[HPforGrownups] Pettigrew parallels

[Peg Kerr]

No: HPFGUIDX 5356

Sister Mary Lunatic wrote:

> Everyone seems to picture Peter Pettigrew as just a tag-along to the
> Marauders and not part of a foursome.  But you're overlooking the fact that
> he learned, with them, the extremely difficult Animagus magic, which means
> he must have been a regular member of the group.  Not only that, but his
> name is also on the Marauders Map as one of the "manufacturers" --
> suggesting again that he was closely involved in the day-to-day shenanigans
> of the group.  James and Lily considered him an acceptable substitute Secret
> Keeper when Sirius suggested it (and of course, Sirius trusted him
> completely at this point as well, which indicates he was not a casual or
> annoying acquaintance).

You raise a very interesting point, and one which echoes something else Sirius
said, and which I think Jo is playing with quite a bit.  The other Mauraders
trusted Pettigrew--they staked their lives on him and were confident that he
would do the same for them, which makes his betrayal all the more devastating.
Sirius said, when the kids brought him the food in GoF that it is hard for them
to understand what it was like: "Imagine that Voldemort's powerful now.  You
don't know who his supporters are, you don't know who's working for him and who
isn't; you know he can control people so they do terrible things without being
able to stop themselves."

It's easy and tempting and reassuring when things seem safe, to look back and
say, "Oh, I saw it, or I should have known.  Peter Pettigrew, always tagging
along, such a sneak--of course he wasn't really one of us."

But he was.  THAT'S why it is so scary.  He was one of us, and we have to be
very brave to admit it.  That capacity for evil is in each one of us, even the
bravest and the best. That's why (until Dumbledore talks to him about it in CoS)
Harry is so haunted by the idea that he should have been placed in Slytherin.
He senses that capability for evil in himself.  Sure, JKR's world is simple--the
battle between good and evil--but at the same time it is very complex.  It's not
just us vs. them.  The battle for good and evil is played out within each
person, too.  And the outcome is not always easily see.  Who can fathom, from
outside appearances, the human heart, even and perhaps especially when the heart
is your own?

Peg