Chapter 3: QUESTIONS FOR AUNT PETUNIA
A/N: Read, Review, and Enjoy!
****
Harry stepped into the dark shadowy attic very slowly and carefully, so as not to bump into anything. Looking around, Harry noticed that there were boxes and other sorts of rubbish that you would expect to see in any attic for that matter. Several boxes belonged to Dudley containing his vast collection of past presents while others clearly belonged to Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. An old wardrobe with many clothes was to Harry's right and as he was trying to wade through some curtains hanging from the ceiling, he almost tripped on some old trousers, presumably belonging to Uncle Vernon. Cautious of the fact that if he lingered here for a while, the Dursleys would catch him, Harry checked his watch and headed towards the door.
However he noticed a box in the corner labeled "Lily Potter" and quickly ran and opened it up. Inside were many things including a muggle doll wearing a fancy dress and perfectly preserved in every way except for, curiously, a sock missing on one of the doll's feet. At the bottom, Harry noticed a portrait wrapped in cloth very securely so that no one would think twice about it. As he unwrapped the cloth, he saw some figures in the picture were moving through the threads. Harry saw that the photo was definitely from the wizarding world, showing an old manor with trees lining between both ends with a young couple standing in front of it.
While there was no doubt in Harry's mind that this couple was his parents, however, the manor looked vaguely familiar even though he was sure he never saw it before. As he looked over the door place, he noticed a sign in gold letters "Godric's Hollow" and suddenly knew that this was where Voldemort murdered his parents and attempted to do the same to Harry. Emotions started swelling up inside Harry for this was one of the many missing pieces that Harry lost when his parents died that fateful Halloween night. Now Harry got another picture to fill in what images (and nightmares) he could remember from his past.
Something else got Harry's attention, a crusty old envelope addressed to Petunia Dursley from none other than Albus Dumbledore. Shocked and excited, Harry opened the envelope, found the letter, which was surprisingly in good condition, and began to read:
Dear Petunia Dursley,
No introduction is needed for you already know who I am. No doubt you are shocked at the presence of your nephew, Harry James Potter on your doorstep and an explanation is definitely warranted.
Yesterday your sister, Lily Potter was unfortunately murdered by a dark wizard named Tom Riddle, known to most as 'Voldemort,' a name you are probably familiar with. Voldemort not only killed your sister but her husband, James Potter as well. An explosion damaged the house where they lived. Meanwhile Voldemort tried to murder Harry but your nephew survived.
Your sister died to save Harry's life and that sacrifice will protect Harry. While your apparent distaste for magic notwithstanding, this magical charm will protect your family as well because of your blood bond with your sister. Based on this, I ask you, as his only relatives, to take in Harry as a surrogate son, to care and provide for him. Remember my last Petunia!
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hearing noises from downstairs (probably the Dursleys, Harry thought), he quickly closed the box and took both the portrait with him and the envelope as he headed to his room. Harry just got unto his bed and shoved both items under his pillow when an owl headed into his room. It was Hedwig carrying a letter from Professor Lupin. Wondering why his old professor sent him a letter, Harry quickly opened the letter.
Dear Harry,
I wanted to write this letter to see how you're doing. Hermione confided in me that you are still hurt by Sirius falling through the Veil in the Department of Mysteries and that you have reservations at even going back to Hogwarts in September. We both lost a good friend that day but I want to encourage you to persevere through the pain. If you need anything, send Hedwig.
Remus
P.S. Since I have Sirius' mirror, you can use your mirror to talk to me anytime.
Harry groaned that Hermione actually told someone about his problems but was relieved that it was Professor Lupin. Lupin was only person left out of his father's best friends, the only surviving Maurador. Well there was Peter Pettigrew but he did not count since he betrayed his parents. Harry grew angry when he thought about that weakling, who wasn't strong enough to stand up to Voldemort and in the end betrayed his parents. Harry remembered the words that Sirius told Wormtail in the Shrieking Shack in his third year.
"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED...DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!"
Harry glanced at the damaged mirror that was shattered when he threw it back into his trunk last month, disappointed when he realized that he could not see Sirius again. Harry could probably fix the mirror with a magical spell or two but he definitely did not want to flaunt the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry again. But there is no one here, thought Harry. His conscience got the better of him and not wanting to take any chances, he did not take out his wand to restore the mirror again. However as he looked at the mirror, the lines where the mirror was shattered started disappearing. Harry had no idea how this was happening and looked nervously for another owl bringing a letter from Mafalda Hopkirk from the Improper Use of Magic Office within the Ministry of Magic but no post came. Relieved, while still curious over the mystery of what happened, Harry opened one of his Quidditch books and started to read.
****
Harry didn't need to see Uncle Vernon pulling into the driveway to know that the Dursleys were home. Staying in his room, Harry preoccupied himself with preparing to pack his belongings in his truck because of the imminent arrival of someone picking him up, most likely Ron and Hermione with someone from the Order, to go to Grimmauld Place. Harry's spirits seemed to have gotten better since his conversation with Hermione but something was troubling him and that was Aunt Petunia. What did she know about the wizarding world? Does she know more than she is letting on? There was nothing that Harry wanted more than to ask his aunt these questions but was hesitant to do so since he knew that mentioning anything magical would likely earn him a scolding...not that he cared of course. Harry grinning, however, saw that he could use Mad-Eye's threat to his advantage but with the Dursleys home, Harry needed to talk to Aunt Petunia alone. Maybe tomorrow, Harry thought.
The next day Uncle Vernon went to work while Dudley went outside, as he usually did, to meet up with his gang of friends. His chance came at last. Aunt Petunia was currently cleaning a dresser and some parts of the kitchen before watching some television or possibly going outside to speak to her neighbors to enthusiastically hearing the recent gossip. Harry saw his opportunity and walked up to her.
"What do you want?" snapped Aunt Petunia. "I'm busy so go outside or something."
"How did you know about Azkaban last year?"
The look on her face was priceless, which was one of shock mixed with fear and a side order of anger.
"Not - not your concern," stuttered Aunt Petunia, "I-I heard it from your parents. Now go away."
She was backing away, probably headed towards the living room but Harry ran and blocked her way.
"I don't believe you!" Harry said sternly. Harry was getting more nervous with every pressing moment but the truth had to be known and his curiosity was getting the better of him.
"Doesn't matter what you believe," roared Aunt Petunia but then she restrained herself, remembering the Kings Crossing warning. Her voice was then that of fear, "Don't ask anymore questions or Vernon will know."
"Please," muttered Harry, who did not want to resort to begging or even asking any favors from the Dursleys but an idea came to him. "What would those people think when I tell them that you didn't want to talk with your nephew. They might barge in this house in front of the whole neighborhood."
"Okay - okay. Enough already," cried Aunt Petunia, "I will tell you."
Aunt Petunia paused as if to convey to Harry that she did not know where to begin. She then asked, "What do you want to know first?"
The answer already came to Harry's head before he spoke. "The first question, you said last year that Dementors guard the wizard prison," said Harry before asking, "How did you know about Azkaban?"
"I did not need to hear that boy talking to her about those - those creatures to know about them," answered Aunt Petunia. "I already knew what they were."
"Why can't you use their names?" asked Harry. "Uncle Vernon is not here!"
"What is it to you that I choose not to say their bloody names?" spat Aunt Petunia vehemently, "Just ask the questions."
"I just did," countered Harry.
"Alright - alright, my sister L-l-lily, when she was attending that school would send home a newspaper ---"
"The Daily Prophet?" interrupted Harry nervously but Aunt Petunia did not seem to mind.
"That's the one, now don't interrupt," scolded Aunt Petunia before continuing, "well she would also send me letters telling me what she learned. I thought she was a freak and resented my parents for being joyous when she got her letter but that did not stop me from being a little curious about her world...even though outwardly I abhorred it."
"Did you hate my mother?"
"How can you ask such a thing?" snapped Aunt Petunia, then continuing, "She was my younger sister and I loved her but I disliked her - her kind and the life she chose."
Aunt Petunia looked away from Harry for a few seconds then continued, "I envied her because she was happy and she was really at peace while she was away at school. However at almost every holiday, she would come home." Harry could have sworn that he saw some tears coming out of his aunt's eyes but a moment later, he thought he was imagining it.
She then laughed, "She would write in her letters about that Potter boy, about how he was obnoxious, and when I met him, I could see what she meant."
"When did you meet my father?"
"Her last year at that school around Christmas break," said Aunt Petunia loathingly, "He and his blasted friends as well never hesitated to pull a prank on me. They would come over also and stay a few days but mostly your parents were alone talking."
"So..."
"Okay - okay, my parents would read those newspapers and so would I. I wanted to see the rubbish that was in her world. The more I read them, the more I learned about the horrors, the dark creatures, and dark w-w-wizards. I was quite glad not to be affiliated with such a world. Then I would hear about this dark wizard, whose name started with a V ---"
"Voldemort!"
"Why the bloody hell are you saying his name for?"
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," said Harry, smiling at the memory of the person saying it to him in his first year at Hogwarts, Dumbledore.
"Well just say 'You-Know-Who' for now," yelped Aunt Petunia.
"So what about 'You-Know-Who'?"
"When Lily was going to school You-Know-Who had his followers and they would kill and torture my kind."
"Muggles?" asked Harry.
"Yeah basically non-magic people, however, apparently they did not like witches or wizards that were born "muggles" like you said. I was afraid and the more I was afraid of my sister's world, the more I loathed it. I kept thinking that as long as I stayed away as far as possible from any part of that world, the better." Aunt Petunia paused before saying, "Well, except for my sister because she was family."
"How about your parents, my grandparents?" asked Harry inquiringly.
"They - they were afraid also, we all were, mysterious abductions, mysterious murders with the victims eyes wide open in terror, it was all on the television and newspapers. Something happened to them and I was never the same."
"What happened, did You-Know-Who or his followers murder them?"
"None of your business, I-I said enough," said Aunt Petunia nervously looking around.
Harry had a pretty good idea what happened to them but he said, "Okay just one more question?"
"I think I can hear Vernon coming through the driveway ---" cried Aunt Petunia but Harry, unfazed, interrupted:
"How did you know Dumbledore?" asked Harry, before saving face and then saying, "He confessed to me before my term ended that he sent the howler to you last summer." Clearly Harry did not want his aunt to know that he found out about her prior encounters with his headmaster by reading the letter in the attic, particularly since he was not allowed in there.
"I met him once or twice before your parent's died."
"How?" asked Harry quickly.
"I sent him a letter requesting that I wanted to see him," said Aunt Petunia. "This was when Dudley was under a year old."
"Why did you want to see Dumbledore?"
"I wanted to make a pa ---"
"WHAT THE RUDDY HELL ARE YOU BOTH OF YOU DOING?" The loud, booming voice of Vernon Dursley came through the door. Dudley was behind him, apparently thunderstruck, wondering what was going on. Harry wondered why both Vernon and Dudley came home at the same time. Harry reasoned that Uncle Vernon, driving from work on the way home to Privet Drive, saw Dudley with his friends playing football and offered to drive him home.
"I wanted him to go to his room and stay there," said Aunt Petunia calmly.
Harry had a suspicious feeling that Uncle Vernon did not believe what Aunt Petunia was saying.
"I heard someone saying "Dumbledore" before I walked in. Isn't that the headmaster at that ruddy school? I WANT SOME ANSWERS."
"Vernon, shut up before the neighbors hear you," yelled Aunt Petunia. "The boy was telling me that he was writing a letter to that Dumbledore fellow and I sent him to his room. That is what you heard!"
She then turned to Harry, "NOW GO TO YOUR ROOM." Harry saw a slight smile in her face but Uncle Vernon and Dudley did not see it.
Aunt Petunia continued, "THERE WILL BE NO MENTION OF THAT NAME OR ANY OF YOUR FOLK IN THIS HOUSE AGAIN."
Right then and there Uncle Vernon was proud of his wife's initiative and resolve. "Yeah Petunia that is the way to speak to him when he speaks of his lot under this roof."
He looked at Harry, who was apparently not moving and finding the whole scene amusing. "WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT. GO TO YOUR ROOM."
Harry started heading towards the stairs but suddenly he saw two figures at the front door, which was slightly left ajar by Dudley who in the midst of watching everything, simply forgot about it. Aunt Petunia also saw the figures and gave a small shriek. Uncle Vernon saw his wife reaction and quickly turned around. Dudley did the same. Suddenly Uncle Vernon cried out.
"No - no we promised. We treated the boy fairly - p-p-please don't hurt us." As Uncle Vernon was saying this he kept moving back until eventually he tripped over a table and fell down on his back and then his large frame tumbled unto the floor.
Aunt Petunia and Dudley were holding each other and their faces were white with terror as though they were seeing a ghost.
Harry, grinning, was the only one remaining calm. The two figures at the door were Remus Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody.
A/N: Read, Review, and Enjoy!
****
Harry stepped into the dark shadowy attic very slowly and carefully, so as not to bump into anything. Looking around, Harry noticed that there were boxes and other sorts of rubbish that you would expect to see in any attic for that matter. Several boxes belonged to Dudley containing his vast collection of past presents while others clearly belonged to Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. An old wardrobe with many clothes was to Harry's right and as he was trying to wade through some curtains hanging from the ceiling, he almost tripped on some old trousers, presumably belonging to Uncle Vernon. Cautious of the fact that if he lingered here for a while, the Dursleys would catch him, Harry checked his watch and headed towards the door.
However he noticed a box in the corner labeled "Lily Potter" and quickly ran and opened it up. Inside were many things including a muggle doll wearing a fancy dress and perfectly preserved in every way except for, curiously, a sock missing on one of the doll's feet. At the bottom, Harry noticed a portrait wrapped in cloth very securely so that no one would think twice about it. As he unwrapped the cloth, he saw some figures in the picture were moving through the threads. Harry saw that the photo was definitely from the wizarding world, showing an old manor with trees lining between both ends with a young couple standing in front of it.
While there was no doubt in Harry's mind that this couple was his parents, however, the manor looked vaguely familiar even though he was sure he never saw it before. As he looked over the door place, he noticed a sign in gold letters "Godric's Hollow" and suddenly knew that this was where Voldemort murdered his parents and attempted to do the same to Harry. Emotions started swelling up inside Harry for this was one of the many missing pieces that Harry lost when his parents died that fateful Halloween night. Now Harry got another picture to fill in what images (and nightmares) he could remember from his past.
Something else got Harry's attention, a crusty old envelope addressed to Petunia Dursley from none other than Albus Dumbledore. Shocked and excited, Harry opened the envelope, found the letter, which was surprisingly in good condition, and began to read:
Dear Petunia Dursley,
No introduction is needed for you already know who I am. No doubt you are shocked at the presence of your nephew, Harry James Potter on your doorstep and an explanation is definitely warranted.
Yesterday your sister, Lily Potter was unfortunately murdered by a dark wizard named Tom Riddle, known to most as 'Voldemort,' a name you are probably familiar with. Voldemort not only killed your sister but her husband, James Potter as well. An explosion damaged the house where they lived. Meanwhile Voldemort tried to murder Harry but your nephew survived.
Your sister died to save Harry's life and that sacrifice will protect Harry. While your apparent distaste for magic notwithstanding, this magical charm will protect your family as well because of your blood bond with your sister. Based on this, I ask you, as his only relatives, to take in Harry as a surrogate son, to care and provide for him. Remember my last Petunia!
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hearing noises from downstairs (probably the Dursleys, Harry thought), he quickly closed the box and took both the portrait with him and the envelope as he headed to his room. Harry just got unto his bed and shoved both items under his pillow when an owl headed into his room. It was Hedwig carrying a letter from Professor Lupin. Wondering why his old professor sent him a letter, Harry quickly opened the letter.
Dear Harry,
I wanted to write this letter to see how you're doing. Hermione confided in me that you are still hurt by Sirius falling through the Veil in the Department of Mysteries and that you have reservations at even going back to Hogwarts in September. We both lost a good friend that day but I want to encourage you to persevere through the pain. If you need anything, send Hedwig.
Remus
P.S. Since I have Sirius' mirror, you can use your mirror to talk to me anytime.
Harry groaned that Hermione actually told someone about his problems but was relieved that it was Professor Lupin. Lupin was only person left out of his father's best friends, the only surviving Maurador. Well there was Peter Pettigrew but he did not count since he betrayed his parents. Harry grew angry when he thought about that weakling, who wasn't strong enough to stand up to Voldemort and in the end betrayed his parents. Harry remembered the words that Sirius told Wormtail in the Shrieking Shack in his third year.
"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED...DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!"
Harry glanced at the damaged mirror that was shattered when he threw it back into his trunk last month, disappointed when he realized that he could not see Sirius again. Harry could probably fix the mirror with a magical spell or two but he definitely did not want to flaunt the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry again. But there is no one here, thought Harry. His conscience got the better of him and not wanting to take any chances, he did not take out his wand to restore the mirror again. However as he looked at the mirror, the lines where the mirror was shattered started disappearing. Harry had no idea how this was happening and looked nervously for another owl bringing a letter from Mafalda Hopkirk from the Improper Use of Magic Office within the Ministry of Magic but no post came. Relieved, while still curious over the mystery of what happened, Harry opened one of his Quidditch books and started to read.
****
Harry didn't need to see Uncle Vernon pulling into the driveway to know that the Dursleys were home. Staying in his room, Harry preoccupied himself with preparing to pack his belongings in his truck because of the imminent arrival of someone picking him up, most likely Ron and Hermione with someone from the Order, to go to Grimmauld Place. Harry's spirits seemed to have gotten better since his conversation with Hermione but something was troubling him and that was Aunt Petunia. What did she know about the wizarding world? Does she know more than she is letting on? There was nothing that Harry wanted more than to ask his aunt these questions but was hesitant to do so since he knew that mentioning anything magical would likely earn him a scolding...not that he cared of course. Harry grinning, however, saw that he could use Mad-Eye's threat to his advantage but with the Dursleys home, Harry needed to talk to Aunt Petunia alone. Maybe tomorrow, Harry thought.
The next day Uncle Vernon went to work while Dudley went outside, as he usually did, to meet up with his gang of friends. His chance came at last. Aunt Petunia was currently cleaning a dresser and some parts of the kitchen before watching some television or possibly going outside to speak to her neighbors to enthusiastically hearing the recent gossip. Harry saw his opportunity and walked up to her.
"What do you want?" snapped Aunt Petunia. "I'm busy so go outside or something."
"How did you know about Azkaban last year?"
The look on her face was priceless, which was one of shock mixed with fear and a side order of anger.
"Not - not your concern," stuttered Aunt Petunia, "I-I heard it from your parents. Now go away."
She was backing away, probably headed towards the living room but Harry ran and blocked her way.
"I don't believe you!" Harry said sternly. Harry was getting more nervous with every pressing moment but the truth had to be known and his curiosity was getting the better of him.
"Doesn't matter what you believe," roared Aunt Petunia but then she restrained herself, remembering the Kings Crossing warning. Her voice was then that of fear, "Don't ask anymore questions or Vernon will know."
"Please," muttered Harry, who did not want to resort to begging or even asking any favors from the Dursleys but an idea came to him. "What would those people think when I tell them that you didn't want to talk with your nephew. They might barge in this house in front of the whole neighborhood."
"Okay - okay. Enough already," cried Aunt Petunia, "I will tell you."
Aunt Petunia paused as if to convey to Harry that she did not know where to begin. She then asked, "What do you want to know first?"
The answer already came to Harry's head before he spoke. "The first question, you said last year that Dementors guard the wizard prison," said Harry before asking, "How did you know about Azkaban?"
"I did not need to hear that boy talking to her about those - those creatures to know about them," answered Aunt Petunia. "I already knew what they were."
"Why can't you use their names?" asked Harry. "Uncle Vernon is not here!"
"What is it to you that I choose not to say their bloody names?" spat Aunt Petunia vehemently, "Just ask the questions."
"I just did," countered Harry.
"Alright - alright, my sister L-l-lily, when she was attending that school would send home a newspaper ---"
"The Daily Prophet?" interrupted Harry nervously but Aunt Petunia did not seem to mind.
"That's the one, now don't interrupt," scolded Aunt Petunia before continuing, "well she would also send me letters telling me what she learned. I thought she was a freak and resented my parents for being joyous when she got her letter but that did not stop me from being a little curious about her world...even though outwardly I abhorred it."
"Did you hate my mother?"
"How can you ask such a thing?" snapped Aunt Petunia, then continuing, "She was my younger sister and I loved her but I disliked her - her kind and the life she chose."
Aunt Petunia looked away from Harry for a few seconds then continued, "I envied her because she was happy and she was really at peace while she was away at school. However at almost every holiday, she would come home." Harry could have sworn that he saw some tears coming out of his aunt's eyes but a moment later, he thought he was imagining it.
She then laughed, "She would write in her letters about that Potter boy, about how he was obnoxious, and when I met him, I could see what she meant."
"When did you meet my father?"
"Her last year at that school around Christmas break," said Aunt Petunia loathingly, "He and his blasted friends as well never hesitated to pull a prank on me. They would come over also and stay a few days but mostly your parents were alone talking."
"So..."
"Okay - okay, my parents would read those newspapers and so would I. I wanted to see the rubbish that was in her world. The more I read them, the more I learned about the horrors, the dark creatures, and dark w-w-wizards. I was quite glad not to be affiliated with such a world. Then I would hear about this dark wizard, whose name started with a V ---"
"Voldemort!"
"Why the bloody hell are you saying his name for?"
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," said Harry, smiling at the memory of the person saying it to him in his first year at Hogwarts, Dumbledore.
"Well just say 'You-Know-Who' for now," yelped Aunt Petunia.
"So what about 'You-Know-Who'?"
"When Lily was going to school You-Know-Who had his followers and they would kill and torture my kind."
"Muggles?" asked Harry.
"Yeah basically non-magic people, however, apparently they did not like witches or wizards that were born "muggles" like you said. I was afraid and the more I was afraid of my sister's world, the more I loathed it. I kept thinking that as long as I stayed away as far as possible from any part of that world, the better." Aunt Petunia paused before saying, "Well, except for my sister because she was family."
"How about your parents, my grandparents?" asked Harry inquiringly.
"They - they were afraid also, we all were, mysterious abductions, mysterious murders with the victims eyes wide open in terror, it was all on the television and newspapers. Something happened to them and I was never the same."
"What happened, did You-Know-Who or his followers murder them?"
"None of your business, I-I said enough," said Aunt Petunia nervously looking around.
Harry had a pretty good idea what happened to them but he said, "Okay just one more question?"
"I think I can hear Vernon coming through the driveway ---" cried Aunt Petunia but Harry, unfazed, interrupted:
"How did you know Dumbledore?" asked Harry, before saving face and then saying, "He confessed to me before my term ended that he sent the howler to you last summer." Clearly Harry did not want his aunt to know that he found out about her prior encounters with his headmaster by reading the letter in the attic, particularly since he was not allowed in there.
"I met him once or twice before your parent's died."
"How?" asked Harry quickly.
"I sent him a letter requesting that I wanted to see him," said Aunt Petunia. "This was when Dudley was under a year old."
"Why did you want to see Dumbledore?"
"I wanted to make a pa ---"
"WHAT THE RUDDY HELL ARE YOU BOTH OF YOU DOING?" The loud, booming voice of Vernon Dursley came through the door. Dudley was behind him, apparently thunderstruck, wondering what was going on. Harry wondered why both Vernon and Dudley came home at the same time. Harry reasoned that Uncle Vernon, driving from work on the way home to Privet Drive, saw Dudley with his friends playing football and offered to drive him home.
"I wanted him to go to his room and stay there," said Aunt Petunia calmly.
Harry had a suspicious feeling that Uncle Vernon did not believe what Aunt Petunia was saying.
"I heard someone saying "Dumbledore" before I walked in. Isn't that the headmaster at that ruddy school? I WANT SOME ANSWERS."
"Vernon, shut up before the neighbors hear you," yelled Aunt Petunia. "The boy was telling me that he was writing a letter to that Dumbledore fellow and I sent him to his room. That is what you heard!"
She then turned to Harry, "NOW GO TO YOUR ROOM." Harry saw a slight smile in her face but Uncle Vernon and Dudley did not see it.
Aunt Petunia continued, "THERE WILL BE NO MENTION OF THAT NAME OR ANY OF YOUR FOLK IN THIS HOUSE AGAIN."
Right then and there Uncle Vernon was proud of his wife's initiative and resolve. "Yeah Petunia that is the way to speak to him when he speaks of his lot under this roof."
He looked at Harry, who was apparently not moving and finding the whole scene amusing. "WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT. GO TO YOUR ROOM."
Harry started heading towards the stairs but suddenly he saw two figures at the front door, which was slightly left ajar by Dudley who in the midst of watching everything, simply forgot about it. Aunt Petunia also saw the figures and gave a small shriek. Uncle Vernon saw his wife reaction and quickly turned around. Dudley did the same. Suddenly Uncle Vernon cried out.
"No - no we promised. We treated the boy fairly - p-p-please don't hurt us." As Uncle Vernon was saying this he kept moving back until eventually he tripped over a table and fell down on his back and then his large frame tumbled unto the floor.
Aunt Petunia and Dudley were holding each other and their faces were white with terror as though they were seeing a ghost.
Harry, grinning, was the only one remaining calm. The two figures at the door were Remus Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody.