[Revisions: Tuesday, July 16, 2024]

It was nighttime, and a beautiful snowy white owl named Hedwig arrived at Little Whinging in Surrey, England. The owl flew through the Privet Drive neighborhood, sensing Basil's magical aura surrounding a house.

Hedwig flew towards the Dursleys' residence and perched herself on the window sill. The owl blinked when she saw Vernon in the living room watching TV while Petunia sat at the dining table drinking tea and reading a book.

Hedwig held an envelope in her claws, remembering Basil's instructions to deliver the letter to Petunia. She tapped on the glass with her beak.

Petunia's blue eyes blinked when she heard tapping nearby. She lifted her head, spotted Hedwig outside, and mouthed, "Hedwig." She remembered her nephews Basil and Harry and how they excitedly introduced Hedwig to her after returning from Diagon Alley.

"Vernon! Dudley! Hedwig is here. That means Basil and Harry have sent us something," Petunia called out, standing to open the kitchen window.

Vernon muted the TV and turned to see his wife letting Hedwig inside. He stood, watching the owl fly into the kitchen and perch on a chair at the dining table.

Petunia closed the kitchen window, turned, grabbed some cooked meat, and approached Hedwig. She fed the owl, and in return, Hedwig handed over the envelope.

Footsteps running down the stairs caught the couple's attention. They turned to see Dudley home from school, excited to see Hedwig.

"Mum! What did Basil and Harry write?" Dudley asked eagerly, noticing the envelope in his mother's hands.

"I haven't opened it yet," Petunia said, amused by her son's curiosity. She looked at the envelope and opened it, pulling out the letter.

Petunia silently read the letter first, her emotions shifting as she read. She glanced at Vernon, who caught her eye with concern, which was evident in his expression.

"Mum! So, what did Basil and Harry write?" Dudley pressed, wanting to know about his cousin's first day at Hogwarts.

Petunia turned to Dudley and smiled softly. "It's actually from Basil. He's having a wonderful time learning new things at Hogwarts. He says he'll share more details when he comes home for Christmas," she informed him.

"Cool!" Dudley beamed, excited to hear from one of his cousins. "Did Harry write something, too?" he asked.

Petunia shook her head. "No. Perhaps he forgot? Or maybe he'll send us a letter tomorrow," she reassured him. "I suggest you brush your teeth and head to bed since you have school tomorrow," she added lovingly.

Dudley wanted to protest but let out a yawn instead. "Okay. Good night, Mum. Good night, Dad," he waved as he headed upstairs, leaving his parents and Hedwig in the living room.

Vernon approached his wife as she held the letter.

"What did Basil write?" Vernon asked, looking at Petunia with concern.

"Dear Aunt Petunia, I hope all is well at home. It's my first day at school, and I already miss Privet Drive," Petunia read softly so only Vernon could hear.

Vernon walked closer to his wife, standing beside her.

"I feel out of place at Hogwarts. I feel out of place because of Harry," Petunia continued, her voice carrying a mix of sadness and frustration.

"What did Harry do?" Vernon asked, growing more concerned for his eldest nephew.

"He's become distant with me because of the House I got sorted into," Petunia read from the letter.

"Why does he hate Basil's House so much? I might not understand magic, but from what Basil says, Hogwarts sees him as responsible, intelligent, and with good judgment," Vernon said, puzzled.

"Harry distanced himself because his new friend told him Slytherin is also the House of Evil because the man who killed our parents was in Slytherin," Petunia frowned, recalling the day her younger sister died, and her nephews came into her life.

"Slytherin isn't evil at all. It's misunderstood. I've only been there a day, but I've met people I know will be there for me in tough times. They're my friends, who protected me when Harry wanted to do something terrible to me," Petunia said, looking at Vernon with concern.

Vernon sighed deeply. "Harry is already causing trouble," he muttered. "What did he do to Basil?" he asked.

"Harry and his friends were bullying one of my friends during break. I couldn't stand seeing them laugh while my friend got hurt trying to regain his belongings," Petunia explained. "I confronted Harry to return my friend's plant, and he started arguing, saying it wasn't mine. It escalated, and I pushed him away to retrieve the plant. He was about to use magic on us when Professor Snape intervened."

Vernon's concern grew. "And then he blamed Basil?" he asked.

"Yes. But my friends defended me, saying Harry started it. Since then, Harry has given me dirty looks as if he doesn't want me as his brother," Petunia finished, her voice tinged with hurt.

"I don't want Harry near Basil and Dudley during Christmas or summer vacations. What if he tries something magical when we're not around?" Vernon said firmly.

Petunia looked at her husband, equally concerned. "I know someone who might help us keep an eye on him and protect the kids and us if he tries anything magical," she said, recalling a conversation at her sister's funeral.

"Here's my number. Call me if you need help when the boys start showing magical signs," Remus Lupin had said to Petunia.

"I do know someone," Petunia nodded, resolving to find and contact her sister's dear friend before her youngest nephew could harm her family.