[HPforGrownups] Godric's Hollow

[Carrie S]

No: HPFGUIDX 53052

GulPlum wrote: 

There is one thing at the back of my mind at all times, though: how on 
earth does Dumbledore know that James was killed first and that it was 
*Lily's* sacrifice which saved Harry, rather than the other way around? 


Me: 

I think Dumbledore watches CSI !     =)

Whoever walks in and finds the bodies comes to James first and finds Lily over or near the body of Harry as trying to protect him. If James were still alive at that point, he would have been there trying to save them. I think this is the assumption Dumbledore goes with. 

My question in this vein is........how do they know an AvaKedavra (sp?) is what backfired in Harry's case and killed Voldemort. Maybe V was not trying to kill Harry but do something else.  Was V's body ever found? 

Also, how come it is Lily's sacrifice to save Harry that means anything?? Why didn't James' sacrifice work to protect Lily or Harry? Is that why he stayed and didn't apparate away, turn into a dog and run, or do the Avakedavra spell first - because he was trying to make the sacrifice himself and save the rest of his family?? 

Carrie