A contract is a contract is a contract.

[sheria_mccool]

No: HPFGUIDX 143075

Contract or no contract, Harry was still their nephew. One would think
that common decency would dictate that they take care of their own.
Yet they showed little to no, care nor respect for Harry. They may
have kept a roof over his head but that was the extent of their
kindness. To them he was no more than an irritation. Personally I
think there must be something more, as there always is. Because of
Dumbledore's howler "Remember my first". Evidentially Petunia and
Dumbledore have some kind of arrangement. Contract or no Harry is
still family to her and that does not excuse treating the last
remaining member of her extended family (as far as we know) like
garbage beneath her feet.

As for Dudley getting attacked and so on can any one really think of a
time besides the dementors that he did not perpetuate his own
situation? Each time he was the instigator of the attacks, or at least
hand some hand in what was happening to him. No one can call that
spoiled rotten bully, innocent by any means.  One can not expect not
to get burnt if they are playing with fire.  In the SS he pushed Harry
and ended up behind glass, that was innocent and Harry did not really
know that he had powers at that time. As for Hagrid putting a pig tail
on Dudley, seriously he did deserve that. He stole Harry's birthday
cake was `pigging' out on it, and took the cake with out even asking.
Personally I think the kid got what he deserved. He was a thief and a
overindulged overeater, his parented needed a good kick in the butt. 

Now Fred and George went a little over board when they left the
"Ton-Tongue Toffee" there for Dudley. But if the kid was not such a
pig then he would not have eaten it. Dudley is always stuffing his
face with candy and food. Can we not see that the two times that he
has gotten into serious trouble that has caused a charm, spell, or
hospital stay on him that he has been shoving food into his mouth. 
The Dementor attack Harry tried to save him from but the brat tried to
run from Harry and therefore brought the Dementors down on him. That
was not the dark wizard either if you will remember that was Umbridge.
So you can hardly say that Dumbledore is not upholding a contract if
the good guys are against them also sending Dementors to privet drive.
Also if you will remember he had the neighbor there for heaven knows
how long watching Harry. Who is to say that woman has not been there
his whole life and that she just has never been mentioned before. 

I think that Dumbledore did what he and to do. Petunia and her hate
for her sister being a witch (or maybe that is jealousy), and her lack
of a backbone when it comes to dictating anything to her husband or
son, has left her nephew as an outsider and unwanted. We just have at
least to thank that he did not turn out demented like Voldemort. 

As for Voldemort attacking the Dursley's I doubt that it would have
been a thought in her head. For all she knew he was gone. More so he
was not even a blip on her radar. So why would she have fear of a
wizard named Voldemort, if she did not believe in the WW and thought
her sister got what she deserved. Does not make much sense, does it?
So either it is all a ruse and she has lied her whole life and she
does believe in the WW and fear all of its evil or some theories are
far off. It cannot be both ways. Then again I could be wrong. But that
is my two senses on it. 

Sheria_McCool