Why Remus and Sirius Did Not Immediately Inform Snape About Pettigrew’s Survival

In the third novel of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black do not immediately inform Severus Snape about the fact that Peter Pettigrew, their former classmate, is still alive for several complex reasons. This decision reflects a combination of trust issues, concerns for Harry's safety, the urgency of the situation, and the complicated personal history shared among the Marauders.

Trust Issues

Sirius and Remus are acutely aware of Snape's deep-seated animosity towards them, particularly towards Sirius. Given their shared history—especially their time at Hogwarts—a significant amount of trust has been eroded over the years. They are well aware of Snape's tendency to spout misinformation and potentially misuse their trust. For instance, during their school days, Snape's actions often led to conflict and betrayal among their friends. This history of deceit and mistrust makes them hesitant to disclose any sensitive information to Snape without considerable thought.

Danger to Harry

Both Remus and Sirius are highly concerned about the potential ramifications of revealing Pettigrew's survival. Pettigrew was an unwavering supporter of Voldemort and a traitor who betrayed Harry's parents, James and Lily Potter. The return of a former Death Eater who had such a dark past, even if he had been believed to be dead, poses a significant threat not only to Harry but also to the broader magical community. They fear that if Snape were to learn of Pettigrew’s whereabouts and mishandle the information, he might inadvertently alert Voldemort or otherwise put Harry in grave danger.

Lack of Time

The situation is fraught with urgency, and the primary focus of Remus and Sirius is on capturing Pettigrew before he can escape again. They are in a state of alert, ensuring that Pettigrew cannot once more elude their grasp. The immediate threat posed by Pettigrew trumps any concerns over explaining the historical context. This sense of urgency, driven by the high stakes and potential for another escape, means they prioritize practical action over long-winded explanations.

Personal History

The relationship between Snape and the Marauders is deeply entangled and charged with tension. Remus, Sirius, and Pettigrew, as members of the Marauders, all share a complex and sometimes painful history. The act of explaining Pettigrew's survival could require revisiting and revising many of these experiences. Not only would it bring up old memories, including the betrayal by Pettigrew, but it might also challenge their own roles and actions in the past. The Marauders did not possess any magical telepathy or supernatural means to communicate across time and space. Therefore, the only real witness to Pettigrew’s escape was Sirius, who managed to escape from Azkaban and realize that Pettigrew was at Hogwarts with Harry.

For Remus, the situation is complicated. The Ministry declared Pettigrew dead and Sirius killed him, presenting a consistent narrative to the magical world. Without official confirmation from the Ministry and Sirius being the only witness, there was no reason for Remus to doubt this narrative. His lack of information did not stem from any doubts about Sirius’s guilt but from the official stance of the Ministry, which led to the public belief that Pettigrew was dead.

Ultimately, the decision made by Remus and Sirius reflects a mixture of distrust, urgency, and the complexity of their shared past. Their actions are a testament to the intricate web of trust and suspicion that defines the relationships between important figures in the magical world of Harry Potter.