Hi everyone, happy new year! I meant to get a Christmas chapter in but with exams and present shopping and all that I didn't have the time.

She was reminded vividly of a moment from the war. Her and Arthur had been strolling down diagon alley, arm in arm, newly wed, oblivious to the world, then it happened. All of a sudden cracks of apparition filled the air and the windows of Madame Malkins shattered into a thousand shards. Shouts filled the air and a curse shot so low over her head that it singed her hair.

When you are frightened there is one very still moment before the action begins. A single second where you know you must move, but you can't, you don't know how to act for the best, your heart is in your mouth and you know that everything hangs in the balance.

That was exactly how Molly Weasley felt as she watched Petunia Dursley scope Dudley into her arms.

She opened her mouth but no sound came out. She clutched at Arthur's arm. He saw. He handed her Ginny. He ran across the station. She watched with relief as he pulled Petunia back by her jacket.

It's okay. It's okay, they're not gone.

'Children, children stay with me!' There was an edge to her voice which raised no complaints. Even Fred and George knew that sometimes, there was a line not to be crossed.

'We're going this way. Percy, I need you to keep hold of Harry and Ron. Come on, come on!'

The messy huddle made their quick way over to where Arthur was maintaining a firm grip on a struggling Petunia. Dudley was curled in his mothers arm. The joy of having her back seemed to have rendered him quite oblivious to the surrounding panic.

'Petunia.' Molly drew in a deep breath. 'Petunia put him down.' She tried to force her voice into something resembling calm. The children must not be frightened.

Molly felt a shuffle next to her and looked down to see that Harry had realised who was there. He clung to her legs, shaking. Her lips tightened so much she resembled Minerva McGonagall.

'Petunia, put him down. Otherwise we will take him back by force.'

A single tear slipped over Petunia Dursley's powdered cheeks. 'He is my son. I have changed. I want him back.'

'Well you can't have him! He's not yours anymore. You forfeited that when you abused your nephew!'

A few passersby were beginning to stare. Arthur laid a calming hand on her shoulder.

'Molly, Petunia, I suggest that we discuss this calmly. There is a charming little muggle cafe over there. The children can play and this can be sorted out.'

Petunia gave a tense little nod seeming to accept that she had lost the chance to slip away unnoticed.

Molly tried to usher the children towards the little muggle shop but found that it was rather hard to walk with Harry clinging to her leg. She gently peeled his fingers off and lifted him into her arms. 'Hey little one, it's alright. You're not going with your aunt. You're staying with us. You're staying with us I promise.' He laid his head on her shoulder, sinking into her warmth.

Molly was annoyed to see that even at this time Arthur was quite unable to contain his childlike fascination with all things muggle. She secured them the largest available table while he went to order something called coffee. The twins engaged in drinking the sugar from the little paper packets in the middle while Percy sat pencil straight next to her, wearing what he clearly imagined to be a very grown up expression. Not one word passed between her and Petunia as they waited, each clutching a small boy.

Molly looked from Harry and Dudley to Ron. Harry and Dudley were hiding in the protection of the woman they viewed as mother. Ron was tying knots in his little sister's hair while she whined at him. That was where Harry and Dudley should be, confident, curious, causing trouble. The reason they weren't was sitting across from her.

A minute or two into the echoing silence Arthur appeared looking rather sheepish and to Molly's surprise addressed himself solely to Petunia.

'Mrs Dursley-'

Petunia's lips pursed as she heard the name. 'Miss Evans please. I am, as of last week, divorced.'

Molly's eyebrows shot into her hair but her husband did a rather better job at not showing his shock. 'My apologies, Miss Evans, I unfortunately have no muggle currency on my person and the charming young coffee maker back there seemed unwilling to take my sickles. Could you perhaps lend me what you think will be sufficient?'

Petunia let out a frustrated breath. 'I'll pay.' She stood, still holding Dudley tight.

Molly's grip on Harry tensed, something that Petunia did not miss. 'Don't fear. I'll come back.'

Nevertheless Molly couldn't stop watching the other woman anxiously until she had resumed her seat, coffee in tow.

'I recognise that my home was not always happy for my nephew. This was mainly to do with my ex husband. I want to reclaim my son. I have changed.' It was quite clear that these words brought her no pleasure whatsoever. Her mouth pursed with disgust as though she had swallowed a particularly sour lemon. Molly tried to make eye contact, to see whether this was what she really believed or merely anything to get her son back. Petunia however kept her eyes firmly on the greasy table between them.

Arthur spoke carefully. 'I don't doubt that you may have changed but you will understand that you are hardly a trustworthy guardian of either boy. Harry and Dudley must stay together for Harry's safety-'

Petunia's mouth shot open. 'We never hurt Dudley, why should I lose my son for my nephew's protection!'

'You lose your son because you are an irresponsible parent. It has nothing to do with Harry!'

Harry flinched slightly on hearing his name spoken. Another bout of rage coarse through Molly's being. She knew from experience just how full of potential each and every child was. It had taken months to even get Harry to this point. She didn't know how she had managed when he had first arrived.

'We will discuss this with Dumbledore. If he really believes you to be reformed, something I am not convinced of, then we will grant you visitation. If you attempt to contact us first, we will have really little reason to give you anything at all.'

Petunia shook silently with sobs. 'I'm sorry it was Vernon. It wasn't me!'

Molly caught Arthur's eye. To rip a mother from her child was one of the greatest crimes. But to abuse a child was another. A little kindness couldn't hurt.

Molly sighed. 'That may be true but you didn't stop it.'

Petunia said nothing but held Dudley tighter.

'You want the best for your son, let us offer him a stable home. At least for now, while your sort things out.'

Petunia gave a tiny shaky nod, so small that it was almost indetectable.

Molly reached out to take Petunia's free hand. 'We'll see about visits, yes? We will raise your son well, I swear.'

I hope you enjoyed! Do leave a comment with any suggestions x