What did Dudley see with the Dementors? (WAS: Theory on Petunia)

[abergoat]

No: HPFGUIDX 156619


Ken wrote:
> Dudley has given some testimony on what he experienced when the 
> dementor attacked him. In general he describes feeling horrible, 
> cold, really cold, and as if, as if , as if you'd never be happy 
> again?

Abergoat suggests:
What about Dudley's worst memory being the day he realized he was no
longer an 'only child'? At 15 months I think he would have been old
enough to realize the significance of another baby...but perhaps
someone with experience in childrearing can tell us more.

I understand that parents are encouraged to handle a toddler's
transition from only child to 'older sibling' carefully. Dudley
wouldn't have had that preparation - he would have woken up to sharing
the house with another toddler...and a 15 months his understanding
would be sufficiently limited that no matter what his parents said to
him the fact that he couldn't scream and get rid of the 'unwanted
competition' must have been the first time in his young life that
screaming didn't get him what he wanted. It must have been a horrible
shock...one that it seems his parents are still trying to make up for.

Just a guess, but I think it fits with all the Dursleys' personalities.

Abergoat