Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by

J. K. Rowling

Aunt Petunia Character Analysis

Harry's maternal aunt. She's an unpleasant woman and doesn't like Harry, but she and Vernon agree to take Harry in because her sister and Harry's mother, Lily, sacrificed herself for Harry, which gives Harry protection if he lives with Petunia. Harry later learns that Petunia wanted to attend Hogwarts as a child.
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Aunt Petunia Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The timeline below shows where the character Aunt Petunia appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Three
Knowledge and Power Theme Icon
...He takes his time putting down the mirror fragment and goes downstairs to find Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley all dressed for traveling. Vernon tells Harry he's decided he doesn't believe it... (full context)
Choices, Redemption, and Morality Theme Icon
Friendship, Community, and Resistance Theme Icon
...hand but can't bring himself to do it and then heads to the door with Petunia. Dudley, however, asks why Harry isn't coming with them, and where he's going to go.... (full context)
Choices, Redemption, and Morality Theme Icon
Grief and Coming of Age Theme Icon
Friendship, Community, and Resistance Theme Icon
...may have left the cup of tea as an act of kindness, not a trap. Petunia bursts into tears and embraces Dudley, while Hestia and Dedalus try to move things along.... (full context)
Chapter Thirty-Three
Choices, Redemption, and Morality Theme Icon
Friendship, Community, and Resistance Theme Icon
Young Snape looks unkempt. From a hiding place, he watches young Lily and Petunia play. Lily giggles and makes a flower open and close its petals. Petunia is both... (full context)
Choices, Redemption, and Morality Theme Icon
Friendship, Community, and Resistance Theme Icon
The scene changes and Harry and Snape watch Lily apologizing to Petunia on platform 9 3/4. Lily assures Petunia that she'll talk to Dumbledore about letting her... (full context)