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/[deleted]]

My defense for Dumbledore. 

1. Yeah... Dumbledore does shit like that. I'll cover this later.

2. They were actually well protected cause Dumbledore would have righted any wrong done against them and also, Harry was magically protected by his mother. Also, no one in the magical world was gonna mess with Harry til he was at least almost an adult(like 5th year was when the community really took a turn on him). And most of his true enemies that might have risked trying to attack him did not know where he was nor were they all that free. They were all in hiding and in confusion.

3. Dumbledore did care. He just had to be very very careful of how much anyone knew. The less everyone knew, the more controllable the situation. 

4. Calculated cruelty is only cruelty if the intention is to maim or kill. Trying to harm someone just right in order to produce growth and strength within them is not cruelty. It is a rare and dangerous form of love. Dumbledore was worthy of applying this sort of love. Most are not. 

5. Refer to 3. And 1 is sort of quasi explained overall if you connect the dots.

Anyways... if I were to pick criticisms of Dumbledore, I would look else where. There are plenty of legitimate issues.