I thought that Petunia and her family, except for her sister, were muggles. And that there was an, "Ooooh, a magical daughter -- cool!" factor in her family that made her hate her sister and other magic users. Admittedly, most of this is probably just assumptions on my part. But she seems to have a level of fear for things magical that I don't think she'd have had if she'd grown up in a magic-oriented household.
Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Giles ,'Conversations with Dead People'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Calli - Jun 30, 2004 6:01:32 am PDT #3683 of 10002
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
Connie Neil - Jun 30, 2004 6:12:20 am PDT #3684 of 10002
brillig
I'm with Calli, but I think Petunia's fear of magic is more a fear of all things that aren't exactly the way the neighbors do things. The Dursleys seem militantly average.
Dana - Jun 30, 2004 6:21:01 am PDT #3685 of 10002
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
The Veela are the blonde siren-type creatures that show up in Book 4.
Aims - Jun 30, 2004 7:00:07 am PDT #3686 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
So, how does a wizarding family know that a child is magical or not? By if the child gets the letter from Hogwarts?
Aims - Jun 30, 2004 7:01:30 am PDT #3687 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
Serial:
And Lily's family being a wizarding family makes a lot of sense. Harry Poter or no, Buttmonkey would NEVER pass up an opportunity to call Harry a Mudblood, like he does Hermione.
Connie Neil - Jun 30, 2004 7:01:47 am PDT #3688 of 10002
brillig
I think a wizarding family assumes a kid is magical until proven otherwise. There are probably tests and such. Or, if you're a Malfoy, it's probably, "Hex the maid, Draco. That's my boy!"
edit: no, that'd be "Hex the house elf" most likely.
Dana - Jun 30, 2004 7:02:39 am PDT #3689 of 10002
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Apparently. I think Hermione describes getting the letter in the first book. So yeah, I imagine that's kind of a paradigm shift for Muggle families.
Plus, how does it work with the different schools? Do some people get acceptance letters from Hogwarts and Durmstrang and Beaubaxtons?
Her world sometimes makes my head hurt.
Aims - Jun 30, 2004 7:02:41 am PDT #3690 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
"Hex the maid, Draco. That's my boy!"
"Wait! *That's* not hexing!!! That's humping. Stoopid buttmonkey."
Connie Neil - Jun 30, 2004 7:03:55 am PDT #3691 of 10002
brillig
With my edit, Aimee's mind is even more disturbing.
Aims - Jun 30, 2004 7:04:23 am PDT #3692 of 10002
Shit's all sorts of different now.
Her world sometimes makes my head hurt.
No effing kidding. I think she needs to release a big ole flow chart for the adult fans when she's done. I'm sick of asking my 12 year old cousin questions. Bad enough he makes fun of me for not knowing how to work my digital camera.