"No. Somebody will come to babysit at eight and somebody else will be here to take us," Petunia told him.
"One of them?"
"Yes, dear. Would you rather drive six hours in each direction after sleeping only half a night? It would be safer this way." Vernon grumbled some more but didn't object. He never liked his sleep shortened.
Petunia was ready before eight, when an elderly woman who looked friendly and caring knocked on the door. "I'm so sorry! Such a great loss! They were so young and talented. It's a shame this had to happen."
Petunia led her in. The boys were already stirring awake, so both women took care of them and brought them to the kitchen for breakfast just a moment before Vernon joined them. "Are you one of them as well?" he asked, not in a friendly tone.
"I wish I were," replied Mrs Figg. "My parents were both magical, but I'm no more magical than any of you. They used to be so ashamed…"
Vernon grumbled something unintelligible and sat at the table. With Mrs Figg's help, both children were quickly fed and put in the pen to play. Petunia showed her all the diapers, baby clothes and toiletry she might need in their absence. "Do you know who's coming to
Petunia just shrugged. She remembered Lilly's Hogwarts letter and the letter she then sent to Hogwarts, asking to be accepted as well. Dumbledore replied very politely, but it was still a negative answer. Petunia had never told anybody why she thought she had a chance at all. She could see auras. She found it out when she was very small. She saw each person with a kind of halo around, yet she could also see without the halos just by setting her mind to it.
She had seen Lilly was different long before her parents started noticing anything. She hadn't seen many stronger halos since, though. James had almost as nice an aura and much more colourful and the few magical friends of Lilly and James which she had a chance to meet had all less impressive auras. Harry was different once again. He had a very wide aura, larger than Lilly's, and as colourful as James's but it also had some dark holes in it, mainly near his scar. She was sure it had some serious meaning but she didn't know what it was or who could help interpret it.
Dudley also had a different halo than other children. It wasn't much wider or stronger, yet it felt different. She didn't know what it meant. This actually frightened her.
–..–
By nine-thirty they were both ready, wearing their black mourning clothes. Vernon had also gone to the nearest florist and bought two garlands to put on the graves. They were both very nervous. Mrs Figg silently made some tea and let them sip it until they had to leave, trying to help them calm down a bit.
They heard somebody at the door a few minutes before ten. Vernon opened it to a tall old man with a long beard and multicoloured robes in subdued colours. Had he not seen the pointed hat and the wand in hand he would have probably sent him away, as was his first thought.
"Good morning, I'm Albus Dumbledore and I'm here to take you to the funeral of your dear sister," he addressed Petunia. "May I only have a look at Harry before we leave?"
Petunia led him upstairs, to where both boys were playing on the padded floor of Harry's new room. The toddler looked up once, smiled, and went back to his toys. Dumbledore sighed heavily and turned to the Dursleys. "Will it be alright if we leave from here? I'd rather not be seen by the neighbours."
Vernon just grumbled, as was becoming his habit. Petunia nodded. "We only need to put on our overcoats and take the flowers."
It took them only a moment to be ready. "Hold my arms tightly, please, and it would only take a moment," Dumbledore told them, giving them his hands. Vernon held so tight it looked like he was going to break the old man's arm. Petunia held tight, but not as forcefully. The three disappeared in a swirl of colour.
They found themselves behind the church at Godric Hollow. Both Dursleys were feeling a bit nauseous and quite disoriented. Albus waited a moment for them to readjust and then led them to the front of the church, where several more people were already assembled.
Funerals are always sad. Funerals of young people are much sadder. Petunia was unable to hold her tears and even Vernon had some suspect moisture near his eyes. Many people came to shake Petunia's hand and mumble condolences. She knew none of them. Of the few friends of Lilly that she had met, only one was present, a sombre man named Remus Lupin, and he also left as soon as the ceremony was over.
Dumbledore, who also said a beautiful eulogy during the ceremony, offered them his arms for the trip back home. A moment later they were back in their living room.
"I have a few questions if you don't mind," Petunia said before he had a chance to leave.
Dumbledore waved his hand as if inviting her to continue.
"What happened the night Lilly was killed?" she asked.
"Nobody knows for sure, as there were no witnesses. My investigation gives me a reason to believe that the Dark Lord had found their secret and attacked. James was killed downstairs, probably trying to gain some time for Lilly to escape with Harry. Lilly was found dead near Harry's crib, probably killed while trying to protect him. In a way she did, as Harry was only hurt slightly, gaining that scar, by what was probably a curse intended to kill him."