A thought about Petunia's behavior...

[Eric Oppen]

No: HPFGUIDX 99771

I was on a longish car trip recently, and while driving, I thought about
many things---including the Potterverse.  An idea hit me about Petunia that
I thought made a certain amount of sense, and I thought I'd put it out here
on the list and see what happened.

Could Petunia (and Lily) have grown up in moderate-to-severe poverty?  If
so, it would explain both her determination to shower her Dudders with
Everything He Wants, and her resentment of Lily, particularly if buying
Lily's magical supplies bit into money that she felt should have gone to her
needs instead.  About the only piece of magical equipment we have any idea
of the costs of is the wand, and that's just one of a bunch of things the
beginning witch or wizard will need---if spellbooks are anything like Muggle
college texts, they'll cost a lot and may not be easily resalable after use;
robes, a hat or two, a cauldron, and so on---all of it would cost money, and
AFAWK H'warts doesn't seem to have any provisions for aid to poor students.

If poor Petunia felt that not only was Lily's _special_ education gobbling
money that she could have used herself, but that she was being overshadowed
by Lily, and that her parents favored Lily over her _because she was a
witch,_ that would be enough to set off a resentment that would not easily
die.

Comments?

--Eric, no stranger to long-lasting resentments himself