[HPforGrownups] The Dursleys' fear of magic (Was: the whole Christian/Bap...

[puduhepa98 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 153940

>arol
<snip>
>I'd say that they have good reason to fear magic, increased with  every
book. Not that their fear in any way justifies their treatment  of
Harry, but it certainly explains their attempts to suppress his
magical  tendencies and their unwillingness to send him to Hogwarts in
the first  place, as well as their fear of what the neighbors will think.

>Carol,  hoping that Petunia will finally tell Harry what she knows
about GH and the  WW before he leaves the Dursleys forever 

Nikkalmati:
I agree with Carol's discussion about why the Dursley's fear magic and the  
gradual revelation that Petunia knows a lot more about magic than she pretends, 
 and that she is the one who agreed with DD to keep Harry.  Possibly, DD  
explained originally to Petunia that her safety and the safety of her family was  
ensured by giving Harry a home until he was of age.  Certainly, her  
agreement was unwilling and partly coerced (not by DD directly, but by the  situation 
resulting from her sister's death and the possibility DE's would come  looking 
for her).  In that case, we will see some changes in Book 7, as the  whole 
story comes out about Harry's "adoption" and DD's messages to  Petunia.  DD may 
also have left a letter with Petunia for Harry to  read when he comes of age. 
 
When the protection brought by Harry is gone, will Petunia finally  
acknowledge the WW and turn to Harry for forgiveness and protection?  Some  on the list 
have suggested that Harry will shelter them at Grimauld Place.   Harry will 
extend his forgiveness to the Dursley's as a first step in his own  "arc of 
redemption" or growth toward being a better person and worthy of  defeating LV 
through love.
 
Nikkalmati (who still wants to know what DD meant when he says to the  
Dursleys in HBP (US hardback at 56) "until we meet  again.")


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