One way the Dursleys can be good in fanfiction is if they are forced to face the consequences of their actions early on. For instance, they might receive a warning from the wizarding world that if they don't treat Harry well, there will be serious repercussions. So they start to be nicer to him. They could provide him with a proper room, better food, and allow him to have friends over.
One factor that can make the Dursleys good in fanfiction is guilt. They might feel guilty for how they've treated Harry over the years. This guilt could drive them to change their ways and be more loving and accepting towards him.
Often, a good Dursley in fanfiction is the result of a different backstory. Maybe Petunia has a moment of reflection about her sister Lily and decides to treat Harry better. Vernon could also come around when he sees the power and influence that Harry might have one day and wants to be on his good side. So, in these fanfictions, they become more likeable and positive characters.
A good Dursleys fanfiction often gives them more backstory. In the original books, we don't get much about their lives before Harry came to live with them. Fanfictions can fill in those gaps. For example, exploring how Vernon got his job and how Petunia managed the household finances. Also, a good fanfiction might change their relationship with Harry in a believable way. Maybe Harry discovers a family heirloom that makes the Dursleys see him as part of the family. It's all about adding depth and new perspectives to their characters.
In some Harry Potter fanfictions, the Dursleys are depicted as nice. This could be a really interesting take. It might show how they could have been different if they hadn't been so influenced by their dislike for magic. Maybe they could have supported Harry more, or at least been less cruel. For example, a fanfiction could explore a scenario where Vernon Dursleys actually encourages Harry's academic achievements at school, instead of always putting him down.
The Dursleys could also cripple Harry emotionally in fanfiction. Their constant belittling, isolating him from others, and treating him like a burden could break his spirit. This emotional crippling might make it difficult for Harry to trust people, form relationships, or even fully embrace his wizarding identity. He may become withdrawn and lack the confidence needed to face the challenges in the wizarding world.
No. In the original 'Harry Potter' series, the Dursleys are presented as Muggles who dislike anything related to magic. Fanfiction is a concept more associated with fans of the series, and the Dursleys would have no interest in it.
Well, a 'Harry Potter raised by good Dursleys' fanfiction could be really interesting. For starters, Harry would not have the sense of being an outcast in his own home. The Dursleys might encourage his magical abilities instead of suppressing them. They could introduce him to a more stable and loving family environment, which would likely change Harry's personality. He might be more confident and less brooding. Also, his relationship with Hogwarts might be different. Instead of seeing it as an escape from the Dursleys, it could be an addition to his already happy life.
It might show the constant power struggle between them. Harry, as a wizard, has an inner strength that the Dursleys try to suppress with their mundane and cruel ways. So it's a battle of wills.
Yes, there are. Some fanfictions focus on the Dursleys' hidden depths. For example, in certain stories, Petunia's jealousy of Lily is explored in a more complex way, showing how her upbringing and the magical world's intrusion into her normal life affected her actions towards Harry. These fanfictions often give the Dursleys more humanizing qualities, like Vernon's insecurities about his normalcy compared to the magical world, which is a fresh perspective compared to their rather one - dimensional portrayal in the original books.