Petunia -- More fuel for the fire

[Rachel]

No: HPFGUIDX 111521

I know that common thought on Petunia being a witch or at the very 
least from a wizarding family swings both ways, however on a recent 
reread I had a thought I am not sure I have seen here in the year or 
so that I have been trying ot keep up with the list.

Why is the fireplace in the kitchen boarded up?  It seems a rather 
unusual thing to do... especially as fireplaces tend to bring UP the 
value of a house (at least in my neighbourhood).  Could it be that at 
one point it was hooked up to the floo network?  Mr. Weasley said he 
had it hooked up for a bit in order to come get Harry, but that does 
not preclude the fact that it might not be an entirely new hookup.  

Anyhow, just a thought.

Rachel