Arriving At Haly's Circus
Petunia Dursley settled her son into his highchair with his breakfast. She headed to the front door to pick up the milk that had been delivered that morning. She screamed in shock when she saw a bundle of blankets on her front step.
Heart pounding, Petunia bent down to pick up the whimpering baby girl, not noticing the tabby cat that was watching her from the flower bed. She recognized the infant as her niece Anastasia from the picture that came with Lily’s last Christmas card. Gently rocking Anastasia to calm her down, she opened the letter that was tucked in the blankets with trepidation. She closed her eyes tightly when she read that her baby sister had been killed. Opening her eyes, Petunia came to a decision.
“I’ll keep you safe from Vernon and the idiot who left you here,” Petunia murmured.
McGonagall saw the fierce look of determination in Petunia’s eyes. She knew that Anastasia would be safe for the next few days while she searched for her other aunt. Minerva silently promised Anastasia that she’ll see her again soon and slipped away.
Not knowing that she had gained a witch’s approval, Petunia went inside with her niece and the milk. Her husband was in the kitchen drinking his last cup of tea before going to work.
“What’s going on?” Vernon asked.
“My sister Lily and her husband were killed at some point in the last couple days and her daughter was left on our doorstep last night with a letter asking us to take her in.”
“The freak or the one who married the gypsy freak?”
“The Potters,” Petunia said wiping Dudley’s face with her free hand.
“A bunch of weirdos in cloaks were whispering about them in the streets yesterday,” Vernon said. “Good riddance I say. It would be better if they didn’t drop the little freak off with us. Ruining our good image and interrupting our normal lives. What will the neighbors say?”
Petunia saw the dangerous look in his eyes when he looked at the bundle in her arms. She decided this was the perfect opportunity to bring up her idea. “Vernon I have an idea. My sister Marigold is in London for the next few days. I can take the girl to her and she can take her in. we can get on with our normal lives the neighbors would never learn of our connection to her people. She can fit in Dudley’s old car seat. I can head into London this morning before the neighbors know what happened.”
“Do it,” Vernon said standing up and putting his cup in the sink. “We don’t need the little freak associating with our perfect Dudley. I’ve got to go now. See you later.”
He kissed his wife, dodged his son’s temper tantrum, glared at the infant Anastasia and left for work.
After eating breakfast and cleaning up, Petunia strapped the two children into her car. Dealing with the morning rush hour traffic was a nightmare within a nightmare since Dudley was fussy almost the whole time. She pulled up in the parking lot outside what most of the time was an empty lot. Though today, and for the next few days, it was full of brightly colored tents and stands.
Petunia walked up to the entrance, Dudley in his car seat in one hand, Anastasia in her other arm.
“Can I help you?” asked the man setting up the ticket office.
“I’m here to see my sister, Mary Grayson,” Petunia said. “It’s about a family matter.”
“Sure thing. Trailers are at the far end. Second and third trailers in belong to the Graysons.”
Petunia thanked him and made her way through the almost completely set up circus. At the trailers she saw a young boy and another who looked to be just out of the toddler stage doing flips under the watchful eyes of five adults.
“Who’s that?” Karla asked her sister-in-law.
Mary looked at the approaching woman. “Petunia?” she said surprised that she recognized her.
“It’s been a while, Mary,” Petunia said. She set a now sleeping Dudley and his car seat on the ground.
“Too long,” Mary said smiling. “What brings you here?”
Petunia shifted uncomfortably, adjusting her hold on Anastasia who was contently sucking her thumb. “It’s about Lily. She and James were killed yesterday or the day before. I’m honestly not sure since some facts don’t add up.”
Mary let out a shuddering gasp, her hands flying up to her mouth. Her husband John pulled her into his arms as she started sobbing, his own eyes wet. He’d met the young couple a few times and liked them. Karla and Rick brought their son, John, and Mary’s son, Dick, over to them to give Mary some space.
“Anastasia, what about Anastasia?” Mary asked after a couple minutes.
“She’s alive,” Petunia assured her sister. “I have her right here.”
Mary smiled sadly at the sight of the green eyed infant. “Why is she with you? You and Lily haven’t spoken for years.”
“I don’t know,” Petunia admitted. “It’s one of the things that don’t make sense about this whole thing.”
“What do you mean?” John asked rubbing his wife’s arm gently.
“My husband Vernon said that he’d heard some people talking about the Potters when he went to lunch yesterday,” Petunia explained. “But it was this morning when I went to get the milk in that I found Anastasia on my doorstep with a letter.”
“I’m sorry English isn’t my first language,” John said. “Did you say you found her on your doorstep in November?”
“I did,” Petunia sighed. All the adults listening were outraged at that. Who in their right minds would leave an infant on someone’s doorstep in November or any time of the year? “This is the letter that was left with her.”
Mary took the letter from her sister and read it out loud. “Dear Mrs. Petunia Dursley. I’m sorry to inform you that your sister Lily Potter nee Evans and her husband James Potter were murdered last night by Lord Voldemort. Their daughter, Anastasia Lily Potter, survived and I leave her in your care. She must be raised by a blood relative in order to be protected from any Death Eaters who wish to avenge the defeat of their leader Lord Voldemort. Your niece’s birthday is the 31st of July, 1999. Sincerely, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Order of Merlin First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards.”
Mary’s family and Haly, who was practically family anyway, grumbled at the contents of the letter. It wasn’t enough to justify this Dumbledore’s actions. not by a long shot. There was far too much information missing.
“Vernon hates anything abnormal,” Petunia admitted. “I don’t want Anastasia growing up around that. I was wondering if you could take her in.”
“Can I hold her?” Mary asked. Petunia gently transferred Anastasia to Mary’s arms. “John?”
Her husband smiled at her. “Let’s see how Dick feels about the idea.” He knelt down. “Dick, come here buddy.” His three, almost four, year old son ran over. How time flew. It seemed like only yesterday he was as small as Anastasia.
John picked his son up and settled him on his hip. “Dick would you like your cousin to live with us?” He moved so Dick could see Anastasia.
Blue eyes met green. After a couple minutes Anastasia giggled making Dick grin. “I wan a likkle sis!” he said making his aunt and parents laugh at how he said it.
“Well it looks like you’re staying with us,” Mary said to Anastasia who was beginning to fall asleep.
The day before the circus was set to leave London the Graysons had another visitor, this time in the form of Minerva McGonagall. Jack Haly escorted the tartan dress wearing professor to where Mary and John were watching Dick play with Anastasia on a blanket.
“Are you Mary Grayson, sister of Lily Potter?” McGonagall asked.
“Yes,” Mary said and introductions were made.
“I-” McGonagall was interrupted by a tug on her skirt.
“Minnie!” Anastasia said happily, arms up to be picked up.
McGonagall chuckled and fulfilled the infant’s request. “well I was going to see if you’d be willing to take Anastasia in but I see Petunia took care of that already.”
“Why didn’t you keep Anastasia from being left on Petunia’s doorstep?” Mary asked.
“Because Albus Dumbledore is an infuriating old man and it’s easier to not argue and take care of things later myself. I stayed with her through the night to keep her safe and warm. I would have liked to take her in but I’m busy with my job at Hogwarts and only a few people know that I’m Anastasia’s godmother. I’d like to keep Albus in the dark about that for as long as possible.”
“You’ll keep in touch with her, right?” Mary asked accepting the professor’s explanation and was glad that someone was looking out for her niece.
“Of course,” McGonagall said. “I might not be able to visit very often but I’ll certainly write.” She looked down at Anastasia. “I’d love to stay and chat but I have to get more ink and return to Hogwarts and the mountain of essays I have to grade before Albus wonders what is taking me so long.”
“Well it was nice to meet you,” Mary said.
“Likewise,” McGonagall said. She said her goodbyes, set Anastasia down with her cousin, and left.