Vernon was defensive to let the police officers into the home, eventually, the situation escalated and Vernon was placed in handcuffs for becoming verbally abusive to the officers that had been called. Back up units were called to deal with the man who was placed into the back of the vehicle, with the other officer walking inside to witness a woman hugging her son who was shaking with fear.
Dudley was scared his father was going to be in big trouble. He didn't want that, he was happy with his parents and didn't want Vernon to be taken away. The other half of his was scared he was going to be hit as well. "Mrs Dursley are you alright?" He makes a mental note of the red handprint on her cheek. The stinging pain she felt in her cheek had been forgotten as she sat there comforting her son.
It was clear that Vernon had physically assaulted his wife, being caught red-handed. The officer did notice some bloodstains on the cream carpet in the living room.
The backup units didn't take long to arrive at the home, getting the attention of the neighbours already gossiping about what was occurring. They all noticed Vernon being interviewed by an officer while others went inside to interview Petunia. "Where is your nephew, Harry Potter?" A female officer asks after getting a long description of what had happened that night. The news of her unborn child had upset her husband and he had lashed out at her.
Petunia gulps. "My husband locks him under the stairs in a cupboard." She answers softly, still holding her son Dudley.
The officer nods as others unlock the door to reveal a small boy with dark hair laying on his bed groaning in pain. It was clear he had been harmed recently. "We are going to need a medic, we have a small boy that has sustained head injuries." An officer mentions through radio communication. They confirm they are sending an ambulance to the scene to get medical attention for the boy.
Back outside the officer is informing Vernon of the seriousness of the situation. "So there is clear evidence that you have physically assaulted both your wife and nephew this evening, so we are going to bring you into the station for further questioning." There were only a few charges verbally mentioned to Vernon, who was only listening due to his decision to only talk with his lawyer present. He thought this whole situation was ridiculous, both his wife and nephew had made a mistake and he was merely punishing them. He would get all the charges dropped due to his family's lawyer and the connections he had with the local judges.
Vernon just holds a cold stare as he witnesses an ambulance arrives with the lights flashing. This was just getting out of hand now!
Vernon is driven away in the police car, as Petunia is assisted outside watching her nephew be loaded up into the ambulance. She had been instructed to ride with him, they wanted to make sure there were no other injuries. Things were going to be different for the family, as the paramedics work to make Harry comfortable for the ride to the hospital. This situation changed Dudley's mind as he got excited hearing the sirens as they drive away from the house.
Once at the emergency department Petunia is seen by medical staff. She noted that she was pregnant and the doctors ordered bloodwork to be done, otherwise she and Dudley had a clean bill of health. Perhaps all those years ago her sister had been correct for being concerned for her welfare. Not only had she suffered through pain, but also her sister's son.
The staff explained after a couple of hours that Harry had been transferred to the wards to recover. He merely had a bump on the back of his head and they were managing the headache he was experiencing with painkillers, otherwise, he was alright. Petunia let out a sigh of relief as she meets with a welfare officer in a private room, another officer was distracting Dudley with colouring pages while Petunia talked with the woman. "So things will be different." Petunia noted as the female office Daphine nodded, opening a file in front of her. "I am alright."
Daphne assures the woman that there will be no punishment for her, her husband Vernon was making it clear that Petunia had been involved with the abuse against Harry. She was merely manipulated into carrying out actions but her conversation with Harry himself had assured him he was shown kindness from his aunt. "So what happens now?" Petunia asks. "Will my husband be back at home when we arrive, Dudley still has school tomorrow."
Daphne shakes her head. "Mrs Dursley your husband has been arrested for assault, as well as other charges. He will remain behind bars until a court date is set to decide his punishment." She explains there was now an investigation behind the whole series of abuse. "You are welcome to return home with your son, we just advise you to contact any family members for support through this tough time."
Petunia sighed, she knew Vernon's parents were the only immediate family nearby that would visit yearly. With this situation, they too would blame her for what happened this evening. "My in-laws I'm afraid will take the side of my husband, they would attempt to take my son from my custody."
Daphne needed to comfort the woman who was emotional. "Petunia, I can assure you we are the ones that decide what is best for the child. He will not be taken away from you, we can arrange other accommodation if you do not feel safe returning home." She offers, to which Petunia nods. She felt like she couldn't return home. "We will be there to help you through the whole situation, I understand this is a very vulnerable stage for you due to your recent pregnancy and is there anything I can do to assist you immediately?"
"What is going to happen to my nephew?" She asks, being concerned for the only bloodline to survive the tragic end that came from her sister.
"He will be released straight into your custody." She informs her, assuring her that there is support to navigate this new journey she is placed in.
Days spread into weeks, during that time there had been so much development in the Vernon Dursely case. There was even involvement from the Ministry of Magic for crimes of abuse against a member of the wizarding community, although that was being dealt with in private as they expected the Muggles to handle the proper punishment. He sat there day after day working with his lawyer looking for ways to have the charges dropped against him, all he wanted was to return to his home and continue raising his son. His lawyer said some of the major changes he will be able to assist in lessening the punishment by the Muggle would still have a criminal record.
During this time Petunia had brought both Dudley and Harry to the estate she grew up on as a child. It was a large country road that was still maintained with the trust that was put in place by her parents around the time her father had died suddenly. There was no mess for Petunia to clean after a two-hour drive south from busy London. She had come on a few occasions to enjoy a break from the city in her early relationship with Vernon, now it was a place of peace.
Petunia worked with the welfare agency regarding the absence of both boys from their schooling. She needed to make decisions that would impact their lives as they settled into a routine at the farm. Harry enjoyed the fresh air, although he was still healing from his head injury. Dudley spent most time indoors busying himself with his gaming console, still unsure what to make of the situation. Petunia was thankful that the boys were visited by the agency weekly to discuss their emotions surrounding the changes in their lives.
Harry watched his aunt distract herself with baking, or attending to chores. He offered to help, but she refused such a request. The boy needed to rest and there was no need to attend to the chores due to his absence of Vernon at the farm. It would take three weeks before Harry finally got enough courage to ask his cousin if he would like to join him in exploring the estate. Dudley was hesitant at first but working with the agency counsellor the boys had become more civil around each other. It pleased Petunia, watching her son enjoy the outdoors instead of locking himself in front of the television.
In the fourth week during their stay at the farm, Daphne visited Petunia to see how she was settling, along with the developments in the abuse case. "Good morning Petunia, where are the boys?" She asks, seeing there was no trace of the boys waiting for someone to arrive to share news about Vernon.
"Exploring the fields, there's a stream they're attempting to catch small fish from." She explains, offering to make the agent a cup of tea, to which she agrees. The woman invites Daphine to the dining room that sat near the kitchen where she busied herself brewing a pot of tea with her late mother's tea set.
"So how are you?" Daphine asks, wanting to focus on the wellbeing of her client as it's noted that the cousins were tracking well.
Petunia sighs. "I forgot how tired I got from being pregnant." She answers, barely showing any sign that she had a developing fetus inside her. "Is there any news regarding my husband?"
Daphine nods, as Petunia hands over a hot cup of tea. "He's building a defence that he is not guilty, trying to shift the blame of his behaviour on the fact that your nephew was abandoned on your doorstep." She explains. "He's hoping to agree to a plea deal where he agrees to plead guilty for lesser charges."
"So what does that mean for me?" Petunia wondered.
"Whatever you decide, for your protection we are leaving the protection order in place." Vernon wasn't allowed within 200 feet of Petunia or the children. "The grandparents of Dudley are asking for shared custody, so he is still able to have a relationship with Vernon."
Petunia could understand there had been no wrongdoing to Dudley, although seeing his father slap his mother was traumatic enough for a young boy. She had already pulled the boys from their school in London and was currently looking into the local schools in the community. She felt safer in her childhood home rather than returning to the city. It seemed the boys got along easier and she felt at ease despite all the loss she had suffered.
"I was advised from the lawyer you had been in contact with, you wish to separate from Vernon?" Petunia nods, she still won't admit that divorcing her husband was the best decision. However, being away from the man she found herself less on edge and she could focus on her happiness instead of making another happy. She was a strong woman, brave enough to take on the role of a single parent for three young children. "You also wish that if Vernon is allowed out of jail that he will only be allocated supervised visits?"
Petunia nods again. Daphne knew this was the best course for the woman.