[HPforGrownups] A thought about Petunia's behavior...

[udder_pen_dragon]

No: HPFGUIDX 99793


--Eric, said:


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.

Now UdderPD

Although at first glance this looked quite reasonable, when I thought about it IMO Petunia would have included it in her rant at Harry and Hagrid in the hut on the island in HPatPS (book one). Still the idea has a certain merit and the chances are that JKR will never tell us either way.

Udder PenDragon




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