Peril on Privet Drive (Was: DD and Lily's Charm)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 135150

> Carol responds:
> Possibly I'm making a mistake in responding to this post since I'll
> only have one left, but I can't let this idea go by. I think you're
> absolutely right that something terrible will happen on Privet
> Drive at midnight as July 29 turns into July 30, but IMO it would 
> be in the last degree irresponsible if Harry left three helpless
> Muggles to face Death Eaters or Dementors alone. Yes, the Dursleys
> have treated Harry poorly, but neglecting Harry and
> psychologically abusing him because they're terrified of magic is
> not sufficiently evil (in my view) to earn them such a horrible
> fate. 

Jen: I'll use up my last post on this one! (Waves to Carol). 
Basically we know Harry *won't* leave them high and dry. I feel 
almost 100% sure of that. It's in his genes or something, 
that 'saving people thing'. In the moment, he won't for think for a 
minute about all the wrongs done to him or anything so mundane. 
He'll whip his wand out like he did with the Dementors in the alley 
and do everything he can.

*Jen smiles here, thinking of Harry saving Vernon's life and 
wondering if a life debt might be in order? Hehehe.*

Another possibility: Harry leaves Privet Dr. before his birthday 
with time to spare. He'll realize the danger to the Dursleys even if 
they don't totally get it. And Dumbledore made it sound like Harry 
just needs to stay at the Dursleys one last time, for how long we 
don't know--a day, a week? But long enough to invoke the protection 
to last until age 17. Maybe we won't even see a battle at Privet Dr. 

Carol:
> One last point--IMO it's too late for protective charms. Seventeen
> isthe age of majority in the WW. Harry, boy though he will still
> seem to many of us, will be a man in his own eyes and in the eyes
> of the WW. No hiding now; no protection. He must fight his own 
> battles, with the help of his friends while he has them, and maybe
> the help of an enemy as well. But the time for protective charms
> has ended.

Jen: This is another reason why he'll probably leave early. there's 
nothing for him at the Dursleys anymore, just an opportunity to 
update his protection for a month or so. He'll want to be on his way 
as quickly as possible, get on with the Horcruxes. 

Valky:
> He decides to get them to go into hiding. By hook or by crook he'll
> get the silly Dursleys into a safe place to protect them. But the
> only place he owns and can use is .. Grimmauld Place.. 
> 
> So he secret keeps for the Dursleys and moves them unceremoniously
> into his Godfather's old very very magical home, with Mrs Blacks
> freaky old portrait, boggarts in the cupboards, doxys and other
> such things that their nightmares are made of. How touching it
> would be for Harry to give his only possession to the awful
> Dursleys and secretkeep for them to protect their lives. And how
> fitting and apt for them to have no choice but to live in the 
> Magical Grim Old Place.. 

Jen: How deliciously fiendish of you, Valky! Petunia cleaning house 
while Kreacher follows her around muttering; Vernon taking a peek at 
the "Toujours Pur" tapestry and huffing about the dubious lineage; 
Dudley having a run-in with a maniacal pair of tweezers....plot 
possibilities are endless here. ;)

Jen, still giggling at the image of Petunia's first glimpse of the 
House Elf Wall of Fame.