[HPforGrownups] Re: Dursley Questions

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 5133

Gen wrote:

> What I continue to be
> surprised about is that they continue to keep Harry, when they seem
> only to keen to leave him at train station in PS/SS. Maybe that was
> to scare him and they would have returned for him when he couldn't
> find Platform 9 3/4. Perhaps having Harry around is something which
> puts them in a good light. On the surface, they would appear to the
> unknowing public as good upright concerned relatives.

Yes, the Dursleys seem very concerned with public appearances. One could say
solely concerned.

> I wondered this myself as Voldemort said in GoF that Dumbledore had
> used ancient magic to protect Harry while he's with his relatives and
> or Privet Drive. It probably only keeps Voldemort and DEs away as it
> certainly didn't stop Dobby.

But Dobby wasn't technically harming Harry. His intentions were to protect
him, so maybe the protective magic either didn't detect him or let him
through.

> I doubt it's a secret keeper type of
> spell otherwise the elf wouldn't even be able to locate him and
> Sirius in dog-form spotted him as well in the vicinity. Also, even
> though the Weasleys want him to stay for the summer after the fourth
> year, Dumbledore had insisted that Harry had to stay with the
> Dursleys first. I'm really curious about this point too.

Why? Dumbledore wants Harry with the Dursleys, where he's protected by that
ancient magic, rather than with the Weasleys, where he's not, and also where
other wizards needed for the upcoming struggle would be put in danger by
Harry's presence.

> Petunia had mentioned something to the effect that their parents were
> so proud to have a witch in the family. This would appear to imply
> that they were muggles. On the other hand, in the mirror of Erised,
> Harry came across many more people with "green eyes" which would
> imply Lily's family. I doubt that Muggles would appear in that
> Mirror ?

Why wouldn't they? It shows the viewer's desire(s), with no other parameter.
Harry desires his family, there they were.

--Amanda