letters to lily (petunia evans)

Fall 1981

Dear Petunia,

I'm not safe. I love you. If anything happens to me, take Harry and love him.

-Lily

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Petunia wished she was in bed. Vernon had gotten home irritated from work and a few drinks later, had taken out his anger on everything around him. Bruised and broken, she remained on the kitchen floor next to broken dishes and a small pool of blood.

It happened again. It was her fault she thought. Maybe if she had cooked Vernon steak for dinner and not the veggies from the market, he would have been happy. Maybe if she had taken care of the baby and not let him cry so much, he wouldn't have hit her. She was a terrible wife and an even worse mother.

She laid on the floor for what felt like hours. Dudley had long been put to sleep by his father. The food from dinner had gotten cold and the broken dishes had to be swept away. Her body ached and her soul felt heavy.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It was midnight and someone was knocking on the door. Fear rushed through Petunia's blood, she didn't know what to be more afraid of, Vernon hearing the commotion and waking up or the person trying to break in. Cautiously, she rose from the ground and made her way to the door. Slowly she undid the lock, twisted the doorknob, and opened the door just enough for a crack of the moonlight to slip into the house.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, Petunia. You may remember me from your childhood. My name is Al-"

"Albus Dumbledore," Petunia replied stunned. The mystical man stood in long purple robes and a pointed hat, glowing under the moon light. His eyes twinkling at her response.

"I am sorry to inform you that your sister and brother-in-law, have passed away in a tragic accident this evening. Luckily, their son, Harry Potter survived. As you are his last living relative, I implore that you ta-"

"Yes." snapped Petunia. "I'll do it. Give him to me." Unfortunately, Lily had been correct. Her days were number and that evening she had lived her last one. Petunia knew, she had to take Harry in. He was her nephew and the last piece of Lily.

"And about your husband, Vernon." Dumbledore gestured, peering into the house and looking directly at the mess in the kitchen. "We shall have a word. Awaken him."

Petunia nodded and rushed to the stairs, but Vernon had already woken up. In the midst of his slumber, the pounding and conversation had caused him to stir.

"You ugly bit-" he paused when he saw the otherworldly man. "Who are you! Get out of my house!"

"Now, we haven't any need for that. Petunia, go upstairs you shall see that your son needs tending. Mr. Dursley, let us have a conversation." And with that, Petunia scurried up the stairs to safety with Harry's baby carrier in hand.