OoTP: Dudley

[saintbacchus]

No: HPFGUIDX 62026

Given that Petunia is the older sister, her mockery of her parents 
in book 1 ("We have a witch in the family! Isn't it wonderful!") 
wouldn't make much sense if she, Petunia, had also gotten a Hogwarts 
letter. Possibly Petunia had a kind of Snape thing going on, where 
she was always around, having her sister's brilliance thrust upon 
her. I always thought she and Snape had kind of a simpatico. ;) 
However, I also think that her eavesdropping can be explained more 
simply: James was probably just over to visit a lot. No reason why 
he wouldn't be, after all.

Meanwhile, I would like to overestimate Petunia for a moment and say 
that she took Harry in because she understands the threat Voldemort 
poses. Even if she came to believe that the reason was to "stamp 
out" the magic in Harry, she probably had a fair idea of what Voldie 
was all about when her sister died. The dementors reminded her that 
Voldemort is not something that can be ignored, that he is a threat 
to her way of life as well as the wizards'.

And, though I have no idea what it could be, I would *love* to know 
what Dudley's worst memory is. I don't think it's Voldemort, because 
Harry's memory of Voldemort knocked him unconscious, and Dudley is 
significantly weaker-minded than Harry. But what could it be...? I 
think this is a case for fanfiction!