Petunia, Dudley, magical ability? (was Re: Question: Do/can squibs use owl post? Floo powder?)

[minervakab]

No: HPFGUIDX 122677


> Chancie:
> And why since Uncle Vernon hates Hedwig to begin with, would 
> he attach a present for Harry whom he also hates?  Something 
> just doesn't add up to me.  Perhaps there is more to thing 
> than meets the eye.  JKR said we would be learning more about
> Petunia. Perhaps she doesn't dislike Harry as much as we think
> and it's more of a show for Vernon? Who knows? Thoughts anyone?


Minervakab:

I think Petunia treats Harry the way she does so that Vernon won't
find out about her own magical background.  She knows more about magic
that any muggle should.  She seems to me to be over-compensating  much
as reformed (prostitutes, drug addicts, fill in your own word) do when
they "find" god.  Can you choose to be a muggle?

I read a prediction once, written by a little girl before one of the
previous books was published, that Petunia gave in to Dudley all the
time and gave him everything he wanted because she didn't want him to
get angry and show that he also is magical like Harry.  When magical
children are frightened or angry, they do magic without thinking so
she kept Dudley from anger just so he would never do accidental magic.
 It made perfect sense to me at the time. I still think the theory is
valid and could play out in book six or seven.  

This prediction still makes sense with the new information we have
been given such as Dudley being attacked by the dementors.  Would a
muggle even know a dementor was in the vicinity?  Yet Dudley
definitely felt them if he did not see them.  And we do know from a
JKR interview that someone becomes magical late in life.  This could
be Dudley and if so then he is a possiblility for the HPB.  In this
case "prince" would be used in a derogatory manner rather than a royal
title.

I wonder if the note from Dumbledore "Remember my last" was reminding
Petunia that Dudley's name was written on the Hogwarts list at his
birth and Dumbledore agreed to not send a letter to Dudley when he
turned eleven only if Petunia kept Harry at her home.  Dumbledore
could have made a deal with her to keep quiet about Dudley being
magical in exchange for her keeping Harry safe. Maybe Petunia is
keeping the house safe with her own magic.

I think magical Petunia dislikes Harry because she has to work even
harder at appearing to be pure muggle with him around.  It would be
easier to blend into the muggle world if she kept away from all
contact with the wizarding world.  Harry is a reminder of what she
left behind and also a reminder of the deal she made with Dumbledore.
It also has to be irritating to look at Harry and see your "perfect"
sister's eyes staring back at you.

Of course, none of this theory works if you cannot choose to be a
muggle.  So if someone can show me that it is impossible to turn your
back on the wizarding world, please let me know.

Minervakab