The trio entered Diagonalley, happily looking around at the shops. The shops weren't terribly busy - shopping for Hogwarts wouldn't start until next month. Early Saturday morning was well before any business rushes would begin in Diagonalley.

Petunia had made a list of places to visit first. They would need wizarding money first, and luckily she remembered Gringotts clearly. She had come with Lily and her parents to Diagonalley before each Hogwarts year until Lily's fifth year, and their estrangement had really begun. Petunia couldn't remember what they had really argued about, but it had led to a lot of huffiness, and Petunia had decided she had better things to do than drag around after Lily.

She reminded the boys about the Goblins, but they just looked eager instead of frightened, so in they went. Petunia hid her wince at the sight of the rather frightening creatures, and walked with the boys up to the counter. She had brought a fair amount of money to be exchanged. The boys could still keep what they didn't spend for another time. The Goblin did the exchange, and she had to just hope the rate wasn't too bad. Luckily the Goblin gave her a ‘featherlight' moneybag for free ‘as a new customer'. She managed to thank them with some sincerity, and the boys took turns carrying the weightless bag and exclaiming ‘cool'.

Petunia had decided that the robe shop would be next. They would fit in better, and the boys would need the robes later. So they stopped in Madame Malkins, the boys wrinkled their noses a bit, but they had read of the wizarding robes and were determined to find something that was at least a little masculine.

One of the shop girls came over, smiling, and Petunia requested ‘some everyday, but nice robes for the boys.' Petunia hesitated then asked to see ‘whatever robes you have already made that would fit her.'

The boys were trying on robes that ‘weren't too girly', and looking at capes. Petunia found a nice robe in a dark blue that wouldn't look too out of place if she wore it home. She got a bag for her muggle clothes, and the boys, of course wore their robes over their clothes, and they went out into the street feeling much more confident.

Petunia needed to find the wizarding equivalent of the post office to send Severus the letter by owl. If she sent it the ‘muggle' way he might never get it, or he might never bother opening it. If she sent it by owl she would be sure he at least got it, and he likely would open it out of sheer curiosity of what could panic her into using anything magical.

The bookstore was right next to Malkins, and they would likely be able to direct her. She and the boys walked over to Flourish and Blotts, and the boys went straight to an assistant and started going down the list of topics. Petunia went to the counter and asked about the postal owls (she was sure that was what Lily had called them). The clerk gave the directions, and Petunia thanked her.

"Boys, will you stay here - pick out some books, don't go overboard though." Petunia leaned down and whispered to Harry. "Be sure to not mention your name, like we discussed." She repeated the admonition to Dudley, as well.

They went back to deciding which books about the founders were the most interesting, and most likely to be truthful.

Petunia followed the directions down the street, and found the postal owls. A bored looking clerk helped her pick out a fast owl, and for a fee spelled her to only give the letter to Severus Snape.

The clerk looked surprised at the name, "Severus Snape? The Potionsmaster teaching at Hogwarts?"

"You know him?" Petunia asked in surprise.

"Not personally, but anyone attending Hogwarts for the last 8 years does." He answered with a smile.

The owl was freed and sped off to the Northwest. She sighed and hoped all this worked out. She turned and walked back to the bookstore, and stared in dismay - the boys already had quite a stack of books piled up. She looked at their sheepish grins.

"Pick out five for each of you, and we'll go." She said firmly. It took a few minutes, but they narrowed their choices down and the books were paid for and bagged. The got lunch at one of the sidewalk cafes, the boys spent more time watching the fascinating people walking by than they did eating.

She let the boys lead the way, wandering down the street, the Magical Menagerie was explored. She had to tell them ‘another time' regarding acquiring a familiar. Eeylops Owl Emporium was also explored - they were eager to learn how the owl letter system work, and a book on owls was bought while they were there.

The Quidditch store she refused to let them enter ‘save it for the next trip'. She knew they would never be able to stop talking about the sport if she turned them loose in there. And with their luck Vernon would overhear it.

On their way out, they ate supper in the Leaky Cauldron; the patrons there were as interesting as the ones inside Diagonalley. They boys were finally exhausted enough when they returned to Charing Cross Road and found the car.

Harry and Dudley tried to read a bit of the new books, but they soon drifted off and slept all the way home. Petunia spent the drive praying that the letter was enough to sway Severus; she well knew that it was nearly impossible to turn him from a path once he was set on it. The news that Severus was working at Hogwarts was not good. But, she kept telling herself, his devotion to Lily would supersede any hold Dumbledore had on him...she hoped.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Severus was enjoying the very quiet home on Spinners End. Lucius always looked appalled when he visited, but that was half the fun of inviting him. He had ensured the quiet by buying all the tiny houses attached to either side, and the row in back as well. He always intended to knock them down and expand, or level the ones in back to make a garden. He had never gotten around to it.

He kept drifting off in a book he had put off reading the entire school year. Or doing the research he couldn't complete while teaching morons. Or visiting Lucius to help him in annoying Narcissa, and teach Draco how to sneer properly. The list of things to do other than renovate was endless.

He had finally taken Lucius up on the offer to sell him a house elf, he didn't want to bother cleaning or cooking. Perhaps during the school year he could have the elf do the renovations. He would have to be very specific in what he wanted done. Elves could get very odd ideas about what was interesting architecture.

"Tinker!" Severus summoned the elf, "I know it's late, but just a simple supper would be good."

The little elf beamed "I has a stew and fresh bread ready, Master Snape."

"Excellent, you're an amazing cook." Severus managed a smile for the enthused elf, it was kept quite happy with the few chores he had for it, and remembering an occasional compliment. He couldn't understand why Lucius had such a problem with them. But Lucius insisted on ruling with an iron fist.

Severus finished the delicious stew and bread, and told Tinker it had been the very best. The elf retired sniffling in joy. There was a tapping on the back window, where owls were to arrive. He groaned, it was either Lucius or Albus. Either of them contacting him at this time of night was bad news. He opened the window and to his surprise a very expensively fast-looking postal owl hopped in and held a leg out to him.

He eyed it suspiciously and waved his wand over the letter, checking for curses and jinxes. The owl had the nerve to roll her eyes and hoot impatiently. Severus took the letter and gave the owl a few treats before sending her off.

Severus looked the letter over, and straightened in shock at the return address. PETUNIA?! And she had used a magical owl to contact him. Unbelievable - and likely to contain bad news. Dammit.

He accioed the bottle of firewhiskey and a glass after sitting with the letter in his hand. He drained half a glass remembering Petunia and Lily as the girls he had first met, which led inevitably to remembering the bitterly resentful Petunia he had last seen. Of course that meant he had to relive Lily's rejection, and his own betrayal.

He sighed and opened the letter, nothing inside it could be worse than his own memories.

He was wrong. Severus read through the letter with increasing horror and incredulity. Then he read it again, more slowly. This couldn't be right. Lily's son was being abused and neglected, and Albus knew of it? Vernon was battering his wife? Albus had bound a child's magic - even with one parents consent?

He took a big gulp of firewhiskey. He knew that Albus had discovered that the Dark Lord had made Horcruxes. Albus had said many times that Harry was their only hope. Severus was glad now that he always let Albus yak his head off whenever he wanted to discuss plans for ‘when the Dark Lord returned'. He knew now what Albus meant by ‘toughening Harry up'.

Severus had thought Albus had meant after Hogwarts. Apparently Albus meant it to begin before Harry could talk in complete sentences. ‘Don't coddle the boy, I need a warrior', and ‘boys need discipline?' Severus dropped the letter and finished the drink.

Yes, he would help Petunia. The question was, to find the right way. Albus was not a wizard to be easily outwitted. He smiled slowly.

He did love a challenge, and this one would help clear part of his debt to Lily.