Petunia and Lily (was why do people dislike this scene)

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 158085

I don't want to get into the whole "abuse" issue. We have been there 
and done that and no one is going to change their position on that 
one.  I just writing to agree with the age of the reader issue.

I am an "older" person. (50's) and I have always seen the Dursleys 
as fearful. As least Vernon and Petunia. Much of their actions, IMO, 
stem from fear.  They hide Harry under the stairs where you would 
put something scary that you didn't want to remember was in your 
home. It is where you would put something you wanted to control, but 
knew in your heart of hearts that you could not control.  (And add 
the whole thing of the worst kind of Wizards gunning for the kid, 
and you have a very scary situation indeed.)

I agree with Ceridwen, a magical child would be very scary for a 
Muggle family.  I love the idea of WW social workers helping the 
family learn to cope with the child.  Why even a program where a WW 
mother with lots of experience could come for tea would be helpful.  
I can see Molly and Petunia doing that.  I think that Petunia might 
not be as afraid as Vernon is. She at least has been exposed to the 
magical world.  Vernon on the other hand is more than just scared, 
he is terrified.  I am surprised the poor man hasn't had a heart 
attack over it. 

It is Vernon who is the most abusive and this is in direct 
proportion to his sense of terror.  He absolutely loses it at times 
and goes right off the deep end.  Poor man.

As to Petunia.  I think that she should get a little credit.  After 
all she did do what was right over what was easy, when it came to 
taking Harry in and also when she insisted that he must stay.  I 
don't think that was all because of her fear of DD either.  I think 
she did it out of duty to her sister, her blood.  And she did it at 
great cost and risk to herself and to her husband and her "only 
son". 

Tonks_op