remember my last

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 174778

Terri:
> In DH, the Dursley's have to evacuate their home because the magic 
> that protects Harry lifts on his birth day and that exposes them as 
> well.  Could it be that the reason Petunia took Harry in was to 
> protect her family as well as him.  Perhaps DD explained to her in 
> the letter he left with baby Harry, that if she didn't give Harry a 
> home, her family was in danger from the death eaters.  So by giving 
> Harry protection, she could protect her own family.  That would be a 
> bitter place to be for her, her family is endangered because of 
> Harry and he is their only protection.
> 
> So when Uncle Vernon was going to throw Harry out because of the 
> dementor attack, DD reminded Petunia about his last letter.  So she 
> knew that if Harry left, her family was in danger and she had to 
> keep him.

SSSusan:
That has always been my belief and contention as well, Terri -- that 
DD had offered protection to the Dursleys as well as to Harry, that 
that was part of the 'deal' the Dursleys sealed when they agreed to 
take Harry in.  Thing is... unless I missed something, we didn't get 
any confirmation (or refutation, either) of this in canon.  So unless 
JKR elects to address this one some time in an interview or chat, I 
don't know that we'll ever find out.

Not quite related but sort of... I have wondered since reading DH if 
perhaps Petunia still *did* harbor some kind or fond feelings towards 
her sister after all.  I mean, we know how horrible she was to Harry, 
how much she resented him in their life, but I wonder now if maybe a 
part of her really did think she *ought* to take Lily's child in, not 
just that she felt compelled to do so by DD?  Maybe it was Lily's 
reference to that horrible vase?  It may have been horrible, but it 
did show that Tuney & Lily were still in contact & sending one another 
presents, right?  

Siriusly Snapey Susan