JKRs comments on Petunia

[KathyK]

No: HPFGUIDX 112398

Carol:

>>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.<

KathyK:

Are you kidding?  Batty old Mrs. Figg is the *perfect* person to 
leave Harry with.  The Dursleys don't want their neighbors to find 
out what Harry is.  They have their image of a perfectly normal 
family to consider.  Strange things happened to Harry in his 
childhood, from regrowing his hair overnight to vanishing the glass 
in the zoo.  The Dursley's know Harry is different-that funny, 
inexplicable things happen when he's around.  

If the Dursley's left Harry with any of their other neighbors, who 
all seem to be living the image of perfection and normalcy, and 
something happened with Harry's magic, their secret might be 
discovered.  Word would spread through the neighborhood because I 
have no doubt the rest of the neighbors are just as nosy as 
Petunia.  Then the image of the normal family would be destroyed.  
No, much easier to tell them Harry's disturbed, that he's a 
criminal.  Then they'll all stay away from him.

Mrs. Figg is strange enough on her own that the Dursley's might not 
care if something 'funny' happened while Harry was around.  Even if 
she said something about Harry to the other residents of Little 
Whinging, they might discount what she says because she's a kooky 
old lady.  I'm not saying for certain that the Dursley's don't know 
about Mrs. Figg.  I have always argued for Petunia the Muggle, 
mostly disconnected from the WW and will continue to argue it.  As a 
part of that, I guess I *am* saying I don't believe Petunia knows 
Mrs. Figg is a Squib.  

Mac:
<snip>
>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).<

KathyK:

If Dumbledore told the Dursleys that Harry had to be watched by 
Arabella Figg when they weren't around, why did he then order her 
not to tell Harry she's a squib?  Why would she purposefully make 
Harry's visits miserable?  She says it's because the Dursley's 
wouldn't let Harry go there if they though he enjoyed it.**  But if 
Dumbledore really told Petunia she had to leave Harry with Mrs. Figg 
for protection purposes, what difference would it make if Harry had 
a good time?  Mrs. Figg presumably wouldn't have to fear what the 
Dursley's thought because Harry *had* to be there.  There was 
nowhere else for him to go.

On the whole blood protection issue, I find the whole thing very 
messy and some days I think I have a handle on how it may work only 
to wake up the next morning wondering what I was thinking.  What I 
do know is that nowhere in Dumbledore's explanation to Harry at the 
end of OoP does he say Petunia's constant presence is necessary.  
What he does say is, "While you still call home the *place* where 
your mother's blood dwells, *there* you cannot be touched or harmed 
by Voldemort." (Ch 37, US ed. pg 836) *emphasis* mine

To me that means Voldemort can't hurt Harry at Number 4.  Period.  
Because that is where Petunia and he both live.  I think Dumbledore 
was not as forthcoming at the end of OoP as he could have been but I 
do believe were it important that Petunia stick that close to Harry 
in order for the protection charm to work, he would have mentioned 
it to Harry.  Why keep it from him if it will keep Harry safe?

** OoP, Ch 2, US ed. pg 22

KathyK, For Petunia the Muggle with Minimum Wizarding World Contact