The Ancient Magic Witch theory, the fight back

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 42076

I wrote:

> Well, that's my theory.  Lily's death wasn't the cause of Harry 
> survival.  Instead, she chose to protect Harry rather than save 
> herself.  Her love for him (and he ability with ancient magic) 
>saved 
> him.

And Grey Wolf replied:
 
> To be fair, Corinth, you should think of NOT including counter 
> arguments in your theories, especially if they're canon based, 
>since it 
> makes them easier to attack: you've provided the two main extracts 
>I 
> had thought of, and I didn't even have to translate them. Thanks, 
>at 
> any rate. 

Sorry, that's the scientist in me. :) No eliminating data simply 
because it doesn't fit my hypothesis.  Better to defend my theory up 
front than wait for someone to ambush me later.  But I don't think my 
explanations of these semi-contradictions are that far a stretch.   

Grey Wolf continued:

> That's the main reason I introduced Lily's sacrifice as a part of 
>the 
> incantation; else, everyone would be using it, it would not have 
>been 
> forgotten. Or, if you think as kangasboy (aka pat mahony; aka roo) 
>that 
> "ancient magic" means "elemental magic", if the spell was as easy 
>as a 
> three-minute incantation (or even a week incantation, or whatever), 
> Voldemort would've had it more present, and it would not have 
>slipped 
> his mind.

I guess I didn't phrase my original post very well.  I didn't want to 
imply that the ancient magic was simply a long spell.  A spell that 
could repel the Killing Curse would be quite handy, and therefore 
there must be a reason no one uses it anymore.  Lily came across this 
magic, but decided it was not useful for some reason.  Complicated, 
dangerous, unpredictable side-effects?  I don't know.  But when 
Voldemort attacked, Lily decided the risk was worthwhile.  I still 
don't think her death was a necessary component of the spell.

-Corinth