Attacking Dudley (was:Re: A contract is a contract is a contract.)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 143144

> >> Sheria_McCool:
> <snip>
> 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? 
> <snip>
> 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.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
This is movie contamination.  In the book Dudley was doing nothing 
(possibly huddling in the corner, I'm away from my books at the 
moment) when his father insulted Dumbledore.  Hagrid, in a fit of 
anger, chose to attack Dudley instead of Vernon.  Which was a weird 
choice of action for a good guy to take in my, and obviously the 
film writers', opinion.  So this is actually a perfect example of 
Dudley being undeservedly attacked.

> >>Sheria_McCool:
> 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.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Fat kids deserve what they get?  Sounds a little cruel to me.  Plus, 
Dudley was on a really severe diet at the time (as Fred and George 
knew and counted on) so I cut him a bit of slack here.

> >>Bruce (in message #143127):
> Had Petunia never told Dudley not to take candy from strangers?

Betsy Hp:
Again, this is a bit harsh, IMO.  Fred and George are friends of 
Dudley's cousin.  They've been invited into his home and I believe 
introduced to his parents.  They're hardly strangers.  Of course 
Petunia probably *did* teach Dudley to never trust a wizard.  
Unfortunately, the twins helped prove her point.

> >> Sheria_McCool:
> 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. 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Ah, but Dudley has been made well aware that wizards are 
untrustworthy and cruel.  Plus, Harry had just finished threatening 
him with his wand.  So I'm not sure Dudley was acting crazy (or 
bratty even) to assume Harry had something to do with the magical 
assult Dudley was experiencing at the time.

Betsy Hp