Vernon Dursley threatened to beat Harry several times. He also said several times that he wished he would have. But he never did, which makes me think that they were scared of Harry, even before he knew he was a wizard.
2006-08-11 13:46:49 · 12 answers · asked by Jeremy© ® ™ 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
ya they were afraid of him. they know that he was not a normal child. they know he has some powers. they taught that he would use some powers on him and destroy them. so they were afraid to beat harry. they know about voldemort and what happened to harry's parents so they were afraid of him
2006-08-12 03:39:13 · answer #1 · answered by george 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes both Dursley were afraid of Harry they don't like anything strange happening to upset their perfect muggle lives; and of course they knew that Harry might be a wizard one day since both his parents were wizards. On the whole Dursley doesn't know much about the world of wizard he all talk and nothing more. But as for his wife Harry's aunt, she knows a lot about the wizard world she might have had talent into becoming a witch but she must of either decided not to go that route in life because she was afraid of Voldermolt and what he might do to her. But Dumbledore did write her quite a bit so she really does know something about this world and that makes me wonder if Lily Evan's parents weren't wizards themselves. As for Harry being beaten will both Vernon and his wife let their son do the dirty work for them. As you know Harry went to the same muggle elementary school as Harry and their son was always beating up on Harry. Why do the dirty work when your son can do it for it, that's what the Dursley did to Harry. But I think out of the two adults, Harry's aunt did the most damage to him since she is a weak character no backbone; and she was the one that phyiscally abuse Harry by not taking care of him properly having him sleep under a stair well and not feeding him, I guess she did that because she wanted to knock the wizard out of Harry, so be afraid to explore that part of his family hertiage.
2006-08-11 15:38:51 · answer #2 · answered by Gail M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They always knew there was a distinct possibility that Harry would be a Wizard. Petunia's sister, Harry's mother was a witch and his father was a wizard. Very good odds. So I say they were definitely afraid of Harry from the time that he crossed their doorstep. Also there is mention (When Hagrid comes for Harry's first year) of "strange" things happening to Harry when he was very angry or very afraid so while Harry didn't know he was magical, I'm sure Mr & Mrs Dursley recognized the signs.
2006-08-11 14:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by cucumberly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if you remember, the books said Harry would often unconsciously perform magic at times of great stress. This explains all the odd things that happened to him as a child and setting the boa constrictor loose at the zoo.
It's safe to assume that the Dursleys knew of his wizarding powers and understood why these evens occured and that's why they never hurt him. They were afraid of what Harry might accidently do.
2006-08-11 15:41:56 · answer #4 · answered by andromeda 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're probably right. Vernon and Petunia both knew that both Harry's parents were magic, and so they assumed Harry would turn out the same way as well. Perhaps that's why they always treated Harry differently than the way they treated Dudley.
A very good point, my friend, an excellent point....
2006-08-11 17:07:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were terrified of him, and of all wizards, and anything that seems even slightly unusual (you can tell they would hate blacks and gays, for instance). They get more and frightened of him in every book as he gets older, bigger and more powerful.
Veron was never able to beat Harry, because we are told that Harry was very fast, and also that he was protected by his (latent) magic, and maybe also the charm of love that his mother placed on him when she died.
2006-08-11 14:25:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they have been scared of him since he was first dropped on their porch. They were scared of the fact he is a wizard, and what he might do and what other people would think if they ever found out.
2006-08-11 15:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by Fernajen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they knew he was a wizard that is why they pretty much locked him in a cupboard under the stairs. The aunt was jelous that her sister(hariiy's mom) was a wizard and she was not.
2006-08-11 13:50:18 · answer #8 · answered by princess sparkel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they must have know his parents were wizards, and that was why they were so mean to him.
2006-08-11 13:49:50 · answer #9 · answered by Bella 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
But if they were scared of him, why did they make him live under the staircase?
2006-08-11 13:49:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋