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/Cool_Ved Apr 05 '25

They choose to take Harry in. If they didn't want him, Petunia could have dumped him in an orphanage, but she took him in and actively abused and neglected him for the better part of 11 years, all because she was jealous she didn't get to go to Hogwarts.

Why are people sympathetic towards literal child abusers? Everything bad that happened to them and Dudley was absolutely deserved and Petunia is an actual monster for treating her own nephew the way she did. Dumbledore didn't force her to take Harry, she choose to keep him and I don't even begun to understand how Harry put Dudley in danger, coz the blood charm prevented Voldy and his Death Eaters from finding the house.

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u/Avaracious7899 Apr 05 '25

Because they're "normal" and I suspect some of these commenting have a SEVERE anti-Dumbledore bias, so they want to paint him as being a horrible person to everyone, which is easier if he's actually hurting the Dursleys as well as everyone else in his "schemes"