As promised, I am dedicating this chapter to some reviewers. I'm dedicating it to:

the green moose: Do I even want to know what color? Thanks for reading!

Miss EffieThank you for all the reviews. The praise really helps me want to write! Hope this chapter is long enough for you. :D

JuveFanI totally agree! And I was planning on doing a back and forth type thing (like in this chapter). But thanks for telling me. I appreciate when people give me their constructive comments!

LaunigsiaeI love surprises too! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Every one helps!

That's it for dedication, but I would like to add to those people who are reading this, but aren't reviewing, that reading reviews really boosts me up and makes me want to write. And reviews don't take all that long!

Ok, I'm done ranting. Enjoy!

Chapter 3- Finding a Friend

Petunia swiped madly at her face, trying to wipe the tears away. 'I told myself I wasn't going to cry!' she thought as she went off in search of Vernon and the car.

With each step more tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. Of course she had been sad when Harry had left each year prior, but she had been able to handle it. Now, it was as if everything she had been holding inside, her love for Harry, the guilt she felt for treating him the way she did, her unfulfilling marriage, her awful son, it was all coming out with each new tear sliding down her face.

She peered into a car window to look at her reflection. Petunia swiped away the tears one last time, ran a hand through her hair, and took a deep breath before opening the car door and sitting inside. Vernon gasped when he saw Petunia's puffy, red face.

"What's the matter?" he asked, not sounding very concerned.

"The boy got a bit mouthy. I had to tell him off. Got me in a right state, he did," Petunia huffed. 'Good thing I took drama during school.'

"I'm having tea with the Polkisses' tonight so just drop me off there," Dudley replied, sounding much braver now that Harry wasn't around.

"You are becoming a very popular boy, aren't you, schmookems? Having tea with a different person every night!" Petunia cooed. "You be sure to thank Mrs. Polkiss for having you over."

Even though she knew that her son was lying and really spent his nights terrorizing street corners she said nothing. 'As long as he isn't terrorizing my house, I'm fine,' Petunia thought.

When they pulled into the Polkisses' driveway, Dudley bounced out quickly, causing the car to spring up after being relieved of enormous amount of weight.

"Be home by eleven, son," Vernon shouted after him. Then he threw the car into reverse and shot down the driveway. He snapped the car into drive and zoomed home.

"I've got important work at the office. I won't be home till late. Don't hold dinner for me, I'll grab something out," Vernon said as he pulled in their driveway.

"All right. Hope you get a lot done. Be safe," Petunia said feigning concern, before she pecked Vernon on the cheek and exited the car. As soon as she was out of the way, Vernon sped down the driveway and soon was just a little dot on the horizon.

Petunia turned to look at her dark, empty house. To some, the house would look beautiful. It had nice "old brick" exterior with black shingles; the lawn was wonderfully manicured lawn surrounded by bushes of flowers that smelled heavenly. A rock garden was in back and an iron bench sat by a waterbed full of water lilies. Plenty of birds occupied the surrounding trees to keep music in the air.

But to Petunia, the house wasn't beautiful. It wasn't her home sweet home, it was a jail. It kept her locked up with a husband who didn't care and the brattiest boy you've ever met. The only time she could even stand being in the house was when Harry was there, and when he was, she treated him like dirt! But now, it was empty, so she picked a few lilacs and started walking. Her feet carried her to old Arabella Figg's house.

Petunia marched up to the door and knocked. A surprised Mrs. Figg opened the door cradling a cat in one hand.

"Do you need me to watch the boy?" Mrs. Figg asked.

"No, no, nothing like that," Petunia said.

"Oh, well, what do you want?"

At this, tears started streaming down Petunia's face.

"Oh dear…" Mrs. Figg exclaimed. "What's wrong, child?"

"You don't remember me, do you?" Petunia whispered.

"Of course I do, you're Petunia Dursley," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Well, yes, but do you remember my maiden name? Or my sister?" she asked, wiping away the tears.

"I don't think you ever mentioned them."

"My name is Petunia Evans. My sister is…was Lily Evans. My brother-in-law was James Potter."

"Good Lord," Mrs. Figg exclaimed. "Please come inside." She stepped out of the doorway, and motioned for Petunia to enter.

Harry jumped off the train and started to run towards a carriage with Ron in pursuit.

"Blimey, Harry! It isn't that bad!" Ron yelled.

"You're not wearing pink robes!" Harry yelled over his shoulder.

" 'Arry?" a voice called out.

"Gotta go, Hagrid," Harry shouted, trying to dodge him. Hagrid however, was too quick for Harry and in one step to the side, was in Harry's path.

"Oomf!" Harry said as he collided with Hagrid and fell to the ground.

Harry looked up at all the faces staring at his robes and whispering to each other while they smirked. As they passed him, he could feel his face turn brighter than Ron's hair.

" 'Arry, why in the ruddy worl' are yer robes pink?" Hagrid asked.

"Color Bomb," Harry said. "Two galleons for a bag of the powder…"

"It's Fred…and George's…newest…invention," Ron panted as he made it to Harry's side.

"I see," said Hagrid. "Don' forget ter come ter see me now."

"We won't," Ron assured him.

Hagrid nodded and turned away from them. "Firs' years this way!"

Harry looked towards the carriages and saw Hermione motion to him.

"Come on, Ron. They're over here," Harry said waving to the carriage Hermione and Ginny had entered.

When they reached the carriage, Harry went to the front and patted the Threstal. They didn't seem quite as frightening now that he knew what they were.

"Harry, are you coming?" Ginny asked as she stuck her head out the door.

He looked up at her, nodded, and then climbed in. He sat next to Ron, across from Hermione and Ginny.

As the carriage jolted into movement, Harry began to examine Hermione by the dim carriage light. He wanted to see what Ron saw that made him notice Hermione more, and what he saw startled him. Hermione had changed a lot over the summer.

Not only was she tanner, but she had grown taller, though she was still a few inches shorter than himself, and he was only about an inch shorter than Ron. Her cheekbones were more prominent and her eyes were like dark chocolates.

The hair that used to be thick, bushy and unmanageable had almost completely changed. It was wavy and fell just below her shoulder blades. The color accented her wonderful eyes. Hermione's lips were thin, pale, and pink. A few freckles were scattered across her angular nose.

Harry decided Ron was right: Hermione had grown up, and he could see why she captivated Ron.

He shifted his gaze over to Ginny to see how she had changed. The first thing Harry noticed were her eyes: they were the color of honey, and he could easily sink into them. Her lips were darker and broader than Hermione's, and Ginny's skin was pale and spotless.

Ginny's hair was darker than Ron's. It was more of an auburn, but it had flecks of gold in it from being out in the sun. It was shoulder length and layered so it framed her face. Harry noticed she too had grown. She was taller than Hermione but about an inch shorter than he was. Since she'd grown taller, she seemed skinnier.

Harry blushed as he caught himself looking at her chest, and he had to admit, she had filled out. Even though she had robes on, he could tell.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Hermione asked, noticing his red face.

"I hate pink," Harry said, thinking quickly.

"Yes, well I heard you advertise it already by the train. Fred and George will be proud," Ginny said.

"Yeah, well. What was I supposed to do? Say 'I got tired of black'?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"No one said anything to you about them," Ron said encouragingly.

"That's because they were too busy laughing, " Ginny said.

"Thanks, Ginny. That really helps boost my self-esteem," Harry said.

"Yes, I knew it would," Ginny said, winking.

"Oh, you two! Stop it," Hermione said, smiling as the carriage came to a halt.

"Don't fall down, Harry," Ginny expressed, teasing. "Mud doesn't come out of pink robes easily. I should know."

"Hey, that isn't funny!" Harry said as he got out of the carriage after Ron.

"Harry, I think you look very good in pink," Hermione said.

"What happened to sticking up for me?"

"I decided making fun of you was more fun," Hermione said as the four of them started climbing the steps to the entrance.

When Hermione and Ginny were ahead of Ron and Harry, talking about something other than Harry's robes, Ron whispered to Harry, "She's even loosened up more!"

"Whoopee," Harry said as they walked into the castle.

As Petunia walked into the living room, she caught a whiff of something that smelled like cabbage and cat litter. She sat down in the nearest armchair and noticed as soon as she did, that cat hair had begun clinging to her polyester pants.

Mrs. Figg appeared in the doorway and asked, "Would you like anything to drink, dear? I've got tea."

"Tea would be wonderful. Thank you."

"All right. I'll be right back. Make yourself comfortable," she said, exiting to the kitchen.

"Do you need any help?"

"No, no. You've had a hard day. You just sit there and rest. I suspect Snowy will be joining you soon."

Petunia was relieved that she could just sit there and relax. She didn't know Mrs. Figg very well, but already she was starting to view her as the grandmother she never knew.

She sank back into the chair, her cotton shirt attracting some cat hair and closed her eyes. She was just starting to loosen up, when something jumped up on her and startled her.

Petunia opened her eyes and saw a cat with long white and brown hair on her lap. The cat had a black spot on one of its white feet and a white stripe down her black nose that separated two clear blue eyes.

Petunia reached up and placed her hand on the cat's head. The cat leaned into her hand and started purring. Petunia smiled to herself. She remembered doing this with her cat Samson in front of the fireplace at her school. Doing it again brought a comfort she hadn't felt in a long time.

The cat walked up Petunia's body and nuzzled in Petunia's neck. Petunia closed her eyes again and absentmindedly ran her hand down the cat's soft silky back.

"Looks like Snowy has taken a liking to you," Mrs. Figg said as she entered, carrying a tray with two teacups and a teapot.

Petunia sat up to receive the cup of tea Mrs. Figg was holding in front of her, causing Snowy to curl up on her lap.

Having given Petunia her tea, Mrs. Figg grabbed her own cup and sat in the chair across from Petunia. "I assume that the reason you came here was to talk about what's bothering you," she said.

"How do you know something's bothering me?" Petunia asked.

"You show up at my door; that in itself is amazing. You usually just call telling me you'll be dropping off Harry."

"Harry's off at school," Petunia said, choking back a sob. "And I'm sorry if I ever treated you badly."

"Don't think anything of it, dear," Mrs. Figg said soothingly. Then sounding confused she said, "I don't mean to be rude, since it's obvious you're hurting over Harry, but I thought you despised him."

Petunia shook her head forcefully. "NO!" she gasped. "He's like the son I've always wanted!"

"Then why'd you send him to me? He was bored stiff!"

"Because Vernon wouldn't let him come on our family trips. You were the only one I trusted," Petunia said, letting the tears flow freely now.

"Why'd you trust me?"

"M-my sister loved you. She would come home at holidays talking about how you would have long talks in the library, or how you'd help her with her projects. I knew you'd keep Harry safe and Vernon would be satisfied, since Dumbledore told you how to act."

"How do you know what Dumbledore told me? How do you know Dumbledore? And why would your husband want to keep a wonderful boy miserable?"

"He's a wizard, Vernon despises him," she said, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

"Forgive me if I'm being too nosy, but it seems you aren't happy with Vernon. Why not?" Mrs. Figg asked, handing Petunia a Kleenex.

"I'm not happy because…I'm tired of lying!" Petunia spat angrily. "I hate being mean to Harry, being sweet to Dudley and Vernon! They don't even say thank you! Worst of all, nobody knows I'm a witch! I'm always doing something by accident and I've had to blame it on Harry so no one would find out!"

"You're a what?" gasped Mrs. Figg.

As they entered Hogwarts, Harry felt a waft of warm air from the Great Hall waft over them. Harry sighed with contentment as he headed into the Great Hall, the other three walking in his wake.

"Harry Potter!"

"Yes, I know my robes are pink! Do you people have to keep reminding me?" Harry said as he turned around. "Oh…Professor! I'm sorry! I…I thought it was someone else."

"Well, Mr. Potter, maybe next time you should look before you speak," Professor McGonagall said in her crisp tone.

Harry thought he saw a smile on her lips before she said, "Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office."

"What? Why?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I wouldn't know. You'll have to discuss it with him. If you'll excuse me," And she swept into the Great Hall, her robes billowing, and took her place at the head table.

"What does he want? You didn't do anything senseless this summer, did you?" Hermione inquired.

"No, of course not!" Harry defended himself.

"Maybe he wants to talk to you about… you know…last year," Ron gulped.

"Or maybe he wants to punish you for breaking the dress code!" Ginny said mischievously.

"Don't start that again," Ron said. "Well, you best be on your way mate, you don't want to keep Dumbledore waiting."

"Right," Harry said.

"We'll save you a spot," Hermione said, and the three of them entered the Great Hall, leaving Harry alone and filled with dread.

Harry looked across the Great Hall, soaking it all in, took a deep breath and started for Dumbledore's office.