What do you think of Peter's death in the final book? Did his hand turn on him because of the life debt that he owed Harry that he didn't carry through? Did Voldemort know that Peter owed Harry and should he relent his actions (like he did when his hand turned on him) or try to save Harry, it would turn on him. Do you think Peter even knew that he owed Harry a life debt?

I think voldermort gave him that hand on purpose in the 4 book as he knew that Harry had saved his life in the third book. Voldermort didn't like a servant in the debt of Harry Potter. So if he ever tried to save Harry or help Harry the Hand would kill him.

Perhaps Voldemort didn't necessarily give Wormtail the hand for that reason. What I mean to say is that perhaps Voldemort wasn't conscious of the fact that Peter owed Harry a life debt, more than he was confident that Wormtail would at some point faulter in his loyalty to him in SOME situation, not necessarily in interaction with Harry. I think Voldemort was aware that Wormtail's 'loyalty' was one rooted in fear, not in a true loyalty to him and the cause, and he also knew that fear would cause Pettigrew to rethink his choices or have doubts about them at least. It was at that moment that he planned for the hand to play its role. The fact that it happened to be in an interaction with Harry may have been just slightly coincidental from Voldemort's perspective.

I agree with Tiff, Wormtail was in no way loyal, it was only out of fear and protection he joined Voldemort in the first place. I don't think he knew he owed harry a life debt or if he did know i don't think he would of understood it.

He went back to Voldemort not with loyalty to him but because he needed refuge as his two best friends wanted to kill him.Voldemort also knew that Peter was Harry's debtor.The Hand must have acted in the same way even if he had tried to help some one else and not only harry

Pettigrew was never the most trustworthy of people. He had a weak character and was easily 'led along with the crowd.' He seemed to have turned on James and Lily because he knew that they would eventually be found, and it also seems that he could not deal with the amount of pressure placed upon him. Voldemort knew that the reason Pettigrew had betrayed his friends was to save himself, and he also knew that if it looked like there was the slightest possibility that he would lose, that Pettigrew would abandon him in a heartbeat. He was only there out of fear. He was wanted by the entire wizarding world due to his actions towards Lily and James Potter, so there was absolutely no going back unless he did something drastic, like betray the Dark Lord and cause his downfall.

That's why I think Voldemort gave him that hand...he wanted to have an insurance policy of sorts against Pettigrew's weak nature. He wanted to make sure that if Pettigrew ever betrayed him in the slightest that he would be done away with. And that one tiny moment of weakness cost him his life.

Exactly. Pettigrew was the type of person who is very easily swayed one way or the other. He may even have wanted to go back to the side of the good at some point, who knows? but the fear of retribution from the Dark Lord kept him loyal to his cause. He seemed the type of person who flips one way and then the other, look how easily he sold out his friends. No doubt Voldemort knew this and gave Pettigrew the hand for insurance.

I really don't think The Hand was specifically intended to be Peter's downfall, but it's a rather convenient end to his character, isn't it? Think about it. He was the reason for his fall because of his poor choices. Pettigrew had good friends, he had a good life, he had it all, and he didn't have to do ANYTHING because Voldemort would have never targeted him. And yet, Peter chose to seek Voldie out and reveal Lily/James' hiding place! Da da dunnnnnnn! Silly boy! Why did he do that for? He would have been safe staying on the light side....but nooooo, those dark chocolate-Death-Eater-only cookies are too tempting, I guess.

Anyways, my thoughts are this: Peter Pettigrew brought about his own doom and his hand strangling himself was too perfect. He died by his own hand, both literally and figuratively. Coincidence? Planned by Voldie all along? Maybe.

i agree with linda.Voldemort must have known his weakness cause wormtail first betrayed his friends,then he deserted Voldemort and then returned back later.He was one who would move from one side to another.So maybe the hand was a kind of contract between them without pettigrew knowing about it

and yes the DE only cookies are tempting:XD:

I had not looked at it this way before. Lovely thought process you have there!

Why thank you! It seems like the sort of pun JKR would use.

I need to say, I am not surprised by Peter's death. The way characters have flipped flopped from good to bad and vice versa. That is what was good about book 7, Jo kept us wondering what would happen next.
Did Peter feel guilt about Lily and James deaths ? Maybe this was his way of
redemption. Who knows ?

I Knew it was coming. but still it happend a little too quick.
Or maby too late, I never liked him.

I think that was kinda the point....he had to be there, it had to be him. If it was any other Death Eater, then there wouldn't have been much of a chance for Harry and Ron to disarm him. as it was, it was difficult for them, and Harry almost died anyway. He was a miserable character, but there are all different levels of wizards, and muggles, and it just goes to show that everyone has character flaws.

I feel that maybe Voldemort had anticipated Peter's change of heart and gave him the hand to helf safe guard against it. It really was above Voldemort's character to perform such an act of generosity in replacing his hand, and so makes me think that he always stood to gain something from it. A safeguard against Peter's cowardice seems perfectly reasonable to me.

I agree with Bee, Peter is easily swayed. Voldermort most of expected maybe 'remorse' ? Harry I believe showed kindness, like Lily's who is dead because of Wormtail. I believe that moment Wormtail realised the reality of the attitude he had. That infact rebounded on him.