Dudley Character Analysis in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry's Muggle cousin. Dudley has been overweight his entire life, but in the year before the start of the novel, Dudley took up boxing and is now a boxing champion. Harry isn't sure this is a good thing, as learning to punch accurately just makes Dudley a more successful and dangerous bully. He spends his summer running around Little Whinging with his friends, vandalizing the park and beating up kids. Dudley is afraid of Harry’s magic and so leaves Harry alone for the most part. One day a dementor attacks Harry and Dudley, and because Dudley can't see dementors, doesn't trust Harry, and doesn't understand how to fight dementors, he tells Vernon and Petunia that Harry was the one who hurt him.

Dudley Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The timeline below shows where the character Dudley appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...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 up kids. The news begins... (full context)

When it starts to get dark, Harry looks up and sees Dudley and his gang walking by, singing a crude song. In the last year, Dudley has... (full context)

Fuming, Harry points his wand at Dudley and backs him up against a wall. Suddenly, Dudley shudders and gasps, and it becomes... (full context)

...to protect Harry. She wonders what Dumbledore is going to say and tries to get Dudley to get up. Harry lifts Dudley and Mrs. Figg leads the way to the Dursleys'.... (full context)

...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 attempts to slip up the... (full context)

Dudley mumbles that Harry pointed his wand at him, things went dark, and then he started... (full context)

Harry tries to leave the kitchen, but Vernon insists that Harry explain what happened to Dudley. Harry patiently explains that dementors suck out people's souls, that you can't punch a dementor,... (full context)