[HPforGrownups] Re: Dumbledore & Dursleys-What DD Knew

[Magda Grantwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 123831

> That Petunia seemed quite frightened & did *not* kick Harry out 
> after receiving DD's Howler makes me believe:  1) that DD *has* 
> provided ongoing protection; and 2) that she still very much wants 
> that protection.  So *now* DD knows that!  And perhaps it was only 
> *now* -- when Harry's 15 and more able to fend for himself, knows 
> what's going on in the WW & with Voldemort -- that DD could risk 
> issuing a threat which might lead to the Dursleys backing out of 
> Harry's life.
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan
> 

I pretty much agree with the rest of SSS's post (which I snipped -
sorry) but I think there's another explanation for Petunia's response
to the Howler - the same explanation for Harry's sudden awareness
that Petunia was his mother's sister (which he realizes he's never
quite thought of before).

The explanation is that Petunia has just realized that night - after
Dudders almost gets Demented, the arrival of the Howler - that
whether she likes it or not, they're all in this together.  That it's
just not a matter of "we'll take the brat in until he's 18 and carry
on with life as if he's not really around" - there are wicked and
evil people out there who are a danger to her family and that family
is not safe just because they're not magic.  

It's not a matter of tossing Harry over the side of the sinking
lifeboat; they've all got to pull together now because the threat -
Voldemort's return - is greater than ever and needs everyone on the
same side.  She can't walk away or pretend it doesn't concern her
anymore.  Vernon doesn't get it - yet.  But he's aware that
something's changed for Petunia, and his uncertainty is quite
obvious.

Magda

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