What should happen in the 7th Book

[HagridTheGiant]

I just want to start out with an opinion. While Vernon and Dudley Dursley are just plain jerks, I think that Petunia is a more complex character. I think that the reason she hated her sister so much and thought she was a freak is because she was jealous of her sister. She probably also thought that her sister didn't love her, so that's why she hated her And when Lily was killed by Voldemort, Petunia really wanted to be happy that that "freak" was gone forever. Unfortunately for her, Dumbledore dropped the baby Harry at the Dursley's doorstep. Petunia obviously didn't want to be reminded of her freak sister, so that's why she was mean and cruel to Harry like her husband and son.
Anyway, what I think should happen in Book 7 is that Harry needs to prove that Lily really loved Petunia no matter how much Petunia hated her by saving her and Dudley's life. I think that since Voldemort can't do it, one of the Death Eaters should try to kill Petunia, but Harry will try to save her. Maybe then, Petunia will realize that her sister wouldn't have wanted her dead and apologize to Harry for the way she treated him all these years. Of course, maybe Vernon will refuse to apologize to Harry since he always hated Harry, and maybe Petunia will leave Vernon. I'm not sure whose side Dudley should be on though, because he was mean to Harry anyway.

[thestral]

well, i like your theory, and i would like petunia to acknowledge that her sister wasn't an evil freak and was actually an intelligent loving woman. and perhaps the only way for her (and dudley and vernon) to see that magic far from being a load of crock, and this and that is actually good and requires talent etc, is for harry to use magic to save them and thus forcing them finally (grudinglyof course) to accept that magic isn't all bad and that they weren't entirely right. of course they'll never do a full turn around, they'll still be pig-headed and critcise it but perhaps they'll acknowledge like one good aspect of it and i think that's as far as they'll go.

as for petunia, i think she needs to find some peace or resolution with her sister's memory, cos i'm guessing her last words, actions, encounter whatever with lily weren't exactly full of sisterly love and i do think she'll go further than vernoon and dudley in accepting magic and harry. but i can't see any of them apologising, they might be a bit less mean but they're too pig-headed to actually apologise.

also not sure if it'll happen like this it's a bit too hackneyed, harry saves the day and they embrace him to their family?? not sure, it might be a bit of a cliched approach, but hey it could happen.

[Tanuki]

well, i like your theory, and i would like petunia to acknowledge that her sister wasn't an evil freak and was actually an intelligent loving woman. and perhaps the only way for her (and dudley and vernon) to see that magic far from being a load of crock, and this and that is actually good and requires talent etc, is for harry to use magic to save them and thus forcing them finally (grudinglyof course) to accept that magic isn't all bad and that they weren't entirely right.

And if Petunia does any of these things, we might as well throw character consistancy out the window. bigotry can't be changed so easily after its been rooted so far. As far as I can figure, Petunia hated Lily from the get go and thought lily was worth less than her because she wasn't like anyone else. For someone who prizes social status above everything else, anything out of the ordinary would seem like a disadvantage.

I think we'll see a great expansion of the D.A. to fill the void left when DD dies. I also expect to see the final resolution to the maurauders, and we'll definitely see one last fight between Draco and Harry before Draco loses any position whatsoever

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

also not sure if it'll happen like this it's a bit too hackneyed, harry saves the day and they embrace him to their family?? not sure, it might be a bit of a cliched approach, but hey it could happen.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they'll embrace him into their family, but It does sort of sound as though it's a possibility. It wouldn't happen in a cliched way though, I'm sure JKR wouldn't let that happen.
The Dursley's just don't seem to be playing an important part in the books. I mean, yes, they are in the books, and yes, Petunia's blood sealed the protection, but overall, the Dursley's don't play any part in the Second War at all.
And a reason why the DE might attack the Dursley's?
Well... As long as there is a place where Lily's blood dwells, there is protection to Harry, so if they take away the blood..........

[thestral]

to me i don't really care so much what happens in regard to this storyline, yeah it would be nice in a hollywood sort of way, but generally i agree with tanuki, it wouldn't be consistent with their characters and you can't change a bigot. the blood thing i think will be important obviously but beyond that i don't think they have any more of a real role to play, the focus is on the second war and they aren't crucial or even aware of it.

and what i really want to see is a resolution to the marauders and i do think that will happen, it has to. and i'm looking forward to see what more the DA can do, and see harry grow as a leader of course.

[Imelyen]

After re-reading the books again...I noticed that Petunia never really played any sort of a role in the books until OotP....She hasn't be too mean to Harry, she just seems to do what ever Vernon does. So you cant really tell is she truly hates Harry, or if she was jealous of her sister (which she probablly was), or if she was just trying to keep her husband.

Personally, though, I think the Dursley's are pretty much obsolete..now that we know WHY Harry has to go back to the house and since he probablly wont be spending too much time at the house (what with the Order around and all) there wont be much need to keep on including them. Unless J.K.R. wants to kill them off, which is 100% fine by me (though I seem to be growing fond of Uncle Vernon)

[Cedric]

I think Harry will in the end appriciate them for at least keeping him. But won't really realize till the end.

I noticed that Petunia never really played any sort of a role in the books until OotP....She hasn't be too mean to Harry, she just seems to do what ever Vernon does.

In the first book, (I don't have it with me so if I misword this please someone correct me) when Vernon saw the cat in the beginning and then Heard about the Potter boy from the strangers on the side walk, he didn't want to worry Petunia because she disliked her sister that much. I think its the other way around. Petunia was the one who really dislike Harry, and Vernon was helping her. They were both kinda feeding off each other until OotP when Petunia was reminded of what she promised to do.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Hmmm no I don't agree. I think when Petunia told Vernon that her sister and brother-in-law, Vernon didn't take it very well, and he and Petunia agreed never to speak of them again.
Then Harry came...

[Cedric]

Oh, see I thought it was always Petunia because she never wanted the neighbors to here...I don't know maybe I should go look it up before I post anymore here??!!?? But its just what I've gotten from reading the books

[Tanuki]

No, in the first book, when Hagrid comes along, Petunia is very honest about how she viewed er sister. She was just lucky enough to meet a man as bigoted and cruel as she was. No one is controlling anyone else. They were alike; that's how the books are

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

yeah... You're probably right Tanuki. They did get married after all. Perfect match.......

[thestral]

they suit each other, bitter shrivelled up old bigots. birds of a feather fly together! . They're both bigots and their way of thinking is perfectly in tune with each other (until they have to save their own skin, 'remember, Petunia!!' something ulterior there of course). they just express their hatred, prejudice and bigotry in different ways. they're really a perfect family, dudley is just their perfect son.

[Tween_Luv]

yes, that is a really good theory! Petunia does seem like a pretty complex character and i really do hope to find out more about her in the next books!

[niki_192]

i wonder if the dursleys will still b mean to harry once he comes of age i mean he can pay them back and do magic on them..... especially dursley... put i pair of ears on him for that tail from book 1.......... that would b funny
hehehe
muahahaha