Petunia set them up in the attic. She gave them sleeping bags and pillows. "If you get cold-let me know" Petunia said before leaving them up there. Harry was in shock- why was his aunt being so nice?
"That's odd" Ron said.
"Who cares?" Harry mumbled. He handed sleeping bags to Ron and Hermione and the three of them set up their sleeping space. When they were done they sat down and started making plans. "We are going to stay here for a week. When we leave here we are going to Godric's Hollow"
"How long will we be there?" Hermione asked.
"A week-maybe less" Harry told them. "I think once we get there we will know what the next step is"
"Ok-we are with you" Ron told him.
"Thanks" Harry said. He yawned and stretched. 'I am exhausted. I think we should all get some sleep. We will need our energy."
The three of the climbed into their sleeping bags and prepared to get some sleep and within minutes they were.
"Harry" Hermione hissed. "Harry"
"What?" Harry mumbled sleepily.
"Is it-Can I" Hermione stuttered.
"Can you what?" Harry asked.
"Can I go and take a shower?" Hermione asked.
Harry chuckled into his pillow. "No" Harry told her.
"Oh ok" Hermione replied and moved away from him. Harry sat up and looked around Ron was still asleep.
"What time is it?" Harry asked.
"About 7:00 AM" Hermione replied.
"Come on" Harry said motioning for Hermione to follow him, "Grab your clothes"
Petunia was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. "Good morning" she greeted Harry and Hermione. "Harry would you and Hermione like some breakfast?"
"Sounds good" Harry said, "But Hermione wanted to take a shower. I assume that's ok"
"Of course" Petunia replied sounding hurt. She turned to Hermione. "Dear the bathroom is the third door on the right. Towels are in the closet beside the bathroom- please help yourself."
Hermione nodded and headed towards the bathroom. "Need any help?" Harry asked.
"No-I think you have done enough chores around here" Petunia said with a smile. Harry laughed and sat down at the table. A few minutes Petunia served eggs, bacon and fruit for them to eat. She sat down across from Harry.
"Where is Dudley?" Harry asked as he started eating.
"He is till sleeping" Petunia replied.
For a minute Harry and his aunt ate quietly. "Harry" Petunia said a moment later. "I am sorry"
"Sorry for what?" Harry asked.
"Everything." Petunia replied. "I was thinking about your headmaster said last year about us mistreating you. He is right and that is my fault. I should have stood up for you-for Lily."
At the mention of his mothers name Harry's heart seized up.
"Lily and used to be very close-when we were" Petunia broke off and wiped her tears away. "When we were kids we were very close. The she started at Hogwarts-I was jealous of the attention she got from it. I married Vernon and he hated Lily and James. I loved my sister and I liked James Potter-he was a nice boy who loved my sister very much" Petunia trailed off again. "I guess what I am saying is-I love you Harry and I am sorry. You deserved a better life. I know you are going to fight- Him, the one that killed Lily and I wanted you to know in case…"
"In case I died," Harry said. He sat back in the chair letting what she told him sink in. She loved him. She was sorry.
"I love you too" Harry replied.
Petunia jumped from the table and gave Harry a hug. She pulled away a few moments later. 'Go wake your friend Ron. Let me know he needs to eat now or Dudley will eat it all"
Harry laughed and ran upstairs. He jumped up the steps to the attic and found Ron already awake. He was lying on top of Hermione and they were snogging madly. Harry felt incredibly embarrassed at the sight and little nauseated. He turned to leave and accidentally kicked his trunk. "Damn" he hissed.
Ron and Hermione broke apart and both looked ready to die. "Harry" Ron started. Harry just held his hand up.
"No need" Harry said. "You two can do what you want-I just don't want to see it or hear about it ok?" Ron and Hermione nodded. "Breakfast is ready and you two may not get another chance to eat when Dudley wakes up"
"We will be down in a minute," Ron told him and Harry nodded. He turned and left the attic.
Ron and Hermione snogging was weird but not unexpected. Harry had seen this coming for quite sometime although he had to wonder if them snogging was worse than them arguing.
For the next few days the trio did research and reading but could find nothing on horcruxes. The relationship with Petunia and Harry continued to change especially because most days Dudley and Piers were off causing trouble Petunia would sit with them in the living room-she would knit or clean while they planned and researched. It was on a day like that when Petunia sat up suddenly during a conversation.
"What are you three talking about?" Petunia asked.
"Voldemort" Harry replied. He saw the look of recognition on her face. "What?"
"I heard that word-horcuxes. I have heard that words before" Petunia told him.
"When?" Harry asked.
"The summer after Lily graduated from Hogwarts. Vernon was out of town and I let Lily and James stay here. I heard them talking about Voldmort and I think-No, I am sure they said that word" Petunia explained.
"What did they say?" Harry prompted.
Petunia seemed to be wracking her brain. Ron and Hermione were on the edge of their seats waiting. Petunia frowned. "I am sorry Harry. I don't remember"
Harry was crestfallen but forced a smile anyway. "That is ok-thanks anyway Aunt Petunia"
The day before they left harry and Ron were in the kitchen eating lunch. Hermione was sin the attic looking through the books she brought with them. "So" Harry started. "You and Hermione are a couple now?"
Ron blushed and nodded. "Yeah –it's about time huh?
"It is" Harry agreed. 'I am happy for you"
"What about you and Ginny?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged.
"Who is Ginny?" Petunia asked with a knowing grin.
"Ron's sister" Harry told her. "She was my girlfriend but we broke up"
"Why?" Petunia asked.
"It's all very complicated" Harry told her. "But I miss her"
Petunia opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Hermione screaming. All three of them left the room to find her.
Hermione was standing in the hallway. Dudley had her pressed against the wall and she was crying. Piers was holding her wand.
"Dudley" Petunia admonished. "You let her go right now"
Dudley eyed his mother but backed off of Hermione. Hermione scrambled away and right into Ron's arms. It seemed to be taking all of Ron's self control not to attack Dudley.
"Dudley-go to your room" Petunia ordered. "You too Piers"
"But mum" Dudley whined.
"No buts-I didn't raise you to attack women"
Dudley looked shocked but went to his room muttering. Hermione was still crying.
"Are you ok dear?" Petunia asked gently.
Hermione nodded but seemed shaken.
"Come on-let's get some tea" Petunias suggested and they all went to the kitchen.
"I think we should be leaving today," Harry said after petunia had calmed Hermione down.
"No you don't have to " Petunia said.
"We should be moving on" harry insisted. "But thank you for letting us stay here."
"No problem" Petunia answered.
Harry, Ron and Hermione went upstairs to pack. When they were done they went back to the kitchen where Petunia was making dinner. She handed Hermione a sack. "There is some food in there-for the trip"
"Thanks" Hermione said.
Petunia leaned over and kissed Hermione's cheek. "You remind me so much of my baby sister. Take care of yourself Hermione darling"
Hermione nodded and back off. Lily hugged Ron who seemed confused by the gesture. "And you-I can see why harry befriended you" Petunia told him. "You are just like that Potter boy-James."
"Really?" Ron said. "I am like James"
"Kind, funny and brave-yes, just like him" Petunia told him. "Be safe ok?"
Ron nodded and went to stand by Hermione. Petunia turned to harry with tears in her eyes. "They would have been so proud of you" Harry didn't say a word he just let her go on. "Those eyes are so hard for me to look into. Please be careful. I love you"
"I will try. I love you to" Harry responded.
"Promise you will write" Petunia said.
"What about uncle Vernon?" Harry asked.
"Let me deal with him" Petunia replied. She leaned over to kiss his cheek and whispered.
"Go and get your little Ginny" Petunia replied. "I think she is just what you need right now"
The trio headed outside and again flagged the knight bus down. Harry turned and took one last look at the house before he left.
