Is Dudley magical? (was Re: Chapter 35 - fathers & sons)

[love2write_11098 at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 14631

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Rena" <fmu30c at y...> wrote:
> > Of course, there's always the question of whether or not Dudley,
> > should he discover a latent magical inclination, will find himself
> > booted out of Number 4 Privet Drive.
> 
> I think if Dudley had any magical talent, he would have gotten a
> letter for hogwarts as well.
> I would have loved to see the look on his parent's face when he'd 
open
> that letter.
> 
> Rena

*grins* I just had this same conversation with a friend by IM so I 
actually have a reply to this.

At some point (probably in SS), Neville says something about his 
grandmother being worried that he "wasn't magical enough" to go to 
Hogwarts. Now, with Neville we can be fairly sure that his troubles 
in his studies have something to do with his parents, but that 
statement shows us that it's possible that there are people who are 
just a little bit magical -- not quite a Squib, but not a wizard or 
witch either. Dudley could be one of those -- not magical enough to 
go to Hogwarts. His powers would probably only show up at a moment of 
great need, and, as Dudley has been extremely sheltered, that hasn't 
arrived yet.

Also, didn't JKR say in a chat that some people (though in rare 
cases) do come to their magical powers later in life?

I think it an unlikely possibility, but one that is starting to grow 
on me. Perhaps I'm just enjoying playing devil's advocate.

Stacy