Harry saving Wormtail and how it may affect book 7

[Thor_Doomhammer]

On page 427 of POA, right after Harry spares Wormtail and Wormtail escapes, Dumbledore had the following conversation with Harry:


"Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt.... When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it creates a certain bond between them.... And I'm much mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in the debt of Harry Potter."

"I don't want a connection with Pettigrew!" said Harry. "He betrayed my parents!"

"This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry. But trust me.... The time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's life."

Since we haven't yet seen this statement of Dumbledore's come to fruition, do you think we will revisit this in book 7? Or were these statements by Dumbledore the ramblings of an old man that will just come to nothing?

[Commonmind]

It's hard to tell. I don't think every piece of foreshadowing that Rowling gives away is going to come to pass, but there is some merit in the theory, as it does emphasize there being a time when Harry may be glad he saved his life.

[Leisha]

JK Rowling's said in a few interviews that it's important. So yes, Wormtail will repay his debt somehow. Personally, I'm inclined to think he dies repaying it -- in fact, I think it would be the only end befitting for him.

[Majimaune]

Maybe Wormtail will already be dead at the start of the 7th book. Killed by Snape....

[PTeppic]

JK didn't build up the whole debt thing to have it wasted between the books. I don't know if it will be the major crux, that's more likely to be the Snape-is-he-or-isn't-he, but in the next group of major live-die plot points will come Wormtail saving Harry (and probably dying for his trouble, and knowing that'll happen when he does it).

Up to a point JK needs to bring his personal story round to a conclusion. After the initial discovery of betrayal, Peter Pettigrew finally needs to demonstrate the "good within him", repent and redeem himself to the Potter family. May not be real life but it's classic plot material...