Vernon Dursley

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 80208

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "hickengruendler" 
<hickengruendler at y...> wrote:

>But I think he really loves Petunia and Dudley, and if Petunia and 
Dudley really accept Harry, I think Vernon will, too, although 
grudgingly.> 

and:
 
> I am convinced (and yes, I know that I have not much canon to back 
that up) that Dudley will start to accept Harry. They grew up like 
brothers and Harry saved his life (or soul) after all. And even in 
this case I don't see his parents doing anything, that could make 
Ickle Diddykins unhappy. So currently I think Vernon, too, will start 
to treat Harry better.>

There's also the small matter of members of the Order rather openly 
threatening Vernon if he didn't suck it up and treat Harry with more 
respect.  I think the fear Vernon has of the WW is what would push him 
to treat Harry better.  He did also back down when Petunia stood her 
ground about Harry staying, but again, that is related to the fear he 
(and Petunia, but with more real understanding) has of the WW and what  
those wacky wizards can do to Vernon as well as his reputation.  

As far as Dudley goes, I also felt that there was a strange bond 
between him and Harry, possibly due to the fact that neither of them 
want to spend time with Vernon and Petunia.  We found out in OoP that 
Dudley was openly and consistently lying to his parents about his 
whereabouts and activities.  At this point in the series, he doesn't 
seem too fond of his parents and simply uses them to his advantage.  
If this means he and Harry will get along better, fine, but I don't 
think Dudley will be nicer to Harry because of the Dementors.  He may 
very well blame Harry for their appearance or resent Harry for having 
to save him the first place and then witness Dudley puke his guts out 
at home.  Or he might just continue to avoid Harry, which seems to be 
how they both like it.

--jenny from ravenclaw, who loved the tabloid article title about 
Vernon and the Elves **********************