Chapter 3

Rescue

Both Harry and Petunia jumped when they heard the front door slam. It was only a quarter until six...what on earth was Vernon doing home so early? Lately, he had been working until seven or later. Harry gulped when his uncle stormed into the kitchen, his face the color of an overripe plum.

"You...damned...FREAK! You got me fired, you little bastard, so now you will pay!"

"Vernon, no...you..." Petunia stopped as Vernon turned toward her.

"Shut up, you worthless hag! This is your good-for-nothing family, not mine!"

"But, Vernon, please..."

"I said, SHUT UP!" With that, Vernon backhanded his wife so hard that she fell to the floor, hitting her head on the table. Harry was enraged as Vernon began to kick Petunia. He kicked his uncle in the leg, only to get punched for his trouble. Vernon continued to beat on Harry, and didn't hear the front door open over the screams. Suddenly, a shout pierced the air.

"Stupefy!"

Harry looked over blearily to see Hermione, her parents and Remus Lupin standing over them.

"Harry, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He struggled to his knees and moved toward his aunt. Hermione's mother was carefully examining Petunia while her father was filing a report with a constable. "Aunt Petunia, are you okay?" He asked as she slowly opened her eyes. She nodded and Harry carefully helped her to her feet. "Come on Aunt Petunia. We're getting out of here." Harry turned to the Grangers. "Do you possibly have room for both of us?" Petunia gasped and Harry stared at her and shook his head. "I'm not leaving you here. Merlin knows what will happen when he wakes up. If it makes you feel any better, they're Muggles." He said with a cheeky grin. Petunia smiled back, and with additional help from Lupin, who had retrieved Harry's trunk and schoolbooks, along with a bag for Petunia, and the Grangers, the group made their way outside, and into the Grangers car.

"Petunia, are you sure you're okay? Do you think we need to go to a doctor?" Petunia shook her head.

"No, but do you happen to know a good lawyer?"

"Magical or Muggle?" Remus asked jokingly.

"Either." she responded, surprising everyone. Everyone in the car turned to stare at her. She grinned. "Well, it has been over 20 years, but the last time I read wizard law, Squibs do have legal rights under wizarding law. Is that still the case? After all I am also the daughter of Tristan and Rose Evans." Lupin nodded.

"You are correct in that assessment, Mrs...Ms..."

"Evans" Petunia supplied. "I'm divorcing Vernon."