Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Chapter Three:
The Dursleys Departing

'Dudley, for the first time in your life, you're talking sense.'

Notes by Michele L. Worley
Page editor Belinda Hobbs

U.S. hardcover edition: pages 30 - 42
U.K. hardcover edition: pages 31 - 41
Timeframe: July 27, 1997

In which Vernon Dursley is reluctant for the family to flee Privet Drive on Harry's say so, Harry explains the situation again, and Dudley talks sense.

Interesting facts and notes about the text of this chapter:

as Mr. Weasley had once demolished half of the living room

And it could have happened to anybody who didn't know that the Dursleys had blocked up their fireplace (GF4).

Harry was sure that in that instant they were both wondering the same thing.

Personally, I suppose Harry would have tried to rescue them, but possibly with some internal "do I really have to?" monologue that might have been amusing. After all, he saved Dudley once (OP1).

'If we'd even seen CVs...'

This is in both the UK and US editions, and I admit that I couldn't follow Vernon's thought process here on my first reading as to why he is using the term 'CVs'.

(BH) "CV" stands for Curriculum Vitae, which is like a resume. This implies that Uncle Vernon is questioning the credentials and qualifications of the Order members assigned to protect them.

More than the two that attacked us, you mean?

Two years before, in an alley in Little Whinging (OP1).

Characters introduced in this chapter:

• none

Characters returning in this chapter:

• Diggle, Daedalus

• Dursley, Dudley (as Big D, Diddy, Diddykins, Dudders, popkin)

• Dursley, Petunia Evans

• Dursley, Vernon

• Hedwig

• Jones, Hestia

• Potter, Harry

• (unnamed) next-door neighbour to number four, Privet Drive

Characters mentioned in this chapter:

• Black, Sirius (as Harry's godfather)

• Dumbledore, Albus

• Grawp

• Hagrid, Rubeus

• Moody, Alastor ("Mad-Eye")

• Potter, James (as one of Harry's parents)

• Potter, Lily Evans (as one of Harry's parents)

• Prime Minister, the

• Riddle, Tom (as Lord Thing, Voldemort)

• Shacklebolt, Kingsley (as Kingsley)

• Weasley, Arthur

Settings and locations introduced or returning in this chapter:

• number four, Privet Drive (bedroom, living room)

Settings and locations mentioned in this chapter:

• Hut-on-the-Rock (the door-smashing incident is mentioned)

• number 12, Grimmauld Place (as the house left to Harry by his godfather)

• Smeltings (as Dudley's school)

• (unnamed) safe location for the Dursleys

Exceptional character moments:

• Vernon's indecision about fleeing Privet Drive on Harry's say-so. I like the bit about the dumbbells too.

• The fact that the Dursleys have somewhat taken to Kingsley on the strength of his having been on television with the Prime Minister and having mastered the art of dressing in relatively conservative Muggle clothing.

• Dudley, asking what is going to happen to Harry (and the fact that his parents did not ask says a lot about them).

Spells:

• Apparition, Side-Along

• blood protection - protective charm, unnamed

• Disapparation

Links and Resources:

• Bestiary

  • dementors

  • Inferi

• Death Eaters

• items and devices

  • mirror, two-way

  • watch, pocket (Daedalus')

• Ministry of Magic

• Order of the Phoenix, the

• plants (privet hedges)

Memorable lines:

• It was so very typical of his uncle to put his hopes in the establishment, even within this world that he despised and mistrusted.

• ...staring at Dudley as though he had just expressed a desire to become a ballerina.

• "I don't think you're a waste of space."

Strictly British:

• blimey

• bloke

• boot

• carriage clock

• chums (although this isn't exactly British per se, it's old-fashioned in the parts of the U.S. I'm familiar with)

• handbag (personally I think this is pretty generic, but maybe it should be mentioned)

• holidays

• lot ("my lot", "our lot")

• oi

• rucksack

• ruddy

Timelines/Calendar:

Same day as the previous chapter, so it is 27 July.