Whose Actions Caused More Damage to the Potter Family: Snape or Wormtail?

The question of who caused more damage to the Potter family is often debated among Harry Potter fans. Some argue that it was Peter Pettigrew, while others defend Severus Snape. This essay explores both perspectives, highlighting the actions of Wormtail and Snape and the impact on the Potter family.

The Role of Peter Pettigrew

Wormtail! No Contest.

When discussing who's responsible for the Potter family's ruin, Wormtail is often seen as the clear winner. He betrayed James and Lily Potter and revealed their location, directly leading to their deaths. The Fidelius Charm required the Secret Keeper to willingly give away the secret; by willingly betraying his friends, Wormtail broke the charm and ensured the Potters' immediate demise.

Furthermore, Wormtail's betrayal had far-reaching consequences. His actions not only resulted in the deaths of his friends, but also brought Voldemort back to life using Pettigrew's arm, which had been transformed by Voldemort to serve as a conduit. This led to a series of terrifying and deadly events for the Harry Potter universe, including multiple death curses and tortures.

Severus Snape's Role

On the other hand, Severus Snape is often seen as blameworthy, but not entirely. Snape did provide information to Voldemort, but his intentions were initially to protect the Potters. He believed that Voldemort might spare them and only gave information out of desperation and a misguided sense of loyalty.

Snape's actions, however, led to the deaths of many innocent people, including the Potters. His involvement in Hogwarts included aiding in the killing of twelve Muggles, two happy young couples, and a man's life in the most terrible place. Additionally, his actions indirectly caused the hardships faced by Harry’s family, such as living with an abusive family.

Friendship and Loyalty

Wormtail's Betrayal and Friendship

Wormtail's trust from James Potter was based on their long-standing friendship and loyalty. James placed his trust in Wormtail, while Sirius Black, Walter Remus, and Severus Snape suspected his true nature from the beginning. This betrayal targeted the heart of what James considered most precious: his bond with his friends.

During Voldemort's resurrection, Pettigrew played a crucial role by voluntarily providing the information needed to bring Voldemort back. This traumatic event was exacerbated by Pettigrew's cruel actions, such as killing Cedric Diggory and forcing him to give Voldemort his blood, which worsened Harry's sense of loss and betrayal.

James Potter's final moments were filled with agony as he realized that Sirius would be blamed and that Petwrigg had betrayed them. The loss of his close friend, the belief in false loyalty, and the death of his wife and child left a profound impact on the remaining members of the Potter family.

Severus Snape's Misplaced Loyalty

Snape's Friendship and Betrayal

While Snape's motives were often self-serving and childish, his involvement in the Potters' downfall is undeniable. His jealousy and fear of rejection led him to assist in the deaths of many, including the Potters. Snape's actions, although misguided, reflect a deeper issue of misplaced loyalty and personal vendettas.

His betrayal to Harry and his fear of rejection led him to harm innocent people, which he knew were indirectly causing pain to Harry. The line between protecting and betraying was blurred, and his actions ultimately resulted in a sense of guilt and regret among Potter family members.

Conclusion

The question of who caused more damage—Wormtail or Snape—rests on the definition of betrayal and its consequences. Wormtail's direct betrayal and actions leading to the deaths and near-deaths of the Potters and Harry significantly outweighed Snape's contributions to the Potions master's plot. While Snape's actions undoubtedly led to more harm, the initial and crucial blow to the Potters was delivered by Wormtail.

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