Toothpick and un-invitation to Privet Drive

[Kelly]

No: HPFGUIDX 77257

Occam wrote:

> I'm re-reading CoS. Harry gets a toothpick for Xmas from the 
> Dursley's with a note asking him to see if he can stay at Hogwarts 
> for the summer holidays, too. <snip> What the h*** is Petunia 
thinking? Is this a FLINT? Since OoP we know 
> that Petunia knows Harry has to come home to keep LV off his back, 
> and we also know that Petunia has completely (if grudingly) 
accepted 
> this burden. Are we to assume she had nothing to do with the note, 
> that it was from Vernon Dursley and not "the Dursleys?"


I definitely don't think it's a FLINT. I think it is a perfect 
example of why Dumbledore sent Petunia that Howler in OOTP. Old man 
(evil too, if you ask me) that he is, he knew that Petunia was likely 
slipping away from her original promise. After all it had been 14 
full years (pre-OOTP) that Dumbledore left Petunia to her own devices 
without any sort of a reminder of its importance (that we know of). 

That said, you also raise the equally likely possibility that Vernon 
alone could have been the one to slip Harry that little note with his 
prized toothpick. Neither situation would surprise me.

Kelly, who is relieved to know that Vernon cares about the state of 
Harry's gums.