I suspect that it has something to do with blood ties and some kind of magical bonding that didn't allow than to throw him away, but didn't force them to treat him properly either.

I think they were threatened, because remember in book 5 ******SORRY 4 SPOILING***** (2 ppl who haven't read it) She gets the warning and yesh..

Obviously has something to do with Petunia and the letter Dumbledore left her, but we cannot say what that exactly is just yet.

It is possible...but I do think that there is a lot more to that story. I don't think they were threatened...that's just not Dumbledore's style.

Cause DD who said so and Petunia knows DD well and when they were going to sake him, DD sent a letter to Petunia to remind her so she ordered that Harry will stay. She is frightened of DD.

I have seen this topic a billion times. In the first book i believe Peutina recieved an owl directly from dumbledore we never get to see what it says but it definatly included something important possibly threatning her with blackmail if she didn't agree to take harry. There are billion theories on this one and i know i have read them. it has to do with dumbledore sending Petunia letters.

I believe that the reason that the Dursleys kept Harry was because Aunt Petunia is his aunt. As much as Aunt Petunia loathed her sister she would never really want any harm to come to her. You can never really hate your siblings. As much as you want to, you just can't. You are connected, not only by blood, but in spirit. You have both been created from the same core and that is something that can overcomes hate, jealousy and all the other evils in this world. You'll always have your family no matter what happens. Also Uncle Vernon could have easily said no, but he didn't because he probably saw how Aunt Petunia was feeling and because he loves her so much he allowed for Harry to stay. Also I don't believe that Aunt Petunia hates witches, I just think that she was jealous of her sister, because she too probably wanted to be a witch herself. Another thing that I think might be true is that Aunt Petunia is angry at her sister not only because she was a witch but because she is dead. I don't think that she has ever allowed herself to properly deal with the death of her sister. Rather than be sad that her sister is gone she finds it easier to be angry and be angry at poor Harry. Love is what allowed for Harry to stay at the Dursley's. Also how could you read Dumbledore's letter and not have your heart melt for this little boy who has just lost everything. It was love, I know it was.

They only my hate him, but his still family and Mrs. Dursley is really jealous of Lily.

They took in Harry to offer him the protection that only they could as relatives. The ultimate protection that only family can offer as Dumbledore said when he told Harry why he had to return every summer.

What a great question! I think BrightestWitch has some really good points about Petunia taking her anger and sadness out on Harry. Lots of others posted about Dumbledore's letter(s) to Petunia. We know for sure that Dumbledore used "a bond of blood" to protect Harry from Voldemort, and that Petunia sealed the deal when she agreed to take him in, and that Harry will be protected there as long as he considers the Dursley's house his "home". I think there are consequences with the bond of blood discussed in DD's first letter to Petunia, and the howler was reminding her of them. Check out the Lexicon for more info!!!

They keep because of the letter that Dumbledore gave them when Harry was a baby. The magical protection that Harry has in his blood runs through his Aunt Petunia. That is why they keep him read the Half-blood Prince and you will find out why they have to keep there at their house.

Hmmm theres definitely more going on there than meets the eye...I don't think it was familial love though that made Petunia take Harry in. When you love someone, you don't treat them the way Petunia treated Harry or allowed Harry to be treated, you don't deprive someone of their freedom and dignity.

I think Petunia herself has some magical ability that is undisclosed right now but she wants desperately to be normal. I think she declined an invitation to attend Hogwarts (consequently what happens when, god forbid, someone doesn't want to learn magic?) and so Dumbledore has some power over her. I think the witchcraft thing caused a rift between Lily and Petunia but when Harry was born into such a dangerous time she asked Petunia before she died that if anything should happen to her would Petunia take care of Harry. Therefore "Remember my last" may actually be Dumbledore impressing on Petunia the last wishes of her murdered sister.

I think that Dumbledore played his part in the outcome of Harry remaining with the Dursley's. Maybe though Lily like most smart parents left a will and in the event of James and her both being killed she asks that Petunia take care for her son.

I think that it's all for a reason and I think Dumbledore has something to do with it.

i ahev no idea why they kept him it is beyound me i wouldn't have

Thhy make not like him at all, but they are not cruel.

Too true! Would you lock your nephew in a cupboard under the stairs and neglect, abuse and exploit him?

I'm just throwing this out as a possibility but I was just thinking...

For tax purposes?

Oh c'mon, laugh it off...but this is the Dursley's were talking about...it wasn't love.

Just a thought.

EDIT:

It's called discipline Dainsie... *Ottery smacks the ruler down* Ouch... *hit his hand*

LOL!

"Petunia...if anyone asks we have THREE orphaned nephews and we're both war widows..."

I understand where you are coming from with that. One things sticks out though. If they are so into proper clothing and the like, where were Harry's proper clothing garments?

just because they are the only family Harry has. and there is a secret I think in it, which Harry's aunt knows about that. a secret which was between Dumbledore and her and now after Dumbledore's dead she will tell this secret to Harry.