Dumbledore knew that Harry had other places he could go, rather the Dursleys. Dumbledore knew there were people who could protect him just as strongly, and much more happily than the Dursleys ever could.
But Dumbledore needed his prop. Dumbledore needed that long term plan of the Horcrux hunt, and the fulfillment of the prophecy. He needed Harry clueless of the magical world and desperate for love and attention.
James and Lily are dead. First obstacle, eliminated.
Marlene, one of Lily's best friends, is dead. Second obstacle, eliminated.
Peter is "dead". Third obstacle, eliminated.
Remus, Sirius, and Mary. Three obstacles that needed eliminating.
Remus was easy. The man is so insecure of his nature, that just the right word play convinced him that Harry was safer with the Dursleys than him. And the courts would side that a werewolf wasn't fit to raise a child anyway. Fourth obstacle, eliminated.
Sirius, best friend of James, made the godfather of Harry; has complete legal rights to the child. Well, Sirius is under suspect for the murder of Peter and the Muggles Peter killed. A trial is in order, Sirius is scared and angry. A few words to the right people, with mentions of insanity and family background, and that trial was eliminated, straight to imprisonment no investigation. Fifth obstacle, eliminated.
Mary. The final obstacle. Lily's best friend, godmother of Harry. No past criminal or poor mental health record. A strong, kind, and gentle woman. Planned to be a mother herself.
Well, no one is around to truly remember her anymore anyway. And for those who do remember her and question where she went? Well, she just couldn't handle the pain of remembering.
Final obstacle, eliminated.
First stage of plan, complete.














