Dumbledore's Letter

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Dursley:

I write you this evening with rather distressing news. Since you are reading this letter, you are aware that a child has been left at your door. This child is your nephew, Harry Potter. Tragic circumstances have led to this unfortunate, but necessary action. Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who has been steadily gaining power for the last several years, murdered Lily and James Potter earlier this evening. Harry, himself, is a wizard; therefore, upon his eleventh birthday, he will receive a letter inviting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of which Lily and James both attended prior to their deaths.

Lord Voldemort attempted to murder Harry because of a prophecy made which stated that one of two children born in the seventh month, with parents who had thrice defeated him, would be marked as Voldemort's equal and would eventually bring about his downfall. Because of this, it is absolutely essential that Harry be entrusted to your care. You are his only living blood relation left, Petunia. It is my belief that Lord Voldemort's attempt to murder Harry failed because of the sacrifice his mother made to protect him, giving a lasting protection which flows through the blood in his veins. I have placed my faith in Lily's blood. I have placed a number of charms, wards, and other enchantments around Number Four, Privet Drive to ensure his protection from Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters (followers in his cause).

Once Harry is at Hogwarts, he need only return to your home once a year. Lord Voldemort cannot harm him while he can still call Number Four home. Petunia and Vernon, I realize you both may not wish to have the responsibility in caring for a child that is not your own, and especially one of wizard origin, but I am not able to stress enough the importance of doing so. Countless lives depend on your willingness to take Harry in and merely give him living space. Other families would have been delighted for the chance, but no one else has Harry's blood running through their veins. If it could be any other way, I would have it so.

The wizzarding and Muggle world will be grateful beyond words to you, even if they are unaware of it. Harry Potter has a purpose, and this purpose is to destroy Lord Voldemort once and for all. He has been stopped, but not defeated forever, so I believe. I am currently unaware of his location, but I assure you with the protection I have placed on your home he will not harm you, your family, or Harry.

You will notice a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt upon Harry Potter's forehead. This is the remnant of the curse that failed--the Killing Curse. If he asks about this, use your judgment in telling him the reason. Do not, however, inform him of his role in the war against Lord Voldemort. This knowledge will be revealed to him in due time.

Lastly, I must thank you immensely for taking him in under your care--for there are no other options. You need not worry about replying to this letter for two reasons--one, you do not have the means of contacting me, and two, I will be aware of your decision once it has been made. The entire world, wizard and Muggle alike, thank you, and I thank you in particular. Your sister was truly a wonderful woman, Petunia, and I ask you remember that when raising Harry.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Petunia looked up from the letter, disbelief etched in every line of her face. Her eyes roamed the room, as if begging the walls to paint arrows to the exit of this newly found horror. Her husband, Vernon, did not speak at all, but was angrier than she had ever seen him. Petunia new the risks of not keeping the boy, however, and persuaded him to calm down and breathe. He took a long draft of whisky before speaking.

"How, in all that's holy can you expect us to keep one of... one of th-th-them in the house, Petunia! It is impossible! What will the neighbors say? You told me yourself how--how that sister of yours was when she was young--before she left to go to that freak school." He took a deep breath and stared her in the eyes. But Petunia would not back down. She had no way to reply to this headmaster, and in any event, if they didn't accept the boy, there would be no telling what would happen to them. That headmaster might come into their house and do his magic tricks and make them keep that atrocious child! She shuddered at the very idea.

"The boy stays, Vernon. There are no options. We can't have them coming and making us keep that boy. Then the neighbors really would talk, and we couldn't explain it away!"

"Well, then, we'll stamp it out of him. He won't go to that school, and we certainly won't tell him anything about that letter, nor will we invite him to ask his questions! We'll tell him--we'll tell him his parents died in a car crash, and that's where he got that scar from. Yeah, that's what we can do." Vernon was grinning, because he had just come up with a very good plan, and he could tell by the look on Petunia's face that she was going to fall for it.

"Very well, Vernon. The boy stays, and we can tell him that his parents died in a car crash and not invite him to ask any questions."

"Very good, Petunia. Well, I'll be off to work, shall I?"

"Alright, Vernon. After all, we won't let this boy ruin our lives, right?"

"That's exactly right." Vernon smiled, and she smiled back. This might actually work. They might not even have to hear the word wizard again. Vernon left to prepare for work, and Petunia walked in to the kitchen to cook breakfast for her son and newly acquired nephew.