Harry's childhood/V war/trailer

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 16938

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Amy Gourley" <amy at p...> wrote:
> Hello! I don't post much but have been on the list since December 
and still feel like a newbie. I enjoy all the conversation but am only 
my second readings of the books and don't feel as if I know enough 
information to post on some topics. I have learned a lot from the list 
though! I have been thinking about a few things lately though.
>  I was thinking of Harry's childhood with the Dursley's. We know how 
awful he's treated at age 10, 11-living under the stairs, wearing 
Dudley's hand-me-downs but how was he treated when he was a toddler, 
3, 4, 5 years old? Could they have treated him as badly then? It seems 
like he would be more messed up mentally if the Dursleys treated him 
awful as a small child. Did he have any toys to play with or did 
Dudley have all the toys?
> 
> Another Amy,
> Amy G.

Hi, Amy G.-

I try to post a lot when I'm not too busy, but I still feel like a 
newbie, especially when I go back to some of the early postings (I 
think I joined in January or February at the latest).

Anyway, I hate to say this, but the Dursleys were pretty disgusting 
from Day 1 with Harry.  In SS there are no photos of Harry, just 
Dudley.  When he is finally allowed to move out of the cupboard, it 
takes just one trip to move his things upstairs, which means there 
were no toys to carry.  In PoA (which I'm re reading now and loving 
more than ever), there is mention of Aunt Marge hitting Harry's legs 
with a stick (I think) because he was beating Dudley in a game - when 
they were only five years old.  

I think JKR set it up nicely so that we are as happy as Harry is when 
he finds out that he can get away from the Dreadful Dursleys.  We love 
to hate them!  The meaner (and dumber) they are, the more we root for 
Harry.  

--jenny from ravenclaw***********************