The Spying Game and the Shrieking Shack (VERY LONG)

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 39686

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Lanabana at a... wrote:
> Pip, your view on this was very interesting.....but here's what i'm 
wondering:
> Why is the debt thing with pettigrew so important?

Uh, that's something we'll find out in OoP, Book 6 or Book 7 [grin].

I dunno yet. I've noticed that with mentioning 'Snape saved Harry 
because James Potter saved his life' in PS/SS and the 'certain bond' 
between two wizards where one has saved the others life in PoA; not 
to mention Dumbledore's "the time may come when you will be very glad 
you saved Pettigrew's life." (PoA p. 311 UK hardback), JKR hasn't so 
much foreshadowed the life-debt thing as put up a great big flashing 
neon sign.

One of the things we are consistently being told about Voldemort is 
that he doesn't understand the deep magic; the magic of love and self-
sacrifice; the magic of a mother dying for her child or a wizard 
saving the life of someone he dislikes. It seems reasonable to me 
that a plan to defeat Voldemort would make heavy use of an area of 
magic that he's known not to understand.

> you made it sound like you believed that pettigrew might turn spy 
> for Voldemort.(or at least thats how i interpreted it) 

Oops! Well, if I will write 5800 word essays...
No, I don't believe Pettigrew will necessarily turn spy against 
Voldemort. Mind you, it is perfectly possible with what we know so 
far. I think it's slightly more subtle than that - Dumbledore and 
Snape have planted someone in Voldemort's inner circle with a known 
weakness, and that weakness is important in the 'defeat Voldemort' 
plan. In fact, I agree completely with what you say below.

>  Using your theory, it is 
> entirely possible that something dealing with pettigrew could be 
> the *key* to destroying voldemort completely.  And that, imo, works 
> works very well with your theory.....I'm curious to see how you   > 
think this fits into Gof........
> ~Lana
> 

So am I :-) 
My original plan for the post was to talk about the 'I expect you to 
die, Mr Potter' scene in GoF as well, but I dropped that by the 
wayside when I realised just how LONG it would take to discuss both 
scenes. Especially since in 'I expect you to die, Mr Potter'  
Voldemort and Dumbledore-through-Harry are both using Misinformation.

You've probably noticed, however, that one of the things Voldemort 
says about Pettigrew in GoF is:

"Wormtail would have had me use any Wizard, would you not, Wormtail?" 
(GoF UK hardback, p. 569).

So the life-debt is in operation; Wormtail is (currently 
unsuccessfully) trying to save the life of Harry Potter. Does 
Voldemort know about the life-debt? The relevant line can be read 
both ways.

Pip