[HPforGrownups] Re: Why did Scabbers hate Goyle (was: Why did Crookshanks 'hate' Scabbers

[Lindsay]

No: HPFGUIDX 126702

Tinglinger wrote: 
> There are several possible explanations that I can see -
> 1 - As Sirius said in POA, Pettigrew always aligned with the
> stronger side. Although in this particular fight,
> Malfy/Goyle/Crabbe are physically stronger, they are on the
> wrong side of the WW in the big picture..
> 2 - Pettigrew did not want to blow his cover as Ron's pet
> where he could hear all sorts of interesting info, especially
> with Harry Potter around,  and
> 3 - Peter was living at the Weasley residence since Percy
> got him, and was privy to all sorts of info coming out of the Ministry
> (a great home for rats, it seems), giving further
> reason not to blow his cover.


I would agree that your option one is correct.  Peter is aligning
himself on the "stronger" side, ie his owner, making him a more
beloved pet.

But I don't think he was worried at all about being discovered at that
point in time.  There'd be absolutely no reason for Ron or anyone else
to suspect Scabbers to be Peter Pettigrew.  It wasn't until Remus came
to Hogwarts and Sirius escaped was there any real threat on Peter's
cover, as both could recognize his Animagus form.  I doubt Peter was
even contemplating rejoining Voldemort at that time, either.  He was
probably done with it all.  But when he was found out and on the run
again, he had to find himself a powerful protector: Voldemort.

Peter biting Goyle could mean any multitude of things under the
surface - perhaps Goyle Sr. picked on Peter before he hooked up with
James, etc?  Or during his time with Voldemort back in the day, Goyle
Sr. was cruel or looked down on Peter or any other number of things
that would cause Peter to have a grudge against Goyle Jr.  (As Snape
has shown, sons who look like their fathers shall not be pardoned).

Perhaps, not as an intentional act of Peter, though, but perhaps it is
a plot device by JKR to later have Goyle Jr. be on Harry's side.

--Lindsay