[HPforGrownups] Harry's cupboard was Re: Theoretical boundaries

[Mari Lea]

No: HPFGUIDX 120752


I am replying to this thread with some general ideas
that have popped into my head.

1. Closets are not that bad.
Both my husband and I can tell you this from
experience.  In college, the bedroom he got was a walk
in closet, so he knows what is it like to actually
live in one.  And when I was working third shift, I
slept in our closet, because of how dark it could get.
Mainly you get used to the situation,  you have to be
tolerant and learn how to make a small space
interesting.
Since Harry probably grew up with the closet as his
room, he learned how to cope with it.  It's not the size
of the room, but how the person learns to cope with
it.  Until Harry really began to find his own place
he seemed very passive.  This was a coping device. 
And it should not be a surprise that he has so much
bottled up anger inside.

2. The Dursleys really only care what others think of
them, including the wizarding world.
It was only after they got the letters addressed to
Harry Potter, under the stairs, did they even consider
 giving Harry a real bedroom.  
I think it was a shock to them to realize that someone
knew what was going on in that house.  I think they
needed a jolt.  I also think that if there was ever a
chance of the Dursleys treating Harry far worse, 
(Abuse and Neglect to the point of putting Harry's
life in danger) Dumbledore would have stepped in
long before.
Uncle Vernon seems to be a man that could cross the
line and really hurt someone with his temper, but he
hasn't yet.  So I think the Dursleys, although they treat
Harry badly, they do have a few lines they do not
cross.  Which shows a level of control.
On the other hand, if they had wanted any interaction
with the wizarding world, Harry would have been the
perfect vehicle for them.  What a way to rub in how
much better you are to your neighbor.  But they want
nothing to do with the wizarding world, so in a
strange way it made a safer place for Harry to grow
up. 

3. Hand-me-downs.
I'm the youngest of seven.  I rarely got new things. 
I would get a small amount of new clothes each year
for school, but the majority of my wardrobe,
furniture, and even toys had been through most of my
brother and sisters before.
Again this is something you adjust to. And Harry
seemed to do a good job of that.

4. Protection.
Imagine a DE looking for a very young Harry, for some
revenge. He stumbles upon the Dursleys, but can't even
believe that this is the family.  They treat Harry
badly.  This DE is looking for a kid that would
probably be treated like a star, but isn't.  So they
walk away thinking this is a mistake.   It's an
interesting idea.

Ok that's it for my ramblings.

--Mari Lea