Yeah, that is a good theory. Maybe they figured they could get Harry over to the dark side and get him to cooperate in Voldemorts return.
You know... I saw "Howl's Moving Castle" earlier this week and then had to reread the book (by a lovely English author named Diana Wynn Jones, 2/3s of her stuff is gorgeous fantasy) and I was wonder...
For people on this thread, what supposedly children's fantasy other than Harry Potter do you read? I'm always on the lookout for something to keep me amused between books and kids' fantasy is a joy... to answer my own question, I like Jones' "Chrestomanci" books, her "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Castle in the Air", and "Dark Lord of Derkholm" particularly.