Petunia (suggestion why she hates magic)VERY LONGISH

[bibphile]

No: HPFGUIDX 74723

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "severusbook4" 
<severusbook4 at y...> wrote:
Don't you think she is just jealous of Lily?
>

I think she was jealous of Lily.  I just don't think she was jealous 
over James.  Petunia and Vernon seem to be in love.

severusbook4:
>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.  
>

We don't know enough to be even remotely sure.  You may be right.  
But I don't think so.  To me it seems very clear that Petunia 
honestly believes Lily was the favorite child.

severusbook4:
>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.  
>

No.  I think there was some resentment before.  Otherwise, I don't 
see how jealousy could turn to full-blown hatred.

severusbook4:
>Now I think the way she treats Harry is her way of "getting back" 
at her sister. 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.  
>

I agree that she treats Harry to way she does to get back at Lily.  
I don't think it's because her parents spoiled her though.  I think 
it's because they favored Lily (though maybe not on purpose) and 
Petunia wants to make very sure her son never feels like he's second 
place to anyone, especially Lily's child.

severubook4:
>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. 
>

That's your family.  I don't think the Evans family was like that.  
I think Lily got lots of praise and Petunia got "That's nice, 
dear."  

Besides, Petunia does have praise-worthy traits.  I don't think I've 
ever seen anyone with her dedication.  She had dedicated herself 
completely (and unhealthly) to Dudley's happiness.  She keeps house 
excellently.  Wizards comment that her house is unnaturally clean.  
Dedication is a good thing.  Now if only she'd apply that dedication 
to something good.

bibphile