Petunia had gone to bed furious with Vernon the night before Harriette went missing. She'd slept in a separate bed. She'd woken up to having him tell her that he'd sent Harriette back home with a cab, told her that Mrs. Figg had sent him a message telling him she'd returned. That he'd decided to send her back to get some space.

Petunia had immediately decided to go home expecting to find Harriette with Mrs. Figg. Instead she learned that Harriette was missing.

When she went to the police to report the case, they did some investigations. The cab driver Vernon claimed to have used said that he did driven a child matching Harriette's description 'home' that night. However where he'd dropped her off, was somewhere completely wrong. In a completely different city wrong. The man had explained that he app had suddenly gone haywire and since he'd used it for everything he'd been forced to follow the kids own directions. He'd been iffy at the time but the kid had been so certain when talking about the place. Definitely as if they'd been there before. Then Petunia stopped hearing from the police.

After a week of silence Petunia had gone in again, asking why she hadn't heard anything about her 'nephew'. The cops had no clue why she meant.

When she'd tried to press further she realized what she was dealing with, and went home frustrated and confused. She sent a letter to Dumbledor through Mrs. Figg hoping for something. She received no reply.

The mail came at the same time as it always did. There were a few bills that would be paid before the end of the day. A letter from Marge, Vernon's sister talking about her dogs, and underhandedly calling Lily a bitch, and that she was the reason something was wrong with Harriete. Lastly a nice envelope addressed to Petunia, which on the back had a wax seal of a Lion standing on its hind legs. Hope burst to life in side Petunia's chest. Was this finally a response about Harriette?

When Vernon took the mail things like this were often tossed out. But since the day she'd sent a letter begging for answers about her niece, Petunia picked up the mail. She sorted out Vernons and the bills, and tucked the letter to her away in her blouse before handing Vernon the letter from Marge. She'd have to handle the household bills herself. They weren't getting the Stipend from Harriette anymore, and Vernon refused to let Petunia look for work outside of more womanly pursuits as he'd called them. She mostly made money making little crafts here and there, sewing up damaged clothes and what not. She used to do them with Harriette sometimes, when it wasn't a bad day. Petunia worried about her hands before setting to working cooking. Her mind wandered to whether Harriette was eating enough, whether she was safe, what she was doing, if she was scared. Wondering if anyone was going to come save her.

Once food was eaten and dishes were done Petunia wandered into her room to collect some things for her sewing project, or at least that's what she told Vernon. She'd have some time before Vernon would check on her. Demand to know what she was up to. Vernon had never been a good man, but Petunia hadn't really seen the signs at first. Harriette, really whatever those monsters had done to her before bringing her here had made things so much worse. Petunia and Dudley were almost completely healed from whatever curse they'd put on Harriette, but Vernon didn't seem to be getting better. Worse even. Petunia shook herself out of her daze and opened the letter eyes darting over the message:

To whom it may concern,

My name is Aspen G. Larken, I am the godmother of Harry James Potter. I was unavailable to raise him, being in school when that night happened. Enclosed are some funds to help and my contact information, so we can hopefully meet and get things settled for me to take over custody of Harry.

Truly

Aspen G. Larken

Enclosed was a check in the amount of $1270 (or 1000 pounds), along with a few necessary items that any child would need, as well as some things that might be needed for special cases.

Underwear, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste and a hair brush.

Glasses cleaners, and a really nice case.

It made Petunia wonder when the last time they'd gotten Harriette's prescription updated had been. Were her glasses broken. She sniffled, wiping her face. Wondered if Harriette had lost the glasses. Did she have socks, she had to still need socks right. Because she was still alive. For now tucked the items away in a hiding spot that she kept a few items for the child. She needed to find Harriette but she also had to keep things in her house calm. She stood up and started toward her sewing stuff just in time for Vernon to burst in.

"What are you doing woman?" Vernon grumbled.

"I was just collecting the last of my sewing things," Petunia said, gesturing to a small collection with a pair of scissors, they weren't even meant to be used on fabric. Vernon refused to buy such a frivolous item. As long as he didn't turn that attitude toward Dudley, Petunia thought she could handle it.

She'd send a letter to the Aspen women. Let her know what had happened. She remembered Lily talking about her during the last years at Hogwarts. She'd have the ability to talk to Dumbledor. She'd be able to get answers. Maybe even track Harriette and whoever took her, someone had to have taken her, down.

She just needed to protect Dudley. She just needed to find her niece. She just need…

Dudley held the ice pack to his mother's face with trembling fingers. Her finger danced over the first aid box. They hadn't stocked it in a while, and there wasn't the ointment she needed.

"Dudley sweetie, I-I'm fine," she said, settling her hands down on her lap. She took a moment to collect herself, before taking the ice pack in her own shaking hands. "It's alright." She said smiling. "Nothing too big…" She looked at the mess that was her glass rose. The last gift she'd ever received from her sister. Tears leaked from her eyes before she turned a watery smile to Dudley. "Why don't you head upstairs and start on your homework? You've been having a hard time since…" her smile dropped a little before she forced it back on. "You should study." She sent him up. She didn't call him back down for dinner instead later knocking on his door and passing him a plate before scurrying off at Vernon's shout. Dudley cried that night.

Petunia had been writing to Aspen for a few weeks. A few things had been passed from Aspen to Petunia, small things, a few healing potions, some charmed things, and photos of Lily's life in the magical world. Quite a few were Lily, James and Harry. As well as updates on her quest to find Harriette.

Petunia always had to sneak around for it. Vernon was starting to check the post, so Petunia had been forced to make use of the time she was allotted for weekly shopping to also get her letters. One of the cashiers had been helping Harriette out a lot and was worried about her, so when she noticed the bruising she'd started helping. Petunia started to plan her escape. She couldn't live like this, walking on egg shells, fearing the monster that her husband had become. And she would not let Vernon hurt Dudley.

She hadn't had any way of saving herself or the children in her care before, but now there were people who would help her. She just had to hope that someone would be there to help Harriette.

Petunia was finally done with Vernon. She had an errand to run on a weekend, thinking it was safe to leave their son with his father, he'd never hit Dudley before. Why would he now? When she was two houses away from home she saw Dudley run out of the house with a handprint on his face, and some on his arms. His nose was bleeding, and they was a few small cuts on him. Mostly on his leg. Petunia rushed back to him and when he spotted her he rushed toward her. She pulled her son to her, he clung to her, as she turned and walked to the house to call Aspen. Aspen had told her to call if any harm came to Dudley or herself. She'd ignored her own bruises and cuts and other hurts, but Dudley's she could not ignore.

"It's Petunia," she said when the other woman answered the phone. "He's done it." Aspen breath was sharp but not in a surprised way.

"I'll be there in less than five," she said. They only got off the phone so that it wouldn't break as she took a magic shortcut. Aspen pulled up in a very nice Mercedes-Bends, rolled down her window letting the two know that it was her. Petunia sent Dudley out to the car first and went to collect her own things. She'd sent Dudley up to collect his things. Vernon was in the garden still, tearing up plants by the roots and screaming and cursing. A neighbor was peering over the fence. Petunia rushed upstairs grabbing a small bag and a few necessities. She'd deal with whatever problems the lack of proper luggage would bring later. Now she just needed out. She didn't go into the bathroom to grab her toothbrush. Only a handful of clothes. She didn't even care if they matched. Get out! Hurry and get out!

She was at the foot of the stairs before Vernon came in. Seeing her, with her largest purse stuffed to the brim.

"What's all that for?" He was red face and started stomping toward her.

"I-I forgot there were a few other errands to run," Petunia lied. "I have some fixed garments to drop off at-" Vernon cut her off.

"Whatever?" Vernon said, and Petunia almost collapsed with relief, she had to steal herself to keep on her feet as Vernon stomped to the TV. "Tell the boy that he better learn to be a proper man about these things." Petunia bit down on her tongue, hard enough she almost drew blood. Keeping herself from stating the obvious fact that he's only eight and still learning. She nodded and turned. Tears burned her eyes as she looked around the house she'd called home for so long. She hitched her shoulders up and turned her nose up. This had never been a home. Not really. She walked out of the house, closed the door, and then ran to the car. She wasn't even fully in when she demanded that Aspen drive. Drive! DRIVE!

She managed to free her hand, close the door and buckle before they pulled away from the neighborhood, a soft sigh settling down as her body settled into the seats. The tears were leaking, but she couldn't bring herself to stop.

"I got a place in Loudon," Aspen said, after they'd been driving in silence for a while. They'd all been too tense for conversation. Honestly they still are. "It's yours as long as you want, the only thing is I keep some potions there for a friend to grab, they are near the door and He knows where they are. He's a good man. He'll help out if you ask him," Aspen said after a bit. Petunia nodded, a soft spoken thank you barely making it past her lips. The drive continued to be silent for a while longer. Aspen breaking it again to ask. "Will you be needing anything. You guys don't look like you packed a whole lot."

"I'll figure it out sooner or later," Petunia insisted. "I can't ask you to do more than you already have." her voice sounded weak and wobbly even to her own tears. "I'm grateful. I don't know how I'll ever repay you for-" she cut herself off trying to fight back tears and a weak sounding little sob. How was something that soft and wavering so strong? Strong enough to choke her.

"You're not the first and won't be the last. Do you know just how many people react without thinking, when someone says their kid has magic. That's why it's no problem," Aspen said, not looking from the road.

"Too many," Petunia said, tears rolling down her face as she remembered the day they'd learned about Lily's magic. Her parents praised Lily without a second thought, without any questions; and turned away from Petunia, away from her needs.