Lily's Letter

[colebiancardi]

No: HPFGUIDX 173456

> Hollie wrote:
> <snip>  In the letter that Harry finds in
> Sirius's bedroom, Lily mentioned that Harry had "smashed a horrible
> vase Petunia sent me for Christmas..."  (DH, page 180, US edition)
> Haven't we been led to believe (unless I'm mistaken) that Petunia
> more or less disowned her sister?  <snipping>
> 
> 
> Lesley:
> 

> He says it on the very first page (PS UK edition). I wondered about
> this as well but I've just quickly re-read it and although it says
> they've not met in several years I think they must have kept in
touch as they knew about Harry's existence.
> 
> Perhaps it was just a birthday and Christmas thing, I think if the
> Potters sent them cards or presents they would feel obligated to
> send something back.  What do you think?
 
colebiancardi

Don't forget that the Dursleys do send Harry *Christmas* presents -
and I use those words lightly.  The first year, he received a
fifty-pence piece.  The second year, they sent him a toothpick.  I
don't believe they sent him anything the 3rd year, as I do not see a
mention in the book - maybe they did, but it got overlooked by the
Firebolt <eg>   The fourth year, they gave him a tissue.  I guess for
the fifth year, they couldn't get a present to #12 Grimmauult Place. 
 Same for the 6th year, when Harry spent it with the Weasleys -
however, Kreacher managed to send him a large package of maggots!

You know what they say - it isn't the gift, but the thought that
counts?  Well, in these cases, those thoughts were nasty <vbeg>

Petunia has always been a passive-aggressive character in my eyes. 
She sends *presents* but picks out the worst things in the world, or
in Harry's case, as an afterthought - as if she was just happening to
be cleaning out the *stuff* in her car and just stuffed one of those
discarded items into a box and sent it off to Harry.  Perhaps Petunia
really took the meaning of re-gifting to heart.  As in re-gifting
using her trash.


colebiancardi