picked it up a warm feeling running all over her body before the small red sphere turned into a golden one, then it disappeared.
-Now it will answer to you, but not fully. It's, after all, another witch's wand. I know someone who might have a wand just for you.
-I only need one, with this one-
-It might not work always Tuney. You need one of your own. Consider it my Christmas present.
-Harry! Harry! – Ron burst through the door a loaf of bread in his hands. – Mum says that if you all don't come down now Fred and George will eat everything. Come on mate, mum has made her famous turkey a la Dragón.
-Turkey what?
-Never mind the name, it's soooo good. Oh, yeah, Mrs. Dursley dad has put up an armchair so you'll be comfortable.
-Thank you… hm
-Ron, Ron Weasley. Come on, everyone down. I think I'm going to get a box of Chocolate frogs this Christmas, and I have a feeling I'm finally going to get Ptolomeo mate.
-I'm sure you are never going to get Ron.
-Party popper. Come on Harry's cousin, you are going to see super cool stuff tonight. My brothers can do magic now and they own a joke shop in Diagon Alley. Maybe they'll give you some sweets so you can skip school.
-Will they?
The three boys went downstairs, joking and laughing while trying to include Dudley into their conversation. Marge didn't waste a minute and followed them, a bit worried all that magic might be a little too much for her nephew, after all, Petunia was well taken care of. She didn't need her there, at least not right now. Leaving the door ajar after leaving Petunia hadn't still let go of the wand, her eyes fixed on the little wooden stick.
-What… What do I do with it now?
-I think we should put it back in the trunk for now.
-But I… It's Lily's. What if I'm not worthy?
-Think of it this way Tuney, your sister has left you the only weapon she knew how to use to fight her war so you can use it to fight yours. She has left you the most important object to protect her son. You are far more than worthy.
-Do you think she sees us?
-I think she's always watching us, and I know she's proud of you. It will be alright, I promise. Let's go downstairs or we won't have dinner at all.
-You will stay, won't you?
-I promise I will. I won't betray you, never.
He bit his lip as she gave him her back. If only he could tell her if only he didn't have to lie to her. Then she came to his mind. Poppy only kept secrets from him when extremely necessary, but he had to keep this from the two women he loved, even if it cost him their trust.