Betrayal is Scary Too! (Was: What HP Character Scares You Most?)

[catmcnulty]

No: HPFGUIDX 191860

> Cathy:
> I think the character that scares me most would have to be Peter
> Pettigrew, only as he was a well known and trusted, yet he betrayed
> his best friends in such a way that would bring about their deaths.
> (James, Lily, and baby Harry).  I find his actions to be the scariest
> just as he seemed not only harmless, but a cherished and trusted
> friend.

Cat:

I agree with earlier posts, in that Umbridge is a real piece of work! And she is just plain maliciously cruel ... mean to her "lessors" or those who are weaker.  But she is so saccharine horrible that she is almost "cartoonie".  She is a sycophant extraordinaire and really "gets in the good books" of the people in power (unfortunately there are people really like that...I'm sure everyone has had at least one "umbridge" in their life.)You can hopefully see them coming and guard against them HOWEVER.....
People like Peter Pettigrew, you don't see them coming and they are more able to do REAL damage. I agree with Cathy - He is "scary" because he was a "friend" (frienemy - I think is the new term & not sure about the spelling) that betrayed his friends. As a "friend" he was trusted, cared about, was able to get close, discovered  weaknesses, and then exploited them. (It was done in cowardly fashion as opposed to malicious intent) When a friend betrays you, for either reason, it is more painful and possibly even fatal. (The "Et tu Brute" scenario.) In addition to the damage they inflict (hopefully you DO survive) is the hurt & self doubt that you are left with. "How was I ever so mislead? How gullible am I? What did I miss? etc.) BETRAYAL ... the most unkindness cut of all!

JKR gave us a hint (she likes to do that) into the truth of Peter's character when she had Dumbledore explain to Harry about the Hogwarts student Tom Riddle's "gang" (the fore-runners of the Deatheaters). They were described as (paraphrased) "ones who sought protection" and "were seeking reflected glory."  This is applies to the "Deatheaters" but also Peter as toady to James and Sirius.

Cat