What's in it for the Dursleys (Was On the other hand.....)

[suehpfan]

No: HPFGUIDX 92574

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mad_maxime" <mad_maxime at h...> 
wrote:
> HunterGreen wrote:
> > Over and over again in each book, the Dursleys rights as guardians
> > are ignored, yet they are expected to still let Harry have a room
> > in their house.
> 
> > Meri wrote:
> > This quote struck me for some reason, and I was reminded of the 
Peck
> > of Owls chapter in OP. Aunt Petunia obviously has some connections
> > to the WW that even her husband doesn't know about. Could there be
> > some overriding reason, other that DD's howlers, that keeps the 
door
> > open for Harry every summer after Hoogwarts lets out? I doubt that
> > there is monetary compensation, so what could this connection be?
> > Any thoughts?
> 
> My response (Max):
> 
> I'm new to this list, so forgive me if this has been mentioned 
before.
>  My theory is that Dumbledore's protective charm extends to Petunia
> and probably Dudley as well.  It is, after all, a blood charm.  
> 
> I think that Dumbledore made it clear to Petunia that she and her
> family were in as much danger as Harry.  Therefore, if she agreed to
> take him in, her family would be protected as well (not sure about
> Vernon). In other words, no Harry, no protection for her family. 
> Seems like a strong motivation to me.
> 
> There's another reason why I believe Harry is not the only one
> protected by the blood charm.  If that were true, than all Voldemort
> or a DE would have to do to get to him is to knock off Petunia, 
which
> would be insanely easy to carry out. So, imo, for the protection to 
be
> believable at all, it must also extend to Petunia.
> 
> Max

Excellent point Max and I think you are absolutely right.  I wonder 
again what Dudley's worst memory was?  Perhaps someone tried to get 
to him before.  This could be Dudley's worst Summer ever if they all 
have to spend it cooped up inside #4 so they don't get slaudered by 
the approaching DE's

One note on HunterGreen's post, I am not convinced that there has not 
been monetary compensation for the Dursleys. There would be no reason 
for DD not to provide money to raise Harry, either in a lump sum up 
front or in payments to Petunia in Muggle money throughout Harry's 
time with them.  Perhaps one of the requirements of them was that 
they give him a Christmas gift every year. Explains the old socks and 
tissue.

Sue