*If* there is a piece of Voldemorts soul in Harry WAS Re: I KNOW WHAT SNAPE WANT

[amiabledorsai]

No: HPFGUIDX 138709

 
> Valky:
> I see something to be explained. Protection from what? that
> Dumbledore couldn't give himself. 


Amiable Dorsai:
How is Dumbledore to protect Harry?  Adopt him?  Why would a very old,
single man be allowed to adopt an infant he is not related to?  Yes,
Dumbledore has considerable prestige, yes, he heads the Wizengamot
(actually, I'm not sure that was true when the Potters were killed,
but suppose it is), so what?

There must be some second or third cousin of James' out there who
would have a better claim, being family.  There were powerful, married
politicians (Barty Crouch Sr. comes to mind) who could claim to be
able to give Harry a better home.  Sirius Black, who Dumbledore has
every reason to believe is a  traitor, could make a claim as Harry's
godfather (he doesn't seem to have caught up to Peter yet, as
Dumbledore was leaving Harry on the Dursley's doorstep).

Even if Dumbledore could eventually get legal custody of Harry, surely
there would be court battles--Harry could end up in Ministry custody
while it's all sorted--and Dumbledore knows the Ministry is shot
through with Voldemort supporters.

No, Petunia is perfect, from a legal POV.  She's Harry's closest
living relative--given the wizarding world's apparent obsession with
family, that appears to give her an unassailable claim.  She's a 
Muggle, and hence, unlikely to let anyone who isn't Dumbledore's agent
that she don't actually want him.  And, growing up in a Muggle
household, Harry will be protected from undue attention by the
Ministry's own Secrecy Laws.

Shame Harry had to be forced on her.

Amiable Dorsai