[HPforGrownups] Dursleys and Harry (wasn Re: Will Harry really die in the 7 th book)

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 156954

> Ashley 
> > Am I the only one who thinks what the Dursleys did to him was abuse?
>
> Ryan:
>
> I think you'd have a difficult time finding someone who DOESN'T think 
> that what the Dursleys did to Harry was abuse.


Random832
Lots of people, in claiming that he's not physically abused, tend to argue
the point so passionately as to appear to be saying that what they did to
him was not any kind of abuse.

--

Sherry now:

I consider locking a child in a cupboard, putting bars on his window and
starving him to be abuse, both physical and mental.  However, for more
evidence, in HBP, chapter three, when Harry is coming down the stairs to
meet Dumbledore, there is this juicy little throw away line,

"long experience had taught Harry to stay out of the reach of Uncle Vernon's
arm..."

I am not quoting that directly, going on memory, as my books are packed
away.  But my paraphrase is essentially correct, and I've quoted it verbatim
here before.  That line tells me, Harry had a reason to fear getting within
arm's reach of Vernon Dursley.

They also let Dudley beat him up regularly, and Vernon even tells Dudley to
hit Harry with his Smelting Stick.

That's why I love chapter three of HBP, because I love every minute of
seeing the Dursleys get even a tiny bit back of what they deserve after
treating any child as they did Harry.

Sherry