[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry and the Dursleys

[Gina R Rosich]

No: HPFGUIDX 54650


> imamommy wrote:
>> >Another thing:  why *didn't* the Dursley's turn Harry over to an
>> >orphanage?  I sure would like a peek at the letter Dumbledore wrote
>> >them.  What could he possibly say that would have compelled them to
>> >keep him?  And why would they keep him if they never intended to
>> >even try to love him?
> 
> and grace701 at yahoo.com wrote:
> Would anyone believe that maybe the Dursleys' actually have a soft
> spot for Harry?  I know, I know they treat him like garbage, but
> deep down inside there's a little iddy biddy love.
> 
> 
> 
ME:
I don¹t think there is any love there.  I think they get two things out of
keeping Harry.  First, he is an outlet for all of their apparent anger at
the world.  Second, it makes them look good (they think, anyway).  By saying
they could have left him in an orphanage but didn¹t, it elevates their
status as good, responsible, charitable people.  They think Harry should be
grateful for all they have done.  They don¹t see themselves as having done
anything wrong.  What I wonder (and maybe this was in the letter) is how
soon they knew Harry was magical.  Did they only start to hate him when his
magical abilities became apparent?  Or the second they saw him at the
doorstep?  Do they hate him just for his magic?  Or for the fact that he was
the child of Petunia¹s sister, who she hated.

---
Gina 




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