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{{Pottermoreold}}
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{{Muggle individual infobox
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|image=[[File:vernon-dh1.jpg|250px]]
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{{Title|image=Tengwar Peregrin Took.png}} {{Featured star}} {{Infobox Person Hobbits
  
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|name=Vernon Dursley
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|image=Pippin.jpg
  
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|born=mid-1950s
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|caption=[[Billy Boyd]] portrays '''Pippin''' in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy|Motion Picture]]''.
  
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|blood=[[Muggle]]
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|name= Peregrin Took
  
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|marital=Married
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|othernames=Pippin, ''"Ernil i Pheriannath"''
  
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|title=Director
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|title=[[Thain|Thain of the Shire]], [[Guard of the Citadel]] (until [[Fourth Age]] by [[Denethor II]]), Knight of [[Gondor]] (from Fourth Age by [[Aragorn II]])
  
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|species=[[Human]]
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|birth=[[TA 2990]] (SR 1390)
  
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|death=[[FO 65]] (SR 1485)
  
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|race=[[Hobbit]]
  
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|culture=[[Shire]]-hobbits ([[Took clan|Took family]])
  
 
|gender=Male
  
|gender=Male
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|hair=*Black<ref name="DH3"/> (formerly)
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|height=over 4'5"/134 cm
  
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*Grey
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|weapon=[[Barrow-blades|Barrow-blade]]
  
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|eyes=Blue
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|actor=[[Billy Boyd]]
  
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|skin=White
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|voice = [[wikipedia:Dominic Guard|Dominic Guard]] (LOTR), [[wikipedia:Sonny Melendrez|Sonny Melendrez]] (Return of the King)}}
  
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|family=*[[Mr. Dursley]] (father)
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*[[Vernon Dursley's mother|Mrs. Dursley]] (mother)
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*[[Marjorie Dursley]] (sister)
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*[[Petunia Dursley]] (wife)
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*[[Dudley Dursley]] (son)
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*[[Dudley Dursley's wife|Mrs Dursley]] (daughter-in-law)
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*[[Dudley Dursley's children|Grandchildren]]
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*[[Evans sisters' father|Mr. Evans]] (father-in-law) †
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*[[Evans sisters' mother|Mrs. Evans]] (mother-in-law) †
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*[[Lily Evans|Lily Potter née Evans]] (sister-in-law) †
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*[[James Potter I|James Potter]] (brother-in-law) †
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*[[Harry Potter]] (nephew)
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<!--Note: Do not add Harry's children to the list of family members. Please read the policy on character infoboxes.-->
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|job=Director of [[Grunnings]]
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|loyalty=*[[Dursley family]]
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*[[Grunnings]]}}
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{{Quote|There's no such thing as magic!|Vernon's view on the wizarding world.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
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'''Vernon Dursley''' was a [[Muggle]], husband of [[Petunia Dursley]] (née Evans) and father of [[Dudley Dursley]] and uncle of [[Harry Potter]]. He lived in [[4 Privet Drive]] along with his wife and son for nearly twenty years until they were forced into hiding during the escalation of the [[Second Wizarding War]]. After Petunia's sister [[Lily Evans|Lily]] and brother-in-law, [[James Potter I|James Potter]], were killed by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]], Vernon and Petunia had to take care of Harry. However, they disliked him and treated him badly, while spoiling Dudley.
   
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When Harry was sent a letter from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], Vernon got very angry, as he detested anything to do with [[magic]]. He was a former student of [[Smeltings Academy]] and the director of a company called [[Grunnings]], a drill manufacturer. In [[1997]], Vernon, Petunia and Dudley left their house in order to be hidden from Lord Voldemort and his [[Death Eaters]]. After the [[Second Wizarding War]], Vernon had several [[Dudley Dursley's children|grandchildren]] through Dudley and his [[Dudley Dursley's wife|wife]]. It is possible that he had a better relationship with Harry, and that they remained in contact. Through the union of [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ginevra Weasley]], Vernon had two great-nephews, [[James Potter II]] and [[Albus Potter]], and a great-niece: [[Lily Potter]].
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'''Peregrin Took''' better known to his friends as '''Pippin''', was a [[Hobbit]] of the [[Shire]], and one of [[Frodo Baggins]]'s youngest but closest friends. Frodo is also Pippin's 2nd cousin once removed.
  
   
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==Biography==
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Pippin had three older sisters in his [[Took]] family, [[Pearl Took]], [[Pimpernel Took]], and [[Pervinca Took]]. His parents were [[Paladin Took II]] ([[TA 2933]] - [[FO 13]]), [[Thain|Thain of the Shire]], and [[Eglantine (Banks) Took|Eglantine Banks]]. Pippin's dear friend [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] was the son of Paladin's sister [[Esmeralda (Took) Brandybuck|Esmeralda Brandybuck]], which makes them cousins.
  
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===Childhood life===
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Little is known about Vernon's childhood life. He was born into the Muggle [[Dursley family]] and attended [[Smeltings Academy]] as a secondary school. Vernon had an older sister named Marjorie (Marge to family members and friends) who made a living breeding bulldogs.
   
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Vernon met [[Petunia Dursley|Petunia Evans]] at an office job in [[London]] where he was junior executive.<ref name="pottermore">''[[Pottermore]]'' backstory of Vernon and Petunia Dursley</ref> He later married Petunia and settled with her at [[4 Privet Drive]] in [[Little Whinging]], [[Surrey]] in [[1977]].<ref>In a deleted scene on Disc Two of the Blu-ray edition of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'', Petunia tells Harry, "I have lived in this house for twenty years," indicating she settled at 4 Privet Drive with Vernon in 1977, since the scene is set in 1997.</ref> Before their wedding Vernon had taken Petunia on a series of dull dates during which he talked mainly about himself and his predictable ideas on the world. After some time Vernon proposed marriage to Petunia, very correctly on one knee in his mother's sitting room. His fiancée accepted at once. He wasn't aware of the fact that Petunia's sister was a witch, who was then at her final seventh year at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. Petunia eventually revealed to him that her sister was a witch after they stopped for a snack of battered sausage at a [[chip shop]].<ref name="pottermore"/>
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The hair on his head and his feet (which are exceptionally hairy, even for a [[Hobbit]]) was almost golden and curly. At the beginning of [[Quest of the Ring]] he was smaller than the rest of the Hobbits because he was the youngest.
  
   
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===Family life===
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In [[The Fellowship of the Ring (novel)|''The Fellowship of the Ring'']] he was a worthy accomplice to Merry's plans, although he showed his age as well; he was a cheerful if not sometimes thoughtless Hobbit, and seemingly had a knack for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, but throughout [[The Lord of the Rings trilogy|''The Lord of the Rings'']] he becomes increasingly mature and courageous.
  
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Vernon, along with his wife, always liked to be normal and never tolerated anything that they considered out of the ordinary. He knew that Petunia's sister was a witch, but kept it quiet. They had a baby boy on [[23 June]], [[1980]]. This boy, [[Dudley Dursley]], was highly spoiled by his parents.
   
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====Giving a home to Harry Potter====
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==History==
  
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It was after [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s first downfall and the Potters's murder that Vernon first saw signs of wizards. [[Albus Dumbledore]] brought Vernon's nephew [[Harry Potter|Harry]] to Little Whinging. Although reluctantly, Vernon and Petunia allowed him into their home.[[File:Verny.jpg|thumb|A shot of Vernon Dursley.]]
   
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[[File:HarryPooter.PNG|thumb|left|225px|Harry surrounded by his letters from Hogwarts.]]
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Peregrin "Pippin" Took was eight years younger than [[Merry]], and thus was far younger than [[Frodo]]. At [[Rivendell]], Pippin was nearly denied the chance to accompany Frodo by [[Elrond]] who seriously considered using the youngest Hobbit as a messenger to the Shire. [[Gandalf]], however, supported his and Merry's claims of friendship and loyalty, and Pippin was chosen as the last member of [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] at Gandalf's request to [[Elrond]].
  
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During [[Harry Potter|Harry]]'s early life, Vernon treated him with indifference. He forced Harry to live in the [[cupboard under the stairs]], and generally mistreated him while spoiling his own son Dudley. Vernon tried his hardest to stop Harry knowing about the [[wizarding world]]. Before [[1991]] Vernon told Harry his parents died in a car crash. Vernon once told off Harry for dreaming about a [[Sirius Black's motorcycle|flying motorbike]] and told Harry there is no such thing as [[magic]].
   
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====Harry's letter from Hogwarts====
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[[File:Lotr 5.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Pippin back to back with his good friend Merry.]]
  
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When Harry got his first [[Hogwarts acceptance letter|letter]] from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], Vernon tried everything to stop him getting it as more and more came. He went very over-the-top and took his whole family to a [[Hut-on-the-Rock|Hut]] on a small rock on the sea.<ref name="PS3">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' - Chapter 3 (''The Letters from No One'')</ref> But even this didn't work because it was found by [[Rubeus Hagrid]] who personally gave Harry the letter, despite Vernon's stubborn protests. When Hagrid told Harry about [[Killing Curse|how his parents really died]], Vernon cynically responded by telling Harry that whatever happened to Harry's [[Lily Evans|mother]] and [[James Potter I|father]] they probably deserved, and that they were (in Vernon's opinion) freaks anyway. That night, Vernon also threw a fit and refused to pay [[Albus Dumbledore]], whom Vernon insulted as a "crackpot old fool", to teach Harry magic. This would be a great mistake to Vernon: a livid Hagrid responded to Vernon's outburst by [[human to pig|giving a pig tail]] to the latter's [[Dudley Dursley|son]].<ref name="PS4">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' - Chapter 4 (''The Keeper of the Keys'')</ref>
   
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After this incident, Vernon avoided Harry even more so than usual. Vernon reluctantly took Harry to [[King's Cross Station]] to board the [[Hogwarts Express]], albeit because it was on the way to the hospital to remove Dudley's tail before the school year.<ref name="PS6">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' - Chapter 6 (''The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-quarters'')</ref>
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When the Fellowship was passing through [[Moria]], Pippin dropped a stone down an old Dwarven well. It may be that this act was what alerted the unfriendly [[goblin]]s to the Fellowship's presence in Moria. In the resulting battle, he was able to distract the enemy's [[Cave-troll]] by plunging his sword in the troll's neck long enough for [[Legolas]] to shoot the Cave -Troll with two arrows through the neck into its head.
  
   
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From then on Vernon only saw Harry in the summer holidays and even then treated him badly, although he gave Harry Dudley's spare room.
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Pippin journeyed to [[Lothlorien]] with the rest of the Fellowship after Gandalf had fallen to the [[Balrog]] in Moria. He was presented with an Elven Belt and Cloak by the Lady [[Galadriel]].  After leaving Lothlorien, the Fellowship went to [[Amon Hen]] but unfortunately, while they were there, Pippin, Merry, and [[Boromir]] were split apart from the rest, and The Fellowship split.  Orcs and Uruks attacked them, and in [[Skirmish at Amon Hen|the resulting skirmish]], Boromir was killed while defending the hobbits.  Pippin and Merry were captured by [[Uruk-hai]] who marched toward [[Isengard]] to give [[Saruman]] the White the One Ring.
  
   
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{{Quote|"NO MORE EFFING OWLS!"|Vernon's view on owl post.}}
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While held captive by the Orcs, Pippin left the elven brooch of his cloak given in [[Lórien]] as a signal for [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]].During a skirmish amongst his captors Pippin managed to cut his bonds using a saw-edged knife held fast by a dead Uruk.  Upon their escape, he and Merry were befriended by old [[Treebeard]], leader of the [[Ent]]s.  With him Pippin and Merry drank Ent-draughts, causing them to become the tallest Hobbits in history.  [[File:Pippin-and-treebeard.jpg|thumb|Pippin, meeting Treebeard for the first time.]]They were also able to convince Treebeard to attack Saruman at Isengard, while the Rohirrm defended [[Helm's Deep]].  After the battle, they were told by Treebeard to watch the gate, for [[Théoden]], the [[King of Rohan]], would be passing that way as well as Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Éomer.  When they came, Pippin and Merry met the remaining four of the fellowship again.  Pippin stayed at the bottom of the stairs of Orthanc when Gandalf, Théoden, Éomer, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli went to confront Saruman.
  
   
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====Dinner party with the Masons, Marge's visit and his son's diet====
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It was Pippin who picked up the ''[[Palantír]]'' of [[Orthanc]] after [[Gríma Wormtongue]] foolishly threw it as a missile; later, in an almost equally foolish act, Pippin actually stole it out of Gandalf's hands while the wizard slept.  Looking into the stone, he had a terrifying encounter with [[Sauron]] himself, leading the Dark Lord to assume Pippin was the ringbearer.  Because of this, Gandalf separated him from his friends and brought him to the [[City]] of [[Minas Tirith]].  Meeting [[Denethor II]], [[Steward of Gondor]], he volunteered for service to repay him for the death of Denethor's son, [[Boromir]], who had died trying to defend Merry and Pippin from Saruman's Uruk-hai.  Denethor accepted the Hobbit's offer and made him one of the elite [[Guards of the Citadel]].  Later, it was Pippin who rushed to fetch Gandalf when Denethor, driven to despair by Sauron's deception, set out to burn his remaining son [[Faramir]] and himself alive.  The young hobbit thus saved Faramir, Captain of Rangers and last Steward to the Throne of Gondor.
  
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[[File:Auntmarge.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Marge shortly before being blown up]] Almost everything seemed to go wrong every time he had guests over when Harry was present. In [[1992]], he invited [[Mason|Mr.]] and [[Mason's wife|Mrs. Mason]] over for dinner to try and secure a deal with Mr. Mason about a stock of drills. He forced Harry to stay in his room and pretend he didn't exist.<ref name="CS1">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 1 (''The Worst Birthday'')</ref> Due to the appearance of [[Dobby]], the deal didn't go very good.
   
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[[File:Angry_Vernon.jpg|thumb|Vernon telling Harry to be quiet in 1992]] The Ministry of Magic threatened to expel Harry, thinking he had done the magic himself.<ref name="CS2">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 2 (''Dobby's Warning'')</ref> Then, in [[1993]], Vernon's sister [[Marjorie Dursley|Marge]] visited. When Marge insulted Harry's parents, Harry used magic to blow her up like a balloon. Vernon insisted Harry return her to how she was, but was refused. The [[Accidental Magic Reversal Squad]] later fixed her.<ref name="PA2">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' - Chapter 2 (''Aunt Marge's Big Mistake'')</ref>
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Pippin was part of the Army of the West led by Aragorn that assaulted the [[Black Gate]]s in a desperate attempt to give Frodo time to destroy the Ring.  Before the final parley with the [[Mouth of Sauron]], Gandalf instructed that members of each race that opposed Sauron be present at the parley, including Aragorn, son of Arathorn, [[King of Gondor]], and Eomer, King of Rohan for Men, Gimli for the [[Dwarves]], Legolas, [[Elladan and Elrohir]], (Elrond's twin sons) for the [[Elves]], and Pippin for Hobbits.  During the [[Battle of the Morannon|Last Battle]] before the [[Morannon]] (Black Gate), Pippin managed to slay one of the [[Olog-hai]], a troll-race bred by Sauron, the first hobbit ever to do so.  He was then knocked unconscious when the troll fell on him.  Gimli later recognized the Hobbit feet under the Troll and dragged him out of the battle, saving his life.  After the restoration of the monarchy, King Elessar knighted him and granted him and his fellow hobbits leave to return home, as well as leave to return to Gondor whenever they liked.  Later, he, Merry, Frodo, and Sam were instrumental in overthrowing the small remainder of Saruman's forces during the [[Scouring of the Shire]].
  
   
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In 1994, he along with Petunia decided to put Dudley on diet. When it was not going so well, he threatened Dudley that he will cut his pocket money if he doesn't stop stealing food soon, which made Dudley go angry and throwing his PlayStation out of a window.<ref name="GF2">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' - Chapter 2 (''The Scar'')</ref> When [[Molly Weasley]] sent an invitation to the family, Vernon asks his nephew about the letter. After Harry explained, he yelled at him but eventually said that his nephew could go.<ref name="GF3">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' - Chapter 3 (''The Invitation'')</ref> When the Weasleys came to pick up Harry by the [[Floo Network]], he became frightened including when [[Arthur Weasley]] mentioned that he likes to collect batteries. When the Weasleys were leaving, his son ate a [[Ton-Tongue Toffee]], causing his tongue to swell.<ref name="GF4">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' - Chapter 4 (''Back to the Burrow'')</ref>
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In the year [[FO 6]] of the Fourth Age Pippin married [[Diamond of Long Cleeve]], when she was 32 and he himself was 37.  They had one son, Faramir.  [[Faramir Took I|Faramir Took the Ist]] later married [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s daughter [[Goldilocks (Gardner) Took]].
  
   
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====Dudley's attack and contact with the wizarding world====
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In the year [[FO 13]] Pippin became the 32nd Thain of the Shire, a position he held for 50 years before retiring in [[FO 63]], when he revisited Rohan and Gondor with Merry.  He remained in Gondor for the rest of his life.
  
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{{Quote|Happy are we? You've finally done it. You've driven [[Dudley Dursley|him]] loopy|Vernon after the [[Dementor attack on Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley]]}}
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[[File:Ordemdafenix_shoot_movie1.jpg|thumb|Vernon Dursley]]
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In [[1995]], Vernon learned that [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] had returned. Furthermore, Dudley was attacked by [[Dementor]]s.<ref name="OF2">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 2 (''A Peck of Owls'')</ref> He locked Harry into his room for several days until leaving with his wife and son, to accept an award for the best kept lawn in England. In fact, it was a trick of [[Nymphadora Tonks]], who had sent the Dursleys an invitation to a fake awards ceremony. Tonks then escorted Harry to [[12 Grimmauld Place]], along with a [[Advance Guard|group]] of [[wizards]].<ref name="OP3">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 3 (''The Advanced Guard'')</ref> It is unknown if Vernon ever discovered this, but it is likely that he was indignant at the ploy. 
   
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====Hiding from Death Eaters====
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Pippin probably died sometime after the year [[FO 64]] and was laid to rest with Merry in Gondor.  After the great King Elessar (Aragorn) died in FO 120, Merry and Pippin were entombed next to the great king.
  
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In the summer of [[1997]], Petunia, Dudley, and Vernon were placed under the protection of [[Dedalus Diggle]] and [[Hestia Jones]], both members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]], as it was believed that once Harry Potter turned 17, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] would track down all members of his family and torture information out of them. Vernon, his wife and his son all left together; he did not care what would happen to Harry and it was Dudley, who had grown to respect Harry for saving his soul, who brought up the issue, though Vernon said little to Harry. After their goodbyes, the Dursleys were driven off into the distance, leaving Harry alone on his quest. Petunia and Dudley actually felt a certain amount of fondness towards Harry as they parted in [[1997]]. Vernon was about to shake Harry's hand good-bye. However, because of his dislike of both Harry and magic overall, refrained from doing so at the last second. He left as quickly as possible, hoping to save himself from what he only knew as a very bad and powerful wizard, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]].<ref name="DH3">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 3 (''The Dursleys Departing'')</ref>
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[[File:1291231778324_f-1-.jpg|thumb]]
   
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==Quotes==
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===Later life===
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After the war, Vernon had some grandchildren by Dudley.<ref name"JKthoughtsonDudleysfuture">JK Rowling's Official Site: ''[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=26 Harry and Dudley: Future Hope?]''</ref> It is unknown if he remained in contact with his nephew, if even only on Christmas-card terms, like Dudley did. Regardless he had two great-nephews and a great-niece by Harry.
   
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==Physical appearance==
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{{Quote|I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse.|Pippin}}
  
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[[File:OOTP Vernon.jpg|thumb|125px|Vernon in 1995.]]
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Vernon was described as a big, beefy man with a large purple face. He has thick, dark hair, a bushy black moustache, with hardly any neck and small, blue mean eyes. [[Dudley Dursley|Dudley]] much resembles him apart from his blond hair.
   
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==Personality and traits==
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{{Quote|This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be of no further nuisance. Now be quiet!|[[Gandalf]] to Pippin|[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]}}
  
   
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Vernon is a [[Muggle]] and like Petunia, he detests and is afraid of magic and anything unusual or out of the ordinary, which he labels as "funny business" in'' ''[[1981]]. Naturally, he despises Harry, who is very much a symbol of both. In fact, Vernon's disdain for Harry is so great that Vernon even prohibited his nephew from saying words such as "magic" or "wizard" in the house.
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{{Quote|That's what I meant. We hobbits ought to stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me up. There must be someone with intelligence in the party.|Pippin}}
  
   
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Vernon is a petty-minded bully who has no tolerance for people who are different than himself. He has shown to be unsympathetic to beggars and vagrants. He is very much concerned with status and wealth and tends to judge people based on how big their cars are or their clothes. He enjoys ordering around his employees at Grunnings, enjoying his status and power as director of his company, sitting above them in a [[Vernon Dursley's office|high office]] on the ninth floor. He advocates the death penalty, claiming that ''"...hanging's the only way to deal with these people,"'' showing his very harsh view of criminal justice. Vernon likes to look big and impressive, yet is easily intimidated whenever he is put in situations that he is not used to, ''e.g.,'' dealing with certain individuals,'' i.e.'', wizards, ''e.g.,'' [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Arthur Weasley]], [[Alastor Moody]], [[Rubeus Hagrid|Rubeus Hagrid,]] ''etc.''
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{{Quote|A tree. There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning.|Pippin tells Gandalf what he saw}}
  
   
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He is also shown to be quite oblivious to small things, particularly when cross, such as in 1992 when he asked Harry if he looked stupid to him when he became annoyed with the boy; he had a bit of fried egg sticking to his moustache. Sometimes when he was angry, Vernon would mumble, barely forming complete sentences.
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===Film quotes===
  
   
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He is also shown to be quite conservative in his political views, as he reads the Daily Mail, a British tabloid famed for its right-wing political stance. He also seems to have a low opinion of the state of the UK, saying: "No wonder the country's going to the dogs!" upon finding out that there is a Ministry of Magic, a popular Daily Mail editorial stance.
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{{Quote|What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? [[Aragorn|He]] knows about them, doesn't he?|Pippin, in [[The Fellowship of the Ring (film)]]}}
  
   
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He is a complainer, and his favourite subjects include people at work, the council, the bank, motorbikes, and most of all, Harry. He shows his disdain to Harry with nasty smiles and he is not afraid of physical confrontations, going as far as wrestling with his son, Dudley, to confiscate Harry's [[Hogwarts acceptance letter]]. He frequently becomes angry and he received brandy from his wife when he was rendered speechless by "The Vanishing Glass" incident at the [[Zoo]].
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{{Quote|The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It's the last thing he'll expect.|Pippin, to Merry and Treebeard in [[The Two Towers (film)]]}}
  
   
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==Relationships==
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===Throwing Weapons===
  
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===Petunia Dursley===
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[[File:Petunia Dursley OOTP.jpg|thumb|150px|Petunia Dursley]]
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Vernon married [[Petunia Dursley]] after having met her at work, and likely learned of the Wizarding world through her. He was deeply shocked, though, when Petunia confessed the truth however, he told Petunia solemnly that he would never hold it against her that she had a freak for a sister. Then Petunia threw herself upon him in such violent gratitude that he dropped his battered sausage.<ref name="pottermore"/> Together they do everything they can to keep their nephew Harry from learning the truth about his heritage and abilities, and bossing him in any sort of ways. They also endlessly pamper and spoil their only son, Dudley.
   
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===Dudley Dursley===
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Pippin can use rocks to hit opponents from a distance. In [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)]], he uses throwing knives instead of rocks.
  
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[[File:Dudley.jpg|150px|left|thumb|Dudley Dursley]]
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Vernon spoils Dudley in a similar manner to his wife; they appear to buy Dudley anything he wants, often apparently to waylay a tantrum, and indulge him with treats and activities, particularly those which Harry is not allowed. However, there is evidence that Vernon and Petunia are indulgent of their son's behaviour and contribute to his obesity before Harry is introduced to the household. They are frequently shown to be oblivious to his bullying and at times criminal behaviour, Vernon showing pride in his son and interpreting some of these characteristics as manly. Vernon has a similar physique to Dudley, also being very large, and when convinced to make Dudley diet by the school nurse, is forced disapprovingly to join in the family's régime, whereas previously he and his immediate family considered Dudley merely to have a healthy appetite. He becomes very proud of Dudley's resulting sporting achievements when this enforced exercise and diet helps him become a competing boxer, believing Dudley gave the [[Dementor]]s the "ol' one-two" when they attacked him in [[1995]]. He is, however, oblivious to the fact that Dudley uses his new skills to terrorise neighbourhood children.
   
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==Weapons==
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===Harry Potter===
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{{Dialogue a-b|Hermione Granger|Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they? When they hear [[Skirmish in the Chamber of Secrets|what you did this year]]?|Harry Potter|Proud? Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious...|[[Harry Potter]] and [[Hermione Granger]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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===Sword===
  
   
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[[File:Harry_Potter_(HBP_promo)_3.jpg|thumb|[[Harry Potter|Harry]], his nephew.]]
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Pippin uses a short barrow-blade for melee combat in the books and video games, however in the movies he loses his barrow blade and receives a Gondorian short sword and the Helmet and livery of the Citadel Guard. The main reason is he swore an oath and joined the citadel guard, in the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|video game adaptation of&nbsp;''The Return of the King'']], his basic speed attack is by far the strongest in the game.
  
  +
Vernon sees Harry as nothing more than a waste of space. Throughout his life, he tries to keep Harry as downtrodden as possible, in hopes of squashing the magic out of him. He lives in fear of anyone finding out about Harry's "abnormality". Vernon rarely refers to Harry by name, instead referring to him as "[the] boy" or "You", both to Harry directly and in conversation. Vernon would have a tendency to throw fits whenever Harry (either accidentally or intentionally) used words such as "magic", "wand", "Hogwarts", or "broomstick" in the house. Both guests and neighbours believe Vernon's explanation that Harry now attends [[St. Brutus' Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys]], rather than the local comprehensive. Vernon even tells Mr. Mason and his wife that Harry is "disturbed" when explaining his sudden presence in the house in [[1992]].
   
  +
Though Petunia feels some moral obligation to let Harry stay (however grudgingly and bitterly), Vernon feels nothing towards his nephew. He has no trouble throwing him out of the house despite full knowledge that doing so would put his life in grave danger. Petunia, however, intervened when Dumbledore sent her a [[Howler]], reminding her of the agreement she made when they took in Harry. Additionally, when Harry was forced to go to court for underage magic, Vernon openly admitted that he hoped that Harry would get the death penalty.
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==Portrayal in Adaptations==
  
   
  +
Vernon would later become an uncle-in-law to Harry's wife, [[Ginny Weasley]] and a great-uncle to Harry and Ginny's children, [[James Sirius Potter]], [[Albus Severus Potter]] and [[Lily Luna Potter]].
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In the [[Lord of the Rings film trilogy]], Pippin is played by [[Billy Boyd]], who is the oldest of the actors portraying the four protagonist Hobbits ([[Elijah Wood]], who plays Frodo, is the youngest).
  
   
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==Appearances==
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===James Potter===
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Vernon Dursley's first meeting with [[James Potter I|James Potter]] went badly. Vernon asked James what car he drove, but James decribed his racing [[broom]], thus Vernon started patronising him and finally offended James by supposing out loud that [[Wizardkind|wizards]] had to live on unemployment benefit. Having heard from the wizard that he had a fortune in solid gold, he grew angry and stormed out of restaurant, where they had met with their wives. After that Vernon refused to talk with James, but described him, within James’ earshot, as "some kind of amateur magician". <ref name="pottermore"/>
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===In the Books===
  
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*[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]
  
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*[[The Two Towers]]
  
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*[[The Return of the King]]
  
   
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===In the Movies===
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==Behind the scenes==
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[[File:Lego_harry_potter.jpg|thumb|240px|Vernon Dursley as a LEGO figure.]]
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*[[The Fellowship of the Ring (film)|The Fellowship of the Ring]]
  
  +
*Vernon Dursley was the first character introduced in the ''Harry Potter'' [[Harry Potter books|series]].
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*[[The Two Towers (film)|The Two Towers]]
  
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*Vernon is also one of only four characters in the ''Harry Potter'' [[Harry Potter books|book series]] whose thoughts have been disclosed by the narrator, the others being [[Harry Potter]], [[Frank Bryce]], and the British [[Prime Minister]].
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*[[The Return of the King (film)|The Return of the King]]
  
  +
*Vernon is portrayed by [[Richard Griffiths]] in the [[Harry Potter films|film series]].
  +
*In the books, Vernon is described as a "big, beefy man" with black hair and a matching moustache and being in his mid-thirties. In the films, however, he is a middle aged man who has greying hair and moustache. In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', his hair is blonde-grey and in [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]], it is snow white.
  +
*[[J. K. Rowling]] said the character in the series she most dislikes is probably Uncle Vernon.
  +
*Vernon appeared in five of the eight Harry Potter movies. He did, however, appear in all seven books.
  +
*[[J. K. Rowling]] had originally planned for one of Dudley's children to have magic, and for Dudley to be at Platform 9 3/4 seeing them off to Hogwarts during the epilogue of ''Deathly Hallows''. However, she later decided against this, saying that no magical genes could survive contact with Uncle Vernon's DNA.
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*In the books, Vernon appears to be so afraid of magic that he forbids Harry to say any word related to magic (e.g. "wizard", "Hogwarts" "Hogsmeade", "Hogwarts Express" and the word "magic" itself). When he discusses magic, he usually uses euphemisms like "you-know-what" (magic), "that school" (Hogwarts), "that abnormality" (magic or magical ability), "[Harry]'s lot" (wizards and witches), or simply "it" to refer to magic. In the films, he actually utters the word "magic". Ironically, he's not afraid of the name [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]]. Vernon also cannot remember the proper name of [[Dementor]]s, referring to them as "dismembers", "dementy-whatsits" and the like.
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*The scene in which the Dursleys leave the house in the seventh book is shortened down to a scene at the beginning of the seventh film where Vernon and Dudley are leaving their house and are hastily packing away their furniture. Petunia is seen waiting in the car already. Vernon has two lines in this scene while Dudley has one, and Petunia doesn't speak.
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*Vernon appears also in a deleted scene from ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'', in which Dudley asks Vernon why Harry is not coming with them and Vernon says he does not want to. Vernon also enthusiastically tells Harry "This isn't just goodbye, boy, is it? This is farewell!" something at which Harry nods.
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*Richard Griffiths, along with the actor of Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, was shown on a poster in the movies as an obvious reference to him. The show the poster was for is Equus. The production did star both Griffiths and Radcliffe in real life, but happened later in the real world than in-universe.
   
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==Etymology==
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==The Line of Peregrin Took==
  
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Vernon is from a French last name for "alder tree".
   
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[[Wikipedia:Dursley|Dursley]] is a town in Gloucestershire, England. [[J. K. Rowling]] has commented that she visited the place as a child, and hated it, which likely affected her choice of surname for the awful family, remarking "I don't imagine I'm very popular in Dursley".<ref>[[Wikipedia:Dursley]]</ref><ref>[http://www.darkmark.com/c.c?l=interview2&t=J.K.%20Rowling:%20BBC%20Online%20Chat 2001 BBC Online Chat]</ref> The town is known for it's Victorian history in coal mining. Rowling chose the name because it sounded "dull and forbidding".
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<code sab="786"> [[Balbo Baggins]] = Berylla Boffin
  
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Ponto Baggin = Mimosa Bunce [[Mungo Baggins]] = [[Laura (Grubb) Baggins|Laura Grubb]] Largo = Tanta Hornblower
 
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| | |
 
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----------- [[Gerontius "The Old" Took|Gerontius Took]] = Adamanta Chubb | Fosco = [[Ruby (Bolger) Baggins|Ruby Bolger]]
 
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| | | | |
 
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| Polo ------------------------------|-------- -----------
 
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| | | | |
  
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[[Rosa (Baggins) Took|Rosa Baggins]] = [[Took clan|Hildigrim Took]] [[Belladonna (Took) Baggins|Belladonna]] = [[Bungo Baggins]] Mirabella = Gorbadoc Brandybuck </code>
 
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<code sab="796"> |
 
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Adalgrim Took [[Bilbo Baggins]] | |
 
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| [[Primula (Brandybuck) Baggins|Primula]] = [[Drogo Baggins]]
  
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| | | [[Frodo Baggins]]
  
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3 daughters Paladin = Eglantine Banks Saradoc Brandybuck = Esmeralda
 
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------------------------------ [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]]
  
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Pearl Pimpernel Pervinca <big sab="802">'''Peregrin'''</big> = Diamond "of Long Cleeve" Took
  
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</code>
  
   
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==Appearances==
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----
  
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{{Imagecat|Images of Vernon Dursley}}
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:See also: [[Middle-earth]] and [[Took clan]]
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
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{{enWP|Peregrin Took}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]] {{Mention}}''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
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{{Fellowship}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]] {{Mention}}''
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{{Featured}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)]]''
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==External link==
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]'' {{Comment|GBA version only}} {{Mention}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''
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*{{TGlink|Peregrin Took}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]] {{Mention}}''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]''
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World]]''
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World]]''
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter|Harry Potter LEGO Sets]]''
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*''[[Pottermore]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
   
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==Notes and references==
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[[de:Peregrin Tuk]] [[fr:Peregrin Touque]] [[it:Peregrino Tuc]] [[pl:Peregrin Took]] [[ru:Перегрин Тук]]
  
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{{Reflist}}
   
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[[de:Vernon Dursley]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Took, Peregrin}}
  
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[[es:Vernon Dursley]]
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[[fr:Vernon Dursley]]
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[[ja:バーノン・ダーズリー]]
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[[nl:Herman Duffeling]]
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[[no:Wiktor Dumling]]
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[[pl:Vernon Dursley]]
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[[ru:Вернон Дурсль]]
 
[[Category:Bullies|Dursley, Vernon]]
  
[[Category:Bullies|Dursley, Vernon]]
 
[[Category:Dursley family|Vernon]]
  
[[Category:Dursley family|Vernon]]

Revision as of 16:25, 29 March 2013

"There's no such thing as magic!"
— Vernon's view on the wizarding world.[src]

Vernon Dursley was a Muggle, husband of Petunia Dursley (née Evans) and father of Dudley Dursley and uncle of Harry Potter. He lived in 4 Privet Drive along with his wife and son for nearly twenty years until they were forced into hiding during the escalation of the Second Wizarding War. After Petunia's sister Lily and brother-in-law, James Potter, were killed by Lord Voldemort, Vernon and Petunia had to take care of Harry. However, they disliked him and treated him badly, while spoiling Dudley.

When Harry was sent a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Vernon got very angry, as he detested anything to do with magic. He was a former student of Smeltings Academy and the director of a company called Grunnings, a drill manufacturer. In 1997, Vernon, Petunia and Dudley left their house in order to be hidden from Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. After the Second Wizarding War, Vernon had several grandchildren through Dudley and his wife. It is possible that he had a better relationship with Harry, and that they remained in contact. Through the union of Harry Potter and Ginevra Weasley, Vernon had two great-nephews, James Potter II and Albus Potter, and a great-niece: Lily Potter.

Biography

Childhood life

Little is known about Vernon's childhood life. He was born into the Muggle Dursley family and attended Smeltings Academy as a secondary school. Vernon had an older sister named Marjorie (Marge to family members and friends) who made a living breeding bulldogs.

Vernon met Petunia Evans at an office job in London where he was junior executive.[2] He later married Petunia and settled with her at 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey in 1977.[3] Before their wedding Vernon had taken Petunia on a series of dull dates during which he talked mainly about himself and his predictable ideas on the world. After some time Vernon proposed marriage to Petunia, very correctly on one knee in his mother's sitting room. His fiancée accepted at once. He wasn't aware of the fact that Petunia's sister was a witch, who was then at her final seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Petunia eventually revealed to him that her sister was a witch after they stopped for a snack of battered sausage at a chip shop.[2]

Family life

Vernon, along with his wife, always liked to be normal and never tolerated anything that they considered out of the ordinary. He knew that Petunia's sister was a witch, but kept it quiet. They had a baby boy on 23 June, 1980. This boy, Dudley Dursley, was highly spoiled by his parents.

Giving a home to Harry Potter

It was after Lord Voldemort's first downfall and the Potters's murder that Vernon first saw signs of wizards. Albus Dumbledore brought Vernon's nephew Harry to Little Whinging. Although reluctantly, Vernon and Petunia allowed him into their home.

Verny

A shot of Vernon Dursley.

HarryPooter

Harry surrounded by his letters from Hogwarts.

During Harry's early life, Vernon treated him with indifference. He forced Harry to live in the cupboard under the stairs, and generally mistreated him while spoiling his own son Dudley. Vernon tried his hardest to stop Harry knowing about the wizarding world. Before 1991 Vernon told Harry his parents died in a car crash. Vernon once told off Harry for dreaming about a flying motorbike and told Harry there is no such thing as magic.

Harry's letter from Hogwarts

When Harry got his first letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Vernon tried everything to stop him getting it as more and more came. He went very over-the-top and took his whole family to a Hut on a small rock on the sea.[4] But even this didn't work because it was found by Rubeus Hagrid who personally gave Harry the letter, despite Vernon's stubborn protests. When Hagrid told Harry about how his parents really died, Vernon cynically responded by telling Harry that whatever happened to Harry's mother and father they probably deserved, and that they were (in Vernon's opinion) freaks anyway. That night, Vernon also threw a fit and refused to pay Albus Dumbledore, whom Vernon insulted as a "crackpot old fool", to teach Harry magic. This would be a great mistake to Vernon: a livid Hagrid responded to Vernon's outburst by giving a pig tail to the latter's son.[5]

After this incident, Vernon avoided Harry even more so than usual. Vernon reluctantly took Harry to King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express, albeit because it was on the way to the hospital to remove Dudley's tail before the school year.[6]

From then on Vernon only saw Harry in the summer holidays and even then treated him badly, although he gave Harry Dudley's spare room.

""NO MORE EFFING OWLS!""
— Vernon's view on owl post.

Dinner party with the Masons, Marge's visit and his son's diet

Auntmarge

Marge shortly before being blown up

 Almost everything seemed to go wrong every time he had guests over when Harry was present. In 1992, he invited Mr. and Mrs. Mason over for dinner to try and secure a deal with Mr. Mason about a stock of drills. He forced Harry to stay in his room and pretend he didn't exist.[7] Due to the appearance of Dobby, the deal didn't go very good.

Angry Vernon

Vernon telling Harry to be quiet in 1992

The Ministry of Magic threatened to expel Harry, thinking he had done the magic himself.[8] Then, in 1993, Vernon's sister Marge visited. When Marge insulted Harry's parents, Harry used magic to blow her up like a balloon. Vernon insisted Harry return her to how she was, but was refused. The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad later fixed her.[9]

In 1994, he along with Petunia decided to put Dudley on diet. When it was not going so well, he threatened Dudley that he will cut his pocket money if he doesn't stop stealing food soon, which made Dudley go angry and throwing his PlayStation out of a window.[10] When Molly Weasley sent an invitation to the family, Vernon asks his nephew about the letter. After Harry explained, he yelled at him but eventually said that his nephew could go.[11] When the Weasleys came to pick up Harry by the Floo Network, he became frightened including when Arthur Weasley mentioned that he likes to collect batteries. When the Weasleys were leaving, his son ate a Ton-Tongue Toffee, causing his tongue to swell.[12]

Dudley's attack and contact with the wizarding world

"Happy are we? You've finally done it. You've driven him loopy"
— Vernon after the Dementor attack on Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley
File:Ordemdafenix shoot movie1.jpg

Vernon Dursley

In 1995, Vernon learned that Lord Voldemort had returned. Furthermore, Dudley was attacked by Dementors.[13] He locked Harry into his room for several days until leaving with his wife and son, to accept an award for the best kept lawn in England. In fact, it was a trick of Nymphadora Tonks, who had sent the Dursleys an invitation to a fake awards ceremony. Tonks then escorted Harry to 12 Grimmauld Place, along with a group of wizards.[14] It is unknown if Vernon ever discovered this, but it is likely that he was indignant at the ploy. 

Hiding from Death Eaters

In the summer of 1997, Petunia, Dudley, and Vernon were placed under the protection of Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones, both members of the Order of the Phoenix, as it was believed that once Harry Potter turned 17, Lord Voldemort would track down all members of his family and torture information out of them. Vernon, his wife and his son all left together; he did not care what would happen to Harry and it was Dudley, who had grown to respect Harry for saving his soul, who brought up the issue, though Vernon said little to Harry. After their goodbyes, the Dursleys were driven off into the distance, leaving Harry alone on his quest. Petunia and Dudley actually felt a certain amount of fondness towards Harry as they parted in 1997. Vernon was about to shake Harry's hand good-bye. However, because of his dislike of both Harry and magic overall, refrained from doing so at the last second. He left as quickly as possible, hoping to save himself from what he only knew as a very bad and powerful wizard, Lord Voldemort.[1]

1291231778324 f-1-

Later life

After the war, Vernon had some grandchildren by Dudley.[15] It is unknown if he remained in contact with his nephew, if even only on Christmas-card terms, like Dudley did. Regardless he had two great-nephews and a great-niece by Harry.

Physical appearance

OOTP Vernon

Vernon in 1995.

Vernon was described as a big, beefy man with a large purple face. He has thick, dark hair, a bushy black moustache, with hardly any neck and small, blue mean eyes. Dudley much resembles him apart from his blond hair.

Personality and traits

Vernon is a Muggle and like Petunia, he detests and is afraid of magic and anything unusual or out of the ordinary, which he labels as "funny business" in 1981. Naturally, he despises Harry, who is very much a symbol of both. In fact, Vernon's disdain for Harry is so great that Vernon even prohibited his nephew from saying words such as "magic" or "wizard" in the house.

Vernon is a petty-minded bully who has no tolerance for people who are different than himself. He has shown to be unsympathetic to beggars and vagrants. He is very much concerned with status and wealth and tends to judge people based on how big their cars are or their clothes. He enjoys ordering around his employees at Grunnings, enjoying his status and power as director of his company, sitting above them in a high office on the ninth floor. He advocates the death penalty, claiming that "...hanging's the only way to deal with these people," showing his very harsh view of criminal justice. Vernon likes to look big and impressive, yet is easily intimidated whenever he is put in situations that he is not used to, e.g., dealing with certain individuals, i.e., wizards, e.g., Albus Dumbledore, Arthur Weasley, Alastor Moody, Rubeus Hagrid, etc.

He is also shown to be quite oblivious to small things, particularly when cross, such as in 1992 when he asked Harry if he looked stupid to him when he became annoyed with the boy; he had a bit of fried egg sticking to his moustache. Sometimes when he was angry, Vernon would mumble, barely forming complete sentences.

He is also shown to be quite conservative in his political views, as he reads the Daily Mail, a British tabloid famed for its right-wing political stance. He also seems to have a low opinion of the state of the UK, saying: "No wonder the country's going to the dogs!" upon finding out that there is a Ministry of Magic, a popular Daily Mail editorial stance.

He is a complainer, and his favourite subjects include people at work, the council, the bank, motorbikes, and most of all, Harry. He shows his disdain to Harry with nasty smiles and he is not afraid of physical confrontations, going as far as wrestling with his son, Dudley, to confiscate Harry's Hogwarts acceptance letter. He frequently becomes angry and he received brandy from his wife when he was rendered speechless by "The Vanishing Glass" incident at the Zoo.

Relationships

Petunia Dursley

Petunia Dursley OOTP

Petunia Dursley

Vernon married Petunia Dursley after having met her at work, and likely learned of the Wizarding world through her. He was deeply shocked, though, when Petunia confessed the truth however, he told Petunia solemnly that he would never hold it against her that she had a freak for a sister. Then Petunia threw herself upon him in such violent gratitude that he dropped his battered sausage.[2] Together they do everything they can to keep their nephew Harry from learning the truth about his heritage and abilities, and bossing him in any sort of ways. They also endlessly pamper and spoil their only son, Dudley.

Dudley Dursley

Dudley

Dudley Dursley

Vernon spoils Dudley in a similar manner to his wife; they appear to buy Dudley anything he wants, often apparently to waylay a tantrum, and indulge him with treats and activities, particularly those which Harry is not allowed. However, there is evidence that Vernon and Petunia are indulgent of their son's behaviour and contribute to his obesity before Harry is introduced to the household. They are frequently shown to be oblivious to his bullying and at times criminal behaviour, Vernon showing pride in his son and interpreting some of these characteristics as manly. Vernon has a similar physique to Dudley, also being very large, and when convinced to make Dudley diet by the school nurse, is forced disapprovingly to join in the family's régime, whereas previously he and his immediate family considered Dudley merely to have a healthy appetite. He becomes very proud of Dudley's resulting sporting achievements when this enforced exercise and diet helps him become a competing boxer, believing Dudley gave the Dementors the "ol' one-two" when they attacked him in 1995. He is, however, oblivious to the fact that Dudley uses his new skills to terrorise neighbourhood children.

Harry Potter

Hermione Granger: "Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they? When they hear what you did this year?"
Harry Potter: "Proud? Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious..."
— Harry Potter and Hermione Granger[src]
Harry Potter (HBP promo) 3

Harry, his nephew.

Vernon sees Harry as nothing more than a waste of space. Throughout his life, he tries to keep Harry as downtrodden as possible, in hopes of squashing the magic out of him. He lives in fear of anyone finding out about Harry's "abnormality". Vernon rarely refers to Harry by name, instead referring to him as "[the] boy" or "You", both to Harry directly and in conversation. Vernon would have a tendency to throw fits whenever Harry (either accidentally or intentionally) used words such as "magic", "wand", "Hogwarts", or "broomstick" in the house. Both guests and neighbours believe Vernon's explanation that Harry now attends St. Brutus' Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys, rather than the local comprehensive. Vernon even tells Mr. Mason and his wife that Harry is "disturbed" when explaining his sudden presence in the house in 1992.

Though Petunia feels some moral obligation to let Harry stay (however grudgingly and bitterly), Vernon feels nothing towards his nephew. He has no trouble throwing him out of the house despite full knowledge that doing so would put his life in grave danger. Petunia, however, intervened when Dumbledore sent her a Howler, reminding her of the agreement she made when they took in Harry. Additionally, when Harry was forced to go to court for underage magic, Vernon openly admitted that he hoped that Harry would get the death penalty.

Vernon would later become an uncle-in-law to Harry's wife, Ginny Weasley and a great-uncle to Harry and Ginny's children, James Sirius Potter, Albus Severus Potter and Lily Luna Potter.

James Potter

Vernon Dursley's first meeting with James Potter went badly. Vernon asked James what car he drove, but James decribed his racing broom, thus Vernon started patronising him and finally offended James by supposing out loud that wizards had to live on unemployment benefit. Having heard from the wizard that he had a fortune in solid gold, he grew angry and stormed out of restaurant, where they had met with their wives. After that Vernon refused to talk with James, but described him, within James’ earshot, as "some kind of amateur magician". [2]

Behind the scenes

Lego harry potter

Vernon Dursley as a LEGO figure.

  • Vernon Dursley was the first character introduced in the Harry Potter series.
  • Vernon is also one of only four characters in the Harry Potter book series whose thoughts have been disclosed by the narrator, the others being Harry Potter, Frank Bryce, and the British Prime Minister.
  • Vernon is portrayed by Richard Griffiths in the film series.
  • In the books, Vernon is described as a "big, beefy man" with black hair and a matching moustache and being in his mid-thirties. In the films, however, he is a middle aged man who has greying hair and moustache. In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, his hair is blonde-grey and in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, it is snow white.
  • J. K. Rowling said the character in the series she most dislikes is probably Uncle Vernon.
  • Vernon appeared in five of the eight Harry Potter movies. He did, however, appear in all seven books.
  • J. K. Rowling had originally planned for one of Dudley's children to have magic, and for Dudley to be at Platform 9 3/4 seeing them off to Hogwarts during the epilogue of Deathly Hallows. However, she later decided against this, saying that no magical genes could survive contact with Uncle Vernon's DNA.
  • In the books, Vernon appears to be so afraid of magic that he forbids Harry to say any word related to magic (e.g. "wizard", "Hogwarts" "Hogsmeade", "Hogwarts Express" and the word "magic" itself). When he discusses magic, he usually uses euphemisms like "you-know-what" (magic), "that school" (Hogwarts), "that abnormality" (magic or magical ability), "[Harry]'s lot" (wizards and witches), or simply "it" to refer to magic. In the films, he actually utters the word "magic". Ironically, he's not afraid of the name Voldemort. Vernon also cannot remember the proper name of Dementors, referring to them as "dismembers", "dementy-whatsits" and the like.
  • The scene in which the Dursleys leave the house in the seventh book is shortened down to a scene at the beginning of the seventh film where Vernon and Dudley are leaving their house and are hastily packing away their furniture. Petunia is seen waiting in the car already. Vernon has two lines in this scene while Dudley has one, and Petunia doesn't speak.
  • Vernon appears also in a deleted scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, in which Dudley asks Vernon why Harry is not coming with them and Vernon says he does not want to. Vernon also enthusiastically tells Harry "This isn't just goodbye, boy, is it? This is farewell!" something at which Harry nods.
  • Richard Griffiths, along with the actor of Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, was shown on a poster in the movies as an obvious reference to him. The show the poster was for is Equus. The production did star both Griffiths and Radcliffe in real life, but happened later in the real world than in-universe.

Etymology

Vernon is from a French last name for "alder tree".

Dursley is a town in Gloucestershire, England. J. K. Rowling has commented that she visited the place as a child, and hated it, which likely affected her choice of surname for the awful family, remarking "I don't imagine I'm very popular in Dursley".[16][17] The town is known for it's Victorian history in coal mining. Rowling chose the name because it sounded "dull and forbidding".

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 106 images related to Vernon Dursley.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 3 (The Dursleys Departing)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pottermore backstory of Vernon and Petunia Dursley
  3. ↑ In a deleted scene on Disc Two of the Blu-ray edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Petunia tells Harry, "I have lived in this house for twenty years," indicating she settled at 4 Privet Drive with Vernon in 1977, since the scene is set in 1997.
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 3 (The Letters from No One)
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 4 (The Keeper of the Keys)
  6. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-quarters)
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 1 (The Worst Birthday)
  8. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 2 (Dobby's Warning)
  9. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Chapter 2 (Aunt Marge's Big Mistake)
  10. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 2 (The Scar)
  11. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 3 (The Invitation)
  12. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 4 (Back to the Burrow)
  13. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 2 (A Peck of Owls)
  14. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 3 (The Advanced Guard)
  15. ↑ JK Rowling's Official Site: Harry and Dudley: Future Hope?
  16. ↑ Wikipedia:Dursley
  17. ↑ 2001 BBC Online Chat
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