What's in it for Petunia?

[entropymail]

No: HPFGUIDX 93321

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "humantupperware1"
<humantupperware1 at y...> wrote:
> 
> Sean wrote:
> > <snip>
> > Obviously she knows more than she's saying. There is nothing
> > explicit about her being forced by the pact to act. She's in 
> > more danger with Harry around than not - Dudley may well be a 
> > Squib, as some have suggested, but that hardly gives her a 
> > motive to protect Harry. What did Dumbledore REALLY threaten her with?
> 
> humantupperware1:
> I have small and probably ridiculous idea on this one, but I'm still 
> holding out that Petunia may be a witch......<snip>Maybe? Am I dreaming?

This has been discussed before, but my feeling is that Dumbledore is
protecting Dudley for Petunia.  The pieces all fit when looked at from
this perspective:

1. Dudley has "magical" ability in him. There is some evidence that
Dudley sensed the Dementors more than the average muggle may have.  In
addition, the Dursley's indulgence of Dudley's every whim may be an
attempt to keep Dudley's "accidental" magic from surfacing: if he
never becomes upset, the magic never has to slip out.

2. Petunia knows about Dudley's "specialness" and, besides loathing
the idea herself, also realizes that her husband would never accept a
wizard in the family, so...

3. She makes a deal with Dumbledore, who "squelches" Dudley's
abilities and promises that Hogwarts will not send a letter when
Dudley reaches eleven years old. In exchange, she promises to allow
Harry to live with her family to seal DD's protection charm.

4. She keeps her end of the bargain (in the most minimal way) until
the night Harry and Dudley are attacked by the dementors. While she is
considering throwing Harry out, Dumbledore's message arrives, and
reminds her that, if she casts Harry out, Dudley's magical abilities
will surface.

:: Entropy ::