DD's Dilemma

[bbkkyy55]

No: HPFGUIDX 126363


I wonder how much exactly DD knew about Harry's treatment at the 
Dursleys.  In the discussion chapter of OOTP, when DD is talking to 
Harry about the first year, he says, 

"you arrived at Hogwarts, neither as happy nor as well nourished as I 
would have liked, perhaps, yet alive and healthy.  You were not a 
pampered little prince, but as normal a boy as I could have hoped 
under the circumstances.  Thus far, my plan was working well."

It sounds like DD was curious and pleased to find out that Harry was 
okay, if a little appalled at how poorly he was dressed and at how 
unhappy and skinny Harry was.  It sounds like this was the first time 
DD had personally seen Harry, though he may have gotten reports from 
Mrs. Figg and whoever or whatever.  I wonder if by some means DD 
could tell that Harry was alive and his room was "under the stairs", 
but didn't quite know the day to day conversations and what went on 
there.  And Mrs. Figg and some of the others seem odd enough that I 
can see them saying, 'Harry is okay, a little solemn, but 
otherwise fine.'  Since the WW never seem to be clued in on what 
proper Muggle dress is, maybe they thought Dudley's old clothes were 
just fine.  

Certainly DD must have known that the Dursleys would be less than 
ecstatic to have Harry.  I myself would absolutely love to see what 
was in that first letter addressed to the Dursleys.  Certainly 
Petunia at least had an understanding with DD about something in the 
arrangement that she didn't wholely share with Vernon.  I'm sure we 
will find out something about Petunia in the last books that will 
clarify her knowledge and position for us.  

I've also wondered if the Dursleys knew they were being abusive.  
They certainly spoiled Dudley horribly and ignored Harry, but maybe 
this was based on their own instincts and they were not totally aware 
of how things appeared from Harry's point of view.  They certainly 
seem very shallow and definitely not deep thinkers.  I can almost 
hear them saying.  

"Dudley's old clothes are still in good shape,  Harry should be happy 
to have them.  Harry was a room here and we provide his meals and buy 
his glasses send him to school with Dudley and all.  He's just fine, 
but just look at our Dudley wudley.  Isn't he special.  He's just the 
finest and best boy we know."

Some children would think it somewhat cool to have a neat little room 
under the stairs, Harry was small any way, so he fit just fine.  
Remember Vernon telling him in SS that Harry was getting too big for 
the cupboard under the stairs and that's why they were going to give 
him Dudleys second bedroom.  

I think the Dursleys were so extremely terrified of "MAGIC" that even 
looking at Harry scared them to death.  They seemed to think of him 
more as a bomb that might go off and blow there house up any minute.  
I don't know how much they knew about James and Lilys deaths, but 
enought probably to terrify them.

Bottom line, I don't think DD knew ALL the details of Harry's life at 
the Dursleys and I think the Dursleys were so terrified of Harry and 
his MAGIC and so doting of Dudley, they just didn't get it.


"bbkkyy55"