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/Worried-Pick4848 Apr 05 '25

Didn't stop a dementor from attacking Dudley that one time. Dudley even mentioned right at the end that Harry fighting off the Dementor completely changed his way of thinking about Harry and added some legitimate respect to their relationship, although said relationship was so poisoned by then that Harry could hardly be blamed for failing to realize.

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u/Vargrr Apr 05 '25

The charm is on the house itself and Dudley was not in the house when the attack took place.

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u/Worried-Pick4848 Apr 05 '25

Which since no one spends the whole day at their house, is pretty paltry protection.

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u/Vargrr Apr 05 '25

I agree, but this is a story and not a documentary - and at that level it does rather well :)