Identifying Enemies/Twins

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 141178

Magda:
 
> Nor am I clear on exactly how Dudley is punished for being a bully by
> being terrified out of his wits by an engorged tongue.  The twins
> never tie the result to his earlier sins against Harry so that he'd
> get the message not to bug Harry.

Finwitch:

Not tie it to Dudley's sins? I must disagree. The swollen tongue was a 
direct consequence of Dudley eating a stolen piece of candy, despite of 
his parents telling him not to eat any candy (or donuts for that 
matter) - and actually forbidding him something for the first time in 
his life. In addition, Dudley knew (via Harry) that magic is real.

Dudley had a choice and he chose to eat it-- then he had to suffer the 
consequences until this adult wizard shrunk his tongue.

So what changed? 1) Dudley appears quite fit in OOP - guess he *did* 
follow his diet all year, in addition to his boxing. 2) Dudley does not 
hit Harry, even if Harry deliberately annoys him with that Dudders-
business... So he's at least ensuing *some* self-control (though not 
with poor Mark Evans). I think it's good for him, actually.

Finwitch