Why Harry Had to Live with the Dursleys: The Complexity of Protecting Baby Harry

One of the most debated aspects of the Harry Potter series is why one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix did not adopt baby Harry. This question stems from the belief that living at Grimmauld Place, filled with strong Aurors and under the eye of Dumbledore, would have kept Harry even safer once Voldemort returned. However, this is a matter of complex decision-making and the intricate details surrounding Harry's protection.

The Role of Blood Protection

The crucial factor in protecting Harry was the blood protection provided by his mother, Lily Potter. When Lily died to save Harry, she created a protection from her love and sacrifice that would be actively safeguarding Harry as long as he lived with someone related to Lily by blood. Lily’s only blood relatives were Petunia Dursley and Dudley Dursley. Therefore, Harry had to live with the Dursleys to maintain the blood protection from Voldemort.

Sirius Black in Prison

Sirius Black, a key member of the Order of the Phoenix, was in prison during this period. According to the information available, he was serving a life sentence. Even though Sirius was alive, his imprisonment meant he could not access or control Grimmauld Place. Additionally, Sirius' mother and grandfather were alive for a few years after his incarceration, and they would have had control and access to the house. Incidentally, Narcissa Malfoy, as a member of the Black family, would have had continued access to Grimmauld Place. The Order of the Phoenix only received access to the home after Sirius granted it, which would have been after the events of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Sirius could have granted this access as early as the end of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Harry was 13.

The Dursleys’ Choice

The Dursleys were the primary option for where Harry would live, as they were his only remaining blood relatives. Normally, guardianship for a magical child would change quickly due to the Dursleys' inability to provide a suitable environment. However, the blood protection played a significant role in this decision. As explained by Dumbledore, the blood protection from Lily's sacrifice ensured that Harry was safe from Voldemort as long as he lived with a blood relative. This protection was critical, and Dumbledore had no other viable options.

Dumbledore's Decisions and Intentions

Dumbledore's choice to raise Harry away from the magical world and make him unaware of the existence of magic was not a simple decision. He wanted Harry to grow up in the Muggle world to protect him from potential harms, such as fame or the misunderstood legacy of his parents. Dumbledore worried about how Harry would remember James Potter and his reputation during his teenage years. By raising Harry in the Muggle world, Dumbledore aimed to shield him from these influences and help him develop a more stable and grounded personality.

The Ministry's Role

It is important to note that the Ministry of Magic played no active role in making this decision. In fact, Dumbledore essentially kidnapped Harry immediately after his parents' deaths and dropped him off at the Dursleys without informing others of his whereabouts. The Ministry appeared to be unaware of Harry's location until after he began attending Hogwarts.

The complexity of Harry's protection and the decisions made by Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix highlight the intricate nature of safeguarding a young wizard from the powerful Dark Lord. The blood protection provided by Lily Potter was a critical factor, and living with the Dursleys was the only way to maintain this protection, ensuring Harry's safety and paving the way for his destiny as the hero who would ultimately defeat Voldemort.