Agency in the Shrieking Shack

[Shauna <wind3213@hotmail.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52178

As co-creator of SUNLIGHT ULTRA and a MD supporter, I feel 
compelled to step in here.

First, before I address the issues you raised, let me just point 
out that what we know of lifedebts isn't enough to come to *any* 
certain conclusion.  Let's listen to Dumbledore as he explains 
the lifedebt to Harry (PoA, US Hardcover, p. 27):

"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."

Despite the fact that Dumbledore has just learned of the true, 
desipicable nature of Peter Pettigrew, he seems confident that 
the lifedebt will come in useful.  It doesn't sound as though he 
expects that a lifedebt *can* be subverted, or overcome.  
According to what he's saying, lifedebts don't count on the moral 
character of the indebted, but rather something else, something 
magical...

And a few lines later:

"This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry."

Whatever we think we know about lifedebts, we can't be sure that 
we're right.


>  Therefore, there's 
> no reason to assume that Pettigrew's life-debt will affect 
anything 
> other than Pettigrew's behavior.  And even then, it still depends 
on 
> the debtor's character -- Pettigrew still managed to a great deal 
of 
> harm to Harry, despite the debt, because he doesn't have the 
> integrity to honor it properly, the way Snape does.  

Oh, yes, Snape honors the lifedebt properly.  By making Harry's 
life as miserable as possible.  Forcing him to do detentions, 
undermining his self-esteem... integrity, eh?

Wait, you say!  It doesn't matter what Snape *does* to Harry, so 
long as he keeps him alive.

Well, well, well.  Does Peter Pettigrew in GoF ever attempt to kill 
Harry?  No.    

And he does try to make things easier for Harry.  He tries to 
persuade Voldemort not to use him.  When he cuts Harry, he 
takes the minimum amount of blood.

~ Shauna