[HPforGrownups] Re: The Dursleys

[Amanda Haffery]

No: HPFGUIDX 145812

Lealess:
> Putting aside the comeuppance aspects of this discussion, the odd 
> thing to me is that the Dursleys are the adults in the house they 
> own, and Harry is the child and, more-or-less, a guest.  The 
> Dursleys have apparently agreed to house Harry at Privet Drive.  
> Have the Dursleys invited Ron and Hermione to stay with them?  
> Isn't that what adults get to decide, not children?  I know 
> children can ask if their friends can stay over, but moving in to 
> live somewhere for who knows how long ... how can Harry, Ron or 
> Hermione decide that without the Dursleys' express invitation and 
> acceptance?  Did I miss something? Or is this just another example 
> of the magical world running over the Muggle world for its own 
> purposes (*if* Ron and Hermione stay at Privet Drive)?


Amanda:
Please don't take this as me saying that "parents" shouldn't be in 
charge...don't want people yelling at me lol. But when did the Dursleys ever care about Harry? They've always made him feel like slime for living there. They lied to him about his parents. They locked him in a cupboard. They fed him soup in a can once a day. Mr. Dursley would basically push Harry around. Harry's never been treated like a person until he went to the WW. And the only reason he found out how it was to be treated like a child and a person was because of the Weasleys and Hermione and the WW. The Dursleys abused Harry and that makes me feel that Harry has every right to use whatever he can to be in control when he's there. And I think that as Harry's surrogate "parents" they should be grateful to Harry's friends for 
keeping him safe therefore keeping the Dursleys safe. I feel Harry deserves an apology and should be given better treatment including letting his friends come and stay. It's not like they're allowed to use magic in the muggle world anyway. Unless it's an emergency. Those Dursleys need to show some compassion and be as fair to Harry as they are to Dudley. IMO

Amanda