Why the Deathly Hallows deleted scenes give the Dursleys’ the ending they deserve

By Joseph Hayes | Jun 12, 2018

The Dursleys’ received an ending in the Harry Potter books that the movies choose to overlook, was this right, or should the scenes have been included?

The Harry Potter and the Death Hallows deleted scenes which were left out of the movie but can be watched on YouTube. While they shed light on a few things, amongst them, how Ron and Hermione kept up their spirits on the run by skipping rocks, no one quite gets the benefit of the deleted scenes more than the Dursley’s.

First up is Aunt Petunia, not only does she show her human side by showing her regret at leaving her house. While this is almost humorous given the danger she is in, Petunia then lets her real side show, revealing that she has known all along what the Death Eaters are ‘capable of’, and her grief at losing her sister. This hints that she puts on the charade of her contempt for magic because of real fear and worry.

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Secondly, Dudley Dursley and Harry finally resolve the ongoing conflict they had since we first saw Dursley bullying Harry at the beginning of the Philosophers stone. In an understated way, Dudley tells Harry that;

"“I don’t think you’re a waste of space.”"

In a moment of recognizing each other’s dual humanity as well as the considerable things, they have been through such as a Dementor attack, the hatchet is finally buried.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

As J.K. Rowling has commentated Dudley and Harry would go onto have a peaceful, if somewhat silent, relationship. However, in the films at least the deleted scenes make a nice point of closure, that is somewhat denied to the audiences otherwise.

Finally and perhaps the tersest relationship that Harry has, is with Uncle Vernon. This is resolved as well. Vernon says to Harry rather cryptically;

"“This isn’t just goodbye boy, is it? This is farewell.”"

For the first time, it shows the respect that Vernon has for Harry. By giving Harry on his journey, it shows both how far each of them has come. It also shows that despite Vernon’s relationship being more strained on account of Harry not being a blood relative, his concerns.

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When Dursley asks Vernon “isn’t he coming with us?” Vernon first gruffly responds “absolutely not.” However, then says to Harry “well he doesn’t want to do you boy?” recognizing Harry and his wishes. Vernon also does not answer Harry’s question as to whether he thinks he is a “waste of space,” suggesting that perhaps Uncle Vernon is ashamed of some of the past things he has said to Harry.

The deleted scenes show the humanity of the Dursley’s. They were ultimately not bad people but merely scared and tried to do their best by Harry. They were successful in this, ultimately managing to help keep Harry safe for 10 years up until 1991 and then during the term holidays as well. They also managed to protect Harry better than Hogwarts for all its charms and enchantments could have done. The Dursley’s deserve their happy(ish) ending the deleted scenes give them.

Next: The real-life Harry Potter Knight Bus you didn’t know about

Do you agree? Or do you think it was right to not include these scenes in the movie? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below?

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