I'm not dead yet! Have a chapter!
Petunia looked out from where she sat on the park bench, smiling at the sight of her boys swinging together on the old playground equipment. Thinking fondly, if painfully, of happy times spent with Lily when they were younger. As Harry jumped off the still-moving swing, she remembered a specific incident, one of many, when Lily had swung to the highest possible point before jumping off and floating down gently. Her opinion of magic might not have changed, but her view of her sister had and she often wished she could take back the words she had called Lily when they were younger.
Not that she would have had time to apologize that day, as they'd been interrupted. Although Petunia knew deep down it hadn't been his fault, she still blamed Snape for stealing away her sister, especially because of her loss of those last few years before the letter came. She was never more relieved in her life the day Harry had turned down the invitation, although she knew she shouldn't have been. She wasn't ready to go days, let alone months, without seeing either of her boys. With that thought, she gave a little sigh and began to gather up the boys to go home.
"Mum! The dishes are done!"
Petunia turned to watch her boys run into the sitting room. "Ok love, thank you both. You're both free to go play un-"
Knock knock
"Now who could that be?" Petunia was mentally sorting through any possible visitors while she walked to the door, hardly noticing her boys scampering away to their room. She looked through the peephole and gasped slightly, not having expected to see the person on the other side ever again. She hesitantly opened the door.
"Hello, Petunia."
"Severus Snape. Not to be rude, but what are you doing here? I don't remember issuing an invitation," Petunia answered, with an impressively neutral tone.
"This conversation might be better held away from prying ears," Snape said dryly. Petunia noted that Snape's voice was far more monotone than it had been the last time she'd seen him.
Petunia barely withheld a sigh. "Well, then I suppose you'd better come in. Would you care for a cup of tea?"
"No, I daresay the visit should not take too long," Snape replied as they walked to the sitting room. "Now, the reason for my visit. Prof-"
"Mum, Mum! Look at what me and Harry made!" An excited Dudley sprinted into the room, skidding to a stop when he noticed the formidable man dressed in all black. His skidding stop didn't do much good, however, when an equally quickly moving Harry missed his cue to stop and slammed into Dudley's back, sending them both sprawling. Petunia sent a quick glance to Snape to see him curling his lip, although she wasn't entirely sure why.
"Dudley dear, it's 'Harry and I', and may I remind you both of the 'no running in the house' rule?" Petunia said, fighting a slight grin.
"Sorry Mum," chorused both boys.
"Thank you. Now then, this is Severus Snape, an old neighbor of mine. Please be polite and use your manners." Harry and Dudley stood up and dusted themselves off a bit, grimacing, before both sticking out their hands.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Snape, my name is Dudley Evans," said Dudley as he waited for the man to shake his hand. The man in question, looking vaguely surprised, shook the boy's hand.
Harry, smiling his very best company smile, continued the conversation. "Harry Potter-Evans, sir. I hope your first impression of us doesn't paint us in too bad a light, Mr. Snape. My brother and I were simply very excited about our new invention and wished to show it to our mum." Looking even more shocked, Snape shook Harry's hand as well.
"It is my pleasure to make your acquaintances, I'm sure. Although my title is Professor, not Mister," responded the Potions Master. He was shocked at how well behaved and polite both boys were, especially Potter, as well as that he hadn't needed to force Petunia to let him in. Perhaps he should handle this differently than he'd intended.
"Alright boys, I think you should go back to your room for a bit," Petunia said hesitantly, glancing at Snape. "Unless you need Harry for this conversation, Severus?"
Shaking himself (mentally) from his thoughts, he answered. "While Mr. Potter's pres-"
"Sorry to interrupt Professor, I really am, but I would prefer if you called me Mr. Potter-Evans. Or just Harry," the boy in question said with a slightly sharp grin.
Snape inclined his head slightly. "My apologies, Harry. As I was saying, Harry's presence would probably make this visit shorter; however, if you would prefer he leave we can work around it."
Petunia thought for a moment before turning to her younger son. "Harry?"
"I would like to stay, if that's alright. Can Dud stay too though?" Harry asked, directing the question to the Professor.
"As long as he does not interrupt, and has his mother's permission, he may stay."
At Petunia's nod, Dudley moved to sit with Harry on the floor.
"Now then Severus, what is all this about? I can't imagine you decided to make a social call."
"Quite right. I'm here regarding the letter you sent to Professor McGonagall. You remember its contents, I'm sure." Here Snape lifted an inquisitive eyebrow, and upon receiving a nod of affirmation continued. "Professor Dumbledore, whom I'm sure you remember, was both surprised and concerned with the turning down of a Hogwarts education. I admit that I myself thought it to be rather odd, hence his sending me to ensure the decision was not made in haste."
Petunia did not look surprised at the news of Dumbledore's interference, as she did in fact remember him quite well. "In complete honesty, Severus, it was not my decision. I gave Harry his letter and told him all I know of the Wizarding World, and allowed him to make his own decision based on that. As I'm sure you can attest to, just because people are granted with magical ability does not mean they are separated from human flaw, and I wanted him to know that before deciding. Other than that, the choice was made with no influence from my end."
At this, Harry spoke. "I don't think school would be all that bad, really, and I'd very much like to learn how to control and use my magic, but if I went to Hogwarts then I wouldn't be able to help Dudley with his work and defend him. And- well I just think I would miss my family too much."
Although it was indeed very odd for Snape to show any emotion at all, he felt his neutral mask slipping into shock for the second time that day. This was not at all what he had expected when he prepared himself for the trip. Instead of an obnoxious, spoiled little prince, he had been met by a boy with an obviously poor background and manners that would impress even Narcissa. And beyond that, he valued his cousin as both a brother and of higher value than learning magic! For the first time, Severus felt pain as he realized that this boy was not simply a carbon copy of Potter, but also Lily's son. He shook the thoughts aside to ruminate on later, possibly with a strong scotch in his hand.
"That is certainly a very admirable reason to wish to stay, Mist- Harry. However, every young wizard needs to be trained to control his, her, or their magic so it doesn't grow out of control, or worse, implode and take over their bodies. I propose, therefore, a counter offer. I know of several students who arrange floo calls home on the weekends, and, depending on which House you ended up in, you could also have the possibility of flooing home once a month or so, if necessary. As well as being able to receive post daily, of course. If these terms became accessible, would you reconsider attending?"
Harry's eyes were suddenly shining with excitement as he turned to his psuedo-mother. "Mum? Do you think that would be alright?"
Even Petunia at her coldest wouldn't have been able to turn away such an eager request. "If that's what you want to do, love, then we'll try to make it work." Harry was now grinning ear-to-ear and barely restrained himself from whooping out loud. "Now that that's decided, you two go occupy yourselves elsewhere whilst I iron out details with Professor Snape."
Both boys quickly stood, bade Snape a good day, which he returned, and quickly walked (it's not running Mum, not really) to another room. Once the adults had heard the door close, they turned back to each other to continue the conversation.
"Severus," began Petunia, "I would like to first say how sorry I am for the way I treated you, and Lily, when we were children. I was being selfish. I had never had to share my sister before, and you had introduced her to the world that I felt was stealing her from me. So, truly, I apologize."
"Thank you, Petunia. It is clear to see that we have both matured since our formative years, and I too apologize for the judgements of my youth. They were foolhardy and miscalculated."
"Thank you, Severus, all is forgiven?"
"Indeed. Now, was there something else you wished to talk about, or was that the sole topic?"
"As much as I hate to say this, I am unsure of whether I can afford to send Harry to Hogwarts. Since I divorced Vernon, money has been tight. I might be able to squeeze out a year's tuition, but seven years? As well as books and equipment? I remember my parents discussing bills while Lily was at school, and the prices were not cheap even then. Is there a fund, of any sort, or perhaps an installment plan available?"
"You mean to tell me Albus never told you?" Severus said, shock once again dripping into his tone.
"Told me what?"
"That blasted old-. Harry's father, James, came from an old wizarding family. His father, Fleamont, was also a skilled potioneer and was the sole developer of a very successful hair-care potion, thus the family was, and through Harry, is very well-off. Harry's tuition is magically set to be paid off in full at the moment of his acceptance, which would have been approximately three minutes ago, and if I had to guess he should also have a very sizeable trust fund to use until he comes of age, at which time he will receive access to the Potter family vaults. Was none of this mentioned in the reading of the Wills?"
Petunia, who had maintained a shocked face throughout the explanation, suddenly looked very sad. "I wasn't invited to the reading of the Wills, so I assumed I wasn't in Lily's."
"I had assumed the same of my own status. Now, however, I'm beginning to wonder if they were even opened."
"They would be at… oh what's the word… Gringotts then yes? The bank?"
"Indeed. Perhaps you should make an inquiry upon your visit to Diagon Alley."
"Perhaps I should." After a pause, Petunia continued hesitantly. "Severus, I hate to impose, but would it be possible for you to accompany us? From my recollection, a teacher is supposed to aid the student and family anyways, and I think you would be my best bet at dealing with the goblins and avoiding being taken advantage of."
"I shall assist you to the best of my ability. Shall we plan a time?"
"Are you busy tomorrow? I would like to get it out of the way sooner rather than later."
"That fits quite nicely into my schedule, yes. Shall we say 9? That gives us time to visit Gringotts and do most of the shopping before lunch, then purchase Harry's wand after."
"Perfect. I shall see you tomorrow, then?"
"Indeed. Have a good night, Petunia. Life will soon be hectic."
"I am raising two boys, Severus. Life is always hectic," Petunia said with a small smirk.
Severus smirked in reply. "Very true, very true."