DD's dilemma (was: Hogwarts Teachers - Lockhart)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 126347


Meltowne:

I think there are a few things we must take into consideration 
before we accuse Dumbledore of allowing the Dursleys to abuse Harry.
 
First is Dumbledore's definition of abuse - we know Neville was 
dropped out a window to see if he had any wizarding ability.  This 
suggests that the moral compass of wizards differs a bit from that 
of Muggles.  Maybe some of what we consider abuse isn't considered 
abuse by wizards because it doesn't really cause any harm to 
wizarding children.

Alla:

Yes, I evaluate the "abuse" issue by our, "muggle" standards. :o)
Personally I believe that even though wizard children are more prone 
to physical injuries, JKR did not drastically change the criteria of 
abuse as though she is writing about alien race. Hence her statement 
in the interview that Harry is abused ( the one where she talks 
about Dudley being just as abused as Harry), but that is of course 
just my personal belief. If JKR indeed is writing about the world, 
where what was done to Harry is considered to be OK, I don't think I 
like the morals of that world that much.


Meltowne
Second, we must ask how much Dumbledore really knew about the 
abuse.  He knew they weren't very friendly, and didn't like Harry, 
but did Arabella Figg know that he lived in the cupboard under the 
stair? She babysat on Dudley's birthday each year, but I doubt she 
knew much about what happened inside the house.  Even she said she 
couldn't risk being too nice, lest the Dursley find someone else 
(presumably who would be even worse) to watch him.

Alla:

Someone in Hogwarts surely knew about Harry's living conditions.

"Yet here it was, a letter addressed so plainly there could be no 
mistake:

Mr.H.Potter
The Cupboard Under the Stairs
4 Privet Drive
Litle Whinging
Surrey"         - PS/SS, p.34


Just my opinion,

Alla