Lion Rampant

Laughter rang through the park as Petunia watched her now 8 year old sons playing with the other children. She frowned a little and ran her hands through her now short blonde hair as she watched Dudley stop and wheeze a bit. He would be do for his flushing potions soon, everything she had done to try and keep her children safe had backfired and caused them even more pain. Her frown deepened as she remembered everything they had gone through, poor Harry had been hurt the worst in all of this. Years spent with an intolerant walrus of a man had made her hard. The constant dribble he spat out about others that didn't fit his perfect standards bounced around in her head once more. The happiest she had ever been while married to that sorry excuse of a man was the day she bathed her claws in his blood.

-FLASHBACK-

Petunia stood in line at a London muggle bank waiting to be called. Earlier that day her father had driven her into the city to see about the muggle account James had left for Lily and herself in case they ever needed to leave the wizarding world. She knew she had to hide the boys, Harry especially, from the wizarding world. There were people out there who would manipulate her son and use him for their own gains, not to mention the Dark Lord who had murdered her mate and her sister.

While the boys slept she and her parents had come up with a plan to hide the broken family in the muggle world. First she would need to get all of the money that James left them and move it into another bank, she wasn't sure if anyone from the magical world knew enough to track accounts but this had to be done. Second she needed to find a muggle man, some one single and so completely the opposite of James Potter that no one would ever think she would be interested in him. She would use potions to make her sons look like the man's children and go about changing her appearance the muggle way with makeup and hair dye.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud laughter of the man in front of her. He spoke so loudly into his mobile phone she was sure they could hear him in America.

"I'm telling you Andrews you should have seen the look on the little fags face when he realized we had caught him!"

Petunia studied him while he paused for a moment to listen to his friend's response. The man looked more like a giant walrus then a human being. He was easily over 6 feet tall and possibly weighed about the same as a small vehicle. Though she had never been one to judge people by their looks Petunia could feel the bile rising as she realized just how much of this man was pure fat. Listening to the rest of Mr. Walrus' conversation proved quite enlightening, he hated anyone that was a foreigner, colored, homosexual or just didn't fit into his ideals. This man was everything James could never have been and she knew she had to use him to hide her family, he was just too perfectly closed minded to let him slip away.

The line moved forward and Petunia soon finished her business in the bank. Using her demonic powers she was able to track Mr. Walrus to a nearby alley he was using as a short cut and knock him unconscious. With some difficulty she was able to administer a love potion and various mind altering and suggestive potions to the unconscious man. With that done she sat and waited for her soon to be new husband to wake up.

Four years passed by peacefully while Petunia and the boys hid with the man she had drugged. Unfortunately not everything had gone according to plan, with the help of some potions Dudley was easily transformed into the spitting image of the man Vernon Dursley. Yet Harry for some unknown reason had stubbornly stayed Harry. Not wanting to accidentally overdose her youngest son Petunia had decided to claim him as her orphaned nephew in front of Vernon and his family.

The day had started out so nice, the sun was shining, the boys had been getting along well and Vernon seemed to be in an abnormally good mood before breakfast even started. That in itself should have warned her that things were going to be bad. Vernon was never happy before his first cup of coffee and he made it a point to keep Dudley away from their odd "nephew". Harry and Dudley should have been the best of friends but in order to keep the peace in their home she hadn't argued with Vernon when it came to his "son". She sighed deeply as she thought about her mistakes. This life wasn't what she wanted for her sons, they should be able to play with each other whenever they wanted not kept apart.

"Petunia!"

Hearing her name Petunia turned into the living room.

"Yes dear? You called?"

Vernon sat in the ugliest flower print recliner she had ever seen. His smile was huge and happiness seemed to radiate from him. Something good must have happened the night before at work for him to be this ecstatic. Maybe if she were lucky the excitement might cause him to have a heart attack. Then she could go on and cash that giant life insurance policy, it paid to protect your loved ones.

"Tonight my boss will be coming over for dinner to discuss a possible promotion. I need you to go down to the shop and pick up something fabulous tonight. Go all out wine, fancy fruit baskets and tiny finger foods."

Vernon ran up to Petunia and lifted her into air spinning in circles. Being as overweight as the man was it was a miracle he could even lift her for a minute. Kissing her soundly Vernon placed her on the ground. The boys clapped and cheered seeing the adults acting so happily.

"Go on boys! Cheer for you old man!"

Vernon smiled and ruffle both boy's hair fondly. Petunia's eyes widened in shock at the affectionate action towards Harry. Though he didn't hate the boy Vernon was never outwardly affectionate with him. Petunia stuttered lightly in shock.

"V-V-Vernon, this is so unlike you!"

Vernon held her as close as his enormous stomach would let him and smiled down at her.

"Petunia darling it's time we become a proper family the lot of us. This promotion would set us for life. No more worrying if I got sick and missed a few days. This job pays salary and unlimited sick days."

He let go of her waist and gently held her hands. He lifted one to his lips and kissed it lightly while staring her in the face.

Wow this month's love potion was strong.

Petunia quickly plastered the most proud smile she could manage throwing her disgust of all his familiar touches into a very small trunk in the back of her mind.

"Tunie dear if all goes well then you'll have the prettiest flower garden in the neighborhood."

That hated nickname coming from his mouth almost set her off. She just had to stay calm and look happy and keep the peace. Leaning away from him slightly Petunia continued to smile.

"Alright Vernon love. Whatever you say. If it's for the betterment of this family then I will gladly do it."

Vernon laughed heartily his stomach jiggled in a grotesque shadow of what Santa might do around Christmas time. Though Lord and Lady knew Vernon's distaste for large holiday crowds hadn't allowed her to see such a jolly sight in years.

"Excellent! Now here's my bank card you get yourself out to the shop and I'll stay here with the kiddos. Better I stay here with the little buggers rather than drag the whole lot of us out and anyways dear you know I'm rubbish in the shops."

Vernon dug around in his wallet and handed his bank card to his wife. He looked toward the boys and decided that they would need some new attire for the night's big occasion.

"While you're out Tunie go ahead and buy a new outfit for each of the boys. Get yourself something pretty as well. Got to have my perfect family looking brilliant!"

Before she could respond Vernon rushed her towards the front door practically shoving her coat and purse into her arm before seeing her on her way out. Kissing her one last time he waved at Petunia from the doorway.

"Remember darling spare no expense!"

Petunia nodded dumbly while she started the car. Pulling out she began listing everything they would need for the nights important dinner. Moments like these, when her beastly husband wasn't around, Petunia could pretend that it was James sending her and Lily on insane errands to impress the boss. Maybe in another life things were like that and their family was whole and happy. Shaking her head to clear all the painful memories Petunia went on her way.

The shops had been absolutely crazy. It's as if the whole of Britain had decided to come shopping at her local store. She was just glad to finally have that morning done with. Pulling into her driveway Petunia noticed that all the curtains were shut tight. She turned off the car and quickly went around to the back to grab a few bags. Using her back to push open the door Petunia was slow to notice what was in her kitchen.

Dudley sat on the floor crying and staring at a livid Vernon as he dangled poor Harry by his hair. Blood poured out Harry's nose soaking into his shirt front. Petunia dropped the bags as she took in the scene temporarily freezing in horror and shock.

"Petunia! Back just in time", he called.

"You can help me beat the freakishness out of our little burden before the boss gets here."

Hearing his voice snapped something inside of her and her demon attributes surged forward. Her hair lengthened and lost the fake blonde color, her natural blood red hair seeping through. Pretty blue eyes deepened in color and they glowed with an evil light as she growled and flashed her fangs at her prey.

Vernon quickly dropped Harry and her scurried off to pick up Dudley before running off to another part of the house.

"What the hell are you!?"

He roared in anger drawing himself to his full height easily towering over Petunia. She glared up at him and hissed angrily.

"You have just handed me your life you monster."

Spluttering in rage Vernon yelled at her.

"Monster?! Who are you calling a monster you fre-"

Vernon's words were silenced as Petunia stabbed her claws into his stomach.

"No one hurts my boys."

She cupped her palm around some of his internal organs before ripping her hand out of Mr. Walrus' stomach. He fell forwards on his knees and looked up at Petunia. He tried to form words but all he could do was choke on his own blood.

-End Flashback-

A loud yell drew Petunia from her morbid memories. Dudley was rushing as fast as he could to his brother Harry who was lying on the ground a few feet away. Petunia raced forward quickly surveying the area for any dangers. She did notice two young girls in similar situations only a few feet away. The other families were soon there each of them holding their separate daughters and wanting answers. Petunia knew what she had felt moments ago when the children fell and she could only pray that these families had at least a minimal knowledge of the magical realm. Dudley peered over his mother's shoulder trying to get a better look at his brother.

"Mommy what happened to Harry?"

His innocent question lead to a rise in volume from the other families. She rocked Harry in her arms while simultaneously trying to figure out how to explain what was going on.

"Oh Lord and Lady what have you gotten yourself into my little Harry."