Acceptable Abuses?

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 96256

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at a...> 
wrote:
> This could explain why at the end of OotP, the Order feels it can 
> confront the Dursleys - because in that book, Petunia has asserted 
> herself, she's made it clear that *she* decides if Harry stays or 
> goes. Even if Vernon wants to kick Harry out, she has shown she 
> will block that. So that risk has diminished. Vernon no longer 
> needs to be placated.
> 
> I also think that despite her very obvious faults, it's possible 
> that Petunia realises that Harry *saved* Dudley from the Dementors. 
> She obviously knows a bit about what is going on - for all her 
> faults, and they are many, Petunia does seem to love her son - 
> often in ways that aren't particularly good for him. I think Harry, 
> in standing up to the Dementors has brought himself a little bit of 
> credit in her eyes.
> 
> Speculation, of course - but it seems to me that Petunia may have 
> an insight into what it is like to be a muggle relative of a wizard 
> or witch, in a world where Voldemort is at large. She may have 
> understandings that this could be dangerous for some reason.
> 
> I often wondered - and this is total speculation - if Petunia's 
> attitudes are born of guilt. I wonder at her relationship with 
> Lilly - what was it really like? I wonder if she cut off her 
> relationship with her sister, mostly because Vernon wanted her to - 
> if he's the real bigot, and she became such to be with him. And 
> that denied her contact with her sister before she died. And that 
> could lead to a lot of guilt - and that could explain why she took 
> Harry in - but also could lead to considerable resentment of him - 
> because everytime she looks at him, she is reminded of the sister 
> she lost.
> 
> Speculation - but I do wonder.
> 
> 
Hi, Shaun!

Here is hoping that this time my reply will not dissappear. I find 
you reasons to be quite interesting if we were to look for 
reasons "within the story".

So, are you saying that earlier in Harry's life Vernon run the show 
adn Dumbledore was not about to risk the possibility that Harry will 
be thrown out, if he interferes? Do you think that situation changed 
so drastically at the end of the OOP that Vernon is no longer "the 
man of the household"?

I mean sure, Petunia insisted that Harry will stay, but do you think 
that she did not do so earlier? As you quoted Petunia took the boy 
in "grudgingly, etc, but she took him" 

If it is so, then Dumbledore already knows that Petunia did not threw 
the boy out fifteen years ago, so I guess I am still searching for 
answer to the question "why did not he interfere?"

Regardless, I agree with your speculations about Petunia's character. 
I think it is possible that she will change her treatment of Harry 
for the better, because her descriptions in OoP became less 
caricature than before.


Alla