Dumbledore & Dursleys-What DD Knew

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 123225


Alex Boyd:
> > > [DD] says, "His aunt and uncle will be able to explain 
> > > everything to him when he's older." (p. 13, Scholastic pbk). 
 
SSSusan [edited by Steve]:
> > ... speculation here about just how much DD knew about ... the 
> > Dursleys' home [and] ... Harry ....  Some assume he knew pretty 
> > much everything but chose to leave Harry there, *either* because 
> > it was the safest place for him *or* because DD didn't want 
> > Harry ... to be a pampered little prince ....  OTOH, some assume 
> > that DD really hasn't had much of a clue about the specifics....  
> > 
> > I think this statement above, from SS/PS, gives credence to the 
> > second view -- well, either that or DD lies.  
> > 
> > When Hagrid first appears, he is stunned that Harry does not know 
> > he's a wizard ... Surely if DD was aware ...., he'd have known 
> > whether Petunia & Vernon had told Harry the truth.  ...edited...
> > 
> > Does this get DD off the hook with some readers?  Or does it beg 
> > the question, "How could he have left Harry somewhere where he 
> > couldn't be monitored?" 
 
bboyminn:
> Why did Dumbledore chose to leave Harry at the Dursley?
> 
> First, it was Dumbledore who took on the task of arranging Harry's
> care....
> 
> Second, leaving Harry with the Dursleys sealed/activated 
> Dumbledore's Blood Protection Charm that further protected Harry
> 
> In addition, Dumbledore had Mrs. Figg in the neighborhood to keep an
> eye on things....
> 
> That should be sufficient to explain to anyone why Harry was at the
> Dursley's.
 

SSSusan:
You're actually preaching to the choir here, Steve, as I [don't shoot 
me, Lupinlore or Alla] do think DD made the right choice to leave 
Harry there.  I was wondering what the fact (if it's accepted as 
fact) that DD *didn't* know everything that happened there would do 
to those who've argued that DD should have stepped in.  I wondered if 
they would then argue that DD never should have left Harry there if 
he couldn't be monitored.


Steve [majorly snipped by Susan]:
> What did Dumbledore know?
> Well, he knew the Dursleys were not too fond of the wizard world
> slight understatement)....
>
> I seriously doubt that Dumbledore knew every little detail and
> every little event. I'm sure his knowledge consisted of general 
> status reports from Mrs. Figg, and perhaps an occassional covert 
> observation of his own....
>
> So, Dumbledore knows enough to know that safety still out weighs 
> comfort....


SSSusan:
What I'm curious about, still, is, do we BELIEVE that DD truly 
thought the Dursleys would tell Harry the truth about what happened 
to his parents, as he stated to McG when he left Harry there?  

And WAS he surprised to discover that the Dursleys had not told him?  

What does it mean that DD thought the Dursleys would do this but they 
didn't?  

Why didn't he find out somewhere along the way?  Did he ask about it, 
and the Dursleys lied?  It seems not, since "Remember my last, 
Petunia" referred to the letter left when Harry was a baby.  

Was it really not as important to DD as it at first seemed to be that 
Harry would know the truth?  It puzzles me.

Siriusly Snapey Susan