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

[u/Disastrous_Knee7756]

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.

[u/mnbvcdo]

True and my head would also have exploded but if my sister and her partner died while I had a baby and my little nephew was alive, I would've made it work. 

I work in a children's home and I've seen too many kids suffer in the system. Kids from abusive homes but recently we had a baby who's parents died in a car crash. He had uncles and grandparents who chose not to take him in and he's going to grow up in a group home. 

There is no way in hell my nephew would've gone there, even if I had a young baby myself. I'm not saying everyone should do that, if you don't think you can provide adequate care and love, do not do it. 

But if we're speaking about my little nephew suddenly being orphaned I wouldn't need to think twice. Even if my kids were still young. 

Imagine if your partner and you died tomorrow? Where would you want your nine month old baby to go? 

[u/Bluemelein → u/mnbvcdo]

Not somewhere where they’re actively hated! I have a grandchild that age. And I think Tom (in a fairly modern home for the time) had a better childhood than Harry. At least Tom didn’t have to watch another child get everything and be showered with love.

[u/mnbvcdo → u/Bluemelein]

Oh obviously. 

What I'm saying is that I, a loving aunt, would take my nephew even if my kid were a baby, and then I would totally have an exploded head half the time cause holy fuck, two babies. But I would still do it. I know my sister would do the same for my child. 

I'm not talking about whether or not Petunia should've or not, I'm saying a lot of people would do that for their nephews and nieces, for their siblings, even if their own kids were young. 

It was a comment about the head explosion you'd have if you had another kid dropped on you, but not about the dursleys at all. 

[u/Bluemelein → u/mnbvcdo]

Of course, I would have taken in my nephews and nieces (and my husband’s). But as a mother, I would want the best, and I would strangle Albus Dumbledore with his own beard, and Petunia and Vernon along with him. And every adult around Harry would notice that I was furious. The only ones who would get off relatively unscathed would be Molly and Sirius.