why couldn't Vernon Dursley hold Harry

[Chris]

No: HPFGUIDX 131606

> Yesterday, I started listening to OotP and once again I've noticed 
>another reference to someone being unable to hold Harry - this time, 
>Uncle Vernon. 

<snip> 

> Now, in OotP, we read that Uncle Vernon couldn't.  As far as I'm 
>aware, the only other time Uncle Vernon grabbed Harry was in CoS, 
>when he dragged him upstairs, following the letter threatening 
>expulsion from Hogwarts if any magic was performed during holiday 
>time.  So I'm wondering whether this incident in OotP was either 
some magic inside Harry, or once again, help from Lily. 
> Derek

   I think this would be the sort of *wandless* magic we've seen from 
Harry before. He is able to perform magic when he is feeling intense 
emotion. He made the glass disappear from the boa constrictor's cage
(SS,p.28, Sch. PB)after Dudley had pushed him to the floor. He blew 
up Aunt Marge like a balloon while she was criticizing him and his 
parents(CoS, p.29, Sch. PB). At other times as well, though I don't 
have specific page references.
   On this occasion, he had just bumped his head on the window sill 
after hearing Mundungus disapparate(OoTP, p. 4, Sch. HB). "Then, as 
the pain in the top of Harry's head gave a particulary nasty throb, 
Uncle Vernon yelped and released Harry as though he had received an 
electric shock-some invisible force seemed to have surged through his 
nephew, making him impossible to hold(p.5). The sudden pain from the 
bump on his head, coupled with Vernon grabbing him through the window 
probably made Harry a little angry. I think no outside intervention, 
just anger causing the magic within to swell a little bit.

Chris
labmystc