In the book at least the gillyweed wore off before he got back to shore, but there's no mention of him needing Ron's help. Both he and Ron were busy helping Gabrielle, who, if she could swim at all, couldn't do it well.
I think Petunia would pay for lessons for Harry, or at minimum have Vernon or herself teach him. Unless she could rent the private use of a pool for several hours over several weeks so Dudley could have private lessons, it would quickly become very public knowledge (and gossip) that she was outright neglecting the safety and well-being of her nephew. Hand-me-downs, taped glasses, and even sending Harry to his room (cupboard) inordinately often can all be attributed to strained finances, Harry's carelessness, and his own misbehavior. But ignoring such a basic safety skill? When she took care to make sure her own son was protected? Oh, no. Respectable People simply do not do such things.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-02-10 06:00 pm (UTC)I think Petunia would pay for lessons for Harry, or at minimum have Vernon or herself teach him. Unless she could rent the private use of a pool for several hours over several weeks so Dudley could have private lessons, it would quickly become very public knowledge (and gossip) that she was outright neglecting the safety and well-being of her nephew. Hand-me-downs, taped glasses, and even sending Harry to his room (cupboard) inordinately often can all be attributed to strained finances, Harry's carelessness, and his own misbehavior. But ignoring such a basic safety skill? When she took care to make sure her own son was protected? Oh, no. Respectable People simply do not do such things.