More on Dursleys

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 56287

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "darrin_burnett" <bard7696 at a...>
wrote:
>
> ...edited....
> 
> Why on earth did the Durseleys take Harry in? Why not just ship him 
> off to an orphanage, or call the proper authorities, 
>
> ...edited...
>
> Darrin


bboy_mn:

I think it could be something as simple as "What would the neighbors
think?". 

The Dursleys put a lot of stock in their image. They like to look good
and impress the neighbors. So I don't think they would have wanted to
take any chance that the neighbors would find out that they had turned
away a family member especially if the family member was a helpless
baby. They certainly couldn't say they couldn't afford it because they
go to great lengths to impress people with how successful they are. 

One could ask, "How would the neighbors ever know?". But Harry was on
the doorstep overnight. Neighbors working the night shift could have
returned home and say him there. When Petunia came out the next
morning, she screamed at the sight; I'm sure that would have roused
the neighbors curiousity. It may have taken them a few days to decide
what to do, during that time people may have found out. So, I find it
hard to believe they could have shipped Harry off without a single
soul knowing about it.

 
It's easy to speculate that there might have been something in the
letter that Dumbledore left too. It could be that he made it very
clear that if Harry wasn't in the Dursley's care that there was an
element of danger. How far that element of danger extends is a little
unclear. I also speculate that there could have been some intimidation
in the form of 'take care of this kid, or else...', or some type of
incentive along the line of 'take care of this kid and we will give
you...".

Regardless, I am dying to know what was in that letter.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn