[HPforGrownups] Re: Bang! You're Dead.

[Robert Shaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 86019

Kathryn Cawte wrote:

>> However, is the wizarding world not at war with Voldemort?  It seems
>> that way to me....forgive me, but your own logic seems to point in my
>> favour...Harry would be "somewhat justified" if he killed Voldemort
>> then?  (I personally don't think anyone would complain in the WW if
>> he did....)
>
> I said that killinng someone in a war *when they are fighting back* is
> justified. Not just killing them if they are unarmed and not
> resisting.

But can Voldemort ever be considered unarmed?

Even wandless and half-dead he was still dangerous, as Quirrel found.

Nor would Voldemort ever fail to resist capture, except as part of
a trap. No terms of surrender he offered could be taken seriously.

I'd say Voldemort must always be considered armed and dangerous,
even when he appears superficially harmless.

If Harry should find Voldemort sleeping peacefully, he should not
hesitate to kill him out of moral qualms (though fear of a trap would
be a very good reason to hesitate).

For Harry to wake Voldemort up, so he can fight him in a fair duel,
would be sheer folly.

Of course, Harry should not do this lightly. He must remain aware
that he could err in his judgement, and kill someone undeserving, but
he'll have a century afterwards in which to assuage his guilt.

--
Robert