Petunia, genetics

[Elizabeth Dalton]

No: HPFGUIDX 31205

It's been suggested many times before that Petunia might be a Squib, or even a
witch with very weak powers. I understand the appeal of this line of reasoning
as a justification for Petunia's bitterness toward Lily, but I really don't
think this meshes well with her actual description of Lily: "a freak." I think
Petunia was raised in a non-magical household, and had no idea this was coming
until Lily got her Hogwarts letter. It also doesn't fit with everyone constantly
describing Lily as "Muggle-born." (At least, Harry and diary!Tom Riddle do...
actually, I can't remember if anyone else does. And I'm supposed to be working,
so I can't go dig up the books right now to check... help, anyone?)

However, what if one or both of Lily and Petunia's *parents* were Squibs? It's
possible that they would still be considered a Muggle family, at that point, and
likely would have been raising the kids as Muggles. It would allow for them
being pleased that Lily got her letter after all. (Not all Squibs need be
completely bitter, you know.) If wizards can be born into completely Muggle
families, I can easily see a wizard being born in a family with one Squib
parent-- in fact, postulating that we've got a couple of changes in gene needed
for wizard talent to be expressed, I'd consider it much more likely than in the
average Muggle family. It might also explain why we never hear about any of the
other relatives on Petunia's side of the family. All the skeletons might have
come out of the closet when Lily got her letter, and Petunia may well have
disavowed them all when she came of age. (Or Voldemort may have killed them--
another possible reason for Petunia to be bitter, and the Dursleys in general to
be so negative toward magic.)

I don't think it's especially likely, mind, I just thought I'd toss it out for
those who are convinced there's something Squibby about Petunia.

Speaking of genetics, I wonder what other not-quite-magic effects there might be
from having only a partial set of the wizard genes? Second sight, perhaps? A
tendency towards luck (or unluck)? Pretty much any of the New-Age stuff in our
world that doesn't seem to work very reliably might be due to this. I tend to
think of the kind of stuff that happens around wizard kids before they get their
letter (or as accidents, afterward), though probably not as dramatic as causing
a whole plate of glass to disappear, or making a sweater shrink to doll-size.
But breaking a wine glass-- sure, I could see that. We might get more info about
this in the future, IMO: I'm betting that Rowling has a plan for Squibs in the
plot.

Elizabeth
(Comparative Magic Professor Wannabe)