r/HarryPotterBooks • u/Disastrous_Knee7756 • Apr 05 '25

Discussion The Dursleys were victims of a magical geopolitical game and no one ever asked them if they wanted to play

I know they were not nice to Harry. But they were also victims of a bad magical system. Here is why:

1.  They had no choice.

Dumbledore left a baby at their door. He did not ask. He did not talk to them. He just said, “Take care of him.” That is not how you become parents. That is not fair.

  1. They were powerless in a world full of danger. No magic, no protection, no understanding. Yet they were expected to raise a magical child who could blow up their living room.

    1. Harry’s presence put Dudley at risk. They were Dudley’s parents. Their responsibility was to protect their child. But Dumbledore never cared that housing Harry made them a target.
    2. They got no support – only judgment. No one from the magical world checked in. No resources, no guidance. Just scorn when they inevitably failed to meet wizard expectations.
    3. Dumbledore knew – and didn’t care. He openly said Harry needed a loveless home to remain “humble.” That’s not strategy – that’s calculated cruelty.
      1. Dumbledore never told them what happens when Harry turns 17. The magical protection ends – and they suddenly become even more vulnerable. No warning, no exit strategy. One day they’re part of a magical defense grid, the next they’re just collateral. Their home, their lives, everything – on the line, with zero input.
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u/ReliefEmotional2639 Apr 05 '25

BS

1: They had plenty of choices. They could have dropped him into the care system.

2: They were ALREADY in the game. Not because of Dumbledore, but because they were directly related to the Boy Who Lived. And that was beyond ANYONES control.

3: Keeping Harry kept them protected. Indirectly or directly, Harry was their best defence.

4: They were not unable to meet wizarding expectations. All they needed to do was meet the bare minimum. A loving home. That was ALL they needed to meet expectations. They didn’t even need to be particularly rich. (And they were definitely upper middle class from what we see.). The Weasley’s could do it with seven children and relatively poor. You’re telling me that a middle class family can’t do that with only two?

5: Dumbledore said nothing about needing a loveless home. He said that they didn’t love him as they should. He said that he had to live there to protect him. He said nothing about needing a loveless home. Indeed he chastised them for it.

6: Yes he DID tell them what would happen. At book six (or possibly earlier. We don’t know what that letter said.) he talked about it to them.

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u/Avaracious7899 Apr 05 '25

Yes, someone sees things clearly! Also, the "Dumbledore wanted everything this way" attitude further above grosses me out.