Petunia placed the small bundle in a chair. She wouldn’t dare soil her precious Dudley by placing that in his cot. She dazedly looked around the little nursery and read Dumbledore’s note for the third time. Lily’s son? What would Vernon say? He despised her sister’s world as much as she. How could Dumbledore expect her to raise Lily’s child? Perfect Lily, as special as Petunia would never be-
Her ears popped, startling her. Petunia knew that feeling so well, from Lily’s show-off days at that accursed school. Dumbledore had arrived. Good. She’d tell that old fool what’s what.
“Mr. Dumbledore,” She began, her voice stiff. “I must say no. I don’t want-”
“What do I care of your wants?” It was Severus, his dark eyes swimming with tears. “She’s gone.” The words slashed like a razor.
Petunia’s heart trembled like the scattering leaves. If he was here, it was really true. Lily no longer stood in their way.
Her anxiety melted away. She whispered, “You came for me. I knew one day-“
“Came? For you?” he snarled, his face contorted with hate. “Don’t you understand? My Lily is dead!”
He turned away, sobbing, “Why couldn’t it have been you?”