[HPforGrownups] Re: Petunia and Harry

[Wendy St John]

No: HPFGUIDX 76031

Susan wrote:

"I haven't been able to find a post regarding this.  If there have 
been, please forgive me.  Will Petunia realize that Harry saved her 
son's soul and start treating him like her nephew thereby talking 
about their family or will she feel Harry put Dudley in danger and be 
even more hateful?  I kind of feel that the best way for her to come 
out with the family history would be for her to be grateful to 
Harry.  I have been going in circles in my mind with this.  Any 
thoughts?"

Now me (Wendy):

That's a good question. I do think the dynamic in that household will have
changed dramatically when next we see it, and it's fun to speculate about
just how it might turn out. I'm not sure that I see Petunia developing a
soft spot for Harry. What I *do* hope to see is a change for the better in
Harry's relationship with Dudley. I am hoping that this experience they
shared with the Dementors is going to give them enough of a "common ground"
that they can start to talk about things in a real way, and perhaps come to
respect one another, or *maybe* even be friends to some degree. I can
picture Dudley sneaking in to Harry's room sometime and asking him
questions: "Just what *were* those things?" which could lead to, "So,
what's it really like, being a . . . well, you know." That sort of thing. I
don't think I see Petunia and Vernon condoning this - I would be surprised
if it suddenly becomes acceptable to say the "M" word in the Dursley
household. But I do hope that Harry and Dudley can find a way to work
things out between the two of them. And perhaps Petunia wouldn't be totally
opposed to that, if it were to happen.

I'm not saying this stuff *will* happen. They Dursleys may continue to be
the cartoon characters they've always been (well, more like something out
of Dahl, actually). So rather than being a "prediction," the scenario I
outline above is just what I *hope* will happen. I guess I'm just a sucker
for a "happy ending." <g>

:-)
Wendy