Petunia (suggestion why she hates magic)VERY LONGISH

[severusbook4]

No: HPFGUIDX 74688

Patricia wrote:
> I think the reason Petunia hates magic is that she has been 
jealous of Lily's beauty and natural ability with magic and Lily 
found her soul mate in James. Petunia has been placed second in 
her parents eyes; when Lily got her letter to Hogwarts Petunia said 
in the first book that their parents were proud the day Lily received 
it. > > > 

bibphile:
> I do think Petunia was always jealous of Lily.  I think their 
parents favored Lily.  Of course, I don't think it was anything 
approaching the same league as how Petunia treats Dudley and Harry, 
but I do think it was considerable.  Lily was prettier, more easy 
going, and maybe more talented and she was her parents favorite.  The 
problem was already there.  The Hogwarts letter just gave Petunia 
something specific to hate about Lily.  I admit, I'm basing this on impressions, but we only have about three lines in canon to build on.
> 
> I disagree about Petunia being jealous over Lily finding James.  I 
> fully believe the Vernon and Petunia are very much in love.  Vernon 
> put himself between her and Mr. Weasley (who he honestly believed 
to be dangerous). >>>  


Don't you think she is just jealous of Lily?  I don't believe their 
parents treated them any differently, Petunia was jealous because 
her parents were so proud of Lily when she was excepted to Hogwart's 
and Petunia had nothing to offer her parents to make them that proud 
of her.  So like the spoiled brat she still acts like, she began to 
hate her sister because Lily was something different and very special
(weren't their parents muggles like Hermione's), and that made 
Petunia feel very ordinary and plain.  But in the end when it was 
tested, Petunia did still loved her sister because she gave DD her 
word on taking care of Harry after her sister was killed by Lord 
Moldywart.  Petunia didn't like her sister but she still loved her 
because she was family.  Now I think the way she treats Harry is her 
way of "getting back" at her sister. Dudley acts the way he does 
because of the way he is treated by his parents, and Harry is 
slightly meek (at first) because of the way he is treated by his 
aunt and uncle.  I believe in order for Petunia to behave this way, 
her parents must have completely spoiled her after it came to light 
that Lily was a witch, and they didn't want Petunia to feel left out 
or not special.  In my family all three of us were praised for our 
strengths, my sister being the athlete, myself being the smart one, 
and my little brother being the emotional artistic one.  I don't 
think Petunia had a strength to be praised, but her parents did any 
way and that false praise did more damage than good. IMOO.

"severusbook4"