Pettigrew/Wormtail (was Transitions, etc Will the Real...)

[AmanitaMuscaria]

No: HPFGUIDX 167835

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "houyhnhnm102" <celizwh at ...> 
wrote:
>
> The argument over whether or not Snape would have known 
> that Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew has got me to wondering 
> again, why does Voldemort address Pettigrew as "Wormtail"?  
> There's something about that strikes a wrong note with me 
> every time I read GoF. Would Pettigrew have introduced 
> himself as "Wormtail" when he first went over to the Dark side? 
> 
> It is not a very flattering nickname
snip 
> Its use by the Marauders seems to reinforce Peter's low 
> status tag-along position within the group.
snip
> Voldemort 
> clearly uses it in a way that is derogatory, as if to 
> rub it in that Peter is a coward who betrayed his former 
> friends.  
> 
> It just stikes me as odd that Peter would volunteer the 
> information.  How did Voldemort learn the nickname?  
> Perhaps by the use of Legilimency?
> 
> houyhnhnm
>

AmanitaMuscaria now - I think that's _exactly_ why Voldemort 
addresses Peter as Wormtail - to make it clear that he considers 
Peter a traitor. Even if Voldemort himself doesn't have or want 
friends, he knows people do, and that friends do not betray each 
other to death. Peter isn't in search of knowledge, at least as far 
as we've been told, like Quirrell. He may want power, but he 
obviously couldn't wield it in an efficient way. I assume Voldemort 
is letting Peter know that he will never be trusted, or given any 
higher role, because Voldemort knows if a bigger bully comes along, 
Peter will turn to him.
I would also assume that Voldemort Legilimences each person who comes 
to him, as well as Crucios/Imperios them, simply to test their 
character, abilities and strengths.
I'm interested in how Peter became Voldemort's servant though - do 
you think he sought Voldemort out after maybe one too many put-down, 
or that he was befriended and recruited subtly, without knowing who 
it was he was telling secrets to until it was too late?
Or do you think Voldemort just threatened him and he collapsed and 
told all?
Cheers, AmanitaMuscaria