No, Petunia Dursley harbored no love for her nephew, Harry Potter. Her feelings towards him were primarily driven by deep-seated resentment and bitterness related to the magical world, rather than affection.
Petunia's Complex Relationship with Harry
The relationship between Petunia Dursley and Harry Potter was anything but loving. Despite living under the same roof for years, Petunia consistently displayed coldness, neglect, and outright cruelty towards Harry. Her lack of affection was a direct result of her own history and feelings regarding the wizarding world. She felt rejected by this world, which had embraced her sister Lily while seemingly overlooking her. This personal resentment seeped into her treatment of Harry, the living embodiment of the world she envied and scorned.
The Nuance of Her Actions
While Petunia had no love for Harry, her actions were not entirely simple. She did keep Harry in her home at Privet Drive, even actively preventing her husband, Vernon Dursley, from sending him to an orphanage. This decision, despite her overt hostility, suggests a more complex internal struggle. Her history indicates that she possessed something of a heart, which ultimately prevented her from abandoning her nephew completely. This sense of duty or residual familial bond, though devoid of warmth or kindness, was enough to ensure Harry had a roof over his head, albeit a very unhappy one.
Understanding Petunia's Motivations
Petunia's character is a study in conflicting emotions. Her jealousy of Lily, coupled with her desire for a "normal" life, led her to reject anything associated with magic. Harry became the unfortunate recipient of this projected bitterness.
Here’s a breakdown of her motivations and actions:
| Aspect | Petunia's Feelings Towards Harry | Petunia's Actions Regarding Harry |
|---|---|---|
| Love | None | Provided shelter, but no affection |
| Resentment | High (towards wizarding world & Harry) | Treated him with neglect and cruelty |
| Motivation for Housing | "Something of a heart" / Duty | Prevented him from being sent to an orphanage |
| Emotional State | Bitter, envious, fearful | Maintained a facade of normalcy |
In conclusion, while Petunia Dursley never showed love for Harry and often treated him poorly, her decision to house him was influenced by a deep-seated, albeit unacknowledged, sense of responsibility stemming from a part of her "heart" that prevented complete abandonment.
