[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry at the Dursleys

[Kethryn]

No: HPFGUIDX 118412



> > Kethryn now -
>
> snip.
>
>  Therefore, while I do question the
> > Dursley's and, to some extent, Snape's behavoir, I also take it
> with a grain
> > of salt because I do remember blowing things completely out of
> porportion.
> > Cleaning up after dinner was an ugly battle royal and I can
> definatly
> > remember thinking that I would rather die than clean the bathroom
> on more
> > than one occasion.
> >
> > So anyway, my thoughts on the matter.
>
>
> Alla:
>
> If we were only to hear Harry's thoughts, than sure it could be
> possible to think that he is blowing things out of proportion, but we
> also see Dursleys' ACTIONS and Snape's actions, so I don't think he
> is blowing it out of proportion much.
>
> Cleaning after dinner - sure, it is a necessary chore, but how about
> trying to escape Petunia's frying pan? Do you think it is also a
> normal routine?
>
> How about him at the age 14 still remembering how hungry he was last
> summer, when he was sending food to Sirius?
>
> Of course, some exaggeration is there, but I don't think that a lot,

Kethryn again -

Again, I would be willing to lay better than even odds that Petunia expected
Harry to dodge the frying pan (I'm at school and I don't have my books so I
can't look that passage up and I only vaguly remember it).

As for not eating, I remember thinking that one missed meal was THE END OF
THE WORLD and, yes, the capslocks are done a-purpose.  I also remember the
few times that my mother spanked me...and I know for a fact that it has been
exaggerated in my own mind from subsequent conversations with both my
parents.

I see Vernon's actions as enabling Dudley to be a bully.  You see it as
abuse.  ~Shrugs~ it's just different readings and a different belief set,
really.  Ce la vie, we will just have to agree to disagree.

Kethryn