[HPforGrownups] Chapter Discussions - Chapter One, Dudley Demented

[Robert A. Rosenberg]

No: HPFGUIDX 68481

At 18:26 -0700 on 07/07/2003, Wendy St John wrote about Re: 
[HPforGrownups] Chapter Discussions - Chapter One, Dudl:

>(Wendy)
>Another really great question! I wonder just what it would take to repair
>this relationship. As it turns out, Harry wouldn't have actually had the
>opportunity (time-wise) to explain before the Dementors attacked. But what
>if he had been able to tell Dudley about what happened in the Graveyard?
>Dudley might not have believed him. Now, however, after experiencing the
>Wizarding World for himself (in the form of the Dementors), perhaps Dudley
>would be able to understand, and it might give the two boys something to
>share - a place to start building a more "adult" relationship. I would love
>to see something like this happen at the beginning of Book 6. This also
>parallels what I'd like to see happen with Snape and Harry, btw.

This keys in with something that Harry needs to do with the Dudley 
family. He needs to reestablish a working relationship with them 
since circumstances have changed and he can no longer "go with the 
flow" by ignoring them and their mistreatment of himself.

In a Foreshadowing sense, check out how his leaving of the Train 
Station with them is described - For the first time in 5 books, he 
ends up LEADING them away from the platform and not just meekly 
following them. He needs to have a one-on-one talk with each to 
redefine their relationship with him.

In the case of Petunia, he needs to thank her for taking him in and 
thus protecting him for the first 10 years of his life until he can 
rejoin the WW by going to school. He might try to ask about Lily and 
his Grandparents.

With Dudley, he needs to at least try to explain what happened and 
try to help him with the aftermath of the Dementors encounter 
(assuming that Dudley is not totally traumatized by now and can be 
spoken to without freaking out from Harry's Presence).

As for Vernon, Harry needs to apologize for the behavior of the 
"Phoenix Order Welcoming Committee" at the Train Station. The change 
in Petunia due to the Howler would make a good start (I wonder what 
has happened in the past 9 months between Vernon and Petunia due to 
her change in behavior after its arrival - Also interesting is the 
way she is TOTALLY ignored by the Welcoming Committee at the Train 
Station). I am sure that Vernon is now aware of the Blood Protection 
Spell and its need to be renewed/recharged by Harry spending (part 
of) the Summer with the Dudley Family. While the Committee's main 
objective in meeting with Vernon is to try to make Harry's life there 
a little easier, Harry should point out that removing the protection 
of "Home" from him would amount to a Death Sentence for the Dudley 
Family (IOW: Harry's Presence there protects them since it keeps the 
spell in effect - getting tossed out or causing him to voluntarily 
leave by too much harassment would give LV or his DEs the opportunity 
to kill the family and thus prevent Harry from being able to return 
there to once again use as a Summer "Safe Haven").

--

Bob Rosenberg