The Dursleys

[Thayet]

The Dursleys are in the next book, and there's stuff coming with them that people might not expect.

Hmmm....what could that be?

[Emma]

I want to know why Petunia was not picked to go to Hogworts. Why only Lilly? Why are they so against the magical world. They do know about it. So why don't they except it?

If Petunia is Lilly's sister can she do magic? Can Duddley? Are they Half Bloods? Or like Hermionie? No Wizard Blood at all?

Why don't we hear of James' family?

[Kneazle]

Lily was a muggleborn, so Petunia wouldn't have to have been magic. She was just born a muggle.

I think the Dursleys will do something to help Harry. Something completely against their nature. Fighting for him, maybe, or accepting magic. :shrug: I don't know, but I don't think they're as bad as they appear to be. I believe JK said to watch Dudley. I think there's much hope left for him. I don't think he'll turn out to be a wizard or anything but his opinions and characteristics aren't so decided as his parents'.

[Kchelle05]

I think it would be so completely hilarious if Dudley turned out to be a wizard only he bloomed late. lol. I think Petunias just jealous the lily was a witch and she wasn't. even though she may act like it some times.(hehe little joke) Have you ever noticed that Petunia and Lily both have flower names.(had to point that out) Yeah i was wondering why we didn't hear about James' side of the family too. :wave:

[Thayet]

Perhaps *gasp* Lily wasnt the only witch. Petunia might have been, but wasnt allowed to go because their parents couldn't afford it or something!!!

[Ghost]

If that was the case, none of the Weasleys would ever have got to go. :p

[Manyasha]

I've heard a crazy theory that Dudley is a wizard. Petunia tried to do anything to prevent it, but Dudley will be able to use his magical powers. :eek: Anyway, a crazy idea. I doubt it's true. Poor uncle Vernon :elaugh:

[Alizeseeker27]

I think that it is possible that Petunia could have magic in her blood, but she doesn't believe in it enough to be in touch with it...or something like that. Has anyone here heard the rumor that says that Molly Weasley who's second cousin who is a muggle is Lily's parent? I don't know where I heard it and I thought that it sounded totally insain, but then I spent sometime (Ok, a lot of time!) thinking about it and it makes since. If it's Molly's second cousin that would make them about 70 (Saying that Mrs. Weasley is about 50)That would make them old enough to be Lily's parents and Harry's grandparents. That would make Ron and Harry like fifth cousins or something (I'm not sure how that works) It sounds far fetched, but it's worth thinking about. I mean Lily does have red hair like the Weasley's and JKR said that Lily's eye color will be important in the future books. I don't know...tell me if that makes sense to anyone?

[AngelinaJ]

Do you think Petunia is a squib like Mr. Filch? :??: That would be so hilarious. Petunia did sound a little jealous when she yelled at Harry about Lily blowing herself up (aka Voldemort murdering her). It's a lame theory of mine..but anything can happen in the Harry Potter world! :D

P.S. I don't think Mrs. Weasley is 50. :grin:

[Elangomatt]

First of all, I really want to know why virtually everyone beleives Lily is muggle born. I have read the books quite a few times (ok well probably way too many times) and I see alot of places where it says she is muggle born, but nobody of any importance that would know for sure ever says it. I say that Lily's parents were magical and either chose to hide their magical abilty from everyone or were asked to hide their abilities from everyone a long time ago so everyone thinks they are muggles. I have no idea why they would hide themselves, possibly to protect their heir to a hogwarts house thing, but I don't know.

One supporting fact for this theory was Lily's parents reaction to being accepted at Hogwarts. To quote Petunia (well not exact, but close): "Our parent's were so proud the day Lily got her letter. We have a witch in the Family!!". I don't think Lily's parents would be proud right away if they were muggles. It would be a big shock to most muggles conisdering that they never knew the magical world existed. I think many muggle parents might be proud later once the figure out what all this magic stuff is about, but not right away. There is also the fact that Petunia is I feel abnormally against the idea of wizards and witches. I think it is just jealousy that she did not get to become a witch (well not yet anyway but I think something will happen with her).

Here is another kindof weird thing I have noticed. In book one when Harry, Dudley, Piers, Petunia, and Vernon were all at the zoo, Harry was talking to the snake of course. A few paragraphs after they all calm down a bit, Piers says "Harry was talking to it, weren't you Harry?" Anyone see anything weird about that?? Considering the fact that everyone that hears Harry when he is talking to a snake simply hears hissing and spitting (like a snake makes), I think there may be a possibility that Piers is a wizard as well (and a parselmouth). This seems off the wall even to me, but I can't pass up that theory. I don't even have any idea why Piers would be a wizard unless maybe he is there to keep an eye on another young wizard by the name of Dudley? Comments please?

[Alizeseeker27]

I agree that it is weird that Lily's parents were so excited, but I don't think they were wizards, and I don't think that Dudley is a wizard either. Unless he is a squib:??: hmmmmm..........

[dorcasderr]

I have wondered whether Petunia Dursley was a squib also. When in Book 1, Hagrid arrives at the island to take Harry to Diagon Alley, he calls Vernon Dursley "a great Muggle". He neither speaks to nor refers to Petunia however. If she were a squib she would never have been invited to Hogwarts in the first place & Hagrid might never have met her. It would also explain her venomous reaction to her sister's magical ability. So, I think it is a possibility she came from a magical family, but probably one who lived in the Muggle world for some reason. Perhaps this is the "something huge" we are rumored to be about learn about Lily Potter in Book 5.

[Tinkie]

Hmmm you never know what may happen in books. maybe Petunia or Dudley are a bit magical and they dont know it... maybe when she was young she learnt she could be a witch but had to give it up because of Vernon... (that would be funny... i cant imagine her romantic...)

[3 Magic Beans]

Originally posted by Elangomatt
I think there may be a possibility that Piers is a wizard as well (and a parselmouth). This seems off the wall even to me, but I can't pass up that theory.
I somehow doubt that Piers is a wizard and I think that it is very highly unlikely that he is a parselmouth since those are so rare. It would be a huge coincedence (sp?) if there were two of them who were the same age and knew each other before they knew they were wizards. Also I think I remember that the books said that Piers was also going to Smeltings which I'm pretty sure is not a wizarding school. ;)

[dorcasderr]

In reply to Crystalfairy. Petunia could indeed be a squib. The point about squibs is, that though they come from a magical background, they can DO NO MAGIC. Take a close look at Argus Filch. He is a squib.

[JenBluffheid]

Yes, we hardly know anything about Piers; he only appears briefly in the first book.

I, personally, think that Petunia has some magic in her veins. Which could possibly be passed down to Dudley. Vernon having magic in him would be highly wrong.

Petunia or Dudley seem more capable of having magic in them. Vernon doesn't know much about - he just doesn't care to find out.

[cristalfairy]

Originally posted by dorcasderr
In reply to Crystalfairy. Petunia could indeed be a squib. The point about squibs is, that though they come from a magical background, they can DO NO MAGIC. Take a close look at Argus Filch. He is a squib.

I'm not contesting the fact that Petunia could be a squib, just the fact that she could not do magic if her life depended on it and it may. Because she would have done it at times when she was terrified or furious, like Harry did. What I was contesting was the fact of Dudley being a squib, and yes your example is perfect, Argus Filch, comes from a wizard family and does not have any magical powers therefore he is a squib, Dudley comes from a family with no magical powers, and therefore does not have any magical power. Aunt Lily? she is the case of Hermione, a witch borne on a non magical family. capice?

[Sam]

I wonder if the Dursleys are the ones that die in this book.
Although, I remember reading somwhere that JK said that the death would be "very hard to write" and I can't imagine killing off the Dursleys would be hard.

But, I do think it would be funny if it came out that Petunia was a Sqib. Interesting, and it would explain a lot.

Just a thought.

[Divi]

I think we're going to find out a bit more about why the Dursleys decided to keep Harry when he was a baby. The way that they treated him in the first and second books makes it look like he's severely deprived, but I don't think he was treated the same way when he was a baby. I think there's more of a reason that they kept him than "well, he was there at the doorstep". And maybe we'll find out what that old magic protection is that keeps Harry safe when he's with the Dursleys, which I think is linked to Arabella Figg. Many things that JKR said we'd find out more about seem to be linked together.

[HogwartsChaplain]

I wonder.... If Petunia were to turn out to be a witch (having assumed she is a squib), would Vernon adjust to life with a witch-wife, or would he divorce her?

[dorcasderr]

I think Vernon would be flabbergasted and outraged but, in the end, I think he would adjust. The same would probably happen if Dudley were to blossom forth with magical tendencies, with the added development of blaming of Petunia for this disaster.

[cristalfairy]

Yea well, if Petunia were able to do magic, I suppose Vernon would have a fit, but maybe if he saw the material bennefit, he was to make from it he would not be so unhappy.
But let the record show that I stay with my previous theories, that Petunia and Duddley can not do magic. But hey that's just me.:D

[dorcasderr]

I agree that IF magic surfaces in the Dursley househod that Vernon's adjustment to it would definitely be aided, if not triggered by GREED. Even more interesting would be Petunia's reaction to her own budding magical ability. If Dudley were to show magical tendencies she'd be pleased as punch becquse Dudleykins can do no wrong.

[HogwartsChaplain]

And wizard Dudleykins also would be their protection against Harry and the rest of the wizarding world. I think that at some level, the Dursleys still fear those who have magic.

[raeredeyes]

Perhaps one of Lily's parents was not a wizard, but a squib. That would explain why they were so proud that there was a witch in the family. Perhaps thats also why Petunia was so vehement that Harry be brought up as a muggle - she was bitter and twisted that her sis got all the talent.

Or perhaps Petunia has latent talents that could be used by Harry or someone else...?

[dorcasderr]

That's also a Very good explanation of Lily's reaction to magic. She displays a great deal of anger about the whole thing because she feels left out.

[Alicia_Potter]

I sort of agree with Divi. After all, why didn't they just send Harry to the orphanage (spelling?)? I suppose it was because they didn't want the world to find out the Harry was a wizard? As for Petunia being a witch, I doubt it. I also agree that she is probably just jealous because her parents were always going on, and on about Lily.

[hermownninny]

Petunia has no magic - shes bitter because hersister hadmagical powers and she didnt.

Thayet, I'm just telling what was on that email....

First of all, you just infer that petunia did not have magic; maybe she just did not have enough to go into Hogwarts....maybe she hated it and tried to take it out of herself....

Second, I did not say that petunia had magic....I said that Lily put a charm on her to protect Harry; she probably does not even know that she has it.....Well, now it is not useful anymore....

[HogwartsChaplain]

Or, as has been discussed many times, no one would be forced to attend Hogwarts. It's always possible that Petunia also received an invitation, but declined. For instance, if she had been dating someone, she might have wanted to remain in the muggle world. And someone like Vernon Dursley never would have understood that his girlfriend was going to attend wizard school.

[hermownninny]

HogwartsChaplain
Yeah, that could be true too...

But, in the email....OK, I know I'm been annoying with this.....says that after Voldemort killed Petunia's mother she went to live with her dad (seems like they were divorced) and then she met Vernon... Lily eventually went to live with Mrs Figg...They knew Mrs. Figg since before....

Ok...wait, I'll send it to you...just check your email OK?

[HogwartsChaplain]

Okay. I'll look forward to receiving it. Sounds interesting!

[hermownninny]

Done..Check it now.... It was sent to your email...here, in CoS forums

[cristalfairy]

:o Sorry to interrupt you guys, but that just sounds like a bunch of Fan Fiction to me.:o

[Puffskein]

I've just had a weird thought...if I remember, Dudley's friend Piers Polkiss looks like a rat...and has the same initials as our other human rat! Probably just a coincidence.

I was wondering why the Evans parents were proud to have a witch in the family. The idea of one of them being a squib makes sense. Presumably magical ability can skip generations, and the muggle blood came out in Petunia while Lily got the magic.

I think the Dursleys carry on looking after Harry because they are frightened of what will happen if they don't. We might find out what this is in the next book.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, I think on the note when they got Harry, it could of said terrible things would happen if they didn't look after Harry.

[Sam]

I still think that the Dursley's-although they may not know it-are human. They really have a need to take care of Harry and love him.

AHAHAHAHAHAH **I'm sorry, I couldn't keep a straight face**

But seriously, I'll be interested to see how Harry survives the summer.

[gred&forge4ever]

At first I thought that Auntie P was a squib. However, since Ron said that squibs are rare, here is my new thought.

Vernon seems to know too much about magic for a regular Muggle. I know that he is married to Auntie P, however, she is very ashamed of being associated with witchcraft. I am sure that she felt compelled to tell Vernon about Lily, but only the fact that she is a witch and to stay away.

Vernon knows: shooting stars, owls and cloaks are witch things and refers to Dumbledore as a "crackpot old fool", How does he know that DD is old?

Here is my theory: 1. Vernon has a family member, perhaps a previously unmentioned sibling, that is a witch or wizard. That would explain how he and Auntie P are bonded and their negetive feelings about magic.

Any thoughts?

[Elangomatt]

Interesting theory. That is something I have considered, but is as likely or unlikely as the rest of our theories. I think what we all need is a new book to chew on!!

Seriously though, that line of reasoning seems logical. I have been trying to figure out what the reason for Vernon's attitude is too. One thing against you theory though, is if Vernon and Marge have a magical sibling, then why is Vernon keeping what Harry is away from his sister? If Marge's attitude about magic is the same as Vernon's she would be even nastier towards Harry with that info.

[Weatherby]

I really doubt Petunia is a squib or that Vernon knows magic. He despises anything unnormal. They are just judgemental pricks.

[Llopin]

Petunia and Vernon don't have to do anything with magic, they just have the bad fate of having a wizard in their family, but they're normal muggles (who have been in light contact with magic because of Harry). They hate wizards, and so they hate Harry. They just had bad luck.

[Sinistra]

Another twist would be that Vernon was married before Petunia to a witch, and didn't find out until after the wedding. That's what happened with Seamus. Unlike Seamus' parents, and like Ridddle's, Vernon divorced her right away because he wanted a normal wife. Maybe Dudley has an older half-sibling out there somewhere? (Marcus Flint?)

Otherwise a sibling (or other relative) of Vernon's as a witch or wizard seems logical. And he could be keeping it from Marge simply because he doesn't want her to know he is sadddled with it again. Then, maybe she was told and that's why she treats Harry so badly. He doesn't want Marge to know Harry goes to Hogwarts, because she would think Vernon weak for allowing that.

[Weatherby]

I don't think they told Marge. Noo.. Vernon would never allow his family to learn the truth.
She thinks Harry's dad was a deadbeat.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Originally posted by gred&forge4ever
Vernon knows: shooting stars, owls and cloaks are witch things and refers to Dumbledore as a "crackpot old fool", How does he know that DD is old?

Lily told Petunia (or Petunia overheard), and she in turn told him?

Vernon strikes me as a man who's formed a very negative opinion based on far too few facts, most of which he probably got from his wife, who has a rather large bias and far too little first-hand experience herself.

[GodricSlytherin]

Well, I sort of think that Vernon might have had some encounter with a magical person and they may have cast a spell on him or something. Couldn't the ministry or DD put some kind of mind thing on them to make them nice to Harry. They do know magic..but anything that advanced?

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Originally posted by GodricSlytherin
Couldn't the ministry or DD put some kind of mind thing on them to make them nice to Harry. They do know magic..but anything that advanced?

That's probably too close to mind control (if it doesn't actually qualify, which I think it might) to be ethical.

[nimbus2006]

I just read on another site that its DUDLEY!! I had never considered him before, but now that I am thinking about it, it makes more sense. He would be doing it late in life, even if he is just 15. And he would have gotten some wizard blood from aunt petunia, even though we know that lily was muggleborn. OK, for get i said anything, because i dont like the theory either. hahaha, sorry to have bothered you. :mustdash:

[dobbygirl]

Knowing so much about the magical world is just too suspicious for me not to think that he hasn't had some experience with it before he met Petunia. On the other hand, I agree with Rowena that they both could be making judgements based on very limited facts. Let's face it, neither of them knew that Harry couldn't do magic outside of Hogwarts, and that's something that Petunia should have known.

[symplet]

Originally posted by gred&forge4ever
How does he know that DD is old?
Maybe he just based that on the fact that most schoo principal are old, or because most wizards in the muggle fairy tales are discribed as "old with a long white beard!"

[xicanti]

I think there's certainly enough small tidbits to support his having had a previous involvement with magic, either through a sibling or a first wife, but they're planted in such a way that Vernon could just as easily be a nasty, judgemental guy with no reasoning behind his feelings.

[dorcasderr]

True Xicanti, but ther theory that Uncle Vernon had a previous exposure to magic is just TOO delicious. That the exposure could come from his family is even more compelling. Aunt Marge hates anything magic for the same reason. And I agree that Vernon would never tell her that Harry was attending Hogwarts for fear of losing face.

[Sinistra]

Vernon and Petunia did have the original letter from Dumbledore, and so they know of him from that. As to crackpot old fool, we don't know what Dumbledore wrote in that letter. But knowing Dumbledore, he may have explained a few things and because of that Vernon labels him a crackpot old fool. And if Dumbledore is headmaster in 1981 and still in 1991, calling him old isn't too far a reach.

But Vernon is more wary of magic than Petunia is. Petunia is more upset with Lily being special, to her detriment. It probably doesn't matter why Lily was special to Petunia. Vernon is not pleased with abnormalities of any kind, imagination, dreams and magic all included.

[pegoheart144]

What if Vernon is the one who's a squib? That could put a different twist on things.

[Iam Cedric Diggory]

I seriously think that the Vernon's marriage is there for a reason. Remember in GoF when Voldemort says he cannot be harmed while in the care of a relative or something or other? Maybe when he's with one of his relatives a sort of 'secret keeper' type thing happens. Hmmmm interesting.

[pegoheart144]

Originally posted by Kneazle
Lily was a muggleborn, so Petunia wouldn't have to have been magic. She was just born a muggle.

I think the Dursleys will do something to help Harry. Something completely against their nature. Fighting for him, maybe, or accepting magic. :shrug: I don't know, but I don't think they're as bad as they appear to be. I believe JK said to watch Dudley. I think there's much hope left for him. I don't think he'll turn out to be a wizard or anything but his opinions and characteristics aren't so decided as his parents'.

That's an interesting possibility. I've heard that one way to cure a bully is for him to meet a bigger or meaner bully. What if Dudley met Malfoy and Harry had to step in to save Dudley. Something like that could change Dudley for the better.

[Cheetah]

Originally posted by Iam Cedric Diggory
I seriously think that the Vernon's marriage is there for a reason. Remember in GoF when Voldemort says he cannot be harmed while in the care of a relative or something or other? Maybe when he's with one of his relatives a sort of 'secret keeper' type thing happens. Hmmmm interesting.

Maybe that's the "stuff that's coming with them(Dursleys) that some of us might not have expected"? All is possible in that world.

[GryffindorSeeker]

Maybe the Dursleys are just afraid of magic. They don't understand it (I think), nor can they do it. But is that the only reason?

[Fuchsia]

There is already a topic on this called
Aunt Petunia - a squib (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1916)
and
The Dursleys (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=314) which is about them having magic in them.

[Weatherby]

I think it's interesting that wizards may have the wrong idea about Muggles.
Yes the Dursleys despise wizards but they aren't blabbing their secret either.
It could just be shame in their case but even the Dursleys can be trusted in their own way.

[Nys]

I'm interested in how they treat Harry after the Weasley's blew up their fire place. Maybe they'll be nicer now that they've had another taste of the power of wizzards. They'll know that the Weasley's can come at anytime no matter what they do (short of taking out the fire place).

[Daveydee]

JKR is on record as saying that 'someone will come to magic late in life.' Also, and this is crucial - The Sun newspaper who have reviewed OoTP say that the 'first bombshell is dropped at the end of chapter 1'. At this point in the book, Harry will still be at Privet Drive. I believe the scenario here is somewhere along the lines of Harry witnessing Aunt Petunia (maybe unwittingly) performing some sort of magic. It has long been speculated that she will become a witch and I think these two points give considerable weight to that theory.

[Nys]

oooh I hadn't thought of maybe Pertunia will develop magic. Though it'd add to the theory that she's a squib.

[gred&forge4ever]

I am of the school of thought that Petunia WILL perform magic, either as protection against evil or in anger. It will be uncontrolled magic However, if she does, then she technically could not be a squib. She would be a witch who repressed her powers due to negative emotions.

[min]

I think the Evans are squibs. In this way i understand they are prouds to have a sister whitch. And it explain Petunia's jealous. I like to see her reacting to Vernon being a wizard. It could be great.

[Ilovefredandgeorge]

I really don't think petunia is a sqib. Don't foget that Lily's parents aren't the only ones who were proud to have a witch in the family. Colin Creevey's Dad was also proud and he is a milkman. So frankly maybe they just think that it is really cool. Also petunia probably doesn't like magic because she is jealous of all he attention that lily got. She probably felt that her parents didn't think she was special.

[Goldie]

Trying to figure out who's a squib and who isn't ain't easy.

If I remember correctly, Filch hates the students because he's a jealous squib. That certainly sounds like Vernon, except his sister Marge doesn't sound like she's ever heard of magic.

On the other hand, when the wine glass breaks in POA, Marge says something about the same thing happening the previous week. So maybe Marge is almost a squib and doesn't know it.

Or, it could mean Petunia's the squib, but since she likes to pretend she doesn't have a sister, I wonder how much she told Vernon about Lily? Maybe nothing until Harry wound up on their doorstep.

This suggests the possibility that there are magical people on both sides of the Dudder's family. Any thoughts?

[millerbrad]

Remember when Hagrid storms into the cabin in Book One? Vernon gets scared and mumbles something that sounds like "mimblewimble".

Someone has mentioned that maybe "mimblewinble" is a squib's attempt at a magic spell.... I like that theory.

[I heart Sirius]

Originally posted by gred&forge4ever (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=112944#post112944))
At first I thought that Auntie P was a squib. However, since Ron said that squibs are rare, here is my new thought.

Vernon seems to know too much about magic for a regular Muggle. I know that he is married to Auntie P, however, she is very ashamed of being associated with witchcraft. I am sure that she felt compelled to tell Vernon about Lily, but only the fact that she is a witch and to stay away.

Vernon knows: shooting stars, owls and cloaks are witch things and refers to Dumbledore as a "crackpot old fool", How does he know that DD is old?

Here is my theory: 1. Vernon has a family member, perhaps a previously unmentioned sibling, that is a witch or wizard. That would explain how he and Auntie P are bonded and their negetive feelings about magic.

Any thoughts?


I dunno how much I agree with this theory *nut* Uncle Vernon *does* seem more anti magic thann Petunia. She somewhat has a reason I guess since Lily prolly got all sorts of attention or something, but what's vernon's reasoning?

[harp230]

Well Mr dursley did connect owls etc with the Potters so he must have had some awareness. He did not know what a muggle was so he must not have too much knowldege of the magical community, just knowing that it exists. Unless his wife lead him to believe that her sister just was weird(but why would he make all of the connections especially the shooting stars?) or that "magic" was just some sort of game and not real.
It could be possible that he could have some magical ability in his family but he wouldnt even know or suspect. Most likely it was Harry's unfocused magic that caused the glass to break in POA. But why did that happen to Marge before? Coincidence? Magic? She lied and it didn't happen?

[miri]

She squeezed the glass too hard? ;) I got the impression that she's the sort who would be heavy handed. Also the sort to wave her wine glass around and accidentally douse the bride in red wine at the white-wedding reception. Probably by accident, too!

I think it's more that flocks of owls bombarding your house with letters in the day time is somewhat odd. It doesn't usually happen. It shouldn't happen. It must be connected to the freak-child, because when he's around stuff happens that shouldn't. What's that word again? That filty five-letter one? MAGIC! Bah!

I like the idea of an ex-wife as a witch. However, then he might have found stuff out. Ex-wife as a squib makes more sense to me. Can you imagine a witch not hexing him into next week when he started calling her an abomination, freak of nature, etc? Then again... Ok, that explains why he was so nasty towards Harry. Try to scare him into submission so he'd never dare...

I think walked in a circle there. Petunia - 2nd wife. 1st wife witch. Cool. I like it :)

[DocHollidaywe]

That is a good theory, however Uncle Vernon never connected the starts to witchcraft, and remember even though they wanted no contact with the Potters they did meet at least once im sure ... most likley at the Potters wedding, this would expalin the cloaks, owls, and prior meeting and knowledge of Dumbledore.

[Alastor D]

When Vernon drove to work that morning he didn't recognise those people in cloaks as witches or wizards. And we have no evidense he knew about owls before the letters from No One started to drop in.

The braking glass. Why should Marge use magical powers to brake her own glass? Either she really had a firm grip, or colonel Fubster is the one with powers he doesn't know about himself.

But JKR said in an interview that Fubster is a muggle.

[flibbertigibbet]

I wonder if part of the reason Vernon and Petunia are so evil towards Harry is just their jealousy? Petunia had a sister her parents adored for her magical ability, and now this sister has had a kid who is adored by the entire wizarding world. So they go out of their way to make sure that Harry will at least not be accepted in the muggle world, and inflate their own egos by pretending Dudley is perfect.

I'm sure that's not the entire reason, but I wonder if it's a factor?

I am currently liking the Vernon-having-to-do-something-with-magic-before-marrying-Petunia theories. If Petunia had alienated herself from her sister, what reasons (other than getting it off her chest) would she have had for even telling Vernon, who loathes abnormalities, that her family has a witch in it?

[rotsiepots]

I'm glad this thread was resurrected -- I've been starting to have my suspicions about the Dursleys too.

What I'd like to know is how the Dursleys knew so much about Harry. Vernon indicated in the first book that Petunia hadn't spoken to Lily for "several years", yet they know all about Harry, their marriage and their death through being "blown up". I suppose some of this is connected to the letter Dumbledore left on their doorstep, but it certainly is peculiar behaviour, given the Dursleys claims of ignorance.

P.S. I'm merging this with a general thread on the Dursleys. :)

[caroline40]

I always thought it funny how vernon got so freaked out by the Hogwarts letters in book one much more so than Petunia he seemed really frightened.
Also Vernon recognized the Hogwarts emblem on harrys first letter why?

[harlle15]

i think petunia knows something about magic. but why does she hates magic?

[Imperio! (Crucio!)]

I was wondering why petunia couldnt do magic and lily could. take colin creevy for instance, he could do magic and he was from a muggle family. he was then chosen to come to hogwarts. but then in GOF his brother also came to hogwarts. does this mean it is rare for 2 children from a muggle background to have magical blood? or is petunia in fact, a witch herself?

[whizbang121]

Soneone on another thread suggested that Vernon and Marge have Giants for relatives or ancestors. Could explain their behaviour and their animosity towards magical people.

As for Petunia being a squib we can compare her to another known squib, Filch.

Filch has a fetish for cleanliness. So does Petunia.
Filch fawns sickeningly on his cat. Petunia fawns even more sickeninly on her son.
Filch is extremely jealous of anyone who can do magic and Petunia is a least jealous of her sister. (Did she know that Lily married a wealthy landed magical aristocrat? That would have frosted her cake. lol)
Filch is spiteful.
Petunia is, too.
Filch enjoys punishments and misses the screaming. Petunia certainly seems to delight in torturing Harry.

I like the piers thing. I remember the comment about Harry talking to the snake, but I hadn't noticed that his description and initials were almost identical to wormtail. Great observation.

Oh and by the way:
"I may not like what you have to say, but I will defend TO THE DEATH
your right to say it."

It was Voltaire.

[Puffskein]

Originally posted by caroline40 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=342225#post342225))
Also Vernon recognized the Hogwarts emblem on harrys first letter why?


I read that bit today, and I don't know if he did recognise it. I guess that the fact that Harry had got a letter instantly told Vernon's paranoid, narrow mind that it had something to do with magic.

[rotsiepots]

Just on that point, I think Harry had torn the envelope open at that point and Vernon took the actual letter out of Harry's hands, not the envelope. The letter's opening line is "We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," which would certainly cause a mild panic in any Dursley's mind.

[Crookshanksy]

i can see petunia and vernon begin to like harry a small amount, perhaps he saves them or helps them in some way which earns their gratitude... ive always felt that this abusuve situation he live in wouldnt go past his 16th birthday... here in britain, 16 is the age you can leave home... unless somehow they began to like him, or they might be forced to keep him on with them or to look after him a bit better than they did before by dumbledore or the MoM...

Petunia being a squib might be likely, if she is younger than lily, perhaps she waited years for her hogwarts letter to come and when it didnt she must have become really bitter, her parents would also have been disappointed in her, whether they were muggles or not, as if we take the creeveys as a point of view, sibling muggle borns, if one is, so is the other, like the correct mix of DNA... leads to a magical child... is it considered being a squib if your parents were muggles but your sister is a witch...

Maybe her powers will shine through and she will inadvertantly save harry from danger... JKR said some people's powers develop in adulthood...

this is such a complicated area of the book, im completely lost!

[Ava]

I won't be surprised if Aunt Petunia had turned out to have some sort of magical powers. She's against magic so much that she probably does have magical powers, maybe shes against them because she's so bad at them

-Ava-

[Mad-I Moody]

crookshanksy, I have also been wondering if one would be considered a squib if they are muggle-born. I was under the impression that a squib was the oppostie of a muggle-born witch or wizard; a non-magical person born to magical parents. And we know that Lily's parents were Muggles, correct? Or it that just a red herring?

I may go crazy before June 21.

[Crookshanksy]

just three weeks to go... please keep hold of your sanity!

[Alastor D]

Yes, Mad-I-Moody, a squib is a non-magical person born to magical parents. And as almost everyone in the wizarding community seems to know that Lily was muggle-born, i prefer to believe it. Whatever Petunia is, she's obviously not a squib.

[Nys]

For the question of why Vernon hates magic but knows a bit about it, maybe he actually went to Hogwarts........ And was kicked out for some reason (i.e bullying like Dudley) and from that day on hated magic........

[dorcasderr]

So what's all this *Bump* business? I've seen it several times tonight.
So, we have heard that someone comes to magic later in life than is usual. It could be one of the Dursleys. If you look at all the Muggles we have come in contact with in the books...it is not very many...then it becomes PROBABLE that it is one of the Dursleys. We only have to wait 4 days to find out for sure too!

[ZenShadow]

'lo all =)

There are a lot of great theories posted here -- and I think that at least one of them will turn out to be pretty close to the truth. I got to thinking about this, though, and there's one interesting point that occurrs to me...

Voldemort may not be aware of Harry's dislike of the Dursleys. If he were aware of it, he'd probably have been more likely to either (a) have sympathy, since he hated his childhood living arrangements, or (b) try to use it to his advantage by tempting Harry.

Voldemort isn't one to pass up an opportunity. If he thinks that Harry actually likes the Dursleys, maybe he'll try to attack them instead of Harry? While Harry is protected, maybe the Dursley's aren't -- could this be a flaw in Dumbledore's plan? Kill the Dursleys, now Harry can't hide out with his relatives...

Just some interesting thoughts. It kinda ties in with the idea of Harry having to perform magic to save the Dursleys or some such, and them maybe thinking a little more highly of him after that.

--ZS

[pegoheart144]

Even if Voldemort finds out Harry doesn't like the Dursleys, he might go after them anyway. Harry has a tendancy to blame himself for everything, Voldemort would take advantage of that. :devil: :(

[caroline40]

Even if he does save them by using magic I would imagine that being the sort of people they are , they would sooner blame him for causing the trouble in the first place rather than being grateful.

[ZenShadow]

Originally posted by pegoheart144 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=380603#post380603))
Even if Voldemort finds out Harry doesn't like the Dursleys, he might go after them anyway. Harry has a tendancy to blame himself for everything, Voldemort would take advantage of that. :(


You've got a point there... :)

--ZS

[ZenShadow]

Originally posted by caroline40 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=380608#post380608))
Even if he does save them by using magic I would imagine that being the sort of people they are , they would sooner blame him for causing the trouble in the first place rather than being grateful.


Interesting food for thought (and unrelated, really):

If Voldemort was the source of the trouble with the Dursleys and Harry saved them, I totally agree -- they'll just associate it with him and his life gets even worse...

...but what happens if the trouble is unrelated to Voldemort? Stupid example: Uncle Vernon is standing in the street when a speeding car comes by, and Harry levitates him out of the way thus saving his life. I wonder what ol' Vern's response to that would be? :)

--ZS

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by ZenShadow (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=380762#post380762))
Interesting food for thought (and unrelated, really):

If Voldemort was the source of the trouble with the Dursleys and Harry saved them, I totally agree -- they'll just associate it with him and his life gets even worse...

...but what happens if the trouble is unrelated to Voldemort? Stupid example: Uncle Vernon is standing in the street when a speeding car comes by, and Harry levitates him out of the way thus saving his life. I wonder what ol' Vern's response to that would be? :)

--ZS


I think he would yell at Harry for messing up his suit and hair!:p

[jglovesdolphins]

I think that Vernon or Dudley will show signs or magical powers because they are always picking on Harry but if one of them is a wizard especally if it is Vernon because he is even meaner to Harry than Dudley is (only Because Dudley if so fat he can't lift his on\wn body weight off a chair:)).

[dorcasderr]

There's that *BUMP* again. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? Anyway, since we KNOW someone will develop magical powers late...how much choice IS there among the Muggles we know? It's Got to be a Dursley. I know the question now is "which one"?, but there are equally good arguments for each of them. Whichever one we REALLY want it to be...it will be one of the others.

[MadMagic]

It could be one of the Grangers or one of Dudley's friends, but I would guess it is a Dursley, and most probably Dudley. That would really kill the Dursleys.

The *bump* thing is done by people in order to bump a topic they like back to the top of the page so people will respond to it.

[dorcasderr]

Oh...cool...I guess I really should have figured that out...hmmm, I may go do some *bumping* myself....I guess I'd better be subtle about it though...(ha!)
If it is one of Dudley's friend, my bet would be on Piers Polkiss because he is the only fully named one (I think).

[pmsgoddess69]

Alright, I do not think Petunia nor Dudley are magical, at all. I thought maybe petunia was a squib but now im thinking maybe not. I also would like to know what was written in the letter dumbledore wrote to the dursleys when they left him on the door step. I think to understand a lot of it we need to know what was in that letter.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by dorcasderr (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=385499#post385499))
There's that *BUMP* again. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? Anyway, since we KNOW someone will develop magical powers late...how much choice IS there among the Muggles we know? It's Got to be a Dursley. I know the question now is "which one"?, but there are equally good arguments for each of them. Whichever one we REALLY want it to be...it will be one of the others.


Is it always the same person who gets bumped? Maybe she knows something about it?

How about Filch?

[Barbara Kennedy]

Originally posted by dorcasderr (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=379918#post379918))
So what's all this *Bump* business? I've seen it several times tonight.
So, we have heard that someone comes to magic later in life than is usual. It could be one of the Dursleys. If you look at all the Muggles we have come in contact with in the books...it is not very many...then it becomes PROBABLE that it is one of the Dursleys. We only have to wait 4 days to find out for sure too!


The *BUMP* is me moving the thread from the deep dark recesses of the back pages here to the first page for further discussion. I'm sorry if it caused any confusion. There are times when the front page is full of closed or moved threads and the discussion has stagnated. That is when I feel the need to "turn the pile" [like you do for gardening.] It does seem to help stimulate interest again.
Oh, well, I don't think I'll be needing to do that for a while now. See you all after we come back from the break.

EDIT: By the way, I usually go back and delete the *BUMP*s after someone else posts in that thread too.

[newpotterfan03]

I think that it will be Dudley who will start showing signs of magic. Why is it that Harry is treated so bad by them? He's magic. I think that Petunia has been carrying around animosity ever since Lilly and once her wonderful precious Dudley shows magical abilities it's going to change EVERYTHING they think about it!!! They probly will end up helping Harry in the fight.