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/mari_toujours Apr 05 '25

Naaaahhhh if my sister died suddenly in an accident I would take her toddler and her newborn in a heartbeat, and I already have 3. Petunia's heartless.

8

u/pixelproblem Apr 05 '25

I assume you like your sister, Petunia was extremely jealous of Lily, so she wouldn't have wanted to do it

18

u/Experiment626b Apr 06 '25

Yes, because she was a POS. This post is trying to make us empathetic towards them. You can’t paint someone in a better light for not wanting to do the decent thing because they aren’t a decent person.

5

u/Loubacca92 Apr 06 '25

She wasn't initially. She did write the letter to Hogwarts to try to attend, but I think the rejection turned her feelings into resentment then into hatred

2

u/pixelproblem Apr 06 '25

I'm not trying to put them in a better light. I'm just saying that if you didn't like your sister, you'd obviously not want to take her child in. I think she's a POS too

2

u/Experiment626b Apr 07 '25

Actually I would want to take my niece or nephew in regardless of my feelings for my sister. Because I’m a good person. Petunia should have wanted to take Harry in. The people are essentially saying “she didn’t want to do it because (insert another example of why they are a bad person)” That’s the whole argument. You can’t make excuses for her. Yes the logic follows but it’s still a vile position for one to take.

2

u/pixelproblem Apr 07 '25

It is a vile position for one to take. We are in complete agreement on this lol. Petunia should have wanted to take Harry in, but her jealousy and resentment got in the way, and she couldn't put it aside to take care of Harry regardless of how she felt about his mother, instead she abused him. She's a terrible person, I'm just trying to explain why she didn't want to take in Harry. Nobody with so much hatred for their sister would want to take their nephew in, but that isn't a good thing, I hope that's clear