Dursley's bribed?, charmed? or afraid?

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50730

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "karywick
<karenwickersham at a...>" <karenwickersham at a...> wrote:

> 
> The question is why after all the horrible things that have happened 
> at the Dursley's house like Dudley's pig tail ..edited..., do the 
> Dursleys keep letting Harry come back each  summer?  We know that 
> canon says that Dumbledore wants him at the Dursley's because he 
> is safe there but the Dursleys must have some say in the matter.
> 
> I seem to think that they are really afraid of the power that the 
> wizarding world has.  ...edited...
> 
> I believe that somehow the Dursley's know that Dumbledore can offer 
>them protection and the price of that protection is to care for Harry
> ...edited...
 
> My husband seems to think that they are getting paid money by the 
> MoM.  He points to the new "company car" ...edited... as proof that
> they are being paid.  His rationale is that since he owns his own 
> company it seems a little strange to get a  company car, ...edited
> 
> Does anyone else have any feelings on this topic?
> 
> "Karen"

bboy_mn:
I think part of the answer to all our questions about the Dursleys
(among other things) is in the letter that Dumbledore left with Harry
on the Dursley's doorstep. I've often wondered if, along with an
explanation of what happened to Harry's parent, there wasn't some
additional /incentive/ for the Durley's to care for Harry. If there
is, I think it is withheld until Harry successfully completes school.
I speculate that the Dursley are being very businesslike about their
potential reward; if they minimized expeditures (cloths and food for
Harry), they will maximize their return on their investment (the reward).

I also think that the letter explained that because of certain
arrangements (ancient magical protection) made by Dumbledore, Harry
will always be safe at the Dursleys which would imply that the Dursley
would also be reasonably safe by assocication.

As far as things like the incident with Aunt Marge, within a very few
short minutes after Harry left, the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad
was on the scene straightening things out, and we would assume that
soon after a representative of the Ministry and/or of Dumbledore was
on the scene. So from the Dursley's perspective, Aunt Marge blows up
and the next thing they know there house is being stormed by wizards,
then some one of power shows up, and while a gang of wizards stands
around intently watching, they ask if the Dursley's will take Harry
back in next summer. I don't think they would have the courage to say
NO in the face of what to them look like a gang of storm troopers.
Definite intimidation factor there.

As far as the 'company car', I think it was just a company car. Vernon
doesn't own Grunning's Drill Company. If he did, it would be Durlsey's
Drill Company. Uncle Vernon is a Director, which I assume is upper
management; probably just under a vice president, or perhaps the
regional manager for that one office. That is, he could be the head of
that office, but not the head of Grunning's.

The Dursleys don't seem very charitable, so I have to think that they
are either intimidated and/or are expecting a substantial reward.

What was in that Letter?!?! Only five more months before we hopefully
find out.

bboy_mn