Chapter 2- Unexpected Surprises

July 25th, 1988

One by one, the three colleagues arrived at the gates, praying Dumbledore wouldn't come upon them. As soon as the clock chimed 6, they apparated away into an empty lot a block away from Number 4 Privet Drive.

"So, before we go in wands a-blazing, let's go over our plan." Minerva declared, taking charge of the situation. She knew if they ran in without rehearsing the plan, somebody would get hurt.

10 minutes later…

They walked up the steps to the door of Number 4 Privet Drive, Severus in the front because they all knew that if Petunia answered the door, she would recognize him immediately. He knocked on the door and thankfully it was indeed Harry's aunt that answered the door. She realized who it was and quickly stepped out before Vernon saw.

"What are you doing here?!" Petunia hissed, looking at the closed door worriedly as if she were afraid of what was inside.

"We know what has been happening to Harry. We have come to collect him before this gets out of hand." Poppy stated, while Minerva watched for any reaction in the muggle's face. Surprisingly, she saw relief scramble across her face for a second before her face changed to a distressed state.

"It's only been Vernon harming Harry. I've tried to keep him out of Vernon's reach but he threatens me when I do. He won't let me take Harry out of the house either, to leave Harry at home with him so that he can harm him without Dudley knowing. All Dudley wants to do is play…" Petunia rambled on and on until Severus held up his hand. She instantly shut up.

"Do you think we could come in? We can take care of your husband if you want." Minerva asked, hoping they could get in before any of the neighbors noticed the three wizards talking to Petunia.

"Can you guys hide yourselves first so that Venom doesn't suspect anything?"

All three wizards nodded and cast the disillusionment charm on themselves before Petunia turned towards the door.

"Petunia! Who was at the door?" Vernon yelled, annoyed that someone was interrupting their breakfast.

"Oh, it was just the people who moved in down the road. I think their last name is… is Snap." Petunia lied, subtly motioning the other three towards the kitchen, where everyone else was.

As they entered the kitchen, Minerva had to restrain herself from gasping out loud. Petunia's son and husband were sitting at the table stuffing themselves with the bacon and eggs they had Harry making. She quickly tapped Petunia's shoulder and motioned for her friends to follow her into the hallway.

"I forgot something upstairs Vernon. Just going to go grab it." Harry's aunt mislead, as she was actually going to speak to the 3 others in her company.

Petunia had barely made it up the stairs before she was ambushed by Severus pointing his wand at her and whisper-yelling "You make him cook everything?! He is seven for crying out loud. Give me one good reason as to why I shouldn't harm you right now."

She paled at the sight of the wand. "I- it's just breakfast and the occasional dinners but like I

told you outside. It's all Vernon. He has been making Harry do all of this ever since he was tall enough to use the stove." No one wanted to think about how old Harry was when Vernon made him start doing that. "Whenever I try to intervene, he directs his anger to me after. I've been planning to run away with Dudley and Harry soon, on a day Vernon isn't very angry and has gone to work. I can't deal with him anymore!"

"PETUNIA! Are you coming down anytime soon?!" Vernon growled,"I have to leave soon!"

Petunia paled even more. "Just go hide in the bathroom. I-I'll be back soon." she whispered, turning on her heel and trying to calm down before going down to face the wrath of her husband.

"Looks like this is bigger than we thought," Minerva murmured before they headed into the bathroom.

"Well, what should we do?" Poppy asked after casting a Muffliato charm to avoid being heard.

"I say we should wait for her oaf of a husband to leave, meet Harry, and see what else Petunia has to say. I also think it would be beneficial to meet her son as well." Minerva suggested, though it wasn't really a suggestion and more like what they would do because the other two didn't want to go against Minerva when something unexpected pops up in her well thought-out plans.

Sometime later, Petunia finally came upstairs to let them out of the bathroom.

"Ok, so Vernon has left and shouldn't be back until 5pm at the earliest. Harry and Dudley are playing in their respective bedrooms. We can go into the living room to figure this out."

The three followed Petunia but kept their guard up for anything suspicious. They weren't going to let anything else surprise them today.