JKRs comments on Petunia

[macfotuk at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 112376

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" 
<justcarol67 at y...> wrote:

<snip> (Carol's response to Bonny's views on Petunia)
 
>We should probably reexamine her actions and
> reactions in every book. She clearly has more connections with the 
WW
> than we previously supposed (even though she's not a witch or a 
Squib,
> just a witch's sister). Maybe she's even secretly aware of Mrs. 
Figg's
> connection to Dumbledore.

Mac: IMO this is beyond doubt - why else would uptight Petunia 
associate with a batty old, cat-mad woman whose house smells of 
cabbage? Vernon certainly wouldn't associate himself with such an odd 
person. Even if Petunia doesn't care much about *where* Harry is left 
on Dudley's birthdays and during family holidays so long as he's out 
of their (the Dursley's)hair, it's unlikely that Petunia would 
voluntarily strike up an acquaintance with Mrs Figg long enough for 
her to get round to asking favours. Of course, Arabella might have 
volunteered, though I suspect Vernon wouldn't be pleased to be 
approached by her under any circumstances. Instead, I think it would 
definitely be in DD's note to never leave Harry unattended (without 
the protection of a 'blood tie' made by her physical presence) at 
Privet Drive and offering that she could reliably use Mrs Figg when 
necessary. This makes me wonder how Petunia could possibly protect 
Harry should LV suddenly turn up at Privet Drive. Perhaps it is 
simply that Petunia's presence (a person of Harry and Lily's blood of 
course - the only surviving one we know of) would bestow Harry with 
powers to defend himself that diminish if she is absent. That or the 
charm is strong in their presence but external/additional to 
both/either (Petunia and Harry).