But I got this far, didnโt I?โ he said slowly. โThey thought Iโd die in the attempt, but Iโm here . . . and youโre in my power. . . . Iโm the one with the wand. . . . youโre at my mercy. . .
J. K. RowlingShe kept asking herself whether, if he had looked cleaner, she might have been more concerned; whether, on some subliminal level, she had confused his obvious signs of neglect with street-smartness, toughness and resilience.
J. K. RowlingWhat was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has ever existed?" said Black, with a terrible fury in his face. "Only innocent lives, Peter!" "You don't understand!" whined Pettigrew. "He would have killed me, Sirius!" "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!
J. K. Rowling