The Dursleys at Risk

[jimlaming]

No: HPFGUIDX 104080

Ms Mo Me wrote:
I was thinking that a prime target for Voldemort would be the
Dursleys. The reason Harry has the lasting protection is because he
spends time with 
his blood related family.  So, if Voldemort figures this out,
wouldn't his first aim be to kill the Dursleys?>
 
jenny from ravenclaw responded: 
I am sure if Voldemort had access to the Dursleys, he would have
disposed of them quite a while ago.  If someone is acting as Secret
Keeper for the Dursleys (of which they'd have no idea), he'd never be
able to find them no matter how long and hard he looked.
 
I also agree with those who say that the Dursleys are protected by
the same magic that protects Harry.  We also know that their home is
watched quite closely by the Wizarding community.
 
-----> 
Carol:
If the Dursley home were protected by a Fidelius Charm, nobody would
be able to find it, not even Muggles like Aunt Marge, and the Weasleys
could never have entered it through the fireplace.
 
But how would Voldemort know about the Dursleys, who are Muggles,
after all? I think that's one reason Dumbledore placed Harry with them
(the charm that protects him as long as he's with his mother's blood
kindred is of course the other reason, but DD placed that charm
himself). If Harry had been raised by a kindly wizard family, the
secret would have been much harder to keep, and he'd have had to
remain in hiding for his first eleven years. Placing him with the
Dursleys, with no knowledge of his own background, amounts to hiding
him in plain sight where Voldemort would never think to look.
 
I do think that the protective charm extends to the
Dursleys--otherwise Petunia would never have taken Harry in--but
they're not watched by the whole wizarding community, only by members
of the Order and to some extent, the MoM, on the lookout for underage
magic in Muggle communities (and particularly the house where Harry
lives, or so it seems).
 
Carol
------->



Jim observes:

Voldie or his followers could have found out about Harry and where he 
is easily since Harry entered Hogwarts.  Fudge knows and Malfoy could 
easily get that information.  The Weasley Family and thus Peter, knew 
where Harry was as evidenced when the twins and Ron "drive" to rescue 
Harry in COS.  Crabb, Goyle and Draco know Harry lives with muggles 
and could find out who and where.  Snape and Lupin both intimate 
their knowledge of Harry's home life. Then Fudge, as part of 
Harry's "trial" for using magic to repel the Dementors, entered into 
evidence where Harry lived.  

After Harry is outed into the WW, he can be found if one wants to 
look for him.  I surmise that knowledge of his whereabouts does not 
indicate an ability to reach him.  Especially when he is IN the 
Dursley home.  And I agree that the Dursley's benefit from that same 
protection.  

Out on a limb:  Petunia will be with Dudley, away from home, and 
Dudley will come into magical danger.  Petunia will defend him with 
magic.  Does she have a wand?  Olivander would know.

Jim Laming