Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

by

J. K. Rowling

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Aunt Petunia Character Analysis

Harry's aunt. She's a thin and horse-faced woman who loves nothing more than spying on the neighbors. Though Petunia hates Harry, she knows that she has to continue to allow him to stay at her home. Dumbledore later explains to Harry that this is because Lily's sacrifice to save Harry will only continue to protect him if he remains with Petunia, Lily's sister. Harry is grateful that Petunia is his aunt for the first time when Petunia reveals that she knows what dementors are and grasps the implications of Voldemort's return.
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Aunt Petunia Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The timeline below shows where the character Aunt Petunia appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter One
Trauma, Silence, and Speech Theme Icon
Choices, Family, and Love Theme Icon
War: Excitement vs. The Mundane Theme Icon
...the news, but his Uncle Vernon won't let him. He listens to Vernon and Aunt Petunia talk about their son Dudley, who's out with his friends vandalizing the park or beating... (full context)
Trauma, Silence, and Speech Theme Icon
...news from owls. Harry truthfully says he's not getting news from the owls, and when Petunia and Vernon say they're not stupid, Harry snaps, calls them stupid, and walks away. He... (full context)
Chapter Two
The Purpose of Education Theme Icon
Choices, Family, and Love Theme Icon
...him. She does and then leaves him on the front porch. Harry rings the bell, Petunia opens the door, and Dudley promptly vomits. Petunia and Vernon help Dudley inside while Harry... (full context)
Choices, Family, and Love Theme Icon
...and felt cold and unhappy. Harry explains to Vernon that a dementor attacked Dudley, and Petunia adds that dementors protect Azkaban, the wizard prison. Both Harry and Vernon stare at her... (full context)
Trauma, Silence, and Speech Theme Icon
...he wonders out loud if they've joined Voldemort. Harry explains that Voldemort is back, and Petunia seems to comprehend the gravity of this. Harry is, for the first time, happy that... (full context)
Trauma, Silence, and Speech Theme Icon
Choices, Family, and Love Theme Icon
...As Vernon rages at Harry, another owl drops a red, smoking envelope—a Howler—in front of Petunia. It's addressed to her. After a moment, it bursts into flames, and a horrible voice... (full context)
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Choices, Family, and Love Theme Icon
...He says that because Lily died to save Harry, Harry is safe in her sister Petunia's house. Harry realizes that Dumbledore sent the Howler when Vernon tried to kick Harry out... (full context)
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Choices, Family, and Love Theme Icon
...Moody, Tonks, Lupin, Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Fred, and George. The group approaches Vernon and Petunia, who are also there, to tell them that there will be consequences if they discover... (full context)