Dumbledore's hold on Petunia [was Re: Lily's Family]

[pcaehill2]

No: HPFGUIDX 107849

sad1199 wrote:
[snip]
> It's obvious she [Petunia] has knowledge of WW. Why 
> would some complete Muggle even show regard to a letter dropped
> off by an unknown(?) wizard and do what it says? If she truly 
> hated Lily and did not know (personally) of WW she would have
> sent Harry off to an orphanage. Dumbledore's got some sort of
> hold on her.

Pam replies:
I was re-reading the howler scene in OoTP last night, and it seems 
clear (clearly implied, that is) that part of the "deal" made with 
Dumbledore involves protecting Dudley.  At nearly every mention of 
dementors, Voldemort, etc., Petunia reaches for Dudley (grabs his 
shoulders, or says his name), and her fears seem to center around 
him.  Which makes perfect sense, to me: Dudley is the most precious 
thing in her life. [Or maybe her myopic perfect 'idea' of Dudley; 
she certainly doesn't seem treasure him as a 'bullying git'. ]

The "real deal" may have involved "blood protection" extending to 
Dudley as long as Harry could call their house "home."  What is the 
danger to Dudley, besides his limited intellect/stunted empathy? 
Well, I don't think he's a hidden wizard, but I think as Lily's 
nephew, he could be regarded as part of the family that needs to be 
destroyed.  So could Petunia, at that, but I truly believe she 
values Dudley's life more than her own, and, in fact, would be 
willing to die for him.

I'm not clear on whether the DD "deal" was reached via the initial 
letter that was left with Harry on their doorstep, or some other, 
more private communication.  Vernon seems oblivious (as usual), but 
is this because Petunia found the first missive and hid it from him, 
or because there was a later correspondence or even meeting between 
DD and P? Not sure.

Pam