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Encyclopedia > Peter Pettigrew

Harry Potter character
Peter Pettigrew
Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew
in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Peter Pettigrew
Gender Male
Hair colour Colourless (formerly mousy brown)
House Gryffindor
Allegiance Death Eaters, Order of the Phoenix (formerly)
Actor Timothy Spall, Charles Hughes (as teenage Peter)
First appearance Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (in Animagus form)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (in human form)

Peter Pettigrew, often referred to by his nickname "Wormtail", is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. In the film adaptations, he is played by Timothy Spall as an adult, and by Charles Hughes as a teenager. This article is about the Harry Potter series of novels. ... Image File history File links Wormtail. ... Timothy Leonard Spall OBE (born February 27, 1957) is an English BAFTA award-nominated film, stage and television actor. ... Starring Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint Emma Watson Produced by Michael Barnathan et al. ... In the Harry Potter series, the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry is divided into four houses, each bearing the last name of its founder - Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. ... In the fictional Harry Potter series, a Death Eater is a follower of Lord Voldemort. ... The Order of the Phoenix is a fictional organization in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. ... Timothy Leonard Spall OBE (born February 27, 1957) is an English BAFTA award-nominated film, stage and television actor. ... Charles Hughes is a British actor who was recently confirmed as Young Peter Pettigrew in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. ... Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (film) or Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (video game) Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, known in the United States as Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, is the first volume in a series of seven books by British... Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third book in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. ... Alice, a fictional character based on a real character from the work of Lewis Carroll. ... This article is about the Harry Potter series of novels. ... Joanne Jo Rowling OBE (born 31 July 1965[1]) is an English fiction writer who writes under the pen name J. K. Rowling. ... Timothy Leonard Spall OBE (born February 27, 1957) is an English BAFTA award-nominated film, stage and television actor. ... Charles Hughes is a British actor who was recently confirmed as Young Peter Pettigrew in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. ...

Contents

Biography

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter is told that Pettigrew was a friend of his father (James Potter) who confronted Sirius Black after the latter betrayed his parents. Black supposedly murdered Pettigrew, leaving only his ring finger behind as physical evidence and slaughtering a dozen-odd innocent Muggles in the process. For this crime, Black was sent to the wizard prison, Azkaban. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third book in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. ... Harry James Potter is a fictional character and the main character of J. K. Rowlings Harry Potter fantasy series of books. ... James Potter and Lily Potter (née Evans) are fictional characters in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Sirius Black is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Hogwarts, a wizarding school. ... Azkaban is the fictional wizard prison in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. ...


At the end of that book, however, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin reveal that Pettigrew is an Animagus who takes the form of a rat ("Scabbers"). Nicknamed "Wormtail", he was a friend of James, Sirius, and Remus at Hogwarts, but the latter two suggest that he was nothing more than a yes-man who followed the three of them around because of their popularity. When the First War against Voldemort began, and James and Lily were targeted by Voldemort, James originally considered making Sirius the Potters' Secret-Keeper. However, Sirius claimed that such a choice would be too obvious and had the ceremony switched at the last moment to make Peter the secret-keeper, in hopes that Lord Voldemort would pursue Sirius instead, knowing full well that he was James' best friend and most likely choice of secret-keeper. However, Pettigrew betrayed the Potters to Voldemort in order to gain the Dark Lord's favour. During the confrontation with Sirius on that fateful night, it was actually Pettigrew who blasted the Muggles and then transformed himself to escape with the other rats down into the sewers. He left behind a severed index finger, successfully faking his own death; as a result, Black was considered to have murdered Pettigrew, and to have been responsible for Pettigrew's other crimes. Since then, Pettigrew masqueraded as "Scabbers", Percy Weasley's pet rat, and was later given to Ron. It is unknown how Peter, as Scabbers, infiltrated the Weasley family. However, Pettigrew used his time there advantageously: remaining alert for news about Voldemort or Black. None of the Weasleys took particular notice that "Scabbers" outlived a common garden rat and had a missing toe from one of his forepaws. Remus John Lupin, nicknamed Moony, is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Registered Animagus Minerva McGonagall mid transformation In the Harry Potter books, an Animagus is a wizard or witch capable of turning into a particular animal and back at will. ... Species 50 species; see text *Several subfamilies of Muroids include animals called rats. ... In the magical world of the Harry Potter series of fictional novels by J. K. Rowling, many (often incredible) things are accomplished through the use of magical spells by the characters. ... Lord Voldemort (né Tom Marvolo Riddle) is a fictional character and the archvillain in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Percy Ignatius Weasley is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Ronald Bilius Ron Weasley is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... A photograph from the fictional wizard newspaper The Daily Prophet of the Weasleys on vacation in Egypt. ...


Following Harry's and Ron's second year at Hogwarts, Scabbers was photographed with the Weasley family for the Daily Prophet when Arthur Weasley wins a trip to Egypt. This prompted Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban when he recognised Pettigrew in the photo.


Pettigrew fakes his death a second time to avoid Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, who has been helping Black. After his capture in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry prevents Sirius and Lupin from killing Pettigrew, but he escapes in his rat form and rejoins Voldemort. However, Peter now owes Harry a life debt. As Albus Dumbledore later explains to Harry, an ancient magic now binds the two, and, "A day may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's life". In the Harry Potter series, Crookshanks is the pet cat of Hermione Granger. ... Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third book in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character in the Harry Potter novel series written by British author J. K. Rowling, as well as its film adaptations. ...


Role in Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

During the book, Pettigrew, as his Animagus form of a rat, fakes his death to prevent his capture and murder by Sirius Black. However, he is found hiding in Hagrid's spare milk jug. After Sirius and Remus Lupin reveal him as an Animagus, Pettigrew is about to be killed by them, but Harry begs Sirus and Lupin to turn Pettigrew over to the Ministry of Magic. As he is led out in chains, shackled to Lupin and Ron Weasley, Lupin sees the full moon, and transforms into his werewolf form. Pettigrew takes advantage of the situation, turns into his Animagus form, and escapes into the Forbidden Forest. Registered Animagus Minerva McGonagall mid transformation In the Harry Potter books, an Animagus is a wizard or witch capable of turning into a particular animal and back at will. ... Sirius Black is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Rubeus Hagrid (born December 6, year ca. ... Remus John Lupin, nicknamed Moony, is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... This article is about the Harry Potter series of novels. ... Ronald Bilius Ron Weasley is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Forbidden Forest can refer to: An area by Hogwarts in Harry Potter A novel by Mircea Eliade An early 1980s computer game for the Commodore 64, followed by one sequel. ...


Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Pettigrew helps Voldemort execute an elaborate scheme to capture Harry. When Harry and Cedric Diggory are unknowingly transported to a graveyard by a portkey, Pettigrew, carrying his master's small body, appears from the darkness. On Voldemort's orders, Peter kills Cedric with Avada Kedavra, the killing curse, and ties Harry to a gravestone. He then performs a complicated spell to restore Voldemort's full body, sacrificing his own hand in the process and adding Harry's blood to the potion. In return for this act, the now restored Voldemort creates a silver hand that he attaches to Pettigrew's arm to replace the one he sacrificed. The new hand is much stronger than Pettigrew's old one. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) or Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. ... Cedric Diggory is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... In the fictional Harry Potter universe, many magical objects exist for the use of the characters. ... See Also: Magic (Harry Potter), and Dark Arts. ...


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Pettigrew only appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Severus Snape's memory. He is also seen in a portrait with the original Order of the Phoenix members. He makes a brief appearance in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. When Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange visit Snape at his home, it is revealed Pettigrew is currently hiding there on Voldemort's orders. He rouses Snape's suspicion, however, by listening at keyholes for an unknown purpose. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) Out of the Park Baseball Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth novel in a series of seven books by J.K. Rowlings popular Harry... Severus Tobias Snape is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... The Order of the Phoenix is a fictional organization in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. ... Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, released on July 16, 2005, is the sixth of seven novels in J.K. Rowlings popular Harry Potter series. ... Narcissa Cissy Malfoy (née Black) is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ... Bellatrix Bella Lestrange (née Black) is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. ...


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

When Harry and Ron are taken prisoners with others, they make too much noise and Wormtail is sent to check on the prisoners. Harry and Ron subdue him, and Wormtail resists strangling Harry due to the life debt he owes Harry. Ron takes away Wormtail's wand and Wormtail's artificial arm, made by Voldemort, strangles its owner to death for the mercy he's shown. Ron and Harry are helpless to aid him.


Personality

Pettigrew's former school friends described him as being an absolute opportunist. According to Sirius, he would do anything just to be connected to powerful people. Sirius also reports that he, James, and Remus never really cared much for Pettigrew, but because the mousey boy wanted so badly to be their friend—ostensibly so that he could be connected to the most popular students at the school, and presumably because being James's friend would mean he would not be bullied—they let him hang around with them. Although, other reports, suggesting that James, Sirius and Remus (before Peter's betrayal) would have died for Peter, suggest that the earlier comments aren't completely true and are the results of an extremely bitter and resentful Sirius. Throughout his life, Pettigrew was a sycophant: he would suck up to anyone who would give him power. It is for this reason that he betrays James and Lily to Lord Voldemort during the First War. He saw that the Ministry of Magic was losing the fight against the Dark Lord's armies and wanted to be on the winning side. Thus, when, by Sirius's suggestion, he became the Potters' secret-keeper, he immediately turned them over to Voldemort, expecting to be handsomely rewarded once his master had dispatched of them. However, his plan backfired when Voldemort was (presumed) killed after coming face-to-face with the Potters' infant son, Harry. Opportunism is a term used in politics and political science. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...


To save his own skin, Pettigrew killed 12 people, framed Sirius for it and disguised himself as a common rat. Thus he lived for twelve years until Sirius discovered him in the events of Prisoner. When cornered by Sirius, Pettigrew began trying to appeal to the sympathy of every person in the room (humorous given that he had betrayed every one of them in some manner).


Pettigrew's entire life is, arguably, one series of betrayals after another. Ironically, however, in the final novel, he is betrayed by his silver hand, which Voldemort had created for him, and chokes to death.


Original plans

The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a fictional school of magic that is the main setting of the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Bartemius Barty Crouch (the younger) is a fictional character from the Harry Potter series of books. ...

References

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Peter Pettigrew - definition of Peter Pettigrew in Encyclopedia (508 words)
Peter Pettigrew is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels.
During the confrontation with Sirius on that fateful night, it was actually Pettigrew who blasted the muggles and then transformed himself to escape with the other rats down into the sewers.
Pettigrew later faked his own death a second time, to avoid Crookshanks, who was trying to bring him to Sirius Black.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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