Summary
Once a dear friend to the Potters, Peter Pettigrew, also known as Wormtail, earned himself the title of the biggest traitor in theHarry Potterseries. After he betrayed James, Lily, and Harry, rather than facing the consequences of his actions or continuing serving Voldemort, he faked his own death and ran away, living in his Animagus form of a rat for twelve years. His constant cowardice and selfishness leaves little room for sympathy from fans. However, one thing could have changed this to some extent: his death.
Wormtail wasn’t seen dying in theHarry Pottermovies, which angered many fans of the books, since his death was a crucial scene in the final entry, and it gave the character and his story arc a perfect, much needed closure. This change in the movies, despite not giving Pettigrew any sort of closure, altered the course of the story, also minimizing J.K. Rowling’s foreshadowing and how Harry’s choice to have mercy ended up paying off later.
Played by
Timothy Spall, Charles Hughes (younger version), Dex the rat (Scabbers)
First appearance (books)
First appearance (movies)
Last appearance (books)
Deathly Hallows
Last appearance (movies)
Deathly Hallows: Part 1(last appearance),Deathly Hallows: Part 2(appears in a flashback)
First line (books)
“S—Sirius… R—Remus… My friends… my old friends… "
First line (movies)
“Remus… Sirius… My old friends…”
Last line (books)
“Stand back. Stand away from the door. I am coming in.”
Last line (movies)
“You Goblin, come with me.”
When Peter Pettigrew’s identity and Sirius’ innocence were revealed, Remus and Sirius intended to kill their former friend, but Harry had mercy and planned tosend him over to Azkabaninstead in order to clear Sirius’ name. However, Pettigrew managed to escape once again, but he owed Harry a life debt.
Pettigrew, following his escape from Hogwarts, joined Voldemort once again. He retrieved the Dark Lord’s wand and then traveled to Albania, where he met Bertha Jorkins, a witch who worked at the Ministry of Magic. Pettigrew handed her over to Voldemort, and, under torture, she revealedinformation about the Triwizard Tournamentand Barty Crouch Jr. This allowed Voldemort and his Death Eaters to plan an attack on Harry Potter. Pettigrew continued taking care of Voldemort’s weak body and milking venom from Nagini in order to strengthen him. The Dark Lord, however, knew Pettigrew was on his side out of cowardice and not loyalty.
Your devotion is nothing more than cowardice. You would not be here if you had anywhere else to go.
Weakened and existing in a rudimentary form,Voldemort needed a physical body to regain his full power. Pettigrew played a crucial role in his rebirth. After Harry and Cedric were transported to the Little Hangleton graveyard after the final trial of the Triwizard Tournament,Wormtail, under Voldemort’s orders, killed Cedricand proceeded to make the Dark potion to restore the Dark Lord. For this, Voldemort needed a bone from his father, flesh from a willing servant, and blood from an enemy. Wormtail willingly sacrificed his own hand, and added a bone taken from Tom Riddle Snr’s grave and some of Harry’s blood to the potion, completing the restoration ritual.
Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son. Flesh of the servant, willingly sacrificed, you will revive your master. Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.
Once Voldemort regained his physical body and was restored to full power, he replaced Pettigrew’s hand with a magical silver one as a reward for his assistance. After these events, Wormtailcontinued serving Voldemort as a Death Eaterand assisted in several of his dark endeavors.
How Did Peter Pettigrew Die?
In both versions ofThe Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and other allies were brought to the Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix Lestrange took Hermione and tortured her for information, and the rest got trapped in the cellar. Harry used the shard of a magical mirror, given to him by Sirius Black, to call for help, andDobby came to the rescue. After hearing a noise coming from the cellar, in the book, Wormtail was sent to investigate. When he opened the door, Harry and Ron tackled him. Pettigrew strangled Harry, but Harry reminded him that he owed him a life debt for sparing his life a few years prior. Pettigrew hesitated for a few seconds, something his enchanted silver hand interpreted as weakness. This brief moment of mercy caused his silver hand to turn against him, ultimately strangling him to death.
You’re going to kill me? After I saved your life? You owe me, Wormtail!
In the movies, however, this isn’t the case. Wormtail’s death was deemed too frightening for young viewers. Instead, the last time Pettigrew is seen on screen, he appears to get struck by Dobby, and he falls to the ground. It can be assumed that this kills him since he is never seen again, but his death is not confirmed and his fate remains unclear. The movie scene is brief and underwhelming in comparison to how his death plays out in the books. Removing Wormtail’s death from theHarry Pottermovies makes it harder for fans who haven’t read the books to make the connection Rowling intended. Harry showing mercy to Pettigrew inThe Prisoner of Azkabanended up being the right thing to do, and this small act of kindness, while it may have seemed like a mistake earlier on, ultimately ended up saving his life.
Harry Potter
When Harry Potter learns that he is a wizard, he enters a world beyond belief. Aside from continuing his studies at Hogwarts with best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry must also face Voldemort and his dark wizarding forces. The Harry Potter franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, spanning seven books, eight movies, three spinoff movies, a stage play, and numerous video games.
MORE:Harry Potter: Why Did The Potters Choose Peter Pettigrew To Be Their Secret-Keweper?
