Chapter Forty-Three

An hour or so later brought Remus and Peter into my room, where a small party had started, with drinks and cakes and everything. Each were loaded down with an armful of toys, apparently the presents that Lily and the boys had gotten for Dudley. I burst into tears again, startling Peter, but Remus simply kissed my cheek and passed me the biggest chocolate bar Honeydukes sold. "He's lovely, Pet," he told me as he looked down on me holding Dudley against my chest.

"Would you like to hold him?" I asked, knowing how everyone else in the room had already had (at least) one turn.

Remus began to squirm. "Ah, no, I'm- No, I couldn't. I'm no good- I couldn't," he stammered, hands twitching a little at his sides.

Instantly, I knew it was about his lycanthropy. "Remus John Lupin, you hold my baby right now," I ordered.

I must have surprised him, since he automatically held out his arms at my words. Once Dudley was settled in, I continued, much more softly, "I don't care that you're a werewolf, Remus. You're a good man, and I trust you with my son."

His eyes softened, and even the soft lines on his face disappeared for a moment. "Thank you, Pet," he whispered. "That means more to me than you can know."

"But how did you know?" Sirius asked me quietly, appearing at my side almost as if he had Apparated there. "That Moony's a werewolf, I mean."

I raised my eyebrow at him. "That nickname may have had something to do with it," I retorted, and Remus snorted a laugh, startling Dudley a bit. But he simply patted his back again, and Dudley settled right down. "I've known as long as Lily has. Who do you think she asked about it when she first figured it out?"

"So you've known since Fifth Year?" Sirius asked, looking very surprised.

I laughed, and Sirius grinned at me, seeming happy just to make me laugh. "No, dear, I think it was my Fourth Year, just before Gid-" A pang in my heart nearly had me gasping, but I pushed past it. "So that would have been your Second Year."

"Lily knew in Second Year?" Remus gaped at me. "And she never said anything?"

"Lily is very good at keeping secrets," Lily said, coming over to join us, no doubt at having heard her name. "But just what did I know this time?"

Just then, Dudley started fussing, so I took him back from Remus while Lily laughingly explained to the boys just how long she had known about Remus's "furry little problem". And then Healer Blishwick presented me with the birth certificate to fill out, and I realised I hadn't even thought about telling Vernon I was in labour, not to mention Dudley was born. "I didn't tell Vernon," I moaned, not looking forward to that conversation in the least.

"I already did, Pet." James brought me another piece of cake with a smile. "Right after we got here, I called him. And then again once Dudley was born. So he knows."

"And was probably none too polite since you were the one delivering the news, I'm sorry," I winced, but he wouldn't hear of any apology.

"That is not your fault," he said firmly. "What Vernon does is not your fault. He is an adult and can take responsibility for his own actions."

I stared hard at him. "Who are you, and what have you done with James Potter?"

He laughed and dropped a kiss to my forehead. "Lily made me grow up a bit, I suppose. But you don't need to worry about telling Vernon. He already knows, and it seemed like there was a bit of a party going on in his office during the second phone call. He sounded pleased."

"Oh good," I replied, and James laughed at the sarcasm evident in my voice.

"You can always stay with me and Lily," he began to offer, but I cut him off with a wave.

"I'm fine, James, I promise. Dudley and I will be just fine at home."

…

Dudley and I did settle in well at home the next day, not that we were alone all that much. Lily and James hovered nearly constantly, at least when he wasn't involved in Auror training or Order missions. The rest of my friends came over when they could, which meant I was rarely alone. Just the way I preferred, even if Vernon didn't. And I may have preferred it partially because he didn't like it. It was a bit petty, but I never claimed to be a saint. Also, the more time the others spent at our house, the less he tended to. It was a win for everyone involved.

Lily came over early on the last day in July, early enough that Vernon was still home. She ignored him, as she often did, but he merely sniffed in her direction before fixing his tie in the entry mirror and leaving for work. "Good morning, my loves," she sang, kissing both Dudley and me in greeting. "Alice had her baby last night, after fourteen hours of labour. Apparently, even with magic, most women don't have as quick deliveries as you did, Tuney."

"It didn't feel quick," I grumbled as I filled the kettle with one hand and held Dudley with the other. I was very sleepy, as I'd had very odd dreams all night long. They had involved Vernon, Nic, and Sirius, and a hippogriff. I couldn't remember much about it, but I was fairly sure that Nic and Sirius had been "teaching" Vernon how to deal with hippogriffs. It involved rather a lot of insults and a convenient mauling. I had a feeling I probably shouldn't have felt so relieved at the mauling, but I was also too tired to care.

"They've named him Neville, and I'm to be godmother," Lily continued. She grabbed mugs for both of us, then the tea tin and honey. "Frank's friend Kingsley will be godfather. They've been partners in Auror training, and Alice said they've become as close as brothers."

"Kingsley Shacklebolt?" I asked, remembering the solid Ravenclaw. "Lottie fancied him in Sixth Year, and Tina for most of Fifth and Sixth."

"Who didn't Lottie fancy?" Lily asked with a snort. She passed me the honey, and I traded it for the milk. We fixed our tea the way we always had, the way Mum had made it, and something about the routine of it all soothed a small part of my heart. Especially after reading about the attack on a Muggle bank the day before.

Lily took a sip, then dropped her mug with a gasp. "Oh, I think Harry's coming," she moaned, bracing herself on the countertop. "He's really coming."

She'd been having false contractions for several weeks now, but the suddenly wet floor beneath her told me it was real this time. "Just sit tight for a minute, love," I told her, "and I'll call James."

"He's on a mission!" she cried. "He won't be back until tomorrow!"

Well, that was terribly helpful. "Alright, let me get my wand and I'll send a Patronus to Nic."

Lily's pained groan cut me off. "Call Sirius and Remus. They're supposed to both be home today at their flat."

It took her far too long to (correctly) remember their number, but I breathed a sigh of relief when Remus answered. "Remus, thank Merlin, it's Petunia," I breathed. "Lily's here, and she just went into labour."

He let out a panicked squawk, but quickly covered it with, "We'll both be right over."

While we waited for them, I collected my wand from my bedroom and sent a Patronus to Nic and Danae. The four of them arrived at nearly the same time. Nic took Dudley from me, with plenty of assurances that they would be alright without me, and Remus took my arm as Sirius scooped Lily up. "For a single bloke, I seem to have a weird habit of carrying pregnant women," he joked.

"Just shut up and get me to the hospital, Black," Lily seethed, gripping her wand so tightly, sparks shot out of it.

He wisely listened.

…

Being on the other side of delivery was an odd thing. I held Lily's hand and listened as she swore at everything and everyone with an increasing creativity. My favourite was that she would cut James's bollocks off and turn them into earrings if he didn't make it back in time to see his son born. He did make it, thanks to several Patronuses Remus sent, and when Healer Blishwick placed tiny Harry onto Lily's chest, he burst into tears. "He's beautiful, Lils," he sobbed.

I led the boys out of the room to give them a moment, and to try to quell the raging jealousy in my chest. Vernon had never looked at me in any way that could even resemble the love and tenderness James had for Lily, and he was often annoyed when Dudley made even the slightest peep. The thought that I would never have that sort of love in my life made my heart ache.

"We can go back in now, Petal," Sirius said, cupping my elbow to lead me back to my sister and her perfect little family.

"Auntie Tuney, uncles, come meet Harry," James said, beaming in happiness. "He's perfect!"

"Auntie gets to hold him first," Lils declared. She caught my eye with a wet grin. "He's looking forward to meeting you."

I gathered the little bundle into my arms, noting just how much smaller he was than my Dudley. And then he opened his eyes, those beautiful emeralds just like his mummy's. "Well, hello, Mr. Harry James Potter," I murmured, instantly smitten. "I'm your Auntie Tuney. I'm so very happy to finally meet you."

He blinked slowly, and I knew. In that instant, I knew I would do everything in my power to keep this little boy safe, just like I would with Dudley.

AN: I know it's been forever. I've been pouring most of my creative energy into my original work, so Petunia's been falling a bit by the wayside. So sorry to all of you who've been waiting for so long. I promise I am going to finish this story, and we're getting very near to the end. I think there will only be a few more chapters left, and then I'll move back to What Now Is, with a little revision. But thanks for sticking with us, and a bit thanks to those of you who take the time to review. I especially want to thank TaylorMade, since their review was what inspired Pet's dream. You should all read the review; I snorted from laughing so hard!