muggle baiting vs. muggle torture

[Stacy Patnode]

No: HPFGUIDX 155738

Irene:
>But if Dudley waited a bit longer to eat this sweet, if Arthur was >not still 
>around, Dudley would be dead. Does not get more harmful than that.
>They had no way to predict when Dudley will eat it.
>>

Stacy responds:
Ah, but knowing Dudley as we do, I believe the twins were quite safe in 
predicting that poor sweet-deprived Dudley couldn't resist pouncing 
immediately on the brightly wrapped toffees after a summer of grapefruit and 
"rabbit food."
I can't find any examples in the books to support a theory that any of Fred 
and George's pranks are deadly.  Fred and George were defending their "ickle 
brother" Harry from his bullying cousin, not intentionally seeking out a 
muggle to torment.
I believe that Dudley was in more danger from being smothered by Petunia, 
throwing herself on top of him and yanking on his tongue, than he was from 
the toffee.
Stacy