Dumbledore and the Dursleys

[Alex Boyd]

No: HPFGUIDX 123166


Lupinlore wrote:

> I agree with most everything you say up to this part, Alex.  And the 
> reason I disagree is that, for whatever reason, Dumbledore IS the one 
> who makes the decision with regard to Harry.  He IS NOT simply 
> dropping him off in answer to some law or somebody else's decision.  
> He MADE the decision.

You're right that this is the weak point in my interpretation of the
scene.  However, are we absolutely sure that it *was* his call?  Did
he have the option of making other arrangements?  I'm looking at the
first chapter of SS/PS.  He says, "I've come to bring Harry to his
aunt and uncle.  They're the only family he has left now."  and then,
after iMcGongall protests, "It's the best place for him.  HIs aunt and
uncle will be able to explain everything to him when he's older." 
(page 13 of the Scholastic paperback). Now, it's reasonable to figure
that DD is implying, "*I've decided* it's the best place for him." 
But not necessarilly.  He could mean, "*according to what is usually
done and according to what we know about childrearing*, with relatives
is the best place."  Or something.  Are there other passages I've
forgotten about where DD says that he decided to leave Harry with the
Dursleys?  

And if it *was* his decision, my question is, where did he get the
authority to make that decision?  Did James and Lily leave a will to
that effect?  (And if so, why him and not Sirius?)  In the absence of
a will, it's generally assumed that an orphan will go to his nearest
relatives.  I think Dumbledore would have to have some specific
directive, either from Lily and James or from the Wizarding Department
of Social Welfare that I've postulated in order to make arrangements
*that differ from* what is usually done in that situation.  

It certainly would have been for the best if, having placed Harry with
the Dursleys, Dumbledore had paid attention to what happened
afterwards, but I remain unconvinced that he had a positive duty to do
so.  

Alex