[HPforGrownups] Re: Theory on Petunia

[Pamela Rosen]

No: HPFGUIDX 156497



Rebecca now:

Tantalizing and intriguing, I'm not totally sold. However, I *do* take note 
of the fact twice JKR's response about Petunia has been consistent: there's 
more to Petunia "than meets the eye." So, if you recall, Harry's POV more 
than once is that Petunia looks nothing like Lily. What if this is by 
design, specifically that Petunia's looks have been magically altered in 
some way by Dumbledore so she doesn't resemble Lily, at least to wizards? 
The protection afforded the Durselys takes on a double meaning by Harry's 
return there every year reinforcing Petunia's visage if she is indeed being 
disguised.

Rebecca, who recalls in this thread earlier that someone mentioned Petunia 
never goes out - recalling that she did once in PS/SS because Harry and 
Petunia run into Diggle while shopping. 

Pam:
Now this is a wild theory, so please don't flame me; I realize it's wild. We have been told nothing whatsoever about the Evanses, or what happened to them, and they would have the answer.  Suppose that both Lily and Petunia were born magical.  Suppose both Lily and Petunia went to Hogwarts (and this is how Dumbledore already knew Petunia.)  Suppose, now, that there were a spell that could be used to take away magical abilities for those who don't want them (or need to be banished forever from the wizarding community)--for example, if one were about to marry an avowed wizard-bigot. JKR said that Petunia will never display magical abilities, but I don't believe she ever said (please correct me if I'm wrong) that she never has.  
What do you think of the possibility that Vernon met the Evanses, who we know were proud of Lily's "witchiness", suppose Vernon had a wizard candy joke played on him or something when meeting the family (who would put that past James?) and Vernon had a purpleface fit and said he'd never marry a witch and Petunia took the opt-out spell?
That would explain Vernon's irrational fear of magical people even before Harry arrived, that would explain Petunia's knowledge of the magical world, Vernon's acceptance (such as it was) of Baby Harry (when else have we EVER seen Petunia stand up to Vernon?) and it would explain why, if it should happen, Dudley would acquire magical abilities as a late teenager.  Wild, but what do you think?

 

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