On Halloween in 1981, Vernon Dursley is having breakfast with his wife, Petunia, and their son, Dudley, as he learns that the "mists" covering the countryside have been lifted. After going to work, he discovers people were talking about the Dursleys' estranged relatives, the Potters (Lily and James Potter) and their son, Harry, but shrugs it off.
He remembers that Petunia had told him that Lily had called her the week prior, but shrugs it off as unimportant. As he returns home, he discovers that an explosion was heard in Godric's Hollow, a village that James had told him when they met previously, which immediately worries him. He allows Petunia to communicate with James and Lily and notices that the tabby cat outside looks similar to one that is shown in a picture of Lily, but shrugs it off.
The next morning, Vernon is shocked when he and Petunia get a letter from Albus Dumbledore that Lily and James were killed and that Harry needed to be protected from Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters after his mother sacrificed herself to protect Harry and asked for them to raise Harry in a loving household, which they agree to off-page.