Rota Fortuna: Elements of Power
Complete Summary: (AU) Petunia Dursley's world is turned upside down in a single night when her husband and son die as well as her sister, and brother-in-law. Despite hating her sister's family, she immediately takes to young Harry Potter, her last living relative and perhaps her only real reason to live. They flee the country to start anew in America.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
This chapter's quote is from quote land . c o m (remove the spaces).
A/N: This chapter does start a little before the end of the last chapter, but only for a little while. Also, I did a bit of research on grief and its stages, but this is supposedly only a generalization. Also, research for immigrating to America on the internet is a bitch. I'm thinking about skipping the whole process and making you just imagine it unless you have any suggestions.
Chapter Two
Petunia's Psyche and Plan
"Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, it is only time we have."
--Art Buchwald
The morning after Vernon and Dudley had died Petunia was in full blown denial.
"Perhaps Vernon has just gone to work early and has taken our precious Duddykins with him!" She had said out loud, a quiver in her voice hinting at a mental break down. This couldn't be happening to her of all people. Deep down inside, she knew that what she said wasn't true. Then she'd carry off as if it were a normal day, as if last night had all been a horrific nightmare.
She got the milk bottles and took them out like any other day. That was, until she saw her nephew on her front step. Now this wouldn't do! How would she be able to pretend that everything was normal with that… that thing at her house? Nevertheless, she picked him up and brought him in. Then she had realized what she had done and almost threw him in the cupboard beneath the stairs… almost. What if one of her neighbors were to drop by unexpectedly only to hear the cries of the devil child through the cupboard door?
So, in an un-Petunia-like way, Petunia decided to take care of Harry. To her it was only a way to keep a good reputation and to pretend things were normal. That was just how she was, Petunia just wanted to be normal unlike her inferior witch of sister.
It wasn't until a few days later when Petunia finally answered the phone that she stopped denying that Vernon and Dudley were dead. Marge had called her, bawling about how her dear brother and nephew were dead and griping about how Petunia wouldn't pick up the phone. Petunia had finally had enough of the woman and hung up while she was ranting about "those bloody teenagers."
Petunia was very angry with the world and herself. If she had taken Dudley instead of Vernon, there was a possibility they'd all still be alive! More and more anger built up in her until she almost literally blew her top at the neighbors when they mentioned that they were sorry about her loss. Needless to say, Petunia got over her anger very quickly.
Petunia tried to bargain with God to give back her husband and son. Unfortunately for her, God wouldn't take away her pain inside; instead she was forced to live through with it.
On the day of the funeral is when Petunia finally became depressed. The reality of it all had finally hit her as the private ceremony went on. The coffins being lowered into their graves was such a finality that Petunia refused to watch as they lowered them and covered them with dirt. She burst into tears and left with young Harry, who was fast asleep in her arms.
She couldn't feel anything at all. It was like she was numb. She thought about taking one of the kitchen knives and stabbing herself in the heart. The only things that kept her from doing so were her religion and Harry.
In the past few days, Petunia had found herself talking to Harry about things she didn't with anyone else. She'd talk about Vernon and Dudley and how she didn't know how long she could survive on their life insurance without a job. Harry would just sit there and listen to her and occasionally do baby things like giggle and cry.
Many people stay depressed for years and years on end. However, talking to Harry helped Petunia accept the fact that Vernon and Dudley were gone. In months she had finally moved on.
After Petunia had finally moved on, she treated Harry as if he were her own. He would never replace Dudley in her heart, but he would be close. This would be a turning point for Harry's life, a fortunate one.
The months flew by and soon it was Harry's second birthday. Harry had picked up on things quick. He could walk and talk very well for a child his age. It was probably an effect of Petunia confiding in Harry so much in her time of need. However, now that things were running so smoothly, Petunia had no earthly clue what she would do with the rest of her life.
She sealed the letter she had just written to her American pen pal that she had had ever since the beginning of secondary school. It was in her English class that she had to write a letter to someone in America on a regular basis. The pen pal she got was a bizarre yet intelligent girl named Sharon Rodgers. The two became such great friends over their letters that they continued their correspondence.
Sharon told Petunia many things about her life in America and Petunia became entranced with the country. She had always wanted to move there but after marrying Vernon she never had the chance. However, the year before they married, they had visited Sharon in Boston and Petunia had fallen in love with America even more.
Now was probably as good a time as any to move to America and start a new life there with her nephew. She knew that it would be difficult to move anywhere abroad with the Harry Potter. She knew enough about the wizarding world to know that Voldemort was an evil bastard and that almost any witch or wizard would celebrate his destroyer. They might not take kindly to Harry moving from Britain and Petunia didn't know how far those foul demons infiltrated the muggle world. No, she'd have to change Harry's name to get out of the country and to America.
A/N: Sorry this is such a short chapter, I just realized it's about half as long as the last chapter! I just wanted to get a bit in about Petunia's mindset and sort of set up her going to America. I hope that it's realistic enough. There will only one or a couple more "filler" chapters until Harry goes off to magic school. I'd also like to thank everyone who reviewed once again! I'm surprised I got so many reviews and hits for only the first chapter! Please review and tell me what you think!