Chapter Discussions - Chapter One, Dudley Demented

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 68508

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Robert A. Rosenberg" 
<rarpsl at o...> wrote:
> 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.

<snip>

> 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. 

I really don't understand the recent trend of demands that Harry 
should be thanking and apologizing to people who abuse him.  The 
Dursleys have kept him locked in a cupboard, underfed him, neglected 
him, harassed and belittled him, and encouraged their own kid to 
beat him up, and Harry's supoosed to be apologizing to *them*?  What 
next, an apology to Voldemort for all the trouble Harry's caused him?

The relationship between Harry and the Dursleys needs to change, 
yes.  But it shouldn't be up to the victim to repair his 
relationship with his abusers, nor should is it the teenager's 
responsibility to make the adults around him act like half-way 
decent human beings.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com