[HPforGrownups] The case for Dudley, the Latent Wizard

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 83769


>Ali:
>
>Now, it could be argued that Dumbledore only feels like this after
>he has got to know Harry, but if Harry's importance to him is such
>that he could let others die, then he could certainly deprive Dudley
>of a place at Hogwarts. This is particularly so knowing how anti-
>wizards, Dudley's parents are. Yep, Dudley could be magical and
>might not know - yet.

Iggy here:

I think this is the most plausible theory.  I think we can also take this a
step or two further to AFTER Dudley discovers he is a wizard.

1:  Imagine the shock of him getting a letter that tells him he has been
accepted to Hogwarts, much less the effect on his family.

2:  Dudley is the same age as Harry, but he would probably be placed among
the first years.  This would be cause for a lot of ridicule and snickering
by a number of the students who are the same age as him, but in their 6th
year. (Especially from the Slytherins.)  The bully has suddenly been reduced
to the bullied.

3:  Dudley is a bully, but like all bullies, he tends to only really indulge
in it when he has the numbers on his side.  At Hogwarts, he won't have the
numbers behind him.  You might see him being potentially befriended by Draco
and Co., but I don't think so... Oh, they might pretend to in order to get
some of the dirt on Harry, but they'd be laughing behind his back when they
did this, and I think Dudley would be aware of this.

4:  At Privet Drive ant the surrounding neighborhood, Dudley is king... he
flourishes and is the big man (both literally and figuratively.)  Hogwarts
is where Harry is at his best, and Dudley knows this.  Seeing how most
people react to Harry could be very humbling for Dudley.

5:  Hogwarts is where the wizards and witches are, and we know what's
happened almost every time Dudley has met one.  He's gotten a pig's tail,
had his tongue enlarged and almost choked on it, Harry's godfather was a
convicted killer, he's seen their living room laid to waste, and he's seen a
band of wizards and witches threaten his father if Harry's not taken care of
properly.  And now he's going to get immersed in that world and be in a
place where his friends and parents can't protect him.

6:  What House would Dudley be put in?  Slytherin would be the first guess,
knowing Dudley's personality... but that house seems to only accept
purebloods.  Even if he ended up there, his life would be made miserable.
He's a bully, so unless there's something we don't see, then Gryffindor
isn't much of an option.  He's not the quickest wit in the world and places
more stock in brute strength than in brains, so Ravenclaw isn't likely
either.  So, we're left with either Hufflepuff, or Slytherin.  (And I can
almost guarantee that, should he make that 5% and get into Slytherin, Snape
would make him sorry for it.)

7:  There's no doubt that Voldemort would quickly learn that Dudley is
Harry's cousin, if he doesn't know already.  How would he react to that?
Would he try to recruit Dudley?  Manipulate him?  Use him as bait?  Try to
kill him as well?  And how would Dudley react to all of this?


Well, I think that's enough to ponder for now...  *grin*

Iggy McSnurd