The Hidden Loyalties of Peter Pettigrew: Unveiling Gryffindor's Most Enigmatic Member

Peter Pettigrew is undeniably one of the most despised characters in the entire Harry Potter series. His decision to betray the Potters showcased his truly cruel and immoral nature. However, fans have often questioned why Pettigrew was sorted into Gryffindor, a house known for its courageous and loyal members.

By betraying his close friend, James Potter, Pettigrew revealed his true cowardice. His disloyal and cowardly actions seem to contradict his placement in Gryffindor within the Harry Potter universe. So, was Pettigrew's sorting into Gryffindor a mistake made by the Sorting Hat?

What are the traits of the Gryffindor house?

Gryffindors are renowned for their bravery and courage, which is why they have a lion as their house mascot. Within the entire franchise, Gryffindor is arguably the most recognizable Hogwarts house. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all sorted into Gryffindor when they first arrived at Hogwarts. Other notable members of Gryffindor include Minerva McGonagall, Sirius Black, and Albus Dumbledore.

As the Sorting Hat famously proclaimed, "You might belong in Gryffindor, where the brave at heart dwell, with their daring, nerve, and chivalry setting Gryffindors apart." Gryffindors are known for their acts of courage and unwavering loyalty to others. The Golden Trio exemplify these qualities, frequently putting their own lives at risk to save their closest friends. Gryffindors typically possess a strong moral compass and are renowned for confronting their fears to stand up for what is right and advocate for others.

Why did Pettigrew betray the Potters?

Peter Pettigrew is notorious for betraying the Potters, which has earned him a reputation for his treacherous conduct. This immoral and cruel deed completely sets him apart from his fellow Gryffindor housemates.

Despite being one of Peter's closest friends, James Potter infamously betrayed the Potters to the Dark Lord. It was Pettigrew who disclosed the hiding place of the Potters to Voldemort, leading to the tragic demise of both James and Lily.

Pettigrew was once a member of the Order of the Phoenix before switching sides and becoming a loyal follower of Lord Voldemort. As a Death Eater, he played the role of a spy, secretly gathering information on the Order of the Phoenix while pretending to be one of them.

After betraying the Potters, Pettigrew framed Sirius for the betrayal. He accused Sirius of betraying James and Lily and then used an explosion spell that killed 12 innocent Muggles. To fake his own death, Pettigrew transformed into his Animagus form, leaving only one finger behind. Because of Pettigrew's actions, Sirius was wrongly convicted as a traitor and a mass murderer, leading to his unjust imprisonment in Azkaban for 13 years.

Pettigrew's decision to become a Death Eater is not explicitly explained in the films, but it is clear that his betrayal is a result of his weak character. At the time of Pettigrew's betrayal, Voldemort's victory in the Wizarding War seemed likely. Instead of standing up for what is right, Pettigrew chose to align himself with the winning side, showing his disloyalty and lack of integrity.

In the original books, it is revealed that Voldemort threatened to kill Pettigrew unless he revealed the hiding place of the Potters. Without hesitation, Pettigrew willingly gave up this information to save his own life. This cowardly and selfish act demonstrates Pettigrew's true nature. Instead of sacrificing himself for a noble cause, he chose to betray his own friends, which ultimately led to their deaths. In "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," Pettigrew asks Sirius what he would have done in his position. Sirius, enraged, tells Pettigrew that he would have rather died than betray his friends. The fact that Pettigrew assumes Sirius would also betray James and Lily reveals his inherent selfishness in contrast to Sirius' unwavering loyalty.

Throughout his time at Hogwarts, Pettigrew resided in the shadow of James, Sirius, and Lupin. It is probable that Pettigrew deceived his own companions in a bid to attain a sense of dominance over them – compensating for his lackluster years at Hogwarts. In the original book version of Prisoner of Azkaban, there is an extended depiction of Sirius and Peter’s confrontation. During this encounter, Sirius bitterly remarks, "It must have been the most glorious moment of your pitiful existence, informing Voldemort that you could deliver the Potters to him." Clearly, Pettigrew's treachery stemmed from his own feeble and cowardly behavior, further intensifying the enigma of why he ended up in Gryffindor.

Why did the Sorting Hat place Pettigrew in Gryffindor?

Pettigrew may have been sorted into Gryffindor due to the Sorting Hat's perception of his hidden potential. Upon his arrival at Hogwarts, it is probable that he aspired to embody bravery and nobility, qualities the Sorting Hat recognized. This is evident from Pettigrew's idolization of James, Sirius, and Remus during his time as part of the Marauders. Despite his failure to emulate their honorable and courageous traits, Pettigrew's admiration indicates his initial inclination towards them. This suggests that, upon joining Hogwarts, Pettigrew possessed the capacity to develop into a virtuous individual. Similar to Neville Longbottom, the Sorting Hat identified this innate desire for goodness in Pettigrew and placed him in Gryffindor.

It has also been demonstrated that a student's own desires can influence the Sorting Hat's decision, as exemplified in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. For instance, despite possessing some significant traits of the Slytherin house, Harry famously exclaimed "Not Slytherin" during the Sorting Ceremony. The Sorting Hat recognizes Harry's potential for greatness and even acknowledges that Slytherin could assist him in achieving it. However, it is likely that Harry's personal preferences played a role in the Sorting Hat ultimately placing him in Gryffindor. A similar scenario probably occurred with Peter Pettigrew. Due to his admiration for bravery, it is probable that Pettigrew desired to be in Gryffindor, which would have impacted the Sorting Hat's decision.

Is there any evidence of Pettigrew being a courageous character?

Contrary to popular belief, there exists a possibility that Pettigrew was sorted into Gryffindor due to his genuine bravery. Despite his morally questionable deeds, he displayed instances of astounding courage. A notable example would be when Pettigrew willingly sacrificed his entire right hand to aid Voldemort's return to his human form. This action seemingly exceeded the requirement of using just a servant's flesh, prompting fans to speculate on why Pettigrew resorted to severing his entire hand instead of just a few fingers. While it is debated whether his bravery stemmed solely from the fear of Voldemort's potential retaliation, the fact remains that his decision to sever his own hand was undeniably courageous.

Pettigrew served as Voldemort's covert accomplice for an entire year, all while masquerading as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Despite the clear immorality of his choice, this role necessitated a certain degree of courage on Pettigrew's part. Although his decision to align himself with the Death Eaters stemmed from selfish motives, Pettigrew adeptly carried out his role as a double agent, demonstrating a hint of his brave nature.

Furthermore, after transforming into his Animagus form, Pettigrew managed to live undetected as Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, for a staggering 13 years. Evading any suspicion from the Weasley family undoubtedly required a considerable amount of bravery from Pettigrew.

During his time at Hogwarts, Pettigrew made the decision to become an Animagus in order to assist Lupin, who would transform into a werewolf without control. Although the process of becoming an Animagus is highly risky, Pettigrew willingly embarked on this perilous transformation to demonstrate his loyalty to his friend. However, speculation among fans often revolves around whether Pettigrew genuinely desired to support Lupin or if he was merely influenced by James and Sirius.

Ultimately, Pettigrew is portrayed as a morally ambiguous character. It remains unclear whether these actions stemmed from bravery or if they simply strengthen the evidence of Pettigrew's self-centered nature and inclination to conform to others.

Did the Sorting Hat make a mistake?

The Sorting Hat is famously known for never making a mistake. However, fans have debated whether Pettigrew would have been better suited for the Slytherin house. While it is important to acknowledge that not all Slytherins are inherently evil, they are often associated with ambition and a desire for power, traits that can be seen in Pettigrew's allegiance to the dark side. Even the Sorting Hat found it challenging to decide whether to place Pettigrew in Gryffindor or Slytherin.

Pettigrew's Sorting Ceremony was particularly notable because it resulted in a rare occurrence known as a "Hatstall," where the Sorting Hat took over 5 minutes to make a decision. Hatstalls are extremely rare, happening only once every 50 years, but Pettigrew proved to be a complex character to assess. Despite some arguments from fans, it is unlikely that Pettigrew truly embodied the characteristics of Slytherin. He was more inclined to be a follower rather than a leader. Throughout his time at Hogwarts, he followed James, Sirius, and Remus. After Hogwarts, he chose to follow Voldemort. Pettigrew did not possess the ambition typical of Slytherins, nor did he crave power for his own sake. His only desire was to protect himself, often leading him to make brave and daring decisions. While this courage may not have been demonstrated in the selfless manner associated with Gryffindor, it was still a significant aspect of Pettigrew's personality.

The age of 11, at which students are sorted into Hogwarts houses, has been a topic of discussion among Harry Potter fans. Many argue that this sorting occurs too early, as important traits and characteristics are often learned during the teenage years. Peter Pettigrew serves as evidence for this theory. It is more plausible that the Sorting Hat failed to accurately predict how negatively Pettigrew's character would develop, rather than attributing his actions to a mistake. Even those closest to him were shocked by his betrayal, indicating that the Sorting Hat could not have foreseen his dark turn. Ultimately, Pettigrew's later values clash with his younger self's aspirations to be a good and courageous character.