[HPforGrownups] "Remember my last!" and Dudley's new word

[Lenore]

No: HPFGUIDX 171305


MJ:
>In Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 1, Vernon comes home after seeing owls and
>wizards all day and Petunia tells him Dudley has learned a new
>word, "Won't!" (page 6).
>
>Wouldn't it be interesting to find out that he learned that word from
>Petunia, who responded that way when she found out the Potters had been
>killed and Dumbledore was bringing Harry to her to take care of?
>
>A shot in the dark idea, I know.  But . . . .
>
>With this thought in mind, that Dumbledore had communicated with her
>prior to bringing Harry to the Dursleys overnight, it's easy to look at
>her conversation with Vernon after dinner differently.  She's had
>enough of talking about the Potters that day, so she speaks sharply and
>snaps at Vernon when he brings them up again.

Lenore here:
I've had precisely the same thoughts about Petunia's overreactions
to Mr. Dursley's comments, viz., her speaking sharply and snapping
at Mr. D.

She also spoke "stiffly" and "sipped her tea with pursed lips"...
She definitely seems more than average bothered and unnerved
in this scene.  There's more going on here than just her usual
touchiness around this touchy subject.

I agree that it sounds as though a raw nerve has been jarred
on that day for her as well, and the most obvious source would
be an unexpected owl message from DD.

But I hadn't made a connection with Dudley's new word, and
I think that was "bloody brilliant" of you (to use Ron's words).
It works great as a doubly subtle clue.  I loved your "shot in
the dark".

Lenore