Chapter 2-Aunt Petunia's Confession

Harry Potter was in his bedroom at the Dursleys' along with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, his best friends. Ron and Hermione had insisted on going to the Dursleys' with Harry. Harry didn't want them to come, but apparently Ron and Hermione won the argument. Hermione had sent an owl to her parents to explain the situation and the Grangers agreed on Hermione staying with Harry and Ron. The Dursleys were not pleased when Harry told them at the train station that Ron and Hermione were coming too.

Harry was sitting in his bedroom, reliving the events that happened a few weeks ago. Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, was killed by Severus Snape, in front of Harry's eyes. Harry lost so many people he loved. First, his parents, then Sirius, and now, Dumbledore, Harry thought, "When will this ever end?"

Ron Weasley was sitting right beside Harry reading the latest Daily Prophet article on Dumbledore's death, and Hermione was reading over his shoulder.

Hermione said, "Harry, I think you should read this."

Harry took the Daily Prophet and looked at it. It had a picture of Dumbledore in the middle of the article, and the article read:

Albus Dumbledore Dead

By Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet Correspondent

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was murdered a few weeks ago by Severus Snape, according to Minerva McGonagall, the new Headmistress of Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall was appointed Headmistress by the school governors a few days after Dumbledore's death. Dumbledore was with Harry Potter, when he was confronted by Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, who was suspected of poisoning Ron Weasley and Katie Bell, two Gryffindor students earlier in the year. Snape had been fetched by Professor Flitwick, on McGonagall's orders, and told Snape about the Deatheaters. Snape rushed out to join the Deatheaters and apparently killed Dumbledore. Both Snape and Malfoy are on the loose now.

Minerva McGonagall said of Dumbledore's death, "It's a horrible tragedy. Hogwarts will never be the same now that Dumbledore's gone. I can't imagine how the students feel right now. I'm sure they're still in shock after what happened." Professor McGonagall wasn't sure if Hogwarts would reopen after the headmaster's death, but the school governors feel that Dumbledore would have wanted the school to stay open. Professor McGonagall said she has already gotten several owls from parents who said they weren't keen on sending their children to Hogwarts this year.

Augusta Longbottom, grandmother of a student at Hogwarts, was in support of McGonagall's decision on reopening Hogwarts. "I have known Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall for a long time. Professor McGonagall will do a great job being Headmistress, though she has big shoes to fill in now. I'm sending my grandson, Neville, back to Hogwarts, even if Lord Voldemort's on the loose now." According to Professor McGonagall, the school population will be low this year. Among the staff that is staying at Hogwarts after Dumbledore's death are Filius Flitwick, Deputy Headmaster, Pomona Sprout, Rubeus Hagrid, and Horace Slughorn. McGonagall wouldn't comment on who the new Transfiguration teacher will be. She also wouldn't comment on the Defense Against the Dark Arts post.

The Ministry had no comment after being asked about Dumbledore's death, but according to Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister of Magic, "We're trying to work closely with Minerva McGonagall this year, and make sure the students of Hogwarts are safe, now that Dumbledore's gone."

Harry finished reading the article, and looked up at Ron and Hermione. Hermione had teary eyes.

Harry said, "So Professor McGonagall has officially been appointed Headmistress. I still can't believe that Snape killed Dumbledore."

Suddenly, the lock rattled on the door, and the trio looked up at the door. The door slowly opened, and it revealed a blond woman with a horse-like teeth.

Aunt Petunia walked in the room, and looked around nervously at the trio.

Aunt Petunia stopped by the bed, and she looked at the article, when she passed by the trio. She said nervously, "Can you two leave the room? I need to talk to my nephew alone." She looked at Ron and Hermione when she said this.

After Ron and Hermione left, Aunt Petunia sat right beside Harry and she said, "I heard about your headmaster. I'm sorry, Harry." Harry noted that Aunt Petunia had called him Harry. He has always been called, "Boy" or "It."

Harry said angrily, "Why do you care, Aunt Petunia? I thought you hated magic."
Aunt Petunia sighed and said, "It's time for me to tell you everything, now that you're almost of age."

Harry was surprised. "I thought Dumbledore told me everything about what I had to do with Voldemort."

Aunt Petunia flinched at the name of Voldemort, and she said, "Well, apparently, your headmaster didn't tell you everything about your family. Have you ever wondered why your headmaster sent me that Howler two years ago?"

Harry said shocked, "You know what a Howler is?"

Aunt Petunia nodded and said, "Now, Harry, what I'm about to tell you, it is supposed to not leave this room. Not a word to your uncle or Dudley, or your friends. Understand?"
Harry nodded, and he was wondering what Aunt Petunia had to tell him that was important.

Aunt Petunia sighed and began, " Let me see, how should I begin? Let me explain why I was so jealous of Lily and why Dumbledore sent me that Howler."
Harry was surprised, because Aunt Petunia never talked about her sister or family.

Aunt Petunia said, "Your mother and I came from a sophisticated family, so my parents believed in knowledge and were always flexible about everything. Your grandmother was always very prim and proper about everything. I remember when Professor Dumbledore visited us one day to announce to us that Lily was a witch, and that she was to go to Hogwarts when she turns eleven."

Harry said, "What happened next?"

Aunt Petunia said, "I was angry at Lily that she got a letter to Hogwarts. My parents were so proud of her, and they never thought I was that special. Apparently, one day, Dumbledore stopped by our house, and told my parents that I had some magic powers inside me, but that I was consumed with hate, that I squashed out magic forever."

Harry was surprised, "You mean you were a witch, but you were so full of hate that you squashed out magic, and that made you a Muggle?"

Aunt Petunia nodded and said, "Dumbledore promised me that someday that I would get my powers back, under dire circumstances. Dumbledore also hired a lady named Minerva McGonagall to tutor me on the wizarding world, and about Voldemort, etc."

"Professor McGonagall? No way!" yelled Harry.

Aunt Petunia said, "Yes, Dumbledore felt that I needed to know as much about the wizarding world, because he felt that something would happen to Lily and James, and a few years later, Lily and James were murdered by Voldemort. It's a good thing I learned about the wizarding world. That's why Dumbledore sent me the Howler, because he knew you would be protected with me, since I have your mother's blood. Dumbledore explained everything to me in that letter when he left you here on that night"

Harry said, "Yes, but that doesn't explain the mistreatment of me all these years. "

Aunt Petunia said, "That will have to wait until another time. It's dinner time." She pointed to the clock, and Harry followed Aunt Petunia out the hall to the kitchen. Ron and Hermione were already at the table with Uncle Vernon and Dudley.
Uncle Vernon said, "What were you doing with Harry, Petunia?"

Ron and Hermione looked curiously at Harry, but Harry didn't say anything.

Aunt Petunia said, "Well, Vernon, I was just scolding the boy, because I caught him in my begonias."

Uncle Vernon said, "I didn't hear any yelling."
Aunt Petunia didn't finish the sentence, because suddenly the front door burst open, and five hooded figures walked in.

Harry heard Lucius Malfoy's drawling voice, "Well, kill the Muggles, but leave Potter, Weasley and Granger to me."

Harry was surprised to see Death Eaters at 4 Privet Drive, but he wondered how they got through Dumbledore's spell.
Harry suddenly realized that Dumbledore's spell must have gone when Dumbledore died, and that meant the Dursleys were in danger!