This is why the Dursleys hated Harry: Rowling reveals their backstory on Pottermore

The Harry Potter books may have ended years ago, but author JK Rowling still indulges fans with new information about the story and its characters through her interactive website Pottermore. [caption id=“attachment_2310898” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  JK Rowling. Reuters[/caption] Over the years we have got to know detailed and fascinating tidbits about the wizarding world straight from Rowling’s pen. From the backstory of Professor McGonagall’s tragic marriage to Remus Lupin’s experiences as a werewolf, she has created an entire platform to continue the Potter story beyond the books. Latest in her Pottermore write ups is the backstory of the most despised family in the Harry Potter series —  the Dursleys. The Dursleys are Harry’s aunt and uncle who raise him after the death of his parents. On the occasion of Dudley Dursley’s 35th birthday, the author revealed  why his parents were cruel towards their ward Harry and the reason for their general resentment of magic. Rowling described the Dursleys “reactionary, prejudiced, narrow-minded, ignorant and bigoted; most of my least favourite things." Petunia was jealous of her sister and Harry’s mother Lily’s magical abilities and Vernon was mistrustful of anything that was out of ordinary and their cruel treatment of Harry stemmed from this. The shaky relationship started from the first time the better halves of the two sisters met. This is what Rowling wrote about that meeting on Pottermore. “James was amused by Vernon, and made the mistake of showing it. Vernon tried to patronise James, asking what car he drove. James described his racing broom. Vernon supposed out loud that wizards had to live on unemployment benefit. James explained about Gringotts, and the fortune his parents had saved there, in solid gold. Vernon could not tell whether he was being made fun of or not, and grew angry. The evening ended with Vernon and Petunia storming out of the restaurant, while Lily burst into tears and James (a little ashamed of himself) promised to make things up with Vernon at the earliest opportunity,"  Following this Petunia did not invite Lily to be a bridesmaid at her wedding, Vernon called James “an amateur magician” at the occasion, did not attend the Potter wedding and all but threw out Lily’s letter announcing Harry’s birth. When Harry was orphaned at the age of one, he was left on the Dursley doorstep by Albus Dumbledore. Petunia “felt she had no choice” but to take Harry in, but did so grudgingly, writes Rowling, “and spent the rest of Harry’s childhood punishing him for her own choice”.