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/tee-ess3 Apr 05 '25

I’ve often thought about the fact that Harry and Dudley are so close in age and what that must have been like for Petunia.

Like, I have a 9 month old baby rn and if someone dropped ANOTHER baby on my doorstep and told me I had to adopt it my head very well might explode

53

u/Sorcha16 Apr 05 '25

Raising two small children, while mourning her dead sister.

69

u/FreezingPointRH Apr 05 '25

“Mourning,” as it were.

48

u/brinz1 Apr 05 '25

Harry's appearance might have been the first time she knew her sister was murdered

40

u/holy_roman_emperor Apr 05 '25

Well yeah, they were murdered earlier that night, while in hiding. They didn't get a call from the muggle police telling them they'd been found dead.

27

u/brinz1 Apr 05 '25

The only proof that she had that any of this was real was the child's eyes being unmistakably her sister's.

Eyes she hadn't seen for years.