Shaken, not stirred.

[pauraque_bk]

This is a question I haven't been able to answer satisfactorily for my own purposes, which is a bit embarrassing (and burdensome, as a writer), so I'd like to get some fresh opinions.

How could Dumbledore not know Peter was the spy?

Peter was in the Order; presumably he and Dumbledore had some interaction. Dumbledore is an expert Legilimens. Peter is very emotionally demonstrative -- he seems the last person who would be able to conceal such a secret.

Perhaps Peter was so underestimated that Dumbledore would never have thought he was a traitor, no matter how odd his behavior. Or maybe his behavior actually didn't seem odd: He's a nervous person, everyone knew that, and no one thought anything of elevated anxiety during wartime.

Is it possible that Peter was not afraid of the prospect of being found out, either because he placed such trust in Voldemort, or due to some other aspect of the circumstance?

Or might Peter have done such a good job at diverting suspicion onto Remus that it was never really questioned by those who were in the loop?

Whatever the case, it seems odd that Dumbledore wouldn't check everyone in the Order from time to time -- it appears that all he has to do to get a quick read on someone is to look into their eyes. This leads to the thought that something was hindering Dumbledore's ability to read Peter. Many have suggested that Voldemort taught Peter a few tricks, as it were -- could Occlumency be one of them? The Occlumency/Legilimency experts we know (Snape, Dumbledore, Voldemort), are all socially maladjusted in one way or another; Peter would make an interesting addition to this group.

Or might Voldemort have placed Peter under something like the Fidelius Charm, preventing him from revealing the secret?

This one is a bit of a stumper for me. All suggestions welcome.

Comments

[fairy-tale-echo.livejournal.com]

Hi! In from daily_snitch where I've seen some of your stuff before. Always juicy and filled with great comments. So, I'm friending you if you don't mind! :) And, also, I wish to make out with your icon. Heehe. Best quote/character combo EVA! :)

This has always puzzled me too. But the bigger question for me has always been...um...why in GOD'S name didn't Dumbledore know that MWPP were illegal animagi running around during the full moon? I am pretty sure that the four of them caused plenty of trouble and, besides that, didn't anyone ever, ya know, CHECK on the werewolf? In any way? I've always thought that HE did know but just sort of... turned a blind eye to it. WHY? Didn't he know how dangerous this was for EVERYONE? Didn't he think it might lead to some sort of situation where one student might possibly be hurt or killed? (ya think?!) But that brings me back to my frustration of Remus never telling him, even after Sirius being sent to Azkaban about the animagi thing, even when Dumbledore gave him the chance in PoA.

I don't think Dumbledore is evil. Really. I wouldn't have made some of his choices, especially not the OotP ones, but I've always regarded that with the Buffy line Giles got told when he was fired as Buffy's watcher: Your affection for your charge has rendered you incapable of clear and impartial judgment. You have a father's love for the child, and that is useless to the cause. This endears him to me, even as it frustrates me.

Why didn't he know Peter was a spy? I think he loved those boys. Really and truly, he thought they were...princes. He loved the way they embraced and trusted each other: stumbling Peter and werewolf Remus and outcast Sirius (a Black who isn't in Slytherin?!) and even arrogant James who messed with his hair to look cool. And he never got over that love for them. And love, as we've seen, makes him turn a blind-eye in situations where he should know better.

At least, that's my thoughts/questions...sorry if I bored you to death! ;) I love the discussion here! :)

[paradox01.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. I'm another person from daily_snitch.. I've also been wondering about this issue.

I think that it might have been a test for Peter. He knew Peter was a Death-Eater but couldn't get himself to believe that Peter would surrender that information. Dumbledore has this thing about seeing the best in people. Though maybe he knew, he just didn't think that Peter would, if it came down to it, betray his friends..

And also, he thought the Secret-Keeper was Sirius... so no need to worry about Voldemort finding out it via legillimency.

That's quite a weak theory, but the only one I can think of :S

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

Why didn't he know Peter was a spy? I think he loved those boys. Really and truly, he thought they were...princes. He loved the way they embraced and trusted each other: stumbling Peter and werewolf Remus and outcast Sirius (a Black who isn't in Slytherin?!) and even arrogant James who messed with his hair to look cool. And he never got over that love for them. And love, as we've seen, makes him turn a blind-eye in situations where he should know better.

Perfect. Just...perfect. I like this alot.

[fairy-tale-echo.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! ((blushes)) I just don't buy the "Evil, Scheming General Dumbledore!" fanon. I think he's just an old man who has fought a lot of evil in his day and can't help it when he sometimes loves too well, if not wisely. (to again paraphrase Buffy) Invisibility cloak? In Chamber of Secrets when he KNOWS they are in Hagrid's hut and makes sure to note that someone needs to feed Fang...in their general direction? In Prisoner when he gives Hermione the idea AND permission to go wild with the time turner? Or even Hagrid himself. Dumbledore must know he keeps the pieces of his wand around, yet lets him not only remain at Hogwarts but teach there. And Snape, who he trusts and has faith in completely. Dumbledore thinks with his heart, even when it gets them in messes his mind would probably avoid.

But I think that's why he, his Army, and the Order will triumph.

And, GOD, aren't I just a sap?! ;)

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

But I think that's why he, his Army, and the Order will triumph.

And, GOD, aren't I just a sap?! ;)

Awww. *hugs*

And another thing- people have said that Dumbledore does not like Snape as much as he did the MWPP boys- which I hold to be bullshit. Trying to protect someone from themselves and thinking that they are strong enough to rise against the cruelty of their childhood ( and Severus is and isn't) is proof of true Platonic love. If that isn't, then I don't know.

[fairy-tale-echo.livejournal.com]

Trying to protect someone from themselves and thinking that they are strong enough to rise against the cruelty of their childhood ( and Severus is and isn't) is proof of true Platonic love. If that isn't, then I don't know.

((sniff, sniff)) Yes, that is so exactly true. And so wonderfully put, I, I can only friend you to gain more insight and like-minded commentary! Yay! ::friends::

And ITA with this statement. I don't think anyone has ever trusted Snape before, I think probably even Voldemort and the other DEs were leery of him and thought he was...weak. So, I don't think Dumbledore's trusting him (and vice versa) is something to be taken lightly. It's stronger than the Dark Mark, and it keeps him at Hogwarts when he could really have fled. It's really the one thing, why Snape is trusted, that I hope Rowling doesn't foul up in her explainations. Dumbeldore must have seen something basically good in him. I want to know what it is.

[pauraque]

Hello! Good to meet you.

I think your assessment of Dumbledore is a good one. He's demonstrated again and again that he doesn't act rationally when James et al are involved... there's no reason for Peter to have been an exception to that.