PoA 19

[pauraque_bk]

PoA 19: The Servant of Lord Voldemort

For those who take chapter titles seriously, this one is a pretty good indication that the Second Prophecy does refer to Peter.

This chapter is a bit on the long side, and I did say I would try not to repeat myself... so I've left off some of the (many) things I think about what Peter says in this chapter. If you're interested, I wrote them up... hm, nearly a year ago... in an essay.

'You fool,' said Lupin softly. 'Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?' (263)

Probably the stupidest move Remus makes in the book. If he'd set out to say something that would make Snape hit the roof at this moment, I can't think of many better things. Remus is lucky Snape didn't do him any real damage.

'KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!' Snape shouted, looking suddenly quite deranged. 'DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!' (264)

It's good to remember that Snape is capable of outbursts like this. Admittedly, it's the release of an entire book's worth of tension, but still. Can you imagine Remus ever screaming like this? In any situation?

'Of course,' Lupin breathed, 'so simple ... so brilliant ... He cut it off himself?'
'Just before he transformed,' said Black. (266)

'[...]Finally, I managed to communicate to [Crookshanks] what I was after, and he's been helping me... [...] Peter got wind of what was going on and ran for it ... [Crookshanks] told me Peter had left blood on the sheets [...]' (267)

This addresses a question from Chapter 13 -- Sirius did indeed know that Peter had run away, presumably before he broke into the boys' bedroom. Looks even worse for his state of mind.

[Pettigrew pointed] at Black, and Harry saw that he used his middle finger, because his index was missing. (269)

As an aside: the fact that Peter cut off his right index (GoF) suggests strongly that he's left-handed.

Harry saw his eyes dart to the door and back again. (269)

[...]looking wildly about him once more, eyes taking in the boarded windows and, again, the only door. (269)

Pettigrew was muttering distractedly; [...] but [Harry] couldn't help paying more attention to the ashen colour of Pettigrew's face, and the way his eyes continued to dart towards the windows and door. (271)

As Peter becomes increasingly hysterical, JKR makes sure we know he's thinking -- alert for opportunities to make a break for it. This is what's so interesting about him, and explains how he managed to do the things he did -- even in the grip of genuine panic, there's a part of him that keeps control and does exactly what must be done for Peter to survive.

Pettigrew opened his mouth and closed it several times. He seemed to have lost the ability to talk. (272)

Actually, I'm surprised that Peter and Sirius, having been animals for the greater part of 12 years, are as articulate as they are.

'I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent[...]' (272)

There was discussion of this in Chapter 17. Sirius has wildly contrasting feelings of guilt at making Peter Secret-Keeper, and self-righteous... outrage?... piety?... that he was wrongly imprisoned for Peter's murder.

'Sirius -- it's me ... it's Peter ... your friend ... you wouldn't ...' (273)

Peter appeals to Sirius's loyalty, which is perhaps not as nutty as it seems, given the high premium wizards place on it.

'You don't believe this ... Wouldn't Sirius have told you they'd changed the plan?'
'Not if he thought I was the spy, Peter,' said Lupin. 'I assume that's why you didn't tell me, Sirius?' he said casually over Pettigrew's head. (273)

I'm dying to know why Sirius would have thought Remus was the spy. It's been suggested that Peter sowed the seeds of distrust in Sirius's mind, which I rather like.

'Ron ... haven't I been a good friend ... a good pet? You won't let them kill me, Ron, will you ... you're on my side, aren't you?'
But Ron was staring at Pettigrew with the utmost revulsion.
'I let you sleep in my bed!' he said. (273-274)

tekalynn once made the wonderful observation that this is almost existential horror on Ron's part.

Pettigrew knelt, trembling uncontrollably, and turned his head slowly towards Harry.
'Harry ... Harry ... you look just like your father ... just like him ...'
'HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO HARRY?' roared Black. 'HOW DARE YOU FACE HIM? HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT JAMES IN FRONT OF HIM?'
'Harry,' whispered Pettigrew, shuffling towards him, hands outstretched, 'Harry, James wouldn't have wanted me killed ... James would have understood, Harry ... he would have shown me mercy ...' (274)

Only after trying everyone else in the room (Sirius, Remus, Ron, and Hermione) in sequence does Peter turn to Harry, and doing so is clearly a new height of emotion for him. It's also, to me, one of the scariest moments in the series. Harry's resemblance to James has earned him disdain and admiration, and both are reiterated in this chapter, by Snape -- " 'Like father, like son, Potter!' " (265) -- and Sirius -- " '...you fly as well as your father did, Harry...' " (273). Now, a new element is introduced: What Peter says here goes beyond admiration and comparison, and into worship (Peter kneels) and equasion. Harry looks just like James... so he must share James's understanding (invented by Peter)... he must be James.

Sirius and Peter are vying for James's forgiveness, as represented by Harry's understanding. And, strangely enough, I think they both end up feeling like they have it. When Harry stops Peter's execution, he says he's doing it because James would have wanted it that way (275). Peter's intense relief, coupled with physically grabbing Harry and hugging him (around the knees), is remarkable.

'He would have killed me, Sirius!'
'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared Black. 'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!' (275)

I have to admit, "then you should have died" always gives me a chill. JKR may paint with bold colors, but she sure knows what she's doing with them.

However, I have my doubts as to whether Sirius would really have been willing to die for Peter. Sirius's contempt for him dates back before the betrayal -- he recalls thinking that no one would ever dream they'd use a "weak, talentless thing" like him for their Secret-Keeper (271). What we see of them in OotP seems to confirm this.

'You should have realised,' said Lupin quietly. 'If Voldemort didn't kill you, we would. Goodbye, Peter.' (275)

Remus's characteristic cool, pushed to an extreme by circumstance, puts the words of a merciless killer in his mouth. I wonder what he'd make of the words of Marcus Brutus, another man reknowned for his great calm and consideration:

So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'

(Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

Past re-read posts are here. Just three chapters left!

Comments

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

Sirius's contempt for him dates back before the betrayal -- he recalls thinking that no one would ever dream they'd use a "weak, talentless thing" like him for their Secret-Keeper (271). What we see of them in OotP seems to confirm this.

But also remember that Sirius has a very high, honor-bound view of himself. He may have seen Peter as weak and a nothing, but I do think that Sirius may have thought himself capable of defending Peter.

If he'd set out to say something that would make Snape hit the roof at this moment, I can't think of many better things. Remus is lucky Snape didn't do him any real damage.

Snape does, and elegantly- exposes his secret, which may have started the chain reaction of barring werewolves from working. When we next see Remus, life has taken a turn for the worse for him.

Addedum:

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

You know, I have been thinking. These people- Remus and Sirius- were perfect people to be part of the Order. Murder and killing for them does not seem to bother them over much at all. Dumbledore found them most useful indeed.

Re: Addedum:

[threeoranges.livejournal.com]

Just like Snape, too! :-)

Re: Addedum:

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

Indeed! They were all used most grievously!

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

He may have seen Peter as weak and a nothing, but I do think that Sirius may have thought himself capable of defending Peter.

Too bad we don't have enough information to know if he would have defended Peter. Of course, I find his dismissal of his younger brother Regulus' life in OotP chilling -- I think Sirius might have dismissed anyone who got themselves into that kind of trouble as 'not worth trying to help'.

Snape does, and elegantly- exposes his secret, which may have started the chain reaction of barring werewolves from working.

Snape gets revenge by legal and justifiable means. Which seems to be a Slytherin modus operandi -- Buckbeak's averted execution is legally and justifiably ordered due to Lucius Malfoy's interest. The animal *did* slash at a student; the legal fallout is similiar to what happens when a dog bites a child.

[maidenjedi]

Maybe those who *betrayed* what Sirius believes in (the cause of good, against Voldemort and his ilk) would not have gotten forgiveness from him - Peter and Regulus both. But Sirius not having a high opinion of Peter would be overridden by simple loyalty, if it were warranted. Betrayal is the ultimate sin in this series. Harry's unwillingness to forgive Ron in GoF is based in Harry feeling betrayed by Ron's disbelief. Snape is loyal to Dumbledore and the Order despite his personality conflicts with so many of the Order (especially Sirius). Godric Gryffindor's sword is delivered to Harry because of the loyalty he shows to Dumbledore in CoS. Barty Crouch, Jr. shows utter contempt for the Death Eaters who did not go to prison or die for Voldemort. Voldemort himself sees their lackadaisical approach to upholding the cause in his absence as betrayal. Etc.

Peter, being the Benedict Arnold in all of this, has sinned and won't be forgiven by either side. Voldemort may have awarded him for now, but Voldemort's memory is long and wicked.

I think Sirius *would* have died for Peter - while Peter was a friend, regardless of his personality or his quirks.

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

This chapter typifies for me the adult v. children's books debate. There are some very chilling and emotive exchanges and actions and although I've read this chapter several times, it doesn't lose that quality.

This in particular is quite dramatic for a children's story:
'He would have killed me, Sirius!'
'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared Black. 'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!'
It also shows the bond between the friends that even if they didn't ever actually carry this through, they were prepared to think that way adn I think that's a very strong image to put across in such a book.

Remus's characteristic cool, pushed to an extreme by circumstance, puts the words of a merciless killer in his mouth

This certainly reveals a rather scary side of Remus. His cool/calmness remains said Lupin quietly but his words to me are icy cold and I really believe he means to kill Peter - and in front of the children?

[caesia390.livejournal.com]

Man, just reading about this chapter gives me the chills. ...Along with many other instances in the series. Kids' books my ass.

I'm dying to know why Sirius would have thought Remus was the spy. It's been suggested that Peter sowed the seeds of distrust in Sirius's mind, which I rather like.

I think that it's a combination of wartime paranoia, Peter's machinations, and a subconscious mistrust of Remus's ability to distance himself from his emotions. We know that werewolves would have benefitted from a Voldemort victory. We know that Remus was close to his friends, or acted that way, but - Sirius had betrayed him, and Remus still acted as though there had been total forgiveness. I think it's very likely that Remus never forget and never let Sirius forget, however much they pretended otherwise. But even beyond that, just the fact that Remus is such a coldblooded bastard when he needs to be... His friends must have picked up on that, believed that Remus was capable of betraying them if he got desperate enough, even if he didn't want to.

...Personally, I like to think that James was a big proponent of Remus-the-spy, possibly in concert with Peter (though for entirely different reasons), but that's just a hunch...

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

'You fool,' said Lupin softly. 'Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?' (263)
Probably the stupidest move Remus makes in the book. If he'd set out to say something that would make Snape hit the roof at this moment, I can't think of many better things.

Especially considering that while Sirius may be innocent of betraying the Potters and killing innocent Muggles, A) Snape hadn't heard any of that and B) as far as Snape is concerned, Sirius Black is still guilty of *attempted* murder.

And for Snape, *that* is worth putting Sirius Black back in Azkaban -- or indeed, getting him Kissed. And it's all within the letter of the law, too.

It's good to remember that Snape is capable of outbursts like this. Admittedly, it's the release of an entire book's worth of tension, but still.

What I think is interesting is that Snape assumes that the three kids have been Confunded. He doesn't blame them at *all* for being out there, but instead thinks Black and Lupin have messed with his students' minds. It's quite a charitable interpretation from a man who seems to have no soft side.

Harry looks just like James... so he must share James's understanding (invented by Peter)... he must be James.

Interesting that Peter and Sirius make the same mistake, that Harry=James. It's actually a bit creepy how many people in Harry's life are either seeing him as James, or praising him as being *like* James when he does something recklessly bold. It's as if there is a concerted effort to *re-create* James in Harry -- and it's CREEPY.

I have to admit, "then you should have died" always gives me a chill. JKR may paint with bold colors, but she sure knows what she's doing with them.

Makes me wonder about Sirius, too. He betrayed Remus' secret as a teen, but somehow that got forgiven. Was that only because no one was actually killed? The potential was certainly there, after all, and it probably would have ended with Remus being executed by the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.

Remus's characteristic cool, pushed to an extreme by circumstance, puts the words of a merciless killer in his mouth.

I think he is a merciless killer, though he might not like acknowledging that facet of his personality.

As to the Marcus Brutus comparison, I don't think that washes. It's been about 15 years since I study Julius Caesar, but isn't Brutus the one who turns on Caesar out of fear for the Republic? That was a case of love of country and political ideals overruling loyalty to a person.

When I look at Remus, I can't find that kind of idealism -- I get no impression that he'd betray a friend whom he thought was going to bring down his society. However, his personal loyalty to Dumbledore has lead him down a path that ends in his willingness to kill someone without trial, in front of children.

[pauraque]

The Remus-Brutus comparison wasn't meant to run especially deep. They're both men who seem kind on the surface, at the start of their stories, but turn out to be capable of calmly justifying murder. When Remus says, "Goodbye, Peter", it gives me the same jolt of fulfilled tragedy as when Brutus says, "Peace, freedom, and liberty".

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

Remus's characteristic cool, pushed to an extreme by circumstance, puts the words of a merciless killer in his mouth.

Yes, this is the scariest Remus moment we've had in canon so far, our first clear indication that he is capable of being not just cool, but ice-cold. It stresses, yet again, the dichotomy of Remus the man and Remus the wolf. The wolf is all about uncontrolled rage, hunger and other extreme emotions. But Remus, even in his most sinister moments, is all about control. A lot of fan writers, when writing Scary!Remus or Amoral!Remus, view it as the wolf side of him coming out. But actually, Remus seems to be at his worst when he's furthest fromt he wolf, not closest.

[pauraque]

Very good point. And it makes such sense, both psychologically and narratively. I don't doubt that Remus became such a controlled person because he fears the uncontrolled wolf -- and then we watch him take it to such an extreme that he becomes exactly what he hates: a killer. It's a wonderful characterization.

[marinarusalka.livejournal.com]

I don't doubt that Remus became such a controlled person because he fears the uncontrolled wolf -- and then we watch him take it to such an extreme that he becomes exactly what he hates: a killer.

That's how I see it, too. Given the Wizarding World's view of werewolves, Remus would've been inundated, from the time he was bitten, with the idea that there is in insane, raging beast inside him that must be controlled at all costs and that's always there. As a small child, he wouldn't have had the wisdom or the insight to judge the situation properly. I can easily see him interpreting every moment of strong emotion as a evidence of the wolf, to be squashed immediately. Which may have helped him get along in his childhood and early adolescents, but is screwing him up horribly now as an adult.

[aristide.livejournal.com]

the fact that Peter cut off his right index (GoF) suggests strongly that he's left-handed.

I'm pretty certain Peter is left handed, if only through the context clues from chapter 20.

Pettigrew had dived for Lupin's dropped wand. Ron, unsteady on his bandaged leg, fell. There was a bang, a burst of light - and Ron lay motionless on the ground.

It's a natural reaction for one to reach/dive/grab for something with the dominant hand, despite where it falls. He also conducts this attack seamlessly, which shows that he had experience using a wand with that hand.
Also, that said, it'd be increasingly difficult to of pulled that off had he been right handed, either if he attempted to reach for it with that hand, or wield it with his left while being right-handed. Both would lead to disastrous results.

Peter’s left-handedness also amuses me on a small level. It reminds me about the left hand being unclean/evil, something that I could easily seeing his mother trying to remedy as I still see some parents doing that in present times, let along in the 1960’s.

[pauraque]

It reminds me about the left hand being unclean/evil, something that I could easily seeing his mother trying to remedy as I still see some parents doing that in present times, let along in the 1960’s.

Funny you mention it -- I was just going through an old notebook, and saw that I'd written a Peter-vignette about exactly that. It particularly makes sense with Peter, since forcing kids to write with their non-dominant hand can cause learning diabilities, which could help explain why someone who's often so capable has such a lack of self-confidence. And I'm sure I was going for some sort of good-versus-evil symbolism, too. :)

[aristide.livejournal.com]

*sputters* Oh, the typos in that passage! Perhaps I should stop trying to make decent conversation, I only succeed in violating my genus and species.

Good-versus-evil is always a lovely type of symbolism to have, although I don't believe either truly exist. I suppose that's why I like Peter so much.
Mm, speaking of the left hand being evil, do you remember where the belief stemmed from? I’m desperate to say Judeo-Catholic practices, but most of the European/American originated religions blend together for me and I get my facts switched about frequently.

[tallulahgs]

I know this is ages after the original post, but in the Muslim religion you're not supposed to eat with your left hand as 'it's the one for cleansing oneself' so my Muslim friends hold their forks in their right hands. So I don't think it's just Western.

[maidenjedi]

While GoF's chapters about the Muggle torture, Cedric's death, the return of Voldemort, and the Death Eater reunion are all chilling and definitively mark the adult nature of the books, this chapter of PoA is the real marker for me. The twisted mindfuck in CoS comes close - at the end of the book, I felt horrible for Ginny Weasley, who seems to have survived possession with a remarkably clear mind, but that's a different discussion - but really, this whole scene is darker than anything JKR has written.

I think Sirius would have died for Peter (see my comment above), but only while Peter was still loyal and a friend. It would have taken greater peril, maybe, than it would have taken for him to die for James, but he still would have done it if the situation merited it. In other words, if Voldemort had approached Sirius instead of Peter, Sirius would never have turned traitor. Peter may be a very clever wizard (more so than people give him credit for, I think), but ultimately he has little honor in him. I think he might have made a better Slytherin based on what we've seen of him so far - but I also thinkt that the Sorting Hat is never wrong, and that Peter will prove that he's a Gryffindor by some incredible act of bravery and defiance yet. He does owe Harry his life, as Dumbledore points out. Sirius, on the other hand, can be rather blind to his own needs and situation, albeit selfishly at times. Sirius also has no sympathy for Voldemort's cause, and truly believed that the world would be better without him - Peter saw it as inevitable that Voldemort would win, and on some level that acceptance equals an acceptance of Voldemort's prejudices. Power overrules morality for Peter.

Remus = Brutus? Hmm. Interesting.

[pauraque]

Peter may be a very clever wizard (more so than people give him credit for, I think), but ultimately he has little honor in him. I think he might have made a better Slytherin based on what we've seen of him so far - but I also thinkt that the Sorting Hat is never wrong, and that Peter will prove that he's a Gryffindor by some incredible act of bravery and defiance yet.

Betraying the Order wasn't brave and defiant?

I'm afraid the Hat doesn't say anything about Gryffindors being honorable. Even with JKR's bias, it's still demonstrated that in every house, there are people who behave honorably and people who don't.

[maidenjedi]

I don't think betraying the order was brave (though it was defiant, I'll give you that). I think betraying the Order was the cowardly thing to do - he sensed that Voldemort was stronger, and gauged the situation to determine that Voldemort would likely win, and that the people who had defied him would die. Switching sides because you're afraid of death isn't brave, it's self-serving.

And good point about "honorable" - even Snape's an honorable person, and he's a Slytherin through and through. But what I mean by honor is that Peter wasn't going to stand by his friends (even had they all been in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw). He was going to try and stand with the winner.

[pauraque]

Ah, I see. I think we're working from different definitions of bravery. While I agree that taking a moral stand and sticking to it is courageous, I also think that what Peter did took some serious stones, and that also comes under my definition of courage.

It's a personal thing. For example, I really question why Lupin is in Gryffindor, while to other people, it's obvious -- they see living with a disability as courageous in itself.

[eponis.livejournal.com]

'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared Black. 'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!'

'You should have realised,' said Lupin quietly. 'If Voldemort didn't kill you, we would. Goodbye, Peter.'

Only today did I realize how deeply disturbing this latter line is, on an additional level to the one you described.

hp_survivor has been a great challenge for me, because I have to think through "What Would Remus Do" in a very alien context. The biggest decision I've been struggling with recently is whether or not Remus would go back on his promise and vote off Sirius. Now, I'm still debating whether it's a strategically good decision (p.s.: if you're interested in bouncing scenarios around, I would love the opinion of a third-party observer), but, after a long struggle about whether Remus would even consider it, I remembered those two lines, and the answer became crystal-clear.

To Sirius, the idea of betraying one's friends is inconceivable - one ought to die rather than let a friend die, period. Simple, visceral loyalty, the kind that might imply that he simply wasn't thinking when it came to the Prank (because that did threaten Remus's life indirectly).

To Remus, on the other hand, the decision is purely pragmatic. Peter chose to exchange his allies for enemies, so Remus is making a logical decision as a predictable consequence. This Remus is the wisest of all gameplayers: the one who recognizes that emotion and loyalty are tokens of value within a game, but nothing more. I can't help but admire him, but at the same time, he terrifies me.

(Now I have to hope that I'm wise enough to duplicate him.)