DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter
A/N: The morning Mrs Petunia Dursley wakes to find an unexpected surprise on her doorstep.
Petunia's Discovery
Petunia Dursley woke up five minutes before her alarm was due to go and already her mind was filling itself with jobs to do today. The oven needed cleaning, the flower beds pruning, leaves needed raking, Dudley needed new clothes (he was growing out of them so fast!) and the kitchen needed its customary wipe-down before bed again.
She got out of bed and shoved her bare feet straight into her slippers, reaching for her dressing gown before wrapping herself up in it. She suppressed a yawn as she pressed her ear to the door of her sleeping son and headed down to the kitchen. She checked on the progress of Mrs Next-Door's runner beans over the fence and gave a sniff. Looks like she could do with a few of those.
After setting some bacon to sizzle in the frying pan, she grabbed the milk bottles off the draining board and went to put them out. She was all set for a day that was just like any other, when she unlocked the door and stretched to put the bottles down. But there wasn't any space.
She let out an involuntary gasp as she looked at the bundle of blankets, an envelope tucked in at the edges. She bent at the knees and picked up the envelope between her forefinger and thumb, as though it might be about to explode in her face. Flipping it open and sliding out a piece of parchment, she read,
Dear Mr & Mrs Dursley,
It is with great regret that I must inform you of the deaths of James and Lily Potter. They both were murdered on the night of October 31st at their home in Godric's Hollow. Their son, Harry, survives. I sincerely hope that you will take Harry in and raise him as your own. I must insist that you see the importance of this.
You may be asking why I am leaving Harry on your doorstep. There are two reasons. All I can say is that so long as Harry remains with his mothers sister he will remain protected. By raising him you will invoke an old and rare piece of magic, which is vitally important. The second reason is that Harry has no other living relatives: you are his only family now.
I now offer my condolences. I personally knew James and Lily and I know that this must be terrible for you. I hope that you will love Harry as your own for their sakes and give him the childhood he should have had with his parents.
My deepest apologies,
Albus Dumbledore,
Current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Petunia had to reread the slanting green writing several times, unable to feel anything but numb shock. Lily was dead? There must be some mistake! She looked at the bundle by her feet and nudged it with the toe of her slipper.
Something gurgled from inside them, then a tiny arm escaped and waved in the still morning air. A pair of bright, emerald green eyes opened and looked straight at her in polite confusion.
Lily's eyes.
Petunia screamed on the doorstep of 4 Privet Drive as the truth hit her like a blow to the stomach, the letter and envelope drifting to the ground.
A/N: When one reads a story such as this, one must feel the urge to review its general awesomeness at the end :)