"Harry. Time to wake up." A soft voiced spoke through the door. The two women outside the room heard a groan and then stirring come from within. Petunia Dursley looked on at the door for a few moments before turning to her guest with a polite smile.

"He's like this sometimes. I usually make sure he's up no later than eight in the morning but...well, the family had such a late night yesterday."

Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, nodded stiffly. Despite her stern demeanour, she did have a hint of a smile as she recalled another person by the name of Potter who also had troubles waking up on time during his years at Hogwarts. She was also a bit wary ever since stepping foot into the Dursley household. No sooner had she stepped in, a chill seem to settle over. Petunia had been the one to answer the door and not five minutes after introducing her husband Vernon and son Dudley, the two Dursley men had quickly left the house leaving the witch alone with the former Evans woman. Petunia had fought Albus Dumbledore, her employer and oldest friend, tooth and nail to be the one to retrieve young Harry from his relatives to take him to Diagon Alley.

'The nerve of that man, suggesting Rubeus of all all people. A kind soul he may be, but to be given the task of introducing the wizarding world to a boy who has, up to this point, probably never believed in magic would be a disaster in the making.'

The witch was brought out of her thoughts by the slamming of the door downstairs. A quick look between the two woman and an apologetic smile from Petunia who mouthed "Vernon" was enough to have the women remain in silence and return to waiting for Harry to exit his room. If not for all her years as an educator, Minerva might have lost her patience after the first five minutes. It was just as this thought flitted through her mind that the door creaked open.

Minerva now had her first glimpse of Harry James Potter in almost ten years. She wasn't sure if he was exactly as she expected him to be or if he wasn't, he was just there. He was just Harry.

He was the correct height for his age and was as fit as one would expect him to be. His skin was pale that could've been attributed to his Potter genes or perhaps he wasn't one to go outside much. She hoped it was at least his decision if it was the latter, she didn't know how she would react if the boy was forced to things he did not want to do. Coming back to her sense the witch took a step forward.

"Hello Harry, my name is Minerva McGonagall. You may recall my name as the person who sent you your Hogwarts letter. I am here to take you to Diagon Alley to make your school purchases."

Harry nodded slightly, quickly glancing up towards his aunt, this action caused some of his hair to fall forward over his ear, where it had been tucked back, and down past his chin. It was then that Minerva realized that the young boy had longer hair than she had first thought, she also recalled that neither James nor Lily had hair that dark. Another startling feature was how...alive...Harry's eyes seemed to be. She couldn't think of another word for it, his eyes didn't quite glow, but against his pale skin and dark hair, they were like lights in the dark.

"Hello, Professor McGongall." The young child spoke softly as he slowly inched towards his aunt until his grasping hand latched on to her dress and the rest of his body quickly followed until he was half-hidden from view. Petunia smiled indulgently down at her nephew before gently guiding out from behind her and then stepped behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"I apologize Professor, you see, Harry has never been an outgoing person. I have tried everything to make sure he wants for nothing, but...' The woman trailed off when Harry fidgeted but a gentle but firm hand from his aunt stopped him. 'those first few years with us were not the best. In fact, it wasn't until his seventh birthday that things began to settle down and I was able to finally reach him." Petunia smiled lovingly down at the boy and Minerva found that any reservations she may have had against the sister of Lily Evans Potter were nearly nonexistant.

"I understand perfectly Mrs. Dursley. The nightmares the poor child must've had due to...well, that night. I can only imagine what he went through." As the two continued speaking they made their way down the stairs, Harry following along between them. Stopping in front of the door and opening it for them, Petunia glanced towards the living room where Vernon and Dudley were watching t.v.

"Yes. However, his nightmare ended very quickly once I was able to get to him. I vowed that day, that nothing bad would ever happen to Harry again.' Vernon, who had looked over at Petunia quickly looked away uncomfortably. 'Surely you'll help me keep my vow, Professor?"

Minerva, who hadn't seen the exchange between the Dursleys, nodded emphatically. "I'll personally see to it, moreso if he ends up Sorted into my House at Hogwarts. I had wished to take Harry in after his parents...well, needless to say, I hadn't been allowed to. You, being his last blood-relative, were the one chosen in the end." The Transfiguration professor watched as Harry walked out of this house and down to the middle of the path.

"Yet, even I know it was specifically stated that Harry James Potter was to never step foot in the Dursley home should anything happen to Lily and James." Came the cold response from behind her. Startled, Minerva spun around to face Petunia. The woman's face seemed to have lost all warmth, once-pale eyes now darkened. The very inside of the house seemed to have also darkened despite the light that was pouring in from the open door.

"I beg your pardon." Minerva managed after regaining her bearings. Petunia seemed to have such an overbearing presence now, nothing like the inviting, gracefulness, that she had displayed when the witch had first arrived. As sudden as it all happened, it was over. Petunia was slowly closing the door. Dark eyes locked on Minervas.

"Remember your promise, Professor. Protect Harry." Then the door was closed and Minerva was left there staring in shock. A tug at her sleeve brought her attention towards her side where young Harry was looking up at her. Quickly forcing her composure back in place, the witch took Harry's hand in her own and guided him to the sidewalk where she raised a hand; her thumb stuck-out. Instantly a double-decker bus appeared, screeching to a halt in front of them.

"Harry, this is the Knight Bus. As long as you have magical blood within you, all you need do is to stick out your thumb and the bus will arrive and take you wherever you wish to go. Now, let us board, we have a long day ahead of us." With that, and a slight nudge, the dark-haired boy stepped onto the bus and quickly found a seat near the back. As soon as he took a seat, he moved towards the window and looked out towards his relative's home. Minerva, taking a seat next to him, followed his gaze and felt something cold descend upon her. For there, staring out the window back at them, was Petunia. She was smiling as she looked back at Harry with the same warmth as when he exited his room. Harry then turned back to Minerva with a smile before looking forward. Minerva had returned the smile before looking back at the house and she felt her insides chill again, Petunia was no longer smiling. She was staring, accusingly, at Minerva. Then, she was gone.

Minerva wasn't sure, but years later, she could say that this day was when everything changed.

Vernon flexed his fingers instinctively as Petunia walked away from the window and past him towards the kitchen. Slowly, he stood up and moved towards the coat-rack. He didn't turn around as he quickly threw on his coat and hat and began searching his pockets for his keys.

"Uh, I'll just be leaving for work now. Dudders has already left to play with his friends so..." A sudden noise caught his full attention and he stiffened. The noise had been sharp and sudden; the jiggling of keys. It should've been an innocent sound, but it came off as mocking; daring. The next sound, was anything but. A creaking noise, followed by the popping of bones. Then, the guttural subdued moan. He had heard it all before, countless times. It was never easier after that first time, it was never something he could get used to.

Slowly, but surely, he turned around and looked towards the noise and all the blood seemed to withdraw from his skin.

Neck bent at an unnatural angle. Brown, well-kept curly hair; dead and limp against chalk-white skin. Empty black voids glaring back through empty eye-sockets. Bloody clothing that was more akin to rags hung from the skeletal frame. Teeth rotted or missing; mouth open and releasing that horrible sound. Hands outstretched towards him.

What was left of Petunia Dursley stood there in the middle of the living room. That ghoul had taken over long ago and the Dursleys paid for the pain they had put young Harry through. He had paid for it most of all with the loss of his wife, the loss of control in his own home, and the fear he constantly lived in.

Shivering in fear as the figure began to stagger forward, he reached behind him and grabbed a hold of the doorknob, morbid-curiousity unable to allow him to take his eyes off the grotesque remains of his dear wife. Yanking the door open he turned to run out of the house when the figure got closer but found his path blocked and his jaw dropped. There, in almost the same condition as his wife's body, was none-other than Dudley. Vernon couldn't even manage a scream before the dead boy grabbed a hold of him and Vernon found himself dragged up the stairs at a rate of speed that he knew was not possible. He did manage to scream when he was pulled into his and Petunia's bedroom and he looked up towards the door where Petunia was standing. His eyes shrunk in fear when the normally pale eyes suddenly glowed green.

"No! I've been good! I haven't so much as yelled at him! I haven't touched your freak of a s..." The door slammed shut and Vernon only managed half a scream before a meaty thud silenced him. The sounds of ripping and tearing came next and then all was quiet.

To all others on Privet Drive, all was as it should be. A quiet Saturday morning, nothing at all out of place.