Who's really in charge?

[Bridget]

No: HPFGUIDX 90287

Hi all! I've been re-reading the series, paying special attention to 
the parts where Harry is at the Dursleys', as it seems to me that 
Harry thinks Vernon is in charge. Vernon is the one who punishes and 
threatens him etc. But if you read closely, it's fairly obvious that 
Petunia is the one making the rules, Vernon is just the one 
enforcing them. The biggest example of this is in OOP, when Vernon 
wants to kick Harry out, and Petunia won't let him because of the 
Howler(pgs 40 & 41 US). Vernon could've argued w/ her but doesn't, 
what she says goes. In fact the last line of the chapter is "YOU 
HEARD YOUR AUNT, NOW GET TO BED!" (emphasis not mine) He doesn't 
just say get to bed, he says you heard your aunt. And it's not just 
in this scene either, in the first chapter of PS/SS he notices all 
the weird stuff going on and the references about Harry and 
considers mentioning it to Petunia. He immediately dismisses the 
idea because he doesn't want to upset her. He is deliberately 
ignoring his instincts about what's going on to avoid upsetting her. 
What I want to know is why he lets her be in control. What does she 
has over him? Is it merely because he loves her or does he know 
something about her we don't? We know Petunia knows more then she 
let on to knowing can the same be said of Vernon? Any ideas, other 
examples, and comments are much appreciated!

Bridget