Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the parts of this story affiliated with the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling. As such, I do not receive any payment for publishing these works.

Chapter 1: The Baby on the Table

Genre: AU/Family/Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 916

Content Rating: G

Italics: 'Thoughts' or "letters" or stressed words

Bold: Important information

Underline: Titles

"" - Character speaking

Horizontal lines: A break in time or scene

The sunlight poured through the window and into the nursery where two one year old children slept peacefully. To the right of the room laid a pudgy boy with blond locks curling around his pink and pudgy face. Across the beach ball of a boy laid a much finer featured girl with curly red locks sitting upon her pale face. Both seemed to be dreaming as flickers of emotions would pass upon their faces every few seconds.

The twins had been born to a Petunia Dursley June 23, 1980 and they had become her and her husband's pride and joy. The children had everything they had ever needed or wanted although if one were to be honest Dudley, the boy, received quite a bit extra as he was Vernon and Petunia's favourite.

The peaceful house was soon thrown into chaos as a scream resounded through the house followed by the sound of shattering bottles. The two children stirred as their mother's voice echoed against the walls.

"Vernon! Get Hazel and Dudley into the kitchen while I deal with this."

Following Petunia's shrill cry Dudley began to wail impatiently. Hazel just looked at her brother curiously, there was no reason to be crying when Daddy was coming to get them. Her brother always seemed to be crying over one thing or another though.

Moments later her father's pounding footsteps came up the stairs as he greeted the duo with a smile.

"Oh Dudders, what seems to be the issue little man?" Vernon cooed at the crying red-faced infant.

"Won't!" Dudley cried, "Won't!"

Vernon chuckled. "What a chip off the old block you are, Dudley. Just like his father knowing what he wants and when he wants it."

The older Dursley lifted the child out of his crib and headed for the door. Hazel realizing her father had forgotten about her let out a small, "Da!" causing him to turn around and pick her up as well.

"You both have grown so heavy!" Vernon exclaimed as he struggled to carry the squirming Dudley and still Hazel down to the kitchen. When they reached the tiled floor Vernon nearly dropped them both at the sight of a bassinet with yet another one year old child laying in it. The boy had messy black hair and a small lightning shaped scar. Petunia had her head cradled in her hands and Vernon set the children down to comfort her.

"What's wrong, Pet?" Vernon asked carefully, "And who is that?"

Petunia continued to sob as a curious Dudley stood on the kitchen chair to get a closer look at the new addition. As he wobbled Dudley poked a fat finger into the other child's stomach prompting him to cry. Hazel just watched from a distance curiously not wanting to get in trouble for crawling on the furniture.

"G-get away from that t-thing, Duddems." Petunia cried out through her sobs and Vernon grabbed his young son and put him into his lap. While he struggled with a squirming Dudley, Petunia read the letter out loud.

"Dear Mrs. and Mr. Dursley,

It is with my deepest condolences I write this letter to inform you of your sister's, Lily Potter's, and her husband's, James Potter's, quite too soon demise.

As Lily may or may not have told you, the wizarding world is a dark place at this time. A wicked war has been waging between those who would defend the light and those who seek to destroy it. On the night of Halloween, 1981 the leader of the dark side, Lord Voldemort, sought out to kill your nephew, Harry, and his family. He succeeded in killing both Lily and James, but as he went to kill the boy his own spell rebounded killing him instead. Because of this Harry's name will be written down in history as the boy who lived.

As you may know celebrity of that nature, especially over the night his parents died, can skew the mind of any person - especially that of a young child. That is why I must ask you to take Harry into your home and care for him as you do your own children in the Muggle world. It is the only way he will be safe from those who wish to harm and manipulate him since you are his only living relatives. You will be compensated for your care of the boy of course, a tidy sum of 700 £ monthly. Inside you will first the first three months in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"

Vernon paled and let go of his ever fighting son who plopped on the ground with a firm kick to his father's shin. However Vernon ignored it and looked at the green eyed child that laid before him. Harry, he noted, looked quite a bit like his Hazel. They both had the same green eyes and very similar facial features. Petunia always said that Hazel looked like the spitting image of her maternal grandmother. He shook his head - he would not compare that freak to his daughter.

"I suppose we'll have to keep him then. Maybe he'll turn out normal like you did." Vernon said weakly not even believing himself. Petunia just nodded numbly in response and began her normal morning routine ignoring the new addition until it was impossible not to.

Author's Notes:

First off, thank you for taking the time to read this very first chapter of what I hope will be an exciting adventure. It's been quite some time since I've written a fanfic and any input would be much appreciated.

Secondly, updates will come slow at first - since I would like to see what you all have to say before publishing more unrefined material.

Lastly, if you are a beta or interested in becoming one for this story please PM or leave a comment in the reviews. I am in dire need of someone to double check my work.