Dumbledore & Dursleys-What DD Knew

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 123305


<SNIP>
> 
> I think even Dumbledore, in hindsight, would agree that he should have
> gotten involved at some point to insure better treatment for Harry,
> but every time those doubts and concerns came up, Dumbledore just
> reminded himself that unpleasant as the Dursley's may be, it is still
> the safest place for Harry.
> 
> Also, remember that Dumbledore is administering all this from 500
> miles (fair guess) away over 10 years time, and with a very busy
> schedule. I'm not necessarily offering that as an excuse, but it is an
> explanation. Conversely, just because it can be explained, doesn't
> necessarily mean it should be excused. 
> 
> None the less, I think that is at the heart of the matter. From his
> distant outpost and with his limted information, Dumbledore just kept
> reminding himself that it was best to keep Harry out of the wizard
> world and under the protection of his family's blood.
> 

Very good points, Steve.  Let me see if I've got your arguments
straight.  Essentially you are arguing that Dumbledore is a "frog in
hot water" in this particular scenario (i.e. if you put a frog in a
pot of hot water it'll hop out but if you put it a pot of cold water
and gradually turn up the heat it'll sit their until it dies).  He
keeps reminding himself of the (very real) dangers Harry might face in
the WW, and over time let's himself get "used" to the situation. 
Finally (say in OOTP) he looks back and says something like "how did I
ever allow things to come to this?" thus perhaps instigating the
confrontation at the train station between the Order and the Dursleys.

That is a very believable scenario.  Like most such, it explains
without, as you say, excusing.  However, like most such scenarios it
falls afoul of the "epitome of goodness" definition that JKR has laid
down for DD.  I.E. such neglect does not equal "epitome of goodness."


Lupinlore