Practical Prose of Harry Potter #23

“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” (Harry Potter: The Complete Collection, 2708)

This is an apt observation of the human condition by Dumbledore to justify Kreacher’s betrayal of Sirius. It feels counterintuitive to me, but if you are disliked, I guess you matter to someone else in some way. On the other hand, if you are disregarded, your existence is perceived as insignificant.