Vernon Dursley

[n_longbottom01]

No: HPFGUIDX 80195

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tomatogrower88" 
<tomatogrower88 at y...> wrote:
> As I have been reading the lists for the past week or so I have 
found 
> my self thinking about Vernon Dursley. Before OOP came out I was of 
> the opinion that the Dursley role in each book would grow less as 
> Harry became more powerful. The first few chapters of OOP changed 
my 
> mind on this. I think that Aunt Petunia will play a larger role. I 
do 
> not think she will ever really like Harry but I think they will 
have 
> an understanding with each other. I think this based on one 
line "All 
> of a sudden, for the first time in his life, Harry fully 
appreciated 
> that Aunt Petunia was his mother's sister"(POA page 38). Next I am 
in 
> the redeemable Dudley camp so I think he and Harry will come to 
> agreement in the end. That leaves Uncle Vernon. I can't come to any 
> ideas of what he and Harry's relationship will be in book 7. I do 
not 
> think it will be good or postive in any way. Could any one share 
> thoughts on this? If this has been brought op before could you 
direct 
> me to the thread.
> 
> Mryth

Now me (n_longbottom01):

My best guess is that Uncle Vernon and Harry will never warm up to 
one another in any way.  Harry's feelings about Uncle Vernon may 
soften somewhat with time, after Harry is no longer forced to live 
with the Dursleys, but I don't see that Vernon's feelings toward 
Harry will ever change.

I think Vernon will receive his just deserts at some point in book 7 
for being such a lousy Uncle throughout the series.  A fitting end 
for Vernon would be to end up on the cover of a tabloid, in an absurd 
article like: "Local Man Believes Elves Are Bewitching His Pudding."  
Or something along those lines.  The think Vernon values the most is 
appearing perfectly normal... after a tabloid article like that, he 
would always be thought of as The Man Who Sees Elves.

I don't think Harry will directly cause Vernon's final (comic) 
downfall.  It would reflect poorly on our hero if he intentionally 
ruins the life of someone weaker than him.  I think something might 
happen at the beginning of book 7, as Harry leaves the Dursleys' for 
the last time (along the lines of a flying car, or an blown-up aunt), 
that leaves Vernon looking foolish.  And then, sometime later in book 
7, Harry will be shown the tabloid article (or whatever) that comes 
out in connection to the incident (whatever it turns out to be).

I am not sure if this is the form it will take, but my best guess is 
that Vernon will receive his just deserts in the end.

n_longbottom01