Pettigrew Power (Was: James Potter Bio Facts)

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 90172

> Simariel wrote:
> <massive snipping>
> << I just had to defend Peter, I think he's quite impressive a 
> wizard.>>
> 
> Sigune says:
> Yes he is! It rather confuses me to read references to Pettigrew's 
> lack of magical ability all the time, when he does some impressive 
> magic in our faces.
> Poor silly powerless Peter Pettigrew kills a whole street full of 
> Muggles, defeats Sirius and gets away transformed as a rat;
> Poor silly powerless Peter Pettigrew brews a potion that restores 
old Voldy to his body.
> It seems to me Mssrs Moony, Padfoot and Prongs have a serious lack 
of judgment when it comes to both friends (Pettigrew) and enemies 
> (Snape).


Mandy here:
Hear! Hear!  As a big fan of Peter Pettigrew I am always quick to 
jump to his defense as a great Wizard. Despicable person, yes, but 
powerfully magical.  

Time and time again people surrounding Peter Pettigrew underestimate 
him much, to their eventual horror.  Peter is not, by any stretch of 
the imagination, weak! His only 'mistake' is to be insecure. He 
wanted others to like him too much, and when they didn't, he saw to 
it that they paid for it.

James and Sirius made that mistake, seeming to ignore his abilities, 
which were as good as theirs, and making fun of him.   ""Put that 
away will you? Said Sirius finally, as James made a fine catch and 
Wormtail let out a cheer.  "Before Wormtail wets himself from 
excitement." Wormtail turned slightly pink....." Snapes Worst Memory, 
page 645, OopT, US Edition.  Comments like that may seem like nothing 
to those speaking them, but to those on the receiving end, they cut 
like a hot knife, sudden, sharp and terribly painful.  And this was a 
moment of happiness for the group! I can imagine how they treated 
Peter when they were annoyed or angry.  Peter eventually turned his 
back on them and walked toward a mentor who promised him so much 
more, I imagine treated him with respect (at least for a while) and 
gave him some of the power he craved.  James ended up dead and Sirius 
in prison.

Harry underestimated Peter in PoA, showing mercy on a man begging for 
his life.  That resulted in LV resurrection in GoF much to Harry's 
horror.  I'm not blaming Sirius, James and Harry for Peter's 
behavior.  Peter is solely responsible for his decisions and actions. 
But it is the continual underestimation of 'little' Peter Pettigrew 
that is going to keep causing mayhem amongst the Order.

What interesting to me is the fact that currently Voldemort is 
underestimating Peter, treating him badly and disrespectfully and I 
wonder what that means for Peter?  I foresee Peter turning on 
Voldemort viciously, eventually.  Peter can't help it.

Remember it's always the quite one you have to watch and never turn 
you back on them! That may be a silly old wives tale but it's true. 
Underestimate it at your own risk!

Mandy