Life debts again was Re: [HPforGrownups] Re: A theory regarding the "innocence" of Sirius Black and the Redemption of Peter

[Irene Mikhlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 50921



finwitch wrote:

> 
> Speaking of that scene, though- When Sirius dragged Remus away as a 
> dog, he also happened to save stunned!Snape's life as well as all 
> three kids (though those three probably could have managed for 
> themselves, Harry&Hermione helping Ron, they'd not have saved Snape).
> Snape just doesn't know it yet or does he know and hates Sirius for 
> that as he does with James Potter or how we should interpret it?
> 

I don't think this kind of "saving" creates a life debt. It's not very 
clear from the books, but my feeling is that wizarding life debt 
requires two components: intent and risk of your own life.
If intent was not necessary, then everyone has life debt to baby!Harry, 
for example. I don't think it's the case.
And you can't get someone in debt if saving his life was a part of your 
job, e.g. I don't think Harry has life debt to Dumbledore for stopping 
his fall in PoA.

Irene