How does Petunia know about Dementors?

[Eustace_Scrubb]

No: HPFGUIDX 97147

JimLaming wrote:
<snip>
> When I was a kid and when my kids were teens, there was always 
> someone coming over.  Many were very close friends and some were
> from the larger circle of friends.  Lilly's parents were so proud to
> have a witch in the family that I imagine they would encourage
> Lilly's friends coming to the house.  

> JimLaming

Eustace_Scrubb:

That's a great insight!  And it makes me wonder exactly _when_ Petunia
"saw [Lily] for what she was--a freak!" (PS/SS, Ch.4)?  I've always
had a view of Petunia as static and unchanging--undoubtedly what she
would want me to think.  Yet her attitude toward Lily probably didn't
form at a given instant, but over the course of a number of years
before Lily's magical talent was explained and the seven years Lily
was at Hogwarts.

There were probably instances of "accidental magic" before Lily turned
11 that affected Petunia.  And then exposure to Lily's friends during
the Hogwarts years.  And the obvious pride that her parents took in
Lily's abilities that led Petunia to feel neglected (?).

As to the possibility that Lily's role fighting dark wizards somehow
led to the deaths of their parents...I used to think that Harry's
Potter and Evans grandparents might be important...but in the World
Book Day interview last month, JKR seemed to be saying that although
readers would learn a bit more about them, they weren't very important
to the story.  I still think it seems more than coincidental that all
four of them are dead by the time Harry is 1 1/2, especially since he
was born when his parents were quite young themselves.

I wonder where Lily and Petunia Evans grew up?  Little Whinging seems
to be one of those suburban commuter places that no one's really from
(the movie accentuates this feeling visually, but I get that from the
books too).

Cheers,

Eustace_Scrubb