[HPforGrownups] Re: Sirius and the Dursleys

[Isola Hunsford]

No: HPFGUIDX 60631

Marina wrote:
>When Vernon is watching the TV news report about Sirius' escape, he shows 
>no sign of recognition... Neither he nor Petunia seem to make any 
>connection between Sirius and Harry until the end of the book when Harry 
>threatens them with his godfather's wrath... But shouldn't the Dursley's 
>know who he is. Not in detail, but I would've at least expected one of them 
>to say, "Sirius Black? Wasn't he the freak who served as best man when Lily 
>married that other freak?" After all, it's not exactly a common name.

Now Elwing Alcyone, me:

I've always thought that Petunia, at least, might have recognised the name. 
I personally don't think the Dursleys went to the Potters' wedding, but we 
know that Petunia is extremely nosy. I wouldn't put it past her to read 
Lily's diary or private letters when she was home for the holidays, and if 
Sirius and James were as infamous as Madam Rosmerta makes out, I'm sure Lily 
would have talked about them.

Here's the quote that caught my attention:

"'...Lunatic could be coming up the street right now!'

Aunt Petunia... whipped around and peered intently out of the kitchen 
window. Harry knew Aunt Petunia would simply love to be the one to call the 
hotline number. She was the nosiest woman in the world and spent most of her 
life spying on her boring, law-abiding neighbours."

That she would love to ring the hotline number is one explanation, but I 
think it's possible she recognised the name and remembered Sirius was a 
wizard. I don't think she would have known much else about him - perhaps she 
would have had a vague recollection that he was best man at the wedding, 
perhaps not. But it's my theory that she recognised the name, at least.

Elwing

-- By the way - hi, I'm a first-time poster, though I've been reading for a 
while. I'm an obsessed fan from England and I'm 17, so a youngster on the 
group, really. *Waves*

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