A knock on the door interrupted Petunia's thoughts. It was Lily, her sister, looking more concerned than usual.

"Petunia, Arthur, and Molly Weasley are here to see you," Lily said softly.

Petunia nodded. She followed Lily downstairs to the dining room. Arthur looked haggard, his usually cheerful demeanor replaced by a somber expression. Molly's eyes were red from crying, her face etched with worry. Petunia felt her heart drop seeing Arthur and Molly so stricken.

"Arthur, Molly, good to see you," Petunia said, feeling unsure. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Molly shook her head, offering a weak smile. "Thank you, Petunia, but we're fine. House elf Minnie already asked."

They sat down, and an uncomfortable silence settled over the room. Arthur fidgeted with his hands, clearly struggling to find the right words.

Molly looked at Arthur with a fond, exasperated look. "Oh, Arthur, you need to talk about it," Molly said.

"Mollywobbles," he began, his voice trembling. "How can you still stand me?"

"Arthur, love, don't be so silly," Molly whispered. "It wasn't your fault."

"I killed them," Arthur said. At first, Petunia thought she must have misheard. "I killed Fabian and Gideon. How can you not be mad?"

Petunia gasped, craning her neck. "What happened, Arthur?"

Arthur took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Petunia's. "It was Dolohov. He put me under the Imperius Curse. I... I couldn't fight it. I tried, but I couldn't."

Molly reached over to hold his hand, tears streaming down her face. "Arthur, it wasn't your fault."

Arthur shook his head, pain etched into his features. "I told Fabian and Gideon to come to the pub. I invited them for dinner and told them it was a family gathering. They trusted me. And when they arrived..."

Petunia's heart clenched. Fabian and Gideon had always brought joy wherever they went. They made the darkness lighter with their jokes and kindness.

"They were ambushed," Arthur continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Dolohov and his followers were waiting. I couldn't stop it. I couldn't throw off the curse. I failed."

Molly's grief was palpable; her sobs were quiet but heartbreaking. "That night," she said, her voice trembling, "I gave birth to Fred and George. My brothers... they never got to meet them."

Petunia felt a surge of empathy. "Arthur, you can't blame yourself. You were under a curse. It was beyond your control."

Arthur looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and despair. "I keep telling myself that, but it doesn't change what happened. I should have been stronger. I should have protected them. How can you even stand to be around me, Molly? I am the reason your brothers are dead."

Petunia reached out, placing her hand over his. School had never taught her what to say in these sorts of circumstances.

Molly shook her head, her tear-streaked face resolute. Petunia could tell from her weary look that this wasn't the first time they discussed this. "Fabian and Gideon wouldn't want you to be consumed by this guilt and sorrow."

"No, Molly," Arthur said. "You have got to accept this. I cannot ever again put my loved ones in danger. You know I have to go. I need you and the kids to be safe away from me. I will ask if Albus can place some protections on the Burrow. I will ask him to ward me out of it. What if I invite some death eaters over to our home, thinking everything is dandy and fine?"

"Arthur," Molly begged.

"No, go home, Molly," Arthur said, crossing his arms.

"Not without my husband," Molly said. Molly shot Petunia a desperate look. Please talk some sense into him. Molly's eyes seemed to convey.

"Petunia," Arthur whispered. "You understand why I have to leave, right?" Arthur started crying silently. "You have been a good friend to both of us. You will be there for my Mollywobbles, won't you?"

"Arthur, I understand that you can never endanger a loved one again. I understand that you need Molly and the kids to be safe," Petunia said. As Arthur took a deep, shuddering breath, Petunia felt Molly's heated glare.

"Thank you, Petunia," Arthur hastily interrupted Petunia. "Thank you for really listening."

Petunia squeezed his hand gently. "Anytime, Arthur. But I don't understand at all why you would leave your family. You care for them, right? Why don't you hide out with your family until you've somehow learned to throw off that spell that was cast on you? Wouldn't Molly and your children be safer if they were attacked and you were there to protect them?"

"Stop being such an idiot, Arthur," Molly said. "I need you to be home. The kids need you."

Arthur looked at the ground. It was difficult to read his face. Molly kept shooting him hopeful glances. Petunia still felt utter shock seeing her friends like this.

It was silent for a moment. It felt like the moment took ages. "I guess I will ask Albus then if he knows someone that can help me learn to throw off the Imperius curse," Arthur said.

Petunia felt her heart leap in relief at his words, as she saw a hesitant, small smile break through Molly's face.

"I am sure he will know someone, Artie," Molly said. "Perhaps Alastor can help you again. He recognized you were under Imperius and lifted the curse from you."

"Maybe," Arthur replied, offering a small smile. This caused Molly to relax a little.

"You coming home, Artie?" Molly coaxed. "We can contact Albus when we get home."

Shakingly, Arthur nodded. Molly, with one arm, gently hugged her husband to her side. With the other arm, she quickly and lightly embraced Petunia. "Thank you, dear," Molly said. "I am glad that you talked some sense into my husband. I just did not seem able to get through to him."

"Thanks," Arthur softly added.