“THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!” roared Black. “DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!”
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Tags: anger betrayal brave bravery confession confrontation coward cowardice friends friendship loyal loyalty sacrifices shame yelling
Madam Rosmerta describes Peter Pettigrew as "...that fat little boy who was always tagging around after [James, Sirius, and Remus] at Hogwarts" (PA10). Professor McGonagall adds that Peter "hero-worshipped" Sirius and James, as he was "...never quite in their league, talent-wise" (PA10). These characterizations give a credible backstory to Peter's betrayal of James and Lily to Voldemort--which Sirius has deduced and spent twelve years bitterly lamenting.
Without having been in Peter's situation, can he really know that he would have died rather than betray him--or that James, Lily, and Remus would have done the same? Perhaps he (almost) can, based on his history of defying his family's values, when it would made his life easier to stay the course. It is nice to believe that he would have.
--AK