OOP: Harry, Dudley, and forgiveness

[Marilyn]

No: HPFGUIDX 63052

Ersatz Harry wrote:
> <No one yet seems to have commented on the emotions driving Harry's 
> rescue of Dudley.  Much though Harry would have reason to be glad 
> of Dudley's being soul-sucked, he tries to prevent it.  Is this 
> because Harry couldn't stand to see *anyone* Kissed, because it is 
> was his now-instinctive desire to drive the Dementors away, or 
> because he has some yet-undiscussed ability to forgive Dudley for 
> all the torment over the years?>  

jenny_ravenclaw wrote:
> Does he forgive Dudley?  I think Harry is aware of the fact that 
> Dudley's parents have been quite encouraging in the Be Mean to 
> Harry Department.  In SS, Uncle Vernon encourages Dudley to hit 
> Harry with his Smeltings stick, which is a terrible thing to teach 
> your son.  Harry also knows in OoP that Dudley is not so crazy 
> about his parents either, as he'd rather spend time with his 
> friends beating up neighborhood kids.  Dudley has had a habit of 
> manipulating his parents, something he uses to his advantage from 
> SS through OoP.  In a strange way, Harry and Dudley have something 
> in common: the Dursley home is not their favorite place to be.  
> There might not be forgiveness as much as the beginning of an 
> understanding between them.

I was very pleased with the possibility of semi-friendly banter 
between Harry and Dudley as they walked back to the house.  It was 
partly inspired by the fact that Dudley is afraid Harry will do some 
magic on him, sure, but Dudley can't hide that he is somewhat curious 
about the wand, etc.  I think it is promising that a child spawned 
and reared by such abombinable creatures as Vernon and Petunia can 
still have some ability to make his own choices.  

> --jenny from ravenclaw, who loved when Harry ran after Dudley 
> calling "Hey Big D!" ********************************************

Totally agree.  :)  I *was* shocked, at least a little, though, that 
Harry was *so* harsh with Dudley on the walk home, when Dudley was 
doing nothing back.  Pent up anger for 11 years of abuse, I'm sure, 
but I have a wee bit of sympathy for Dudley.  Is that crazy?  I was 
very worried about what could have ever happened to him that would 
have shaken him up so much when the Dementors came.  Any ideas?  It 
definitely seems something that we were supposed to wonder, when 
Harry "felt a certain curiousity" about what "spoiled, pampered, 
bullying Dudley would have been forced to hear."

--marilyn

-- 
http://marilyn.suburbanjihad.net/
           "Listening to the news!  *Again*?"
                 "Well, it changes every day, you see," said Harry.