Raising Harry

PetuniaxSirius, Harry

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Raising Harry

Chapter 1: The News and Harry's Arrival

Petunia gasped as she sat up in bed, her blonde hair sticking to her forehead from sweat and her chest heaving as she panted for air. What was that dream just now? It had Lily in it, who she hadn't spoken to in a week, as well as her husband and her nephew. There had been a man in a dark cloak and Lily seemed to be in fear; and then there was a flash of green light. It had all seemed so real to Petunia, but was it?

Deciding to get herself some water Petunia turned on her lamp before getting out of bed, then slipped her feet into her fluffy pink slippers. She then grabbed her purple satin robe that stopped just shy of her knees and put it on, wrapping it around her and tying it around her middle. Walking out of her bedroom she headed down the stairs and into the kitchen, hoping a glass of water would calm her nerves. While pouring herself a glass, she hoped her sister was alright.

Taking the glass to the living room, she turned on the lamp in there and sat down, sipping her water. Her eyes traveled to the mantle above her fireplace and her blue eyes landed on the picture that had been taken two months ago, a week before her husband died in a car crash along with their son. A drunk driver had run a stoplight and smashed head on into Vernon's car. Another car had then hit her husband's car on Dudley's side and Dudley had died on impact; Vernon died later at the hospital. It was due to this that she reached out to her sister, looking for comfort from family. Because of this, Petunia and her younger sister began reconnecting again despite their sour years together. And it was the reason that she and Lily were becoming close again did she hope her dream meant nothing and that Lily and her family was alright, even if she did loath that man James Potter.

Petunia suddenly heard muffled voices coming from the other side of her front door and she wondered who it could be. Setting down her glass she walked over to the door and opened it, surprise filling her as she gazed upon the great Albus Dumbledore.

Albus seemed startled at seeing the young woman as well before he recovered saying, "Hello, Petunia."

"Hello," Petunia replied. She looked behind the old wizard to see another person, a witch it seemed, and a giant man next to her. She looked back at Dumbledore to see a bundle in his arms. Looking back up at him she asked, "Can I help you with something?"

Albus sighed before saying, "Petunia, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Lily and James Potter have been murdered tonight by an evil wizard."

Petunia's blue eyes widened significantly as she felt her heart stop in her chest. Lily was…dead? Tears filled her eyes and spilled over as she covered her mouth with her hand to hold in her sob. Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before saying, "And as a result, their son Harry has been left an orphan."

The wizard held the bundle out towards Petunia, presenting her with a view of a sleeping baby's face, a lightening shaped scar on his forehead. Looking up at Dumbledore she asked, "This is Harry?"

"Yes, and you are his only living relative," Dumbledore said. He gently placed Harry in Petunia's trembling arms. He then reached into the pocket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to the blonde woman as well. "I have a letter here explaining everything else. I'm sorry to leave so abruptly, but we must lest any other Muggles see us. Farewell, Petunia."

Albus turned on the spot and suddenly disappeared. The witch nodded to her and did the same as the giant got on a motorcycle and flew away on it. Petunia watched him until he disappeared in the sky before closing the door and locking it back. She walked back into the living room with Harry in her arms and sat down on the sofa. She gently laid him down on the cushion next to her before burying her face and crying as she mourned Lily. How could this have happened? How could she lose her sister, the only other person she cared about? She had already lost her parents, husband, and child, now this?

Whimpering drew her out of her sobs and made her look to the side. Harry was whimpering and squirming in his blanket before he opened his mouth and began crying loudly. Her motherly instincts kicking in Petunia reached down and picked her nephew up, holding him close as she gently shushed him, rocking him as well to calm him down. Harry opened his eyes as his cries turned back to whimpers and Petunia's eyes filled with tears once again as she stared into her sister's eyes.

Petunia wiped her tears before standing with Harry in her arms and headed to the kitchen to make him a bottle of warm milk. She poured some whole milk into a saucepan and heated it on the stove for a bit before pouring it into a bottle and putting the top on. She checked the temperature on her finger to make sure it wasn't too hot, then she held the nipple to Harry's lips. Harry looked at it at first before taking it and drinking the warm milk. A smile found its way on Petunia's face and she whispered, "There, you're okay. Everything is okay."

Harry gazed up at his aunt as he drank his milk, his little hand creeping out of his baby blanket and he placed it on her hand that was holding the bottle. Petunia smiled wider at the gesture before saying, "I'm going to take care of you, Harry. And I will love you as if you were my own child; this I promise you."