Dursleys and Memory Charms

[dk59us]

No: HPFGUIDX 88817

This is my first post; I do not seem to find this question in the
various FAQs, so I hope that I haven't missed extensive previous
discussions.

References are made to the US paperback editions of COS, POA and GOF
and the Canadian hardcover of OOP.

By virtue of having Harry Potter under their roof for extended periods
of time, the Dursleys have witnessed a number of things that might
normally result in the arrival of a squad of Ministry memory charm
operatives.  

In COS, there was the levitating pudding.
Also in COS, all three Dursleys saw the flying car as Harry escaped.
In POA, the inflation of Aunt Marge.
In GOF, the Weasleys' destruction of the living room.  
In OOP, the Dementor attack on Dudley.

Subsequent references in the books appear to indicate that the
Dursleys memories have not been modified however.

In POA (p.44), when Harry meets Fudge at the Leaky Cauldron, the
Minister tells him that Marjorie Dursley's memory has been modified so
that she "has no recollection of the incident at all."  There's no
mention of other memory modification and Fudge later tells Harry, "I
won't deny that they are extremely angry..."  Had their memories been
modified, they would presumably have nothing (other than their general
anger at Harry's presence) to be angry about.

At the end of OOP, when Arthur Weasley leads Harry and his entourage
up to the Dursleys, he greets Vernon "pleasantly" with "You might
remember me, my name's Arthur Weasley."  This is followed by this
line:
"As Mr. Weasley had demolished most of the Dursleys' living room two
years previously, Harry would have been very surprised if Uncle Vernon
had forgotten him." (p.765)

Now, it's true that this is Harry's impression, and we don't really
know whether the Dursleys' reaction (Vernon turns "a deeper shade of
puce," Petunia looks "frightened and embarrassed" and Dudley tried and
failed to look "small and insignificant")to Arthur and the group
really relates to the incident Harry remembers.  But the passage
implies that they may remember Arthur's visit.

I'm wondering why the Ministry doesn't modify the Dursleys' memories.
 Aunt Marge may not remember being blown up, but I would imagine the
other three Dursleys would have difficulty putting it out of their
minds at future family gatherings.

Is this entirely because Vernon and Petunia are Harry's legal
guardians (and would this therefore apply to all muggle parents of
young wizards and witches as well)?  Or is it Harry-specific?  Has
someone (Fudge? Dumbledore?) determined that it would be more
dangerous for Harry and/or the Dursleys for these memories to be
modified?  Presumably there's a reason for Petunia to remember
Dementors and Azkaban; perhaps these "domestic incidents" are also
important enough that they should be remembered?  Or maybe...the
Dursleys will do such a good job of repressing their own memories of
such events that the charm is unnecessary?

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear whether anyone has theories on this
point.


Eustace_Scrubb