[HPforGrownups] Life-debts

[eloiseherisson at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 42316

Corinth:
> The concept of a life debt has been mentioned only once in canon as
> far as I can recall (at work, no books to consult).  This is when
> Harry asks Dumbledore why Snape hated him, and why he would then save
> his life.  Dumbledore replies by saying that James had done something
> Snape could never forgive: saved his life.  Harry accepts this as the
> only reason for the dislike, and the only reason Snape would try to
> save him.  However, I believe Dumbledore intentionally oversimplified
> things in order to 1) give Harry some positive info. about his father
> and 2) to stop any further questions regarding Snape's role in his
> organization.  
> 

No, the life-debt thing is mentioned by Dumbledore more directly in PoA after 
Harry regrets sparing Pettigrew's life:

"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."

(PoA, p310, UK paperback)

I think it is in the light of this that many of us read back Dumbledore's 
words about Snape to imply that he owes a life-debt to James.

Eloise


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