Acceptable Abuses?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 96257

> Alla:
> It is not like he could not interfere. The Order told Dursleys off 
at 
> the end of OoP, after all. Why exactly they did not so it  much 
> earlier?
> 
> Beyond plot reasons, are there any others? 


Jen: I had the same reaction as you about the Order at the end of 
OOTP--'well it's about *time*!--but the fact that DD didn't 
interfere with the Dursley's prior to Harry coming to Hogwarts is a 
different circumstance. 

>From the evidence in PS/SS, Petunia & Vernon grudgingly took Harry 
in order to 'stamp out that nonsense'. They were as shocked as Harry 
when the Hogwarts letter arrived. They acted like people who never 
expected to hear from a witch/wizard again, let alone be faced with 
sending Harry back to that world. It seems they took Harry in on 
some conditions, one being NO contact from the magical world. We 
have no information about Dumbledore's letter or how he convinved 
the Dursleys to accept Harry, but DD was the one doing the begging 
at that point--if they said no, Lily's sacrifice, the blood charm, 
all would be lost. He agreed to the terms at hand and 'sealed' the 
deal.

Prior to Harry's entrance at Hogwarts, Petunia & Vernon had the 
power. Once Harry learned of his birthright and powers, Dumbledore 
has the power. Dumbledore clearly wasn't go to do anything to 
jepordize Harry's safety until the point he could be delivered to 
Hogwarts. Once Harry enters that world again, the Dursley's 'hand' 
in the situation drops exponentially.