My comment was a response to pauraque and sistermagpie's discussion about Peter being strong-willed and efficient in carrying through LV's orders in the graveyard. (I think that really I just didn't like applying any positive adjectives to Peter!) My feeling was that Peter was weak-willed, and that he derived a sense of personal validity and security from doing what he was told; someone else defined the world for him, it was not his responsibility. In support of Peter pauraque pointed out that his Muggle-slaughter and escape was unlikely to be on LV's orders. I thought if Peter had been strong-willed and efficient he'd have focused on the real problem, Sirius, and dealt with that - killed him. (But then we'd have no Sirius ...)
We don't know the details of Sirius's and Peter's confrontation but can imagine. Did Peter know LV had gone to Godric's Hollow and been destroyed? Had Peter been there with LV and fled from the disastrous scene to cower at home? Was he at home awaiting the outcome of LV's visit? Was he just at home in ignorance, doing a bit of gardening? Whatever, Sirius comes along looking murderous. Peter plays dumb, "What? Where? Me? Sirius!?" Sirius is pointing his wand at Peter. Sirius may be telling him to raise his wand and fight like a man. Peter's cornered. He knows he can't beat Sirius in a duel so keeps his wand behind his back - presumably they've also got an audience of neighbours by now and Peter wants to appear harmless. The audience gives him an idea for escape. He creates his messy diversion and transforms in the confusion. At some point he realises he needs to leave a remnant of himself and does it without anyone noticing (er?). Meanwhile Sirius stands there, blinking, stunned by the realisation that he couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery and therefore should totally be sent to Azkaban.
When faced with fight or flight, Peter takes flight. I feel that Peter is clever, meaning devious, and that he is able to do dreadful things to achieve his ends precisely because he is too weak to face up to his actions and their consequences.
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We don't know the details of Sirius's and Peter's confrontation but can imagine. Did Peter know LV had gone to Godric's Hollow and been destroyed? Had Peter been there with LV and fled from the disastrous scene to cower at home? Was he at home awaiting the outcome of LV's visit? Was he just at home in ignorance, doing a bit of gardening? Whatever, Sirius comes along looking murderous. Peter plays dumb, "What? Where? Me? Sirius!?" Sirius is pointing his wand at Peter. Sirius may be telling him to raise his wand and fight like a man. Peter's cornered. He knows he can't beat Sirius in a duel so keeps his wand behind his back - presumably they've also got an audience of neighbours by now and Peter wants to appear harmless. The audience gives him an idea for escape. He creates his messy diversion and transforms in the confusion. At some point he realises he needs to leave a remnant of himself and does it without anyone noticing (er?). Meanwhile Sirius stands there, blinking, stunned by the realisation that he couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery and therefore should totally be sent to Azkaban.
When faced with fight or flight, Peter takes flight. I feel that Peter is clever, meaning devious, and that he is able to do dreadful things to achieve his ends precisely because he is too weak to face up to his actions and their consequences.