Petunia's Howler

[kellymcj2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 70931

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "thehighinquisitorofhogwarts" 
<colleenbuch at y...> wrote:
>>> I haven't seen mention of this but what about Petunia's Howler?  
>>>Why was she not portrayed as being shocked, like not knowing what 
>>>one was rather than horrified at having gotten one?  Also, how was 
>>>it she seemed to recogonize the sender, via the voice as she 
>>>immediately understood the cryptic message?  If as we have been 
>>>lead to believe, Dumbledore's only contact with her was the 
>>>original note depositing Harry at her doorstep she would not have 
>>>made as readily a connection as to the meaning of the Howler and 
>>>Harry's safety as she did.

KelMc
I think it's possible it wasn't Dumbledore's voice at all nor a 
reference to a "last" from him.  I have a pet theory (haven't named 
it yet)in which the voice is Petunia's mother's and the "last" refers 
to a final request she made of Petunia.  Dumbledore only inclined his 
head a bit when Harry said it was D-dore's voice.  In classic 
Dumbledore style he leads Harry to think something without confining 
himself to a yes or no answer.  I wonder what "last" means and I 
think even if it is Dumbledore's voice, it is refering to an 
agreement between Petunia and her mother (or father I suppose.)  
Obviously, if this is the case, the promise is taking care of Lily 
and/or her descendants if ever need be.

>>>Which 
>>>to me suggests that she might be a bitter squib and know much more 
>>>about the wizarding world than we have been lead to believe thus 
>>>far.  And, back to her recognizing the sender of the howler, how 
>>>many meetings has she had with Dumbledore over the years?

KelMc
There are many people who think Petunia may be a squib.  However, I 
am almost sure (never can be with the master of obfuscation) 
Dumbledore does confirm Lily as having muggle parents, in which case 
Petunia couldn't be a sqiub, unless there is some other way to be a 
squib.  There has also been some speculation regarding 
Petunia having flunked out of Hogwarts.  This would also make her 
bitter and explain her familiarity with some things in the wizard 
world.  

Even is one of the above theories is true, I still think it's 
possible the message in the howler was referring to a pact with 
Petunia's parents. Another note, did LV or DEs kill the Evans when 
looking for Lily and James?  I think it is possible there is more to 
Petunia's bitterness than 'just' jealousy.  I wonder if part of her 
hatred of magic stems from their parents being killed because of 
magic or wizards.

However, if it is indeed D-dore's voice and a promise Petunia made to 
him, my guess is Dumbledore guaranteed Petunia and her remaining 
family protection from LV (after the parents were killed and before 
Lily and James were) in exchange for Petunia doing Dumbledore some 
future favor, the details of which were not discussed.  When the time 
came to call it in, the favor turned out to be taking in Harry.  

Alternately, Some people think maybe Dudley is actually a wizard and 
the favor Dumbledore does in exchange for Petunia keeping Harry is to 
not let Dudley or Vernon know of Dudley's power.  Everyone can go on 
thinking Harry is the only magical person in the family.  I don't 
think this is likely because I don't think Dumbledore would deny a 
person knowledge of their true magical abilities, even Dudley, just 
because the person's parent fears magic.  I think Dumbledore would 
let the person make up his own mind.  Though I'd rather think this 
theory isn't likely, it is possible.  In the case it is true, I think 
Dumbledore agrees to keep it a secret only until Dudley is of age or 
something like that.  I just can't see him hiding it forever, even to 
save Harry.

Whew.  That's a lot of typing for me.  Anyhow, that sums up my 2 
cents worth on the howler message.  I guess I just wanted to let you 
know absolutely everything I was thinking in case you might agree 
with any of it.  Hope it was useful.  

KelMc