Killing Pettigrew: Yea or Nay?

[carolynwhite2]

No: HPFGUIDX 116248


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jennifer" 
<red_light_runner08 at y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Of course appearing in the Daily Prophet photo was stupid but then 
> was there really any reason for him to think he may be recognised? 
> Sirius is in Azkaban and happened to see that photo by chance 
(would he have access to the paper normally?)

Carolyn:
Peter knows that the fourth member of the marauder's is still alive, 
and not locked up - Lupin - and that he would be as keen as Sirius to 
ask him some questions, and would recognise him instantly. It was an 
insane risk to take, unless he intended it as a signal.

A separate theory speculates ESE!Fudge in league with Lucius, both 
knowing about the rat, and both pretty keen that no one goes to help 
Vapour!Mort. Fudge slips Sirius the paper, arranges for him to 
escape, and Sirius-the-faithful-dog romps off to commit the murder he 
was in for. 

Jennifer:
and Lupin doesn't know the 
> Weasley's, wouldn't it be possible that if you don't know them 
> personally you would simply skim the photo before moving on? 

Carolyn:
The photo was taken in the summer before Harry's third year. Lupin 
had probably already been approached by Dumbledore for the DADA job, 
and been well-briefed about Harry and the other children he was to 
teach. Since he rarely got paid work because of his condition, I 
think he would have taken good care to notice any snippet of news 
about Hogwart's pupils over the summer - and this was a prominent 
article. 

We also don't know that Lupin was not familiar with the Weasley's - 
they are a large, well-known, pure-blood family, related to the 
Blacks. The WW is small and close-knit; he could easily know them.

Jennifer:
Was there anyone else who knew he was an animagus as that point? He 
> wasn't really the focal point of that picture. To really see that 
> there is one toe missing of a rat sitting on a boys shoulder (with 
> the other 8 members of his family around him) wouldn't you have to 
be really looking at it? It was stupid of him but I don't think it's 
> something he would have given much thought to especially as he 
seems to be sitting on Ron's shoulder exposed. 
> 
Carolyn:
Well, he either is or is not a dastardly spy who betrayed his 
friends. Deep, evil spies don't break cover unless they mean to. 

Jennifer:
> If Peter used Voldemort's wand to blow up the street would that 
make any difference to his abilities (power) or none at all? Sorry if 
> that's been answered before I was just curious?

Carolyn:
We've heard from JKR at the Edinburgh chat that Peter hid Voldie's 
wand, so he probably did not have either it, or Voldie's robes with 
him when he blew up the street. He probably used his own wand if he 
blew up the street himself.

Supposing that he did, we had some fun with all this a while ago - he 
not only had to cut off his finger with his hands behind his back, 
but also be holding not just Voldie's robes and wand, but another set 
as well (the 'heap of blood stained robes' that he left behind), and 
blow up the street. All a bit unbelievable really. Various people 
think there was a third party involved (either ESE!Lupin or ESE!Fudge 
are popular choices).


Jennifer:
> I hate to say it but the reason I always assumed Peter didn't just 
> abandon Voldemort was because he was afraid of what would happen if 
> he did and he was being promised all kinds of things and he clearly 
> seems to love the idea of power

Carolyn:
I can't find any evidence that Peter was interested in power. All his 
statements (whether he is acting or not) are of complete subservience 
and fear, trying to prove his loyalty.  If Agent!Peter is true, it is 
also a very clever strategy to try with Voldie, who expects exactly 
such behaviour and delights in making a disloyal person do his will. 
It saves Peter having to mind-wrestle with a formidable Legilimens.