The Unforgettable Message of Dumbledore: Decoding 'Remember My Last, Petunia' in Harry Potter

Highlights

The first chapter of "The Order of the Phoenix" focuses on Dudley's transformation into a local bully and Harry's growing anxiety about Voldemort's return.

During a distressing encounter with Dementors, Harry and Dudley find themselves in a tense situation. However, Harry effectively safeguards them both by summoning a successful Patronus Charm.

Following this incident, Dumbledore's Howler serves as a powerful reminder to Aunt Petunia about the essential protection Harry gains from residing in her home. This emphatically reinforces the significance of him remaining with the Dursleys.

The storyline of the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, "The Order of the Phoenix," picks up on a scorching summer day in Privet Drive. Harry Potter experiences increasing discomfort from his forehead scar, a result of Lord Voldemort's return, while also battling nightmares about Cedric Diggory. Alongside these challenges, Harry continues to face mistreatment from the Dursleys. The first chapter, titled "Dudley Demented," delves into the transformation of the character Dudley, who has turned into a local bully. He and his gang engage in destructive behavior and loiter around street corners, engaging in smoking. As Dudley and his associates continue to be a public nuisance, Harry passes his time anxiously wandering the streets of Little Whinging.

In this book, a distressing incident involving Dementors unfolds in the alleyway between Magnolia Crescent and Wisteria Walk. On the evening of this attack, Harry ponders how his loved ones in the magical world, particularly Albus Dumbledore, have condemned him to remain in Little Whinging. As he ponders these thoughts, he spots Dudley and his gang rolling down Magnolia Road. Once Piers and Gordon bid farewell to Dudley, Harry comes into view and playfully mocks him with the derogatory names Aunt Petunia often uses. Completely unaware of the imminent danger, Harry and Dudley engage in a heated argument. Shortly after, they encounter the terrifying presence of the Dementors.

Aunt Petunia And Uncle Vernon Demand Answers

In chapter 1 of The Order of the Phoenix, a quarrel breaks out among the boys during their journey. Just as tensions rise, something peculiar occurs. The once balmy evening suddenly turns cold, and all signs of light disappear, leaving Harry in darkness. To his surprise, a Dementor closes in on him. Reacting quickly, Harry shouts the defensive charm, "Expecto Patronum!" in an attempt to ward off the Dementor. After a few failed attempts, Harry finally succeeds when he shifts his focus to Ron and Hermione. As the Dementor retreats, Harry notices his defenseless cousin Dudley lying on the ground. Determined to protect him, Harry directs his Patronus, a majestic stag, towards the second Dementor, causing it to flee as well. With a sense of normalcy restored, Harry encounters his peculiar neighbor, Mrs. Figg, who urges him to keep his wand at the ready. She informs him that Dumbledore ordered her to keep an eye on him and warns about the Ministry's ability to detect underage magic. Mrs. Figg accompanies Harry as he carries the ashen-faced and semi-conscious Dudley back home. Upon their arrival, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon express anger and demand answers from Harry, starting with Vernon's accusatory question, "What have you done to my son?"

Dumbledore's Howler

A kitchen window is invaded by an owl, delivering an expulsion letter to Harry for his use of the Patronus Charm. Uncle Vernon, notorious for his vehement disdain of magic, becomes infuriated with the owl intrusion. After a thorough questioning, Harry loses his composure and reveals to his Aunt and Uncle that it was not him, but the Dementors who attacked their son. Petunia confirms the existence of Dementors, stating that they guard the wizard prison, Azkaban. As Harry receives a third letter, notifying him of an upcoming hearing, Uncle Vernon secretly hopes for a harsh sentence and continues to interrogate him within the confines of The Order of the Phoenix.

In the second chapter of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" titled "A Peck of Owls," Harry discloses his use of magic to fend off the menacing Dementors. Simultaneously, he receives another scroll of parchment, this time from Sirius Black. Eventually, Harry unveils the startling revelation that the perpetrator, Voldemort, responsible for the murder of his parents, has returned. "He resurfaced a month ago. I laid eyes on him," Harry asserts, only to be met with skepticism as his uncle retorts, "And now he's dispatching disassemblers [Dementors] after you?" In light of this, Vernon abruptly demands Harry to vacate his residence.

"GET OUT! GET OUT! I should've taken action years ago! Owls treating this place like a retirement home, desserts exploding, the lounge in shambles, Dudley's tail, Marge floating on the ceiling, and that airborne Ford Anglia — OUT! OUT! You're finished! You're history! You're not welcome here if someone crazy is after you, you're not putting my wife and son in danger, you're not bringing trouble upon us. If you're heading down the same path as your worthless parents, I've had enough! GET OUT!"

Just then, a fifth owl swoops down and drops a crimson envelope on Petunia's head, catching Harry's attention. Harry quickly identifies it as a Howler. The envelope is addressed to "Mrs. Petunia Dursley, The Kitchen, Number Four, Privet Drive —" and although Harry's Aunt is hesitant to open it, the envelope spontaneously combusts. A voice echoes throughout the room:

"Please remember the previous incident, Petunia."

After a brief pause, Petunia concludes that Harry will not be going anywhere. She commands him to stay confined to his room and go to sleep. While she doesn't feel obligated to provide an explanation, Dumbledore's Howler alludes to the last letter he left beside baby Harry in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Lily's sacrifice bestowed upon Harry a lasting magical protection that courses through his veins. Since Petunia and Lily, Harry's mother, were sisters, Petunia's blood granted Harry a level of security that even Dumbledore's most powerful spells and charms could not match. In essence, Aunt Petunia's blood acted as a safeguard for Harry.

In chapter 37 of "The Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore explains that Petunia became alarmed by the Dementors' attack and realized the danger of having Harry at her house. Worried about her family's safety, she remained silent when Uncle Vernon wanted to remove Harry. Dumbledore later reveals in the same chapter that he sent the Howler to remind Petunia of the agreement she made by accepting Harry into her home. This is why Harry had to stay with the Dursleys, as it was the only place where Voldemort could not reach him. Dumbledore sent the Howler to remind Petunia of his previous letter.