Petunia:well-adjusted Harry

[littleleahstill]

No: HPFGUIDX 114134

kmc wrote:

>IMO Petunia ignored Harry from day 1. You just don't start treating
>a child like the Dursley's treated Harry at say age 3 or 4. Don't
>forget the memories of the red bike and the fact that there have
>never been picuters of the other boy who lived in the house.

Leah: Sadly, some people do. That's what I meant by Petunia being 
able to cope with a fairly dependant baby, but not with a boy.  There 
are women who have that problem- I had a social worker friend who 
dealt with one.  Never mind that Dudley had the treats and the bike 
and the sweeties; does anyone think Petunia has displayed mothering 
skills in his upbringing? 

kmc:
>We have cannon that Harry was left with Arabella Figg when the
>Dursely's took Dudley out for his birthday treat. IMO Mrs Figg came
>over and was sympathic about Petunia having two babies to care for
>and did Petunia want some assistance with caring for these babies.
>It is only as Harry became more self-sufficient that Petunia would
>need Mrs Figg less and less. I have no cannon for this than the fact
>that Arabella was in the original Order and see made Harry look at
>pictures of her cats. One of her cats was watching Harry in the
>beginning of OotP. I think DD knew at lot about Harry's early

Leah:
I like the idea of Mrs Figg being around, although you would think 
Harry might have had some subconscious memory of that.  He seems to 
hate going to her house.  I think it's interesting and possible 
though.

kmc:
>At night, I think Vernon was the one who cared for Harry. My cannon
>for this opinion is:Vernon is the one who talks to Harry about 
>behaving at the Zoo.(PS/SS)Vernon is the one Harry asks to take him 
>to Platform 9 3/4 (PS/SS)Vernon is the person Harry goes to when he 
>needs his form signed.(POA)Vernon is the person who wakes up when 
>there are noises in Harry's room.

Leah:

Vernon is the "man of the house" and the 'parent' of male children. 
>From what we have seen of the Dursleys' home life, I would expect 
that the control and disciplinary aspects are Vernon's primary 
responsibility.  Whatever behind the scenes influence Petunia may 
have, Harry is recognising Vernon's role at Privet Drive.  If you are 
using 'cared for' in the sense of 'wanted to look after', then I 
would have to disagree.  I also think that we have to remember that 
JKR said Vernon was the character she disliked most in the books, and 
considering the other possible contenders for the role, that's saying 
something.

Leah