OOP:ahead to 7 (was Beginning at the Dursleys) (was: OOtP A tad disappointe

[Matthew Huston]

No: HPFGUIDX 64992

> As I read it, he needs not hide-out at the Dursleys for as long as 
> he's not at Hogwarts. So long as he calls #4 Privet home and
returns 
> there annually for however long a stay, the blood protection works.
> 
> Which leads me to believe that somewhere in book 7 Petunia will no 
> longer be available and harry will be going it a-lone in the 
> prophesied showdown.
> 
> -findmeabargain

I have to disagree. Since the dementors attacked Harry (and
subsequently Dudley), a block or two from home, it seems to me that
the protection applies *only* when Harry steps over the threshold of
the Dursley house. This is supported as well by the peck of owls that
delivered several messages telling Harry not, for anything leave the
house. And to keep his wand. Another proof is that when Harry was
about to storm out, the howler to Petunia reminded her of what she
knew, that he was only protected because she had taken him in - even
if she hated it.

I do agree that sooner or later Harry will have to stand against the
coming tide. He can't hide out in Number Four forever. 

The original point of his thread was that I had been disappointed at
the same formula being re-hashed, merely different details. I was
thrilled when Harry had been told he was expelled, and when the Order
Aurors showed up to escort him to an appaerently safer place where
they could watch over him better - which seems odd: why not just leave
Harry at the Dursley's when he's coveed by the ancient protection,
then escort him to Hogwarts?

When you think about it, the Order just protected him for a while and
then delivered him right to a vehicle that had been stopped and
boarded by dementors once before!

What I'm hoping is that for book 6, we'll get what book 5 turned out
not to be. After all, Harry's done with his O.W.L.s (like being done
with high school as I think of it), and like Fred and George can leave
school should he need to.

Matthew Huston