MOM changes, Dumbldore's "watch"

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 21918

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., LavenderChic at h... wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello all-
> 
> I don't post much, but as i was re-reading the series again, i 
> noticed something... In CoS Harry says that the Dursley's havent' 
> given him pocket money since he was about six.  That means that at 
> one point, they did give him money and was nice to him.  Could it 
be 
> then that Cornelius Fudge took over the ministry and thats when the 
> Dursleys stopped being watched carefully.  Perhaps in the early 
days 
> of Harry being on Privit Drive, the Dursleys were nice to him, 
> because they were scared of the occasional wizard dropping by to 
> check up- kind of like Child Social Services.  They could show up 
> after Harry and Dudley went to bed, threaten Vernon and Petunia, 
and 
> Harry would be none the wiser.  But when Fudge took over, all this 
> stopped, and they could mistreat harry all they wanted, but some 
> threat continued.  

Coincidently, I was listening to that very same passage today in my 
car, and the same thought struck me that the Dursleys must have, at 
some point, given Harry pocketmoney - he doesn't say never, does he?  
But regarding the thing about Fudge, I'm not sure this stands up.  
The reason being, that Fudge has been known to take a personal 
interest in Harry, and to watch out for him - remember in PoA when he 
personally meets Harry from the Knight Bus, lets him off breaking the 
underage wizarding law, puts the dementors around Azkaban - yes, I 
know to catch Sirius, but also for Harry's protection.  Also look at 
Fudge's comments when Snape is talking about how everyone is too 
lenient with Harry:  something along the lines of "Oh well, Harry 
Potter you know..."  As though he almost condones the way Harry gets 
away with everything.  

I do believe that Fudge basically has a very laissez-faire attitude 
towards government, but I also think that he has also taken an active 
interest in Harry's welfare and protection.

Catherine