The wellsprings of human devotion (was depression and the Dursleys)

[saintbacchus]

I bet that subject line makes no sense, and I just
*think* it's a famous quote. ... Oh, well, onward!

Storm ponders:

<<
on a HP note why did the Dursely's try so hard to keep
Harry? I've though that, since they didn't want him in
the first place they would be pleased to send him on
his way when the call from Hogwarts came. And why do
they take him back every year? Do you think they a.
love him in a strange abusive way, b. have a family
loyalty to his genetic relationship to them (if not to
him), c. enjoy having a cheap and moving toy for Dudley
to play with or d. something else.
>>

I think there are two plausible explanations: A) they do
love him, but they hate everything he stands for and B)
they don't love him, but they don't want him dead either.

In both versions, Petunia is the key; Aunt Marge says
she would have dumped Harry in an orphanage, and I don't
see Uncle Vernon as being any less heartless. Harry isn't
even his nephew. He doesn't have any kind of family
obligation keeping him from kicking the poor kid to the
curb. What he does have is a high-strung wife whom he
seems dedicated to appeasing. So anyway.

In Scenario A, I see Petunia as grieving for Lily;
Lily's death has put things in perspective, and now she
regrets their years of fighting. Her resolve to stomp the
magic out of Harry springs from concern for his
well-being - magic got Lily (and maybe their parents)
killed, and seems rather likely to do the same to Harry.
It so happens that this goal coincides nicely with any
unreconciled resentment she still harbors; not only is
picking on Harry fun, it's for his own good! But the
point is, Petunia cares about Harry.

In Scenario B, Dumbledore's letter is very explicit
about the manner in which Lily and James died, and
Petunia realizes that getting rid of Harry would be no
different than killing him by her own hand. Although
she's furious about getting saddled with Harry, she can't
bring herself to send him away.

In my opinion, the second theory is more plausible, but
I'd rather see it be the first. :)

Speaking of the Dursleys, I'm strongly considering
adding a Dursley Appreciation Page to my homepage. It may
well be the only angle that has never been done, and I do
like them a lot.... What do you think, sirs?

--Anna