CW: birthdays, domestic abuse, conflict, grief, food
:FIFTEEN:
Saturday dawned with Remus feeling entirely too excited to be allowed. Harry knew it was his birthday, but hadn't dared to hope for anything more than the massive surprise he'd received the previous afternoon. So he was surprised when Remus presented him with a chocolate crepe.
"Because it's your birthday." Remus answered his unspoken question. "Please eat your eggs too though."
Harry looked at him suspiciously for a moment, but then tucked into his breakfast. When Remus sat down with his coffee, Harry asked him what they were going to do that day.
"Well," Remus said thoughtfully. "I thought we could stick around the house this morning until Dudley and your aunt come this afternoon."
"Okay!"
Harry was perfectly content with that, as he hadn't nearly finished exploring his new toys. Remus had pulled down the magical ones for him to try, which would need to be put away before Dudley arrived. Harry was a little apprehensive about Dudley trying to take his new toys, but Remus had easily planned around that.
"Just bring out the toys you want to share to the living room." Remus explained. "We'll keep your other toys in your room with the door closed."
Harry was convinced that Papa Lupin was the smartest adult he'd ever met.
So, he went off to his room to play, completely oblivious to Remus' mounting excitement. Remus pulled out the decorations once Harry was in his room, setting up the back garden for his surprise party. He hadn't been able to get very much, but he'd used Harry's favorite colors and made the garden look rather nice.
By the time he'd finished cutting up finger sandwiches and veggie sticks, the doorbell rang.
"Harry!" Remus called. "Have you put away the magical toys!"
"Yes, Papa Lupin!" Harry called back, his little arms stuffed full with Dudley-sharing toys.
"Excellent, Harry." Remus smiled at him, following the boy into the living room and opening the door.
Dudley and Aunt Petunia came in, Aunt Petunia giving Remus a small wrapped box. Dudley was incredibly excited to see Remus, but also the toys Harry had piled into the living room.
"How'd you get all these?" Dudley asked Harry, looking at them all greedily.
"For my birthday!" Harry cried excitedly. "See, Dudley?"
He held out a stuffed animal for Dudley, and together they played with the stuffed animals. Remus was incredibly pleased with their positive interaction. Even Aunt Petunia seemed pleased, as she took a tentative seat on the couch to watch the two boys.
"Would you like some tea, Mrs. Dursley?" Remus asked politely.
Aunt Petunia nodded, looking briefly at Remus before turning her hawk-like eyes back to the playing children.
Dudley, who was rather fond of a stuffed tiger, was chasing little Harry around the room with his stuffed deer when Aunt Petunia finally had to ask.
"Who gave you these toys, Harry?"
Harry stopped, almost getting bowled over by Dudley in the process.
"Papa Lupin said that they're from a lot of different people who knew my parents." Harry said hesitantly.
Just because Aunt Petunia was being nice lately didn't mean she was totally safe. He'd seen Uncle Vernon's face too as the weeks went by - Harry had been avoiding the man as much as possible.
"Oh." Aunt Petunia said stiffly. "Well. That's nice of them."
Harry nodded warily, but was then distracted as Dudley walloped him with the stuffed tiger. This quickly spurred Harry back into running around, shrieking all the way. Dudley followed behind, roaring the way he suspected tigers must. It was all in good fun, which was a change that had only recently begun.
Which left Aunt Petunia with her thoughts. As she sat there fidgeting, Aunt Petunia struggled with her own emotions. Unable to stand it, she got up from the couch and went into the kitchen, where Remus was still prepping food for when the Walters arrived. He looked up when she entered, but then returned to his work as she continued to pace around.
"Was it more of those people?" Petunia finally asked. "That sent Harry presents?"
Remus nodded, very carefully placing candles into Harry's birthday cake.
"Why did random people send Harry presents?"
Remus looked up, catching on to Petunia's tone. He looked calmly into her face, taking stock of how best to proceed.
"Did anyone ever explain to you what happened to the Potter family?" Remus asked quietly.
"Not really." Petunia said harshly. "Besides the letter Dumbledore left. I hadn't spoken to...Lily."
She choked on the name, screwing up her face for a moment.
"We hadn't spoken for several years when it happened."
Oh. Remus just stood on the other side of the counter for a moment, unsure of what to say. He didn't know what the letter said, or how to explain things before the Walters arrived. He didn't like talking about this to begin with, but it really didn't seem fair that Petunia wasn't made aware.
"Well," Remus began, carefully considering his words. "They were part of an organization to take down a dark wizard. But when they had Harry, Dumbledore discovered that they were being targeted and needed to go into hiding."
He took a deep breath, then continued.
"So, they were in hiding for a year before they were betrayed by a friend. The dark wizard found them and killed them, but couldn't kill Harry. He vanished and no one has seen him since then, though many believe he is in hiding."
Remus watched Petunia, wondering what was going on in her mind. She seemed to be considering his words very carefully, chewing her bottom lip. Her hands were shaking slightly as well, as if she were fighting a compulsion to clean. Finally, she asked Remus a question.
"Why didn't Harry die?"
Remus frowned. "No one is really sure, I'm afraid. Dumbledore believes that he survived because...well, because your sister died for him. He believes it is why Harry is safest in your home - because you share the same familial bond."
Petunia was shaking now, finally having this explained to her meant that she was also really processing the information for the first time. Her sister was gone. She had given her life to save Harry. Harry was supposed to be safe in her home…
"Mrs. Dursley?" Remus' brow creased, coming around to her and looking anxious. When she didn't respond, he tried again. "Petunia?"
She covered her face with her hands, tears falling down in what felt like rivers. Remus quickly cast a silencing and privacy ward so the children wouldn't hear or come in. Then, still completely out of his element, Remus attempted patting Petunia on the shoulder. Before he really knew what was happening, Remus was holding onto Petunia as she cried heavily onto his cardigan.
"I...I'm so sorry!" She sobbed.
"It's not your fault." Remus murmured, gently rubbing Petunia's back in what he hoped was a comforting way.
"It is though!" Petunia wailed. "You don't understand!"
She was still crying, but pushed Remus away slightly so she was standing on her own.
"I was the one who pushed her away! She grew up thinking I didn't...didn't care! And I shredded my wedding invitation... I shredded all of her letters! I missed Harry's baby shower and his birth! I was supposed to protect her - she was my baby sister."
Petunia held herself, rocking side to side.
"If she didn't hate me before," Petunia murmured. "She would hate me now. Harry is supposed to be safe with me, but he's not. Not like he is with...with you."
"What do you mean, he isn't safe?" Remus said, sharper than he meant to, but Harry came first.
"V..Vernon doesn't like the boy." Petunia murmured. "He has wanted to get rid of Harry since he arrived. It was his idea to put him in the cupboard - I only convinced him to move Harry to the bedroom because I told him you'd do something if you found out."
She shook her head miserably.
"But...I don't know what to do. I don't have a job, or money of my own. How am I supposed to take care of anyone on my own?"
Remus had never seen someone look so helpless and defeated. But he knew there was a way out for Petunia, and knew he could help her if she was willing to change.
"Petunia," He began. "Do you want to leave him?"
Petunia considered this, shaking like a leaf. "I...I don't know. I love him, but the way he treats Harry…"
"Is wrong, Petunia." Remus said firmly. "It's wrong and, forgive me if I'm being forward, but if he can treat a four year old that way I very much doubt he's treated you well."
Petunia's eyes widened, but she didn't disagree with him. Sure, Petunia had never been physically hurt, but Vernon never took her cares seriously. He never noticed the chemical burns she would get from compulsively cleaning. He never helped her when Dudley would go into tantrums, even encouraging some of them.
"Petunia." Remus caught her attention again. "My home is always open to you and your son. If you want to leave, I can help you get out. Harry's parents left him quite a bit of gold that you can use to help support yourselves - I can help you get it transferred to muggle money."
He made eye contact with her, willing her to understand.
"You have choices, Petunia."
Remus watched as her widened eyes slowly steeled themselves. She wiped her face, straightening up and looking more like herself. Adjusting her blouse, she finally asked.
"Can you watch Dudley while I gather some things?"
Remus looked back at her, finding no hesitation in her eyes.
"Certainly," Remus nodded. "We'll be here until you get back."
Petunia nodded briskly. "I'll be off then."
And she resolutely walked back into the living room. Remus shook his head slowly, canceling the wards over the kitchen on auto-pilot. Petunia was going to move into his home, at least temporarily. What on earth had his life turned into?
His trance was only broken when the doorbell rang. Shaking his head as though to clear water out of it, Remus opened the door to find Mrs. Walter and her daughter.
"Natalie!" Harry yelled, running over with Dudley hot on his heels.
"Hello, Remus." Mrs. Walters said warmly. "Thank you for having us."
"Of course," Remus said distractedly, letting them both into the living room. "Harry, do you want to show Natalie your toys for a moment? I haven't quite finished lunch."
Harry nodded enthusiastically, introducing Natalie to Dudley and showing her all of his toys.
"Do you want some help with lunch?" Mrs. Walters asked him, smiling at the trio of children fondly.
"Yes, please." Remus led her into the kitchen. "If you wouldn't mind bringing the sandwiches out, I'll be right behind you with the cake."
She nodded, picking up the tray and walking out to the table he'd set up in the back garden. She looked approvingly around at the decorations, smiling at Remus.
"Shall we get the party started then?" She asked. "I do love surprise parties."
Remus nodded. "I'll send the other two out, then bring Harry out with me."
He went back into the living room, sending Dudley and Natalie out, but holding Harry back. He knelt down to Harry's level.
"How're you doing kiddo?" He asked Harry gently.
"I'm having the bestest day!" Harry laughed. "Can we go outside too, Papa Lupin?"
"Yeah," Remus looked into Harry's little face. "Yeah, let's go outside together, okay?"
He took Harry's hand, walking out to the back garden. They were greeted by shouts of 'surprise!' from the little group, where Harry promptly screamed with excitement. He had a party and balloons and a cake!
He beamed at Remus, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome, Harry." Remus smiled. "Happy birthday!"
"Come try these sandwiches, Harry!" Natalie held one out for him. "They're really quite good."
Harry ran over to her, eating happily. Remus just stood there, watching them all. He was still trying to process what had just happened with Petunia, but even in his dazed state, Remus had the feeling that everything was about to change.
Notes:
I told ya'll to buckle up. This chapter wrote itself really, I was not planning on this turn of events. And it's meant a lot of plot-tinkering for future chapters.
But I think it's important to note that the cannon story is written from Harry Potter's perspective, and we have met Petunia when Harry is four years old. She hasn't done as much damage yet as in the original story, and she also has a much more complex character than Harry probably ever saw.
Happy people don't clean at midnight with bleach. Happy people don't flinch and cower when their son gets upset, or when really anyone gets upset with them. Happy people don't abuse children. Aunt Petunia is also so completely isolated in that home, where Uncle Vernon also ignores her stories and experiences. JKR makes her character seem so superficial, but I disagree.
She is still going to need to do the work to make up for her choices, but leaving her bigoted husband is a very good first step.
Happy Reading!