Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Deathly Hallows/Chapter 3
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Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Dursleys Departing
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Uncle Vernon has changed his mind again. The Dursleys were informed by Arthur Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt that Harry's life will be in danger when he turns seventeen, and that the Dursleys, as his relatives, are likely under the same threat. Since then, Vernon and Petunia have either been willing to accept the Order's protection or preparing to refuse it. Today, they are convinced that Harry plans to put their house in his own name as soon as they are gone. Harry repudiates this, asking why he would want to do that. All the happy memories? In any event, he already owns a house.
Harry's arguments are bolstered by Order wizards who have arrived to transport and protect the Dursleys: Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones. When Dudley says he is going with Dedalus and Hestia, Uncle Vernon's protests are rather deflated, and he suddenly decides that has been his intention all along. Dudley wants to know why Harry is not coming with them; Uncle Vernon says he does not want to, to which Harry agrees. Dudley now admits to not thinking that Harry is a waste of space and goes so far as to thank Harry for saving his life. He shakes hands with him before leaving. Aunt Petunia looks as if she might want to say something, but marches off after Vernon and Dudley.
[edit] Analysis
Harry is about to depart the Dursleys' for the final time, although it is not to return to Hogwarts as he usually does, but to embark on his secret mission for Dumbledore. This time, the Dursleys are also leaving, and the author may be indicating that this parting is permanent. Dudley's reaction to Harry is surprising, however. He is grateful to Harry for having saved him from the Dementors (in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) and expresses concern over what might happen to him. (It is suggested that it was Dudley who left the cup of tea outside Harry's bedroom, an apparently contrite act for his bad behavior over the years.) Although Dudley is a Muggle and was unable to see the Dementors, he was still able to feel their presence, and it seems that the encounter has somehow changed him, giving hope that he will mature into a better person than either Vernon or Petunia. The elder Dursleys, however, seem as antagonistic as ever, although Petunia nearly shows a rare emotional glimmer, as if teetering on whether or not to reach out to Harry during this final encounter, but at the last moment, reels herself in and walks away. Harry's own reaction seems mixed. While he endured an unhappy life at Privet Drive, it was his home for many years and leaving it is still difficult—this is yet another incomplete chapter in his life that must be closed.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- How long could it be that Dudley has felt about Harry this way?
- What might have changed Dudley's feelings towards Harry?
[edit] Extra Study
- Was Dudley totally responsible for his abusive behavior towards Harry? If not, what contributed to it, and, under different circumstances, how might Dudley have turned out?
- Could Dudley's friendly gesture open the door to a future relationship between him and Harry?
- Could Aunt Petunia feel the same way Dudley does? If so, why is she unable to express it?
[edit] Greater Picture
Petunia's behavior is telling in that it shows she once dearly loved her sister, Lily. It was Petunia's jealousy and spite over Lily's magical ability, something Petunia desperately also wanted to have, that drove them apart. This was probably Petunia's last chance to connect to Harry and her dead sister in some meaningful way, but she instead chooses to abandon that avenue by saying nothing and walking away.
