Dudley's Worst Memory

luna_loco peckham at cyberramp.net
Tue Mar 16 04:03:38 UTC 2004


No: HPFGUIDX 93085

I would like to throw out another wild theory about what terrified
Dudley.  Dudley could be remembering an attack by Death Eaters on
number 4 Privet Drive shortly after Harry's arrival.

In support of this possiblitly consider the following facts:

1) Dumbledore has placed protections on Harry based on Lily's
sacrafice and the bond of blood (OoP Ch 37).

2) After Voldemort's fall, at least 4 Death Eaters resorted to
violence in a search for Voldemort (As demonstarted by Neville's
parents).  One of these DEs was Crouch Jr.

3) Voldemort knew of strong magical protection on Harry, while Harry
is at Number 4, at the time of his rebirth.  Voldemort also knows that
these protections involve an ancient magic (GoF Ch 33).

4) Dudley refers to Harry's wand as a "thing" and claims he heard
"things" during the dementor attack (OoP Ch 2).

5) Being told of Voldemort's return caused a reaction of fear in Aunt
Petunia (OoP Ch 2).

6) Dementor attacks can cause the victim to relive events from early
childhood (as shown by Harry's experiences in PoA).

>From these facts, the following can be logically derived:

7) As Dumbledore is not likely to talked to many people about the
protections he placed on Harry, something had to have happened for
Voldemort to know about the strength and nature of the protections on
Harry.  

8)Voldemort would not have been able to do any reconnaissance by
himself before getting his body back.

9) Dudley's reference to Harry's wand as a "thing" indicates a trend
to describe anything considered unusual in vague and ambiguos terms. 
A magical attack would definately be considered unusual by the
Dursleys.

10) Harry's protection being based on the bond of blood may also
extend to protect Petunia and Dudley to some extent.

An attack by Death Eaters does not appear to conflict with anything
that is known and can help explain a number of things.  The attack
would likely have occured while Uncle Vernon was out of the house. 
Such an attack would undoubtedly be terrifing to the victims.  The
protection provided by Harry's presence would have foiled the attack
and caused the attackers to retreat.

If such an attack actually occured then it would provide a Death Eater
with knowledge of the protections that were placed on Harry and a set
of memories that would cause fear in both Petunia and Dudley.  Such an
attack would also not be worse than Voldemort's first attack on Harry,
and would thus not be Harry's worst experience.  Uncle Vernon's lack
of fear when he was told of Voldemort's return would indicate he was
not present for the alledged attack.

Rebutals to this theory are welcome.

Allen





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