The Dudley Theory

[Ali]

No: HPFGUIDX 92651

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "fauntine_80" 
<fauntine_80 at y...> wrote:

Of the possibility of Dudley being a latent wizard:-

> That's really a creative and complicated plot twist, but I am 
> disinclined to believe it.
> 
> #1. Usually wizard children show some sort of their "wizardness" 
> early on.  i.e.Harry talking to snakes and hair growing back, 
> Neville bouncing out the window, etc.
> Dudley has shown NO signs of it. 

Ali:-

How do we know that? We still don't know what is worst memeory was. 
Perhaps it was some kind of wizarding behaviour that Petunia reacted 
so badly to, that Dudley knew knew never to try to repeat it again. 
Also, it's more than possible that Dudley isn't a powerful wizard, 
so would only show magic if dropped out of a window or off Blackpool 
pier or some such life threatening event.
 
>>> #2.  The Dursleys have tried to squelch any 
possible "wizardness" from Harry, but were UNABLE to do so. Dudley 
was always treaded well for being the "normal" boy. And, again, he 
never showed any sign of "wizarness">>>

Ali:

Please see my post 83747 for an explanation of why the Dursley's 
treatment of Dudley might have led his magic to lie dormant.
 
>>> #3. What about the other schools?  Even if Dumbledore made an 
 agreement not to give Dudley a letter, would the other schools 
 possibly invite him to attend?>>>

Ali:

We have no evidence that the other wizarding schools know anything 
about Britishing Wizard children. Hogwarts know because of the Magic 
Quill but I don't think that other schools would know about Dudley 
or any other wizarding child - Little Whinging is not exactly in the 
Durmstrang catchment area for example. I know that Draco said his 
father considered putting him there, but that might only have been 
possible because of Malfoy's relationship with Karkaroff.

 
>>> #4. If Dudley was a wizard, and found out, what would happen?  
He has brainwashed to hate anything "abnormal."  He wouldn't be able 
to use his magic because he never attended wizarding school. So, 
what use would it be for him to be a wizard, other than irony?  If 
he was allowed to become a wizard, would he go to the dark side?>>>

Ali:

Well, hopefully we're soon find out. He's already rebelling against 
his parents by smoking unbeknownst to them and by lying to them. 
It's not such a stretch to imagine him trying to know more about an 
ability he finds himself with - particularly as it might have been 
one that he'd forgotten about, until he faced the dementors.

As a wizard with undeveloped powers, he'd represent a menace to 
himself and to others. And yes, there would be irony there, whole 
buckets of it! In terms of going to the dark side, I'd say that 
Dudley is potentially vulnerable. He's gone from bullying Harry to 
being afraid of him. It is possible to imagine him being persuaded 
into some kind of act of betrayal, to get his own back. But, Dudley 
would only ever be used by the Dark side. He would always be a 
Mudblood to them. His use would be a link to Harry, after that, he 
would be disposable. 

I think that all the Dursleys are vulnerable to attention from the 
DE, whether they possess magic powers or not.

Ali