Theory on Petunia

[esmith222002]

No: HPFGUIDX 156639

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Pamela Rosen <pam_rosen at ...> 
wrote:
>
> 
> It seems that Vernon's hatred of all things magical, particularly 
Hogwarts, is completely unfounded. He doesn't recognize the wizards 
on the street the night Harry is brought to them. He doesn't have any 
idea what is going on. How does he know not to let Harry see his 
Hogwart's letter? Clearly he knows what it is, and yet he's never 
seen one. And yet, inexplicably, he accepts a magical child into his 
house, based on something that someone magical told him.  It doesn't 
make sense.  The finger is still pointing at Petunia, and what she 
knows, do you agree?
> 
> Pam
>

Brothergib:
It seems to me that if the DE's knew that Lily/James were dead and 
they still wanted to find Harry, they would look for 'next of kin' as 
the most obvious place to find Harry. Therefore, I imagine DD only 
told Petunia that like it or not she was Lily's sister and was 
therefore now embroiled in this matter. The DE's would come looking 
anyway and therefore Petunia and her family were in as much danger as 
anyone. If they take in Harry then DD could protect them as well as 
Harry.

This might also explain Vernon's hatred of the wizarding community 
(if he hadn't already obtained that directly from Petunia's 
prejudice). As far as Vernon is concerned, he is the innocent here. 
He has to take Harry in to protect his family from a bunch of loony 
wizards even though he has not been involved with this problem at any 
level.

I also think DD probably warned them that if they agreed to take 
Harry in and therefore seal the protection, then they would not be 
able to go back on their word. DD may even have threatened them - 
that would certainly explain 'Remember my last, Petunia'!

One last thing. DD calls her Petunia! I can't be sure, but I think 
that DD refers to Vernon as Mr. Dursley when they meet in HBP. DD is 
a very polite man and would not assume that he could call someone he 
didn't know by their first name (i'm trying to think of an 
example....Mrs. Cole at the orphanage!). Remember as well that this 
book is written by a Brit! We Brits regard 'manners' as the key to 
our society!!!!!!!! Therefore, the evidence suggests that DD 'knows' 
Petunia but has never met Vernon.  Also Petunia understands 
what 'Remember my last' refers to - Vernon hasn't got a clue. So it 
seems that DD and Petunia had met at least once!