Fidelius curse/What went on in Godric's Hollow ?

[KathyK]

No: HPFGUIDX 78006


a_reader2003 wrote:

<<<What I cannot understand is why Peter returned the next day to 
face Sirius. He may well have learned somehow that he had not killed 
Harry (perhaps he could hear the baby crying under the rubble when 
none of the neighbours could, since they didn't know the secret ?). 
But Peter is supposed to be a weak, frightened individual - why on 
earth return to face an unknown number of muggles and wizards 
swarming about the place, including potentially DEs, and in 
particular, a terrifyingly angry Sirius, intent on vengeance ? 

Ok, I understand it is necessary for the plot for Sirius to be 
misunderstood, go to Azkaban etc, but the action seems very out of 
character for Peter. Why didn't he just run for it ? After all, there 
was no point in fighting for Voldemort anymore.
 
I can only think that, in the classic murder mystery style, Peter 
left behind some terribly incriminating piece of evidence, and just 
had to retrieve it. Maybe his own wand ?>>>

KathyK:
My understanding is that Peter wanted to make sure the deaths of 
James and Lily got pinned on Sirius.  In post #75858, I speculated on 
this just a little bit.  Here are my hopefully relevant thoughts:

"I think Pettigrew, though weak and talentless, could have and did 
learn some tricks from Voldemort...edit...It would have helped him 
blow apart the street and kill a bunch of muggles. 
...edit...
"Yes, yes, he must have planned at least part of what he did, because 
he knew enough to leave "evidence" that he was dead. He also blew up 
a street, killing a bunch of people while leaving Sirius alive and 
well so he could take the punishment for the Potters' deaths. Being 
in Voldemort's service taught him some things and maybe he felt a bit 
more powerful with such a strong and powerful leader."

Back to this message:

Pettigrew knew what he was doing when he accused Sirius and faked his 
own death.  He did both these things to save his own neck.  If he 
hadn't "died" in such a spectacular fashion, taking a bunch of 
muggles with him, the ministry and Dumbledore would have been more 
likely to listen to what Sirius had to say about switching Secret-
Keepers.  Especially if Pettigrew just up and disappeared after the 
incident.  

If they'd listened, not only would he have Sirius to contend with but 
a bunch of Aurors as well.  And do we think that Sirius, were he not 
locked up in Azkaban, would just let Peter go quietly into the 
night?  No.  He'd track him down, just as he did, and make sure 
Pettigrew paid for what he did.

By faking his own death, Pettigrew also got away from angry Death 
Eaters looking for the man who led Voldemort to his destruction.  
This way, none of them would have any reason to look for him.  If 
Pettigrew just ran, he'd always be looking over his shoulder.

And while he could have hid out as a rat from the DE's (assuming they 
didn't know of his illegal animagus status), he could never hide from 
a free and vengeful Sirius.

Faking his death and pinning it on Sirius are completely within 
Pettigrew's weak and fearful character, IMO.  

Just some speculation,

KathyK