The Opening Chapter of Book 6

[Eustace_Scrubb]

No: HPFGUIDX 103658

Ali wrote:
<SNIP>
> My favourite hunch is 
> that Petunia agrees to take Harry in as long as Dudley doesn't know 
> that he is a wizard.
> 
> Now, I know that there has been much debate surrounding the person 
> who will find magic late in life, my favourite candidates have only 
> ever been Petunia and Dudley. <SNIP>  But, there are 
> potentially large repercussions for Harry if either Petunia or 
> Dudley finds an ability to do magic. 
> 
> <SNIP>  Supposing, we see Harry at last 
> trying to get his own back on Dudley only to find Dudley pushed to 
> the limit and responding with magic? <SNIP>

Eustace_Scrubb:
I think JKR said the person who finds he/she can do magic late in life
will do so under "desperate circumstances." (sorry don't have the
exact citation but I'm certain she used a phrase close to this)  While
Dudley may feel that being threatened by Harry fits that phrase, I
doubt that JKR would have termed it so--unless Harry has truly lost it
and is really going to try an Unforgiveable on his cousin, which I
can't see happening.

I also favor either Petunia or Dudley as the late-blooming
witch/wizard, but I suspect the talent will appear as a result of an
attack by Death Eaters--who will not be expecting any magical defense.
 (I doubt that spontaneous magic will do much good against LV himself
or Dementors, but given that many of the DEs seem to be a brick shy of
a load I think a late-blooming Dursley stands a chance of thwarting
them.)

Cheers,

Eustace_Scrubb