OOP - another of them silly JKR loopholes

[Rach]

No: HPFGUIDX 64564

Ali wrote:
>>> Yeah, I don't understand why Harry has to stay at the Dursleys 
for a month. From Dumbledore's speech, it would seem sufficient for 
Harry to stay at 4 Privet Drive for a couple of days as long as it 
remained his formal home. Perhaps the longer stay is just for 
literary purposes. >>>

I think it was simply because the headquarters at 12 Grimmauld Place 
were not ready. I would have to re-read, but I seem to remember 
somebody (Sirius?) apologising that it had taken time to get 
headquarters established. Also, recalling the Order, inducting new 
members (such as Tonks and Kingsley) and planning a way to transport 
Harry safely to London in a way that would be undetectable to both 
the MoM and DE's would have taken time, hence the four weeks of 
misery Harry had to endure at Privet Drive. 

Gave us a good chance to see how Dudley has 'matured' though didn't 
it! I always knew that spoiled little sod would turn out to be a 
delinquent.