What even Dumbledore Doesn't Know (Harry's Home)

[Kimmers]

Hi guys! This is an editorial that I wrote for Mugglenet. I sent it a couple of months ago and it hasn't been posted, (I'm not sure they even got it, as my computer is psycho at times. :evil: ) I thought I would put it on here so that I can hear your guys' imput. And if it is put up in the future, you'll just have a preview. :)
This is the first editorial I’ve ever written. In fact, this is the first real theory I’ve ever had. It’s not very complex or deep, but it may be very important to the plot. I’m surprised that nobody else had noticed this. I may have missed something, but I’ve never read anything on this topic. That being said, now to the editorial.
I first noticed this on my second or third time through OotP. It was something Dumbledore said to Harry in regards to his staying at his aunt and uncle’s house.
“While you can still CALL HOME the place where your mother’s blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort. He shed her blood, but it lives on in you and her sister. Her blood became your refuge. You need return only once a year, but as long as you can still CALL IT HOME, there he cannot hurt you. Your aunt knows this. I explained what I had done in the letter I left, with you, on her doorstep. She knows that allowing you houseroom may well have kept you alive for the past fifteen years.” (OotP American ed. P. 836, emphasis added)
My first thought was that the term home is used very loosely. As we all know, there is a difference between a house and a home. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Harry doesn’t call his aunt and uncle’s house home. The following are all the mentions of ‘home’ that I could think of in books 3-5 and movie 1-2. (Sorry, I don’t have copies of the first two books handy.) Also, all my page numbers are from the American Editions and the movie quotes may not be exact.
More Relevant:
-They reached their familiar, circular dormitory with its five four-poster beds, and Harry, looking around, felt he was HOME at last. (POA p. 95)
- “But….well…think about it. Once my name’s cleared…If you wanted a different HOME…” (Sirius, POA p. 379)
- For one glorious hour, Harry had believed that he was leaving the Dursleys at last, because Sirius had offered him a HOME once his name had been cleared. But the chance had been snatched from him… the HOME Harry might have had if Wormtail had not escaped had been haunting him all summer. (GOF p. 23)
- He felt as though his heart was going to explode with pleasure; he was flying again, flying away from Privet Drive as he’d been fantasizing about all summer, he was going HOME… (OotP p. 55-56)
- “It feels strange to be going HOME, doesn’t it?” “I’m not going HOME, not really.” (Hermione and Harry, SS movie)
- “I have to go back, Hogwarts is my HOME.” (Harry to Dobby, COS movie)
- “Welcome HOME Harry.” (Ron to Harry while arriving at Hogwarts, COS movie)
Less Relevant:
- “I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourself at HOME!” (Dumbledore, GOF p. 251)
- “He (Percy) came HOME really pleased with himself.” (Ron, OotP p. 71)
- “I’ve been here 16 years. Hogwarts is my HOME!” “It was your HOME.” (Trelawney and Umbridge, OotP p. 595)
- “I would have preferred to teach you in the Forbidden Forest, which was- until Monday- my HOME…” (Firenze, OotP p. 601)
Notice in all the mentions of ‘home’, that his aunt and uncle’s house is never the subject. It is mostly Hogwarts and occasionally Grimmauld Place. I mentioned the Less Relevant ones because, although they don’t talk about Harry’s home, they show two things. First, the potential that Hogwarts and the Burrow have to be someone’s home, and second, the fact that most people (and therefore, JKR) would use the word home in describing the place they live. Harry does not.
What is my point in all this? To show that Harry, in reality, doesn’t CALL his aunt and uncle’s house HOME. Therefore I think it’s safe to assume that he’s not as safe there as Dumbledore thinks. Before OotP, I never would have questioned the fact that what Dumbledore believes to be true is true. But we learn in OotP that Dumbledore can make mistakes, and I believe he has in this case.
What does this mean to the plot? I don’t know. Only JKR does. Will Harry be attacked at his aunt and uncle’s house? Could it be the reason for his ‘shortest stay in Privet Drive so far’ that JKR mentioned in a chat? Will the Dursleys have to move to Hogwarts, the place Harry ‘calls home’ in order to preserve Harry’s life? I’m not sure of the answer to any of these questions, but all of these things are possible.
Before I end I would like to present two arguments against my theory and give an explanation for each. As Maline has said in her column, sometimes it’s good to look at a theory from the doubters perspective. (Or something like that. :)) The first one comes from the end of GOF when Harry is in the graveyard. Voldemort says, “He’s more protected there, (his aunt and uncle’s house) than even he knows.” This statement might have proved my theory completely false, except for something else that we learned in OotP. That is the fact that Voldemort will act on what he hears without finding out all the facts, as in the situation with the prophecy. Maybe he heard about the protection that Dumbledore put on Harry and hasn’t even tried to get to him there. Now that he’s more desperate and able, and doesn’t have to worry about staying hidden, will he give it a try??
The second argument is that at the end of OotP, Lupin says, “We thought we might have a little chat with your aunt and uncle before letting them take you HOME.” The answer I have for that is the fact that it is Lupin who says it and not Harry. He doesn’t know that Harry doesn’t consider their house his home.
Well, that concludes my editorial. I’m not sure whether or not it is true, but it sure seems to be. We all wonder what JK Rowling will have in store for Harry in the next two books. This may give us some clue.

Well, that's it guys. Thanks for reading it. Comments??

[MagicMuggle]

“While you can still CALL HOME the place where your mother’s blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort. He shed her blood, but it lives on in you and her sister. Her blood became your refuge. You need return only once a year, but as long as you can still CALL IT HOME, there he cannot hurt you. Your aunt knows this. I explained what I had done in the letter I left, with you, on her doorstep. She knows that allowing you houseroom may well have kept you alive for the past fifteen years.” (OotP American ed. P. 836, emphasis added)

Well, I think that you did a splendid job putting that all together! :)

I think that the place where his mother's blood dwells is home. Whether it be a mansion, or an apartment, it's always home. I also think that Parents and home it associated with each other, therefore home is where his mothet's blood dwells.

Sorry if I'm not making much sense...It's late! :)

[snakeshark01]

Well, I think that you did a splendid job putting that all together! :)

I think that the place where his mother's blood dwells is home. Whether it be a mansion, or an apartment, it's always home. I also think that Parents and home it associated with each other, therefore home is where his mothet's blood dwells.

Sorry if I'm not making much sense...It's late! :)
You're making sense, but you're saying it backwards. The place where his mother's blood dwells isn't necessarily "home". This is why Harry has to go back there every year...to make it "home". At least, according to Dumbledore's logic.

Now, everyone is forgetting what happened at the end of the fourth book. Voldemort used HARRY'S blood (Lily's blood) to come back to life. This nullifies Lily's charm, and hence, any strengthening Dumbledore placed on it...unless Dumbledore used a different charm. So, it matters not where "home" is, because Harry is not safe there. ;)

[Annabelle Black]

This is a very good theory, although I agree with the previous posters. It's more about where his mother's blood dwells. Petunia carries his mother's blood and it forms a bond with him as long as he lives with her.

[snakeshark01]

This is a very good theory, although I agree with the previous posters. It's more about where his mother's blood dwells. Petunia carries his mother's blood and it forms a bond with him as long as he lives with her.
Read what I wrote about HOW Voldemort came back at the end of Goblet. I think it holds water (potentially...depending on what direction Rowling takes).

[Marcy]

Very interesting theory...I like it a lot actually. Personally I am leaning towards it not being quite as signif. as you are saying... but it is still a very plaus. theory!

[SyirenSlytherin]

this is something that's bugged me too. he clearly does not call it home but whether that has any consequence, i couldn't say

[kakatoyubi]

aye this was what I first thought when I read that too, and i think it will be significant. due to the fact that it is mentioned, what three times(when dumbledore is explaining it), and so strongly put that he must CALL it home (note it doesnt say 'as long as you are near your mothers blood for a short time each year')
Because of this, I think there is only protection for Harry at privet drive when his aunt is physically there. That is to say, that if shes gone out to dinner, Harry is vulnerable.
Although, I do think there are more things protecting Harry than that spell alone, so maybe hes not that vulnerable.
To clarify, this makes perfect sense inside my head. I'm sorry if it doesn't do the same for you.

[Hotmama2]

You're making sense, but you're saying it backwards. The place where his mother's blood dwells isn't necessarily "home". This is why Harry has to go back there every year...to make it "home". At least, according to Dumbledore's logic.

Now, everyone is forgetting what happened at the end of the fourth book. Voldemort used HARRY'S blood (Lily's blood) to come back to life. This nullifies Lily's charm, and hence, any strengthening Dumbledore placed on it...unless Dumbledore used a different charm. So, it matters not where "home" is, because Harry is not safe there. ;)


And since this happened......that is probably why/how the DE's found Harry in Little Whinging!!!! His protection from his mother is either (a) gone; or (b) diluted.

Good theories!

[Stayce]

I think if anything the fact that VM recreated himself using Harry's blood is going to keep Harry safer. I think that the magis that protects Harry will still work against VM even thought it is in him in the end. I think the the use of the charms it has is the key to its strength not necessarily just the possession of it. That is why DD was happy when Harry told him. I think it will be very significant to VM downfall. I know not all think he will be stopped but then we would be reading Vm and the kid who tried to stop me and almost succeeded.

[mel]

Here's a thought: on JKR's website she says (here (http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=6)) that she considered using the first chapter of book 6 as the opening chapter of PS/SS, PoA, and OotP. Harry being attacked at Privet Drive actually did happen in OotP, but if she intends LV to attack PD at some point, she may have wanted to hold off until we knew a tad bit more about the protection Harry has and how much Petunia knows about it. I'm not sure how an LV attack on PD would have fit into PS/SS or PoA though... maybe that's why she cut them? I don't know, I'm just throwing out ideas here... :)

I do think that JKR chooses her words carefully and precisely, and that she uses Dumbledore as a kind of vessel to speak to the reader. So for DD to refer to it as the place you "call home" instead of "live" or "stay most of the time" or "where you family lives"... it's significant. While Harry does "live" there and it's where his remaining family lives, he most certainly does not call it home. JKR does not word her books haphazardly.

Good thoughts, Kimmers :)

[Kidney Pie]

Well, I always thought of Hogwarts as Harry's home and I think that Petunia will have to go there, because it is his true home. I even wrote a fan fic about this, but I never finished it. But anyway, I KNOW there is more to Petunia than we know now. And I figure she will go to be at Hogwarts.

[C8H10N4O2]

aye this was what I first thought when I read that too, and i think it will be significant. due to the fact that it is mentioned, what three times(when dumbledore is explaining it), and so strongly put that he must CALL it home (note it doesnt say 'as long as you are near your mothers blood for a short time each year')
Because of this, I think there is only protection for Harry at privet drive when his aunt is physically there. That is to say, that if shes gone out to dinner, Harry is vulnerable.
Although, I do think there are more things protecting Harry than that spell alone, so maybe hes not that vulnerable.
To clarify, this makes perfect sense inside my head. I'm sorry if it doesn't do the same for you.I was thinking more along the lines of: CALLing it home was like reinforcing the spell. It is almost as if Dumbledore is telling Harry that he needs to make an incantation by calling the Dursley's house HOME; that this will make the house safe for Harry as long as he remains inside the house. The fact that it requires his mother's "blood" in the form of Petunia (doesn't Dudley carry the blood by inheritance, too?) is merely the foundation of the charm, but Harry has to keep activating it by calling it home.

Otherwise, Dumbledore just appears to be getting old, rambling on and repeating himself. :eyebrows:

[JDR237]

I think Dumbledore says something like (you mention the exact quote in your editorial) "as long as you can call" the Dursley's house "home", then Voldemort cannot harm you there. Harry never really calls Privet Drive HOME...so I am not convinced he has been protected there since his first summer back from Hogwarts, which is where he considers home. Home is more than the place you reside, Home is place where you are loved and welcomed. Is Harry Home at #4?

[sirpsycho85]

i think this is a terrific theory and a theres a good chance that this is why jkr said this would be his shortest stay at the dursley's ever. its quite possible that dumbledore catches on to this and moves him out.

[snakeshark02]

And since this happened......that is probably why/how the DE's found Harry in Little Whinging!!!! His protection from his mother is either (a) gone; or (b) diluted.

Good theories!
;) I think you're my new favorite person on the forum. Don't go away. You keep things interesting! :)

[SeekerLynch]

1. The DE's haven't found Harry in Little Winging.
2. The protection Harry's mother gave him doesn't stop people from finding him, just hurting him.
3. Voldemort taking Harry's blood doesn't nullify the charm. It just nullifies it for Voldemort. It mean's Voldemort can harm Harry; it doen't make it so anyone else can hurt him.

[snakeshark02]

1. The DE's haven't found Harry in Little Winging.
2. The protection Harry's mother gave him doesn't stop people from finding him, just hurting him.
3. Voldemort taking Harry's blood doesn't nullify the charm. It just nullifies it for Voldemort. It mean's Voldemort can harm Harry; it doen't make it so anyone else can hurt him.
With regard to #3, the charm only ever affected Voldemort. Everyone else can already harm Harry. So, in essence, they are moot points. When Voldemort used Harry's blood, he nullified Lily's charm, so now EVERYONE can harm Harry, including Voldemort.

[hermioneclone9]

1. The DE's haven't found Harry in Little Winging.

But isn't that because Dumbledore put a Fedilius Charm on the Dursley's house?

[SeekerLynch]

No. It never said he did.

[snakeshark02]

But isn't that because Dumbledore put a Fedilius Charm on the Dursley's house?
Not that we're made aware of. Though I'd imagine he couldn't use one, because even muggles would not be able to find the house...and it's the Dursleys house. You can't just have a house disappear from Privet Drive like that. ;)

[Kimmers]

Thanks for replying guys! You all have very good points. (Even though I obviously disagree with some of you :evil: ) I'd like to comment on some things I really liked if that's okay with everyone.
I like what snakeshark said, "Now, everyone is forgetting what happened at the end of the fourth book. Voldemort used HARRY'S blood (Lily's blood) to come back to life. This nullifies Lily's charm, and hence, any strengthening Dumbledore placed on it...unless Dumbledore used a different charm. So, it matters not where "home" is, because Harry is not safe there. "
I'd never thought about that before and I find it very plausible.
Also, Mel, when I read that on JKR's site, I thought more about Harry's parents death scene, but I think anything is possible.
Thanks to Mel, KidneyPie, JDR237, & sirpsycho85 for the positive reinforcement. Obviously I'm prejudiced, favoring people who agree with me, but who would pass up that chance?!?! :D
Anyway guys, thanks again for the comments. (I promise I MIGHT still like you if you disagree with me. ;) ) J/K LOL Have a super day!

[SeekerLynch]

Okay. I've seen one too many people on the forums get confused about the Fideleus Charm. The only things we know of that have had it cast on them are:
1. The Potters' House
2. Number 12, Grimmauld Place

[snakeshark02]

Thanks for replying guys! You all have very good points. (Even though I obviously disagree with some of you :evil: ) I'd like to comment on some things I really liked if that's okay with everyone.
I like what snakeshark said, "Now, everyone is forgetting what happened at the end of the fourth book. Voldemort used HARRY'S blood (Lily's blood) to come back to life. This nullifies Lily's charm, and hence, any strengthening Dumbledore placed on it...unless Dumbledore used a different charm. So, it matters not where "home" is, because Harry is not safe there. "
I'd never thought about that before and I find it very plausible.
Also, Mel, when I read that on JKR's site, I thought more about Harry's parents death scene, but I think anything is possible.
Thanks to Mel, KidneyPie, JDR237, & sirpsycho85 for the positive reinforcement. Obviously I'm prejudiced, favoring people who agree with me, but who would pass up that chance?!?! :D
Anyway guys, thanks again for the comments. (I promise I MIGHT still like you if you disagree with me. ;) ) J/K LOL Have a super day!
Thanks for the support! :)

(I'm in a battle right now with a prefect or two, apparently, because they "don't like me". So people on the forum who like me are a bonus to my side of the argument.;))

[sirpsycho85]

With regard to #3, the charm only ever affected Voldemort. Everyone else can already harm Harry. So, in essence, they are moot points. When Voldemort used Harry's blood, he nullified Lily's charm, so now EVERYONE can harm Harry, including Voldemort.



well it didnt say anywhere that having harry's blood in him will allow him to hurt harry. if anything i think it might be protection for voldemort.

[lewis8604]

Maybe because He calls hogwarts home his blood has to let him return home to be protected so as long as they let him go to school he's safe? I think he will never call no 4 home. He loathes it and wouldn't return if he had the choice. I was thinking does that mean he has to return for only one day and be allowed? Another nay sayer point could be the howler and remember my last. Maybe that meant DDs last request was to let harry stay there for the protection to work. And he was reminding her. good theory though

[Siriusly_Addicted]

Random comments:

1. The Fidelius Charm was never used on #4 Privet Drive.

The MoM knew where Harry was - Madame Bones said at Harry's hearing that the Ministry had alwasy kept an eye on other witches/wizards in the vicinity of #4 because of Harry's situation.

Voldemort himself said in the graveyard that he couldn't touch Harry at his Aunt and Uncle's house, so he knew where Harry was. He and Wormtail discussed Harry's "protections" before the QWC, and Harry was certainly at Privet Drive at the time - that was before Voldemort took Harry's blood.

Dobby knew where to find Harry at the beginning of CoS, and the Fidelius Charm would have to work on all creatures or it would be pointless.

2. The Death Eaters have never attacked Harry around Privet Drive.

Presumably the "attack" refered to was the visit from the Dementors at the beginning of OotP, but that was instigated by Dolores Umbridge, not a DE.

3. I thnk Harry's protection at Privet Drive is compromised, but not completely gone yet.

After the graveyard scene, Dumbledore said "Very well, Voldemort has overcome that particular barrier." It sounds to me like there's more to it than just the blood, or that the spell has more components ("that particular barrier'' - sounds like there's more than one).

I dont think Dumbledore would have explicitly told Harry in OotP that he is still protected at Privet Drive if that were not the case. However, I will not dispute the fact that Dumbledore simply may not know the whole story.

[tantrix]

In the first movie, at the end, Harry commented while he was going back to Privet Drive.. "I'm not going home".. obviously he does not consider Privet Drive as his home.. but still that's still his home... that's the only place where he belongs.. his mother's blood resides in that place..

[pikeral]

I do think that JKR chooses her words carefully and precisely, and that she uses Dumbledore as a kind of vessel to speak to the reader. So for DD to refer to it as the place you "call home" instead of "live" or "stay most of the time" or "where you family lives"... it's significant. While Harry does "live" there and it's where his remaining family lives, he most certainly does not call it home. JKR does not word her books haphazardly.

Now, if JKR does use her words as carefully and precisely as we all believe, her use of the word "can" nullifies your argument.
Dumbledore says, "While you CAN still call home the place where your mother’s blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort." (emphasis mine)
This means that Harry does not necessarily have to call 4 Privet Drive his home, it just means that he must be able to call it home in order for the charm to stay active.
The way I see it, as long as Harry goes back to the Dursleys once a year, he can still claim to be part of their family, sharing their home.

[Selene Sedai]

You're making sense, but you're saying it backwards. The place where his mother's blood dwells isn't necessarily "home". This is why Harry has to go back there every year...to make it "home". At least, according to Dumbledore's logic.

Now, everyone is forgetting what happened at the end of the fourth book. Voldemort used HARRY'S blood (Lily's blood) to come back to life. This nullifies Lily's charm, and hence, any strengthening Dumbledore placed on it...unless Dumbledore used a different charm. So, it matters not where "home" is, because Harry is not safe there. ;)
Doesn't it then mean that Voldemort is also safe, because Lilies blood that was in Harry's blood is now part of Voldemorts blood, and Voldemort could have the same protection as Harry so long as he was in a place his relatives were. Then again the Dursly's aren't Voldemorts relatives unless they are related and JKR just hasn't told us yet. Also, didn't Voldemort only use Harry's blood to come alive again, but not as part of his own blood. Sure it was in the cauldren/potion that helped Voldemort come alive again, but it was not put directly into Voldemort's blood. But then how could Voldemort bare to touch Harry if Lillies protection did not lie within him? But this all doesn't make sense even if it does, because Voldemort touching Harry made Harry's scare sear beyond anything he had felt yet, and that means that Voldemort is feeling a very powerful emotion. Or feeling very murderouse, but could it mean that the protection Harry and Voldemort share makes them even more connected and harder to kill each other. But wouldn't the old magic that allows Harry to be protected because Lily died to save him, only be able to protect Harry and no one else. It seems far fetched that that protection could be transfered to Voldemort just because Voldemort used Harry's blood to come alive again and therefore got lilies blood because it was in Harry's blood. That doesn't make much sense. I think the reason Voldemort was able to touch Harry in the end of Gof was because he was finally in his true form and by using Harry's blood to obtain it, had become the most powerful he could be because Harry was his most deadly foe. It had nothing to do with the protecion Lily gave Harry being transfered to Voldemort.

Another point. Didn't Voldemorts' mother die in child berth? Well that could have been considered as "she died to "save" him." and therefore Voldemort would be protected by his own mother's blood if he went to the place he called home, witch I beleive to be The Riddle House in Gof. That would also mean that Voldemort would now have just as much protection as Harry so long as they both stayed at the places they called home.

Also calling a place home and thinking as a place as home are very different things. Calling a place home is admitting that you live there with your family and have the general necesities of life, its not necasarily a place you like or enjoy. Harry have never called the Dursly's house home, he always calls it The Dursleys. I think a good point has been made in this edetorial. Harry neither thinks of nor calls The Dursley's house home. But then wouldn't Dumbledore have realized his scheme wasn't going to work, because it is very apparent the Harry considers Hogwarts more of a home than The Dursley's? I think it has more to do with the fact that his mother's blood resides in the house and in him, then the fact that he must "call" it home.

Notice in the Ootp Harry is ordered to stay in the house. The house itsefl is supposed to offer protection, but then arthur weasley and the weasley boys came into the house through the fireplace in Cos. This doesn't seem very protected to me. And the Advance Guard comes in the house during Ootp. It just doesn't seem like theres any protection at all.

[HarryPotter190]

I just wanted to mention (i dunno if it already has been), that Voldemort says, at the end of the GOF, that Dumbledore put an ancient magic on Harry so that as long as he could call the Dursley's house home, there he (Voldemort) could not touch him. He said stuff about how he used Harry's blood. Voldemort also said that he now could touch Harry. (when he touched Harry's cheek)

I will get the exact quotes from the book later :D
I g2g feed my goats...

[MadMagic]

I've had this same thought before, because if anyone has read Harry Potter as many times as we all have then they know that Harry does not call the Dursley's house his home. Hogwarts to him is home.

I think it is a blood thing though, as Harry has yet to come to harm at Privet Drive. Perhaps everyone assumes he is safe there so they don't try to come after him.

In reality I don't think the charm matters if he considers it home or not. It is where his family lives, therefore it is technically his home whether he likes it or not. If it does matter what he considers his home, then I guess Dumbledore is in for a shock at some point.

[HermioneLuna]

Even if Harry doesn't say "Number Four Privet Drive is my home," he still lives there during the Summer. It doesn't matter if he considers it home. It is still technically his home.

In the beginning of Order of the Phoenix, Uncle Vernon tries to choke Harry and he (Vernon) receives a shock that makes him release Harry. Dumbledore told Harry that he can not be harmed in the home of his mother's blood and that was proven in that instant. It's also proven in the fact that no one has ever come to harm Harry while at his Aunt and Uncle's. When Umbridge sent the dementors to attack Harry to try to discredit him, she had to wait until he was away from his house. Even Voldemort acknowledges that he can't touch Harry there.

Harry undoubtedly feels more at home at The Burrow, or Hogwarts, or maybe even Number 12 Grimmauld Place, but the fact is he is home at Privet Drive.

[mel]

Now, if JKR does use her words as carefully and precisely as we all believe, her use of the word "can" nullifies your argument.
Dumbledore says, "While you CAN still call home the place where your mother’s blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort." (emphasis mine)
This means that Harry does not necessarily have to call 4 Privet Drive his home, it just means that he must be able to call it home in order for the charm to stay active.
The way I see it, as long as Harry goes back to the Dursleys once a year, he can still claim to be part of their family, sharing their home.You're right. That puts the power in the hands of the Dursleys. As long as they allow him to come back, allow him to live there, he is able to call it home. Makes me think more about "Remember my last..." :huh: His situation there would seem precarious since the Dursleys hate him so much and would gladly throw him in the gutter. Something is keeping Petunia from doing that. She is very very important to Harry's survival.

[nano]

I also think, that the the word CAN is the key here. He has a space in the house of his aunties, which he can call his own - be it a cupboard under the stairs or Dudleys old 2nd bedroom. As long as Petunia keeps this space - or houseroom as DD refers to it as - available for Harry the protection lasts.

While you can still call home the place where your mother's blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort. He shed her blood, but it lives on in you and her sister. Her blood became your refuge. You need return there only once a year, but as long as you can still call it home, whilst you are there he cannot hurt you.

That was what the howler was about (remember my last), although, I'm am dying out of curiosity, to find out exactly what he said to her in it.

That was also the reason he was ordered to stay in the house after the dementor attack at the beginning of OotP.

I don't think this specific protection has been broken by Voldy being reserected through Harry's blood. DD knows about the blood thing and still tells Harry, that he will be safe there. I moreover think, that if anything DD was smiling, because he knew, that by taking Harry's blood for the job, he himself has undone part of what made him invincible in the past! I don't think it makes Harry more vulnerable to Voldy, even though he can now touch Harry. I rather believe, that by using Harry's blood he actually started to fulfill the prophecy - perhaps that was what marked Harry as his equal, not the scar as we all think - Who knows? JKR does and I hope she hurries up with Book 6 ....

Greetings
nano

[HarryPotter190]

On my other post I meant that Voldemort said that as long as he is in the house where his relations dwell he could not touch him.

[Kimmers]

Good comments guys. My response this time goes out to Pikeral. Good point on the word "CAN". You've given me my first doubts. (Is that good or bad??) I dunno. Anyway good points everyone and thanks for reading. :)

[Marcy]

It doesn't matter if Harry "does" call it home, as long as he "can", he will be protected there. Excellent theory though!

[icklek]

Now, everyone is forgetting what happened at the end of the fourth book. Voldemort used HARRY'S blood (Lily's blood) to come back to life. This nullifies Lily's charm, and hence, any strengthening Dumbledore placed on it...unless Dumbledore used a different charm. So, it matters not where "home" is, because Harry is not safe there. ;)

I don't think it does nullify Lily's charm, because all we know is that from the end of GoF Voldemort can touch Harry's skin without being burned. If Harry was not safe in Privet Drive anymore I very much doubt that he would have been sent back there, plus DD told him at the end of OotP that he was safe.

***OBSCURE THEORY ALERT!!!

I do think that Harry will always be safe there because I think Lily dying to protect him will have had a surprising effect on Petunia, although I doubt she knows it yet.

I think if Harry is attacked in Petunia's presence she will do a burst of uncontrolled, wandless magic in order to save him. I have two reasons for this theory:

1) We know from JKR that someone will do magic late in life.
2) From the Edinburgh Book Festival: She is not a Squib. She is a Muggle, but—...You might have got the impression that there is a little bit more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and you will find out what it is.
Now I may be putting two and two together and getting five, but I think the idea is plausible....

[C8H10N4O2]

And since this happened......that is probably why/how the DE's found Harry in Little Whinging!!!! His protection from his mother is either (a) gone; or (b) diluted.I believe it was Umbridge, who would have access to such ministry records, who accepted the blame for sending the Dementors to Little Whinging.
Umbridge:"He never knew I ordered Dementors to go after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same."

"It was you?" gasped Harry. "You sent the Dementors after me?"

"Somebody had to act", breathed Umbridge, as her wand came to rest pointing directly at Harry's forehead. "They were all bleating about silencing you somehow - discrediting you - but I was the one who actually did something about it... only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? Not today though, not now -" And taking a deep breath, she cried, "Cruc-"

[binkiekitty]

i agree with this theory and have thought the same thing since i first read that part in book five where dumbledore states his reasoning for harry living with the dursleys... i think that

a.) there is apart of the charm that hasn't yet been revealed (maybe pertaining to "remember my last")
~or
b.) it will soon be realized that the charm is no longer working properly

[James Macca]

i havent read all of the other posts so im not sure if this has already been said.. But as i was reading the other posts, a thought came to me..
He carries his mothers blood as well doesnt he.. I mean, that was Voldies big prob before, the fact that he himself had it.
So maybe, what DD really meant, was that no matter where it was, if Harry called it home, he would be safe.. Quite obscure really and i doubt it greatly, but just a thought..

[crumseekerlynch]

That must have taken forever to put together and It really shows because it makes alot of sence.

[SeekerLynch]

So maybe, what DD really meant, was that no matter where it was, if Harry called it home, he would be safe.
Dumbledore said that Harry would be safe if:
1. He can call the place where his mother's blood lives his home.
2. He is at that place.

[Dagmar]

Dumbledore said that Harry would be safe if:
1. He can call the place where his mother's blood lives his home.
2. He is at that place.

Yes indeed, so why wouldn't this apply to where ever Harry called home?

[kiggy]

Yes indeed, so why wouldn't this apply to where ever Harry called home?

ha...that's funny..but I don't exactly think that is what they meant...yes Harry has Lily's blood..but I don't think that it was meant to be literal...you know..they didn't really mean "blood" but a blood relation....

[nano]

As long as he can call the place his mothers blood resides at home - Okay that bit could be taklen, as if everywhere Harry calls Home is a safe place for him where he has the special protection.

But DD says, he has to return there once a year - this wouldn't make sense if it were taken that way. How can he return to himself once a year??? So there is the proof, that a blood realtion is meant for the protection to work, and merely the blood running through Harry's vein and him calling some place home is not enough.

nano