Riddle me this...

[Welsh Dog]

Hedwig brought Harry an Xmas present in Cos. I quote:

At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"

She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.

Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!

There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)

How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.

There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!

Welshdog

[John VanSickle]

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!

There's a part we didn't see:

HAGRID: Here yer go, Mr. Dursley. Harry's owl. Just hand it a note
and it'll take it straight ter him.

VERNON: I am having nothing to do with that ruddy owl!

HAGRID: Remember that shotgun you pointed at me?

VERNON: Yes...

HAGRID: Next time it's your spine.

Regards,
John

[Welsh Dog]

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:32:45 -0400, John VanSickle

Post by John VanSickle

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!

HAGRID: Here yer go, Mr. Dursley. Harry's owl. Just hand it a note
and it'll take it straight ter him.
VERNON: I am having nothing to do with that ruddy owl!
HAGRID: Remember that shotgun you pointed at me?
VERNON: Yes...
HAGRID: Next time it's your spine.

Vernon Dursley has a spine?? :)

Welshdog

[Nova]

Post by Welsh Dog
Vernon Dursley has a spine?? :)

Oh yes, and it's just like all the other bullies: nice and shiny and never
been used; one might even say "like new!"

Nova

[Here in Minnesota!]

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!

They never remembered Harry's Birthday. My impression was always that they
were reminded by someone at Hogwarts and gave Hedwig whatever was handy If
not out of fear or shame... just to get rid of the owl.

one year they sent this note with the gift:

"We received your message and enclose your Christmas present. From Uncle
Vernon and Aunt Petunia."

[Drusilla]

Post by Here in Minnesota!

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!

They never remembered Harry's Birthday. My impression was always that
they were reminded by someone at Hogwarts and gave Hedwig whatever was
handy If not out of fear or shame... just to get rid of the owl.
"We received your message and enclose your Christmas present. From Uncle
Vernon and Aunt Petunia."

"your message" was "Merry Christmas" from Harry. He is decent enough to
send his best wishes to his uncle and aunt.

[Toon]

Post by Welsh Dog
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.

I believe DD had a hand in that. And Harry once told Hedwig to peck
and Ron and Hermione until the wrote him a proper answer. Same thing.
Hedwig probably dropped a note saying give a present to Harry or else.

Now, why didn't Harry ever ask to sty the summer? The Dursely's
recommend it. Harry would love it. And he saw Tom's memory of asking
Dippet if he could. Dippet refused because the school was being
closed because of the Basilisk. So, if it wasn't for Tom's plan,
there'd be no reason not to let him stay. So, Harry should have been
asking. DD couldn't comply, but still.

[Weird Beard]

Post by Toon

Post by Welsh Dog
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.

I believe DD had a hand in that. And Harry once told Hedwig to peck
and Ron and Hermione until the wrote him a proper answer. Same thing.
Hedwig probably dropped a note saying give a present to Harry or else.
Now, why didn't Harry ever ask to sty the summer? The Dursely's
recommend it. Harry would love it. And he saw Tom's memory of asking
Dippet if he could. Dippet refused because the school was being
closed because of the Basilisk. So, if it wasn't for Tom's plan,
there'd be no reason not to let him stay. So, Harry should have been
asking. DD couldn't comply, but still.

I believe he had to renew the blood-relative connection for a while each
school year.

[x]

Possibly something arranged by the good graces of Mrs. Arabella Doreen
Figg - living nearby on Wisteria Walk, aquainted with the Dursleys, and
the closest keeper-of-an-eye-upon Harry?

Post by Welsh Dog
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.

[Toon]

Post by x
Possibly something arranged by the good graces of Mrs. Arabella Doreen
Figg - living nearby on Wisteria Walk, aquainted with the Dursleys, and
the closest keeper-of-an-eye-upon Harry?

Oh Vernon, Petunia, tis Christmas time you know. You are sending
young Harry a present, no? For a lark, why not attach it to this
nice owl I found in my tree.

[x]

Oh-kay! Here we go - supposition time everybody! :)

IS IT OUTSIDE THE REALM of possibility that the Dursleys, having been
unknowingly fobbing-off Harry on the very person (albeit a squib) close
enough to him to keep an eye on him and being able to summon extreme
help if needed and being "in the know", were conversational enough with
Arabella that, in the course of her asking Petunia "how's Harry getting
on these days? I haven't seen him in a while and I've knitted him a
nice 'bananna warmer' (Ginny would, eventually, be pleased) for Xmas!"
learns through Petunia...

(and, you have GOT to hear Fiona Shaw in BBC4's radio series "Our Brave
Boys" - go to alt.binaries.sounds.radio.bbc (and .highspeed) to find
it, she's great!)

...that the Dursleys also have a present for Harry, after which
Arabella arranges for someone to apparate over to the house, zap the
three of their tiny little minds with the 'memory' that they've sent it
off to him, and abscond with the present to relay it to Harry via
Hedwig?

(your turn)

Post by Toon
Oh Vernon, Petunia, tis Christmas time you know. You are sending
young Harry a present, no? For a lark, why not attach it to this
nice owl I found in my tree.

[Toon]

Post by x
...that the Dursleys also have a present for Harry, after which
Arabella arranges for someone to apparate over to the house, zap the
three of their tiny little minds with the 'memory' that they've sent it
off to him, and abscond with the present to relay it to Harry via
Hedwig?

Can wizards implant memories? Are there Wizards In Black for just
this sort of thing? Here come the WIB. They'll force you to
remember.

[x]

Oh. Come. ON! :)

Ministry of Magic? Cleans up Muggles' memories when things have
happened that shouldn't have happened? Flying cars? Relatives
swelling-up and floating away? Combination International Quidditch
matches out in the open with gigantic floating flaming skull beacons
and Death Eater cotillions?

Post by Toon
Can wizards implant memories? Are there Wizards In Black for just
this sort of thing? Here come the WIB. They'll force you to
remember.

[t***@gmail.com]

Post by Toon

Post by x
...that the Dursleys also have a present for Harry, after which
Arabella arranges for someone to apparate over to the house, zap the
three of their tiny little minds with the 'memory' that they've sent it
off to him, and abscond with the present to relay it to Harry via
Hedwig?

Can wizards implant memories? Are there Wizards In Black for just
this sort of thing? Here come the WIB. They'll force you to
remember.

Voldemort implanted in Morfin a memory of killing the Riddle family, and in a House Elf a memory of accidentely poisoning her mistress.

[Timothy Bruening]

Post by Toon

Post by x
...that the Dursleys also have a present for Harry, after which
Arabella arranges for someone to apparate over to the house, zap the
three of their tiny little minds with the 'memory' that they've sent it
off to him, and abscond with the present to relay it to Harry via
Hedwig?

Can wizards implant memories? Are there Wizards In Black for just
this sort of thing? Here come the WIB. They'll force you to
remember.

Voldemort implanted in Morfin a memory of having killed the Riddle family, and implanted in a house elf a memory of accidentely poisoning her mistress!

[Welsh Dog]

Post by Toon

Post by x
Possibly something arranged by the good graces of Mrs. Arabella Doreen
Figg - living nearby on Wisteria Walk, aquainted with the Dursleys, and
the closest keeper-of-an-eye-upon Harry?

Oh Vernon, Petunia, tis Christmas time you know. You are sending
young Harry a present, no? For a lark, why not attach it to this
nice owl I found in my tree.

I'm sure a partridge would be more traditional... esp in a pear tree?

Welshdog

[DaveD]

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!
Welshdog

Well spotted - that one completely passed me by when I just reread the book!

DaveD

[Thom Madura]

Post by DaveD

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!
Welshdog

Well spotted - that one completely passed me by when I just reread the book!
DaveD

The problem with it is - Wizards receive their mail via Owls - all of their
mail.
They don't have another option. THere are no letter carriers or postmen.

But that is no indication that the letter was sent to Harry via owl. IT is
only an indication that the mail got to Hedwig to deliver.

For example - when YOU send out a letter - it is not delivered by the
person who picks it up - there is a chain of events before it gets to the
postman who will deliver it.

Obviously - the wizarding world has a way of intercepting mail - just as
they have a way of sending it too. Remember - Harry received mail the
regular way from Mrs Weasley - covered with stamps.

[Welsh Dog]

On Tue, 2 Sep 2008 01:00:30 -0400, "Thom Madura"

Post by Thom Madura

Post by DaveD

Post by Welsh Dog
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room,
carrying a very small package in her beak.
"Hello," said Harry happily as she landed on his bed.
"Are you speaking to me again?"
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which
was a far better present than the one that she had
brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys.
They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him
to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts
for the summer vacation, too.
Excuse me? The Dursleys had not only sent an Xmas present... but
horror of horrors... had somehow managed to sent it via Hedwig!
There's a few questions here, especially bearing in mind Vernon's oft
displayed antipathy towards owls of any shape, size or configuration!!
:)
How did Hedwig get to Privet Drive... why did she *go* there... why
did the Dursleys send Harry *anything*... why did Vernon suddenly
decide to 'trust' 'ruddy owls'... etc etc etc.
There again is something *very* wrong with this little vignette!!!

Well spotted - that one completely passed me by when I just reread the book!

The problem with it is - Wizards receive their mail via Owls - all of their
mail.

At Hogwarts maybe... not necessarily everywhere else. Especially
noting as you do later on that Harry got mail from a Wizard via the
Muggle postal services!

Post by Thom Madura
They don't have another option. THere are no letter carriers or postmen.

Yet Molly managed! :)

Post by Thom Madura
But that is no indication that the letter was sent to Harry via owl. IT is
only an indication that the mail got to Hedwig to deliver.

This once and no other time??

Post by Thom Madura
For example - when YOU send out a letter - it is not delivered by the
person who picks it up - there is a chain of events before it gets to the
postman who will deliver it.
Obviously - the wizarding world has a way of intercepting mail - just as
they have a way of sending it too. Remember - Harry received mail the
regular way from Mrs Weasley - covered with stamps.

He received mail... but they sent it directly to him. No owl involved.

We *know* that Muggles can send mail to Hogwarts,

“Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of—”

But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

Vernon wouldn't have posted anything to Harry at school because he
hated even mentioning the name. Can you even imagine him writing the
address on an envelope even if he knew it??

Added to which remember this wasn't a normal post owl delivering to
Harry... this was *Hedwig*!!

Welshdog

[Toon]

Post by Welsh Dog
“Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of—”

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

Post by Welsh Dog
But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Post by Welsh Dog
Added to which remember this wasn't a normal post owl delivering to
Harry... this was *Hedwig*!!

Maybe Vernon likes owls, and only wizarding use sets him off. So, he
got some time with Hedwig in exchange for the mailing.

[Drusilla]

Post by Toon

“Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of—”

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl? Can't Hermione's parents
do that? I doubt they are not aware that Harry uses Hedwig to send
letters, IICR, they mention that in CoS. And, they know that's how
Hogwarts letter to Harry arrived in first place. So, it's not that hard
to figure out that you can send a message back.

This is how I think it might be: Harry sends a letter. "Merry
Christmas". He sent Hedwig and ask her to be nice (Harry ain't that
bad!). The Dursleys see Hedgig, pick the letter and grab whatever they
have around and send the owl back.

Post by Toon

Added to which remember this wasn't a normal post owl delivering to
Harry... this was *Hedwig*!!

Maybe Vernon likes owls, and only wizarding use sets him off. So, he
got some time with Hedwig in exchange for the mailing.

[Welsh Dog]

On Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:26:47 -0500, Drusilla

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

Post by Welsh Dog
“Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of—”

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

Post by Welsh Dog
But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl? Can't Hermione's parents
do that? I doubt they are not aware that Harry uses Hedwig to send
letters, IICR, they mention that in CoS. And, they know that's how
Hogwarts letter to Harry arrived in first place. So, it's not that hard
to figure out that you can send a message back.

See below! We're talking about Vernon not your average Muggle... and
we're talking about Vernon sending *anything* to Harry by any means...
which alone is highly unlikely let alone by owl!! :)

Not exactly best friends Harry and Vernon, were they??

Vernon made Harry keep Hedwig locked in her cage to stop him chatting
to his 'freaky little friends' - and it's a long way away as well so
why would Hedwig have gone back there??

Post by Drusilla
This is how I think it might be: Harry sends a letter. "Merry
Christmas". He sent Hedwig and ask her to be nice (Harry ain't that
bad!). The Dursleys see Hedgig, pick the letter and grab whatever they
have around and send the owl back.

Hmmm...

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

Post by Welsh Dog
Added to which remember this wasn't a normal post owl delivering to
Harry... this was *Hedwig*!!

Maybe Vernon likes owls, and only wizarding use sets him off. So, he
got some time with Hedwig in exchange for the mailing.

Welshdog

[Toon]

On Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:26:47 -0500, Drusilla

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

Post by Welsh Dog
“Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of—”

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

Post by Welsh Dog
But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl?

Not can't. Won't. Vernon wouldn't use an owl unless coerced into it.

[DaveD]

Post by Welsh Dog
On Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:26:47 -0500, Drusilla

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

"Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of-"

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl?

Not can't. Won't. Vernon wouldn't use an owl unless coerced into it.

And Harry does tell Hedwig not to come back without a reply from Ron and
Hermione in later books (OotP??) so she pecks them quite a bit. Perhaps he
did the same with Vernon after he sent the christmas card - though I'm not
sure why he would as he knows he only gets crap presents from the Dursleys!

DaveD

[Welsh Dog]

On Mon, 8 Sep 2008 20:55:04 +0100, "DaveD"

Post by DaveD

Post by Welsh Dog
On Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:26:47 -0500, Drusilla

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

"Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of-"

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl?

Not can't. Won't. Vernon wouldn't use an owl unless coerced into it.

And Harry does tell Hedwig not to come back without a reply from Ron and
Hermione in later books (OotP??) so she pecks them quite a bit. Perhaps he
did the same with Vernon after he sent the christmas card - though I'm not
sure why he would as he knows he only gets crap presents from the Dursleys!

The only possible answer would be Harry sending a card to the Dursleys
and them feeling obligated to send something 'light' in return.

While I admit I find it hard to imagine Harry thinking of them at all,
it *is* possible he felt he ought to around Xmas.

Welshdog

[Toon]

On Mon, 8 Sep 2008 20:55:04 +0100, "DaveD"

Post by DaveD

Post by Welsh Dog
On Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:26:47 -0500, Drusilla

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

"Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of-"

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl?

Not can't. Won't. Vernon wouldn't use an owl unless coerced into it.

And Harry does tell Hedwig not to come back without a reply from Ron and
Hermione in later books (OotP??) so she pecks them quite a bit. Perhaps he
did the same with Vernon after he sent the christmas card - though I'm not
sure why he would as he knows he only gets crap presents from the Dursleys!
DaveD

So Hedwig can peck them up a bit. Merry Christmas to me, thought
Harry gleefully.

[richard e white]

Post by DaveD

Post by Welsh Dog
On Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:26:47 -0500, Drusilla

Post by Drusilla

Post by Toon

"Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe
a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all!
He says there must be wizards working undercover
in the postal service who take care of-"

Or Petunia used Lily's owl.

But that explains nothing about how *Vernon* managed to get a letter
to Harry!

I still say DD had a hand in it all.

Who says muggles can't sent a letter via Owl?

Not can't. Won't. Vernon wouldn't use an owl unless coerced into it.

And Harry does tell Hedwig not to come back without a reply from Ron and
Hermione in later books (OotP??) so she pecks them quite a bit. Perhaps he
did the same with Vernon after he sent the christmas card - though I'm not
sure why he would as he knows he only gets crap presents from the Dursleys!
DaveD

At one point HG says headwig showed up so harry would get a birthday present.
HG used headwig to deliver harry's present. This points to Headwig being
trained or knowing when Harry should expect presents. She might have gone
herself.
However I would bet on a house elf, DD or maggonical sending headwig with a
letter saying Headwig was there to cloect harry's x-mass pressent. Then the
durslys would give headwig something for her to take back. The random items
she brought harry always made me think they grabbed what ever was handy to send
back. After all they never wanted her to stick around.
The only odd thing about what she brings back to him is the note asking harry
to see if he could stay for the summer break as well. We all know why he
couldn't, but I was surprised that he never even showed the letter to any of
the teachers. Harry just reads the note and never does anything with it. I
always woundered if she cut that seen for somereason.


--
Richard The Blind Typer.
Lets hear it for talking computers.
Lets go for talking i-pods!

[Toon]

Post by richard e white
However I would bet on a house elf, DD or maggonical sending headwig with a
letter saying Headwig was there to cloect harry's x-mass pressent. Then the
durslys would give headwig something for her to take back. The random items
she brought harry always made me think they grabbed what ever was handy to send
back. After all they never wanted her to stick around.
The only odd thing about what she brings back to him is the note asking harry
to see if he could stay for the summer break as well. We all know why he
couldn't, but I was surprised that he never even showed the letter to any of
the teachers. Harry just reads the note and never does anything with it. I
always woundered if she cut that seen for somereason.

And Petunia would never allow it. She knows Harry needs to return
home each year. Vernon seems to have snuck that one in.

[Toon]

On Tue, 2 Sep 2008 01:00:30 -0400, "Thom Madura"

Post by Thom Madura
Remember - Harry received mail the
regular way from Mrs Weasley - covered with stamps.

That's not exactly the regular way. Most use one stamp.