Harry Potter: What Dudley Saw When The Dementors Attacked

Dudley was one of the few people that was physically attacked by Dementors in the Harry Potter series, and here’s what he saw during the event.

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Dudley Dursley was one of the few people who were physically attacked by Dementors in the Harry Potter series, but it was never fully explained what the Muggle witnessed during the encounter. The character, played by Harry Melling in the movie adaptations based on J.K. Rowling’s novels, served as the spoiled cousin that the lead character Harry had the displeasure of growing up with. After the death of James and Lily Potter, baby Harry was forced to live with his only known relatives, the Dursley family. Residing with his uncle, aunt, and cousin were difficult enough, but his presence as a wizard made matters contentious.

Despite being close in age, Harry and Dudley never got along during their time living together at 4 Privet Drive. In fact, Dudley often bullied Harry and made sure to let his cousin know that he wasn’t viewed as an equal. While the Dursleys avoided the existence of the wizarding world, they couldn’t hide from all aspects of Harry’s newfound life. For the most part, Harry kept his relatives out of the drama surrounding the other world, but he couldn’t prevent one specific attack.

At the start of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Dudley found a new sense of confidence after he took up boxing. While wandering the area with his gang of hooligans, Dudley ran into Harry with the intent on tormenting the teen. The pair were then ambushed by a pair of Dementors unknowingly sent by Dolores Umbridge. Since Dudley was a Muggle, he was incapable of visibly seeing the soul-suckers, making the physical attack even more terrifying. Harry used his stag Patronus to save him and his cousin before the wraithlike beings could use the Dementor’s Kiss. Dudley was left confused, and he initially blamed Harry for the event until he confronted what he truly witnessed during the attack. Though he primarily felt the attack, Dudley was also forced to see a version of himself that he didn’t like.

Dudley’s Dementor Attack Actually Had A Positive Outcome

When Dementors attacked, they often caused victims to relive their worst memories. Even though Dudley was unable to acknowledge their presence, the creatures were able to manipulate his mind. The books and films failed to fully explain what Dudley went through during his encounter with the Dementors, but Rowling has since confirmed lingering mystery. As the Dementor hovered over Dudley, he finally viewed himself for who he truly was: a spoiled bully. Dudley realized how cruel he was, and how horribly he treated others, including his own cousin.

Upon addressing his past behavior, the Dementor attack gave Dudley a chance to take a step back to reevaluate his life. He began changing his attitude by finally accepting Harry as a respectable figure. Dudley mended his relationship with Harry before the Dursleys were escorted into hiding ahead of the final battle against Lord Voldemort. In a deleted scene, Dudley shook hands with his cousin before thanking him for saving his life. While Dementors were extremely dangerous in the Harry Potter series, they undoubtedly forced a positive transformation on one of the most complicated characters.

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