[HPforGrownups] Re: New/Old Friends?

[Lea]

No: HPFGUIDX 54411


Martin said:
>Imagine what she'd chat to her neighbours about though 
>if she came in from hanging out the washing to find toddler >Harry 
>crawling about the lounge carpet and all her cats turned >purple. 
>Would the Dursleys risk the shame and embarrassment?


And now me:

We really don't know for sure how long Mrs Figg has been babysitting Harry.  From the Raincoast edition - PS (page 22), we read:

"Every year, Harry was left behind with Mrs Figg, a mad old lady who lived two streets away.  Harry hated it there.  The whole house smelled of cabbage and Mrs Figg made him look at photographs of all the cats she'd ever owned."

There is no indication that Mrs Figg may be a friend of the Dursleys, considering that Vernon immediately suggests contacting Petunia's friend Yvonne.  

I think it is quite likely that Mrs Figg's information was passed along to the Dursleys in the letter originally left for them by Professor Dumbledore.  And since they wouldn't want to inflict Harry on any of their friends, felt it would be a fine place to shuffle Harry off to.  That way Harry wouldn't be able to embarass them in front of friends or neighbours.  Everything for them revolves around IMAGE and it would suit their purposes beautifully that they could shuffle Harry off to a "mad old lady", thereby keeping their own IMAGE clear (in their minds, anyways).  Also, since Harry seems opposed to going to Mrs Figgs, all the more reason to send him there.

I would love to see Harry be able to visit there during the summer and discover both Sirius and Remus.  That would certainly make Harry feel better and the last laugh would be on the Dursleys, don't you think?  I really think summer following GoF he needs all the moral support he can get.

Lea (who really doesn't like the Dursleys at all and would be very happy to have Harry live with either Sirius or the Weasleys)






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