Twins and Dudley

[kchuplis]

No: HPFGUIDX 145754

> Carol responds:
> But the lengthening and swelling of Dudley's tongue was not some funny
> little prank like turning Neville (momentarily) into a canary when
> Neville ate a canary cream. Now if *that* had happened to Dudley, I'd
> have laughed.
> 
> But choking on one's tongue, asphyxiating, is a horrible way to die,
> and I'm sure that Dudley thought he was dying (not to mention that his
> mother was pulling on his tongue, not realizing what it was, in her
> misguided attempt to save him). 

Now, you see, when I read it, it is Petunia's useless interfering which always seemed 
the more dangerous to me.  When Arthur attempts to get them to let him fix it GoF 
pg. 49 (astericks mine) 

"But far from being reassured, the Dursley's became more panic stricken; Aunt 
Petunia was sobbing hysterically, tugging Duddley's tongue as though determined to 
rip it out; Dudley *appeared* to be suffocating under the combined pressure of his 
mother and his tongue;"

He *appeared* to be suffocating. I'm still not convinced by any means that he WAS 
suffocating and Petunia was making matters worse (because just as wizards don't 
seem to listen to muggles, the muggles aren't listening to the wizard's either; 
particularly the Dursley's). 

I'm never sure why people think he is dying. It's a very farcical scene and, I think, 
intended only as such.

kchuplis